JPH0131615B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an imaging element cleaning device for a copying machine.

For example, a convergent light transmitter array is used as an imaging element of a copying machine. As is well known, this converging light transmitter array is made up of a number of densely arranged light converging optical fibers arranged in rows, and a predetermined optical position is placed between the contact glass and the photoreceptor. A document optical image is incident on the incident end face, and imaging light to be imaged on the photoreceptor surface is emitted from the output end face. In a copying machine equipped with an imaging element such as a convergent light transmitting array, the incident end face and the outgoing end face are exposed to the outside, so that floating toner, fine paper powder, etc. Dust and the like adhere to the incident end face and the outgoing end face, which not only becomes disadvantageous in terms of image formation, but also damages the end face of the optical fiber.

The present invention minimizes the adhesion of toner, paper dust, etc. by using a light-transmissible shielding member that covers the end face of the imaging element, and when the shielding member is attached or removed, the end face of the imaging element An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging element cleaning device that completely prevents toner from adhering to the imaging element by cleaning the imaging element, and also facilitates the cleaning operation.

The present invention will be explained below with reference to illustrated embodiments.

In FIG. 1, a document illumination device 1 includes an illumination light source 2, a reflection plate 3, and a contact glass 4.
The upper document 0 is illuminated in a slit shape. The document illumination device 1, the focusing light transmitting element array 5, which is an example of an image forming element, and the charging charger 6 are made into a unit, and this made unit moves in the direction of the arrow, and the image is endless. The surface of the belt-shaped photoreceptor 7 is charged and exposed, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface.

The convergent light transmitting body array 5 allows the original optical image to enter from the incident end surface 5a, and emits imaging light to be imaged on the surface of the photoreceptor 7 from the exit end surface 5b. Below the convergent light transmitter array 5, there is a light-transmissive shielding member 8 made of transparent glass, for example, and a frame member 9.
These are arranged so as to substantially cover the output end surface 5b side of the convergent optical transmitter array 5. As shown in FIG. 2, the shielding member 8 extends in the longitudinal direction of the convergent light transmitter array 5 and in the direction of the end surface thereof, with respect to the frame member 9 fixed to the unit together with the convergent light transmitter array 5. It can be attached and detached freely, and when attached, it covers the output end surface 5b.

On the upper surface of one longitudinal end of the shielding member 8,
A brush-shaped imaging element cleaning member 11 is implanted, and a mounting plate 13 on which a brush-shaped cleaning member 12 is implanted is fixed to the frame member 9.

Here, in FIG. 1, the output end surface 5b of the convergent light transmitting body array 5 is connected to the shielding member 8 and the frame member 9.
Since the end surface 5b is covered by the photoreceptor 7, adhesion of toner, fine paper dust, etc. floating around the photoreceptor 7 to the end surface 5b can be kept to a minimum. In addition, there is no risk of damaging the end face of the convergent optical transmitter array.

By the way, as a copying machine is used for a long period of time, it becomes impossible to expect perfect sealing of the frame member 9 against the output end surface 5b, so that a small amount of
Toner and the like will adhere to the output end surface 5b.
Now, in FIG. 2, when the shielding member 8 is pulled out in the direction of the arrow, the cleaning member 11 is
The output end face 5b is rubbed and cleaned by wiping, and the toner etc. that are brushed off onto the shielding member 8 during this cleaning are removed by another cleaning member 12, so that the shielding member is always clean. kept in condition.

With this configuration, the end face of the convergent light transmitter array can be kept completely clean, and the convergent light transmitter array and the shielding member can be cleaned at the same time. It has the advantage of being able to perform these tasks in one operation. In addition, in FIG. 2, a cleaning member similar to the cleaning member 12 may be disposed opposite to the lower surface of the shielding member 8 to clean the lower surface, which is more effective since both the upper and lower surfaces of the shielding member can be cleaned at the same time. Effective.

Incidentally, in the above embodiment, the shielding member 8 is provided on the output end face 5b side of the convergent light transmitting body array 5, but it is provided on the entrance end face 5a side, and the cleaning member 11 protects the entrance end face. 5a
In addition to cleaning the shielding member 8, another cleaning member 12 may be used to clean the shielding member 8. In this case, since the end surface is moving away from the photoreceptor 7, the amount of toner, paper powder, etc. that adheres to the incident end surface 5a is smaller than the amount that adheres to the output end surface 5b, and the shielding member is moved toward the output end surface 5b. It is better to set it in However, it is effective in cleaning dust and the like.

Furthermore, when the shielding member is also used as a filter for adjusting the sensitivity of the photoreceptor, if the shielding member is placed on the incident end surface 5a side, stray light from the illumination light source 2 will enter the convergent light transmitter array. In view of this, it is more advantageous to provide the shielding member on the output end surface 5b side.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the imaging element cleaning device, in which a shielding member 15 is embedded in the frame member 14, and the two are integrated. Then, by inserting and removing the frame member 14 itself, the convergent light transmitter array is cleaned using the cleaning member 16 implanted in the frame member, and is shielded using the cleaning member 17 attached to the immovable member 18. Clean member 15. Note that when the frame member 14 shown in FIG. 13 is integrally attached to the charging charger 6 shown in FIG. 15 may be cleaned at the same time, and when the charging charger is removed for cleaning or adjustment, the focusing transmitter array and the shielding member are automatically cleaned along with the removal/installation work. It is extremely convenient.

As described above, according to the present invention, the shielding member can minimize adhesion of toner, paper powder, dust, etc. to the imaging element, and when the shielding member is attached and detached,
Since the imaging element is cleaned by the cleaning member provided thereon, this cleaning work is extremely easy, and the imaging element etc. can be kept in a completely clean state. Since the image forming element is not cleaned when it is attached or detached, the image forming element can be fixed, and there is no risk of the optical position of the element being distorted.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram around an imaging element of a copying machine to which the present invention is applied, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an imaging element cleaning device according to an embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 3 is another embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the imaging element cleaning device of FIG. 5...Imaging element, 5a...Incidence end surface, 5b...
Output end face, 6... Charger, 7... Photoreceptor, 8, 15... Shielding member, 11, 16... Imaging element cleaning member, 12, 17... Cleaning member.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. An imaging element that allows an optical image of the original to enter from an incident end face and outputs the optical image of the original as imaging light onto a photoreceptor surface from an exit end face, and is detachable in the direction of the end face of the imaging element. And,
a light-transmissive shielding member that covers at least one of the incident and output end faces when attached; and an imaging element cleaning member that is fixed to the shielding member and wipes and cleans the end face when the shielding member is attached and detached. 1. An imaging element cleaning device for a copying machine, comprising: a member. 2. an imaging element that allows a document optical image to enter from an input end surface and outputs the document optical image from an output end surface as imaging light to a photoreceptor surface;
a light-transmissive shielding member that covers at least one of the incident and output end faces when attached; and an imaging element cleaning member that is fixed to the shielding member and wipes and cleans the end face when the shielding member is attached and detached. An imaging element cleaning device for a copying machine, comprising: a member; and a cleaning member that wipes and cleans the shielding member when the shielding member is attached or detached. 3. an imaging element that allows a document optical image to enter from an input end surface and outputs the document optical image as imaging light onto a photoreceptor surface from an output end surface; the imaging element is detachable in the direction of the end surface of the imaging element;
a light-transmissive shielding member that covers at least one of the incident and output end faces when mounted; a charging charger that charges the photoreceptor surface and integrally fixes the shielding member; An imaging element cleaning device for a copying machine, comprising an imaging element cleaning member fixed to a shielding member and wiping cleaning the end face when the shielding member and the charger are integrally attached and detached. .