JPH07306573A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an image forming device which can arrange a cleaning means capable of easily and surely attaining cleaning work for an electrode for electrifying in a state where a process cartridge is attached to the upper main body by a user without any mistake at a low cost and maintain high image quality for a long period. CONSTITUTION:In the image forming device, provided with two main bodies separated into the upper main body 1A and the lower main body to open/close, the attachable process cartridge 100 having the cleaner of the electrode driven by a manual knob 122 and supporting parts supporting the cartridge 100 in the first position of the upper main body 1A in a nearly horizontal state at the time of opening the upper main body 1A and in the second position as the normal loading position of the upper main body 1A thereon respectively, the cartridge 100 is supported in the first position in the opened state of the upper main body 1A and the knob 122 of the cleaner provided on the top or front surface of the cartridge 100 is manually moved toward an electrode wire for electrifying, to clean it.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cleaning mechanism for corona discharge electrodes in a charger provided in a process cartridge of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and means for ensuring safe and easy cleaning operation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a clamshell two-division type electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a dedicated cleaning tool is brought into contact with an electrode wire of a corona discharge electrode of a charger mounted on a detachable process cartridge. Let me clean it manually.

Moreover, the charging electrode for charging the photosensitive member is on the upper part of the cartridge, and the cartridge is mounted on the upper body of the clamshell two-split type. Therefore, simply split the upper body and open the upper body by 45 ° to clean it. Since this is not possible, the cartridge is removed from the main body and the electrode wire portion is manually cleaned.

[0004]

In such a conventional example, the process cartridge is detached from the main body, and a dedicated cleaning member is manually brought into contact with and slides on the electrode wire for cleaning. In addition, there was a problem that normal cleaning could not be performed because the cleaning tool was lost or the lost cleaning tool remained somewhere in the machine. Detaching the process cartridge, though depending on its structure, is quite troublesome, and it is a tense task that uses nerves to prevent scratching, and the electrode cleaning work after removing it also has the above-mentioned problems. It was unforgivable. Further, since the photoconductor has photo-deterioration, it is necessary to pay attention to this aspect when it is removed.

However, there is also a method of automatically cleaning the wire, but it has the drawbacks that the mechanism is complicated and the manufacturing cost is high.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus which solves the above problems of the prior art.

[0007]

This object is achieved by any one of the following technical means a, b and c.

(A) The upper main body and the lower main body have two main bodies that can be opened and closed in two parts, and a detachable process cartridge having an electrode cleaning tool driven by a manual knob. A support portion that supports the process cartridge in the first position of the upper body in a substantially horizontal state when opened, and a second position that is a normal loading position of the process cartridge in the upper body.
An image forming apparatus, comprising: an upper main body, and a support portion for supporting the position.

(B) The upper main body and the lower main body have two main bodies which can be opened and closed in two parts, and a detachable process cartridge having an electrode cleaning tool driven by a manual knob. A support portion that supports the process cartridge in the first position of the upper body in a substantially horizontal state when opened, and a second position that is a normal loading position of the process cartridge in the upper body.
An image forming apparatus in which a support section for supporting the position at a position is provided on the upper main body, and the cleaning tool is provided on the upper surface or the front surface of the process cartridge for supporting the process cartridge at a first position when the upper main body is opened. An image forming apparatus characterized in that the charging electrode wire is cleaned by manually moving the knob in the direction of the charging electrode wire.

(C) The image forming apparatus according to item (a) or item (b), wherein the knob of the cleaning tool can reciprocate in the direction of the charging electrode wire of the process cartridge.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described together with its operation with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the schematic arrangement of a color laser printer which is an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. First, based on this figure, an outline of the entire configuration and operation will be described.

The photosensitive drum 10 as an image carrier having an OPC photosensitive layer coated on the surface is in one direction (clockwise in the figure).
After being driven and rotated, the static eliminator 11 performs static elimination to remove the charge from the previous printing, and the charger 120 uniformly charges the peripheral surface to prepare for a new print. After this uniform charging, the image exposure means 13 performs image exposure based on the image signal. The image exposure means 13 rotates and scans a laser beam emitted from a laser light source, which will be described later, by a rotary polygon mirror 13A, bends an optical path by a reflection mirror 13C via an fθ lens 13B and the like, and is charged in advance with the photosensitive drum 10. A latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 by being projected onto the peripheral surface of the.

On the periphery of the photoconductor drum 10, there are developed a developer composed of a mixture of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), black (K) toner and a magnetic carrier. A filled developing device 14 is provided. The toner is replenished to each developing device from the toner hopper 40 of each color through the pipes 44, 45, 46 and 47 in a timely manner. First, the development of the first color is performed by the developing sleeve 14S which has a built-in magnet and rotates while holding the developer. The developer is regulated to a predetermined thickness on the developing sleeve 14S by the layer forming rod and is conveyed to the developing area. A is provided between the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing sleeve 14S.
The C bias voltage VAC and the DC bias voltage VDC are superimposed and applied. Here, the potential of the exposed portion of the photosensitive drum 10 is VL, the surface potential of the charged photosensitive layer other than the exposed portion is VH, and the DC bias voltage VDC is | VH |> |
By setting so that VDC |> | VL | is established, the toner that is given the opportunity to be separated from the carrier by the AC bias voltage VAC has a higher potential than VDC.
It does not adhere to the H portion, but adheres to the exposed portion of potential VL lower than VDC, and is visualized and developed.

After the development of the first color is completed in this way, the second color (eg, magenta) image forming process is started.
The photosensitive drum 10 is uniformly charged again, and a latent image based on the image data of the second color is formed by the image exposure means 13. For the third color (cyan) and the fourth color (black), the same image forming process as for the second color is performed, and a total of four colors are developed on the photosensitive drum 10.

On the other hand, the paper feed cassette 21 or the manual feed port 24
The recording paper P, which is the transfer material fed from the paper feed mechanism 22 from the paper feeding mechanism 22, is formed between the photoconductor drum 10 and the transfer belt 331 by the transfer belt device 300 in which the transfer belt 331 is stretched. Area) 335, photoconductor drum 1
The multicolor image on the 0th circumferential surface is collectively transferred to the recording paper P. Here, a high voltage is applied to the shaft 332a of the upstream holding roller 332 of the transfer belt 331, and the transfer belt 331 is applied to the shaft 332a.
The conductive brushes 334 installed at positions facing each other with the sheet sandwiched therebetween are grounded, and the recording paper P that has been fed has the brush 334.
Between the transfer belt 331 and the transfer belt 331, and the electric charge injected into the recording paper P from the brush 334 causes the transfer belt 331 to be sucked into the transfer area. The recording paper P separated from the photoconductor drum 10 is the holding roller 3 on the downstream side which stretches the transfer belt 331.
The shaft 333b of 33 serves as a counter electrode and is separated from the transfer belt 331 while being discharged. It should be noted that the transfer belt 331 is separated from the photosensitive drum 10 about the shaft 333b of the holding roller 333 on the downstream side as a rotation center during the formation of the multicolor image.

Recording paper P separated from the transfer belt device 300
Is conveyed to a fixing device 23 composed of two pressure-bonding rollers having a heater inside at least one of the rollers, and heat and pressure are applied between the two pressure-bonding rollers to melt the adhered toner. , After being fixed on the recording paper P,
It is conveyed upward through the transport guide 25 and is carried out of the apparatus.

After the transfer, the toner remaining on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 10 is discharged by the static eliminator 15 to reach the cleaning device 16, and the cleaning blade 16a abutting on the photosensitive drum 10 causes the toner inside the cleaning device 16 to be removed. It is scraped off, is carried out by a screw or the like, and is stored in the collection box 17. The photoconductor drum 10 from which the residual toner has been removed by the cleaning device 16 is neutralized by the static eliminator 11 and then uniformly charged by the charger 120 to enter the next image forming cycle. If the recording paper P is not separated from the transfer belt 331 and winds around the photosensitive drum 10 and enters above the static eliminator 15, the cleaning blade 16a and the electrode wire may be damaged. A jam sensor 336 that detects wrapping at an early stage is mounted near the static eliminator 15.

The above is a description of the state in which the upper body 1B and the lower body 1A are closed and the image formation is operable. However, in order to open the upper body in FIG. 2, about 45 ° around the support shaft 2. The configurations of the upper body 1B, the lower body 1A, and the process cartridge 100 will be described with reference to the rotated schematic diagram.

The lower body 1A has a paper feed cassette 21 and a paper feed mechanism.
22, the transfer belt device 300 and the fixing device 23 are installed,
The upper main body 1B includes an image exposure unit 13, a developing unit 14 and a toner hopper.
40, etc. are incorporated, and further, photoconductor drum 10, PCL
11, a process cartridge incorporating a charger 120, a static eliminator 15, a cleaning device 16, a collected toner box 17, etc.
100 is detachably provided on the upper body frame 18 of the upper body 1B.

On both sides of the process cartridge 100, a mounting guide pin 157 is provided at a position corresponding to the center axis of the photosensitive drum 10, and another mounting guide pin 158 is provided at a position slightly shorter than the drum radius. Is provided. Upper body 1
By rotating B about the support shaft 2 of the lower main body 1A by about 45 °, the right manual feed guide is also rotated and opened with another support shaft as a fulcrum.

In this way, the upper main body 1B is opened at approximately 45 °, and the process cartridge 100 is ready to be attached / detached.
When 7 and 158 are inserted and mounted so as to slide along the guide grooves 18A and the mounting surface 18B provided on the upper main body frame 18 on both sides of the upper main body 1B, the mounting guide pin 157 has the bottom portion of the guide groove. The other guide pin 158 is placed on the mounting surface 1
It can be placed on 8B. A bulge portion 18C is provided at the end of the mounting surface 18B so that the guide pin 158 cannot easily get over even if the guide pin 158 is accidentally moved against the weight of the process cartridge 100. Then, in this state, the support portion at the first position is formed,
The process cartridge 100 is safely placed in the first position.

A clamp mechanism 150 is provided on both sides of the rear portion of the process cartridge 100. This is because the clamp lever 151 rotatably supported by the support shaft 152 is connected to the frame of the process cartridge 100 and the clamp lever 151.
A coil spring 153 applied between the two is urged to rotate counterclockwise.

A hook 151B is formed on the upper end of the clamp lever 151, and the lever 151 is rotated clockwise with a finger against the bias of the coil spring 153 to the left in the figure at the lower end. A knob 151A that can be used is provided.

On the other hand, support pins 155 at the second position are provided on both sides of the upper body frame 18.

The process cartridge in the first position
The hook 100B is rotated about 45 ° about the pin 157 as a fulcrum, and when the hook 151B is guided by the support pin 155 against the urging force of the spring 153, the hook 151B ends. The support pin 155 is clamped by the force and is mounted in the state shown in the overall schematic sectional view of FIG. In this way, the support portion at the second position is formed. Then, at this time, the recording paper P is formed by the frame surface 226A of the upper main body 1B and the end surface 226B of the process cartridge 100.
Is formed. This is the mounted state of the second position.

Then, in order to return it to the state of the two-dot chain line in FIG. 3 or the state of the first position shown in FIG. 2 by removing it, the knob 151A described above is raised while slightly lifting the process cartridge.
Hook 151B with pin 1
It can be removed from 55 and returned to the first position.

Then, the process cartridge 100 is detached from the upper main body 1B by lifting and moving the process cartridge 100 so that the mounting guide pins 157 and 158 are separated from the guide groove 18A and the mounting surface 18B. It becomes possible to dismantle.

Now, when the upper body 1B is opened, that is, when the process cartridge 100 is in the second position, the transfer is performed by manually moving the knob 358 of the transfer belt device 300 in the direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. It can be seen that the pole wire cleaning is very easy and easy.

Cleaning of the transfer belt device will be described later.

However, it is impossible to clean the charger in the second position. Therefore, by providing the first position as shown in FIG. 2, the knob 122 can be manually slid in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 2 while the process cartridge 100 is mounted on the upper main body. Can be cleaned.

In addition, the cartridge 100 is mounted on the upper body 1B or the lower body 1A, that is, the cartridge 100.
Has the freedom to rotate upwards, and the electrodes can be cleaned while being regulated in each horizontal and downward direction.Therefore, there is no need to worry about damaging the photoconductor drum or other parts, and the return to the normal printing state is extremely high. Quick and easy.

Next, the means for cleaning the charging electrode and the means for cleaning the transfer electrode in the transfer belt device will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, the plan view of FIG. 4, the side sectional view of FIG. 5 (AA sectional view of FIG. 4), the plan view of FIG. FIG. 8 showing the state at the time of shifting to, and when in the home position of FIG.
The cleaning means for the charging electrode will be described with reference to the plan view showing the operation of the home position detecting means (sensor) when it is not so. The electrode wire 123 used for the charging electrode is stretched by a constant tension between insulating walls provided at both ends of the channel-type metal frame 121. Then, a high voltage is applied during the printing process. A grid is provided on the bottom of the channel-type metal frame 121. A slide plate 131 is provided inside the metal frame 121, and two supporting members 124 are provided on the plate 131.
The support member 124 is pivotally supported and the torque spring 126 is urged so as to urge the support members 124 toward each other.

A cleaning member 125 is fixed to the support member 124, and the electrode wire 123 is pressed and sandwiched at the cleaning position by the biasing force.

The plate 131 inside the channel type metal frame 121 is a knob provided outside the metal frame 121.
122, a threaded pin 132, and a nut 133. The electrode 122 can be cleaned by manually sliding the knob 122 along the long hole of the channel-type metal frame 121 and reciprocating the coupling portion.

As shown in FIG. 7, the knob 122 and the support member 1
24, the cleaning member 125 integrally cleans the electrode wire 123. However, if the printing operation is started with the electrode wire 123 left in the middle, the following various harmful effects occur.

That is, in the case of the charging electrode, the adverse effect of forgetting to return to the home position (hereinafter simply referred to as HP) is as follows.
A normal corona discharge is not performed on the discharge wire portion having the cleaning tool, and a situation occurs in which the surface of the photosensitive drum at the corresponding position is not sufficiently or completely charged. as a result,
An abnormal image occurs in which a large amount of toner of all colors adheres to a belt-shaped uncharged portion in the moving direction of the drum. Further, it is feared that an abnormally large amount of toner is consumed and that each part in the process cartridge is contaminated with the toner, which may lead to a serious situation.

Further, in the case of the transfer electrode, the place where the cleaning tool is present is not fully or completely discharged, so that a belt-shaped transfer failure image which is not transferred at the corresponding position is printed out. However, this is difficult to distinguish depending on the image and may be noticed after printing a large amount, which may cause a great deal of trouble to the user.

In order to prevent such a thing, HP must be
Need to be returned to.

As shown in FIG. 8, the fixing member 12 is attached to the insulating wall 121A provided at one end of the channel type metal frame 121.
8 are provided. This is made in a harpoon shape, with the tip becoming thinner and thicker, and then becoming thinner again when the maximum width is exceeded. HP is the position where the support member 124 and the knob 122 return to the vicinity where they hit the insulating wall in the vicinity of the taper.

When the knob 122 is manually returned to the HP, the support member 124 is gradually opened by the harpoon type fixing member 128, and the support member 124 is stopped at the position where it has crossed over the maximum width portion.
Reach

At this time, the cleaning member 125 together with the supporting member 124 is also separated from the electrode wire 123, so that the influence of the high voltage causes the deterioration of the cleaning member 125 and the high voltage leaks through the cleaning tool to damage the high voltage power supply. It can be avoided by making the machine malfunction. Further, the position of the wire 123 is preferably set to a regular position defined by the positioning parts on both sides.

Now, when the knob 122 comes to this HP, FIG.
As shown in Figure 13, the process cartridge set blocking member 13
Since 4 is pushed to a position where the block is released by the knob 122, the upper main body 1B and the process cartridge 100 attached thereto are closed to the lower main body 1A without any trouble, and the open / close switch SW2 is turned on, which serves as HP detection means described later. It becomes possible to enter a normal operating state by the ON signal of the sensor.

Incidentally, the set blocking member 134 is connected to the frame of the process cartridge 100 by the pin 136 via the two elongated holes 135, and the spring 137 is provided between the blocking member 134 and the frame. The set blocking member 134 is urged toward the side that always blocks the set.

By returning the knob 122 to the HP in this way, it can be handled without any problem. When trying to set the process cartridge to the second position of the upper body without forgetting to return the cleaning tool to HP,
The set blocking member hits a portion of the upper main body 1B having a high rigidity so that the process cartridge cannot be set in the upper main body 1B, and does not damage the device, so that the user can be sure that he / she has forgotten to return to the HP, and a cleaning tool. Is returned to HP and the process cartridge is set in the upper main body 1B.

If the blocking means cannot be provided or is incomplete, the following detecting means for detecting that the knob 122 is at HP may be adopted or used in combination.

This is realized by providing a projection 122A on the knob 122 as shown in the plan view of FIG. 6 and by the H shown by the solid line in FIG.
When the knob 122 comes to the position P, the projection 122A causes a signal to be generated by crossing and shielding a sensor beam composed of a projector 122C and a light receiver 122D as detection means provided on the upper main body 1B or the process cartridge, and H
This signal is used to notify the fact that it is in P. Based on this signal, the shift to the image forming operation is permitted, and the fixing temperature and the like are brought to the regular set values so that the operation of the print start command can be performed. The print preparation operation and control are started.
Further, when the knob 122 is located at the position indicated by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 6 and the signal cannot be generated without crossing the sensor beam, the transition to the image forming operation is prohibited, and the cartridge mounting abnormality or the cartridge HP abnormality. The abnormality display means for displaying the display on the main body display is operated.

The flowchart and circuit diagram for this are shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.

First, in step 1, the power-on switch SW1
Alternatively, it is checked whether or not the upper body start switch SW2 has operated from OFF to ON.

That is, the power-on switch is turned on from off.
Then, it is checked whether or not it has been started up or whether the upper body 1B has moved from the open state to the closed state.

Instead of such a change, SW1 is turned ON →
A change such as turning off or turning SW2 from ON to OFF is not recognized as a change, and the determination is NO, and Step. 5
Proceed to.

When the power-on switch is turned on or the interlock switch which operates in association with the opening and closing of the clamshell is turned on, that is, when SW1 or SW2 is turned from OFF to ON, YES is determined in Step.1. The process proceeds to step 2 and it is confirmed by the HP detection sensor signal whether or not the electrode cleaning tool is on the HP. If YES, the process proceeds to step 5 and step 5 is executed.

In step 2, if NO, that is, HP
If it is confirmed that it is not in (when there is no signal) Step.3
The transfer to image forming operation is prohibited in
At ep.4, the cleaning tool position check display or HP return instruction is executed. Then, when the user moves it to the HP position, the HP detection sensor operates and Step.
2 changes to a YES signal and the process proceeds to Step 5 to execute the shift to the image forming operation.

The above is expressed in a control circuit diagram as shown in FIG.

24VDC and 5VDC of the DC power supply are AC100V
It is designed to be made by turning on the main switch SW1.

The AC driver board is a board that controls the AC load, and the load is controlled by four signals from the control board.

That is, M2 is an AC developing motor, and L1 is a fixing heater controller. Also, interlock SW
Reference numeral 2 is a micro switch MS1 that operates in conjunction with opening and closing of the lower body 1A of the upper body 1B, and reaches the control board.
24 VDC is turned on and off.

Further, as an interlock switch attached to the interlock switch SW2, MS2 and MS3 directly turn ON / OFF the 5V power supply toward the laser driver board.
F. From this perspective, the laser driver circuit is forcibly shut off when the clamshell type upper body is opened or the developing door is opened from the viewpoint of safety.

Next, the cleaning device for the transfer electrode wire 352 of the transfer belt device 300 is shown in a side sectional view in FIG. 11, a plan view in FIG. 12, and HP and cleaning condition shown in FIGS. 13 (a), (b) and (c). Will be described with reference to the sectional view of FIG.

Holding rollers 332, 333, tension roller 33
A semi-conductive transfer belt 331 is endlessly wound around 4.

A channel-shaped metal frame 351 is provided inside the transfer belt 331, and a transfer electrode wire 352 is provided therein.
Is stretched. Then, the supporting frame 354 of the cleaning member 354A of the transfer electrode wire 352 is pressed from above by wrapping the wire 352 with an appropriate pressing force, and is slid toward the transfer electrode wire 352, so that the transfer electrode wire 352 It is designed to wipe off stains such as discharge oxides.

On the other hand, the support frame 354 is a holder 356 that slides on the guide rail 355 along the channel-shaped metal frame 351, and an elastic member (leaf spring) 370 as shown in FIGS. 13 (a) and 13 (b). Is connected via the pin 357
Has been planted. One of the drive wires 359 on the pin 357
The points are combined.

Then, 4 of the base 360 of the transfer belt device 300
The drive wire 359 is suspended and guided by suspension guides 363, 364, 365, 366 provided at a certain position, and both ends of the drive wire 359 are manually operated by a knob 3
It is set to endless by being firmly attached to 58.

When the knob 358 is at the HP at the right end in the figure, the cleaning member 354A and its supporting frame 354 and the holder 356 are located at the HP at the left side in the figure. And Figure 13
As shown on the left side of the sectional views of (a) and (c), the support frame 35
The inclined portion 372 provided on the 4 is the HP of the guide rail 355.
It is dropped in the window 355H opened at the position. This is done by the urging force of the U-shaped elastic member (leaf spring), but the support frame 354 jumps up together with the cleaning member 354A to the state shown in FIG. 13 (a) and separates from the electrode wire. The application of high voltage to the electrode wire 352 is not hindered and the transfer function can be achieved.

When the cleaning work of the electrode wire is started,
As shown on the right side of the sectional views of 13 (b) and 13 (c), the supporting frame
The slanted portion 372 of the 354 smoothly rides on the guide rail 355 by utilizing the slanted portion, so that the biasing force of the elastic member 370 presses the electrode wire 352 by the cleaning member 354A to wipe off the contaminants. I am doing it.

When the transfer electrode wire 352 is cleaned, the knob 358 on the HP is slid to the left, and further reciprocated by sliding it to the right for a proper number of times to perform good cleaning.

When the cleaning is completed, it is possible to return to HP and start the image forming process such as printing again.

Here, the cleaning member 354A and its supporting frame 354 move at the same distance in the right and left directions opposite to the center position of the knob 358 and the transfer electrode in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the HP can be placed in both the left and right directions, but in this embodiment, it is provided on only one side.

Further, if the user forgets to return to the HP, the same trouble as in the case of the charging electrode described above occurs. Therefore, if the user forgets to return to the HP, the closing prevention member of the upper main body 1B is provided to release it at the HP. Alternatively, if the main body is not closed or the image formation start is prohibited if the main body is not returned to the HP, the main body close and the image formation start are prohibited in accordance with the signals. It can be performed in the same manner as in. Further, one of the features of the present invention is that the cleaning knob 358 slides at a right angle on the conveyance path after the transfer of the recording paper P, so that the cleaning member 354A is mistakenly set to H.
Even if the image forming process is started without being returned to P, a knob that moves in an anti-symmetrical manner always blocks or interferes with the recording paper conveyance path, which causes a jam, which causes an error in the HP. It becomes possible for the user to notice that the user forgets to return it early, and it is possible to prevent the cleaning member from coming into contact with the electrode wire and continuing the image formation while the high voltage application is unstable. In addition to the above, according to the present invention, it has become possible to easily and surely manually perform the cleaning, which has been almost difficult until now, on the transfer electrodes housed under the transfer belt 331.

Of course, the above-mentioned cleaning device can be applied almost as it is to a normal type transfer device having no transfer belt.

Further, the cleaning of the charging device and the grid of the transfer device can be configured in substantially the same manner as the cleaning device of the electrode wire.

[0073]

According to the present invention, an unspecified number of users can certainly and surely load the process cartridge onto the upper main body,
A safe and easy-to-operate means has been established, which makes it possible to provide an image forming apparatus in which the cleaning means for the electrodes of the charger can be easily operated while the cartridge is mounted on the upper main body. As a result, expensive process cartridges and photoconductors will not be damaged and performance defects will not occur, making it possible to perform high-quality, high-quality image formation recording for a long period of time.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an overall outline of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the upper main body of the embodiment of the present invention is opened and the process cartridge is horizontal.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the upper main body of the embodiment of the present invention is opened.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a charging electrode cleaning device according to the present invention.

5 is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing home position detecting means of the cleaning knob.

FIG. 7 is a partial plan view showing a cleaning state of the cleaning electrode of the charging electrode wire.

FIG. 8 is a partial plan view showing the opening of the cleaning member when the cleaning member is at the home position.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a side sectional view of the transfer belt device according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the transfer belt device according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing when the cleaning device is in the HP and cleaning states.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1A Lower main body 1B Upper main body 2 Rotating support shaft 10 Photosensitive drum 11 PCL (static neutralizer) 13 Image exposure means 14 (14A, 14B, 14C, 14D) Developer 14S Sleeve roller (developing sleeve) 18 Upper main body frame 18A Guide Groove 18B Mounting surface 18C Raised part 21 Paper feed cassette 40 Toner hopper 100 Process cartridge 120 Charger 121 Channel type metal frame 122 Knob 123 Electrode wire 124 Supporting member 125 Cleaning member 126 Torque spring 127 Bearing part 128 Fixing member 131 Slide plate 134 Set blocking member 136 Pin 137 Spring 150 Clamp mechanism 151 Clamp lever 151A Knob 151B Hook 152 Spindle 153 Coil spring 155 Support pin 157, 158 Placement guide pin 300 Transfer belt device 331 Transfer belt 332 Holding roller 333 Holding roller 335 Transfer area 351 Channel-shaped metal frame 352 Transfer electrode wire 354 Support frame 354A Cleaning member 355 Guide rail Le 355H Window 356 Holder 357 pin 358 Knob 359 Drive wire 360 Base 363, 364, 365, 366 Suspension guide

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An upper main body and a lower main body, having two main bodies that can be opened and closed in two parts, and a detachable process cartridge having an electrode cleaning tool driven by a manual knob,
A support portion that supports the process cartridge at a first position of the upper body and a support portion that supports the process cartridge at a second position that is a regular loading position of the upper body in a substantially horizontal state when the upper body is opened. An image forming apparatus characterized in that each is provided in the upper body. 2. An upper main body and a lower main body, which have two main bodies that can be opened and closed in two parts, and a detachable process cartridge having an electrode cleaning tool driven by a manual knob,
A support portion that supports the process cartridge at a first position of the upper body and a support portion that supports the process cartridge at a second position that is a regular loading position of the upper body in a substantially horizontal state when the upper body is opened. An image forming apparatus provided on each upper body, wherein the process cartridge is supported at a first position with the upper body opened, and a knob of the cleaning tool provided on the upper surface or the front surface of the process cartridge is manually charged with an electrode wire. An image forming apparatus, wherein the charging electrode wire is cleaned by moving the charging electrode wire in a direction. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the knob of the cleaning tool is capable of reciprocating in the direction of the charging electrode wire of the process cartridge.