JPH10279112A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract: A foreign matter removing member that removes foreign matter attached to a pair of transport rollers (particularly, a pair of registration rollers) using a transfer device in the middle of a transport system, and a foreign matter that stores the removed foreign matter. Provided is an image forming apparatus that simplifies installation and configuration by attaching a storage unit to a transfer device, minimizes cost increase by integrating, and easily removes collected foreign substances by making it detachable. . SOLUTION: An image carrier 1 on the surface of which a toner image is formed
A transfer device 2 for transferring the toner image formed on the image carrier to transfer paper, and a transport roller pair 3 for transporting the transfer paper to a transfer position between the image carrier and the transfer device. An image forming apparatus configured to transfer a toner image on an image carrier onto transfer paper conveyed to a transfer position by a pair of conveying rollers, wherein one end of one surface of the pair of conveying rollers is brought into contact with the pair of conveying rollers. A foreign matter removing member 4 for removing foreign matter adhering to the device, and a foreign matter removing member at the inlet end,
A foreign matter storage section 5 having an exit side end fixed to the transfer device and storing the removed foreign matter.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a black-and-white electrophotographic copying machine, a color electrophotographic copying machine, a laser printer, a facsimile, and the like, and in particular, foreign matters such as paper dust adhered to a pair of conveying rollers such as a pair of registration rollers. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a function of removing the image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus,
An image is formed by fixing the toner image on the image carrier after transferring the toner image on a transfer sheet at a transfer position.
The transfer paper is transported in the image forming apparatus by a pair of transport rollers arranged in a transport path, and transports the transfer paper with a nip portion of the pair of transport rollers sandwiching the transfer paper. by the way,
If a foreign substance such as paper dust or toner generated from the transfer sheet adheres to the pair of transport rollers or the image carrier in the middle of the transport, an abnormal image such as image omission is generated. For this reason, conventionally, foreign matter is brushed off on the surface of the pair of conveying rollers to remove foreign matter, or a foreign matter collecting roller is brought into contact with one of the pair of conveying rollers to remove the foreign matter as in the technique described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 233431/1990. 2. Description of the Related Art There is known a technique in which foreign matter collected and collected by a foreign matter collecting roller is removed using a scraping member.

[0003]

However, in the above-described conventional cleaning method in which the bristle brush is slid on the surface of the pair of conveying rollers, the removed foreign matter is clogged between the bristle of the bristle brush and the cleaning ability is reduced. Cleaning and replacement of the bristle brush are frequently required, but the work of cleaning and replacing the bristle brush is very troublesome, and improvement in this point has been demanded. Further, in the prior art described in the above publication using a foreign matter collection roller,
Since the foreign matter collection roller and the foreign matter collection receiving box are required exclusively, the mounting operation and the configuration are complicated, and the cost is increased accordingly. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a foreign matter removing member that removes foreign matter attached to a pair of transport rollers (particularly, a pair of registration rollers) using a transfer device in the middle of a transport system, and a foreign matter storage that stores the removed foreign matter. By attaching the unit to the transfer device, installation and configuration are simplified, and by integrating it, cost increase is suppressed as much as possible,
In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus in which the collected foreign matter is easily cleaned by being detachable.

[0004]

In order to achieve the above object,
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus having an image carrier having a toner image formed on a surface thereof, a transfer device for transferring the toner image formed on the image carrier to transfer paper, and an image carrier. And a transport roller pair for transporting the transfer paper to a transfer position between the image forming apparatus and the transfer roller. The image forming apparatus has a configuration in which the toner image on the image carrier is transferred onto the transfer paper transported to the transfer position by the transport roller pair. In the apparatus, a foreign matter removing member that removes foreign matter adhering to the carrying roller pair by contacting the tip with one surface of the carrying roller pair, and the foreign matter removing member provided at an entrance side end, and an exit side end is provided. And a foreign matter storage portion for storing foreign matter fixed to and removed from the transfer device. According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the transfer device, the foreign matter storage portion, and the foreign matter removing member are integrated. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the transfer device is retracted from the image carrier from a first position at which the toner image formed on the image carrier can be transferred to transfer paper. The transfer device, the foreign matter removing member, and the foreign matter storage member become detachable from the image forming main body when the transfer device is at the second position. It is characterized by. ,

[0005]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the foreign matter adhering to the transport roller pair can be removed by the foreign matter removing member, and the removed foreign matter can be easily stored in the foreign matter storage section. Since the foreign substance storage sections are fixed to the transfer device, the work of attaching the foreign substance removing member and the foreign substance storage section over the full width of the transfer paper and the configuration are simplified, and the foreign substance removal effect is exerted over the entire length of the transfer paper. it can. According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the invention of the image forming apparatus configured as in the first aspect, since the transfer device, the foreign matter storage unit, and the foreign matter removing member are integrated, the structure is also attached. The operation is also simplified, and a foreign matter removing function can be provided in which the cost is suppressed more than in the case of the first aspect.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the image forming apparatus of the first and second aspects, when the transfer device is at a second position retracted from the image carrier,
Since the foreign matter removing member and the foreign matter storage member are detachable from the image forming main body, the foreign matter can be easily cleaned.

[0006]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view showing a main part of an electrophotographic copying machine (hereinafter referred to as a copying machine) according to an embodiment of the present invention. Since the general configuration and operation of the copying machine are well known, the description thereof will be omitted, and the operation of the portion relating to the present invention will be mainly described. In FIG. 1, transfer paper P is supplied from a paper feed tray (not shown) in the direction of the arrow (A), and is stopped in a state where the leading edge is brought into contact with a nip portion of a pair of conveying rollers (a pair of registration rollers) 3. On the other hand, a toner image corresponding to a document image is formed on the image carrier 1 through an electrophotographic process such as charging, exposure, and development. Thereafter, in synchronization with the movement of the toner image on the image carrier, the conveying roller pair 3 resumes rotation in the direction of the arrow (a), and the transfer paper P is brought into contact with the image carrier 1 and During the movement of the body 1 in the direction of the arrow (c), the toner image on the image carrier 1 is transferred to the transfer paper by the operation of the transfer device 2 (corona discharge for applying a charge having a polarity opposite to that of the toner image). Transferred to P. further,
The charge remaining on the transfer paper P is removed by a separation device (not shown), separated from the image carrier 1 and advanced in the direction of arrow (d), and guided to the fixing device 10 (see FIG. 2). The upper toner image is heat-fixed. That is, the transport roller pair 3 of this embodiment is a registration roller pair that supplies the transfer paper P to the transfer position between the image carrier 1 and the transfer device 2.

Here, the transfer device 2 includes a corona wire 2a for performing corona discharge, a casing 2b surrounding the corona wire 2a, and a transfer paper P near the entrance of the transfer device 2 for guiding the transfer paper P toward the image carrier 1. In order to guide the provided guide sheet 2 c and the transfer paper P to the transport guide 6, the casing 2 b
And an exit guide 2d provided on the exit side wall 2b-2. Further, the guide sheet 2c is attached to an upper portion of the entrance side wall 2b-1 of the casing 2b near the entrance of the transfer device 2, and the entrance side wall 2 of the casing 2b is attached.
One end (entrance-side end) 5a of the foreign substance storage unit 5 is fixed to the mounting plate 2b-3 above the b-1 by a screw 7 with a screw 7. Further, a foreign matter removing sheet 4 which is a foreign matter removing member 4 set so that the leading end thereof comes into contact with one surface of the transport roller pair 3 is attached to the other end (outlet end) 5b of the foreign matter storage portion 5. It is attached. The length of the foreign matter removing sheet 4 and the foreign matter storage portion 5 (the length in the direction orthogonal to the paper surface of FIG. 1) is substantially equal to the length of the transfer device 2, so that the foreign matter adheres to the entire paper width of the transfer paper P. The prevention effect can be exhibited. In such a configuration, when foreign matter such as paper dust and toner attached to the transfer paper P moves to the transport roller pair 3, the foreign matter is removed by the foreign matter removing sheet 4 every time it rotates, and is accumulated in the foreign matter storage unit 5. Also, the rail 8 and the leaf spring 9
The transfer device 2 functions as a rail guide that enables the transfer device 2 to move in the front-rear direction (perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 1) with respect to the apparatus main body, and makes the transfer device 2 detachable from the apparatus main body. A leaf spring 9 is fixed below the rail 8 and urges the transfer device 2 toward the image carrier 1. Further, the rail 8 is a transport guide 6
It is fixed to.

FIG. 2 is a structural view of an embodiment of the present invention, and is an explanatory diagram for explaining a positional relationship when the transfer device 2 is moved from a first transferable position to a detachable second position. .
That is, the solid line portion in the figure indicates a position in a normal operation state where the toner image on the image carrier 1 can be transferred to the transfer paper P,
This state is referred to as a state where the transfer device 2 is at the first position.
The state shown by a dotted line in the figure is a state in which the transfer device 2 is retracted from the image carrier 1 and the transfer device 2 is detachable from the apparatus main body. State. The movement from the first position to the second position is possible by rotating a rotation operation lever (not shown) to rotate clockwise around a rotation fulcrum 11 provided on the transport guide 6. Further, when the transfer device 2 is in the second position, the rail 8 described in FIG.
The transfer device 2 can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body in the front direction perpendicular to the paper surface by using the function of the rail guide.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a main part of the transfer device 2. Although the shape of the casing 2b in FIG. 3 is slightly different from that in FIG. 1, the basic structure is the same. The wire positioning member 12 fixes the end of the corona wire 2a of the transfer device 2 and performs positioning. The projection 13 of the wire positioning member 12 fits into a not-shown recess on the image carrier 1 side, and the transfer device 2 is positioned with respect to the image carrier 1. In FIGS. 1 and 3 as well, the foreign substance storage unit 5 is fixed to the casing 2b of the transfer device 2 by screwing with screws 7, but may be integrated. When integrated, the assembly work becomes easier,
Cost can be reduced.

FIG. 4 is a view showing a state in which the transfer device 2 is pulled out forward along a rail 8 fixed to the transport guide 6. That is, as already described with reference to FIG. 2, the transport guide 6 and the transfer device 2 are rotated clockwise about the rotation fulcrum 11 and moved from the first position to the second position. When the transport guide 6 and the transfer device 2 are at the first position, the projection 13 of the transfer device 2 is
In addition to the positioning of the transfer device 2 in the concave portion on the side, the movement of the transfer device 2 in the front-rear direction is also restricted. On the other hand, when the transfer device 2 is at the second position, the convex portion 13 of the transfer device 2 comes off from the concave portion on the image carrier 1 side.
Can be moved in the front-rear direction. In the state of the second position, as shown by the dotted line in FIG.
Can be attached to and detached from the front, and can be separated from the transport guide 6. When the transfer device 2 is taken out, the foreign substances stored in the foreign substance storage section 5 can be taken out and cleaned, and in some cases, the foreign substance removing sheet 4 can be easily replaced.

[0011]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention,
The foreign substance removing member is fixed to the foreign substance storing section and the foreign substance storing section is fixed to the transfer device, and the mounting of the foreign substance removing member and the foreign substance storing section over the entire length of the transfer paper has been simplified. An image forming apparatus that can prevent occurrence of an abnormal image while suppressing cost increase can be provided. According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, the transfer device, the foreign matter storage portion, and the foreign matter removing member are integrated with each other, and the foreign matter has a simple structure and a simple attachment. Since the removal function could be added, it was possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing occurrence of an abnormal image due to foreign matter without increasing costs. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the image forming apparatus of the first and second aspects, the transfer device, the foreign matter removing member, and the foreign matter storage member are attached to and detached from the image forming body. As a result, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can prevent the occurrence of an abnormal image due to foreign matter without increasing the cost, and can easily clean the collected foreign matter and replace the foreign matter removing member.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of a main part of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the transfer device of the present invention moves from a first transferable position to a detachable second position.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a main part of a transfer device to which a foreign substance removing sheet and a foreign substance storage section of the present invention are added.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the transfer device of the present invention is pulled forward along a rail.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 image carrier, 2 transfer device, 2a corona wire, 2
b Casing, 2c guide sheet, 2d exit guide, 3 transport roller pair, 4 foreign material removing member or foreign material removing sheet, 5 foreign material storage section, 6 transport guide, 7
Screw, 8 rail, 9 leaf spring, 10 fixing device, 11
Rotating fulcrum

Claims (3)

[Claims] An image carrier having a toner image formed on a surface thereof, a transfer device for transferring the toner image formed on the image carrier to transfer paper, and a transfer between the image carrier and the transfer device A conveying roller pair for conveying the transfer paper to a position, wherein the transfer roller is configured to transfer the toner image on the image carrier onto the transfer paper conveyed to the transfer position by the conveying roller pair. A foreign matter removing member that removes foreign matter attached to the transport roller pair by bringing the leading end into contact with one surface of the pair, and the foreign matter removing member provided at an entrance end, and an exit end is fixed to the transfer device. An image forming apparatus comprising: a foreign matter storage unit configured to store removed foreign matter. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transfer device, the foreign matter storage unit, and the foreign matter removing member are integrated. 3. The transfer device is rotatable from a first position at which a toner image formed on the image carrier can be transferred to transfer paper to a second position retracted from the image carrier. When the transfer device is in the second position, the transfer device,
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the foreign matter removing member and the foreign matter storage member are detachable from the image forming main body.
Alternatively, the image forming apparatus according to claim 2.