JP2009009040A - Cleaning member - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress vibrations of a cleaning blade, and to make noise less likely to occur. <P>SOLUTION: When a cleaning blade 42 vibrates by the rotation of a photoreceptor drum 12, a frictional-sliding part 42B of the cleaning blade 42 frictionally slides on an elastic support member 44, so that friction is generated between the frictional-sliding part 42B and the elastic support member 44. The vibration of the cleaning blade 42 attenuates by the friction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a cleaning member that cleans the surface of an image carrier.

  In general, in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer that employs an electrophotographic method, first, the surface of an image carrier such as a photoconductor is charged by a charging roll, and the surface of the image carrier is irradiated with a laser to electrostatically. A latent image is formed. The electrostatic latent image on the surface of the image carrier is developed with toner to form a toner image on the surface of the image carrier. This toner image is transferred to the recording medium directly or via an intermediate transfer member.

  Transfer residual toner that remains without being transferred to the recording medium or the intermediate transfer member is attached to the surface of the image holding member after the toner image is transferred. For this reason, the image forming apparatus is provided with a cleaning member for removing the transfer residual toner on the image carrier.

  As a cleaning member, a cleaning member of a type that contacts the surface of an image carrier and scrapes off transfer residual toner from the rotating image carrier is widely used (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  For example, as shown in FIG. 6A, in the case where the cleaning member 100 is configured by adhering the cleaning blade 104 to the elastic support member 102 (leaf spring) made of SUS, the image holder 108 is rotated to rotate the image. Vibration is generated in the cleaning blade 104 that contacts the holding body 108. When the frequency of vibration generated in the cleaning blade 104 approaches the resonance range of the cleaning blade 104, the cleaning blade 104 resonates.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 6B, it is also considered to attenuate the vibration generated in the cleaning blade 106 by increasing the width size of the cleaning blade 106.
JP 2002-287591 A

  In view of the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus that suppresses vibration of a cleaning blade and is less likely to generate noise than a cleaning member in which a cleaning blade is simply bonded to a leaf spring.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, a cleaning blade that contacts the surface of the image carrier and cleans the surface of the image carrier, and a support that is attached to the cleaning blade and presses the cleaning blade against the image carrier. A member and a damping means for attenuating vibration generated in the cleaning blade by generating friction between the member and the supporting member by rubbing against the supporting member. It is characterized by that.

  The present invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the attenuating means is a part of the cleaning blade and is a rubbing portion that is not fixed to the supporting member and rubs against the supporting member.

  The present invention described in claim 3 is characterized in that an end portion of the rubbing portion is fixed to the support member with an adhesive.

  The present invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the adhesive has elasticity.

  The present invention described in claim 5 is characterized in that the damping means is a friction damping element whose one end is fixed to the support member and whose other end is slidable against the support member.

  The present invention described in claim 6 is characterized in that the friction damper is made of a plate material having an elastic coefficient smaller than that of the support member.

  The present invention described in claim 7 is characterized in that a pressing member is provided for pressing a portion of the friction damper that slides on the support member toward the support member.

  The present invention described in claim 8 is characterized in that the friction damper is provided with a fixed damper fixed to a sheet metal to which the support member is attached so as to be slidable.

  The present invention according to claim 9 is characterized in that the fixed damper is made of a plate material having an elastic coefficient smaller than that of the friction damper.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the vibration of the cleaning blade is attenuated as compared with the case where the cleaning blade is merely adhered to the support member without providing the attenuation means.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the cleaning blade is damped by the cleaning blade and the support member, the number of parts does not increase.

  In this invention of Claim 3, it is suppressed that a rubbing member spaces apart from a support member compared with the case where the edge part of a rubbing part is not fixed to a support member with an adhesive agent.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the vibration of the cleaning blade is attenuated as compared with the case where the rubbing member is fixed to the support member with an adhesive having no elasticity.

  In the fifth aspect of the present invention, a conventional cleaning member can be used as it is.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, compared to a case where the friction damper is formed of a material having the same elastic modulus as that of the material forming the support member, friction is easily generated between the support member and the friction damper. A great damping effect can be obtained.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to suppress the friction damper from being lifted from the support member as compared with the case where the pressing member is not configured to press the friction damper against the support member.

  In the present invention as set forth in claim 8, as compared with a case where no fixed damper is provided, a large amount of friction is generated in the friction damper.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, friction is generated between the friction damper and the fixed damper compared to the case where the fixed damper is formed of a material having the same elastic modulus as the material forming the friction damper. It becomes easy and a big attenuation effect is acquired.

  Next, the cleaning member 40 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. First, the image forming apparatus 10 on which the cleaning member 40 is mounted will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 is provided with a photosensitive drum 12 having a photosensitive layer on the surface thereof and having a drum shape and rotating clockwise (in the direction of arrow A in the figure).

  A charger 14 is disposed around the photosensitive drum 12. By this charger 14, the surface of the photosensitive drum 12 is uniformly negatively charged. In this embodiment, the type of charger 14 that contacts the photosensitive drum 12 is used. However, a type of charger that does not contact the photosensitive drum 12 such as a scorotron or a solid discharge device may be used. .

  An exposure device 16 is provided on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 12 of the charger 14 (hereinafter referred to as “downstream side”). The exposure device 16 includes a light emitting element (LD), and the laser light from the light emitting element (LD) can be repeatedly scanned substantially perpendicularly to the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 12. When the light emitting element (LD) is turned on / off based on the image signal, an image is written on the surface of the photosensitive drum 12 that is rotationally driven, thereby forming a latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 12. It has become so.

  A developing device 18 is provided on the downstream side of the exposure device 16. The developing device 18 attaches toner to the latent image formed by the exposure device 16 so that a toner image (visible image) is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 12.

  On the downstream side of the developing device 18, an endless intermediate transfer belt 22 constituting a primary transfer device 20 as an intermediate transfer member is provided in contact with the photosensitive drum 12. The intermediate transfer belt 22 is not limited to the belt shape as described above, and may be a drum shape.

  At a position inside the intermediate transfer belt 22 and facing the photosensitive drum 12, the intermediate transfer belt 22 is positively charged, and toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum 12 is placed on the outer surface of the intermediate transfer belt 22. A primary transfer roll 24 to be transferred is provided. The primary transfer roll 24 rotates in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 22. As a result, the toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 12 is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 22.

  The toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 22 is transferred onto a recording sheet sent out from a paper feeding cassette (not shown), and the recording sheet is heated and pressed by a fixing device, so that the toner image is fixed onto the recording sheet. To do.

  In the present embodiment, the toner on the photosensitive drum 12 is transferred to the recording paper after being transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 22, but the toner on the photosensitive drum 12 is transferred to the recording paper. It may be.

  In addition, a cleaning member 40 is provided at a position slightly advanced in the rotation direction (arrow A direction) of the photosensitive drum 12 from the position where the primary transfer roll 24 and the photosensitive drum 12 sandwich the intermediate transfer belt 22. A device 26 is provided. The cleaning device 26 removes transfer residual toner and the like on the surface of the photosensitive drum 12.

  The cleaning device 26 includes a housing 28 that is disposed in the vicinity of the photosensitive drum 12 and opens to the side facing the photosensitive drum 12. A seal member 34 is fixed to the lower opening end of the housing 28. The seal member 34 closes a gap between the photosensitive drum 12 and the housing 28 and prevents the removed residual toner and the like from leaking out of the housing 28 to the outside.

  In addition, the cleaning device 26 includes a brush roll 30 that cleans the toner that remains on the surface of the photosensitive drum 12 and is conveyed. The brush roll 30 has a cylindrical shaft core 30A arranged in parallel with the photosensitive drum 12, and the shaft core 30A is made of a large number of conductive fibers through a conductive adhesive layer. Brushes 30B are radially implanted.

  A DC voltage having the same polarity as the voltage applied in the toner image transfer process is applied to the brush 30B. As a result, an electric field is formed between the surface of the photosensitive drum 12 and the brush 30B, and the negatively charged toner T remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 12 is electrostatically attracted to the brush 30B. ing.

  The brush roll 30 (shaft core 30A) is rotated counterclockwise in the figure by a motor (not shown) and rubs the surface of the photosensitive drum 12 to remove the negatively charged toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 12. Scrape.

  A detoning roll 32 as a collection roll is disposed at a position in contact with the brush roll 30. The detoning roll 32 is rotated in the clockwise direction in the figure by a motor (not shown). A DC voltage larger than the voltage applied to the brush roll 30 is applied to the detoning roll 32, and the toner adhering to the brush roll 30 is electrostatically adsorbed. The toner electrostatically attracted to the detoning roll 32 is scraped off by a scraper (not shown) and removed.

  Also, an auger 36 is disposed in the housing 28, and residual toner is discharged out of the housing 28 by the auger 36, and the discharged toner is collected in a collection box (not shown). Yes.

  Further, a cleaning member 40 is attached to the housing 28 on the downstream side of the brush drum 30 in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 12.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the cleaning member 40 is disposed in parallel with the photosensitive drum 12, and the tip portion contacts the surface of the photosensitive drum 12 to scrape off residual toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 12 (scraping). And a long plate-like cleaning blade 42.

  An elastic support member 44 made of SUS is provided on the surface (back surface) opposite to the side facing the photosensitive drum 12 of the cleaning blade 42. The width size of the elastic support member 44 is slightly larger than the width size of the cleaning blade 42, and the elastic support member 44 is in contact with the entire back surface of the cleaning blade 42.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the cleaning blade 42 is bonded to the elastic support member 44 with the adhesive A only on the tip end (side in contact with the photosensitive drum 12) side. That is, the cleaning blade 42 includes an adhesive portion 42A that is bonded to the elastic support member 44, and a rubbing portion 42B that is not bonded to the elastic support member 44 and is slidable with the elastic support member 44.

  The end of the rubbing portion 42B of the cleaning blade 42 (the end opposite to the adhesive portion 42A side) is elastically supported by an adhesive B made of elastic silicon or the like provided over the entire area in the longitudinal direction. 44 is fixed.

  As the adhesive B, a rubber material having a high damping coefficient such as a kneaded product of vinyl and polystyrene, an isoprene rubber mixed with an additive, a polynorbornene type, or the like may be used in addition to silicon. Further, instead of the adhesive B, an end portion of the rubbing portion 42B may be fixed to the elastic support member 44 using a tape with an adhesive.

  The cleaning blade 42 is pressed against the photosensitive drum 12 by the spring force of the elastic support member 44. Accordingly, the tip of the cleaning blade 42 is configured to contact the surface of the photosensitive drum 12 with a predetermined pressure.

  The end of the elastic support member 44 opposite to the side facing the cleaning blade 42 and the end opposite to the end located on the photosensitive drum 12 side is one end of a sheet metal 46 having a substantially L-shaped cross section. It is fixed to the adhesive. The other end of the metal plate 46 is fixed to the housing 28 by a set screw (not shown).

  Next, the operation of the cleaning member 40 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  When the cleaning blade 42 vibrates due to the rotation of the photosensitive drum 12, the rubbing portion 42 </ b> B of the cleaning blade 42 rubs against the elastic support member 44. Then, friction is generated between the rubbing portion 42 </ b> B and the elastic support member 44. This friction attenuates the vibration of the cleaning blade 42.

  Accordingly, even if the cleaning blade 42 is vibrated by the rotation of the photosensitive drum 12, the cleaning blade 42 is rubbed against the elastic support member 44 and the vibration of the cleaning blade 42 is attenuated. Resonance is less likely to occur with the elastic support member 44. Therefore, noise is less likely to be generated from the cleaning device 26.

  Further, by fixing the end portion of the rubbing portion 42B of the cleaning blade 42 to the elastic support member 44 with the adhesive B having elasticity, the rubbing portion 42B is not separated from the elastic support member 44. As a result, when the photosensitive drum 12 rotates, the rubbing portion 42B rubs in a state of being in close contact with the elastic support member 44 over the entire area, so that friction generated between the rubbing portion 42B and the elastic support member 44 is generated. growing. Accordingly, the vibration of the cleaning blade 42 is attenuated as compared with the case where the end portion of the rubbing portion 42B is not fixed to the elastic support member 44.

  Further, since the adhesive B that fixes the rubbing portion 42B of the cleaning blade 42 to the elastic support member 44 has elasticity, the adhesive B is deformed when the cleaning blade 42 vibrates, and the cleaning blade 42 The vibration is also absorbed by the adhesive B.

  In the present embodiment, the end portion of the rubbing portion 42B of the cleaning blade 42 is fixed to the elastic support member 44 with an adhesive, but the end portion of the rubbing portion 42B of the cleaning blade 42 is not necessarily the elastic support member. It is not necessary to fix to 44. If the width of the cleaning blade 42 is small or the cleaning blade 42 is thick, the displacement amount is small even when the cleaning blade 42 vibrates, so the end of the rubbing portion 42B of the cleaning blade 42 is fixed to the elastic support member 44. You don't have to. In this case, since the vibration of the cleaning blade 42 can be damped only by the cleaning blade 42 and the elastic support member 44, the number of parts does not increase.

  In the present embodiment, the rear end portion of the cleaning blade 42 is fixed to the elastic support member 44 with the adhesive B provided in a line shape over the entire area in the longitudinal direction. It may be provided in the form of dots at intervals.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the cleaning blade 42 is bonded to the elastic support member 44 only with the adhesive A at the tip end side, and the bonded portion 42A bonded to the elastic support member 44 is not bonded to the elastic support member 44 and is elastic. The support member 44 and the rubbing portion 42B that can be rubbed are formed, but the adhesive member bonded to the elastic support member 44 and the adhesive member are formed as separate members and connected to the adhesive member. The cleaning blade may be constituted by a rubbing member that rubs against the elastic support member 44.

  Next, the cleaning member 50 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, about the structure similar to 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol as 1st Embodiment is provided and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the cleaning blade 42 is bonded to the elastic support member 44 with the adhesive A over the entire area. Accordingly, when the photosensitive drum 12 (see FIG. 1) rotates, the elastic support member 44 vibrates together with the cleaning blade 42 via the cleaning blade 42 that is in contact with the photosensitive drum 12. .

  A friction damper 52 having a slightly smaller width than the elastic support member 44 is provided on the surface of the elastic support member 44 opposite to the side on which the cleaning blade 42 is provided. The friction damper 52 is bonded to the elastic support member 44 with the adhesive A only at the tip end side (photosensitive drum 12 side).

  A sheet metal 46 is attached to the rear end side (the side attached to the housing 28) of the elastic support member 44 on the side where the friction damper 52 is provided. The friction damper 52 is provided on the elastic support member 44 in a state of being spaced from the sheet metal 46. Thereby, when the friction damper 52 is deformed, the rear end of the friction damper 52 does not come into contact with the sheet metal 46.

  Further, a pressing spring 54 supported by a spring holder 56 is provided on the surface opposite to the surface bonded to the elastic support member 44 of the friction damper 52 and on the rear end side (the side attached to the housing 28). In contact.

  The spring holder 56 includes a holding portion 56A that holds the pressing spring 54 with the friction damper 52, and wall portions 56B and 56C that are erected from both sides of the holding portion 56A, and the cross-sectional shape is substantially C-shaped. It is configured as follows.

  The wall portion 56B of the spring holder 56 is fixed to the sheet metal 46 with an adhesive or the like. A pressing spring 54 is provided between the holding portion 56 </ b> A of the spring holder 56 and the friction damper 52, and the rear end side of the friction damper 52 is pressed against the elastic support member 44 by the pressing force of the pressing spring 54.

  Note that the height of the wall portion 56C with respect to the holding portion 56A is smaller than the height of the wall portion 56B, and does not come into contact with the friction damper 52. Accordingly, even if the friction damper 52 is deformed by the rotation of the photosensitive drum 12, the friction damper 52 does not collide with the sheet metal 46.

  The friction damper 52 is made of a material having a smaller elastic coefficient than the material forming the elastic support member 44. For example, as a material of the friction damper 52, a kneaded material of vinyl and polystyrene, isoprene, polynorbornene-based rubber, or the like, which is a substance having low elastic properties and high damping properties, is used.

  Next, the operation of the cleaning member 50 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  When the cleaning blade 42 vibrates due to the rotation of the photosensitive drum 12, the elastic support member 44 bonded to the cleaning blade 42 vibrates. At this time, the region of the elastic support member 44 where the friction damper 52 is not bonded (the region where the adhesive A is not provided) rubs against the friction damper 52, so that the elastic support member 44 and the friction damper 52 are in contact with each other. Friction occurs. This friction attenuates the vibration of the elastic support member 44.

  As a result, even if vibration occurs in the elastic support member 44 due to the rotation of the photosensitive drum 12, the vibration of the elastic support member 44 is attenuated by the friction between the elastic support member 44 and the friction damper 52. Resonance is less likely to occur between the blade 42 and the elastic support member 44 and the friction damper 52. Therefore, noise is less likely to be generated from the cleaning device 26.

  If the friction damper 52 is bonded to the elastic support member 44 on the entire surface, the elastic support member 44 is integrated with the friction damper 52, and the spring coefficient of the elastic support member 44 is increased. End up. If the spring coefficient of the elastic support member 44 is high, the pressing amount of the cleaning member 50 against the photosensitive drum 12 needs to be set small. Therefore, by adhering the friction damper 52 to the elastic support member 44 only at the tip, the elastic support member 44 is only partially constrained to the friction damper 52, so the spring coefficient of the elastic support member 44 is high. Don't be. Therefore, the tolerance at the time of assembling the photosensitive drum 12 or the cleaning member 50 (cleaning device) becomes larger as compared with the case where the friction damper 52 is adhered to the elastic support member 44 over the entire surface.

  Further, by pressing the rear end portion of the friction damper 52 against the elastic support member 44 by the pressing spring 54, the friction damper 52 is prevented from floating with respect to the elastic support member 44. As a result, a large friction is generated between the friction damper 52 and the elastic support member 44.

  Further, when the friction damper 52 is bonded to the elastic support member 44 on the rear end side, a pressing spring 54 for preventing the friction damper 52 from being lifted from the elastic support member 44 is provided on the front end side of the friction damper 52. Therefore, the amount of biting of the cleaning blade 42 with respect to the photosensitive drum 12 may be larger than a desired value. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the friction damper 52 is bonded to the elastic support member 44 on the front end side (photosensitive drum 12 side), and the pressing spring 54 is attached to the rear end side (housing 28) of the friction damper 52. Side). Thereby, the amount of biting of the cleaning blade 42 into the photosensitive drum 12 is not affected.

  Further, the friction damping member 52 is formed of a material having a smaller elastic coefficient than the material forming the elastic supporting member 44, and the elastic supporting member 44 and the friction damping member 52 are not made to have the same elastic coefficient. Friction is easily generated between the friction damper 52 and the friction damper 52.

  Further, since the elastic vibration damping member 52 is provided on the elastic support member 44 so that the vibration of the cleaning blade 42 is attenuated, the cleaning blade 106 as shown in FIG. The supported conventional type cleaning member can be used as it is.

  In the present embodiment, the cleaning blade 42 is bonded to the elastic support member 44 over the entire surface. However, the cleaning blade 42 may be bonded to the elastic support member 44 only at the tip as in the first embodiment. Good. As a result, when the photosensitive drum 12 rotates, the friction damper 52 rubs against the elastic support member 44, and at the same time, the elastic support member 44 rubs against the cleaning blade 42. That is, a large rubbing region can be secured as compared with the case where the cleaning blade 42 is bonded to the elastic support member 44 over the entire surface. Accordingly, when the photosensitive drum 12 rotates, a large friction is generated in the cleaning member 50 and the vibration of the cleaning blade 42 is attenuated.

  Next, a cleaning member 60 according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, about the structure similar to 1st Embodiment and 2nd Embodiment, the same code | symbol as 1st Embodiment and 2nd Embodiment is provided, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the cleaning blade 42 is bonded to the elastic support member 44 with the adhesive A over the entire area, and on the surface of the elastic support member 44 opposite to the side where the cleaning blade 42 is provided, A friction damper 52 having a slightly smaller width than the elastic support member 44 is provided. As in the second embodiment, the friction damper 52 is bonded to the elastic support member 44 with the adhesive A only at the tip end side (photosensitive drum 12 side).

  On the surface of the friction damper 52 opposite to the surface bonded to the elastic support member 44, a rubber having a larger width size than the friction damper 52 and a smaller elastic modulus than the material forming the friction damper 52 is provided. A fixed damper 62 made of a material is provided. The fixed damper 62 is bonded and fixed to the sheet metal 46, and the friction damper 52 is sandwiched between the elastic damper 44 and the elastic support member 44. Since the friction damper 52 and the fixed damper 62 are not bonded, the friction damper 52 can rub against the fixed damper 62.

  Next, the operation of the cleaning member 60 according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  When the cleaning blade 42 vibrates due to the rotation of the photosensitive drum 12, the elastic support member 44 bonded to the cleaning blade 42 vibrates. At this time, the region of the elastic support member 44 where the friction damper 52 is not bonded (the region where the adhesive A is not provided) rubs against the friction damper 52, so that the elastic support member 44 and the friction damper 52 are in contact with each other. Friction occurs.

  At this time, the friction damper 52 slides on the fixed damper 62, and friction is generated between the friction damper 52 and the fixed damper 62.

  Therefore, the vibration of the elastic support member 44 is attenuated by the friction generated between the elastic support member 44 and the friction damper 52 and the friction generated between the friction damper 52 and the fixed vibration damper 62.

  Further, by forming the fixed vibration damper 62 with a material harder than the material forming the friction vibration damper 52, even if the friction vibration damper 52 is lifted from the elastic support member 44 due to the rotation of the photosensitive drum 12, It is pressed against the elastic support member 44 by the fixed damper 62. As a result, there is no gap between the elastic support member 44 and the friction damper 52, so that a large amount of friction can be generated between the elastic support member 44 and the friction damper 52.

  In the present embodiment, the cleaning blade 42 is bonded to the elastic support member 44 over the entire surface. However, the cleaning blade 42 may be bonded to the elastic support member 44 only at the tip as in the first embodiment. Good.

  Here, an off-the-shelf cleaning member (a type in which a cleaning blade is directly attached to a sheet metal without using an elastic support member), the conventional cleaning member shown in FIG. 6, and the cleaning member of the present embodiment shown in FIGS. Was contacted with the rotating photosensitive drum 12, and the presence or absence of resonance (abnormal noise) was examined while changing the rotational speed of the photosensitive drum 12. The results are shown in Table 1. In addition, when there was no abnormal noise, it was marked as ◯, and even when there was a slight abnormal noise, it was marked as x.

表１からわかるように、既製品のクリーニング部材では、感光体ドラム１２の回転速度が１６７ｒｐｍになると異音が発生した。また、従来品のクリーニング部材では、感光体ドラム１２の回転速度が８４ｒｐｍ以下の場合と、１００ｒｐｍ以上の場合で、異音が発生した。

As can be seen from Table 1, with the ready-made cleaning member, abnormal noise was generated when the rotational speed of the photosensitive drum 12 reached 167 rpm. Further, in the conventional cleaning member, abnormal noise was generated when the rotational speed of the photosensitive drum 12 was 84 rpm or less and when it was 100 rpm or more.

  On the other hand, in the cleaning member of this embodiment, no abnormal noise was confirmed regardless of the rotational speed of the photosensitive drum 12.

  Further, when the photosensitive drum 12 is rotated by bringing a ready-made cleaning member, a conventional cleaning member, or the cleaning member of the present embodiment into contact with a new or high-torque (charge-exposed product) photosensitive drum 12. The presence or absence of occurrence (abnormal noise) was examined. The results are shown in Table 2. In Table 2, as in Table 1, if there was no abnormal noise, it was marked as ◯, and if there was even a slight noise, it was marked as x.

表２からわかるように、従来品のクリーニング部材では、新品及び帯電曝露品の感光体ドラム１２で、異音が発生した。

As can be seen from Table 2, in the conventional cleaning member, abnormal noise was generated on the new and exposed photosensitive drums 12.

  On the other hand, in the ready-made cleaning member and the cleaning member of the present embodiment, generation of abnormal noise was not confirmed for both the new product and the charged product.

  Therefore, the cleaning member of this embodiment does not generate noise when it is vibrated by the rotation of the photosensitive drum 12 even if the rotational speed of the photosensitive drum 12 is changed or the magnitude of the torque is changed.

1 is a schematic view of an image forming apparatus equipped with a cleaning member according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view of the cleaning member concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view of the cleaning member concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view of the cleaning member which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view of the cleaning member which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view of the conventional cleaning member.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 12 Photosensitive drum (Image holding body)
40 Cleaning member 42 Cleaning blade 42A Bonding part (cleaning blade)
42B rubbing part (rubbing member)
44 Elastic support member (support member)
50 Cleaning member 52 Friction damper 54 Pressing spring (pressing member)
60 Cleaning member 62 Fixed vibration damper

Claims (9)

A cleaning blade that contacts the surface of the image carrier and cleans the surface of the image carrier;
A support member attached to the cleaning blade and pressing the cleaning blade against the image carrier;
Attenuating means for attenuating vibration generated in the cleaning blade by rubbing against the supporting member and generating friction with the supporting member,
A cleaning member comprising: a cleaning member.   The cleaning member is a cleaning member that is a part of the cleaning blade and is a rubbing portion that is not fixed to the support member and rubs against the support member.   The cleaning member according to claim 2, wherein an end portion of the rubbing portion is fixed to the support member with an adhesive.   The cleaning member according to claim 3, wherein the adhesive has elasticity.   2. The cleaning member according to claim 1, wherein the damping means is a friction damper that has one end fixed to the support member and the other end slidable against the support member.   The cleaning member according to claim 5, wherein the friction damper is made of a plate material having an elastic coefficient smaller than that of the support member.   The cleaning member according to claim 5, further comprising a pressing member that presses a portion of the friction damper that slides on the support member toward the support member.   The cleaning member according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the friction damper is provided with a fixed damper that is fixed to a sheet metal to which the support member is attached so as to be slidable.   9. The cleaning member according to claim 8, wherein the fixed damper is made of a plate material having an elastic coefficient smaller than that of the friction damper.

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