Patent ID: 8315535
Filing Date: 2012-11-20
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A cleaning unit for cleaning an image carrier that bears an image on a surface thereof, the cleaning unit comprising: a lubricant applicator to apply a lubricant to the surface of the image carrier; a first blade disposed upstream from the lubricant applicator in a direction of rotation of the image carrier with a distal end of the first blade held in contact with the image carrier, the first blade removing residual toner remaining on the surface of the image carrier; a second blade disposed downstream from the lubricant applicator in a direction of rotation of the image carrier with a distal end of the second blade held in contact with the image carrier, the second blade regulating the amount of the lubricant applied to the surface of the image carrier; a temperature measuring member to measure one of: a temperature of the second blade and an ambient temperature of the second blade; a heater disposed in the vicinity of the second blade to heat the second blade; and a temperature controller electrically connected to the heater to control the heater to heat the second blade so that the temperature obtained by the temperature measuring member falls within a given set temperature range that includes an upper limit and a lower limit, wherein the temperature controller issues a signal to interrupt an image forming operation when the a measured temperature is out of the given set temperature range.