Abstract:
An image forming device includes a first device body, a second device body attached to the first device body, a photoconductive body provided in the first device body, an exposure unit provided to the second device body, the exposure unit having an exposure surface that exposes the photoconductive body and forms a latent image on the photoconductive body, the exposure unit being movable between an exposure position and an evacuation position, and a cleaning unit cleaning the exposure surface of the exposure unit. The cleaning unit includes a cleaning member cleaning the exposure surface, a supporting member supporting the cleaning member, and a guide member movably guiding the supporting member. The exposure unit is disposed such that the exposure surface is cleaned by the cleaning unit when the exposure unit is moved to the evacuation position.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-253921 filed on Sep. 28, 2007. The entire subject matter of the application is incorporated herein by reference. 
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]    1. Technical Field 
         [0003]    The following description relates to one or more image forming devices such as an electrophotographic copy machine and a printer. 
         [0004]    2. Related Art 
         [0005]    In an image forming device such as an electrophotographic copy machine and a printer, a laser scanning method and an LED exposure method have been put into practical use as an image writing method (i.e., an exposure method). The LED exposure method is a method in which light emitted by a light emitting unit with a plurality of light emitting elements linearly aligned is directed onto a surface of a photoconductive body with an imaging system and a latent image is formed on the surface of the photoconductive body. 
         [0006]      FIG. 10  schematically shows a configuration of a main portion of a known image forming device when viewed in a direction perpendicular to a carrying direction of a recording medium. The image forming device  101  shown in  FIG. 10  is configured to perform color printing. In a device main body  102 , four drum units  103  are detachably disposed that correspond to yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), respectively, in an order from an upstream side in an arrow D direction as the carrying direction of the recording medium. 
         [0007]    Each of the drum units  103  is provided with a photoconductive drum  103   a  configured to rotate in an arrow C direction. Further, images of the predetermined colors are sequentially transferred onto the recording medium which is conveyed in the arrow C direction while being stuck to a carrying belt (not shown) by the respective photoconductive drums  103   a  in collaboration with respective transfer rollers  104  rotated concurrently with the photoconductive drums  103   a.    
         [0008]    Meanwhile, a stacker cover  107  is rotatably supported by the device main body  102  via a rotational shaft  108  extending in a direction perpendicular to the arrow D direction. Further, the stacker cover  107  holds four LED heads  111  disposed in positions corresponding to circumferential surfaces of the photoconductive bodies  103   a  of the drum units  103 , respectively. Thus, the stacker cover  107  is configured to be opened and closed with respect to the device main body  102 , and provided such that the drum units can be replaced when the stacker cover  107  is opened with respect to the device main body  102  (for example, see Japanese Patent Provisional Publication No. 2003-112446). 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    In the above known image forming device with the LED heads  111  held by the stacker cover  107 , a mechanism in which the LED heads  111  are turned in conjunction with opening and closing of the stacker cover  107  may be applied. In this case, the LED heads  111  are disposed in exposure positions to expose the circumferential surface of the photoconductive bodies  103   a  when the stacker cover  107  is closed. Further, the LED heads  111  are disposed in evacuation positions where the LED heads  111  are substantially parallel to the stacker cover  107 , when the stacker cover  107  is opened. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the LED heads  111  from disturbing replacement of the drum units  103 . 
         [0010]    Meanwhile, in the image forming device employing the LED heads configured as above, when the stacker cover  107  is closed, an exposure surface of each LED head  111  is located close to a corresponding photoconductive drums  103   a,  respectively. Further, in order to develop an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductive drum  103   a,  a development roller of a developing unit is disposed close to the photoconductive drum  103   a.  Therefore, since the exposure surface of each LED head  111  might be contaminated with toner on a surface of the development roller, the exposure surface has to be cleaned periodically. 
         [0011]    However, the above image forming device with the LED heads  111  held by the stacker cover  107  is not provided with any cleaning member for cleaning the exposure surfaces. Therefore, there is a problem that a user has to prepare for a cleaning member and clean the exposure surfaces. Additionally, in the image forming device configured such that the LED heads  111  are turned in conjunction with opening and closing of the stacker cover  107 , the LED heads  111  are located in the evacuation positions when the stacker cover  107  is opened. Hence, there is another problem that it is difficult for the user to clean the exposure surfaces. 
         [0012]    Aspects of the present invention is advantageous to provide one or more improved image forming devices that make it possible to easily clean an exposure surface of an exposure unit thereof. 
         [0013]    According to aspects of the present invention, an image forming device is provided, which includes a first device body having an opening, a second device body attached to the first device body in an openable and closable manner, the second device body being configured to cover the opening of the first device body in a closed state thereof, a photoconductive body provided in the first device body, an exposure unit provided to the second device body, the exposure unit having an exposure surface configured to expose a surface of the photoconductive body linearly in a predetermined scanning direction and form a latent image on the surface of the photoconductive body, the exposure unit being configured to be movable between an exposure position where the exposure surface is directed to the surface of the photoconductive body when the second device body is closed and an evacuation position where the exposure unit is evacuated from the exposure position when the second body is opened, and a cleaning unit configured to clean the exposure surface of the exposure unit. The cleaning unit includes a cleaning member configured to clean the exposure surface of the exposure unit, a supporting member configured to support the cleaning member, and a guide member configured to movably guide the supporting member. The exposure unit is disposed such that the exposure surface is cleaned by the cleaning unit when the exposure unit is moved to the evacuation position. 
         [0014]    Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, an image forming device is provided, which includes a first device body having an opening, a second device body attached to the first device body in an openable and closable manner, the second device body being configured to cover the opening of the first device body in a closed state thereof, a photoconductive body provided in the first device body, an exposure unit provided to the second device body, the exposure unit having an exposure surface configured to expose a surface of the photoconductive body along a predetermined scanning direction and form a latent image on the surface of the photoconductive body, the exposure unit being configured to be movable between a first position where the exposure surface is directed to the surface of the photoconductive body and a second position where the exposure unit is evacuated from the first position, and a cleaning unit configured to clean the exposure surface of the exposure unit. The exposure unit is disposed such that the exposure surface is cleaned by the cleaning unit when the exposure unit is moved to the second position. 
         [0015]    In some aspects, it is possible to easily clean the exposure surface of the exposure unit provided to the second device body with the cleaning unit. Thus, it is possible to prevent formation of an uneven image due to the exposure surface contaminated with toner. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional side view schematically showing an entire configuration of an LED printer when an upper case is closed in a first embodiment according to one or more aspects of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the entire configuration of the LED printer when the upper case is closed in the first embodiment according to one or more aspects of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a perspective exploded view of a cleaning unit in the first embodiment according to one or more aspects of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view schematically showing the cleaning unit and an LED unit in the first embodiment according to one or more aspects of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a side view schematically showing the cleaning unit and the LED unit in the first embodiment according to one or more aspects of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a bottom view schematically showing the upper case when the upper case is opened in the first embodiment according to one or more aspects of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view schematically showing the LED printer when the upper case is opened in the first embodiment according to one or more aspects of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view schematically showing the LED printer when the upper case is closed in the first embodiment according to one or more aspects of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view schematically showing an LED printer in a second embodiment according to one or more aspects of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional side view schematically showing a known LED printer. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0026]    It is noted that various connections are set forth between elements in the following description. It is noted that these connections in general and, unless specified otherwise, may be direct or indirect and that this specification is not intended to be limiting in this respect. 
         [0027]    Hereinafter, embodiments according to aspects of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompany drawings. 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an entire configuration of an LED printer  5  in a first embodiment according to aspects of the present invention. In the LED printer  5  shown in  FIG. 1 , a left side, a right side, a back side, and a front side on the figure are defined as a front side, a rear side, a left side, and a right side, respectively. 
         [0029]    In  FIG. 1 , an upper case  1  is supported, rotatably with respect to a mechanical unit  3 , by a rotational shaft hole  2  provided at a rear side of the upper case  1  and a rotational shaft  4  provided at a rear side of the mechanical unit  3 . Further, the mechanical unit  3  has an opening  3   a  at an upper side thereof. It is noted that  FIG. 1  shows a state where the upper case  1  is closed with respect to the mechanical unit  3 . 
         [0030]    In the mechanical unit  3 , four drum units  10 K,  10 Y,  10 M, and  10 C are detachably disposed that respectively correspond to black (K), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) in an order from an upstream side in a direction of an arrow A denoting a carrying direction of a recording sheet. 
         [0031]    The drum units  10 K,  10 Y,  10 M, and  10 C are provided with photoconductive bodies  11 K,  11 Y,  11 M, and  11 C, and transfer rollers  12 K,  12 Y,  12 M, and  12 C corresponding to the photoconductive bodies  11 K,  11 Y,  11 M, and  11 C, respectively. Images of the predetermined colors are sequentially transferred onto the recording sheet, which is conveyed in an arrow A direction while being stuck to a carrying belt  14 , by the photoconductive bodies  11 K,  11 Y,  11 M, and  11 C in collaboration with the transfer rollers  12 K,  12 Y,  12 M, and  12 C rotated concurrently with the photoconductive bodies  11 K,  11 Y,  11 M, and  11 C. Thereafter, the images of the predetermined colors on the recording sheet are thermally fixed with a fixing unit  16 . Then, the recording sheet is discharged by carrying rollers  18  to a catch tray  19  provided to the upper case  1 . 
         [0032]    Meanwhile, the upper case  1  includes four LED units  20 K,  20 Y,  20 M, and  20 C provided in positions that correspond to circumferential surfaces of the photoconductive bodies  11 K,  11 Y,  11 M, and  11 C of the drum units  10 K,  10 Y,  10 M, and  10 C, respectively. Each LED head (not shown) provided at a lower portion of each of the LED units  20 K,  20 Y,  20 M, and  20 C is configured with an LED array (not shown) of LEDs aligned linearly along a main scanning direction and a Selfoc Lens Array (SLA) being integrated. Further, the LED head has an exposure surface  20   a  as a surface directed in an illuminating direction of the LED head. 
         [0033]    The LED units  20 K,  20 Y,  20 M, and  20 C are located close to circumferential surfaces of the photoconductive bodies  11 K,  11 Y,  11 M, and  11 C so as to expose the circumferential surfaces of the photoconductive bodies  11 K,  11 Y,  11 M, and  11 C, respectively. Each of the photoconductive bodies  11 K,  11 Y,  11 M, and  11 C is rotated in an arrow B direction and exposed linearly along a right-to-left direction (main scanning direction) thereof. Additionally, the upper case  1  includes cleaning units  30 K,  30 Y,  30 M, and  30 C that correspond to the LED units  20 Y,  20 M,  20 C, and  20 K, respectively. 
         [0034]    It is noted that the drum units  10 , photoconductive bodies  11 , transfer rollers  12 , LED units  20 , and cleaning units  30  in general and, unless specified otherwise, are configured in the same manner, respectively. If it is required to distinguish each element of the same sort of component from the other elements, each element will be distinguished with a reference character (K), (Y), (M), or (C) representing a corresponding color attached thereto. 
         [0035]      FIG. 2  schematically shows the LED printer  5  when the upper case  1  is opened with respect to the mechanical unit  3 . When the upper case  1  is opened, each LED unit  20  is turned in conjunction with the upper case  1  such that the exposure surface  20   a  of a corresponding LED head provided at a distal end of the LED unit  20  is set into a cleanable state to face a corresponding cleaning unit  20 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 3  is a perspective exploded view schematically showing the cleaning unit  30 . The cleaning unit  30  is configured with a sponge member  38  for cleaning the exposure surface  20   a  of the LED unit  20 , a supporting member  42  for supporting the sponge member  38 , a guide member  36  for movably guiding the supporting member  42 , and a removed object catching member  35  for catching an object as scraped off and removed. The removed object catching member  35  is provided to catch a removed object (e.g., toner) scraped off from the exposure surface  20   a  of the LED unit  20  and configured to prevent the removed object from dropping down onto the drum unit  10  or the carrying belt  14 . Specifically, the removed object catching member  35  extends in the main scanning direction (right-to-left direction) and includes a plate portion  35   a  substantially perpendicular to the upper case  1 , and a catching portion  35   b  configured to extend substantially perpendicularly from the plate portion  35   a  and catch the removed object scraped off from the exposure surface  20   a.  Further, the removed object catching member  35  includes a stemming portion  35   c  configured to extend perpendicularly from the catching portion  35   b  and prevent the removed object from dropping down. 
         [0037]    The plate portion  35   a  is supported with an upper portion thereof being attached to the upper case  1 . It is noted that the plate portions  35   a  of the cleaning units  30 M and  30 C are shorter than the plate portions  35   a  of the cleaning units  30 K and  30 Y (see  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). This is because a catch tray  19  is provided above the cleaning units  30 M and  30 C, and the cleaning units  30 M and  30 C are attached along a shape of the catch tray  19 . It is noted that the plate portions  35   a  of the first embodiment are configured to have respective lengths according to a relationship  30 C&lt; 30 M&lt; 30 Y= 30 K. However, the relationship between the lengths of the plate portions  35   a  is not limited to the above relationship, and may be determined to conform to the shape of the catch tray  19 . Thus, for example, the plate portions  35   a  of the cleaning members  30 K,  30 Y,  30 M, and  30 C may be configured with the same length. 
         [0038]    In addition, the plate portion  35   a  of the removed object catching member  35  includes the guide member  36  for guiding the supporting member  42 . The guide member  36  is provided with a rectangular groove  36   a  and holding portions  36   b  that faces each other to cover the groove  36   a.    
         [0039]    The supporting member  42  is configured to be elongated in the main scanning direction. The sponge member  38  is attached to a left end of the supporting member  42 , while a handle  42   a  is provided at a right end of the supporting member  42 . Further, the supporting member  42  includes a slide member  34  that allows the supporting member  42  to slide. 
         [0040]    The slide member  34  is provided opposite the sponge member  38  via the supporting member  42 . The slide member  34  is configured with an arm portion  34   a  perpendicular to the supporting member  42  and a rectangular locking member  34   b  perpendicular to the arm portion  34   a.    
         [0041]      FIGS. 4 and 5  are a perspective view and a side view schematically showing a state where the slide member  34  of the supporting member  42  is fitted along the guide member  36 , respectively. The slide member  34  is slidably fitted along the groove  36   a  of the guide member  36 . Specifically, the locking portion  34   b  of the slide member  34  is fitted along the groove  36   a,  and the locking portion  34   b  is held by the holding portions  36   b  of the guide member  36  and thus prevented from being dropped off the guide member  36 . 
         [0042]    In addition, the arm portion  34   a  is fitted into a space between the mutually-facing holding portions  36   b,  and the slide member  34  is configured to be movable along the guide member  36  by sliding the handle  42   a  in the right-to-left direction. 
         [0043]      FIG. 6  is a bottom view schematically showing the state where the upper case  1  is opened (in the same manner as shown in  FIG. 2 ). It is noted that the LED units  20 , the supporting members  42 , the sponge members  38 , and spring members  50  here are only shown for the sake of descriptive convenience. 
         [0044]    Each supporting member  42  is provided with a spring member  50  and biased by the spring member  50  toward a left side. Specifically, the spring member  50  is held while being hooked by a first spring hooking member  52   a  provided to the supporting member  42  and a second spring hooking member  52   b  provided to the upper case  1 . Incidentally, in the state shown in  FIG. 6 , the supporting member  42  is in a stationary state biased by the spring member  50  with a left end thereof contacting the second spring hooking member  52   b.    
         [0045]    In  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the supporting member  42  is slightly shifted toward a right side by operating the handle  42   a,  and the sponge member  38  establishes contact with the exposure surface  20   a.  However, as far as the handle  42   a  is not operated, the supporting member  42  is located in a position shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0046]    A state shown in  FIG. 6  (where the upper case  1  is opened) represents a state where the sponge member  38  is located on a left side of the exposure surface  20   a  of the LED unit  20  in the main scanning direction, namely, the sponge member  38  does not contact the exposure surface  20   a  of the LED unit  20  in the left-to-right direction. When the handle  42   a  is moved toward the right side from the above state, the exposure surface  20   a  can be cleaned. Thus, since a user can clean the exposure surface  20   a  when the cleaning is needed, it is possible to restrain wear of the sponge member  38 . 
         [0047]    Further, since the supporting member  42  is biased toward the left side by the spring member  50 , the supporting member  42  is moved back to an original position when the user takes off the handle  42   a  after cleaning the exposure surface  20   a.  Thereby, the supporting member  42  is certainly put into the original position. 
         [0048]    In addition, the supporting member  42  is configured to come away from the guide member  36  by unhooking the spring member  50  from the first and second spring hooking members  52   a  and  52   b.  Thus, since the cleaning units  30  are provided to the upper case  1 , and the supporting member  42  is configured to be slidable, even though the sponge member  38  is worn and deteriorated, the sponge member  38  can easily be replaced. 
         [0049]    Further, a front face of the sponge member  38  is formed to be oblique from an upside to a downside for a following reason. When the upper case  1  is opened, the LED unit  20  gets still while being slightly oblique with respect to the catch tray  19 . Therefore, the exposure surface  20   a  establishes contact not parallel but obliquely with the sponge member  38 . Hence, the front face of the sponge member  38  is obliquely formed, and thus can contact the exposure surface  20   a  with no gap therebetween. 
         [0050]    It is noted that a tilt angle of the LED unit  20 C to the upper case  1  is greater than those of the LED units  20 K,  20 Y, and  20 M. This is because the catch tray  19  is provided above the LED unit  20 C, and the LED unit C is attached along the shape of the catch tray  19 . In the first embodiment, the LED units  20  are attached to the upper case  1  with the tilt angles conforming to a relationship of  20 C&gt; 20 K= 20 Y= 20 M. 
         [0051]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view schematically showing the LED printer  5  when the upper case  1  thereof in the first embodiment is opened.  FIG. 8  is a perspective view schematically showing the LED printer  5  when the upper case  1  thereof is closed. It is noted that, in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the LED units  20 , the supporting member  42 , the handles  42   a,  and the sponge members  38  are only shown for the sake of descriptive convenience. 
         [0052]    As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , each supporting member  42  and each handle  42   a  are smaller than a width of the upper case  1  in the right-to-left direction. Further, each removed object catching member  35  is smaller than the upper case  1  as well (not shown in  FIG. 7  or  8 ), and thus the cleaning units  30  are housed within the LED printer  5  when the upper case  1  is closed. 
         [0053]    Additionally, as shown in  FIG. 8 , each handle  42   a  is provided lower than the upper case  1  in a vertical direction (upside-to-downside direction). Specifically, the handle  42   a  is housed within the mechanical unit  3  when the upper case  1  is closed. Meanwhile, the handle  42   a  can be operated to be movable without contacting the upper case  1  when the upper case  1  is opened. Thus, since the handle  42   a  can be moved when the upper case  1  is opened, it is possible to prevent an undesired accident that the user carelessly moves the sponge member  38 . Further, since the handle  42   a  is housed, the handle  42   a  does not disturb a user&#39;s operation. 
         [0054]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view schematically showing an LED printer  5  in a second embodiment according to aspects of the present invention. The LED printer  5  shown in  FIG. 9  is in a state where an upper case  1  is closed, and handles  42   a  protrude from the upper case  1 . 
         [0055]    In the second embodiment, each handle  42   a  is exposed outside the LED printer  5 . However, even though a handle  42   a  is moved, an exposure surface  20   a  of a corresponding LED unit  20  does not contact a corresponding sponge member  38  (see  FIG. 1 ). Therefore, the sponge member  38  is not worn when the upper case  1  is closed. Thus, when an enough space to accommodate the handles  42   a  is not secured, the LED printer  5  configured as above may be possible. 
         [0056]    Hereinabove, the embodiments according to aspects of the present invention have been described. The present invention can be practiced by employing conventional materials, methodology and equipment. Accordingly, the details of such materials, equipment and methodology are not set forth herein in detail. In the previous descriptions, numerous specific details are set forth, such as specific materials, structures, chemicals, processes, etc., in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it should be recognized that the present invention can be practiced without reapportioning to the details specifically set forth. In other instances, well known processing structures have not been described in detail, in order not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention. 
         [0057]    Only exemplary embodiments of the present invention and but a few examples of its versatility are shown and described in the present disclosure. It is to be understood that the present invention is capable of use in various other combinations and environments and is capable of changes or modifications within the scope of the inventive concept as expressed herein.