Patent ID: 12197162

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Outline of Exemplary Embodiment

FIG.1is an explanatory diagram illustrating an outline of an exemplary embodiment of a cleaning device to which the present disclosure is applied.

InFIG.1, the cleaning device includes an elastic plate-shaped cleaning unit1that has a tip portion disposed in contact with a surface of an object-to-be-cleaned5which moves in a predetermined direction, is provided to be inclined in a direction facing a moving direction of the object-to-be-cleaned5, and cleans hot-melt powder6remaining on the object-to-be-cleaned5, a facing unit2that is disposed in contact with a back surface side of the object-to-be-cleaned5and is provided to face the cleaning unit1across the object-to-be-cleaned5; and a heating unit3that heats a contact portion of the cleaning unit1to a temperature lower than a softening point of the powder6by heating the facing unit2.

The cleaning device of this type is incorporated in a powder processing apparatus including a processing unit (not shown) that performs a predetermined process using the hot-melt powder6, and cleans the powder6remaining on the object-to-be-cleaned5that moves in a predetermined direction.

In such technical units, the object-to-be-cleaned5is not limited to the object that circulates and rotates, and includes an object that moves in one direction. Further, the present invention is not limited to an image holding unit (photoreceptor, intermediate transfer body, or the like) that holds an image by the powder6, and also broadly includes a transfer member of a transfer device to which the powder6adheres.

Further, the powder6is not limited to, for example, a toner used as an image forming powder in an electrophotographic method, and broadly includes coating particles as a coating powder. In this case, the powder6often contains the external additive6awidely. The external additive6aadheres to the surface of the powder6and controls chargeability, fluidity, and the like of the powder6.

Further, the cleaning unit1may be an elastic plate-shaped unit, and a cleaning member made of an elastic material may be supported on the support bracket, or widely includes those having a plate-shaped cleaning member using an elastic material such as rubber via a metal base material for the support bracket. In addition, in the present exemplary embodiment, it is needless to say that a device provided with a cleaning unit (for example, a brush-shaped cleaning member) having an aspect different from the cleaning unit1is also applied.

Further, there is a method of preventing the powder6from slipping by supplying a band-shaped image (toner band) of the powder (for example, toner) periodically or irregularly to the edge portion of the cleaning unit1, and forming a dam (reservoir portion) by the external additive6acontained in the powder6. Although this method is based on the premise that the contact state of the cleaning unit1is poor and compensates for the poor contact state, excessive consumption of the powder6may occur. However, in the present exemplary embodiment, although it is not necessary to use this method, it is possible to use this method in combination.

Further, the facing unit2may be a separate body from the object-to-be-cleaned5, or may be provided integrally. Further, in an aspect in which the facing unit2is a separate body, the facing unit2may be a rotating body that rotates following the movement of the object-to-be-cleaned5, or includes any non-rotating body that does not rotate following the movement. Further, in addition to an aspect in which the facing unit2faces a contact portion region of the cleaning unit1, there is an aspect in which the facing unit2faces the cleaning unit1at a position close to the cleaning unit1without facing the contact portion region of the cleaning unit1.

Further, the heating unit3heats the tip portion of the cleaning unit1in order to prevent the tip portion of the cleaning unit1from being easily cured, for example, in a low temperature environment. Here, the heating unit3broadly includes the facing unit2as a heating target. Further, it is necessary to heat the contact portion of the cleaning unit1in a range lower than the softening point of the powder6. In a case where the contact portion of the cleaning unit1is heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the softening point of the powder6, the powder6may melt and the cleaning performance may be impaired.

As described above, in the cleaning device of the present exemplary embodiment, even in a low temperature environment, the tip portion of the cleaning unit1is softened by heating the facing unit2, and a good contact state of the cleaning unit1with the object-to-be-cleaned5is maintained. Therefore, even in a case where the powder6is not supplied to the tip portion of the cleaning unit1periodically or irregularly, a dam caused by the external additive6acontained in the powder6is secured at the tip portion of the cleaning unit1, and the slip-through of the powder6is prevented. Further, since only the tip portion of the cleaning unit1is heated, a required heating temperature is low, and the powder6to be cleaned does not melt.

Next, for example, a representative aspect or a preferable aspect of the cleaning device according to the present exemplary embodiment will be described.

First, as a typical aspect of the heating unit3, there is an aspect in which the facing unit2is heated to a temperature lower than the softening point of the powder6. In this way, for example, it is preferable to control the heating temperature of the facing unit2, because the contact portion of the cleaning unit1with the object-to-be-cleaned5is prevented from reaching a temperature equal to or higher than the softening point of the powder6.

Further, from a viewpoint of maintaining good heat transferability of the heating unit3, for example, an aspect is preferable in which the heating unit3heats the facing unit2in contact with the facing unit2.

The followings are typical aspects of the present example.

(1) An aspect in which the facing unit2has a hollow portion, and the heating unit3is provided in the hollow portion.

(2) An aspect in which the heating unit3is disposed in contact with the surface of the facing unit2.

(3) An aspect in which the facing unit2has a roll body made of a synthetic resin around a shaft made of metal, and the heating unit3heats the facing unit2in contact with both ends of the shaft made of metal.

Further, from a viewpoint that the heating unit3does not have a dedicated heat source, it is also possible to locally heat the facing unit2in a non-contact state by using the heat from another heat source.

As a typical aspect of the present example, an aspect is mentioned in which the heating unit3has an air flow unit (not shown) disposed between another heat source and the facing unit2, and guides heat generated by the other heat source through the air flow unit to the facing unit2.

Further, as a typical layout of the facing unit2, an aspect in which the facing unit2is disposed to face the contact portion region of the cleaning unit1may be mentioned.

In the present example, in a case where the facing unit2moves in a state of being in contact with the object-to-be-cleaned5, in order to maintain a relative positional relationship between the facing unit2and the cleaning unit1, for example, it is preferable that the cleaning unit1moves following the movement of the facing unit2.

Further, there is an aspect in which the facing unit2may be disposed to face the cleaning unit1at a position close to the contact portion region of the cleaning unit1. In this case, since the facing unit2does not face the contact portion region of the cleaning unit1, the amount of heat of the facing unit2heated by the heating unit3is transferred to the contact portion region of the cleaning unit1through the object-to-be-cleaned5, and it is necessary that the contact portion region of the cleaning unit1is indirectly heated. Therefore, the term “close position” as used herein means a position sufficiently close to transfer the heat of the facing unit2to the contact portion region of the cleaning unit1in consideration of the thermal conductivity of the object-to-be-cleaned5and the like.

Further, in the powder processing apparatus including the cleaning device described above, for example, it is preferable to efficiently operate the heating unit3in a low temperature environment in which the cleaning unit1is likely to be cured. In this case, a temperature detecting unit (not shown) that detects the ambient environment temperature of the object-to-be-cleaned5and a control unit (not shown) that operates the heating unit3of the cleaning device in a case where the temperature detecting unit reaches a predetermined low temperature environment temperature condition may be provided.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail on the basis of the exemplary embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

First Exemplary Embodiment

Overall Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus

FIG.2is an explanatory diagram showing an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus, which is the powder processing apparatus according to a first exemplary embodiment.

InFIG.2, in an image forming apparatus20, an image forming engine30that forms an image of a plurality of colors (four colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black in the present exemplary embodiment) is mount in an apparatus housing21, a medium supply apparatus50that accommodates mediums such as paper is disposed below the image forming engine30, and a medium conveying path55from the medium supply apparatus50is disposed in a substantially vertical direction.

In the present example, in the image forming engine30, image forming units31(specifically,31ato31d) that forms the image of the plurality of colors are arranged in a substantially horizontal direction, a transfer module40including, for example, a belt-shaped intermediate transfer body45that circulates and moves along the arrangement direction of the image forming unit31is disposed above the image forming unit31, and an image of each color formed by each of the image forming units31is transferred to the medium via the transfer module40.

In the present exemplary embodiment, as shown inFIG.2, the image forming units31(31ato31d) form toner images, for example, for yellow, magenta, cyan, and black (the arrangement thereof is not necessarily in this order) in order from the upstream side in the circulation direction of the intermediate transfer body45, and each of the image forming units31(31ato31b) includes a photoreceptor32, a charging device33(a charging roll in this example) that charges the photoreceptor32in advance, an exposure device (an LED writing head in this example)34that writes an electrostatic latent image on the corresponding photoreceptor32charged by the charging device33, a developing device35that develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor32with the toner (for example, having a negative polarity in the present exemplary embodiment) of the corresponding color component, and a cleaning device36that cleans the residue on the photoreceptor32.

Reference numerals37(specifically,37ato37d) indicate toner cartridges for supplying the color component toners to the corresponding developing devices35.

Further, in the present exemplary embodiment, the transfer module40includes the belt-shaped intermediate transfer body45made of, for example, a polyimide resin spanned over a plurality of tension rolls41to44, and for example, the tension roll41is used as a drive roll to circulate and move the intermediate transfer body45. A transfer device (transfer roll in this example)46for primary transfer is disposed on a back surface of the intermediate transfer body45corresponding to the photoconductor32of each of the image forming units31, and by applying a transfer voltage having a polarity opposite to a charging polarity of the toner to the transfer device46, the toner image on the photoconductor32is electrostatically transferred to the intermediate transfer body45side.

Furthermore, a cleaning device47for the intermediate transfer body is disposed upstream of the image forming unit31aon the most upstream side of the intermediate transfer body45to remove the residual toner on the intermediate transfer body45.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the transfer device60for secondary transfer is disposed at a portion corresponding to the tension roll42downstream of the image forming unit31don the most downstream side of the intermediate transfer body45such that a primary transfer image on the intermediate transfer body45is secondarily transferred (collectively transferred) to the medium.

In the present example, the transfer device60includes a secondary transfer roll61disposed in pressure contact with the toner image holding surface side of the intermediate transfer body45, and a backup roll (also serving as the tension roll42in the present example) that is disposed on the back surface side of the intermediate transfer body45and forms the counter electrode of the secondary transfer roll61. For example, the secondary transfer roll61is grounded, and a secondary transfer voltage having the same polarity as the charging polarity of the toner is applied to the backup roll (the tension roll42).

Further, a supply roll51that supplies the medium is provided in the medium supply apparatus50, a transfer roll (not illustrated) is disposed in the medium conveying path55, and a positioning roll56that supplies the medium to a secondary transfer portion at a predetermined timing is disposed in the medium conveying path55located immediately before the secondary transfer portion.

Furthermore, a fixing device70is provided in the medium conveying path55located downstream of the secondary transfer portion, and the fixing device70includes, for example, a heating fixing roll71having a built-in heater (not shown) is embedded, and a pressurizing fixing roll72that is arranged in pressure contact with the heating fixing roll71to rotate following the heating fixing roll71. A discharge roll57that discharges the medium in the apparatus housing21is provided downstream of the fixing device70to sandwich, convey, and discharge the medium, and the medium is accommodated in a medium storage receiver58formed on the upper portion of the apparatus housing21.

Although not illustrated in the present example, of course, a manual supply apparatus for medium or a double-sided recording module capable of double-sided recording of the medium may be separately provided.

Cleaning Device for Intermediate Transfer Body

Basic Configuration of Cleaning Device

In the present example, as illustrated inFIG.3A, the cleaning device47has a cleaning container100that accommodates a residue on the intermediate transfer body45as an object-to-be-cleaned5(seeFIG.1) and that opens toward the tension roll41of the intermediate transfer body45, a plate-shaped cleaning member101(corresponding to the cleaning unit1inFIG.1) for scraping off the residue on the photoconductor32is attached to the opening edge of the cleaning container100, and a conveying member105for conveying the accommodated residue to be leveled is disposed in the cleaning container100.

In the present example, the cleaning device47includes an facing roll110(corresponding to the facing unit2shown inFIG.1) facing the cleaning member101including the tension roll41across the intermediate transfer body45, and the facing roll110includes a heating component120(corresponding to the heating unit3shown inFIG.1) for heating the facing roll110.

Configuration Example of Cleaning Member

In the present example, as shown inFIGS.3A and3B, the cleaning member101is a long thin plate-shaped member extending in the width direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the intermediate transfer body45, the lateral direction of the plate-shaped member, which intersects the longitudinal direction and is away from the intermediate transfer body45, is supported on the cleaning container100with a support bracket102made of metal such as SUS, for example, having an L-shaped cross section, and the edge portion E on the tip side of the plate-shaped member in the lateral direction is disposed in contact with the intermediate transfer body45.

In the present example, the cleaning member101is disposed to be inclined such that the tip end side toward the intermediate transfer body45side faces the movement direction of the intermediate transfer body45, and the inclination angle is selected within a predetermined range with respect to the tangential direction of the contact portion with the intermediate transfer body45.

In the present example, as schematically shown inFIG.3B, the cleaning member101is made of an elastic material such as polyurethane rubber, and in a case where the edge portion E on the tip end side comes into contact with the intermediate transfer body45, the nip pressure (corresponding to the contact pressure) increases with respect to the intermediate transfer body45in a state where the edge portion E is pulled in the conveying direction of the intermediate transfer body45. Therefore, as shown inFIG.7A, the external additive (chargeable material, lubricating material, or the like)104of the toner103is blocked at the contact portion region of the edge portion E of the cleaning member101, and a dam caused by the external additive104is formed in the edge portion E of the cleaning member101. Therefore, the dam caused by the external additive104prevents the toner103from slipping through the edge portion E of the cleaning member101.

In the present example, the cleaning member101is configured by one plate-shaped member, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a configuration in which a plurality of plate-shaped members are stacked may be used.

Relationship Between Facing Roll and Cleaning Member

Further, in the present example, although the cleaning member101is positioned on the cleaning container100as shown inFIG.3A, the cleaning container100is biased toward the facing roll110(also serving as the tension roll41) by the biasing spring106and is positioned by the facing roll110.

In the present example, since the facing roll110also serves as the tension roll41used as the drive roll, the position of the facing roll110may change instead of being fixed. However, in a case where the position of the tension roll41changes, the cleaning container100follows and moves via the intermediate transfer body45stretched over the tension roll41, and along with this, the cleaning member101positioned in the cleaning container100follows and moves. Therefore, even in a case where the position of the facing roll110changes, the relative positional relationship between the cleaning member101and the facing roll110is maintained.

In the present example, the facing roll110also serves as the tension roll41used as a drive roll. However, the tension roll41may be a tension applying roll that applies tension to the intermediate transfer body45. In this case, the position of the tension roll41changes in a case where the tension of the intermediate transfer body45is adjusted, but the cleaning member101moves following the movement of the facing roll110.

Necessity of Heating Component

In the present example, since the cleaning member101is made of an elastic material using a rubber material, for example, in a low temperature environment, the nip pressure of the cleaning member101against the intermediate transfer body45may be reduced due to the curing of the rubber, the dam caused by the external additive104collapses, and the toner may slip through.

Therefore, in the present example, the heating component120for heating the edge portion E of the cleaning member101is adopted such that the rubber curing of the cleaning member101does not occur even in a low temperature environment.

Configuration Example of Heating Component

As shown inFIGS.3A and3B, the facing roll110has a roll body111made of metal in which a hollow portion113is formed around a rotating shaft112, and a heat generation resistance layer121as a heating component120is provided in the hollow portion113around the rotating shaft112.

In the present example, the heat generation resistance layer121is supplied with the heat generation current Ih from the energization circuit151based on the heating control signal HS from the control device150, the heat generation resistance layer121generates heat, and the facing roll110is heated.

Other Configuration Examples of Heating Component

The heating component120is not limited to the one shown inFIGS.3A and3B, and may be the one shown in the first and second modification forms1and2as shown inFIGS.4A and4B.

First Modification Form

FIG.4Ashows a part of the cleaning device shown in the first modification form.

InFIG.4A, the facing roll110has a roll body111in which a hollow portion113is formed around a rotating shaft112, a hollow pipe115having a large diameter is used to ensure rigidity as the rotating shaft112, and a heat roll122having a built-in heater as a heating component120is incorporated in the hollow portion of the hollow pipe115.

In the present example, in a case where the heat roll122generates heat, the heat of the heat roll122is transferred through the roll body111, so that the surface of the facing roll110is heated.

Second Modification Form

FIG.4Bshows a part of the cleaning device shown in the second modification form.

InFIG.4B, the facing roll110has a roll body111in which a hollow portion113is formed around a rotating shaft112, and an external heat roll123having a built-in heater as a heating component120is disposed in contact with the surface of the roll body111to be rotatably driven.

In the present example, since the external heat roll123directly heats the surface of the facing roll110, it is possible to increase the heat transfer efficiency as compared with a case where the facing roll110is heated from the inside. Further, in the present example, since the facing roll110has a structure having the hollow portion113, the heat radiation efficiency is high, and it is effective in accelerating the temperature drop of the facing roll110in a case where the heating by the external heat roll123is stopped.

Cleaning Device Control System

In the present example, as shown inFIG.3A, a control device150is provided to control the heating of the cleaning device47.

The control device150is configured by a microcomputer including various types of processors. In the embodiments above, the term “processor” refers to hardware in a broad sense. Examples of the processor include general processors (e.g., CPU: Central Processing Unit) and dedicated processors (e.g., GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, and programmable logic device). In the embodiments above, the term “processor” is broad enough to encompass one processor or plural processors in collaboration which are located physically apart from each other but may work cooperatively. The order of operations of the processor is not limited to one described in the embodiments above, and may be changed.

Further, the control device150receives temperature information from an environment temperature sensor152as a temperature detecting unit that detects the temperature of the ambient environment of the intermediate transfer body45, and the surface temperature sensor153that detects the surface temperature of the facing roll110, in the vicinity of the facing roll110.

In the present example, the upper limit of the target temperature Ta (seeFIG.6) of the surface of the facing roll110is set to a temperature lower than the softening point of the toner.

Then, the control device150installs in advance a necessary program such as a “cleaning device heating control program (seeFIG.5)” in a memory (not shown), executes the cleaning device heating control program, based on the temperature information from the environment temperature sensor152and the surface temperature sensor153, the edge portion E of the cleaning member101is heated, by heating the facing roll110, in a situation where the rubber of the cleaning member101is likely to be cured in a low temperature environment, and a good contact state of the cleaning member101with respect to the intermediate transfer body45is maintained.

Heating Control Operation of Cleaning Device

As shown inFIG.5, in a case where an instruction of the print job is input from the user, the control device150determines whether or not the environment is in a low temperature environment based on the detection result from the environment temperature sensor152.

The term “in a low temperature environment” as used herein refers to a temperature environment condition in which the cleaning member101is cured to reach a poor contact state with the intermediate transfer body45, and means a low temperature and low humidity environment, for example, a temperature of 10° C. or less and a humidity of 15% or less.

In the present example, the control device150determines whether or not the number of consecutive low-density images has reached a specified value N, for example, considering the status of past print jobs, in a low temperature environment, and under a condition that the number of consecutive low-density images has reached the specified value N, the control device150determines that the cleaning member101may be rolled up.

In this case, as shown inFIG.3, the control device150transmits the heating control signal HS to the energization circuit151, and supplies the heat generation current Ih from the energization circuit151to the heat generation resistance layer121as the heating component120.

In this state, the heat generation resistance layer121generates heat, heat from the heat generation resistance layer121is transferred to the surface of the facing roll110through the roll body111, and the facing roll110is heated.

Here, since the control device150sets the target temperature Ta of the surface of the facing roll110to a temperature lower than the softening point of the toner, the facing roll110is heated until the surface of the facing roll110reaches the target temperature Ta. That is, since the surface of the facing roll110is detected by the surface temperature sensor153, in a case where the surface temperature sensor153detects the target temperature Ta, the control device150stops the output of the heating control signal HS to the energization circuit151, and the supply of the heat generation current Ih from the energization circuit151is stopped.

In this state, as shown inFIG.6A, the contact portion region of the edge portion E of the cleaning member101is heated by receiving heat from the facing roll110, and is heated to the temperature Tc equal to or lower than the target temperature Ta of the facing roll110. Therefore, the edge portion E of the cleaning member101maintains a good contact state with the intermediate transfer body45, and the dam caused by the external additive104is blocked in a state where the edge portion E of the cleaning member101is pulled in the conveying direction of the intermediate transfer body45. Therefore, the toner103remaining on the intermediate transfer body45is appropriately scraped off by the edge portion E of the cleaning member101, and a good cleaning performance of the cleaning member101is maintained.

Further, since the contact portion region of the edge portion E of the cleaning member101comes into contact with the remaining toner103at the temperature Tc, a situation in which the toner103to be cleaned is softened and adheres to the edge portion E of the cleaning member101does not occur.

In this way, in a case where the edge portion E of the cleaning member101reaches the desired temperature condition, the control device150starts the print job.

Then, the control device150performs on/off control of heating of the heat generation resistance layer121as the heating component120such that the surface of the facing roll110is maintained at the target temperature Ta.

After that, the control device150determines whether or not a heating release condition is reached. The term “heating release condition” as used herein refers to a condition in which the print job is completed, the environment is no longer in a low temperature environment, or the number of consecutive low-density images is less than the specified value N.

In a case where the control device150determines that the “heating release condition” is reached, the control device150stops the heating operation of the facing roll110.

In a case where the environment is not in a low temperature environment, or the environment is in a low temperature environment but the number of consecutive low-density images does not reach the specified value N, the control device150ends a series of processes without performing a heating operation on the cleaning device47.

Third Modification Form

In the present exemplary embodiment, the facing roll110is disposed to face the contact portion region of the edge portion E of the cleaning member101, but the present invention is not limited to this, and as in the third modification form shown inFIG.6B, for example, the cleaning member101may be disposed offset from the contact portion region of the edge portion E.

In the present example, the facing roll110is disposed to face the cleaning member101at a position close to the contact portion region of the edge portion E of the cleaning member101. In the present example, the amount of heat of the facing roll110heated by the heating component120is transferred to the contact portion region of the edge portion E of the cleaning member101through the intermediate transfer body45, and the contact portion region of the cleaning member101is indirectly heated.

In this case, assuming that the distance between the contact portion region of the edge portion E of the cleaning member101and the contact portion region of the facing roll110with the intermediate transfer body45is d, it is presumed that as the distance d increases, the heat loss increases by the increase of the distance d in the process of heat transfer through the intermediate transfer body45. Therefore, in a case where the heat loss can be obtained within an allowable range (for example, 20% or less), it is considered that the positional relationship may be treated as an offset arrangement due to “close position”.

Here, the offset amount (corresponding to the distance d) is, for example, preferably 1 to 5 mm, although the offset amount depends on the member (thermal conductivity) and the configuration. In a case where the offset amount is large, the posture of the plate-shaped cleaning member101is not stable, and the cleaning performance may be deteriorated.

Next, in evaluating the performance of the cleaning device according to the present exemplary embodiment, the performance is compared with the performance of the cleaning device according to the first and second comparative forms.

First Comparative Form

The cleaning device47′ according to a first comparative form does not include the heating component of the first exemplary embodiment.

In this case, under an environmental condition that is not a low temperature environment, as shown inFIG.7A, the contact portion region of the edge portion E of the cleaning member101maintains a normal contact state with the intermediate transfer body45, the edge portion E of the cleaning member101is pulled in the conveying direction of the intermediate transfer body45, a dam caused by the external additive104is formed at the edge portion E of the cleaning member101, and the remaining toner103is appropriately scraped off.

However, assuming a case where continuous printing of low-density images is performed in a low temperature environment, as shown inFIG.7B, the edge portion E of the cleaning member101is cured and the contact state with the intermediate transfer body45reaches a defective state. In this case, the nip pressure of the edge portion E of the cleaning member101may drop, the dam caused by the external additive104shown inFIG.7Amay collapse, and the remaining toner103may slip through the contact portion region of the edge portion E of the cleaning member101.

In order to eliminate such a situation, as shown inFIG.7C, in a case where the contact portion region of the edge portion E of the cleaning member101may be in a defective state as in a low temperature environment, a band-shaped image (toner band) formed of toner is regularly or irregularly supplied to the edge portion E of the cleaning member101, a dam caused by the external additive104is forcibly formed on the edge portion E of the cleaning member101, it is possible to improve the scraping performance of the remaining toner103, and a toner loss for image formation occurs due to the supply of the toner band.

Second Comparative Form

FIG.8Ashows a part of the cleaning device according to a second comparative form.

InFIG.8A, the cleaning device47′ according to a second comparative form includes the cleaning member101attached via the support bracket102, a facing roll110disposed to face the cleaning member101across the intermediate transfer body45, and a heater160that heats the cleaning member101provided on the support bracket102. InFIG.8A, reference numeral161is a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the root portion of the cleaning member101, and the heater160is heated and controlled based on the detection result of the temperature sensor161.

In the present example, for example, the heater160heats the support bracket102in a low temperature environment. In this case, as shown inFIG.8B, in order to soften the edge portion E of the cleaning member101, it is necessary to heat the support bracket102at a temperature higher than the softening temperature. In this case, the ambient temperature may rise, the temperature Tc of the edge portion E of the cleaning member101may become higher than the softening temperature Te of the toner, and the remaining toner may melt at the edge portion E of the cleaning member101. Further, since the temperature Td of the root portion of the cleaning member101is higher than the temperature Tc of the edge portion E of the cleaning member101, the root portion of the cleaning member101may be softened, the cleaning member101may be bent on the root portion side, and the cleaning member101may be rolled up.

Second Exemplary Embodiment

FIG.9Ais an explanatory diagram showing a part of a cleaning device according to a second exemplary embodiment.

In the present example, the basic configuration of the cleaning device47includes the cleaning member101, and the facing roll110that faces the cleaning member101across the intermediate transfer body45, as in the first exemplary embodiment, but is different from the first exemplary embodiment in that as the heating component120that heats the facing roll110, the facing roll110is locally heated in a non-contact state by using the heat of another heat source.

In the present example, as another heat source130, as shown inFIG.9B, a fixing device70(which includes a heating fixing roll71and a pressurizing fixing roll72) is used, an air exhaust duct131is disposed between the fixing device70and the facing roll110, and heat generated by the fixing device70is discharged to the outside of the apparatus housing21(seeFIG.2) through the air exhaust duct131.

In particular, in the present example, the air exhaust duct131is disposed close to the lower side of the facing roll110.

Therefore, in the present exemplary embodiment, the heat Q generated in the fixing device70, which is another heat source130, is discharged to the outside together with the air through the air exhaust duct131, but while passing through the air exhaust duct131, the heat Q heats the air in the vicinity of the upper part of the air exhaust duct131. Therefore, when the heated air in the air exhaust duct131passes through the portion corresponding to the facing roll110, the heated air heats the air in the region between the air exhaust duct131and the facing roll110. As a result, the heated air132rises toward the facing roll110and is guided to locally heat the facing roll110.

As described above, in the present example, it is possible to heat the facing roll110without using the dedicated heating component120as in the first exemplary embodiment.

Third Exemplary Embodiment

FIG.10Ashows a part of a cleaning device according to a third exemplary embodiment.

InFIG.10A, the cleaning device140according to the third exemplary embodiment is different from the cleaning device47according to the first and second exemplary embodiments in that residues such as toner remaining on the secondary transfer roll61of the transfer device60for secondary transfer is cleaned. Components that are the same as in the first exemplary embodiment will be assigned with the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted herein.

In the present example, the transfer device60for secondary transfer uses the tension roll42facing the secondary transfer roll61across the intermediate transfer body45as a backup roll, the power supply roll66is disposed in contact with the backup roll, and a transfer power supply67is connected to the power supply roll66to apply a transfer bias.

Further, the cleaning device140has a cleaning container141that accommodates a residue on the coating tube65formed on the surface of the secondary transfer roll61as the object-to-be-cleaned5(seeFIG.1) and that opens toward the secondary transfer roll61, a plate-shaped cleaning member142is attached to the opening edge of the cleaning container141via a support bracket143, and a conveying member145for conveying the accommodated residue to be leveled is disposed in the cleaning container141.

Further, in the present example, the secondary transfer roll61has a roll body63made of a synthetic resin such as urethane foam around the rotating shaft62made of metal, and a coating tube65made of, for example, polyimide is provided on the surface of the roll body63.

In particular, in the present example, the object-to-be-cleaned is the coating tube65of the secondary transfer roll61.

Further, in the present example, the roll body63of the secondary transfer roll61functions as the facing roll210facing the cleaning member142across the coating tube65, and the facing roll210is integrated with the coating tube65, but also serves as an element of the cleaning device140.

Further, in the present example, the facing roll210is provided with a heating component120(corresponding to the heating unit3shown inFIG.1) that heats the facing roll210.

The heating components120, as shown inFIG.10B, are disposed in contact with the heaters125at both ends of a rotating shaft62made of metal, the heater125is supplied with the heat generation current Ih from the energization circuit151based on the heating control signal HS from the control device150, the heater125generates heat, and the heat from the heater125is transferred to the rotating shaft62and the roll body63to heat the facing roll210.

As described above, in the present example, the cleaning device140applied to the transfer device60for secondary transfer is disclosed, and it is possible to properly clean the covering tube65of the secondary transfer roll61with the cleaning member142even when continuous printing low-density images in a low temperature environment.

Supplementary Notes

(((1)))

A cleaning device comprising:an elastic plate-shaped cleaning unit that has a tip portion disposed in contact with a surface of an object-to-be-cleaned which moves in a predetermined direction, is provided to be inclined in a direction facing a moving direction of the object-to-be-cleaned, and cleans hot-melt powder remaining on the object-to-be-cleaned;a facing unit that is disposed in contact with a back surface side of the object-to-be-cleaned and is provided to face the cleaning unit across the object-to-be-cleaned; anda heating unit that heats a contact portion of the cleaning unit to a temperature lower than a softening point of the powder by heating the facing unit.
(((2)))

In the cleaning device according to (((1))),wherein the heating unit heats the facing unit to a temperature lower than the softening point of the powder.
(((3)))

In the cleaning device according to (((1))) or (((2)))),wherein the heating unit heats the facing unit in contact with the facing unit.
(((4)))

In the cleaning device according to (((3)))),wherein the facing unit has a hollow portion, and the heating unit is provided in the hollow portion.
(((5)))

In the cleaning device according to (((3)))),wherein the heating unit is disposed in contact with a surface of the facing unit.
(((6)))

In the cleaning device according to (((3)))),wherein the facing unit has a roll body made of a synthetic resin around a shaft made of metal, and the heating unit heats the facing unit in contact with both ends of the shaft.
(((7)))

In the cleaning device according to (((1))) or (((2)))),wherein the heating unit uses heat from another heat source to locally heat the facing unit in a non-contact state.
(((8)))

In the cleaning device according to (((7)))),wherein the heating unit has an air flow unit disposed between the other heat source and the facing unit, and guides heat generated by the other heat source through the air flow unit to the facing unit.
(((9)))

In the cleaning device according to any one of (((1))) to (((8))),wherein the facing unit is disposed to face a contact portion region of the cleaning unit.
(((10)))

In the cleaning device according to (((9)))),wherein the facing unit moves in a state of being in contact with the object-to-be-cleaned, andthe cleaning unit moves following a movement of the facing unit.
(((11)))

In the cleaning device according to any one of (((1))) to (((8))),wherein the facing unit is disposed at a position close to a contact portion region of the cleaning unit to face the cleaning unit.
(((12)))

A powder processing apparatus comprising:a processing unit that performs a predetermined process using a hot-melt powder; and the cleaning device according to any one of (((1))) to (((11))) that cleans the powder remaining on the object-to-be-cleaned that moves in the predetermined direction.
(((13)))

In the powder processing apparatus according to (((12)))),a temperature detecting unit that detects an ambient environment temperature of the object-to-be-cleaned; anda control unit that operates the heating unit of the cleaning device in a case where the temperature detecting unit reaches a predetermined low temperature environment temperature condition.

The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention has been provided for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments and with the various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the following claims and their equivalents.