Image forming apparatus

Abstract

An image forming apparatus, including: an image carrier that carries an image; a charge roll that charges the image carrier; and a cleaning member that contacts the charge roll and cleans the charge roll, wherein the cleaning member is configured to include a surface layer that is formed by an elastic body and contacts the charge roll, an inner layer that is configured by an elastic body softer than the surface layer and supports the surface layer, and a support member that supports the inner layer and causes the surface layer to contact the charge roll.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the following figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a configurational diagram showing the general configuration of an image forming apparatus pertaining to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing the configuration of a photoconductor drum, a charge roll and a cleaning roll disposed in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional front view showing the configuration of an attachment structure of the photoconductor drum, the charge roll and the cleaning roll in the image forming apparatus pertaining to the exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 A is a perspective view showing a state where the charge roll and the cleaning roll configuring the image forming apparatus pertaining to the exemplary embodiment of the invention are supported on a bearing member;

FIG. 4B is a side view showing the state where the charge roll and the cleaning roll configuring the image forming apparatus pertaining to the exemplary embodiment of the invention are supported on the bearing member;

FIG. 5A is a comparative example for describing a sectional front view showing the action of the cleaning roll configuring the image forming apparatus pertaining to the exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5B is a sectional front view showing the action of the cleaning roll configuring the image forming apparatus pertaining to the exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5C is a sectional view showing the action of the cleaning roll configuring the image forming apparatus pertaining to the exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a first modification showing the action of the cleaning roll configuring the image forming apparatus pertaining to the exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a second modification showing the action of the cleaning roll configuring the image forming apparatus pertaining to the exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8A is a bottom view of a third modification showing the action of the cleaning roll configuring the image forming apparatus pertaining to the exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8B is a front view of the third modification showing the action of the cleaning roll configuring the image forming apparatus pertaining to the exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8C is a sectional view of the third modification at C-C in FIG. 8B showing the action of the cleaning roll configuring the image forming apparatus pertaining to the exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8D is a sectional view of the third modification at D-D in FIG. 8B showing the action of the cleaning roll configuring the image forming apparatus pertaining to the exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8E is a sectional view of the third modification at E-E in FIG. 8B showing the action of the cleaning roll configuring the image forming apparatus pertaining to the exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a fourth modification showing the configuration of the attachment structure of the photoconductor drum, the charge roll and the cleaning roll in the image forming apparatus pertaining to the exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10A is a descriptive diagram showing the action of the cleaning roll of FIG. 9;

FIG. 10B is a descriptive diagram showing the action of the cleaning roll of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a descriptive diagram showing the action of the cleaning roll configuring the image forming apparatus pertaining to the exemplary embodiment of the invention, and is a fifth modification; and

FIG. 12 is a descriptive diagram showing the action of the cleaning roll configuring the image forming apparatus pertaining to the exemplary embodiment of the invention, and is a sixth modification.

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image carrier that carries an image;a charge roll that charges the image carrier; anda cleaning member that contacts the charge roll and cleans the charge roll,wherein the cleaning member is configured to include a surface layer that is formed by an elastic body and contacts the charge roll, an inner layer that is configured by an elastic body softer than the surface layer and supports the surface layer, and a support member that supports the inner layer and causes the surface layer to contact the charge roll.

2. The image forming apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support member is a shaft, the inner layer is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the shaft, and the surface layer is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the inner layer.

3. The image forming apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support member is a plate material, the inner layer is formed on an upper surface of the plate material, and the surface layer is formed on an upper surface of the inner layer.

4. The image forming apparatus of claim 1, wherein the thickness of the inner layer is changed to give the outer shape of the surface layer a shape along the axial direction of the charge roll.

5. The image forming apparatus of claim 2, wherein the thickness of the inner layer is changed to give the outer shape of the surface layer a shape along the axial direction of the charge roll.

6. The image forming apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hardness of the inner layer is changed in the longitudinal direction of the inner layer.

7. The image forming apparatus of claim 2, wherein the hardness of the inner layer is changed in the longitudinal direction of the inner layer.

8. The image forming apparatus of claim 3, wherein the hardness of the inner layer is changed in the longitudinal direction of the inner layer.

9. The image forming apparatus of claim 1, wherein an axial line of the support member is caused to intersect an axial line of the charge roll.

10. The image forming apparatus of claim 2, wherein an axial line of the support member is caused to intersect an axial line of the charge roll.