JP2009042288A - Lubricant coating apparatus, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents
Lubricant coating apparatus, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus Download PDFInfo
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Abstract
【課題】 潤滑剤塗布装置からの異物飛散防止、また、異物飛散による画像形成装置本体外や本体内への汚染、操作部の汚染、機能部品の汚染等によるトナー落ちや画像ムラにより生じる画質の低下を防止することができる潤滑剤塗布装置、これを備えたプロセスカートリッジ、および画像形成装置を提供する。
【解決手段】 潤滑剤塗布装置５は、像担持体表面移動方向に対して、像担持体表面と、像担持体表面移動方向上流をクリーニング装置４と、下流を塗布部材５ｅと、枠体６ａとに挟まれた領域を密閉し、かつ、像担持体表面移動方向に対して垂直な方向の前記潤滑剤塗布装置５の両端部を密閉する端部密閉部材６を有する。また、像担持体周辺を流れる気流が端部密閉部材６を有する側に流れている場合には、像担持体表面移動方向に対して垂直な方向の前記潤滑剤塗布装置５の片側端部を密閉する端部密閉部材６を有する。
【選択図】 図１PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the scattering of foreign matter from a lubricant application device, the contamination of an image forming apparatus main body or inside the main body due to the scattering of foreign matter, the contamination of an operation unit, the toner drop due to contamination of functional parts, or the image quality caused by image unevenness. Provided are a lubricant application device capable of preventing a decrease, a process cartridge including the same, and an image forming apparatus.
SOLUTION: A lubricant applicator 5 has an image carrier surface, a cleaning device 4 upstream of the image carrier surface movement direction, an application member 5e, and a frame body 6a with respect to the image carrier surface movement direction. And an end sealing member 6 that seals both ends of the lubricant application device 5 in a direction perpendicular to the image carrier surface movement direction. Further, when the airflow flowing around the image carrier is flowing to the side having the end sealing member 6, the one side end of the lubricant application device 5 in the direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the image carrier surface is arranged. An end sealing member 6 for sealing is provided.
[Selection] Figure 1
Description
本発明は、複写機、ファクシミリ、プリンター等の画像形成装置に関し、特に像担持体に適用される潤滑剤塗布装置、プロセスカートリッジ、および画像形成装置に関する。 The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, and a printer, and more particularly to a lubricant coating device, a process cartridge, and an image forming apparatus applied to an image carrier.
電子写真方式の画像形成プロセスにおいては、感光体の周囲に多数の部材が接触している。その中で最も感光体表面の削れに対して寄与が大きいのは、クリーニングブレードだとされている。
感光体の寿命を決定する原因として、感光体の摩耗がある。これは、感光体の感光層の摩耗量が、ある一定量削れてしまうと、感光体の電気特性が変化してしまい、所定の作像プロセスが行えなくなってしまうためである。この摩耗は作像プロセスにおいて、感光体と他の作像ユニットが接触する部位全てで発生する。ただし、一番問題となるユニットは、感光体に残留するトナー粒子を力学的に除去するクリーニングブレードを備えたクリーニングユニットであり、他のユニットによる摩耗はあるものの、実質寿命に影響するほどではない。
In the electrophotographic image forming process, a large number of members are in contact with the periphery of the photoreceptor. Among them, the cleaning blade is considered to have the largest contribution to the photoconductor surface abrasion.
As a cause for determining the life of the photoconductor, there is wear of the photoconductor. This is because if the abrasion amount of the photosensitive layer of the photosensitive member is scraped by a certain amount, the electrical characteristics of the photosensitive member change, and a predetermined image forming process cannot be performed. This wear occurs in all areas where the photoconductor and other image forming units come into contact in the image forming process. However, the most problematic unit is a cleaning unit equipped with a cleaning blade that dynamically removes toner particles remaining on the photoreceptor, and although it is worn by other units, it does not affect the actual life. .
クリーニング部で発生する摩耗は、主に二つの形態に分けられる。一つは、感光体とクリーニングブレードに発生する剪断力による摩耗、もう一つはトナーがクリーニングブレードと感光体に挾まれて、砥石のような働きをし、摩耗するざらつき摩耗である。これらの摩耗を決定する要因として、感光体の構造上の強さ、クリーニングブレードの当接圧、トナー粒子の組成、感光体の表面摩擦係数等が挙げられる。
この中でも特に、本発明は、感光体の表面摩擦係数を低減させる手段を検討している。
Wear generated in the cleaning unit is mainly divided into two forms. One is wear due to the shearing force generated in the photoconductor and the cleaning blade, and the other is rough wear in which the toner is encased in the cleaning blade and the photoconductor and acts like a grindstone. Factors that determine such wear include the structural strength of the photoreceptor, the contact pressure of the cleaning blade, the composition of the toner particles, the surface friction coefficient of the photoreceptor, and the like.
Among these, in particular, the present invention examines means for reducing the surface friction coefficient of the photoreceptor.
従来から、薄膜感光体の摩擦係数低減方法としては、潤滑剤供給手段を用いることが提案されている。感光体表面特性維持のための潤滑剤供給や感光体特性保護のために各種安定化剤の供給を行うことが挙げられる。感光体上に潤滑剤を添加することにより、感光体とクリーニングブレードの摩擦係数を低下することができる。これにより、感光層の摩耗や感光体特性劣化を抑制することができ、高耐久な画像形成装置を得ることができる。 Conventionally, it has been proposed to use a lubricant supply means as a method for reducing the friction coefficient of a thin film photoreceptor. Examples include supplying a lubricant for maintaining the photoreceptor surface characteristics and supplying various stabilizers for protecting the photoreceptor characteristics. By adding a lubricant on the photoconductor, the coefficient of friction between the photoconductor and the cleaning blade can be reduced. As a result, abrasion of the photosensitive layer and deterioration of the photoreceptor characteristics can be suppressed, and a highly durable image forming apparatus can be obtained.
特許文献１では、潤滑剤を像担持体の被塗布面上に塗布する潤滑剤塗布部材と、像担持体に塗布された潤滑剤を均す潤滑剤均し部材を具備した潤滑剤塗布装置において、被塗布面上の付着物をクリーニングした後に潤滑剤を塗布し、さらにその塗布した潤滑剤を均す構成にした潤滑剤塗布装置が提案されている。前記潤滑剤塗布部材は、前記クリーニングブレードよりも像担持体表面移動方向下流側に配置されている。かかる潤滑剤塗布装置を用いることで、潤滑剤塗布部材であるブラシの経時変化、潤滑剤を均す潤滑剤均し部材のヘタリ、潤滑剤均し部材と感光体との間への異物の挟み込み、トナーの有無、画像パターンなどによって潤滑剤が均一に塗られなくなる等の現像を抑えることができ、像担持体へ安定して均一に潤滑剤を塗布することが可能となっている。 In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-228707, a lubricant application device including a lubricant application member that applies a lubricant on a surface to be coated of an image carrier and a lubricant leveling member that smoothes the lubricant applied to the image carrier. There has been proposed a lubricant application device configured to apply a lubricant after cleaning the deposits on the surface to be coated, and to level the applied lubricant. The lubricant application member is disposed downstream of the cleaning blade in the moving direction of the image carrier surface. By using such a lubricant application device, the change over time of the brush that is the lubricant application member, the settling of the lubricant leveling member that smoothes the lubricant, and the inclusion of foreign matter between the lubricant leveling member and the photosensitive member Further, development such that the lubricant is not uniformly applied can be suppressed depending on the presence / absence of toner and the image pattern, and the lubricant can be stably and uniformly applied to the image carrier.
特許文献２では、トナー像転写後の像担持体表面をブレードホルダに保持されたクリーニングブレードにより清掃し、その像担持体に潤滑剤を塗布する潤滑剤塗布装置とを具備し、その潤滑剤塗布装置は像担持体表面に当接するブラシローラと、そのブラシローラに当接する固形潤滑剤と、その固形潤滑剤をブラシローラに対して加圧する圧縮コイルばねとを有している画像形成装置において、圧縮コイルばねが固形潤滑剤を加圧する方向と、クリーニングブレードの突出する方向が略平行であり、ブレードホルダが固形潤滑剤を案内するガイドに固定されていることを特徴とする画像形成装置が提案されている。このような構成にすることにより、画像形成装置の全体構造を小型化することが可能となっている。 In Patent Document 2, the surface of the image carrier after the toner image is transferred is cleaned by a cleaning blade held by a blade holder, and a lubricant application device for applying a lubricant to the image carrier is provided. In the image forming apparatus, the apparatus includes a brush roller that contacts the surface of the image carrier, a solid lubricant that contacts the brush roller, and a compression coil spring that pressurizes the solid lubricant against the brush roller. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the direction in which the compression coil spring pressurizes the solid lubricant and the direction in which the cleaning blade protrudes are substantially parallel, and the blade holder is fixed to a guide for guiding the solid lubricant. Has been. With this configuration, the overall structure of the image forming apparatus can be reduced in size.
特許文献３では、像担持体に潤滑剤を塗布する潤滑剤塗布装置において、前記像担持体と潤滑剤との間に配置された潤滑剤塗布ローラと、この潤滑剤塗布ローラに潤滑剤を押圧付勢する加圧手段とを有し、前記加圧手段は、前記潤滑剤を、前記潤滑剤塗布ローラに近づく加圧方向に所定にガイドするガイド部材を設けたことを特徴とする潤滑剤塗布装置が提案されている。このような構成にすることにより、潤滑剤が小さくなっても、ガイド部材によって、潤滑剤を所定の姿勢を維持して塗布ローラに圧接したまま、加圧方向へスムーズに移動させることができる。このため、潤滑剤を安定して像担持体に塗布させることが可能となっている。 In Patent Document 3, in a lubricant application device for applying a lubricant to an image carrier, a lubricant application roller disposed between the image carrier and the lubricant, and pressing the lubricant against the lubricant application roller A pressurizing means for biasing, and the pressurizing means is provided with a guide member for guiding the lubricant in a pressurizing direction approaching the lubricant application roller. A device has been proposed. With such a configuration, even when the lubricant becomes small, the guide member can smoothly move the lubricant in the pressurizing direction while maintaining a predetermined posture and being in pressure contact with the application roller. For this reason, the lubricant can be stably applied to the image carrier.
特許文献４では、現像手段と、像担持体上の転写残トナーをクリーニングするクリーニング手段と、前記像担持体上に潤滑剤を塗布する潤滑剤塗布手段、を少なくとも有する画像形成装置に用いられる潤滑剤塗布装置であって、前記像担持体上に塗布される総体として長尺な形体をもつ固形の潤滑剤が、長手方向で分割された複数の小片から組み合わされた状態で前記潤滑剤塗布手段に当接する態様で構成され、それぞれの潤滑剤の小片の、前記潤滑剤塗布手段への当接が任意の小片毎に接離可能、または、当接圧が任意に変更可能であることを特徴とする潤滑剤塗布装置が提案されている。このような構成にすることにより、トナー入力状況に応じて潤滑剤の像担持体上への塗布量を変更して、トナーの帯電不良、帯電手段汚染による異常画像の発生を防ぐことが可能となっている。 In Patent Document 4, lubrication used in an image forming apparatus including at least a developing unit, a cleaning unit that cleans transfer residual toner on an image carrier, and a lubricant application unit that applies a lubricant onto the image carrier. A lubricant applying device, wherein the solid lubricant having a long shape as a whole applied on the image carrier is combined from a plurality of small pieces divided in the longitudinal direction. In which the small pieces of the lubricant can be brought into contact with or separated from the lubricant application means for every small piece, or the contact pressure can be arbitrarily changed. A lubricant application apparatus has been proposed. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of abnormal images due to poor charging of the toner or contamination of the charging means by changing the amount of lubricant applied to the image carrier in accordance with the toner input status. It has become.
上述の特許文献１のように、潤滑剤と、像担持体上の異物を除去するクリーニング装置より像担持体表面移動方向下流に設けられ、像担持体表面に潤滑剤を供給する潤滑剤供給部材と、潤滑剤供給部材より像担持体表面移動方向下流で像担持体に接触し、像担持体表面に供給された潤滑剤を像担持体表面に均一に塗りこむ塗布部材とを有する潤滑剤塗布装置においては、トナー、キャリアなどの像担持体上の異物を清掃後に像担持体への潤滑剤塗布を行うため、像担持体に対して潤滑剤を安定して塗布できる。 As in the above-described Patent Document 1, a lubricant supply member that is provided downstream of the lubricant and the cleaning device for removing foreign matter on the image carrier in the moving direction of the image carrier surface and supplies the lubricant to the surface of the image carrier And a coating member that contacts the image carrier downstream in the direction of movement of the image carrier surface from the lubricant supply member and uniformly applies the lubricant supplied to the surface of the image carrier to the surface of the image carrier. In the apparatus, since the lubricant is applied to the image carrier after cleaning foreign matter such as toner and carrier on the image carrier, the lubricant can be stably applied to the image carrier.
しかしながら、実際はクリーニング装置で像担持体表面の付着物を完全に除去することは困難である。また、像担持体に塗布される潤滑剤の量は、画像面積の影響を受けて変動するため、画像面積によっては像担持体に塗布できない余剰潤滑剤が生じる。このため、潤滑剤塗布装置内に潤滑剤を堆積させることなく塗布することは困難である。
そのため、経時において像担持体の回転方向断面において、像担持体表面と、像担持体表面移動方向上流をクリーニング装置と、下流を塗布部材とに挟まれた領域には、クリーニング装置をすり抜けた像担持体上の付着物や、塗布できなかった潤滑剤等の微小な異物が堆積することになる。
However, in practice, it is difficult to completely remove deposits on the surface of the image carrier with a cleaning device. In addition, the amount of lubricant applied to the image carrier varies under the influence of the image area, so that an excess lubricant that cannot be applied to the image carrier is generated depending on the image area. For this reason, it is difficult to apply without depositing the lubricant in the lubricant application device.
Therefore, in the cross section in the rotation direction of the image carrier over time, an image that has passed through the cleaning device is located in a region sandwiched between the surface of the image carrier, the upstream of the image carrier surface movement direction, and the downstream of the coating member. Deposits on the carrier and minute foreign matters such as a lubricant that could not be applied accumulate.
また、像担持体の周辺には放熱、帯電生成物排出等を目的とした気流が流れていることが一般的であり、これらの気流が像担持体端部を流れている場合、像担持体の軸方向に垂直な断面において、像担持体表面と像担持体表面移動方向上流をクリーニング装置と下流を塗布部材とに挟まれた空間が密閉されていても、像担持体表面移動方向と垂直方向の端部において潤滑剤塗布装置の開口部がある場合には、像担持体の端部を流れる気流に乗り微小異物が飛散する。これらの微小異物が飛散した場合には、画像形成装置本体外や本体内への汚染、操作部の汚染、機能部品の汚染等によるトナー落ちが発生し、また、いわゆるバンディングと称される画像ムラが発生するなど、画質の低下を招く。 In general, airflow for heat dissipation, discharge of charged products, etc. flows around the image carrier. When these airflows flow at the edge of the image carrier, the image carrier In the cross section perpendicular to the axial direction, the image carrier surface and the image carrier surface movement direction upstream are perpendicular to the image carrier surface movement direction even if the space between the cleaning device upstream and the application member downstream is sealed. When there is an opening of the lubricant application device at the end in the direction, the minute foreign matter is scattered on the airflow flowing through the end of the image carrier. When these minute foreign matters are scattered, toner is removed due to contamination outside the image forming apparatus main body or inside the main body, contamination of the operation unit, contamination of functional parts, and so on. Cause image quality degradation.
しかしながら、特許文献１ないし４のいずれにおいても、潤滑剤塗布装置からの異物飛散を防止する手段・構成については示されていない。
そこで、上述の背景により本発明は考案されている。
However, none of Patent Documents 1 to 4 discloses a means / configuration for preventing the scattering of foreign matters from the lubricant application device.
Therefore, the present invention has been devised based on the above background.
本発明は、上記問題点に鑑みて、潤滑剤塗布装置からの異物飛散防止、また、異物飛散による画像形成装置本体外や本体内への汚染、操作部の汚染、機能部品の汚染等によるトナー落ちや画像ムラにより生じる画質の低下を防止することができる潤滑剤塗布装置、これを備えたプロセスカートリッジ、および画像形成装置を提供することを課題とする。 In view of the above problems, the present invention prevents toner from being scattered from the lubricant application device, contamination outside or inside the image forming apparatus main body due to scattering of foreign matter, contamination of the operation unit, contamination of functional parts, etc. It is an object of the present invention to provide a lubricant application device capable of preventing a deterioration in image quality caused by dropping or image unevenness, a process cartridge including the lubricant application device, and an image forming apparatus.
上記課題を解決するための手段として、本発明は以下の特徴を有している。
本発明の潤滑剤塗布装置は、潤滑剤と、像担持体上の異物を除去するクリーニング装置より像担持体表面移動方向下流に設けられ、像担持体表面に潤滑剤を供給する潤滑剤供給部材と、潤滑剤供給部材より像担持体表面移動方向下流で像担持体に接触し、像担持体表面に供給された潤滑剤を像担持体表面に均一に塗りこむ塗布部材とを有する潤滑剤塗布装置において、前記潤滑剤塗布装置は、像担持体表面移動方向に対して、像担持体表面と、像担持体表面移動方向上流をクリーニング装置と、下流を塗布部材と、枠体とに挟まれた領域を密閉し、かつ、像担持体表面移動方向に対して垂直な方向の前記潤滑剤塗布装置の両端部を密閉する端部密閉部材を有することを特徴とする。
本発明の潤滑剤塗布装置によれば、潤滑剤塗布装置が密閉されていることから、像担持体の周辺の放熱、放電生成物排出等を目的とした気流の影響を受けずに、潤滑剤塗布装置からのトナー、潤滑剤などの異物飛散を防止することが可能である。それにより、異物飛散による本体内の汚染、異物飛散による本体内ユーザ操作部の汚染、異物飛散による機能部品汚染による画像への悪影響等、異物飛散による本体外汚染などを防止できる。
As means for solving the above problems, the present invention has the following features.
The lubricant application device of the present invention is provided with a lubricant and a lubricant supply member that is provided on the downstream side of the image carrier surface movement direction with respect to the lubricant and a cleaning device that removes foreign matter on the image carrier and supplies the lubricant to the surface of the image carrier. And a coating member that contacts the image carrier downstream in the moving direction of the image carrier surface from the lubricant supply member, and uniformly applies the lubricant supplied to the surface of the image carrier to the surface of the image carrier. In the apparatus, the lubricant application device is sandwiched between the image carrier surface, the upstream of the image carrier surface movement direction, the cleaning device, the application member, and the frame body with respect to the image carrier surface movement direction. And an end sealing member that seals both ends of the lubricant application device in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the image carrier surface.
According to the lubricant application device of the present invention, since the lubricant application device is hermetically sealed, the lubricant is not affected by airflow for the purpose of heat dissipation, discharge product discharge, etc. around the image carrier. It is possible to prevent scattering of foreign matters such as toner and lubricant from the coating device. Thereby, contamination inside the main body due to scattering of foreign matter, contamination of the user operation unit inside the main body due to scattering of foreign matter, adverse effects on images due to contamination of functional parts due to scattering of foreign matters, etc. can be prevented.
また、本発明の潤滑剤塗布装置は、潤滑剤と、像担持体上の異物を除去するクリーニング装置より像担持体表面移動方向下流に設けられ、像担持体表面に潤滑剤を供給する潤滑剤供給部材と、潤滑剤供給部材より像担持体表面移動方向下流で像担持体に接触し、像担持体表面に供給された潤滑剤を像担持体表面に均一に塗りこむ塗布部材とを有する潤滑剤塗布装置において、前記潤滑剤塗布装置は、像担持体表面移動方向に対して、像担持体表面と、像担持体表面移動方向上流をクリーニング装置と、下流を塗布部材と、枠体とに挟まれた領域を密閉し、かつ、像担持体表面移動方向に対して垂直な方向の前記潤滑剤塗布装置の片側端部を密閉する端部密閉部材を有し、かつ、像担持体周辺を流れる気流が端部密閉部材を有する側に流れていることを特徴とする。
潤滑剤塗布装置の端部の一方に端部密閉部材を有し、像担持体周辺の気流が像担持体および潤滑剤塗布装置を有する側に流れている場合には、もう一方の潤滑剤塗布装置の端部は開放状態であって良い。潤滑剤塗布装置内の異物堆積量はクリーニング装置等異物堆積量に比べて非常に少ないため可能な構成であり、部品点数の削減、低コスト化、組立性向上が可能となる。
これにより像担持体の周辺の放熱、放電生成物排出を目的とした気流の影響を受けずに潤滑剤塗布装置からのトナー、潤滑剤などの異物飛散を防止することが可能である。それにより、異物飛散による本体内の汚染、異物飛散による本体内ユーザ操作部の汚染、異物飛散による機能部品汚染による画像への悪影響等、異物飛散による本体外汚染などを防止できる。
The lubricant application device of the present invention is provided with a lubricant and a lubricant that is provided downstream of the image carrier surface movement direction with respect to the cleaning device that removes foreign matter on the image carrier and supplies the lubricant to the surface of the image carrier. Lubrication having a supply member and an application member that contacts the image carrier downstream in the direction of movement of the image carrier surface from the lubricant supply member and uniformly coats the surface of the image carrier with the lubricant supplied to the image carrier surface In the agent coating device, the lubricant coating device includes an image carrier surface, a cleaning device upstream of the image carrier surface movement direction, a coating member, and a frame body downstream of the image carrier surface movement direction. An end sealing member that seals the sandwiched region and seals one end of the lubricant application device in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the image carrier surface; and The flowing airflow is flowing to the side having the end sealing member It is characterized in.
When one end of the lubricant application device has an end sealing member and the air flow around the image carrier is flowing to the side having the image carrier and the lubricant application device, apply the other lubricant. The end of the device may be open. The amount of foreign matter accumulated in the lubricant coating device is very small compared to the amount of foreign matter deposited such as a cleaning device, and this is possible. Thus, the number of parts can be reduced, the cost can be reduced, and the assembly can be improved.
As a result, it is possible to prevent scattering of foreign matters such as toner and lubricant from the lubricant application device without being affected by airflow for the purpose of heat radiation around the image carrier and discharge of discharge products. Thereby, contamination inside the main body due to scattering of foreign matter, contamination of the user operation unit inside the main body due to scattering of foreign matter, adverse effects on images due to contamination of functional parts due to scattering of foreign matters, etc. can be prevented.
また、本発明の潤滑剤塗布装置は、前記端部密閉部材が、クリーニング装置端部の密閉を兼ねていることを特徴とする。
クリーニング装置端部についても、現像剤および異物飛散の防止は必要である。本発明の潤滑剤塗布装置によれば、潤滑剤塗布装置端部とクリーニング装置端部の密閉を一手段にて行えることから、部品数削減、低コスト化、組立性向上を図れる。
In the lubricant application device of the present invention, the end sealing member also serves to seal the end of the cleaning device.
It is also necessary to prevent the developer and foreign matter from scattering at the end of the cleaning device. According to the lubricant application device of the present invention, the end portion of the lubricant application device and the end portion of the cleaning device can be sealed with a single means, so that the number of parts can be reduced, the cost can be reduced, and the assembly can be improved.
また、本発明の潤滑剤塗布装置は、前記端部密閉部材が、像担持体表面に接触し容易に摺動する摺動部を有することを特徴とする。
本発明の潤滑剤塗布装置によれば、像担持体表面に接触し容易に摺動する摺動部を有することで、像担持体の異常摩耗防止、傷防止、駆動負荷低減を行い、かつ、潤滑剤塗布装置からの異物飛散を防止することが可能となる。
In the lubricant application device of the present invention, the end sealing member has a sliding portion that contacts the surface of the image carrier and slides easily.
According to the lubricant application apparatus of the present invention, by having a sliding portion that contacts the surface of the image carrier and slides easily, abnormal wear prevention of the image carrier, prevention of scratches, reduction of driving load, and It is possible to prevent foreign matter from scattering from the lubricant application device.
また、本発明の潤滑剤塗布装置は、前記端部密閉部材が有する前記摺動部の摺動面が、繊維部材により構成されることを特徴とする。
本発明の潤滑剤塗布装置によれば、像担持体表面に接触し容易に摺動する摺動部の摺動面がフェルト、ブラシ等の繊維部材により構成されることにより、像担持体表面との摩擦力を大きく低減でき、特に像担持体の異常摩耗防止、傷防止、駆動負荷低減に効果を発揮する。また、像担持体との形状にある程度ならわせることが可能なため、高い部品精度・組立精度等を要することなく、端部密閉部材の密閉性の向上を図れる。かつ、潤滑剤塗布装置からの異物飛散を防止することが可能となる。
Moreover, the lubricant application device of the present invention is characterized in that the sliding surface of the sliding portion of the end portion sealing member is constituted by a fiber member.
According to the lubricant application apparatus of the present invention, the sliding surface of the sliding portion that comes into contact with and easily slides on the surface of the image carrier is constituted by a fiber member such as a felt or a brush. The frictional force of the image carrier can be greatly reduced, and in particular, it is effective in preventing abnormal wear and scratches of the image carrier and reducing the driving load. Further, since the shape of the image bearing member can be matched to some extent, the sealing performance of the end sealing member can be improved without requiring high component accuracy and assembly accuracy. And it becomes possible to prevent the scattering of foreign substances from the lubricant application device.
また、本発明の潤滑剤塗布装置は、前記端部密閉部材が有する前記摺動部の摺動面が、摺動面の変形を容易とする変形部材により構成されることを特徴とする。
本発明の潤滑剤塗布装置によれば、像担持体表面に接触し容易に摺動する摺動部の摺動面の変形を容易とするスポンジ等の易変形部材を有することにより、像担持体の異常摩耗防止、傷防止、駆動負荷低減を行い、かつ、像担持体との形状に容易にならわせることが可能なため、高い部品精度・組立精度等を要することなく、端部密閉部材の密閉性の向上を図れる。
In the lubricant application device of the present invention, the sliding surface of the sliding portion of the end portion sealing member is constituted by a deformable member that facilitates deformation of the sliding surface.
According to the lubricant application device of the present invention, the image bearing member includes the easily deformable member such as a sponge that easily deforms the sliding surface of the sliding portion that contacts the surface of the image bearing member and slides easily. It is possible to prevent abnormal wear, prevent scratches, reduce the driving load, and easily match the shape with the image carrier. Can improve the sealing performance.
また、本発明のプロセスカートリッジは、像担持体と、帯電装置、現像装置、クリーニング装置、潤滑剤塗布装置のうち少なくとも一つを一体に構成し、画像形成装置本体から着脱可能としたプロセスカ−トリッジにおいて、前記プロセスカートリッジは、上述の潤滑剤塗布装置を備えることを特徴とする。 In addition, the process cartridge of the present invention is a process cartridge in which at least one of an image carrier, a charging device, a developing device, a cleaning device, and a lubricant coating device is integrally formed and is detachable from the image forming apparatus main body. In the cartridge, the process cartridge includes the lubricant application device described above.
また、本発明の画像形成装置は、像担持体と、帯電装置と、現像装置と、クリーニング装置と、潤滑剤塗布装置とを備える画像形成装置において、前記画像形成装置は、上述の潤滑剤塗布装置を備えることを特徴とする。 According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus including an image carrier, a charging device, a developing device, a cleaning device, and a lubricant applying device. A device is provided.
また、本発明の画像形成装置は、上述のプロセスカートリッジを備えることを特徴とする。 An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes the above-described process cartridge.
上記解決するための手段により、本発明の潤滑剤塗布装置では、潤滑剤塗布装置が密閉されていることから、像担持体の周辺の放熱、放電生成物排出等を目的とした気流の影響を受けずに、潤滑剤塗布装置からのトナー、潤滑剤などの異物飛散を防止することができる。それにより、潤滑剤塗布の安定化を図ることができ、異物飛散による画像形成装置本体外や本体内への汚染、操作部の汚染、機能部品の汚染等によるトナー落ちや画像ムラにより生じる画質の低下を防止することができる。 By means for solving the above, in the lubricant application device of the present invention, since the lubricant application device is hermetically sealed, the influence of the airflow for the purpose of heat dissipation around the image carrier, discharge product discharge, etc. Without receiving, foreign matter such as toner and lubricant from the lubricant application device can be prevented from scattering. As a result, it is possible to stabilize the application of the lubricant, and the image quality caused by the toner drop or image unevenness caused by contamination of the image forming apparatus main body or inside due to the scattering of foreign matter, contamination of the operation unit, contamination of functional parts, etc. A decrease can be prevented.
また、本発明の潤滑剤塗布装置では、潤滑剤塗布装置端部とクリーニング装置端部の密閉を一手段にて行えることから、部品数削減、低コスト化、組立性向上を図れる。
また、本発明の潤滑剤塗布装置では、像担持体表面に接触し容易に摺動する摺動部を有することで、像担持体の異常摩耗防止、傷防止、駆動負荷低減を行い、潤滑剤塗布装置の密閉性向上を図れる。
さらに、本発明の潤滑剤供給装置を搭載することにより、本発明のプロセスカートリッジおよび画像形成装置は、経時での潤滑剤塗布の安定化を図り、高画質化を可能にするとともに、プロセスカートリッジおよび画像形成装置の小型化と低コスト化を図ることができる。
Further, in the lubricant application device of the present invention, the end portion of the lubricant application device and the end portion of the cleaning device can be sealed by one means, so that the number of parts can be reduced, the cost can be reduced, and the assemblability can be improved.
In addition, the lubricant application device of the present invention has a sliding portion that contacts the surface of the image carrier and slides easily, thereby preventing abnormal wear of the image carrier, preventing scratches, and reducing driving load. The sealing property of the coating device can be improved.
Furthermore, by mounting the lubricant supply device of the present invention, the process cartridge and the image forming device of the present invention can stabilize the lubricant application over time and improve the image quality. The image forming apparatus can be reduced in size and cost.
以下に、発明を実施するための最良の形態を、図１から図６に基づいて説明する。ただし、これらは一実施形態にすぎず本発明の特許請求の範囲を限定するものではない。 Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the invention will be described with reference to FIGS. However, these are merely embodiments and do not limit the scope of the claims of the present invention.
図１ないし図３に、本発明に係る潤滑剤塗布装置を備えたプロセスカートリッジの断面を示す。図１ないし図３の潤滑剤塗布装置５は、像担持体表面移動方向に対して、像担持体表面と、像担持体表面移動方向上流をクリーニング装置４と、下流を塗布部材５ｅと、枠体６ａとに挟まれた領域を密閉し、かつ、像担持体表面移動方向に対して垂直な方向の前記潤滑剤塗布装置４０の両端部を密閉する端部密閉部材６を有していることを特徴とする。
図１に示すように、潤滑剤塗布装置５は軸方向に垂直な断面において密閉されておりまた図２に示すように、潤滑剤塗布装置５は端部においても密閉されている。
1 to 3 show a cross-section of a process cartridge provided with a lubricant application device according to the present invention. The lubricant application device 5 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 has an image carrier surface, a cleaning device 4 upstream of the image carrier surface movement direction, a coating member 5e downstream, and a frame with respect to the image carrier surface movement direction. And an end sealing member 6 that seals both ends of the lubricant application device 40 in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the surface of the image carrier, and seals a region sandwiched between the bodies 6a. It is characterized by.
As shown in FIG. 1, the lubricant applicator 5 is sealed in a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction, and as shown in FIG. 2, the lubricant applicator 5 is also sealed at the end.
図１は、像担持体端部を除く位置での像担持体表面移動方向のプロセスカートリッジの断面であり、とくに、端部密閉部材６の断面を示している。
図１に示すように、潤滑剤塗布装置５は、像担持体上の異物を除去するクリーニング装置４より像担持体表面移動方向下流に設けられ、像担持体表面に潤滑剤５ｃを供給する潤滑剤供給部材５ａと、潤滑剤供給部材５ａより像担持体表面移動方向下流で像担持体１に接触し、像担持体表面に供給された潤滑剤５ｃを像担持体表面に均一に塗りこむ塗布部材５ｅとを有することで、像担持体１に対して安定した潤滑剤塗布を行うことができる。
FIG. 1 is a cross section of the process cartridge in the direction of movement of the image carrier surface at a position excluding the end portion of the image carrier, and particularly shows a cross section of the end sealing member 6.
As shown in FIG. 1, the lubricant application device 5 is provided in the downstream of the image carrier surface movement direction with respect to the cleaning device 4 for removing the foreign matter on the image carrier, and supplies the lubricant 5c to the image carrier surface. An agent supply member 5a and an application that uniformly contacts the image carrier 1 with the lubricant 5c supplied to the surface of the image carrier by contacting the image carrier 1 downstream of the lubricant carrier member 5a in the moving direction of the image carrier surface. By having the member 5e, a stable lubricant application can be performed on the image carrier 1.
図１の実施例では、像担持体１としてはドラム状の感光体を代表例として用いるが、他の形状の感光体や中間転写ベルト等についても同様のことが当てはまるため、ドラム状感光体だけに限定されるものではないする。
潤滑剤供給部材５ａには、ポリエステルの導電性ブラシを使用している。これは毛倒れがし難く、長期間安定して潤滑剤５ｃを供給できる。原糸の太さは２８０Ｔ／２４Ｆ、密度は１０万本／平方インチ、毛足長さは３ｍｍ、像担持体１である感光体ドラムへの食い込みは１ｍｍであり、これは実験的に求めた最良の塗布条件になっている。
潤滑剤５ｃにはステアリン酸亜鉛を使用している。潤滑剤５ｃをブラシに加圧するのには加圧スプリング５ｄ用いている。
密度に関しては、潤滑剤５ｃのブロックの密度を初期にブラシが接触する部分を０．８ｇ／ｃｍ３
程度（２５℃で測定、空気比較式比重計で測定）。８万枚コピー後にブラシが接触する部分を１．１ｇ／ｃｍ３ 程度になるよう、除変してブロックを作成する。密度が低い部分がブラシと接触している場合と、経時で密度の高い部分がブラシに接触している場合でかつ加圧力の減った状態を合わせると、像担持体１の摩擦係数は常時０．１近くをキープすることが実験的に確認できている。
潤滑剤５ｃのブロックの断面は１０ｍｍ×１０ｍｍであるが、通常８万枚使用して約８ｍｍ消費される。その部分の密度を１．１ｇ／ｃｍ３
程度とする。
In the embodiment of FIG. 1, a drum-shaped photoconductor is used as a representative example as the image carrier 1, but the same applies to other shapes of photoconductors and intermediate transfer belts, so that only the drum-shaped photoconductor is used. It is not limited to.
A polyester conductive brush is used for the lubricant supply member 5a. This makes it difficult for the hair to fall over and can stably supply the lubricant 5c for a long period of time. The thickness of the raw yarn was 280T / 24F, the density was 100,000 pieces / square inch, the length of the hair foot was 3 mm, and the biting into the photosensitive drum as the image carrier 1 was 1 mm, which was experimentally obtained. The best application conditions.
Zinc stearate is used for the lubricant 5c. A pressure spring 5d is used to pressurize the lubricant 5c to the brush.
Regarding the density, the density of the block of the lubricant 5c is set to 0.8 g / cm 3 at the initial portion where the brush contacts.
Degree (measured at 25 ° C., measured with an air comparison hydrometer). A block is created by changing the portion where the brush contacts after copying 80,000 sheets to about 1.1 g / cm 3 . When the low density part is in contact with the brush and the high density part is in contact with the brush over time and the state where the applied pressure is reduced, the friction coefficient of the image carrier 1 is always 0. It has been confirmed experimentally that it keeps close to 1.
The cross section of the block of the lubricant 5c is 10 mm × 10 mm, but about 80 mm is normally consumed by using 80,000 sheets. The density of the part is 1.1 g / cm 3
To the extent.
図２は、像担持体端部での像担持体表面移動方向のプロセスカートリッジ断面１でありとくに、端部密閉部材６の構成を示している。図２の実施例では、端部密閉部材６は、枠体６ａと摺動部６ｂと軸受６ｃにて構成されている。 FIG. 2 shows a cross section 1 of the process cartridge in the direction of movement of the image carrier surface at the end of the image carrier, and particularly shows the configuration of the end sealing member 6. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the end sealing member 6 is constituted by a frame body 6a, a sliding portion 6b, and a bearing 6c.
本発明の潤滑剤塗布装置５によれば、潤滑剤塗布装置５の像担持体表面移動方向に対して垂直な方向の両端部を、図２の構成のように密閉することにより、潤滑剤塗布装置５からの異物飛散防止、異物飛散による本体外への汚染、異物飛散による本体内の汚染異物飛散による操作部の汚染、異物飛散による機能部品汚染による画像への悪影響等を防止できる。 According to the lubricant application device 5 of the present invention, the both ends of the lubricant application device 5 in the direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the image carrier surface are sealed as shown in FIG. It is possible to prevent foreign matter scattering from the apparatus 5, contamination outside the main body due to foreign matter scattering, contamination of the operation unit due to foreign matter scattering inside the main body due to foreign matter scattering, and adverse effects on the image due to functional component contamination due to foreign matter scattering.
また、潤滑剤塗布装置５の像担持体表面移動方向に対して垂直な方向の片側端部を、図２の構成のように密閉し、かつ、像担持体周辺の気流が像担持体１および潤滑剤塗布装置５を有する側に流れている場合には、もう一方の潤滑剤塗布装置５の端部は開放状態であって良い。潤滑剤塗布装置内の異物堆積量は、クリーニング装置等異物堆積量に比べて非常に少ないため可能な構成であり、部品点数の削減、低コスト化、組立性向上が可能となる。
これにより像担持体１の周辺の放熱、放電生成物排出を目的とした気流の影響を受けずに潤滑剤塗布装置５からのトナー、潤滑剤などの異物飛散を防止することが可能である。それにより、異物飛散による本体内の汚染、異物飛散による本体内ユーザ操作部の汚染、異物飛散による機能部品汚染による画像への悪影響等、異物飛散による本体外汚染などを防止できる。
Further, one end of the lubricant coating device 5 in the direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the image carrier surface is sealed as shown in FIG. 2, and the air current around the image carrier is When flowing to the side having the lubricant application device 5, the end of the other lubricant application device 5 may be open. The amount of foreign matter accumulated in the lubricant coating device is very small compared to the amount of foreign matter deposited such as a cleaning device. This is possible, and the number of parts can be reduced, the cost can be reduced, and the assembly can be improved.
As a result, it is possible to prevent scattering of foreign matters such as toner and lubricant from the lubricant application device 5 without being affected by airflow for the purpose of heat dissipation and discharge product discharge around the image carrier 1. Thereby, contamination inside the main body due to scattering of foreign matter, contamination of the user operation unit inside the main body due to scattering of foreign matter, adverse effects on images due to contamination of functional parts due to scattering of foreign matters, etc. can be prevented.
図３は、像担持体端部でのプロセスカートリッジ断面２であり、端部密閉部材６がクリーニング装置端部の密閉を兼ねている構成を示している。図３の実施例においても、端部密閉部材６は枠体６ａと摺動部６ｂと軸受６ｃにて構成されている。
クリーニング装置端部についても、現像剤および異物飛散の防止は必要である。本発明の潤滑剤塗布装置５によれば、潤滑剤塗布装置端部とクリーニング装置端部の密閉を一手段にて行えることから、部品数削減、低コスト化、組立性向上を図れる。
FIG. 3 is a cross section 2 of the process cartridge at the end of the image carrier, and shows a configuration in which the end sealing member 6 also serves to seal the end of the cleaning device. Also in the embodiment of FIG. 3, the end sealing member 6 is composed of a frame 6a, a sliding portion 6b, and a bearing 6c.
It is also necessary to prevent the developer and foreign matter from scattering at the end of the cleaning device. According to the lubricant application device 5 of the present invention, the end portion of the lubricant application device and the end portion of the cleaning device can be sealed with a single means, so that the number of parts can be reduced, the cost can be reduced, and the assembly can be improved.
図２および図３に示すように、端部密閉部材６は、像担持体表面に接触し容易に摺動する摺動部６ｂを有している。
本発明の潤滑剤塗布装置５によれば、摺動部６ｂを有することで、像担持体１の異常摩耗防止、傷防止、駆動負荷低減を行い、かつ、潤滑剤塗布装置５からの異物飛散を防止することが可能となる。
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the end sealing member 6 has a sliding portion 6b that contacts the surface of the image carrier and slides easily.
According to the lubricant application device 5 of the present invention, the image bearing member 1 is prevented from abnormal wear, scratches, and driving load are reduced by having the sliding portion 6b, and foreign matter is scattered from the lubricant application device 5. Can be prevented.
図２および図３に示すように、端部密閉部材６は、像担持体表面に接触し容易に摺動する摺動部の摺動面が繊維部材であるフェルトにより構成されている。
本発明の潤滑剤塗布装置５によれば、摺動部６ｂの摺動面がフェルト、ブラシ等の繊維部材により構成されることにより、像担持体表面との摩擦力を大きく低減でき、特に像担持体１の異常摩耗防止、傷防止、駆動負荷低減に効果を発揮する。また、像担持体１との形状にある程度ならわせることが可能なため、高い部品精度・組立精度等を要することなく、端部密閉部材６の密閉性の向上を図れる。かつ、潤滑剤塗布装置５からの異物飛散を防止することが可能となる。
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the end sealing member 6 is made of felt in which the sliding surface of the sliding portion that contacts the surface of the image carrier and slides easily is a fiber member.
According to the lubricant application device 5 of the present invention, the sliding surface of the sliding portion 6b is made of a fiber member such as felt or brush, so that the frictional force with the surface of the image carrier can be greatly reduced. It is effective for preventing abnormal wear of the carrier 1, preventing scratches, and reducing driving load. Further, since the shape with the image carrier 1 can be made to some extent, the sealing performance of the end sealing member 6 can be improved without requiring high parts accuracy and assembly accuracy. And it becomes possible to prevent the scattering of foreign matter from the lubricant application device 5.
図２および図３に示すように、端部密閉部材６は、像担持体表面に接触し容易に摺動する摺動部６ｂの摺動面の変形を容易とする変形部材として、摺動面のフェルトの下にスポンジを有している。
これにより、像担持体１の異常摩耗防止、傷防止、駆動負荷低減を行い、かつ、像担持体１との形状に容易にならわせることが可能なため、高い部品精度・組立精度等を要することなく、端部密閉部材６の密閉性の向上を図れる。
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the end sealing member 6 is a sliding surface as a deforming member that easily deforms the sliding surface of the sliding portion 6 b that easily contacts and slides on the surface of the image carrier. Has a sponge under the felt.
As a result, it is possible to prevent abnormal wear of the image carrier 1, prevent scratches, reduce the driving load, and easily match the shape with the image carrier 1. It is not necessary to improve the sealing performance of the end sealing member 6.
図１ないし図３の潤滑剤塗布装置５を有するプロセスカートリッジにおいては、経時での潤滑剤塗布の安定化を図り、高画質化を可能にするとともに、プロセスカートリッジの小型化と低コスト化を図ることができる。 In the process cartridge having the lubricant application device 5 of FIGS. 1 to 3, the lubricant application over time can be stabilized to improve the image quality, and the process cartridge can be reduced in size and cost. be able to.
図４は、本発明に係る画像形成装置全体図である。まず、本発明に係る電子写真方式の画像形成プロセスを利用した画像形成装置の構成、動作の一例について説明する。
画像形成装置は、その内部の略中央に中間転写ベルト５６を備えている。中間転写ベルト５６は、ポリイミドやポリアミド等の耐熱性材料からなり中抵抗に調整された基体からなる無端状ベルトで、４つのローラ５２、５３、５４、５５に掛け回して支持され、図中矢印Ａ方向に回転駆動される。中間転写ベルト５６の下方にはイエロー（Ｙ）、マゼンタ（Ｍ）、シアン（Ｃ）、ブラック（Ｋ）の各色トナーに対応した４つの作像ユニットが中間転写ベルト５６のベルト面に沿って並んでいる。
図１ないし３は、４つの作像ユニットのうち１つを拡大して示す図で、像担持体１であるドラム状の感光体の周囲に帯電装置２、現像装置３の現像ローラ３ａ、クリーニング装置４、潤滑剤塗布装置５の各ユニットが配設されている。
FIG. 4 is an overall view of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. First, an example of the configuration and operation of an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic image forming process according to the present invention will be described.
The image forming apparatus includes an intermediate transfer belt 56 in the approximate center of the inside thereof. The intermediate transfer belt 56 is an endless belt made of a heat-resistant material such as polyimide or polyamide and made of a base adjusted to a medium resistance. The intermediate transfer belt 56 is supported by being wound around four rollers 52, 53, 54, and 55. It is rotationally driven in the A direction. Below the intermediate transfer belt 56, four image forming units corresponding to yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toners are arranged along the belt surface of the intermediate transfer belt 56. It is out.
1 to 3 are enlarged views of one of four image forming units. A charging device 2, a developing roller 3 a of a developing device 3, and a cleaning device are disposed around a drum-shaped photoconductor as an image carrier 1. Each unit of the device 4 and the lubricant application device 5 is disposed.
また、図４を参照すると、４つの作像ユニットの下方には、帯電した各感光体の表面に各色の画像データに基づいて露光をし、潜像を形成する露光装置９が備えられている。
中間転写ベルト５６を挟んで各感光体１と対向する位置には、感光体１上に形成されたトナー像を中間転写ベルト５６上に一次転写する一次転写ローラ５１がそれぞれ配置されている。一次転写ローラ５１は、図示しない電源に接続されており、所定の電圧が印加される。
中間転写ベルト５６の支持ローラ５２で支持された部分の外側には、二次転写ローラ６１が圧接されている。二次転写ローラ６１は、図示しない電源に接続されており、所定の電圧が印加される。二次転写ローラ６１と中間転写ベルト５６との接触部が二次転写部であり中間転写ベルト５６上のトナー像が転写紙に転写される。
中間転写ベルト５６のローラ５５で支持された部分の外側には、二次転写後の中間転写ベルト５６の表面をクリーニングする中間転写ベルトクリーニング装置５７が設けられている。
中間転写ベルト５６より記録紙搬送方向下流側に配置された二次転写部の上方には、転写紙上のトナー像を転写紙に半永久的に定着させる定着装置７０が備えられている。定着装置７０は、内部にハロゲンヒータを有する加熱ローラ７２及び定着ローラ７３に巻き掛けられた無端の定着ベルト７１と、定着ベルト７１を介して定着ローラ７３に対向、圧接して配置される加圧ローラ７４とから構成されている。
画像形成装置の下部には、転写紙を設置し、二次転写部に向けて転写紙を送り出す給紙装置２０が備えられている。
Referring to FIG. 4, an exposure device 9 is provided below the four image forming units to expose the surface of each charged photoconductor based on the image data of each color and form a latent image. .
A primary transfer roller 51 that primarily transfers a toner image formed on the photoreceptor 1 onto the intermediate transfer belt 56 is disposed at a position facing each photoreceptor 1 with the intermediate transfer belt 56 interposed therebetween. The primary transfer roller 51 is connected to a power source (not shown) and is applied with a predetermined voltage.
A secondary transfer roller 61 is pressed against the outside of the portion of the intermediate transfer belt 56 supported by the support roller 52. The secondary transfer roller 61 is connected to a power source (not shown) and is applied with a predetermined voltage. A contact portion between the secondary transfer roller 61 and the intermediate transfer belt 56 is a secondary transfer portion, and the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 56 is transferred onto a transfer sheet.
An intermediate transfer belt cleaning device 57 for cleaning the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 56 after the secondary transfer is provided outside the portion of the intermediate transfer belt 56 supported by the roller 55.
A fixing device 70 for semi-permanently fixing the toner image on the transfer paper to the transfer paper is provided above the secondary transfer portion disposed downstream of the intermediate transfer belt 56 in the recording paper conveyance direction. The fixing device 70 includes a heating roller 72 having a halogen heater therein and an endless fixing belt 71 wound around the fixing roller 73, and a pressurization disposed so as to be opposed to and in pressure contact with the fixing roller 73 via the fixing belt 71. And a roller 74.
Below the image forming apparatus, there is provided a paper feeding device 20 that installs transfer paper and feeds the transfer paper toward the secondary transfer unit.
画像形成プロセスが実行されると、画像形成装置は像担持体１であるドラム状の感光体を時計方向に回転駆動して、その感光体を帯電装置２（例えば帯電ローラ等）で一様に帯電した後、潜像形成手段である露光装置９（例えばレーザ光を走査して光書込を行うレーザ走査装置や、ＬＥＤアレー等による光書込装置）により画像データで変調された静電潜像形成光を照射して感光体１に静電潜像を形成する。そして静電潜像が形成された感光体１に、現像ローラ３ａにより現像ユニット内の現像剤のトナーを付着させて現像し可視像化する。
画像形成装置は、現像装置３でトナーを付着してトナー画像を形成した感光体１をさらに回転し、感光体１と中間転写ベルト５６との間に搬送されてきた記録紙にトナー画像を転写させる。
中間転写ベルト５６は、支持ローラ５２、５３、５４、５５に掛け渡されて図中の矢印方向Ａに回転駆動し、記録紙を搬送して感光体上のトナー画像を記録紙に転写させるとともに、トナー画像の転写された記録紙を定着装置７０に搬送する。そして定着装置７０に搬送された記録紙を定着ローラ７３と加圧ローラ７４により加熱・加圧して、記録紙上のトナー画像を記録紙上に定着した後、排紙トレー上に排出する。
When the image forming process is executed, the image forming apparatus rotationally drives the drum-shaped photoconductor that is the image carrier 1 in the clockwise direction, and the photoconductor is uniformly fed by the charging device 2 (for example, a charging roller). After charging, an electrostatic latent image modulated by image data by an exposure device 9 (eg, a laser scanning device that scans a laser beam and performs optical writing, or an optical writing device that uses an LED array or the like) as a latent image forming unit. Irradiation with image forming light forms an electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 1. Then, the developer 1 in the developing unit is attached to the photosensitive member 1 on which the electrostatic latent image is formed by the developing roller 3a and developed to form a visible image.
The image forming apparatus further rotates the photosensitive member 1 on which the toner image is formed by attaching toner with the developing device 3, and transfers the toner image onto the recording paper conveyed between the photosensitive member 1 and the intermediate transfer belt 56. Let
The intermediate transfer belt 56 is stretched around support rollers 52, 53, 54, and 55 and is driven to rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow A in the drawing to convey the recording paper and transfer the toner image on the photoreceptor onto the recording paper. Then, the recording paper on which the toner image is transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 70. Then, the recording paper conveyed to the fixing device 70 is heated and pressed by the fixing roller 73 and the pressure roller 74 to fix the toner image on the recording paper on the recording paper, and then discharged onto the paper discharge tray.
一方、画像形成装置は、トナー画像を記録紙に転写した感光体１をさらに回転して、クリーニング装置４のクリーニングブレード４ａ等により感光体表面に残留するトナーを掻き落して除去し、クリーニングした感光体１を帯電装置２で再び一様に帯電させた後、上記と同様に、次の画像形成を行う。 On the other hand, the image forming apparatus further rotates the photosensitive member 1 on which the toner image is transferred to the recording paper, and scrapes and removes toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive member by the cleaning blade 4a of the cleaning device 4 to perform cleaning. After the body 1 is uniformly charged again by the charging device 2, the next image formation is performed in the same manner as described above.
ここで、本発明では、像担持体１に対して潤滑剤５ｃを安定して塗布するために、像担持体１としての薄膜感光体（例えば有機系感光体）と、その感光体周りの部材との間の摩擦による薄膜感光体の摩耗および表面の膜厚削れを低減させる手段を検討した。そして、その手段として、薄膜感光体の表面摩擦係数を低減させる方法を採用した。
本発明では、摩擦係数低減のために潤滑剤塗布装置５を用いることを特徴としている。感光体１に潤滑剤５ｃを塗布して感光体表面の摩擦係数を低減すると、不要なトナー付着を防止でき、地肌汚れのない画像を得られる。潤滑剤５ｃの塗布および掻き取りが行われることにより感光体表面が常にリフレッシュされ、感光体寿命が延び、画像形成装置自体の寿命も長くなり、コストダウンできる。非画像部に付着するトナー量を減少させることができるのでトナーの有効活用、省資源化が達成できる、という利点が得られる。
Here, in the present invention, in order to stably apply the lubricant 5c to the image carrier 1, a thin film photoreceptor (for example, an organic photoreceptor) as the image carrier 1 and members around the photoreceptor. We investigated the means to reduce the wear of the thin film photoreceptor and the film thickness scraping of the surface due to the friction between them. As a means for that, a method of reducing the surface friction coefficient of the thin film photoconductor was adopted.
The present invention is characterized in that the lubricant application device 5 is used for reducing the friction coefficient. When the lubricant 5c is applied to the photoconductor 1 to reduce the coefficient of friction on the surface of the photoconductor, unnecessary toner adhesion can be prevented and an image free from background stains can be obtained. By applying and scraping the lubricant 5c, the surface of the photoreceptor is always refreshed, the life of the photoreceptor is extended, the life of the image forming apparatus itself is extended, and the cost can be reduced. Since the amount of toner adhering to the non-image area can be reduced, there is an advantage that effective use of the toner and resource saving can be achieved.
ここで、本発明における感光体表面摩擦係数の測定方法であるオイラーベルト法について説明する。
図５は、オイラーベルト法説明図で、具体的な測定方法の例を示した。オイラーベルト法とは、紙と感光体との間の摩擦係数を測定する方法である。図５において、ベルト１１は、３０ｍｍ×２５０ｍｍの中厚上質紙（（株）リコー製＃６２００ペーパー（Ｔ目））の紙片とし、両端にフックを取り付け、一方に分銅１３（例えば１００ｇ重の荷重）をかけ、もう一方にデジタルフォースゲージ１０を設置し、感光体として円筒状の感光体１を用い、感光体支持台１２で固定して、９０°方向にそのデジタルフォースゲージ１０を引っ張り、ベルト１１が移動開始した時点の値Ｆを読み取り、下記の式（１）に代入して感光体表面摩擦係数μを算出した。
μ＝ｌｎ（Ｆ／Ｗ）／（π／２） ・・・（１）
ただし、Ｆ：デジタルフォースゲージが示した値、Ｗ：荷重（この実験では、１００ｇ重）、π：円周率。
Here, the Euler belt method, which is a method of measuring the photoreceptor surface friction coefficient in the present invention, will be described.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the Euler belt method and shows an example of a specific measuring method. The Euler belt method is a method for measuring a coefficient of friction between paper and a photoreceptor. In FIG. 5, a belt 11 is a piece of 30 mm × 250 mm medium-thick high-quality paper (# 6200 paper (T) manufactured by Ricoh Co., Ltd.), hooks are attached to both ends, and a weight 13 (for example, a load of 100 g weight) is attached to one end. ), A digital force gauge 10 is installed on the other side, the cylindrical photoconductor 1 is used as the photoconductor, and it is fixed by the photoconductor support base 12, and the digital force gauge 10 is pulled in the 90 ° direction, and the belt A value F at the time when 11 started to move was read and substituted into the following equation (1) to calculate the photoreceptor surface friction coefficient μ.
μ = ln (F / W) / (π / 2) (1)
However, F: Value indicated by the digital force gauge, W: Load (100 g weight in this experiment), π: Circumference ratio.
一般的には、実際に潤滑剤５ｃを使用しない場合の有機感光体（未使用時）の表面摩擦係数μは０．５〜０．６程度であり、電子写真方式の画像形成プロセスを行った後では０．６〜０．７程度に上昇し、クリーニングブレード４ａの摺擦圧が上昇し、ブレード鳴きや感光体摩耗が促進される可能性が高くなる。これに対して感光体の表面摩擦係数μが０．１以下になった場合には、耐摩耗性が向上し、クリーニング性が向上することが期待できる。
しかしながら、潤滑剤５ｃが感光体上に必要以上に付着すると滑り過ぎ、現像剤またはトナーの滑りを生じて、文字エッジがかすれた状態になる。この場合、一見解像度が向上したように見えるが、シャープ性が悪くなり、ハーフトーン画像についても均一性が希薄になり、がさついた画像となる。従って、感光体１の表面摩擦係数μは低ければ低いほど良いということにはならず、摩擦係数の好適範囲は０．４以下、更に好ましくは０．１〜０．３の範囲にあることが望ましく、０．１以下であると画像品質の低下が起こりやすくなる。これらのことから、潤滑剤５ｃの供給量は、感光体１の表面摩擦係数μを０．１〜０．３の範囲に維持できる量に設定することが望ましい。
In general, the surface friction coefficient μ of the organic photoreceptor (when not used) when the lubricant 5c is not actually used is about 0.5 to 0.6, and an electrophotographic image forming process was performed. After that, the pressure rises to about 0.6 to 0.7, and the rubbing pressure of the cleaning blade 4a increases to increase the possibility that blade noise and photoreceptor wear will be promoted. On the other hand, when the surface friction coefficient μ of the photosensitive member is 0.1 or less, it can be expected that the wear resistance is improved and the cleaning property is improved.
However, if the lubricant 5c adheres more than necessary on the photosensitive member, it slips too much, causing the developer or toner to slip, and the character edges become faint. In this case, it seems that the resolution is improved at first glance, but the sharpness is deteriorated, and the uniformity of the halftone image is also diminished, resulting in a rough image. Therefore, the lower the surface friction coefficient μ of the photosensitive member 1 is, the lower the better, and the preferable range of the friction coefficient is 0.4 or less, more preferably 0.1 to 0.3. Desirably, if it is 0.1 or less, the image quality is liable to deteriorate. For these reasons, the supply amount of the lubricant 5c is desirably set to an amount that can maintain the surface friction coefficient μ of the photoreceptor 1 in the range of 0.1 to 0.3.
図６は、感光体表面摩擦係数説明図で、感光体表面に潤滑剤５ｃを供給した時としない時の感光体表面摩擦係数μの経時変化を、図５のオイラーベルト法で測定した結果を示したグラフである。感光体表面摩擦係数μは画像形成プロセスを行う時間が経過するにつれて上昇するが、その上昇は図６に示すように初期に急上昇することが分かっている。また潤滑剤５ｃを供給した場合には、供給が続く限り感光体表面摩擦係数を低くして維持することができる。 FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the photoconductor surface friction coefficient, and shows the results of measuring the change over time of the photoconductor surface friction coefficient μ with and without supplying the lubricant 5c to the photoconductor surface by the Euler belt method of FIG. It is the shown graph. It is known that the photoreceptor surface friction coefficient μ increases as the time for performing the image forming process elapses, but the increase rapidly increases as shown in FIG. When the lubricant 5c is supplied, the photoreceptor surface friction coefficient can be kept low as long as the supply continues.
潤滑剤５ｃの具体例については、以下に説明する。
固体タイプの潤滑剤５ｃとしては、オレイン酸鉛、オレイン酸亜鉛、オレイン酸銅、ステアリン酸亜鉛、ステアリン酸コバルト、ステアリン酸鉄、ステアリン酸銅、パルミチン酸亜鉛、パルミチン酸銅、リノレン酸亜鉛等の脂肪酸金属塩類、滑石（タルク）類、ポリテトラフルオロエチレン、ポリクロロトリフルオロエチレン、ポリフッ化ビニリデン、ポリトリフルオロクロルエチレン、ジクロロジフルオロエチレン、テトラフルオロエチレン−エチレン共重合体、テトラフルオロエチレン−オキサフルオロポロピレン共重合体等のフッ素系樹脂、カルナウバワックスのような天然ワックスが挙げられる。
潤滑剤５ｃとしては上記の液体、半固体、固体状の物が市販されており、いずれも用いることができるが、取り扱いの簡便さを考慮すると固体が最も良い。固体の中でも粉体を用いると画像形成装置内で飛び散り易いため扱いにくい。よって粉体を固形化した固形潤滑剤が最も扱いやすく、感光体等の像担持体１に対する転移性も良く、画像形成に悪影響を及ぼすことがない。
A specific example of the lubricant 5c will be described below.
Examples of the solid type lubricant 5c include lead oleate, zinc oleate, copper oleate, zinc stearate, cobalt stearate, iron stearate, copper stearate, zinc palmitate, copper palmitate and zinc linolenate. Fatty acid metal salts, talc, polytetrafluoroethylene, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, polytrifluorochloroethylene, dichlorodifluoroethylene, tetrafluoroethylene-ethylene copolymer, tetrafluoroethylene-oxafluoro Examples thereof include fluorine resins such as a propylene copolymer and natural waxes such as carnauba wax.
As the lubricant 5c, the above-mentioned liquid, semi-solid, and solid products are commercially available, and any of them can be used. However, considering the ease of handling, the solid is the best. If powder is used among solids, it is difficult to handle because it tends to scatter in the image forming apparatus. Therefore, the solid lubricant obtained by solidifying the powder is most easy to handle, has good transferability to the image carrier 1 such as a photoreceptor, and does not adversely affect image formation.
１ 像担持体（感光体ドラム）
２ 帯電装置
２ａ 帯電ローラ
２ｂ 帯電ローラクリーナ
３ 現像装置
４ａ 現像ローラ
４ クリーニング装置
４ａ クリーニング手段（クリーニングブレード）
４ｂ トナー排出部材（スクリュー）
５ 潤滑剤塗布装置
５ａ 潤滑剤供給部材（ブラシ）
５ｂ ブラシ軸
５ｃ 潤滑剤（ステアリン酸亜鉛）
５ｄ 加圧スプリング
５ｅ 塗布部材
５ｆ 入口シール
６ 端部密閉部材
６ａ 枠体
６ｂ 摺動部（摺動面にフェルト、その下にスポンジ）
６ｃ 軸受
９ 露光装置
１０ デジタルフォースゲージ
１１ ベルト
１２ 感光体支持台
１３ 分銅
２０ 給紙装置
２１ 給紙ローラ
５１ 一次転写ローラ
５２，５３，５４，５５ 支持ローラ
５６ 中間転写ベルト
５７ 中間転写ベルトクリーニング装置
６１ 二次転写ローラ
７０ 定着装置
７１ 定着ベルト
７２ 加熱ローラ
７３ 定着ローラ
７４ 加圧ローラ
Ｄ 微小異物（トナー、ステアリン酸亜鉛粉末等）
1 Image carrier (photosensitive drum)
2 Charging device 2a Charging roller 2b Charging roller cleaner 3 Developing device 4a Developing roller 4 Cleaning device 4a Cleaning means (cleaning blade)
4b Toner discharging member (screw)
5 Lubricant coating device 5a Lubricant supply member (brush)
5b Brush shaft 5c Lubricant (zinc stearate)
5d Pressure spring 5e Application member 5f Inlet seal 6 End sealing member 6a Frame body 6b Sliding part (felt on sliding surface, sponge under it)
6c Bearing 9 Exposure device 10 Digital force gauge 11 Belt 12 Photoconductor support base 13 Weight 20 Paper feed device 21 Paper feed roller 51 Primary transfer rollers 52, 53, 54, 55 Support roller 56 Intermediate transfer belt 57 Intermediate transfer belt cleaning device 61 Secondary transfer roller 70 Fixing device 71 Fixing belt 72 Heating roller 73 Fixing roller 74 Pressure roller D Minute foreign matter (toner, zinc stearate powder, etc.)
Claims (9)
像担持体上の異物を除去するクリーニング装置より像担持体表面移動方向下流に設けられ、像担持体表面に潤滑剤を供給する潤滑剤供給部材と、
潤滑剤供給部材より像担持体表面移動方向下流で像担持体に接触し、像担持体表面に供給された潤滑剤を像担持体表面に均一に塗りこむ塗布部材とを有する潤滑剤塗布装置において、
前記潤滑剤塗布装置は、
像担持体表面移動方向に対して、像担持体表面と、像担持体表面移動方向上流をクリーニング装置と、下流を塗布部材と、枠体とに挟まれた領域を密閉し、かつ、像担持体表面移動方向に対して垂直な方向の前記潤滑剤塗布装置の両端部を密閉する端部密閉部材を有する
ことを特徴とする潤滑剤塗布装置。 A lubricant,
A lubricant supply member provided downstream of the image carrier surface movement direction from the cleaning device for removing foreign matter on the image carrier, and supplying a lubricant to the surface of the image carrier;
In a lubricant application device having an application member that contacts the image carrier downstream of the lubricant supply member in the moving direction of the surface of the image carrier and uniformly applies the lubricant supplied to the surface of the image carrier to the surface of the image carrier ,
The lubricant application device is:
The area between the image carrier surface movement direction, the image carrier surface movement direction upstream and the image carrier surface movement direction upstream, the cleaning device, the application member, and the frame are sealed, and the image carrier is sealed. A lubricant applicator comprising an end sealing member that seals both ends of the lubricant applicator in a direction perpendicular to the body surface movement direction.
像担持体上の異物を除去するクリーニング装置より像担持体表面移動方向下流に設けられ、像担持体表面に潤滑剤を供給する潤滑剤供給部材と、
潤滑剤供給部材より像担持体表面移動方向下流で像担持体に接触し、像担持体表面に供給された潤滑剤を像担持体表面に均一に塗りこむ塗布部材とを有する潤滑剤塗布装置において、
前記潤滑剤塗布装置は、
像担持体表面移動方向に対して、像担持体表面と、像担持体表面移動方向上流をクリーニング装置と、下流を塗布部材と、枠体とに挟まれた領域を密閉し、かつ、像担持体表面移動方向に対して垂直な方向の前記潤滑剤塗布装置の片側端部を密閉する端部密閉部材を有し、
かつ、像担持体周辺を流れる気流が端部密閉部材を有する側に流れている
ことを特徴とする潤滑剤塗布装置。 A lubricant,
A lubricant supply member provided downstream of the image carrier surface movement direction from the cleaning device for removing foreign matter on the image carrier, and supplying a lubricant to the surface of the image carrier;
In a lubricant application device having an application member that contacts the image carrier downstream of the lubricant supply member in the moving direction of the surface of the image carrier and uniformly applies the lubricant supplied to the surface of the image carrier to the surface of the image carrier ,
The lubricant application device is:
The area between the image carrier surface movement direction, the image carrier surface movement direction upstream and the image carrier surface movement direction upstream, the cleaning device, the application member, and the frame are sealed, and the image carrier is sealed. An end sealing member that seals one end of the lubricant application device in a direction perpendicular to the body surface movement direction;
And the airflow which flows around the image carrier is flowing to the side having the end sealing member.
前記端部密閉部材が、クリーニング装置端部の密閉を兼ねている
ことを特徴とする請求項１又は２に記載の潤滑剤塗布装置。 The lubricant application device is:
The lubricant application device according to claim 1, wherein the end sealing member also serves to seal a cleaning device end.
前記端部密閉部材が、像担持体表面に接触し容易に摺動する摺動部を有する
ことを特徴とする請求項１ないし３のいずれかに記載の潤滑剤塗布装置。 The lubricant application device is:
The lubricant application device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the end sealing member has a sliding portion that contacts the surface of the image carrier and slides easily.
前記端部密閉部材が有する前記摺動部の摺動面が、繊維部材により構成される
ことを特徴とする請求項１ないし４のいずれかに記載の潤滑剤塗布装置。 The lubricant application device is:
The lubricant application device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a sliding surface of the sliding portion of the end portion sealing member is configured by a fiber member.
前記端部密閉部材が有する前記摺動部の摺動面が、摺動面の変形を容易とする変形部材により構成される
ことを特徴とする請求項１ないし５のいずれかに記載の潤滑剤塗布装置。 The lubricant application device is:
The lubricant according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a sliding surface of the sliding portion of the end sealing member is configured by a deforming member that facilitates deformation of the sliding surface. Coating device.
帯電装置、現像装置、クリーニング装置、潤滑剤塗布装置のうち少なくとも一つを一体に構成し、
画像形成装置本体から着脱可能としたプロセスカ−トリッジにおいて、
前記プロセスカートリッジは、請求項１ないし６のいずれかに記載の潤滑剤塗布装置を備える
ことを特徴とするプロセスカートリッジ。 An image carrier;
At least one of a charging device, a developing device, a cleaning device, and a lubricant application device is integrally formed,
In a process cartridge that is detachable from the image forming apparatus main body,
The process cartridge includes the lubricant application device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
帯電装置と、現像装置と、クリーニング装置と、潤滑剤塗布装置とを備える画像形成装置において、
前記画像形成装置は、請求項１ないし６のいずれかに記載の潤滑剤塗布装置を備える
ことを特徴とする画像形成装置。 An image carrier;
In an image forming apparatus comprising a charging device, a developing device, a cleaning device, and a lubricant application device,
The image forming apparatus includes the lubricant application device according to claim 1.
ことを特徴とする請求項８に記載の画像形成装置。
The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the image forming apparatus includes the process cartridge according to claim 7.
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP2011203390A (en) * | 2010-03-24 | 2011-10-13 | Sanwa Techno Kk | Sealing member for preventing leakage of powder, such as electrophotographic toner |
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