EP3139217B1 - Image forming apparatus and image forming method - Google Patents
Image forming apparatus and image forming method Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3139217B1 EP3139217B1 EP16174559.1A EP16174559A EP3139217B1 EP 3139217 B1 EP3139217 B1 EP 3139217B1 EP 16174559 A EP16174559 A EP 16174559A EP 3139217 B1 EP3139217 B1 EP 3139217B1
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- primary transfer
- face
- image
- recording medium
- sheet
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- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 5
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 claims description 35
- 239000000969 carrier Substances 0.000 claims description 15
- 238000002474 experimental method Methods 0.000 description 17
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 11
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 11
- 230000000052 comparative effect Effects 0.000 description 5
- 239000003086 colorant Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000011800 void material Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
- G03G15/14—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for transferring a pattern to a second base
- G03G15/16—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for transferring a pattern to a second base of a toner pattern, e.g. a powder pattern, e.g. magnetic transfer
- G03G15/1665—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for transferring a pattern to a second base of a toner pattern, e.g. a powder pattern, e.g. magnetic transfer by introducing the second base in the nip formed by the recording member and at least one transfer member, e.g. in combination with bias or heat
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- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
- G03G15/01—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for producing multicoloured copies
- G03G15/0142—Structure of complete machines
- G03G15/0178—Structure of complete machines using more than one reusable electrographic recording member, e.g. one for every monocolour image
- G03G15/0189—Structure of complete machines using more than one reusable electrographic recording member, e.g. one for every monocolour image primary transfer to an intermediate transfer belt
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
- G03G15/14—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for transferring a pattern to a second base
- G03G15/16—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for transferring a pattern to a second base of a toner pattern, e.g. a powder pattern, e.g. magnetic transfer
- G03G15/1605—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for transferring a pattern to a second base of a toner pattern, e.g. a powder pattern, e.g. magnetic transfer using at least one intermediate support
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- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
- G03G15/14—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for transferring a pattern to a second base
- G03G15/16—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for transferring a pattern to a second base of a toner pattern, e.g. a powder pattern, e.g. magnetic transfer
- G03G15/1665—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for transferring a pattern to a second base of a toner pattern, e.g. a powder pattern, e.g. magnetic transfer by introducing the second base in the nip formed by the recording member and at least one transfer member, e.g. in combination with bias or heat
- G03G15/167—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for transferring a pattern to a second base of a toner pattern, e.g. a powder pattern, e.g. magnetic transfer by introducing the second base in the nip formed by the recording member and at least one transfer member, e.g. in combination with bias or heat at least one of the recording member or the transfer member being rotatable during the transfer
- G03G15/1675—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for transferring a pattern to a second base of a toner pattern, e.g. a powder pattern, e.g. magnetic transfer by introducing the second base in the nip formed by the recording member and at least one transfer member, e.g. in combination with bias or heat at least one of the recording member or the transfer member being rotatable during the transfer with means for controlling the bias applied in the transfer nip
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- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
- G03G15/65—Apparatus which relate to the handling of copy material
- G03G15/6555—Handling of sheet copy material taking place in a specific part of the copy material feeding path
- G03G15/6558—Feeding path after the copy sheet preparation and up to the transfer point, e.g. registering; Deskewing; Correct timing of sheet feeding to the transfer point
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- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G2215/00—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes
- G03G2215/00362—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes relating to the copy medium handling
- G03G2215/00535—Stable handling of copy medium
- G03G2215/00717—Detection of physical properties
- G03G2215/00767—Detection of physical properties of sheet potential
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- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G2215/00—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes
- G03G2215/00362—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes relating to the copy medium handling
- G03G2215/00535—Stable handling of copy medium
- G03G2215/00717—Detection of physical properties
- G03G2215/00772—Detection of physical properties of temperature influencing copy sheet handling
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- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G2215/00—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes
- G03G2215/00362—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes relating to the copy medium handling
- G03G2215/00535—Stable handling of copy medium
- G03G2215/00717—Detection of physical properties
- G03G2215/00776—Detection of physical properties of humidity or moisture influencing copy sheet handling
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- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G2215/00—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes
- G03G2215/01—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes for producing multicoloured copies
- G03G2215/0103—Plural electrographic recording members
- G03G2215/0119—Linear arrangement adjacent plural transfer points
- G03G2215/0122—Linear arrangement adjacent plural transfer points primary transfer to an intermediate transfer belt
- G03G2215/0125—Linear arrangement adjacent plural transfer points primary transfer to an intermediate transfer belt the linear arrangement being horizontal or slanted
- G03G2215/0132—Linear arrangement adjacent plural transfer points primary transfer to an intermediate transfer belt the linear arrangement being horizontal or slanted vertical medium transport path at the secondary transfer
Definitions
- the present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method, and in particular to an image forming apparatus having a secondary transfer manner and including an intermediate transfer body and an image forming method.
- an image forming apparatus having a secondary transfer manner and including an intermediate transfer body is known.
- JP 2009-128481 A discloses an image forming apparatus having a secondary transfer manner and including a plurality of image carriers configured to carry a toner image, an intermediate transfer body configured to come into contact with a plurality of the image carriers, a plurality of primary transfer members configured to primarily transfer the toner image on a plurality of the image carriers to the intermediate transfer body, a secondary transfer member configured to secondarily transfer the toner image on the intermediate transfer body to a recording medium, and a guide member arranged at an upstream side of the secondary transfer member in a conveying direction of the recording medium and configured to guide the recording medium
- an image forming apparatus includes a plurality of image carriers, an intermediate transfer body, a plurality of primary transfer members, a secondary transfer member, a first guide member, and a controller.
- a plurality of the image carriers are configured to carry a toner image.
- the intermediate transfer body is configured to come into contact with a plurality of the image carriers.
- a plurality of the primary transfer members are configured to primarily transfer the toner image on a plurality of the image carriers to the intermediate transfer body.
- the secondary transfer member is configured to secondarily transfer the toner image on the intermediate transfer body to a recording medium.
- the first guide member is arranged at an upstream side of the secondary transfer member in a conveying direction of the recording medium and configured to guide the recording medium along the conveying direction.
- the controller is configured to control both of a primary transfer bias applied to a plurality of the primary transfer members when the toner image on a plurality of the image carriers is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer body and a secondary transfer bias applied to the secondary transfer member when the toner image on the intermediate transfer body is secondarily transferred to the recording medium.
- a plurality of the primary transfer members include an upstream side primary transfer member and a downstream side primary transfer member arranged at a downstream side of the upstream side primary transfer member in a running direction of the intermediate transfer body.
- the controller makes an absolute value of the primary transfer bias applied to the downstream side primary transfer member larger than an absolute value of the primary transfer bias applied to the upstream side primary transfer member.
- the controller lowers an absolute value of the secondary transfer bias when an upstream a downstream end part of the recording medium in the conveying direction separates from the first guide member.
- an image forming method includes a plurality of primary transfer steps, a secondary transfer step, and a guide step.
- a toner image on a plurality of image carriers are primarily transferred to an intermediate transfer body.
- the secondary transfer step the toner image on the intermediate transfer body is secondarily transferred to a recording medium.
- the guide step the recording medium is guided by a first guide member along a conveying direction. The guide step is carried out so as to be finished during the secondary transfer step.
- a plurality of the primary transfer steps include an upstream side primary transfer step carried out by an upstream side primary transfer member, and a downstream side primary transfer step carried out after the upstream side primary transfer step and carried out by a downstream side primary transfer member arranged at a downstream side of the upstream side primary transfer member in a running direction of the intermediate transfer body.
- An absolute value of a transfer bias of the downstream side primary transfer step is larger than an absolute value of a transfer bias of the upstream side primary transfer step.
- An absolute value of a transfer bias of the secondary transfer step is lowered when an upstream end part of the recording medium in the conveying direction separates from the first guide member and the guide step is finished.
- MFP 1 image forming apparatus
- Arrows L, R, U and Lo optionally added to each drawing indicate a left side, a right side, an upper side and a lower side of the MFP 1, respectively.
- the MFP 1 includes a box-formed MFP main body 2 (apparatus main body).
- an image reading device 3 to read an original image is arranged in an upper part of the MFP main body 2.
- a sheet ejecting tray 4 is arranged below the image reading device 3.
- four toner containers 5Y, 5C, 5M, 5K are housed below the sheet ejecting tray 4.
- Each toner container 5Y, 5C, 5M, 5K contains a toner of yellow, cyan, magenta, and black, respectively.
- Each image forming part 6Y, 6C, 6M, 6K corresponds to the toner of yellow, cyan, magenta, and black, respectively.
- Image forming parts 6Y, 6C, 6M, 6K include photosensitive drums 7Y, 7C, 7M, 7K (image carriers), respectively.
- Each image forming part 6Y, 6C, 6M, 6K is provided with a charger 8, a developing device 9, and a cleaning device 10 around each photosensitive drum 7Y, 7C, 7M, 7K.
- an intermediate transfer belt 11 (intermediate transfer body) is arranged above the four image forming parts 6Y, 6C, 6M, 6K.
- the intermediate transfer belt 11 comes into contact with each photosensitive drum 7Y, 7C, 7M, 7K.
- the intermediate transfer belt 11 is configured to be runnable in a predetermined direction (see arrows X in FIG.1 ).
- Each primary transfer roller 12Y, 12C, 12M, 12K corresponds to the toner of yellow, cyan, magenta, and black, respectively.
- Each primary transfer roller 12Y, 12C, 12M, 12K faces each photosensitive drum 7Y, 7C, 7M, 7K via the intermediate transfer belt 11 and sandwiches the intermediate transfer belt 11 with each photosensitive drum 7Y, 7C, 7M, 7K. According to this, a primary transfer nip N1 is formed between each photosensitive drum 7Y, 7C, 7M, 7K and the intermediate transfer belt 11, respectively.
- the primary transfer roller 12K downstream side primary transfer member
- the primary transfer roller 12K is arranged at a downstream side of each primary transfer roller 12Y, 12C, 12M (each upstream side primary transfer member) in a running direction of the intermediate transfer belt 11 (see the arrows X in FIG.1 ).
- the cleaning unit 13 includes a cleaning brush 14 configured to come into contact with a surface of the intermediate transfer belt 11, a collecting roller 15 configured to come into contact with the cleaning brush 14, and a cleaning blade 16 configured to come into contact with the collecting roller 15.
- a laser scanning device 17 is housed below the four image forming parts 6Y, 6C, 6M, 6K.
- a sheet feeding tray 18 is housed below the laser scanning device 17.
- a sheet S (recording medium) is accommodated.
- a conveying path 19 for the sheet S is arranged.
- a sheet feeding part 20 is arranged at a lower end part (upstream end part) of the conveying path 19.
- a secondary transfer roller 21 (secondary transfer member) is arranged at an intermediate stream part of the conveying path 19.
- a secondary transfer roller 21 (secondary transfer member) is arranged at an intermediate stream part of the conveying path 19.
- a secondary transfer nip N2 is formed.
- a fixing device 22 is arranged at an upper part (downstream part) of the conveying path 19.
- the fixing device 22 includes a fixing belt 23 (fixing member) and a pressuring roller 24 (pressuring member). Between the fixing belt 23 and the pressuring roller 24, a fixing nip N is formed at an upper end part (a downstream end part) of the conveying path 19, a sheet ejecting unit 25 is arranged at an upper end part (a downstream end part) of the conveying path 19, a sheet ejecting unit 25 is arranged at the right side of the convey
- each photosensitive drum 7Y, 7C, 7M, 7K is electrically charged by the charger 8 of each image forming part 6Y, 6C, 6M, 6K. Then, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of each photosensitive drum 7Y, 7C, 7M, 7K by a laser light (refer to an arrow P in FIG.1 ) from the laser scanning device 17.
- the electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing device 9 of each image forming part 6Y, 6C, 6M, 6K by using the toner supplied from each toner container 5Y, 5C, 5M, 5K, so that a toner image is formed on each photosensitive drum 7Y, 7C, 7M, 7K.
- the toner image (color toner image) formed on each photosensitive drum 7Y, 7C, 7M is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 11 by each primary transfer roller 12Y, 12C, 12M, respectively (these are "upstream side primary transfer steps”).
- the toner image (black toner image) formed on the photosensitive drum 7K is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 11 by the primary transfer roller 12K (this is a "downstream side primary transfer step").
- the downstream side primary transfer step is carried out after each upstream side primary transfer step. According to this, a full-color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 11. Incidentally, the toner remained on each photosensitive drum 7Y, 7C, 7M, 7K is removed by the cleaning device 10 of each image forming part 6Y, 6C, 6M, 6K.
- the sheet S picked from the sheet feeding tray 18 by the sheet feeding part 20 is conveyed to a downstream side of the conveying path 19 and enters the secondary transfer nip N2.
- the full-color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 11 is secondarily transferred to the sheet S by the secondary transfer roller 21 (This is a "secondary transfer step").
- the toner remained on the intermediate transfer belt 11 is removed by the cleaning unit 13. Concretely, the toner remained on the intermediate transfer belt 11 is removed by the cleaning brush 14, collected from the cleaning brush 14 by the collecting roller 15, and scraped from the collecting roller 15 by the cleaning blade 16.
- the sheet S to which the toner image is secondarily transferred is further conveyed to the downstream side of the conveying path 19 and enters the fixing device 22.
- the toner image is fixed on the sheet S.
- the sheet S on which the toner image is fixed is ejected on the sheet ejecting tray 4 by the sheet ejecting unit 25.
- an arrow Z in FIG. 2 indicates a conveying direction of the sheet S.
- the secondary transfer roller 21 faces a driving roller 30 via the intermediate transfer belt 11.
- a right end part of the intermediate transfer belt 11 is wound.
- first and second guide members 31 and 32 are arranged.
- the first and second guide members 31 and 32 face each other via the conveying path 19.
- the first guide member 31 is arranged at a left side (a side of the intermediate transfer belt 11) of the conveying path 19.
- the first guide face 33 is curved in a shape of an arc toward a left side (a side remote from the conveying path 19).
- the second guide member 32 is arranged at a right side (a side of the secondary transfer roller 21) of the conveying path 19.
- a second guide face 34 is formed on a left face (inner face) of the second guide member 32.
- the second guide face 34 is curved in a shape of an arc toward the left side (a side approaching the conveying path 19.
- a curvature of the arc formed by the second guide face 34 is larger than a curvature of the arc formed by the first guide face 33.
- a sheet sensor 35 is arranged at a lower side (an upstream side in the conveying direction of the sheet S) of the first and second guide members 31 and 32.
- the sheet sensor 35 is composed of an optical sensor, for example, and has a function of detecting the sheet S.
- the MFP 1 includes a controller 40.
- the controller 40 is connected to a storage part 41, and the controller 40 is configured to control each part of the MFP 1 based on a control program or control data stored in the storage part 41.
- the controller 40 is connected to a driving source 42 composed of a motor or the like, and the driving source 42 is connected to the driving roller 30.
- the driving source 42 rotates the driving roller 30 based on a signal from the controller 40, the intermediate transfer belt 11 whose right end part is wound around the driving roller 30 runs.
- the controller 40 is connected to the sheet sensor 35 and a detecting result is outputted to the controller 40 when the sheet sensor 35 detects the sheet S.
- the controller 40 is connected to primary transfer bias applying parts 43Y, 43C, 43M, 43K, and each primary transfer bias applying part 43Y, 43C, 43M 43K is connected to each primary transfer roller 12Y, 12C, 12M, 12K, respectively.
- the controller 40 controls a primary transfer bias applied from each primary transfer bias applying part 43Y, 43C, 43M, 43K to each primary transfer roller 12Y, 12C, 12M, 12K.
- the controller 40 is connected to a secondary transfer bias applying part 44, and the secondary transfer bias applying part 44 is connected to the secondary transfer roller 21.
- the controller 40 controls a secondary transfer bias applied from the secondary transfer bias applying part 44 to the secondary transfer roller 21.
- the first and second guide members 31 and 32 guide the sheet S along the conveying direction (this is a "guide step"). At this time, a lower end part (an end part at an upstream a downstream side in the conveying direction) of the sheet S moves in a state of coming into contact with the first guide face 33 of the first guide member 31.
- a start timing of the above-mentioned guide step is earlier than a start timing of the above-mentioned secondary transfer step. Further, an end timing of the above-mentioned guide step is later than the start timing of the secondary transfer step and is earlier than an end timing of the above-mentioned secondary transfer step. That is, the above-mentioned guide step is carried out so as to be finished during the above-mentioned secondary transfer step.
- the controller 40 lowers an absolute value of the secondary transfer bias when the lower end part of the sheet S separates from the first guide face 33 of the first guide member 31 (when the guide step is finished).
- the controller 40 makes the absolute value of the secondary transfer bias after the lower end part of the sheet S separates from the first guide face 33 of the first guide member 31 smaller than the absolute value of the secondary transfer bias when the lower end part of the sheet S comes into contact with the first guide face 33 of the first guide member 31.
- the controller 40 calculates a time at which the lower end part of the sheet S separates from the first guide face 33 of the first guide member 31, by adding a time the lower end part of the sheet S takes to move from a detecting position of the sheet sensor 35 to an upper end part of the first guide face 33 of the first guide member 31 to a time at which the sheet sensor 35 detects the lower end part of the sheet S.
- the controller 40 may lower the absolute value of the secondary transfer bias simultaneously with the separation of the lower end part of the sheet S from the first guide face 33 of the first guide member 31, or may lower the absolute value of the secondary transfer bias immediately before or immediately after the lower end part of the sheet S separates from the first guide face 33 of the first guide member 31.
- each primary transfer roller 12Y, 12C, 12M each color primary transfer roller in the running direction of the intermediate transfer belt 11 (see the arrows X in FIG. 1 ).
- the primary transfer roller 12K black primary transfer roller
- the charging amount of the color toner image is likely to be higher than the charging amount of the black toner image, and the charging amount of the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 11 is likely to be uneven.
- the controller 40 makes an absolute value of the primary transfer bias applied to the primary transfer roller 12K larger than an absolute value of the primary transfer bias applied to each primary transfer roller 12Y, 12C, 12M.
- the controller 40 makes an absolute value of the primary transfer bias applied to the primary transfer roller 12K larger than an absolute value of the primary transfer bias applied to each primary transfer roller 12Y, 12C, 12M.
- the secondary transfer roller 21 secondarily transfers the toner image to a first face of the sheet S, and the toner image is fixed to the first face of the sheet S in the fixing nip N of the fixing device 22.
- the image is printed on the first face of the sheet S.
- the sheet S is conveyed to the inversion path 26 to invert the sheet S having the first face and a second face.
- the secondary transfer roller 21 secondarily transfers the toner image to the second face (a face at a side opposite to the first face) of the sheet S, the toner image is fixed to the second face of the sheet S in the fixing nip N of the fixing device 22.
- the image is printed on the second face of the sheet S, and the duplex printing is finished.
- the sheet S is curled leftward (a side of the fixing belt 23).
- the sheet S curved leftward in this way is inverted in the inversion path 26, as shown in FIG. 5 , the sheet S is curled rightward. According to this relationship, it is more likely that the lower end part of the sheet S is significantly displaced when the lower end part of the sheet S separates from the first guide face 33 of the first guide member 31, and the transfer failure is more likely to occur in a case where the image is printed on the second face of the sheet than in a case where the image is printed on the first face of the sheet S.
- the controller 40 makes a separating absolute value (an absolute value of the secondary transfer bias after the lower end part of the sheet S separates from the first guide face 33 of the first guide member 31) smaller and makes a downstream side absolute value (an absolute value of the primary transfer bias applied to the primary transfer roller 12K) smaller in the case where the image is printed on the second face of the sheet S than in the case where the image is printed on the first face of the sheet S.
- values of the primary transfer bias and the secondary transfer bias to be needed are different in a case where temperature and humidity inside the MFP 1 are relatively high and in a case where the temperature and the humidity inside the MFP 1 are relatively low.
- the transfer failure occurs if the values of the primary transfer bias and the secondary transfer bias are the same in the case where the temperature and the humidity inside the MFP 1 are relatively high and in the case where the temperature and the humidity inside the MFP 1 are relatively low.
- the controller 40 increases the absolute values of the primary transfer bias and the secondary transfer bias according to an increase of the temperature and the humidity inside the MFP 1. By performing such control, it is possible to optimize the absolute values of the primary transfer bias and the secondary transfer bias according to the temperature and the humidity inside the MFP 1.
- the primary transfer rollers 12Y, 12C, 12M primarily transfer the color toner image to the intermediate transfer belt 11 and the primary transfer roller 12K primarily transfers the black toner image to the intermediate transfer belt 11.
- the absolute values of the primary transfer bias and the secondary transfer bias are increased according to the increase of the temperature and the humidity inside the MFP 1. In other embodiments, the absolute values of the primary transfer bias and the secondary transfer bias may be increased according to the increase of one of the temperature and the humidity inside the MFP 1.
- the time at which the lower end part of the sheet S separates from the first guide face 33 of the first guide member 31 is calculated by adding the time the lower end part of the sheet S takes to move from the detecting position of the sheet sensor 35 to the upper end part of the first guide face 33 of the first guide member 31 to the time at which the sheet sensor 35 detects the lower end part of the sheet S.
- the time at which the lower end part of the sheet S separates from the first guide face 33 of the first guide member 31 may be calculated by adding the time the lower end part of the sheet S takes to move from a starting position of conveyance to the upper end part of the first guide face 33 of the first guide member 31 to the time at which the conveyance of the sheet S is started. That is, the detecting result of the sheet sensor 35 may or may not be used when the time at which the lower end part of the sheet S separates from the first guide face 33 of the first guide member 31 is calculated.
- Control of the secondary transfer bias (control of lowering the absolute value of the secondary transfer bias when the lower end part of the sheet S separates from the first guide face 33 of the first guide member 31) and control of the primary transfer bias (control of making the absolute value of the primary transfer bias applied to the primary transfer roller 12K larger than the absolute value of the primary transfer bias applied to the primary transfer rollers 12Y, 12C, 12M) according to the present embodiment may be applied to the case where the image is printed on the sheet S of all sorts, or may be applied to only the case where the image is printed on the relatively stiff sheet, such as the cardboard or the OHP sheet.
- the control of the primary and secondary transfer biases according to the present embodiment may preferably be applied to a case where the image is printed on the cardboard which has a basis weight of not less than 200 g/m ⁇ 2.
- the configuration of the present disclosure is applied to the MFP 1.
- the configuration of the present disclosure may be applied to an image forming apparatus other than the MFP 1, such as a copying machine, a scanner, or a facsimile.
- FIGS. 6 to 11 show results of the experiments under each experiment condition.
- each number written below each letter of Y, C, M, and K in a field of "PRIMARY TRANSFER BIAS (- ⁇ A)" indicates the value of the primary transfer bias applied to each primary transfer roller 12Y, 12C, 12M, 12K.
- Each number written below “DURING CONTACT” in a field of "SECONDARY TRANSFER BIAS (- ⁇ A)” indicates a value of the secondary transfer bias when the lower end part of the sheet S comes into contact with the first guide face 33 of the first guide member 31.
- comparative example 1 is an example where both of the control to lower the absolute value of the secondary transfer bias when the lower end part of the sheet S separates from the first guide face 33 of the first guide member 31 and the control to make the absolute value of the primary transfer bias applied to the primary transfer roller 12K larger than the absolute value of the primary transfer bias applied to each primary transfer roller 12Y, 12C, 12M were not performed.
- Comparative examples 2 and 3 are examples where the control to lower the absolute value of the secondary transfer bias when the lower end part of the sheet S separates from the first guide face 33 of the first guide member 31 was performed, but the control to make the absolute value of the primary transfer bias applied to the primary transfer roller 12K larger than the absolute value of the primary transfer bias applied to each primary transfer roller 12Y, 12C, 12M was not performed.
- the examples 1 and 2 are examples where both of the control to lower the absolute value of the secondary transfer bias when the lower end part of the sheet S separates from the first guide face 33 of the first guide member 31 and the control to make the absolute value of the primary transfer bias applied to the primary transfer roller 12K larger than the absolute value of the primary transfer bias applied to each primary transfer roller 12Y, 12C, 12M were performed.
- the secondary transfer bias was lowered when a lower part of the sheet S (a part which is 7 mm above the lower end part of the sheet S) passed through the secondary transfer nip N2, and the secondary transfer bias was switched to an inverse polarity when the lower end part of the sheet S passed through the secondary transfer nip N2.
- the primary transfer bias applied to the primary transfer roller 12K is preferably 7 to 10 (- ⁇ A).
- the primary transfer bias applied to the primary transfer roller 12K is preferably 6 to 9 (- ⁇ A).
- the primary transfer bias applied to the primary transfer roller 12K is preferably 10 to 14 (- ⁇ A). As shown in FIGS.
- the primary transfer bias applied to the primary transfer roller 12K is preferably 7 to 11 (- ⁇ A).
- the primary transfer bias applied to the primary transfer roller 12K exceeds each of the above-mentioned upper limit values, there is a concern that the color toner image is excessively charged and the transfer failure occurs during the secondary transfer of the color toner image.
- the primary transfer bias applied to the primary transfer roller 12K is less than each of the above-mentioned lower limit values, there is a concern that the charging amount of one or both of color and black toner images becomes insufficient and the transfer failure occurs during the secondary transfer.
- the sheet S is more likely to be curled rightward and therefore the electric discharge is more likely to occur during the secondary transfer, in the case where the image is printed on the second face of the sheet S than in the case where the image is printed on the first face of the sheet S.
- the secondary transfer bias after the separation the secondary transfer bias after the lower end part of the sheet S separates from the first guide face 33 of the first guide member 31
- the secondary transfer bias during contact the secondary transfer bias when the lower end part of the sheet S comes into contact with the first guide face 33 of the first guide member 31
- the proportion of the secondary transfer bias after the separation to the secondary transfer bias during the contact is 55 to 70%, and, when the toner image is transferred to the second face of the sheet S, the proportion of the secondary transfer bias after the separation to the secondary transfer bias during the contact is 30 to 50%.
- the proportion of the secondary transfer bias after the separation to the secondary transfer bias during the contact is 80 to 90%, and, when the toner image is transferred to the second face of the sheet S, the proportion of the secondary transfer bias after the separation to the secondary transfer bias during the contact is 60 to 70%.
- the controller 40 makes the proportion (80 to 90%) of the secondary transfer bias after the separation to the secondary transfer bias during the contact in the case where the toner image is transferred to the first face of the sheet S under the high temperature and high humidity environment or the low temperature and low humidity environment larger than the proportion (55 to 70%) of the secondary transfer bias after the separation to the secondary transfer bias during the contact in the case where the toner image is transferred to the first face of the sheet S under the normal temperature and normal humidity environment.
- the controller 40 makes the proportion (60 to 70%) of the secondary transfer bias after the separation to the secondary transfer bias during the contact in the case where the toner image is transferred to the second face of the sheet S in the high temperature and high humidity environment or the low temperature and low humidity environment larger than the proportion (30 to 50%) of the secondary transfer bias after the separation to the secondary transfer bias during the contact in the case where the toner image is transferred to the second face of the sheet S in the normal temperature and normal humidity environment.
- the controller 40 makes a secondary transfer proportion (a proportion of the secondary transfer bias after the lower end part of the sheet S separates from the first guide face 33 of the first guide member 31 to the secondary transfer bias when the lower end part of the sheet S comes into contact with the first guide face 33 of the first guide member 31) larger in the case where the image is printed on the sheet S in the high temperature and high humidity environment or the low temperature and low humidity environment than in the case where the image is printed on the sheet S in the normal temperature and normal humidity environment.
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Description
- The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method, and in particular to an image forming apparatus having a secondary transfer manner and including an intermediate transfer body and an image forming method.
- Conventionally, an image forming apparatus having a secondary transfer manner and including an intermediate transfer body is known.
- For example,
JP 2009-128481 A - In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, an image forming apparatus includes a plurality of image carriers, an intermediate transfer body, a plurality of primary transfer members, a secondary transfer member, a first guide member, and a controller. A plurality of the image carriers are configured to carry a toner image. The intermediate transfer body is configured to come into contact with a plurality of the image carriers. A plurality of the primary transfer members are configured to primarily transfer the toner image on a plurality of the image carriers to the intermediate transfer body. The secondary transfer member is configured to secondarily transfer the toner image on the intermediate transfer body to a recording medium. The first guide member is arranged at an upstream side of the secondary transfer member in a conveying direction of the recording medium and configured to guide the recording medium along the conveying direction. The controller is configured to control both of a primary transfer bias applied to a plurality of the primary transfer members when the toner image on a plurality of the image carriers is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer body and a secondary transfer bias applied to the secondary transfer member when the toner image on the intermediate transfer body is secondarily transferred to the recording medium. A plurality of the primary transfer members include an upstream side primary transfer member and a downstream side primary transfer member arranged at a downstream side of the upstream side primary transfer member in a running direction of the intermediate transfer body. The controller makes an absolute value of the primary transfer bias applied to the downstream side primary transfer member larger than an absolute value of the primary transfer bias applied to the upstream side primary transfer member. The controller lowers an absolute value of the secondary transfer bias when an upstream a downstream end part of the recording medium in the conveying direction separates from the first guide member.
- In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, an image forming method includes a plurality of primary transfer steps, a secondary transfer step, and a guide step. In a plurality of the primary transfer steps, a toner image on a plurality of image carriers are primarily transferred to an intermediate transfer body. In the secondary transfer step, the toner image on the intermediate transfer body is secondarily transferred to a recording medium. In the guide step, the recording medium is guided by a first guide member along a conveying direction. The guide step is carried out so as to be finished during the secondary transfer step. A plurality of the primary transfer steps include an upstream side primary transfer step carried out by an upstream side primary transfer member, and a downstream side primary transfer step carried out after the upstream side primary transfer step and carried out by a downstream side primary transfer member arranged at a downstream side of the upstream side primary transfer member in a running direction of the intermediate transfer body. An absolute value of a transfer bias of the downstream side primary transfer step is larger than an absolute value of a transfer bias of the upstream side primary transfer step. An absolute value of a transfer bias of the secondary transfer step is lowered when an upstream end part of the recording medium in the conveying direction separates from the first guide member and the guide step is finished.
- The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure is shown by way of illustrative example.
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FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an outline of an MFP (multifunction peripheral) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a secondary transfer roller and its periphery, in the MFP according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control system of the MFP according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a state where a sheet passes through a fixing nip of a fixing device when an image is printed on a first face of the sheet, in the MFP according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a state before the sheet enters a secondary transfer nip when the image is printed on a second face of the sheet, in the MFP according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 6 is a table showing a result of an experiment conducted to the first face of the sheet under a normal temperature and normal humidity environment. -
FIG. 7 is a table showing a result of an experiment conducted to the second face of the sheet under the normal temperature and normal humidity environment. -
FIG. 8 is a table showing a result of an experiment conducted to the first face of the sheet under a high temperature and high humidity environment. -
FIG. 9 is a table showing a result of an experiment conducted to the second face of the sheet under the high temperature and high humidity environment. -
FIG. 10 is a table showing a result of an experiment conducted to the first face of the sheet under a low temperature and low humidity environment. -
FIG. 11 is a table showing a result of an experiment conducted to the second face of the sheet under the low temperature and low humidity environment. - Hereinafter, an MFP 1 (image forming apparatus) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Arrows L, R, U and Lo optionally added to each drawing indicate a left side, a right side, an upper side and a lower side of the
MFP 1, respectively. - Firstly, an outline of the configuration of the
MFP 1 will be explained. - As shown in
FIG. 1 , theMFP 1 includes a box-formed MFP main body 2 (apparatus main body). In an upper end part of the MFPmain body 2, animage reading device 3 to read an original image is arranged. In an upper part of the MFPmain body 2, asheet ejecting tray 4 is arranged below theimage reading device 3. In the upper part of the MFPmain body 2, fourtoner containers sheet ejecting tray 4. Eachtoner container - In the roughly middle part of the MFP
main body 2, fourimage forming parts image forming part Image forming parts photosensitive drums image forming part charger 8, a developingdevice 9, and acleaning device 10 around eachphotosensitive drum - In a roughly middle part of the MFP
main body 2, an intermediate transfer belt 11 (intermediate transfer body) is arranged above the fourimage forming parts intermediate transfer belt 11 comes into contact with eachphotosensitive drum intermediate transfer belt 11 is configured to be runnable in a predetermined direction (see arrows X inFIG.1 ). - Inside the
intermediate transfer belt 11, fourprimary transfer rollers intermediate transfer belt 11. Eachprimary transfer roller primary transfer roller photosensitive drum intermediate transfer belt 11 and sandwiches theintermediate transfer belt 11 with eachphotosensitive drum photosensitive drum intermediate transfer belt 11, respectively. Theprimary transfer roller 12K (downstream side primary transfer member) is arranged at a downstream side of eachprimary transfer roller FIG.1 ). - At a left end side of the
intermediate transfer belt 11, acleaning unit 13 is arranged. Thecleaning unit 13 includes acleaning brush 14 configured to come into contact with a surface of theintermediate transfer belt 11, a collectingroller 15 configured to come into contact with thecleaning brush 14, and acleaning blade 16 configured to come into contact with thecollecting roller 15. - In a lower part of the MFP
main body 2, alaser scanning device 17 is housed below the fourimage forming parts main body 2, asheet feeding tray 18 is housed below thelaser scanning device 17. In thesheet feeding tray 18, a sheet S (recording medium) is accommodated. - At a right side part of the MFP
main body 2, aconveying path 19 for the sheet S is arranged. At a lower end part (upstream end part) of theconveying path 19, asheet feeding part 20 is arranged. At an intermediate stream part of theconveying path 19, a secondary transfer roller 21 (secondary transfer member) is arranged. Between thesecondary transfer roller 21 and theintermediate transfer belt 11, a secondary transfer nip N2 is formed. At an upper part (downstream part) of the conveyingpath 19, a fixingdevice 22 is arranged. The fixingdevice 22 includes a fixing belt 23 (fixing member) and a pressuring roller 24 (pressuring member). Between the fixingbelt 23 and the pressuringroller 24, a fixing nip N is formed. At an upper end part (a downstream end part) of the conveyingpath 19, asheet ejecting unit 25 is arranged. At the right side of the conveyingpath 19, aninversion path 26 for duplex printing is arranged. - Next, the operation of the
MFP 1 will be explained. - When an instruction to start printing is given to the
MFP 1, firstly, a surface of eachphotosensitive drum charger 8 of eachimage forming part photosensitive drum FIG.1 ) from thelaser scanning device 17. Then, the electrostatic latent image is developed by the developingdevice 9 of eachimage forming part toner container photosensitive drum photosensitive drum intermediate transfer belt 11 by eachprimary transfer roller photosensitive drum 7K is primarily transferred to theintermediate transfer belt 11 by theprimary transfer roller 12K (this is a "downstream side primary transfer step"). The downstream side primary transfer step is carried out after each upstream side primary transfer step. According to this, a full-color toner image is formed on theintermediate transfer belt 11. Incidentally, the toner remained on eachphotosensitive drum cleaning device 10 of eachimage forming part - On the other hand, the sheet S picked from the
sheet feeding tray 18 by thesheet feeding part 20 is conveyed to a downstream side of the conveyingpath 19 and enters the secondary transfer nip N2. In the secondary transfer nip N2, the full-color toner image formed on theintermediate transfer belt 11 is secondarily transferred to the sheet S by the secondary transfer roller 21 (This is a "secondary transfer step"). Incidentally, the toner remained on theintermediate transfer belt 11 is removed by thecleaning unit 13. Concretely, the toner remained on theintermediate transfer belt 11 is removed by the cleaningbrush 14, collected from the cleaningbrush 14 by the collectingroller 15, and scraped from the collectingroller 15 by thecleaning blade 16. - The sheet S to which the toner image is secondarily transferred is further conveyed to the downstream side of the conveying
path 19 and enters the fixingdevice 22. In the fixing nip N of the fixingdevice 22, the toner image is fixed on the sheet S. The sheet S on which the toner image is fixed is ejected on thesheet ejecting tray 4 by thesheet ejecting unit 25. - Next, the
secondary transfer roller 21 and its periphery will be explained in detail. Incidentally, an arrow Z inFIG. 2 indicates a conveying direction of the sheet S. - As shown in
FIG. 2 , thesecondary transfer roller 21 faces a drivingroller 30 via theintermediate transfer belt 11. Around the drivingroller 30, a right end part of theintermediate transfer belt 11 is wound. - At a lower left side of the secondary transfer roller 21 (an upstream side in the conveying direction of the sheet S), first and
second guide members second guide members path 19. Thefirst guide member 31 is arranged at a left side (a side of the intermediate transfer belt 11) of the conveyingpath 19. On a right face (inner face) of thefirst guide member 31, afirst guide face 33 is formed. Thefirst guide face 33 is curved in a shape of an arc toward a left side (a side remote from the conveying path 19). Thesecond guide member 32 is arranged at a right side (a side of the secondary transfer roller 21) of the conveyingpath 19. On a left face (inner face) of thesecond guide member 32, asecond guide face 34 is formed. Thesecond guide face 34 is curved in a shape of an arc toward the left side (a side approaching the conveyingpath 19. A curvature of the arc formed by thesecond guide face 34 is larger than a curvature of the arc formed by thefirst guide face 33. - At a lower side (an upstream side in the conveying direction of the sheet S) of the first and
second guide members sheet sensor 35 is arranged. Thesheet sensor 35 is composed of an optical sensor, for example, and has a function of detecting the sheet S. - Next, a control system of the
MFP 1 will be explained. - As shown in
FIG. 3 , theMFP 1 includes acontroller 40. Thecontroller 40 is connected to astorage part 41, and thecontroller 40 is configured to control each part of theMFP 1 based on a control program or control data stored in thestorage part 41. - The
controller 40 is connected to a drivingsource 42 composed of a motor or the like, and the drivingsource 42 is connected to the drivingroller 30. When the drivingsource 42 rotates the drivingroller 30 based on a signal from thecontroller 40, theintermediate transfer belt 11 whose right end part is wound around the drivingroller 30 runs. - The
controller 40 is connected to thesheet sensor 35 and a detecting result is outputted to thecontroller 40 when thesheet sensor 35 detects the sheet S. - The
controller 40 is connected to primary transferbias applying parts bias applying part 43M 43K is connected to eachprimary transfer roller photosensitive drum intermediate transfer belt 11, thecontroller 40 controls a primary transfer bias applied from each primary transferbias applying part primary transfer roller - The
controller 40 is connected to a secondary transferbias applying part 44, and the secondary transferbias applying part 44 is connected to thesecondary transfer roller 21. When the toner image on theintermediate transfer belt 11 is secondarily transferred to the sheet S, thecontroller 40 controls a secondary transfer bias applied from the secondary transferbias applying part 44 to thesecondary transfer roller 21. - When the sheet S passes through the secondary transfer nip N2 in the
MFP 1 applying the above-mentioned configuration, as shown inFIG. 2 , the first andsecond guide members first guide face 33 of thefirst guide member 31. - Incidentally, a start timing of the above-mentioned guide step is earlier than a start timing of the above-mentioned secondary transfer step. Further, an end timing of the above-mentioned guide step is later than the start timing of the secondary transfer step and is earlier than an end timing of the above-mentioned secondary transfer step. That is, the above-mentioned guide step is carried out so as to be finished during the above-mentioned secondary transfer step.
- Meanwhile, when the lower end part of the sheet S passes through the
first guide face 33 of thefirst guide member 31, the lower end part of the sheet S separates from thefirst guide face 33 of the first guide member 31 (see a dotted line inFIG. 2 ). According to this, a posture of the lower end part of the sheet S becomes unstable and the lower end part of the sheet S is significantly displaced in some cases. When such a phenomenon occurs, there is a concern that electric discharge occurs in a surrounding area of thesecondary transfer roller 21, and a transfer failure (so-called "void"), which brings about loss of a part of an image, occurs. Such a transfer failure occurs in particular when the image is printed on a relatively stiff sheet S, such as a cardboard or an OHP sheet (Overhead Projector sheet). - Hence, the
controller 40 lowers an absolute value of the secondary transfer bias when the lower end part of the sheet S separates from thefirst guide face 33 of the first guide member 31 (when the guide step is finished). In other words, thecontroller 40 makes the absolute value of the secondary transfer bias after the lower end part of the sheet S separates from thefirst guide face 33 of thefirst guide member 31 smaller than the absolute value of the secondary transfer bias when the lower end part of the sheet S comes into contact with thefirst guide face 33 of thefirst guide member 31. By performing such control, it is possible to prevent occurrence of the electric discharge in the surrounding area of thesecondary transfer roller 21 when the guide step is finished, so that, even when the image is printed on the relatively stiff sheet S, such as the cardboard or the OHP sheet, the transfer failure hardly occurs. - Incidentally, for example, the
controller 40 calculates a time at which the lower end part of the sheet S separates from thefirst guide face 33 of thefirst guide member 31, by adding a time the lower end part of the sheet S takes to move from a detecting position of thesheet sensor 35 to an upper end part of thefirst guide face 33 of thefirst guide member 31 to a time at which thesheet sensor 35 detects the lower end part of the sheet S. Incidentally, thecontroller 40 may lower the absolute value of the secondary transfer bias simultaneously with the separation of the lower end part of the sheet S from thefirst guide face 33 of thefirst guide member 31, or may lower the absolute value of the secondary transfer bias immediately before or immediately after the lower end part of the sheet S separates from thefirst guide face 33 of thefirst guide member 31. - By the way, in the present embodiment, at the downstream side of each
primary transfer roller FIG. 1 ), theprimary transfer roller 12K (black primary transfer roller) is arranged. According to this relationship, when a color toner image is primarily transferred to theintermediate transfer belt 11 by eachprimary transfer roller primary transfer roller 12K, a charging amount of the color toner image increases. Meanwhile, a black toner image is primarily transferred to theintermediate transfer belt 11 by theprimary transfer roller 12K and then does not pass through another primary transfer roller, and therefore a charging amount of the black toner image does not increase. Hence, the charging amount of the color toner image is likely to be higher than the charging amount of the black toner image, and the charging amount of the toner image on theintermediate transfer belt 11 is likely to be uneven. - When the charging amount of the toner image on the
intermediate transfer belt 11 becomes uneven as mentioned above, a range of the secondary transfer bias which causes the electric discharge becomes different by each color, and it becomes difficult to prevent the transfer failure due to the electric discharge during secondary transfer for all colors. Hence, it is necessary to make the charging amount of the toner image on theintermediate transfer belt 11 uniform. - However, by controlling the secondary transfer bias as described above, it is not possible to make the charging amount of the toner image on the
intermediate transfer belt 11 uniform. Hence, by controlling the secondary transfer bias as described above, it is not possible to reliably prevent occurrence of the transfer failure for all of the color toner image, the black toner image, and a secondary color toner image (toner image obtained by overlaying color toner images). - Hence, the
controller 40 makes an absolute value of the primary transfer bias applied to theprimary transfer roller 12K larger than an absolute value of the primary transfer bias applied to eachprimary transfer roller intermediate transfer belt 11 uniform. Consequently, it is possible to reliably prevent the occurrence of the transfer failure for all of the color toner image, the black toner image and the secondary color toner image. - By the way, when the
MFP 1 applying the above-mentioned configuration performs the duplex printing, thesecondary transfer roller 21 secondarily transfers the toner image to a first face of the sheet S, and the toner image is fixed to the first face of the sheet S in the fixing nip N of the fixingdevice 22. Thus, the image is printed on the first face of the sheet S. Next, the sheet S is conveyed to theinversion path 26 to invert the sheet S having the first face and a second face. Further, thesecondary transfer roller 21 secondarily transfers the toner image to the second face (a face at a side opposite to the first face) of the sheet S, the toner image is fixed to the second face of the sheet S in the fixing nip N of the fixingdevice 22. Thus, the image is printed on the second face of the sheet S, and the duplex printing is finished. - When the image is printed on the first face of the sheet as mentioned above, and when the sheet passes through the fixing nip N of the fixing
device 22, as shown inFIG. 4 , the sheet S is curled leftward (a side of the fixing belt 23). When the sheet S curved leftward in this way is inverted in theinversion path 26, as shown inFIG. 5 , the sheet S is curled rightward. According to this relationship, it is more likely that the lower end part of the sheet S is significantly displaced when the lower end part of the sheet S separates from thefirst guide face 33 of thefirst guide member 31, and the transfer failure is more likely to occur in a case where the image is printed on the second face of the sheet than in a case where the image is printed on the first face of the sheet S. - Hence, the
controller 40 makes a separating absolute value (an absolute value of the secondary transfer bias after the lower end part of the sheet S separates from thefirst guide face 33 of the first guide member 31) smaller and makes a downstream side absolute value (an absolute value of the primary transfer bias applied to theprimary transfer roller 12K) smaller in the case where the image is printed on the second face of the sheet S than in the case where the image is printed on the first face of the sheet S. By performing such control, it is possible to reliably prevent the occurrence of the transfer failure both in the case where the image is printed on the first face of the sheet S and in the case where the image is printed on the second face of the sheet S. - Further, values of the primary transfer bias and the secondary transfer bias to be needed are different in a case where temperature and humidity inside the
MFP 1 are relatively high and in a case where the temperature and the humidity inside theMFP 1 are relatively low. Hence, there is a concern that the transfer failure occurs if the values of the primary transfer bias and the secondary transfer bias are the same in the case where the temperature and the humidity inside theMFP 1 are relatively high and in the case where the temperature and the humidity inside theMFP 1 are relatively low. - Hence, the
controller 40 increases the absolute values of the primary transfer bias and the secondary transfer bias according to an increase of the temperature and the humidity inside theMFP 1. By performing such control, it is possible to optimize the absolute values of the primary transfer bias and the secondary transfer bias according to the temperature and the humidity inside theMFP 1. - Further, in the present embodiment, the
primary transfer rollers intermediate transfer belt 11 and theprimary transfer roller 12K primarily transfers the black toner image to theintermediate transfer belt 11. By applying such a configuration, it is possible to reliably transfer both of the color and black toner images to the sheet. - In the present embodiment, the absolute values of the primary transfer bias and the secondary transfer bias are increased according to the increase of the temperature and the humidity inside the
MFP 1. In other embodiments, the absolute values of the primary transfer bias and the secondary transfer bias may be increased according to the increase of one of the temperature and the humidity inside theMFP 1. - In the present embodiment, the time at which the lower end part of the sheet S separates from the
first guide face 33 of thefirst guide member 31 is calculated by adding the time the lower end part of the sheet S takes to move from the detecting position of thesheet sensor 35 to the upper end part of thefirst guide face 33 of thefirst guide member 31 to the time at which thesheet sensor 35 detects the lower end part of the sheet S. In other embodiments, the time at which the lower end part of the sheet S separates from thefirst guide face 33 of thefirst guide member 31 may be calculated by adding the time the lower end part of the sheet S takes to move from a starting position of conveyance to the upper end part of thefirst guide face 33 of thefirst guide member 31 to the time at which the conveyance of the sheet S is started. That is, the detecting result of thesheet sensor 35 may or may not be used when the time at which the lower end part of the sheet S separates from thefirst guide face 33 of thefirst guide member 31 is calculated. - Control of the secondary transfer bias (control of lowering the absolute value of the secondary transfer bias when the lower end part of the sheet S separates from the
first guide face 33 of the first guide member 31) and control of the primary transfer bias (control of making the absolute value of the primary transfer bias applied to theprimary transfer roller 12K larger than the absolute value of the primary transfer bias applied to theprimary transfer rollers - In the present embodiment, the configuration of the present disclosure is applied to the
MFP 1. In other embodiments, the configuration of the present disclosure may be applied to an image forming apparatus other than theMFP 1, such as a copying machine, a scanner, or a facsimile. - Experiments were conducted to prove an effect of the present disclosure by performing control according to examples of the present disclosure and control according to comparative examples.
- Under a normal temperature and normal humidity environment (an environment in which temperature is 23°C and humidity is 50%), a high temperature and high humidity environment (an environment in which temperature is 32.5°C and humidity is 80%) and a low temperature and low humidity environment (an environment in which temperature is 10°C and humidity is 10%), the experiments to transfer the toner image to the first face and the second face of the sheet S were conducted. For these experiments, a tandem-
type MFP 1 including theintermediate transfer belt 11 was used. The configuration of theMFP 1 used for the experiments is the same as the configuration of theMFP 1 according to the present embodiment (seeFIGS. 1 and2 ), and therefore an explanation will be omitted. A linear velocity of theMFP 1 was 109 mm/sec. A cardboard of 200 g was used as the sheet S. -
FIGS. 6 to 11 show results of the experiments under each experiment condition. - In
FIGS. 6 to 11 , each number written below each letter of Y, C, M, and K in a field of "PRIMARY TRANSFER BIAS (-µA)" indicates the value of the primary transfer bias applied to eachprimary transfer roller first guide face 33 of thefirst guide member 31. Each number written below characters of "AFTER SEPARATION" in the field of "SECONDARY TRANSFER BIAS (-µA)" indicates a value of the secondary transfer bias after the lower end part of the sheet S separates from thefirst guide face 33 of thefirst guide member 31. ○ or × written below each letter of Y, C, M, K and Blue in a field of "TRANSFER RESULT" indicates a result, which is obtained by visually checking, as to whether or not the transfer failure of the toner image of yellow, cyan, magenta, black and blue occurred. Incidentally, a 100% solid toner image of primary colors of yellow, cyan, magenta and black was transferred to the sheet, and a 200% solid toner image of a secondary color of blue obtained by overlaying a 100% solid toner image of magenta and a 100% solid toner image of cyan was transferred to the sheet. - In
FIGS. 6 to 11 , comparative example 1 is an example where both of the control to lower the absolute value of the secondary transfer bias when the lower end part of the sheet S separates from thefirst guide face 33 of thefirst guide member 31 and the control to make the absolute value of the primary transfer bias applied to theprimary transfer roller 12K larger than the absolute value of the primary transfer bias applied to eachprimary transfer roller first guide face 33 of thefirst guide member 31 was performed, but the control to make the absolute value of the primary transfer bias applied to theprimary transfer roller 12K larger than the absolute value of the primary transfer bias applied to eachprimary transfer roller first guide face 33 of thefirst guide member 31 and the control to make the absolute value of the primary transfer bias applied to theprimary transfer roller 12K larger than the absolute value of the primary transfer bias applied to eachprimary transfer roller - As shown in
FIGS. 6 to 11 , under all experiment conditions, the transfer failure occurred in a part of colors or all of the colors with regard to comparative examples 1 to 3. This shows that it is not possible to sufficiently prevent the transfer failure by performing the control according to comparative examples 1 to 3. By contrast with this, under all experiment conditions, the transfer failure of the image of any color did not occur in the examples 1 and 2. This shows that, by performing the control according to the examples 1 and 2 of the present disclosure, it is possible to reliably prevent the transfer failure. - Further, as shown in
FIGS. 6 and7 , it is possible to reliably prevent the transfer failure by making the absolute value of the secondary transfer bias after the lower end part of the sheet S separates from thefirst guide face 33 of thefirst guide member 31 smaller in the case where the image is printed on the second face of the sheet S than in the case where the image is printed on the first face of the sheet S. - Furthermore, as shown in
FIGS. 6 and7 , it is possible to reliably prevent the transfer failure by making the absolute value of the primary transfer bias applied to theprimary transfer roller 12K smaller in the case where the image is printed on the second face of the sheet S than in the case where the image is printed on the first face of the sheet S. - Still further, as shown in
FIGS. 6 and8 , by increasing the absolute values of the primary transfer bias and the secondary transfer bias according to the increase of the temperature and the humidity inside theMFP 1, it is possible to reliably prevent the transfer failure. - As shown in
FIG. 6 , when the toner image is transferred to the first face of the sheet S under the normal temperature and normal humidity environment, the primary transfer bias applied to theprimary transfer roller 12K is preferably 7 to 10 (-µA). As shown inFIG. 7 , when the toner image is transferred to the second face of the sheet S under the normal temperature and normal humidity environment, the primary transfer bias applied to theprimary transfer roller 12K is preferably 6 to 9 (-µA). As shown inFIGS. 8 and9 , when the toner image is transferred to one of the first and second faces of the sheet S under the high temperature and high humidity environment, the primary transfer bias applied to theprimary transfer roller 12K is preferably 10 to 14 (-µA). As shown inFIGS. 10 and11 , when the toner image is transferred to one of the first and second faces of the sheet S under the low temperature and low humidity environment, the primary transfer bias applied to theprimary transfer roller 12K is preferably 7 to 11 (-µA). When the primary transfer bias applied to theprimary transfer roller 12K exceeds each of the above-mentioned upper limit values, there is a concern that the color toner image is excessively charged and the transfer failure occurs during the secondary transfer of the color toner image. Meanwhile, when the primary transfer bias applied to theprimary transfer roller 12K is less than each of the above-mentioned lower limit values, there is a concern that the charging amount of one or both of color and black toner images becomes insufficient and the transfer failure occurs during the secondary transfer. - Further, as described above, the sheet S is more likely to be curled rightward and therefore the electric discharge is more likely to occur during the secondary transfer, in the case where the image is printed on the second face of the sheet S than in the case where the image is printed on the first face of the sheet S. Hence, it is preferable to make a proportion of the secondary transfer bias after the separation (the secondary transfer bias after the lower end part of the sheet S separates from the
first guide face 33 of the first guide member 31) to the secondary transfer bias during contact (the secondary transfer bias when the lower end part of the sheet S comes into contact with thefirst guide face 33 of the first guide member 31) smaller in the case where the toner image is transferred to the second face of the sheet S than in the case where the toner image is transferred to the first face of the sheet S. - For example, under the normal temperature and normal humidity environment, when the toner image is transferred to the first face of the sheet S, the proportion of the secondary transfer bias after the separation to the secondary transfer bias during the contact is 55 to 70%, and, when the toner image is transferred to the second face of the sheet S, the proportion of the secondary transfer bias after the separation to the secondary transfer bias during the contact is 30 to 50%. Further, for example, under the high temperature and high humidity environment or the low temperature and low humidity environment, when the toner image is transferred to the first face of the sheet S, the proportion of the secondary transfer bias after the separation to the secondary transfer bias during the contact is 80 to 90%, and, when the toner image is transferred to the second face of the sheet S, the proportion of the secondary transfer bias after the separation to the secondary transfer bias during the contact is 60 to 70%.
- Incidentally, in the above-mentioned numerical example, the
controller 40 makes the proportion (80 to 90%) of the secondary transfer bias after the separation to the secondary transfer bias during the contact in the case where the toner image is transferred to the first face of the sheet S under the high temperature and high humidity environment or the low temperature and low humidity environment larger than the proportion (55 to 70%) of the secondary transfer bias after the separation to the secondary transfer bias during the contact in the case where the toner image is transferred to the first face of the sheet S under the normal temperature and normal humidity environment. Similarly, thecontroller 40 makes the proportion (60 to 70%) of the secondary transfer bias after the separation to the secondary transfer bias during the contact in the case where the toner image is transferred to the second face of the sheet S in the high temperature and high humidity environment or the low temperature and low humidity environment larger than the proportion (30 to 50%) of the secondary transfer bias after the separation to the secondary transfer bias during the contact in the case where the toner image is transferred to the second face of the sheet S in the normal temperature and normal humidity environment. That is, thecontroller 40 makes a secondary transfer proportion (a proportion of the secondary transfer bias after the lower end part of the sheet S separates from thefirst guide face 33 of thefirst guide member 31 to the secondary transfer bias when the lower end part of the sheet S comes into contact with thefirst guide face 33 of the first guide member 31) larger in the case where the image is printed on the sheet S in the high temperature and high humidity environment or the low temperature and low humidity environment than in the case where the image is printed on the sheet S in the normal temperature and normal humidity environment.
Claims (10)
- An image forming apparatus (1) comprising:a plurality of image carriers (7Y, 7C, 7M, 7K) configured to carry a toner image;an intermediate transfer body (11) configured to come into contact with a plurality of the image carriers (7Y, 7C, 7M, 7K);a plurality of primary transfer members (12Y, 12C, 12M, 12K) configured to primarily transfer the toner image on a plurality of the image carriers (7Y, 7C, 7M, 7K) to the intermediate transfer body (11);a secondary transfer member (21) configured to secondarily transfer the toner image on the intermediate transfer body (11) to a recording medium (S); anda first guide member (31) arranged at an upstream side of the secondary transfer member (21) in a conveying direction of the recording medium (S) and configured to guide the recording medium (S) along the conveying direction,characterized in thatthe image forming apparatus (1) further comprises a controller (40) configured to control both of a primary transfer bias applied to a plurality of the primary transfer members (12Y, 12C, 12M, 12K) when the toner image on a plurality of the image carriers (7Y, 7C, 7M, 7K) is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer body (11) and a secondary transfer bias applied to the secondary transfer member (21) when the toner image on the intermediate transfer body (11) is secondarily transferred to the recording medium (S),wherein a plurality of the primary transfer members (12Y, 12C, 12M, 12K) include:an upstream side primary transfer member (12Y, 12C, 12M) ; anda downstream side primary transfer member (12K) arranged at a downstream side of the upstream side primary transfer member (12Y, 12C, 12M) in a running direction of the intermediate transfer body (11), andthe controller (40) makes an absolute value of the primary transfer bias applied to the downstream side primary transfer member (12K) larger than an absolute value of the primary transfer bias applied to the upstream side primary transfer member (12Y, 12C, 12M), andthe controller (40) lowers an absolute value of the secondary transfer bias when an upstream end part of the recording medium (S) in the conveying direction separates from the first guide member (31).
- The image forming apparatus (1) according to claim 1, further comprising an inversion path (26) configured to invert the recording medium (S) having a first face and a second face so as to print an image on the second face of the recording medium (S) after an image is printed on the first face of the recording medium (S),
wherein the controller (40) makes a separating absolute value smaller in a case where the image is printed on the second face of the recording medium (S) than in a case where the image is printed on the first face of the recording medium (S), the separating absolute value being an absolute value of the secondary transfer bias after the upstream end part of the recording medium (S) in the conveying direction separates from the first guide member (31). - The image forming apparatus (1) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an inversion path (26) configured to invert the recording medium (S) having a first face and a second face so as to print an image on the second face of the recording medium (S) after an image is printed on the first face of the recording medium (S),
wherein the controller (40) makes a downstream side absolute value smaller in a case where the image is printed on the second face of the recording medium (S) than in a case where the image is printed on the first face of the recording medium (S), the downstream side absolute value being an absolute value of the primary transfer bias applied to the downstream side primary transfer member (12K). - The image forming apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1-3,
wherein the controller (40) increases absolute values of the primary transfer bias and the secondary transfer bias according to an increase of at least one of temperature or humidity inside the image forming apparatus (1). - The image forming apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1-4,
wherein the upstream side primary transfer member (12Y, 12C, 12M) is configured to primarily transfer a color toner image to the intermediate transfer body (11), and
the downstream side primary transfer member (12K) is configured to primarily transfer a black toner image to the intermediate transfer body (11). - The image forming apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1-5,
wherein the controller (40) makes a secondary transfer proportion larger in a case where an image is printed on the recording medium (S) under a high temperature and high humidity environment or a low temperature and low humidity environment than in a case where the image is printed on the recording medium (S) under a normal temperature and normal humidity environment, the secondary transfer proportion being a proportion of the secondary transfer bias after the upstream end part of the recording medium (S) in the conveying direction separates from the first guide member (31) to the secondary transfer bias when the upstream end part of the recording medium (S) in the conveying direction comes into contact with the first guide member (31). - The image forming apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1-6,
wherein a first guide face (33) curved in a shape of an arc toward a side remote from a conveying path (19) of the recording medium (S) is arranged on an inner face of the first guide member (31), and
the upstream end part of the recording medium (S) in the conveying direction moves in a state of coming into contact with the first guide face (33). - The image forming apparatus (1) according to claim 7, further comprising a second guide member (32) configured to face the first guide member (31) via the conveying path (19),
wherein a second guide face (34) curved in a shape of an arc toward a side approaching the conveying path (19) is arranged on an inner face of the second guide member (32). - The image forming apparatus (1) according to claim 8, wherein a curvature of the arc formed by the second guide face (34) is larger than a curvature of the arc formed by the first guide face (33).
- An image forming method comprising:a plurality of primary transfer steps of primarily transferring a toner image on a plurality of image carriers (7Y, 7C, 7M, 7K) to an intermediate transfer body (11);a secondary transfer step of secondarily transferring the toner image on the intermediate transfer body (11) to a recording medium (S); anda guide step of guiding the recording medium (S) by a first guide member (31) along a conveying direction and being carried out so as to be finished during the secondary transfer step,characterized in thata plurality of the primary transfer steps include:an upstream side primary transfer step carried out by an upstream side primary transfer member (12Y, 12C, 12M); anda downstream side primary transfer step carried out after the upstream side primary transfer step and carried out by a downstream side primary transfer member (12K) arranged at a downstream side of the upstream side primary transfer member (12Y, 12C, 12M) in a running direction of the intermediate transfer body (11), andan absolute value of a transfer bias of the downstream side primary transfer step is larger than an absolute value of a transfer bias of the upstream side primary transfer step, andan absolute value of a transfer bias of the secondary transfer step is lowered when an upstream end part of the recording medium (S) in the conveying direction separates from the first guide member (31) and the guide step is finished.
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JP2015126906 | 2015-06-24 | ||
JP2016051421A JP6451675B2 (en) | 2015-06-24 | 2016-03-15 | Image forming apparatus |
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EP3139217A1 EP3139217A1 (en) | 2017-03-08 |
EP3139217B1 true EP3139217B1 (en) | 2020-10-21 |
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EP (1) | EP3139217B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP6451675B2 (en) |
CN (1) | CN106444325B (en) |
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JP2019105816A (en) * | 2017-12-15 | 2019-06-27 | 富士ゼロックス株式会社 | Image forming apparatus |
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JPH07334018A (en) * | 1994-06-10 | 1995-12-22 | Canon Inc | Control method of image forming device |
JP2001296759A (en) * | 2000-04-14 | 2001-10-26 | Konica Corp | Image forming device |
JP2004029667A (en) * | 2002-06-28 | 2004-01-29 | Fuji Xerox Co Ltd | Image forming device |
JP2006243514A (en) * | 2005-03-04 | 2006-09-14 | Ricoh Co Ltd | Color image forming apparatus |
JP2009128481A (en) * | 2007-11-21 | 2009-06-11 | Ricoh Co Ltd | Transfer device and image forming apparatus |
JP5171886B2 (en) * | 2010-05-31 | 2013-03-27 | キヤノン株式会社 | Image forming apparatus |
JP2012013813A (en) * | 2010-06-30 | 2012-01-19 | Sharp Corp | Transfer device and image forming apparatus |
JP5258863B2 (en) * | 2010-10-20 | 2013-08-07 | キヤノン株式会社 | Image forming apparatus |
US20120099908A1 (en) * | 2010-10-26 | 2012-04-26 | Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha | Sheet transport device in the periphery of transfer position of image forming apparatus |
JP6316092B2 (en) * | 2014-05-21 | 2018-04-25 | キヤノン株式会社 | Image forming apparatus |
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CN106444325B (en) | 2019-03-15 |
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