JP2000155515A - Image forming device, image forming method, intermediate transfer device and transfer method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify the constitution of a means for attaching/detaching a cleaning member and a fine power applying member to/from the surface of a toner image carrier, and to attain space-saving, reduction of the device manufacturing cost and energy saving. SOLUTION: A mechanism for attaching/detaching a belt cleaning blade 29a and a brush roller 29b to/from an intermediate transfer belt 21 is constituted of a common cam shaft 51, respective cams, a blade bracket 50a and a brush roller bracket 50b which are separately rocked around a blade rocking center shaft 54a and a brush roller rocking center shaft while separately supporting the belt cleaning blade 29a and the brush roller 29b. Thus, both brackets 50a and 50b are rocked by rotating the cam shaft 51 and rotating respective cams, then, the operation of attaching/detaching the belt cleaning blade 29a and the brush roller 29b to/from the intermediate transfer belt 21 is executed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile, and a printer.
Cleaning means having a toner image carrier, a cleaning member for cleaning the surface of the toner image carrier, and a cleaning member contacting / separating means for bringing the cleaning member into contact with and separating from the surface of the toner image carrier, and the toner image carrier And a fine powder coating means having a coating member contacting / separating means for bringing the coating member into and out of contact with the surface of the toner image carrier, and a toner image on the toner image carrier. And an image forming apparatus for forming an image by transferring the image to a transfer material.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as this type of image forming apparatus,
For example, a toner image formed on a photoreceptor serving as an image carrier is directly transferred to a transfer member to form an image, or a toner image formed on a photoreceptor is primarily transferred to an intermediate transfer member,
2. Description of the Related Art There is known an image forming apparatus in which a primary transfer image on an intermediate transfer member is secondarily transferred to a transfer material to form an image.

Conventionally, the above-described image forming apparatus is provided with a cleaning means for removing toner remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor or the intermediate transfer body after transfer. As the cleaning means, there is a method in which a cleaning member is relatively moved while being brought into contact with the surface of the photoconductor or the intermediate transfer body, and the residual toner is mechanically scraped.

There is also known an image forming apparatus provided with fine powder applying means for applying fine powder such as a lubricant to the surface of a photoreceptor or an intermediate transfer member in order to improve cleaning performance. When the fine powder such as the lubricant is coated on the surface of the photoreceptor or the intermediate transfer member via the coating member, the frictional resistance of the surface is reduced, so that the attached matter on the surface is easily removed from the surface. The effect of improving the cleaning performance and preventing the surface from being damaged is recognized.

When the above-described cleaning member and fine powder applying member are employed in a color image forming apparatus for transferring two or more types of toner images in a superposed manner, contact and separation are performed at predetermined timings. Means are needed. That is, when the surface of the photoreceptor or intermediate transfer member on which the first toner image is formed passes through a portion facing the cleaning member and the coating member, the cleaning member and the coating member are brought into contact with each other so as not to disturb the toner image. It must be separated from the surface of the photoreceptor or the intermediate transfer member by a separating means. This is the same until the superposition of the second toner image, the third toner image, and all the toner images is completed and the toner image is transferred to the transfer material. It is also desirable to provide the contact / separation means in the same manner in the formation of a single-color image in which toner images are not superimposed. This is because, when the cleaning member and the coating member are configured to always maintain a state of contacting the photoconductor or the intermediate transfer member, for example,
If the rotation of the photosensitive member or the intermediate transfer member is stopped for a long time, the cleaning member and the coating member adhere to the photosensitive member or the intermediate transfer member via the toner, and damage the photosensitive member or the intermediate transfer member when re-rotating. This is because there is a danger that they will be lost. In addition, the contact for a long time may cause the bending of the cleaning member, or the hair of the brush-shaped application member may fall.

[0006] The contacting / separating means for the cleaning member and the fine powder application member as described above is constituted by, for example, an eccentric cam and an arm having a fulcrum at a predetermined position.
There has been proposed a configuration in which the arm is displaced toward and away from the surface of the toner image carrier in accordance with the swing displacement when the arm swings about the fulcrum with the rotation of the eccentric cam.

[0007]

However, conventionally, in the contact / separation means having the above structure, a cam shaft for mounting the eccentric cam and a drive mechanism for driving the cam shaft are used for contacting / separating the cleaning member. And the contact and separation of the coating member are separately provided, so that the increase in the number of parts causes problems such as an increase in space in the apparatus, an increase in manufacturing cost, and an increase in energy consumption. was there.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to simplify the structure of a means for contacting and separating a cleaning member and a fine powder applying member from the surface of a toner image carrier. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, a transfer apparatus, and a transfer method that can save space, reduce manufacturing cost of the apparatus, and save energy.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a toner image carrier, a cleaning member for cleaning the surface of the toner image carrier, and a cleaning member for cleaning the surface of the toner image carrier. Cleaning means having a cleaning member contacting / separating means for contacting and separating the surface of the carrier, an application member for applying fine powder to the surface of the toner image carrier, and bringing the application member into contact with and separating from the surface of the toner image carrier An image forming apparatus for transferring a toner image on the toner image carrier to a transfer material to form an image, the device comprising: a fine powder coating unit having a coating member contacting / separating unit; A mechanism, a prime mover of each of the two contacting / separating means moved by driving from the driving mechanism, and a follower of each of the two contacting / separating means moved by the prime mover. Configured, by the motion of the driven Dobushi, the cleaning member and the coating member is characterized in that it has configured to contact and separate respectively the toner image bearing member.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, the application member is disposed downstream of a contact position between the cleaning member and the toner image carrier in a direction in which the toner image carrier moves. The time difference between the timing of separating the coating member from the toner image carrier and the timing of separating the cleaning member from the toner image carrier is a, and the contact position between the cleaning member and the toner image carrier. B / c ≦ a, where b is the distance difference between the application member and the contact position of the toner image carrier and c is the moving speed of the toner image carrier. It is a feature.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein a cam device is used as the contacting / separating means, the cam device is provided with a cam shaft as the driving mechanism and a driving shaft as each of the driving members. A cam and a supporting member as the respective driven node that is arranged so that at least a part thereof abuts on the outer periphery of the cam and swings around a fulcrum at a predetermined position while supporting the cleaning member or the coating member; The cleaning member and the coating member are brought into contact with and separated from the toner image carrier by swinging the respective supporting members with the rotation of the cam due to the rotation of the cam shaft. It is characterized by having done.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the third aspect, the coating member is disposed downstream of a contact position between the cleaning member and the toner image carrier in a direction in which the toner image carrier moves. The time difference between the timing of separating the coating member from the toner image carrier and the timing of separating the cleaning member from the toner image carrier is a, and the contact position between the cleaning member and the toner image carrier. And b is the distance difference between the abutting position of the coating member and the toner image carrier, and c is the moving speed of the toner image carrier, and b / c ≦ a. An angle at which the cam is attached to the cam shaft is set.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cleaning means having an intermediate transfer member, a cleaning member for cleaning the surface of the intermediate transfer member, and a cleaning member contacting / separating means for bringing the cleaning member into contact with and separating from the surface of the intermediate transfer member. And an application member for applying fine powder to the surface of the intermediate transfer body, and fine powder application means having an application member contacting / separating means for contacting and separating the application member from / to the surface of the intermediate transfer body. Primary transfer of the toner image on the intermediate transfer member,
In an intermediate transfer device for secondary transfer of a primary transfer image on the intermediate transfer member to a transfer material, the two contacting / separating means are operated by the same driving mechanism and the two contacting / separating means moved by driving from the driving mechanism. Means, and a driven member of each of the two contacting / separating means moved by the driven member. The movement of the driven member causes the cleaning member and the coating member to move with respect to the intermediate transfer member. It is characterized in that they are configured to come into contact with and separate from each other.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the intermediate transfer device of the fifth aspect, the coating member is disposed downstream of a contact position between the cleaning member and the intermediate transfer member in a direction in which the intermediate transfer member moves. The time difference between the timing for separating the coating member from the intermediate transfer member and the timing for separating the cleaning member from the intermediate transfer member is d, the contact position between the cleaning member and the intermediate transfer member, and the coating member. Where e is the distance difference between the intermediate transfer member and the contact position with the intermediate transfer member, and f is the moving speed of the intermediate transfer member, e / f ≦ d.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the intermediate transfer device according to the fifth aspect, wherein a cam device is used as the contacting / separating means, the cam device includes a cam shaft serving as the driving mechanism and a cam shaft serving as each of the driving nodes. A cam and a supporting member as the respective driven node that is arranged so that at least a part thereof abuts on the outer periphery of the cam and swings around a fulcrum at a predetermined position while supporting the cleaning member or the coating member; The cleaning member and the coating member are brought into contact with and separated from the intermediate transfer member by swinging the respective supporting members with the rotation of the cam due to the rotation of the cam shaft. It is characterized by the following.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the intermediate transfer apparatus according to the seventh aspect, the coating member is disposed downstream of a contact position between the cleaning member and the intermediate transfer member in a direction in which the intermediate transfer member moves. The time difference between the timing of separating the coating member from the intermediate transfer member and the timing of separating the cleaning member from the intermediate transfer member is a, the contact position between the cleaning member and the intermediate transfer member, Where b is the distance difference between the intermediate transfer member and the contact position with the intermediate transfer member, and c is the moving speed of the intermediate transfer member, b / c ≦ a so that b / c ≦ a. The mounting angle is set.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising an image carrier and an intermediate transfer device for transferring a toner image on the image carrier to an intermediate transfer member. The present invention is characterized in that any one of the intermediate transfer devices 5 to 8 is used.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming method for forming an image by transferring a toner image formed on a toner image carrier to a transfer material. In an image forming method in which the surface is cleaned by a detachable cleaning member and fine powder is applied to the surface by a coating member that can contact and separate from the toner image carrier surface, the toner image carrier is driven by driving from the same driving mechanism. Moving the follower of each of the two prime movers through the two prime movers, and moving the cleaning member and the application member toward and away from the toner image carrier by the movement of the follower. It is a feature.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming method according to the tenth aspect, the application of the fine powder to the toner image carrier by the application member is performed by contacting the cleaning member with the toner image carrier. A time difference between the timing of separating the coating member from the toner image carrier and the timing of separating the cleaning member from the toner image carrier is referred to as a,
When a distance difference between a contact position between the cleaning member and the toner image carrier and a contact position between the coating member and the toner image carrier is b, and a moving speed of the toner image carrier is c. , B / c ≦ a.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming method of the tenth aspect, a cam shaft is used as the driving mechanism, a cam is used as each of the driving members, and the cleaning member or the coating member is used as each of the driven members. Each cam is mounted on the camshaft using each support member that swings about a fulcrum at a predetermined position while supporting the camshaft, and the camshaft is rotated by the rotation of the camshaft. The cleaning member and the application member are respectively brought into contact with and separated from the toner image carrier by swinging the respective support members arranged so that the portions come into contact with each other.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, a toner image formed on an image carrier is primarily transferred to an intermediate transfer member, and a primary transfer image formed on the intermediate transfer member is secondarily transferred to a transfer material. A method comprising cleaning the surface of the intermediate transfer member after the secondary transfer with a cleaning member capable of contacting or separating from the surface of the intermediate transfer member, and applying fine powder to the surface by an application member capable of contacting and separating from the surface of the intermediate transfer member. In the transfer method of applying, the driven members of the two driven members are moved via two driven members driven by driving from the same driving mechanism, and the movement of the driven members causes the cleaning member and the coating member to move. The member is moved toward and away from the intermediate transfer member.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the transfer method of the thirteenth aspect, the application of the fine powder to the intermediate transfer member by the coating member is performed more than the contact portion between the cleaning member and the intermediate transfer member. Performed on the downstream side in the moving direction of the intermediate transfer body,
The time difference between the timing of separating the coating member from the intermediate transfer member and the timing of separating the cleaning member from the intermediate transfer member is d, the contact position between the cleaning member and the intermediate transfer member, When a distance difference between the intermediate transfer member and the contact position with the intermediate transfer member is e and a moving speed of the intermediate transfer member is f, e / f ≦ d.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the transfer method of the thirteenth aspect, a cam shaft is supported as the driving mechanism, a cam is supported as each of the driving members, and the cleaning member or the coating member is supported as each of the driven members. The respective cams are mounted on the camshafts by using the respective support members swinging about a fulcrum at a predetermined position, and the camshafts are rotated by the rotation of the camshafts. The cleaning member and the application member are respectively brought into contact with and separated from the intermediate transfer body by swinging the respective support members arranged so as to contact with each other.

[0024]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [Embodiment 1] Hereinafter, FIGS.
An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a full-color electrophotographic copying machine (hereinafter, referred to as a copying machine) which is an image forming apparatus (hereinafter, this embodiment is referred to as “embodiment 1”) will be described. FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a copying machine according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing a schematic configuration of a peripheral portion of a photosensitive drum as an image carrier in the copying machine. This copier includes a color image reading device 1
(Hereinafter, referred to as a scanner unit 1) and a color image recording apparatus 2 (hereinafter, referred to as a printer unit 2).

First, the configuration and operation of the scanner unit 1 in the above copying machine will be described. In the scanner unit 1, an image of the original 3 placed on the contact glass is formed on the color sensor 7 via the illumination lamp 4, the mirror group (5a, 5b, 5c) and the lens 6, and the image of the original is formed. The color image information is read for each color separation light of, for example, Blue (hereinafter, referred to as B), Green (the same, G), and Red (the same, R), and is converted into an electric image signal. The color sensor 7 includes B, G, and R color separation means and a CCD.
, And can perform three-color simultaneous reading. B obtained by the scanner unit 1,
The G and R image signals are subjected to color conversion processing by an image processing unit (not shown) based on the intensity levels. By this color conversion processing, Black (hereinafter referred to as Bk), C
yan (same, C), Magenta (same, M), Yel
Thus, low (same as Y) color image data is obtained. Specifically, the illumination / mirror optical system of the scanner unit 1 receives a start signal interlocked with the printer unit 2 and scans the original in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1 to obtain color image data. In the present embodiment, the illumination / mirror optical system is configured to obtain one color image data for each original scan, so that four color image data of Bk, CM, and Y are obtained. In this case, the original scanning is repeated four times in total.

Next, the configuration and operation of the printer unit 2 of the copying machine according to the present embodiment will be described. The printer unit 2 is provided with a writing optical unit 8 as an exposure unit and a photosensitive drum 10 as an image carrier. The writing optical unit 8 converts the color image data from the scanner unit 1 into an optical signal, and forms an electrostatic latent image corresponding to a document image on the photosensitive drum 10. As the writing optical unit 8, for example, a semiconductor laser 8
a, a light emission drive control unit (not shown) for controlling the light emission and drive of the same, a polygon mirror 8b, a rotary drive motor 8c for rotating the polygon mirror 8b, an f / θ lens 8d, and a reflection mirror 8e. Things can be used. The photosensitive drum 10 is driven to rotate in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 1, that is, counterclockwise.

Around the photosensitive drum 10, a photosensitive member cleaning blade 11a as a cleaning means is provided.
And a brush roller 1 as an application means for applying a lubricant
1b, a static elimination lamp 12 as a static elimination means and a pre-cleaning static eliminator 11d, a charging charger 13 as a charging means as a charging means, a potential sensor 14 as a potential detecting means, a Bk developing device 15 as a developing means, A C developing unit 16, an M developing unit 17, a Y developing unit 18, a developing density pattern detector 19 as a developing density detecting means, and an intermediate transfer unit 20 are provided.

The photosensitive member cleaning blade 11a
Are arranged so as to always contact the photosensitive drum 10,
The surface of the photosensitive drum 10 after the primary transfer is cleaned. The brush roller 11b is an application member for applying a lubricant for improving the cleaning performance to the surface of the photosensitive drum 10, and is arranged so as to always contact the photosensitive drum 10. This brush roller 1
When the brush roller 11b is rotated by driving from a drive mechanism (not shown) connected to the rotation shaft of the rotary shaft 1b, the brush roller 11b becomes solid zinc stearate 1 as a lubricant.
1c is scraped off, and finely powdered zinc stearate is applied to the photosensitive drum 10.

Each of the above-mentioned developing devices has a developing paddle (15a, 16a) as a stirring means for pumping up and stirring the developer.
a, 17a, 18a), toner concentration detecting sensors (15b, 16b, 17b, 18b) as toner concentration detecting means for detecting the toner concentration of the developer, and A developing sleeve (15c, 16c,
17c, 18c). When the copying machine is in a standby state, these four developing units cut off the developer on the respective developing sleeves and become inoperative.

The intermediate transfer unit 20 includes an intermediate transfer belt 21 serving as an intermediate transfer member, a primary transfer bias roller 22 serving as a charge applying means, a primary transfer power supply 28 serving as a power supply connected thereto, and The intermediate transfer belt 21 is stretched around an earth roller 23 as a pre-transfer neutralization unit, a driving roller 24 as a belt driving unit, and a driven roller 25, and the driving of the intermediate transfer belt 21 is controlled by a driving motor (not shown). ing.

The intermediate transfer belt 21 has a multilayer structure including a surface layer, an intermediate layer, and a base layer. The surface layer is located on the outer peripheral surface in contact with the photosensitive drum 10, and the inner peripheral surface is It is arranged so that a base layer may be located.
Further, an adhesive layer for bonding both layers is interposed between the intermediate layer and the base layer. This intermediate transfer belt 2
1 has a volume resistivity of 10 ¹¹ to 10 ¹⁴ Ωcm, preferably 10 ¹² to 10 ¹³ Ωcm, more preferably 10 10 to 10 ¹⁴ Ωcm according to the measurement method described in JIS K 6911.
It is formed to be ¹³ Ωcm. In the present embodiment, the surface layer and the intermediate layer of the intermediate transfer belt 21 are high-resistance layers, and the base layer has a volume resistivity of 10 ⁸ to 10.
The medium resistance layer is ¹¹ Ωcm, but is not limited to this.

Around the intermediate transfer belt 21, similarly to the above-described photosensitive drum 10, a belt cleaning blade 29a as a belt cleaning unit and a coating unit as a coating unit for coating a solid zinc stearate 29c as a lubricant. A brush roller 29b is provided.
The cleaning blade 29a in the present embodiment comes into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 21 in a counter direction (a direction against rotation). The brush roller 29b is disposed at a position downstream of the contact position between the belt cleaning blade 29a and the intermediate transfer belt 21 in the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt 21 so as to face the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21. And the brush roller 29
By rotating a brush roller rotating gear, which will be described later, fixed to the rotating shaft of b, and rotating the brush roller 29b, the solid zinc stearate 29c is scraped off, and the fine powder of zinc stearate is deposited on the intermediate transfer belt 21. Applied. The belt cleaning blade 29a and the brush roller 29b for the intermediate transfer belt 21 can be brought into contact with and separated from the intermediate transfer belt 21 by a contact / separation mechanism as contact / separation means (not shown). This contact / separation mechanism will be described later in detail.

A transfer unit 30 as a transfer unit is also provided around the intermediate transfer belt 21. The transfer unit 30 includes the intermediate transfer unit 2
The transfer roller includes a secondary transfer bias roller 31 facing the drive roller 24, a transfer cleaning blade 32, and a transfer contact / separation mechanism 33. By the transfer contact / separation mechanism 33, the transfer unit 30 and the intermediate transfer belt 21 can be contacted and separated.

The primary transfer bias roller 22 that stretches the intermediate transfer belt 21 is connected to the photosensitive drum 10.
The intermediate transfer belt is disposed on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt (hereinafter, referred to as a belt rotation direction) with respect to a primary transfer area formed of a nip portion formed by contact with the intermediate transfer belt. A predetermined primary transfer bias is applied by the transfer power supply 28. On the other hand, a grounded earth roller 23 is disposed on the upstream side in the belt rotation direction with respect to the nip portion. The intermediate transfer belt 21 is pressed against the photosensitive drum 10 by the primary transfer bias roller 22 and the earth roller 23 to form a nip portion.

Further, the printer unit 2 further includes a secondary transfer bias roller 31 of the transfer unit 30 and an intermediate transfer belt 21 formed on the drive roller 24 of the intermediate transfer unit 20. A paper feed roller 41 for feeding a transfer paper 100 as a transfer material to the next transfer area,
A registration roller 42, transfer paper cassettes (43a, 43b, 43c) for storing transfer papers 100 of various sizes,
The apparatus includes a manual paper feed tray 40 for using OHP paper, thick paper, and the like, a paper transport unit 44, a fixing device 45 as a fixing unit, and a copy tray 46.

Next, the operation of the copying machine when the order of development is Bk, CM, Y will be described.
The order of the image formation is not limited to this. When the copying operation is started, first, the Bk process is started, and the color image information of the original is read by the scanner unit 1 and the writing by the printer unit 2 is performed based on the Bk image data obtained from the image information. A Bk latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 10 by the laser light of the optical unit 8. This Bk latent image is developed by forming a Bk toner image by attaching Bk toner by the Bk developing device 15. At this time, in order to reliably develop the Bk latent image, the developing sleeve 15a of the Bk developing device 15 is used.
Is rotated before the leading end of the Bk latent image reaches the developing position of the Bk developing device. Thereby, B
When the leading end portion of the k latent image reaches the developing position, the developer is in the spike state, so that the entire Bk latent image can be reliably developed. The Bk developing device 15
When the rear end portion of the Bk latent image passes through the developing position, the developer formed on the developing sleeve 15a is promptly cut off. Thereby, the Bk developing device 1
5 is inactive. At this time, at least before the leading end of the C latent image to be developed next reaches the developing position of the Bk developing device 15, the inactive state is set.
The developer is cut off by the developing sleeve 15a.
Can be switched in the direction opposite to the rotation direction during the developing operation. The Bk toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 10 by the Bk developing device 15 is primarily transferred onto the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21 driven at the same speed as the photosensitive drum, thereby completing the Bk process. .

In parallel with the primary transfer of the Bk toner image,
The following C step is started on the photosensitive drum 10 side.
That is, the color image information of the original is read again at a predetermined timing, and a C latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 10 by a laser beam based on the C image data obtained from the image information. A C toner image is formed. The rotation of the developing sleeve 16a in the C developing device 16 is started after the trailing end portion of the Bk latent image has passed the developing position of the C developing device and before the leading end portion of the C latent image has reached. When the rear end portion of the C latent image has passed, the developer formed on the developing sleeve 16a is cut off in the same manner as in the case of the Bk developing device 15, and the C developing device 16 is not Activated. At this time, the inactive state is completely set before the leading end of the next M latent image arrives. The photosensitive drum 1 developed in this way
C toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 2
The first transfer is performed by aligning the Bk toner image in No. 1 with the transferred image surface.

Thereafter, in the M step and the Y step, as in the above-mentioned C step, latent image formation, development, and primary transfer are performed based on the respective image data. In this manner, the Bk, CM, and Y toner images sequentially formed on the photosensitive drum 10 are primarily transferred onto the same image surface on the intermediate transfer belt 21 so that , A toner image in which these four colors overlap is formed.

Here, the operation of the intermediate transfer belt 21 will be described. During the primary transfer of each of the Bk, CM, and Y toner images described above, for example, after the primary transfer of the first color Bk toner image is completed, the primary transfer of the second color C toner image is started. Transfer belt 21 up to
The driving methods include a constant speed forward system, a skip forward system,
A reciprocating (quick return) method is used.
It should be noted that one of the three driving methods exemplified above may be selected. However, if it is desired to increase the copying speed, the driving method can be selected according to the copy size. It is also possible to configure so as to efficiently combine a plurality of driving methods.

The driving system described above will be briefly described. The constant forward moving system is a driving system for performing primary transfer while moving the intermediate transfer belt in one direction at a low speed. In addition, the skip forward movement method is one in which the forward movement is performed in one direction similarly to the constant forward movement method. However, after the primary transfer on the intermediate transfer belt, the intermediate transfer belt is separated from the photosensitive drum. This is a driving method in which the operation is skipped at a high speed in the forward direction, returns to the start position of the next primary transfer, and repeats the operation of performing the next primary transfer. The reciprocating (quick return) method is different from the skip forward method in that primary transfer is performed on an intermediate transfer belt, the intermediate transfer belt is separated from the photosensitive drum, and high-speed return is performed in the reverse direction. This is a driving method in which the operation of returning to the start position of the next primary transfer and performing the next primary transfer is repeated.

The toner image transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 21 as described above is sent to the secondary transfer area for secondary transfer onto the transfer paper 100. At this time, the secondary transfer bias roller 31 of the transfer unit 30 is normally pressed against the intermediate transfer belt 21 by the transfer contact / separation mechanism 33 at the timing when the toner image is transferred onto the transfer paper 100. Thereafter, a predetermined secondary transfer bias is applied to the secondary transfer bias roller 31 to form a secondary transfer electric field in the secondary transfer area. Thus, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 21 is transferred onto the transfer paper 100. The transfer paper 100 is conveyed from a transfer paper cassette (43a, 43b, 43c) of a size designated by an operation panel (not shown) in the direction of the registration roller 42, and is fed to the secondary transfer area. When the transfer paper 100 is fed, the transfer paper is transferred to the secondary transfer area by the registration roller 42 at the timing when the leading end of the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 21 reaches the secondary transfer area. Paper is fed.

As described above, the transfer paper 100 on which the toner images formed by overlapping the four colors on the intermediate transfer belt 21 are collectively transferred is thereafter conveyed to the fixing device 45 by the paper conveyance unit 44. In the fixing device 45, the unfixed toner image on the transfer paper 100 is melted between a fixing roller pair including a fixing roller 45a and a pressure roller 45b controlled at a predetermined temperature, and the unfixed toner image is fixed. I do. Then, the transfer paper 100 is carried out to the copy tray 46 and stacked.

The surface of the photosensitive drum 10 after the primary transfer is cleaned by the photosensitive member cleaning blade 11a, and zinc stearate is applied by the brush roller 11b.

In the case of performing a repeat copy, the scanner unit 1 proceeds to the Bk process of the first color of the second sheet at a predetermined timing after the Y step of the fourth color of the first sheet, and A latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 10. On the other hand, on the intermediate transfer belt 21, the second color Bk toner image is primarily transferred to the area cleaned by the belt cleaning blade 29a following the secondary transfer of the first toner image. .

In the above, the copy mode for obtaining four full-colors has been described. In the other three-color copy mode and the two-color copy mode, the four-color copy mode is different from the above-described four-color copy mode except that the colors used are different. A similar operation is performed. In the case of the single-color copy mode, the developer is spiked only in the developing device of the color until the predetermined number of sheets is completed, and the belt cleaning blade 29a and the transfer unit 30 are moved to the intermediate transfer belt 21. In a state where the intermediate transfer belt is kept in contact with the photosensitive drum 10 while the intermediate transfer belt is kept in contact with the photosensitive drum 10, the intermediate transfer belt is driven at a constant speed in the forward movement direction to perform a copying operation. .

Here, the belt cleaning blade 29a and the brush roller 29b are kept at a fixed position until a toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 21.
After the primary transfer of the color Bk toner image to the end of the primary transfer of the fourth color Y toner image, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 21 is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 21 so as not to be disturbed. You need to keep it. Then, the intermediate transfer belt 21 after the secondary transfer needs to be cleaned again by abutting the belt cleaning blade 29a, and to apply zinc stearate by abutting the brush roller 29b.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the belt cleaning blade 29a and the brush roller 29b are
A contact / separation mechanism for enabling contact and separation with the intermediate transfer belt 21 is provided. In the following, a description will be given of a mechanism of contacting and separating the belt cleaning blade 29a and the brush roller 29b, which is a feature of the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, cam devices are adopted as the respective contact / separation mechanisms, and a part of each device component is shared, thereby achieving cost reduction, space saving, and reduction of energy consumption. 3 to 5 show an example of a contact / separation mechanism using a cam device.

FIG. 3 shows the belt cleaning blade 29.
a and the vicinity of the brush roller 29b are enlarged.
The belt cleaning blade 29a is disposed to face the cleaning opposing roller 27 with the intermediate transfer belt 21 interposed therebetween, and is fixedly supported by the blade bracket 50a and is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 21 in the width direction. A brush roller 29b pivotally supported by a brush roller bracket 50b is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 21 across the width thereof at a position downstream of the contact position of the belt cleaning blade 29a in the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt 21. .

FIG. 4A shows a bracket 50 for a blade.
FIG. Bracket for blade 50a
Is swingably supported by a blade swing center shaft 54a supported by a side plate of the apparatus main body (not shown). An input gear 53a that receives drive from a drive unit (not shown) on the apparatus main body side is fixed to the blade swing center shaft 54a, and the brush roller 29b is driven by the input gear 53a. It is designed to rotate. More specifically, when the input gear 53a is driven based on a process signal of a control unit (not shown), the input gear 53a rotates the brush roller rotating gear 53c via the idle gear 53b, and thereby the brush roller 2
9b is rotated. FIG. 4 (b)
2 shows a schematic perspective view of the brush roller bracket 50b. As shown in FIG. 4B, the brush roller bracket 50b is also swingably supported by a brush roller swing center shaft 54b supported on a side plate of the apparatus main body (not shown). Further, as shown in FIG. 4 (c), the swing end of the bracket 50a for the blade has a central portion cut out, and the cut end has a swing end for the bracket 50b for the brush roller. Are arranged so as to enter. Thus, the swing ends of the two brackets 50a and 56b can be arranged in a straight line.

A cam shaft 51 shown in FIG. 5 is disposed below the swinging ends of the blade bracket 50a and the brush roller bracket 50b shown in FIG. 4 (c). , Both brackets 50a, 50b
Blade contacting / separating cam 52 a and brush roller contacting / separating cam 52
Three cams b and 52c are mounted. The cam shaft 51 is connected to a drive unit (not shown) of the printer main body via a coupling 55 and a half-turn clutch 56, and is rotated counterclockwise as indicated by an arrow in the figure. The half-rotation clutch 56 transmits or disconnects the drive from the drive mechanism as the drive unit to the camshaft 51, and turns ON and OFF the control unit (not shown) provided in the image forming apparatus. This is performed based on the process signal. Note that the couplings 55 are for removal and are fixed to the camshaft 51, respectively. As described above, the mechanism for contacting and separating the belt cleaning blade 29a and the brush roller 29b shares the camshaft 51 and the drive mechanism for driving the camshaft 51.

In the above configuration, FIG. 6 (a) and FIG.
As shown in (a), the blade bracket 50a and the brush roller bracket 50b are urged toward the cam shaft 51 by a spring coil as urging means. Here, the blade bracket 50a is urged so that the lower surface of the swinging end of the bracket 50a takes a position separated from the camshaft 51 by a predetermined gap G. When the cam 52a is in a predetermined rotation angle range, the outer peripheral surface of the cam 52a can press the blade bracket 50a. The brush roller bracket 50b is urged so that the lower surface of the swing end of the bracket 50b contacts the cam shaft 51. As described above, in a state where the blade bracket 50a is separated from the outer peripheral surface of the cam 52a by the gap G, the brush roller bracket 50b is connected to the cam shaft 51 while the belt cleaning blade 29a is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 21. , The brush roller 29 b is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 21. Here, by forming a gap between the lower surface of the end of the blade bracket 50a and the cam shaft 51, for example, the blade moves due to vibration in the apparatus, or the blade rides on a foreign matter on the intermediate transfer belt 21. Also in this case, it is possible to prevent the contact pressure of the belt cleaning blade 29a against the intermediate transfer belt 21 from increasing more than necessary. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the cleaning failure caused by the variation in the contact pressure.

When the half-rotation clutch 56 is turned on based on the process signal from the control means, the drive from the drive mechanism is transmitted to the cam shaft 51, and the three cams 52a, 52
b and 52c are turned off just half a turn to stop automatically. At this time, the cams 52a, 52b and 52c push up the blade bracket 50a and the brush roller bracket 50b against the urging force of the coil springs, respectively, so that the blade bracket 50a and the brush roller bracket 50b swing. Center axis 54a,
Each swings around 54b as a fulcrum. Then, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7B and FIG.
The belt cleaning blade 29a and the brush roller 29b fixed to the bracket 0a and the brush roller bracket 50b are separated from the intermediate transfer belt 21, respectively. Then, if the half-turn clutch 56 is turned on again,
Belt cleaning blade 29a and brush roller 2
9b can be brought into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 21.
As described above, each time the half-rotation clutch 56 is turned on, the belt cleaning blade 29a and the brush roller 29b repeat contacting and separating operations, and when the cams 52a, 52b and 52c are turned half-turned off, the next half-turn clutch is turned off. The contact state or the separation state is maintained until 56 is turned ON.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the operation of contacting and separating the belt cleaning blade 29a and the operation of contacting and separating the brush roller 29b can be performed by one cam shaft 51 and one driving mechanism, respectively. Compared to the case where each is separately provided and each of the contacting / separating operations is performed, the device configuration can be simplified, and the space can be saved.
It is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost of the device and save energy.

Here, the timing at which the belt cleaning blade 29a and the brush roller 29b are separated from the intermediate transfer belt 21 is determined by the surface portion of the intermediate transfer belt 21 which was opposed at the moment when the belt cleaning blade 29a was separated. It is desirable to control so that the brush roller 29b is separated after passing through the contact position B with the brush roller 29b (see FIG. 3).
Thus, even when toner marks remain on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21 when the cleaning blade 29a is separated, cleaning can be performed by the brush roller 29b, so that defective cleaning on the intermediate transfer belt 21 can be prevented. Can be.

Second Embodiment Next, referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, another embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a full-color electrophotographic copying machine (hereinafter, this embodiment is referred to as "second embodiment"). explain. FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of a main part in a printer unit of the copying machine according to the present embodiment.
This copying machine includes a scanner unit (not shown) having the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, and the image forming operation is basically the same as that of the color copying apparatus of FIG. The main difference lies in the structure and operation of the printer unit.

The printer section is provided with a photosensitive drum 10 as an image bearing member. Around the photosensitive drum, a writing optical unit (not shown) as an exposure unit and a photosensitive member as a cleaning unit are provided. A cleaning blade 111a, a brush roller 111b as an application unit for applying a lubricant, a charging charger 13 as a charging unit, a revolver developing unit 110 as a rotary developing device as a developing unit, and an intermediate unit as an intermediate transfer unit. A transfer unit 120 is provided. The printer unit also includes a transfer unit 130 as a transfer unit.
Also, a fixing unit 145 as a fixing unit, a sheet feeding unit and a control unit (not shown) similar to those in the first embodiment are provided.

The photosensitive member cleaning blade 111a
Are arranged so as to always contact the photosensitive drum 10,
The surface of the photosensitive drum 10 after the primary transfer is cleaned. The brush roller 111b is an application member for applying a lubricant for improving the cleaning performance to the surface of the photoconductor drum 10, and is arranged so as to always contact the photoconductor drum 10. When the brush roller 111b is rotated by driving from a driving mechanism (not shown) connected to the rotation shaft of the brush roller 111b,
The brush roller 111b scrapes off the solid zinc stearate 111c as a lubricant, and applies the finely powdered zinc stearate to the photosensitive drum 10.

The revolver developing unit 110 has a Bk
Developing unit 115, C developing unit 116, and M developing unit 117
And a Y developing device 118, and by rotating the revolver developing unit, a developing position of the developing device of each color which faces the photosensitive drum 10 can be determined.

The intermediate transfer unit 120 includes an intermediate transfer belt 121 serving as an intermediate transfer member, a primary transfer bias roller 122 serving as a charge applying unit, a primary transfer power supply 128 serving as a power supply connected thereto, and a primary transfer power supply 128 serving as a power supply. An earth roller 123 as a pre-transfer charge removing unit, a driving roller 124 as a belt driving unit, a tension roller 125,
The configuration is such that the secondary transfer opposing roller 126 and the cleaning opposing roller 127 are stretched. All rollers that stretch the intermediate transfer belt 121 are formed of a conductive material, and each roller other than the primary transfer bias roller 122 is grounded. The primary transfer bias roller 122 is supplied with a predetermined primary transfer bias controlled by a primary current or a constant voltage by a primary transfer power supply 128. The intermediate transfer belt 121 has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, but has a volume resistivity of 1%.
0 ¹² ~10 ¹⁴ Ωcm, preferably formed so as to be ^{10 13} [Omega] cm. The surface resistivity of the intermediate transfer belt 121 on the surface layer side is 10 ⁷ to 10.
It is configured to be ¹⁴ Ω / □.

Here, a belt cleaning blade 129a and a brush roller 129b as a lubricant applying means are disposed around the intermediate transfer belt 121, and each of the intermediate transfer belts 121 is moved by a contact / separation mechanism described later. Can be moved away from. Further, a transfer unit 130 is also provided, and can be brought into contact with and separated from the intermediate transfer belt 121 by a contact / separation mechanism (not shown).

The transfer unit 130 includes a secondary transfer belt 134 as a transfer material carrier and a transfer cleaning blade 132 for cleaning the surface of the secondary transfer belt.
, A secondary transfer bias roller 131 facing the secondary transfer facing roller 126 of the intermediate transfer unit 120, a secondary transfer power supply 139 connected to the secondary transfer bias roller 131, and a first support located at an end on the paper feed unit side. Roller 135a and fixing unit 1
There is a second support roller 135b located at the end on the 45 side, a third support roller 135c facing the transfer cleaning blade 132, a transfer paper charge removal charger 136, and a transfer belt charge removal charger 137. The secondary transfer belt has a volume resistivity of 10 ¹³ Ω made of PVDF.
cm or higher. Note that the transfer unit 130 is not limited to this configuration, and may have a configuration in which a member having another shape such as a drum is used instead of the secondary transfer belt 134, for example.

Next, the operation of the above copying machine when the order of development is Bk, CM, Y will be described. Before starting the image forming cycle, the photosensitive drum 10
Is driven to rotate in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 8, ie, counterclockwise, and the charger 13 starts corona discharge. At this time, for example, the photosensitive drum 10
Is uniformly charged to a predetermined potential. The intermediate transfer belt 121 of the intermediate transfer unit 120 is driven at the same speed as the photosensitive drum 10 and rotates in the direction of arrow D in FIG. 8, that is, clockwise.

In the scanner section, as in the first embodiment, the color image information of the original is read at a predetermined timing, and the laser light is written by the writing optical unit based on the Bk image data obtained from the image information. (For example, raster exposure). Thereby, the Bk image corresponding to the Bk image data is placed on the photosensitive drum 10.
A latent image is formed. Thereafter, the Bk latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 10 is reversely developed with negatively charged toner by the Bk developing unit 115 of the revolver developing unit 110. As a result, a Bk toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 10.

The Bk toner image thus formed on the photosensitive drum 10 is primarily transferred to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 121 by the transfer electric field in the primary transfer area. This transfer electric field is formed by electric charges applied to the intermediate transfer belt 121 by the primary transfer bias roller 122. At this time, for example, 1.5 kV for the first color Bk toner image and 1.6 to 1 for the second color C toner image are applied to the primary transfer bias roller 122 by the primary transfer power supply 128. An appropriate primary transfer bias of 1.8 kV to 1.8 kV for the third color M toner image and 2.0 to 2.2 kV for the fourth color Y toner image is applied. . The primary transfer residual toner remaining on the photoconductor drum 10 after the development is removed from the photoconductor drum by the photoconductor cleaning blade 111a, and further, zinc stearate is applied by the brush roller 111b.

The image surface on the intermediate transfer belt 121 on which the Bk toner image has been primarily transferred is returned to the primary transfer area again as in the first embodiment. At this time, the belt cleaning blade 129a and the brush roller 129b are separated from the intermediate transfer belt 121 by the respective contact / separation mechanisms so that the toner image is not disturbed.
Further, the first support roller 135a and the secondary transfer bias roller 131 of the transfer unit 130 are moved by a transfer contact / separation mechanism (not shown) to separate the secondary transfer bias roller from the intermediate transfer belt 121.
At this time, the voltage application by the secondary transfer power supply 139 connected to the secondary transfer bias roller 131 is stopped. The above state is maintained until the toner image primarily transferred on the intermediate transfer belt 121 is secondarily transferred onto transfer paper.

On the other hand, after the above-described Bk process is completed, the C process is started on the photosensitive drum 10 side, and the color image information of the original is read again at a predetermined timing, and the C image data obtained from this image information is read. , A C latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 10 by a laser beam, and a C toner image is formed by a C developing device 116. In the present embodiment, the rotation operation of the revolver developing unit 110 is started immediately after the rear end portion of the Bk latent image has passed. This rotation operation is completed before the leading end portion of the C latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 10 reaches the developing position of the C developing device 116. This allows
The C developing device 116 is positioned at the developing position, and develops the C latent image moving to the developing position with the C toner.

Thereafter, in the M step and the Y step, as in the above-described C step, latent image formation, development, and primary transfer are performed based on the respective image data. In this way, on the same image surface on the intermediate transfer belt 121,
Bk, CM, Y sequentially formed on the photosensitive drum 10
Is primarily transferred to form a toner image in which these four colors overlap on the intermediate transfer belt.

The toner image transferred on the intermediate transfer belt 121 as described above is sent to the secondary transfer area for secondary transfer onto the transfer paper 100. At this time, the secondary transfer bias roller 131 of the transfer unit 130
Is pressed against the intermediate transfer belt 121 by a transfer contact / separation mechanism (not shown). Thereafter, a predetermined secondary transfer bias is applied to the secondary transfer bias roller 131 to form a secondary transfer electric field in the secondary transfer area. Thus, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 121 is transferred onto the transfer paper 100. The transfer paper 100 conveyed to the secondary transfer area is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 12.
The sheet is fed at the timing when the leading end of the toner image on the sheet 1 reaches the secondary transfer area.

As described above, the intermediate transfer belt 121
The transfer paper 100 on which the toner images formed by overlapping the four colors are collectively transferred is then transferred to the transfer unit 13.
At 0, the sheet is conveyed to a portion opposite to the transfer sheet discharging charger 136. When passing through the facing portion, the transfer paper is
The transfer paper is neutralized by the transfer paper neutralization charger 136 in the operating state, and is separated from the secondary transfer belt 134. Then, the separated transfer paper is sent between the rollers of the fixing roller pair 145a of the fixing unit 145. In the fixing roller pair 145a, the unfixed toner image on the transfer paper 100 is melted in a fixing area formed by a nip formed between the rollers, and the unfixed toner image is fixed.
Then, the transfer paper is carried out to a copy tray (not shown) and stacked.

On the other hand, the intermediate transfer belt 121 after the secondary transfer
The belt cleaning blade 129a is contacted by a contact / separation mechanism described below to remove the secondary transfer residual toner remaining on the surface thereof, and the brush roller 129c is similarly contacted by the contact / separation mechanism described later, Fine powder of the lubricant 129c is applied.

After the transfer paper is peeled off, the charge remaining on the surface of the secondary transfer belt 134 is discharged by the transfer belt discharging charger 137. The surface of the secondary transfer belt 134 is further cleaned by the belt cleaning blade 129b.

Also in this embodiment, the contact / separation mechanism (see FIGS. 4 to 7 above) having the same configuration and operation as the contact / separation mechanism for the belt cleaning blade and the brush roller described in the first embodiment is used. it can. FIG. 9 shows the contact / separation mechanism of the present embodiment. In this contact / separation mechanism, as in the first embodiment, the belt cleaning blade 12
The contact / separation operation of 9a and the contact / separation operation of the brush roller 129b can be performed by one cam shaft 51 and one drive mechanism, respectively. It is possible to simplify the device configuration, save space, reduce the manufacturing cost of the device, and save energy.

[0073]

[Embodiment 1] Next, an embodiment of the copying machine according to the second embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the intermediate transfer belt 121 has a thickness of 0.15 mm and a width of 368 m.
m and an inner peripheral length of 565 mm.
The moving speed of No. 1 was set to 200 mm / s. The surface layer of the intermediate transfer belt 121 was formed of an insulating layer having a thickness of about 1 μm. The intermediate layer is formed of polyvinylidene fluoride (hereinafter, referred to as PVDF) to a thickness of about 75 μm, and has a volume resistivity of 25% at a temperature of 25 ° C. and a humidity of 45%. It was measured by applying a voltage of 100 V for 10 seconds using “Hirester IP”.
× 10 ¹² Ωcm, was 6 × 10 ¹² Ωcm as measured by applying similarly the voltage 500V 10 seconds. The base layer is formed from PVDF and titanium oxide and has a thickness of 75
The volume resistivity was 7 × 10 ⁷ Ωcm when measured by applying a voltage of 100 V for 10 seconds using the same measuring instrument in the same environment. Further, the intermediate transfer belt 1
The surface resistivity of the surface layer 21 on the side of the surface layer was measured with a resistance meter “Hirester IP” manufactured by Yuka Denshi to be 10 ¹³ Ω / □. This surface resistivity can be measured by the surface resistance measurement method described in JIS K 6911 in addition to using the above-mentioned resistance measuring device.

In this embodiment, a nickel-plated metal roller is used as the primary transfer bias roller 122,
A metal roller was used as the earth roller 123. In addition, a metal roller or a conductive resin roller was used for the other rollers. In this embodiment, the primary transfer bias roller 122 applies 1.5 kV to the first color Bk toner image and 1.7 kV to the second color C toner image.
A DC primary transfer bias of 1.9 kV was applied to the V and third color M toner images, and a 2.1 kV direct current bias was applied to the fourth color Y toner image. The nip width of the primary transfer area is 10
mm.

In the transfer unit 130,
As the secondary transfer bias roller 131, a roller having a surface layer made of conductive sponge or conductive rubber and a core layer made of metal or conductive resin was used. In this embodiment, a constant current controlled transfer bias is applied to the secondary transfer bias roller 131 as shown in Table 1.
The secondary transfer belt 134 is made of a belt material made of PVDF and having a volume resistivity of 10 ¹³ Ωcm.
It was formed at 0 μm.

[Table 1]

A discharger to which only an AC voltage or an AC + DC voltage was applied by a power supply (not shown) was used for the transfer paper charge removal charger 136 and the transfer belt charge removal charger 137. Further, the transfer cleaning blade 132 abutted on the surface of the secondary transfer belt 134 at a portion abutting on the third support roller 135c by a counter method.

FIG. 9 shows the belt cleaning blade 12.
9a and the brush roller 129b, the intermediate transfer belt 12
1 shows a contact / separation mechanism with respect to FIG. The belt cleaning blade 129a came into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 121 in a counter direction (a direction against rotation). Also, the brush roller 129b is a belt cleaning blade 129a.
The intermediate transfer belt 12 is located at a position downstream of the contact position between the intermediate transfer belt 121 and the intermediate transfer belt 121 in the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt 121.
It was arranged to face one surface. And the camshaft 51
, The operation of contacting and separating the belt cleaning blade 129a and the operation of contacting and separating the brush roller 129b could be performed.

Further, the belt cleaning blade 129
a, the distance difference between the contact position A between the intermediate transfer belt 21 and the brush roller 129b and the contact position B between the intermediate transfer belt 21 is b, the moving speed of the intermediate transfer belt 121 is c and the brush roller 129b is intermediate Timing of separation from transfer belt 121 and belt cleaning blade 129a
The three cams 52a, 52b, and 52c shown in FIG. 5 are attached to the cam shaft 51 so that b / c ≦ a, where a is the time difference from the timing of separating the cams from the intermediate transfer belt 121. Adjusted the angle. That is, since the cam does not swing the bracket 50a or 50b while rotating to a predetermined angle by the rotation of the cam shaft 51, as shown in FIG.
The mounting angle difference θ between the cleaning blade contacting / separating cam 52a and the brush roller contacting / separating cams 52b, 52c was set. As a result, the brush roller 129b was able to delay the separation timing of the belt cleaning blade 129a by the rotation angle θ.

[Third Embodiment] Next, another embodiment (hereinafter, this embodiment is referred to as "third embodiment") in which the present invention is applied to a full-color electrophotographic copying machine will be described. FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration diagram of a main part in a printer unit of the copying machine according to the present embodiment. This copying machine mainly aims at cost reduction, and is different from the copying machine of the second embodiment only in the following points. Therefore,
The same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description is omitted.

In the present embodiment, the intermediate layer of the intermediate transfer belt 221 in the intermediate transfer unit 220 is a medium resistance layer having a volume resistivity of 10 ⁸ to 10 ¹¹ Ωcm.
Further, the intermediate transfer belt 221 has a
^It has a volume resistivity of ¹⁰ to 10 ¹² Ωcm. The surface resistivity of the intermediate transfer belt 221 on the surface layer side is configured to be 10 ⁷ to 10 ¹⁴ Ω / □. By using the intermediate transfer belt 221 having such a medium resistance, charging unevenness generated on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 221 after the primary transfer can be prevented. In the present embodiment, the drive roller 224 in the intermediate transfer unit 220 is disposed downstream of the secondary transfer area in the belt rotation direction and upstream of the primary transfer area in the belt rotation direction. By arranging the belt cleaning blade 229a so as to face the drive roller 224, the drive roller also serves as the cleaning counter roller 127 in the second embodiment.

In the present embodiment, as the transfer means, instead of the transfer unit in the second embodiment, the secondary transfer opposing roller 12 of the intermediate transfer unit 220 is used.
6 is used. Accordingly, the number of components required for the secondary transfer process is reduced, and the cost can be reduced as compared with the second embodiment. At the time of paper feeding in this embodiment, the fed transfer paper 100 is directly sandwiched between the secondary transfer bias roller 231 and the intermediate transfer belt 221, and between the rollers of the fixing roller pair 145 a of the fixing unit 145. Sent to.

Also in this embodiment, the contact / separation mechanism (see FIGS. 4 to 7 above) having the same structure and operation as the contact / separation mechanism for the belt cleaning blade and the brush roller described in the first embodiment is used. it can. FIG. 12 shows the contact / separation mechanism of the present embodiment. In this contact / separation mechanism, as in the first embodiment, the belt cleaning blade 2
The contact / separation operation of the brush roller 229b and the contact / separation operation of the brush roller 229b can be performed by one cam shaft 51 and one drive mechanism, respectively. It is possible to simplify the device configuration, save space, reduce the manufacturing cost of the device, and save energy.

[0083]

[Embodiment 2] Next, an embodiment of the copying machine according to the third embodiment will be described. This embodiment has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, except for the members described below. The intermediate layer of the intermediate transfer belt 221 in this embodiment is made of PVDF.
And titanium oxide, the volume resistivity of which is 2
5 ° C., humidity of 45% for at Yuka Denshi the resistance measuring device was measured by applying a voltage 100 V 10 seconds using "Hiresta IP" 5 × 10 ¹² Ωcm, as well voltage 500
When measured by applying V for 10 seconds, it was 2 × 10 ¹¹ Ωcm. Note that the surface layer and the base layer are the same as in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the intermediate transfer belt 2
21 was set to 156 mm / s.

In the present embodiment, the primary transfer bias roller 122 has the following configuration:
A direct primary transfer bias of 7 kV, 1.8 kV for the second color C toner image, 1.9 kV for the third color M toner image, and 2.0 kV for the fourth color Y toner image was applied. . Also, the secondary transfer bias roller 231 has
Using a conductive rubber roller, a transfer bias controlled at a constant current as shown in Table 2 was applied.

[Table 2]

FIG. 12 shows the belt cleaning blade 2
29a and the brush roller 229b, the intermediate transfer belt 2
FIG. The belt cleaning blade 229a abuts on the intermediate transfer belt 221 in a counter direction (a direction against rotation). Further, the brush roller 229b is a belt cleaning blade 229.
a on the downstream side in the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt 221 from the contact position between the intermediate transfer belt 221 and the intermediate transfer belt 221.
21 so as to face the surface. And the camshaft 5
1 rotates the belt cleaning blade 129a.
And the brush roller 129b can be moved and moved. Also, as in the first embodiment, the camshaft 5
By changing the mounting angles of the respective cams on the upper side, the separation timing of the belt cleaning blade 229a and the brush roller 229b could be shifted.

[Embodiment 4] Next, the present invention is described using paper or OH
An embodiment applied to an image forming apparatus using a transfer material carrier such as a belt for carrying and transferring a transfer material such as a P sheet (hereinafter, this embodiment is referred to as “Embodiment 4”) will be described. FIG. 13 is a schematic configuration diagram of a main part in a printer unit of the copying machine according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the photosensitive drum 10 as a toner image carrier, instead of an intermediate transfer member as in the above-described embodiment.
Use for

First, the configuration and operation of the printer unit according to this embodiment will be described. In the printer section, a writing optical unit (not shown) as an exposing unit, a photoconductor cleaning blade 311a as a cleaning unit, and a brush roller 311b as an applying unit for applying a lubricant are provided around the photoreceptor drum 10. In addition, a charging charger (not shown) as charging means, respective color developing devices (not shown) as developing means, and a transfer belt 334 as a transfer material carrier are provided. The transfer belt 334 is formed of a medium resistor having a volume resistivity of 10 ⁸ to 10 ¹¹ Ωcm. The printer unit is also provided with a fixing unit as a fixing unit (not shown), a paper feed unit and a control unit (not shown) similar to those in the first embodiment.

The photosensitive member cleaning blade 311a
Are in contact with the photosensitive drum 10 in the counter direction (direction against rotation). Further, the brush roller 311b is a photosensitive member cleaning blade 311.
a from the contact position between the photosensitive drum 1 and the photosensitive drum 10
It is disposed so as to face the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 at a position on the downstream side in the 0 movement direction. And brush roller 3
When a drive gear (not shown) connected to the rotation shaft of 11b is rotated to rotate the brush roller 311b, the solid zinc stearate 311c is scraped off, and the fine powder of zinc stearate is applied to the photosensitive drum 10. . The photoconductor cleaning blade 311a and the brush roller 311b can be brought into and out of contact with the photoconductor drum 10 by a later-described contact / separation mechanism.

In the above configuration, a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 10 by a known electrophotographic process. In the transfer unit 330, the toner image is provided on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the transfer belt 334 with respect to a transfer area formed by a transfer nip formed between the photosensitive drum 10 and the transfer belt 334. By applying a predetermined transfer bias from a power supply (not shown) to the transfer bias roller 331 as a charge applying unit,
A transfer electric field is formed in the transfer area. As a result, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 10 is transferred to the transfer paper 100 carried and conveyed on the transfer belt 334.

Here, the photoconductor cleaning blade 311a and the brush roller 311b are connected to the photoconductor drum 1
When the rotation of the photosensitive drum 10 is stopped for a long time, for example, when the rotation of the photosensitive drum 10 is stopped for a long time, the photosensitive drum cleaning blade 311a and the brush roller 311b cause the photosensitive drum 10 and may damage the photosensitive drum 10 during re-rotation. In addition, a problem such as bending of the blade or falling of the brush may occur due to long-time contact.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the photosensitive member cleaning blade 311a and the brush roller 311b
Is provided with a contact / separation mechanism for enabling contact and separation with respect to the photosensitive drum 10. FIG. 14 shows a contact / separation mechanism according to the present embodiment. Also in this contact / separation mechanism, the contact / separation operation of the belt cleaning blade 311a and the brush roller 331b is performed similarly to the first to third embodiments.
The configuration is performed by one cam shaft 51 and one drive mechanism. Further, similarly to the first to third embodiments, the belt cleaning blade 311 is changed by changing the mounting angle of each cam on the same cam shaft.
a and the brush roller 311b can be shifted to a desired timing. Then, for example, control is performed such that the separation operation is started when the rotation of the photosensitive drum 10 is stopped or when the power of the apparatus is turned off, and the contact operation is started when the photosensitive drum 10 is turned again or when the apparatus is turned on. By doing so, the above-described problem can be avoided.

As described above, in the first to fourth embodiments, the operation of contacting / separating the cleaning blade of the photosensitive drum or the intermediate transfer belt and the operation of contacting / separating the brush roller as the lubricant applying means are performed by one cam shaft 51 and one cam shaft 51. Since it can be performed by each of the two drive mechanisms, it is possible to simplify the device configuration, to save space, to reduce the manufacturing cost of the device, and to save energy, as compared with a case where each of the drive mechanisms is separately provided and each of the contacting and separating operations is performed. Can be achieved.

In the first to fourth embodiments, a cam having a shape as shown in FIG. 5 is used as a cam for swinging the blade bracket 50a and the brush roller bracket 50b. And 5
0b can be swayed, and is not limited thereto. For example, a planar cam, a three-dimensional cam, or the like may be used, and a positive cam that can be reliably operated without the aid of gravity or urging means may be used.

In the first to fourth embodiments, the cam device is used as the contact / separation mechanism as the contact / separation means. However, a mechanism using a method of transmitting motion from the prime mover to the follower can be used. For example, a link device can be used.

In the first to third embodiments, examples in which the contact / separation means of the present invention is used for an intermediate transfer belt have been described.
As in the fourth embodiment, the contact / separation means can be used for the photoconductor. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the photosensitive drum from being damaged when the photosensitive drum is rotated again after the rotation of the photosensitive drum has been stopped for a long time. In addition, problems such as bending of the blade and falling of the brush due to long-time contact can be avoided.

The copying machines according to Embodiments 2 to 4 also
As in the first embodiment, the present invention can be used not only in the four-color full-color copy mode but also in other copy modes.

In the description of the first to fourth embodiments, a photosensitive drum is used as an example of an image carrier. However, the present invention is applied to an image carrier having another configuration, for example, between two rollers. The invention can also be applied to a stretched endlessly moving photosensitive belt or the like. In the above description, a bias roller is exemplarily used as the charge applying means used in the primary transfer or the secondary transfer, but a member having another shape such as a blade or a brush may be used instead. It is. Similarly, an earth roller is exemplarily used as the pre-transfer neutralization unit and the pre-transfer neutralization unit, but a member having another shape such as a blade or a brush may be used instead. it can.

In the first to third embodiments, an intermediate transfer belt is exemplarily used as an intermediate transfer member. However, the present invention relates to an intermediate transfer member having a structure other than this, such as an intermediate transfer drum or an intermediate transfer roller. And so on. Further, electrical characteristics such as surface resistivity, structure, thickness and the like of the intermediate transfer belt can be appropriately selected and adopted depending on image forming conditions and the like.

Further, in the first to fourth embodiments, the developing means adopting the reversal developing method using the two-component developer by charging the photosensitive drum as the image carrier to the negative polarity has been described. Is not limited to those having a negative charge potential on the image carrier, and may be applied to an image forming apparatus using a one-component developer or an image forming apparatus employing a regular developing method. It is possible.

[0100]

According to the invention of claims 1 to 15, a driving mechanism for moving the cleaning member to and away from the fine powder application member is moved by one driving mechanism.
Each follower is moved with the movement of the two prime movers. Therefore, since the contacting / separating operation of the cleaning member and the contacting / separating operation of the coating member can be respectively performed by one driving mechanism, the apparatus configuration is simpler than in the case of performing the respective contacting / separating operations by separate mechanisms. Thus, space saving, reduction in device manufacturing cost, and energy saving can be achieved.

Particularly, according to the invention of claim 2 or 11,
After the surface portion of the toner image carrier facing the moment when the cleaning member is separated passes through the facing portion of the coating member, the separation timing is shifted so as to separate the coating member. Even when a toner mark remains on the surface of the toner image carrier when the toner image carrier is separated, it can be cleaned by the application member. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent a defective cleaning on the toner image carrier.

In particular, according to the invention of claim 6 or claim 14,
After the surface portion of the intermediate transfer member facing the moment when the cleaning member is separated passes through the facing portion of the coating member, the separation timing is shifted so as to separate the coating member, so that the cleaning member is separated. Even when toner traces remain on the surface of the intermediate transfer member when the toner image is moved, it can be cleaned by the application member. Therefore, defective cleaning on the intermediate transfer member can be reliably prevented.

In particular, according to the third, seventh, twelfth, or fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the rotation of one cam shaft causes the movement of the cleaning member contacting / separating cam and the fine powder coating member cam, respectively. The cleaning member and the application member can be moved toward and away from each other with the movement of each cam. Therefore, the contacting / separating operation of the cleaning member and the contacting / separating operation of the coating member can be respectively performed by one camshaft, and only one drive mechanism for driving the camshaft is required. As compared with the above, the device configuration can be simplified, space can be saved, the manufacturing cost of the device can be reduced, and energy can be saved.

Further, according to the invention of claim 4 or 8, the cam is rotated by the rotation of the cam shaft to a predetermined rotation angle while the cleaning member and the coating member are respectively rotated. Since the supporting members are not oscillated, the timing at which the respective supporting members are oscillated, that is, the separation timing between the cleaning member and the application member can be shifted by changing the mounting angle of the cam on the same cam shaft. it can. Therefore, there is an excellent effect that the desired separation timing can be easily controlled.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a copying machine according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing a schematic configuration around a photosensitive drum in the copying machine according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a belt cleaning blade contact / separation mechanism and a brush roller contact / separation mechanism according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4A is a schematic perspective view of the belt cleaning blade contacting / separating mechanism. (B) is a schematic perspective view of the brush roller contact / separation mechanism. (C) is a schematic perspective view of one end in a state where the belt cleaning blade contacting / separating mechanism and the brush roller contacting / separating mechanism are arranged in an overlapping manner.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of a cam shaft and a cam in the belt cleaning blade contact / separation mechanism and the brush roller contact / separation mechanism.

FIG. 6A is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which a belt cleaning blade is in contact with an intermediate transfer belt. FIG. 4B is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state where the belt cleaning blade is separated from the intermediate transfer belt.

FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating a state in which a brush roller is in contact with an intermediate transfer belt. FIG. 3B is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the brush roller is separated from the intermediate transfer belt.

FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of a main part in a printer unit of a copying machine according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram of a belt cleaning blade contact / separation mechanism and a brush roller contact / separation mechanism according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing an example in which a belt cleaning blade contact / separation cam and a brush roller contact / separation cam are attached to a cam shaft.

FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration diagram of a main part in a printer unit of a copying machine according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a schematic configuration diagram of a belt cleaning blade contact / separation mechanism and a brush roller contact / separation mechanism according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a schematic configuration diagram of a main part of a printer unit of a copying machine according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a schematic configuration diagram of a photoconductor cleaning blade contact / separation mechanism and a brush roller contact / separation mechanism according to a fourth embodiment.

[Description of Signs] 1 Scanner unit 2 Printer unit 3 Document 4 Illumination lamps 5a, 5b, 5c Mirror group 6 Lens 7 Color sensor 8 Writing optical unit 8a Semiconductor laser 8b Polygon mirror 8c Rotary drive motor 8d f / θ lens 8e Reflection Mirror 10 Photoreceptor drum 11a, 111a, 311a Photoreceptor cleaning blade 11b, 111b, 311b Brush roller (for photoreceptor) 11c, 111c, 311c Solid zinc stearate (for photoreceptor) 11d Static eliminator before cleaning 12 Static elimination lamp 13 Charging Charger 14 Potential sensor 110 Revolver developing unit 15 115 Bk developing device 16 116 C developing device 17 117 M developing device 18 118 Y developing device 15a, 16a, 17a, 18a Development paddle 15b, 16b, 17b, 18b Toner density detection sensor 15c, 16c, 17c, 18c Developing sleeve 20, 120, 220 Intermediate transfer unit 21, 121, 221 Intermediate transfer belt 22 122 Primary transfer bias roller 23 123 Earth roller 24 124 224 Drive roller 25 Follower roller 27, 127 Cleaning opposing roller 28 128 Primary transfer power supply 29a, 129a, 229a Belt cleaning blade 29b, 129b, 229b Brush roller (for belt) 29c, 129c, 229c Zinc solid stearate (for belt) 30, 130 Transfer unit 31, 131 , 231 Secondary transfer bias roller 32, 132 Transfer cleaning blade 33 Transfer contact / separation mechanism 40 Manual paper feed tray 41 Paper feed roller 42 Registration roller 43a 43b 43c Copy paper cassette 44 Paper transport unit 45 Fixing device 45a Fixing roller 45b Pressure roller 46 Copy tray 50a Bracket for blade 50b Bracket for brush roller 51 Cam shaft 52a Cam for blade contact / separation 52b, 52c Cam for brush roller contact / separation 53a Input Gear 53b Idling gear 53c Brush roller rotating gear 54a Blade swing center shaft 54b Brush roller swing center shaft 55 Coupling 56 Half-turn clutch 125 Tension roller 126 Secondary transfer opposing roller 134 Secondary transfer belt 135a First support roller 135b First 2 support roller 135c 3rd support roller 136 transfer paper charge removal charger 137 transfer belt charge removal charger 139 secondary transfer power supply 145 fixing unit 145a fixing roller pair 100 transfer paper 334 roll Belt

Claims (15)

[Claims] A cleaning member having a toner image carrier, a cleaning member for cleaning the surface of the toner image carrier, and a cleaning member contacting / separating means for contacting and separating the cleaning member from the surface of the toner image carrier; An application member for applying the fine powder on the surface of the toner image carrier; and a fine powder application means having an application member contacting / separating means for bringing the application member into contact with and separating from the surface of the toner image carrier. An image forming apparatus for forming an image by transferring a toner image on a body to a transfer material, wherein the two contacting / separating means are the same driving mechanism and the two contacting / separating means moved by driving from the driving mechanism, respectively. And the follower of each of the two contacting / separating means moved by the prime mover. The movement of the follower causes the cleaning member and the upper member to move. An image forming apparatus, wherein the coating member is configured to be brought into contact with and separated from the toner image carrier. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the application member is disposed downstream of a contact position between the cleaning member and the toner image carrier in a moving direction of the toner image carrier. Is a time difference between the timing of separating the cleaning member from the toner image carrier and the timing of separating the cleaning member from the toner image carrier, the contact position between the cleaning member and the toner image carrier, and the application member. B / c ≦ a, where b is the distance difference between the toner image carrier and the contact position with the toner image carrier, and c is the moving speed of the toner image carrier. apparatus. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a cam device is used as said contacting / separating means, said cam device being a cam shaft as said driving mechanism, a cam as each of said motors, and said cam. A supporting member that is arranged so as to at least partially contact the outer periphery of the supporting member and swings about a fulcrum at a predetermined position while supporting the cleaning member or the coating member, and The cleaning member and the coating member are brought into contact with and separated from the toner image carrier by swinging the respective supporting members with the rotation of the cam due to the rotation of the cam shaft. Image forming apparatus. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the coating member is disposed downstream of a contact position between the cleaning member and the toner image carrier in a moving direction of the toner image carrier. Is a time difference between the timing of separating the cleaning member from the toner image carrier and the timing of separating the cleaning member from the toner image carrier, the contact position between the cleaning member and the toner image carrier, and the application member. Where b is the distance difference between the toner image carrier and the contact position with the toner image carrier, and c is the moving speed of the toner image carrier, and the cam shafts of the respective cams are set so that b / c ≦ a. An image forming apparatus, wherein an attachment angle to the image forming apparatus is set. 5. A cleaning means having an intermediate transfer member, a cleaning member for cleaning the surface of the intermediate transfer member, a cleaning member contacting / separating means for bringing the cleaning member into contact with and separating from the surface of the intermediate transfer member, and the intermediate transfer member. An application member for applying the fine powder to the surface of the body, and a fine powder application means having an application member contacting / separating means for bringing the application member into contact with and separating from the surface of the intermediate transfer member, and intermediately transferring the toner image on the image carrier. In an intermediate transfer device that performs primary transfer on a transfer body and secondary transfers a primary transfer image on the intermediate transfer body to a transfer material, the two contacting / separating units are driven by the same drive mechanism and the drive mechanism. The motor is constituted by a prime mover of each of the two contacting / separating means to be moved and a follower of each of the two contacting / separating means moved by the prime mover. An intermediate transfer device, wherein the cleaning member and the coating member are configured to move toward and away from the intermediate transfer member, respectively. 6. The intermediate transfer device according to claim 5, wherein the coating member is disposed downstream of a contact position between the cleaning member and the intermediate transfer member in a direction in which the intermediate transfer member moves. The time difference between the timing of separating the cleaning member from the intermediate transfer member and the timing of separating the cleaning member from the intermediate transfer member is d, the contact position between the cleaning member and the intermediate transfer member, Where e is the distance difference from the abutment position to the contact position, and f is the moving speed of the intermediate transfer member, e / f ≦ d. 7. The intermediate transfer device according to claim 5, wherein a cam device is used as said contacting / separating means, wherein said cam device is a cam shaft as said driving mechanism, a cam as each of said motors, and said cam. And a supporting member as each of the follower members that swings around a fulcrum at a predetermined position while supporting the cleaning member or the coating member, at least in part. The cleaning member and the coating member are brought into contact with and separated from the intermediate transfer member by swinging the respective supporting members with the rotation of the cam due to the rotation of the cam shaft. Intermediate transfer device. 8. The intermediate transfer device according to claim 7, wherein the application member is disposed downstream of a contact position between the cleaning member and the intermediate transfer member in a direction in which the intermediate transfer member moves, and the application member is provided. The time difference between the timing of separating the cleaning member from the intermediate transfer member and the timing of separating the cleaning member from the intermediate transfer member is a, the contact position between the cleaning member and the intermediate transfer member, the coating member and the intermediate transfer member. The angle of attachment of each of the cams to the cam shaft is set so that b / c ≦ a, where b is the distance difference from the abutment position to the contact position, and c is the moving speed of the intermediate transfer member. An intermediate transfer device, characterized in that: 9. An image forming apparatus comprising an image carrier and an intermediate transfer device for transferring a toner image on the image carrier to an intermediate transfer member, wherein the intermediate transfer device is an intermediate transfer device. An image forming apparatus using any one of transfer devices. 10. An image forming method for forming an image by transferring a toner image formed on a toner image carrier to a transfer material, wherein the cleaning member is capable of contacting or separating from the surface of the toner image carrier after transfer. The fine powder is applied to the surface of the toner image carrier by using an application member capable of coming into contact with and separating from the surface of the toner image carrier, wherein the two prime movers driven by the same drive mechanism Wherein the driven member of each of the two prime movers is moved via the control member, and the movement of the driven member causes the cleaning member and the coating member to move toward and away from the toner image carrier, respectively. Method. 11. The image forming method according to claim 10, wherein the application of the fine powder to the toner image carrier by the application member is performed such that the application of the fine powder to the toner image carrier is performed more than the contact position between the cleaning member and the toner image carrier. The time difference between the timing at which the coating member is separated from the toner image carrier and the timing at which the cleaning member is separated from the toner image carrier is a, and the cleaning member and the toner are separated from each other. When the distance difference between the contact position with the image carrier and the contact position between the coating member and the toner image carrier is b, and the moving speed of the toner image carrier is c, b / c ≦ a An image forming method, characterized in that: 12. The image forming method according to claim 10, wherein a cam shaft is used as the driving mechanism, a cam is used as the driving member, and the cleaning member or the applying member is supported as the driven member. Each of the supporting members swinging about the fulcrum is used, each cam is mounted on the cam shaft, and the cam is rotated by the rotation of the cam shaft so that at least a part of the cam comes into contact with the outer periphery of the cam. An image forming method, wherein the cleaning member and the coating member are respectively brought into contact with and separated from the toner image carrier by swinging the respective support members arranged in the image forming apparatus. 13. A transfer method, wherein a toner image formed on an image carrier is primarily transferred to an intermediate transfer member, and a primary transfer image formed on the intermediate transfer member is secondarily transferred to a transfer material. In a transfer method, a cleaning member capable of contacting or separating from the surface of the intermediate transfer member after the secondary transfer cleans the surface, and a fine powder is applied to the surface by an application member capable of contacting and separating from the surface of the intermediate transfer member. Moving the followers of each of the two prime movers via two prime movers driven by the same drive mechanism, and moving the cleaning member and the coating member through the intermediate transfer by the movement of the follower. A transfer method comprising bringing the body into and out of contact with each other. 14. The transfer method according to claim 13, wherein the application of the fine powder to the intermediate transfer member by the coating member is performed by moving the intermediate transfer member from a contact portion between the cleaning member and the intermediate transfer member. The time difference between the timing of separating the coating member from the intermediate transfer member and the timing of separating the cleaning member from the intermediate transfer member is d, and the contact between the cleaning member and the intermediate transfer member. A transfer method, wherein e / f ≦ d, where e is a distance difference between a position and a contact position between the application member and the intermediate transfer member, and f is a moving speed of the intermediate transfer member. . 15. The transfer method according to claim 13, wherein a cam shaft is used as the driving mechanism, a cam is used as the driving member, and the cleaning member or the applying member is supported as the driven member. Using each support member that swings about a fulcrum, each cam is mounted on the cam shaft, and the cam is rotated by rotation of the cam shaft so that at least a part of the cam comes into contact with the outer periphery of the cam. A transfer method, wherein the cleaning member and the coating member are respectively brought into contact with and separated from the intermediate transfer member by swinging each of the arranged support members.