JP2005266273A - Lubricant application apparatus, process cartridge and electrophotographic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it difficult for lubricant to intrude into a developing apparatus even when transfer residual toner is recovered to the developing apparatus and reused. <P>SOLUTION: When the lubricant 110 is applied by a lubricant application roller 113 to a photoreceptor 102 used in an electrophotographic process, the applied amount of the lubricant 110 to the photoreceptor 102 by the lubricant application roller 113 is made variable and excess application of the lubricant 110 to the photoreceptor 102 is prevented. Thus, even constitution is employed in which the transfer residual toner is recovered to the developing apparatus 105 and reused or constitution without a cleaner is employed, the disturbing of normal electrification of the toner by the lubricant intruding into the developing apparatus 105 is suppressed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a lubricant application device for applying a lubricant to an image carrier used in an electrophotographic process, a process cartridge having such a lubricant application device, and such a process cartridge or lubricant application device. The present invention relates to an electrophotographic apparatus provided.

  An electrophotographic apparatus develops an electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrier, for example, a photoreceptor, with toner, thereby developing the electrostatic latent image as a toner image. Then, the toner image is transferred to transfer paper with electrostatic force. This is the basis of the electrophotographic process.

  The toner used in such an electrophotographic process has a thermoplastic resin as a main component. For this reason, it easily adheres to the surface of the photoreceptor due to heat or pressure. When toner adheres to the surface of the photoconductor, if the adhesion is too strong, it cannot be removed by the cleaning device and remains on the photoconductor, which may deteriorate the subsequent image. Also, if the toner adhesion to the surface of the photoconductor is too strong, when transferring the toner image to the transfer paper, the ratio of the toner transferred to the transfer paper will be reduced, and the image density will be reduced or recovered for cleaning. There is also a problem that the amount of toner increases.

  In order to solve such problems, it has been proposed to apply a lubricant to the surface of the photoreceptor (see Patent Documents 1 to 3). This makes it difficult for toner to adhere to the surface of the photoreceptor.

JP 2000-047524 A JP 2003-162108 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-142897

  As described in Patent Documents 1 to 3, when a lubricant is applied to the surface of the photoreceptor, the transferability of the toner is improved and the cleaning property is also improved. On the other hand, the following problems arise.

  In a conventional electrophotographic process, a toner remaining on a photoreceptor after a transfer process (hereinafter referred to as transfer residual toner) is generally collected by a cleaning device. The toner collected by the cleaning device is discarded as it is, or supplied to the developing device and reused. If the toner is to be discarded, no particular problem arises in relation to applying a lubricant to the photoreceptor. In contrast, when the configuration in which the lubricant is applied to the photosensitive member and the configuration in which the transfer residual toner is supplied to the developing device and reused are combined, the lubricant is adhered to the toner collected by the cleaning device. Therefore, the lubricant is also attached to the toner replenished to the developing device for reuse. However, the lubricant adhering to the toner replenished to the developing device adheres to the carrier contained in the developer, hinders normal frictional charging in the developing device, and reduces the charge amount of the toner. is there. For this reason, various problems occur such as toner scattering from the housing of the developing device to the outside, and white portions of the image being stained with toner.

  Another problem is that the configuration in which the lubricant is applied to the photoreceptor is difficult to combine with the cleanerless configuration. That is, in recent years, the electrophotographic apparatus has been made full-color, and in this case, the electrophotographic process mechanism for four colors must be packed in the machine. For this reason, in a full-color electrophotographic apparatus, how to reduce the space for one color is a big problem. Focusing on this problem, the cleaning device is not an essential component for producing an image, and therefore it is assumed that the cleaning device is omitted at all or a simple cleaning device is used. In fact, products that have completely eliminated the cleaning device and devices that use a simple cleaning device are also on the market. Cleanerless means that the cleaning device is omitted at all. However, when the cleaner is not used, the transfer residual toner is collected by the developing device. For this reason, the same problem as in the case where the toner collected by the above-described cleaning device is replenished to the developing device and reused occurs.

  An object of the present invention is to make it difficult for the lubricant to enter the developing device even when the transfer residual toner is collected and reused in the developing device.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lubricant application device for applying a lubricant to an image carrier used in an electrophotographic process, and applying the lubricant to the image carrier by the lubricant application member. A variable mechanism that varies the amount; a drive unit that controls the variable mechanism; and a control unit that controls the drive unit.

  Therefore, the adhesion of the toner to the surface of the image carrier is weakened by the lubricant, and the transferability of the toner to the transfer material is improved. For this reason, transfer residual toner on the image carrier is reduced. On the other hand, since the amount of lubricant applied to the image carrier by the lubricant application member is varied by the control means, excessive application of the lubricant to the image carrier is prevented. As a result, even when the residual transfer toner is collected and reused in the developing device or is configured to be cleaner-free, the entry of the lubricant into the developing device is suppressed, and the toner is normally charged. Will not be disturbed.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the lubricant application device according to the first aspect of the present invention, a lubricant leveling member that blocks and smoothes excess lubricant on the image carrier is included.

  Therefore, the lubricant leveling member reduces the amount of lubricant on the image carrier and rubs the lubricant onto the image carrier to adhere firmly. Thereby, adhesion of the lubricant to other members such as a developer is avoided.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the lubricant application device according to the first aspect, the lubricant application member is a rotatable roller-shaped member that contacts the image carrier, and the lubricant leveling member is The amount of lubricant on the lubricant application member is regulated.

  Accordingly, the lubricant leveling member reduces the amount of lubricant on the lubricant application member and rubs the lubricant onto the lubricant application member to adhere firmly. Thereby, adhesion of the lubricant to other members such as a developer is avoided.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the lubricant application apparatus according to the first aspect, the control means recognizes the amount of lubricant on the image carrier, and the recognized amount of lubricant is more than a predetermined amount. When the amount is small, the amount of lubricant is increased by controlling the drive unit.

  Therefore, it is possible to regulate the amount of lubricant adhering to the image carrier to the minimum necessary amount.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the lubricant application device according to the fourth aspect, the control means is configured to determine the amount of lubricant on the image carrier based on a cumulative value of an image area formed on the image carrier. Recognize

  Lubricant adheres to what it contacts. When toner is present on the image carrier, the toner has a large surface area, so that a large amount of lubricant is transferred from the image carrier to the toner, and the amount of lubricant consumed increases. Thus, the area of the toner image formed on the image carrier and the amount of lubricant consumed from the image carrier have a strong correlation. Therefore, it is possible to predict and recognize the remaining amount of the lubricant by detecting the area of the toner image.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the lubricant application device according to the fourth aspect, a contact member that contacts the image carrier with a speed difference, a detection unit that detects a force that the contact member receives from the image carrier, The control means recognizes the amount of lubricant on the image carrier based on the detection result by the detection unit.

  When the lubricant is reduced, the frictional force between the image carrier and the member in contact therewith increases. Therefore, by detecting this frictional force, it is possible to predict and recognize the amount of lubricant on the image carrier.

  A seventh aspect of the invention is the lubricant application device according to the sixth aspect, wherein the lubricant application member is used as the contact member.

  Therefore, the lubricant application member and the contact member are also used, and parts can be shared.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the lubricant application device according to the first aspect, the control means places the lubricant application member on the image carrier for an area where an image is formed on the image carrier. The drive unit is controlled so as to be retracted from the body.

  Therefore, it is possible to efficiently avoid contamination of the lubricant application member with toner.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the lubricant coating apparatus according to the first aspect, the control means is configured to start image rotation by an electrophotographic process, and after starting rotation of the image carrier, an image forming area in the image carrier. First, a process for recognizing the amount of lubricant on the image carrier is performed using the time until the position of the lubricant application member is reached.

  Therefore, processing for recognizing the amount of lubricant on the image carrier is executed using the time essential for starting image formation by the electrophotographic process and the rotation operation of the image carrier.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the lubricant application device according to the first or ninth aspect, the control means is configured to start the rotation of the image carrier and start the rotation on the image carrier at the start of image formation by an electrophotographic process. Using the time until the first image forming region reaches the position of the lubricant application member, the drive unit performs the lubricant application operation on the image carrier. To control.

  Therefore, the lubricant application operation for the image carrier is executed using the time essential for starting image formation by the electrophotographic process and the rotation operation of the image carrier.

  The invention according to claim 11 is the lubricant application apparatus according to claim 1, 9 or 10, wherein the control means has the last image forming area on the image carrier at the end of image formation by an electrophotographic process. A process for recognizing the amount of lubricant on the image carrier is executed using the time until the image carrier stops after passing through the position of the lubricant application member.

  Therefore, processing for recognizing the amount of lubricant on the image carrier is executed using the time essential for the end of image formation by the electrophotographic process and the rotation operation of the image carrier.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the lubricant application device according to the first, ninth, tenth, or eleventh aspect, the control means is arranged such that the last image forming area on the image carrier when the image formation by the electrophotographic process is completed. After the passage of the position of the lubricant application member, the lubricant application member performs the lubricant application operation on the image carrier using the time until the image carrier stops. The driving unit is controlled.

  Therefore, the lubricant application operation for the image carrier is executed using the time essential for the completion of image formation by the electrophotographic process and the rotation operation of the image carrier.

  A thirteenth aspect of the present invention is the lubricant application apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein zinc stearate is used as the lubricant.

  Therefore, it is possible to enjoy the advantages of zinc stearate that are excellent in lubrication effect, availability, and formability.

  According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the lubricant application device according to the first aspect, the toner that disperses the toner adhering to the surface of the image carrier upstream of the developing device as viewed from the rotation direction of the image carrier. Scatter members were provided.

  Therefore, the toner adhering to the image carrier is scattered, so that the uneven distribution of the toner on the image carrier is prevented and the occurrence of an abnormal image is suppressed. In addition, since the toner adhering to the image carrier is scattered, the strong adhesion of the transfer residual toner to the image carrier is weakened, and the toner recovery efficiency by development can be increased.

  According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the lubricant application device according to the first aspect, the toner scattering member is detachable from the image carrier, and the lubricant application member is attached to the image carrier. In the contact state, the toner scattering member is retracted from the image carrier.

  Therefore, the toner scattering member can be driven by the variable mechanism driving portion to be brought into contact with and separated from the image carrier, and the driving portion can be shared between the lubricant application member and the toner scattering member.

  A process cartridge according to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention includes an image carrier, at least a part of an image process unit that performs an image forming operation by an electrophotographic process using the image carrier, and any one of the first to fifteenth aspects. A lubricant application device according to claim 1.

  Therefore, the effect | action of the lubricant application device as described in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 15 is show | played.

  According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrophotographic apparatus for executing an image forming operation by an electrophotographic process on a transfer material, comprising the process cartridge according to the sixteenth aspect.

  Therefore, the effect | action of the lubricant application device as described in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 15 is show | played.

  According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrophotographic apparatus for performing an image forming operation on a transfer material by an electrophotographic process, irradiating the image carrier with light according to an image signal, The latent image forming device for forming the electrostatic latent image, the developing device for developing the electrostatic latent image, the transfer device for transferring the developed electrostatic development to a transfer material, and the lubrication according to claim 1. An agent application device.

  Therefore, the effect | action of the lubricant application device as described in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 15 is show | played.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lubricant application device for applying a lubricant to an image carrier used in an electrophotographic process, and applying the lubricant to the image carrier by the lubricant application member. Since the variable mechanism that varies the amount, the variable mechanism drive unit, and a control unit that controls the drive unit, it is possible to prevent excessive application of the lubricant to the image carrier, Even when the residual transfer toner is collected and reused in the developing device, or the cleaner-less configuration is adopted, the recovery of the lubricant to the developing device can be suppressed, and the toner can be charged normally. It is possible to remove the inhibitory factor against

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the lubricant application device according to the first aspect, the apparatus further includes a lubricant leveling member that blocks and smoothes the excess lubricant on the image carrier. The amount of lubricant can be reduced, and the lubricant can be rubbed and firmly adhered to the image carrier, thereby avoiding adhesion of the lubricant to other members such as a developer.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the lubricant application device according to the first aspect, the lubricant application member is a rotatable roller-shaped member that contacts the image carrier, and the lubricant leveling member is Since the amount of lubricant on the lubricant application member is regulated, the amount of lubricant on the lubricant application member can be reduced, and the lubricant can be rubbed against the lubricant application member and adhered firmly. Further, adhesion of the lubricant to other members such as a developer can be avoided.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the lubricant application apparatus according to the first aspect, the control means recognizes the amount of lubricant on the image carrier, and the recognized amount of lubricant is more than a predetermined amount. When the amount is small, the amount of lubricant is increased by controlling the drive unit, so that the amount of lubricant adhering to the image carrier can be regulated to the minimum necessary amount.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the lubricant application device according to the fourth aspect, the control means is configured to determine the amount of lubricant on the image carrier based on a cumulative value of an image area formed on the image carrier. Therefore, it is possible to easily predict and recognize the remaining amount of the lubricant from the image data.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the lubricant application device according to the fourth aspect, a contact member that contacts the image carrier with a speed difference, a detection unit that detects a force that the contact member receives from the image carrier, And the control means recognizes the amount of the lubricant on the image carrier based on the detection result by the detector, so that the image carrier is correctly based on the actual state of the lubricant on the image carrier. The amount of lubricant on the body can be predicted and recognized.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, in the lubricant application device according to the sixth aspect, since the lubricant application member is used as the contact member, the lubricant application member and the contact member are used together to share parts. be able to.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the lubricant application device according to the first aspect, the control means places the lubricant application member on the image carrier for an area where an image is formed on the image carrier. Since the drive unit is controlled so as to be retracted from the body, it is possible to efficiently avoid contamination of the lubricant application agent with toner.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the lubricant coating apparatus according to the first aspect, the control means is configured to start image rotation by an electrophotographic process, and after starting rotation of the image carrier, an image forming area in the image carrier. Since the process for recognizing the amount of lubricant on the image carrier is executed using the time until the position of the lubricant application member first reaches the position of the lubricant application member, the amount of lubricant on the image carrier The process for recognizing the image can be efficiently performed using the time essential for starting image formation by the electrophotographic process and the rotation operation of the image carrier.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the lubricant application device according to the first or ninth aspect, the control means is configured to start the rotation of the image carrier and start the rotation on the image carrier at the start of image formation by an electrophotographic process. Using the time until the first image forming region reaches the position of the lubricant application member, the drive unit performs the lubricant application operation on the image carrier. Therefore, the lubricant application operation on the image carrier can be efficiently performed using the time necessary for starting image formation by the electrophotographic process and the rotation operation of the image carrier.

  The invention according to claim 11 is the lubricant application apparatus according to claim 1, 9 or 10, wherein the control means has the last image forming area on the image carrier at the end of image formation by an electrophotographic process. A process for recognizing the amount of lubricant on the image carrier is performed using the time until the image carrier stops after passing through the position of the lubricant application member. The process for recognizing the amount of the lubricant can be efficiently performed using the time necessary for the completion of image formation by the electrophotographic process and the rotation operation of the image carrier.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the lubricant application device according to the first, ninth, tenth, or eleventh aspect, the control means is arranged such that the last image forming area on the image carrier when the image formation by the electrophotographic process ends After the passage of the position of the lubricant application member, the lubricant application member performs the lubricant application operation on the image carrier using the time until the image carrier stops. In addition, since the drive unit is controlled, the lubricant application operation to the image carrier can be efficiently executed by using the time necessary for the completion of image formation by the electrophotographic process and the rotation operation of the image carrier.

  The invention according to claim 13 enjoys the advantages of zinc stearate that is excellent in lubrication effect, availability, and formability since zinc stearate is used as the lubricant in the lubricant application device according to claim 1. be able to.

  According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the lubricant application device according to the first aspect, the toner that disperses the toner adhering to the surface of the image carrier upstream of the developing device as viewed from the rotation direction of the image carrier. Since the scattering member is provided, the toner adhering to the image carrier is scattered, so that the uneven distribution of the toner on the image carrier can be prevented, and the manifestation of abnormal images can be suppressed. Since the toner adhering to the body is scattered, the strong adhesion of the transfer residual toner to the image carrier can be weakened, and the toner recovery efficiency by development can be increased.

  According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the lubricant application device according to the first aspect, the toner scattering member is detachable from the image carrier, and the lubricant application member is attached to the image carrier. In the contact state, the toner scattering member is retracted from the image carrier, so that the drive unit can also be used between the lubricant application member and the toner scattering member.

  A process cartridge according to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention includes an image carrier, at least a part of an image process unit that performs an image forming operation by an electrophotographic process using the image carrier, and any one of the first to fifteenth aspects. Therefore, the lubricant application device according to any one of claims 1 to 15 has the effect.

  According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the electrophotographic apparatus that executes an image forming operation by an electrophotographic process on the transfer material, the process cartridge according to the sixteenth aspect is provided. Therefore, the lubricant according to any one of the first to fifteenth aspects. It has the effect of a coating device.

  According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrophotographic apparatus for performing an image forming operation on a transfer material by an electrophotographic process, irradiating the image carrier with light according to an image signal, The latent image forming device for forming the electrostatic latent image, the developing device for developing the electrostatic latent image, the transfer device for transferring the developed electrostatic development to a transfer material, and the lubrication according to claim 1. Since it has an agent application device, it has the effect of the lubricant application device according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

[First Embodiment]
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram schematically showing an image processing unit of an electrophotographic apparatus. The electrophotographic apparatus of this embodiment is a cleanerless type that does not have a cleaning device that collects transfer residual toner. The cleanerless type is not an essential component for carrying out the present invention, and as another embodiment, a type having a cleaning device for collecting the transfer residual toner may be used, or may be collected by the cleaning device. A type in which the transferred transfer toner is returned to the developing device 105 and reused may be used.

  FIG. 1 shows only the image processing unit 101 and its peripheral devices. When an electrophotographic apparatus is configured using the image processing unit 101, an indispensable configuration is required as an electrophotographic apparatus such as a paper feeding device or a fixing device (none of which is shown). Since the construction method of an electrophotographic apparatus including a paper feeding device and a fixing device, which are indispensable as such an electrophotographic apparatus, is not different from a conventional general electrophotographic apparatus, the entire electrophotographic apparatus is illustrated. And the description is omitted.

  The image processing unit 101 includes a photoconductor 102 as an image carrier. Around the photoconductor 102, a charging device 103, a latent image forming device 104, a developing device 105, a transfer device 106, and a lubricant applying device 107 are arranged.

  The charging device 103 charges the photoreceptor 102 uniformly. As such a charging device 103, a non-contact charging roller is used. Since it is non-contact, there is an advantage that the roller is hardly contaminated and ozone is not easily generated. However, the non-contact charging roller is not an essential component for realizing the charging device 103, and other types can be used. For example, a corona charging device such as scorotron or corotron, a contact type charging roller, or the like is applicable. The charging device 103 permitted to use these various types may superimpose AC on the applied voltage.

  The latent image forming apparatus 104 irradiates the photosensitive member 102 with laser light 108 based on the image signal. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the irradiated portion of the photoreceptor 102 with the laser beam 108.

  The developing device 105 develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor 102. That is, a toner image is formed by attaching toner to the electrostatic latent image. As such a developing device 105, a two-component developing device is used. However, in implementing the present invention, as a type of the developing device 105, one component / two components, contact / non-contact are not essential conditions.

  The transfer device 106 transfers the toner image formed on the photoreceptor 102 to a transfer material (not shown) such as transfer paper, and forms an image on the transfer paper. A transfer belt 109 is used as a structure for transferring the toner image onto the transfer paper. The transfer belt 109 is charged by a charging device (not shown). Such a transfer belt 109 conveys a transfer material such as transfer paper and passes the position of the photosensitive member 102. In the process, the toner image formed on the photosensitive member 102 is transferred to a transfer material conveyed by the transfer belt 109. However, in order to realize the transfer device 106, a method using the transfer belt 109 is not necessarily required, and various methods such as a roller transfer method and a corona transfer method can be adopted. Further, not limited to the direct transfer method, an intermediate transfer method using an intermediate transfer member may be used.

  The lubricant application device 107 will be described. The lubricant application device 107 applies the lubricant 110 to the photoconductor 102. The lubricant application device 107 has a housing 112 that is rotatably mounted around a support shaft 111. Inside the housing 112, a lubricant 110, a lubricant application roller 113 as a lubricant application part agent, A lubricant leveling blade 114 as a lubricant leveling member is accommodated. The housing 112 rotates about the support shaft 111 to bring the lubricant application roller 113 and the lubricant leveling blade 114 into contact with and away from the photoreceptor 102.

  A mechanism for rotating the housing 112 is a variable mechanism 115. For example, the variable mechanism 115 rotates the support shaft 111 by a gear mechanism (not shown). Not only the gear mechanism but also a mechanism that rotates the shaft can be adopted as the variable mechanism 115. As another example, the variable mechanism 115 may be a mechanism that rotates the housing 112 by a cam mechanism (not shown) having a part of the housing 112, a part to which the housing 112 is added, or the like as a driven node. The variable mechanism 115 uses a first motor 116 (shown as M1 in FIG. 1) as a drive unit as a drive source. The first motor 116 is driven and controlled by a control unit 118 on which a microcomputer (hereinafter abbreviated as a microcomputer) 117 composed of a CPU and a memory (not shown) is mounted. The control unit 118 controls the first motor 116 by the processing of the microcomputer 117 to change the rotation state of the housing 112, in other words, the contact / separation state of the lubricant application roller 113 and the lubricant leveling blade 114 with respect to the photosensitive member 102. Control. By the processing executed by the microcomputer 117, the function of the control means for controlling the first motor 116 that is the driving unit is executed.

  The lubricant 110 has a block shape. Such a lubricant 110 is pressed against the lubricant application roller 113. As a method of pressing the lubricant 110 against the lubricant application roller 113, a method of using a gravity with a weight, applying pressure with a spring, applying pressure with a solenoid or the like can be employed. When a power source such as a solenoid is used, it is possible to control the pressure of the lubricant 110 applied to the lubricant application roller 113, the pressurization timing, and the like.

  As the lubricant 110, a block of zinc stearate is used. Zinc stearate has a high lubricating effect and is easy to shape. In addition to zinc stearate, metal soaps, waxes, and fluorine-containing resins may be used as the lubricant 110. These metal soaps, waxes, and fluorine-containing resins also show the same effects as zinc stearate.

  The lubricant application roller 113 has a function of scraping off the lubricant 110 and applying it to the image carrier. For this reason, flexibility is required to maintain an appropriate surface roughness and uniformity of contact pressure. A highly durable lubricant when a relatively hard resin coat, such as polyamide, polyethylene, PET, or fluorine-containing resin, is used on the surface of a roller of silicone rubber, urethane rubber, or other synthetic rubber. The application roller 113 is obtained. In addition, as the lubricant application roller 113, foamed rubber or a roller brush may be used. Since these materials have low surface smoothness, the lubricant consumption tends to increase.

  The lubricant application roller 113 is rotationally driven using a second motor 119 (shown as M2 in FIG. 1) as a drive source. The rotational drive direction of the lubricant application roller 113 is the same as the rotational direction of the photoconductor 102. Thereby, at the contact portion between the photoconductor 102 and the lubricant application roller 113, the moving direction of the photoconductor 102 and the lubricant application roller 113 is reversed. By such rotation of the lubricant application roller 113, the lubricant 110 is transferred to the lubricant application roller 113, and the lubricant 110 transferred to the lubricant application roller 113 is efficiently applied to the photoreceptor 102. As described above, the lubricant application roller 113 comes in contact with and separates from the photosensitive member 102 as the housing 112 rotates. If the lubricant application roller 113 continues to rotate while being separated from the photoconductor 102, not only is energy wasted, but the lubricant 110 is scraped off as the lubricant application roller 113 rotates. Therefore, it is desirable to stop the rotation of the lubricant application roller 113 in synchronization with the separation operation of the lubricant application roller 113 from the photosensitive member 102.

  The lubricant leveling blade 114 blocks the excess lubricant 110 applied to the photoconductor 102, uniformly levels the lubricant 110 applied to the photoconductor 102 on the photoconductor 102, and further performs photosensitivity. The lubricant 110 is firmly attached to the body 102 so that the lubricant 110 does not move to an excessive place. In consideration of uniformity of contact of the lubricant leveling blade 114 with the photosensitive member 102, wear resistance, and the like, the lubricant leveling blade 114 is made of urethane rubber or other synthetic rubber. In addition, even when a resin blade made of PET, polyamide or the like is used as the lubricant leveling blade 114, its role is effectively fulfilled.

  In the image processing unit 101 described above, the photosensitive member 102, the lubricant applying device 107, and a part of the image processing unit 101 may be integrated as a process cartridge (not shown). A part of the image processing unit 101 is a charging device 103, a developing device 105, or a transfer device 106. When integrated as a process cartridge, if a failure or failure occurs in any part stored as a process cartridge, it can be restored quickly by simply replacing the process cartridge, reducing service time Can be achieved. In this case, since the lubricant application device 107 provides a lubricating effect of the photoconductor 102, it is possible to extend the life of the photoconductor 102 and thus the life of the process cartridge.

  In such a configuration, when the lubricant application roller 113 is rotated by being driven by the first motor 116, the lubricant 110 is transferred to the lubricant application roller 113, and the lubricant 110 transferred to the lubricant application roller 113 is transferred. It is applied to the photoreceptor 102. Thereby, the adhesion force of the toner to the surface of the photoconductor 102 is weakened, the transferability of the toner to the transfer material such as transfer paper is improved, and the residual toner on the photoconductor 102 is reduced.

  On the other hand, the microcomputer 117 drives and controls the first motor 116 as appropriate, and rotates the housing 112 to bring the lubricant application roller 113 and the lubricant leveling blade 114 into contact with and away from the photoreceptor 102. As a result, the amount of the lubricant 110 applied to the photoconductor 102 by the lubricant application roller 113 is varied, so that excessive application of the lubricant 110 to the photoconductor 102 is prevented. Therefore, even when the residual transfer toner is configured to be collected and reused in the developing device 105 or is configured to be cleanerless, the lubricant 110 is prevented from entering the developing device 105, and the normal toner is This prevents the possibility of disturbing charging.

  Here, details of drive control of the first motor 116 by the microcomputer 117 will be described. The microcomputer 117 recognizes the amount of the lubricant 110 on the surface of the photoreceptor 102, and when the recognized amount of the lubricant is smaller than a predetermined amount, the microcomputer 117 drives and controls the first motor 116 to lubricate the lubricant application roller 113. Then, the lubricant leveling blade 114 is brought into contact with the photosensitive member 102, and the second motor 119 is driven and controlled to rotate the lubricant application roller 113. As a result, the amount of the lubricant 110 attached to the photosensitive member 102 can be regulated to the minimum necessary amount.

  At this time, for example, the microcomputer 117 recognizes the amount of the lubricant 110 on the surface of the photoconductor 102 based on the cumulative value of the image area formed on the photoconductor 102. Since the lubricant 110 adheres to what it contacts, if there is toner on the surface of the photoreceptor 102, the toner has a large surface area, so that a lot of the lubricant 110 is transferred from the photoreceptor 102 to the toner, and the lubricant 110. Consumption increases. Considering this fact, it can be seen that the area of the toner image formed on the surface of the photoconductor 102 and the amount of the lubricant 110 consumed from the photoconductor 102 have a strong correlation. Therefore, it is possible to predict and recognize the remaining amount of the lubricant 110 by detecting the area of the toner image.

  As another example, the lubricant application roller 113 functions as a contact member that contacts the photoconductor 102 with a speed difference. Therefore, if the force applied by the lubricant application roller 113 from the photoconductor 102 is detected, the surface of the photoconductor 102 is detected. It becomes possible to recognize the amount of lubricant 110 applied on top. In this case, a detection unit (not shown) that detects the force received by the lubricant application roller 113 from the photosensitive member 102 is required. For example, the detection unit measures the rotational driving force of the second motor 119 with respect to the lubricant application roller 113 with a torque converter, measures the drive current of the first motor 116, and the like. The force received by the roller 113 from the photosensitive member 102 is detected. The amount of the lubricant 110 applied on the surface of the photoreceptor 102 can be recognized by detecting the force received by the lubricant application roller 113 from the photoreceptor 102 according to the amount of the lubricant 110. This is because the force applied to the lubricant application roller 113 from the photosensitive member 102 varies. That is, when the amount of the lubricant 110 applied on the surface of the photoconductor 102 decreases, the frictional force between the photoconductor 102 and the lubricant application roller 113 in contact with the photoconductor 102 increases. As the amount of lubricant 110 applied on the surface of 102 increases, the frictional force between the photoreceptor 102 and the lubricant application roller 113 in contact therewith decreases.

  In this embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which the lubricant application roller 113 is also used as a contact member and the force applied to the lubricant application roller 113 from the photosensitive member 102 is detected. In the case of such a configuration, the lubricant application member (lubricant application roller 113) and the contact member are used in common, and parts can be shared. As another embodiment, a dedicated contact member that detects the force received from the photoreceptor 102 may be provided.

  As described above, two examples of the process for recognizing the amount of the lubricant 110 on the surface of the photoreceptor 102 in the microcomputer 117 have been shown. As an example of the process for recognizing the amount of the lubricant 110, the image forming area on the photosensitive member 102 is first placed on the lubricant application roller 113 after the rotation of the photosensitive member 102 is started at the start of image formation by the electrophotographic process. It is executed using the time until the position is reached. As another example, the process of recognizing the amount of the lubricant 110 is performed after the last image forming area on the photoconductor 102 passes the position of the lubricant application roller 113 at the end of image formation by the electrophotographic process. It is executed by using the time until it stops. If the process of recognizing the amount of the lubricant 110 is executed at such timing, the time essential for the start and end of image formation by the electrophotographic process, and the start and end of image formation by the electrophotographic process A process of recognizing the amount of the lubricant 110 applied on the surface of the photoconductor 102 can be executed using the rotation operation of the photoconductor 102 that is inevitably performed.

  The lubricant 110 may be applied to the photoconductor 102 at the same timing as the process of recognizing the amount of the lubricant 110 applied on the surface of the photoconductor 102. That is, the microcomputer 117 controls the drive of the first motor 116, and at the start of image formation by the electrophotographic process as the timing for rotating the housing 112 so that the lubricant application roller 113 contacts the photoconductor 102. The time until the image forming area on the photosensitive member 102 first reaches the position of the lubricant application roller 113 after the rotation of the photosensitive member 102 is used, or at the end of image formation by the electrophotographic process, The time from when the last image forming area passes the position of the lubricant application roller 113 until the photosensitive member 102 stops is used. Accordingly, the time required for the start and end of image formation by the electrophotographic process and the rotation operation of the photoconductor 102 inevitably performed at the start and end of image formation by the electrophotographic process are utilized. The lubricant 110 can be applied to the surface of 102.

  If the application of the lubricant 110 to the surface of the photoconductor 102 is performed at the timing of the start and end of image formation by the electrophotographic process as exemplified above, the lubricant is applied to the image forming area on the surface of the photoconductor 102. The application roller 113 will not come into contact. Accordingly, when viewed from another aspect, the microcomputer 117 recognizes the image forming area on the photosensitive member 102 and drives and controls the first motor 116 so that the lubricant application roller 113 does not contact the image forming area. 112 is rotated. As a result, it is possible to efficiently avoid contamination of the lubricant application roller 113 with toner.

[Second Embodiment]
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is also omitted.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram schematically showing an image processing unit of the electrophotographic apparatus. The housing 112 is biased by a first pressure member 201 having a coil spring configuration. As a result, the lubricant application roller 113 is pressed against the photoreceptor 102. The first pressure member 201 presses the lubricant application roller 113 against the surface of the photoreceptor 102 with a simple structure.

  A second pressure member 202 having a coil spring configuration that presses the lubricant 110 toward the lubricant application roller 113 is provided. The lubricant leveling blade 114 is disposed in contact with the lubricant application roller 113 instead of the photoreceptor 102. The lubricant leveling blade 114 blocks the excess lubricant 110 of the lubricant application roller 113, and evenly leveles the lubricant 110 applied to the lubricant application roller 113, and firmly fixes the lubricant 110. So that the lubricant 110 does not move to an unnecessary place. The lubricant leveling blade 114 is preferably constructed using a blade of urethane rubber or other synthetic rubber from the viewpoint of uniformity of contact with the lubricant application roller 113, wear resistance, etc., but PET, polyamide Even if it is configured using a resin blade such as the above, the function is effectively achieved. The direction of contact of the lubricant leveling blade 114 with respect to the lubricant application roller 113 may be so-called counter or trailing.

  A lubricant drop prevention seal 203 is attached below the place where the lubricant 110 abuts against the lubricant application roller 113. The lubricant drop prevention seal 203 is attached to the lower surface of the lubricant 110 and extends to the lubricant application roller 113. The lubricant 110 scraped off by the lubricant application roller 113 is received by the lubricant drop prevention seal 203 and supplied to the lubricant application roller 113. As a result, the lubricant 110 scraped off by the lubricant application roller 113 is prevented from falling and scattered, and the lubricant 110 that has been scraped off is supplied to the lubricant application roller 113, so that the lubricant 110 is wasted. Is no longer consumed.

  According to the present embodiment, since the lubricant 110 is firmly attached to the surface of the lubricant application roller 113 by the lubricant leveling blade 114, when the lubricant application roller 113 is separated from the photoreceptor 102, The unbalanced lubricant 110 does not remain in the place where the lubricant application roller 113 is in contact with the photosensitive member 102.

[Third Embodiment]
A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is also omitted.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram schematically showing an image processing unit of the electrophotographic apparatus. In the present embodiment, a toner scattering member 301 is disposed between the lubricant application device 107 and the charging device 103. The toner scattering member 301 is configured such that the toner scattering roller 302 is rotatably supported by the support arm 303 and the support arm 303 is rotatably attached so that the toner scattering roller 302 contacts the photosensitive member 102. ing.

  The toner scattering member 301 is rotationally driven by a driving source (not shown). This drive source is driven and controlled by the microcomputer 117 provided in the control unit 118. The support arm 303 is also rotationally driven by a drive source (not shown). By rotating the support arm 303, the toner scattering roller 302 can be brought into and out of contact with the photosensitive member 102.

  The toner scattering roller 302 makes contact with the transfer residual toner on the surface of the photoconductor 102 and rotates to weaken the adhesion force of the transfer residual toner to the surface of the photoconductor 102. As a result, the concentration of toner adhesion on the surface of the photoconductor 102 is disturbed, and the transfer residual toner is prevented from being fixed at one place on the surface of the photoconductor 102 and generating an abnormal image.

  The surface of the toner scattering roller 302 preferably has an appropriate pressure non-uniformity for the purpose of scattering the toner, and is preferably configured using a foamed rubber such as a roller brush or polyurethane foam.

  The behavior of the charged toner varies depending on the electric resistance of the material constituting the toner scattering roller 302. When a material having a low electrical resistance is used as the material constituting the toner scattering roller 302, the electric adhesion force with the charged toner is increased. For this reason, such a material contributes to increasing the toner removal force from the surface of the photoconductor 102, but the material itself is easily contaminated. In this case, therefore, a flicker member (not shown) for removing the toner from the toner scattering roller 302 may be appropriately installed.

  The rotation direction of the toner scattering roller 302 may be any. Further, even if the relative speed between the toner scattering roller 302 and the photosensitive member 102 is calculated at a constant speed, if the toner scattering roller 302 formed of a flexible member is bitten into the photosensitive member 102, the toner scattering member 301 is used. A relative speed is partially generated between the photosensitive member 102 and the photosensitive member 102 to produce a scattering effect. In this case, it is possible to rotate the photoconductor 102 following the rotation of the photoconductor 102 by a frictional force with the photoconductor 102 without providing a separate drive source.

  The toner scattering roller 302 may be operated only for the image area of the photosensitive member 102. If the toner scattering roller 302 is operated at a time other than during image formation, the photosensitive member 102 is worn out or the life of the toner scattering roller 302 is shortened. Therefore, it is desirable not to operate in the non-image forming area. . Therefore, when the toner scattering roller 302 is not operated, the support arm 303 is rotationally driven to separate the toner scattering roller 302 from the photosensitive member 102. In this case, the timing at which the lubricant application roller 113 in the lubricant application device 107 contacts and separates from the photosensitive member 102 is exactly the opposite timing, and therefore the same drive source, that is, the first motor 116 is allowed as the drive source. Is desirable.

  The arrangement position of the toner scattering member 301 is preferably on the downstream side of the lubricant applying device 107 and the upstream side of the developing device 105 when viewed from the rotation direction of the photosensitive member 102, and the charging device 103 and the latent image forming position are before and after. Absent.

[Fourth Embodiment]
A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The same parts as those of the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is also omitted.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram schematically showing an image processing unit of the electrophotographic apparatus. In the present embodiment, the variable mechanism 115 does not employ a mechanism that allows the housing 112 to rotate. The housing 112 is disposed in a fixed position with respect to the photoconductor 102. As the variable mechanism 115 of the present embodiment, a mechanism is adopted in which the lubricant 110 is brought into contact with or separated from the lubricant application roller 113 or the contact / separation pressure of the lubricant 110 with respect to the lubricant application roller 113 is changed. . That is, the housing 112 is provided with a cam mechanism 401, and the cam mechanism 401 allows the lubricant 110 to come in contact with and away from the lubricant application roller 113, or the contact and separation pressure of the lubricant 110 with respect to the lubricant application roller 113. Variable.

  The cam mechanism 401 includes a plate cam 402 serving as a driving node and a slider 403 serving as a driven node that reciprocates as the plate cam 402 rotates. The slider 403 is connected to the lubricant 110 via the second pressure member 202. Therefore, the plate cam 402 is driven and controlled by the first motor 116 so that the lubricant 110 is brought into contact with and separated from the lubricant application roller 113 or the contact and separation pressure of the lubricant 110 with respect to the lubricant application roller 113 is variable. It becomes possible to do.

[Fifth Embodiment]
A fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The same parts as those in the fourth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is also omitted.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram schematically illustrating an image processing unit of the electrophotographic apparatus. In the present embodiment, the lubricant 110 is not moved by the cam mechanism 401. The lubricant 110 is pressed against the lubricant application roller 113 by the second pressure member 202.

  On the other hand, a cam mechanism 501 for moving the rotation shaft 113a of the lubricant application roller 113 is provided. The rotation shaft 113a of the lubricant application roller 113 can be changed between two positions. One position is a position where the lubricant application roller 113 is brought into contact with the photosensitive member 102. The other position is a position where the lubricant application roller 113 is separated from the photoconductor 102. The cam mechanism 501 is driven by the first motor 116 and selectively positions the rotation shaft 113a of the lubricant application roller 113 at such two kinds of positions. This makes it possible to control the contact and separation of the lubricant application roller 113 with respect to the photoconductor 102.

1 is a schematic diagram schematically showing an image processing unit of an electrophotographic apparatus as a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram schematically showing an image processing unit of an electrophotographic apparatus as a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram schematically showing an image processing unit of an electrophotographic apparatus as a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram schematically showing an image processing unit of an electrophotographic apparatus as a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram schematically showing an image processing unit of an electrophotographic apparatus as a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

101 Image processing unit 102 Image bearing member (photosensitive member)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 104 Latent image forming apparatus 105 Developing apparatus 106 Transfer apparatus 107 Lubricant application apparatus 110 Lubricant 113 Lubricant application member (lubricant application roller), contact member 114 Lubricant leveling member (lubricant leveling blade)
115 Variable Mechanism 116 Drive Unit (First Motor)
301 Toner scattering member

Claims (18)

A lubricant application member for applying a lubricant to an image carrier used in an electrophotographic process;
A variable mechanism for varying the amount of lubricant applied to the image carrier by the lubricant application member;
A drive unit for driving the variable mechanism;
Control means for controlling the drive unit;
Lubricant coating apparatus comprising:   The lubricant application device according to claim 1, further comprising a lubricant leveling member that blocks and smoothes excess lubricant on the image carrier. The lubricant application member is a rotatable roller-shaped member that contacts the image carrier,
The lubricant leveling member regulates the amount of lubricant on the lubricant application member;
The lubricant application device according to claim 1.   The control means recognizes the amount of lubricant on the image carrier, and when the recognized amount of lubricant is less than a predetermined amount, controls the drive unit to increase the amount of lubricant. Item 2. The lubricant application device according to Item 1.   5. The lubricant application apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the control means recognizes the amount of lubricant on the image carrier based on a cumulative value of an image area formed on the image carrier. A contact member that contacts the image carrier with a speed difference;
A detection unit for detecting a force received by the contact member from the image carrier;
The lubricant application apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the control unit recognizes the amount of lubricant on the image carrier based on a detection result by the detection unit.   The lubricant application device according to claim 6, wherein the lubricant application member is used as the contact member.   2. The lubricant according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the driving unit so that the lubricant application member is retracted from the image carrier for an area where an image is formed on the image carrier. Coating device.   When the image forming start by the electrophotographic process is started, the control means determines a time period from the start of rotation of the image carrier until the image forming area on the image carrier first reaches the position of the lubricant application member. The lubricant application device according to claim 1, wherein a process for recognizing the amount of lubricant on the image carrier is executed.   When the image forming start by the electrophotographic process is started, the control means is a period of time after the rotation of the image carrier starts until the first image forming area on the image carrier reaches the position of the lubricant application member. The lubricant application device according to claim 1, wherein the drive unit is controlled such that the lubricant application member performs a lubricant application operation on the image carrier.   When the image forming process by the electrophotographic process is completed, the control unit waits for the image carrier to stop after the last image forming area on the image carrier passes the position of the lubricant application member. The lubricant application apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the process of recognizing the amount of lubricant on the image carrier is executed using the above.   When the image forming process by the electrophotographic process is completed, the control unit waits for the image carrier to stop after the last image forming area on the image carrier passes the position of the lubricant application member. The lubricant application device according to claim 1, wherein the drive unit is controlled so that the lubricant application member performs a lubricant application operation on the image carrier.   The lubricant application apparatus according to claim 1, wherein zinc stearate is used as the lubricant.   2. The lubricant application device according to claim 1, wherein a toner scattering member that disperses toner adhering to the surface of the image carrier is provided on the upstream side of the developing device as viewed from the rotation direction of the image carrier. The toner scattering member is detachable from the image carrier,
In a state where the lubricant application member is in contact with the image carrier, the toner scattering member is retracted from the image carrier.
The lubricant application device according to claim 1. An image carrier;
At least a part of an image processing unit that performs an image forming operation by an electrophotographic process using the image carrier;
The lubricant application device according to any one of claims 1 to 15,
A process cartridge comprising: In an electrophotographic apparatus that executes an image forming operation by an electrophotographic process on a transfer material,
An electrophotographic apparatus comprising the process cartridge according to claim 16. In an electrophotographic apparatus that executes an image forming operation by an electrophotographic process on a transfer material,
An image carrier;
A latent image forming apparatus for irradiating the image carrier in accordance with an image signal to form an electrostatic latent image;
A developing device for developing the electrostatic latent image;
A transfer device for transferring the developed electrostatic development to a transfer material;
The lubricant application device according to any one of claims 1 to 15,
An electrophotographic apparatus comprising:

Images