JP2006251520A - Electrophotographic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electrophotographic apparatus preventing the deterioration of a photoreceptor due to ozone generated from a charging device for applying high voltage and maintaining always stable images. <P>SOLUTION: Immediately before turning off a power supply for the electrophotographic apparatus 14, the photoreceptor 1, a cleaning brush 9 and a blower 3 are driven for a prescribed time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrophotographic apparatus provided with ozone removing means.

  FIG. 1 shows ozone removing means in a conventional electrophotographic apparatus. Conventional ozone removing means in an electrophotographic apparatus includes a fan or a blower device, and removes ozone by using wind power. Ozone removal by these apparatuses is carried out at any time during operation of the electrophotographic apparatus or according to the operation status (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 08-248844

  However, when the power of the electrophotographic apparatus is cut off, the ozone removing apparatus is also stopped at the same time, and a very small amount of ozone is stagnated inside the electrophotographic apparatus. In particular, when the power-off state for a long period continues, there is a problem that the photoconductor deteriorates by ozone due to a small amount of residual ozone, thereby deteriorating the print quality.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an electrophotographic apparatus capable of preventing a photoconductor from being deteriorated by ozone when the electrophotographic apparatus is stopped or left for a long time and can maintain a stable image at all times.

  The above object is achieved by driving the photosensitive member, the cleaning brush, and the blower for a predetermined time immediately before the power of the electrophotographic apparatus is turned off.

  According to the present invention, ozone is sucked by driving the photosensitive member, the cleaning brush, and the blower immediately before the electrophotographic device is turned off. Degradation can be prevented, and a stable image can always be maintained.

  A conceptual diagram of the electrophotographic apparatus is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, a photoreceptor 1, a charger 2 for uniformly charging the photoreceptor 1, exposure means 4 for forming an electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 1, and a developer 5 for developing the latent image. The image forming apparatus includes a transfer unit 6 that transfers a toner image on the photoconductor 1 to a sheet 12, an AC static eliminator 7 for cleaning the photoconductor 1 after transfer, and a cleaning brush 9. The charger 2 and the transfer device 6 are provided with a duct 8 for performing ozone suction by the blower 3.

  The photoreceptor 1 is uniformly charged by the charger 2. Next, the photosensitive member 1 forms an electrostatic latent image by the exposure unit 4 according to the print data from the controller 13, and the developing device 5 uses the toner 10 that is powder ink to form the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member 1. Develop. The developed toner image on the photoreceptor 1 is transferred to the paper 12 by the transfer device 6 and fixed by a fixing unit (not shown). The photoreceptor 1 to which the untransferred toner 11 after the transfer is adhered is neutralized and cleaned by the AC neutralizer 7 and the cleaning brush 9, and the above process is repeated.

  When printing is started, ozone is generated in the charger 2 and the transfer device 6. The ozone is sucked by the blower 3 along the direction of the arrow in FIG.

  FIG. 2 shows an operation block of each part according to the present invention. When the print job is completed and the electrophotographic apparatus is turned off, the electrophotographic apparatus 14 receives a power-off signal from the controller 13 and drives only the photosensitive member 1, the cleaning brush 9, and the blower 3 for a predetermined time. At this time, the charger 2 and the transfer device 6 are in a stopped state, and ozone stagnating around the charger 2 and the transfer device 6 is sucked and removed by the blower 3. A small amount of ozone on the surface of the photoreceptor 1 is also removed by the cleaning brush 9. After the above process continues for a predetermined time, for example, 1 minute, the above process ends and the power of the electrophotographic apparatus 14 is turned off.

  According to the present invention, since a small amount of ozone around the photoreceptor 1 can be discharged when the power of the electrophotographic apparatus 14 is turned off, even if the electrophotographic apparatus 14 is stopped for a long period of time, the ozone deterioration of the photoreceptor 1 is prevented. Does not occur.

1 is a schematic diagram of an electrophotographic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The operation | movement block diagram of embodiment which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 is a photosensitive member, 2 is a charger, 3 is a blower, 4 is an exposure unit, 5 is a developing unit, 6 is a transfer unit, 7 is an AC static eliminator, 8 is a duct, 9 is a cleaning brush, 10 is toner, and 11 is Untransferred toner, 12 is paper, 13 is a controller, and 14 is an electrophotographic apparatus.

Claims (1)

A photoreceptor,
A charging device for uniformly charging the surface of the photoreceptor;
Exposure means for forming an electrostatic latent image according to print data;
A developing device for developing the electrostatic latent image with toner which is powder ink;
A transfer device for transferring the toner image on the photoconductor to a sheet;
A cleaning brush for cleaning untransferred toner on the photoconductor after being transferred;
In an electrophotographic apparatus comprising ozone removing means for sucking and removing ozone generated from the charging device and the transfer device by a blower,
The electrophotographic apparatus, wherein the photoconductor, the cleaning brush, and the blower are driven for a predetermined time immediately before the power of the electrophotographic apparatus is turned off.

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