JP2008191521A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of obtaining image forming conditions, according to the operating environment, in a short period of time in forming an image. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus is equipped with a photoreceptor drum 1 carrying an image; a corona charger 2 for charging the photoreceptor drum 1; an exposure device 3 for performing exposure to form electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor drum 1; a developing device 4 for developing the electrostatic latent image as a toner image; a transfer roller 5 for transferring the toner image to recording material P; a destaticizing unit 9 for destaticizing the surface of the photoreceptor drum 1; and a potential measuring means 10 for detecting the surface potential of the photoreceptor drum 1. The image forming apparatus has a control means 7, which detects residual potential in a non-image region charged by the corona charger 2, that is, a region destaticized by the destaticizing unit 9 by the potential-measuring means 10 during post-rotation after finishing forming the image, and by controlling the image forming conditions based on the result of the detection. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer apparatus.

  Image formation by electrophotography is performed according to the following procedure. First, a photoconductor as an image carrier is charged to a constant potential by a charging means (main charge), and then image exposure is performed to form an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the original image on the surface of the photoconductor. Next, the electrostatic latent image is developed to form a toner image, and the toner image is transferred to a recording material such as predetermined paper. After the toner image is transferred, the toner and paper dust remaining on the surface of the photosensitive member are removed by cleaning, and the residual potential is removed by performing static elimination. This completes one cycle of image formation.

  Here, in order to appropriately obtain the charging voltage of the photoconductor, there are the following conventional examples of the above-described charging means (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  In patent document 1, it devises about the static elimination of a charging means. Specifically, in response to the problem of how much the charge removal amount is set, the light removal amount is set to 2 to 3 times the exposure amount corresponding to the inflection point of the logarithmic plot light attenuation characteristic curve of the photoconductor. It is set. As a result, the static elimination is stably performed with a constant efficiency regardless of the type of the photoconductor.

  In Patent Document 2, a scorotron type corona charger that is widely used because it is easy to control as a charging means is used. The corona charger includes a corotron type including a corona discharge electrode and a conductive shield, and a scorotron type obtained by adding a grid electrode to them. Then, using a scorotron type corona charger, first, two or more predetermined voltages are applied to the grid electrode. Then, the photosensitive drum potentials at these applied voltages are respectively detected, and the grid applied voltage required for setting the photosensitive member surface potential to the target potential is obtained from the detected values, and applied to the grid electrodes. These controls are performed after a certain time has elapsed since the power was turned on or after warming up, thereby preventing temperature changes in the apparatus and fluctuations in charging ability due to the photoreceptor.

  Conventionally, when forming an image, the dark attenuation amount is measured as follows to determine the image forming condition. In other words, the photosensitive drum is charged in advance by charging means, and the dark attenuation is measured from the first potential when the charged surface passes through the potential sensor and the second potential after the drum has made a further round. It was.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 08-335013 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-288874

  However, there were the following problems.

  In Patent Document 1, an inflection point of a double logarithmic plot light attenuation characteristic curve of a photoconductor is measured in a specific environment, and an appropriate amount of light neutralization is set in the measurement environment. However, since it does not cope with a change in the usage environment in which the image forming apparatus is placed, it is difficult to obtain a charging voltage appropriately according to the usage environment.

  Further, as in Patent Document 2, in the method of measuring the photosensitive drum potential with respect to a plurality of grid application voltages until the grid application voltage is obtained, the productivity is reduced by the number of times of measurement.

  Further, in the conventional dark attenuation measurement, since the drum is rotated once, the productivity is reduced by the measurement time. In addition, since the drum is made to make one round, it is difficult to measure the dark attenuation amount with high accuracy due to the influence of the member in contact with the periphery of the drum.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of obtaining image forming conditions corresponding to the use environment in a short time when performing image formation.

A typical configuration according to the present invention for achieving the above object is as follows:
An image carrier for carrying an image, and charging means for charging the image carrier;
Exposure means for exposing to form an electrostatic latent image on the image carrier;
Developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image as a toner image;
Transfer means for transferring the toner image to a recording material;
Neutralizing means for neutralizing the surface of the image carrier;
In an image forming apparatus comprising: a potential detection unit that detects a surface potential of the image carrier;
During post-rotation after image formation,
A non-image area charged by the charging means, the residual potential of the area to be neutralized by the static elimination means is detected by the potential detection means,
And control means for controlling the image forming conditions based on the detection result.

  With the above configuration, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of obtaining image forming conditions for obtaining a good image in a short time even under a change in use environment.

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

  FIG. 1 shows an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus shown in the figure is a laser beam printer having a recording material (for example, paper) whose maximum sheet passing size is A3 size, and employs an electrophotographic system, a transfer system, a corona charging system, and a reverse development system. .

(Overall configuration of image forming apparatus)
As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a photosensitive drum 1 as an image carrier. Then, around the photosensitive drum 1, process means are arranged along the rotation direction (arrow R1 direction). The process means includes a corona charger 2 as a charging means, an exposure device (exposure means) 3, a potential measuring means 10, and a developing device 4 as a developing means. As process means, a transfer roller 5 and a cleaning blade 8 as transfer means, a static elimination unit 9 as static elimination means, and a temperature / humidity detection means (not shown) are arranged. A fixing device 6 as a fixing unit is disposed on the downstream side of the transfer roller 5 along the conveyance direction of the recording material P. The neutralization unit 9 neutralizes the photosensitive drum 1 downstream of the transfer roller 5 in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 1 and upstream of the corona charger 2 in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 1.

(Photosensitive drum)
The image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum 1 (rotary drum type electrophotographic photosensitive member) as an image carrier. The photosensitive drum 1 has a photosensitive layer formed of OPC (organic optical semiconductor) having negative charging characteristics. The photosensitive drum 1 is formed with a diameter of 50 mm, and is driven to rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow R1 with a process speed (circumferential speed) of 100 mm / sec around a central support shaft (not shown).

  FIG. 2 schematically shows the layer structure of the photosensitive drum 1. As shown in the figure, the photosensitive drum 1 has a conductive drum base (conductive base: for example, an aluminum cylinder) 1a on the inner side (lower side in the figure). On the surface of the conductive drum base 1a, three layers of an undercoat layer 1b that suppresses light interference and improves the adhesion of the upper layer, a charge generation layer 1c, and a charge transport layer 1d are applied in order from the inside. It is a configuration. Of these, the charge generation layer 1c and the charge transport layer 1d constitute a photosensitive layer.

(Corona charger)
The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 has a corona charger 2 as charging means. The corona charger 2 is a scorotron type having a corona discharge electrode, a conductive shield, and a grid electrode. The corona charger 2 has voltage applying means (not shown) for applying a voltage to the corona discharge electrode and a charging bias applying power source S1 for applying a voltage to the grid electrode, and the surface (outer peripheral surface) of the photosensitive drum 1 is predetermined. Charge uniformly to the polarity and potential.

  The applied voltage applied to the grid electrode of the corona charger 2 by the charging bias application power source S1 is controlled by the control means 7. In the control means 7, the potential measurement means (potential detection means) 10 detects the residual potential after the charge removal area 9 is neutralized in the charging area immediately before the charging of the photosensitive drum 1 by the corona charger 2 is completed. However, information from the detection result is input.

(Exposure equipment)
The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 includes an exposure device 3 as an exposure unit for writing information for forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the charged photosensitive drum 1. In the present embodiment, the exposure device 3 is a laser beam scanner using a semiconductor laser. The exposure device 3 outputs a laser beam L modulated in accordance with an image signal sent from the host processing such as an image reading device (not shown) to the image forming apparatus main body. The laser light L scans (image exposes) the surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 1 that has been charged at the exposure position b. By this scanning exposure, the potential of the portion irradiated with the laser beam L on the charged surface of the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is lowered, and an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information is formed.

(Developer)
The developing device 4 supplies a developer (toner) to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 1 and visualizes the electrostatic latent image as a toner image. The developing device 4 of the present embodiment is a two-component magnetic brush developing type reversal developing device.

  The developing device 4 includes a developing container 4a, a developing sleeve 4b, a magnet roller 4c, a developer coating blade 4d, a developer stirring member 4f, and a toner hopper 4g. In addition, the code | symbol 4e in FIG. 1 has shown the two-component developer 4e accommodated in the developing container 4a.

  The developing container 4a accommodates the two-component developer 4e and rotatably supports the developing sleeve 4b and the like. The developing sleeve 4b is a non-magnetic cylindrical member, and is rotatably disposed in the developing container 4a with a part of the outer peripheral surface exposed to the outside. The magnet roller 4c is inserted inside the developing sleeve 4b while being fixed in a non-rotating state. The developer coating blade 4d regulates the layer thickness of the two-component developer 4e coated on the surface of the developing sleeve. The developer agitating member 4f is disposed on the bottom side in the developing container 4a and agitates the two-component developer 4e and conveys it toward the developing sleeve 4b. The toner hopper 4g is a container that stores replenishment toner to be replenished to the developing container 4a.

The two-component developer 4e in the developing container 4a is a mixture of toner and magnetic carrier, and is stirred by the developer stirring member 4f. In this embodiment, the magnetic carrier has a resistance of about 10 ¹³ Ω · cm and a particle size of 40 μm. The toner is triboelectrically charged to negative polarity by rubbing with the magnetic carrier.

  The developing sleeve 4b described above is disposed to face the photosensitive drum 1 in a state where the closest distance (S-Dgap) to the photosensitive drum 1 is maintained at 350 μm. The facing portion between the photosensitive drum 1 and the developing sleeve 4b is a developing position c. The developing sleeve 4b is rotationally driven in a direction in which the surface thereof moves in the direction opposite to the moving direction of the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 at the developing position c. That is, the photosensitive drum 1 is rotationally driven in the direction of the arrow R4 with respect to the rotation in the direction of the arrow R1.

  A part of the two-component developer 4e in the developing container 4a is adsorbed and held as a magnetic brush layer on the outer peripheral surface of the developing sleeve 4b by the magnetic force of the inner magnet roller 4c, and is rotated and conveyed along with the rotation of the developing sleeve 4b. The The magnetic brush layer is layered into a predetermined thin layer by the developer coating blade 4d, and comes into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 at the developing position c to appropriately rub the surface of the photosensitive drum. An applied bias (development bias) applied to the developing sleeve 4 b of the developing device 4 is applied from the applied power source S 2 and is controlled by the control means 7. The control means 7 detects the residual potential of the photosensitive drum 1 after being neutralized by the static elimination unit 9 by the potential measuring means 10 and inputs information from the detection result. Here, a specific region for measuring the residual potential of the photosensitive drum 1 is a portion of the charging surface of the photosensitive drum 1 by the corona charger 2 immediately before the charging of the photosensitive drum 1 by the corona charger 2 is completed. Indicates the area.

  In the developing device 4 described above, the developer in the developing container 4a is coated as a thin layer on the surface of the rotating developing sleeve 4b and conveyed to the developing position c. Here, the toner in the developer is selectively attached to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 1 by the electric field generated by the developing bias applied to the developing sleeve 4b by the developing bias applying power source S2. As a result, the electrostatic latent image is developed as a toner image. In the case of the present embodiment, toner is attached to an exposed bright portion (laser light irradiation portion) on the photosensitive drum 1 and the electrostatic latent image is reversely developed. At this time, the charge amount of the toner developed on the photosensitive drum 1 is −25 μC / g.

  The developer thin layer on the developing sleeve 4b that has passed the developing position c is returned to the developer reservoir in the developing container 4a with the subsequent rotation of the developing sleeve 4b. In order to maintain the toner concentration of the two-component developer 4e in the developing container 4a within a predetermined substantially constant range, the toner concentration of the two-component developer 4e in the developing container 4a is determined by, for example, an optical toner concentration sensor (not shown). Detected. Then, the toner hopper 4g is driven and controlled according to the detection information, and the toner in the toner hopper is supplied to the two-component developer 4e in the developing container 4a. The toner supplied to the two-component developer 4e is stirred by the stirring member 4f.

(Transfer means, fixing means)
In this embodiment, the transfer roller 5 is used as a transfer unit. The transfer roller 5 is pressed against the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 with a predetermined pressing force, and the pressure nip portion is a transfer position d. A recording material P (for example, paper, transparent film) is fed to the transfer position d at a predetermined control timing from a feeding mechanism (not shown).

  The recording material P fed to the transfer position d is nipped between the rotating photosensitive drum 1 and the transfer roller 5 and conveyed. In the meantime, the recording material P is applied with a positive transfer bias (in this embodiment, +2 kV) having a polarity opposite to the negative polarity which is the normal charging polarity of the toner from the transfer bias application power source S3 to the transfer roller 5. Is done. As a result, the toner images on the photosensitive drum 1 are sequentially electrostatically transferred onto the surface.

  The recording material P that has received the transfer of the toner image through the transfer position d is sequentially separated from the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 and conveyed to the fixing device 6. The recording material P is heated and pressed by the fixing roller 6a and the pressure roller 6b in the fixing device 6 to fix the toner image on the surface. Then, it is output as an image formed product (print, copy).

(Charging characteristics based on absolute water content)
Here, the characteristics of the charging potential of the photosensitive member with respect to the grid applied voltage are shown. As shown in FIG. 3, the charging characteristics vary depending on the absolute moisture content in the usage environment in which the image forming apparatus is placed. That is, in an environment where the absolute moisture content is small, the photosensitive member charging potential with respect to the grid applied voltage tends to decrease and the residual potential of the photosensitive drum 1 tends to increase compared to an environment where the absolute moisture content is large.

  This is because the discharge efficiency is generally lower in an environment where the amount of absolute moisture is smaller, the charging potential is lowered, and the impedance of the photoreceptor itself is increased, so that the charge holding capability is increased and the residual potential is increased. Further, in an environment where the absolute moisture content is small, the developer charge amount is high, and in order to obtain a density equivalent to that in an environment where the absolute moisture content is large, the so-called development contrast is increased and the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 1 is set high. There is a need. In this case, repeated charging and discharging in that potential state deteriorates the dark decay of the surface potential due to an increase in the number of accumulated carriers in the surface layer of the photoconductor, and increases the residual potential due to a decrease in the static eliminating effect due to the accumulation of light fatigue. Will be allowed to. Dark decay is a phenomenon in which the surface potential of a charged photoreceptor is attenuated by injected carriers, thermally excited carriers, etc. even in a dark place.

[Determination of dark attenuation by residual potential]
The characteristic part of this embodiment is demonstrated. In the present embodiment, the residual amount of the photosensitive drum, in which the dark attenuation amount from the position (predetermined first position) of the potential measuring means 10 to the developing position (predetermined second position) is measured in advance at the time of previous image formation. It is to obtain from the potential. By doing so, it is possible to perform measurement in a time shorter than the conventional measurement time of dark attenuation, and it is possible to prevent a decrease in productivity.

  Hereinafter, a method for determining the dark attenuation amount by the residual potential will be described in order.

(Charging characteristics depending on the number of images formed)
Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the charging characteristics also change depending on the number of images formed on the photoreceptor. That is, when the number of image formations on the photosensitive drum is large, compared to when the number of image formations on the photosensitive drum is small, the photosensitive member charging potential with respect to the grid applied voltage is lowered and the residual potential of the photosensitive drum 1 is increased. Show a tendency to The decrease in the charged potential of the photosensitive member and the increase in the residual potential are caused by the fact that the larger the number of images formed, the more difficult it is to charge due to a change in impedance due to a decrease in the film thickness of the photosensitive member itself. Further, this is because the potential attenuation due to pre-exposure decreases due to the increase in accumulated carriers and accumulation of light fatigue.

  From these characteristics, in this embodiment, the value obtained from the relationship between the residual potential and the dark attenuation amount is determined from the detection value of the residual potential at the time of previous image formation, judging the situation such as the use environment and the number of images formed. Is set in advance, and the next image forming condition is set based on the value. Specifically, it is as follows.

  The dark attenuation amount from the corona charger 2 to the developing device 4 differs depending on the use environment and the number of image formations. For example, the dark attenuation amount is small when the number of image formations is small or when the absolute water content is large. In this case, if the potential difference (hereinafter referred to as Vback) between the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 1 and the DC component of the developing bias applied to the developing device 4 is increased more than necessary, it is a factor that causes carrier adhesion. It can't be done. For this reason, it is necessary to increase Vback by the amount that the dark attenuation amount increases under conditions such as the use environment and the number of images formed.

  FIG. 5 is a graph showing the relationship between the residual potential VD_0 and the dark attenuation amount from the potential measuring means 10 to the development position c, measured for the photosensitive drums having different absolute moisture amounts and the number of images formed in the measurement environment. is there. In the present embodiment, the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 1 is charged by the corona charger 2 so that it becomes −800 V at the position of the potential measuring means 10.

  The residual potential VD_0 is measured as follows. First, image formation is performed in the above charged state, and image formation is completed. Even after the image formation is completed, the photosensitive drum 1 is rotated, and is discharged by the charge removal unit 9 in a region where the photosensitive drum 1 is charged by the corona charger 2 immediately before the completion of the image formation. After the region has passed through the static elimination unit 9, the surface potential of the non-image forming region in the region of the photosensitive drum 1 is measured with the potential measuring means provided downstream of the corona charger 2 in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 1. Measure at 10.

  The dark attenuation amount from the potential measuring means 10 to the developing position c is a difference between the surface potential (−800 V) at the position of the potential measuring means 10 and the measured value of the surface potential at the developing position c. From the result of FIG. 5, it can be said that the dark attenuation amount increases almost in proportion to the residual potential VD_0. Therefore, taking this tendency into consideration, the dark attenuation amount from the potential measuring means 10 to the developing position c is calculated from the measured value of the residual potential VD_0, and the calculated dark attenuation amount is fed back to Vback for image formation. In this way, Vback at the development position c can always be kept constant.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the Vback correction amount with respect to the measured value of the residual potential VD_0. The horizontal axis represents the residual potential VD_0, and the vertical axis represents the Vback correction amount. In the present embodiment, the absolute moisture content in the usage environment is set to 0.9 to 21.5, and the number of images formed is set to 200,000. Therefore, the portion corresponding to the solid line segment in FIG. 6 is the Vback correction amount for the measured residual potential VD_0.

  FIG. 7 is a table (table) showing the Vback correction amount at the time of image formation calculated from the measured value of the residual potential VD_0 from FIG. Information of this table is stored in advance in the memory of the main body. After the measured value of the residual potential VD_0 is input to the control means 7, a desired Vback is obtained by performing a desired bias control. Here, in the desired bias control, the applied voltage applied to the grid electrode of the corona charger 2 by the charging bias application power source S1 may be controlled. Further, the developing bias applied to the developing sleeve 4b by the developing bias applying power source S2 may be controlled. Also, both biases may be controlled.

  In this embodiment, the surface potential at the position of the potential measuring means 10 is controlled to be constant at −800V. For this reason, the developing bias side is controlled as the correction of Vback. Also, Vcont, which is the difference between the bright portion potential and the development bias, is controlled to a predetermined value by adjusting the exposure amount so that a predetermined Vcont is obtained after the development bias is determined.

  The flow until Vback is determined will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 shows a control flowchart until Vback is determined in the present embodiment.

  First, it is assumed that the surface potential at the position of the potential measuring means 10 is −800 V, the developing bias is −650 V (Vback = −150 V), and the absolute moisture amount is 21.5 after the power is turned on or warmed up. In this case, the residual potential VD_0 of the photosensitive drum 1 after forming 20,000 images is measured by the potential measuring means 10 (S1). In this embodiment, it was -10V.

  The detected value of the residual potential VD_0 is input to the control means 7, and the Vback correction amount is calculated from the table of FIG. 7 stored in the memory of the main body (S2). In this embodiment, it is −10V. Then, it is fed back to Vback (-160 V in this embodiment) at the time of the next image formation (S3). In this way, the control is performed so that the Vback correction amount increases as the absolute value of the residual potential VD_0 increases.

  Further, in the present embodiment, after the power is turned on or after warming up, the surface potential at the position of the potential measuring means 10 is −800 V, the developing bias is −650 V (Vback = −150 V), and the absolute moisture amount is 21.5. Perform the above control. Then, while controlling, the absolute water content and the number of sheets formed were 0.9 (10,000 sheets), 12.3 (10,000 sheets), and 21.5 (10,000 sheets), respectively, while changing in random order, a total of 200,000 sheets. Image formation was performed.

  On the other hand, as a comparative example, image formation was performed with Vback kept constant at -150V. (Image formation was performed with the surface potential at the position of the potential measuring means 10 fixed at −800 V and the developing bias −650 V (Vback = −150 V).) At this time, the absolute water content and the number of sheets formed were set in the same manner as described above. A total of 200,000 sheets of images were formed while changing in an order of 0.9 (10,000 sheets), 12.3 (10,000 sheets), and 21.5 (10,000 sheets).

  As a result, when the setting of Vback is changed according to the detection result of the residual potential as in the present embodiment, the lifetime that can maintain a good quality image is extended. Specifically, the lifetime that can maintain a high-quality image at a level where fog does not occur was about 50,000 sheets in the case of the comparative example, but could be extended to 200,000 sheets in this embodiment.

  Here, the measurement timing of the residual potential VD_0 of the photosensitive drum 1 is set to the so-called post-rotation measurement that is not related to productivity. In other words, the photoreceptor after the neutralization unit has removed the area immediately before the end of image formation after a certain period of time has elapsed since the power was turned on or after warming up, and immediately before the charging of the photosensitive drum 1 by the corona charger 2 has ended. The residual potential of the drum 1 was set. However, the measurement timing of the residual potential VD_0 of the photosensitive drum 1 is not limited to just before the end of image formation, and there are as many timings as there are just before the grid application voltage is turned off. Therefore, any timing may be used.

  For example, even if the power is turned off or in the sleep state after the measurement in the post-rotation, there is a timing immediately before the grid applied voltage is turned off after the power is turned on or after warming up until the target grid voltage determination control. To do. In that case, the measured value can also be used for target grid voltage determination control.

  Further, when the residual potential VD_0 of the photosensitive drum 1 is measured by post-rotation and then the power is turned off or in the sleep state, the residual potential VD_0 measured before the power is turned off is used for the target grid voltage determination control. It is also possible. This is because when the residual potential VD_0 is measured and the amount of change in the absolute water content during the subsequent target grid voltage determination control is about 2 to 3, the change in the environment during power OFF and during the target grid voltage determination control This is because the amount of change in the residual potential VD_0 is very small.

  As described above, first, the residual potential VD_0 is measured in advance at a timing immediately before the post-rotation or other grid application voltage as described above is turned off. Thereby, the control time at the timing related to productivity can be shortened, and the target potential can be obtained with high accuracy while suppressing the decrease in productivity.

  Further, in this embodiment, the dark attenuation is measured from the residual potential, and the Vback is controlled to a predetermined value by changing the developing bias, but this is not restrictive. For example, Vback may be controlled to a predetermined value by changing the charging bias, or a combination thereof. For example, when the Vback correction amount is -10V, when the Vback is expanded from -150V to -160V, the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 1 at the position of the potential measuring means 10 is changed from -800V to -160V without changing the developing bias. The charging bias may be changed to be 810V.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the time of post-rotation refers to the time from the end of the image forming operation to the next image formation start signal.

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

[Determination of target charging bias based on residual potential]
In this embodiment, the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 1 at the position of the potential measuring means 10 (charging condition that becomes a target charging potential) is determined using the residual potential. More specifically, in the present embodiment, a grid bias for setting the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 1 at the position of the potential measuring means 10 as a target potential, a residual potential measured in image formation, and a predetermined point. The voltage is determined from the charging potential when the voltage is applied to the grid. According to the present embodiment, the image forming conditions are determined in a shorter time compared to the conventional method of determining the target grid bias from the charged potential when two predetermined voltages are applied to the grid. And a reduction in productivity can be prevented.

  Incidentally, the surface potential of the photosensitive drum at the position of the potential measuring means 10 is previously held by the apparatus main body as a table according to the environment. Hereinafter, the method for determining the image forming condition in the present embodiment will be described in order.

  FIG. 9 shows an outline of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 9, a scorotron type corona charger 2 is arranged facing the photosensitive drum 1. A grid voltage is applied from the voltage application device 2 </ b> A to uniformly charge the surface of the photosensitive drum 1. The photosensitive drum 1 is a drum type in the illustrated example, and can rotate counterclockwise in FIG.

  The configuration according to the present embodiment includes a corona charger 2 disposed facing the photosensitive drum 1, a voltage application device 2 </ b> A that applies a voltage to the grid of the corona charger 2, and application to the corona charger 2. A control means 7 for controlling a bias (applied voltage) and a potential measuring means 10 are provided. Then, a charge area (non-image area) immediately before the end of charging of the photosensitive drum 1 by the corona charger 2 such as immediately before the end of image formation is discharged by the charge removal unit 9. Then, the residual potential of the photosensitive drum 1 after the neutralization and a charging potential when a predetermined voltage at one point is applied to the grid are detected. Then, based on the detected value, an applied voltage required for setting the photosensitive member charging potential to the target potential is obtained. As in the present embodiment, the reason why the target applied grid bias is obtained from the residual potential and the charging potential when a predetermined voltage at one point is applied to the grid is that the residual potential is expressed as “when the grid applied bias is 0V”. This is because it can be considered as “charging potential”. Therefore, since a charging potential when two grid biases are applied can be obtained as in the conventional case, a grid bias applied to obtain a target charging potential can be obtained.

  Next, in the present embodiment, control for determining a grid applied voltage Vg_target that sets the charged potential of the photosensitive drum 1 to a target potential after a predetermined time has elapsed since power-on or warm-up (hereinafter referred to as target grid voltage determination control). Will be described in detail. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the control procedure, and FIG. 11 is a graph showing the relationship between the photosensitive member charging potential and the grid applied voltage.

  First, the area where the photosensitive drum 1 is charged by the corona charger 2 immediately before the end of image formation is discharged by the discharging unit. The residual potential VD_0 (−80 V in the present embodiment) of the photosensitive drum 1 in that region is measured by the potential measuring means 10 provided downstream of the corona charger 2 in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 1. (S1).

  Then, target grid voltage determination control is started (S2). At this timing, only the photosensitive member charging potential VD_rough (-670 V in this embodiment) (S4) at a predetermined grid application voltage Vg_rough (-750 V in this embodiment) (S3) is detected.

  Here, the applied voltage Vg_target required for setting the charging potential to the target value VD_target (-700 V in the present embodiment) is Vg_rough, VD_rough and VD_0, and the photosensitive member charging potential and applied voltage as shown in FIG. Is in a relationship. Therefore, the target grid applied voltage Vg_target is obtained by the following equation.

Vg_target = {Vg_rough / (VD_rough−VD_0)} × (VD_target−VD_0)
(Vg_rough: grid applied voltage during coarse adjustment with respect to the target potential,
VD_rough: Coarse adjustment potential when applying the grid applied voltage Vg_rough during coarse adjustment,
Vg_target: Grid applied voltage after correction,
VD_target: target potential of the photosensitive drum 1,
VD_0: Residual potential of photosensitive drum 1)

  From the above equation, the grid applied voltage Vg_target that sets the charged potential of the photosensitive drum 1 to the target potential is −788 V (S5), and the actual potential when the calculated voltage is applied to the grid is the target value of the charged potential. Almost matched.

  Here, the measurement timing of the residual potential VD_0 of the photosensitive drum 1 is set to the so-called post-rotation measurement that is not related to productivity. That is, the photoreceptor after the neutralization unit has removed the area immediately before the end of image formation after a certain period of time has passed since the power was turned on or after warming up, and immediately before the charging of the photosensitive drum 1 by the corona charger 2 has ended. The residual potential of the drum 1 was set. However, the measurement timing of the residual potential VD_0 of the photosensitive drum 1 is not limited to just before the end of image formation, and there are as many timings as there are just before the grid application voltage is turned off. Therefore, any timing may be used.

  For example, even if the power is turned off or in the sleep state after the measurement in the post-rotation, there is a timing immediately before the grid applied voltage is turned off after the power is turned on or after warming up until the target grid voltage determination control. To do. In that case, the measured value can also be used for target grid voltage determination control.

  Further, when the residual potential VD_0 of the photosensitive drum 1 is measured by post-rotation and then the power is turned off or in the sleep state, the residual potential VD_0 measured before the power is turned off is used for the target grid voltage determination control. It is also possible. This is because when the residual potential VD_0 is measured and the amount of change in the absolute water content during the subsequent target grid voltage determination control is about 2 to 3, the change in the environment during power OFF and during the target grid voltage determination control This is because the amount of change in the residual potential VD_0 is very small.

  As described above, first, the residual potential VD_0 is measured in advance at a timing immediately before the post-rotation or other grid application voltage as described above is turned off. Then, at the time of target grid voltage determination control that is performed after a certain period of time has elapsed since the power is turned on or after warming up, the photosensitive member charging potential with respect to the grid applied voltage is measured only at one point. Thereby, the control time at the timing related to productivity can be shortened, and the target potential can be obtained with high accuracy while suppressing the decrease in productivity.

  According to this control method, the target grid voltage can be calculated appropriately in accordance with each timing, such as a change in the absolute moisture content in the usage environment in which the image forming apparatus is placed and an increase in the number of images formed on the photoreceptor. Can do.

  Here, as a means for setting the surface potential of the photosensitive drum to a predetermined potential, a scorotron type corona charger provided with a grid electrode is used as a charging means and a grid bias is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the configuration of the present embodiment can be applied as long as it is a means for setting the photosensitive drum to a predetermined surface potential in the same manner as the grid bias.

  Further, when a scorotron type corona charger is used, it is preferable that the corona discharge electrode is controlled at a constant current or the grid electrode is controlled at a constant voltage.

1 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing an example of an image forming apparatus. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing a layer configuration of a photosensitive drum. The graph which shows the relationship between a photoreceptor charging potential and the absolute water content of a use environment. 6 is a graph showing the relationship between the photosensitive member charging potential and the number of images formed on the photosensitive member. The graph which shows the relationship between a residual potential and dark attenuation amount (1st Embodiment). 6 is a graph showing the relationship between the residual potential and the Vback correction amount (first embodiment). FIG. 6 is a chart showing a relationship between a residual potential and a Vback correction amount (first embodiment). FIG. The flowchart for demonstrating control (1st Embodiment). Schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus (second embodiment). The flowchart for demonstrating a control procedure (2nd Embodiment). 6 is a graph showing the relationship between the photosensitive member charging potential and the grid applied voltage (second embodiment).

Explanation of symbols

L: laser beam, P: recording material, S1: charging bias application power source, S2: development bias application power source, S3: transfer bias application power source, b: exposure position, c ... development position, d ... transfer position, 1 ... photoreceptor Drum, 1a ... conductive drum substrate, 1b ... layer, 1c ... charge generation layer, 1d ... charge transport layer, 2 ... corona charger, 2A ... voltage application device, 3 ... exposure device, 4 ... developer, 4a ... development Container, 4b ... developing sleeve, 4c ... magnet roller, 4d ... developer coating blade, 4e ... two-component developer, 4f ... developer stirring member, 4g ... toner hopper, 5 ... transfer roller, 6 ... fixing device, 7 ... Control means, 8 ... cleaning blade, 9 ... static elimination unit, 10 ... potential measuring means

Claims (9)

An image carrier that carries an image, a charging unit that charges the image carrier, an exposure unit that exposes the image carrier to form an electrostatic latent image, and develops the electrostatic latent image as a toner image An image development device, a transfer device that transfers the toner image to a recording material, a charge removal device that neutralizes the surface of the image carrier, and a potential detection device that detects the surface potential of the image carrier. In the forming device,
At the time of post-rotation after the end of image formation, the potential detection means detects the residual potential of the non-image area charged by the charging means and the area removed by the charge removal means, and based on the detection result. And an image forming apparatus comprising: control means for controlling image forming conditions.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls a potential difference between a surface potential of a charging surface of the image carrier and a DC component of a developing bias applied to the developing unit.   The control means increases the charging bias so that the larger the absolute value of the residual potential, the larger the correction amount of the potential difference between the surface potential of the charging surface and the DC component of the developing bias applied to the developing means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the developing biases is controlled.   4. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit presets a value obtained from a relationship between the residual potential and a dark attenuation amount, and performs control based on the value. 5. Image forming apparatus.   The control unit controls charging conditions of the charging unit based on the residual potential and a charging potential of the image carrier when a predetermined bias is applied to the charging unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the control unit determines a charging bias to be applied to the charging unit based on the following equation.
Vg_target = {Vg_rough / (VD_rough−VD_0)} × (VD_target−VD_0)
(Vg_rough: grid applied voltage during coarse adjustment with respect to the target potential,
VD_rough: Coarse adjustment potential when applying the grid applied voltage Vg_rough during coarse adjustment,
Vg_target: Grid applied voltage after correction,
VD_target: target potential of the photosensitive drum 1,
VD_0: Residual potential of photosensitive drum 1)   The charging means is a scorotron type including a corona discharge electrode, a conductive shield, and a grid electrode, and includes a voltage applying means for applying a voltage to the corona discharge electrode and a voltage applying means for applying a voltage to the grid electrode. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an image forming apparatus according to claim 1;   8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the corona discharge electrode is subjected to constant current control.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the grid electrode is controlled at a constant voltage.