JP2012058749A - Lubricant supply device, cleaning device, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lubricant supply device that reliably suppresses the scattering of a lubricant, and to provide a cleaning device, a process cartridge, and an image forming apparatus.SOLUTION: A lubricant supply device of the present invention includes: a brush-shaped rotary member 45b that carries a lubricant and has brush bristles provided on the peripheral surface thereof that slidably contact with an image carrier 21 on a slidable contact position; and a regulation member 45e that is provided downstream side in a rotational direction of the brush-shaped rotary member 45b and close to the slidable contact position, and regulates the lubricant K that comes off from the brush-shaped rotary member 45b and scatters toward positions other than the image carrier 21 in the proximity of the slidable contact position.

Description

  The present invention is provided on an image carrier such as a photoconductor drum, a photoconductor belt, and an intermediate transfer belt installed in an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic system such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, or a composite machine thereof. The present invention relates to a lubricant supply device that supplies a lubricant, and a cleaning device, a process cartridge, and an image forming apparatus including the lubricant supply device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in image forming apparatuses such as copying machines and printers, deposits such as untransferred toner adhering to an image carrier such as a photosensitive drum are reliably cleaned with a cleaning device, and an image carrier, a cleaning blade, and the like In order to reduce the wear of the toner, a technique using a lubricant supply device that supplies a lubricant onto the image carrier is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Specifically, the untransferred toner remaining on the image carrier after the transfer process should be completely removed by a cleaning blade (cleaning device) that contacts the image carrier. However, when the cleaning blade deteriorates with time due to contact with the image carrier (abrasion), cleaning failure may occur due to slipping through the gap between the cleaning blade where the untransferred toner is worn and the image carrier. Even when the cleaning blade is not deteriorated, when small toner or spherical toner is used, the toner enters a slight gap between the cleaning blade and the image carrier and eventually passes through the gap. A cleaning failure sometimes occurred. Furthermore, if toner or an external additive or paper dust contained in the toner slips through the gap between the cleaning blade and the image carrier, it adheres to the image carrier and forms a film. There was also.

  In response to such a problem, by applying a lubricant on the image carrier, the friction coefficient on the image carrier is reduced, so that deterioration of the cleaning blade and the image carrier is reduced. Since the removability of deposits such as untransferred toner adhering to the toner is improved, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of poor cleaning and filming over time.

  Specifically, in Patent Document 1 and the like, the lubricant supply device (application member) includes a brush-like rotating member (brush portion) that makes sliding contact with the image carrier, a solid lubricant that contacts the brush-like rotating member, and a solid lubricant. It is composed of a spring that urges the brush-like rotating member. Then, the lubricant is gradually scraped off from the solid lubricant by the brush-like rotating member rotating in a predetermined direction, and the lubricant scraped off by the brush-like rotating member is applied (supplied) to the surface of the image carrier.

  On the other hand, Patent Document 2 discloses a lubricant supply device that supplies a lubricant onto an intermediate transfer belt, and uses a cleaning blade that is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt to rotate the intermediate transfer belt with a brush-like rotating member (brush). A technique for preventing the lubricant supplied to the splatter from being scattered is disclosed.

  In the conventional lubricant supply device, all of the lubricant carried on the brush-like rotating member is not supplied onto the image carrier, and a part of the lubricant is separated from the brush-like rotating member and scattered. . The scattered lubricant has contaminated the image forming apparatus.

On the other hand, the technique of Patent Document 2 and the like is intended to prevent the lubricant supplied to the intermediate transfer belt by the brush-like rotating member from being scattered using a cleaning blade that contacts the intermediate transfer belt. The achievement of the effect may be insufficient.
The inventor of the present application has found that the scattering of the lubricant occurs in the vicinity of the sliding contact position between the brush-like rotating member and the image carrier and downstream in the rotation direction of the brush-like rotating member. Therefore, since the cleaning blade is disposed at a position away from the brush-like rotating member, the technique of Patent Document 2 cannot sufficiently prevent the scattering of the lubricant that occurs in the vicinity of the sliding contact position. In addition, since the cleaning blade is disposed on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the brush-like rotating member, the technology of Patent Document 2 and the like sufficiently prevent the scattering of the lubricant that occurs on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the brush-like rotating member. Can not do it.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides a lubricant supply device, a cleaning device, a process cartridge, and an image forming apparatus in which splashing of the lubricant is reliably suppressed. It is in.

The inventor of the present application has come to know the following matters as a result of repeated studies to solve the above-mentioned problems.
In other words, the scattering of the lubricant occurs in the vicinity of the sliding contact position between the brush-like rotating member and the image carrier and on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the brush-like rotating member.

  The present invention is based on the above-described matters, that is, the lubricant supply device according to the first aspect of the present invention is a lubricant supply device for supplying a lubricant onto the image carrier, A brush-like rotating member that carries a lubricant and that has brush bristles that are slidably contacted on the image bearing member at the sliding contact position, and is close to the sliding contact position on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the brush-shaped rotating member. And a regulating member that regulates the lubricant that is separated from the brush-like rotating member in the vicinity of the sliding contact position and scatters toward a position other than the image carrier.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the lubricant supply device according to the first aspect, wherein the brush-like rotating member has a rotational direction that is the same as the traveling direction of the image carrier at the sliding contact position. In the same direction, the restricting member comes into contact with the image carrier.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the lubricant supply device according to the second aspect, the regulating member is a blade-like member made of a rubber material and is supplied onto the image carrier. The lubricant is thinned.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the lubricant supply device according to the first to third aspects, the regulating member is made of a conductive material and a predetermined voltage is applied. It is what is done.

  A lubricant supply device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the lubricant supply device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, further comprising a solid lubricant that contacts the brush bristles of the brush-like rotating member. It is provided.

  A lubricant supply device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the lubricant supply device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the lubricant is zinc stearate.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the lubricant supply device according to the first to sixth aspects, the image carrier has a crosslinked structure and a charge transport material is dispersed. A protective layer formed of a binder resin is provided on the surface.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the lubricant supply device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the image carrier is used with respect to a cleaning device for cleaning the image carrier. It is arrange | positioned in the driving | running | working direction downstream.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lubricant supply device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the lubricant supply device is provided in a cleaning device for cleaning the image carrier. is there.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cleaning device for cleaning an image carrier, comprising the lubricant supply device according to any one of the first to ninth aspects. Is.

  A process cartridge according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is a process cartridge which is detachably installed on the main body of the image forming apparatus, and is according to any one of the first to ninth aspects. The lubricant supply device and the image carrier are integrated.

  An image forming apparatus according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention includes the lubricant supply device according to any one of the first to ninth aspects and the image carrier.

  In the present application, the “process cartridge” refers to a charging unit that charges the image carrier, a developing unit (developing device) that develops a latent image formed on the image carrier, and a cleaning on the image carrier. It is defined as a unit in which at least one of the cleaning unit (cleaning device) and the image carrier are integrated and detachably installed on the image forming apparatus main body.

  In the present invention, since the regulating member is installed in the vicinity of the sliding contact position between the brush-like rotating member and the image carrier and on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the brush-like rotating member, the scattering of the lubricant is surely suppressed. A lubricant supply device, a cleaning device, a process cartridge, and an image forming apparatus can be provided.

1 is an overall configuration diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an image forming unit in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1. It is sectional drawing which shows the principal part of a lubricant supply apparatus. It is the schematic which shows the state by which the scattering of the lubricant is controlled by the control member. It is the schematic which shows the state which the lubricant has scattered. It is the schematic which shows the principal part of the lubricant supply apparatus in Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the principal part of the lubricant supply apparatus in Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the principal part of the lubricant supply apparatus in Embodiment 4 of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, in each figure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part which is the same or it corresponds, The duplication description is simplified or abbreviate | omitted suitably.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
First, the configuration and operation of the entire image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.
In FIG. 1, 1 is an apparatus main body of a color copying machine as an image forming apparatus, 2 is a writing section (exposure section) that emits laser light based on input image information, and 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20BK are colors (yellow, magenta). , Cyan, and black), 21 is a photosensitive drum as an image carrier accommodated in each of the process cartridges 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20BK, 22 is a charging unit that charges the photosensitive drum 21, Reference numerals 23Y, 23M, 23C, and 23BK denote developing devices (developing units) that develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 21, and 24 denotes a toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 21 to the intermediate transfer belt 27. A transfer bias roller 25 for transferring, a cleaning device (cleaning unit) for collecting untransferred toner on the photosensitive drum 21, Show.

  Reference numeral 27 denotes an intermediate transfer belt as an image carrier onto which toner images of a plurality of colors are transferred, and 28 denotes a second transfer bias roller for transferring the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 27 to the recording medium P. 29 is an intermediate transfer belt cleaning device that collects untransferred toner on the intermediate transfer belt 27, 30 is a conveyance belt that conveys a recording medium P on which a four-color toner image is transferred, and 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32BK are each A toner replenishing unit that replenishes each color toner to the developing devices 23Y, 23M, 23C, and 23BK, 51 a document conveying unit that conveys the document D to the document reading unit 55, and 55 a document reading unit that reads image information of the document D, 61 Indicates a paper feeding unit in which a recording medium P such as transfer paper is accommodated, and 66 indicates a fixing unit for fixing an unfixed image on the recording medium P.

Here, each of the process cartridges 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20BK is obtained by integrating a photosensitive drum 21, a charging unit 22, a cleaning device 25, and a lubricant supply device 45 (see FIG. 2). It is. The process cartridges 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20BK are exchanged with respect to the apparatus main body 1 in a predetermined exchange cycle. Similarly, the developing devices 23Y, 23M, 23C, and 23BK are also exchanged with respect to the apparatus main body 1 in a predetermined exchange cycle.
Image formation of each color (yellow, magenta, cyan, black) is performed on the photosensitive drum 21 in each of the process cartridges 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20BK.

Hereinafter, an operation during normal color image formation in the image forming apparatus will be described.
First, the document D is transported from the document table in the direction of the arrow in the drawing by the transport roller of the document transport unit 51 and placed on the contact glass 53 of the document reading unit 55. Then, the document reading unit 55 optically reads the image information of the document D placed on the contact glass 53.

  Specifically, the document reading unit 55 scans the image of the document D on the contact glass 53 while irradiating light emitted from the illumination lamp. Then, the light reflected by the document D is imaged on the color sensor via the mirror group and the lens. The color image information of the document D is read for each RGB (red, green, blue) color separation light by the color sensor, and then converted into an electrical image signal. Further, an image processing unit (not shown) performs color conversion processing, color correction processing, spatial frequency correction processing, and the like on the basis of RGB color separation image signals, so that yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are processed. Get color image information.

  Then, the image information of each color of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black is transmitted to the writing unit 2. Then, laser light (exposure light) based on the image information of each color is emitted from the writing unit 2 toward the photosensitive drums 21 of the corresponding process cartridges 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20BK.

On the other hand, the four photosensitive drums 21 rotate in the clockwise direction in FIG. First, the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 is uniformly charged at a position facing the charging unit 22 (a charging process). Thus, a charged potential is formed on the photosensitive drum 21. Thereafter, the surface of the charged photosensitive drum 21 reaches the irradiation position of each laser beam.
In the writing unit 2, laser light corresponding to the image signal is emitted from the light source corresponding to each color. The laser light is incident on the polygon mirror 3 and reflected, and then passes through the lenses 4 and 5. The laser light after passing through the lenses 4 and 5 passes through different optical paths for each of the yellow, magenta, cyan, and black color components (this is an exposure process).

  The laser beam corresponding to the yellow component is reflected by the mirrors 6 to 8 and then irradiated onto the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 of the first process cartridge 20Y from the left side of the drawing. At this time, the yellow component laser light is scanned in the rotation axis direction (main scanning direction) of the photosensitive drum 21 by the polygon mirror 3 that rotates at high speed. Thus, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the yellow component is formed on the photosensitive drum 21 charged by the charging unit 22.

  Similarly, the laser beam corresponding to the magenta component is reflected by the mirrors 9 to 11 and then irradiated to the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 of the second process cartridge 20M from the left side of the paper, thereby causing an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the magenta component. An image is formed. The cyan component laser light is reflected by the mirrors 12 to 14 and then irradiated onto the surface of the photosensitive drum 212 of the third process cartridge 20C from the left side of the drawing to form a cyan component electrostatic latent image. The black component laser light is reflected by the mirror 15 and then irradiated on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 of the fourth process cartridge 20BK from the left side of the paper, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image of black component.

Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 on which the electrostatic latent images of the respective colors are formed reaches positions facing the developing devices 23Y, 23M, 23C, and 23BK, respectively. Then, the respective color toners are supplied from the developing devices 23Y, 23M, 23C, and 23BK onto the photosensitive drum 21, and the latent image on the photosensitive drum 21 is developed (this is a developing step).
Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 after the development process reaches the position facing the intermediate transfer belt 27 after passing the position facing the photosensor 41 (see FIG. 2). Here, the transfer bias roller 24 is installed at each facing position so as to contact the inner peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 27. Then, at the position of the transfer bias roller 24, the images of the respective colors formed on the photosensitive drum 21 are sequentially superimposed and transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 27 (first transfer step).

Then, the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 after the first transfer process reaches a position facing the cleaning device 25. Then, the untransferred toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 21 is collected by the cleaning device 25 (this is a cleaning process).
Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 passes through a static elimination unit (not shown), and a series of image forming processes on the photosensitive drum 21 is completed.

On the other hand, the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 27 (image carrier) on which the images of the respective colors on the photosensitive drum 21 are transferred in an overlapping manner travels in the direction of the arrow in the drawing and reaches the position of the second transfer bias roller 28. Then, the full-color image on the intermediate transfer belt 27 is secondarily transferred onto the recording medium P at the position of the second transfer bias roller 28 (second transfer step).
Thereafter, the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 27 reaches the position of the intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 29. Then, the untransferred toner on the intermediate transfer belt 27 is collected by the intermediate transfer belt cleaning device 29, and a series of transfer processes on the intermediate transfer belt 27 is completed.

Here, the recording medium P at the position of the second transfer bias roller 28 is transported from the paper feeding unit 61 via the transport guide 63, the registration roller 64, and the like.
Specifically, the transfer paper P fed by the paper feed roller 62 from the paper feed unit 61 that stores the recording medium P passes through the conveyance guide 63 and is guided to the registration roller 64. The recording medium P that has reached the registration roller 64 is conveyed toward the position of the second transfer bias roller 28 in synchronization with the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 27.

Thereafter, the recording medium P on which the full-color image is transferred is guided to the fixing unit 66 by the conveyance belt 30. In the fixing unit 66, the color image is fixed on the recording medium P at the nip between the heating roller 67 and the pressure roller 68.
Then, the recording medium P after the fixing process is discharged as an output image by the paper discharge roller 69 to the outside of the apparatus main body 1, and a series of image forming processes is completed.

Next, the image forming unit of the image forming apparatus will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the image forming unit. The four image forming units installed in the apparatus main body 1 have substantially the same structure except that the color of the toner T used in the image forming process is different. Therefore, the alphabet of reference numerals in the process cartridge, the developing device, and the toner replenishing unit. (Y, M, C, BK) is omitted for illustration.
As shown in FIG. 2, in the process cartridge 20, a photosensitive drum 21 as an image carrier, a charging unit 22, a cleaning device 25, and a lubricant supply device 45 are integrally stored in a case 26. ing.

Here, the photosensitive drum 21 as an image bearing member is a negatively charged organic photosensitive member, in which a photosensitive layer or the like is provided on a drum-shaped conductive support.
Although not shown, the photosensitive drum 21 has a conductive support as a base layer, an undercoat layer as an insulating layer, a charge generation layer and a charge transport layer as a photosensitive layer, and a protective layer (surface layer) sequentially. Are stacked.
As the conductive support (base layer) of the photosensitive drum 21, a conductive material having a volume resistance of 10 ¹⁰ Ωcm or less can be used.

The photosensitive layer of the photosensitive drum 21 can have a laminated structure or a single layer structure.
First, a case where the photosensitive layer has a laminated structure including a charge generation layer and a charge transport layer will be described.
The charge generation layer is a layer mainly composed of a charge generation material. A known charge generation material can be used for the charge generation layer. Specifically, as a charge generating substance, monoazo pigment, disazo pigment, trisazo pigment, perylene pigment, perinone pigment, quinacridone pigment, quinone condensed polycyclic compound, squalic acid dye, other phthalocyanine pigment, na A phthalocyanine pigment, an azulenium salt dye, or the like can be used. These charge generation materials can be used alone or in combination of two or more.
In the charge generation layer, the charge generation material is dispersed in a suitable solvent together with a binder resin as necessary using a ball mill, attritor, sand mill, ultrasonic wave, etc., and this is dispersed on the conductive support (or below). It is formed by applying on the pulling layer and drying. As a coating method for the coating solution, a dip coating method, spray coating, beat coating, nozzle coating, spinner coating, ring coating, or the like can be used. The thickness of the charge generation layer is suitably about 0.01 to 5 μm (more preferably about 0.1 to 2 μm).

  The charge transport layer can be formed by dissolving or dispersing the charge transport material and the binder resin in a suitable solvent, and applying and drying the solution on the charge generation layer. If necessary, one or more plasticizers, leveling agents, antioxidants and the like can be added. The amount of the charge transport material is suitably 20 to 300 parts by weight (preferably 40 to 150 parts by weight) with respect to 100 parts by weight of the binder resin. The thickness of the charge transport layer is preferably 25 μm or less from the viewpoint of resolution and responsiveness. The lower limit varies depending on the image forming process (particularly, charging potential), but is preferably 5 μm or more.

Next, a case where the photosensitive layer has a single layer structure will be described.
The photosensitive layer having a single-layer structure is obtained by dissolving or dispersing the above-described charge generating substance, charge transporting substance, binder resin, etc. in an appropriate solvent and coating it on a conductive support (or undercoat layer). It can be formed by drying. You may comprise from a charge generation material and binder resin, without containing a charge transport material. Moreover, a plasticizer, a leveling agent, antioxidant, etc. can also be added as needed.
As the binder resin, in addition to the binder resin used when the charge transport layer is formed, a binder resin used when the charge generation layer is formed may be mixed and used. Furthermore, polymer charge transport materials can also be used favorably. The amount of the charge generating material is preferably 5 to 40 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the binder resin, and the amount of the charge transporting material is preferably 0 to 190 parts by weight (more preferably 50 to 150 parts by weight).
The photosensitive layer with a single-layer structure is a dip coating method or spray coating method in which a coating solution in which a charge generating material and a binder resin are dispersed together with a charge transporting material using a solvent such as tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, dichloroethane, and cyclohexane by a dispersing machine. It can be formed by coating with bead coat, ring coat or the like. The film thickness of the photosensitive layer is suitably about 5 to 25 μm.

  The undercoat layer of the photosensitive drum 21 is generally composed mainly of a resin. However, considering that the photosensitive layer is applied with a solvent on these resins, it has a high solvent resistance with respect to a general organic solvent. A resin is desirable. Examples of such resins include water-soluble resins such as polyvinyl alcohol, casein, and sodium polyacrylate, alcohol-soluble resins such as copolymer nylon and methoxymethylated nylon, polyurethane, melamine resin, phenol resin, alkyd-melamine resin, and epoxy. Examples thereof include a curable resin that forms a three-dimensional network structure such as a resin. A fine powder pigment of metal oxide such as titanium oxide, silica, alumina, zirconium oxide, tin oxide, and indium oxide may be added to the undercoat layer in order to prevent moire and reduce residual potential. In addition, these undercoat layers can be formed using an appropriate solvent and coating method in the same manner as the photosensitive layer described above. The thickness of the undercoat layer is suitably about 0 to 5 μm.

The protective layer of the photosensitive drum 21 is for reducing mechanical wear on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21.
The protective layer in the first embodiment is formed of a binder resin having a crosslinked structure. The crosslinked structure is a three-dimensional network structure formed by using a reactive monomer having a plurality of crosslinking functional groups in one molecule and causing a crosslinking reaction using light or thermal energy. The binder resin having this network structure exhibits high wear resistance. Furthermore, in the first embodiment, from the viewpoint of electrical stability, printing durability, and lifetime, a monomer having a charge transporting ability is used as the above-mentioned reactive monomer in whole or in part. By using such a monomer, a charge transport site is formed in the network structure, and the function as a protective layer is sufficiently exhibited.

Examples of the reactive monomer having charge transporting ability include a compound containing at least one charge transporting component and a silicon atom having a hydrolyzable substituent in the same molecule, and a charge transporting component in the same molecule. A compound containing a hydroxyl group, a compound containing a charge transporting component and a carboxyl group in the same molecule, a compound containing a charge transporting component and an epoxy group in the same molecule, a charge transporting component in the same molecule And a compound containing an isocyanate group can be used. These charge transport materials having a reactive group may be used alone or in combination of two or more.
A reactive monomer having a triarylamine structure can also be used as the monomer having a charge transporting ability because of its high electrical and chemical stability and high carrier mobility.
In addition, monofunctional and bifunctional polymerizable monomers and polymerizable oligomers are used in combination for viscosity adjustment during coating, stress relaxation of the cross-linked charge transport layer, low surface energy, friction coefficient reduction, and other functions. You can also. As these polymerizable monomers and oligomers, known ones can be used.

  The protective layer is formed by polymerizing or crosslinking the hole transporting compound using heat or light. When performing the polymerization reaction by heat, there are cases where the polymerization reaction proceeds only with thermal energy and a polymerization initiator is required, but in order to advance the reaction efficiently at a lower temperature, the initiator Is preferably added. In the case of polymerization by light, it is preferable to use ultraviolet light as light, but the reaction rarely proceeds only by light energy, and a photopolymerization initiator is generally used in combination. The polymerization initiator in this case mainly absorbs ultraviolet rays having a wavelength of 400 nm or less, generates active species such as radicals and ions, and initiates polymerization. In addition, it is also possible to use together the heat | fever and photoinitiator mentioned above.

The protective layer having a network structure formed in this manner has high wear resistance, but has a large volume shrinkage during the crosslinking reaction, and may become cracked if it is too thick. In such a case, the protective layer has a laminated structure, a protective layer made of a low molecular weight dispersion polymer is formed on the lower layer (photosensitive layer side), and a protective layer having a crosslinked structure is formed on the upper layer (surface side). You may do it.
As described above, in the first embodiment, the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 is provided with the hard protective layer formed of the binder resin having a cross-linked structure and having the charge mailing material dispersed therein. Further, it is possible to prevent the photoconductor film from being scraped by the cleaning blade 25a, the cleaning brush 25b, etc. without impairing the function as the photoconductor drum 21.

  Referring to FIG. 2, the charging unit 22 is a charging roller formed by covering an outer periphery of a conductive metal core with an intermediate resistance elastic layer. A predetermined voltage is applied to the charging roller 22 from a power supply unit (not shown), thereby uniformly charging the surface of the opposing photosensitive drum 21.

  The developing device (developing unit) 23 mainly faces the first conveying screw 23b via the developing roller 23a facing the photosensitive drum 21, the first conveying screw 23b facing the developing roller 23a, and the partition member 23e. The second conveying screw 23c and a doctor blade 23d facing the developing roller 23a are configured. The developing roller 23a includes a magnet that is fixed inside and forms a magnetic pole on the circumferential surface of the roller, and a sleeve that rotates around the magnet. A plurality of magnetic poles are formed on the developing roller 23a (sleeve) by the magnet, and the developer G is carried on the developing roller 23a.

In the developing device 23, a two-component developer G composed of carrier C and toner T is accommodated.
As the toner T, a spherical toner having a circularity of 0.98 or more is used to improve the image quality. The “circularity” is an average circularity measured by a flow type particle image analyzer “FPIA-2000” (manufactured by Toa Medical Electronics Co., Ltd.). Specifically, 0.1 to 0.5 ml of a surfactant (preferably an alkylbenzene sulfonate) is added as a dispersant to 100 to 150 ml of water from which impure solids have been removed in advance. Further, about 0.1 to 0.5 g of a measurement sample (toner) is added. Thereafter, the suspension in which the toner is dispersed is subjected to a dispersion treatment with an ultrasonic disperser for about 1 to 3 minutes, and the dispersion liquid concentration is set to 3000 to 10000 / μl in the above-described analyzer. Then, the shape and distribution of the toner are measured.

As the spherical toner, it is possible to use an irregularly shaped toner (pulverized toner) whose shape is distorted by a pulverization method that has been widely used so far, which is spheroidized by heat treatment or the like, or a toner manufactured by a polymerization method. it can.
When such a spherical toner is used, conventionally, there is a case where a slight gap between the cleaning blade 25a and the photosensitive drum 21 enters the gap and eventually passes through the gap, resulting in poor cleaning. However, in the first embodiment, since the lubricant is applied to the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 by the lubricant supply device 45 and the toner peelability (removability) on the photosensitive drum 21 is improved, cleaning failure is caused. Occurrence is suppressed.

The cleaning device 25 includes a cleaning blade 25 a that contacts the photosensitive drum 21 to clean the surface of the photosensitive drum 21, a cleaning brush 25 b that slides on the photosensitive drum 21, and the like.
The cleaning blade 25a is made of a rubber material such as urethane rubber, and is in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 at a predetermined angle and a predetermined pressure. As a result, deposits such as untransferred toner adhering to the photosensitive drum 21 are mechanically scraped and collected in the cleaning device 25.

  The cleaning brush 25b has brush hairs wound around the outer periphery of the core metal, and rotates in the clockwise direction of FIG. 2 with the brush hairs in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 21. Then, deposits such as untransferred toner that adhere to the photosensitive drum 21 are scraped off by the cleaning brush 25b and then collected in the cleaning device 25. Here, as the deposits adhered to the photosensitive drum 21, in addition to the untransferred toner, paper dust generated from the recording medium P (paper), discharge products generated on the photosensitive drum 21 during discharge by the charging unit 22. And additives added to the toner.

  The lubricant supply device 45 has a brush bristle that is slidably contacted with the photosensitive drum 21 and a brush-like rotating member that supplies the lubricant onto the photosensitive drum 21, and a solid lubricant that contacts the application brush 45b. 45c, a compression spring 45d that biases the solid lubricant 45c toward the coating brush 45b, and a coating blade 45a (thin film) that makes contact with the photosensitive drum 21 and thins the lubricant supplied onto the photosensitive drum 21 Layered blade), a regulating member 45e for regulating the scattering of the lubricant, and the like. The lubricant supply device 45 is downstream in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 21 (downstream in the traveling direction) with respect to the cleaning device 25 (cleaning blade 25a), and is in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 21 with respect to the charging unit 22. Arranged upstream.

  Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, an application brush 45 b (supply brush) as a brush-like rotating member is formed by winding brush bristles around the outer periphery of a core metal, and the bristles are on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21. 2 in a counterclockwise direction in FIG. As a result, the lubricant is supplied from the solid lubricant 45 to the photosensitive drum 21 through the application brush 45b.

The application brush 45b is formed by spirally winding a brush with a bristle having a length (bristles) in the range of 0.2 to 20 mm (preferably 0.5 to 10 mm) on a base cloth. It is a thing. When the length of the brush hair exceeds 20 mm, the brush hair falls down in a predetermined direction due to repeated rubbing with the photoconductive drum 21 over time, and the scraping property of the solid lubricant 45 and the photoconductive drum 21 are removed. Lubricant supply ability will fall. On the other hand, if the length of the bristle is less than 0.2 mm, the physical contact force with respect to the solid lubricant 45c and the photosensitive drum 21 is insufficient. Therefore, it is preferable that the length of the bristle is in the above range.
As the bristles of the coating brush 45b, resin fibers such as nylon, rayon, acrylic, vinylon, polyester, vinyl chloride can be used, and conductive fibers mixed with a conductivity-imparting agent such as carbon are used as necessary. Can do. The brush hair preferably has a brush density of 1 to 500,000 / inch ² and a brush resistance of 10 ⁻² to 10 ¹² Ω · cm.
The brush bristles of the application brush 45b in the first embodiment are set such that the brush length is 3 mm, the brush density is 100,000 / inch ² , and the brush resistance is 10 ⁵ Ω · cm.

The application brush 45b rotates so as to contact the photosensitive drum 21 rotating in the clockwise direction in FIG. 2 in the forward direction (rotation in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 2). That is, the rotation direction of the application brush 45 b is configured to be the same as the rotation direction (traveling direction) of the photosensitive drum 21 at the sliding contact position with the photosensitive drum 21.
The application brush 45b is disposed so as to be in sliding contact with the solid lubricant 45c and the photosensitive drum 21, and when the application brush 45b rotates, the lubricant is scraped off from the solid lubricant 45c, and the lubricant is removed. Coating is performed on the photosensitive drum 21. Further, a regulating member 45e is installed in the vicinity of the sliding contact position (the position where the coating brush 45b slides on the photosensitive drum 21) on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the coating brush 45b. The mechanism for supplying the lubricant onto the photosensitive drum 21 and the regulating member 45e will be described in detail later.
A compression spring 45d is disposed behind the solid lubricant 45c in order to eliminate contact unevenness between the application brush 45b and the solid lubricant 45, and biases the solid lubricant 45c toward the application brush 45b.

In the first embodiment, the solid lubricant 45c is formed of zinc stearate. Specifically, the solid lubricant 45c is preferably obtained by dissolving a lubricating oil additive mainly composed of zinc stearate, having no side effects due to overcoating, and having sufficient lubricity.
Zinc stearate is a typical lamellar crystal powder. A lamellar crystal has a layered structure in which amphiphilic molecules are self-organized, and when a shearing force is applied, the crystal breaks along the layers and is slippery. Therefore, the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 can be made low in friction. That is, the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 can be effectively covered with a small amount of lubricant by the lamellar crystal that uniformly receives the shearing force and covers the surface of the photosensitive drum 21.

  As the solid lubricant 45c, in addition to zinc stearate, stearic acid groups such as barium stearate, iron stearate, nickel stearate, cobalt stearate, copper stearate, strontium stearate, calcium stearate, etc. The thing which has can be used. In addition, the same fatty acid group zinc oleate, barium oleate, lead oleate, the same compound as stearic acid, zinc palmitate, barium palmitate, lead palmitate, the following compound similar to stearic acid May be used. In addition, caprylic acid, linolenic acid, corinolenic acid and the like can be used as the fatty acid group. In addition, waxes such as candelilla wax, canrunauba wax, rice wax, wax, coconut oil, beeswax, and lanolin can also be used. These easily become organic solid lubricants and have good compatibility with the toner.

The coating blade 45a is a blade-like member made of a rubber material such as urethane rubber, and is in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 at a predetermined angle and a predetermined pressure. The coating blade 45a is disposed on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 21 (downstream in the traveling direction) with respect to the cleaning blade 25a. The lubricant supplied onto the photosensitive drum 21 by the application brush 45b is thinned uniformly and in an appropriate amount on the photosensitive drum 21 by the application blade 45a.
When the solid lubricant 45c is applied to the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 through the application brush 45b, a powdery lubricant is applied to the surface of the photosensitive drum 21, but the lubricity is sufficiently exhibited in this state. Therefore, the coating blade 45a functions as a member for thinning and uniformizing the lubricant. The coating blade 45a forms a film of the lubricant on the photosensitive drum 21, and the lubricant exhibits its lubricity sufficiently.

As described above, in the first embodiment, since the cleaning blade 25a and the coating blade 45a (thinning means) are provided separately, the cleaning property and the lubricant coating property can be maintained well. In addition, wear and deterioration of both blades 25a and 45a can be reduced by supplying the lubricant to the photosensitive drum 21.
In the first embodiment, the cleaning blade 25a and the coating blade 45a can be configured to be able to contact and separate from the photosensitive drum 21, respectively. As a result, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a problem that both the blades 25a and 45a are plastically deformed over time and the functions of both the blades 25a and 45a are deteriorated. Further, even when the moving speed (rotational speed) of the photosensitive drum 21 is increased with the increase in the speed of the image forming apparatus, it is possible to prevent a problem that the durability of both the blades 25a and 45a is reduced. can do.

The image forming process described above will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.
The developing roller 23a rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG. The developer G in the developing device 23 is supplied from the toner replenishing portion 32 to the toner replenishing port by the rotation of the first transport screw 23b and the second transport screw 23c arranged with the partition member 23e interposed therebetween. It circulates in the longitudinal direction while being agitated and mixed with the toner T replenished through 23f (in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 2).

  Then, the toner T that is frictionally charged and adsorbed on the carrier C is carried on the developing roller 23 a together with the carrier C. The developer G carried on the developing roller 23a then reaches the position of the doctor blade 23d. The developer G on the developing roller 23a is adjusted to an appropriate amount at the position of the doctor blade 23d, and then reaches a position facing the photosensitive drum 21 (developing area).

  Thereafter, in the development area, the toner T in the developer G adheres to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21. Specifically, the toner T is latently exposed by the electric field formed by the potential difference (development potential) between the latent image potential (exposure potential) of the image area irradiated with the laser light L and the development bias applied to the development roller 23a. Adhere to the image.

  Thereafter, most of the toner T adhering to the photosensitive drum 21 in the developing process is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 27. The untransferred toner T remaining on the photosensitive drum 21 is collected in the cleaning device 25 by the cleaning blade 25a and the cleaning brush 25b. Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 after the cleaning process sequentially passes through the lubricant supply device 45 and the charge removal unit (the irradiation position of the charge removal light H), and the series of image forming processes is completed.

  Here, a toner replenishing unit 32 provided in the apparatus main body 1 includes a toner bottle 33 configured to be replaceable, and a toner hopper unit 34 that holds and rotates the toner bottle 33 and replenishes the developing device 23 with new toner T. And is composed of. Also, a new toner T (any one of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black) is accommodated in the toner bottle 33. In addition, a spiral protrusion is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the toner bottle 33.

  The new toner T in the toner bottle 33 is appropriately replenished into the developing device 23 from the toner replenishing port 23f as the toner T (existing toner) in the developing device 23 is consumed. . The toner T in the developing device 23 is consumed indirectly or directly by the reflective photosensor 41 facing the photosensitive drum 21 and the magnetic sensor 40 installed below the second conveying screw 23c of the developing device 23. Detected.

  Here, in the first embodiment, the toner density (TC) is controlled to be within a predetermined range. Specifically, toner replenishment is performed so that the detection results of the magnetic sensor 40 and the reflection type photosensor 41 have an output value corresponding to the above-described toner density range (the ratio of the toner T in the developer G). The toner is supplied from the unit 32 to the developing device 23 through the toner supply port 23f.

Hereinafter, the configuration / operation of the regulating member 45e, which is characteristic in the first embodiment, will be described.
First, a mechanism for supplying the lubricant onto the photosensitive drum 21 by the application brush 45b (brush-like rotating member) carrying the lubricant and a mechanism for scattering the lubricant will be described.
Referring to FIG. 5, application brush 45b that rotates in the direction of arrow B slides on solid lubricant 45c to scrape off the lubricant and carries lubricant K in the brush bristles. The brush bristles of the application brush 45b carrying the lubricant K fall down in a direction different from the rotation direction at the sliding contact position (nip portion) with the photosensitive drum 21. Here, the application brush 45 b is disposed so that a certain amount of the brush bristles bite into the sliding contact position with the photosensitive drum 21, and forms a desired nip with the photosensitive drum 21.
Then, the bristles that fall in a direction different from the rotation direction are restored immediately after passing the sliding contact position along the rotation of the application brush 45b (immediately after the contact with the photosensitive drum 21 is released). The force is displaced in the direction of arrow C by force. Due to this repulsive force, the lubricant K carried on the brush bristles separates and flies from the application brush 45b and adheres (applies) onto the photosensitive drum 21 rotating in the arrow A direction.

Here, all of the lubricant K (lubricant K surrounded by a broken line in FIG. 5) that is separated from the application brush 45 b and flies near the sliding contact position is supplied onto the photosensitive drum 21. However, some of them are scattered toward a position other than the photosensitive drum 21. The lubricant scattered to the outside of the lubricant supply device 45 contaminates the inside of the image forming apparatus main body 1. Furthermore, the supply efficiency (supply amount) of the lubricant to the photosensitive drum 21 is reduced.
Such scattering of the lubricant may occur when the amount of lubricant scraped off from the solid lubricant 45c by the application brush 45b increases and the amount of lubricant carried on the application brush 45b increases, or by sliding contact. This is especially likely to occur when the amount of brush bristles of the application brush 45b at the position increases and the repulsive force of the bristles immediately after passing through the sliding contact position increases.

On the other hand, in the first embodiment, referring to FIG. 4, the regulating member 45e is located in the vicinity of the sliding contact position on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the application brush 45b. The length of the regulating member 45e in the width direction (the direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 4) is set to be equal to or longer than the length of the application brush 45b in the width direction. As a result, the lubricant K that is separated from the application brush 45b in the vicinity of the sliding contact position and scatters toward a position other than the photosensitive drum 21 is regulated. That is, the scattering path of the lubricant K that is to be scattered toward a position other than the photosensitive drum 21 is blocked by the regulating member 45e. Specifically, the lubricant K that is about to scatter toward a position other than the photosensitive drum 21 collides with the regulating member 45e, and then changes the course and adheres to the photosensitive drum 21. Accordingly, the supply efficiency of the lubricant K to the photosensitive drum 21 is also improved.
In the first embodiment, the regulating member 45e is a plate-like member, but the shape of the regulating member 45e is not limited to this, and the scattered lubricant is damped up so that the course of the lubricant is on the photosensitive drum 21 side. Anything that can be pointed to. Further, the material of the regulating member 45e is preferably a material to which the lubricant K is difficult to adhere, and may be a metal material or a resin material.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the rotation direction of the application brush 45b is in the vicinity of the sliding contact position between the application brush 45b (brush-like rotating member) and the photosensitive drum 21 (image carrier). Since the regulating member 45e is installed on the downstream side, the scattering of the lubricant K can be reliably suppressed.

In the first embodiment, the cleaning device 25 and the lubricant supply device 45 are integrated with the photosensitive drum 21 and the charging unit 22 to constitute the process cartridge 20 to make the image forming unit compact and maintain workability. We are trying to improve.
In addition, the cleaning device 25 and the lubricant supply device 45 can be configured to be replaceable in the apparatus main body 1 as a single unit without being a component of the process cartridge. Furthermore, only the cleaning device 25 and the lubricant supply device 45 can be configured as one unit (cleaning device). At this time, the lubricant supply device 45 can be provided in the cleaning device 25 so that the application brush 45b and the cleaning brush 25b can be used in common. Even in these cases, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.
In the first embodiment, the present invention is applied to the image forming apparatus equipped with the two-component developing type developing device 23 using the two-component developer. However, the one-component developing method using the one-component developer is used. Naturally, the present invention can be applied to an image forming apparatus on which the developing device 23 is mounted.
Further, in the first embodiment, the present invention is applied to the lubricant supply device that supplies the lubricant to the photosensitive drum 21 as the image carrier. However, the lubricant is applied to the photosensitive belt as the image carrier. Of course, the present invention can also be applied to the lubricant supply device to be supplied. Further, the present invention can naturally be applied to the lubricant supply device that supplies the lubricant to the intermediate transfer belt 27 as the image carrier in the first embodiment.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing a main part of the lubricant supply device according to the second embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 4 in the first embodiment. The lubricant supply device according to the second embodiment is different from that according to the first embodiment in that the regulating member 45e is in contact with the image carrier 21.

  Referring to FIG. 6, in the lubricant supply device 45 according to the second embodiment, the rotation direction of the application brush 45b is opposite to the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 21 as in the first embodiment. It is configured as follows. In addition, the lubricant supply device 45 in the second embodiment is also in the vicinity of the sliding contact position between the application brush 45b and the photosensitive drum 21 as in the first embodiment, and the rotation direction of the application brush 45b. A regulating member 45e is installed on the downstream side.

  Here, in the second embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the regulating member 45e is in contact with the photosensitive drum 21 at a predetermined angle and a predetermined pressure. The regulating member 45e is a blade-like member made of a rubber material such as urethane rubber, and thins the lubricant supplied onto the photosensitive drum 21 by the application brush 45b. That is, the regulating member 45e regulates the lubricant that scatters from the vicinity of the sliding contact position, and fulfills the function of the coating blade 45a in the first embodiment. Therefore, according to the configuration of the second embodiment, it is not necessary to separately install the coating blade 45a, and the number of parts can be reduced.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the vicinity of the sliding contact position between the application brush 45b (brush-like rotating member) and the photosensitive drum 21 (image carrier). And since the regulating member 45e is installed on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the application brush 45b, the scattering of the lubricant K can be reliably suppressed.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
A third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a main part of the lubricant supply device in the third embodiment, which corresponds to FIG. 4 in the first embodiment. The lubricant supply device according to the third embodiment is different from that according to the first embodiment in that a voltage is applied to a regulating member 45e made of a conductive material.

  Referring to FIG. 7, the lubricant supply device 45 in the third embodiment is also applied in the vicinity of the sliding contact position between the application brush 45b and the photosensitive drum 21, as in the above-described embodiments. A regulating member 45e is installed on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the brush 45b.

Here, in the third embodiment, unlike the above-described embodiments, the regulating member 45e is formed of a conductive material, and a predetermined voltage is applied. Specifically, the lubricant K supplied from the application brush 45b to the photosensitive drum 21 is charged by friction with the photosensitive drum 21 and the brush bristles. A voltage having the same polarity as the charging polarity of the lubricant is applied from the power supply unit 70 to the regulating member 45e having conductivity.
As a result, the flying lubricant K is less likely to adhere electrostatically on the regulating member 45e. Therefore, the accumulation of the lubricant on the regulating member 45e is reduced, and a problem that the amount of lubricant supplied onto the photosensitive drum 21 is reduced can be suppressed.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, as in each of the above embodiments, the vicinity of the sliding contact position between the application brush 45b (brush-like rotating member) and the photosensitive drum 21 (image carrier). And since the regulating member 45e is installed on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the application brush 45b, the scattering of the lubricant K can be reliably suppressed.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing a main part of the lubricant supply device in the fourth embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 4 in the first embodiment. In the lubricant supply device in the fourth embodiment, the rotation direction of the brush-like rotating member 45b is different from that in the first embodiment.

  Referring to FIG. 8, the lubricant supply device 45 in the fourth embodiment is different from those in the first embodiment in that the rotation direction of the application brush 45 b is the same as the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 21. It is comprised so that it may become. That is, the rotation direction of the application brush 45 b is configured to be opposite to the rotation direction (traveling direction) of the photosensitive drum 21 (counter direction) at the sliding contact position with the photosensitive drum 21.

Even in such a case, the lubricant is supplied onto the photosensitive drum 21 by the same mechanism as in each of the above embodiments, and the lubricant is scattered. That is, the brush bristles of the application brush 45b carrying the lubricant K fall down in a direction different from the rotation direction at the sliding contact position with the photosensitive drum 21. The brush bristles that have fallen in a direction different from the rotation direction are vigorously displaced upstream in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 21 by the restoring force immediately after passing the sliding contact position along the rotation of the application brush 45b. To do. Due to this repulsive force, the lubricant K carried on the brush bristles separates / flys from the application brush 45b, and the photosensitive member is upstream in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum (downstream in the rotation direction of the application brush 45b) with respect to the sliding contact position. It adheres on the drum 21.
At this time, a part of the lubricant K that detaches and flies from the application brush 45 b in the vicinity of the sliding contact position flies toward a position other than the photosensitive drum 21. However, also in the lubricant supply device 45 according to the fourth embodiment, the regulating member 45e is installed in the vicinity of the sliding contact position between the application brush 45b and the photosensitive drum 21 and on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the application brush 45b. Yes. Thereby, the course of the lubricant flying toward a position other than the photosensitive drum 21 can be changed to the photosensitive drum 21 side.

  In the fourth embodiment, since the rotation direction of the application brush 45b is different from that in each of the embodiments, the lubricant supplied onto the photosensitive drum 21 follows the rotation of the photosensitive drum 21. Then, it again reaches the contact position (sliding contact position) with the application brush 45b. As a result, the lubricant supplied onto the photosensitive drum 21 is pressed by the application brush 45 b and is appropriately thinned on the photosensitive drum 21. Therefore, according to the configuration of the fourth embodiment, it is not necessary to install the coating blade 45a separately, and the number of parts can be reduced.

  As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, as in each of the above-described embodiments, the vicinity of the sliding contact position between the application brush 45b (brush-like rotating member) and the photosensitive drum 21 (image carrier). And since the regulating member 45e is installed on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the application brush 45b, the scattering of the lubricant K can be reliably suppressed.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention, the embodiments can be modified as appropriate in addition to those suggested in the embodiments. Is clear. In addition, the number, position, shape, and the like of the constituent members are not limited to the above embodiments, and can be set to a number, position, shape, and the like that are suitable for carrying out the present invention.

1 image forming apparatus body (apparatus body),
20, 20Y, 20M, 20C, 20BK Process cartridge,
21 photosensitive drum (image carrier), 22 charging unit,
23, 23Y, 23M, 23C, 23BK developing device,
25 Cleaning device,
25a cleaning blade, 25b cleaning brush,
45 Lubricant supply device,
45a coating blade,
45b Application brush (brush-like rotating member),
45c solid lubricant, 45d compression spring,
45e Restricting member.

JP 2002-62737 A JP 2003-29550 A

The present invention is based on the above-described matters, that is, the lubricant supply device according to the first aspect of the present invention is a lubricant supply device for supplying a lubricant onto the image carrier, A brush-like rotating member that carries a lubricant and that has brush bristles that are slidably contacted on the image bearing member at the sliding contact position, and is close to the sliding contact position on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the brush-shaped rotating member. And a regulating member that regulates the lubricant that separates from the brush-like rotating member near the sliding contact position and scatters toward a position other than the image carrier, and the regulating member is conductive. It is made of a material and is applied with a voltage having the same polarity as the charging polarity of the lubricant .

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the lubricant supply device according to any one of the first to third aspects, further comprising a solid lubricant that contacts the brush bristles of the brush-like rotating member. It is provided.

A lubricant supply device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the lubricant supply device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the lubricant is zinc stearate.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the lubricant supply device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the image carrier has a crosslinked structure and a charge transport material is dispersed. A protective layer formed of a binder resin is provided on the surface.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the lubricant supply device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the image carrier is used with respect to a cleaning device for cleaning the image carrier. It is arrange | positioned in the driving | running | working direction downstream.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lubricant supply device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects , wherein the lubricant supply device is installed in a cleaning device for cleaning the image carrier. is there.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cleaning device for cleaning an image bearing member, comprising the lubricant supply device according to any one of the first to eighth aspects. .

A process cartridge according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is a process cartridge that is detachably attached to the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus, and is according to any one of the first to eighth aspects. The lubricant supply device and the image carrier are integrated.

An image forming apparatus according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention includes the lubricant supply device according to any one of the first to eighth aspects and the image carrier.

Claims (12)

A lubricant supply device for supplying a lubricant onto an image carrier,
A brush-like rotating member around which brush bristles that carry a lubricant and are slidably contacted at a sliding contact position on the image carrier;
The brush-like rotating member is downstream in the rotation direction and close to the sliding contact position, and is separated from the brush-like rotating member in the vicinity of the sliding contact position and scattered toward a position other than the image carrier. A regulating member that regulates the lubricant;
A lubricant supply device comprising: The rotation direction of the brush-like rotating member is the same as the traveling direction of the image carrier at the sliding contact position,
The lubricant supply device according to claim 1, wherein the regulating member is in contact with the image carrier.   The lubricant supply device according to claim 2, wherein the regulating member is a blade-like member made of a rubber material, and thins the lubricant supplied onto the image carrier.   The lubricant supply device according to claim 1, wherein the regulating member is made of a conductive material and is applied with a predetermined voltage.   The lubricant supply device according to claim 1, further comprising a solid lubricant that comes into contact with the brush bristles of the brush-like rotating member.   The lubricant supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the lubricant is zinc stearate.   7. The image bearing member according to claim 1, further comprising a protective layer having a crosslinked structure and formed of a binder resin formed by dispersing a charge transport material on a surface thereof. Lubricant supply device.   The lubricant supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the lubricant supply device is disposed on a downstream side in a running direction of the image carrier with respect to a cleaning device for cleaning the image carrier.   The lubricant supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the lubricant supply device is provided in a cleaning device for cleaning the image carrier. A cleaning device for cleaning an image carrier,
A cleaning device comprising the lubricant supply device according to claim 1. A process cartridge that is detachably installed on the main body of the image forming apparatus,
10. A process cartridge, wherein the lubricant supply device according to claim 1 and the image carrier are integrated.   An image forming apparatus comprising the lubricant supply device according to claim 1 and the image carrier.

Images