JP2012103597A - Apparatus and method for forming image - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent overflow and inability to adjust concentration of a liquid developer even when residence of a recovery liquid occurred.SOLUTION: A flow rate sensor 41 measures flow rate of a recovery liquid moving in a recovery liquid discharge tube 31. When the flow rate is greater than a predetermined threshold value, residence of the recovery liquid is detected, a concentration of a liquid developer T in a concentration adjustment tank 27 is adjusted depending on the concentration measured by a concentration sensor 39, and a liquid volume of the liquid developer T in the concentration adjustment tank 27 is controlled depending on the liquid volume measured by a liquid volume sensor 40. When the flow rate of the recovery liquid measured by a flow rate sensor 41 is smaller than a predetermined threshold value, residence of the recovery liquid is detected, and the concentration adjustment and the liquid volume control of the liquid developer T in the concentration adjustment tank 27 are stopped.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus and an image forming apparatus that use a liquid developer containing a toner and a carrier liquid to develop a latent image carried on a photosensitive member as a latent image carrying member to form an image. Regarding the method.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there are many known image forming apparatuses that form an image by developing a latent image formed on a photoreceptor, which is a latent image carrier, using a liquid developer containing toner and a carrier liquid. As this type of image forming apparatus, there has been proposed an image forming apparatus that reuses a collected liquid developer that is not used for development (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the liquid developer is fed from the density adjustment tank to the liquid developer reservoir of the developing unit, and the liquid developer overflowed from the liquid developer reservoir and remaining after development. The liquid developer to be used, that is, the liquid developer that has not been used for development, is returned to the concentration adjustment tank as a recovered liquid, and this recovered liquid is reused as the liquid developer. In that case, in order to stabilize the image quality and enable continuous printing, the concentration of the liquid developer in the concentration adjustment tank is adjusted and the amount of liquid is controlled.

  There is also known an image forming apparatus in which a concentration sensor and a liquid amount sensor are disposed in the concentration adjustment tank for adjusting the concentration of the liquid developer in the concentration adjustment tank and controlling the amount of liquid (for example, Patent Documents). 2). In the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 2, the supply amounts of toner and carrier liquid into the concentration adjustment tank are controlled in accordance with the outputs of the concentration sensor and the liquid amount sensor.

JP2009-077552A. JP 2009-075558.

  However, in the image forming apparatuses described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, since the liquid developer has a high viscosity, the recovery liquid that is a recovery path of the recovery liquid that moves from the developing unit to the concentration adjustment tank when performing a continuous printing operation. The collected liquid may not continuously move smoothly in the discharge pipe, and the collected liquid may temporarily stay. In particular, when continuous printing of print data with a small image area ratio is performed, retention is likely to occur because the concentration of the recovered liquid is high.

  If the stagnation occurs in this way and the recovered liquid does not move continuously to the concentration adjustment tank, the concentration and amount of the liquid developer in the concentration adjustment tank greatly change. Therefore, the above-described concentration adjustment and liquid amount control are performed in the concentration adjustment tank, and new toner and carrier liquid are supplied into the concentration adjustment tank. In this state, when the amount of the collected liquid staying in the collected liquid discharge pipe increases, the staying collected liquid falls into the concentration adjustment tank by its own weight. Thereby, the retention of the collected liquid is eliminated. However, since the collected liquid that has accumulated flows into the concentration adjustment tank in a short time, the liquid level in the concentration adjustment tank rises, the liquid developer in the concentration adjustment tank overflows, or the concentration of the liquid developer May become unadjustable.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to prevent an overflow of the liquid developer and an inability to adjust the concentration of the liquid developer even when the collected liquid stays. A forming apparatus and an image forming method are provided.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, in the image forming apparatus and the image forming method according to the present invention, the concentration of the liquid developer including the toner and the carrier liquid is adjusted to the first toner concentration by the liquid developer concentration adjusting unit. At the same time, the amount of liquid developer is adjusted. During the printing operation, the liquid developer in the liquid developer concentration adjusting unit is supplied to the liquid developer storing unit in the developing unit and stored in a certain amount and is discharged from the liquid developer storing unit. The liquid developer stored in the liquid developer storage unit is carried by the developer carrying member of the developing unit, and the latent image formed on the latent image carrying member is developed using the carried liquid developer to carry the latent image. Form an image on the body. The liquid developer remaining on the developer carrying member after development is removed. The liquid developer that has flowed out of the liquid developer reservoir and the recovered liquid that has recovered the liquid developer removed from the developer carrier are stored in the recovered liquid reservoir. The recovered liquid stored in the recovered liquid storage section moves through the recovery path and is stored in the liquid developer concentration adjusting section. At this time, a flow fluctuation of the collected liquid moving in the collection path is detected by the stagnation detection unit, and the stagnation of the collected liquid is determined by the determination unit based on the value of the flow fluctuation of the recovery liquid detected by the stagnation detection unit. Is done. In this case, when the determination unit determines that the collected liquid is not retained, the control unit adjusts the concentration of the liquid developer stored in the liquid developer concentration adjustment unit to the first toner concentration and performs liquid development. The amount of liquid developer stored in the agent concentration adjusting unit is controlled. When the determination unit determines that the collected liquid is retained, the control unit stops the liquid developer concentration adjustment stored in the liquid developer concentration adjustment unit and stores the liquid developer concentration adjustment unit in the liquid developer concentration adjustment unit. The liquid amount control of the liquid developer thus performed is stopped.

  Therefore, when the collected liquid stays in the collection path, the concentration adjustment of the liquid developer stored in the liquid developer concentration adjusting unit and the liquid amount control of the liquid developer stored in the liquid developer concentration adjusting unit are performed. Not done. That is, even if the concentration or amount of the liquid developer stored in the liquid developer concentration adjusting unit greatly changes due to the retention of the collected liquid, the second concentration higher than the first toner concentration is stored in the liquid developer concentration adjusting unit. No new toner or new carrier liquid having a toner density is supplied. Thereby, the liquid level of the liquid developer in the liquid developer concentration adjusting unit does not rise. In this state, when the recovered liquid staying in the recovery path falls to the liquid developer concentration adjusting section by its own weight and the stay of the recovered liquid is resolved, the remaining recovered liquid is liquid developed in a short time. Since the liquid flows into the developer concentration adjusting unit, the liquid level in the liquid developer concentration adjusting unit rises. However, since the liquid level in the liquid developer concentration adjusting unit has not increased due to the supply of new toner or a new carrier liquid, the liquid level in the liquid developer concentration adjusting unit has thus increased due to the recovered liquid. However, the liquid level in the liquid developer concentration adjusting unit does not rise significantly. Therefore, the liquid developer in the liquid developer concentration adjusting unit can be prevented from overflowing. As a result, the amount of liquid developer in the liquid developer concentration adjusting unit can be maintained within a predetermined range. Further, since the overflow of the liquid developer is prevented, the concentration of the liquid developer can be easily and reliably adjusted.

  Therefore, even when a high-viscosity liquid developer is used, the liquid developer concentration in the liquid developer concentration adjusting unit is maintained at the predetermined first toner concentration, and the amount of liquid developer in the liquid developer concentration adjusting unit is maintained. Can be continuously printed in a state where is kept within a predetermined range. This makes it possible to stably perform continuous printing with high image quality without stopping the continuous printing operation.

  In particular, by configuring a part of the collected liquid retention detection part with a flow sensor arranged in the collection path, it is possible to detect the collection of collected liquid in the collection path more reliably with a simple configuration. It becomes.

1 is a diagram schematically and partially showing a part of an example of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus used in an image forming method according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view schematically showing a photoconductor, a developing unit, a photoconductor squeeze unit, a developer recovery and supply unit, and a concentration / liquid amount control system in the example shown in FIG. 1. It is a block diagram of a concentration / liquid amount control system. It is a figure explaining the flow volume change of the collection | recovery liquid by retention of a collection | recovery liquid. It is a figure explaining other flow volume changes of recovery liquid by retention of recovery liquid. It is a figure which shows the flow of density | concentration adjustment and liquid quantity control by a density | concentration and liquid quantity control system.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically and partially showing a part of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus used in an image forming method according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 of this example includes a yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) latent image carrier arranged in tandem horizontally or substantially horizontally. Photoconductors 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2K. On these photoreceptors 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2K, electrostatic latent images of corresponding colors Y, M, C, and K are formed and supported, respectively. Each of the photoreceptors 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2K is driven by a drive unit (not shown) and rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1 (clockwise in FIG. 1). Here, in each of the photoreceptors 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2K, 2Y represents a yellow photoreceptor, 2M represents a magenta photoreceptor, 2C represents a cyan photoreceptor, and 2K represents a black photoreceptor. Similarly, the members of the respective colors are represented by adding Y, M, C, and K of the respective colors to the reference numerals of the members.

Charging units 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3K are disposed around the photosensitive members 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2K, respectively. Further, exposure units 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K, and developing units 5Y and 5M are sequentially arranged from the charging units 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3K in the rotation direction of the photosensitive members 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2K, respectively. , 5C, 5K, photoreceptor squeeze portions 6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K, and primary transfer portions 7Y, 7M, 7
C and 7K are provided. Although not shown in the drawings, the respective photoreceptors 2Y, 2M, 2C are sequentially transferred from the primary transfer portions 7Y, 7M, 7C, 7K in order toward the rotation directions of the photoreceptors 2Y, 2M, 2C, 2K, respectively. , 2K and a photoconductor cleaning unit for cleaning the photoconductors 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2K.

Further, developer recovery and replenishment units 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K are arranged corresponding to the developing units 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5K, and concentration / liquid amount control systems 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K are provided. It is arranged. FIG. 1 shows a part of the concentration / liquid amount control systems 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K.

Further, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an endless intermediate transfer belt 10. The intermediate transfer belt 10 is disposed above the photoreceptors 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2K. The intermediate transfer belt 10 has primary transfer rollers 7Y ₁ , 7K at the primary transfer portions 7Y, 7M, 7C, 7K, respectively.
The photoconductors 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2K are press-contacted with M ₁ , 7C ₁ , and 7K ₁ so as to be separated from each other.

Although not shown, the intermediate transfer belt 10 includes a flexible base material such as a resin, an elastic layer such as rubber formed on the surface of the base material, and a surface layer formed on the surface of the elastic layer. It is formed in a relatively soft elastic belt having a three-layer structure. Of course, it is not limited to this. The intermediate transfer belt 10 is wound around an intermediate transfer belt driving roller 11 and an intermediate transfer belt tension roller 12 to which a driving force of a motor (not shown) is transmitted. The intermediate transfer belt 10 is rotated in the direction of the arrow (counterclockwise in FIG. 1) in a tensioned state. Note that the arrangement order of members such as photoconductors corresponding to the respective colors Y, M, C, and K is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 1 and can be arbitrarily set.

  A secondary transfer portion 13 is provided on the intermediate transfer belt 10 on the intermediate transfer belt driving roller 11 side. The secondary transfer unit 13 has a secondary transfer roller 14. The secondary transfer roller 14 rotates in the direction of the arrow (clockwise in FIG. 1). The secondary transfer roller 14 is pressed against the intermediate transfer belt 10 wound around the intermediate transfer belt driving roller 11 to form a secondary transfer nip. Further, an intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 15 is provided on the intermediate transfer belt tension roller 12 side of the intermediate transfer belt 10.

  The photosensitive members 2Y, 2M, 2C and 2K, the charging portions 3Y, 3M, 3C and 3K, the exposure portions 4Y, 4M, 4C and 4K, the developing portions 5Y, 5M, 5C and 5K, and the photosensitive member squeeze Each of the image forming units 1Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K, the primary transfer units 7Y, 7M, 7C, and 7K, the photoconductor cleaning units, and the charge eliminating units constitutes each color image forming unit of the image forming apparatus 1 of this example. Is done.

In the image forming apparatus 1 of this example configured as described above, the toner images of the respective colors formed by the respective image forming units are transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 10 by the primary transfer portions 7Y, 7M, 7C, and 7K as in the conventional case. Is transcribed. At this time, in the image forming apparatus 1 of this example, the toner images of the respective colors Y, M, C, and K are overlaid and transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 10 in this order, and a full-color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 10. The Further, the toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 10 is transferred to a transfer material 16 such as transfer paper pressed against the intermediate transfer belt 10 by the secondary transfer roller 14 at the nip of the secondary transfer unit 13. The toner image transferred to the transfer material is fixed by a fixing unit (not shown), whereby an image is formed on the transfer material 16.

  Next, the developing units 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5K, the photosensitive member squeeze units 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K, the developer collecting and replenishing units 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K, and the concentrations and liquid amounts in this example. The control systems 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K will be described in more detail.

FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view schematically showing the photoconductor, the developing unit, the photoconductor squeeze unit, the developer recovery / supply unit, and the concentration / liquid amount control system of the example shown in FIG. Each developing unit 5Y, 5
M, 5C, 5K, each photoconductor squeeze unit 6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K, each developer recovery supply unit 8Y, 8M, 8C, 8K, and each concentration / liquid amount control system 9Y, 9M, 9C, 9K All have the same configuration for each color Y, M, C, K. Therefore, in FIG. 2, the symbols Y, M, C, and K of each color are omitted for description in common with each color. However, in FIG. 1, the codes Y, M, C, and K are added to the codes corresponding to some of the components shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the developing unit 5 includes a liquid developer storage unit 17, an anilox roller 18, an intermediate roller 19 that is a liquid developer supply member, a development roller 20 that is a developer carrier, and a liquid developer supply member cleaning. It has an intermediate roller cleaning blade 21 as a member and a developing roller cleaning blade 22 as a developer carrying member cleaning member. The liquid developer storage unit 17 stores the liquid developer T. A part of the anilox roller 18 is immersed in the liquid developer T stored in the liquid developer storage unit 17 and is rotated clockwise in FIG. 2 to pump up the liquid developer T. The intermediate roller 19 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 2, whereby a predetermined amount of the liquid developer T is supplied from the anilox roller 18. The developing roller 20 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 2 to supply and carry the liquid developer T from the intermediate roller 19 and to carry the electrostatic carried on the photoreceptor 2 with the toner of the carried liquid developer T. The latent image is developed to form a toner image on the photoreceptor 2. The intermediate roller cleaning blade 21 cleans the intermediate roller 19 that has passed through the nip with the developing roller 20 to remove excess liquid developer T (mainly carrier liquid) remaining on the intermediate roller 19. The developing roller cleaning blade 22 cleans the developing roller 20 after developing the electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 2, and removes excess liquid developer T (mainly carrier liquid) remaining on the developing roller 20. .

The photosensitive member squeeze unit 6 includes a first photosensitive member squeeze roller 23, a second photosensitive member squeeze roller 24, a first squeeze roller cleaning blade 25, and a second squeeze roller cleaning blade 26. The first and second photoconductor squeeze rollers 23 and 24 both rotate counterclockwise in FIG. 2 to squeeze the photoconductor 2 after development by the developing unit 5, whereby a predetermined amount on the photoconductor 2 is obtained. Remove the carrier liquid. The first squeeze roller cleaning blade 25 cleans the first photoconductor squeeze roller 23 after squeezing the photoconductor 2 and removes the carrier liquid on the first photoconductor squeeze roller 23. The second squeeze roller cleaning blade 26 cleans the second photoconductor squeeze roller 24 after squeezing the photoconductor 2 and removes the carrier liquid on the second photoconductor squeeze roller 24.

The developer collection and replenishment unit 8 includes a concentration adjustment tank 27 that is a liquid developer concentration adjustment unit, a liquid developer supply pump (P) 28 that is a liquid developer supply member, a liquid developer supply pipe 29, and a collected liquid storage unit 30. And a recovered liquid discharge pipe 31. The density adjustment tank 27 mixes the toner T ₁ and the carrier liquid T ₂ to produce the liquid developer T, and the density of the liquid developer T is set to a predetermined first toner density (for example, 25% by weight). It is a tank for adjusting. The liquid developer supply pump 28 supplies the liquid developer T having the first toner concentration in the density adjustment tank 27 to the liquid developer storage unit 17 of the developing unit 5 through the liquid developer supply pipe 29.

  The recovered liquid storage unit 30 includes the liquid developer storage unit 17 and one container. In that case, the liquid developer storage part 17 and the recovered liquid storage part 30 are partitioned by a partition plate 32 (corresponding to the partition part of the present invention). Although not shown in the drawing, a notch (corresponding to the fluidizing portion of the present invention) is provided in the upper edge of the partition plate 32. When the upper surface (liquid level) of the liquid developer T in the developer storage unit 17 becomes higher than the lowest position of the notch of the partition plate 32, the liquid developer T in the developer storage unit 17 is separated from the partition plate 32. Through the notch (over the bridge), it overflows (flows out) into the collected liquid storage unit 30. In this case, during the printing operation, the liquid developer supply pump 28 supplies more liquid developer T than necessary for development to the liquid developer storage unit 17, and always collects the collected liquid from the liquid developer storage unit 17. The part 30 overflows through the notch of the partition plate 32. Thus, the liquid developer T always overflows from the liquid developer reservoir 17 to the recovered liquid reservoir 30, so that the liquid amount of the liquid developer T in the liquid developer reservoir 17 is always kept constant, and the liquid development The agent T is supplied to the anilox roller 18 stably.

Further, the recovered liquid storage unit 30 includes a liquid developer T (mainly carrier liquid) that has been cleaned and removed from the intermediate roller 19 by an intermediate roller cleaning blade 21 that is a developer carrier cleaning member, and a developer carrier cleaning. The liquid developer T (mainly carrier liquid) removed from the developing roller 20 by the developing roller cleaning blade 22, which is a member, and the first and second squeeze roller cleaning blades 25 and 26, respectively. The carrier liquid removed from the first and second photosensitive member squeeze rollers 23 and 24 is collected. The liquid developer T collected in the collected liquid storage unit 30 is discharged into the concentration adjustment tank 27 through the collected liquid discharge pipe 31. Accordingly, the recovered liquid discharge pipe 31 constitutes a recovery path.

The concentration / liquid amount control system 9 includes a toner supply tank 33, a toner supply pump (P) 34 (corresponding to the toner supply unit of the present invention), a toner supply pipe 35, a carrier liquid supply tank 36, and a carrier liquid supply pump. (P) 37 (corresponding to the carrier liquid supply part of the present invention), carrier liquid supply pipe 38, concentration sensor 39 (corresponding to the concentration measuring part of the present invention), liquid quantity sensor 40 (corresponding to the liquid amount measuring part of the present invention) ), And a flow rate sensor (S) 41 (corresponding to the stay detecting portion of the present invention; corresponding to the flow rate measuring member of the present invention).

The toner supply tank 33 stores the toner T ₁ to be supplied to the concentration adjustment tank 27. The toner supply pump 34 is stored in the toner supply tank 33 through the toner supply pipe 35, and the toner T ₁ having a second toner concentration higher than the first toner concentration adjusted in the concentration adjusting tank 27. Is fed to the concentration adjustment tank 27. The carrier liquid supply tank 36 stores the carrier liquid T ₂ supplied to the concentration adjustment tank 27. The carrier liquid supply pump 37 supplies the carrier liquid T ₂ in the carrier liquid supply tank 36 to the concentration adjustment tank 27 through the carrier liquid supply pipe 38.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the concentration / liquid amount control system 9 further includes a concentration / liquid amount control unit 42, a first memory 43, a first calculator 44, a first look-up table (LUT) 45, Second memory 46, second computing unit 47, second lookup table (LUT) 48, third memory 49, third computing unit 50, third lookup table (LUT) 51, first Read-only memory (RAM) 52, second read-only memory (RAM) 53, comparator 54, toner motor control unit 55, and carrier liquid motor control unit 56.

  The concentration / liquid amount control unit 42 outputs a concentration measurement start signal to the concentration sensor 39 when measuring the concentration of the liquid developer T in the concentration adjustment tank 27. Then, the concentration measurement signal measured from the concentration sensor 39 is output as a voltage. The voltage of the concentration measurement signal is stored in the first memory 43. Then, the first calculator 44 converts the voltage stored in the first memory 43 into a concentration based on the first LUT 45 representing the relationship between the voltage and the concentration, and outputs it to the concentration / liquid amount control unit 42. To do.

  Further, the concentration / liquid amount control unit 42 outputs a liquid amount measurement start signal to the liquid amount sensor 40 when measuring the liquid amount of the liquid developer T in the concentration adjustment tank 27. Then, the liquid amount measurement signal measured from the liquid amount sensor 40 is output as a voltage. The voltage of the liquid amount measurement signal is stored in the second memory 46. Then, the second arithmetic unit 47 converts the voltage stored in the second memory 46 into a liquid amount based on the second LUT 48 representing the relationship between the voltage and the liquid amount, and the concentration / liquid amount control unit 42. Output to.

Further, the concentration / liquid amount control unit 42 outputs a flow measurement start signal to the flow sensor 41 when measuring the flow rate of the recovered liquid moving through the recovered liquid discharge pipe 31. Then, the flow rate measurement signal which measured the flow volume of the collection | recovery liquid which moves the collection | recovery liquid discharge piping 31 from the flow sensor 41 is output as a voltage. That is, the flow rate sensor 41 detects the flow fluctuation of the recovered liquid moving through the recovered liquid discharge pipe 31. The voltage of the flow measurement signal is stored in the third memory 49. The third computing unit 50 converts the voltage stored in the third memory 49 into a flow rate based on the third LUT 51 representing the relationship between the voltage and the flow rate, and outputs the flow rate to the comparator 54 that is a determination unit.
The comparator 54 compares the input flow rate with a threshold value, which is a retention determination flow rate that is set in advance and stored in the second RAM 53, and determines whether or not stagnation of the recovered liquid has occurred as a result of the comparison. The comparator 54 executes the concentration / liquid amount control by the concentration / liquid amount control system 9 when it is determined that the recovered liquid is not retained, and the concentration / liquid amount control when it is determined that the recovered liquid is retained. An on / off signal for stopping concentration / liquid amount control by the liquid amount control system 9 is output to the concentration / liquid amount control unit 42. Accordingly, the flow rate sensor 41, the second RAM 53, and the comparator 54 constitute a collected liquid retention detection unit of the present invention.

Further, the density target value of the liquid developer T in the density adjustment tank 27 stored in the first RAM 52, the liquid volume upper limit value and the liquid volume lower limit value of the liquid developer T in the density adjustment tank 27 are the density / liquid level. It is output to the quantity control unit 42.

  The concentration / liquid amount control unit 42 compares the concentration measured by the concentration sensor 39 with the concentration target value from the first RAM 52, and compares the liquid amount measured by the liquid amount sensor 40 with the liquid amount from the first RAM 52. Compared with a predetermined liquid amount control range determined by the upper limit value and the liquid amount lower limit value, the supply amount of the toner and the supply amount of the carrier liquid supplied to the concentration adjustment tank 27 are calculated based on the comparison results. Then, the concentration / liquid amount control unit 42 outputs the calculated supply amounts to the toner motor control unit 55 and the carrier liquid motor control unit 56. The concentner motor control unit 55 and the carrier liquid motor control unit 56 respectively set a cycle and a duty ratio to the conch toner pump motor (not shown) and the carrier liquid pump motor (not shown) according to each supply amount inputted. The changed pulse signal is output. As a result, the toner supply pump 34 and the carrier liquid supply pump 37 are controlled so that the liquid developer T in the concentration adjustment tank 27 has a predetermined concentration and a predetermined liquid amount range. In this way, the concentration / liquid amount control of the liquid developer T in the concentration adjustment tank 27 by the concentration / liquid amount control system 9 is performed.

  Further, the concentration / liquid amount control unit 42 executes the concentration / liquid amount control of the liquid developer T in the concentration adjustment tank 27 based on the ON / OFF signal of the concentration / liquid amount control input from the comparator 54 or Stop. The execution or stop of the concentration / liquid amount control by the concentration / liquid amount control system 9 will be described in more detail.

During the continuous printing operation, when the recovered liquid does not stay in the recovered liquid discharge pipe 31 and smoothly moves (flows) in the recovered liquid discharge pipe 31, the recovered liquid in the recovered liquid discharge pipe 31 The recovered liquid flow rate R ₀ ml / sec varies depending on the print data, but takes a value within a certain range. On the other hand, when the recovered liquid stays in the recovered liquid discharge pipe 31, the recovered liquid flow rate R ₀ ml / sec greatly fluctuates and approaches ₀ ml / sec. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, by measuring the recovered liquid flow rate R ₀ ml / sec of the recovered liquid in the recovery liquid discharge pipe 31 by the flow rate sensor 41, the variation of the recovering solution flow rate R ₀ ml / sec is constant When it is larger than the range, it is determined by the comparator 54 that the collected liquid stays in the collected liquid discharge pipe 31.

A specific example of the determination of the occurrence of the stay will be described.
As shown in FIG. 2, the feed amount S ₀ ml / sec of the liquid developer T fed from the density adjustment tank 27 to the liquid developer reservoir 17 of the developing unit 5 is the liquid pumped up by the anilox roller 18. It is divided into a pumping liquid amount S _axr ml / sec of the developer T and an overflowing liquid amount R _of ml / sec _of the liquid developer T overflowing from the liquid developer reservoir 17 to the recovered liquid reservoir 30. Therefore, in order to stably supply a certain amount of the liquid developer T necessary for development to the anilox roller 18, the feed liquid amount S ₀ ml / sec to the liquid developer reservoir 17 is It is necessary to set a larger value than the optimum value of the pumped liquid amount S _axr ml / sec.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the pumped liquid amount S _axr ml / sec of the anilox roller 18 is 0.6 ml / sec, the liquid supply amount S ₀ to the liquid developer storage unit 17 is 2.0 ml / sec, and the recovered liquid storage Part 30
The overflow liquid amount R _of ml / sec is set to 1.4 ml / sec. Further, in this embodiment, during the printing operation, the recovered liquid amount R _CL ml / sec of the liquid developer T per unit time recovered from the intermediate roller 19, the developing roller 20, and the photoreceptor 2 depends on the image data to be printed. It is different, but takes a value greater than 0 ml / sec and less than 0.6 ml / sec. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, when there is no stagnation of the recovered liquid in the recovered liquid discharge pipe 31 and the recovered liquid is continuously and smoothly moving from the recovered liquid reservoir 30 to the concentration adjustment tank 27, the recovery The liquid flow rate R ₀ ml / sec coincides with the sum _of the overflow liquid amount R _of ml / sec and the recovered liquid amount R _CL ml / sec (R ₀ = R _of + R _CL ). Therefore, the recovered liquid flow rate R ₀ ml / sec is larger than 1.4 ml / sec shown by (i) in FIG. 4 and less than 2.0 ml / sec (1.4 ml / sec to 2.0 ml / sec). take.

When the collected liquid stays in the collected liquid discharge pipe 31, the collected liquid flow rate R ₀ ml / sec of the collected liquid
Changes significantly. That is, the recovered liquid amount R ₀ ml / sec takes a small value as compared with ₀ ml / sec shown in (ii) of FIG. 4 or (R _of + R _CL ) ml / sec. In addition, when the retention of the recovered liquid is being eliminated at a relatively high speed, the recovered liquid that has stayed flows into the concentration adjustment tank 27 in a short time, and therefore the recovered liquid flow rate R ₀ ml / sec is shown in FIG. As shown in (iii), it increases greatly. When all of the collected liquid that has stayed has flowed into the concentration adjustment tank 27, the discharged liquid amount R ₀ ml / sec.
4 takes a value in the range of 1.4 ml / sec to 2.0 ml / sec as in (i) again as indicated by (i ′) in FIG.

Therefore, the image forming apparatus 1 of this example divides the discharge state of the recovered liquid into the following three states depending on whether or not the recovered liquid stays, and discharges the recovered liquid according to the value of the recovered liquid flow rate R ₀ ml / sec. It is determined which of these discharge states the state is. That is,
(i) No retention (1.4 ml / sec <R ₀ ml / sec <2.0 ml / sec)
(ii) Retention (R ₀ ml / sec ≤ 1.4 ml / sec)
(iii) Residual elimination (R ₀ ml / sec ≧ 2.0 ml / sec).

Incidentally, the actual flow of the recovered liquid in the recovered liquid discharge pipe 31 does not necessarily change in the order of (i) → (ii) → (iii) → (i ′) as shown in FIG. Various changes occur as shown in FIG. That is, for example, as shown in FIG. 5A, the collected liquid stays and the collected liquid flow rate R ₀ ml / sec changes to a small value shown in FIG. By gradually eliminating, the recovered liquid flow rate R ₀ ml / sec gradually increases. However, the recovered liquid flow rate R ₀ ml / sec does not increase greatly as shown by (iii) in FIG. 4 (that is, does not go through (iii) shown in FIG. 4), but is shown by (i) in FIG. There is a case in which the state changes so as to return to a state without staying (the same state as shown in FIG. 4 (i ′)).

In addition, after the retention of the recovered liquid occurs as shown by B in FIG. 5 and the recovered liquid flow rate R ₀ ml / sec changes to the small value shown in (ii) of FIG. The recovery flow rate R ₀ ml / sec is greatly increased by eliminating at an extremely fast speed. When stagnation occurs again while the stagnation is being resolved (the state in which no stagnation occurs), the discharged liquid amount R ₀ ml / sec changes to a small value of 1.4 ml / sec or less, that is, in FIG. iii) may change as shown in (ii).

Further, after the retention of the recovered liquid occurs as shown by C in FIG. 5 and the recovered liquid flow rate R ₀ ml / sec changes to the small value shown in (ii) of FIG. When the amount is small, the recovered liquid flow rate R ₀ ml / sec does not go through (iii) shown in FIG. 4 and returns to the non-stagnation state shown in (i) in FIG. ₀ ml / sec may change to a state without stagnation, that is, may change as indicated by (ii) → (i) in FIG. The actual flow of the recovered liquid in the recovered liquid discharge pipe 31 may vary in various ways. In that case, no matter how the actual flow of the collected liquid changes, the flow rate sensor 41 causes the collected liquid discharge pipe 31 to collect the collected liquid flow rate R ₀ ml / sec.
It is possible to determine the staying state of the recovered liquid at the time of measuring the flow rate.

Next, the operation of the concentration / liquid amount control system 9 when the collected liquid stays will be described. In the case of the non-stagnation state shown by (i) (including the state of (i ′) shown in FIG. 4) and the state of stagnation elimination shown by (iii), the concentration / liquid amount control system 9 The concentration of the liquid developer T in the concentration adjustment tank 27 becomes the concentration target value, and the liquid amount of the liquid developer T in the concentration adjustment tank 27 is between the preset liquid amount upper limit value and the liquid amount lower limit value. The concentration adjustment and the liquid amount control of the liquid developer T in the concentration adjustment tank 27 are simultaneously performed so that the predetermined liquid amount control range is satisfied.

On the other hand, in the case of the stay state shown in (ii), the concentration / liquid amount control system 9 adjusts the concentration of the liquid developer T in the same manner as in the states shown in (i) and (iii) described above. When the liquid amount control is performed, there is a possibility that the liquid developer T in the concentration adjusting tank 27 may cause an overflow when the retention is eliminated. In addition, when the stagnation occurs, the amount of the recovered liquid returned to the concentration adjustment tank 27 is small, so that the concentration fluctuation in the concentration adjustment tank 27 hardly occurs. Therefore, in the case of the stay state shown in (ii), the concentration / liquid amount control system 9 stops the concentration adjustment and the liquid amount control of the liquid developer T, and the concentrated toner and the carrier liquid are supplied to the concentration adjustment tank 27. Do not replenish. Further, when the stagnation of the recovered liquid is eliminated and the recovered liquid is discharged as shown in (ii) or (iii), the concentration / liquid amount control system 9 resumes the above-described concentration adjustment and liquid volume control. I have to.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a flow of concentration adjustment and liquid amount control by the concentration / liquid amount control system.
As shown in FIG. 6, in the concentration adjustment and the liquid amount control, first, the concentration of the liquid developer T in the concentration adjustment tank 27 is measured by the concentration sensor 39 in step S1, and in the concentration adjustment tank 27 in step S2. The liquid amount of the liquid developer T is measured by the liquid amount sensor 40. Furthermore, the flow rate R ₀ ml / sec of the collected liquid that moves (flows) through the collected liquid discharge pipe 31 in step S3.
Is measured by the flow sensor 41. Next, in step S4, it is determined whether or not the flow rate R ₀ ml / sec of the recovered liquid is larger than a preset threshold value. That is, it is determined whether or not the recovered liquid is retained in the recovered liquid discharge pipe 31. This threshold value can be set to 1.4 ml / sec for determining the state with stagnation shown in (ii) of the above-described embodiment, for example.

When it is determined that the recovered liquid flow rate R ₀ ml / sec of the recovered liquid is larger than the threshold value (flow rate> threshold value), that is, it is determined that the recovered liquid is not retained, the concentration / liquid amount control unit 42 in step S5. Based on the measured concentration and liquid amount, the toner supply amount is calculated, and in step S6, the toner motor control unit 55 outputs a pulse signal based on the calculated toner supply amount, and the toner pump motor ( Drive (not shown). In addition, the carrier liquid supply amount is calculated based on the concentration and liquid amount measured by the concentration / liquid amount control unit 42 in step S7, and the carrier liquid motor control unit 56 calculates the carrier liquid supply amount in step S8. Based on this, a pulse signal is output to drive a carrier liquid pump motor (not shown). As a result, the toner supply pump 34 and the carrier liquid supply pump 37 are operated to perform density adjustment and liquid quantity control by the density / liquid quantity control system 9, and the liquid developer T in the density adjustment tank 27 is kept at a predetermined first level. The toner density is adjusted to 1 and the liquid amount is controlled within a predetermined range. Thereafter, when the concentration of the liquid developer T is adjusted to a predetermined concentration and the liquid amount of the liquid developer T is controlled to a liquid amount within a predetermined range, the toner supply pump 34 and the carrier liquid supply pump 37 are stopped. Then, the concentration adjustment and the liquid amount control by the concentration / liquid amount control system 9 are completed.

In step S4, the recovered liquid flow rate R ₀ ml / sec of the recovered liquid is not larger than the threshold value (flow rate ≦ threshold value).
In other words, if it is determined that the recovered liquid is stagnant, the processes of steps S5 to S8 are bypassed and not performed, and the operation of the concentration / liquid amount control system 9 ends. That is, in this case, it is determined that the collected liquid is retained as shown in (ii), and concentration adjustment and liquid amount control by the concentration / liquid amount control system 9 are stopped (not performed).

According to the image forming apparatus 1 of this example, when the flow rate of the recovered liquid moving through the recovered liquid discharge pipe 31 measured by the flow sensor 41 is larger than a preset threshold value, the recovered liquid is recovered from the recovered liquid discharge pipe 31. Therefore, it is determined that the collected liquid does not stay in the collected liquid discharge pipe 31. Therefore, at this time, according to the concentration of the liquid developer T in the concentration adjustment tank 27 measured by the concentration sensor 39 and the liquid amount of the liquid developer T in the liquid amount adjustment tank 27 measured by the liquid amount sensor 40. Thus, the concentration of the liquid developer T in the concentration adjustment tank 27 is adjusted, and the liquid amount of the liquid developer in the concentration / liquid amount control unit is controlled. By controlling the concentration of the liquid developer and controlling the amount of the liquid developer, the concentrate T _{1 in} the toner supply tank 33 and the carrier liquid T _{2 in} the carrier liquid supply tank 33 are supplied to the concentration adjustment tank 27. Further, when the flow rate of the recovery liquid moving through the recovery liquid discharge pipe 31 measured by the flow sensor 41 is equal to or less than the above-described threshold, the movement of the recovery liquid moving through the recovery liquid discharge pipe 31 is delayed. It is determined that the collected liquid has accumulated in the collected liquid discharge pipe 31. Therefore, at this time, the density adjustment of the liquid developer T in the density adjustment tank 27 and the liquid amount control of the liquid developer T in the density adjustment tank 27 are stopped. As a result, even if the amount of the liquid developer T in the concentration adjustment tank 27 decreases, the toner T _{1 in} the toner supply tank 33 and the carrier liquid T ₂ in the carrier liquid supply tank 33 are transferred to the concentration adjustment tank 27. Not supplied.

That is, when stagnation of the collected liquid occurs in the collected liquid discharge pipe 31, the concentration adjustment of the liquid developer T in the concentration adjustment tank 27 and the liquid amount control of the liquid developer T in the concentration adjustment tank 27 are not performed. Therefore, even if the concentration or amount of the liquid developer T in the concentration adjustment tank 27 changes greatly due to the stay of the collected liquid, no new toner T ₁ or new carrier liquid T ₂ is supplied to the concentration adjustment tank 27. . As a result, the liquid level of the liquid developer T in the density adjustment tank 27 does not rise. In this state, when the recovered liquid staying in the recovered liquid discharge pipe 31 falls to the concentration adjustment tank 27 by its own weight and the stay of the recovered liquid is eliminated, the concentration of the recovered recovered liquid is adjusted in a short time. Since the liquid flows into the tank 27, the liquid level in the concentration adjustment tank 27 rises. However, since the liquid level in the concentration adjustment tank 27 does not increase due to the supply of no new toner T ₁ or a new carrier liquid T ₂ , the liquid level in the concentration adjustment tank 27 is thus increased by the recovered liquid. Even if it rises, the liquid level in the concentration adjustment tank 27 does not rise greatly. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the liquid developer T in the concentration adjustment tank 27 from overflowing. In addition, since overflow of the liquid developer T is prevented, the degree of freedom of supplying the toner T _{1 and} the degree of freedom of supplying the carrier liquid T ₂ are increased, so that the concentration of the liquid developer T can be adjusted easily and reliably. It becomes possible to do.

  Therefore, even when a high-viscosity liquid developer is used, the concentration of the liquid developer T in the concentration adjustment tank 27 is maintained at a predetermined concentration, and the amount of the liquid developer T in the concentration adjustment tank 27 is set within a predetermined range. The continuous printing operation can be performed in the state of being held inside. This makes it possible to stably perform continuous printing with high image quality without stopping the continuous printing operation.

  In particular, by measuring the flow rate of the recovered liquid moving through the recovered liquid discharge pipe 31 with a flow sensor, it is possible to more reliably detect the retention of the recovered liquid generated in the recovered liquid discharge pipe 31 with a simple configuration. It becomes.

  The image forming method and the image forming apparatus of the present invention are not limited to the examples of the above-described embodiments, and various design changes can be made within the scope of the matters described in the claims. It is.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming apparatus 2, 2Y, 2M, 2C, 2K ... Photoconductor, 3Y, 3M, 3C, 3K ... Charging part,
4Y, 4M, 4C, 4K ... exposure unit, 5, 5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K ... development unit, 6, 6Y, 6M, 6C,
6K: Photoconductor squeeze unit, 8, 8Y, 8M, 8C, 8K ... Developer recovery supply unit, 9, 9Y, 9M, 9C, 9K ... Concentration / liquid amount control system, 10 ... Intermediate transfer belt, 13 is secondary Transfer unit 17, liquid developer storage unit, 18 ... anilox roller, 19 ... intermediate roller, 20 ... development roller, 21 ... intermediate roller cleaning blade, 22 ... development roller cleaning blade, 23 ... first photoconductor squeeze roller, 24 ... second photosensitive member squeeze roller, 25 ... first squeeze roller cleaning blade, 26 ... second squeeze roller cleaning blade, 27 ... concentration adjustment tank, 28 ... liquid developer supply pump (P), 29 ... liquid Developer supply pipe, 30... Recovered liquid storage section, 31... Recovered liquid discharge pipe, 32... Partition plate, 33. , 34 ... Conch toner supply pump (P), 35 ... Conch toner supply pipe, 36 ... Carrier liquid supply tank, 37 ... Carrier liquid supply pump (P), 38 ... Carrier liquid supply pipe, 39 ... Concentration sensor, 40 ... Liquid quantity sensor 41... Flow sensor (S) 42. Concentration / liquid quantity control section 54. Comparator 55. Concentner motor control section 56. Carrier liquid motor control section T T Liquid developer T ₁ ... Conch Toner, T ₂ ... Carrier liquid

Claims (7)

A latent image carrier on which a latent image is formed;
A liquid developer reservoir for storing a liquid developer containing toner and a carrier liquid; a developer carrier for carrying the liquid developer and developing the latent image formed on the latent image carrier with the carried liquid developer; A developing unit having a developer carrier cleaning member that contacts the development carrier that has developed the latent image and removes the liquid developer;
A density measuring unit that measures the toner concentration of the stored liquid developer and a liquid amount measuring unit that measures the amount of the stored liquid developer are supplied to the liquid developer storing unit of the developing unit. A liquid developer concentration adjusting unit that adjusts the toner concentration of the liquid developer to a first toner concentration;
A liquid developer supply unit that supplies the liquid developer stored in the liquid developer concentration adjusting unit to the liquid developer storage unit of the developing unit;
A toner supply unit for supplying a liquid developer having a second toner concentration higher than the first toner concentration to the liquid developer concentration adjusting unit;
A carrier liquid supply unit for supplying the carrier liquid to the liquid developer concentration adjusting unit;
A recovered liquid storage section for storing the liquid developer recovered by the cleaning member;
The supply amount of the liquid developer supplied from the toner supply unit and the carrier based on the toner concentration of the liquid developer measured by the concentration measurement unit and the liquid amount of the liquid developer measured by the liquid amount measurement unit The liquid stored in the liquid developer concentration adjusting unit and the toner concentration of the liquid developer stored in the liquid developer concentration adjusting unit are controlled by controlling the supply amount of the carrier liquid supplied from the liquid supplying unit. A control unit for controlling the amount of developer;
A recovery path for moving the liquid developer stored in the recovery liquid storage unit to the liquid developer concentration adjusting unit;
A residence detector for detecting flow fluctuations of the liquid developer moving in the recovery path;
A discriminating unit for discriminating whether or not the liquid developer moving through the recovery path is stagnating based on the value of the flow fluctuation of the liquid developer detected by the staying detection unit;
With
The control unit adjusts the toner concentration of the liquid developer stored in the liquid developer concentration adjusting unit when the determination unit determines that the liquid developer moving in the collection path is not staying. And controlling the amount of liquid developer stored in the liquid developer concentration adjusting unit, and when the determining unit determines that the liquid developer moving in the recovery path is stagnant, the liquid developer An image forming apparatus characterized in that the adjustment of the toner concentration of the liquid developer stored in the density adjusting unit is stopped and the control of the liquid amount of the liquid developer stored in the liquid developer concentration adjusting unit is stopped.   In addition to partitioning the recovered liquid storage section and the liquid developer storage section, the liquid developer storage section has a fluid section for flowing the liquid developer stored in the liquid developer storage section from the liquid developer storage section to the recovered liquid storage section. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a partition portion. The developing unit is
A liquid developer supply member that carries the liquid developer stored in the liquid developer concentration adjusting unit and supplies the liquid developer to the developer carrier;
A liquid developer supply member cleaning member that cleans the liquid developer supply member that supplies the liquid developer to the developer carrier; and
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2. The stay detection unit is a flow rate measurement member that measures a flow rate of the liquid developer that moves in the recovery path,
4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the determination unit determines retention of the recovery path based on a flow rate of the liquid developer measured by the flow rate measuring member. The density measuring unit is a density sensor that is disposed in the liquid developer concentration adjusting unit and measures the toner concentration of the liquid developer stored in the liquid developer concentration adjusting unit,
6. The liquid amount sensor is a liquid amount sensor that is disposed in the liquid developer concentration adjusting unit and measures the amount of liquid developer stored in the liquid developer concentration adjusting unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The latent image is developed with a developer carrying member carrying a liquid developer containing toner and carrier liquid,
The developer carrying member that has developed the latent image is cleaned to recover the liquid developer,
Moving the collected liquid developer in the collection path and measuring flow fluctuations of the liquid developer moving in the collection path to determine whether the liquid developer moving in the collection path is stagnant;
The liquid developer moved through the recovery path is stored in the liquid developer concentration adjusting unit,
When it is determined that the liquid developer moving through the recovery path is not retained, the liquid developer stored in the liquid developer concentration adjusting unit is adjusted to the first toner concentration and the stored liquid developer An image forming method comprising controlling the amount of liquid.   7. When the liquid developer moving through the recovery path is determined to be stagnant, the adjustment of the liquid developer stored in the liquid developer concentration adjusting unit to the first toner concentration is stopped. The image forming method described.

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