JP2012194232A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device capable of restarting image formation in a short time without causing winding or lack of a cleaning blade and abnormal wearing progress of an image carrier when the cleaning blade or the image carrier is replaced.SOLUTION: An image processing system comprises: a toner holding part capable of holding toner which is opposed to an image carrier and disposed on an upstream side of a cleaning blade and a downstream side of a transfer part; an input part for inputting information on the start or completion of the replacement of one of the image carrier and the cleaning blade; and a control part which, when the replacement start information is input, moves and holds toner constituting a toner image passing through a part facing the image carrier and the toner holding part from the image carrier to the toner holding part, and when the replacement completion information is input, moves the toner held in the toner holding part to the image carrier to attach thereto and conveys the toner attached to the image carrier to the cleaning blade.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  In an image forming apparatus, a technique for providing a cleaning blade and removing residual developer remaining on an image carrier (photosensitive member or intermediate transfer member) is generally known.

  In such an image forming apparatus, if the developer present at the contact portion between the image carrier and the cleaning blade is insufficient, the friction between the cleaning blade and the image carrier increases, and the tip of the cleaning blade is caught. It is generally known that the image carrier is lost and that the wear of the image carrier progresses abnormally.

  Further, when the cleaning blade tip part is caught or missing and the progress of the wear of the image carrier, when at least one of the cleaning blade and the image carrier is exchanged, the toner is applied to the replaced cleaning blade or image carrier. Since there is no adhesion, frictional resistance increases and is likely to occur.

  To prevent the leading edge of the cleaning blade from being caught or missing when at least one of the cleaning blade, the photosensitive member, and the intermediate transfer member is replaced, and the progress of wear of the photosensitive member and the intermediate transfer member. The following image forming apparatuses are conventionally known.

  (1) Prior to replacement of the cleaning blade and the image carrier on the supply roller for supplying (applying) the lubricant to the image carrier, the lubricant is applied in advance by a coating device, and the replacement of the cleaning blade and the image carrier is performed. There is known an image forming apparatus that replaces a supply roller that has been used up to now with a supply roller that has been coated with a lubricant, and then restarts image formation (see Patent Document 1).

  (2) A waste toner is used as a lubricant for lubricating the cleaning blade, a porous supply roller for supplying (applying) the waste toner to the image carrier, and a pressure for squeezing out the waste toner contained in the porous supply roller An image for which the waste toner contained in the porous supply roller is squeezed out by the pressing member after the cleaning blade and the image carrier are replaced, and the waste toner is applied to the image carrier, and then image formation is resumed. A forming apparatus is known (see Patent Document 2).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 06-308864 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-282853

  However, the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 requires a coating apparatus other than the image forming apparatus as an incidental facility, which increases the equipment cost and increases the floor area due to the installation of the coating apparatus. was there.

  Further, if the lubricant is not applied to the supply roller in advance, the lubricant must be applied to the supply roller when the cleaning blade or the image carrier is replaced. There was a problem.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 2 uses waste toner as a lubricant for the cleaning blade. However, generally, waste toner contains paper dust and impurities, and the lubrication performance of the cleaning blade decreases. There was a problem that it was. In addition, it is highly possible that the waste toner is deteriorated with time, and it is highly possible that the lubricating performance of the cleaning blade is lowered.

  Since such waste toner is used, there is a problem in that the leading end of the cleaning blade may be caught or missing, and the photosensitive member or the intermediate transfer member may be worn out.

  In view of the above-described problems, the present invention may cause the leading edge of the cleaning blade to be caught or missing, or cause abnormal wear of the photosensitive member or intermediate transfer member even if at least one of the cleaning blade and the image carrier is replaced. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of resuming image formation in a short time without generating an incidental facility and requiring no incidental equipment.

  The present invention relates to an image carrier immediately after replacement in order to compensate for a shortage of developer present at the contact portion between the image carrier and the cleaning blade, which occurs when at least one of the cleaning blade and the image carrier is replaced. The new developer is automatically supplied to the contact portion between the cleaning blade and the cleaning blade.

  The above object is achieved by the following configuration.

1. A cleaning blade for removing residual toner remaining on the image carrier;
A toner holding unit that is located upstream of the cleaning blade and downstream of a transfer unit that transfers a toner image carried on an image carrier to a transfer target, and capable of holding toner constituting the toner image;
An input unit for inputting information on the start and completion of replacement of at least one of the image carrier and the cleaning blade;
When replacement start information is input from the input unit, toner constituting a toner image formed on the image carrier before replacement of the image carrier or the cleaning blade is transferred from the image carrier to the toner holding unit. To be held by the toner holding unit,
When replacement completion information is input from the input unit, the toner held in the toner holding unit is moved from the toner holding unit to the image carrier and attached to the image carrier, and the image carrier is attached to the image carrier. A controller that drives the image carrier until the adhered toner passes through the cleaning blade;
An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. A toner holding roller facing the image carrier and capable of holding toner constituting the toner image;
A power source capable of switching the polarity of the voltage applied to the toner holding roller,
The controller is
When replacement start information is input from the input unit, the output of the power source is set to a polarity in a direction in which the toner constituting the toner image is sucked, and a facing part between the image carrier and the toner holding roller is set. The toner constituting the toner image passing therethrough is sucked and moved from the image carrier toward the toner holding roller to be held by the toner holding roller,
When replacement completion information is input from the input unit, the output of the power source is set to a polarity that repels the toner held on the toner holding roller, and the toner adhering to the toner holding roller is repelled. Moved toward the image carrier and attached to the image carrier;
2. The image forming apparatus as described in 1 above.

3. The toner holding part has a rotatable brush roller in which a tip part abuts on the image carrier and a brush capable of holding the toner constituting the toner image is planted on a peripheral surface;
Flicker detachable from the brush;
A swing member that swings the flicker and separates the flicker from and to the brush.
The controller is
When replacement start information is input from the input unit, the brush roller is rotated, the flicker is separated from the brush by the swinging member, and passes through the opposing part of the image carrier and the brush roller. The toner constituting the toner image is rubbed with the rotating brush, the toner is moved from the image carrier to the brush roller and held on the brush roller,
When replacement completion information is input from the input unit, the brush roller is rotated, the flicker is brought into contact with the rotating brush by the swing member, and the toner held on the brush is repelled and repelled. Moving the transferred toner from the brush to the image carrier to adhere to the image carrier;
2. The image forming apparatus as described in 1 above.

  4). When the replacement start information is input from the input unit, the control unit has a band shape with a predetermined width extending in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the image carrier before the image carrier or the cleaning blade is replaced. 4. The image formation according to any one of 1 to 3, wherein a toner band is formed, and the transfer portion is transported to the opposing portion without being transferred to the transfer target body. apparatus.

  5). 5. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 1 to 4, wherein the image carrier is an intermediate transfer member.

  6). 5. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 1 to 4, wherein the image carrier is a photoconductor.

  According to the above invention, even if at least one of the cleaning blade and the image carrier is replaced, the leading edge of the cleaning blade is not caught or missing, and abnormal progress of wear of the photosensitive member or intermediate transfer member does not occur. An image forming apparatus capable of resuming image formation in a short time without an incidental facility can be provided.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a color image forming apparatus. 1 is a detailed view of a first embodiment of a blade lubricating device. The detail drawing of the 2nd form of a blade lubrication apparatus. The flowchart of the 1st method which concerns on the lubrication of the cleaning blade at the time of replacement | exchange of a cleaning blade etc. The flowchart of the 2nd method which concerns on the lubrication of the cleaning blade at the time of replacement | exchange of a cleaning blade etc. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a monochrome image forming apparatus.

  In the following description, the upstream refers to the side on which the sheet is conveyed or the side on which any one point of the image carrier is directed, and the downstream refers to the side on which the sheet is conveyed or any side of the image carrier. The point where one point goes away.

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a color image forming apparatus.

  As an example of the image forming apparatus, an image forming apparatus A called a tandem type full-color copying machine will be described below as an example.

  The image forming apparatus A includes a document image reading unit 1, an image forming unit 2, a paper feeding unit 3, a fixing unit 4, and a touch panel that displays various types of information and allows a user to input various types of information according to display contents. And an automatic document feeder B is placed on the upper part of the image forming apparatus A.

  The operation panel SP, which is an input unit for inputting information on the start and completion of replacement of at least one of an image carrier (photosensitive member and intermediate transfer member) and a cleaning blade that removes toner remaining on the image carrier. Are displayed as an exchange start switch SW1 for inputting information about the start of exchange, and an exchange completion switch SW2 for inputting information about the completion of exchange.

  When the replacement start switch SW1 is turned on, information about the replacement start is input to the control unit C, and when the replacement completion switch SW2 is turned on, information about the replacement completion is input to the control unit C.

  The automatic document feeder B picks up the documents G placed on the paper feed tray Bl one by one, conveys them to the document reading area r, and discharges the document G in which image information is read in the document reading area r. Discharge to tray B2.

  The document image reading unit 1 includes a light source 11, a movable scanning unit 12, and an optical system 14 that forms an image of the document on a line image sensor 13. For example, in the case of a stationary optical type reading operation, the scanning unit. 12 is fixed to the original reading area r, and the image of the original G conveyed by the automatic original conveying apparatus B is read by the line image sensor 13.

  The analog signal of the original image photoelectrically converted by the line image sensor 13 is subjected to analog processing, A / D conversion, shading correction, image compression processing, and the like by the control unit C, and Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (Cyan) and K (Black) digital document image data.

  Around the photosensitive member 21 (21Y, 21M, 21C, 21K) which is one of the image carriers, a charging unit 22 (22Y, 22M, 22C, 22K) for uniformly charging the photosensitive member 21, and the photosensitive member An exposure unit 23 (23Y, 23M, 23C, and 23K) that forms a latent image on 21 and a developing unit 24 (24Y, 24M, 24C, and 24K) that develops the latent image formed on the photosensitive member 21 to form a toner image. ), A primary transfer roller 25 (25Y, 25M, 25C, 25K) for transferring the toner image carried on the photosensitive member 21 to the belt-like intermediate transfer member 27, and the photosensitive member 21 without being transferred to the intermediate transfer rest 27. Cleaning blades 26 (26Y, 26M, 26C, and 26K) for removing the toner remaining on the toner are disposed in that order, and these form the image forming unit 2.

  The exposure unit 23 forms a latent image corresponding to each color on the photoconductor 21 based on the digital original image data, and the latent image formed on the photoconductor 21 is developed with each color toner by the developing unit 24. Toner image is obtained.

  The intermediate transfer member 27 disposed so as to face the photosensitive member 21 (21Y, 21M, 21C, 21K) is rotatably stretched by rollers 271, 272, 273, 274, and the roller is driven by a driving device (not shown). It is driven in the direction of arrow a via 273.

  Each color toner image formed on each photoconductor 21 rotating in the direction of arrow b is sequentially transferred to the intermediate transfer body 27 by the primary transfer roller 25, and a color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer body 27.

  The toner remaining on the photosensitive member 21 without being transferred to the intermediate transfer member 27 is removed by the cleaning blade 26.

  The tip of the cleaning blade 26 is in contact with the photoconductor 21, and the toner remaining on the photoconductor 21 is removed by rubbing the photoconductor 21 rotating at the tip.

  The removed waste toner is collected in a waste toner storage unit (not shown) by a waste toner discharge device (not shown) having a screw or the like.

  The paper feed unit 3 has a plurality of paper feed cassettes 31, and the paper P is accommodated inside the paper feed cassette 31.

  The stored paper P is picked up one by one by a paper feed roller 32, transported by a plurality of transport rollers 33, and up to a transfer region 35 in synchronization with a color toner image formed on an intermediate transfer body 27 by a registration roller 34. Be transported.

  The color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer body 27 is collectively transferred onto the paper P in the transfer area 35 by the action of the secondary transfer roller 36, and a color toner image is formed on the paper P.

  The sheet P on which the color toner image is transferred is separated from the intermediate transfer body 27 by the curvature separation action by the roller 274, and is heated and pressed by the heating roller 41 and the pressure roller 42 of the fixing unit 4. The toner image is fixed on the paper P.

  The paper P on which the color toner image is fixed is sandwiched between the paper discharge rollers 37 and discharged from the discharge port 38 to the outside of the apparatus.

  The toner remaining on the intermediate transfer member 27 without being transferred to the paper P is removed by a cleaning blade 28 disposed on the downstream side of the transfer region 35 and on the upstream side of the photosensitive member 21.

  The front end of the cleaning blade 28 is in contact with the intermediate transfer body 27, and the toner remaining on the intermediate transfer body 27 is removed by rubbing the intermediate transfer body 27 whose front end rotates.

  The removed waste toner is collected in a waste toner storage unit (not shown) by a waste toner discharge device (not shown) having a screw or the like.

  Further, a toner holding portion that can hold toner constituting the toner image on the downstream side of the transfer region 35 and on the upstream side of the cleaning blade 28, and supplies the toner to the contact portion between the cleaning blade 28 and the intermediate transfer body 27. A blade lubrication device 5 for reducing the frictional resistance between the cleaning blade 28 and the intermediate transfer member 27 is provided.

  The control unit C receives the toner image formed on the image carrier when the information about the start of replacement is input from the input unit that inputs information about the start and completion of replacement of at least one of the image carrier and the cleaning blade. The toner to be formed is moved from the image carrier to a toner holding unit to be described later and held in the toner holding unit. When replacement completion information is input, the toner held in the toner holding unit is transferred to the toner holding unit. Then, the image carrier is moved to adhere to the image carrier, and the image carrier is driven until the toner attached to the image carrier passes through the cleaning blade.

  FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the first embodiment of the blade lubrication device.

  The blade lubrication device 5a according to the first embodiment includes a toner holding roller 51 disposed facing an intermediate transfer member 27 that is one of image carriers, and a polarity-switchable power source that applies a voltage to the toner holding roller 51. 52, a driving member 53 (for example, a motor) that rotationally drives the toner holding roller 51, and a backup roller 54 that faces the toner holding roller 51 via the intermediate transfer member 27. The intermediate transfer member 27 is conveyed between the backup roller 54 and the backup roller 54.

  The toner holding roller 51 is made of a foaming member having elasticity and elasticity so as to easily hold the toner on the peripheral surface, and is driven by the drive member 53 in the same direction as the moving direction of the intermediate transfer body 27 ( It is rotationally driven in the direction of arrow c).

  A power source 52 is connected to the toner holding roller 51, and the power source 52 can charge the toner holding roller 51 to a positive potential or a negative potential.

  The backup roller 54 is a grounded zero-potential metal roller, and is rotated by the driving member 53 at the same peripheral speed as that of the toner holding roller 51.

  The toner holding roller 51 and the backup roller 54 are installed such that a gap between the surface of the toner holding roller 51 and the surface of the backup roller 54 is 0 mm to −0, 3 mm. And the peripheral surface of the toner holding roller 51 are in contact with each other.

  Then, when the replacement start information, that is, the ON information of the replacement start switch SW1 is input and the toner holding roller 51 is to hold the toner constituting the toner band T, for example, the toner band T and the toner holding roller 51 and the intermediate transfer While passing through the contact portion of the body 27, the output of the power source 52 is set to a positive voltage, and the potential of the toner holding roller 51 is set to a positive potential, so that the negative belt constituting the toner band T carried on the intermediate transfer body 27 is formed. The toner at the potential is sucked and the toner holding roller 51 can hold the toner.

  In addition, when the replacement completion information, that is, the ON information of the replacement completion switch SW2 is input and the toner held on the toner holding roller 51 is to be discharged, the output of the power source 52 is switched to a negative voltage to change the potential of the toner holding roller 51. Is set to a negative potential, the negative potential toner held on the toner holding roller 51 is repelled and moved from the toner holding roller 51, and the released toner adheres to the intermediate transfer body 27.

  The toner adhering to the intermediate transfer member 27 is conveyed to the cleaning blade 28 so that the cleaning blade 28 can be lubricated.

  Needless to say, when the toner has a potential opposite to that described above, the output of the power supply 52 is also set to a reverse voltage.

  Further, a gap changing member 55 (for example, a solenoid) for changing the gap between the toner holding roller 51 and the backup roller 54 (in the direction of arrow d) is provided, and the toner holding roller 51 is normally moved from the backup roller 54 (intermediate transfer member 27). While the toner band T formed on the intermediate transfer body 27 is separated and passes through the facing portion E of the toner holding roller 51 and the backup roller 54, the gap between the two is set to 0 mm to −0, 3 mm, and the toner holding roller 51 is moved to the backup roller. 54 (intermediate transfer member 27) may be contacted.

  With the above configuration, when the cleaning blade or the like is replaced (before the replacement), the output of the power source 52 is set to a positive voltage (the potential of the toner holding roller 51 is set to a positive potential), and is carried on the intermediate transfer member 27. The toner holding roller 51 can move and hold the toner band T (negative toner) to the toner holding roller 51, and when the cleaning blade or the like is replaced (after replacement), the output of the power supply 52 is set to a negative voltage. The toner of negative potential held by 51 is discharged and adhered to the intermediate transfer member 27 so that the cleaning blade 28 can be lubricated.

  FIG. 3 is a detailed view of a second embodiment of the blade lubricating device.

  The blade lubrication device 5b according to the second embodiment includes a rotatable brush roller 57 in which a brush 56 for holding toner is planted on the peripheral surface, a drive member 53 ′ for rotating the brush roller 57 in the direction of arrow e, and a brush. A flicker 58 that can be separated from and attached to 56, and a swing member 59 (for example, a rotary solenoid) that swings the flicker 58 in the direction of the arrow f.

  The brush 56 of the brush roller 57 is made of an elastic resin or the like (for example, a polyester material).

  The brush roller 57 is arranged so that the gap between the tip 561 of the brush 56 and the surface of the intermediate transfer body 27 is about −1 mm, the tip 561 of the brush 56 is in contact with the intermediate transfer body 27, and The toner band T carried on the transfer body 27 is scraped off by the brush 56 of the brush roller 57 rotated by the driving member 53 ′ and can be held by the brush 56.

  Then, when the replacement start information, that is, the ON information of the replacement start switch SW1 is input and the toner band T is to be held on the brush 56, for example, the toner band T moves the opposite portion between the brush roller 57 and the intermediate transfer member 27. While passing, the flicker 58 can be separated from the tip 561 of the brush 56 without operating the swing member 59.

  As a result, the toner band T scraped by the brush 56 and attached to the brush 56 can be directly attached to the brush 56 without being ejected by the flicker 58.

  Further, when the replacement completion information, that is, the ON information of the replacement completion switch SW2 is inputted, when the toner band T adhering to the brush 56 is to be discharged, the far-away member 59 is operated, and the flicker 58 is moved to the tip of the brush 56. The toner adhering to the brush 56 can be discharged from the brush 56 by causing the rotating brush 56 to abut on 561 and flipping the rotating brush 56 with a flicker 58.

  The discharged toner adheres to the intermediate transfer member 27 and is conveyed to the cleaning blade 28 so that the cleaning blade 28 can be lubricated.

  A brush separating / contacting portion 60 that allows the tip of the brush 56 of the brush roller 57 to be separated from and contacted with the surface of the intermediate transfer member 27 (in the direction of the arrow g) may be provided. It may be separated from the transfer body 27 and contacted when the cleaning blade or the like is replaced.

  With the above configuration, the toner constituting the toner band T carried on the intermediate transfer member 27 is held by the brush 56 by separating the flicker 58 from the tip of the brush 56 when the cleaning blade or the like is replaced (before replacement). In addition, when the cleaning blade or the like is replaced (after replacement), the flicker 58 is brought into contact with the tip of the brush 56 so that the toner held by the brush roller 56 is discharged from the brush 56, and the intermediate transfer member 27, the cleaning blade 28 can be lubricated.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the first method relating to the lubrication of the cleaning blade when the cleaning blade or the like is replaced.

  A program relating to the flow shown in FIG. 4 is stored in a storage unit (not shown) of the control unit C, and a CPU (not shown) of the control unit C reads and executes the program.

  The cleaning blade lubrication method at the time of replacement of the cleaning blade or the like will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 when the blade lubrication device 5a shown in FIG. 2 is applied.

  In this lubrication method, when the ON information of the replacement start switch SW1, which is replacement start information, is input from the operation panel SP, which is an input unit, the output of the power supply 52 is set to a polarity in the direction in which the toner forming the toner image is sucked. Then, the toner of the toner image passing through the facing portion between the image carrier (for example, the intermediate transfer member 27) and the toner holding roller 51 is sucked and moved from the intermediate transfer member 27 toward the toner holding roller 51, and the toner holding roller 51 is moved. To hold.

  Then, after the replacement of the cleaning blade or the like is completed by the administrator or the like, when the ON information of the replacement completion switch SW2, which is replacement completion information, is input, the output of the power supply 52 is set to the polarity in the direction of repelling the toner of the toner image. This is characterized in that the toner held by the toner holding roller 51 is repelled, moved toward the intermediate transfer member 27, and attached to the intermediate transfer member 27, which will be described in detail below.

1. Start blade replacement mode (step S10)
A basic screen is displayed on the touch panel of the operation panel SP, which is an input unit for inputting information on start and completion of replacement of at least one of the image carrier and the cleaning blade.

  On the basic screen, a replacement start switch SW1 for inputting replacement start information and a replacement completion switch SW2 for inputting replacement completion information are displayed.

  Then, when the device manager or the like inputs replacement start information, that is, when the replacement start switch SWl is turned on, the replacement start information is input to the control unit C, and the blades and the like can be replaced from the image forming mode in which image formation is performed. Transition to the blade replacement mode to proceed to the next step.

  If image formation is currently being performed, the image formation is stopped.

  The blade replacement mode is executed prior to replacement of any one of the photosensitive member 21, the intermediate transfer member 27, and the creening blade 28.

2. Formation of toner band (step S11)
The photosensitive member 21, the intermediate transfer member 27, and the toner holding roller 51 are rotated.

  An image data generation unit (not shown) generates image data of the toner band T for lubricating the cleaning blade 28.

  The toner band T is a band formed of toner having a predetermined width (for example, about 50 to 100 mm) extending in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the intermediate transfer member 27.

  Based on the image data of the toner band T, the exposure unit 23 exposes the photoconductor 21 to form a toner band latent image. Then, the toner band latent image is developed by the developing unit 24 to form a toner band T.

  Then, the toner band T carried on the photoreceptor 21 is transferred to the intermediate transfer body 27 by the primary transfer roller 25, and the toner band T transferred to the intermediate transfer body 27 is operated without operating the secondary transfer roller 36. It is conveyed to the blade lubrication device 5 and proceeds to the next step.

  In the image forming apparatus A, the toner band T may be formed on each of the photoconductors 21 (21Y, 21M, 21C, and 21K) for each color, but the toner is formed by only one photoconductor 21 such as the photoconductor 21K. An image may be formed.

  By forming a toner image with only one photoconductor 21, it is possible to save toner consumption compared with the case where toner images are formed with all the photoconductors 21.

3. Application of reverse polarity voltage to the toner holding roller (step S12)
While the toner band T is being conveyed to the facing portion E between the intermediate transfer member 27 and the toner holding roller 51, the power source 52 is set so that the potential of the toner holding roller 51 is opposite to that of the toner band T. The output voltage (output polarity) is set so that the toner forming the toner band T formed on the intermediate transfer member 27 is attracted to the toner holding roller 51, and the process proceeds to the next step.

  Normally, the output voltage of the power source 52 is set so that the potential of the toner holding roller 51 is the same as the potential of the toner.

4). The toner band is held on the toner holding roller (step S13).
The toner band T carried on the intermediate transfer body 27 is transported to the facing portion E between the intermediate transfer body 27 and the toner holding roller 51 by the rotation of the intermediate transfer body 27, and the toner constituting the toner band T is attracted by electrostatic force. Then, the toner is transferred from the intermediate transfer member 27 to the toner holding roller 51 and held there.

  Then, while the toner constituting the toner band T is moved and held by the toner holding roller 51, the intermediate transfer member 27 continues to rotate until the opposite portion E passes too much. The roller 51 is stopped and the process proceeds to the next step.

5. Instruction to replace the cleaning blade or the like to the device administrator (step S14)
Inform the system administrator that the cleaning blade can be replaced.

  For this reason, for example, a display such as “blade exchangeable” is performed on the touch panel of the operation panel SP, and the process proceeds to the next step. A buzzer sound may be emitted together with the display.

  The apparatus administrator replaces the intermediate transfer member 27 and / or the cleaning blade 28 in accordance with the “blade replaceable” display displayed on the touch panel, and turns on the replacement completion switch SW2 when the replacement is completed.

  As a result, replacement completion information, that is, ON information of the input replacement completion switch SW2 is input to the control unit C.

6). Confirmation of replacement completion switch ON (step S15)
When the replacement completion switch SW2 is monitored and ON information of the replacement completion switch SW2 is input to the control unit C, the process proceeds to the next step.

7). Application of the same polarity voltage as the toner band to the toner holding roller (step S16)
In order to release the toner held on the toner holding roller 51 to the intermediate transfer body 27 by repulsion of electrostatic force, the voltage of the power source 52 is set so that the potential of the toner holding roller 51 is the same as that of the held toner. Set (Output polarity) and go to the next step.

8). Transfer the toner held on the toner holding roller to the intermediate transfer member (step S17)
The photosensitive member 21, the intermediate transfer member 27, and the toner holding roller 51 are rotated, and the toner held on the toner holding roller 51 is moved from the toner holding roller 51 to the intermediate transfer member 27 by electrostatic force to be transferred to the intermediate transfer member 27. Transfer to the next step.

9. Lubricate the cleaning blade with the transferred toner (step S18)
The toner transferred to the intermediate transfer member 27 by the rotation of the intermediate transfer member 27 is transported to the cleaning blade 28, lubricates the cleaning blade 28, and proceeds to the next step.

10. Lubricating completion display of the cleaning blade etc. to the device manager (Step S19)
In order to inform the device manager and the like that the lubrication of the cleaning blade or the like has been completed, a message such as “blade lubrication completed” is displayed on the touch panel of the operation panel SP, the blade replacement mode is terminated, and the process proceeds to the end. A buzzer sound may be emitted together with the display.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a second method relating to the lubrication of the cleaning blade when the cleaning blade or the like is replaced.

  A program related to the flow shown in FIG. 5 is stored in a storage unit (not shown) of the control unit C, and a CPU (not shown) of the control unit C reads and executes the program.

  Next, a cleaning blade lubrication method when the blade lubrication device 5b shown in FIG. 5 is applied will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In this lubrication method, when ON information of the replacement start switch SW1, which is replacement start information, is input from the operation panel SP, which is an input unit, the brush roller 57 is rotated, and the flicker 58 is separated from the brush 56 by the swing member 59. Then, the toner of the toner image passing through the facing portion between the image carrier (for example, the intermediate transfer member 27) and the brush roller 57 is rubbed with the rotating brush 56, and the toner forming the toner image is brushed from the intermediate transfer member 27. The roller 57 is moved and held by the brush roller 57.

  After the replacement of the cleaning blade or the like is completed by the administrator or the like, when the ON information of the replacement completion switch SW2, which is replacement completion information, is input, the brush roller 57 is rotated and the flicker 58 is rotated by the swing member 59. The toner is brought into contact with the brush 56, repels the toner held by the brush 56, moves the toner from the brush 56 to the intermediate transfer member 27, and adheres to the intermediate transfer member 27, which will be described in detail below.

1. Start blade replacement mode (step S20)
Since it is the same as step S10 described above, description thereof is omitted.

  The brush separation / contact portion 60 is operated to bring the tip of the brush 56 of the brush roller 57 into contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer member 27.

2. Formation of toner band (step S21)
Since it is the same as step S11 described above, description thereof is omitted.

  The blade replacement mode is started, the photosensitive member 21, the intermediate transfer member 27, and the brush roller 57 are rotated to convey the toner band T to the blade lubricating device 5, and the process proceeds to the next step.

3. Flicker is separated from the tip of the brush (step S22)
While the toner band T is conveyed to the facing portion E ′ between the intermediate transfer member 27 and the brush roller 57, the swing member 59 is not operated, and the flicker 58 is separated from the tip portion 561 of the brush 56, and the next step is performed. move on.

4). The toner band is held on the brush roller (step S23).
The toner band T carried on the intermediate transfer body 27 is transported to the facing portion E ′ between the intermediate transfer body 27 and the brush roller 57 by the rotation of the intermediate transfer body 27, and the toner band T by the brush 56 that contacts the intermediate transfer body 27. Is scraped off from the intermediate transfer member 27 by the brush 56 and is attached to and held by the brush 56.

  At this time, since the flicker 58 is separated from the tip portion 561 of the brush 56, the toner adheres to the brush 56 as it is.

  Then, while the toner constituting the toner band T is scraped and held by the brush roller 57, the intermediate transfer member 27 continues to rotate until it passes the facing portion E ′. If the toner passes too much, the photosensitive member 21, the intermediate transfer member 27, and the brush The roller 57 is stopped and the process proceeds to the next step.

5. Instruction to replace the cleaning blade etc. to the device manager (step S24)
Since it is the same as the above-mentioned step S14, description is abbreviate | omitted.

6). Confirmation of replacement completion switch ON (step S25)
Since it is the same as step S15 described above, description thereof is omitted.

7). The flicker is brought into contact with the tip of the brush (step S26).
In order to release the toner held on the brush 56 of the brush roller 57 to the intermediate transfer member 27, the swing member 59 is operated to bring the flicker 58 into contact with the tip 561 of the brush 56, and the process proceeds to the next step.

8). Transfer the toner held on the brush roller to the intermediate transfer member (step S27).
The photosensitive member 21, the intermediate transfer member 27, and the brush roller 57 are rotated, and the toner held by the brush 56 is released by flipping the rotating brush 56 with the flicker 58, and is moved from the toner holding roller 51 to the intermediate transfer member 27. Then, the toner is transferred to the intermediate transfer member 27 and the process proceeds to the next step.

9. Lubricate the cleaning blade with the transferred toner (step S28)
Since it is the same as the above-mentioned step S18, description is abbreviate | omitted.

10. Lubricating completion display for cleaning blade, etc. to device manager (step S29)
Since it is the same as the above-mentioned step S19, description is abbreviate | omitted.

  With the configuration and the control method described above, when the cleaning blade (for example, the cleaning blade 28) or the image carrier (for example, the intermediate transfer body 27) is replaced, new unused toner can be supplied to the tip of the cleaning blade after the replacement.

  As a result, the frictional resistance between the intermediate transfer member 27 and the cleaning blade 28 is reduced, and the cleaning blade 28 is caught or missing, and abnormal progress of wear of the intermediate transfer member 27 is prevented.

  Further, since the cleaning blade 28 can be automatically lubricated only by operating the switch on the operation panel SP, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that has good workability and can restart image formation in a short time.

  Further, by automatically lubricating the cleaning blade 28 inside the image forming apparatus, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of resuming image formation in a short time without an additional space for preparation for replacement.

  The configuration and method for reducing the frictional resistance between the intermediate transfer member 27 and the cleaning blade 28 by disposing the blade lubrication device 5 so as to face the intermediate transfer member 27 of the image forming apparatus A have been described. It goes without saying that the blade lubrication device 5 may be provided on each of the plurality of photoconductors 21 of the image forming apparatus A to reduce the frictional resistance between the photoconductor 21 and the cleaning blade 26.

  In this case, the blade lubricating device 5 is disposed on the downstream side of the primary transfer roller 25 and the upstream side of the cleaning blade 26 so as to face the photoconductor 21.

  As a result, even when the cleaning blade 26 and the photosensitive member 21 are replaced, the same effects as those obtained when the cleaning blade 28 and the intermediate transfer member 27 are replaced can be obtained.

  Needless to say, the blade lubrication device 5 may be disposed so as to face both the intermediate transfer member 27 and the respective photosensitive members 21.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a monochrome image forming apparatus.

  As an example of the image forming apparatus, a monochrome image forming apparatus A ′ will be described below as an example.

  The image forming apparatus A ′ does not have the intermediate transfer member 27 and the cleaning blade 28 as compared with the color image forming apparatus A described above, and has one image forming unit such as an image carrier (photosensitive member). Since it is the same structure except the point which is, description other than the structure which has a different function is abbreviate | omitted.

  Around the photosensitive member 21, which is one of the image carriers, a charging unit 22 that uniformly charges the photosensitive member 21, an exposure unit 23 that forms a latent image on the photosensitive member 21, and a photosensitive member 21 are formed. A developing unit 24 that develops the latent image to form a toner image, a transfer unit 25 that transfers the toner image carried on the photoconductor 21 to the paper P, and a separation claw 29 that separates the paper P from the photoconductor 21. A cleaning blade 26 that removes toner remaining on the photosensitive member 21 without being transferred to the paper P is disposed in that order.

  Then, facing the photoconductor 21 and supplying toner to the contact portion 261 between the cleaning blade 26 and the photoconductor 21 to the downstream side of the separation claw 29 and the upstream side of the cleaning blade 26, blade lubrication that reduces frictional resistance. A device 5 is provided.

  The exposure unit 23 of the image forming apparatus A ′ forms a latent image on the photoconductor 21 based on the digital image data, and the latent image formed on the photoconductor 21 is developed with toner by the developing unit 24 to obtain a toner image.

  The paper P stored in the paper supply unit 3 is transported by a plurality of transport rollers 33, and the toner images are sequentially transferred onto the paper P, and a toner image is formed on the paper P.

  The paper P carrying the toner image is separated from the photoconductor 21 by the separation claw 29, and the toner image is fixed on the paper P by being heated and pressed by the fixing unit 4.

  The paper P on which the toner image is fixed is sandwiched between the paper discharge rollers 37 and discharged from the discharge port 38 to the outside of the apparatus.

  Note that the toner that is not transferred to the paper P and remains on the photosensitive member 21 is removed by a cleaning blade 26 disposed on the downstream side of the separation claw 29 and the upstream side of the charging unit 22.

  The blade lubrication device 5 described with reference to FIG. 2 or 3 can be applied as the blade lubrication device 5.

  Then, the toner holding roller 51 of the blade lubrication device 5 described with reference to FIG. 2 is disposed so as to face the photosensitive member 21, and the brush roller 57 of the blade lubrication device 5 described with reference to FIG. 21 is arranged to face the 21.

  In the same manner as the blade lubrication device 5 described in the color image forming apparatus A described above, the blade lubrication device 5 is replaced with a new unused one at the tip of the cleaning blade after the replacement when the cleaning blade 26 and / or the photosensitive member 21 is replaced. Supply toner.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 5 Blade lubrication apparatus 5 'Blade lubrication apparatus 21 Photoconductor 26 Cleaning blade 27 Intermediate transfer body 28 Cleaning blade 51 Toner holding roller 52 Power supply 56 Brush 57 Brush roller 58 Flicker 59 Shaking member A Image forming apparatus C Control part SP Operation panel SWl Replacement start switch SW2 Replacement completion switch T Toner belt

Claims (6)

A cleaning blade for removing residual toner remaining on the image carrier;
A toner holding unit that is located upstream of the cleaning blade and downstream of a transfer unit that transfers a toner image carried on an image carrier to a transfer target, and capable of holding toner constituting the toner image;
An input unit for inputting information on the start and completion of replacement of at least one of the image carrier and the cleaning blade;
When replacement start information is input from the input unit, toner constituting a toner image formed on the image carrier before replacement of the image carrier or the cleaning blade is transferred from the image carrier to the toner holding unit. To be held by the toner holding unit,
When replacement completion information is input from the input unit, the toner held in the toner holding unit is moved from the toner holding unit to the image carrier and attached to the image carrier, and the image carrier is attached to the image carrier. A controller that drives the image carrier until the adhered toner passes through the cleaning blade;
An image forming apparatus comprising: A toner holding roller facing the image carrier and capable of holding toner constituting the toner image;
A power source capable of switching the polarity of the voltage applied to the toner holding roller,
The controller is
When replacement start information is input from the input unit, the output of the power source is set to a polarity in a direction in which the toner constituting the toner image is sucked, and a facing part between the image carrier and the toner holding roller is set. The toner constituting the toner image passing therethrough is sucked and moved from the image carrier toward the toner holding roller to be held by the toner holding roller,
When replacement completion information is input from the input unit, the output of the power source is set to a polarity that repels the toner held on the toner holding roller, and the toner adhering to the toner holding roller is repelled. Moved toward the image carrier and attached to the image carrier;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The toner holding part has a rotatable brush roller in which a tip part abuts on the image carrier and a brush capable of holding the toner constituting the toner image is planted on a peripheral surface;
Flicker detachable from the brush;
A swing member that swings the flicker and separates the flicker from and to the brush.
The controller is
When replacement start information is input from the input unit, the brush roller is rotated, the flicker is separated from the brush by the swinging member, and passes through the opposing part of the image carrier and the brush roller. The toner constituting the toner image is rubbed with the rotating brush, the toner is moved from the image carrier to the brush roller and held on the brush roller,
When replacement completion information is input from the input unit, the brush roller is rotated, the flicker is brought into contact with the rotating brush by the swing member, and the toner held on the brush is repelled and repelled. Moving the transferred toner from the brush to the image carrier to adhere to the image carrier;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   When the replacement start information is input from the input unit, the control unit has a band shape with a predetermined width extending in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the image carrier before the image carrier or the cleaning blade is replaced. The image according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a toner band formed is formed, and the toner band is transported to the facing part without being transferred to the transfer target in the transfer unit. Forming equipment.   5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image bearing member is an intermediate transfer member.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image carrier is a photoconductor.

Images