JP2013003239A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus that stabilizes the amount of lubricant applied to the surface of a rotor with a simple configuration.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes: a rotor 1; a lubricant material 6 including lubricant applied to the surface of the rotor 1; air blowing means 9 for blowing air to the lubricant material 6; and a case part 8 that accommodates and surrounds the lubricant material 6 on the rotor 1. The case part 8 has an air path formed therein for the air from the air blowing means 9 to pass through along the surface of the lubricant material 6.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  In an image forming apparatus, in order to keep the quality of a toner image transferred to a recording sheet constant, it is important to maintain a good surface state of a rotating body such as a photosensitive drum. In general, an image forming apparatus includes a cleaner that cleans the surface of the rotating body in order to maintain a good surface state of the rotating body.

  For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a drum cleaner in which a cleaning blade is brought into contact with a photosensitive drum to scrape residual toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum. In the drum cleaner of Patent Document 1, a lubricant is applied to the surface of the photosensitive drum in order to stabilize the friction between the surface of the photosensitive drum and the cleaning blade. Further, the surface temperature of the photosensitive drum is measured, and the pressing force of the lubricant against the surface of the photosensitive drum is changed based on the measured temperature to stabilize the coating amount.

JP-A-9-62163

  However, the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a problem that the configuration of the drum cleaner is complicated because the pressing force of the lubricant against the surface of the photosensitive drum is changed based on the measured temperature. The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that stabilizes the amount of lubricant applied to the surface of a rotating body with a simple configuration.

  The above object of the present invention is achieved by the following means.

  (1) A rotating body, a lubricant containing a lubricant applied to the surface of the rotating body, a blowing means for blowing air to the lubricant, and a case portion that houses and surrounds the lubricant on the rotating body And the case portion is formed with an air passage through which air from the blowing means passes along the surface of the lubricant.

  (2) The case portion is provided with cleaning means for scraping off the residue on the surface of the rotating body, and one end portion of the cleaning means is in sliding contact with the surface of the rotating body. ).

  (3) Lubricant equalizing means for homogenizing the lubricant applied to the surface of the rotating body is attached to the case portion, and one end of the lubricant equalizing means is connected to the rotating body. The image forming apparatus according to (1) or (2), wherein the image forming apparatus is in sliding contact with the surface.

  (4) The image forming apparatus according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the rotating body is a photosensitive drum.

  (5) The image forming apparatus according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the rotating body is an intermediate transfer belt.

  (6) The image forming apparatus according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the rotating body is a secondary transfer roller.

  (7) The image forming apparatus according to any one of (1) to (6), further including an application unit configured to apply the lubricant to the surface of the rotating body.

  (8) The image forming apparatus according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein the case portion includes a metal material.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, since air passes along the surface of the lubricant, the lubricant can be cooled. Therefore, the amount of lubricant applied to the surface of the rotating body can be stabilized with a simple configuration. As a result, the cleaning performance of the cleaner can be improved or maintained.

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing for demonstrating the drum cleaner shown in FIG. It is the schematic sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the drum cleaner shown to FIG. 2A along the BB line. It is a schematic sectional drawing for demonstrating the drum cleaner of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing for demonstrating the drum cleaner of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing for demonstrating the drum cleaner of the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing for demonstrating the cleaner for intermediate transfer belts of the 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing for demonstrating the cleaner for secondary transfer rollers of the 6th Embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted. In addition, the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for convenience of explanation, and may be different from the actual ratios.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus of the present embodiment cools the lubricant by flowing air along the surface of the lubricant. Note that the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment can be applied to a copying machine, a printer, a multifunction machine, and the like. Hereinafter, a copying machine will be described as an example of the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes an image reading unit 10, an image forming unit 20, a paper transport unit 30, a control unit 40, and a paper feeding unit 50. Hereinafter, the main configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment will be mainly described, and description of the same configuration as the conventional image forming apparatus will be omitted.

  The image reading unit 10 reads and stores an image of a document. In the present embodiment, the image reading unit 10 includes a light source 11, an optical system 12, an image sensor 13, and an image processing system 14.

  The light emitted from the light source 11 is applied to the document P placed on the reading surface 15, and the reflected light is imaged on the image sensor 13 moved to the reading position through the optical system 12. The image sensor 13 generates an electrical signal according to the intensity of reflected light from the document P. The generated electrical signal is converted from an analog signal to a digital signal in the image processing system 14, and then subjected to correction processing, filter processing, image compression processing, etc., and is stored as image data in the memory of the image processing system 14. The

  The image forming unit 20 forms an image by an electrophotographic process, and fixes the formed image on a recording sheet S as a recording medium. In this embodiment, the image forming unit 20 forms an image forming unit 20Y that forms a yellow (Y) image, an image forming unit 20M that forms a magenta (M) image, and forms a cyan (C) image. The image forming unit 20C and the image forming unit 20K that forms a black (K) color image are denoted by symbols Y, M, C, and K that represent colors that are formed after the common symbol 20, respectively. Has been.

  The image forming unit 20Y includes a photosensitive drum 1Y as a rotating body and a charging unit 2Y, an optical writing unit 3Y, a developing device 4Y, and a drum cleaner 5Y arranged around the photosensitive drum 1Y. The photosensitive drum 1Y is rotated at a predetermined speed by a drum motor.

  Similarly, the image forming unit 20M includes a charging unit 2M, an optical writing unit 3M, a developing device 4M, and a drum cleaner 5M disposed around the photosensitive drum 1M. Further, the image forming unit 20C includes a charging unit 2C, an optical writing unit 3C, a developing device 4C, and a drum cleaner 5C arranged around the photosensitive drum 1C. The image forming unit 20K includes a charging unit 2K, an optical writing unit 3K, a developing device 4K, and a drum cleaner 5K that are arranged around the photosensitive drum 1K.

  Respective photosensitive drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K in the image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K, charging units 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2K, optical writing units 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3K, a developing device 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K, and drum cleaners 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5K have the same content. In the following description, the symbols Y, M, C, and K may be used without adding symbols unless particularly required. Details of the drum cleaner 5 of this embodiment will be described later.

  Based on the image data stored in the memory of the image processing system 14, the image forming unit 20 writes an image information signal to the photosensitive drum 1 by the optical writing unit 3, and converts the image information signal to the photosensitive drum 1. Forming a latent image based on The latent image is developed by the developing device 4 to form a visible toner image on the photosensitive drum 1.

  The yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) colors are respectively applied to the photosensitive drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K of the image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K, respectively. An image is formed.

  The intermediate transfer belt 21 is wound around a plurality of rollers and is supported so as to be able to run. The toner images of the respective colors formed by the image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K are sequentially transferred onto the traveling intermediate transfer belt 21 by the primary transfer units 7Y, 7M, 7C, and 7K to be Y (yellow), M ( A color image in which the color layers of magenta), C (cyan), and K (black) are superimposed is formed.

  The paper transport unit 30 transports the recording paper S. The recording paper S is stored in a paper feed tray 51, 52, or 53 of the paper feed unit 50. The paper transport unit 30 includes a feed roller 31, a separating roller 32, a transport roller 33, a loop roller (intermediate roller) 34, and a registration roller 35.

  The recording paper S is sent out from the paper feed tray 51, 52, or 53 to the transport path by the feed roller 31, and is separated into one sheet by the separation roller 32. The recording sheet S separated into one sheet is conveyed by the conveyance roller 33 along the conveyance path to the secondary transfer roller 22 via the loop roller 34 and the registration roller 35.

  Then, the color image on the intermediate transfer belt 21 is transferred onto the recording paper S. The toner image on the recording sheet S is fixed to the recording sheet S to which the color image has been transferred by applying heat and pressure at the fixing unit 23, and is discharged out of the image forming apparatus 100 through the discharge roller 36. The

  Further, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a paper reversing unit 37, and can guide the recording sheet S that has been fixed from the fixing conveyance roller to the paper reversing unit 37 to be reversed and discharged. Thereby, images can be formed on both sides of the recording paper S.

  The control unit 40 controls the image reading unit 10, the image forming unit 20, and the paper transport unit 30. The control unit 40 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a ROM (Read Only Memory). The CPU controls the image reading unit 10, the image forming unit 20, and the paper transport unit 30 according to the software program stored in the ROM, and stores the calculation results and the like in the RAM.

  Hereinafter, the drum cleaner of the present embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B. 2A is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the drum cleaner shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 2B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the drum cleaner shown in FIG. 2A cut along the line BB.

  After the toner image is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 21, the drum cleaner 5 scrapes off residues such as toner and external additives remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1, so that the surface state of the photosensitive drum 1 is removed. Keep good.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the drum cleaner 5 of the present embodiment includes a lubricant 6, an application brush 7 as an application means, and a case portion 8. The case portion 8 includes a casing member 8A, a cleaning blade 8B, and a lubricant uniformizing blade 8C.

  The lubricant 6 includes a lubricant. The lubricant is applied to the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 to adjust the friction between the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 and the cleaning blade 8B. Specifically, the lubricant 6 includes a hydrophobic solid material such as zinc stearate (Zn-St), and is disposed on a support member installed on the casing member 8A so as to rotate in the direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 1. It extends like a plate.

  Since the viscosity of the lubricant 6 changes depending on the temperature, it is important to maintain the temperature within a predetermined range. For example, when the temperature of the lubricant 6 rises, the viscosity decreases, and the amount of lubricant applied to the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 increases. On the other hand, when the temperature of the lubricant 6 decreases, the viscosity increases, and the amount of lubricant applied to the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 decreases.

  If too much or too little lubricant is applied to the surface of the photosensitive drum 1, the friction coefficient μ on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 may not be an appropriate 0.2 to 0.4. is there. In the present embodiment, the temperature of the lubricant 6 is preferably maintained at 30 to 40 ° C. so that the friction coefficient μ is 0.2 to 0.4.

  The application brush 7 scrapes off the lubricant from the lubricant 6 and applies it to the surface of the photosensitive drum 1. The application brush 7 is a resin brush, for example, and includes an acrylic material.

  The case portion 8 surrounds the lubricant 6 on the photosensitive drum 1. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2B, the casing member 8 </ b> A has a first opening for introducing the air from the fan 9 as the air blowing means into the inside of the case portion 8. Case portion 8 forms an air path through which air from fan 9 introduced through the first opening passes along the surface of lubricant 6.

  In FIG. 2B, arrows indicate the air flow. The fan 9 introduces outside air into the case unit 8 from the outside of the image forming apparatus 100. The fan 9 is preferably provided with a filter for removing dust contained in the outside air.

  The cleaning blade 8B scrapes off the residue on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 as a cleaning unit. Specifically, the cleaning blade 8B is configured such that one end portion of the cleaning blade 8B is slidably contacted with the photosensitive drum 1 in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 1 (counter direction). Scrape off any residue.

  The lubricant uniformizing blade 8 </ b> C homogenizes the lubricant applied to the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 as a lubricant uniformizing means. Specifically, the lubricant uniformizing blade 8C is located downstream of the cleaning blade 8B in the rotational direction of the photosensitive drum 1, and one end portion is in sliding contact with the photosensitive drum 1, and the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 The lubricant applied to is made uniform and thin.

  In the drum cleaner 5 of the present embodiment configured as described above, the application brush 7 applies a lubricant to the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 while the cleaning blade 8B scrapes off the residue on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1. The lubricant applied with the lubricant uniformizing blade 8C is uniformized.

  In the present embodiment, the case portion 8 houses and surrounds the lubricant 6 on the rotating body 1, so that the photosensitive drum 1, the casing member 8 </ b> A of the case portion 8, the cleaning blade 8 </ b> B, and the lubricant uniformizing blade 8 </ b> C. And form a substantially closed space. Therefore, since the air from the fan 9 passes along the surface of the lubricant 6, the lubricant 6 can be cooled. As a result, the temperature of the lubricant 6 is maintained at about 30 to 40 ° C. The air that has cooled the lubricant 6 is discharged to the outside of the case portion 8 through the second opening formed in the casing member 8A.

  In the present embodiment, the fan 9 is rotated at a predetermined speed, the outside air is introduced into the case portion 8 and the lubricant 6 is cooled, so that the amount of lubricant applied to the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 can be simplified. It is stabilized by the configuration. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is not necessary to provide a control unit, a detection unit, or the like in order to stabilize the amount of lubricant applied to the surface of the photosensitive drum 1.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, the case part 8 contains a metal material. Therefore, since the air path formed by the case portion 8 has a high cooling effect, the cooling efficiency of the lubricant 6 can be increased.

  Note that the cleaning blade 8B and the lubricant uniformizing blade 8C of this embodiment may be formed integrally with the casing member 8A, or may be formed separately from the casing member 8A.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, since air passes along the surface of the lubricant 6, the lubricant 6 can be cooled. Therefore, the amount of lubricant applied to the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 can be stabilized with a simple configuration. As a result, the cleaning performance of the drum cleaner 5 can be improved or maintained. Moreover, since the air path formed by the case part 8 has a high cooling effect, the cooling efficiency of the lubricant 6 can be increased.

(Second Embodiment)
In the first embodiment, the case where the lubricant is applied to the surface of the photosensitive drum via the application brush has been described. In the second embodiment, a case will be described in which a lubricant is applied to the surface of a photosensitive drum by directly bringing a lubricant into contact with the photosensitive drum without using an application brush. In the following description, the description of the same configuration as that of the first embodiment is omitted to avoid redundant description.

  FIG. 3A is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining a drum cleaner according to a second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3A, the drum cleaner 5 of this embodiment includes a lubricant 6 and a case portion 8. Since the lubricant 6 and the case portion 8 have the same configuration as in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  Also, in the present embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the lubricant 6 is applied directly to the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 by bringing the lubricant 6 into direct contact with the photosensitive drum 1 without using an application brush. .

  In the present embodiment, the case unit 8 surrounds the lubricant 6 on the photoconductive drum 1, so that the photoconductive drum 1, the casing member 8 </ b> A of the case unit 8, the cleaning blade 8 </ b> B, and the lubricant uniformizing blade 8 </ b> C. A substantially closed space is formed.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, when the lubricant is applied to the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 without using the application brush, the photosensitive drum 1 and the case portion 8 are substantially closed. Therefore, air passes along the surface of the lubricant 6. Therefore, the lubricant 6 can be cooled.

(Third embodiment)
In the first embodiment, the case where the case portion has the casing member, the cleaning blade, and the lubricant uniformizing blade has been described. In the third embodiment, a case will be described in which the case portion has a casing member and does not have a cleaning blade and a lubricant uniformizing blade. In the following description, the description of the same configuration as that of the first embodiment is omitted to avoid redundant description.

  FIG. 3B is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining a drum cleaner according to a third embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3B, the drum cleaner 5 of this embodiment includes a lubricant 6 and a case portion 8. Since the lubricant 6 has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  Unlike the first embodiment, the case portion 8 of the present embodiment has a casing member and does not have a cleaning blade and a lubricant uniformizing blade.

  In this embodiment, the lubricant 6 is applied to the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 by directly bringing the lubricant 6 into contact with the photosensitive drum 1 without using an application brush.

  In the present embodiment, the case portion 8 surrounds the lubricant 6 on the photosensitive drum 1, thereby forming a substantially closed space between the photosensitive drum 1 and the case portion 8. The distance between the end portion of the case portion 8 and the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is preferably about 1 to several mm. With such a distance, the air introduced into the case portion 8 hardly leaks outside.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus 100 of this embodiment, when the drum cleaner 5 does not have the cleaning blade and the lubricant uniformizing blade, the photosensitive drum 1 and the case portion 8 form a substantially closed space. Therefore, air passes along the surface of the lubricant 6. Therefore, the lubricant 6 can be cooled.

(Fourth embodiment)
In the first embodiment, the case where the case portion has the casing member, the cleaning blade, and the lubricant uniformizing blade has been described. In the fourth embodiment, a case will be described in which the case portion has a casing member and a cleaning blade and does not have a lubricant uniformizing blade. In the following description, the description of the same configuration as that of the first embodiment is omitted to avoid redundant description.

  FIG. 3C is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining a drum cleaner according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3C, the drum cleaner 5 of this embodiment includes a lubricant 6 and a case portion 8. Since the lubricant 6 has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  Unlike the first embodiment, the case portion 8 of the present embodiment has a casing member 8A and a cleaning blade 8B, and does not have a lubricant uniformizing blade.

  In this embodiment, the lubricant 6 is applied to the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 by directly bringing the lubricant 6 into contact with the photosensitive drum 1 without using an application brush.

  In the present embodiment, the case portion 8 surrounds the lubricant 6 on the photosensitive drum 1, so that a substantially closed space is formed by the photosensitive drum 1, the casing member 8 </ b> A of the case portion 8, and the cleaning blade 8 </ b> B. . The distance between the end of the casing member 8A of the case portion 8 and the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is preferably about 1 to several mm. With such a distance, the air introduced into the case portion 8 hardly leaks outside.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, when the drum cleaner 5 includes the casing member 8A and the cleaning blade 8B and does not include the lubricant uniformizing blade, the photosensitive drum 1 and the case unit 8 are included. Form a substantially closed space, so that air passes along the surface of the lubricant 6. Therefore, the lubricant 6 can be cooled.

(Fifth embodiment)
In the first embodiment, the case where the rotating body is a photosensitive drum has been described. In the fifth embodiment, a case where the rotating body is an intermediate transfer belt will be described. In the following description, the description of the same configuration as that of the first embodiment is omitted to avoid redundant description.

  FIG. 3D is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the intermediate transfer belt cleaner according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3D, the intermediate transfer belt cleaner 5 of this embodiment includes a lubricant 6 and a case portion 8. Since the lubricant 6 has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  The case portion 8 includes a casing member 8A, a scraper 8D, and a lubricant uniformizing blade 8C.

  The scraper 8D scrapes off the residue on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21 as a cleaning unit. Specifically, the scraper 8D makes one end of the scraper 8D slide in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 21 in a direction opposite to the circulation direction of the intermediate transfer belt 21 (counter direction), and the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21 remains. Scrap off things. The scraper 8D is formed of a metal material or a resin material.

  In the present embodiment, the case portion 8 surrounds the lubricant 6 on the photosensitive drum 1, so that the photosensitive drum 1, the casing member 8 </ b> A of the case portion 8, the scraper 8 </ b> D, and the lubricant uniformizing blade 8 </ b> C are substantially omitted. A closed space is formed.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, the case portion 8 surrounds the lubricant 6 on the intermediate transfer belt 21, thereby forming a substantially closed space between the intermediate transfer belt 21 and the case portion 8. ing. Therefore, since the air from the fan 9 passes along the surface of the lubricant 6, the lubricant 6 can be cooled.

(Sixth embodiment)
In the first embodiment, the case where the rotating body is a photosensitive drum has been described. In the sixth embodiment, a case where the rotating body is a secondary transfer roller will be described. In the following description, the description of the same configuration as that of the first embodiment is omitted to avoid redundant description.

  FIG. 3E is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining a secondary transfer roller cleaner according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3E, the secondary transfer roller cleaner 5 of this embodiment includes a lubricant 6 and a case portion 8. Since the lubricant 6 and the case portion 8 have the same configuration as in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  In the present embodiment, the case unit 8 surrounds the lubricant 6 on the photoconductive drum 1, so that the photoconductive drum 1, the casing member 8 </ b> A of the case unit 8, the cleaning blade 8 </ b> B, and the lubricant uniformizing blade 8 </ b> C. A substantially closed space is formed.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, the case portion 8 surrounds the lubricant 6 on the secondary transfer roller 22, whereby a substantially closed space is formed between the secondary transfer roller 22 and the case portion 8. Forming. Therefore, since the air from the fan 9 passes along the surface of the lubricant 6, the lubricant 6 can be cooled.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus of the present invention has been described in the embodiment. However, it goes without saying that the present invention can be appropriately added, modified, and omitted by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technical idea.

  For example, in the first to sixth embodiments, the case where the rotating body is a photosensitive drum, an intermediate transfer belt, or a secondary transfer roller is described. However, the present invention is not limited to the case where the rotating body is a photosensitive drum, an intermediate transfer belt, or a secondary transfer roller.

1 Photosensitive drum (rotating body),
5 Drum cleaner,
6 Lubricant,
7 Application brush (application means),
8 Case part,
8A casing member,
8B Cleaning blade (cleaning means),
8C Lubricant homogenizing blade (lubricant homogenizing means),
8D scraper (cleaning means),
9 Fan (air blowing means),
10 image reading unit,
20 Image forming unit,
21 Intermediate transfer belt (rotating body),
22 Secondary transfer roller (rotating body),
30 Paper transport section,
40 control unit,
100 Image forming apparatus.

Claims (8)

A rotating body,
A lubricant containing a lubricant applied to the surface of the rotating body;
Air blowing means for blowing air onto the lubricant;
A case portion that houses and surrounds the lubricant on the rotating body, and
The image forming apparatus, wherein the case portion is formed with an air passage through which air from the blowing means passes along the surface of the lubricant. The case portion is provided with a cleaning means for scraping off residues on the surface of the rotating body,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one end of the cleaning unit is in sliding contact with the surface of the rotating body. Lubricant equalizing means for homogenizing the lubricant applied to the surface of the rotating body is attached to the case portion,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one end portion of the lubricant uniformizing unit is in sliding contact with the surface of the rotating body.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rotating body is a photosensitive drum.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rotating body is an intermediate transfer belt.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rotating body is a secondary transfer roller.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an application unit configured to apply the lubricant to a surface of the rotating body.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the case portion includes a metal material.

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