JP2014029404A - Lubricant supply device, image forming apparatus, and process cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lubricant supply device capable of reliably detecting that a remaining amount of solid lubricant is reduced to a predetermined amount or less, an image forming apparatus, and a process cartridge.SOLUTION: When a contact protrusion 31d of a lubricant holding member 3d moves together with solid lubricant 3b in a direction of movement of the solid lubricant 3b while being scraped off by an application roller 3a, the contact protrusion 31d pushes a rotation member 41 for detection to be rotated, and the rotation member 41 for detection pushes a second electrode member 42b. When the solid lubricant 3b comes to near end, the second electrode member 42b comes into contact with a first electrode member 42a, and then a resistance detection unit detects conduction between the electrode members so as to detect the near end of the solid lubricant 3b.

Description

  The present invention relates to a lubricant supply device, an image forming apparatus, and a process cartridge.

  Image forming apparatuses such as printers, facsimiles, and copiers are provided with a lubricant supply device that supplies lubricant to the surface of the image carrier in order to protect the image carrier such as a photoconductor and an intermediate transfer belt and to reduce friction. Things are known.

  Further, when the image forming operation is performed in a state where the lubricant is depleted, the protective action of the lubricant does not work, so that the image carrier is worn and deteriorated. Patent Document 1 describes a lubricant supply device that detects the near end of a lubricant.

FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view showing a lubricant near-end detection unit of the lubricant supply device described in Patent Document 1.
As shown in FIG. 13, the lubricant holding member 143 that holds the solid lubricant 140 is formed of a conductive member, and contacts the first end of the lubricant holding member 143 when the remaining amount of the lubricant decreases. It has an electrode member 181 and a second electrode member 182 in contact with the other end. A detection circuit 183 is connected to the first electrode member 181 and the second electrode member 182, and the detection circuit 183 detects whether or not a current flows by applying a voltage between the electrode members. Further, the lubricant holding member 143 is urged toward a supply member (not shown) by a spring 142.

  In the initial stage of use, the lubricant holding member 143 is separated from each electrode member, and no current flows between the electrode members. The lubricant holding member 143 moves to the supply member side by the urging force of the spring 142 while the solid lubricant is gradually scraped by rubbing with a supply member (not shown). When the solid lubricant 140 becomes near-end, the conductive lubricant holding member 143 comes into contact with the first electrode member 181 and the second electrode member 182. As a result, a current flows between the electrode members, and the detection circuit 183 detects the near end of the lubricant.

  The lubricant holding member 143 moves to the supply member side (not shown) as the solid lubricant 140 is consumed. When the solid lubricant 140 is near-end, the lubricant holding member 143 is positioned in the vicinity of a contact portion between a supply member (not shown) and the solid lubricant 140. The electrode members 181 and 182 need to be provided so as to come into contact with the lubricant holding member at this position. Therefore, the electrode members 181 and 182 are disposed in the vicinity of the contact portion between the supply member (not shown) and the solid lubricant 140. Therefore, the powder of the solid lubricant 140 scraped off by a supply member (not shown) may adhere to the electrode members 181 and 182. When the powder of the solid lubricant 140 adheres to the electrode members 181 and 182, even if the lubricant holding member 143 comes into contact with the electrode member, the conductive state is not established and the near end of the lubricant may not be detected. .

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a lubricant supply device, an image forming apparatus, and a process that can reliably detect that the remaining amount of the solid lubricant has become a predetermined amount or less. It is to provide a cartridge.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is directed to a solid lubricant, a supply member that supplies the solid lubricant to a lubricant supply target, and the remaining amount of the solid lubricant is a predetermined amount or less. And a remaining amount detecting means for detecting that the remaining amount detecting means pushes the rotating member rotatably and the rotating member as the solid lubricant is consumed. And a pressing member that rotates the rotating member, and the amount of lubricant is not more than a predetermined amount at a position where the rotating member is in contact with the pressing member and a position on the opposite side across the rotation fulcrum of the rotating member. Is detected.

  According to the present invention, since it is detected that the amount of lubricant is less than or equal to a predetermined amount at a position on the opposite side of the rotation member's rotation fulcrum with the contact portion between the rotation member and the pressing member, the detection is performed. The location can be positioned away from the vicinity of the contact portion between the position solid lubricant and the supply member. Thereby, the means for detecting that the amount of the lubricant is not more than the predetermined amount at the opposite side can be positioned away from the vicinity of the contact portion with the supply member.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the means for detecting that the amount of lubricant is equal to or less than the predetermined amount is disposed at a position away from the vicinity of the contact portion between the supply member and the solid lubricant at the opposite side. Thus, the lubricant scraped off by the supply member can be prevented from scattering and adhering to the above means, and erroneous detection of the remaining amount can be suppressed.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a printer according to an embodiment. It is an enlarged view which shows one of four image formation units. The schematic block diagram which shows the longitudinal direction one end side of a lubricant supply apparatus. AA sectional drawing of FIG. BB sectional drawing of FIG. FIG. 5 is a control flow diagram for detecting the remaining amount of lubricant. The control flow figure in the case of performing near end in both the travel distance of an application roller, and the conduction | electrical_connection state of a lubricant holding member and an electrode member. The figure which shows transition of the amount of solid lubricants, and the timing of near-end detection. The schematic block diagram of the lubricant supply apparatus of the modification 1. FIG. Sectional drawing of the lubricant supply apparatus of the modification 1. FIG. The schematic block diagram which shows the modification of a pressing mechanism. The schematic block diagram which shows another structure of the modification of a pressing mechanism. The schematic perspective view which shows the lubricant near end detection part of the conventional lubricant supply apparatus.

An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a printer which is an electrophotographic image forming apparatus will be described below.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a printer according to the present embodiment.
This printer includes an intermediate transfer belt 56 as an intermediate transfer member, which is an image carrier, at substantially the center inside the printer. The intermediate transfer belt 56 is an endless belt made of a heat-resistant material such as polyimide or polyamide and made of a base body adjusted to a medium resistance, and is supported across four rollers 52, 53, 54, and 55. It is rotationally driven in the direction of arrow A. Above the intermediate transfer belt 56, four image forming units corresponding to yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toners are arranged along the belt surface of the intermediate transfer belt 56. It is out.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing one of the four image forming units.
Since all image forming units have the same configuration, the subscripts Y, M, C, and K indicating the distinction of colors are omitted here. Each image forming unit has a photoreceptor 1 as an image carrier. Around each photoconductor 1, a charging device 2 is disposed as a charging means for uniformly charging the surface of the photoconductor so as to have a desired potential (negative polarity). Further, a developing device 4 is provided as a developing unit that develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor with each color toner charged to a negative polarity to form a toner image. Also provided are a lubricant supply device 3 for supplying a lubricant to the surface of the photoconductor by coating, and a cleaning device 8 for cleaning the surface of the photoconductor after the toner image is transferred.

  The image forming unit is configured as a process cartridge that is detachable from the image forming apparatus, and is configured such that the photosensitive member 1, the charging device 2, the developing device 4, the cleaning device 8, and the lubricant supply device 3 are replaced at once.

  Further, referring to FIG. 1, above the four image forming units, electrostatic charges are written on the surface of each charged photoconductor on the basis of the image data of each color to lower the potential of the exposed portion and write an electrostatic latent image. An exposure device 9 is provided as latent image forming means. A primary transfer roller 51 serving as a transfer unit that primarily transfers the toner image formed on the photoconductor 1 onto the intermediate transfer belt 56 is located at a position facing each photoconductor 1 with the intermediate transfer belt 56 interposed therebetween. Each is arranged. The primary transfer roller 51 is connected to a power source (not shown) and is applied with a predetermined voltage.

  A secondary transfer roller 61 as a secondary transfer unit is pressed against the outside of the portion of the intermediate transfer belt 56 supported by the roller 52. The secondary transfer roller 61 is connected to a power source (not shown) and is applied with a predetermined voltage. A contact portion between the secondary transfer roller 61 and the intermediate transfer belt 56 is a secondary transfer portion, and the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 56 is transferred onto a transfer sheet as a recording material. A fixing device 70 for fixing the toner image on the transfer paper to the transfer paper is provided on the left side of the secondary transfer portion in the drawing. The fixing device 70 includes a heating roller 72 having a halogen heater therein and an endless fixing belt 71 wound around the fixing roller 73, and a pressurization disposed so as to be opposed to and in pressure contact with the fixing roller 73 via the fixing belt 71. And a roller 74. A paper feeding device (not shown) is provided at the bottom of the printer to place the transfer paper and send the transfer paper toward the secondary transfer unit.

  The photoreceptor 1 is an organic photoreceptor, and a surface protective layer is formed of a polycarbonate-based resin. The charging device 2 includes a charging roller 2a configured by covering a conductive cored bar with a medium resistance elastic layer as a charging member. The charging roller 2a is connected to a power source (not shown) and is applied with a predetermined voltage. The charging roller 2 a is disposed with a small gap with respect to the photoreceptor 1. The minute gap is set by, for example, winding a spacer member having a certain thickness around the non-image forming regions at both ends of the charging roller 2a to bring the surface of the spacer member into contact with the surface of the photoreceptor 1. can do.

  In the developing device 4, a developing sleeve 4 a as a developer carrying member provided with a magnetic field generating means is disposed at a position facing the photoconductor 1. Below the developing sleeve 4a, there are provided two screws 4b for mixing toner introduced from a toner bottle (not shown) with the developer and pumping it up to the developing sleeve 4a while stirring. The developer composed of toner and magnetic carrier pumped up by the developing sleeve 4a is regulated to a predetermined developer layer thickness by the doctor blade 4c and is carried on the developing sleeve 4a. The developing sleeve 4a carries and conveys the developer while moving in the same direction at a position facing the photoconductor 1, and supplies toner to the electrostatic latent image portion on the photoconductor 1. In FIG. 1, the configuration of the two-component developing type developing device 4 is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a one-component developing type developing device can also be applied.

The lubricant supply device 3 includes a solid lubricant 3b housed in a fixed case, and a supply member that constitutes an application unit that applies a powdery lubricant scraped from the solid lubricant 3b to the surface of the photoreceptor 1. As an application roller 3a. The application roller 3a can be a brush roller or a urethane foam roller. When a brush roller is used as the application roller 3a, the following brush roller is suitable. That is, a brush roller formed of a material adjusted to have a volume resistivity of 1 × 10 ³ Ωcm to 1 × 10 ⁸ Ωcm by adding a resistance control material such as carbon black to a resin such as nylon or acrylic. is there. The rotation direction of the application roller 3 a is a counter direction with respect to the photoreceptor 1. That is, the surface movement direction of the application roller 3a is opposite to the surface movement direction of the photoconductor 1 at the contact portion between the photoconductor 1 and the application roller 3a.

  The solid lubricant 3b is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and is pressed against the application roller 3a by a pressing mechanism 3c described later. As the lubricant of the solid lubricant 3b, a lubricant containing at least a fatty acid metal salt is used. As the fatty acid metal salt, for example, a fatty acid metal salt having a lamellar crystal structure such as fluorine resin, zinc stearate, calcium stearate, barium stearate, aluminum stearate, magnesium stearate, or the like can be used. Moreover, substances such as lauroyllysine, monocetyl phosphate sodium zinc salt, lauroyl taurine calcium and the like can be used. Of these fatty acid metal salts, it is particularly preferable to use zinc stearate. This is because zinc stearate has very good extensibility on the surface of the photoreceptor 1 and has low hygroscopicity, and even when the humidity changes, the lubricity is not easily lost. . Therefore, it is possible to form a coating layer of a lubricant having a high ability to protect the surface of the photoconductor which is not easily affected by environmental changes, and the surface of the photoconductor can be well protected. Moreover, since it has the characteristic that lubricity is hard to be impaired, the effect of reducing cleaning defects can be obtained satisfactorily. In addition to these fatty acid metal salts, liquid materials such as silicone oil, fluorine oil, and natural wax, and gaseous materials can be added as an external addition method.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the lubricant of the solid lubricant 3b contains boron nitride which is an inorganic lubricant. Examples of the crystal structure of boron nitride include a hexagonal low-pressure phase (h-BN) and a cubic high-pressure phase (c-BN). Among these boron nitrides, hexagonal low-pressure phase boron nitride crystals have a layered structure and are easily cleaved. Therefore, the coefficient of friction can be maintained at about 0.2 or less until close to 400 ° C., and the characteristics are not easily changed by discharge, and the lubricity is not lost as compared with other lubricants even when discharged. By adding such boron nitride, the lubricant supplied to the surface of the photoreceptor 1 and thinned does not deteriorate early due to the discharge generated when the charging device 2 or the primary transfer roller 51 is operated. Boron nitride does not easily change its characteristics due to discharge, and even when subjected to discharge, lubricity is not lost compared to other lubricants. Moreover, it is possible to prevent the photosensitive layer of the photosensitive member 1 from being oxidized and evaporated by discharge. Further, since boron nitride can exhibit its lubricity even with a slight addition amount, it is effective for problems caused by adhesion of lubricant to the charging roller 2a and the like and blade noise of the cleaning blade 8a.

  As the solid lubricant 3b of this embodiment, a material obtained by compression molding a lubricant raw material containing zinc stearate and boron nitride was used. The molding method of the solid lubricant 3b is not limited to this, and other molding methods such as melt molding may be employed. Thereby, the effect of the zinc stearate mentioned above and the effect of the boron nitride nitrogen mentioned above can be acquired.

  The solid lubricant 3b is scraped off and consumed by the application roller 3a, and its thickness decreases with time, but is always pressed against the application roller 3a by the pressing mechanism 3c. The application roller 3a applies the lubricant scraped off while rotating to the surface of the photoreceptor. Thereafter, the applied lubricant is spread by contact between the surface of the photosensitive member 1 and the cleaning blade 8a to form a thin film. As a result, the coefficient of friction of the surface of the photoreceptor 1 is reduced. Note that the lubricant film attached to the surface of the photoreceptor 1 is very thin and does not hinder charging by the charging roller 2a.

  The cleaning device 8 includes a cleaning blade 8a as a cleaning member, a support member 8b, and a toner recovery coil 8c. The cleaning blade 8a is formed by forming a rubber such as urethane rubber or silicone rubber into a plate shape, and the edge of the cleaning blade 8a is in contact with the surface of the photoconductor 1 to remove the toner on the photoconductor 1 remaining after transfer. To do. The cleaning blade 8 a is attached to and supported by a support member 8 b made of metal, plastic, ceramic, or the like, and is installed at a predetermined angle with respect to the surface of the photoreceptor 1. In addition to the cleaning blade, a known member such as a cleaning brush can be widely used as the cleaning member.

  In the present embodiment, the lubricant supply device 3 is disposed downstream of the cleaning device 8. The lubricant applied to the surface of the photoconductor by the lubricant supply device 3 is then extended by the leveling blade 8d rubbing the surface of the photoconductor, and the uneven application of the lubricant applied to the surface of the photoconductor is roughly determined. Can be leveled.

The lubricant supply device 3 will be described in more detail.
3 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating one end side in the longitudinal direction of the lubricant supply device 3, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. is there. FIG. 3A is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an initial use state of the solid lubricant 3b, and FIG. 3B is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a slight remaining state (near-end state) of the solid lubricant 3b. . Further, the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the lubricant supply device 3 has the same configuration as the one end side.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, there is provided a lubricant holding member 3d for holding a portion of the solid lubricant 3b on the opposite side to the surface (lower surface in the figure) that contacts the application roller 3a in the longitudinal direction. It has been. The lubricant holding member 3d is provided in the storage case 3e so as to be able to contact and separate from the application roller 3a. Further, a pressure spring 3c as a pressing mechanism for pressing the lubricant holding member 3d against the supply member side is provided in a space in the upper part in the drawing from the lubricant holding member 3d of the storage case 3e. The lubricant holding member 3d is pressed against the application roller by the pressure spring 3c.

  Further, a remaining amount detection unit 40 as a remaining amount detection means is provided in the vicinity of both ends in the longitudinal direction of the solid lubricant 3b. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the remaining amount detection unit 40 is provided on the side surface on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the application roller 3 a with respect to the contact portion between the application roller 3 a and the solid lubricant 3 b in the storage case 3 e. . As shown in FIG. 3, the remaining amount detection unit 40 includes a detection rotation member 41 and a rotation detection unit 42 as a rotation detection unit that detects the rotation of the detection rotation member 41. The rotation detection unit 42 includes a first electrode member 42a, a second electrode member 42b disposed to face the first electrode member 42a, a resistance detection unit 42c, and the like. The resistance detector 42c is connected to the first electrode member 42a and the second electrode member 42b, and measures the electrical resistance by applying a voltage between the first electrode member 42a and the second electrode member 42b. . In addition, the resistance detection unit 42 c is connected to the control unit 100. The rotation member for detection 41, the first electrode member 42a, and the second electrode member 42b are positioned and held by a cover member 43 that covers them. The first electrode member 42 a and the second electrode member 42 b are disposed vertically above the detection rotating member 41.

  The first electrode member 42a and the second electrode member 42b have a plate shape made of a conductive member such as a sheet metal. The second electrode member 42b is disposed vertically below the first electrode member 42a, and the left electrode end ((solid lubricant longitudinal direction center side end)) side of the second electrode member 42b in the drawing is the first electrode. The cover member 43 is held so as to be able to bend and deform toward the member 42a, and the side of the second electrode member 42b that contacts the first electrode member 42a (the left end portion in FIG. 3) is parallel to the first electrode member 42a. 3, the solid lubricant longitudinal direction center portion side end portion of the first electrode member 42a is closer to the center portion than the end portion of the second electrode member 42b. 4, the length of the first electrode member 42a in the direction orthogonal to the cover member 43 is longer than that of the second electrode member 42b, whereby at least the second electrode member 42b. In the vicinity of the contact point (left side of Fig. 3) Towards the electrode member has a larger shape.

  Further, an opening 31e extending in the moving direction of the lubricant holding member 3d is provided on the side surface on the downstream side in the direction of rotation of the application roller with respect to the contact portion between the application roller 3a and the solid lubricant 3b of the storage case 3e. . A contact protrusion 31d provided on a lubricant holding member 3d as a pushing member passes through the opening 31e (see FIG. 5). Further, the cover member 43 is a partition wall that partitions the space covered by the cover member 43 into a space in which the opening 31e is disposed and a space in which the first electrode member 42a and the second electrode member 42b are disposed. 43b is provided.

  The detection rotation member 41 is rotatably supported on the rotation shaft 43 c of the cover member 43. On the left side (solid lubricant longitudinal direction center side) in the figure from the rotation fulcrum (rotating shaft 43c) of the detection rotating member 41, a plate-shaped receiving part 41b extends to the left side in the figure, and the tip is It faces the contact protrusion 31d. The right side (solid lubricant longitudinal direction end side) in the figure from the rotation fulcrum (rotating shaft 43c) of the detection rotating member 41 has a rectangular tube shape, and the receiving part 41b on the left side in the figure from the rotation fulcrum. The weight is heavier than. For this reason, the detection rotating member 41 is configured to rotate in the clockwise direction in the drawing by its own weight.

  The cover member 43 is provided with a regulation protrusion 43 a that abuts against the inner peripheral surface of the rectangular tube-shaped portion of the detection rotation member 41 and regulates rotation due to its own weight. Further, a hook-like detected portion 41a extending vertically upward is provided at the right end portion in the drawing of the upper surface portion of the square cylindrical portion of the detection rotating member 41.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, in the initial stage of use, the contact protrusion 31d provided on the lubricant holding member 3d is separated from the receiving portion 41b of the detection rotating member, and the detection rotating member 41 Is in contact with the restricting protrusion 43a. At this time, the detected portion 41a of the detection rotating member 41 is separated from the second electrode member 42b, and the second electrode member 42b faces the first electrode member 42a with a predetermined gap. Therefore, at this time, even if a voltage is applied between the first electrode member 42a and the second electrode member 42b by the resistance detector 42c, a current flows between the first electrode member 42a and the second electrode member 42b. In other words, the electrical resistance value cannot be measured.

  When the solid lubricant 3b is scraped, the lubricant is consumed, and the height of the solid lubricant decreases, the lubricant holding member 3d approaches the application roller 3a side. When the height of the solid lubricant 3b reaches a predetermined value, the contact protrusion 31d provided on the lubricant holding member 3d contacts the receiving portion 41b of the detection rotating member 41. When the solid lubricant 3b is further shaved and the height is lowered, the receiving portion 41b is pushed by the contact protrusion 31d, and the detection rotation member 41 rotates in the direction opposite to the rotation direction due to its own weight (counterclockwise in the figure). To do. As the solid lubricant 3b is further scraped, the detection rotating member 41 further rotates counterclockwise, and the detected portion 41a contacts the second electrode member 42b. When the solid lubricant 3b is further scraped and the detection rotating member 41 further rotates counterclockwise, the detected portion 41a pushes the vicinity of the left end portion of the second electrode member 42b in the drawing toward the first electrode member 42a. Then, the left end portion of the second electrode member 42b in the drawing approaches the first electrode member 42a. Then, as shown in FIGS. 3B and 5B, when the amount of the lubricant becomes small (near end), the detection rotating member 41 rotates by a predetermined angle, and the second electrode member 42b becomes the first electrode. It contacts the electrode member 42a. When the second electrode member 42b comes into contact with the first electrode member 42a, the second electrode member 42b and the first electrode member 42a are switched from the non-conductive state to the conductive state. Thereby, when a voltage is applied between the first electrode member 42a and the second electrode member 42b by the resistance detector 42c, a current flows between the electrode members. As a result, the electrical resistance value is measured by the resistance detection unit 42c, the detected portion 41a of the detection rotation member 41 is detected, and the detection rotation member 41 is detected to have rotated as the solid lubricant 3b is consumed. Can do.

  The control unit 100 monitors the measurement result of the resistance detection unit 42c. If the control unit 100 detects that the electrical resistance value detected by the resistance detection unit 42c is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the control unit 100 determines that the lubricant is near-end. To do. Then, an operation display unit (not shown) notifies the user that the remaining lubricant is low, and prompts the user to replace the solid lubricant. In addition, the service center may be notified that the lubricant needs to be replaced using a communication means (not shown).

  The amount of lubricant applied to the photoconductor 1 is not constant and varies depending on the image area ratio formed on the surface of the photoconductor. More specifically, the toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive member coated with the lubricant is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 56 at the primary transfer portion. At this time, the lubricant on the surface of the photosensitive member is combined with the toner. It may move to the intermediate transfer belt. For this reason, the amount of lubricant on the surface of the photoreceptor is smaller in the image with the high image area ratio than in the image with the low image area ratio. As a result, the amount of lubricant supplied to the surface of the photoreceptor increases in the image with a high image area ratio. For this reason, the degree of lubricant reduction differs between a user who frequently outputs an image with a low image area ratio such as characters and a user who frequently outputs an image with a high image area ratio such as a photograph. Therefore, unlike this embodiment, when the near end is determined only in the operation period such as the travel distance of the application roller 3a, the near end cannot be detected with high accuracy under all use conditions. More specifically, when the travel distance of the application roller 3a where the lubricant is near-end when the lubricant is consumed is used for the near-end determination, the lubricant is consumed under a usage condition where the lubricant consumption is small. For the user who is doing this, the lubricant must be replaced when the solid lubricant is not used up. On the other hand, when the travel distance of the application roller 3a where the lubricant is near-end when the consumption amount of the lubricant is low is used for the near-end determination, the lubricant consumption is high. The lubricant may run out before the near end is detected.

  On the other hand, as in this embodiment, the remaining amount detection unit 40 detects the near end of the lubricant based on the height of the solid lubricant, so that the near end is detected based on the travel distance of the application roller 3a. The near end can be detected accurately regardless of the usage conditions.

  In the present embodiment, the first electrode member 42a and the second electrode member 42b are in a non-energized state until the posture (rotation angle) of the detection rotating member 41 becomes a posture corresponding to the lubricant near end. Thus, no current flows even when a voltage is applied between the electrode members. Thereby, since power is not consumed every time near-end is detected, power consumption can be reduced. Further, the rotation detection unit 42 can be configured by the first and second electrode members 42a and 42b made of a relatively inexpensive material such as a sheet metal, and the rotation detection unit 42 can be made inexpensive.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, the residual amount detection part 40 as a residual amount detection means is provided in the solid lubricant 3b vicinity of the longitudinal direction both ends, respectively. Therefore, even when the solid lubricant 3b has a different amount of lubricant in the longitudinal direction, when the end portion on the side with a large amount of lubricant consumption becomes near-end, The rotation member for detection 41 arranged on the end side is in a posture corresponding to the lubricant near end, and the second electrode member 42b comes into contact with the first electrode member 42a and becomes conductive. Thereby, even when the solid lubricant 3b has a different amount of lubricant consumption in the longitudinal direction, the near end of the lubricant can be accurately detected. As a result, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of problems such as exhaustion of the lubricant on the side where the amount of consumption is greater, protection of the photoreceptor, and damage to the surface of the photoreceptor.

  In addition, the remaining amount detection unit 40 of the present embodiment uses a detection rotation member 41 that rotates as the solid lubricant 3b is consumed, and sandwiches a position that contacts the contact protrusion 31d of the detection rotation member and a rotation fulcrum. The rotation detection unit 42 detects that the detected portion 41a provided in step S3 has reached a predetermined position, thereby detecting the near end of the lubricant. By configuring in this way, as shown in FIG. 3 (a), the rotation detecting portion 42, which is a means for detecting the near end of the lubricant, is a contact portion between the solid lubricant 3b and the application roller 3a. It can provide in the position away from. As a result, the lubricant powder scraped by the application roller 3a adheres to the contact portion of the first electrode member 42a with the second electrode member 42b and the contact portion of the second electrode member 42b with the first electrode member 42a. Can be suppressed. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of poor conduction between the electrode members due to the lubricant adhering to each electrode member, and the near end of the lubricant can be detected with high accuracy.

  In the present embodiment, since the remaining amount detection unit 40 is provided outside the storage case 3e, it is possible to suppress the scattered lubricant powder from adhering to the first electrode member 42a and the second electrode member 42b. it can.

  In the present embodiment, the first electrode member 42a and the second electrode member 42b are rotated for detection by, for example, arranging the detected portion 41a of the detection rotation member 41 vertically above the receiving portion 41b. It is arranged vertically above the member 41. Thereby, it can suppress that the lubricant powder which entered from the opening part 31e adheres to the 1st electrode member 42a and the 2nd electrode member 42b. Further, by arranging the detected portion 41a of the detection rotating member 41 vertically above the receiving portion 41b, the rotation amount of the detection rotating member is at least the first electrode member 42a and the second electrode member 42b. It can arrange | position enough vertically upwards.

  Further, the scattered lubricant is likely to adhere to the upper surface portions of the plate-like first electrode member 42a and second electrode member 42b. Since the upper surface portion of the second electrode member 42b is a portion in contact with the first electrode member 42a, it is necessary to prevent the lubricant from adhering to the upper surface portion of the second electrode member 42b as much as possible. In the present embodiment, the vicinity of the end portion on the center side in the longitudinal direction of the solid lubricant contacting the first electrode member 42a of the second electrode member 42b is disposed close to the first electrode member 42a. Thereby, the clearance gap between the solid lubricant longitudinal direction center side edge part of the 2nd electrode member 42b and the 1st electrode member 42a becomes narrow, and the upper surface near the solid lubricant longitudinal direction center side edge part of the 2nd electrode member 42b It can suppress that a lubricant adheres to a part.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, the solid lubricant longitudinal direction center side end portion of the first electrode member 42 a is on the center side of the second electrode member 42 b. As shown in FIG. 4, the length of the first electrode member 42a in the direction orthogonal to the side surface provided with the detection opening 31e of the storage case 3e is longer than that of the second electrode member 42b. Since it has such a structure, the 1st electrode member 42a just acts like a wrinkle, and it can receive the lubricant which fell from the perpendicular upper part in the upper surface part of the 1st electrode member 42a. Thereby, it can suppress that a lubricant adheres to the upper surface part of the 2nd electrode member 42b. Note that even if the lubricant is deposited on the upper surface portion of the first electrode member 42a, the conductive state between the first electrode member 42a and the second electrode member 42b is not affected at all.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the partition wall 43b partitions the space covered by the cover member 43 into a space in which the opening 31e is provided and a space in which each electrode member is provided. Thereby, it is possible to further suppress the lubricant powder entering from the opening 31e from adhering to the first electrode member 42a and the second electrode member 42b. Moreover, it is preferable to integrally mold the cover member 43 and the partition wall 43b with resin. Thereby, compared with the case where the cover member 43 and the partition wall 43b are comprised by another member, a number of parts can be reduced and an apparatus can be made cheap. Moreover, you may provide the partition wall 43b in the storage case 3e. Also in this case, by integrally molding the storage case 3e and the partition wall 43b with resin, the number of parts can be reduced and the apparatus can be made inexpensive. In addition, a partition wall is provided in each of the cover member 43 and the storage case 3e and combined to form a space covered with the cover member 43, a space in which the opening 31e is provided, and a space in which each electrode member is provided. You may partition into.

  In the present embodiment, the cover member 43 covers the opening 31e, the first electrode member 42a, and the second electrode member 42b. Thereby, it can suppress that lubricant powder disperses out of the lubricant supply apparatus 3 from the opening part 31e, and can suppress that an apparatus becomes dirty. Moreover, scattering toner or the like can be prevented from adhering to the first electrode member 42a or the second electrode member 42b, and the occurrence of poor conduction between the electrode members can be suppressed.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, the rotation direction by the dead weight of the rotation member 41 for a detection is made into the reverse direction with the direction rotated with consumption of the solid lubricant 3b. Unlike the present embodiment, when the rotation direction due to the weight of the detection rotation member 41 is the same as the rotation direction due to the consumption of the solid lubricant 3b, the detection rotation member 41 is restricted from rotating due to its own weight. It is necessary that the restricting member is constituted by an urging means such as a spring and urged in the direction opposite to the rotating direction due to its own weight. In such a configuration, when the contact protrusion 31d provided on the lubricant holding member 3d pushes the receiving portion 41b of the detection rotating member 41 and rotates the detection rotating member 41 with the consumption of the lubricant, the spring The energizing power of will increase. As a result, as the remaining amount of the solid lubricant 3b approaches the near end (the rotation angle of the detection rotation member 41 is a predetermined angle), the contact pressure of the solid lubricant 3b with respect to the application roller 3a decreases, and Lubricant supply amount will decrease.

  On the other hand, as described in the present embodiment, the above-described spring is not required by setting the rotation direction due to the weight of the rotation member 41 for detection to be opposite to the rotation direction with the consumption of the solid lubricant 3b. Therefore, the fluctuation | variation of the contact pressure with respect to the application roller 3a of the solid lubricant 3b can be suppressed. As a result, fluctuations in the amount of lubricant supplied to the photosensitive member 1 can be suppressed as compared with the case where the rotation direction due to the weight of the detection rotation member 41 is the same as the rotation direction accompanying the consumption of the solid lubricant. it can.

  In the present embodiment, the first electrode member 42a, the second electrode member 42b, and the detection rotating member 41 are positioned and held on the cover member 43. Thus, by positioning and holding the first electrode member 42a, the second electrode member 42b, and the detection rotating member 41 on the same member, component tolerance can be minimized. Thereby, each positional relationship of the 1st electrode member 42a, the 2nd electrode member 42b, and the rotation member 41 for detection can be taken out accurately. Thus, when the solid lubricant 3b is in the near-end state, the second electrode member 42b can be reliably brought into contact with the first electrode member 42a, and the near-end state of the lubricant can be detected with high accuracy. Moreover, the remaining amount detection part 40 can be removed from the lubricant supply apparatus 3 only by removing the cover member 43 from the storage case 3e, and the replacement work of the remaining amount detection part 40 can be performed easily.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, during the lubricant application operation, the application roller 3a rotates to rub the solid lubricant 3b. For this reason, the solid lubricant 3b receives a force in the surface movement direction (left side in the figure) of the application roller 3a. Since the lubricant holding member 3d needs to be configured to be movable inside the storage case 3e, the lubricant holding member 3d is stored in the storage case 3e with a certain amount of play relative to the storage case 3e. Therefore, when the solid lubricant 3b receives a force in the surface movement direction (left side in the figure) of the application roller 3a, the lubricant holding member 3d slides the solid lubricant on the application roller 3a (left side in the figure). Move to. Therefore, unlike the present embodiment, when the remaining amount detection unit 40 is provided on the side surface on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the application roller 3a with respect to the contact portion between the application roller 3a and the solid lubricant 3b in the storage case 3e, lubrication is performed. When the agent holding member 3d moves in a direction (left side in the figure) for sliding the solid lubricant of the application roller 3a, the contact protrusion 31d may not contact the receiving portion 41b. As a result, there is a possibility that the detection rotating member 41 does not rotate.

  On the other hand, as in the present embodiment, the contact protrusion 31d is reliably provided by providing it on the side surface downstream of the application roller 3a in the rotation direction with respect to the contact portion between the application roller 3a and the solid lubricant 3b in the storage case 3e. It can be brought into contact with the receiving portion 41 b of the detection rotating member 41. As a result, the near-end state can be reliably detected. In addition, the lubricant holding member 3d and the solid lubricant 3b can move in the surface movement direction (left side in the drawing) of the application roller 3a to block the opening 31e. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the lubricant powder accumulated in the storage case 3e from being scattered from the opening 31e.

  Further, in the present embodiment, not the so-called solid lubricant end state immediately before the lubricant is exhausted but the remaining amount (near end state) of an amount capable of supplying the lubricant to the surface of the photoreceptor 1 a predetermined number of times is detected. I have to. When detecting the end state of the lubricant, if the image forming operation is performed after the detection, there will be a problem due to the exhaustion of the lubricant, so it is necessary to prohibit the image forming operation until the lubricant replacement operation is completed, and downtime will be reduced. It will occur.

  On the other hand, in this embodiment, since the near-end state of the lubricant is detected, the lubricant can be applied to the surface of the photoconductor even if the image forming operation is performed a predetermined number of times after the detection. Can protect. Accordingly, the image forming operation can be performed from the detection until the solid lubricant is ready and the replacement operation is started, and the downtime of the apparatus can be suppressed. Further, if the image forming operation is performed a predetermined number of times or more before preparation is completed, the lubricant is exhausted, and a problem due to the exhaustion of the lubricant occurs. Therefore, when the near end is detected, the travel distance (number of rotations) of the application roller 3a, the number of image forming operations, and the like are monitored. When the travel distance of the application roller 3a and the number of image forming operations reach predetermined values, it is determined that the lubricant is in an end state and the image forming operation is prohibited.

  During the lubricant application operation, the application roller 3a rotates to rub the solid lubricant. For this reason, the solid lubricant 3b receives a force in the surface movement direction (left side in the figure) of the application roller 3a. Since the lubricant holding member 3d needs to be configured to be movable inside the storage case 3e, the lubricant holding member 3d is stored in the storage case 3e with a certain amount of play relative to the storage case 3e. Therefore, when the solid lubricant 3b receives a force in the surface movement direction (left side in the figure) of the application roller 3a, the lubricant holding member 3d slides the solid lubricant on the application roller 3a (the opposite direction of FIG. 5). There is a risk of tilting clockwise. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the contact protrusion 31d is provided on the side surface of the lubricant holding member 3d on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the application roller 3a. For this reason, when the lubricant holding member 3d is tilted, the contact protrusion 31d pushes the detection rotating member in a state where the amount of the solid lubricant is still sufficient, the electrode members are electrically connected, and the control unit 100 is mistaken for the near end. May be detected.

  Further, the lubricant holding member 3d during the lubricant application operation is in a state in which the solid lubricant 3b vibrates with respect to the rotation of the application roller 3a due to a load variation at the sliding portion of the solid lubricant 3b with the application roller 3a. End up. In particular, as in this embodiment, when the gravitational direction of the solid lubricant 3b is opposite to the rubbing direction of the application roller 3a with respect to the solid lubricant, vibration due to the load fluctuation increases. Furthermore, even when the application roller itself swings, the solid lubricant vibrates accordingly. As a result, even if the above-described inclination does not occur during the lubricant application operation, the pushing force of the contact protrusion 31d at the near end to the detection rotating member 41 varies due to the vibration. As a result, the pushing force of the detection rotating member 41 against the second electrode member 42b fluctuates, the contact state between the second electrode member 42b and the first electrode member 42a becomes unstable, and the conduction and non-conduction are repeated. Become. For this reason, there is a possibility that the conduction between the electrode members is not detected and the near end is not notified even though the solid lubricant has already been consumed to the near end state due to vibration. In addition, in order to consider the influence of noise, etc. caused by instability of the contact state caused by the vibration of the lubricant on the conduction state, measures such as setting the amount of power so that it is not affected by noise, Configuration). Therefore, in the present embodiment, the remaining amount is detected while the lubricant application operation is stopped.

FIG. 6 is a control flow diagram for detecting the remaining amount of lubricant.
As shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 100 checks whether or not the lubricant application operation is finished (S1). When the application roller 3a is rotationally driven, it can be detected that the lubricant application operation has been completed by detecting that the drive motor that rotationally drives the application roller 3a is switched from ON to OFF. When the application roller 3a rotates with the photoreceptor 1, for example, it is detected that the lubricant application operation has been completed by detecting that the drive motor that rotationally drives the photoreceptor 1 is switched from ON to OFF. be able to. Further, the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be detected that the lubricant application operation has ended by detecting that the application roller 3a has stopped using an encoder or the like.

  When the lubricant application operation is finished (YES in S1) and the near-end state is not detected (NO in S2), the controller 100 applies a voltage between the first electrode member 42a and the second electrode member 42b. And the resistance value is measured by the resistance detector 42c (S2). When the resistance value measured by the resistance detection unit 42c is equal to or less than the predetermined value (YES in S3), it is determined that the lubricant is in the near-end state, and that is notified to the user (S4).

  On the other hand, when the near end is detected (YES in S2), when the travel distance of the application roller 3a after the near end is equal to or greater than the predetermined value Bt (YES in S6), the lubrication end is detected (S7), and image formation is performed. Prohibit operation.

  Thus, by detecting the remaining amount of the lubricant while the lubricant operation is stopped after the end of the lubricant operation, the remaining amount can be detected in a state where the lubricant holding member 3d is not tilted, and accurate lubrication is performed. The remaining amount of the agent can be detected. Further, the remaining amount can be detected in a state where the solid lubricant 3b is not vibrating. Therefore, at the time of the solid lubricant near-end, it is possible to detect the second electrode member 42b in a state where it is stably in contact with the first electrode member 42a. As a result, the near end of the solid lubricant can be accurately detected. In addition, the conductive state can be detected well without applying a high voltage between the lubricant holding member and the electrode member, and the power consumption can be suppressed to the minimum necessary. In the above description, the remaining amount is detected after the end of the lubricant operation, but the remaining amount may be detected before the start of the lubricant operation. Further, end detection performed after the near end may be always performed.

  In the use condition in which the low image area ratio is frequently output, the lubricant that has not been applied to the photoreceptor among the lubricant scraped off in a powder form is accumulated in the storage case 3e. As a result, a large amount of the lubricant accumulated in the storage case 3e is scattered from the opening 31e. Therefore, the lubricant powder entering the space where the first electrode member 42a and the second electrode member 42b of the cover member 43 are arranged through the communication portion for passing the receiving portion 41b of the detection rotating member of the partition wall 43b is also present. Become more. Therefore, the amount of lubricant powder adhering to the first electrode member 42a and the second electrode member 42b also increases. As a result, poor conduction occurs between the electrode members, and the near end of the lubricant may not be detected. As a result, the solid lubricant may be depleted and the surface of the photoreceptor cannot be protected with the lubricant. Therefore, the near end of the lubricant may be detected by both the travel distance of the application roller 3a and the conductive state between the electrode members.

FIG. 7 is a control flow diagram in the case of performing near-end in both the travel distance of the application roller 3a and the remaining amount detection unit 40.
As shown in FIG. 7, after the lubricant application operation is completed (YES in S11), when the near end is not detected by the remaining amount detector 40 (NO in S12), the travel distance of the application roller 3a is a predetermined value B1. It is checked whether or not this is the case (S13). If the value is equal to or less than the predetermined value B1 (NO in S13), the resistance value is measured by the resistance detector 42c (S14), and it is checked whether the resistance value is equal to or less than the predetermined value (S15). When the resistance value is equal to or less than a predetermined value (YES in 1S5), the electrode members 42a and 42b are electrically connected, so it is determined that the lubricant is near end (S16), and the user is notified. Further, when the travel distance of the application roller 3a is equal to or greater than the predetermined value B1 (YES in S13), it is determined that the lubricant is near end (S16), and the user is notified.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the transition of the amount of solid lubricant and the timing of near-end detection.
As shown in FIG. 8, under normal use conditions, the electrode members are brought into conduction and the near end is detected before the application roller 3a reaches the predetermined value B1. On the other hand, when the use condition is such that an image with a low image area ratio is frequently output, the travel distance of the application roller 3a becomes a predetermined value B1 before the electrode members are electrically connected, and the near end is detected. When the travel distance of the application roller 3a reaches the upper limit value Bt after the near end is detected, the image forming operation is prohibited as the lubricant end state.

  As described above, in the use condition in which an image with a low image area ratio that may cause a situation where the near end cannot be detected is frequently output, the near end can be detected based on the travel distance of the application roller 3a. As a result, it is possible to prevent the remaining amount detection unit 40 from being used as it is without being detected as a near end. Thereby, the surface of the photoreceptor can be reliably protected with the lubricant.

  In addition to the travel distance of the application roller 3a, the near end may be detected by measuring the rotation time of the application roller 3a. In addition, when the application roller 3a is driven to rotate and is equipped with a control for changing the number of rotations of the lubricant application roller due to environmental fluctuations or the like, it is possible to predict the near end more accurately by measuring the travel distance. It becomes.

  Next, a modified example of the remaining amount detection unit 42 will be described.

FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram of the remaining amount detection unit 42 of the first modified example, and FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the modified example 1. In FIG. 10, the partition wall 43b is omitted.
As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the remaining amount detection unit of the first modification is obtained by using the detection rotating member 41 as a conductive member and eliminating the second electrode member 42 b.
As shown in FIG. 9A, in the initial stage of use, the detection rotating member 41 abuts against the partition wall 43b, and rotation by its own weight is restricted. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 10A, the detection rotating member 41 is separated from the first electrode member 42a. Therefore, at this time, even if a voltage is applied between the first electrode member 42a and the detection rotation member 41 by the resistance detection unit 42c, a current flows between the first electrode member 42a and the detection rotation member 41. In other words, the electrical resistance value cannot be measured.

  Similarly to the above, when the contact protrusion 31d of the lubricant holding member 3d pushes the detection rotating member 41 to rotate the detection rotating member, the height of the solid lubricant 3b becomes a predetermined value or less (near-end state). The left end of the detection rotating member 41 in the drawing contacts the first electrode member 42a. Thereby, the detection rotation member 41 and the first electrode member 42a are switched from the non-conduction state to the conduction state. As a result, when a voltage is applied between the first electrode member 42a and the detection rotation member 41 by the resistance detection unit 42c, a current flows between the first electrode member 42a and the detection rotation member 41. Thereby, the electrical resistance value is measured by the resistance detection unit 42c, and it is possible to detect that the solid lubricant becomes near-end and the detection rotation member 41 has rotated a predetermined angle.

  In the first modification, the second electrode member 42b can be eliminated, the number of parts can be reduced, and the cost of the apparatus can be reduced.

FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a modification of the pressing mechanism.
The pressing mechanism 300c of this modification is provided in the vicinity of both ends in the longitudinal direction of the lubricant holding member 3d, and a swinging member 301a that is swingably attached to the storage case 3e, and a spring 301b that is a biasing means. And have. Each end of the spring 301b is attached to the swing member 301a. Each oscillating member 301a obtains a biasing force in the direction of arrow D in the figure from the spring 301b toward the longitudinal center of the lubricant holding member. By this urging force, the swing member on the right side in the drawing is biased so as to swing counterclockwise in the drawing and the swing member on the left side in the drawing swings clockwise in the drawing. Thereby, the arc-shaped contact portion 311 that contacts the lubricant holding member 3d of each swing member 301a is urged toward the lubricant holding member 3d as shown in FIG.

  In the initial stage of use, the swinging end portion of each swinging member 301a is swung in a direction approaching the inner peripheral surface 32 of the upper surface portion of the storage case 3e against the biasing force of the spring 301b. With such a configuration, the two swinging members 301a receive the urging force of the spring 301b, push the lubricant holding member 3d with equal force, and apply the solid lubricant 3b held by the lubricant holding member 3d to the application roller. Press against 3a. Therefore, the solid lubricant 3b is uniformly pressed against the application roller 3a in the longitudinal direction. As a result, the amount of the lubricant scraped off by the rotation of the application roller 3a is uniform in the longitudinal direction, and the lubricant can be applied evenly on the surface of the photoreceptor 1.

  In the pressing mechanism 300c of this modified example, even if the height of the solid lubricant 3b is reduced by use over time, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the applied pressure of the solid lubricant 3b. Therefore, fluctuations in the amount of the powder lubricant supplied to the surface of the photoreceptor 1 from the initial stage over time can be suppressed to a small level.

The reason why such a result is obtained is as follows.
In general, as the length of the spring as a whole increases with respect to the amount of change in spring extension that changes from the beginning until the solid lubricant 3b disappears, the variation in the biasing force of the spring with respect to the amount of change in spring spring decreases. I'll do it. The pressure spring 3c as the pressing mechanism shown in FIG. 3 is disposed in a contracted state, and the direction of the urging force (extrusion force) and the pressing direction of the solid lubricant 3b against the application roller 3a are made to coincide. . In this configuration, the longer the length of the entire spring, the more difficult it is to match the direction of the urging force of the spring and the direction of pressing the solid lubricant 3b against the application roller 3a. There is a limit to how long it can be. In addition, in the pressing mechanism 3c of FIG. 3, it is necessary to secure an arrangement space for the length of the spring in the radial direction of the application roller 3a, leading to an increase in the size of the apparatus. For these reasons, in the pressing mechanism of FIG. 3, a relatively short spring must be used, and the biasing force fluctuation of the spring over time increases.

  On the other hand, in the pressing mechanism 300c of this modified example, as shown in FIG. 11, the spring 301b is arranged in an extended state, and the solid lubricant is applied to the application roller 3a by its urging force (tensile force). 3b can be pressed. Therefore, even if the length of the whole spring is increased, the problem as in the pressing mechanism 3c in FIG. 3 does not occur. Moreover, in the pressing mechanism 300c of the modified example, the spring 301b is arranged so that the length direction of the spring 301b coincides with the long direction of the solid lubricant 3b, that is, the axial direction of the application roller 3a. Therefore, even if the length of the spring 301b is increased, the arrangement space does not increase in the radial direction of the application roller 3a, and the apparatus does not need to be enlarged. Therefore, the pressing mechanism 300c of this modification can employ a spring 301b that is much longer than the length of the pressure spring 3c used in the pressing mechanism 3c shown in FIG. As a result, it is possible to suppress fluctuations in the biasing force of the spring over time.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 12, each swinging member 301a may be swingably attached to the lubricant holding member 3d. In the configuration of FIG. 12, each oscillating member 301a has its oscillating end portion of each oscillating member 301a moved to the lubricant holding member 3d by a biasing force from the spring 301b toward the longitudinal center of the lubricant holding member 3d. The swing end portion of each swing member 301a is in contact with the inner peripheral surface 32 of the upper surface portion of the storage case 3e.

  In the present embodiment, the first electrode member 42a and the second electrode member 42b are arranged to face each other in the vertical direction. For this reason, as described above, there is a possibility that lubricant or the like is deposited on the upper surface of the electrode member. Therefore, the first electrode member 42a and the second electrode member 42 may be disposed to face each other in the horizontal direction. Thus, by arranging the first electrode member 42a and the second electrode member 42 to face each other in the horizontal direction, the surface of each electrode member becomes a direction orthogonal to the horizontal direction. As a result, lubricant or the like is not deposited on the surface of each electrode member, it is possible to suppress poor conduction between the electrode members, and the near end of the lubricant can be detected with high accuracy.

  Further, the rotation detection unit 42 as the rotation detection unit that detects the detected portion 41a of the detection rotation member 41 is not limited to the above, and may be a push switch instead of the electrode members 42a and 42b, for example. In this case, when the detection rotation member 41 is in a posture corresponding to the lubricant near end, the detected portion 41a of the detection rotation member 41 pushes the push switch, and the near end is detected.

  Further, the detected portion 41a of the detection rotating member 41 can be detected by a photo interrupter. When the detection rotation member 41 is in a posture corresponding to the lubricant near end, the detected portion 41a of the detection rotation member 41 blocks the light so that the detected portion 41a is detected and the near end is detected. Further, the near end of the lubricant can be detected using a photo reflector. In this case, a reflecting plate is provided on the detected portion 41a of the detection rotating member 41. When the detection rotating member 41 is in a posture corresponding to the lubricant near end, the detected portion 41a of the detecting rotating member 41 reflects the light from the photoreflector and receives the light from the photoreflector, thereby detecting the detected portion. 41a is detected, and the near end can be detected.

  Further, the above-described lubricant supply device may be applied to the lubricant supply device that applies the lubricant to the intermediate transfer belt 56.

What has been described above is merely an example, and the present invention has a specific effect for each of the following aspects (1) to (15).
(1)
The solid lubricant 3b, a supply member such as an application roller 3a for supplying the lubricant of the solid lubricant 3b to a lubricant supply target such as the photoconductor 1, and the remaining amount of the solid lubricant 3b are equal to or less than a predetermined amount. In the lubricant supply device 3 including a remaining amount detecting unit such as a remaining amount detecting unit 40 that detects this, the remaining amount detecting unit includes a rotating member such as a detecting rotating member 41 provided rotatably, A pressing member that pushes the rotating member as the solid lubricant 3b is consumed to rotate the rotating member (in this embodiment, the contact protrusion 31d of the lubricant holding member 3d); It is detected that the amount of lubricant is less than or equal to a predetermined amount at a position on the opposite side across the rotation point of the rotating member and the contact point with the pressing member (in this embodiment, the receiving portion 41b).
By providing such a configuration, as described in the embodiment, the rotation detection means such as the rotation detection unit 42 that detects the rotation of the detection rotation member 41 is provided between the supply member such as the application roller 3a and the solid lubricant 3b. It can be arranged at a position distant from the contact portion. Thereby, it becomes possible to suppress the lubricant scraped off by the supply member from being scattered on the rotation detecting means and adhering to the rotation detecting means, and it is possible to suppress erroneous detection of the remaining amount.

(2)
Further, in the lubricant supply device 3 according to the aspect described in (1) above, the rotation direction due to the weight of the rotation member such as the detection rotation member 41 is opposite to the rotation direction due to the consumption of the solid lubricant 3b. I made it.
By providing such a configuration, as described in the embodiment, the photoconductive member is compared with the case where the rotation direction due to the weight of the detection rotation member 41 is the same as the rotation direction due to the consumption of the solid lubricant 3b. The fluctuation of the lubricant supply amount to 1 can be suppressed.

(3)
Further, in the lubricant supply device 3 according to the aspect described in (2) above, the place where the pressing member of the rotating member such as the detection rotating member 41 contacts is a plate shape, and the position where the pressing member contacts and rotates The opposite side across the rotation fulcrum of the member has a cylindrical shape, and the weight on the opposite side across the fulcrum of rotation of the rotating member is made heavier than the point of contact with the pressing member. .
By providing such a configuration, as described in the embodiment, the rotation direction due to the weight of the rotation member such as the detection rotation member 41 is opposite to the rotation direction due to the consumption of the solid lubricant 3b. Can do.

(4)
Further, in the lubricant supply device 3 according to the aspect described in (3) above, a regulation protrusion that abuts against a cylindrical inner peripheral surface of a rotating member such as the detecting rotating member 41 and restricts rotation due to its own weight. 43a.
By setting it as this structure, rotation of a rotation member can be controlled.

(5)
In the lubricant supply device 3 according to any one of the above (1) to (4), the pressing member for the rotating member such as the detecting rotating member 41 (in this embodiment, the lubricant holding member 3d The place on the opposite side is arranged above the place where the contact protrusion 31d abuts in the vertical direction.
By providing such a configuration, as described in the embodiment, it is possible to suppress the lubricant from adhering to the rotation detection unit such as the rotation detection unit 42.

(6)
The lubricant supply device 3 according to the aspect described in (5) above includes a storage case 3e for storing the solid lubricant 3b, and the remaining amount detection means such as the remaining amount detection unit 40 is provided outside the storage case 3e. Provided.
By providing such a configuration, as described in the embodiment, it is possible to suppress the lubricant from adhering to the rotation detection unit such as the rotation detection unit 42.

(7)
In the lubricant supply device 3 according to the aspect described in (5) above, the storage case 3e has an opening through which the push member (the contact protrusion 31d of the lubricant holding member 3d in this embodiment) passes. 34a is provided, and the pushing member abuts on a rotating member such as the detecting rotating member 41 on the outside of the storage case 3e.
By providing such a configuration, as described in the embodiment, it is possible to detect that the amount of solid lubricant is equal to or less than a predetermined amount by rotating the rotating member disposed outside the storage case 3e.

(8)
Further, in the lubricant supply device 3 according to the aspect described in (7) above, the remaining amount detecting means such as the remaining amount detecting unit 40 and the cover member 43 covering the opening 34a are provided.
By providing such a configuration, as described in the embodiment, the apparatus can be prevented from being contaminated by the lubricant scattered from the opening 31e. Further, scattered toner can be prevented from adhering to rotation detection means such as the rotation detection unit 42.

(9)
In the lubricant supply device 3 according to the aspect described in (7) or (8) above, a space in which the opening 31e is arranged and a space in which the remaining amount detecting means such as the remaining amount detecting unit 40 is arranged. A partitioning means such as a partition wall 43b for partitioning is provided.
With this configuration, as described in the embodiment, it is possible to suppress the lubricant powder that has entered the cover member 43 from the opening 31e from adhering to the rotation detection unit such as the rotation detection unit 42. .

(10)
Further, in the lubricant supply device 3 according to any one of the above (7) to (9), the remaining amount detecting means such as the remaining amount detecting unit 40 may be a supply member such as the application roller 3a and the solid lubricant 3b. It was arrange | positioned rather than the contact part of the supply member surface moving direction downstream.
By providing such a configuration, as described in the embodiment, the pressing member such as the contact protrusion 31d can be reliably brought into contact with the rotating member such as the detection rotating member 41.

(11)
In the lubricant supply device according to any one of the above (1) to (10),
The remaining amount detecting means such as the remaining amount detecting unit 41 is provided in the vicinity of both ends of the solid lubricant in the longitudinal direction.
By providing such a configuration, as described in the embodiment, even when the solid lubricant 3b has a different amount of lubricant in the longitudinal direction, the amount of lubricant at the end on the side where the amount of consumption is larger is near-end. It is possible to detect the state of becoming. As a result, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of problems such as exhaustion of the lubricant at one end of the solid lubricant and damage to the photoreceptor surface.

(12)
In the lubricant supply device 3 according to any one of the above (1) to (11), the remaining amount detecting means such as the remaining amount detecting unit 40 includes a first electrode member 42a and a first electrode member 42a. And a second electrode member 42b which is pushed toward the first electrode member 42a by a rotating member such as the detecting rotating member 41, and the first electrode member 42a and the second electrode member 42b It is detected that the remaining amount of the solid lubricant is equal to or less than a predetermined amount based on the presence or absence of conduction between them.
By providing such a configuration, the remaining amount detecting means can be configured by the first and second electrode members made of a relatively inexpensive material such as a sheet metal, so that it is more expensive than a sheet metal such as a photosensor. Compared with the case where the remaining amount detecting means is constituted by a member, the apparatus can be made inexpensive. Further, the second electrode member 42b is spaced from the first electrode member 42a until the solid lubricant is in a near-end state. Therefore, power is not consumed each time a near end is detected. As a result, until the near end is reached, the first electrode member and the second electrode member are in contact with each other and are in a conductive state. When the near end is reached, the first electrode member and the second electrode member are separated and are in a non-conductive state. Power consumption can be reduced compared to the above.

(13)
In the lubricant supply device according to any one of (1) to (12) above, the remaining amount detecting means such as the remaining amount detecting unit 40 detects the near-end state before the end of the solid lubricant 3b. .
By providing such a configuration, as described in the embodiment, the lubricant is supplied to the lubricant supply target such as the photoreceptor 1 until the solid lubricant 3b is ready and the replacement operation is started after the near-end detection. Can be prevented, and downtime of the apparatus can be suppressed.

(14)
In addition, the image bearing member such as the photosensitive member 1 and a lubricant supplying unit that supplies a lubricant to the surface of the image bearing member are provided, and the image on the image bearing member is finally transferred onto a recording material to In the image forming apparatus for forming an image on the recording material, the lubricant supply device according to any one of the above (1) to (13) is used as the lubricant supply means.
With this configuration, the near end of the lubricant can be detected well, and the image forming operation can be suppressed from being performed when the lubricant is exhausted. Thereby, deterioration of the photoreceptor can be suppressed over time.

(15)
Further, in a process cartridge having an image carrier such as the photosensitive member 1 and a lubricant supply means for supplying a lubricant to the surface of the image carrier and configured to be detachable from the image forming apparatus main body, lubrication As the agent supply means, the lubricant supply device according to any one of the above (1) to (13) was used.
With this configuration, the near end of the lubricant can be detected well, and the image forming operation can be suppressed from being performed when the lubricant is exhausted. Thereby, it is possible to provide a process cartridge capable of suppressing deterioration of the photoreceptor over time.

1: Photoconductor 3: Lubricant supply device 3a: Application roller 3b: Solid lubricant 3c: Pressing mechanism (pressure spring)
3d: Lubricant holding member 3e: Storage case 31d: Contact protrusion 31e: Opening 40: Remaining amount detection unit 41: Detection rotating member 41a: Detected unit 41b: Receiving unit 42: Rotation detection unit 42a: First Electrode member 42b: second electrode member 42c: resistance detector 43: cover member 43a: restricting projection 43b: partition wall 43c: rotating shaft 56: intermediate transfer belt 100: controller 300c: pressing mechanism 301a: swinging member 301b: Spring

JP-A-8-314346

Claims (15)

Solid lubricant,
A supply member for supplying the lubricant of the solid lubricant to a lubricant supply target;
In a lubricant supply device comprising a remaining amount detecting means for detecting that the remaining amount of the solid lubricant is a predetermined amount or less,
The remaining amount detecting means includes a rotating member that is rotatably provided, and a pressing member that rotates the rotating member by pressing the rotating member with consumption of the solid lubricant, and the pressing member of the rotating member. The lubricant supply device is characterized in that it is detected that the amount of the lubricant is equal to or less than a predetermined amount at a position on the opposite side across the rotation contact point of the rotating member and the rotation contact point of the rotating member. The lubricant supply device according to claim 1, wherein
The lubricant supply device according to claim 1, wherein the rotating direction of the rotating member due to its own weight is opposite to the rotating direction with consumption of the solid lubricant. The lubricant supply device according to claim 2, wherein
The portion of the rotating member with which the pressing member abuts has a plate-like shape, and the portion opposite the pressing member and the rotation fulcrum of the rotating member sandwiches the cylindrical shape, and contacts with the pressing member. The lubricant supply device characterized in that the weight on the opposite side across the fulcrum of rotation of the part and the rotating member is heavier than the part of contact with the pressing member. The lubricant supply device according to claim 3, wherein
A lubricant supply device, comprising: a restricting protrusion that abuts on a cylindrical inner peripheral surface of the rotating member to restrict rotation of the rotating member due to its own weight. In the lubricant supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The lubricant supply device according to claim 1, wherein the portion on the opposite side is disposed vertically above the portion where the push member of the rotating member abuts. The lubricant supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A storage case for storing the solid lubricant;
A lubricant supply device, wherein the remaining amount detecting means is provided outside a storage case. The lubricant supply device according to claim 6, wherein
The storage case is provided with an opening through which the push member passes, and the push member abuts on the rotating member on the outside of the storage case. The lubricant supply device according to claim 7, wherein
A lubricant supply device comprising a cover member that covers the remaining amount detecting means and the opening. The lubricant supply device according to claim 7 or 8,
A lubricant supply device comprising partition means for partitioning into a space in which the opening is arranged and a space in which the remaining amount detecting means is arranged. The lubricant supply device according to any one of claims 7 to 9,
The lubricant supply device, wherein the remaining amount detecting means is arranged on the downstream side of the supply member surface movement direction with respect to a contact portion between the supply member and the solid lubricant. The lubricant supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
The lubricant supply device, wherein the remaining amount detecting means is provided in the vicinity of both ends in the longitudinal direction of the solid lubricant. The lubricant supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
The remaining amount detecting means includes a first electrode member, and a second electrode member disposed opposite to the first electrode member and pushed toward the first electrode member by the rotating member, and the first electrode member A lubricant supply device that detects that the remaining amount of the solid lubricant is equal to or less than a predetermined amount based on the presence or absence of electrical continuity with the second electrode member. The lubricant supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 12,
The lubricant supply device, wherein the remaining amount detecting means detects a near-end state before the end of the solid lubricant. An image carrier and a lubricant supply means for supplying a lubricant to the surface of the image carrier, and transferring an image on the image carrier onto a recording material to form an image on the recording material In the image forming apparatus,
An image forming apparatus using the lubricant supply device according to claim 1 as the lubricant supply means. In a process cartridge that includes an image carrier and a lubricant supply unit that supplies a lubricant to the surface of the image carrier, and is configured to be detachable from the image forming apparatus main body.
14. A process cartridge using the lubricant supply device according to claim 1 as the lubricant supply means.

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