JP2014115384A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing a failure caused by change of viscosity of a lubricant due to an environmental change, when the lubricant is applied to a photoreceptor drum.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 100 includes a photoreceptor drum 1413, a first lubricant 191 whose viscosity is a predetermined viscosity or more, a second lubricant 192 whose viscosity is less than the predetermined viscosity, a lubricant applying part 182 applying one of the two lubricants 191 and 192 to the surface of the photoreceptor drum 1413, and a temperature detection part 180 detecting a temperature. When the temperature is a first temperature or more, the control part 200 controls the lubricant applying part 182, to apply the second lubricant 192 to the surface of the photoreceptor drum 1413. When the temperature is less than a second temperature lower than the first temperature, the control part 200 controls the lubricant applying part 182, to apply the first lubricant 191 to the surface of the photoreceptor drum 1413.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  In recent years, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus is provided with a lubricant application device that applies a lubricant having a lubricating action (for example, metal soap) to the photosensitive drum in order to improve the cleaning performance of the photosensitive drum. ing. By applying the lubricant to the photosensitive drum, the releasability of the toner developed on the photosensitive drum is improved (that is, the adhesive force with the surface of the photosensitive drum is reduced), and the transferability of the toner image is extended. Improved image quality stability. Further, the frictional resistance acting between the surface of the photosensitive drum and the cleaning member (for example, a cleaning blade) is reduced, and the life of the cleaning member can be extended.

The lubricant is generally solid, and the lubricant, which is scraped off with a lubricant application brush or the like, is applied to the photosensitive drum. The applied lubricant is fixed to the surface of the photosensitive drum by a leveling blade or the like.

  As a related technology of the lubricant application device, in order to ensure the uniformity of the lubricant applied to the surface of the photosensitive drum, the lubricant is divided in the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum, and each lubricant is applied to the photosensitive drum. A technique has been proposed in which a brush roller for applying a lubricant is configured to be able to contact and separate (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In addition, in order to achieve a uniform lubricant application state in the width direction of the photosensitive drum, a technique in which a lubricant application device for applying the lubricant to the surface of the photosensitive drum is provided at a plurality of locations on the outer periphery of the photosensitive drum. Has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP 2005-208431 A JP 2008-46301 A

  By the way, when the lubricant is applied to the photosensitive drum, the viscosity of the lubricant is lowered in a low-temperature and low-humidity environment, and the lubricant applied to the photosensitive drum cannot be uniformly leveled by the leveling blade, resulting in uneven coating. If uneven coating occurs, there is a risk that defective cleaning occurs in a portion that is not sufficiently applied, or wear of the cleaning member that comes into contact with the portion is accelerated. Furthermore, there is a risk that vertical stripes will occur in the transferred image due to variations in the wear of the cleaning member. Further, since the viscosity of the lubricant is remarkably lowered, a lot of lubricant particles that cannot be leveled by the leveling blade are generated, and the lubricant particles are taken into the developing device. When the lubricant particles are taken into the developing device, a phenomenon (toner scattering) in which the toner in the developer scatters and adheres to the image forming device occurs.

  On the other hand, in a high temperature and high humidity environment, the viscosity of the lubricant increases. Then, since the viscosity of the lubricant becomes extremely high, it becomes difficult to form a thin film of the lubricant on the photosensitive drum, and it takes a long time to form the thin film layer. In addition, since the viscosity of the lubricant is lowered, the contact time between the leveling blade and the lubricant is increased, the load applied to the leveling blade is increased, and the cut surface of the leveling blade is worn. Further, since the viscosity of the lubricant is lowered, the dust and scattered toner flying in the image forming apparatus are likely to adhere to the lubricant on the photosensitive drum, and the toner developed on the photosensitive drum. The releasability of is reduced. That is, the original function of the lubricant cannot be performed.

  The techniques described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are intended to prevent the occurrence of problems caused by the change in the viscosity of the lubricant in accordance with the change in the environment when the lubricant is applied to the photosensitive drum. Therefore, it does not have the structure for it.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing the occurrence of problems caused by the change in the viscosity of a lubricant according to environmental changes when a lubricant is applied to a photoreceptor. To do.

An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes:
A photoreceptor,
A plurality of lubricants having different viscosities,
A lubricant application part for applying any of the plurality of lubricants to the surface of the photoreceptor;
A temperature detector for detecting the temperature;
A control unit that controls the lubricant application unit according to the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit, and applies any one of the plurality of lubricants to the surface of the photoreceptor;
Is provided.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing the occurrence of problems caused by the change in the viscosity of the lubricant in accordance with the environmental change when the lubricant is applied to the photoreceptor. it can.

1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an image forming apparatus in the present embodiment. 3 is a control block diagram of the image forming apparatus in the present embodiment. FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the lubricant application part in this Embodiment. 3 is a flowchart showing a control operation of the image forming apparatus in the present embodiment. It is a figure which shows the modification of a structure of the lubricant application part in this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the modification of a structure of the lubricant application part in this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the modification of a structure of the lubricant application part in this Embodiment.

Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus 100]
An image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is an intermediate transfer type color image forming apparatus using electrophotographic process technology. The image forming apparatus 100 primarily transfers the C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black) toner images formed on the photosensitive drum to the intermediate transfer belt, and then the intermediate transfer belt. After the four color toner images are superimposed on each other, the image is formed by secondary transfer onto a recording sheet.

  The image forming apparatus 100 employs a tandem method in which photosensitive drums corresponding to four colors of CMYK are arranged in series in the running direction of the intermediate transfer belt, and each color toner image is sequentially transferred to the intermediate transfer belt in one step. ing.

  The image forming apparatus 100 includes an image reading unit 110, an operation display unit 120, an image processing unit 130, an image forming unit 140, a conveyance unit 150, a fixing unit 160, a temperature detection unit 180, a lubricant application unit 182 and a control unit 200. .

  The control unit 200 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 203, and the like. The CPU 201 reads a program corresponding to the processing content from the ROM 202 and develops it in the RAM 203, and centrally controls the operation of each block of the image forming apparatus 100 in cooperation with the developed program. At this time, various data stored in the storage unit 172 are referred to. The storage unit 172 includes, for example, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory (so-called flash memory) or a hard disk drive.

  The control unit 200 transmits and receives various data to and from an external device (for example, a personal computer) connected to a communication network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network) via the communication unit 171. Do. For example, the control unit 200 receives image data transmitted from an external device, and forms an image on a recording sheet based on the image data (input image data). The communication unit 171 includes a communication control card such as a LAN card, for example.

  The image reading unit 110 includes an automatic document feeder 111 called an ADF (Auto Document Feeder), a document image scanning device (scanner) 112, and the like.

  The automatic document feeder 111 transports the document D placed on the document tray by the transport mechanism and sends it to the document image scanning device 112. The automatic document feeder 111 can continuously read images (including both sides) of the document D placed on the document tray.

  The document image scanning device 112 optically scans the document D transported on the contact glass from the automatic document feeder 111 or the document D placed on the contact glass, and reflects light from the document D to the CCD ( The image is formed on the light receiving surface of the (charge coupled device) sensor 112a and the original image is read. The image reading unit 110 generates input image data based on the reading result by the document image scanning device 112. The input image data is subjected to predetermined image processing in the image processing unit 130.

  The operation display unit 120 is configured by, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) with a touch panel, and functions as the display unit 121 and the operation unit 122. The display unit 121 displays various operation screens, image status display, operation status of each function, and the like according to a display control signal input from the control unit 200. The operation unit 122 includes various operation keys such as a numeric keypad and a start key, receives various input operations by the user, and outputs an operation signal to the control unit 200.

  The image processing unit 130 includes a circuit that performs digital image processing on input image data according to initial settings or user settings. For example, the image processing unit 130 performs tone correction based on tone correction data (tone correction table) under the control of the control unit 200. Further, the image processing unit 130 performs various correction processes such as color correction and shading correction, a compression process, and the like on the input image data in addition to the gradation correction. Based on the image data subjected to these processes, the image forming unit 140 is controlled.

  The image forming unit 140 forms image with each color toner of Y component, M component, C component, and K component based on the input image data, and image forming units 141Y, 141M, 141C, 141K and intermediate transfer unit 142. Etc.

  The image forming units 141Y, 141M, 141C, and 141K for the Y component, M component, C component, and K component have the same configuration. For convenience of illustration and description, common constituent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and in order to distinguish them, Y, M, C, or K is added to the reference numerals. In FIG. 1, only the components of the image forming unit 141Y for the Y component are denoted by reference numerals, and the reference numerals are omitted for the components of the other image forming units 141M, 141C, and 141K.

  The configuration of the image forming unit 141 will be described using the image forming unit 141Y. The image forming unit 141Y includes an exposure device 1411, a developing device 1412, a photosensitive drum 1413, a charging device 1414, a drum cleaning device 1415, and the like.

  The photosensitive drum 1413 has, for example, an undercoat layer (UCL), a charge generation layer (CGL), a charge transport layer (CGL) on the peripheral surface of an aluminum conductive cylinder (aluminum tube). It is a negatively charged organic photoreceptor (OPC: Organic Photo-conductor) in which CTL (Charge Transport Layer) is sequentially laminated.

  The charging device 1414 uniformly charges the surface of the photoconductive drum 1413 to a negative polarity. The exposure device 1411 is composed of, for example, a semiconductor laser, and irradiates the photosensitive drum 1413 with laser light corresponding to the image of each color component. A positive charge is generated in the charge generation layer of the photosensitive drum 1413 and is transported to the surface of the charge transport layer, whereby the surface charge (negative charge) of the photosensitive drum 1413 is neutralized. An electrostatic latent image of each color component is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1413 due to a potential difference from the surroundings.

  The developing device 1412 contains a developer of each color component (for example, a two-component developer composed of a toner having a small particle diameter and a magnetic material (carrier)), and the toner of each color component is placed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1413. By attaching it, the electrostatic latent image is visualized to form a toner image.

  The drum cleaning device 1415 has a drum cleaning blade that is in sliding contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 1413. Transfer residual toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1413 after the primary transfer is scraped off and removed by a drum cleaning blade.

  The intermediate transfer unit 142 includes an intermediate transfer belt 1421, a primary transfer roller 1422, a secondary transfer roller 1423, a driving roller 1424, a driven roller 1425, a belt cleaning device 1426, and the like.

  The intermediate transfer belt 1421 is constituted by an endless belt, and is stretched around a driving roller 1424 and a driven roller 1425. Intermediate transfer belt 1421 travels at a constant speed in the direction of arrow A by the rotation of drive roller 1424. When the intermediate transfer belt 1421 is brought into pressure contact with the photosensitive drum 1413 by the primary transfer roller 1422, each color toner image is sequentially superimposed and primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 1421. When the intermediate transfer belt 1421 is pressed against the recording paper S by the secondary transfer roller 1423, the toner image primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 1421 is secondarily transferred to the recording paper S.

  The belt cleaning device 1426 has a belt cleaning blade that is in sliding contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 1421. Transfer residual toner remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 1421 after the secondary transfer is scraped off and removed by a belt cleaning blade.

  The fixing unit 160 fixes the toner image on the recording sheet S by heating and pressurizing the conveyed recording sheet S at the fixing nip. The fixing unit 160 includes a fixing unit 161 and an air separation unit 162. The fixing unit 161 passes the recording sheet S through a fixing nip formed by pressing a pair of fixing members, and applies heat from a heat source to the toner image transferred onto the recording sheet S. Then, the toner image is fixed on the recording paper S. The air separation unit 162 separates the recording sheet S from the fixing member by outputting compressed air toward the recording sheet S from the discharge side of the recording sheet S in the fixing nip portion.

  The transport unit 150 includes a paper feed unit 151, a transport mechanism 152, a paper discharge unit 153, and the like. In the three paper feed tray units 151a to 151c constituting the paper feed unit 151, for each type of recording paper (standard paper, special paper) S that is identified based on the basis weight, size, etc. of the recording paper is set in advance. Is housed in.

  The recording sheets S accommodated in the sheet feed tray units 151a to 151c are sent one by one from the top and conveyed to the image forming unit 140 by a conveyance mechanism 152 having a plurality of conveyance rollers such as registration rollers 152a. . At this time, the registration unit provided with the registration rollers 152a corrects the inclination of the fed recording paper S and adjusts the conveyance timing. Then, in the image forming unit 140, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 1421 is secondarily transferred onto one surface of the recording paper S at once, and a fixing process is performed in the fixing unit 160. The recording sheet S on which the image is formed is discharged out of the image forming apparatus 100 by a paper discharge unit 153 provided with a paper discharge roller 153a. In the present embodiment, the process speed for forming the toner image, that is, the conveyance speed of the recording paper S by the conveyance mechanism 152 is 300 [mm / sec].

  The temperature detection unit 180 detects the temperature in the image forming apparatus 100. The temperature detection unit 180 outputs the temperature to the control unit 200 every time the temperature in the image forming apparatus 100 is detected.

[Configuration of Lubricant Application Unit 182]
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, a lubricant application unit 182 that applies a solid lubricant to the photosensitive drum 1413 is disposed downstream of the drum cleaning blade 190 with respect to the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 1413. Is provided.

  The lubricant application part 182 includes a first lubricant 191, a second lubricant 192, an application brush 193, a leveling member 194, a lubricant holding sheet metal 195, and a contact / separation part 196. The lubricant application unit 182 is provided in each of the image forming units 141Y, 141M, 141C, and 141K.

  For example, the application brush 193 is a metal shaft having an outer diameter of 14 [mm], and a bundle of acrylic fibers is woven into a loop shape having a height of 2.5 [mm] on a base fabric having a thickness of 0.5 [mm]. It is constructed by wrapping what is planted in. The application brush 193 is positioned so that the application brush 193 bites into the photosensitive drum 1413 by about 1.0 [mm]. The application brush 193 rotates at, for example, 400 [mm / second] in the same direction as the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 1413. The application brush 193 is rotationally driven by a control signal from the control unit 200.

  The first lubricant 191 is formed by solidifying calcium oleate, a metal soap having a viscosity equal to or higher than a predetermined viscosity. The first lubricant 191 is formed in the depth direction in the drawing in the same length as the axial length of the photosensitive drum 1413.

  The second lubricant 192 is formed by solidifying zinc stearate, a metal soap having a viscosity less than a predetermined viscosity. The second lubricant 192 is formed in the depth direction in the drawing in the same length as the axial length of the photosensitive drum 1413.

  In this embodiment, the viscosity is expressed as Mooney viscosity. The smaller the Mooney viscosity value, the lower the viscosity. The predetermined viscosity is 62.8. The Mooney viscosity of calcium oleate is 63.1. The Mooney viscosity of zinc stearate is 62.5. Here, a method for measuring the viscosity of zinc stearate and calcium oleate will be described. First, zinc stearate (0.5 part by weight) and calcium oleate (0.5 part by weight) are added to 100 parts by weight of natural rubber (RSS # 4). Next, it is kneaded sufficiently at a high temperature of 130 [° C.] using a Banbury mixer. And immediately after kneading, the Mooney viscosity of zinc stearate and calcium oleate is measured using a measuring machine. As a measuring machine, for example, it is preferable to use Mooney viscosity measuring machine MVM11 manufactured by M & K Corporation. When measuring the viscosity of zinc stearate and calcium oleate, a viscosity / viscoelasticity measuring device “MARS” may be used.

  As the first and second lubricants 191, 192, lead oleate, zinc oleate, copper oleate, calcium oleate, zinc stearate, cobalt stearate, iron stearate, copper stearate, metal fatty acid, Talc, or polytetrafluoroethylene, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, tetrafluoroethylene, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, tetrafluoroethylene, copolymers with ethylene, fluororesin such as polyvinylidene fluoride, and fluororesin Two lubricants having different viscosities may be arbitrarily selected and used from fiberized materials such as fluorinated fibers, polyfluorocarbon, and polytetrafluoroethylene.

  The viscosity of the lubricant depends on the atomic radius and the length of the side chain of the molecule. Specifically, the larger the atomic radius, the lower the viscosity, and the longer the side chain of the molecule, the lower the viscosity. Therefore, as the first and second lubricants 191 and 192, two lubricants having different atomic radii or molecular side chain lengths may be arbitrarily selected and used.

  The lubricant holding metal plate 195 holds the first lubricant 191 on one end side, and holds the second lubricant 192 on the other end side.

  The coating brush 193 scrapes off the first and second lubricants 191 and 192 with the bristles of the rotating coating brush 193, and fine particles of the scraped first and second lubricants 191 and 192 are collected on the photosensitive drum 1413. Apply to the surface. As a material of the hair of the application brush 193, it is preferable to use SA-7 in order to scrape the first and second lubricants 191 and 192 uniformly and apply them to the surface of the photosensitive drum 1413. The leveling member 194 is a blade provided on the downstream side of the application brush 193 with respect to the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 1413. The leveling member 194 makes the distribution of the first and second lubricants 191 and 192 applied to the surface of the photosensitive drum 1413 by the application brush 193 uniform. The first and second lubricants 191 and 192 are thinly extended by passing through the leveling member 194 and fixed to the surface of the photosensitive drum 1413.

  Under the control of the control unit 200, the contact / separation unit 196 brings either one of the first and second lubricants 191, 192 into contact with the application brush 193 and separates the other from the application brush 193. FIG. 3A shows a state in which the contact / separation part 196 brings the first lubricant 191 into contact with the application brush 193 and separates the second lubricant 192 from the application brush 193. In order to bring the second lubricant 192 into contact with the application brush 193 and separate the first lubricant 191 from the application brush 193 from this state, first, the lubricant holding metal plate 195 is moved upward in the drawing. One lubricant 191 is separated from the application brush 193. For the movement of the lubricant holding metal plate 195, a slide cam, a motor for rotating the slide cam, or the like is used.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 3B, the lubricant holding sheet metal 195 is rotated counterclockwise in the drawing until the second lubricant 192 comes to a position facing the application brush 193. Finally, as shown in FIG. 3C, the lubricant holding sheet metal 195 is moved downward in the figure to bring the second lubricant 192 into contact with the application brush 193. The first and second lubricants 191 and 192 press the application brush 193 with their own weight in a state where they are in contact with the application brush 193.

  Next, the control operation of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Each process shown in FIG. 4 is executed at predetermined intervals (for example, every time a predetermined time elapses or every time a predetermined number of print processes are performed).

[Control Operation of Image Forming Apparatus 100]
First, the temperature detection unit 180 detects the temperature in the image forming apparatus 100 (step S100). The temperature detection unit 180 outputs the detected temperature to the control unit 200. Next, the control unit 200 determines whether or not the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 180 is equal to or higher than the first temperature (in this embodiment, 30 [° C.]) (that is, whether the temperature is high). (Step S120).

  As a result of this determination, when the temperature is 30 [° C.] or higher (step S120, YES), the control unit 200 controls the contact / separation unit 196 to bring the second lubricant 192 into contact with the application brush 193, and One lubricant 191 is separated from the application brush 193 (step S140). As a result, the second lubricant 192 is scraped off by the application brush 193 and applied to the photosensitive drum 1413. When the process of step S140 is completed, the image forming apparatus 100 ends the process in FIG.

  On the other hand, when the temperature is not 30 [° C.] or higher (step S120, NO), the controller 200 detects that the temperature detected by the temperature detector 180 is less than the second temperature (10 [° C.] in the present embodiment). It is determined whether it is (that is, it is low temperature) (step S160). As a result of this determination, if the temperature is less than 10 [° C.] (step S160, YES), the control unit 200 controls the contact / separation unit 196 to bring the first lubricant 191 into contact with the application brush 193, and The second lubricant 192 is separated from the application brush 193 (step S180). As a result, the first lubricant 191 is scraped off by the application brush 193 and applied to the photosensitive drum 1413. When the process of step S180 is completed, the image forming apparatus 100 ends the process in FIG.

  On the other hand, when the temperature is not less than 10 [° C.] (step S160, NO), the control unit 200 controls the contact / separation unit 196 to bring the second lubricant 192 into contact with the application brush 193, and the first lubricant. 191 is separated from the application brush 193 (step S200). As a result, the second lubricant 192 is scraped off by the application brush 193 and applied to the photosensitive drum 1413. When the process of step S200 is completed, the image forming apparatus 100 ends the process in FIG.

  As described above in detail, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes the photosensitive drum 1413, the first lubricant 191 having a viscosity equal to or higher than the predetermined viscosity, and the second lubrication having a viscosity lower than the predetermined viscosity. And a lubricant application unit 182 that applies one of the two lubricants 191 and 192 to the surface of the photosensitive drum 1413, and a temperature detection unit 180 that detects the temperature. When the temperature is equal to or higher than the first temperature, the control unit 200 controls the lubricant application unit 182 to apply the second lubricant 192 to the surface of the photosensitive drum 1413, while the temperature is higher than the first temperature. When the temperature is lower than the low second temperature, the lubricant application unit 182 is controlled to apply the first lubricant 191 to the surface of the photosensitive drum 1413.

  According to this embodiment configured as described above, in a high temperature environment where the viscosity of the lubricant is high, the second lubricant 192 having a viscosity less than a predetermined viscosity is applied to the surface of the photosensitive drum 1413. In a low-temperature environment where the viscosity of the lubricant is low, the first lubricant 191 having a viscosity equal to or higher than a predetermined viscosity is applied to the surface of the photosensitive drum 1413. Therefore, the viscosity of the lubricant applied to the surface of the photosensitive drum 1413 is maintained at a suitable value regardless of the temperature environment. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of problems caused by the change in the viscosity of the lubricant in accordance with the environmental change.

  In the above embodiment, an example in which one of two lubricants having different viscosities depending on the temperature in the image forming apparatus 100 is applied to the surface of the photosensitive drum 1413 has been described. It is not limited to. For example, one of three lubricants having different viscosities may be applied to the surface of the photosensitive drum 1413 according to the temperature in the image forming apparatus 100. In this case, when the temperature in the image forming apparatus 100 is high, a lubricant having the lowest viscosity is applied to the surface of the photosensitive drum 1413. Further, when the temperature in the image forming apparatus 100 is normal temperature, a lubricant having the second highest viscosity is applied to the surface of the photosensitive drum 1413. When the temperature in the image forming apparatus 100 is low, a lubricant having the highest viscosity is applied to the surface of the photosensitive drum 1413.

  In the above embodiment, an example in which the second lubricant 192 is applied to the surface of the photosensitive drum 1413 when the temperature in the image forming apparatus 100 is not high and not low has been described. The lubricant 191 may be applied to the surface of the photosensitive drum 1413. This is because when the temperature in the image forming apparatus 100 is not high and not low, the viscosity of the lubricant does not change greatly.

  In the above embodiment, as a specific configuration of the lubricant application part 182, the contact / separation part 196 contacts one of the first and second lubricants 191 and 192 with the application brush 193 and the other. Although an example of separating from the application brush 193 has been described, the present invention is not limited to this.

  For example, the lubricant application unit 182 may have the configuration shown in FIG. That is, the lubricant application unit 182 brings the first lubricant 191 into contact with the application brush 193 and the first contact / separation part 210 that separates the first lubricant 191 from the application brush 193, and the second And a second contact / separation portion 212 for bringing the lubricant 192 into contact with the application brush 193 and separating the second lubricant 192 from the application brush 193. When the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 180 is equal to or higher than the first temperature, the control unit 200 controls the first and second contact / separation units 210 and 212 to apply the second lubricant 192 to the application brush 193. And the first lubricant 191 is separated from the application brush 193. When the temperature is lower than the second temperature, the first and second contact / separation portions 210 and 212 are controlled, and the first lubricant 191 is separated from the application brush 193. The lubricant 191 is brought into contact with the application brush 193, and the second lubricant 192 is separated from the application brush 193. FIG. 5A shows a state in which the first lubricant 191 is in contact with the application brush 193. FIG. 5B shows a state where the first lubricant 191 is separated from the application brush 193. FIG. 5C shows a state in which the second lubricant 192 is in contact with the application brush 193.

  Moreover, the structure shown in FIG. 6 may be sufficient as the lubrication agent application part 182. FIG. That is, the lubricant application unit 182 contacts the photoconductor drum 1413, scrapes the first lubricant 191 and applies it to the photoconductor drum 1413, and the photoconductor drum 1413. The second lubricant 192 is scraped off and applied to the photosensitive drum 1413, the first lubricant 191 is brought into contact with the first application brush 220, and the first lubricant 191 is contacted. The first contact / separation portion 210 that separates the first application brush 220 from the first application brush 220, the second lubricant 192 is brought into contact with the second application brush 222, and the second lubricant 192 is supplied to the second application brush 222. And a second contact / separation portion 212 that is separated from the second contact portion 212. When the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 180 is equal to or higher than the first temperature, the control unit 200 controls the first and second contact / separation units 210 and 212 so that the second lubricant 192 is supplied to the second lubricant 192. When the temperature of the first lubricant 191 is separated from the first application brush 220 while being in contact with the application brush 222 and the temperature is lower than the second temperature, the first and second contact / separation portions 210 and 212 are moved. And the first lubricant 191 is brought into contact with the first application brush 220 and the second lubricant 192 is separated from the second application brush 222. FIG. 6A shows a state in which the second lubricant 192 is in contact with the second application brush 222. FIG. 6B shows a state where the second lubricant 192 is separated from the second application brush 222. FIG. 6C shows a state where the first lubricant 191 is in contact with the first application brush 220.

  Moreover, the structure shown in FIG. 7 may be sufficient as the lubrication agent application part 182. FIG. That is, the lubricant application unit 182 contacts the first lubricant 191, scrapes the first lubricant 191 and applies it to the photosensitive drum 1413, and the second lubricant 192. , The second lubricant 192 is scraped off and applied to the photosensitive drum 1413, and the first lubricant 191 and the first application brush 220 are applied to the surface of the photosensitive drum 1413. A first contact / separation part 210 that makes the first lubricant 191 and the first application brush 220 separate from the surface of the photosensitive drum 1413, and the second lubricant 192 and the second application brush 222 are brought into contact with each other. And a second contact / separation part 212 for separating the second lubricant 192 and the second application brush 222 from the surface of the photosensitive drum 1413. To. When the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 180 is equal to or higher than the first temperature, the control unit 200 controls the first and second contact / separation units 210 and 212 to control the first lubricant 191 and the first lubricant 191. When the application brush 220 is separated from the surface of the photosensitive drum 1413 and the second lubricant 192 and the second application brush 222 are brought into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 1413, while the temperature is lower than the second temperature. The first and second contact / separation portions 210 and 212 are controlled to bring the first lubricant 191 and the first application brush 220 into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 1413, and the second lubricant 192 and the second lubricant 192 The application brush 222 is separated from the surface of the photosensitive drum 1413. FIG. 7A shows a state where the second lubricant 192 and the second application brush 222 are in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 1413. FIG. 7B shows a state where the second lubricant 192 and the second application brush 222 are separated from the surface of the photosensitive drum 1413. FIG. 7C shows a state in which the first lubricant 191 and the first application brush 220 are in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 1413.

  As the configuration of the lubricant application part 182, it is preferable to employ FIGS. 3 and 4 among the configurations shown in FIGS. This is because it is only necessary to provide one application brush, and the cost and space can be reduced as compared with the case where two application brushes are provided.

  In addition, each of the above-described embodiments is merely an example of actualization in carrying out the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed as being limited thereto. That is, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist or the main features thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Image forming apparatus 110 Image reading part 120 Operation display part 121 Display part 122 Operation part 130 Image processing part 140 Image forming part 150 Conveyance part 160 Fixing part 161 Fixing unit 162 Air separation unit 171 Communication part 172 Storage part 180 Temperature detection part 182 Lubricant application part 191 First lubricant 192 Second lubricant 193 Application brush 194 Leveling member 196 Contact / separation part 200 Control part 210 First contact / separation part 212 Second contact / separation part 220 First application brush 222 Second application brush 1413 Photosensitive drum

Claims (6)

A photoreceptor,
A plurality of lubricants having different viscosities,
A lubricant application part for applying any of the plurality of lubricants to the surface of the photoreceptor;
A temperature detector for detecting the temperature;
A control unit that controls the lubricant application unit according to the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit, and applies any one of the plurality of lubricants to the surface of the photoreceptor;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The plurality of lubricants are:
A first lubricant having a viscosity equal to or higher than a predetermined viscosity;
A second lubricant having a viscosity less than the predetermined viscosity;
Including
When the temperature is equal to or higher than the first temperature, the control unit controls the lubricant application unit to apply the second lubricant to the surface of the photoconductor, while the temperature is the first temperature. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the temperature is lower than a second temperature lower than the temperature, the lubricant application unit is controlled to apply the first lubricant to the surface of the photoreceptor. The lubricant application part is
An application brush that contacts the photoconductor, scrapes off one of the first and second lubricants, and coats the photoconductor;
A contact / separation portion for bringing either one of the first and second lubricants into contact with the application brush and separating the other from the application brush;
Have
When the temperature is equal to or higher than the first temperature, the control unit controls the contact / separation unit to bring the second lubricant into contact with the application brush, and to apply the first lubricant to the application brush. When the temperature is lower than the second temperature, the contact / separation portion is controlled to bring the first lubricant into contact with the application brush, and the second lubricant is applied to the application brush. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus is separated from the image forming apparatus. The lubricant application part is
An application brush that contacts the photoconductor, scrapes off one of the first and second lubricants, and coats the photoconductor;
A first contact / separation part for bringing the first lubricant into contact with the application brush, and for separating the first lubricant from the application brush;
A second contacting / separating part for bringing the second lubricant into contact with the application brush, and for separating the second lubricant from the application brush;
Have
When the temperature is equal to or higher than the first temperature, the control unit controls the first and second contact / separation units to bring the second lubricant into contact with the application brush, While separating the lubricant from the application brush, when the temperature is lower than the second temperature, the first and second contact / separation portions are controlled to contact the first lubricant with the application brush. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second lubricant is separated from the application brush. The lubricant application part is
A first application brush that contacts the photoconductor and scrapes off the first lubricant to apply to the photoconductor;
A second application brush that contacts the photoconductor, scrapes off the second lubricant and applies it to the photoconductor;
A first contact / separation portion for bringing the first lubricant into contact with the first application brush, and separating the first lubricant from the first application brush;
A second contact / separation part for bringing the second lubricant into contact with the second application brush, and separating the second lubricant from the second application brush;
Have
When the temperature is equal to or higher than the first temperature, the control unit controls the first and second contact / separation units, separates the first lubricant from the first application brush, and While the second lubricant is brought into contact with the second application brush, when the temperature is lower than the second temperature, the first and second contact / separation portions are controlled, and the first lubricant The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first lubricant is brought into contact with the first application brush, and the second lubricant is separated from the second application brush. The lubricant application part is
A first application brush that contacts the first lubricant, scrapes the first lubricant, and applies it to the photoreceptor;
A second application brush that contacts the second lubricant, scrapes the second lubricant, and applies it to the photoreceptor;
The first lubricant and the first application brush are brought into contact with the surface of the photoconductor, and the first lubricant and the first application brush are separated from the surface of the photoconductor. The contact and separation part,
The second lubricant and the second application brush are brought into contact with the surface of the photoconductor, and the second lubricant and the second application brush are separated from the surface of the photoconductor. The contact and separation part,
Have
When the temperature is equal to or higher than the first temperature, the control unit controls the first and second contact / separation units, and the first lubricant and the first application brush are disposed on the photoconductor. When the temperature is lower than the second temperature while the second lubricant and the second application brush are brought into contact with the surface of the photoreceptor while being separated from the surface, the first and second contacts The separation portion is controlled, the first lubricant and the first application brush are brought into contact with the surface of the photoreceptor, and the second lubricant and the second application brush are separated from the surface of the photoreceptor. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2.

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