JP2014178658A - Lubricant application device and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively use the weight of a member for holding a lubricant as a contact pressure with an application roller to stabilize application performance of the lubricant, and reduce the size of a device.SOLUTION: There is provided a lubricant application device having an application roller 30 that comes into rotary contact with the surface of a photoreceptor drum 2 being an application object to apply a solid lubricant. The lubricant application device has an arm member 31 disposed so as to cover an upper part of the solid lubricant arranged above the application roller 30, and the arm member 31 is rotatably supported with a base end side as a rotary fulcrum 32a. The lubricant application device includes electric resistance detection means 36 for detecting rotational displacement of the arm member 31 with the rotary fulcrum 32a as the center due to wear of the solid lubricant.

Description

  The present invention relates to a lubricant application device, a process unit including the lubricant application device, and an image forming apparatus.

  In image forming apparatuses such as copiers, printers, facsimiles, and composite machines thereof, a solid lubricant such as zinc stearate is applied to a photosensitive drum, an intermediate transfer belt, and the like by a lubricant application roller to protect and reduce this. It has been attempted to increase the friction coefficient, improve the cleaning property and transfer property, and extend the life. For example, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-27135) and Patent Document 2 that use a coating roller in contact with a photoconductor and a solid lubricant as a coating device that applies a solid lubricant to the surface of the photoconductor drum. A lubricant coating device (Japanese Patent No. 3406999) is known.

  FIG. 19A shows a partial cross section of a process unit provided with a lubricant application device of Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2012-27135). A charging roller 45, a charging cleaning roller 46, a cleaning blade 50, a waste toner collecting coil 51, a coating roller 52, a lubricant 53, an arm member 54, a pressure spring 55, and the like are disposed on the outer periphery of the photosensitive drum 2. . The residual toner on the photosensitive drum 2 is removed by the cleaning blade 50, and the removed toner is conveyed to a waste toner bottle (not shown) by a waste toner collecting coil 51.

  The lubricant 53 is provided over almost the entire width of the application roller 52 as shown in FIG. 19B, the front side (upper side) is in contact with the application roller 52, and the back side (lower side) is a lubricant holding member 56 with a double-sided adhesive tape, adhesive, or the like. It is being fixed to the arm member 54 via.

  If the photoconductive drum 2 is rotated while the solid lubricant 53 is consumed and lost, the photoconductive drum 2 is easily damaged, and transferability and the like are also deteriorated. Therefore, the lubricant application device disclosed in Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent No. 3406999) includes a display unit that displays that the solid lubricant is exhausted. 20A to 20C show a lubricant application device of Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent No. 3406999). A lubricant application device is disposed on the downstream side of the cleaning blade 50. In this lubricant application device, the rear end portion of the lubricant 63 is supported by a rotatable holding member 64, and the lower surface of the lubricant 63 is in contact with the application roller 52.

  A switch button 65a of a push switch 65 as a detecting means is in contact with an operation portion 64a extending upward from the holding member 64. When the lubricant 63 is exhausted, the holding member 64 rotates clockwise by its own weight as shown in FIG. 20B, and the operation portion 64a of the holding member 64 moves away from the switch button 65a. As a result, the push switch 65 is activated, and a signal from the push switch 65 is sent to the display means 66 via the CPU of the image forming apparatus main body. In the display means 66, a character prompting the user to “replace” is displayed in the display window 66a because the solid lubricant 27 has disappeared. At the same time, the driving of the photosensitive drum 2 is stopped. FIG. 20C is for explaining a problem described later when the application roller 52 is disposed close to the holding member 64 for compactness.

  In the apparatus of Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2012-27135), a lubricant 53, an arm member 54, and a pressure spring 55 are linearly arranged in the radial direction of the photosensitive drum 2, and the pressure spring 55 The lubricant 53 is forcibly pressed against the application roller 52 by force. For this reason, a space corresponding to the total length of the lubricant 53, the arm member 54, and the pressure spring 55 is required, and it is difficult to make the apparatus compact, and the degree of freedom in layout is small. Further, since the weight of the arm member 54 acts on the pressure spring 55, the force of the pressure spring 55 is reduced.

  In the apparatus of Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent No. 3406999), the rear end portion of the lubricant 63 is supported by the holding member 64 and the lower surface on the front end side of the lubricant 63 is brought into contact with the application roller 52. The weight of 64 cannot effectively act on the lubricant 63. Therefore, when the remaining amount of the lubricant 63 is reduced, the contact pressure with the application roller 52 may be reduced, and the amount of lubricant used may be reduced.

  If the application roller 52 is disposed close to the holding member 64 for compactness as shown in FIG. 20C, the tip of the holding member 64 comes into contact with the application roller 52 when the lubricant 53 is consumed over time (dotted line). Circled part). Then, since the holding member 64 does not move any more, the detection mechanism by the push switch 65 does not work. On the other hand, since the lubricant 53 cannot be lowered to the application roller 52 side, the lubricant 53 is not applied to the application roller 30.

  An object of the present invention is to stabilize the application performance of the lubricant and to make the apparatus compact by effectively utilizing the weight of the member holding the lubricant as the contact pressure with the application roller.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a lubricant application device according to the present invention includes an application roller that rotates and contacts a surface of an object to be applied to apply a solid lubricant, and a solid lubricant that is disposed in contact with the upper part of the application roller. The top side of the agent is covered so as to cover the top side, and the base end side is supported rotatably around a predetermined rotation fulcrum arranged in such a manner that the application roller is sandwiched between the application target object and the application object. And a detecting means for detecting a rotational displacement of the arm member around the rotation fulcrum as the solid lubricant is consumed.

  In the present invention, the solid lubricant is held at the tip side of the arm member so as to cover the upper side thereof, so that the weight of the arm member in addition to the weight of the solid lubricant can also act as a contact pressure with the application roller. it can. Therefore, the required contact pressure can be easily ensured even when the remaining amount of the solid lubricant is low, and the application amount is stabilized with a compact configuration without providing a separate pressurizing means. be able to.

1 is a schematic view of an image forming apparatus using a lubricant application device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing of the process unit using the lubricant coating device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a side view at the time of new lubricant of the lubricant application device concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view at the time of lubricant life of the lubricant application device concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view at the time of new lubricant of the lubricant application device concerning a 2nd embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view at the time of lubricant life of the lubricant application device concerning a 2nd embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view at the time of new lubricant of the lubricant application device concerning a 3rd embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view at the time of lubricant life of the lubricant application device concerning a 3rd embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view at the time of new lubricant of a lubricant application device concerning a 4th embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view at the time of lubricant life of the lubricant application device concerning a 4th embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view at the time of new lubricant of a lubricant application device concerning a 5th embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view at the time of lubricant life of the lubricant application device concerning a 5th embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view at the time of new lubricant of a lubricant application device concerning a 6th embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view at the time of lubricant life of the lubricant application device concerning a 6th embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view at the time of new lubricant of a lubricant application device concerning a 7th embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view at the time of lubricant life of the lubricant application device concerning a 7th embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view at the time of the new lubricant of the lubricant application device concerning an 8th embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view at the time of lubricant life of the lubricant application device concerning an 8th embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view at the time of new lubricant of the lubricant application device concerning a 9th embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view at the time of lubricant life of the lubricant application device concerning a 9th embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view at the time of the new lubricant of the lubricant application device concerning a 10th embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view at the time of lubricant life of the lubricant application device concerning a 10th embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view at the time of the new lubricant of the lubricant application device concerning an 11th embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view at the time of lubricant life of the lubricant application device concerning an 11th embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view at the time of the new article of lubricant of the lubricant application device concerning a 12th embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view at the time of lubricant life of the lubricant application device concerning a 12th embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view at the time of the new article of lubricant of the lubricant application device concerning a 13th embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view at the time of lubricant life of the lubricant application device concerning a 13th embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view at the time of the new article of lubricant of the lubricant application device concerning a 14th embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view at the time of lubricant life of the lubricant application device concerning a 14th embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view at the time of new lubricant of the lubricant application device concerning a 15th embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view at the time of lubricant life of the lubricant application device concerning a 15th embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view at the time of the new article of lubricant of the lubricant application device concerning a 16th embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view at the time of lubricant life of the lubricant application device concerning a 16th embodiment of the present invention. It is a general | schematic partial side view of the process unit using the conventional lubricant application apparatus. It is a front view of the lubricant application device of FIG. 19A. It is a side view at the time of the new article of lubricant of other conventional lubricant application devices. FIG. 20B is a side view of the lubricant application device of FIG. It is a side view at the time of arrange | positioning the applicator roller of the lubricant applicator of FIG. 20A close to a holding member.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a paper feeding device of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each drawing for explaining this embodiment, constituent elements such as members and components having the same function or shape are given the same reference numerals as much as possible to distinguish them, and then the explanation will be given. Is omitted.

(Image forming device)

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 includes four process units 1Y, 1C, 1M, and 1Bk as image forming units. The process units 1Y, 1C, 1M, and 1Bk have the same configuration except that they contain toners of different colors of yellow, cyan, magenta, and black corresponding to the color separation components of the color image.

  Specifically, each of the process units 1Y, 1C, 1M, and 1Bk includes a photosensitive drum 2 as an image carrier and a charging device 3 that charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 2. Further, the image forming apparatus includes a developing device 4 that forms a toner image on the photosensitive drum 2 and a cleaning device 5 that cleans the surface of the photosensitive drum 2. Further, a lubricant application device 6 for applying a lubricant to the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 is provided. The process units 1Y, 1C, 1M, and 1Bk are configured to be detachable integrally with the image forming apparatus main body 10.

  The toner used in this apparatus is a polymerized toner having a spherical shape and a uniform particle size. According to the present invention, since a good lubricant coating layer can be formed on the surface of the photoreceptor, the cleaning performance can be improved by stabilizing the behavior of the cleaning blade, thereby greatly reducing the ratio of residual toner that passes through the cleaning blade. be able to. In addition, high-quality image formation can be achieved by improving the development characteristics and transferability of the polymer toner having a spherical shape and a uniform small particle size.

  A toner bottle 7 filled with toner of each color is provided on the upper portion of the image forming apparatus main body 10. Each color toner in the toner bottle 7 is transferred to a corresponding developing device 4 via a toner transfer pipe (not shown).

  Under each process unit 1Y, 1C, 1M, 1Bk, an exposure device 8 for exposing the surface of each photosensitive drum 2 is disposed. From the exposure device 8, laser light or LED light is irradiated to each photosensitive drum 2.

  A transfer device 9 is disposed above the process units 1Y, 1C, 1M, and 1Bk. The transfer device 9 has an intermediate transfer belt 11 constituted by an endless belt as a transfer body. The intermediate transfer belt 11 is stretched around a plurality of support rollers 12, 13, 14, and 15. One of the plurality of support rollers 12, 13, 14, 15 is a drive roller, and when the drive roller rotates, the intermediate transfer belt 11 travels in the direction indicated by the arrow in the figure. Yes.

  Four primary transfer rollers 16 as primary transfer means are disposed at positions facing the four photosensitive drums 2. A primary transfer nip is formed at a position where the intermediate transfer belt 11 is sandwiched between each primary transfer roller 16 and each photosensitive drum 2.

  Further, a secondary transfer roller 17 as a secondary transfer unit is in contact with the outer peripheral surface on the right side of the intermediate transfer belt 11 in the drawing. A secondary transfer nip is formed at a position where the intermediate transfer belt 11 is sandwiched between the secondary transfer roller 17 and the support roller 12 facing the secondary transfer roller 17. A belt cleaning device 18 for cleaning the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 11 is disposed on the outer peripheral surface at the left end of the intermediate transfer belt 11 in the drawing.

  A lower part of the image forming apparatus main body 10 is provided with a paper feed tray 19 that stores recording paper P as a recording medium, a paper feed roller 20 that carries the recording paper P out of the paper feed tray 19, and the like. In addition, a conveyance path R for guiding the recording paper P upward from the paper feed tray 19 is formed in the image forming apparatus main body 10. In the transport path R, a pair of timing rollers 21 for measuring the transport timing of the recording paper P is disposed on the way from the position where the paper feed roller 20 is disposed to the position where the secondary transfer roller 17 is disposed. Has been.

  A fixing device 22 for fixing the image on the recording paper P is disposed above the position where the secondary transfer roller 17 is disposed. Further, above the fixing device 22, a pair of paper discharge rollers 24 for discharging the recording paper P to a stock portion 23 formed by denting the upper surface of the image forming apparatus main body 10 is disposed.

  The basic operation of the image forming apparatus will be described below with reference to FIG. When the image forming operation is started, the photosensitive drums 2 of the process units 1Y, 1C, 1M, and 1Bk are rotationally driven clockwise by a driving device (not shown), and the surface of each photosensitive drum 2 is charged by the charging device 3. Are uniformly charged to a predetermined polarity. The surface of each charged photoconductive drum 2 is irradiated with laser light or LED light from the exposure device 8, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of each photoconductive drum 2. At this time, the image information to be exposed to each photosensitive drum 2 is single-color image information obtained by separating a desired full-color image into color information of yellow, cyan, magenta, and black. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 2 in this manner is supplied with toner by each developing device 4 so that the electrostatic latent image is developed (visualized) as a toner image.

  When the driving roller that stretches the intermediate transfer belt 11 is driven to rotate, the intermediate transfer belt 11 travels in the direction indicated by the arrow in the figure. Further, a constant voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner or a voltage controlled by a constant current is applied to each primary transfer roller 16. As a result, a transfer electric field is formed in the primary transfer nip between each primary transfer roller 16 and each photosensitive drum 2. Then, the toner images of the respective colors formed on the photosensitive drums 2 of the process units 1Y, 1C, 1M, and 1Bk are sequentially superimposed and transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 11 by the transfer electric field formed in the primary transfer nip. Is done. Thus, the intermediate transfer belt 11 carries a full-color toner image on its surface. Further, a lubricant is applied to the surface of each photoreceptor drum 2 after the transfer of the toner image by the lubricant application device 6, and then the toner remaining on the surface of each photoreceptor drum 2 is removed by the cleaning device 5. The

  When the image forming operation is started, the paper feed roller 20 starts rotating, and the recording paper P stored in the paper feed tray 19 is sent out to the transport path R. The recording paper P delivered to the transport path R is temporarily stopped by the timing roller 21. Thereafter, the driving of the timing roller 21 is restarted, and the recording paper P is in the secondary transfer nip between the secondary transfer roller 17 and the intermediate transfer belt 11 in time with the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 11. Sent.

  At this time, a transfer voltage having a polarity opposite to the toner charging polarity of the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 11 is applied to the secondary transfer roller 17, thereby forming a transfer electric field in the secondary transfer nip. When the recording paper P and the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 11 reach the secondary transfer nip, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 11 is transferred onto the recording paper P by the transfer electric field formed in the secondary transfer nip. Are collectively transferred.

  Further, the toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 11 after the transfer is removed by the belt cleaning device 18. The recording paper P onto which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 22 where the toner image is fixed on the recording paper P. Thereafter, the recording paper P is discharged to the stock unit 23 by the paper discharge roller 24.

  The above description is an image forming operation when a full-color image is formed on a recording sheet. A similar operation is to form a single color image using any one of the four process units 1Y, 1C, 1M, 1Bk, or use two or three process units for two or three colors. Even when an image is formed.

(Process unit)
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the process units 1Y, 1C, 1M, and 1Bk. As shown in FIG. 2, a charging device 3 is disposed below the photosensitive drum 2, a developing device 4 is disposed on the left side, a lubricant applying device 6 is disposed on the right side, and a cleaning device 5 is disposed below the charging device 3. The charging device 3 includes a contact-type charging roller 45 as a charging member disposed to face the photosensitive drum 2, and the charging roller 45 abuts on a surface opposite to the surface facing the photosensitive drum 2. The charging cleaning roller 46 is arranged in this manner. The charging roller 45 can be in contact with the photosensitive drum 2 to suppress generation of ozone. The charging roller 45 may be opposed to the photosensitive drum 2 with a small gap, whereby dirt such as toner from the photosensitive drum 2 is less likely to adhere to the surface of the charging roller 45. It is possible to suppress the dirt and extend its life.

  The charging roller 45 performs AC charging with the AC voltage superimposed on the DC voltage on the photosensitive drum 2. By performing AC charging, the charging current flows sufficiently and the influence of fluctuations in the charging potential due to minute gap fluctuations is suppressed, and the image carrier charging potential is stabilized by uniform charging, resulting in high-quality images. can get.

  The developing device 4 includes a developing case 40 that contains a developer, and a developing roller 47 that is rotatably supported by the developing case 40 and that faces the photosensitive drum 2 through an opening formed in the developing case. Have Further, a developing blade 48 that regulates the amount of developer on the developing roller 47 and a conveying screw 43 that conveys the developer in the developing case 40 to the developing roller 47 are provided. As the developer, a two-component developer having a toner and a carrier, or a one-component magnetic toner or a one-component non-magnetic toner having no carrier can be used.

  The lubricant application device 6 scrapes off the solid lubricant with an application roller 30 as a lubricant application member and applies it to the photosensitive drum 2. As shown in detail in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the lubricant application device 6 makes the solid lubricant 33 attached to the tip end side of the arm member 31 abut on the application roller 30 by its own weight.

  The application roller 30 can be in the form of, for example, a brush roller in which fine fibers are radially planted around the rotation axis. Then, the powder of the lubricant scraped off from the solid lubricant 33 is caused to adhere to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 2 that is in rotational contact by the rotation of the application roller 30.

  As will be described later, the lubricant application device 6 can have various configurations from the first embodiment to the fourteenth embodiment. Here, the basic operation of the process unit 1 including the lubricant application device 6 will be described, and the detailed operation of each lubricant application device 6 will be described later.

  The cleaning device 5 includes a cleaning blade 50 and a waste toner collecting coil 51. The cleaning blade 50 has a function of removing residual toner on the photosensitive drum 2 and a function of a spreading blade for uniformizing the lubricant layer applied to the surface of the photosensitive drum 2. The waste toner collecting coil 51 conveys the removed toner to a waste toner bottle (not shown).

  Next, operations of the process units 1Y, 1C, 1M, and 1Bk will be described with reference to FIG. When the image forming operation is started, the photosensitive drum 2 is driven to rotate clockwise in FIG. 2, and at this time, the photosensitive drum 2 is charged to a predetermined polarity by the charging roller 45 to which a charging voltage is applied. The charging roller 45 is cleaned by the charging cleaning roller 46. Thereafter, the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 2 formed by exposure from an exposure device (not shown) moves to a position facing the developing roller 47, where toner is supplied from the developing roller 47 to the electrostatic latent image. . More specifically, after the developer carried on the developing roller 47 that rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 2 is regulated to a predetermined thickness by the developing blade 48, the developing region between the developing roller 47 and the photosensitive drum 2. Carried to. Here, the toner in the developer is electrostatically transferred to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 2, and the electrostatic latent image is visualized as a toner image. Then, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 2 moves to an upper position of the photosensitive drum 2 and is transferred to an intermediate transfer belt (not shown).

  After the toner image is transferred, lubricant powder is applied to the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 by the application roller 30 that rotates counterclockwise in FIG. Thereafter, the toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 is removed by the cleaning blade 50, and the removed residual toner is conveyed to a waste toner bottle (not shown) by a waste toner collecting coil 51. At the same time, the cleaning blade 50 spreads the lubricant powder on the photosensitive drum 2 to a uniform thickness.

  Next, the operation of the lubricant application device 6 will be described. The arm member 31 is urged to rotate counterclockwise in FIGS. 3A and 3B about the rotation fulcrum 32a by the weight of itself and the weight of the solid lubricant 33. The solid lubricant 33 is always in contact with the application roller 30 in a pressurized state. In this state, when the application roller 30 rotates counterclockwise as shown in the drawing, that is, in the forward direction (trailing direction) with respect to the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 2, the solid lubricant 33 scraped off by the flocking of the application roller 30. Is applied to the surface of the photosensitive drum 2.

  The lubricant applied to the surface of the photoreceptor drum 2 as described above is made uniform and thinned to a uniform thickness by the cleaning blade 50 disposed on the downstream side of the lubricant application device 6, and the photoreceptor A protective layer is formed on the surface of the drum 2.

  In this way, an appropriate amount of lubricant is supplied to the photosensitive drum 2, and the lubricant is thinned by the cleaning blade 50, so that the lubricant forms a protective layer on the photosensitive drum 2. As a result, it is possible to realize an image forming apparatus that does not cause an abnormal image due to contamination of the charging roller 45, reduces the frequency of replacement of consumables, and can output high-quality images over a long period of time.

(Lubricant application device)
Next, the first to fourteenth embodiments of the lubricant application device 6 will be described in order.
(First embodiment)
In the lubricant application device 6 according to the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the application roller 30 is disposed at a position slightly lower than the rotation center of the photosensitive drum 2. The coating roller 30 has substantially the same width as that of the photosensitive drum 2 and is disposed in parallel with the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 2. The application roller 30 is in contact with the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 2 with a predetermined urging force.

The application roller 30 is made of a material adjusted to have a volume resistivity of 1 × 10 ³ Ωcm or more and 1 × 10 ⁸ Ωcm or less by adding a resistance control material such as carbon black to a resin such as nylon or acrylic. It can be formed in the shape of a brush roller.

  An arm member 31 is disposed in the vicinity of the upper side of the application roller 30. The arm member 31 has substantially the same width as the application roller 30, and the tip side extends to above the application roller 30. An upper surface of a long bar-like solid lubricant 33 extending in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface is fixed to the lower surface on the tip side. The lower surface of the solid lubricant 33 is arranged so as to always maintain contact with the upper portion of the application roller 30. The application roller 30 and the arm member 31 are covered with a case 32 integrated with the process unit 1 so that the powder of the solid lubricant 33 is not scattered around.

  Examples of the solid lubricant 33 include fatty acid metals such as lead oleate, zinc oleate, copper oleate, zinc stearate, cobalt stearate, iron stearate, copper stearate, zinc halmitate, copper halmitate, and zinc linolenate. Salts can be used. Further, as the solid lubricant 33, a material obtained by applying zinc stearate, calcium stearate, or the like to a solid molded body can also be used.

  The solid lubricant 33 contains at least a fatty acid metal salt, and particularly contains zinc stearate, so that the effect of protecting the image carrier and reducing the cleaning defect can be particularly increased. The solid lubricant 33 includes at least an inorganic lubricant, and in particular, boron nitride. In particular, the solid lubricant 33 can increase the cleaning blade deterioration deterioration effect, the charging roller deterioration deterioration effect, and the cleaning defect reduction effect. it can. When the solid lubricant 33 is a lubricant containing both a fatty acid metal salt and an inorganic lubricant, the deterioration over time of the image carrier and the peripheral parts of the image carrier can be improved together, and the solid lubricant 33 includes the image carrier. A great effect is obtained in improving the life of peripheral components.

  The solid lubricant 33 is generally soft and it is difficult to maintain the shape in the longitudinal direction by itself. Accordingly, a lubricant holding member having a predetermined rigidity is interposed between the solid lubricant 33 and the arm member 31, or the rigidity of the arm member 31 itself is increased, and the arm member 31 is used as the lubricant holding member. May function.

  The base end side of the arm member 31 extends in a direction away from the photosensitive drum 2 (right side in the drawing). The arm member 31 has a shape in which a middle portion in the left-right direction is bent upward and obtusely as a whole in a side view. A bracket portion 31 a that protrudes obliquely upward is formed on the base end side of the arm member 31. The bracket portions 31a are formed at both end portions in the width direction of the arm member 31, and the rotation fulcrums 32a protruding from the inner surfaces of both end walls in the width direction of the case 32 are rotatable in shaft holes formed in the left and right bracket portions 31a. Has been inserted.

  A moving contact 34 extending in a direction perpendicular to the base end side of the arm member 31 is formed at the tip of the bracket portion 31a. On the other hand, a fixed contact 35 is horizontally disposed on the ceiling of the case 32. The moving contact 34 and the fixed contact 35 are connected to the electric resistance detection means 36. The electrical resistance detection means 36 has a function of detecting electrical resistance between the moving contact 34 and the fixed contact 35. While the moving contact 34 and the fixed contact 35 are separated from each other, the solid lubricant 33 can still be used. When the moving contact 34 and the fixed contact 35 come into contact with each other, the electrical resistance detecting means 36 detects that the solid lubricant 33 is approaching the end of its life. In short, the rotational displacement of the arm member 31 due to the consumption of the solid lubricant 33 is detected by the electrical resistance detection means 36.

  While the solid lubricant 33 can be used, the moving contact 34 is separated from the fixed contact 35 as shown in FIG. 3A. For this reason, the electrical resistance detection means 36 does not detect the continuity of both the contacts 34 and 35. Therefore, in this state, power consumption is not generated in the electrical resistance detecting means 36, and the apparatus can be energy-saving. When the solid lubricant 33 is consumed and the arm member 31 rotates counterclockwise about the rotation fulcrum 32a as shown in FIG. 3B, the moving contact 34 comes into contact with the fixed contact 35. As a result, the electrical resistance detecting means 36 detects the conduction between the moving contact 34 and the fixed contact 35 and detects that the lifetime has approached due to the consumption of the solid lubricant 33. Then, the CPU of the control device of the image forming apparatus (not shown) generates a signal for stopping the rotation of the photosensitive drum 2 based on the conduction signal from the electrical resistance detecting means 36, and stops the photosensitive drum 2 to form an image. Stop operation. Further, an indication to the user that the replacement of the solid lubricant 33 is urged is displayed on the liquid crystal display device of the operation panel of the image forming apparatus, or the service person is notified of the arrival of the replacement time of the solid lubricant 33 by the communication means. Or

(Second Embodiment)
In the lubricant application device 6 according to the second embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, a pressure spring 37 is disposed as a pressure means for pressing (urging) the distal end side of the arm member 31 downward. Is. For example, the pressure springs 37 are arranged symmetrically in the left and right side regions and the central region of the arm member 31 in three places in total.

  The upper end portion of the pressure spring 37 is fixed to the ceiling of the case 32, and the lower end portion is fixed to the upper surface on the distal end side of the arm member 31. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. Since the pressure spring 37 is provided, the distal end side of the arm member 31 is pressed against the application roller 30 side by the pressure spring 37. For this reason, even if the remaining amount of the solid lubricant 33 decreases, a sufficient contact pressure with the application roller 30 can be secured, and the amount of the solid lubricant 33 used can be stabilized.

(Third embodiment)
As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the lubricant application device 6 according to the third embodiment brings the base end portion of the arm member 41 close to the end of the case 32 and supports it at the rotation fulcrum 32a. The arm member 41 has a substantially straight shape, and a moving contact 34 protruding downward is provided between the rotation fulcrum 32a and the distal end side. A fixed contact 35 is provided on the inner surface of the case 32 within the moving range of the moving contact 34. The moving contact 34 and the fixed contact 35 are connected to the electrical resistance detecting means 36.

  In this embodiment, while the solid lubricant 33 can be used, the contacts 34 and 35 are open, and the electrical resistance detection means 36 detects no conduction. Therefore, in this state, power consumption is not generated in the electrical resistance detecting means 36, and the apparatus can be energy-saving. When the remaining amount of the solid lubricant 33 decreases, the arm member 41 rotates counterclockwise, the moving contact 34 contacts the fixed contact 35 as shown in FIG. Detect continuity. Thereby, it is detected that the lifetime has approached due to the consumption of the solid lubricant 33.

(Fourth embodiment)
As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the lubricant application device 6 according to the fourth embodiment presses (biases) the arm member 41 of the third embodiment downward with a pressurizing spring 37 as a pressurizing unit. It is a thing. Others are the same as in the third embodiment. Since the pressurizing spring 37 is provided, even when the remaining amount of the solid lubricant 33 decreases, a sufficient contact pressure with the application roller 30 can be secured, and the use of the solid lubricant 33 is possible. The amount can be stabilized.

(Fifth embodiment)
The lubricant application device 6 according to the fifth embodiment uses a push switch 38 as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. The push switch 38 is a type that maintains a predetermined operation state in an OFF state only while the operating element 38a is being pressed. That is, the operation state is maintained while the image forming operation can be continued, assuming that the solid lubricant 33 can be used while the actuator 38a is being pressed. Therefore, in this state, no power consumption is generated in the device connected to the push switch 38, and the apparatus can save energy.

  The arm member 41 has a substantially straight shape, and a base end portion extends to the vicinity of the end of the case 32 and is rotatably supported by a rotation fulcrum 32a. A pressing portion 41b is formed on the upper surface between the rotation fulcrum 32a and the distal end side, and the pressing portion 41b is configured to be able to press the actuator 38a of the push switch 38.

  In this lubricant application device, when the solid lubricant 33 decreases, the arm member 41 rotates counterclockwise as shown in FIG. 7B, and the pressing portion 41b of the arm member 41 is moved from the actuator 38a of the push switch 38. Separate. As a result, the push switch 38 changes from the ON state to the OFF state, and it is detected that the remaining amount of the solid lubricant 33 is reduced, and the image forming operation is stopped.

(Sixth embodiment)
As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the lubricant application device 6 according to the sixth embodiment forms a pressing portion 41 c protruding from the lower surface of the arm member 41 and is disposed on the inner surface of the case 32 below the arm member 41. The upward operating element 38a of the push switch 38 is configured to be pressed. The push switch 38 is a type that maintains a predetermined operation state in an OFF state only while the operating element 38a is not pressed. That is, the operation state is maintained while the image forming operation can be continued assuming that the solid lubricant 33 can be used while the actuator 38a is not pressed. Therefore, in this state, no power consumption is generated in the device connected to the push switch 38, and the apparatus can save energy.

  In this embodiment, while the solid lubricant 33 can be used, the pressing portion 41 c is separated from the actuator 38 a of the push switch 38. When the solid lubricant 33 decreases, the arm member 41 rotates counterclockwise as shown in FIG. 8B, and the pressing portion 41c presses the actuator 38a. Thereby, it is detected that the push switch 38 is switched from the switch OFF state to the ON state, and the remaining amount of the solid lubricant 33 is reduced.

(Seventh embodiment)
As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the lubricant application device 6 according to the seventh embodiment is provided with a photo-interrupter 39 to detect optically. A filler 41 d is provided on the upper surface of the arm member 41, and the filler 41 d is configured to be able to block the optical path of the photo interrupter 39 disposed on the ceiling of the case 32.

  While the solid lubricant 33 can be used, the optical path of the photo interrupter 39 is blocked by the filler 41d. Therefore, in this state, no power consumption is generated in the device connected to the photo interrupter 39, and energy saving of the apparatus can be achieved. When the remaining amount of the solid lubricant 33 decreases, the arm member 41 rotates counterclockwise as shown in FIG. 9B, and the optical path of the photo interrupter 39 is opened. As a result, the photo interrupter 39 changes from the OFF state to the ON state. It is detected that the remaining solid lubricant 33 has decreased.

(Eighth embodiment)
As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the lubricant application device 6 according to the eighth embodiment is configured such that the photo interrupter 39 is disposed below the arm member 41 and the ON-OFF operation thereof is reversed. While the solid lubricant 33 can be used, the filler 41e protruding downward from the arm member 41 is separated from the photo interrupter 39 and the optical path is open. When the remaining amount of the solid lubricant 33 decreases, the arm member 41 rotates counterclockwise as shown in FIG. 10B, and the optical path of the photo interrupter 39 is blocked by the filler 41e. Thereby, it is detected that the photo interrupter 39 is changed from the ON state to the OFF state, and the remaining amount of the solid lubricant 33 is reduced.

(Ninth embodiment)
As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the lubricant application device 6 according to the ninth embodiment has a moving contact 34 a and a fixed contact 35 disposed outside the case 32. The fixed contact 35 can be fixed to the case 32. If the moving contact 34a and the fixed contact 35 are disposed in the case 32, powder or toner of the solid lubricant 33 may adhere to the contacts 34a and 35, resulting in detection failure. By disposing these contacts 34a and 35 outside the case 32, it is possible to prevent a detection failure of the electrical resistance detection means 36.

  A window 32b for projecting the moving contact 34a outward is formed in the case 32. The moving contact 34a can be attached at an arbitrary position in the width direction of the arm member 31, but it is desirable that the moving contact 34a is attached at a position close to one of the ends of the arm member 31 in terms of component layout. Accordingly, the window 32 b of the case 32 is also formed at one end in the width direction of the case 32.

(10th Embodiment)
As shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the lubricant application device 6 according to the tenth embodiment is obtained by attaching a pressure spring 37 as a pressure means to the arm member 31, and is a modification of the second embodiment. Others are the same as in the ninth embodiment.

(Eleventh embodiment)
In the lubricant application device 6 according to the eleventh embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the push switch 38 is disposed outside the case 32, and the pressing portion 34 b extending from the end of the bracket portion 31 a of the arm member 31 is provided. It protrudes outside from the window 32b of the case. The push switch 38 can be fixed to the case 32.

  The push switch 38 is a type that maintains a predetermined operation state in an OFF state only while the operating element 38a is being pressed. That is, the operation state is maintained while the image forming operation can be continued, assuming that the solid lubricant 33 can be used while the actuator 38a is being pressed.

  While the solid lubricant 33 can be used, the pressing portion 34b presses the actuator 38a of the push switch 38 from above as shown in FIG. 13A, and the push switch 38 is in the OFF state. When the remaining amount of the solid lubricant 33 decreases, the arm member 31 rotates counterclockwise as shown in FIG. 13B, and the pressing portion 34b is separated from the actuator 38a of the push switch 38. As a result, the push switch 38 changes from the OFF state to the ON state, and it is detected that the remaining amount of the solid lubricant 33 has decreased.

(Twelfth embodiment)
As shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B, the lubricant application device 6 according to the twelfth embodiment is obtained by moving the push switch 38 according to the eleventh embodiment from the lower side to the upper side of the pressing portion 34b of the arm member 31. It is. As a result, the ON and OFF operations of the push switch 38 are reversed. The push switch 38 can be fixed to the case 32.

  The push switch 38 is a type that maintains a predetermined operation state in an OFF state only while the operating element 38a is not pressed. That is, the operation state is maintained while the image forming operation can be continued assuming that the solid lubricant 33 can be used while the actuator 38a is not pressed. Therefore, in this state, no power consumption is generated in the device connected to the push switch 38, and the apparatus can save energy.

  While the solid lubricant 33 can be used, the pressing portion 34b is separated from the actuator 38a of the push switch 38, and the push switch 38 is in the OFF state. When the remaining amount of the solid lubricant 33 decreases, the arm member 31 rotates counterclockwise as shown in FIG. 14B, and the pressing portion 34 b presses the actuator 38 a of the push switch 38. Thereby, it is detected that the push switch 38 is changed from the OFF state to the ON state, and the remaining amount of the solid lubricant 33 is reduced.

(13th Embodiment)
As shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, the lubricant application device 6 according to the thirteenth embodiment has a photo interrupter 39 disposed outside the case 32 and a filler 34 c extending from the tip of the bracket portion 31 a of the arm member 31. It extends outward from 32 windows 32b. The photo interrupter 39 can be fixed to the case 32.

  In this lubricant application device 6, while the solid lubricant 33 can be used, the optical path of the photo interrupter 39 is blocked by the filler 34c. When the remaining amount of the solid lubricant 33 decreases, the arm member 31 rotates counterclockwise as shown in FIG. 15B, and the filler 34 c is separated from the photo interrupter 39. Thereby, it is detected that the photo interrupter 39 is changed from the OFF state to the ON state, and the remaining amount of the solid lubricant 33 is reduced.

(14th Embodiment)
As shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, the lubricant application device 6 according to the fourteenth embodiment is obtained by moving the photo interrupter 39 according to the thirteenth embodiment from the lower side to the upper side of the filler 34c. Thereby, the operation of the ON state and the OFF state of the photo interrupter 39 is reversed. A filler 34 c extending from the tip of the bracket portion 31 a of the arm member 31 is extended from the window 32 b of the case 32 to the outside. The photo interrupter 39 can be fixed to the case 32.

  In the lubricant application device 6, the filler 34 c is separated from the photo interrupter 39 while the solid lubricant 33 can be used. When the remaining solid lubricant 33 decreases, the arm member 31 rotates counterclockwise as shown in FIG. 16B, and the filler 34 c blocks the optical path of the photo interrupter 39. Thereby, it is detected that the photo interrupter 39 is changed from the OFF state to the ON state, and the remaining amount of the solid lubricant 33 is reduced.

(Fifteenth embodiment)
As shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B, the lubricant application device 6 according to the fifteenth embodiment is a compact version of the moving contact 34 and the fixed contact 35 of the first embodiment described above. That is, the contact point is disposed between the rotation fulcrum 32 a integral with the case 32 and the bracket portion 31 a of the arm member 31. That is, the fixed contact 35a is disposed at the rotation fulcrum 32a, and the moving contact 34d is disposed at the bracket portion 31a. Thus, the case 32 and the lubricant application device 6 can be made compact by downsizing the moving contact 34d and the fixed contact 35a.

  At least one fixed contact 35a is disposed in the axial direction of the rotation fulcrum 32a. The fixed contact 35a may be disposed on the peripheral surface of the shaft of the rotation fulcrum 32a or may be disposed on the end of the shaft. The moving contact 34d is disposed at the same position as the axial position of the fixed contact 35a. The fixed contact 35a is disposed within the moving range of the moving contact 34d. When the moving contact 34d and the fixed contact 35a come into contact with each other, the electric resistance detecting means 36 detects that the solid lubricant 33 is approaching the end of its life.

  In this embodiment, while the solid lubricant 33 can be used, the moving contact 34d is separated from the fixed contact 35a as shown in FIG. 17A. For this reason, the electrical resistance detection means 36 does not detect the continuity of both the contacts 34d, 35a. Therefore, in this state, power consumption is not generated in the electrical resistance detecting means 36, and the apparatus can be energy-saving. When the solid lubricant 33 is consumed and the arm member 31 rotates counterclockwise about the rotation fulcrum 32a as shown in FIG. 17B, the moving contact 34d contacts the fixed contact 35a. Thereby, the electrical resistance detection means 36 detects conduction between the moving contact 34d and the fixed contact 35a, and detects that the lifetime has approached due to the consumption of the solid lubricant 33.

(Sixteenth embodiment)
As shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B, the lubricant application device 6 according to the sixteenth embodiment is a compact version of the moving contact 34 and the fixed contact 35 according to the second embodiment using the aforementioned pressure spring 37. . That is, as in the fifteenth embodiment, the contact point is disposed between the rotation fulcrum 32 a integral with the case 32 and the bracket portion 31 a of the arm member 31. That is, the fixed contact 35a is disposed at the rotation fulcrum 32a, and the moving contact 34d is disposed at the bracket portion 31a. Thus, the case 32 and the lubricant application device 6 can be made compact by downsizing the moving contact 34d and the fixed contact 35a.

  As in the fifteenth embodiment, at least one fixed contact 35a is disposed in the axial direction of the rotation fulcrum 32a. The fixed contact 35a may be disposed on the peripheral surface of the shaft of the rotation fulcrum 32a or may be disposed on the end of the shaft. The moving contact 34d is disposed at the same position as the axial position of the fixed contact 35a. The fixed contact 35a is disposed within the moving range of the moving contact 34d. When the moving contact 34d and the fixed contact 35a come into contact with each other, the electric resistance detecting means 36 detects that the solid lubricant 33 is approaching the end of its life.

  In this embodiment, while the solid lubricant 33 can be used, the moving contact 34d is separated from the fixed contact 35a as shown in FIG. 18A. For this reason, the electrical resistance detection means 36 does not detect the continuity of both the contacts 34d, 35a. Therefore, in this state, power consumption is not generated in the electrical resistance detecting means 36, and the apparatus can be energy-saving. When the solid lubricant 33 is consumed and the arm member 31 rotates counterclockwise about the rotation fulcrum 32a as shown in FIG. 18B, the moving contact 34d contacts the fixed contact 35a. Thereby, the electrical resistance detection means 36 detects conduction between the moving contact 34d and the fixed contact 35a, and detects that the lifetime has approached due to the consumption of the solid lubricant 33.

  Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, in the above description, the pressure springs are symmetrically disposed in the left and right side regions and the central region in a total of three locations, but the arm members 31 and 41 cannot be displaced independently of the application roller 30 in the left and right regions. It is a configuration. Accordingly, a configuration in which the pressure spring 37 is disposed at only one place in the central region is also possible. Further, it is preferable to arrange at least one in each of the left and right side regions, more preferably at a total of three locations as in the above embodiment, or at four or more locations.

  In the above description, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the coating roller 30 is rotated in the forward direction (trailing direction) with respect to the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 2, but is rotated in the opposite counter direction. May be.

  In the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the case where the configuration of the present invention is applied to the lubricant application device that applies the lubricant to the photosensitive drum has been described as an example. It is also possible to apply the configuration of the present invention to a device for applying a lubricant to a body. Alternatively, the configuration of the present invention can also be applied to an apparatus that applies a lubricant to an object to be applied other than the photosensitive member or the transfer member. Further, the image forming apparatus provided with the lubricant applying device according to the present invention is not limited to the color image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1, but may be a monochrome image forming apparatus, a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, or a complex machine thereof. May be.

1Y, 1C, 1M, 1Bk: Process unit 2: Photosensitive drum (image carrier)
3: charging device 4: developing device 5: cleaning device 6: lubricant application device 7: toner bottle 8: exposure device 9: transfer device 10: image forming device main body 11: intermediate transfer belt 18: belt cleaning device 19: paper feeding Tray 20: paper feed roller 21: timing roller 22: fixing device 23: stock unit 24: paper discharge roller 27: solid lubricant 30: coating roller 31: arm member 32: case 32a: rotation fulcrum 32b: window 33: solid Lubricant 34: Moving contact 35: Fixed contact 36: Electrical resistance detecting means 37: Pressurizing spring 38: Push switch 39: Photo interrupter

JP2012-27135A Japanese Patent No. 3406999

Claims (11)

An application roller that rotates and contacts the surface of the object to be applied to apply a solid lubricant;
The upper end of the solid lubricant arranged in contact with the upper part of the coating roller is held on the distal end side, and the base end side is disposed in such a manner that the coating roller is sandwiched between the coating target object An arm member rotatably supported around a predetermined rotation fulcrum;
Lubricant application apparatus comprising: a detecting unit that detects a rotational displacement of the arm member around the rotation fulcrum as the solid lubricant is consumed.   2. The lubricant application device according to claim 1, wherein the detecting means is disposed outside a case containing the application roller and the arm member.   The detecting means detects a moving contact extending from a base end side of the arm member, a fixed contact disposed within a moving range of the moving contact, and an electric resistance between the moving contact and the fixed contact. The lubricant application device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an electric resistance detection means.   The detection means includes a moving contact disposed around the rotation shaft of the arm member, a fixed contact disposed on the rotation shaft within a moving range of the moving contact, the moving contact and the fixed contact. The lubricant application device according to claim 1, further comprising an electric resistance detecting means for detecting an electric resistance between the first and second electric resistances.   3. The lubricant application device according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit includes a pressing portion disposed on a proximal end side of the arm member, and a push switch disposed within a movement range of the pressing portion.   3. The lubricant application device according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit includes a filler disposed on a proximal end side of the arm member and a photo interrupter disposed within a movement range of the filler.   6. The lubricant application device according to claim 5, wherein the push switch is turned on by rotational displacement of the arm member due to consumption of the solid lubricant.   6. The lubricant application device according to claim 5, wherein the push switch is turned off by a rotational displacement of the arm member due to consumption of the solid lubricant.   The lubricant application device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a pressurizing unit that pressurizes a tip side of the arm member toward the application roller side is provided.   An image carrier that carries an image and a lubricant application device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 that applies a lubricant to the image carrier, and is detachable integrally with the image forming apparatus main body. Process unit configured to.   An image forming apparatus comprising the process unit according to claim 10.

Images