JP2015004731A - Imaging apparatus and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce standby time to be generated due to removal of a discharge product and effectively prevent an abnormal image.SOLUTION: An imaging apparatus includes: cleaning means; separation means for separating lubricant application means from an image carrier; and control means for controlling drive of the image carrier, developing means, cleaning means, the lubricant application means, and the separation means, respectively. The control means has lubricant removal mode which drives at least the image carrier, developing means, and cleaning means for a predetermined time, and causes the lubricant application means to execute intermittent operation which repeats operation and suspension, and toner coating mode which separates the cleaning means and lubricant application means from the image carrier by means of the separation means after the lubricant removal mode, and forms a toner image uniformly on the image carrier by means of the developing means.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic method and an image forming apparatus including the image forming apparatus.

  In an image forming apparatus used for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, it is known that discharge products such as ozone and nitrogen oxide (NOx) are generated by discharge by a charging unit. In recent image forming apparatuses, the demand for mass printing has increased, and the speed has been increased in order to meet this demand.

  In order to achieve high speed, a charging charger is often employed as a charging means rather than a charging roller. However, although this charging charger can cope with a higher speed, there is a problem in that the amount of discharge products is increased.

  Therefore, in an image forming apparatus using a charging charger, an air flow path is provided by using a duct, discharge products generated from the charging charger by the air flow from the air flow path are excluded from the vicinity of the charging charger, and an outlet of the air flow path is used. The discharge product is filtered by an ozone filter provided in the section and discharged out of the apparatus.

  As described above, the discharge product usually does not remain in the apparatus, but the discharge product stays in the vicinity of the charging charger due to the generation of a large amount of discharge product resulting from exceeding the processing capacity of the ozone filter. There is. This is because the processing capacity of the ozone filter exceeds the limit due to clogging of the ozone filter, deterioration of the indoor ventilation capacity, and deterioration of the charging charger, and exhaust from the inside of the apparatus cannot be sufficiently performed.

  Discharge products are particularly likely to adhere to the lubricant applied to the image carrier. When image formation is carried out in this state, the electrostatic latent image is disturbed, which also affects development, and the output image is blurred. This results in an image (hereinafter referred to as a “blurred image”).

  In order to cope with this, Patent Document 1 discloses that after an image formation job, a post-job application mode in which the photoconductor is rotated and a lubricant application device is operated is performed, and the lubricant adheres to the photoconductor after the image formation is completed. An image forming apparatus for preventing a blurred image by increasing the thickness of a layer and removing it by a cleaning means at the start of the next image forming operation together with a lubricant adhering layer even if discharge products adhere to the photoreceptor is disclosed. Yes.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, an image carrier is operated by intermittently repeating the operation and stop of the lubricant application unit while operating the image carrier, the developing unit, and the cleaning unit in order to prevent a blurred image. An imaging device is disclosed in which the body efficiently removes the discharge products generated from the charging means. Similarly, Patent Document 3 discloses an image forming apparatus that optimizes the removal operation time for removing discharge products before the next printing depending on the state after the printing is completed.

  However, in the image forming apparatus in which the lubricant adhesion layer is provided on the photoreceptor in Patent Document 1, if the deterioration proceeds while the image is not formed for a long time, the discharge product remains adsorbed. It is fixed on the photosensitive member, and the discharge product cannot be easily removed by the cleaning means at the next image formation. In this case, it becomes difficult to repair the blurred image. Therefore, in order to eliminate the blurred image, it is necessary to perform an idling operation such as a plurality of post-job application modes before image formation.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 2, a state after image formation such as a leaving time and a leaving environment until image formation is finished and the next image formation is performed, and whether image formation has been normally completed or abnormal Depending on whether the process is completed, the generation amount and the adsorption state of the discharge product vary. For this reason, the removal operation time according to the state is not optimized, and a wasteful waiting time is generated, and an abnormal image such as a blurred image may not be completely removed.

  In the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 3, the above-described removal operation time is optimized, but since the discharge product removal operation is performed before printing, printing cannot be started immediately and waiting time occurs. I will let you.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and provides an image forming apparatus that shortens a standby time that occurs in association with a discharge product removal operation and effectively prevents abnormal images. For the purpose.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an image forming apparatus of the present invention includes an image carrier, a charging unit that charges the image carrier, an exposure unit that forms a latent image on the image carrier, and a developer that forms a toner image on the latent image. A transfer means for transferring the toner image on the image carrier to the recording medium, a cleaning means for removing residual toner after transfer from the image carrier, and a lubricant application means for applying a lubricant on the image carrier. An image apparatus, a separation unit for separating the cleaning unit and the lubricant application unit from the image carrier, and a control unit for controlling the image carrier, the developing unit, the cleaning unit, the lubricant application unit, and the separation unit. The control means performs control to drive at least the image carrier, the developing means, and the cleaning means for a predetermined period of time, and removes the lubricant that causes the lubricant application means to perform an intermittent operation that repeats operation and stoppage. Mode and Jun And a toner coating mode in which the cleaning unit and the lubricant application unit are separated from the image carrier by the separation unit after the agent removal mode is completed, and the toner image is uniformly formed on the image carrier by the development unit. .

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the standby time that occurs with the discharge product removal operation and to effectively prevent abnormal images.

It is sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the image forming apparatus in embodiment of this invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus after a toner coating operation according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the imaging device in embodiment of this invention. It is a timing chart which shows the operation example of the application brush in the lubricant removal mode in embodiment of this invention. It is a timing chart which shows the operation example of the application brush in the lubricant removal mode in embodiment of this invention.

  An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment unless it exceeds the gist of the present invention. In addition, in each figure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part which is the same or it corresponds, The duplication description is simplified thru | or abbreviate | omitted suitably.

  An image forming apparatus including an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be briefly described. Although not shown, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment was printed with an image forming apparatus 100 to be described later, a paper tray for storing paper as a recording medium, a transport device for transporting paper from the paper tray, and printing. Equipped with a discharge device that discharges paper to the outside

  Hereinafter, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described using an example in which a drum-shaped photosensitive drum is used as an image carrier. The present embodiment can also be applied to a belt. Also, a single color specification image forming apparatus having one image carrier will be described as an image forming apparatus provided with the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment. For example, a plurality of image forming apparatuses such as a multicolor specification image forming apparatus are described. The image forming apparatus 100 of this embodiment can also be applied to an image forming apparatus having an image carrier.

  A schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The image forming apparatus 100 includes an image bearing member 1, a charger 2, an exposure device 3, a developing device 4, a transfer device 5, a cleaning device 6, a lubricant application device 7, and a fixing device. 8 and a separation mechanism 9.

  The charger 2 is a charging unit that charges the photoreceptor 1. The charging method of the charger 2 in this embodiment may be a corona discharge method using a corotron or a corona discharge method using a scorotron provided with a grid. Further, as the charger 2 in this embodiment, a contact type or non-contact type roller charging method using a roller can be adopted.

  The exposure device 3 is an exposure unit that forms a latent image on the photoreceptor 1. The developing device 4 is a developing unit that forms a toner image on the latent image formed on the photoreceptor 1. The transfer unit 5 is a transfer unit that transfers the toner image formed on the photoreceptor 1 to a recording medium.

  The cleaning device 6 is a cleaning unit that removes residual toner after the toner image transfer from the photoreceptor 1. The cleaning device 6 in the present embodiment includes a cleaning blade 6a, a cleaning brush 6b, and a collection transport roller 6c.

  The lubricant application device 7 is a lubricant application unit that applies a lubricant onto the photoreceptor 1. The lubricant application device 7 contacts the solid lubricant 7a and the solid lubricant 7a, scrapes off the solid lubricant 7a, and is applied onto the photoreceptor 1 by the application brush 7b supplied onto the photoreceptor 1 and the application brush 7b. And a coating blade 7c for uniformly leveling the lubricant on the photosensitive member 1.

  The solid lubricant 7a is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, is held by the case 7d, and is pressed by the spring 7e so as to come into contact with the application brush 7b with a predetermined pressure. In addition, it is good also as a structure pressed with the dead weight with a weight instead of the spring 7e.

  Examples of the solid lubricant 7a include fatty acid metal salts such as zinc stearate, lead oleate, zinc oleate, copper oleate, cobalt stearate, iron stearate, copper stearate, zinc palmitate, and zinc linoleate. It is possible to use a molded product of the lubricant.

  The fixing device 8 is a fixing unit that fixes the transferred toner image on the recording medium. The fixing device 8 includes a pair of fixing rollers 8a and 8b.

  The separation mechanism 9 is a separation unit that separates the cleaning device 6 and the lubricant application device 7 from the photoreceptor 1. The separation mechanism 9 includes, for example, a spring mechanism and a cam mechanism, and the cleaning device 6 and the lubricant application device 7 are brought into contact with or separated from the photosensitive member 1 by their interaction. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the cleaning device 6 and the lubricant application device 7 are separated from the photoreceptor 1 by the separation mechanism 9 in the direction of the arrow, for example.

  Next, a controller 110 as a control unit that controls the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The controller 110 drives and controls each of the above-described charging device 2, exposure device 3, developing device 4, transfer device 5, cleaning device 6, lubricant application device 7, fixing device 8, and separation mechanism 9.

  The controller 110 includes a microcomputer having a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory) as a storage means, a counter as a number counting means, a timer as a time measuring means, and the like. Then, each mechanism described above is controlled by executing a software program stored in a ROM or the like. Further, even if the main power supply is cut off by a backup power supply device (not shown), the counter, the timer, etc. can be operated by the auxiliary power supply.

  An operation of the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment based on the control of the controller 110 will be described. The photoconductor 1 starts rotating based on an image forming operation start signal from the controller 110. The photoreceptor 1 rotates at a speed corresponding to the printing speed of the image forming apparatus and continues to rotate until the image forming operation is completed. When the photosensitive member 1 starts to rotate, a high voltage is applied to the charger 2 and, for example, negative charges are uniformly charged on the surface of the photosensitive member 1.

  When character data or graphic data converted into a dot image is sent from the controller 110 to the image forming apparatus as an on / off signal of the exposure apparatus 3, the surface of the photoreceptor 1 is irradiated with laser light or the like from the exposure apparatus 3 And an electrostatic latent image is formed.

  When the portion where the charge on the photosensitive member 1 disappears due to the irradiation of the laser beam or the like from the exposure device 3 reaches the position facing the developing device 4, the negatively charged toner is attracted by static electricity and is absorbed on the photosensitive member 1. A toner image is formed.

  The toner image formed on the photoreceptor 1 is sucked onto the sheet 101 by the action of the transfer unit 5 that applies a charge having a polarity opposite to that of the toner image on the back side of the sheet 101. The photosensitive member 1 that has passed through the transfer device 5 is cleaned by the cleaning device 6, and the residual toner on the photosensitive member 1 is recovered by a toner recovery unit (not shown).

  The photosensitive member 1 that has passed through the cleaning device 6 is coated with a lubricant on the photosensitive member 1 by the lubricant applying device 7 in order to improve the cleaning capability of the cleaning device 6 and protect the photosensitive member 1, and the next image forming operation is performed. Provided.

  Thereafter, the sheet 101 is conveyed to the fixing device 8, and the sheet 101 that has reached the fixing device 8 is heated and pressurized by a nip formed by a pair of fixing rollers 8a and 8b, at least one of which is a heating roll. The image is melted and fixed on the sheet 101. An image is formed on the paper 101 by repeating the image forming operation as described above.

  Further, during image formation, the cleaning brush 6b rotates and the cleaning blade 6a contacts the photoconductor 1, whereby the residual toner on the photoconductor 1 is cleaned and conveyed by the collection conveyance roller 6c, not shown. Recovered to the toner recovery unit.

  It should be noted that at least one of the charger 2, the developing device 4 and the cleaning device 6 constituting the image forming apparatus 100, the lubricant applying device 7 and the photosensitive member 1 are integrated, and this is a process which can be integrally attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus. It may be configured as a cartridge.

  Here, in the image forming apparatus 100, discharge products such as ozone and NOx are generated from the charger 2. In this embodiment, since the charger 2 is a corona discharge method, the amount of discharge products generated is large. Therefore, by providing an air flow path such as a duct (not shown) in the image forming apparatus, discharge products are excluded from the vicinity of the charger 2 by the air flow. An ozone filter or the like (not shown) is provided at the outlet of the air flow path, and the discharge product is filtered by this ozone filter and discharged out of the image forming apparatus.

  However, even if such an air flow path is provided, for example, due to clogging of the ozone filter, deterioration of the ventilation capability of the room, or generation of a large amount of discharge products exceeding the processing capability of the ozone filter due to the deterioration of the charger 2. The discharge product may not be sufficiently exhausted from the image forming apparatus and may stay in the vicinity of the charger 2. When image formation is performed with the discharge product adhered to the lubricant on the photoreceptor 1, the electrostatic latent image formed by the exposure device 3 is disturbed, which also affects the development by the developing device 4, and blurs. An abnormal image such as an image is generated.

  Such inconvenience is caused by the deterioration of the lubricant applied on the photoconductor 1 in the configuration in which the lubricant is applied onto the photoconductor 1 by the lubricant applying device 7, for example, when the image formation is not performed for a long time. However, the discharge product is further deteriorated by adhering to the photoreceptor 1 in a state where the discharge product is adsorbed.

  Therefore, the controller 110 executes the lubricant removal mode. In the lubricant removal mode, the controller 110 controls at least the photosensitive member 1, the developing device 4, and the cleaning device 6 to be driven for a predetermined time, and the lubricant application device 7 repeats operation and stop. Is a control mode for executing

  Further, the controller 110 executes the toner covering mode after the lubricant removal mode is completed. The toner coating mode is a mode in which the controller 110 separates the cleaning device 6 and the lubricant application device 7 from the photosensitive member 1 by the separation mechanism 9 and uniformly forms a toner image on the photosensitive member 1 by the developing device 4. . Here, the term “coating” represents that the photosensitive member 1 is covered with a toner image formed by the developing device 4.

  The execution procedure of the above-described lubricant removal mode and toner coating mode will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Here, when the predetermined printing process is completed, the controller 110 first determines whether or not the lubricant removal mode is necessary according to the apparatus environment and printing conditions after the printing is completed (step S1).

  Specifically, the controller 110 switches execution / release of the lubricant removal mode and the toner coating mode in accordance with the level of the environmental measurement value that changes with image formation as the device environment and printing conditions after printing is completed. Take control. The environmental measurement values that change with image formation include, for example, the temperature and humidity around the device, the image formation operation time in a predetermined period, and the number of sheets of paper on which image formation has been performed in a predetermined period, etc. Say. Details will be described later.

  When the controller 110 determines that the lubricant removal mode is necessary (step S1, YES), the controller 4 operates the developing device 4 and the cleaning device 6 for a predetermined time, and further intermittently repeats the operation and stop of the lubricant application device 7 at regular intervals. Operation control is executed (step S2).

  Thereafter, the controller 110 executes the toner covering mode (step S3). Specifically, the cleaning device 6 and the lubricant application device 7 are separated from the photosensitive member 1 by the separation mechanism 9, the developing device 4 is driven to uniformly coat the toner on the photosensitive member 1, and then the next printing is performed. Wait until the process.

  On the other hand, when the controller 110 determines that the lubricant removal mode is unnecessary (step S1, NO), the controller 110 waits for the next printing without executing the lubricant removal mode and the toner coating mode.

  By operating the lubricant removal mode immediately after printing, the lubricant on the photoreceptor 1 is removed, and after removing the lubricant, the cleaning device 6 is separated to coat the photoreceptor 1 with a toner layer. Further, it is possible to prevent a blurred image generated by the discharge product adhering to the lubricant remaining on the photoreceptor 1. Further, even when the cleaning device 6 is operated immediately after startup, the discharge product can be easily removed together with the toner layer, so that the processing waiting time can be shortened.

  Next, an operation example of the application brush 7b in the above-described lubricant removal mode will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG. In the present embodiment, the photosensitive member 1, the developing device 4, and the cleaning device 6 are constantly operating, but the application brush 7b of the lubricant application device 7 is repeatedly operated and stopped. The operation time and stop time of the application brush 7b do not necessarily coincide with each other. For example, an intermittent operation in which the operation time of the application brush 7b is 10 seconds and the stop time is 3 seconds is repeatedly performed.

  By operating the photoconductor 1 and the developing device 4, a small amount of toner is developed on the entire surface of the photoconductor 1, and the toner adheres to the surface of the photoconductor 1. The adhering toner serves as an abrasive. Then, the lubricant and toner mixed on the surface of the photoreceptor 1 are peeled off by the cleaning device 6.

  By providing a section in which the photosensitive member 1 and the developing device 4 operate while the operation of the application brush 7b of the lubricant applying device 7 is stopped, a time during which the lubricant is not supplied to the photosensitive member 1 is created. The lubricant of the photosensitive member 1 can be removed by the operation of the application brush 7b in the lubricant removal mode.

  Then, after removing the lubricant as described above, the cleaning device 6 and the lubricant application device 7 are separated from the photosensitive member 1 by the separation mechanism 9, and the developing device 4 is driven so as to be on the photosensitive member 1 as shown in FIG. A toner coating mode for uniformly coating the toner is performed.

  Thus, since the lubricant on the photoconductor 1 is almost removed and the photoconductor 1 is covered with toner, the discharge product is bonded to the deteriorated lubricant on the photoconductor 1 during standby. Without sticking to the photoreceptor 1. For this reason, the blur which is an abnormal image does not occur at the next image formation.

  In the next image formation, the cleaning device 6 and the lubricant application device 7 that are separated from each other are moved and brought into contact with each other so as to act on the photoconductor 1, and the toner coated on the photoconductor 1 is cleaned and removed. Apply the lubricant again and restart printing.

  Next, determination criteria when the controller 110 described above in the present embodiment determines that the lubricant removal mode is necessary will be described. In this case, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes a temperature sensor as a temperature measurement unit that measures the temperature around the device as an environmental measurement value, and a humidity sensor as a humidity measurement unit that measures the humidity around the device as an environmental measurement value. Is provided.

  The temperature sensor and the humidity sensor are provided in the vicinity of the photosensitive member 1, and the temperature and humidity data measured by the temperature sensor and the humidity sensor are accumulated in a ROM or the like under the control of the controller 110. Based on the temperature and humidity data during image formation, the lubricant removal mode and the toner coating mode are switched as shown in Table 1 below.

  In Table 1, as environmental measurement values at the time of printing, for example, “less than 23 ° C.”, “23 to 27 ° C.”, “28 ° C. or more” are measured in the column direction as measurement temperatures, and “50%” in the row direction as measurement humidity. Less than "and" 50% or more ".

  For example, in an environmental state during image formation, the amount of generated discharge products is reduced in an atmosphere having a low temperature and humidity. For this reason, since an abnormal image such as a blur due to the discharge product is unlikely to occur, it is not necessary to execute the lubricant removal mode and the toner coating mode.

  On the contrary, in the case of high temperature and high humidity, since the amount of moisture contained in the atmosphere is large, the amount of discharge products generated increases. For this reason, the lubricant removal mode is executed to remove the lubricant on the photoconductor 1, and further, the toner is coated on the photoconductor 1 in the toner coating mode, so that the discharge product and the lubricant are bonded. It is possible to prevent abnormal images such as blurred images.

  For example, in Table 1, when the measurement temperature is “less than 23 ° C.”, the lubricant removal mode and the toner coating mode are not executed regardless of the humidity. When the measurement temperature is “23 to 27 ° C.”, the above modes are not executed if the humidity is “less than 50%”, and the above modes are executed if the humidity is “50% or more”. Further, when the measured temperature is “28 ° C. or higher”, the above modes are executed regardless of the humidity.

  Note that the lubricant removal mode and the toner coating mode are not executed in an environment in which the discharge product is difficult to be generated by switching the execution of the lubricant removal mode and the toner coating mode according to the generation state of the discharge product due to the printing environment. Thus, it is possible to shorten the time until the start of the next image formation and to prevent the occurrence of a blurred image.

  Next, for example, the image forming operation time for the past two hours during image forming is counted by the timer provided in the controller 110 of the present embodiment, and Table 2 is used when the counted image forming operation time is used as an environmental measurement value. To explain.

  In Table 2, for example, “0 to 30 minutes” and “31 minutes or more” are taken as the image forming operation time in the column direction, and each mode is shown in the row direction. The amount of discharge product generated varies depending on the image forming operation time. When the image forming operation time for a predetermined period is long, the amount of the discharge product is large, and when the image forming operation time for the predetermined period is short, The amount is small, and discharge products can be sufficiently removed by the exhaust function of the main body.

  Therefore, in Table 2, for example, when the counted image forming operation time is “0 to 30 minutes”, the above modes are not executed, and when the counted image forming operation time is “31 minutes or more”, The mode is going to be executed.

  As shown in Table 2, depending on the length of the image forming operation time counted by the controller 110, the lubricant removal mode and the toner coating mode are executed / released according to the state of occurrence of the discharge product due to the image forming operation time. It is possible to optimize the execution time of the subsequent lubricant removal mode, shorten the time until the next image formation start, and prevent the occurrence of abnormal images such as blurred images.

  In this embodiment, an example of the image forming operation time is given. However, the number of sheets on which image formation has been performed in a predetermined period, for example, 2 hours, is counted, and the counted number is used as an environmental measurement value. May be.

  Next, a timing chart in which the timing of the intermittent operation of the application brush 7b described above is changed will be described with reference to FIG. Description of the same content as the timing chart of FIG. 5 is omitted.

  Here, the lubricant removal mode includes a mode in which the operation time is shortened stepwise. Then, the operation time of the application brush 7b is reduced stepwise so that the lubricant on the photoreceptor 1 is gradually reduced. Finally, the lubricant on the photoreceptor 1 is removed. By doing so, the frictional force between the cleaning device 6 and the photosensitive member 1 is gradually increased, and the wear of the photosensitive member 1 and damage to the cleaning device 6 are suppressed, and the life of the photosensitive member 1 and the cleaning device 6 can be extended. it can.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Photoconductor 2 Charging device 3 Exposure apparatus 4 Developing device 5 Transfer device 6 Cleaning device 6a Cleaning blade 6b Cleaning brush 6c Recovery conveyance roller 7 Lubricant application device 7a Solid lubricant 7b Application brush 7c Application blade 7d Case 7e Spring 8 Fixing device 8a, 8b Fixing roller 9 Separating mechanism 100 Image forming apparatus 101 Paper 110 Controller

JP 2008-96518 A JP 2011-59546 A JP 2010-224395 A

Claims (7)

An image carrier, a charging unit for charging the image carrier, an exposure unit for forming a latent image on the image carrier, a developing unit for forming a toner image on the latent image, and a toner image on the image carrier. An image forming apparatus comprising transfer means for transferring to the image, cleaning means for removing residual toner after transfer from the image carrier, and lubricant application means for applying a lubricant on the image carrier,
A separating means for separating the cleaning means and the lubricant applying means from the image carrier;
A control means for controlling the image carrier, the developing means, the cleaning means, the lubricant application means, and the separation means.
The control means includes
A lubricant removal mode in which at least the image carrier, the developing unit, and the cleaning unit are controlled to be driven for a predetermined time, and the lubricant application unit performs an intermittent operation that repeats operation and stop,
After the lubricant removal mode is completed, the separation unit separates the cleaning unit and the lubricant application unit from the image carrier, and the developing unit uniformly forms a toner image on the image carrier. And an image forming apparatus.   2. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs control to switch execution / release of the lubricant removal mode and the toner coating mode in accordance with a level of an environmental measurement value that changes with image formation. Imaging device. Temperature measuring means for measuring the temperature around the device;
Humidity measuring means for measuring the humidity around the device;
Storage means for storing the measured temperature and the measured humidity;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit performs control to switch execution / release of the lubricant removal mode in accordance with the stored temperature and the stored humidity level. A time measuring means for measuring an image forming operation time in a predetermined period;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit performs control to switch execution / release of the lubricant removal mode and the toner coating mode according to the length of the measured image forming operation time. . A number counting unit that counts the number of recording media on which image formation has been performed in a predetermined period;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit performs control to switch execution / release of the lubricant removal mode and the toner coating mode in accordance with the counted number of recording media.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lubricant removal mode includes a mode in which an operation time of the lubricant application unit is shortened stepwise.   An image forming apparatus comprising the image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

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