JP2016156880A - Transfer device and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a transfer device that prevents a periodical change in inclination angle of flat toner with respect to a thickness direction of a medium during transfer of an image formed with the flat toner to the medium, compared with a transfer device that increases a current caused to flow in a primary transfer part when a predetermined condition is met to be equal to or more than a current caused to flow in the primary transfer part when the condition is not met.SOLUTION: A transfer device comprises: a moving body that moves; a primary transfer part that transfers an image formed with flat toner including flat metallic pigment to the moving body; a secondary transfer part that forms a nip part with the moving body and transfers the image to a medium conveyed to the nip part from the moving body; and a control part that reduces a current caused to flow in the primary transfer part when a condition is met where the width of the image is larger than a predetermined width to be smaller than a current caused to flow in the primary transfer part when the condition is not met.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

  The present invention relates to a transfer device and an image forming apparatus.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-260260 discloses a method for laminating a toner image of all colors after laminating a gold toner image developed on a photoreceptor and a toner image of another color other than a gold toner image developed on another photoreceptor on an intermediate transfer member. An image recording apparatus is described in which an image is transferred to an image carrier and fixed to form an image.

JP 2006-317632 A

  An image forming apparatus that forms a nip by sandwiching a belt that moves while holding a toner image between a conductive roll and a counter roll, applies a voltage to the conductive roll or the counter roll, and transfers the toner image to the medium at the nip. Are known. This image forming apparatus is configured to include a rotating body (for example, a rotating brush that contacts the conductive roll) in a mechanism that removes toner adhered to the conductive roll. Therefore, in this image forming apparatus, the vibration may be transmitted to the conductive roll with the vibration of the rotating body. Then, when a toner image using a flat toner containing a flat metal pigment is held on a belt and transferred to a medium in the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus transfers the toner image onto the medium by the vibration described above. In some cases, the angle (tilt angle) at which the flat toner inclines with respect to the thickness direction of the medium is periodically changed. As a result, when the flat toner constituting the transferred toner image is fixed on the medium, periodic variations in the posture of the flat metal pigment occur.

  The present invention is a flat toner as compared with a transfer device in which the current that flows to the primary transfer portion when a predetermined condition is satisfied is equal to or greater than the current that flows to the primary transfer portion when the condition is not satisfied. It is an object of the present invention to provide a transfer device in which the inclination angle of the flat toner is difficult to periodically change in the thickness direction of the medium when the image is transferred onto the medium.

  The transfer device according to claim 1 forms a moving body, a primary transfer portion that transfers an image formed with a flat toner containing a flat metal pigment to the moving body, and the nip portion with the moving body. When the secondary transfer unit that transfers the image from the moving body to the medium conveyed to the nip portion and the condition that the image width of the image is larger than a predetermined width are satisfied, the primary A control unit configured to make a current flowing through the transfer unit smaller than a current flowing through the primary transfer unit when the condition is not satisfied.

  The transfer device according to claim 2 forms a moving body, a primary transfer portion that transfers an image formed by a flat toner containing a flat metal pigment to the moving body, and the nip portion and the moving body. The primary transfer unit when the secondary transfer unit that transfers the image from the moving body to the medium conveyed to the nip unit and the condition that the image density of the image is higher than a predetermined density are satisfied. A control unit configured to make a current flowing through the transfer unit smaller than a current flowing through the primary transfer unit when the condition is not satisfied.

  The transfer device according to claim 3 forms a moving body, a primary transfer portion that transfers an image formed with a flat toner containing a flat metal pigment to the moving body, and the nip portion with the moving body. A secondary transfer portion that transfers the image from the moving body to the medium conveyed to the nip portion; an image width of the image is greater than a predetermined width; and an image density of the image is predetermined. A control unit configured to reduce a current flowing through the primary transfer unit when a condition satisfying that the density is higher is satisfied than a current flowing through the primary transfer unit when the condition is not satisfied, I have.

  A transfer device according to a fourth aspect is the transfer device according to the first or third aspect, wherein the predetermined width is a width obtained by multiplying a predetermined ratio for each width of the medium.

  A transfer device according to a fifth aspect is the transfer device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, further comprising another primary transfer portion that transfers an image formed of non-flat toner to the moving body. The primary transfer unit is arranged upstream of the other primary transfer unit in the moving direction of the moving body, and the control unit, when the condition is satisfied, the primary transfer unit and the primary transfer unit When the image transferred by the other primary transfer unit is transferred to the medium, the current flowing through the primary transfer unit is applied to the primary transfer unit when only the image transferred by the primary transfer unit is transferred to the medium. Make it smaller than the flowing current.

  The transfer device according to claim 6 is the transfer device according to claim 5, wherein, when the condition is satisfied, the control unit transfers an image transferred by the primary transfer unit and the other primary transfer unit to a medium. The current that flows in the secondary transfer portion when transferring to the second transfer portion is made smaller than the current that flows in the secondary transfer portion when only the image transferred by the primary transfer portion is transferred to the medium.

  The transfer device according to claim 7, wherein the moving body, a primary transfer portion that transfers an image formed by a flat toner containing a flat metal pigment to the moving body, and an image formed by a non-flat toner Another primary transfer portion that transfers to the moving body, a secondary transfer portion that forms the nip portion with the moving body, and transfers the image from the moving body to the medium conveyed to the nip portion, and the flat toner When transferring the image formed in step (i) to the moving body, the current flowing through the primary transfer portion is used. When transferring only the image formed by the non-flat toner to the moving body, the other primary portion is transferred. And a control unit that makes the current smaller than the current flowing through the transfer unit.

  An image forming apparatus according to an eighth aspect includes the transfer device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, and a forming unit that forms the image transferred to the moving body.

  The transfer device according to claim 1 is different from a transfer device in which a current that flows in the primary transfer portion when a predetermined condition is satisfied is equal to or greater than a current that flows in the primary transfer portion when the condition is not satisfied. Therefore, it is difficult to periodically change the inclination angle of the flat toner with respect to the thickness direction of the medium when the flat toner image is transferred to the medium. Here, the predetermined condition refers to a condition in which the image width of the image is larger than the predetermined width.

  The transfer device according to claim 2 is compared with a transfer device that sets a current that flows in the primary transfer portion when a predetermined condition is satisfied to be equal to or greater than a current that flows in the primary transfer portion when the condition is not satisfied. Therefore, it is difficult to periodically change the inclination angle of the flat toner with respect to the thickness direction of the medium when the flat toner image is transferred to the medium. Here, the predetermined condition refers to a condition in which the image density of the image is higher than a predetermined reference density.

  The transfer device according to claim 3 is different from a transfer device in which a current that flows in the primary transfer portion when a predetermined condition is satisfied is equal to or greater than a current that flows in the primary transfer portion when the condition is not satisfied. Therefore, it is difficult to periodically change the inclination angle of the flat toner with respect to the thickness direction of the medium when the flat toner image is transferred to the medium. Here, the predetermined condition is that the image width included in the data for forming an image is larger than the predetermined width, and the image density included in the data is higher than a predetermined reference density. Is a condition that can be satisfied.

  In the transfer device according to the fourth aspect, the pressure of the nip portion can be changed according to the width of the medium to be used.

  The transfer device according to claim 5 includes another primary transfer portion that transfers an image formed of non-flat toner to the moving body, and the primary transfer portion is upstream of the moving direction of the moving body relative to the other primary transfer portions. When the image is transferred to the medium when the image transferred by the primary transfer unit and the other primary transfer unit is transferred to the medium, the primary transfer is performed. Compared with a transfer device that transfers more than the current that flows through the primary transfer unit when only the image transferred by the unit is transferred to the medium, the inclination angle of the flat toner is set to the thickness of the medium when the flat toner image is transferred to the medium. Difficult to change periodically with respect to direction.

  The transfer device according to claim 6 includes another primary transfer portion that transfers an image formed of non-flat toner to the moving body, and the primary transfer portion is upstream of the moving direction of the moving body relative to the other primary transfer portions. When the image is transferred to the medium when the image transferred by the primary transfer unit and the other primary transfer unit is transferred to the medium, the primary transfer is performed. Compared to a transfer device that uses a current greater than or equal to the current that flows through the secondary transfer unit when only the image transferred by the unit is transferred to the medium, the inclination angle of the flat toner is determined when the flat toner image is transferred to the medium. Difficult to change periodically with respect to direction.

  The transfer device according to claim 7 may be used to transfer a current to the primary transfer portion when an image formed with flat toner is transferred to the moving body, and to transfer only an image formed with non-flat toner to the moving body. Compared with a transfer device that uses a current that flows through the primary transfer portion, it is difficult to periodically change the inclination angle of the flat toner with respect to the thickness direction of the medium when transferring the flat toner image onto the medium.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, when transferring an image formed with the flat toner to the moving body, and transferring a current to the primary transfer portion when transferring only the image formed with the non-flat toner to the moving body. Compared to an image forming apparatus provided with a transfer device that uses a current that flows to other primary transfer units or more, an image with a small periodic variation in the posture of the metal pigment can be formed.

1 is a schematic view (front view) of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram (front view) of the periphery (a single color unit and a part of the transfer device) of the primary transfer nip of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment around a secondary transfer nip (a part of a transfer apparatus including a part of a secondary transfer unit). FIG. 3 is a schematic view (cross-sectional view) of toner particles of flat toner used for image formation by the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic view (cross-sectional view) of toner particles of non-flat toner used for image formation by the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. 2A and 2B are diagrams showing a state of flat toner held on a transfer belt constituting the transfer device of the first embodiment, wherein FIG. 1A is a flat toner constituting a toner image within a broken line 6A in FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a flat toner constituting a toner image within a dotted line 6B. 3 is a flowchart of control performed by a control unit configuring the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a graph showing the relationship of the amount of current in each mode of the flowchart of FIG. 7 in the first embodiment. It is a graph which shows the conditions defined in FIG. It is a graph which shows the test result used as the basis of the conditions defined in FIG. (A) is a schematic diagram which shows the image on the medium formed with the image forming apparatus of the 1st comparative form, (B) is the fragmentary sectional view cut | disconnected by the BB sectional line of (A), (C) is the fragmentary sectional view cut by CC sectional line of (A). It is a flowchart of the control which the control part which comprises the image forming apparatus of a 2nd comparison form performs. In the 4th comparison form, it is a graph which shows the relation of the amount of current in each mode. In a 5th comparison form, it is a graph which shows the relation of the amount of current in each mode. FIG. 6 is a schematic view (front view) of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment. In 2nd Embodiment, it is a graph which shows the relationship of the quantity of the electric current in each mode.

≪Overview≫
Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the invention (hereinafter referred to as embodiments) will be described. The description of the embodiment is divided into the following first and second embodiments. In the following description, the direction indicated by the arrow X and the arrow -X in the drawing is the device width direction, and the direction indicated by the arrow Y and the arrow -Y in the drawing is the device height direction. In addition, a direction (arrow Z and arrow-Z direction) orthogonal to the device width direction and the device height direction is set as the device depth direction.

<< First Embodiment >>
The first embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 (see FIG. 1) of the present embodiment and the toner (see FIGS. 4 and 5) used in the image forming apparatus 10 will be described. Next, an image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment will be described. Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

<Configuration of image forming apparatus>
As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 includes an electrophotographic system that includes a toner image forming unit 20, a transfer device 30, a conveying device 40, a fixing device 50, and a control unit 60. It is considered as a device.

[Toner image forming section]
The toner image forming unit 20 has a function of forming a toner image G (see FIG. 1) described later by performing each process of charging, exposure, and development.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the toner image forming unit 20 forms toner images G of different colors (G (gold), Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), K (black))). Single color units 21G, 21Y, 21M, 21C, and 21K. Further, the single color units 21G, 21Y, 21M, 21C, and 21K are arranged in the order of description from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transfer belt TB movement direction (arrow R direction), which will be described later, based on the nip N2 described later. ing. The single color units 21G, 21Y, 21M, 21C, and 21K have the same configuration except for the color of the toner image G formed by each. Hereinafter, in the present specification and drawings, when it is not necessary to distinguish the monochromatic units 21G, 21Y, 21M, 21C, and 21K and their constituent elements, the alphabets (G, Y, M, C, and K) are omitted. . In the following description, the toner image G formed by the single color unit 21G is referred to as a toner image G1, and the toner image G formed by the single color unit 21 other than the single color unit 21G is referred to as a toner image G2. However, when it is not particularly necessary to distinguish between the toner image G1 and the toner image G2, the toner image G1 and the toner image G2 are referred to as a toner image G. Here, the toner image G1 and the toner image G2 are examples of images.

  The monochromatic unit 21G forms a toner image G1 with a flat toner MT (hereinafter referred to as toner MT, see FIG. 4). The single color units 21 other than the single color unit 21G form the toner image G2 with non-flat toner NT (hereinafter referred to as toner NT, see FIG. 5). Here, the single color unit 21 is an example of a forming unit. Note that the toner MT and the toner NT of the present embodiment have a negative polarity (an average of the charge amount distribution is negative) as an example. In the following description, the toners MT and NT will be referred to as toner T unless it is particularly necessary to distinguish between the toner MT and the toner NT.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, each single color unit 21 includes a cylindrical photosensitive member 22, a charging device 24, an exposure device 26, and a developing device 28. The charging device 24 charges the photoconductor 22, the exposure device 26 exposes the photoconductor 22 (forms a latent image on the photoconductor 22), and the developing device 28 develops the toner image G (the latent image is converted into the toner image G). The toner image G is formed. As an example, the exposure device 26 forms a latent image composed of exposure dots corresponding to 1200 dpi × 1200 dpi (about 21 μm × about 21 μm) on the photosensitive member 22. Moreover, in FIG. 1, the code | symbol of the component of the monochrome unit 21 other than the monochrome unit 21K is abbreviate | omitted.

[Transfer device]
The transfer device 30 has a function of primarily transferring a toner image G formed by each single color unit 21 to a transfer belt TB that moves, at a nip N1 described later, and a toner image G that has been primarily transferred to a nip N2 described later. A secondary transfer from the transfer belt TB moving to the medium P at the nip N2. As shown in FIG. 1, the transfer device 30 includes a transfer belt TB, a drive roll 32, primary transfer rolls 34G, 34Y, 34M, 34C, 34K, a secondary transfer unit 36, and a power source PS. It is configured to include. Hereinafter, in the present specification and drawings, when it is not necessary to distinguish the primary transfer rolls 34G, 34Y, 34M, 34C, 34K, the alphabet (G, Y, M, C, K) will be omitted. The transfer device 30 includes a portion of the control unit 60 that performs control according to the flowchart of FIG.

[Transfer belt and drive roll]
The transfer belt TB is endless. The drive roll 32 is driven by a drive source (not shown) to move the transfer belt TB in the arrow R direction while rotating around the axis. The transfer belt TB allows the toner images G to reach the nip N2 while holding the toner images G formed by the single color units 21 on the outer periphery. Here, the transfer belt TB is an example of a moving body.

[Primary transfer roll]
The primary transfer roll 34G has a function of primary transfer at the nip N1 to the transfer belt TB that moves the toner image G1 formed by the single color unit 21G. The primary transfer rolls 34Y, 34M, 34C, and 34K have a function of primary transfer at the nip N1 to the transfer belt TB that moves the toner image G2 formed by the single color units 21Y, 21M, 21C, and 21K, respectively.

  The primary transfer roll 34 is a conductive roll. The primary transfer rolls 34 have the same configuration. The primary transfer rolls 34G, 34Y, 34M, 34C, and 34K are disposed below the monochrome units 21G, 21Y, 21M, 21C, and 21K with the transfer belt TB interposed therebetween. Therefore, the primary transfer rolls 34G, 34Y, 34M, 34C, and 34K are arranged in the order of description from the upstream side in the moving direction of the transfer belt TB to the downstream side with respect to the nip N2. That is, the primary transfer roll 34G is arranged on the upstream side in the moving direction of the transfer belt TB with respect to the primary transfer rolls 34 other than the primary transfer roll 34G with the nip N2 as a reference. Here, the primary transfer roll 34G is an example of a primary transfer unit, and the primary transfer rolls 34Y, 34M, 34C, and 34K are examples of other primary transfer units.

  Each primary transfer roll 34 is pulled downward by a tension spring (not shown) and is movable in the vertical direction by a cam (not shown). Each primary transfer roll 34 is disposed at a standby position where the toner image G is separated from the transfer belt TB and waits when the toner image G is not primarily transferred to the transfer belt TB. On the other hand, each primary transfer roll 34 is moved from the standby position by the cam and is disposed at the operation position above the standby position when the toner image G is primarily transferred to the transfer belt TB. 22, each nip N <b> 1 is formed between each photoconductor 22 and the transfer belt TB with the transfer belt TB interposed therebetween.

  Further, each primary transfer roll 34 applies a primary transfer voltage (positive voltage) from the power source PS to nip each toner image G formed on each photoconductor 22 onto the moving transfer belt TB. Primary transfer is performed at N1. Note that a primary transfer voltage is applied from the power source PS in accordance with each mode to be described later, so that each primary transfer roll 34 passes a plurality of levels of current. The relationship between the current flowing through each primary transfer roll 34 and each mode will be described in the description of the control unit 60 described later.

  Each primary transfer roll 34 is arranged at an operating position only when primary transfer of each toner image G is performed, and a primary transfer voltage is applied. For example, when the toner image G is not formed by the monochromatic unit 21 other than the monochromatic unit 21G, the primary transfer voltage is not applied to the primary transfer rolls 34 other than the primary transfer roll 34G while being arranged at the standby position. ing. Note that the operation of each primary transfer roll 34 is controlled by the control unit 60.

[Secondary transfer unit]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the secondary transfer unit 36 includes a secondary transfer unit 70 and a removal unit 80.

<Secondary transfer section>
The secondary transfer unit 70 has a function of secondarily transferring each toner image G primarily transferred to the transfer belt TB onto the medium P transported to the nip N2 by the transport device 40 at the nip N2. The secondary transfer unit 70 includes a conductive roll 72, a tension roll 74, a conductive belt CB, and a backup roll 76.

  The conductive roll 72 has a shaft 72A and a cylindrical conductive layer 72B. The conductive roll 72 is driven by a drive source (not shown) and rotates around the axis. The conductive belt CB is endless and is wound around a cylindrical conductive layer 72B. The tension roll 74 presses the conductive belt CB from the inner peripheral side to apply tension to the conductive belt CB. When the conductive roll 72 rotates around the axis, the conductive belt CB rotates. The shaft 72A of the conductive roll 72 is grounded.

  The backup roll 76 (hereinafter referred to as BUR 76) is on the opposite side (upper side) of the conductive roll 72 with the transfer belt TB interposed therebetween, and is offset to the downstream side in the moving direction of the transfer belt TB with respect to the conductive roll 72. It is arranged at the position. The BUR 76, together with the conductive roll 72, forms a nip N2 between the transfer belt TB and the conductive belt CB with the transfer belt TB and the conductive belt CB interposed therebetween. The BUR 76 has a shaft 76A and a cylindrical conductive layer 76B.

  As described above, the voltage is applied from the power source PS to the shaft 76A of the BUR 76 during the period in which the image forming operation, that is, the transfer operation is being performed. Specifically, during the period in which the medium P passes through the nip N2, a secondary transfer voltage (negative voltage) is applied to the BUR 76 from the power source PS, and the transfer belt TB and the conductive belt CB are toner images. An electric field for secondary transfer of G to the medium P is formed in the nip N2. On the other hand, before and after the medium P passes through the nip N2, a positive voltage is applied to the BUR 76 from the power source PS, and the transfer belt TB and the conductive belt CB adhere to the transfer belt TB at the nip N2. An electric field for holding the fog toner or the like on the transfer belt TB is formed.

<Removal part>
The removing unit 80 has a function of removing the toner T (toner including the above-described fog toner) attached to the conductive belt CB. As shown in FIG. 3, the removing unit 80 includes a first removing unit 82, a second removing unit 84, and a housing 86. The first removal unit 82 and the second removal unit 84 are disposed in the housing 86.

  The first removal unit 82 has a function of removing the toner T that is negatively charged. The first removal unit 82 includes a conductive brush 82A and a metal shaft 82B. The conductive brush 82A is in contact with (cut into) the conductive belt CB. The metal shaft 82B is in contact with the conductive brush 82A. The second removal unit 84 has a function of removing the toner T that is positively charged. The second removal unit 84 is disposed at a site downstream of the first removal unit 82 in the circumferential direction of the conductive belt CB and upstream of the nip N2. The 2nd removal part 84 has 84 A of conductive brushes, and metal shafts 84B. The conductive brush 84A is in contact with the conductive belt CB.

  When the metal shaft 84B is driven by a drive source (not shown), the metal shaft 84B rotates counterclockwise when viewed from the front side in the apparatus depth direction. The conductive brushes 82A and 84A and the metal shaft 82B are configured to transmit torque via a gear (not shown) meshed with a gear (not shown) provided on the metal shaft 84B. Yes. As a result, the metal shaft 82B rotates counterclockwise, and the conductive brushes 82A and 84A rotate clockwise. As described above, in the present embodiment, the conductive brushes 82A and 84A and the metal shaft 82B are configured to rotate with the rotation of the metal shaft 84B and to stop with the stop of the metal shaft 84B. In the present embodiment, the metal shaft 84B rotates around the axis during the period when the image forming operation is being performed. In addition, a positive voltage is applied to the metal shaft 82B and a negative voltage is applied to the metal shaft 84B by the power source PS, and the first removal unit 82 and the second removal unit 84 have the negative toner T and the positive polarity, respectively. The toner T is removed.

[Conveyor]
The transport device 40 has a function of transporting the medium P. The transport device 40 transports the medium P in the transport direction CD as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.

[Fixing device]
The fixing device 50 has a function of fixing the toner T onto the medium P by heating and pressing the toner T constituting each toner image G secondarily transferred onto the medium P by the transfer device 30 at the nip N3. The fixing device 50 includes a heating unit 50A and a pressure unit 50B.

[Control unit]
The control unit 60 has a function of controlling each unit other than the control unit 60 constituting the transfer device 30 and each unit other than the transfer device 30 constituting the image forming apparatus 10 (hereinafter referred to as each unit other than the control unit 60).

  The control unit 60 is configured to receive job data from an external device (not shown). Here, job data is an example of data. For example, the control unit 60 that has received the job data controls each unit other than the control unit 60 constituting the image forming apparatus 10 according to the flowchart of FIG. When the control unit 60 receives the job data and controls each of the above units, the image forming apparatus 10 performs an image forming operation. Here, the execution of the image forming operation by the image forming apparatus 10 means that the transfer device 30 constituting the image forming apparatus 10 performs the transfer operation. The job data includes image data for forming the toner image G on each single color unit 21, the size of the medium P used for image formation, the width of the medium P used for image formation (in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction CD of the medium P). It means the width of the medium P.), and the number of pieces of data is included. Further, the image data includes image density (%) data for forming the toner image G (or image) in each single color unit 21.

  Hereinafter, determination step S200, determination step S210, and determination step S220 in the control shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7 will be described, and then a normal mode (step S250) and a special mode (a mode in which an affirmative determination is made in determination step S210). Will be described.

[Judgment Step S200]
In the determination step S200, the control unit 60 determines whether or not the toner image G1 is to be formed on the single color unit 21G. From another viewpoint, the control unit 60 determines whether the job data (image data included therein) includes data for forming the toner image G1. And control part 60 makes judgment of judgment step S210, when affirmation judgment is made in judgment step S200. On the other hand, when a negative determination is made in determination step S200, the control unit 60 controls each unit other than the control unit 60 so that the image forming apparatus 10 executes an image forming operation in the normal mode. (Step S250). The normal mode will be described later.

[Judgment step S210]
In the determination step S210, the control unit 60 determines whether or not the formed toner image G1 satisfies (satisfies) a predetermined condition. Here, satisfying the defined condition means satisfying the following first condition and satisfying the second condition.

  The first condition is that the image width ratio R1 of the toner image G1 to be formed is larger than a predetermined ratio R2 (hereinafter referred to as a reference ratio R2). Here, the image width is the maximum width among the widths along the width direction of the medium P in the toner image G1. The image width ratio R1 is the ratio of the maximum width of the widths of the toner image G1 along the width direction of the medium P to the width of the medium P used for actual image formation. The reference ratio R2 is a predetermined ratio with respect to the width of the medium P used for actual image formation. The predetermined ratio of this embodiment is ½ (50%) as an example (see FIG. 9). From another viewpoint, the first condition is that the image width of the toner image G1 to be formed is larger than a predetermined width (a width obtained by multiplying the width of the medium P by the reference ratio R2).

  The second condition is that the image density C1 of the formed toner image G1 is higher than a predetermined density (hereinafter referred to as a reference density C2). Here, the image density of the toner MT is such that the toner image G1 is developed by the developing device 28 with respect to the total number of pixels included in a unit area when the exposure device 26 forms one exposure dot formed on the photoconductor 22. This is the percentage of the number of pixels used. The reference density C2 of this embodiment is 95% as an example (see FIG. 9).

  Then, when the control unit 60 makes an affirmative determination in the determination step S210, the control unit 60 other than the control unit 60 is configured so that the image forming apparatus 10 performs an image forming operation in a special mode (a first mode or a second mode described later). Each part is controlled. When the control unit 60 makes an affirmative determination in determination step S210, it is assumed that the data of the toner image G1 included in the job data is included in the area A1 in FIG. In this case, the reason why the image forming apparatus 10 executes the image forming operation in the special mode will be described in the description of the operation of the present embodiment.

[Judgment Step S220]
In the determination step S220, the control unit 60 determines whether only the toner image G1 is to be formed. From another viewpoint, the control unit 60 determines whether or not only the toner image G1 is primarily transferred in the determination step S220. When the determination is made in the determination step S220, the control unit 60 controls each unit other than the control unit 60 so that the image forming apparatus 10 performs the image forming operation in the first mode (step S230). It has become. On the other hand, when the control unit 60 makes a negative determination in the determination step S220, the control unit 60 controls each unit other than the control unit 60 so that the image forming apparatus 10 executes the image forming operation in the second mode (step S240). It is supposed to be.

[Normal mode and special mode]
Next, the normal mode and the special mode (the first mode and the second mode in the special mode) will be described. When the control unit 60 determines to control each unit other than the control unit 60 in each mode (the normal mode and any one of the first mode and the second mode), each mode is applied to each primary transfer roll 34 by the power source PS. A predetermined current is passed through (see FIG. 8). Then, the transfer device 30 performs a transfer operation by causing a current corresponding to each mode to flow through each primary transfer roll 34 to primarily transfer each toner image G onto the transfer belt TB.

<Normal mode>
The normal mode is a mode in which a predetermined current (400 μA as an example) is supplied to each primary transfer roll 34 and the transfer device 30 performs a (primary) transfer operation. In the following description, a current value A is defined as a predetermined current flowing through each primary transfer roll 34 in the normal mode.

<First mode>
In the first mode, a current (300 μA as an example) that is a predetermined current and smaller than a current that flows in each primary transfer roll 34 in the normal mode is supplied to the primary transfer roll 34G. A mode in which a primary transfer operation is executed. In the first mode, a current (current value A) equal to that in the normal mode is passed through the primary transfer rolls 34 other than the primary transfer roll 34G, and the transfer device 30 (1 (Next) A mode for executing a transfer operation. In the following description, a predetermined current flowing through the primary transfer roll 34G in the first mode is defined as a current value B (<current value A).

<Second mode>
In the second mode, each primary transfer roll 34 is supplied with a predetermined current that is smaller than the current passed through the primary transfer roll 34G in the first mode (as an example, 200 μA), and is transferred to the transfer device 30. Is a mode for executing the (primary) transfer operation. In the following description, a predetermined current flowing through each primary transfer roll 34 in the second mode is defined as a current value C (<current value B).

  The above is the description of the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment.

<Toner>
[Flat toner (toner MT)]
As an example, the toner particles MTP constituting the toner MT include a metal pigment MP and a binder BD as shown in FIG. The binder BD covers the metal pigment MP. The metal pigment MP is flat. Specifically, the major axis length L1 of the metal pigment MP is 5 μm or more and 12 μm or less as an example, and the thickness T1 is 0.01 μm or more and 0.5 μm or less as an example. Here, the major axis length L1 refers to the length of the longest portion of the metal pigment MP when the metal pigment MP is viewed from a direction orthogonal to the thickness direction of the metal pigment MP. The major axis length L2 of the toner particles MTP of the present embodiment is, for example, 7 μm or more and 20 μm or less, and the thickness T2 is, for example, 1 μm or more and 3 μm or less. Here, the major axis length L2 refers to the length of the longest portion of the toner particles MTP when the toner particles MTP are viewed from a direction orthogonal to the thickness direction of the toner particles MTP. As described above, in the toner particles MTP of the present embodiment, the major axis length L1 / thickness T1 of the contained metal pigment MP is 10 or more and 1200 or less, and the major axis length L1 / of the toner particles MTP is an example. For example, toner particles having a thickness T2 having a relationship of 2.3 or more and 20 or less (and toner MT of the present embodiment refers to an aggregate of toner particles MTP having the above relationship). As described above, the toner MT of the present embodiment is gold, but the metal pigment MP constituting the toner particles MTP is aluminum as an example, and yellow (Y) pigment is dispersed as an example in the binder BD. , And gold.

[Non-flat toner (toner NT)]
As an example, the toner particle NTP constituting the toner NT includes a resin pigment RP and a binder BD as shown in FIG. Further, the toner particles NTP are non-flat. Specifically, in the toner particle NTP of the present embodiment, the major axis length / thickness of the resin pigment RP contained is less than 10 as an example, and the major axis length / thickness of the toner particle NTP is an example. Toner particles having a relationship of less than 2.3. In addition, the circularity when the toner particles NTP of the present embodiment are projected onto a plane is, for example, 0.90 or more. As described above, the toner particles NTP (toner NT) of the present embodiment are non-flat toner particles (toner).

  This completes the description of the toners MT and NT used by the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment.

<Supplement>
[Supplement 1]
As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the toner MT is in a direction substantially orthogonal to the outer periphery of the transfer belt TB during a period in which the toner MT moves along with the transfer belt TB other than the nips N1 and N2. Are attached to the transfer belt TB in a state where the major axis (longitudinal axis) is along (standing). This is presumably because the toner MT is polarized in the direction along the long axis direction. The toner MT attached while standing on the transfer belt TB is sandwiched between the photosensitive member 22 and the transfer belt TB at the nip N1, and the conductive belt of the transfer belt TB and the secondary transfer portion 70 at the nip N2. It is assumed that it falls between CB and falls.

[Supplement 2]
As described above, when the toner image G1 is formed by using the single color unit 21G, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment forms an image using the flat metal pigment MP as a coloring matter. When an image is formed using the toner MT composed of the toner particles MTP including the flat metal pigment MP as described above, the image reflects light and causes a metallic luster.

<Image Forming Operation of Image Forming Apparatus>
Next, an image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the basic operation of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described, and then the operation for each different job data received from an external apparatus (not shown) will be described. The basic operation of the image forming apparatus 10 means an operation performed in common even when job data is different.

[Basic operation]
Upon receiving job data from an external device (not shown), the control unit 60 operates the toner image forming unit 20, the transfer device 30, and the fixing device 50 that are components other than the control unit 60.

  The control unit 60 charges each photoconductor 22 with each charging device 24, exposes each photoconductor 22 with each exposure device 26, develops each toner image G with each developing device 28, and causes each single color unit 21 to develop. A toner image G is formed. Further, the control unit 60 places each primary transfer roll 34 in an operating position by a cam, applies a primary transfer voltage to each primary transfer roll 34 from the power source PS, and causes each primary transfer roll 34 to enter each mode. Apply the corresponding current. As a result, each toner image G formed by each single color unit 21 is primarily transferred to the transfer belt TB moving at each nip N1.

  In addition, the control unit 60 drives another drive source to rotate the conductive belt CB of the secondary transfer unit 36 and rotate the conductive brushes 92A and 94A around the axis. Further, the control unit 60 heats the heating unit 50 </ b> A of the fixing device 50.

  Next, the control unit 60 causes the transport device 40 to transport the medium P toward N2 in accordance with the timing at which each toner image G on the transfer belt TB reaches the nip N2 together with the transfer belt TB. Then, the control unit 60 applies a secondary transfer voltage from the power source PS to the shaft 76A of the BUR 76. As a result, each toner image G on the transfer belt TB is secondarily transferred to the medium P that passes through the nip N2.

  Next, the control unit 60 causes the transport device 40 to transport the medium P toward the nip N3 of the fixing device 50. Then, the control unit 60 heats the toner T constituting each toner image G secondarily transferred to the medium P to the heating unit 50A and pressurizes the pressing unit 50B. As a result, each toner image G on the medium P is fixed to the medium P. Then, the medium P on which each toner image G is fixed (the medium P on which the image is formed) is discharged out of the image forming apparatus 10 by the conveying device 40, and the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 10 is completed.

  The toner T (such as the above-mentioned fog toner) adhering to the conductive belt CB circulates together with the conductive belt CB and is removed from the conductive belt CB by the removing unit 90.

  The basic operation of the image forming apparatus 10 has been described above.

[Operation for each job data]
Next, the operation for each different job data received from an external device (not shown) will be described with reference to FIG.

[When the data for forming the toner image G1 is not included in the job data]
The control unit 60 makes a negative determination in the determination step S200, and controls each unit other than the control unit 60 in the normal mode according to step S250. Therefore, the controller 60 causes the primary transfer rolls 34 to perform a primary transfer operation by causing the current PS to flow through the primary transfer rolls 34 with the power source PS. Then, image formation on the medium P for which image formation is requested by the image forming apparatus 10 is executed, and the image forming operation ends.

[When job data includes data for forming toner image G1]
Hereinafter, the description will be divided into three cases. In these cases, the control unit 60 makes an affirmative determination in the determination step S200 as a premise and performs the determination in the determination step S210.

<Case where data of toner image G1 does not satisfy a predetermined condition>
In this case, the data of the toner image G1 is not included in the area A1 in FIG. The control unit 60 makes a negative determination in determination step S210, and controls each unit other than the control unit 60 in the normal mode according to step S250. Therefore, the controller 60 causes the primary transfer rolls 34 to perform a primary transfer operation by causing the current PS to flow through the primary transfer rolls 34 with the power source PS. Then, image formation on the medium P for which image formation is requested by the image forming apparatus 10 is executed, and the image forming operation ends.

<Case where data of toner image G1 satisfies a predetermined condition and only toner image G1 is formed>
In this case, the data of the toner image G1 is included in the area A1 in FIG. 8, and the toner image G is formed only by the single color unit 21G. The control unit 60 makes an affirmative determination in determination step S220, and controls each unit other than the control unit 60 in the first mode in accordance with step S230. Therefore, the control unit 60 causes the primary transfer roll 34G to perform the primary transfer operation by causing the current value B to flow through the primary transfer roll 34G by the power source PS. Then, image formation on the medium P for which image formation is requested by the image forming apparatus 10 is executed, and the image forming operation ends.

<Case where toner image G1 data satisfies predetermined conditions and forms toner image G1 and toner image G2>
In this case, the data of the toner image G1 is included in the area A1 in FIG. 8, the toner image G1 is formed by the single color unit 21G, and the toner image G2 is formed by one or more of the single color units 21 other than the single color unit 21G. It is supposed to be a case. The control unit 60 makes a negative determination in determination step S220, and controls each unit other than the control unit 60 in the second mode in accordance with step S240. Therefore, the controller 60 causes the primary transfer rolls 34 to perform a primary transfer operation by causing the current PS to flow through the primary transfer rolls 34 with the power source PS. Then, image formation on the medium P for which image formation is requested by the image forming apparatus 10 is executed, and the image forming operation ends.

  The above is the description of the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment.

<Action>
Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

  First, the operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, in the following description, it is a case where the effect | action of this embodiment is compared with the effect | action of a comparison form (1st-5th comparison form), Comprising: The same components as the components etc. which were used by this embodiment for the comparison form Etc. are used as they are.

[First action]
The first operation will be described by comparing the transfer device 30 and the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment with a transfer device and an image forming apparatus (not shown) of the first comparative embodiment described below.

  The image forming apparatus according to the first comparative embodiment cannot change the current flowing through each primary transfer roll 34 regardless of the job data during the primary transfer operation. The current value of the current flowing through each primary transfer roll 34 is a current value A. The transfer device and the image forming apparatus of the first comparative embodiment have the same configuration as the transfer device 30 and the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment except for the above points. Further, the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus of the first comparative embodiment is related to the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, and after the control unit 60 receives job data, the determination of the flowchart of FIG. Except for not performing the above, it is the same as the case of the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the first comparative embodiment, as in the case of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, during the period in which the image forming operation is performed, the control unit 60 is a metal shaft that forms the removal unit 80 of the secondary transfer unit 36. A drive source 94B (not shown) is driven. Accordingly, the metal shaft 94B rotates around the axis, and the conductive roll 72 moves in the apparatus depth direction and the apparatus height in accordance with the rotation of the conductive brushes 82A and 84A and the gears (not shown) of the metal shafts 82B and 84B. Vibrates in the vertical direction. As the conductive roll 72 vibrates, the conductive belt CB also vibrates in the apparatus depth direction and the apparatus height direction. As a result, in the case of the first comparative embodiment, the toner MT adhering while standing on the transfer belt TB is in the toner MT with respect to the thickness direction of the medium P in the secondary transfer according to the passing timing. The inclination angle is periodically changed. For example, the metal shaft 94B rotates around the axis, and the conductive roll 72 moves in the apparatus depth direction and the apparatus height direction as the conductive brushes 82A and 84A and the gears (not shown) of the metal shafts 82B and 84B rotate. When the toner MT vibrates, the toner MT is alternately transferred to the front side or back side of the apparatus in the depth direction (one side or the other side in the width direction of the medium P) and is secondarily transferred to the medium P. Therefore, when the toner MT constituting the second-transferred toner image G1 is fixed to the medium P, the flat metal pigment MP is converted into the conductive roll 72 as shown in FIGS. Are alternately tilted to one side or the other side in the width direction of the medium P with the vibration period of. When the data of the toner image G1 is included in the area A1 in FIG. 8, the image formed by the image forming apparatus of the first comparative form has a large amount of periodic variation in the posture of the flat metal pigment MP. Become prominent.

  Here, it is presumed that the toner MT is more likely to slip between the transfer belt TB and the medium P at the nip N2 as the width of the toner image G1 is wider and the image density C1 is higher. As described above, since the conductive belt CB vibrates in the apparatus depth direction and the apparatus height direction, the toner MT has a higher image density C1 as the toner image G1 is formed. It is presumed that it slips at the nip N2 and easily falls in the apparatus depth direction (vibration direction of the conductive belt CB). The inventors of the present application have found that when the data of the toner image G1 is in the area A2 in FIG. 10, an image having a large periodic variation in the posture of the flat metal pigment MP is obtained. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the area A1 in FIG. 10 that includes the area A2 in FIG. 10 and can be easily specified using the reference ratio R2 and the reference density C2 as threshold values in a two-dimensional area represented by the ratio R1 and the image density C1. Is defined as a region that satisfies a predetermined condition.

  On the other hand, in the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, when the control unit 60 makes an affirmative determination in the determination step S200 and the determination step S210, the determination in the determination step S220 is performed. Then, the control unit 60 of the present embodiment controls the control unit 60 so that the image forming apparatus 10 executes the image forming operation in the first mode or the second mode regardless of which determination is made in the determination in the determination step S220. Each part other than 60 is controlled. In other words, as shown in FIG. 7, the transfer device 30 of the present embodiment uses the current value (current value B or current value C) of the current that flows to the primary transfer roll 34G in the special mode as the primary transfer in the normal mode. The primary transfer operation is executed by making the current value (current value A) of the current flowing through the roll 34G smaller.

  Here, as the current flowing through the primary transfer roll 34G increases, the average of the charge amount distribution of the toner MT constituting the toner image G1 primarily transferred to the transfer belt TB is more easily shifted to the negative side. From another viewpoint, the smaller the current flowing through the primary transfer roll 34G, the easier it is for the toner MT constituting the toner image G1 to shift the average of the charge amount distribution to the positive side. This is presumed to be a phenomenon caused by, for example, injection of electric charge into the toner MT when the toner image G1 is primarily transferred at the nip N1. The toner MT is less affected by the secondary transfer electric field at the nip N2 (the force is less susceptible) as the average of the charge amount distribution is shifted to positive (zero).

  Therefore, according to the transfer device 30 of the present embodiment, when the first condition and the second condition are satisfied, the current passed through the primary transfer roll 34G is changed to the primary transfer roll when the first condition and the second condition are not satisfied. Compared to a transfer device that is equivalent to (or equivalent to) the current that flows through 34G, the inclination angle of the toner MT is changed with respect to the thickness direction of the medium P during the transfer to the medium P (in the secondary transfer). Difficult to change. Accordingly, according to the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the current that flows through the primary transfer roll 34G when the first condition and the second condition are satisfied is 1 when the first condition and the second condition are not satisfied. Compared to an image forming apparatus provided with a transfer device that is equivalent to the current passed through the next transfer roll 34G, an image with a small periodic variation in the posture of the metal pigment MP can be formed.

[Second action]
The second operation will be described by comparing the transfer device 30 and the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment with those of the transfer device 30A and the image forming apparatus 10A of the second comparative embodiment described below.

  The image forming apparatus 10A according to the second comparative embodiment does not include the determination step S210 as compared with the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment (see FIG. 7) as illustrated in the flowchart of FIG. Therefore, the control unit 60 of the second comparison form does not determine whether the condition defined in the determination step S210 in the present embodiment is satisfied. When the toner image G1 is formed on the single color unit 21G (when an affirmative determination is made in determination step S200), the control unit 60 of the second comparative form determines whether or not the predetermined condition is satisfied. S220 is determined. The transfer device 30A and the image forming apparatus 10A according to the second comparative embodiment have the same configurations as those of the transfer device 30 and the image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment except for the points described above. The image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 10A according to the second comparative embodiment is the same as the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, except that the control unit 60 does not make the determination in determination step S210. This is the same as the case of the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment. Note that the transfer device 30A and the image forming apparatus 10A of the second comparative form belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

  The image forming apparatus 10A according to the second comparative embodiment has a metallic pigment as compared with the image forming apparatus that executes the image forming operation in the normal mode when the data of the toner image G1 included in the job data is included in the area A1 in FIG. An image with a small periodic variation in the posture of the MP can be formed. However, the image forming apparatus 10A of the second comparative embodiment is special when the image width ratio R1 of the toner image G1 included in the job data is equal to or less than the reference ratio R2 and the image density C1 is higher than the reference density C2. The image forming operation is executed in the mode. That is, the image forming apparatus 10A of the second comparative embodiment executes the image forming operation in the first mode or the second mode when the image density C1 is higher than the reference density C2.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, in the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the image width ratio R1 of the toner image G1 included in the job data is equal to or less than the reference ratio R2, and the image density C1. Is higher than the reference density C2, the control unit 60 makes an affirmative determination in determination step S210 and executes an image forming operation in the normal mode. For this reason, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment causes the toner image G1 included in the job data to flow to the primary transfer roll 34G when the data A1 in FIG. 9 is included (when special mode control is required). The current value of the current (current value B, current value C) is made smaller than the current value (current value A) in the normal mode.

  Therefore, according to the transfer device 30 of the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the current flowing through the primary transfer roll 34G under appropriate conditions, compared to a transfer device that does not determine whether a predetermined condition is satisfied.

[Third action]
The third action will be described by comparing the transfer device 30 and the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment with a transfer device (not shown) and an image forming apparatus (not shown) of the third comparative embodiment described below.

  In the image forming apparatus of the third comparative embodiment, the toner image G is actually formed with respect to the maximum width in which the toner image G can be formed on the transfer belt TB (hereinafter referred to as the maximum width that can be formed). The reference ratio R2 is a ratio of a predetermined width to the maximum formable width (50% as an example). Then, the control unit 60 of the image forming apparatus of the third comparative embodiment performs the determination step S210 with the image width ratio R1 and the reference ratio R2 as the ratio to the maximum formable width on the transfer belt TB. The transfer device and the image forming apparatus of the third comparative embodiment have the same configuration as the transfer device 30 and the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment except for the above points. The image forming operation of the image forming apparatus of the third comparative embodiment is the same as that of the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment except for the above points in relation to the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment. It is said that. Note that the image forming apparatus of the third comparative form belongs to the technical scope of the present invention.

  The transfer device of the third comparison form may not execute the special mode when the data of the toner image G1 is included in the area A1 in FIG. 9 when the data is less than the reference ratio R2 of the third comparison form. is there. For example, if the maximum formable width is 280 mm, the predetermined width is 140 mm. In this case, the image density C1 is higher than the reference density C2 and the image width is 50 mm (ratio of the image width to the width of the medium P is 50%) on the medium P having a width of 100 mm in the transfer device of the third comparative form. When transferring the large toner image G1, the control unit 60 does not select the special mode. In other words, the transfer device of the third comparative embodiment uses the current in the normal mode (current value A) under the condition that an image with a large periodic variation in the posture of the flat metal pigment MT is formed. ) May perform primary transfer.

  On the other hand, the control unit 60 according to the present embodiment performs the determination step S210 using the image width ratio R1 and the reference ratio R2 as the ratio for each width of the medium P used for actual image formation. Therefore, the control unit 60 of the present embodiment can change the reference ratio R2 according to the width of the medium P used for actual image formation.

Therefore, according to the transfer device 30 of this embodiment, the pressure of the nip portion can be changed according to the width of the medium P to be used.
[Fourth action]
The fourth action will be described by comparing the transfer device 30 and the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment with those of the transfer device 30B and the image forming apparatus 10B of the fourth comparative example described below.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the transfer device 30 </ b> B and the image forming device 10 </ b> B of the fourth comparative embodiment are fed to the primary transfer roll 34 </ b> G in the second mode as compared with the image forming device 10 of this embodiment (see FIG. 8). The current is different. Specifically, the current value of the current that flows to the primary transfer roll 34G in the second mode of the present embodiment is the current value C, whereas the primary transfer roll 34G in the second mode of the fourth comparison form. The current value of the current flowing through the current is defined as a current value B (> current value C). That is, in this embodiment, the current that flows through the primary transfer roll 34G in the second mode is smaller than the current that flows through the primary transfer roll 34G in the first mode, whereas in the fourth comparative embodiment, the primary transfer in the second mode. The current passed through the roll 34G is equivalent to the current passed through the primary transfer roll 34G in the first mode. The transfer device 30B and the image forming apparatus 10B of the fourth comparative embodiment have the same configuration as the transfer device 30 and the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment except for the above points. The image forming operation of the image forming apparatus of the fourth comparative embodiment is the same as that of the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment except for the above points in relation to the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment. It is said that. Note that the transfer device 30B and the image forming apparatus 10B of the fourth comparative embodiment belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

  In the fourth comparative example, for example, when all the toner images G are primarily transferred using all the single color units 21 (in the second mode), the toner images G1 pass through the nips N1 at five locations and are N2 is reached. In contrast, when the toner image G is primarily transferred using only the single color unit 21G (in the first mode), the primary transferred toner image G1 passes through the nip N1 at one location and enters the nip N2. To reach. The toner MT constituting the former toner image G1 has a larger number of passes through N1 than the toner MT constituting the latter toner image G1, so that the average of the charge amount distribution is shifted to the negative side. N2 is reached. Therefore, the toner MT constituting the former toner image G1 is more susceptible to the influence (secondary force) of the secondary transfer electric field in the nip N2 than the toner MT constituting the latter toner image G1.

  Next, the case of this embodiment will be described. Also in this embodiment, as in the fourth comparative embodiment, the toner MT constituting the toner image G1 in the second mode is more nip compared to the toner MT constituting the toner image G1 in the first mode. N2 is easily affected by the secondary transfer electric field (it is susceptible to force). However, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the current passed through the primary transfer roll 34G in the second mode is smaller than the current passed through the primary transfer roll 34G in the first mode. Further, as described above, when the transfer operation is executed in the second mode, the current value C of the current that flows through the primary transfer roll 34G of the present embodiment is the current value that flows through the primary transfer roll 34G of the fourth comparative embodiment. It is smaller than the current value B. Therefore, in the second mode, the toner MT constituting the toner image G1 of the present embodiment is charged by a smaller amount of current flowing through the primary transfer roll 34G than the toner MT constituting the toner image G1 of the comparative embodiment. The average of the quantity distribution is more difficult to shift to the negative side. As a result, when the transfer operation is executed in the second mode, the toner image G1 of the present embodiment is less susceptible to the influence of the secondary transfer electric field at the nip N2 than the toner image G1 of the comparative embodiment (the force is received). hard).

Therefore, according to the transfer device 30 of the present embodiment, a transfer device in which the current that flows when the toner image G1 and the toner image G2 are primarily transferred is equivalent to the current that flows when only the toner image G1 is primarily transferred is used. In comparison, when the toner image G1 and the toner image G2 are secondarily transferred, the inclination angle of the toner MT constituting the toner image G1 secondarily transferred to the medium P is periodically changed with respect to the thickness direction of the medium P. hard.
Accordingly, according to the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the current that flows when the toner image G1 and the toner image G2 are primarily transferred is equal to the current that flows when only the toner image G1 is primarily transferred. Compared to an image forming apparatus provided with a transfer device, it is possible to form an image with a small periodic variation in the posture of the metal pigment MP.

[Fifth effect]
The fifth operation will be described in comparison with the transfer device 30C and the image forming apparatus 10 according to the fifth comparative embodiment described below.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the transfer device 30 </ b> C and the image forming device 10 </ b> C of the fifth comparative embodiment are other than the primary transfer roll 34 </ b> G in the second mode as compared to the image forming device 10 of this embodiment (see FIG. 8). Different currents flow through the primary transfer roll 34. Specifically, in the second mode of the present embodiment, the current value of the current that flows through the primary transfer rolls 34 other than the primary transfer roll 34G is the current value C, whereas the second mode of the fifth comparative form. Thus, the current value of the current passed through the primary transfer roll 34 other than the primary transfer roll 34G is set to a current value A (> current value C). That is, in the present embodiment, the current that flows through each primary transfer roll 34 in the second mode is equal to the current value C, whereas in the fifth comparative embodiment, the current that flows through the primary transfer roll 34G in the second mode. The value A is larger than the current value C of the current flowing through the primary transfer roll 34G. The transfer device 30C and the image forming apparatus 10C of the fifth comparative embodiment have the same configuration as the transfer device 30 and the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment except for the above points. The image forming operation of the image forming apparatus of the fifth comparative embodiment is the same as that of the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment except for the above points in relation to the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment. It is said that. Note that the transfer device 30C and the image forming device 10C of the fifth comparative embodiment belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

  In the fifth comparative embodiment, the toner MT constituting the toner image G1 in the second mode has a larger number of passes through N1 than the toner MT constituting the toner image G1 in the first mode. The average of the quantity distribution is shifted more negatively and reaches the nip N2. Therefore, the toner MT constituting the former toner image G1 is more susceptible to the influence (secondary force) of the secondary transfer electric field in the nip N2 than the toner MT constituting the latter toner image G1.

  Next, the case of this embodiment will be described. Also in the present embodiment, as in the fifth comparative embodiment, the toner MT constituting the toner image G1 in the second mode is more nip compared with the toner MT constituting the toner image G1 in the first mode. N2 is easily affected by the secondary transfer electric field (it is susceptible to force). However, when the transfer operation is executed in the second mode, as shown in FIG. 8, in the present embodiment, the current value C of the current passed through the primary transfer roll 34 other than the primary transfer roll 34G is the fifth comparison. In the embodiment, it is smaller than the current value A of the current passed through the primary transfer roll 34 other than the primary transfer roll 34G. Therefore, in the second mode, the toner MT that constitutes the toner image G1 of the present embodiment has all the primary transfer rolls 34 other than the primary transfer roll 34G compared to the toner MT that constitutes the toner image G1 of the comparative embodiment. The amount of charge distribution is less likely to shift to the negative side due to the smaller current flowing through the capacitor. As a result, when the transfer operation is executed in the second mode, the toner image G1 of the present embodiment is less susceptible to the influence of the secondary transfer electric field at the nip N2 than the toner image G1 of the comparative embodiment (the force is received). hard).

  Therefore, according to the transfer device 30 of the present embodiment, a current that flows when the toner image G1 and the toner image G2 are primarily transferred is not equal to a current that flows when only the toner image G1 is primarily transferred. In comparison, when the toner image G1 and the toner image G2 are secondarily transferred, the inclination angle of the flat metal pigment MP of the toner MT constituting the toner image G1 secondarily transferred to the medium P is changed with respect to the thickness direction of the medium P. It is difficult to change periodically. Accordingly, according to the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the current that flows when the toner image G1 and the toner image G2 are primarily transferred is not equal to the current that flows when only the toner image G1 is primarily transferred. Compared to an image forming apparatus provided with a transfer device, it is possible to form an image with a small periodic variation in the posture of the metal pigment MP.

<< Second Embodiment >>
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 10D (see FIG. 15) of the present embodiment will be described. Next, an image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 10D of the present embodiment will be described. Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. In the following description, in the description of the present embodiment, when the same components as the components used in the first embodiment are used, the reference numerals of the components are used as they are.

<Configuration of image forming apparatus>
In the image forming apparatus 10D of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, compared to the image forming apparatus 10 of the first embodiment, the monochrome unit 21G (primary transfer roll 34G) is based on the nip N2. Of all the single color units 21 (primary transfer rolls 34), they are arranged on the most downstream side in the moving direction of the transfer belt TB. The configuration of the image forming apparatus 10D of the present embodiment is the same as that of the image forming apparatus 10 of the first embodiment except for this point and the value of the current in the second mode described later.

<Image Forming Operation of Image Forming Apparatus>
As shown in FIG. 16, the transfer device 30 </ b> D and the image forming device 10 </ b> D of the present embodiment flow to the primary transfer roll 34 </ b> G in the second mode as compared with the image forming device 10 of the first embodiment (see FIG. 8). The current is different. Specifically, the current value of the current that flows through the primary transfer roll 34G in the second mode of the present embodiment is the current value B (> current value C), and the current that flows through the primary transfer roll 34G in the first mode. Is equivalent to the current value. In addition, the current value of the current passed through the primary transfer roll 34 other than the primary transfer roll 34G in the second mode of the present embodiment is set to a current value A (> current value C). The image forming operation of the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment is the same as that of the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment except for the above points in relation to the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 10 of the first embodiment. ing.

<Action>
In the case of the present embodiment, as described above, the single color unit 21G (primary transfer roll 34G) is disposed at the most downstream in the moving direction of the transfer belt TB among all the single color units 21 (primary transfer roll 34). In the case of the second embodiment, regardless of whether or not only the toner image G1 is formed, that is, in any of the first mode and the second mode, the number of times that the toner image G1 passes through the nip N1 is One time. In other words, in this embodiment, the average of the charge amount distribution of each toner MT constituting each toner image G1 remains the same in each toner image G1 regardless of the first mode or the second mode. The nip N2 is reached. Therefore, in the case of the present embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, it is not necessary to make the current passed through the primary transfer roll 34G in the second mode smaller than the current passed through the primary transfer roll 34G in the first mode.

  The operation of the second embodiment is the same as the first to third operations of the first embodiment.

  As described above, the present invention has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and other embodiments are possible within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. It is.

  For example, in the image forming apparatus 10 of the first embodiment, the control unit 60 has been described as determining step S200, determining step S210, and determining step S220 and executing an image forming operation (mode) according to the determination. However, the modes according to the above determinations are examples, and the image forming apparatus 10 of the first embodiment may have other modes. The same applies to the image forming apparatuses 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D of other embodiments.

  Further, the toner MT used by the image forming apparatus 10 of the first embodiment has been described as being gold. However, if the toner MT is a flat toner containing a flat metal pigment, the toner MT may not be gold. For example, silver may be used. The same applies to the image forming apparatuses 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D of other embodiments.

  In the image forming apparatus 10 of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the single color unit 21 </ b> G is arranged in the most upstream direction in the moving direction of the transfer belt TB in the toner image forming unit 20. In 10D of the second embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 15, the single color unit 21 </ b> G is disposed on the most downstream side in the moving direction of the transfer belt TB in the toner image forming unit 20. However, if the toner image forming unit 20 includes the monochrome unit 21G, the arrangement of the monochrome unit 21G may not be the most upstream and the most downstream in the moving direction of the transfer belt TB. For example, the single color unit 21G is downstream in the moving direction of the transfer belt TB with respect to some of the single color units 21 (21Y, 21M), and the transfer belt TB with respect to the remaining part of the single color units 21 (21C, 21K). You may arrange | position in the moving direction upstream.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus 10 of the first embodiment, it has been described that the secondary transfer voltage is applied to the BUR 76 and the conductive roll 72 constituting the secondary transfer unit 70 is grounded. However, a secondary transfer voltage may be applied to the conductive roll 72 and the BUR 76 may be grounded. The same applies to the image forming apparatuses 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D of other embodiments.

  In the image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment, the secondary transfer unit 70 includes the conductive roll 72, the tension roll 74, the conductive belt CB, and the backup roll 76. It was explained that it was equipped. However, it is only necessary that the secondary transfer portion has a function of secondarily transferring each toner image G primarily transferred to the transfer belt TB to the medium P at the nip N2. For example, the conductive belt CB may not be provided, and the nip N2 may be formed by sandwiching the transfer belt TB between the BUR 76 and the conductive roll 72.

  In the image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment, it has been described that the removal unit 90 included in the secondary transfer unit 34 includes the first removal unit 92 and the second removal unit 94. However, as long as the removing unit 90 includes a rotating body that rotates around the axis, either the first removing unit 92 or the second removing unit 94 may be omitted. The same applies to the image forming apparatuses 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D of other embodiments.

  In the image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment, it has been described that the removal unit 90 included in the secondary transfer unit 34 includes the first removal unit 92 and the second removal unit 94. However, the secondary transfer unit 34 may include a rotating body such as an auger that conveys the toner T as an example, instead of the first removal unit 92 and the second removal unit 94. That is, the secondary transfer unit 34 may include a non-contact rotating body in the transfer unit without including the rotating body in contact with the transfer unit. As the non-contact rotator rotates on the transfer unit, the rotator vibrates the transfer unit and causes the inclination angle to periodically change with respect to the thickness direction of the medium P to which the toner MT is conveyed. Can be.

  In the image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment, the first removing unit 92 and the second removing unit 94 have been described as applying voltages to the metal shafts 92B and 94B. However, a voltage may be directly applied to the conductive brushes 92A and 94A.

  In the image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment, an example of the reference ratio R2 is set to be larger than ½ (50%), and an example of the reference density C2 is set to 95%. However, as described above, whether or not an image having a large periodic variation in the posture of the metal pigment MP of the toner MT is formed is a condition based on sensory evaluation, and therefore may be another condition. For example, the reference ratio R2 may be larger than 2/3 as an example, and the reference density C2 may be 85% as an example. The same applies to the image forming apparatuses 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D of other embodiments.

  The image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment executes the image forming operation in the special mode when the toner image data of the toner MT included in the job data is included in the area A1 in FIG. 9 according to the determination step S210. explained. However, it may be used as a condition in the determination step S210 so that the image forming operation is executed in the special mode when the toner image data of the toner MT included in the job data is included in the area A2 in FIG.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the third comparative embodiment included in the technical scope of the present invention, the image width ratio R1 and the reference ratio R2 have been described as the ratio to the formable width on the transfer belt TB. However, the formable width is an example of a reference in the image width ratio R1 and the reference ratio R2, and the reference of the image width ratio R1 and the reference ratio R2 may be the width of another member or the like. For example, the reference may be the maximum width of the medium P that can be transported by the image forming apparatus, the width of the transfer belt TB, the width of the conductive roll 72, the width of the BUR 76, the width of the photoconductor 22, and other widths.

  In the image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment, the ratio R1 and the reference ratio R2 are changed according to the width of the medium P actually used for image formation. However, the present invention is also applicable to a case where the width of the medium P used by the image forming apparatus is constant (for example, an image forming apparatus that forms an image by transporting only the A4 size medium P in the same direction). Is done. In this case, since the width of the medium P actually used for image formation is constant, the ratio R1 and the reference ratio R2 are not changed. The same applies to the image forming apparatuses 10A and 10B of other embodiments.

  Further, the control unit 60 of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment has been described as controlling the current flowing through each primary transfer roll 34. However, the controller 60 may control the primary transfer roll 34 with a voltage applied to each primary transfer roll 34 as long as a current flows to satisfy the conditions of each mode.

  Further, the toner image forming unit 20 of the image forming apparatus 10 of the first embodiment has been described as being configured by the single color units 21G, 21Y, 21M, 21C, and 21K (see FIG. 1). However, it includes a single color unit 21G that forms at least a G (gold) toner image G1 (in other words, includes a primary transfer roll 34G), and at least the G (gold) toner image G1 and the image. If it can be formed, the image forming apparatus belongs to the technical scope of the present invention. The transfer device (at least including the primary transfer roll 34G) constituting this image forming apparatus belongs to the technical scope of the present invention.

  Further, the toner image forming unit 20 of the image forming apparatus 10D of the second embodiment has been described as being configured by the single color units 21G, 21Y, 21M, 21C, and 21K (see FIG. 15). However, it includes a single color unit 21G that forms at least a G (gold) toner image G1 (in other words, includes a primary transfer roll 34G), and at least the G (gold) toner image G1 and the image. If it can be formed, the image forming apparatus belongs to the technical scope of the present invention. The transfer device (at least including the primary transfer roll 34G) constituting this image forming apparatus belongs to the technical scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 10A Image forming apparatus 10B Image forming apparatus 10C Image forming apparatus 10D Image forming apparatus 21 Single color unit (an example of a formation part)
21Y single color unit (example of forming part)
21M single color unit (example of forming part)
21C single color unit (example of forming part)
21K single color unit (example of forming part)
30 Transfer Device 30A Transfer Device 30B Transfer Device 30C Transfer Device 30D Transfer Device 34G Primary Transfer Roll (Example of Primary Transfer Unit)
34Y primary transfer roll (example of secondary transfer section)
34M primary transfer roll (example of secondary transfer section)
34C primary transfer roll (example of secondary transfer section)
34K primary transfer roll (example of secondary transfer section)
60 Control unit 70 Secondary transfer unit C1 Image density C2 Reference density G1 Toner image (an example of an image)
G2 toner image (an example of an image)
MP metal pigment MT flat toner N2 nip NT non-flat toner R2 standard ratio (predetermined ratio)
TB transfer belt (an example of a moving body)

An image forming apparatus according to a seventh aspect includes the transfer device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, and a forming unit that forms the image to be transferred to the moving body.

The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, when the image formed with the flat toner is transferred to the moving body, the current flowing through the primary transfer unit is transferred when only the image formed with the non-flat toner is transferred to the moving body. Compared to an image forming apparatus provided with a transfer device that uses a current that flows to other primary transfer units or more, an image with a small periodic variation in the posture of the metal pigment can be formed.

Claims (8)

A moving object that moves,
A primary transfer unit that transfers an image formed of a flat toner containing a flat metal pigment to the moving body;
A secondary transfer portion that forms a nip portion with the moving body, and transfers the image from the moving body to a medium conveyed to the nip portion;
When a condition that the image width of the image is larger than a predetermined width is satisfied, a current that flows through the primary transfer unit is larger than a current that flows through the primary transfer unit when the condition is not satisfied. A control unit to reduce,
A transfer device. A moving object that moves,
A primary transfer unit that transfers an image formed of a flat toner containing a flat metal pigment to the moving body;
A secondary transfer portion that forms a nip portion with the moving body, and transfers the image from the moving body to a medium conveyed to the nip portion;
When a condition that the image density of the image is higher than a predetermined density is satisfied, a current that flows through the primary transfer unit is larger than a current that flows through the primary transfer unit when the condition is not satisfied. A control unit to reduce,
A transfer device. A moving object that moves,
A primary transfer unit that transfers an image formed of a flat toner containing a flat metal pigment to the moving body;
A secondary transfer portion that forms a nip portion with the moving body, and transfers the image from the moving body to a medium conveyed to the nip portion;
A current that flows through the primary transfer unit when a condition is satisfied that the image width of the image is larger than a predetermined width and that the image density of the image is higher than a predetermined density. A control unit for making the current smaller than the current flowing through the primary transfer unit when the condition is not satisfied,
A transfer device. The predetermined width is a width obtained by multiplying a predetermined ratio for each width of the medium.
The transfer device according to claim 1 or 3. Another primary transfer unit that transfers an image formed of non-flat toner to the moving body;
The primary transfer portion is disposed on the upstream side of the moving body with respect to the other primary transfer portion,
When the condition is satisfied, the control unit applies a current that flows to the primary transfer unit when an image transferred by the primary transfer unit and the other primary transfer unit is transferred to a medium. Less than the current passed through the primary transfer portion when transferring only the image transferred by the portion to the medium,
The transfer device according to claim 1. When the condition is satisfied, the control unit applies a current that flows to the secondary transfer unit when the image transferred by the primary transfer unit and the other primary transfer unit is transferred to a medium. Smaller than the current flowing through the secondary transfer portion when only the image transferred by the portion is transferred to the medium,
The transfer device according to claim 5. A moving object that moves,
A primary transfer unit that transfers an image formed of a flat toner containing a flat metal pigment to the moving body;
Another primary transfer portion for transferring an image formed of non-flat toner to the moving body;
A secondary transfer portion that forms a nip portion with the moving body, and transfers the image from the moving body to a medium conveyed to the nip portion;
When the image formed with the flat toner is transferred to the moving body, the current to be passed through the primary transfer portion is used. When only the image formed with the non-flat toner is transferred to the moving body, the other current is transferred. A control unit for making the current smaller than the current flowing in the primary transfer unit of
A transfer device. A transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
A forming unit for forming the image to be transferred to the moving body;
An image forming apparatus.

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