JP2016161877A - Cleaning device, developing device, transfer device, assembly, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress a liquid removed with a tabular removing member from the outer peripheral surface at the ends in the axial direction of a rotating body from flowing through the ends of the removing member to be adhered to the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body again, compared with a configuration of moving a liquid outward with respect to both ends of a rotating body.SOLUTION: A cleaning device 60 comprises a cleaning blade 62 and a spraying part 64. The cleaning blade 62 is tabular, and is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of a developing roll 52 to which a liquid developer G is supplied and adhered to remove the liquid developer G. The spraying part 64 is provided on the downstream side of a contact part M at which the liquid developer G is supplied and the upstream side of the cleaning blade 62 in the direction of rotation of the developing roll 52, and sprays air to the ends in the axial direction of the developing roll 52 so that the liquid developer G moves toward the center part in the axial direction of the developing roll 52.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a cleaning device, a developing device, a transfer device, an assembly, and an image forming apparatus.

  The image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 ejects air from an air knife toward the outer peripheral surface of a roll, moves the carrier liquid outward in the axial direction of the roll, and then collects the carrier liquid with a blade.

JP 2012-194441 A

  In the configuration in which the liquid is moved to the axial end of the rotating body and then removed by the removing member, the liquid overflows from the end of the removing member in the axial direction of the rotating body and adheres to the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body again. there's a possibility that.

  In the present invention, the liquid removed by the plate-shaped removing member from the outer peripheral surface of the axial end portion of the rotating body is compared with the configuration in which the liquid is moved outward with respect to both end portions of the rotating body. An object of the present invention is to obtain a cleaning device, a developing device, a transfer device, an assembly, and an image forming apparatus that can suppress the adhesion to the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body.

  The cleaning device according to claim 1 of the present invention includes a plate-shaped removing member that contacts the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body that is supplied and adhered to the outer peripheral surface and removes the liquid, and the rotational direction of the rotating body. An axial end of the rotating body is provided downstream of the portion to which the liquid is supplied and upstream of the removing member so that the liquid moves toward the axial center of the rotating body. Spraying means for spraying gas to the part.

  The cleaning device according to claim 2 of the present invention is such that the liquid contains charged resin powder, and an upstream end of the spraying means in the rotation direction is an end portion in the axial direction of the rotating body due to discharge generated by voltage application. A neutralizing means for neutralizing the resin powder is provided.

  The spraying means of the cleaning device according to claim 3 of the present invention has a spraying member in which a long spraying port is formed in an intersecting direction intersecting the rotation direction when the rotating body is viewed in the radial direction.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developing device as the rotating member for holding the liquid developer as a liquid on the outer peripheral surface and developing the latent image on the image holding member with the liquid developer, The cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which cleans an outer peripheral surface of the developing rotator after development.

  The transfer device according to claim 5 of the present invention includes a transfer rotator as the rotator that holds the developer image transferred from the developing rotator on the outer peripheral surface and transfers the image to the transfer target, and transfer of the transfer rotator. It has the cleaning apparatus of any one of Claims 1-3 which cleans a back outer peripheral surface.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image holding body as a rotating body that holds a developer image formed by development of a developing rotating body on an outer peripheral surface, and the developer image is transferred to a transfer target. The outer peripheral surface of the image carrier after the transfer is cleaned.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising: the developing device according to the fourth aspect; and a transfer unit that transfers a developer image of the image holding member developed by the developing device to a transfer target. .

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus for developing a latent image on an image carrier with a liquid developer, and a developer image formed on the image carrier by the development of the developer. And a transfer device according to claim 5 for transferring to a body.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus according to the sixth aspect, a developing unit that develops a latent image on the image holding body with a liquid developer, and the image holding by developing the developing unit. Transfer means for transferring the developer image formed on the body to a recording medium.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the liquid removed by the plate-like removing member from the outer peripheral surface of the axial end portion of the rotating body is smaller than the configuration in which the liquid is moved outward with respect to both end portions of the rotating body. It can suppress that it goes around the edge part of this and adheres to the outer peripheral surface of a rotary body again.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the liquid can be easily moved to the central portion of the rotating body as compared with a configuration that does not include a static eliminating unit that neutralizes the liquid.

  The invention according to claim 3 is an axial direction of the rotating body as compared with a configuration having a blowing member in which a short blowing port is formed in an intersecting direction intersecting the rotating direction of the rotating body when the rotating body is viewed in the radial direction. The amount of liquid that moves to the center can be increased.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the liquid developer wraps around the end portion of the removing member as compared with the configuration in which the liquid developer is removed after moving outward with respect to both end portions of the developing rotator. Contamination in the developing device can be suppressed.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the liquid developer wraps around the end portion of the removal member as compared with the configuration in which the liquid developer is moved outward with respect to both ends of the transfer rotator and then removed. Contamination in the transfer device that occurs can be suppressed.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the liquid developer wraps around the end portion of the removing member as compared with the configuration in which the liquid developer is removed after being moved outward with respect to both ends of the image carrier. Contamination in the resulting assembly can be suppressed.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, compared to the configuration in which the liquid developer is moved outward with respect to both end portions of the developing rotator, image defects caused by the liquid developer wrapping around the end portions of the removing member are reduced. Can be suppressed.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, compared to the configuration in which the liquid developer is moved outward with respect to both end portions of the transfer rotator, image defects caused by the liquid developer wrapping around the end portions of the removing member are reduced. Can be suppressed.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, compared to a configuration in which the liquid developer is moved outward with respect to both end portions of the image carrier, image defects caused by the liquid developer wrapping around the end portions of the removing member are prevented. Can be suppressed.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2A is an enlarged perspective view of a part of the developing device according to the first embodiment. (B) It is a perspective view of the nozzle which concerns on 1st Embodiment. FIG. 3 is a plan view of a part of the developing device according to the first embodiment when viewed in the radial direction of the developing roll. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which a liquid developer moves by air blown from a nozzle at an end portion of a developing roll according to the first embodiment. (A) It is the perspective view to which a part of developing device concerning a 2nd embodiment was expanded. (B) It is a perspective view of the nozzle which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is the top view which looked at a part of developing device concerning a 2nd embodiment in the diameter direction of a developing roll. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state to which a liquid developer moves with the air sprayed from the nozzle at the edge part of the image development roll which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 6 is an overall configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment. FIG. 10 is an overall configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a fourth embodiment.

[First embodiment]
An example of the cleaning device, the developing device, and the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described.

〔overall structure〕
FIG. 1 shows an image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment. The image forming apparatus 10 includes a photosensitive member 12 as an example of an image carrier, a developing device 50, a transfer unit 20 as an example of a transfer unit, a fixing unit 30, and a control unit 14 that controls the operation of each unit. It is configured to include. In addition, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a sheet conveyance unit 40 that conveys a sheet P as an example of a recording medium and a transfer target member along a conveyance path K. Further, in the image forming apparatus 10, image formation is performed using a liquid developer G as an example of a liquid.

(Liquid developer)
For example, the liquid developer G has a configuration in which a toner T as an example of resin powder is dispersed in a carrier liquid C. As the carrier liquid C, an insulating liquid such as vegetable oil, liquid paraffin oil, or silicone oil is used. In this embodiment, silicone oil is used as an example. As the toner T, for example, a toner containing a polyester resin is used.

(Photoconductor)
As an example, the photoconductor 12 has a cylindrical metal core and a photosensitive layer (not shown) formed on the outer peripheral surface of the metal core, and holds a latent image on the outer peripheral surface. Yes. The photoconductor 12 is rotatably supported by a frame (not shown) provided in the image forming apparatus 10. Around the photoconductor 12, a charging unit 16 for charging the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor 12, an exposure unit 18 for exposing the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor 12 to form a latent image, a developing device 50, a transfer unit 20, and A blade 19 for cleaning the outer peripheral surface of the photoreceptor 12 is disposed.

<Transfer section>
The transfer unit 20 is provided on the downstream side of the developing device 50 in the rotation direction of the photoconductor 12. The transfer unit 20 includes, as an example, a cylindrical intermediate transfer body 22 as an example of a transfer target body onto which the developed toner image TA is transferred to the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor 12, and an outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer body 22. And a transfer roll 24 for transferring the toner image TA transferred to the paper P to the paper P.

  As an example, the intermediate transfer body 22 has a configuration in which an elastic layer 22B is provided on the outer peripheral surface of a metal columnar core roll 22A. Further, a blade 23 for removing the toner image TA remaining after being transferred onto the paper P is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer member 22. Note that a potential difference that causes the toner image TA to be transferred to the intermediate transfer member 22 is generated between the photosensitive member 12 and the intermediate transfer member 22. A potential difference for transferring the toner image TA to the paper P is generated between the intermediate transfer member 22 and the transfer roll 24.

<Fixing part>
The fixing unit 30 includes a fixing roll 32 having a heat source (not shown) and a pressure roll 34 that pressurizes the paper P toward the outer peripheral surface of the fixing roll 32. Further, the fixing unit 30 fixes the toner image TA on the paper P on which the toner image TA is transferred.

<Developing device>
As shown in FIG. 1, the developing device 50 is provided downstream of the exposure unit 18 and upstream of the intermediate transfer member 22 in the rotation direction of the photoconductor 12. In addition, the developing device 50 includes a developing roll 52 as an example of a rotating body and a developing rotating body, a supply roll 54 that supplies a liquid developer G to the developing roll 52, and a cleaning device 60 that cleans the developing roll 52. doing.

(Development roll)
As an example, the developing roll 52 has a configuration in which an elastic layer 52B is provided on the outer peripheral surface of a metal columnar core roll 52A. A bias voltage is applied to the core roll 52A from a power source (not shown). Note that the length of the core roll 52A in the axial direction of the developing roll 52 is longer than the length of the elastic layer 52B. For this reason, the outer peripheral surface of the core roll 52A is exposed outside the elastic layer 52B at both axial ends of the developing roll 52.

  Further, in the developing roll 52, the supply roll 54 is in contact with the elastic layer 52 </ b> B, and the developer layer GT of the liquid developer G is formed on the developing roll 52 at the contact portion M between the developing roll 52 and the supply roll 54. It has become so. The contact portion M is an example of a portion to which the liquid developer G of the developing roll 52 is supplied. Further, the elastic layer 52 </ b> B of the developing roll 52 is in contact with the photoreceptor 12 to form a developing nip portion N. As a result, the developer layer GT is transferred onto the photoreceptor 12 at the development nip N.

  As described above, the developing roller 52 holds the liquid developer G on the outer peripheral surface and develops (develops) the latent image on the photoconductor 12 with the liquid developer G, and forms a toner image on the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor 12. TA is formed. In the contact portion M, the supply roll 54 and the developing roll 52 are moved in the same direction, and in the developing nip portion N, the developing roll 52 and the photoconductor 12 are moved in the same direction.

(Supply roll)
The supply roll 54 is formed in a cylindrical shape and is an anilox roll that adjusts the amount of the liquid developer G supplied from the storage tank 56 to the development roll 52. Specifically, the supply roll 54 is provided so as to be rotatable in alignment with the developing roll 52 in the axial direction, and the lower end portion is immersed in the liquid developer G in the storage tank 56 and is not immersed in the liquid developer G. Is in contact with the developing roll 52. The supply roll 54 is rotated while its lower end is immersed in the liquid developer G in the storage tank 56, thereby holding the liquid developer G on the outer peripheral surface and supplying the liquid developer G to the outer peripheral surface of the developing roll 52. It is supposed to be. Further, a blade 55 for removing the liquid developer G remaining after being supplied to the developing roll 52 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the supply roll 54.

[Main part configuration]
Next, the cleaning device 60 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the cleaning device 60 includes a cleaning blade 62 as an example of a removing member, a spraying unit 64 as an example of a spraying unit, a static eliminating unit 66 as an example of a static eliminating unit, and a removed liquid developer. And a recovery member 68 for recovering the agent G.

(Cleaning blade)
As shown in FIG. 2A, the cleaning blade 62 has a support plate 62A extending along the axial direction of the developing roll 52 (hereinafter referred to as the X direction) and a blade 62B attached to the support plate 62A. doing. The support plate 62A is fixed to a housing (not shown) of the cleaning device 60.

  For example, the blade 62B is made of urethane, and is formed in a plate shape in which the X direction is the longitudinal direction and the extending direction from the support plate 62A toward the developing roll 52 is the short direction. The blade 62B is arranged so as to be in the counter direction with respect to the rotation direction of the developing roll 52 indicated by the arrow A (hereinafter referred to as the A direction). The tip of the blade 62B is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the developing roll 52. Further, the length of the blade 62B in the X direction is longer than the length of the elastic layer 52B in the X direction. Thereby, the front-end | tip part of the braid | blade 62B is contacting from the one end part of the elastic layer 52B in the X direction to the other end part. The blade 62B is not in contact with the core roll 52A.

<Blowing part>
As shown in FIG. 1, the spray unit 64 is upstream of the cleaning blade 62 in the A direction and downstream of the contact unit M and the neutralization unit 66 described later (see FIG. 1). 2 (see FIG. 2 (A)), one is provided to face one end and the other end. The spray unit 64 includes a nozzle 72 that injects air as an example of gas, and a compressor 74 that supplies compressed air to the nozzle 72. The operation of the compressor 74 is controlled by the control unit 14. In addition, since the structure of the two spraying parts 64 is a symmetrical structure by the one of the X direction of the image development roll 52, and the other, the one spraying part 64 (front side of FIG. 1) is demonstrated, and the other (FIG. 1 of FIG. 1) is demonstrated. Description of the rear side spraying part 64 is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, the nozzle 72 has, for example, a single blowing port 72A formed in a cylindrical shape. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the nozzle 72 is downstream in the A direction outside the X direction end of the elastic layer 52B when viewed in the radial direction of the developing roll 52 (hereinafter referred to as the Y direction). It is arranged obliquely so that the closer to the center in the X direction of the developing roll 52 the closer to the side. As a result, the nozzle 72 blows air from the upstream side in the A direction to the region S1 on the outer peripheral surface, which is the end portion of the developing roll 52 in the X direction.

  For example, the region S1 is a corner fan shape formed by intersecting the line B representing the tip of the blade 62B and the line C representing the X-direction end of the elastic layer 52B when the developing roll 52 is viewed in the radial direction. It has become an area. That is, in the developing roll 52, air is blown by the blowing portion 64 so that the blowing range in the X direction becomes wider as it is closer to the blade 62B at the upstream side in the A direction than the blade 62B and at the X direction end of the elastic layer 52B. It is done.

<Static elimination part>
As shown in FIG. 1, the static eliminating unit 66 is one end of the developing roll 52 in the X direction (see FIG. 2A) upstream of the nozzle 72 in the A direction and downstream of the developing nip N. And one each is provided facing the other end. Further, the charge removal unit 66 includes a discharge unit 76 that discharges the outer peripheral surface of the developing roll 52, and a power source 78 that applies a voltage to the discharge unit 76.

  The discharge unit 76 includes a discharge needle 76 </ b> A that extends toward the outer peripheral surface of the developing roll 52. The voltage application operation of the power supply 78 is controlled by the control unit 14. In addition, since the two static elimination parts 66 are the same structures, the static elimination part 66 of one (front side of FIG. 1) is demonstrated, and description is abbreviate | omitted about the static elimination part 66 of the other (back side of FIG. 1). .

  Here, in the static eliminator 66, when a voltage is applied from the power source 78 to the discharge needle 76A, an unequal electric field is generated around the tip of the discharge needle 76A, and corona discharge occurs. When ions generated by corona discharge approach the charged liquid developer G (developer layer GT), the charged charge of the liquid developer G is neutralized by attracting ions of opposite polarity, The liquid developer G is neutralized.

[Action]
Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described.

  In the image forming apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1, the liquid developer G (developer layer GT) that has not been used for development after the development process at the development nip N is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the development roll 52 in the A direction. It is conveyed to. The liquid developer G (toner T) is negatively charged by contact with the elastic layer 52B of the developing roll 52 as an example. Further, it is assumed that application of voltage to the discharge needle 76A and blowing of air by the blowing unit 64 are started at the start of image formation.

  Of the liquid developer G transported in the A direction, the liquid developer G adhering to both ends of the developing roll 52 in the X direction (see FIG. 2A) faces the discharge unit 76 when the discharge needle 76 is opposed to the discharge needle. Neutralized by positive ions generated by the discharge generated by the voltage application to 76A, and neutralized. Thereby, the adhesive force of the liquid developer G to the developing roll 52 is reduced as compared with that before the charge removal.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the discharged liquid developer G is sprayed with air by the spraying portion 64 (see FIG. 1) in the region S1 upstream of the blade 62B in the A direction. In addition, in FIG. 4, the flow of the air sprayed by the spraying part 64 is shown by arrow FL. Further, in FIG. 4, the collection member 68, the discharge unit 76, the nozzle 72, and the support plate 62A (see FIG. 2A) are not shown.

  When the air indicated by the arrow FL is blown onto the developing roll 52, the liquid developer G adhering to the outer peripheral surfaces at both ends in the X direction of the developing roll 52 moves toward the center in the X direction. For this reason, when the liquid developer G reaches the blade 62B, the liquid adhering to both ends in the X direction of the developing roll 52 is compared to when the liquid developer G is opposed to the discharge portion 76 (see FIG. 1). The amount of developer G decreases.

  Subsequently, the liquid developer G that has moved to the central portion in the X direction of the developing roll 52 is removed (scraped) by the blade 62B and is collected in the collecting member 68 (see FIG. 1). In this way, the outer peripheral surface of the developing roll 52 after development is cleaned.

  As described above, in the developing device 50, as the developing roller 52 rotates in the A direction, the amount of the liquid developer G transported toward both ends in the X direction of the blade 62B develops the liquid developer G. Compared to a configuration in which both ends of the roll 52 are moved outward in the X direction, the number of the rolls 52 is reduced. For this reason, the amount of the liquid developer G flowing around the X direction end of the blade 62B and flowing downstream in the A direction is reduced. That is, by using the cleaning device 60 (see FIG. 1), the liquid developer G removed by the blade 62B goes around the end portion in the X direction of the blade 62B and adheres again to the outer peripheral surface of the developing roll 52. It is suppressed.

  In the cleaning device 60 shown in FIG. 1, as described above, the liquid developer G is neutralized by the neutralization unit 66, so that the adhesive force of the liquid developer G to the developing roll 52 is higher than that before the neutralization. descend. This makes it easier to move the liquid developer G to the center in the X direction of the developing roll 52 by blowing air, compared to a configuration in which the liquid developer G is not neutralized.

  In the developing device 50 shown in FIG. 1, as described above, the liquid developer G is removed by removing the liquid developer G at the central portion side in the X direction (see FIG. 3) of the developing roll 52 by the cleaning device 60. Wrapping around the end of the cleaning blade 62 is suppressed. As a result, the liquid developer G moves around the both end portions of the cleaning blade 62 as compared with the configuration in which the liquid developer G is moved toward the outer side in the X direction with respect to both end portions of the developing roll 52 and then removed. Contamination in the developing device 50 is suppressed. The dirt in the developing device 50 includes, for example, dirt due to the liquid developer G adhering to the core roll 52A (see FIG. 4).

  In the image forming apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1, since the contamination in the developing device 50 is suppressed, the developing device is compared with a configuration in which the liquid developer G is moved outward with respect to both ends of the developing roll 52 in the X direction. Image defects caused by dirt in 50 are suppressed. The image defect caused by the contamination in the developing device 50 is, for example, that a part of the liquid developer G adhering to the core roll 52A adheres to the end surface of the elastic layer 52B and forms a streak on the photoconductor 12. The vertical line is formed on the paper P due to the transfer.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, examples of the cleaning device, the developing device, and the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described. Note that the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment are given to the same members and parts as those in the first embodiment described above, and the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 5A shows a cleaning device 80 according to the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10 and the developing device 50 (see FIG. 1) according to the first embodiment are different from each other in that a cleaning device 80 is provided instead of the cleaning device 60 (see FIG. 1). Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  The cleaning device 80 includes a cleaning blade 62, a spraying part 82 as an example of spraying means, a static eliminating part 66, and a recovery member 68 (see FIG. 1).

<Blowing part>
One spraying unit 82 is provided on the upstream side of the cleaning blade 62 in the A direction and on the downstream side of the static eliminating unit 66 so as to face one end and the other end of the developing roll 52 in the X direction. . The spray unit 82 includes a nozzle 84 as an example of a spray member that sprays air onto the developing roll 52, and a compressor 74 (see FIG. 1) that supplies compressed air to the nozzle 84. In addition, since the structure of the two spraying parts 82 is a structure symmetrical with one side and the other of the X direction of the developing roll 52, only one spraying part 82 is demonstrated and description is abbreviate | omitted about the other spraying part 82. .

  As shown in FIG. 5B, the tip of the nozzle 84 is widened so that the flow area on the downstream side is wider than the upstream side in the direction in which air flows. A spray port 84 </ b> A is formed at the tip of the nozzle 84. As an example, the spray port 84 </ b> A is formed in a rectangular shape when viewed in the air flow direction.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the spray outlet 84 </ b> A is long in the crossing direction (shown by the arrow E and referred to as E direction) intersecting the A direction when viewed in the Y direction, and a part thereof is the end of the developing roll 52 in the X direction. It faces the part. Further, the nozzle 84 is disposed obliquely so that a part thereof overlaps with the end portion in the X direction of the elastic layer 52B and approaches the central portion in the X direction of the developing roll 52 toward the downstream side in the A direction when viewed in the Y direction. Has been. As a result, the nozzle 84 blows air from the downstream side in the A direction to the region S2 on the outer peripheral surface, which is the end portion of the developing roll 52 in the X direction.

  As an example, the region S2 is a trapezoidal region at a corner formed by intersecting the line B and the line C described above when the developing roll 52 is viewed in the radial direction. That is, in the developing roll 52, air is blown by the blowing portion 82 so that the blowing range in the X direction becomes wider as it is closer to the blade 62B at the upstream side of the blade 62B in the A direction and at the X direction end of the elastic layer 52B. It is done.

[Action]
Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the liquid developer G that has been neutralized by the static elimination unit 66 (see FIG. 5A) is sprayed by the spraying unit 82 (FIG. 5A) in the region S2 upstream of the blade 62B in the A direction. Air). In addition, in FIG. 7, the flow of the air sprayed by the spraying part 82 is shown by arrow FL. Further, in FIG. 7, the collection member 68 (see FIG. 1), the discharge portion 76, the nozzle 84 (see FIG. 5B), and the support plate 62A (see FIG. 5A) are omitted.

  When the air indicated by the arrow FL is blown onto the developing roll 52, the liquid developer G adhering to the outer peripheral surfaces at both ends in the X direction of the developing roll 52 moves toward the center in the X direction. For this reason, when the liquid developer G reaches the blade 62B, the liquid adhering to both ends in the X direction of the developing roll 52 is compared to when the liquid developer G is opposed to the discharge portion 76 (see FIG. 1). The amount of developer G decreases.

  Subsequently, the liquid developer G that has moved to the center in the X direction of the developing roll 52 is removed (scraped) by the blade 62B and stored in the collecting member 68 (see FIG. 1). In this way, the outer peripheral surface of the developing roll 52 after development is cleaned.

  Here, in the cleaning device 80 according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 5A, the spray port 84 </ b> A of the nozzle 84 is long in the E direction, and a part of the spray port 84 </ b> A faces the end portion of the developing roll 52 in the X direction. ing. For this reason, as compared with the configuration having a nozzle having a short spray port in the E direction, the air spray range in the A direction on the developing roll 52 is expanded, so that the liquid developer moves to the X direction center of the developing roll 52. The amount of G increases.

  In the developing device 50 according to the second embodiment, as described above, the liquid developer G is removed by the cleaning device 80 on the central side of the developing roller 52 in the X direction (see FIG. 7). Around the end of the cleaning blade 62 is suppressed. As a result, the liquid developer G moves around the both end portions of the cleaning blade 62 as compared with the configuration in which the liquid developer G is removed after being moved outward with respect to both end portions in the X direction of the developing roll 52. Contamination in the developing device 50 is suppressed.

  In the image forming apparatus 10 of the second embodiment, since the contamination in the developing device 50 is suppressed, the development is performed as compared with the configuration in which the liquid developer G is moved outward with respect to both ends of the developing roll 52 in the X direction. Image defects caused by dirt in the device 50 are suppressed.

[Third embodiment]
Next, examples of the cleaning device, the transfer device, and the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment will be described. The same reference numerals as those in the first and second embodiments are given to the same members and parts as those in the first and second embodiments described above, and the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 8 shows an image forming apparatus 100 according to the third embodiment. The image forming apparatus 100 includes a photoconductor 12, a paper transport unit 40, a developing unit 110 as an example of a developing unit, a transfer device 120, a fixing unit 30, and a control unit 14. In the image forming apparatus 100, image formation is performed using the liquid developer G.

  The developing unit 110 includes a developing roll 52 and a cleaning blade 112 that removes the liquid developer G remaining on the outer peripheral surface of the developing roll 52 after development. Further, the developing unit 110 develops the toner image TA transferred onto the paper P by the transfer device 120 with the liquid developer G.

  The transfer device 120 includes a cleaning device 80 and an intermediate transfer body 22 as an example of a rotating body, a transfer rotating body, and a transfer target. The intermediate transfer body 22 holds the liquid developer G on the outer peripheral surface and transfers it to the paper P as described above. Further, the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer body 22 after being transferred is cleaned by a cleaning device 80.

[Action]
Next, the operation of the third embodiment will be described.

  In the transfer device 120, the liquid developer G is removed by the cleaning device 80 on the center side in the axial direction of the intermediate transfer body 22, so that the liquid developer G is prevented from going around the end of the cleaning blade 62. As a result, the liquid developer G wraps around both ends of the cleaning blade 62 as compared with the configuration in which the liquid developer G is removed after moving outward with respect to both ends in the X direction of the intermediate transfer body 22. As a result, contamination in the transfer device 120 is suppressed.

  In the image forming apparatus 100, dirt in the transfer device 120 is suppressed, so that the liquid developer G in the transfer device 120 can be moved outward with respect to both axial ends of the intermediate transfer body 22. Image defects caused by dirt are suppressed. Note that image defects caused by dirt in the transfer device 120 are, for example, that vertical stripes indicating both ends of the elastic layer 22B of the intermediate transfer body 22 in the X direction are formed on the paper P with the liquid developer G. Can be mentioned.

[Fourth embodiment]
Next, an example of the cleaning device, the assembly, and the image forming apparatus according to the fourth embodiment will be described. The same reference numerals as those in the first, second, and third embodiments are assigned to the same members and parts as those in the first, second, and third embodiments described above, and the description thereof is omitted. .

  FIG. 9 shows an image forming apparatus 130 according to the fourth embodiment. The image forming apparatus 130 includes a photoreceptor unit 140 as an example of an assembly, a paper transport unit 40, a developing unit 110, a transfer unit 20, a fixing unit 30, and a control unit 14. . In the image forming apparatus 130, image formation is performed using the liquid developer G.

  The photoconductor unit 140 includes a cleaning device 80 and a photoconductor 12 as an example of an image holding body and a rotating body. As described above, the photoreceptor 12 holds the latent image developed by the liquid developer G on the outer peripheral surface. Further, the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor 12 after development is cleaned by a cleaning device 80.

[Action]
Next, the operation of the fourth embodiment will be described.

  In the photoconductor unit 140, the liquid developer G is removed on the axial center side of the photoconductor 12 by the cleaning device 80, so that the liquid developer G is prevented from going around the end of the cleaning blade 62. As a result, the liquid developer G moves around the both end portions of the cleaning blade 62 as compared with the configuration in which the liquid developer G is removed after moving outward with respect to both end portions in the X direction of the photoconductor 12. Contamination in the photoconductor unit 140 is suppressed.

  In the image forming apparatus 130, since the contamination in the photoconductor unit 140 is suppressed, the liquid developer G can be moved outward with respect to both axial ends of the photoconductor 12 as compared with the configuration in which the liquid developer G is moved outward. Image defects caused by contamination of the image are suppressed. The image defect caused by the contamination in the photoconductor unit 140 is, for example, that the liquid developer G attached to the photoconductor 12 adheres to the white background portion of the paper P.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to said embodiment.

  The image forming apparatus 10 is not limited to one that forms an image on the paper P with the liquid developer G of one color, but may be one that forms an image on the paper P with the liquid developers G of a plurality of colors. For example, an image forming apparatus having a configuration in which a plurality of developing devices 50 are arranged on the photoreceptor 12 may be used.

  In the image forming apparatus 100 and the image forming apparatus 130, the cleaning device 60 of the first embodiment may be provided instead of the cleaning device 80 of the second embodiment.

  The direction in which the air is blown by the nozzles 72 and 84 may be either a direction toward the upstream side of the developing roll 52 in the A direction or a direction toward the downstream side of the A direction. Further, the nozzle 84 is not limited to a part of the spray port 84A facing the X-direction end portion of the developing roll, and the entire spray port 84A may face the X-direction end portion of the developing roll. .

  The air blowing region by the nozzles 72 and 84 is not limited to the above-described regions S1 and S2, but may be a region including the cleaning blade 62. Further, the regions S1 and S2 may extend upstream in the A direction. Further, the regions S1 and S2 may have the same length in the X direction at each position in the A direction.

  The cleaning devices 60 and 80 may not be provided with the charge removal unit 66.

  The compressor 74 and the power source 78 are not limited to those mounted on the image forming apparatuses 10, 100, 130, and may be provided outside the image forming apparatuses 10, 100, 130.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 12 Photosensitive body (an example of an image holding body and a rotary body)
20 Transfer section (an example of transfer means)
22 Intermediate transfer member (an example of a rotator, transfer rotator, and transfer target)
50 Developing Device 52 Developing Roll (Example of Rotator and Developing Rotator)
60 Cleaning Device 62 Cleaning Blade (Example of Removal Member)
64 Spraying part (an example of spraying means)
66 Static elimination part (an example of static elimination means)
80 Cleaning device 82 Spraying part (an example of spraying means)
84 Nozzle (an example of spray member)
84A Spray Port 100 Image Forming Apparatus 110 Developing Unit (Example of Developing Unit)
120 Transfer Device 130 Image Forming Device 140 Photosensitive Unit (Example of Assembly)
G Liquid developer (example of liquid)

Claims (9)

A plate-shaped removing member that contacts the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body that is supplied and adhered to the outer peripheral surface to remove the liquid;
Provided downstream from the portion to which the liquid is supplied in the rotation direction of the rotating body and upstream from the removing member, the liquid moves toward the axial center of the rotating body. Spraying means for blowing gas to the axial end of the rotating body;
A cleaning device. The liquid contains charged resin powder,
The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein a discharging unit is provided upstream of the spraying unit in the rotating direction to discharge the resin powder at the axial end of the rotating body by a discharge generated by voltage application. .   The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the spray unit includes a spray member having a spray port that is long in an intersecting direction intersecting the rotation direction when the rotating body is viewed in a radial direction. A developing rotator as the rotator for holding a liquid developer as a liquid on the outer peripheral surface and developing a latent image of the image carrier with the liquid developer;
The cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an outer peripheral surface after development of the developing rotator is cleaned.
A developing device. A transfer rotator as the rotator for holding the developer image transferred from the developing rotator on the outer peripheral surface and transferring it to the transfer target;
The cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an outer peripheral surface after transfer of the transfer rotator is cleaned.
A transfer device having An image holding body as a rotating body that holds a developer image formed by development of the developing rotating body on the outer peripheral surface;
The cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an outer peripheral surface of the image holding member after the transfer, in which the developer image is transferred to a transfer target, is cleaned.
An assembly. A developing device according to claim 4;
Transfer means for transferring the developer image of the image carrier developed by the developing device to a transfer target;
An image forming apparatus. Developing means for developing the latent image of the image carrier with a liquid developer;
The transfer device according to claim 5, wherein the developer image formed on the image carrier by the development of the developing unit is transferred to a transfer target;
An image forming apparatus. An assembly according to claim 6;
Developing means for developing the latent image of the image carrier with a liquid developer;
Transfer means for transferring a developer image formed on the image carrier by development of the developing means to a recording medium;
An image forming apparatus.

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