JP2017111419A - Lubricant application device and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lubricant application device capable of more reducing a downtime caused by mechanical operation inhibition due to the depletion of a solid lubricant than before.SOLUTION: A lubricant application device 31 includes a solid lubricant 312, a lubricant application roller 311, and a lubricant remaining amount detection device 330. The lubricant remaining amount detection device 330 includes a rotation member for remaining amount detection 334 rotated around a shaft 334a. The rotation member for remaining amount detection 334 has a contact end part 334b coming into contact with a holder member 313 for the solid lubricant 312 moved to the side of the lubricant application roller 311 according to the consumption of the solid lubricant 312. In the rotation member for remaining amount detection 334, the contact end part 334b comes into contact with the shape for remaining amount detection 314 of the holder member 313 from a downstream side in an attachment direction where attachment is performed from the same direction in the order of the holder member 313 holding the solid lubricant 312 and the lubricant application roller 311.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

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

In image forming apparatuses such as printers, facsimiles, and copiers, lubrication is performed by supplying a lubricant to the surface of the image carrier for protecting the image carrier such as a photosensitive member or an intermediate transfer belt as a lubricant supply target and reducing friction. An apparatus provided with an agent supply device is known.
For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a solid lubricant by detecting a change in a conductive state when a conductive holder member of a solid lubricant (solid lubricant) is brought into contact with an electrode from a non-contact state. The configuration of a lubricant remaining amount detection device that determines the remaining amount (life) of the agent is described.

However, the configuration of the lubricant application device provided with the conventional lubricant remaining amount detection device has the following problems.
When replacing the solid lubricant, the electrode and conductive member of the lubricant remaining amount detection device, or the lubricant remaining amount detection device itself must be attached and detached, resulting in longer replacement time and depletion of the solid lubricant. In some cases, the downtime caused by the prohibition of the machine operation is prolonged.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the invention described in claim 1 includes a solid lubricant, a lubricant application roller that scrapes the solid lubricant and applies the solid lubricant to an object to be coated, and the solid lubricant. And a lubricant remaining amount detecting device for detecting a decrease in the amount of lubricant due to consumption of the lubricant, wherein the lubricant remaining amount detecting device includes a rotating member for detecting a remaining amount that rotates about a rotating shaft. The rotating member has a contact portion that comes into contact with the solid lubricant holding member that moves to the lubricant application roller side as the solid lubricant is consumed. The contact portion comes into contact with the contact portion of the holding member from the downstream side in the mounting direction when the holding member holding the lubricant and the lubricant application roller are attached to the lubricant application device from the same direction in this order. This is provided The features.

  Advantageous Effects of Invention According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a lubricant application device that can reduce downtime caused by the prohibition of machine operation accompanying the depletion of solid lubricant as compared with the prior art.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printer 200 according to an embodiment. FIG. Explanatory drawing of an example of the attachment or detachment method of a lubricant application device, and a set detection system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a configuration explanatory diagram of a lubricant application device according to a first embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the lubricant storage case, solid lubricant, etc. which had in the lubricant application device. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the configuration and operation of a lubricant remaining amount detection device provided in the lubricant application device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram when the solid lubricant is replaced in the lubricant application device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a configuration and operation explanatory diagram of a lubricant remaining amount detection device provided in the lubricant application device of Reference Example 1. FIG. 6 is a configuration and operation explanatory diagram of a lubricant remaining amount detection device provided in the lubricant application device of Example 2. FIG. 10 is a configuration and operation explanatory diagram of a lubricant remaining amount detection device provided in the lubricant application device of Example 3. FIG. 6 is a configuration explanatory diagram of a lubricant application device according to Configuration Example 1 of Embodiment 4; FIG. 6 is a configuration and operation explanatory diagram of a lubricant remaining amount detection device provided in the lubricant application device of Configuration Example 1 of Example 4. FIG. 6 is a configuration and operation explanatory diagram of a lubricant remaining amount detection device provided in the lubricant application device of Configuration Example 2 of Example 4. FIG. 6 is a configuration and operation explanatory diagram of a lubricant remaining amount detection device provided in the lubricant application device of Reference Example 2. FIG. 9 is a configuration explanatory diagram of a lubricant application device according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 6 is a detection flow diagram for detecting the remaining amount of lubricant.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of an electrophotographic printer (hereinafter referred to as a printer 200) will be described as an image forming apparatus provided with a lubricant application device to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printer 200 according to the present embodiment.

First, the basic configuration and operation of the printer 200 will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 200 includes an intermediate transfer device 50 having an intermediate transfer belt 56 or the like as an intermediate transfer member, which is an image carrier, at an approximate center inside. The intermediate transfer belt 56 is an endless belt made of a heat-resistant material such as polyimide or polyamide and having a base adjusted to a medium resistance. The intermediate transfer belt 56 is passed over the secondary transfer counter roller 52 and the three rollers 53, 54, 55 and the like. And is rotationally driven in the direction of the arrow in the figure. Above the intermediate transfer belt 56, four image forming units (process cartridges) 10Y, M, C, and K corresponding to the respective color toners of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) are provided. They are arranged along the belt surface of the intermediate transfer belt 56.

The printer 200 has toner bottles for each color, and is supplied to each developing device 4 by a predetermined replenishment amount from here through a conveyance path.
In each image forming unit 10, exposure scanning is performed with laser light from the exposure device 9 on the surface of the photoreceptors 1Y, M, C, and K, which are latent image carriers uniformly charged in advance by the charging device 2, An electrostatic latent image for each toner color is created.
Each electrostatic latent image is developed with toner in each color developing device 4, and a toner image of each color is formed on the surface of each photoreceptor 1.

  A primary transfer roller 51 is disposed in the intermediate transfer device 50 so as to face the photoreceptor 1 of each image forming unit so as to sandwich the intermediate transfer belt 56. By applying a voltage to the primary transfer roller 51, the photosensitive drum 1 is exposed to light. The toner images on the body 1 are sequentially transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 56. By sequentially transferring in this way, a toner image on which the respective colors are superimposed is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 56. The intermediate transfer belt 56 is rotationally driven by a driving unit of the printer 200 main body, and the toner image transferred from the photoreceptor 1 is transferred to a secondary transfer roller 61 and a secondary transfer roller 61 as a secondary transfer device constituting a secondary transfer unit. The sheet is conveyed to the nip portion with the intermediate transfer belt 56 supported by the next transfer counter roller 52.

  A recording material (paper) as a recording medium is conveyed by a paper feed roller from a paper feed cassette 41 provided in the paper feed unit 40. When the leading edge of the recording material reaches the registration roller, it is detected by a sensor, and the recording material is conveyed to the nip portion between the secondary transfer roller 61 and the intermediate transfer belt 56 by the registration roller pair 44 while taking a timing with this signal. In the secondary transfer portion, a secondary transfer roller 61 as a secondary transfer device and a secondary transfer counter roller 52 sandwich the intermediate transfer belt 56 to form a nip. The recording material is conveyed between the secondary transfer roller 61 and the intermediate transfer belt 56 in the nip portion.

The toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 56 and conveyed between the secondary transfer roller 61 and the intermediate transfer belt 56 is given a predetermined potential difference between the secondary transfer roller 61 and the secondary transfer counter roller 52. The As a result, secondary transfer is performed on the recording material conveyed between the secondary transfer roller 61 and the intermediate transfer belt 56.
The recording material onto which each color toner image has been secondarily transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 70 and is fixed by heat and pressure after passing through the fixing nip portion sandwiched between the fixing roller 73 and the pressure roller 74 and then discharged. The paper is discharged by the paper roller 63. As described above, the image forming operation for one recording material is completed.

  Here, the toner remaining on each photoconductor 1 is cleaned by each cleaning device 8 to prepare for charging for the next image forming operation. The residual toner on the intermediate transfer belt 56 is cleaned by the belt cleaning device 39 to prepare for the next image forming operation. Further, the residual toner collected by the cleaning device 8 and the belt cleaning device 39 from each of the photoreceptors 1 and the intermediate transfer belt 56 is transported and stored in a toner collection container disposed in the main body of the printer 200. It has become.

Next, as a lubricant application device having a lubricant remaining amount detection device, the lubricant application device 31 that applies the lubricant onto the intermediate transfer belt 56 will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a method for attaching / detaching the lubricant application device 31 and a set detection method. FIG. 2 (a) is an explanatory diagram of a method for attaching / detaching the lubricant application device 31, and FIG. FIG. 2C is an explanatory diagram of the set state, and FIG. 2C is an explanatory diagram of the set state.

The photosensitive member 1 and the intermediate transfer belt 56 included in each image forming unit (process cartridge) 10 are coated with a lubricant in order to protect the surface and extend the life.
The surface of each photoconductor 1 and the intermediate transfer belt 56 is deteriorated by charging / bias application, adhesion of components added to the toner, etc., resulting in deterioration of the surface and increase of surface friction over time. It will be easy to do. By applying a lubricant, a protective layer is formed on the surface, and it is constantly refreshed and maintained, so that the above-mentioned problems can be prevented and the product can be used for a long time. be able to.
Generally, a lubricant application device is disposed at a downstream position in each cleaning device, and a lubricant protective layer is formed on the surface from which residual toner or the like has been removed by the cleaning device.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the lubricant application device 31 is configured to be detachable directly from the main body of the printer 200. By opening the cover on the front surface of the main body, similarly to each image forming unit 10 and the intermediate transfer device 50, it is pulled out from the opening of the main body of the printer 200 in the axial direction of the lubricant application roller 311 (see FIG. 3A) and removed. It is possible.
Here, the lubricant application device 31 is supported so as to be movable (operable) in the front-rear direction in the drawing (axial direction of the lubricant application roller 311) along a guide rail disposed in the printer 200 main body or the intermediate transfer device 50. ing.

  At the time of removal / attachment along the guide rail, the surface of the lubricant application roller 311 does not come into contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 56 pressed by the opposing roller 57 of the lubricant application device 31 disposed in the intermediate transfer device 50. It is set as the structure which is evacuated and guided. When the guide rail reaches the normal setting position, the position of the lubricant application device 31 is regulated and positioned by positioning members provided before and after the intermediate transfer device 50. Further, in the set state, the lubricant applying device 31 is separated from the guide rail, and the lubricant applying roller 311 is in contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 56 pressed by the opposing roller 57 to form a nip.

As shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C, the printer 200 main body side has a set detection means for detecting the set state of the lubricant application device 31.
Specifically, a set sensor 361 that is a switch type sensor is arranged on the downstream side (rear side of the main body) in the mounting direction when the printer 200 is mounted. By attaching the lubricant application device 31, the printer 200 main body recognizes that the switch of the set sensor 361 is pushed and is in the set state as shown in FIG. 2C. On the contrary, when removing, as shown in FIG. 2B, the switch of the set sensor 361 is released and the notification is recognized that the switch is not set.
Next, the configuration of the lubricant application device 31 of this embodiment and the lubricant remaining amount detection device 330 that can be provided in the lubricant application device 31 will be described with reference to a plurality of examples and reference examples.

Example 1
First, Example 1 of the lubricant application device 31 of this embodiment and the lubricant remaining amount detection device 330 that can be provided in the lubricant application device 31 will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of the lubricant application device 31 according to the present embodiment, in which FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional explanatory diagram, and FIG. 3B is a set direction of main components of the lubricant application device 31. FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of the lubricant storage case 301 and the solid lubricant 312 provided in the lubricant application device 31, and FIG. 4A is a perspective explanatory view of the lubricant storage case 301, and FIG. ) Is an explanatory diagram of a component member that can be removed together with the solid lubricant 312. Here, in FIG. 3A, the lubricant remaining amount detection case 331 is shown by hatching so that the configuration of each member in the lubricant remaining amount detection case 331 of the lubricant remaining amount detection device 330 is easily understood. Yes.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the lubricant application device 31 includes a solid lubricant 312, a lubricant application roller 311, a compression spring 321 that pressurizes the solid lubricant 312, a spring member 321 a and the like. It comprises a member and a lubricant storage case 301 for storing these members.
Since the solid lubricant 312 itself is brittle and fragile, it is fixed to the holder member 313 made of a conductive material such as metal by using an adhesive or a double-sided tape. Then, the holder member 313 is pressed using the compression spring 321 shown in FIG. 3A or the pressure member of the arm-shaped member 321b shown in FIG. 3B, and is placed in contact with the lubricant application roller 311. .

  The lubricant application roller 311 is a brush roller, a sponge roller, or the like, and is disposed in the lubricant application device 31 so as to be rotatable. Then, the surface of the solid lubricant 312 pressed against and placed by the compression spring 321 or the pressure member of the arm-shaped member 321b is rubbed and scraped off as a powder lubricant, and the scraped powder lubricant is intermediated. The coating is performed while abutting on the transfer belt 56.

Further, a shielding member 303 such as a seal or a mylar is opened in the upper part of the lubricant storage case 301 in the drawing so that the powdery lubricant scraped off by the lubricant application roller 311 does not scatter outside the lubricant application device 31. It is arranged near the part. More specifically, the intermediate transfer belt 56 is hermetically sealed before and after the lubricant application roller 311 (upstream and downstream positions with respect to the lubricant application roller 311 in the conveyance direction of the intermediate transfer belt 56). Similarly, a sealing member is also disposed at the longitudinal end of the lubricant application roller 311 so as to contact the intermediate transfer belt 56 to prevent the powdered lubricant from scattering.
Here, the guide shapes 302 with which the above-described rails abut are formed on the attachment portions of the shielding member 303 arranged before and after the lubricant application roller 311.

Along with the long life of each unit in recent years, the occurrence of abnormal images and malfunctions due to the depletion of the solid lubricant is the status of the unit. Although it is possible to extend the life of the solid lubricant by sufficiently securing and increasing the capacity of the solid lubricant, it is not possible to secure a sufficient capacity as the main body is downsized and space-saving. Therefore, in the printer 200 of the present embodiment, by disposing the lubricant remaining amount detection device 330 in the lubricant application device 31, machine operation is prohibited before the occurrence of a malfunction due to the depletion of the solid lubricant 312, and It is configured to notify. At the same time, it is possible to prevent the solid lubricant 312 from being replaced at an early stage without fully using the capacity, and to promote the replacement after reliably utilizing the capacity.
That is, by providing the lubricant application device 31 with the lubricant remaining amount detection device 330, the solid lubricant 312 can be appropriately replaced in a state where the capacity of the solid lubricant 312 is fully utilized, and lubrication is performed. The replacement frequency of the solid lubricant 312 of the agent coating device 31 can be reduced.

  FIG. 3A shows an example in which the lubricant application roller 311 is rotated clockwise (clockwise) in the drawing, but the rotation direction of the lubricant application roller 311 is not limited to such a direction. Absent. Similarly, in the counterclockwise (counterclockwise) direction similar to the conveyance direction of the intermediate transfer belt 56, it is possible to reduce the downtime caused by the prohibition of the mechanical operation due to the depletion of the solid lubricant 312. . Further, the arrangement of the lubricant remaining amount detection device 330 may be on either the left or right side of the lubricant application device 31, and there is no relationship with the rotation direction of the lubricant application roller 311 with respect to the above effect. In the example shown in FIG. 3A, the front and rear of the lubricant application roller 311 are both sealed with a shielding member. However, at the downstream position of the lubricant application roller 311 in the conveyance direction of the intermediate transfer belt 56, the applied powder lubricant is leveled and pressed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 56 to form a uniform protective layer. A configuration having a lubricant layer forming means such as a blade may be adopted.

Here, as shown in FIG. 3B, the lubricant application device 31 holds a solid lubricant 312 and a lubricant application roller 311 in a lubricant storage case 301 having an upper surface opened in the drawing. It is configured in this way. Further, the lubricant storage case 301 can be placed with the opening as an upper surface, and the solid lubricant 312 and the lubricant application roller 311 are set in this order from the opening on the upper surface.
The solid lubricant 312 is regulated in the longitudinal direction and the width direction by an inner wall and a guide shape (rib shape) in the lubricant storage case 301, and is moved by being energized by the pressure member only toward the opening. It is possible. In this state, by setting the lubricant application roller 311 in the opening of the lubricant storage case 301, the solid lubricant 312 is pressed by the lubricant application roller 311 in the lubricant storage case 301. .

  The lubricant application roller 311 is attached to the lubricant storage case 301 by setting a bearing member that holds the cored bar at both ends in a rotatable state. When the lubricant application device 31 is set in the printer 200 main body, driving is transmitted between the driving means arranged on the printer 200 main body side and the end of the lubricant application roller 311, and the lubricant is scraped and applied by rotating. can do.

Next, the lubricant storage case 301 and the solid lubricant 312 of the lubricant application device 31 will be described with reference to FIGS.
The lubricant storage case 301 has a shape having guide shapes 302 used at the time of setting the lubricant application device 31 in the main body of the printer 200 at both ends of the upper surface opening. Thus, by providing the guide shape 302 integrally with the lubricant storage case 301, it is possible to improve the setability and prevent an increase in the number of parts due to another member.

Here, in the printer 200 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4A, guide shapes 302 are provided in the vicinity of both ends of the opening. This is because the opening, that is, the lubricant application roller 311 is provided. This is because it is arranged in the printer 200 with the arranged portion facing up. That is, in the printer 200 according to the present embodiment, the intermediate transfer belt 56 that is the lubricant application body is arranged on the upper part of the lubricant application device 31, and therefore, as shown in FIG. Guide shapes 302 are provided in the vicinity of both end portions of the portion.
For this reason, the installation location (optimum location) of the guide shape 302 differs depending on the set state with respect to the printer 200 main body.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4A, lubricant remaining amount detection devices 330 are attached at two locations near both ends of one longitudinal side surface of the lubricant storage case 301. This is arranged at both ends in order to ensure that the solid lubricant 312 can be reliably detected in order to prevent the occurrence of problems due to exhaustion even when the solid lubricant 312 is unevenly worn. At the both end arrangement portions, the lubricant storage case 301 itself is provided with a remaining amount detection hole 305, and the lubricant remaining amount detection device 330 covers the hole 305 portion.

  The lubricant remaining amount detection device 330 can directly and mechanically monitor the remaining amount of the solid lubricant 312 in the hole 305, and the scattering of the powdery lubricant from the hole 305 is detected. The detection device 330 itself is configured to prevent it. A part of the remaining amount detecting rotation member 334 arranged in the lubricant remaining amount detecting device 330 is inserted into the hole 305 provided in the lubricant storing case 301 so that the remaining amount of the lubricant can be detected. . Here, details of the lubricant remaining amount detection device 330 will be described later.

  Further, a lubricant storage case 301 of the lubricant application device 31 includes a set shape of a bearing member for holding the lubricant application roller 311 provided at both longitudinal end positions on the opening surface, a pin shape for positioning the printer 200 main body, and the like. The following effects can also be obtained by providing the above. A simple and inexpensive configuration with a reduced number of parts can be achieved.

  The solid lubricant 312 is held by the holder member 313 formed of a metal material because it is brittle and fragile, as described above. A pressure member (an arm member 321b and a tension spring member 321a in the figure) is attached to the holder member 313 so that the surface (the upper surface in the figure) of the solid lubricant 312 is pressed toward the lubricant application roller 311 side. I have to. In addition, a remaining amount detecting shape 314 having a bent or convex shape is provided at two positions on both ends of the holder member 313 for detecting the remaining amount of lubricant. This remaining amount detection shape 314 is aligned with a portion where the lubricant remaining amount detecting device 330 is arranged when being set in the lubricant storage case 301, that is, a hole 305 provided for detecting the remaining amount of lubricant. The arrangement is adjusted in the longitudinal direction.

Next, the configuration of the lubricant remaining amount detection device 330 provided in the lubricant application device 31 will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the configuration and operation of the lubricant remaining amount detection device 330 provided in the lubricant application device 31 of the present embodiment. FIG. It is sectional explanatory drawing at the time of a new article. 5B is an explanatory side view when the remaining amount of the solid lubricant 312 is normal (new), and FIG. 5C is an explanatory cross-sectional view when the remaining amount of the solid lubricant 312 is depleted. FIG. 5D is an explanatory side view when the remaining amount of the solid lubricant 312 is exhausted. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram when the solid lubricant 312 is replaced in the lubricant application device 31 of the present embodiment. FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional explanatory diagram when the solid lubricant 312 is replaced. (B) is a side explanatory view when the solid lubricant 312 is replaced. Here, in FIGS. 5A, 5 </ b> C, and 6 </ b> A, a lubricant storage case is provided so that changes in the states of the movable members of the lubricant application device 31 and the lubricant remaining amount detection device 330 can be easily understood. 301 and the lubricant remaining amount detection case 331 are shown only by hatching.

As shown in FIGS. 5A to 5D, the lubricant remaining amount detecting device 330 mainly includes a remaining amount detecting rotating member 334 that rotates and two electrode plates 335 and 336 that detect conduction. , And a lubricant remaining amount detection case 331 for holding them. And it is attached to the lubricant storage case 301 of the lubricant application device 31 while being held in the lubricant remaining amount detection case 331.
The solid lubricant 312 in the lubricant application device 31 (lubricant storage case 301) is gradually shortened by being scraped off by the lubricant application roller 311, and the holder member 313 that holds the solid lubricant 312 is used as the lubricant. It moves to approach the application roller 311 side. Here, as described above, the remaining amount detection shape 314 for the remaining amount of lubricant is provided in the vicinity of both ends of the holder member 313, and the remaining amount detection shape 314 is provided on the remaining amount detection rotating member 334. The contact end portion 334b (one end portion) is placed in contact.

In the lubricant remaining amount detection device 330 according to the present embodiment, the contact end portion 334b, which is one end side of the remaining amount detection rotating member 334 when viewed from the lubricant application roller 311 side, is formed on the holder member 313. It arrange | positions so that it may contact in the back side below the figure of the remaining amount detection shape 314 provided.
Accordingly, in conjunction with the movement of the holder member 313 as the solid lubricant 312 decreases, the remaining amount detecting rotation member 334 rotates around the shaft 334a, and the other pressing end 334c is arranged in parallel. The two electrode plates 335 and 336 are arranged. The two electrode plates 335 and 336 are arranged close to each other in parallel, but are in a non-contact state when the remaining amount of the solid lubricant 312 shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B is normal (new). .

The remaining amount detecting rotation member 334 is provided so that the contact end portion 334b contacts the remaining amount detecting shape 314 of the holder member 313 from below in the figure of the remaining amount detecting shape 314 provided on the holder member 313. It has been. In other words, the remaining amount detecting rotation member 334 has the remaining lubricant member 313 from the downstream side in the attachment direction when attaching the lubricant application roller 311 and the holder member 313 holding the solid lubricant 312 to the lubricant application device 31. The contact end portion 334b contacts the amount detection shape 314. By providing (arranging) the remaining amount detecting rotation member 334 as described above, the solid lubricant 312 can be replaced without performing the attaching / detaching operation of the lubricant remaining amount detecting device 330.
For example, in the case of the reverse arrangement, the solid lubricant 312 cannot be removed unless the remaining amount detecting rotation member 334 of the lubricant remaining amount detecting device 330 is removed, and work time is required. Deteriorating. Further, there is a concern that the powdery lubricant may be scattered or dropped due to the removal of the lubricant remaining amount detection device 330.

Then, as shown in FIGS. 5C and 5D, when the remaining amount of the solid lubricant 312 is exhausted, the two electrode plates 335 and 336 come into contact with each other. As a result, the control unit 100 of the printer 200 main body detects conduction through the electric path connected to the electrode plates 335 and 336, and detects that the remaining amount of the solid lubricant is small (near life). It is configured to do.
Specifically, from the state shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the pressing end 334 c of the remaining amount detecting rotation member 334 comes into contact with one electrode plate 335 and further bends gradually. By this operation, one electrode plate 335 comes into contact with the other electrode plate 336.

In this way, the state in which the two electrode plates 335 and 336 are in conduction is defined as “the solid lubricant remains a little (near life state)”, but the detection of the life of the solid lubricant 312 is similarly performed. Can be used.
However, when the conduction state = lifetime, in order to prevent the occurrence of problems due to the depletion of the solid lubricant 312, the machine operation of the printer 200 must be prohibited, and the machine of the printer 200 cannot be operated. This will cause downtime. For this reason, it is desirable to use a configuration that has a means for detecting the lifetime of depletion by utilizing it as a near-life state.

Further, the remaining amount detecting rotation member 334 rotates around the shaft 334a by the weight of the portion where the pressing end portion 334c is formed, and the remaining amount detecting shape 314 of the holder member 313 is changed to the shape shown in FIG. (D) In the figure, the contact end 334b is biased in the direction of arrow B from below. Accordingly, the remaining amount detecting rotation member 334 is configured to rotate in conjunction with the movement of the holder member 313 due to the decrease in the solid lubricant 312.
In this lubricant remaining amount detection device 330, the solid lubricant 312 decreases by a certain amount, and after detecting the remaining amount detection due to the conduction between the two electrode plates 335, 336, the rotation operation is continued. In order to prevent an excessive load from being applied to the electrode plate, the following configuration is provided.
A rotation restriction shape 337 for restricting the rotation operation of the remaining amount detection rotating member 334 when detecting conduction is provided in the lubricant remaining amount detection case 331. In addition, in order to prevent the conductive state from being released due to deflection of the electrode plate 336 that is not in direct contact with the remaining amount detecting rotation member 334, a similar stopper shape 338 is also provided in the lubricant remaining amount detecting case 331. Yes.

When the solid lubricant 312 shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B is replaced, the remaining amount detection rotating member 334 abuts against the rotation restricting shape 337 of the lubricant remaining amount detecting device 330 and the holder member 313 remains. The surface in contact with the amount detection shape 314 is held in a substantially horizontal state.
In this state, when a new solid lubricant 312 is set from the upper surface opening of the lubricant storage case 301, the remaining amount detecting shape 314 comes into contact with the remaining amount detecting rotating member 334, and in the drawing. It will be pushed down. Then, the conductive state of the two electrode plates 335 and 336 is released by the rotation of the remaining amount detecting rotation member 334, and it can be recognized that the solid lubricant 312 has the same arrangement as in the normal state.

As described above, the remaining amount is detected by the remaining amount detection shape 314 of the holder member 313 from the downstream side in the mounting direction in which the holder member 313 holding the solid lubricant 312 and the lubricant application roller 311 are attached in the same direction in this order. The contact end portion 334b of the rotating member 334 for contact comes into contact.
Because of this contact, when attaching the lubricant application roller 311 and the holder member 313 holding the solid lubricant 312, the remaining amount detection shape 314 of the holder member 313 pushes the contact end 334 b to detect the remaining amount. The rotating member 334 can be rotated. On the other hand, when the holder member 313 holding the solid lubricant 312 is removed, the remaining amount detecting shape 314 of the holder member 313 is merely separated from the contact end portion 334b of the remaining amount detecting rotating member 334.
For these reasons, when the solid lubricant 312 is replaced, the contact end portion 334b of the remaining amount detecting rotation member 334 is attached to and detached from the lubricant application roller 311 and the holder member 313 holding the solid lubricant 312. Smooth replacement work can be performed without obstructing.

Therefore, when the solid lubricant 312 is replaced, the electrode and conductive member of the lubricant remaining amount detection device 330 are supplied from the lubricant remaining amount detection device 330, or the lubricant remaining amount detection device 330 itself is connected to the lubricant application device 31. Therefore, the replacement work of the solid lubricant 312 can be performed without removing it from the base, and the replacement work time can be shortened.
Therefore, it is possible to provide the lubricant application device 31 that can reduce the downtime caused by the prohibition of the mechanical operation accompanying the depletion of the solid lubricant 312 as compared with the conventional case.

The lubricant application device 31 is configured to be detachable independently from the printer 200 main body.
According to this, the workability of the replacement operation of the solid lubricant 312 of the lubricant application device 31 is further improved, and the replacement of the solid lubricant 312 mounted inside the lubricant storage case 301 is further shortened. Can be implemented easily.

The members of the lubricant application device 31 are arranged as follows. The lubricant application device 31 is moved from the upper side in the order of the lubricant application roller 311 and the solid lubricant 312 so that the portion of the lubricant application roller 311 in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 56 becomes the upper surface of the lubricant application roller 311. It is arranged in a substantially upright posture.
According to this configuration, the lubricant application roller 311 stands upright and the lubricant application roller 311 and the solid lubricant 312 can be replaced in this order from the upper surface. Replacement of the solid lubricant 312 The workability of the work can be further improved. In addition, in the lubricant storage case 301 for storing the solid lubricant 312, the lubricant applied to the lubricant application roller 311 has a simple shape so that the lubricant that has been scraped into powder can be scattered or dropped. It can be set as the structure which can prevent easily. At the same time, by using a simpler lubricant application device, the number of parts can be reduced and the lubricant application device 31 can be made inexpensive.

Further, the lubricant remaining amount detection device 330 of the lubricant application device 31 operates as follows. A part of the convex shape such as the remaining amount detecting shape 314 provided in the holder member 313 is detected in the remaining amount detecting device 330 when the solid lubricant 312 is set in the lubricant applying device 31. When the contact end 334b of the rotating member 334 is contacted and pushed, it rotates.
According to this, the remaining amount detecting rotation member 334 can be arranged so as to be able to rotate with respect to the setting direction of the solid lubricant 312 and can be rotated in conjunction with the setting operation. By rotating in this way, the solid lubricant 312 can be exchanged easily without removing the lubricant remaining amount detection device 330 from the lubricant application device 31 itself, and can be easily configured.

In addition, the lubricant application device 31 has a lubricant storage case 301 for storing the solid lubricant 312 and has a shape in which only one surface is opened so that the solid lubricant 312 can be stored / detached. It is configured to be able to stand upright on the top.
According to this, by making the opening surface of the lubricant storage case 301 one surface and making the opening surface stand as an upper surface, the powdery lubricant is prevented from being unexpectedly scattered and dropped. be able to. Further, since the lubricant application roller 311 is arranged on the opening surface, it is possible to reduce a cover member or the like necessary when an additional opening is provided.

The lubricant remaining amount detection device 330 provided in the lubricant application device 31 is configured so that the remaining amount of the solid lubricant 312 is obtained by rotating the remaining amount detecting rotation member 334 and energizing the electrode plates 335 and 336. Determine the state.
According to this, by detecting the remaining amount of the solid lubricant 312 by determining the conductive state and the non-conductive state, there is no need to arrange a detection means such as a sensor in the vicinity of the lubricant application device 31. The remaining amount of the solid lubricant 312 can be detected in the space.
Also, the lubricant application device 31 has a lubricant remaining amount detection device 330 at a plurality of locations, and is disposed at least near both ends in the longitudinal direction of the solid lubricant 312.
According to this, by confirming the continuity in the vicinity of the two ends of the solid lubricant 312, the remaining amount of the solid lubricant 312 can be made normal even when the solid lubricant 312 is unevenly consumed. It becomes possible to detect.

The lubricant remaining amount detecting device of the lubricant applying device 31 has a small remaining amount of the solid lubricant 312 due to energization by contact with a member made of a conductive material such as the electrode plates 335 and 336. Detects near-life condition.
According to this, by setting the through state to the life or near life of the solid lubricant 312, the printer 200 can be in a non-conducting state at the time of operation, that is, normally, and power consumption can be reduced. Further, as will be described later, the detection operation is not performed when the lubricant application roller 311 rotates, so that erroneous detection due to intermittent contact due to vibration of the solid lubricant 312 or the like can be prevented. Further, by setting the conductive state to the near life, it is possible to provide time for urging the replacement of the solid lubricant 312 and further improve the downtime reduction effect.

Further, the printer 200, that is, the printer 200 including the above-described lubricant applying device 31 as a lubricant applying device for applying the lubricant to the intermediate transfer belt 56 and the intermediate transfer belt 56, the lubricant applying device 31 is connected to the printer. It is provided so that it can be detached from the 200 body alone.
According to this, the same effect as the lubricant application device 31 having any of the above-described configurations can be obtained, and the workability of the replacement work of the solid lubricant 312 of the lubricant application device 31 can be further improved. Can be made. In addition, the solid lubricant 312 mounted inside can be easily replaced in a shorter time.

Further, in the lubricant remaining amount detection device 330 of this embodiment, the compression spring 321 and the spring member 321a that pressurize the solid lubricant 312 by the urging force of the remaining amount detection rotating member 334 (contact end portion 334b) are provided. The pressing force of the pressing member in the direction of arrow A is used as an auxiliary.
The holder member 313 that holds the solid lubricant 312 is biased by the pressing direction of the arrow A direction by the pressing member and the remaining amount detection rotating member 334 provided in the lubricant remaining amount detection device 330. The direction of arrow B is the same direction.

With this configuration, the following effects can be achieved.
In the case of a solid lubricant 312 having a flat surface with which the lubricant application roller 311 contacts when it is new or the like, it is difficult to scrape the surface with the lubricant application roller 311, and at the beginning of use of the solid lubricant 312, the lubricant is applied. The amount is likely to be insufficient.
On the other hand, in the lubricant application device 31 of the present embodiment, the pressing direction by the pressing member such as the compression spring 321 and the urging direction of the holder member 313 by the remaining amount detection rotating member 334 are the same direction. In this way, the pressing force of the pressure member such as the compression spring 321 that pressurizes the solid lubricant 312 toward the lubricant application roller 311 is assisted by the urging force by the remaining amount detection rotating member 334. can do.

As a result, the pressure applied to press the solid lubricant 312 toward the lubricant application roller 311 can be increased, and the surface can be easily scraped off by the lubricant application roller 311. As a result, even when the solid lubricant 312 having a flat surface on which the lubricant application roller 311 comes into contact, the shortage of the lubricant application amount at the beginning of use can be solved.
Further, since it is not necessary to increase the spring constant of the pressure member such as the compression spring 321, it is attached by the remaining amount detecting rotating member 334 that is a rotating member for detecting the remaining amount when the solid lubricant 312 is attached or detached. It is also possible to adopt a configuration that does not hinder the force.

Further, in the lubricant remaining amount detection device 330 according to the present embodiment, the urging force for urging the holder member 313 that holds the solid lubricant 312 by the remaining amount detection rotating member 334 is consumed by the solid lubricant 312. As a result, it is configured to gradually weaken.
Specifically, the urging force that urges the holder member 313 is generated by a rotational moment that is acted upon by the weight of the portion where the pressing end 334c is formed, which rotates about the shaft 334a. When the distance (foot) to the center of gravity of the portion where the pressing end portion 334c is formed is large in the remaining amount of the solid lubricant 312 as shown in FIG. 5B, the urging force becomes strong, and FIG. As shown in (d), when the remaining amount of the solid lubricant 312 decreases, the urging force gradually decreases.

With this configuration, the following effects can be achieved.
In the case of a solid lubricant 312 having a flat surface with which the lubricant application roller 311 contacts when it is new or the like, it is difficult to scrape the surface with the lubricant application roller 311, and at the beginning of use of the solid lubricant 312, the lubricant is applied. The amount is likely to be insufficient. However, if the pressure applied to press the solid lubricant 312 toward the lubricant application roller 311 is increased over time, the consumption amount of the solid lubricant 312, that is, the lubricant application amount increases more than necessary. The life of the solid lubricant 312 is shortened.
On the other hand, the urging force for urging the holder member 313 that holds the solid lubricant 312 is gradually weakened as the solid lubricant 312 is consumed. While increasing the amount of applied lubricant, the consumption rate can be reduced over time, and the life of the solid lubricant 312 can be extended.

Further, in the lubricant remaining amount detection device 330 of the present embodiment, the remaining amount detection rotating member 334 fixes the decrease in the lubricant amount of the solid lubricant 312 when it is detected that the predetermined amount has been reached. The urging force for urging the shape lubricant 312 (holder member 313) is eliminated.
Specifically, immediately after detecting that the remaining amount of the solid lubricant 312 remains and is in the state of a short near-life due to the energization of the electrode plates 335, 336, etc., the remaining amount detecting rotation member 334 with the rotation restriction shape 337 is detected. The operation is regulated. With such a configuration, the force urged by the remaining amount detection rotating member 334 is not transmitted to the solid lubricant 312.

With this configuration, the following effects can be achieved.
When the remaining amount of the solid lubricant 312 is large, the pressure applied by the pressure member such as the compression spring 321 is assisted by the urging force of the remaining amount detection rotating member 334 to compensate for the insufficient lubricant application amount. Can eliminate the urging force of the remaining amount detecting rotation member 334 and apply the lubricant only by the pressing force of the pressure member.
As described above, by applying the lubricant only by the pressing force of the pressure member over time, the consumption rate of the solid lubricant 312 can be further reduced, and the life of the solid lubricant 312 can be further extended.

Here, in the conventional lubricant application device, when the solid lubricant is new, a large amount of force is required to scrape off if the surface is flat, and a protrusion is provided on the surface to facilitate scraping or coating. It was necessary to devise an arc shape along the roller.
Further, when the solid lubricant side cannot cope with it, a countermeasure such as applying a powder such as toner as an abrasive has been implemented in order to improve the polishing ability of the lubricant application roller itself.
On the other hand, with the passage of time for the solid lubricant, the amount of toner input to the lubricant application unit also increases, and the application roller itself is in a state of holding toner, resulting in an increase in the amount of lubricant applied beyond the applied pressure. It was.

As described above, in the lubricant application device 31 of the present embodiment, in order to ensure the lubricant application amount even in the initial stage, the urging force by the remaining amount detection rotating member 334 of the lubricant remaining amount detection device 330 is applied as solid lubrication. The agent 312 is used as a force for pressing the lubricant application roller 311 side. On the other hand, when the urging force that is assisted by the remaining amount detecting rotation member 334 becomes unnecessary over time, the rotation restricting shape 337 is configured such that the contribution can be made zero.
Accordingly, the urging force for urging the holder member 313 that holds the solid lubricant 312, that is, the auxiliary urging force that assists the pressing force by the pressure member such as the compression spring 321 by the remaining amount detecting rotation member 334 is not increased. As the shape lubricant 312 is consumed, it gradually weakens.

(Reference Example 1)
Next, Reference Example 1 of the lubricant remaining amount detection device 330 that can be provided in the lubricant application device 31 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the configuration and operation of the lubricant remaining amount detection device 330 provided in the lubricant application device 31 of the present reference example. FIG. 7 (a) shows that the remaining amount of the solid lubricant 312 is normal ( FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional explanatory diagram when the remaining amount of the solid lubricant 312 is exhausted. Here, in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the lubricant storage case 301 and the lubricant remaining amount are shown so that the state changes of the movable members of the lubricant applying device 31 and the lubricant remaining amount detecting device 330 can be easily understood. The detection case 331 is shown only by hatching.

The lubricant remaining amount detection device 330 according to the present reference example and the lubricant remaining amount detection device according to the first embodiment described below are only related to the following configuration. The lubricant remaining amount detection device 330 of the present reference example includes a holder member 313 that holds a solid lubricant made of a conductive material, and detects a conduction state between the holder member 313 and one bent electrode plate 336a. This is a point related to detecting the remaining amount of the solid lubricant 312.
Therefore, in the following description, the same or similar components as those provided in the lubricant remaining amount detecting device of the first embodiment are described with the same reference numerals unless otherwise distinguished. The operation and effect will be omitted as appropriate.

As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the lubricant remaining amount detection device 330 of this reference example has a configuration using a conductive holder member 313 and one bent electrode plate 336a. The number of parts is smaller than that of the first embodiment, and the structure can be reduced.
In this lubricant remaining amount detection device 330, the holder member 313 is made of a conductive material, and the remaining amount detection shape 314 of the holder member 313 projects into the lubricant storage case 301 from the hole 305 of the lubricant storage case 301. A conduction state in contact with the contact portion of the bent electrode plate 336a is detected.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, a flat portion on one end side of the bent electrode plate 336 a is fixed to the lower side outside the hole 305 of the lubricant storage case 301, and the lubricant storage case 301 is connected through the hole 305. The contact part bent to the inner side is configured to protrude. Further, the other end side following the contact portion is also bent so as to come into contact with the inside of the lubricant remaining amount detection case 331, and the reaction when the remaining amount detection shape 314 provided on the holder member 313 comes into contact with it. The force is configured to be received together with the elasticity from the flat portion.

In a normal state where the remaining amount of the solid lubricant 312 is sufficient, the remaining amount detecting shape 314 provided on the holder member 313 and the contact portion of the bending electrode plate 336a are as shown in FIG. It is in a separated non-conducting state. On the other hand, when the remaining amount of the solid lubricant 312 is depleted, the remaining amount detecting shape 314 provided on the holder member 313 and the contact portion of the bending electrode plate 336a are formed as shown in FIG. 7B. It contacts and becomes a conduction state.
By detecting these non-conductive state and conductive state, the solid lubricant remains in a little amount (near life state) as in the lubricant remaining amount detection device of Example 1, and the solid lubricant The lifetime of 312 can be detected (detected).

(Example 2)
Next, Example 2 of the lubricant remaining amount detection device 330 that can be provided in the lubricant application device 31 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the configuration and operation of the lubricant remaining amount detection device 330 provided in the lubricant application device 31 of the present embodiment. FIG. 8A shows a normal amount of solid lubricant 312 remaining ( FIG. 8B is an explanatory side view when the remaining amount of the solid lubricant 312 is exhausted.

Here, the lubricant remaining amount detection device 330 according to the present embodiment and the lubricant remaining amount detection device according to the first embodiment are different only in respect of the following configuration. The lubricant remaining amount detection device 330 according to the present embodiment configures the remaining amount detection rotation member 334 with a conductive material, and detects the conduction state between the remaining amount detection rotation member 334 and one electrode plate 336b. This is a point related to detecting the remaining amount of the solid lubricant 312.
Therefore, in the following description, the same or similar components as those provided in the lubricant remaining amount detection devices of Examples 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals unless otherwise distinguished. In addition, the operation and effect will be omitted as appropriate.

As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the lubricant remaining amount detection device 330 of the present embodiment has a configuration using a conductive remaining amount detection rotating member 334 and one electrode plate 336b. Like the reference example, the number of parts is smaller than that of the configuration of the first embodiment, and the configuration can be made at a low cost.
In this lubricant remaining amount detection device 330, the remaining amount detection rotating member 334 is made of a conductive material, and a conduction state in which the pressing end 334c of the remaining amount detection rotating member 334 is in contact with one electrode plate 336b is detected. To do.

In the example shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the embodiment is excluding the point that the rotating member 334 for detecting the remaining amount is made of a conductive material and the electrode plate 336b is one. The configuration is substantially the same as that of the first lubricant remaining amount detection device 330.
In the normal state where the remaining amount of the solid lubricant 312 is sufficient, as shown in FIG. 8A, the pressing end portion 334c of the remaining amount detecting rotation member 334 and the one electrode plate 336b are separated from each other. It is in a conductive state. On the other hand, when the remaining amount of the solid lubricant 312 is depleted, as shown in FIG. 8B, the pressing end 334c of the remaining amount detecting rotation member 334 and one electrode plate 336b come into contact with each other. It becomes a conductive state.
By detecting these non-conductive state and conductive state, the solid lubricant remains in a little amount (near life state) as in the lubricant remaining amount detection device of Example 1, and the solid lubricant The lifetime of 312 can be detected (detected).

(Example 3)
Next, Example 3 of the lubricant remaining amount detection device 330 that can be provided in the lubricant application device 31 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the configuration and operation of the lubricant remaining amount detection device 330 provided in the lubricant application device 31 of the present embodiment. FIG. 9A shows a normal amount of solid lubricant 312 remaining ( It is sectional explanatory drawing at the time of a new article. 9B is a cross-sectional explanatory view when the remaining amount of the solid lubricant 312 is exhausted, and FIG. 9C is a side explanatory view when the remaining amount of the solid lubricant 312 is exhausted. is there. Here, in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the lubricant storage case 301 and the lubricant remaining amount are shown so that the state changes of the movable members of the lubricant application device 31 and the lubricant remaining amount detection device 330 can be easily understood. The detection case 331 is shown only by hatching.

Here, the lubricant remaining amount detection device 330 according to the present embodiment and the lubricant remaining amount detection devices according to the first and second embodiments are only related to the following configuration. The lubricant remaining amount detecting device 330 of this embodiment is supported by a remaining amount detecting rotating member 344 made of a conductive material so as to be rotatable about an axis parallel to the rotation axis of the lubricant applying roller 311, and is bent one time. The point is that the vicinity of one end of the electrode plate 336c is fixed to the lubricant remaining amount detection case 331.
Therefore, in the following description, the same or similar components as those provided in the lubricant remaining amount detection devices of Examples 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals unless otherwise distinguished. In addition, the operation and effect will be omitted as appropriate.

As shown in FIGS. 9A to 9C, the lubricant remaining amount detecting device 330 according to the present embodiment is configured using a conductive remaining amount detecting rotating member 344 and one bent electrode plate 336c. Similarly to the reference example and the second embodiment, the number of parts is smaller than that of the first embodiment, and the configuration can be reduced.
In the lubricant remaining amount detecting device 330, the remaining amount detecting rotating member 344 is made of a conductive material, as in the remaining amount detecting rotating member 334 of the lubricant remaining amount detecting device according to the second embodiment. 344c detects a conduction state in contact with one bending electrode plate 336c.
However, unlike the lubricant remaining amount detecting device of the second embodiment, the remaining amount detecting rotating member 344 is supported rotatably about an axis 344a parallel to the rotating shaft of the lubricant applying roller 311 and is subjected to one bending process. One end side of the electrode plate 336c is fixed to the lubricant remaining amount detection case 331.

That is, in the example shown in FIGS. 9A to 9C, the remaining amount detecting rotation member 344 is supported rotatably about an axis 344 a parallel to the rotation axis of the lubricant application roller 311. Except for this point, the configuration is substantially the same as that of the lubricant remaining amount detection device 330 of the second embodiment.
The shaft 344a rotates around the shaft 344a and contacts and separates from the free end side of one bent electrode plate 336c and a contact shape 344b that rotates so as to enter and exit the lubricant storage case 301 from the hole 305. A pressing end 344c that rotates in this manner is connected.

In the normal state where the remaining amount of the solid lubricant 312 is sufficiently large, as shown in FIG. 9A, the pressing end portion 344c of the remaining amount detection rotating member 344 and one bending electrode plate 336c are separated from each other. In a non-conductive state. On the other hand, when the remaining amount of the solid lubricant 312 is depleted, as shown in FIGS. 9B and 9C, the pressing end 344c of the remaining amount detecting rotation member 344 and one bending process are performed. The electrode plate 336c comes into contact and becomes conductive.
By detecting these non-conductive state and conductive state, it is possible to detect that “the remaining amount of the solid lubricant (near life state) is small” or the solid The life of the lubricant 312 can be detected (detected).

Here, the configuration of the third embodiment described above, the configuration of the reference example, and the second embodiment are all configurations using one electrode plate, and the configuration can be handled at a low cost with a small number of parts. However, there is a concern about erroneous detection due to contamination in a region where the solid lubricant 312 is scraped and applied in a powder form (= a region where a powdery lubricant dances). In particular, in the configuration of the reference example, there is a high possibility that the powdery lubricant adheres. For this reason, as a structure which raises a detection precision, the structure which has two electrode plates as demonstrated in Example 1 is desirable.
In other words, as in the first embodiment, by using the two electrode plates 335 and 336 and the remaining amount detection rotating member 334 made of a non-conductive material, a configuration that prevents erroneous detection due to scattering of the powder lubricant is taken. Can be detected more reliably.
Further, in the configuration of the above-described third embodiment, the remaining amount detection rotating member 344 is made of a non-conductive material, and one bending electrode plate 336c can be replaced with two electrode plates. Similar effects can be obtained.

  Further, as described above, in the lubricant remaining amount detection device 330 of the present embodiment, the conduction detection by the electrode plate or the like is in the near life state, and the life state is configured to separately detect the exhaustion state. Specifically, the running distance of the lubricant application roller 311 or the intermediate transfer belt 56 after the near end of life when the conduction is detected is counted, and it is determined that the end of life is reached when a certain amount of travel is performed. .

The consumption rate of the solid lubricant 312 is set to match the travel distance, and it can be determined with higher accuracy than the number of sheets, time, and the like. Moreover, since the actual remaining amount of about 5 to 10 [%] is set as the near life, it is 90 to 95 [%] rather than predicting the use from 90 to 95 [%] based on the travel distance from when new. It is possible to reduce the error by making the subsequent short period prediction based on the travel distance. At the same time, it is easy to predict the operation time from the near lifetime to the lifetime.
As described above, in the lubricant remaining amount detection device 330 according to the present embodiment, the lubricant remaining amount detection is performed by determining the near life based on the continuity detection and the life based on the travel distance count after the continuity detection.

Example 4
Next, Example 4 of the lubricant application device 31 of the present embodiment will be described.
Here, the lubricant application device of the first to third embodiments and the lubricant application device 31 of the present embodiment are provided with the lubricant remaining amount detection device 330 in the rotational direction of the lubricant application roller 311. The only difference is that the preferred side of the lubricant application device 31 is defined.
Therefore, in the following description, the same or similar components as those provided in the lubricant remaining amount detection devices of Examples 1 to 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals unless otherwise distinguished. In addition, the operation and effect will be omitted as appropriate.

(Configuration example 1)
First, a configuration example 1 corresponding to the lubricant application device provided with the lubricant remaining amount detection device described in the first and second embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the lubricant application device 31 according to the first configuration example of the present embodiment. FIG. 10A is a cross-sectional diagram, and FIG. 10B is a main component of the lubricant application device 31. It is a perspective explanatory view of the set direction. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the configuration and operation of the lubricant remaining amount detection device 330 provided in the lubricant application device 31 of Configuration Example 1 of the present embodiment. FIG. 11 (a) is a diagram illustrating the remaining solid lubricant 312. It is sectional explanatory drawing when quantity is normal (new article). FIG. 11B is a side explanatory view when the remaining amount of the solid lubricant 312 is normal (new), and FIG. 11C is a cross-sectional explanatory view when the remaining amount of the solid lubricant 312 is depleted. FIG. 11D is an explanatory side view when the remaining amount of the solid lubricant 312 is depleted. Here, in FIGS. 11A and 11C, the lubricant storage case 301 and the lubricant remaining amount are shown so that the state changes of the movable members of the lubricant applying device 31 and the lubricant remaining amount detecting device 330 can be easily understood. The detection case 331 is shown only by hatching.

In this configuration example, unlike the first and second embodiments in which the lubricant application roller described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 5 is rotated clockwise in the figure, as shown in FIGS. 311 is rotated counterclockwise (counterclockwise) in the figure, and the lubricant remaining amount detection device 330 is arranged on the right side.
Thus, even if the lubricant application roller 311 is rotated in the direction opposite to that of the first and second embodiments, the lubricant application device 31 of the present configuration example has the same effect as that of the first and second embodiments described above. Can play.

Then, the lubricant application roller 311, which rotates the lubricant application roller 311 in the opposite direction to the first and second embodiments, that is, the lubricant application device 31 provided with the lubricant remaining amount detection device 330 with respect to the rotation direction of the lubricant application roller 311 is used. Are defined.
Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 10A, 11 </ b> A, and 11 </ b> C, the lubricant remaining amount detection device 330 is provided on the right side surface in the longitudinal direction of the lubricant application device 31. A lubricant remaining amount detection device 330 is provided on the right side surface in the longitudinal direction on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the lubricant application roller 311 on the side in contact with the solid lubricant 312.

By configuring the lubricant application device 31 as described above, the following effects can be obtained.
Since the solid lubricant 312 is scraped by the lubricant application roller 311, the solid lubricant 312 is pushed downstream in the rotational direction of the lubricant application roller 311 on the side in contact with the solid lubricant 312. Even in this state, by providing a lubricant remaining amount detection device on the right side surface in the longitudinal direction downstream of the rotation direction of the lubricant application roller 311 on the side in contact with the solid lubricant 312, the stable solid lubricant 312 The remaining amount can be reliably detected.
Here, as FIG. 11, only the one corresponding to FIG. 5 used in the description of the first embodiment is described, but as the one corresponding to the configuration of the second embodiment, the side surfaces of FIG. 11B and FIG. Instead of the figure, refer to the contents described in FIGS. 8A and 8B used in the description of the second embodiment.

(Configuration example 2)
First, a configuration example 2 corresponding to the lubricant application device including the lubricant remaining amount detection device described in the third embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the configuration and operation of the remaining lubricant detection device 330 provided in the lubricant application device 31 of Configuration Example 2 of the fourth embodiment. FIG. 12 (a) is a diagram illustrating the solid lubricant 312. It is sectional explanatory drawing when a residual amount is normal (new article). FIG. 12B is a cross-sectional explanatory view when the remaining amount of the solid lubricant 312 is exhausted, and FIG. 12C is a side explanatory view when the remaining amount of the solid lubricant 312 is exhausted. is there. Here, in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the lubricant storage case 301 and the lubricant remaining amount are shown so that the state changes of the movable members of the lubricant applying device 31 and the lubricant remaining amount detecting device 330 can be easily understood. The detection case 331 is shown only by hatching.

In the present configuration example, unlike the third embodiment in which the lubricant application roller described with reference to FIG. 9 is rotated clockwise in the drawing, the lubricant application roller 311 is rotated counterclockwise (reversely shown in FIG. 12). The lubricant remaining amount detection device 330 is arranged on the right side.
Thus, even if the lubricant application roller 311 is rotated in the opposite direction to that of the third embodiment, the same effects as those of the first and second embodiments and FIG. 31 can be played.

Then, the lubricant application roller 311 is rotated in the direction opposite to that of the third embodiment, that is, the lubricant application device 31 provided with the lubricant remaining amount detection device 330 in the rotation direction of the lubricant application roller 311 is suitable. Specific aspects.
Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the lubricant remaining amount detection device 330 is provided on the right side surface in the longitudinal direction of the lubricant application device 31 as in the configuration example 1 described above. It is. A lubricant remaining amount detection device 330 is provided on the right side surface in the longitudinal direction on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the lubricant application roller 311 on the side in contact with the solid lubricant 312.

By configuring the lubricant application device 31 in this way, the same effects as in the configuration example 1, that is, the following effects can be obtained.
Since the solid lubricant 312 is scraped by the lubricant application roller 311, the solid lubricant 312 is pushed downstream in the rotational direction of the lubricant application roller 311 on the side in contact with the solid lubricant 312. Even in this state, by providing a lubricant remaining amount detection device on the right side surface in the longitudinal direction downstream of the rotation direction of the lubricant application roller 311 on the side in contact with the solid lubricant 312, the stable solid lubricant 312 The remaining amount can be reliably detected.

(Reference Example 2)
Next, as in the present embodiment, the above-described reference example that prescribes a suitable side surface of the lubricant application device 31 provided with the lubricant remaining amount detection device 330 with respect to the rotation direction of the lubricant application roller 311. Reference Example 2 corresponding to 1 will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the configuration and operation of the lubricant remaining amount detection device 330 provided in the lubricant application device 31 of the present reference example. FIG. 13A is a diagram illustrating a case where the remaining amount of the solid lubricant 312 is normal ( FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional explanatory view when the remaining amount of the solid lubricant 312 has been exhausted. Here, in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the lubricant storage case 301 and the lubricant remaining amount are shown so that the state changes of the movable members of the lubricant applying device 31 and the lubricant remaining amount detecting device 330 can be easily understood. The detection case 331 is shown only by hatching.

In this reference example, unlike the reference example 1 in which the lubricant application roller described with reference to FIG. 7 is rotated clockwise in the figure, the lubricant application roller 311 is rotated counterclockwise (reversely shown in FIG. 13). The lubricant remaining amount detection device 330 is arranged on the right side.
Thus, even if the lubricant application roller 311 is rotated in the direction opposite to that of the reference example 1, the lubricant application device 31 of the present reference example can exhibit the same effect as that of the reference example 1 described above. .

Then, the lubricant application roller 311 is rotated in the direction opposite to that of the reference example 1, that is, the lubricant application device 31 provided with the lubricant remaining amount detection device 330 with respect to the rotation direction of the lubricant application roller 311 is suitable. Specific aspects.
Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the lubricant remaining amount detection device 330 is provided on the right side surface in the longitudinal direction of the lubricant application device 31 as in Reference Example 1 described above. It is. A lubricant remaining amount detection device 330 is provided on the right side surface in the longitudinal direction on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the lubricant application roller 311 on the side in contact with the solid lubricant 312.

By configuring the lubricant application device 31 in this manner, the same effects as in the configuration examples 1 and 2, that is, the following effects can be achieved.
Since the solid lubricant 312 is scraped by the lubricant application roller 311, the solid lubricant 312 is pushed downstream in the rotational direction of the lubricant application roller 311 on the side in contact with the solid lubricant 312. Even in this state, by providing a lubricant remaining amount detection device on the right side surface in the longitudinal direction downstream of the rotation direction of the lubricant application roller 311 on the side in contact with the solid lubricant 312, the stable solid lubricant 312 The remaining amount can be reliably detected.

(Example 5)
Next, Example 5 of the lubricant application device 31 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of the lubricant application device 31 of the present embodiment, and FIG. 14A is a position regulating member (guide shape) of the solid lubricant 312 provided in the lubricant application device 31. FIG. 14B is a cross-sectional explanatory view of the lubricant coating device 31 and FIG. Here, in FIGS. 14A and 14B, the lubricant storage case 301 and the remaining amount of lubricant are shown so that the change in state of each movable member of the lubricant applying device 31 and the remaining amount detecting device 330 of the lubricant can be easily understood. The detection case 331 is shown only by hatching. In addition, the configuration of the lubricant remaining amount detection device 330 is described with the configuration described in the first embodiment as an example, but the configuration of the lubricant remaining amount detection device 330 provided in the lubricant application device 31 of the present embodiment is described. For example, the configuration described in the second and third embodiments may be used.

Here, in the lubricant application device of Example 4 (Configuration Examples 1 and 2) described above and the lubricant application device 31 of this example, the lubricant application roller 311 is positioned at an appropriate position. The only difference is that a position restricting member that restricts play of the solid lubricant 312 is provided.
Therefore, in the following description, the same or similar components as those included in the lubricant remaining amount detection device of the fourth embodiment (and the first to third embodiments) are the same unless otherwise required to be distinguished. The description will be given with reference numerals, and the operations and effects will be omitted as appropriate.

As shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B, the lubricant application device 31 has a solid lubricant on the inner surface of both end portions in the longitudinal direction when the lubricant storage case 301 is viewed from the opening on the upper surface. Longitudinal rib shapes 351 that are position restricting members that relieve sliding resistance at both longitudinal ends of 312 are provided. In addition, a plurality of longitudinal positions are also provided on the inner side surface of the more directional side (the downstream side of the rotation direction of the lubricant application roller 311 and the side where the lubricant remaining amount detector 330 is disposed) due to the rotation of the lubricant application roller 311 A directional rib shape 352 that is a position restricting member is provided.
With these rib shapes, the movement (backlash) of the solid lubricant 312 in the lubricant storage case 301 is restricted to some extent, and the remaining amount detecting shape that is a bent shape for detecting the remaining amount provided in the holder member 313. 314 (convex shape) prevents the case from being caught. In addition, unexpected contact with each part of the lubricant remaining amount detection device 330 when the solid lubricant 312 is attached / detached is prevented at the same time.

That is, the lubricant storage case 301 for storing the solid lubricant 312 has a shape in which only one surface is opened in order to store / detach the solid lubricant 312.
At the same time, a longitudinal rib shape 351 that is a position restricting member that restricts the position of the solid lubricant 312 in the longitudinal direction is provided on the inner surface of both ends in the longitudinal direction when viewed from the opened surface side. Further, a directional rib shape 352 that is a position regulating member that regulates the position of the solid lubricant 312 in the more direction is provided on the inner surface of the solid lubricant 312 on the downstream side of the solid lubricant 312 by the rotating lubricant application roller 311. ing.

Thus, the following effects can be produced by configuring the lubricant application device 31 of the present embodiment.
As the solid lubricant 312 is consumed, backlash for moving toward the lubricant application roller 311 side is changed into an inner surface on both ends in the longitudinal direction of the lubricant storage case 301, and both inner surfaces parallel to the longitudinal direction. Have.
However, if the backlash is too large, the solid lubricant 312 and the holder member 313 are loose when the lubricant application roller 311 is rotated to scrape the solid lubricant 312, and the remaining amount detection shape 314 or the like. May be caught by the lubricant storage case 301. If the backlash is too large, unexpected contact of the solid lubricant 312 or each part of the lubricant remaining amount detection device 330 of the holder member 313 when the solid lubricant 312 is attached or detached occurs, and the remaining amount is detected. The contact end portion 334b of the remaining amount detecting rotation member 334 may be damaged.
When the holder member 313 is caught in this way, or the contact end portion 334b of the remaining amount detection rotating member 334 is damaged, the lubricant remaining amount detection device 330 can perform normal lubricant remaining amount detection. It will disappear.

On the other hand, as in the present embodiment, the solid lubricant is applied to the inner side surfaces at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the lubricant storage case 301 and the inner side surface on the downstream side of the solid lubricant 312 by the rotating lubricant application roller 311. A rib shape for regulating the position of 312 is provided. By providing in this way, the movement (backlash) of the solid lubricant 312 in the lubricant remaining amount detection case 331 can be regulated to some extent.
By restricting in this way, the remaining amount detecting shape 314 provided on the holder member 313 for detecting the remaining amount is caught, or the contact end portion 334b of the remaining amount detecting rotating member 334 is damaged. Can be suppressed.

Next, the flow of control for detecting the remaining amount of the solid lubricant 312 using the lubricant remaining amount detecting device 330 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 15 is a detection flowchart for detecting the remaining amount of lubricant.
First, it is determined whether or not the travel distance of the lubricant application roller 311 or the intermediate transfer belt 56 is a lifetime that has traveled a certain amount (S101). Here, normally, in the state in which the life of the solid lubricant 312 is detected (YES in S101), since the machine operation of the printer 200 is prohibited, it is not necessary to determine the remaining amount of lubricant, and the life state. Then, “no remaining amount” is notified and the machine operation is stopped (S102).

If it is determined that the lubricant is not at the end of life (NO in S101), a stop request is issued after each printing operation (S013).
Thereafter, the determination result of the previous lubricant remaining amount detection is inquired (S104), and if the lubricant remaining amount detecting device 330 detects the conduction state, that is, the near life state, the lubricant application roller 311 or the intermediate It is determined whether or not the travel distance of the transfer belt 56 has traveled to the end of its life (S105).
If it is determined that the vehicle has run to the end of its life, that is, it is the end of life (YES in S105), “no remaining amount” is notified as the life state, and the machine operation is stopped (S102).
On the other hand, if it is determined that the vehicle has not traveled to the end of its life, that is, it is not the end of life (NO in S105), “nearly remaining amount” is notified as the near life state, and a state in which machine operation is possible is maintained (S106).

The determination result of the previous lubricant remaining amount detection is inquired (S104), and when the non-conductive state, that is, the normal state is detected, the near life determination by the conduction of the lubricant remaining amount detecting device 330 is started again ( S107).
Then, the state of conduction and non-conduction is detected by the lubricant remaining amount detection device 330 (S108), and when conduction is detected by the lubricant remaining amount detection device 330, "nearly remaining amount" is notified as the near life state, A state in which machine operation is possible is maintained (S106).
On the other hand, if non-conduction is detected by the lubricant remaining amount detection device 330, “normally remaining” is notified as the normal state, and the state in which machine operation is possible is maintained (S109).

Here, after determining that it is in a non-life state (NO in S101), after making a stop request (S103), the operation of determining whether the lubricant remaining amount detector 330 is conducting or not conducting is performed. This is for the purpose of preventing erroneous detection due to vibration caused by machine operation.
Although not particularly specified in the flowchart of FIG. 15, a similar control flow is executed (flowed) when the printer 200 is turned off / on, and the remaining amount of solid lubricant is determined. Then, the machine operation availability determination is performed.

As described above, in the lubricant application device 31 of the present embodiment, the lubricant remaining amount detection device 330 performs the energization operation only at the timing of determining the remaining amount of the solid lubricant 312.
According to this, in the lubricant remaining amount detection device that detects the remaining amount of the solid lubricant by the conduction detection, the amount of electric power due to the bias application increases because the lubricant is supplied to detect the conduction. On the other hand, in the lubricant application device 31 of this embodiment, the remaining amount of the solid lubricant 312 is determined only when the lubricant application roller 311 is stopped, when the intermediate transfer belt 56 is stopped, when the printer 200 main body is stopped, and the like. Since it is executed, it is not necessary to apply a bias except during this execution. This has the effect of reducing the total amount of power. Further, if the bias application operation for detecting the remaining amount during the operation of the printer 200 including the lubricant application device 31 is not performed, there is a concern that the noise may cause an influence on the image forming operation due to the bias application for the remaining amount detection. Disappear.

As described above, the present embodiment has been described with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to the configuration including the lubricant application device 31 of the present embodiment described above, and does not depart from the gist. The design may be changed.
For example, a lubricant application device that applies a lubricant to each photoconductor 1 is provided, and a lubricant remaining amount detection device similar to the lubricant application device 31 described above is used to apply a lubricant to each photoconductor 1. You may provide in an agent coating device.
Thereby, there can exist an effect similar to the lubricant coating device 31 of this embodiment mentioned above.

What was demonstrated above is an example, and there exists an effect peculiar for every following aspect.
(Aspect A)
A solid lubricant such as the solid lubricant 312, a lubricant application roller such as a lubricant application roller 311 for scraping the solid lubricant and applying the solid lubricant to an object to be applied such as the intermediate transfer belt 56, and the solid state In the lubricant application device such as the lubricant application device 31 having the lubricant remaining amount detection device such as the lubricant remaining amount detection device 330 that detects a decrease in the amount of lubricant due to consumption of the lubricant, the lubricant remaining amount detection The apparatus is provided with a rotating member such as a remaining amount detecting rotating member 334 for detecting a remaining amount that rotates around a rotating shaft such as a shaft 334a, and the rotating member consumes the solid lubricant. The holding member that has a contact portion such as a contact end 334b that contacts a holding member such as the holder member 313 of the solid lubricant that moves to the lubricant application roller side and holds the solid lubricant , The contact portion comes into contact with a contact portion such as the remaining amount detection shape 314 of the holding member from the downstream side in the attachment direction when the lubricant application roller is attached to the lubricant application device from the same direction in the order. It is provided.

According to this, as described in the present embodiment, the following effects can be achieved.
The contact portion of the rotating member comes into contact with the contact portion of the holding member from the downstream side in the attaching direction when attaching to the lubricant applying device from the same direction in the order of the holding member holding the solid lubricant and the lubricant applying roller.
Thus, when the lubricant application roller and the holding member holding the solid lubricant are attached, the contact portion of the holding member can push the contact portion to rotate the rotating member. On the other hand, when removing the lubricant application roller and the holding member holding the solid lubricant, the contact portion of the holding member is merely separated from the contact portion of the rotating member.
For these reasons, when replacing the solid lubricant, the contact portion of the rotating member can be smoothly replaced without interfering with the attaching / detaching operation of the lubricant application roller and the holding member holding the solid lubricant. .

Therefore, when replacing the solid lubricant, without removing the electrode or conductive member of the lubricant remaining amount detection device from the lubricant remaining amount detection device or the lubricant remaining amount detection device itself from the lubricant application device, The replacement work of the solid lubricant can be performed, and the replacement work time can be shortened.
Therefore, it is possible to provide a lubricant application device that can reduce downtime caused by the prohibition of machine operation accompanying the depletion of the solid lubricant as compared with the conventional case.

(Aspect B)
(Aspect A) is characterized in that it can be independently attached to and detached from an apparatus using the lubricant applying apparatus.
According to this, as described in the present embodiment, the workability of the replacement operation of the solid lubricant of the lubricant application device is further improved, and the solid lubrication mounted inside the lubricant storage case 301 and the like. The replacement of the agent can be easily performed in a shorter time.

(Aspect C)
In (Aspect A) or (Aspect B), the lubricant application device is moved from above so that the portion of the lubricant application roller in contact with the object to be applied is the upper surface of the lubricant application roller. The coating roller and the solid lubricant are arranged in an upright posture so as to be in this order.

According to this, as described in the present embodiment, the following effects can be achieved.
The lubricant application roller can be configured to stand upright, and the lubricant application roller and the solid lubricant can be replaced in this order from the upper surface, further improving the workability of the solid lubricant replacement work. Can do. Further, in the lubricant storage member such as the lubricant storage case 301 for storing the solid lubricant, a simple shape with only the lubricant application roller side opened is used, so that the lubricant scraped into powder can be obtained. It can be set as the structure which can prevent scattering and a fall easily. At the same time, by using a simpler lubricant application device, the number of parts can be reduced and an inexpensive lubricant application device can be obtained.

(Aspect D)
In any one of (Aspect A) to (Aspect C), when some of the convex shapes such as the remaining amount detection shape 314 provided on the holding member are set in the lubricant application device of the solid lubricant, The rotating member rotates by contacting and pressing the contact portion of the rotating member.

According to this, as described in the present embodiment, the following effects can be achieved.
The rotating member for detecting the remaining amount is arranged so as to be able to rotate with respect to the setting direction of the solid lubricant, and can be rotated in conjunction with the operation at the time of setting. By rotating in this way, the solid lubricant can be easily replaced without removing the lubricant remaining amount detection device from the lubricant application device itself.

(Aspect E)
In any one of (Aspect A) to (Aspect D), a pressure member such as a compression spring 321 or a spring member 321a that pressurizes the solid lubricant toward the lubricant application roller, and the pressure member The direction of pressure such as the direction of arrow A and the direction of arrow B such that the holding member holding the solid lubricant is urged by the rotating member provided in the lubricant remaining amount detecting device. , In the same direction.

According to this, as described in the present embodiment, the following effects can be achieved.
In the case of a solid lubricant with a flat contact surface with the lubricant application roller when it is new, it is difficult to scrape the surface with the lubricant application roller, and the amount of lubricant application is insufficient at the beginning of use of the solid lubricant. easy.
On the other hand, by applying the pressing direction by the pressing member and the biasing direction of the holding member by the rotating member to the same direction, the solid lubricant is applied to the lubricant application roller by the biasing by the rotating member for detecting the remaining amount. The pressurizing force of the pressurizing member that pressurizes toward the pressure can be assisted.
As a result, the pressure applied to the solid lubricant toward the lubricant application roller is increased, the surface of the surface can be easily scraped off by the lubricant application roller, and the surface on which the lubricant application roller contacts is flat. Even with the agent, the shortage of lubricant application amount at the beginning of use can be solved.
Further, since it is not necessary to increase the spring constant of the pressurizing member, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the urging force by the rotating member for detecting the remaining amount is not hindered during the attaching / detaching operation of the solid lubricant.

(Aspect F)
In (Embodiment E), the urging force for urging the holding member by the rotating member gradually decreases with consumption of the solid lubricant.
According to this, as described in the present embodiment, the following effects can be achieved.
In the case of a solid lubricant with a flat contact surface with the lubricant application roller when it is new, it is difficult to scrape the surface with the lubricant application roller, and the amount of lubricant application is insufficient at the beginning of use of the solid lubricant. easy. However, if the pressure applied to press the solid lubricant toward the lubricant application roller is increased over time, the amount of solid lubricant consumed, that is, the amount of lubricant applied will increase more than necessary. The life of the lubricant will be shortened.
On the other hand, by gradually reducing the urging force for urging the holding member as the solid lubricant is consumed, the amount of lubricant applied when the remaining amount of the solid lubricant is large is increased over time. Can reduce the consumption rate and extend the life of the solid lubricant.

(Aspect G)
In (Aspect E) or (Aspect F), when the lubricant remaining amount detection device detects that a decrease in the lubricant amount of the solid lubricant has reached a predetermined amount, the rotating member causes the The urging force for urging the solid lubricant is configured to be eliminated.
According to this, as described in the present embodiment, the following effects can be achieved.
When the remaining amount of solid lubricant is large, the pressure applied by the pressure member is assisted by the urging force of the rotating member to compensate for the insufficient amount of lubricant applied. The lubricant can be applied only by the pressure applied by the pressure member.
As described above, by applying the lubricant only by the pressure applied by the pressure member over time, the consumption rate of the solid lubricant can be further reduced, and the life of the solid lubricant can be further extended.

(Aspect H)
In any one of (Aspect A) to (Aspect G), a lubricant storage member such as a lubricant storage case 301 for storing the solid lubricant is only on one side in order to store / detach the solid lubricant. The shape of the opening is open, and the opening can be made upright with the opened surface as an upper surface.

According to this, as described in the present embodiment, the following effects can be achieved.
By making the opening surface of the lubricant containing member one surface and having the opening surface as an upper surface, it is possible to prevent the powdery lubricant from being unexpectedly scattered and dropped. In addition, since the lubricant application roller is arranged on the opening surface, it is possible to reduce a cover member or the like necessary when a separate opening is provided.

(Aspect I)
In any one of (Aspect A) to (Aspect H), the lubricant remaining amount detection device performs a rotation operation of the rotating member and energization using a member made of a conductive material such as the electrode plates 335 and 336. The remaining state of the solid lubricant is determined.

According to this, as described in the present embodiment, the following effects can be achieved.
Detecting the remaining amount of lubricant by determining the conduction state and non-conduction state, it is not necessary to place a sensor or other detection means near the lubricant application device, and space-saving detection of the remaining amount of solid lubricant It can be performed.

(Aspect J)
In (Aspect I), the lubricant remaining amount detection device performs the energization operation only at the timing of determining the remaining amount of the solid lubricant.

According to this, as described in the present embodiment, the following effects can be achieved.
In the lubricant remaining amount detection device that detects the remaining amount of lubricant by detecting continuity, power is supplied to detect continuity, so that the amount of electric power due to bias application increases. On the other hand, in this mode G, since the determination of the remaining amount of the solid lubricant is performed only when the application roller is stopped, the image carrier is stopped, the image forming apparatus main body is stopped, and the like, Application is unnecessary. This has the effect of reducing the total amount of power. Further, when the bias application operation for the remaining amount detection is not performed during the operation of the apparatus including the lubricant application device, there is no concern about the influence on the image forming operation due to noise caused by the bias application for the remaining amount detection.

(Aspect K)
In any one of (Aspect A) or (Aspect J), the lubricant remaining amount device is provided at a plurality of locations, and is disposed at least near both ends in the longitudinal direction of the solid lubricant. .
According to this, as described in the present embodiment, the remaining amount of the lubricant can be obtained even in the uneven consumption state of the solid lubricant by confirming conduction in the vicinity of the two ends of the solid lubricant. Can be detected normally.

(Aspect L)
In (Aspect I) or (Aspect J), the lubricant remaining amount detecting device is in a state where the remaining amount of the solid lubricant is in a slight state due to energization by contact with a member made of a conductive material. It is characterized by detecting.
According to this, as described in the present embodiment, the following effects can be achieved.
By setting the conductive state to the life or near life of the solid lubricant, the device including the lubricant application device can be kept in a non-conductive state at the time of operation of the device, that is, normally, and power consumption can be reduced. Further, by configuring so that the detection operation is not performed when the lubricant application roller rotates, it is possible to prevent erroneous detection due to intermittent contact due to vibration of the solid lubricant or the like. Further, by setting the conductive state to the near life, it is possible to provide time for prompting replacement of the solid lubricant, and the effect of reducing the downtime can be further enhanced.

(Aspect M)
In any one of (Aspect A) to (Aspect L), the lubricant remaining amount detection device is provided on one side surface in the longitudinal direction of the lubricant application device, and the lubrication on the side in contact with the solid lubricant The lubricant remaining amount detection device is provided on one side surface such as a right side surface in the longitudinal direction downstream of the lubricant application roller in the rotation direction.
According to this, as described in the present embodiment, the following effects can be achieved.
Since the solid lubricant is scraped off by the lubricant application roller, the solid lubricant is pushed downstream in the rotation direction of the lubricant application roller on the side in contact with the solid lubricant. Even in this state, it is possible to stably detect the remaining amount of solid lubricant by providing a lubricant remaining amount detection device on one side in the longitudinal direction downstream of the rotation direction of the lubricant application roller on the side in contact with the solid lubricant. Can be performed reliably.

(Aspect N)
In (Aspect M), the lubricant accommodating member that accommodates the solid lubricant has a shape in which only one surface is opened so that the solid lubricant can be accommodated / removable, and viewed from the opened surface side. A regulating member for regulating the position of the solid lubricant is provided on the inner side surface at both ends in the longitudinal direction and the inner side surface on the downstream side of the solid lubricant by the rotating lubricant application roller. It is characterized by that.

According to this, as described in the present embodiment, the following effects can be achieved.
The solid lubricant has backlash for moving to the lubricant application roller side as it is consumed on the inner side surfaces on both ends in the longitudinal direction of the lubricant housing member and on both inner side surfaces parallel to the longitudinal direction. ing.
However, if these backlashes are too large, when the lubricant application roller is rotated to scrape off the solid lubricant, the solid lubricant and its holding member become loose, and some convex shapes provided on the holding member Or the like may be caught on the lubricant housing member. If the backlash is too large, unexpected contact of the solid lubricant or its holding member with the lubricant remaining amount detection unit, etc. occurs when the solid lubricant is attached or detached. There is a risk of damage to the contact area.
If the holding member is caught or the contact portion of the rotating member is damaged as described above, the normal lubricant remaining amount cannot be detected by the lubricant remaining amount detecting device.

On the other hand, by providing a regulating member for regulating the position of the solid lubricant on the inner side surface at both ends in the longitudinal direction and the inner side surface on the downstream side of the solid lubricant by the rotating lubricant application roller, solid lubrication The agent can regulate the movement (backlash) in the device case to some extent.
By restricting in this way, it is possible to prevent a part of the convex shape or the like provided on the holding member for detecting the remaining amount from being caught on the lubricant housing member or from damage to the contact portion of the rotating member.

(Aspect O)
In an image forming apparatus such as a printer 200 including an intermediate transfer belt such as the intermediate transfer belt 56 and a lubricant applying device that applies a lubricant to the intermediate transfer belt, the lubricant applying device may include (Aspect A) to (Aspect). The lubricant application device such as any one of the lubricant application device N) is detachably provided from the image forming apparatus main body.

According to this, as described in the present embodiment, the following effects can be achieved.
The effect similar to that of the lubricant application device according to any one of (Aspect A) to (Aspect N) can be obtained, and the workability of the replacement operation of the solid lubricant in the lubricant application device can be further improved. . In addition, the replacement of the solid lubricant mounted inside can be easily performed in a shorter time.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Photoconductor 2 Charging device 4 Developing device 8 Cleaning device 10 Image forming unit 31 Lubricant application device 39 Belt cleaning device 50 Intermediate transfer device 56 Intermediate transfer belt 100 Control unit 200 Printer 224 Contact end 301 Lubricant storage case 311 Lubricant application Roller 312 Solid lubricant 313 Holder member 314 Remaining amount detection shape 321 Compression spring 321a Spring member 321b Arm shape member 330 Lubricant remaining amount detection device 331 Lubricant remaining amount detection case 334 Remaining amount detection rotating member (Example 1) 2)
334a shaft (Examples 1 and 2)
334b Contact end 334c Press end 335, 336 Electrode plate 336a Bending electrode plate (reference example)
336b Electrode plate (Example 2)
336c Bending electrode plate (Example 3)
337 Rotation restriction shape 338 Stopper shape 344 Rotating member for remaining amount detection (Example 3)
344a shaft (Example 3)
344b Contact shape (Example 3)
344c Pressing end (Example 3)
351 Longitudinal rib shape (Example 5)
352 Directional rib shape (Example 5)

Japanese Patent No. 5532408

Claims (15)

A solid lubricant, a lubricant application roller for scraping the solid lubricant and applying the solid lubricant to an object, and a lubricant remaining amount detection device for detecting a decrease in the amount of lubricant due to consumption of the solid lubricant; In a lubricant application device having
The lubricant remaining amount detecting device is provided with a rotating member for detecting a remaining amount that rotates around a rotation shaft,
The rotating member has a contact portion that contacts the holding member of the solid lubricant that moves to the lubricant application roller side as the solid lubricant is consumed, and holds the solid lubricant. The holding member and the lubricant application roller are provided so that the contact portion comes into contact with the contact position of the holding member from the downstream side in the attachment direction when attaching to the lubricant application device from the same direction in this order. A lubricant application device characterized by the above. In the lubricant application device according to claim 1,
A lubricant applicator characterized by being detachable independently from an apparatus using the lubricant applicator. In the lubricant application device according to claim 1 or 2,
The lubricant application device is arranged from the top in the order of the lubricant application roller and the solid lubricant so that the portion of the lubricant application roller in contact with the object to be applied becomes the upper surface of the lubricant application roller. The lubricant application device is arranged in a substantially upright posture. In the lubricant application device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
When a part of the convex shape provided on the holding member is set in contact with the contact portion of the rotating member when the solid lubricant is set in the lubricant application device, the rotating member rotates. A lubricant application device characterized by that. In the lubricant application device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A pressure member that pressurizes the solid lubricant toward the lubricant application roller;
The pressing direction by the pressing member and the direction in which the holding member holding the solid lubricant is urged by the rotating member provided in the lubricant remaining amount detecting device are set to be the same direction. A lubricant application device characterized by the above. In the lubricant application device according to claim 5,
The lubricant applying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the urging force for urging the holding member by the rotating member gradually decreases with consumption of the solid lubricant. In the lubricant application device according to claim 5 or 6,
When the lubricant remaining amount detecting device detects that the decrease in the amount of lubricant of the solid lubricant has reached a predetermined amount,
A lubricant application device configured to eliminate an urging force for urging the solid lubricant by the rotating member. In the lubricant application device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The lubricant storage member for storing the solid lubricant has a shape in which only one surface is opened so that the solid lubricant can be stored / removable, and can be made upright with the opened one surface as an upper surface. A lubricant application device characterized by the above. In the lubricant application device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The lubricant remaining amount detecting device judges a remaining state of the solid lubricant by energization using a rotating operation of the rotating member and a member made of a conductive material. . In the lubricant application device according to claim 9,
The lubricant remaining amount detecting device performs an energization operation only at a timing of determining the remaining amount of the solid lubricant. In the lubricant application device according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
A lubricant application device having the lubricant remaining device at a plurality of locations and disposed at least in the vicinity of both ends in the longitudinal direction of the solid lubricant. In the lubricant application device according to claim 9 or 10,
The lubricant remaining amount detecting device detects that the remaining amount of the solid lubricant is in a slight state by energization by contact with a member made of a conductive material. . The lubricant application device according to any one of claims 1 to 12,
The lubricant remaining amount detection device is provided on one side surface in the longitudinal direction of the lubricant application device,
The lubricant application device, wherein the lubricant remaining amount detection device is provided on one side surface in the longitudinal direction on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the lubricant application roller on the side in contact with the solid lubricant. The lubricant application device according to claim 13,
The lubricant storage member for storing the solid lubricant has a shape in which only one surface is opened so that the solid lubricant can be stored / removable, and both ends in the longitudinal direction when viewed from the opened surface side. Lubrication characterized in that a regulating member for regulating the position of the solid lubricant is provided on the inner side surface of the part and on the inner side surface on the downstream side of the solid lubricant by the rotating lubricant application roller. Agent applicator. In an image forming apparatus comprising an intermediate transfer belt and a lubricant application device for applying a lubricant to the intermediate transfer belt,
15. An image forming apparatus comprising the lubricant applying apparatus according to claim 1 detachably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus as the lubricant applying apparatus.

Images