JP2021117246A - Lubricant supply device, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To allow a solid lubricant to come to the end of its life in a state where it is consumed with no waste over the longitudinal direction.SOLUTION: A lubricant supply device is provided with a solid lubricant 15b that is in slide contact with a lubricant supply roller 15a (lubricant supply body), and pressing mechanisms 50A, 50B that press the solid lubricant 15b toward the lubricant supply roller 15a. The pressing mechanisms are the plurality of pressing mechanisms 50A, 50B that directly or indirectly press a plurality of pressed parts on the solid lubricant 15b that are separated in the longitudinal direction, and are configured such that a pressing force against a corresponding pressed part can be adjusted separately from a pressing force against the other pressed part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

The present invention relates to a lubricant supply device that supplies a lubricant to a supplied member such as a photoconductor drum and an intermediate transfer belt, and a process cartridge and an image forming device including the lubricant supply device.

Conventionally, in image forming devices such as copiers and printers, wear / loss of cleaning blades that come into contact with image carriers such as photoconductor drums and intermediate transfer belts and deterioration of image carriers have been reduced, and cleaning defects over time have been reduced. A technique for installing a lubricant supply device that supplies a lubricant to the surface of an image carrier is widely known for the purpose of suppressing the occurrence of filming on the surface of the image carrier (for example, patent documents). See 1st grade.).

On the other hand, Patent Document 1 provides remaining amount detecting means for detecting that the remaining amount of the lubricant has decreased at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the solid lubricant, and the remaining amount is determined by either of the remaining amount detecting means. A technique for recognizing a near-end state when it is detected that the amount has decreased is disclosed.

In the conventional technique, when a part of the solid lubricant in the longitudinal direction is unevenly worn and the amount of the lubricant consumed is larger than that of the other part, the part of the lubricant in the longitudinal direction remains as it is. When the amount became less than a predetermined value, the solid lubricant was replaced during the life of the solid lubricant even though the remaining amount of the lubricant in other parts was sufficient, so that there was a lot of waste.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and is a lubricant supply device, a process cartridge, and a lubricant supply device, which can reach the end of its life in a state where the solid lubricant is consumed without waste in the longitudinal direction. The purpose is to provide an image forming apparatus.

The lubricant supply device in the present invention includes a solid lubricant that is in sliding contact with the lubricant feeder and a pressing mechanism that presses the solid lubricant toward the lubricant feeder, and the pressing mechanism is the solid. A plurality of pressing mechanisms that directly or indirectly press a plurality of pressing portions separated in the longitudinal direction in a lubricant, and the plurality of pressing mechanisms each exert a pressing force on the corresponding pressing portion. It is configured to be adjustable separately from the pressing force of the pressing portion.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a lubricant supply device, a process cartridge, and an image forming device, which can reach the end of their life in a state where the solid lubricant is consumed without waste in the longitudinal direction.

It is an overall block diagram which shows the image forming apparatus in embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the process cartridge and its vicinity. It is a figure which shows the main part of the lubricant supply amount in the width direction. It is a figure which shows the state which the solid lubricant was uniformly consumed over the longitudinal direction. It is a figure which shows the operation when the consumption amount of a solid lubricant varies in a longitudinal direction. It is a flowchart which shows the control at the time of the near end of a solid lubricant.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each figure, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and the duplicated description thereof will be appropriately simplified or omitted.

First, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the overall configuration and operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described.
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a process cartridge 10Y (image-creating unit) for yellow installed in the image forming apparatus 1 of FIG.
The four process cartridges 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10BK (image-creating parts) have almost the same structure except that the color of the toner T used in the image-imaging process is different. Therefore, in FIG. 2, the process cartridge 10Y for yellow is used. Only are typically illustrated.

In FIG. 1, 1 is a tandem color copier as an image forming apparatus, 2 is a writing unit that emits a laser beam based on input image information, 3 is a document conveying unit that conveys a document D to a document reading unit 4, and 4 is a document conveying unit. A document reading unit that reads image information of the document D, and reference numeral 7 denotes a paper feeding device that accommodates sheets such as paper.
In addition, 9 is a resist roller for adjusting the sheet transfer timing, 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10BK are process cartridges in which toner images of each color (yellow, magenta, cyan, and black) are formed, and 16 is each process cartridge 10Y, 10M. A primary transfer roller for superimposing and transferring a toner image formed on a photoconductor drum of 10C and 10BK on an intermediate transfer belt 17 is shown.
Further, 17 is an intermediate transfer belt on which toner images of a plurality of colors are superposed and transferred, 18 is a secondary transfer roller for transferring the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 17 onto a sheet, and 19 cleans the intermediate transfer belt 17. The intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 20 indicates a fixing device for fixing the toner image (unfixed image) on the sheet.

Hereinafter, the operation of the image forming apparatus during normal color image forming will be described.
First, the document D is transported from the document table in the direction of the arrow in the drawing by the transfer roller of the document transfer unit 3, and is placed on the contact glass 5 of the document reading unit 4. Then, the document reading unit 4 optically reads the image information of the document D placed on the contact glass 5.

Then, the image information of each color of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black is transmitted to the writing unit 2. Then, from the writing unit 2, the laser beam L (exposure light) based on the image information of each color is directed onto the photoconductor drum 11 (image carrier) of the corresponding process cartridges 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10BK, respectively. Is emitted.

On the other hand, the photoconductor drums 11 (see FIG. 2) of the four process cartridges 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10BK are each rotating (running) in a predetermined direction (counterclockwise direction). Then, first, the surface of the photoconductor drum 11 is uniformly charged at the portion facing the charging device 12 (the charging step). In this way, a charging potential (about −900 V) is formed on the photoconductor drum 11. After that, the surface of the charged photoconductor drum 11 reaches the irradiation position of each laser beam L.
In the writing unit 2, laser light L corresponding to an image signal is emitted from four light sources corresponding to each color. Each laser beam L passes through a different optical path for each of the yellow, magenta, cyan, and black color components (exposure step).

The laser beam L corresponding to the yellow component irradiates the surface of the photoconductor drum 11 (image carrier) first from the left side of the paper surface. At this time, the laser beam of the yellow component is scanned in the rotation axis direction (main scanning direction) of the photoconductor drum 11 by the polygon mirror rotating at high speed. In this way, an electrostatic latent image (an exposure potential of about −50 to 100 V is formed) corresponding to the yellow component is formed on the photoconductor drum 11 after being charged by the charging device 12.

Similarly, the laser beam corresponding to the magenta component is applied to the surface of the photoconductor drum 11 second from the left on the paper surface to form an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the magenta component. The cyan component laser beam is applied to the surface of the photoconductor drum 11, which is the third from the left on the paper surface, to form an electrostatic latent image of the cyan component. The laser beam of the black component is applied to the surface of the photoconductor drum 11 which is the fourth from the left on the paper surface to form an electrostatic latent image of the black component.

After that, the surfaces of the photoconductor drum 11 on which the electrostatic latent images of each color are formed reach the positions facing each other with the developing device 13. Then, toner of each color is supplied from each developing device 13 onto the photoconductor drum 11, and the latent image on the photoconductor drum 11 is developed to form a toner image (a developing step).
After that, the surface of the photoconductor drum 11 after the developing step reaches the facing portion (primary transfer nip) with the intermediate transfer belt 17, respectively. Here, a primary transfer roller 16 is installed on each of the opposing portions so as to abut on the inner peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 17. Then, at the position of the primary transfer roller 16, the toner images of each color formed on the photoconductor drum 11 are sequentially superimposed and transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 17 (the primary transfer step).

Then, the surface of the photoconductor drum 11 after the primary transfer step reaches a position facing the cleaning device 14, respectively. Then, at this position, the cleaning blade 14a and the cleaning brush roller 14b mechanically remove the untransferred toner remaining on the photoconductor drum 11, and the removed untransferred toner is collected in the cleaning device 14. (It is a cleaning process.). The untransferred toner collected in the cleaning device 14 is conveyed to the outside from the cleaning device 14 by the transfer screw, and is collected as waste toner inside the waste toner collection container.
After that, the surface of the photoconductor drum 11 sequentially passes through the positions of the lubricant supply device 15 and the static elimination device, and a series of image forming processes on the photoconductor drum 11 is completed.

On the other hand, the intermediate transfer belt 17 on which the toners of each color on the photoconductor drum 11 are superposed and transferred (supported) travels clockwise in the drawing and is at a position facing the secondary transfer roller 18 (secondary transfer nip). ) Is reached. Then, the color toner image supported on the intermediate transfer belt 17 is transferred onto the sheet (paper) at the position facing the secondary transfer roller 18 (the secondary transfer step).
After that, the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 17 reaches the position of the intermediate transfer belt cleaning portion 19. Then, the untransferred toner adhering to the intermediate transfer belt 17 is collected by the intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 19, and a series of transfer processes in the intermediate transfer belt 17 are completed.

Here, the sheet conveyed between the intermediate transfer belt 17 and the secondary transfer roller 18 (which is the secondary transfer nip) is conveyed from the paper feeding device 7 via the resist roller 9 and the like. be.
Specifically, the sheet fed by the paper feed roller 8 is guided to the resist roller 9 (timing roller) from the paper feed device 7 that stores the sheet after passing through the transport guide. The sheet that has reached the resist roller 9 is conveyed toward the secondary transfer nip at the same timing.

Then, the sheet on which the full-color image is transferred is guided to the fixing device 20 by the transport belt. In the fixing device 20, a color image (toner) is fixed on the sheet by the nip of the fixing belt and the pressure roller.
Then, the sheet after the fixing step is discharged as an output image to the outside of the apparatus main body 1 by the paper ejection roller, and a series of image forming processes (image forming operation) is completed.

Next, FIG. 2 describes the process cartridge 10Y in detail.
As shown in FIG. 2, in the process cartridge 10Y, a photoconductor drum 11 as an image carrier, a charging device 12, a developing device 13, a cleaning device 14, and a lubricant supply device 15 are integrally united. It is configured as. The process cartridge 10Y is detachably installed (replaceable) with respect to the image forming apparatus main body 1, and is appropriately taken out from the image forming apparatus main body 1 and replaced with a new one or repaired. Become.

Here, the photoconductor drum 11 as an image carrier is a negatively charged organic photoconductor in which a photosensitive layer or the like is provided on a drum-shaped conductive support.
In the photoconductor drum 11, an undercoat layer which is an insulating layer, a charge generating layer and a charge transport layer as a photosensitive layer, and a surface layer (protective layer) are sequentially laminated on a conductive support as a base layer.
The photoconductor drum 11 is rotationally driven by the main motor in the counterclockwise direction of FIG.

With reference to FIG. 2, the charging device 12 is a charging roller formed by coating the outer periphery of the conductive core metal with an elastic layer of medium resistance, and faces the photoconductor drum 11 with a minute gap. It is installed like this. A predetermined voltage (charging bias) is applied to the charging device 12 from the charging power supply unit, whereby the surface of the opposing photoconductor drum 11 is uniformly charged.
In the present embodiment, as the charging device 12, a contact-type charging roller that contacts the photoconductor drum 11 can be used, or a charging charger having a grid using a corona discharge method can be used.
Further, as the charging bias applied to the charging device 12, the AC voltage may be superimposed on the DC voltage, or only the DC voltage may be used.

The developing apparatus 13 mainly includes a developing roller 13a facing the photoconductor drum 11, a first conveying screw 13b facing the developing roller 13a, and a second conveying screw 13c facing the first conveying screw 13b via a partition member. And a doctor blade 13d facing the developing roller 13a. The developing roller 13a is composed of a magnet that is fixed inside and forms a magnetic pole on the peripheral surface of the roller, and a sleeve that rotates around the magnet. A plurality of magnetic poles are formed on the developing roller 13a (sleeve) by the magnet, and the developing agent G is supported on the developing roller 13a. A two-component developer G composed of a carrier C and a toner T is housed in the developing apparatus 13.

The cleaning device 14 includes a cleaning blade 14a that comes into contact with the surface of the photoconductor drum 11 to clean the surface of the photoconductor drum 11, and the photoconductor drum 11 that rotates in a predetermined direction while contacting the surface of the photoconductor drum 11. A cleaning brush roller 14b for cleaning the surface of the drum is installed.
The cleaning blade 14a is made of a rubber material such as urethane rubber, and is in contact with the surface of the photoconductor drum 11 at a predetermined angle and at a predetermined pressure. As a result, untransferred toner adhering to the photoconductor drum 11 (paper dust generated from the sheet, discharge products generated on the photoconductor drum 11 when discharged by the charging device 12, additives added to the toner, etc. are attached. The kimono is also included.) Is mechanically scraped off and collected in the cleaning device 14.
The cleaning brush roller 14b is a brush in which straight-haired or loop-shaped brush hairs made of resin fibers such as polyester, nylon, rayon, acrylic, vinylon, and vinyl chloride are wound around the outer periphery of the core metal. The bristles are in sliding contact with the surface of the photoconductor drum 11. The cleaning brush roller 14b receives a driving force from the main motor via the gear train to rotate the photoconductor drum 11 in the counterclockwise direction of FIG. As a result, untransferred toner adhering to the photoconductor drum 11 (paper dust generated from the sheet, discharge products generated on the photoconductor drum 11 when discharged by the charging device 12, additives added to the toner, etc. are attached. The kimono is also included.) Is mechanically scraped off and collected in the cleaning device 14.

With reference to FIG. 2, in the lubricant supply device 15, a lubricant supply roller 15a (lubricant supply body) in which a foam elastic layer that is in sliding contact with the photoconductor drum 11 is provided so as to supply the lubricant on the photoconductor drum 11 is provided. ), The solid lubricant 15b that is in sliding contact with the lubricant supply roller 15a (foam elastic layer), the compression spring 15c as an urging member that urges the solid lubricant 15b against the lubricant supply roller 15a, and the photoconductor drum 11. It is composed of a thinning blade 15f (leveling blade) that abuts and thins (uniformizes) the lubricant supplied onto the photoconductor drum 11.
The lubricant supply device 15 is arranged on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the photoconductor drum 11 with respect to the cleaning device 14 (cleaning blade 14a) and on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the photoconductor drum 11 with respect to the charging device 12. ing. Further, the thinning blade 15f is arranged on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the photoconductor drum 11 with respect to the lubricant supply roller 15a.

The lubricant supply roller 15a is a roller-like member in which a foamed elastic layer made of polyurethane foam (urethane foam) is formed on a shaft portion (core metal) made of a metal material, and the foamed elastic layer is a photoconductor drum 11. It is rotationally driven in the counterclockwise direction shown in FIG. 2 in contact with the surface. As a result, the lubricant is supplied from the solid lubricant 15b onto the photoconductor drum 11 via the lubricant supply roller 15a.

The lubricant supply roller 15a as the lubricant feeder is rotationally driven so as to be in sliding contact with the photoconductor drum 11 rotating in the counterclockwise direction of FIG. 2 in the counter direction (counterclockwise direction) (counterclockwise of FIG. 2). Directional rotation.). That is, the rotation direction of the lubricant supply roller 15a is configured to be opposite to the rotation direction (traveling direction) of the photoconductor drum 11 at the sliding contact position with the photoconductor drum 11.
Further, the lubricant supply roller 15a is arranged so as to be in sliding contact with the solid lubricant 15b and the photoconductor drum 11, and the lubricant supply roller 15a rotates to scrape the lubricant from the solid lubricant 15b. The lubricant is applied onto the photoconductor drum 11.
Further, a compression spring 15c (pressing mechanisms 50A, 50B) is arranged behind the solid lubricant 15b (lubricant holding member 15e) in order to eliminate uneven contact between the lubricant supply roller 15a and the solid lubricant 15b. The solid lubricant 15b is urged toward the lubricant supply roller 15a. The compression spring 15c functions as a constituent member of the pressing mechanisms 50A and 50B (see FIG. 3) that press the solid lubricant 15b toward the lubricant supply roller 15a (lubricant feeder).
The lubricant supply device 15 in the present embodiment is configured so that the pressing force by the pressing mechanisms 50A and 50B can be adjusted, which will be described in detail later.

Here, the solid lubricant 15b is formed by containing an inorganic lubricant in fatty acid metallic zinc. Further, as the fatty acid metallic zinc, those containing at least zinc stearate are preferable. The inorganic lubricant is preferably at least one of talc, mica, and boron nitride.
Zinc stearate is a typical lamella crystal powder. The lamellar crystal has a layered structure in which amphipathic molecules are self-assembled, and when a shearing force is applied, the crystal cracks along the layers and becomes slippery. Therefore, the surface of the photoconductor drum 11 can be reduced in friction. That is, the lamella crystals that uniformly cover the surface of the photoconductor drum 11 under the shearing force can effectively cover the surface of the photoconductor drum 11 with a small amount of lubricant. Then, the surface of the photoconductor drum 11 is covered relatively evenly, and it is possible to satisfactorily protect the surface of the photoconductor drum 11 from electrical stress in the charging process.
Further, by using an inorganic lubricant having a plate-like structure such as talc, mica, and boron nitride, it becomes difficult for the toner and the lubricant to slip through the cleaning device 14 (cleaning blade 14a), and the charging device 12 can be used. It can be made hard to get dirty.

The thinning blade 15f is a plate-shaped member made of a rubber material such as urethane rubber, and is in contact with the surface of the photoconductor drum 11 at a predetermined angle and at a predetermined pressure. The thinning blade 15f is arranged on the downstream side in the rotation direction (downstream side in the traveling direction) of the photoconductor drum 11 with respect to the cleaning blade 14a. Then, the lubricant supplied onto the photoconductor drum 11 by the lubricant supply roller 15a is uniformly and appropriately thinned on the photoconductor drum 11 by the thinning blade 15f.

When the solid lubricant 15b is applied to the surface of the photoconductor drum 11 via the lubricant supply roller 15a, a powdery lubricant is applied to the surface of the photoconductor drum 11, but the lubricity remains in this state. Since it is not sufficiently exhibited, the thinning blade 15f functions as a member for thinning and homogenizing the lubricant. The thinning blade 15f coats the lubricant on the photoconductor drum 11, and the lubricant fully exhibits its lubricity.

The image-forming process described above will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.
The developing roller 13a is rotating in the direction of the arrow in FIG. The developer G in the developing device 13 connects the toner replenishment port from the toner replenishment unit 30 by rotating the first transfer screw 13b and the second transfer screw 13c arranged so as to interpose a partition member in the direction of the arrow. It circulates in the longitudinal direction (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 2) while being stirred and mixed together with the toner T replenished through the toner T.

Then, the toner T that is triboelectrically charged and adsorbed on the carrier C is supported on the developing roller 13a together with the carrier C. The developer G supported on the developing roller 13a then reaches the position of the doctor blade 13d. Then, the developer G on the developing roller 13a reaches a position facing the photoconductor drum 11 (a developing region) after being adjusted to an appropriate amount at the position of the doctor blade 13d.

After that, in the developing region, the toner T in the developing agent G adheres to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoconductor drum 11. Specifically, it is formed by the potential difference (development potential) between the latent image potential (exposure potential) of the image portion irradiated with the laser beam L and the development bias (about −500 V) applied to the developing roller 13a. The electric potential causes the toner T to adhere to the latent image.

After that, most of the toner T adhering to the photoconductor drum 11 in the developing step is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 17. Then, the untransferred toner T adhering (residual) to the surface of the photoconductor drum 11 is collected in the cleaning device 14 by the cleaning blade 14a and the cleaning brush roller 14b. After that, the surface of the photoconductor drum 11 after the cleaning step passes through the lubricant supply device 15 and the static elimination device in that order, and a series of image forming processes is completed.

Here, the toner replenishment unit 30 provided in the image forming apparatus main body 1 holds and rotates the replaceable toner bottle 31 and the toner bottle 31, and replenishes the developing device 13 with new toner T. It is composed of a part 32 and. Further, a new toner T (yellow toner in FIG. 2) is contained in the toner bottle 31. Further, a spiral protrusion is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the toner bottle 31.

The new toner T in the toner bottle 31 is appropriately replenished into the developing device 13 from the toner replenishing port as the toner T (existing toner) in the developing device 13 is consumed. The consumption of the toner T in the developing device 13 is indirectly or directly detected by a magnetic sensor installed below the second transport screw 13c of the developing device 13.

Hereinafter, the characteristic configuration and operation of the lubricant supply device 15 (process cartridge 10Y) according to the present embodiment will be described.
As described above with reference to FIG. 2, the lubricant supply device 15 includes a solid lubricant 15b that is in sliding contact with the lubricant supply roller 15a as a lubricant supply body, and a solid lubricant 15b that is provided with the lubricant supply roller 15a. Pressing mechanisms 50A and 50B for pressing toward (lubricant feeder) are installed. Further, a compression spring 15c is provided as one of the constituent members of the pressing mechanisms 50A and 50B.
The lubricant supply roller 15a as the lubricant feeder rotates in a predetermined direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 2) and comes into contact with the surface of the photoconductor drum 11 (image carrier) on which the toner image is supported. is doing.

With reference to FIG. 3 and the like, the pressing mechanism directly presses a plurality of pressing portions separated in the longitudinal direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 3 and the vertical direction on the paper surface in FIG. 2) in the solid lubricant 15b. Alternatively, there are a plurality of pressing mechanisms 50A and 50B that indirectly press. In particular, in the present embodiment, two pressing mechanisms (a first pressing mechanism 50A and a second pressing mechanism 50B) are provided to press the pressing portions at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the solid lubricant 15b. ing. Specifically, the first pressing mechanism 50A is configured to press one end side of the solid lubricant 15b in the longitudinal direction (the left side in FIG. 3), and the second pressing mechanism 50B is configured to press the solid lubricant 15b in the longitudinal direction and the like. It is configured to press the end side (on the right side in FIG. 3).
Then, each of the plurality of pressing mechanisms 50A and 50B applies a pressing force to the corresponding pressing portion (for example, the pressing portion on the left side) to another pressing portion (for example, the pressing portion on the right side). It is configured to be adjustable separately. That is, the two pressing mechanisms 50A and 50B are configured so that the pressing force can be adjusted independently.

Specifically, the plurality of pressing mechanisms (first pressing mechanism 50A, second pressing mechanism 50B) are a compression spring 15c to which one end side is connected to the pressing portion and a movable member 15d to which the other end side of the compression spring 15c is connected, respectively. It is composed of a moving mechanism 51 that can move in the pressing direction. That is, the compression spring 15c is installed between the solid lubricant 15b and the movable member 15d.
Further, a rack gear 54 is formed on the movable member 15d.
Further, the moving mechanism is mainly composed of a pinion gear 53 that meshes with the rack gear 54 of the movable member 15d and a motor 52 that rotationally drives the pinion gear 53. The rack gear 54 is formed so as to extend in a direction substantially orthogonal to the moving direction of the movable member 15d (the urging direction of the compression spring 15c). Further, in the present embodiment, a stepping motor is used as the motor 52.

In the pressing mechanisms 50A and 50B configured in this way, the pinion lubricant 53 is rotated in the clockwise direction of FIG. 3 by the control of the motor 52 (moving mechanism 51) by the control unit 60, so that the movable member 15d is the movable member 15d of FIG. As it moves upward, the length of use of the compression spring 15c becomes longer, and the pressing force against the solid lubricant 15b (pressing portion) is weakened.
On the other hand, in the pressing mechanisms 50A and 50B, the pinion lubricant 53 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 3 by the control of the motor 52 (moving mechanism 51) by the control unit 60, so that the movable member 15d is shown in FIG. Moving downward, the length of use of the compression spring 15c is shortened, and the pressing force against the solid lubricant 15b (pressing portion) is increased.
Further, in the present embodiment, since the stepping motor is used as the motor 52, it is possible to accurately control the adjustment of the moving amount of the movable member 15d (pressing pressure against the solid lubricant 15b).

Here, referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the lubricant supply device 15 in the present embodiment has a plurality of pressing portions in the solid lubricant 15b (in the present embodiment, there are two pressing portions). A near-end detection sensor 45 is installed as a detection means for detecting the amount of lubricant consumed (the degree of wear of the lubricant) at the position corresponding to the above.
Then, based on the detection result of the near-end detection sensor 45 (the detection means), the pressing force in the pressing portion having a large amount of lubricant consumption is smaller than the pressing force in the pressing portion having a small amount of lubricant consumption. It controls a plurality of pressing mechanisms 50A and 50B. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, when the lubricant consumption on the right side of the solid lubricant 15b is larger than the lubricant consumption on the left side, the pressing force by the second pressing mechanism 50B on the right side is on the left side. The pressing mechanisms 50A and 50B are controlled by the control unit 60 so as to be smaller than the pressing pressure by the first pressing mechanism 50A.

Specifically, the near-end detection sensor 45 as a detection means detects a state in which the amount of lubricant consumed at positions corresponding to a plurality of pressing portions reaches a predetermined amount Z, respectively.
Further, at the initial stage (when the solid lubricant 15b is new and not consumed and is in the state of FIG. 3), the pressing pressures at the plurality of pressing portions all reach a predetermined reference value A. A plurality of pressing mechanisms 50A and 50B are set so as to be.
Then, the pressing force at the pressing portion where the state in which the lubricant consumption reaches a predetermined amount Z is detected by one of the two near-end detection sensors 45 (46 to 48) (46 to 48) is used as a reference. The corresponding pressing mechanisms 50A and 50B are controlled so as to be smaller than the value A. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5A, when the contact between the first and second electrode plates 46 and 47 is detected by the near-end detection sensors 45 (46 to 48) on the left side, FIG. 5B ), The control unit 60 keeps the first pressing mechanism 50A on the left side as it is, and reduces the pressing force by the second pressing mechanism 50B on the right side (so that the used length of the compression spring 15c becomes longer). Controls the second pressing mechanism 50B.

More specifically, the near-end detection sensor 45 (detection means) is composed of a first electrode plate 46, a second electrode plate 47, a detection circuit 48, and the like. The second electrode plate 47 is the upper end portion of the solid lubricant 15b (the portion of the holding plate farthest from the lubricant supply roller 15a), and is installed in the vicinity of the pressing portion by the compression spring 15c. The first electrode plate 46 is in the vicinity of the lower end portion of the solid lubricant 15b (a portion close to the lubricant supply roller 15a), and is attached to the second electrode plate 47 when the remaining amount of the lubricant is low. It is installed in a contact position. The detection circuit 48 is connected to the first and second electrode plates 46 and 47, and detects the presence or absence of continuity of the first and second electrode plates 46 and 47. Then, referring to FIG. 4, when the detection circuit 48 detects that the remaining amount of the lubricant is low and the second electrode plate 47 is in contact with the first electrode plate 46, the amount of the lubricant consumed Is determined by the control unit 60 to have reached the predetermined value Z.

More specifically, the operation until the solid lubricant 15b is determined to have reached the end of its life will be described.
First, when the use of a new solid lubricant 15b is promoted and the lubricant is finally consumed in the longitudinal direction, as shown in FIG. 4, two near-end detection sensors 45 (46 to 48) are used. Almost at the same time, a state in which the first and second electrode plates 46 and 47 are in contact with each other (a state in which the amount of lubricant consumed reaches a predetermined value Z) is detected. In such a state, since the solid lubricant 15b is consumed without waste in the longitudinal direction, the solid lubricant 15b is replaced (installed on the exterior portion of the image forming apparatus 1) with the display panel 40 (installed in the exterior portion of the image forming apparatus 1). It is displayed (near-end display) that maintenance of the lubricant supply device 15) is required. Then, the user sees the display and replaces the process cartridge 10Y by himself / herself or requests a serviceman for repair.

On the other hand, the use of a new solid lubricant 15b has been promoted, and as shown in FIG. 5A, the difference in surface properties of the lubricant supply roller 15a and the solid lubricant 15b with respect to the lubricant supply roller 15a have been promoted. When the lubricant is consumed with a deviation in the longitudinal direction due to a pressure deviation or the like, as shown in FIG. 5B, the state is detected by the near-end detection sensor 45 (46 to 48) on the right side and detected. The pressing force by the second pressing mechanism 50B on the pressed side is weakened. As a result, the image-forming process is subsequently continued with the lubricant consumption on the right side of FIG. 5 being smaller than that on the left side, and finally the remaining amount of the solid lubricant 15b is made uniform over the longitudinal direction. .. Finally, the near-end detection sensor 45 (46 to 48) on the left side detects a state in which the first and second electrode plates 46 and 47 are in contact with each other (a state in which the amount of lubricant consumed reaches a predetermined value Z). At that time, the display panel 40 indicates that the solid lubricant 15b needs to be replaced (maintenance of the lubricant supply device 15), assuming that the solid lubricant 15b has been consumed without waste in the longitudinal direction (maintenance of the lubricant supply device 15). Near-end display). Then, the user sees the display and replaces the process cartridge 10Y by himself / herself or requests a serviceman for repair.

As described above, since the lubricant supply device 15 in the present embodiment is provided with a plurality of pressing mechanisms 50A and 50B capable of adjusting the pressing force independently of each other, one of the solid lubricants 15b in the longitudinal direction. Even if the part is unevenly worn and the amount of lubricant consumed is higher than that of other parts, the near-end display is not displayed as it is to prompt the replacement of the solid lubricant 15b (or process cartridge 10Y). After adjusting the pressing force by the plurality of pressing mechanisms 50A and 50B and consuming the solid lubricant 15b almost uniformly in the longitudinal direction, a near-end display is displayed and the solid lubricant 15b (or process cartridge 10Y) is replaced. Can be prompted. Therefore, the solid lubricant 15b can reach the end of its life in a state where it is consumed without waste in the longitudinal direction.
In particular, in the present embodiment, one of the two near-end detection sensors 45 detects a state in which the amount of lubricant consumed reaches a predetermined amount Z while the remaining amount of lubricant is low, and then the pressing force is adjusted. Therefore, when one of the two near-end detection sensors 45 detects a state in which the amount of lubricant consumed reaches a predetermined amount while the remaining amount of lubricant is sufficient, and then adjusts the pressing force. In comparison, after that, a deviation in the amount of lubricant consumed in the longitudinal direction occurs, eliminating the trouble of adjusting the pressing force again.
Further, in the present embodiment, when one of the two near-end detection sensors 45 detects a state in which the lubricant consumption amount reaches the predetermined amount Z, the pressure on the side where the lubricant consumption amount reaches the predetermined amount Z is pressed. It is also possible to increase the pressing force of the pressing mechanism on the side where the amount of lubricant consumed does not reach the predetermined amount Z without changing the pressing force of the mechanism. However, in that case, the remaining amount of the lubricant on the side where the lubricant consumption reaches the predetermined amount Z becomes zero before the near end is detected on the side where the lubricant consumption does not reach the predetermined amount Z. there is a possibility. Therefore, as in the present embodiment, when one of the two near-end detection sensors 45 detects a state in which the lubricant consumption reaches the predetermined amount Z, the side where the lubricant consumption reaches the predetermined amount Z. It is preferable to control so as to weaken the pressing force of the pressing mechanism of.

Hereinafter, as a summary, the control of the solid lubricant 15b at the near end will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
As shown in FIG. 6, first, it is determined whether or not there is near-end detection (detection of whether or not the amount of lubricant consumed has reached a predetermined amount Z) by the two near-end detection sensors 45 (). Step S1).
Then, when the near-end detection is performed, it is determined whether or not the near-end detection is performed by the two near-end detection sensors 45 at the same time (step S2). As a result, when it is determined that the solid lubricants 15b are consumed at the same time, the display panel 40 is displayed as a near-end display as it is, assuming that the solid lubricant 15b has been consumed without deviation in the longitudinal direction (step S8).
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S2 that the near-end detection is not performed at the same time, it is determined whether the near-end detection is performed by the near-end detection sensor 45 on one end side (step S3). As a result, when it is determined that the near-end detection sensor 45 on one end side is used, the pressing force by the first pressing mechanism 50A on one end side is weakened (step S4). Then, the image drawing process is performed until the near-end detection sensor 45 on the other end side detects the near-end, and when the near-end detection sensor 45 on the other end side detects the near-end, the near-end display is performed on the display panel 40 (step S5). , S8).
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S3 that it is not due to the near-end detection sensor 45 on the other end side, it is assumed that it is due to the near-end detection sensor 45 on the other end side, and the second pressing mechanism 50B on the other end side is used. (Step S6). Then, the image drawing process is performed until the near-end detection sensor 45 on one end side detects the near-end, and when the near-end detection sensor 45 on the one end side detects the near-end, the near-end display is performed on the display panel 40 (steps S7 and S8). ).

As described above, in the lubricant supply device 15 of the present embodiment, the solid lubricant 15b that is in sliding contact with the lubricant supply roller 15a (lubricant feeder) and the solid lubricant 15b are directed toward the lubricant supply roller 15a. Pressing mechanisms 50A and 50B for pressing are provided. The pressing mechanism is a plurality of pressing mechanisms 50A and 50B that directly or indirectly press the plurality of pressing portions separated in the longitudinal direction in the solid lubricant 15b, respectively, and each of the pressing mechanisms exerts a pressing force on the corresponding pressing portion. It is configured to be adjustable separately from the pressing force of the pressing part of.
As a result, the solid lubricant 15b can reach the end of its life in a state where it is consumed without waste in the longitudinal direction.

In the present embodiment, the photoconductor drum 11, the charging device 12 (charging unit), the developing device 13, the cleaning device 14, and the lubricant supply device 15 are integrated to form the process cartridge 10Y, and the image forming unit is formed. We are trying to make it more compact and improve maintenance workability.
On the other hand, these constituent members may be configured to be interchangeably installed in the image forming apparatus main body 1 by themselves without being used as the constituent members of the process cartridge. In particular, the lubricant supply device 15 can be configured to be replaceably installed on the image forming apparatus main body 1 by itself. Even in such a case, the same effect as that of the present embodiment can be obtained.
In the present application, the "process cartridge" includes a charging device for charging the image carrier, a developing device for developing a latent image formed on the image carrier, and a cleaning device for cleaning the image carrier. It is defined as a unit in which at least one of them and an image carrier are integrated and detachably installed with respect to the image forming apparatus main body.

Further, in the present embodiment, a lubricant supply roller 15a having a foamed elastic layer formed on the core metal is used, but as the lubricant supply roller 15a, a straight-haired or loop-shaped brush is used on the outer periphery of the core metal. It is also possible to use one with hair wrapped around it. In that case, resin fibers such as polyester, nylon, rayon, acrylic, vinylon, and vinyl chloride can be used as the brush bristles, and if necessary, conductive fibers mixed with a conductivity-imparting agent such as carbon can be used. can. Further, as the brush bristles, those having a length (hair feet) of 0.2 to 20 mm and a brush density of 20,000 to 100,000 F / inch ² can be used.
Further, in the present embodiment, the compression spring 15c is used as the urging member for urging the solid lubricant 15b with respect to the lubricant supply roller 15a, but the configuration of the urging member is not limited to this. For example, a pair of levers (rotating members) disclosed in Patent Document 1 and the like can be used as an urging member.
Further, in the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to the lubricant supply device 15 that supplies the lubricant to the surface of the photoconductor drum 11 as the image carrier, but the intermediate transfer belt 17 as the image carrier The present invention can also be applied to a lubricant supply device that supplies a lubricant to the surface.
Further, in the present embodiment, the pinion rack mechanism is used as the moving mechanism 51 of the pressing mechanisms 50A and 50B, but the moving mechanism is not limited to this, and for example, a cam mechanism or a link mechanism may be used. can.
Further, in the present embodiment, two pressing mechanisms 50A and 50B are used as a plurality of pressing mechanisms, but three or more pressing mechanisms can also be used. Further, the pressing mechanisms 50A and 50B may directly press the solid lubricant 15b, or may indirectly press the solid lubricant 15b via a holding plate or the like.
And even in such a case, almost the same effect as that of the present embodiment can be obtained.

It is clear that the present invention is not limited to the present embodiment, and the present embodiment may be appropriately modified in addition to the suggestions in the present embodiment within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. be. Further, the number, position, shape, etc. of the constituent members are not limited to the present embodiment, and can be a suitable number, position, shape, etc. for carrying out the present invention.

1 Image forming apparatus (image forming apparatus main body),
10Y, 10M, 10C, 10BK process cartridge,
11 Photoreceptor drum (image carrier),
15 Lubricant supply device,
15a Lubricant supply roller (lubricant feeder),
15b solid lubricant,
15c compression spring (biasing member),
15d movable member (pressing mechanism),
45 Near-end detection sensor (detection means),
46 First electrode plate,
47 Second electrode plate,
50A 1st pressing mechanism (pressing mechanism),
50B 2nd pressing mechanism (pressing mechanism),
51 Movement mechanism,
52 motor (stepping motor),
53 pinion gear,
54 rack gear,
60 Control unit (control means).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-29418

Claims (9)

A solid lubricant that slides into the lubricant feeder,
A pressing mechanism that presses the solid lubricant toward the lubricant feeder,
With
The pressing mechanism is a plurality of pressing mechanisms that directly or indirectly press a plurality of pressing portions separated in the longitudinal direction in the solid lubricant.
The lubricant supply device is characterized in that each of the plurality of pressing mechanisms is configured so that the pressing force on the corresponding pressing portion can be adjusted separately from the pressing pressure of the other pressing portion. A detection means for detecting the amount of lubricant consumed at positions corresponding to the plurality of pressing portions in the solid lubricant is provided.
Based on the detection result of the detection means, the plurality of pressing mechanisms are provided so that the pressing force in the pressing portion having a large amount of lubricant consumption is smaller than the pressing force in the pressing portion having a small amount of lubricant consumption. The lubricant supply device according to claim 1, wherein the lubricant supply device is controlled. The detection means is a near-end detection sensor that detects a state in which the amount of lubricant consumed at positions corresponding to the plurality of pressing portions reaches a predetermined amount.
At the initial stage, the plurality of pressing mechanisms are set so that the pressing pressures in the plurality of pressing portions all have a predetermined reference value.
The feature is that the corresponding pressing mechanism is controlled so that the pressing force in the pressing portion where the state in which the lubricant consumption reaches the predetermined amount is detected by the near-end detection sensor becomes smaller than the reference value. The lubricant supply device according to claim 2. The lubricant according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the plurality of pressing mechanisms are two pressing mechanisms for pressing the pressing portions at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the solid lubricant. Feeding device. Each of the plurality of pressing mechanisms
A compression spring whose one end is connected to the pressing portion,
A moving mechanism that can move the movable member to which the other end of the compression spring is connected in the pressing direction,
The lubricant supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the lubricant supply device is provided. The movable member includes a rack gear and has a rack gear.
The lubricant supply device according to claim 5, wherein the moving mechanism includes a pinion gear that meshes with the rack gear and a motor that rotationally drives the pinion gear. One of claims 1 to 6, wherein the lubricant feeder is a lubricant supply roller that rotates in a predetermined direction and comes into contact with the surface of the image carrier on which the toner image is supported. The lubricant supply device according to the description. A process cartridge that is detachably installed with respect to the main body of the image forming apparatus.
A process cartridge comprising the lubricant supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 7. An image forming apparatus comprising the lubricant supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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