JP2862432B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic technique such as a copying machine, when ions or electrons are attached to the surface of a photoreceptor and charged uniformly at a constant potential, ozone is generated due to discharge or the like.

[0003] In order to remove such ozone generated in each charger around the photosensitive drum, a dedicated duct for removing ozone is generally provided, and ozone is sucked in the middle of the dedicated duct or in the middle of the dedicated duct. An ozone adsorption filter is provided in front of the suction fan.

In addition, a cleaner for removing residual toner remaining on the photosensitive drum without being transferred to the transfer paper and toner scattered from a developing unit for attaching the toner to the photosensitive drum are allowed by various seals. It is held down by the level. And the performance of the apparatus was secured by cleaning at the time of regular maintenance.

[0005]

Conventionally, since it is difficult to determine the life of an ozone adsorption filter, the replacement time of the ozone adsorption filter is uniformly determined by the usage time or the number of copies.

However, the replacement of the ozone adsorption filter is usually left to the judgment and management of a service person, and it has been difficult to maintain the same performance of all machines (level differences are likely to occur).

[0007] Similarly, the maintenance time for the scattered toner is left to the judgment and management of a service person, and it is difficult to maintain the same performance of all machines.

In addition, there is a problem that it takes a long working time for maintenance as described above, and the machine stop time is lengthened.

Furthermore, a dedicated duct for ozone suction is required to remove ozone, which is disadvantageous in both space and cost.

In addition, special packaging is required for each photosensitive drum and ozone adsorption filter for replacement during maintenance.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus in which the maintenance of the ozone filter can be performed at the same time when the photosensitive drum is replaced, and the maintenance time and cost are reduced.

[0012]

According to the present invention, there is provided a photosensitive drum, a charger case having a charger for electrically charging the photosensitive drum, and discharging the photosensitive drum.
The photosensitive drum has a hollow portion, the photosensitive drum is provided in the hollow portion of the photosensitive drum, and is generated by charging of the photosensitive drum by the charger portion. A first filter for absorbing ozone, a second filter provided in a hollow portion of the photosensitive drum for removing toner dust, and a space surrounded by at least the charger case, the photosensitive member, and the charge removing lamp. An image forming apparatus comprising: a communicating portion that communicates the ozone suction duct formed by the above with the hollow portion of the photosensitive drum; and a fan for generating an air flow in the hollow portion and the communicating portion of the photosensitive drum. , A first filter, a second filter, and a fan are provided on a central axis of the photosensitive drum, and the first filter and the second filter are arranged apart from the fan. Image forming apparatus is provided.

Each of the entrances and exits of the hollow portion of the photosensitive drum may be provided with a flange member, and the flange member may include fixed blades.

A second filter may be provided on the upstream side with respect to the air flow generated in the hollow portion of the photosensitive drum, and a first filter may be provided on the downstream side.

The first filter and the second filter may be closely attached to the hollow portion of the photosensitive drum.

A second filter may be arranged at a distance from the flange at the entrance of the photosensitive drum.

A third filter provided downstream of the first filter for absorbing ozone at a distance from the first filter, wherein the first filter is formed by honeycomb molding;
And the third filter is formed by laminating and shaping the waveform.
You may.

The air conditioner may further include a valve provided in the communication section for controlling the flow rate of the air flow, and a sensor for controlling the flow rate of the air flow.

[0019] and removing conductive lamp, a temperature sensor provided in the discharging lamp neighborhood is provided in order to heat removing heat generated by the charge removing lamp, and, at least, a space surrounded by the charge removing lamp and the photosensitive drum And a communicating portion that communicates with the hollow portion of the photosensitive drum, and the temperature of the first filter may be increased by passing the air heated by the static elimination lamp through the first filter.

[0020]

The ozone generated in the charger section is formed by a space surrounded by a charger case, a photoreceptor, and a static elimination lamp by an air flow generated by a fan arranged apart from the first filter and the second filter. After passing through the communicating part from the ozone suction duct, the light is guided to the hollow part of the photosensitive drum, and is absorbed by the first filter. Similarly, the toner dust around the photosensitive drum is
The light is guided to the hollow portion of the photosensitive drum and is absorbed by the second filter.

When the entrance / exit portion of the hollow portion of the photosensitive drum has a flange member, and the flange member includes a fixed blade, it can contribute to the generation of air flow and can compensate for pressure loss.

[0022] with respect to the air flow, and a second filter is provided upstream, if the first filter on the downstream side is provided et Re <br/>, removing the first toner dust Thus, the first filter can operate efficiently.

If the first filter and the second filter are closely attached to the hollow portion of the photosensitive drum, the resistance of the flow path can be minimized.

If the second filter is arranged at a distance from the flange at the entrance of the photosensitive drum, the velocity distribution of the air flow can be smoothed and the air can be incident on the second filter, so that the filter can be efficiently used. Can act.

A third filter for absorbing ozone at a distance from the first filter is further provided downstream of the first filter .
Is a honeycomb formed filter, and the third filter
The ozone absorption efficiency can be further increased if the filter is formed by laminating a corrugated shape .

A valve for controlling the flow rate of the air flow;
When a sensor for controlling the flow rate of the air flow is further provided, the flow balance in each flow path can be adjusted.

The image forming apparatus further includes a communication portion that communicates at least a space surrounded by the charge removing lamp and the photosensitive drum and a hollow portion of the photosensitive drum, and is heated by the charge removing lamp.
The first air through the first filter.
When the temperature of the filter is increased, the heat around the static elimination lamp can be removed by the airflow , and the temperature-
The medium-type ozone filter can be used efficiently.
I can .

[0028]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an ozone toner cleaning apparatus according to the present invention, and FIGS. 2 and 3 are sectional views taken along lines AA and BB, respectively.

The present invention is applicable to all apparatuses using the electrophotographic process.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a photosensitive drum, which is usually formed by coating an optical extruded pipe with an optical semiconductor.

A dust filter 11 and ozone filters 12 and 13 are provided in the hollow portion of the photosensitive drum 10. At both ends of the photoreceptor drum 10, a flange portion 14 forming an entrance to the hollow portion and a geared flange portion 15 forming an internal exit portion are attached, respectively.

The flange portion 14 and the flange portion 15 are provided with blade-shaped ribs 14a and 15a, respectively, and a portion other than the ribs 14a and 15a is provided with a through hole for communicating the inside and outside of the photosensitive drum. Is formed. Dust such as ozone and toner is removed through these through holes.

A suction fan 40 is provided outside the geared flange portion 15 and on the extension of the central axis of the photosensitive drum, whereby the hollow portion of the photosensitive drum 10 is moved from the flange portion 14 to the flange portion 15. Air flow to the air is generated. Further, since the ribs 14a and 15a of the flange portions 14 and 15 have a blade shape, the photosensitive drum 1
Even with the rotation of 0, air can flow from the flange portion 14 to the flange portion 15 in the hollow portion.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the process apparatus incorporating the cleaning device according to the present invention comprises a charging charger case 17 containing a charging charger wire 16, a transfer charger wire 18 and a separation charger wire 19, respectively. Included transfer charger case 2
0 and a separate charger case 21, a static elimination lamp 22, a cleaning blade 23, and a casing 25 containing a collecting screw 24 for collecting the toner after cleaning. Remove dust.

As shown in FIG. 3, the charging charger wire 16 is stretched in the charging charger case 17 by a tension spring 26 with a predetermined tension.

As shown in FIG. 2, the transfer charger case 20 and the separation charger case 21 are provided adjacent to each other, and share one wall in this embodiment.

Similarly, the transfer charger wire 18 and the separation charger wire 19 are stretched in the transfer charger case 20 and the separation charger case 21 with a predetermined tension by a tension spring, respectively. still,
FIG. 3 does not show the separation charger wire 19.

The charger cases 17, 20, and 21 have a U-shaped cross section, and the distance between the photosensitive drum 10 and the case end is set to be short. That is, a box-shaped space is formed by the charger case and the photoconductor drum 10, and these are used as an ozone suction duct. This eliminates the need for a dedicated duct to remove ozone,
This has a great effect on space saving and cost reduction.

As shown in FIG. 3, the dust filter 11 is arranged on the upstream side of the air flow, that is, on the side closer to the flange portion 14 which is the entrance of the photosensitive drum 10, and the downstream side of the air flow,
That is, the ozone filters 12 and 13 are arranged on the side closer to the flange 15 at the outlet of the photosensitive drum 10. Therefore, the air flow containing dust such as ozone and toner first enters the dust filter 11. Since foreign matter is removed from the dust filter 11, it is possible to prevent the ozone filters 12 and 13 from being reduced in ozone removing ability.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the dust filter 11 and the ozone filter 12 are preferably installed in close contact with each other. Thereby, the pressure loss of the air flow can be minimized. In addition, the ozone filter 13
Is installed separately from the ozone filter 12,
The flow velocity when the air flow passes through the ozone filter 13 is further reduced, and the ozone removal efficiency can be increased.

The filter is provided at a distance from the flange 14 at the entrance of the photosensitive drum 10 as shown in FIG. In the airflow that has passed through the flange portion 14, shadows such as blades and shafts of the flange portion 14 have stagnated, and the flow velocity distribution of the airflow immediately after the flange portion 14 is not smooth. Therefore, if a filter is installed in the vicinity of the flange portion 14, the filter cannot be operated efficiently, so the filter is mounted separately from the flange portion 14. In addition, since the ozone filters 12 and 13 can be used in combination of different uses according to the setting, the service life, and the removal rate, the degree of freedom in design is wide in consideration of the above conditions.

As shown in FIG. 1, the discharging lamp 22 is
A plurality of low-cost and compact fuse balls are used by arranging them on a substrate. As shown in FIG. 2, a channel 27 is formed by the casing 25 of the unit main body, the charging charger case 17, the cleaning blade 23, and the photosensitive drum 10 in order to discharge the heat generated from the fuse balls. The heat in the flow path 27 is generated in the same manner as the charger cases 17, 20 and 21 which are ozone suction ducts.
The suction fan 20 discharges the photosensitive drum 10 out of the apparatus via filters 11, 12, and 13 in the hollow portion of the photosensitive drum 10.

In the present embodiment, the structure is such that scattered toner around the cleaning blade 23 is simultaneously sucked through the flow path 27 and sent to the filter. This method not only prevents contamination by scattering toner and discharges heat, but also has the effect of using this heat to increase the air temperature when passing through the ozone filters 12 and 13. Particularly, a catalyst type filter having a high temperature dependency is used. It can be used efficiently (a catalyst type filter has a higher NO _x removal capability than an activated carbon type filter, but has a characteristic that the ozone removal capability is extremely reduced at low temperatures).

The ozone filters 12 and 13 may be different types of ozone filters. As the ozone filter 12, a ceramic honeycomb formed using only a special powder containing activated carbon as a main component is used. As the ozone filter 13, a special powder containing activated carbon as a main component is formed into a sheet material using a fiber binder. As shown in FIG. 3, a communication portion 28 between a flow path surrounded by the charging charger case 17 and the photoconductor drum 10 and a hollow portion of the photoconductor drum 10 may be used for charging. A control valve 29 and a flow sensor 30 are provided. A transfer / separation control valve 32, a flow rate sensor 33, and a communication portion 31 between a passage surrounded by the transfer charger case 20 and the separation charger case 21 and the photosensitive drum 10 and a hollow portion of the photosensitive drum 10 are provided. Is provided. Although not shown in FIG. 3,
A control valve is provided for controlling the flow rate of the air flow in the flow path 27.

The opening of each control valve can be adjusted individually, and the distribution of the air flow can be freely set (in FIG. 3, the two control valves are fully open). Further, although not shown, the control valve can be opened and closed at an arbitrary timing by operating by a solenoid or the like, and the efficiency is controlled by controlling the control valve in synchronization with the output of each of the charging, transferring, and separating chargers. It can be sucked well and the efficiency of removing ozone and toner dust can be increased.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart thereof.
As shown in FIG. 4, the static elimination lamp, the static elimination lamp / cleaner blade control valve, the charging charger wire, the charging control valve, the transfer / separation charger, the transfer / separation control valve, and the suction fan are turned on / off. Is done. At this time, the valve opening degree can be automatically changed so that the flow rate is always kept constant by the flow rate sensor and the stepping motor, so that more stable performance can be obtained.

As shown in FIG. 4, the above three control valves may be all ON at the same time. In this case, air flows from all the flow paths into the hollow portion of the photosensitive drum 10. At this time, the opening degree of the valve is determined in advance so that a predetermined flow rate can be obtained in all the flow paths.
Therefore, when all the valves are not opened, the flow rate of the flow path of the opened valve becomes larger than the above-mentioned predetermined flow rate.

As shown in FIG. 2, the inside of the flow path 27 including the cleaner blade 23 and the static elimination lamp 22 is
A temperature sensor 34 is provided, and the opening of the control valve for the static elimination lamp / cleaner blade is controlled so that the temperature does not exceed the set temperature. If the temperature rise cannot be suppressed by controlling the opening of only the control valve for the static elimination lamp / cleaner blade, the charging, transfer / separation valve is squeezed, and the temperature is reduced by giving priority to the static elimination lamp side. I do.

An example of valve control will be described below. FIG.
FIG. 4 is a control flowchart of a charging control valve, a transfer / separation control valve, and a control valve for a static elimination lamp / cleaner blade.

Hereinafter, the control valve for charging or the control valve for transfer / separation is referred to as valve A, and the control valve for the static elimination lamp / cleaner blade is referred to as valve B.

First, it is determined whether or not the measured value v _{A of} the flow rate sensor provided on the valve A side is smaller than the set value v ₀ (step S10). If v _A is smaller than the set value v ₀ , the opening of the valve A is increased (step S1).
1). Next, it is determined whether or not the valve A is fully opened (step S12). If it is fully opened, it is determined whether or not a timeout has occurred for performing the determination in step S10 for a predetermined time (step S13). If v _A is smaller than the set value v ₀ even after the elapse of the predetermined time, it is determined that some trouble has occurred, an error is displayed, and the operator is alerted (step S14).

If the decision result in the step S11 is NO, a value T _B measured by a temperature sensor provided on the valve B side is used.
Is smaller than the set value T ₀ (step S15). If, if small fence not than the set value T ₀ T _B, to increase the opening of the valve B (step S16). Next, it is determined whether the valve B is fully opened (step S1).
7) If it is fully open, it is determined whether or not a timeout has occurred for performing the determination of step S15 for a predetermined time (step S)
18). Therefore, within a predetermined time with the valve B fully opened,
When T _B becomes smaller than the set value T ₀ , the control routine ends.

If T _B does not become smaller than the set value T ₀ within a predetermined time while the valve B is fully opened, the valve A is fully opened (step S19). Then, the measured value T _B is the set value T
_It is determined whether or not T _B is smaller than ₀ (step S20). If TB is not smaller than the set value T ₀ , it is determined whether or not a timeout has occurred for performing the determination of step S20 for a predetermined time (step S21). ). Therefore, valve B
If T _B becomes smaller than the set value T ₀ within a predetermined time in a state where the valve A is fully opened and the valve A is fully closed, the control routine ends. If even after the elapse of the predetermined time period, T _B is the set value T
_{If 0} or more, it is determined that some failure has occurred, an error is displayed, and the operator is alerted (step S).
22).

The above flowchart is an embodiment of the valve control of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, and is not particularly limited to this. For example, in step S14,
The valve A may be set to a fixed opening and the process may proceed to step S15, or an error display may be performed after a predetermined number of timeouts have occurred.

Therefore, according to this embodiment, ozone and toner dust can be efficiently treated without providing a special ozone suction duct or the like. In addition, since it is not necessary to determine and replace the ozone filter, the same performance can be maintained in all the machines. Further, by replacing the photosensitive drum with the ozone filter and the like, individual Parts replacement and cleaning work can be eliminated, and the machine stop time during maintenance can be reduced.

In the above embodiment, the flow path 27 is used to remove the heat generated from the static elimination lamp, and the temperature sensor is provided for valve control. Is used as a light source for static elimination, it is not necessary to use the flow path 27 for heat removal.

[0058]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the photosensitive drum has a hollow portion, and the photosensitive drum is provided in the hollow portion of the photosensitive drum and is generated by charging the photosensitive drum by the charger. A first filter for absorbing ozone, a second filter provided in a hollow portion of the photoconductor drum for removing toner dust, and a space surrounded by at least a charger case, a photoconductor, and a discharge lamp. A communicating portion for communicating the ozone suction duct with the hollow portion of the photosensitive drum, and a fan for generating an air flow in the hollow portion and the communicating portion of the photosensitive drum, the first filter and the second filter. Since the filter and the fan are provided on the central axis of the photoconductor drum, and the first filter and the second filter are arranged apart from the fan, a special ozone suction duct or the like is provided. It is not necessary to kick, it can be processed efficiently ozone and toner dust. In addition, since it is not necessary to determine and replace the ozone filter, the same performance can be maintained in all the machines. Further, by replacing the photosensitive drum with the ozone filter and the like, individual Parts replacement and cleaning work can be eliminated, and the machine stop time during maintenance can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a part of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line AA of the perspective view of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line BB of the perspective view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a timing chart illustrating an operation of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of valve control of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Photoreceptor drum 11 Dust filter 12, 13 Ozone filter 14, 15 Flange part 14a, 15a Fixed blade 17 Charging charger case 20 Transfer charger case 21 Separate charger case 22 Static elimination lamp 23 Cleaning blade 40 Suction fan

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-3-105366 (JP, A) JP-A-61-62089 (JP, A) JP-A-54-155191 (JP, A) JP-A-3-6576 (JP, A) , A) Japanese Utility Model Showa 60-189048 (JP, U) Japanese Utility Model Application Hei 2-47657 (JP, U) Japanese Utility Model Application Hei 3-47561 (JP, U) (58) Fields surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB G03G 21/00 350-352 G03G 21/16 G03G 21/06-21/08 G03G 21/00 530

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] 1. A photoconductor drum, and a charger case having a charger section for electrically charging the photoconductor drum.
An image forming apparatus comprising: a charge removing lamp for removing charge from the photosensitive drum, wherein the photosensitive drum has a hollow portion, and the charger is provided in the hollow portion of the photosensitive drum. A first filter for absorbing ozone generated by charging of the photoconductor drum by the unit, a second filter provided in the hollow portion of the photoconductor drum for removing toner dust, A communication portion that communicates the ozone suction duct formed by a space surrounded by the charger case, the photoconductor, and the static elimination lamp with the hollow portion of the photoconductor drum; An image forming apparatus comprising: a fan for generating an airflow in the hollow portion and the communication portion, wherein the first filter, the second filter, and the fan An image forming apparatus, characterized in that provided on the central axis of the light drum, and said first filter and said second filter is spaced apart from the fan. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein each of the entrances and exits of the hollow portion of the photosensitive drum includes a flange member, and the flange member includes fixed blades.
An image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 3. An airflow generated in the hollow portion of the photoconductor drum, wherein a second filter is provided on an upstream side, and a first filter is provided on a downstream side. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first filter and the second filter are closely attached to the hollow portion of the photoconductor drum. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the second filter is disposed apart from the flange member at an entrance of the photosensitive drum. 6. The first filter is provided downstream of the first filter.
A third filter for absorbing ozone separated from the first filter, wherein the first filter is formed by honeycomb forming, and the third filter is formed by forming and laminating a waveform. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein: 7. The air conditioner according to claim 1, further comprising: a valve provided in the communication portion for controlling a flow rate of the air flow, and a sensor for controlling the flow rate of the air flow.
An image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 8. A pre Kijo electric lamp, a temperature sensor provided near the discharging lamp, and so arranged that the heat removal heat generated by the charge removing lamp and the photosensitive at least the charge removing lamp An image forming apparatus further comprising: a communication portion that communicates a space surrounded by a body drum and the hollow portion of the photoconductor drum, wherein the air heated by the static elimination lamp passes through the first filter. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the temperature of the first filter is increased by causing the temperature of the first filter to increase.