JP2994936B2 - Image forming apparatus cleaning method and apparatus - 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 used in a field using an electrophotographic system such as a copying machine, a laser printer, a facsimile, etc., in which an electronic latent image formed on an image information forming body is formed by toner or the like. The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for cleaning an image forming apparatus for removing adhered substances such as toner remaining on the surface of an image information forming body after development and transfer to a transfer body.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 10 shows a conventional electrophotographic image forming apparatus. Electrostatic latent images, charge latent images, and conductive latent images formed on the surface of the image information forming body 1 are developed and visualized by developing a developer 18 which is a charged fine particle colored with carbon black or the like. The process comprises forming a toner latent image on the surface of the body 1, transferring the toner latent image to a transfer body 14 such as paper, and then fixing. In this process, in the transfer process of transferring the toner latent image to the transfer body, the transfer is not completely performed, and about 20% of the toner latent image remains on the image information forming body. This residual toner latent image is referred to as residual toner 6. The residual toner 6 affects subsequent processes such as charging and exposure of the image information forming body 1, and significantly reduces image quality such as fog, resolution, and solid black density. As a method for removing the residual toner 6 from the image information forming body (cleaning method), a cleaning method of contacting or abutting a cleaning member such as a cleaning blade, a magnetic brush, a fur brush, a cleaning roller or the like on the image information forming body is often used. Have been. Among these methods, there is a method using a cleaning blade having a simple structure and relatively good cleaning performance. However, a cleaning device of an image forming apparatus using this method has a cleaning member in which an image information forming member is used. The image information forming body is liable to be in contact with or in contact with a foreign matter, and the surface of the image information forming body is liable to be damaged by scratches or the like, or filming is likely to occur, thereby deteriorating the image quality. .

[0003] Further, the toner, which is a colored particle, is reduced in particle size,
In the case of a spherical shape, the toner is rubbed off, and sufficient cleaning performance is not exhibited, and it is very difficult to remove the toner.In consideration of colorization, even if a method other than a method using a cleaning blade is used, contact may occur. Therefore, a mechanism for bringing the cleaning member into and out of contact with the cleaning device is required.

As a cleaning device which has solved the above-mentioned drawbacks, Japanese Patent Publication No. Hei 5-17552 and Japanese Patent Publication No. Hei 5-23436 are known.
As described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. H11-146, the cleaning using an air suction method in which the residual toner is sucked in a non-contact manner at an air suction port close to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum and an air blowing method in which the residual toner is blown out in a non-contact manner at an air outlet. There is a device. But,
In the former method, a relatively large suction means is required for sucking the toner, and when the cleaning device is continuously used, the suction force is reduced due to clogging of the suction port or the like. Maintenance such as replacement of a filter to efficiently separate the toner from the air is also necessary.In the latter method, it is necessary to separately provide a blower that sends the air blown to the toner, and to guide the air mixed with the toner. It is necessary to maintain the blade in contact with the blade and to replace the filter for efficiently separating the toner from the discharged air.

[0005]

In the conventional cleaning method and apparatus, any apparatus using a brush or a blade comes into contact with or abuts the surface of the image information forming member and rubs. There are problems such as reduction in image quality and deterioration of image quality. Further, the method using a cleaning blade has a problem that filming such as toner and talc is apt to occur.

There are air suction methods and air blowing methods for removing toner and the like in a non-contact manner without contact or contact, but a cleaning device using these methods requires a suction device, a blowing device, and a filter. Therefore, there is a problem that the suction port and the like are clogged, and the cleaning device tends to be large.

In view of the above problems, the present invention cleans the image information forming body in a non-contact manner while maintaining a small gap, and does not cause scratches such as scratches on the image information forming body. It maintains the cleaning performance for a long time, is effective for extending the life of the image information forming body, and is also effective in colorization, and does not require a device for separating and contacting the cleaning member.
An object of the present invention is to provide a method and an apparatus for cleaning an image forming apparatus which can be applied to a high-speed machine and a large-sized machine.

[0008]

The present invention relates to a method for cleaning an image forming apparatus, comprising developing an electronic latent image formed on the surface of an image information forming body with toner, visualizing the image, and transferring the image to a transfer body. Through the gap to the image information forming body
By rotating the fluid viscous flow generating member
A removing step of generating a fluid viscous flow on the surface of the image information forming body to remove extraneous matter such as toner from the surface of the image information forming body; and a collecting step of collecting the removed extraneous matter. And

[0009] The present invention also provides the method of the present invention, wherein:
A recovery bias voltage is applied .

[0010] Further, the present invention provides the above-mentioned removing step,
It is characterized in that an auxiliary bias voltage is applied. Further
In addition, the present invention provides a DC via as the auxiliary bias voltage.
And applying a source voltage. Also, the present invention
The oscillating voltage of the AC bias voltage is used as the auxiliary bias voltage.
Voltage or DC bias voltage with AC bias voltage superimposed
Characterized by applying any of the oscillating voltages. Sa
Further, the present invention provides a method for controlling the frequency of the oscillation
Wave number of 500 Hz to 10 kHz and peak-to-peak voltage of 5
It is characterized by being in the range of 00V to 5kVp-p. Also,
In the present invention, the frequency of the AC bias voltage of the oscillation voltage is
1.5 kHz to 5 kHz and peak-to-peak voltage of 1 kV
4 kVp-p .

Further, the present invention provides the above-mentioned removing step and recovery.
Before the process, a neutralization process or a process to make the specific charge of the toner uniform
Is a charge removal step for removing residual charges of the image information forming body.
At least one process is performed .

Also, the present invention provides a method for forming a surface on an image information forming body.
The formed electronic latent image is visualized by developing with toner and
A cleaning device for an image forming apparatus that transfers images to a photo object.
In this case, the image information forming body is disposed via a gap,
And rotating about an axis parallel to the axis of the image information forming body.
By generating a fluid viscous flow, the image information type
Fluid viscous flow to remove deposits such as toner from adult surface
Raw member and collection / conveyance member for collecting the removed deposits
And characterized in that:

[0013] The present invention also provides the collecting and conveying member and the collecting and conveying member.
Apply a recovery bias voltage to the gap between the
And a recovery bias applying means for applying the recovery bias .

The fluid viscous flow generating member and the image
Apply an auxiliary bias voltage to the gap between the
And an auxiliary bias applying means. Sa
Further, according to the present invention, the auxiliary bias applying means may include an auxiliary bias applying means.
Applying a DC bias voltage as the bias voltage
Sign. Further, the present invention provides the above-mentioned auxiliary bias applying means.
Is the oscillation voltage of the AC bias voltage as the auxiliary bias voltage.
Voltage or DC bias voltage with AC bias voltage superimposed
Characterized by applying any of the oscillating voltages. Sa
Further, according to the present invention, the auxiliary bias applying means may include
500 Hz to 10 as the frequency of the AC bias voltage
kHz and a peak-to-peak voltage of 500 V to 5 kVp-
It is characterized by applying p. Further, the present invention provides the
The auxiliary bias applying means is an AC bias voltage of the oscillation voltage.
1.5kHz to 5kHz as peak frequency and between peaks
It is characterized in that 1 kV to 4 kVp-p is applied as a voltage .

Further, the present invention provides the above-mentioned fluid viscous flow generating member.
Is made of an insulating material .

Further , according to the present invention, there is provided the fluid viscous flow generating member.
Is made of a non-insulating material .

Further , in the present invention, the gap may be 200 to 50.
0 μm.

Further , according to the present invention, there is provided the fluid viscous flow generating member.
Wherein the peripheral speed of the tire is 3000 mm / s or more.
You.

Further , according to the present invention, there is provided the fluid viscous flow generating member.
And the specific charge of the toner on the upstream side of the collecting and conveying member.
Uniform charge removing means or residual charge of the image information forming body
Equipped with at least one of
And features.

[0020]

Doing cleaned using a cleaning device as described above [action], the flow body viscous flow generating member, by rotating about an axis parallel to the axis of the image information forming body, the image information forming body fluid There will be a speed difference between the two wall surfaces with the viscous flow generating member. Fluid viscous flow is generated by viscous action of air represented by Newton's law of viscosity resulting from this velocity difference.

[0021] The fluid viscous flow generated by the rotation of the flow body viscous flow generating member itself this leads to the gap between the image information forming body fluid viscous flow generating member. Then, a shearing force due to the fluid viscous flow is applied to the adhered matter such as toner adhered to the surface of the image information forming body. By making the shear force larger than the adhesive force of the attached matter such as toner with the image information forming body, the attached matter such as toner is peeled off from the surface of the image information forming body,
It is removed from the image information forming body and cleaning is performed.

If the speed difference between the two walls, that is, the speed gradient between the two walls, is large, the shear stress applied to the attached matter such as toner will be large.

The attached matter such as the toner after the removal is electrostatically collected by a collecting and conveying member to which a collecting bias voltage having a polarity opposite to the polarity of the toner or the like is applied by a collecting bias applying unit.

The auxiliary bias applying means applies an auxiliary bias voltage to the gap between the image information forming body and the fluid viscous flow generating member to apply an auxiliary electrostatic force, thereby providing toner and the like. An electrostatic force acts on the attached matter, which makes it easier to remove. As the auxiliary bias voltage, there is an oscillating voltage of only a DC bias voltage, an oscillating voltage of only an AC bias voltage, or an oscillating voltage in which an AC bias voltage is superimposed on a DC bias voltage, and an auxiliary electrostatic force is applied by any of these. .

Further, a charge eliminator for making the specific charge of the toner uniform and a charge eliminator for removing the residual charge of the image information forming body are provided on the upstream side of the fluid viscous flow generating member and the collecting and conveying member. To reduce the adhesive force of the adhered matter such as toner such as residual toner to the image information forming body, and further facilitate the cleaning.

[0026]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of a method and an apparatus for cleaning an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a schematic structural view of a cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image information forming body 1 of this embodiment includes an aluminum drum base and an organic photoreceptor layer (OPC) formed on the outer peripheral surface of the drum base.
Layer) consisting of an outer diameter of 80 mm and a length of 310 mm,
A predetermined peripheral speed (process speed), for example, 175 m
It is rotationally driven at m / s. The image information forming body 1 is not limited to the drum base, but may be a sheet.
Further, the material is not limited to aluminum.

The surface of the rotating image information forming body 1 is
The toner is charged to a polarity opposite to that of the toner by a charger (not shown), an electrostatic latent image is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the image information forming body 1 by exposure according to image information, and the toner is developed and visualized by a developer (not shown). Is transferred onto a transfer body such as paper by a transfer unit (not shown). At this time, residual toner 6 remaining after transfer is adhered to the surface of the image information forming body 1.

[0029] Fluid viscous flow generating member is composed of an insulating or non-insulating material. For example, if it is a non-insulating material, a conductive or semi-conductive solid containing a conductive metal material such as aluminum, copper, steel and their alloy materials, a conductive material such as carbon, It is a porous or foamable polymer organic material. If it is an insulating material, it can be constituted by a solid or hollow cylindrical roller such as rubber, a plastic material, a porous material, or a foamable polymer organic material having an insulating property. Alternatively, a multilayer structure in which the cylindrical roller is coated with a conductive or semiconductive polymer organic material containing the conductive material such as carbon can be used.

By forming the fluid viscous flow generating member from a non-insulating material, a conductive metal material such as aluminum, copper, steel and alloys thereof can be used, and the strength, wear resistance, etc. A fluid viscous flow generating member having excellent characteristics can be formed, and since it is a non-insulating material and has conductivity, an arbitrary bias voltage can be applied.

Also, by using a conductive or semiconductive polymer organic material containing a conductive material such as carbon, FRP in which conductive fibers such as carbon fibers are dispersed in engineering plastics, etc. Plastic materials, conductive engineering plastics and rubber, etc., as well as conductive engineering plastics such as solid, porous or foamable materials, conductive ceramics, functionally graded materials, etc. it can. By constructing the fluid viscous flow generating member with an insulating material, for example, a plastic material such as polyester, polyethylene, acrylic, etc. having no conductivity and a good productivity, a foamable polymer organic material such as urethane, and a conductive material Ceramic, functionally graded material, or the like can be used.

The fluid viscous flow generating member is, for example, 10 m in diameter.
m, a length of 310 mm, and a solid cylindrical metal roller 2 made of aluminum having a smooth surface and an image information forming body 1
And a gap 3 of 200 μm is held. The size of the gap 3 is not limited to 200 μm, but can be arbitrarily selected according to mechanical constraints, electrical constraints, and the like.
Usually, it is in the range of 200 μm to 500 μm.

The metal roller 2 is rotated at a high speed, for example, at a peripheral speed of 3000 mm / s or more at which the viscous action becomes remarkable, preferably at 4000 to 15000 mm / s at which the viscous action becomes remarkable and mechanical restrictions are relaxed. Let it. At this time, an air flow as a fluid viscous flow 7 is generated in the gap 3 due to the fluid friction of the air. Since there is a speed difference between the vicinity of the surface of the metal roller 2 and the two wall surfaces of the image information forming body, the viscous action of air represented by Newton's law of viscosity generates the fluid viscous flow 7, and the image A shear stress is applied to the residual toner 6 on the surface of the information forming body.

The Newton's law of viscosity will be explained in more detail with reference to FIG. The fluid (air in this embodiment) is filled between the parallel walls having a relatively small distance Y between the two walls, the fixed wall B is fixed, and the moving wall A (upper plate) is moved at a speed U.
Let us consider a case of moving parallel to the fixed wall B. In this case, the fluid in contact with the fixed wall B does not move while adhering to the wall, and the fluid in contact with the moving wall A is dragged by the moving wall A and moves at the velocity U. At this time, the velocity distribution of the fluid is not linear,
The fluid moves according to the moving wall A with a velocity gradient in a direction perpendicular to the flow expressed by du / dy, and the fluid moves between the fluid at the position y and the fluid at the position y + dy from the fixed wall B. Shear stress acts due to the friction between each other.

The shear stress acting on each fluid layer between the wall surfaces is τ
Then, τ = μ · U / Y (1) μ is the viscosity of the fluid corresponding to the elastic modulus of the elastic body, U is the moving speed of the moving wall A, Y is the distance between the two wall surfaces, and U / Y has the same physical meaning as the velocity gradient du / dy. Have.

The viscosity μ of the fluid is related to the speed at which the fluid is strained. U is the peripheral speed of the metal roller 2, Y is the gap 3
If the viscosity of air is constant, the shear stress τ on the surface of the image information forming body 1 is expressed by the equation (1), and is proportional to the peripheral speed U and inversely proportional to the size Y of the gap 3. Therefore, the shear stress can be increased by reducing the size Y of the gap 3 as much as possible and increasing the peripheral speed U of the metal roller 2 as much as possible.

The acting shear stress can be increased by the surface shape and surface roughness of the metal roller 2 and the presence / absence and shape of a hood for efficiently guiding the flow of air. For example, to increase the contact area with air, i.e., to grooving the surface with knurls or the like to increase the friction with the air, to grooving in the circumferential or axial direction, to provide projections or depressions, Can be increased by making the surface rough. Furthermore, the shape is not limited to a cylindrical roller, but may be such that the friction with air is increased and the flow is disturbed. , With a hexagonal cross section,
Polygons such as octagons and those having a cross section other than a circle such as regular polygons may also be used.

With the above configuration, if the same shear stress is to be obtained on a smooth surface, the peripheral speed of the metal roller 2 is reduced to, for example, 10,000 mm /
s or less, so that mechanical constraints such as strength and life can be relaxed, and the same cleaning performance as when the peripheral speed is high can be obtained.

By rotating the metal roller 2 at the above-mentioned peripheral speed and making the gap 3 small, the shearing force due to the shearing stress of the fluid viscous flow 7 is applied to the residual toner 6 so that the image information forming body of the residual toner It is made to act stronger than the adhesive force to 1 and is peeled off from the surface. The peeled residual toner 6
The recovery bias applying means 5 applies a recovery bias voltage having a polarity opposite to the polarity of the residual toner (a negative voltage in the case of a positive polarity toner) to the recovery transport roller 4 as a recovery transport member, and pulls the charged particles. A coulomb force expressed by F = q · E (2) is applied to the peeled residual toner 6 to collect electrostatically by suction.

The rotational speed of the collecting and conveying roller 4 is set to a peripheral speed ratio with the image information forming body 1 such that the collected residual toner 6 does not scatter, for example, at a peripheral speed ratio of 1 to the process speed. The collection and conveyance roller 4 as a collection and conveyance unit is
For example, it is a solid cylindrical roller made of aluminum having a diameter of 20 mm and a length of 310 mm.

In the case of a positive polarity toner, assuming that the gap with the image information forming body 1 is 500 μm, for example, the range in which no discharge occurs, for example, the absolute value of the DC bias voltage is larger than the absolute value of the charging potential of the image information forming body 1. Is also large and 2.7k
By applying a DC bias voltage of −2 kV as a recovery bias voltage by the recovery bias applying means 5 at a voltage of V or less, an electric field strength of 4 MV / m can be applied. The Coulomb force due to the electric field intensity becomes larger than the Coulomb force between the image information forming body 1 and the residual toner 6 and acts on the peeled residual toner 6.
Is positive, the image information forming body 1 and the metal roller 2
The toner can be collected by being electrostatically attracted to the collection / conveying roller 4 having a lower potential, and the peeled residual toner 6 can be prevented from adhering to the image information forming body 1 and the metal roller 2.

The collection / conveying roller 4 is not limited to aluminum, and may be a conductive metal material such as an aluminum alloy material, copper, steel or an alloy material thereof, or a conductive material such as carbon. It can be made of a non-insulating material such as a conductive or semi-conductive material containing a material having a property, and the shape is not necessarily a cylindrical roller as long as the toner can be scraped off from the collection / conveyance roller 4. There is no.

By using a conductive or semiconductive polymer organic material containing a conductive material such as carbon, plastics such as FRP in which conductive fibers such as carbon fibers are dispersed in engineering plastics Use of materials, conductive engineering plastics and rubbers, as well as conductive engineering plastics such as solid, porous or foamable polymer organic materials, conductive ceramics, and functionally graded materials Can be.

The collection and conveyance roller 4 electrostatically sucks the
The collected toner 8 is scraped off from the collecting and conveying roller 4 by a blade 15 provided in contact with the collecting and conveying roller 4, and is collected in a collecting bottle.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 3 shows a structure similar to that shown in Embodiment 1 when the residual toner 6 remaining on the surface of the image information forming body 1 is peeled off by a fluid viscous flow 7.
This is an embodiment in which an auxiliary bias voltage is applied to the gap 3 between the image information forming body 1 and the metal roller 2 as a fluid viscous flow generating member by the auxiliary bias applying means 9.

It is sufficient that the fluid viscous flow generating member has a non-insulating material, that is, a conductive material.
It is composed of solid or hollow cylindrical rollers such as conductive or semi-conductive materials containing conductive materials such as copper, steel and alloys thereof, and conductive materials such as carbon. Same image information forming body 1 as in Example 1
Is used.

The collection / conveying roller 4 may be made of a non-insulating material, that is, a conductive material, as in the first embodiment. For example, a conductive metal material such as aluminum, copper, steel, or an alloy thereof may be used. Alternatively, a solid or hollow cylindrical roller such as a conductive or semiconductive material containing a conductive material such as carbon may be used. Plastic materials such as FRP in which conductive fibers such as carbon fibers are dispersed in engineering plastic by being composed of a conductive or semiconductive polymer organic material containing a conductive material such as carbon,
Conductive engineering plastics and rubber, etc., as well as conductive engineering plastics such as solid, porous or foamable polymer organic materials, conductive ceramics, functionally graded materials, etc. .

The fluid viscous flow generating member is, for example, 10 m in diameter.
m, a length of 310 mm, and a solid metal roller 2 made of aluminum.
m, a length of 310 mm, and a solid cylindrical roller made of aluminum. Note that the metal roller 2 as the fluid viscous flow generating member and the collection and conveyance roller 4 as the collection and conveyance member need not necessarily be cylindrical rollers as described in the first embodiment.

By using the above configuration, the residual toner 6
Not only the shear force due to the fluid viscous flow 7 but also the Coulomb force expressed by the above-mentioned formula (2) acts on the residual toner 6 as charged particles in the direction of the fluid viscous flow generating member. Since the electrostatic force is applied, the image information forming body 1 is easily peeled off from the surface.

Assuming that the gap 3 is 200 μm, for example, in the case of a positive polarity toner, the range in which discharge does not occur, for example, the absolute value of the DC bias voltage is larger than the absolute value of the charging potential of the image information forming body 1. At a voltage of 7 kV or less, an electric field strength of 5 MV / m can be applied by applying a DC bias voltage of -1 kV as an auxiliary bias voltage by the auxiliary bias applying means 9, and a Coulomb force corresponding to the charge amount of the residual toner 9 can be reduced. It can act on the residual toner.

The peeled residual toner 6 is applied with a bias voltage having a polarity opposite to the polarity of the residual toner (negative voltage in the case of a positive polarity toner) by the collecting bias applying means 5 to be peeled off as charged particles. The residual toner 6 is subjected to the Coulomb force expressed by the above-mentioned formula (2) to electrostatically attract and collect the collected toner on the collection and conveyance roller 4 as a collection and conveyance member. The peeled residual toner 6 is collected by the collecting and conveying roller 4 by the Coulomb force by the auxiliary bias applying unit 9, the Coulomb force by the collecting bias applying unit 5, and the air flow by the fluid viscous flow.

The collecting and conveying roller 4 is rotated at a peripheral speed ratio to the image information forming body 1 such that the collected residual toner 6 does not scatter, for example, at a peripheral speed ratio of 1 to the process speed.

In the case of the positive polarity toner, assuming that the gap with the image information forming body 1 is 500 μm, for example, the range in which no discharge occurs, for example, the absolute value of the DC bias voltage is more than the absolute value of the charging potential of the image information forming body 1. Is also large and 2.7k
By applying a DC bias voltage of −2.5 kV as a recovery bias voltage by the recovery bias applying means 5 at a voltage of V or less, an electric field strength of 5 MV / m can be applied. Since the Coulomb force due to the electric field intensity acts on the peeled residual toner 6, if the residual toner 6 has a positive polarity, the electrostatic force is applied to the collection / conveyance roller 4 having a lower potential than the image information forming body 1 and the metal roller 2. The residual toner 6 that has been peeled off can be prevented from adhering to the image information forming body 1 and the metal roller 2.

The collection and conveyance roller 4 electrostatically sucks the
The collected toner 8 is scraped off from the collecting and conveying roller 4 by a blade 15 provided in contact with the collecting and conveying roller 4, and is collected in a collecting bottle.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 4 shows an example of a specific embodiment of the bias applying method using the auxiliary bias applying means 9 shown in the second embodiment.

In the same configuration as in the second embodiment, both the recovery bias applying means 5 and the auxiliary bias applying means 9 are DC bias voltage applying devices, and the absolute value of the DC bias voltage of the recovery bias applying means 5 is used as the auxiliary bias applying means 9. The DC bias voltage is higher than the absolute value of the DC bias voltage, for example, by the recovery bias applying unit 5, the DC bias voltage is −2.5 kV as the recovery bias voltage,
DC bias voltage -0.8 kV as auxiliary bias voltage
Is applied, the residual toner 6 can be collected on the collection and conveyance roller 4.

In the case of the positive polarity toner, assuming that the gap with the image information forming body 1 is 500 μm, for example, the range in which no discharge occurs, for example, the absolute value of the DC bias voltage is more than the absolute value of the charging potential of the image information forming body 1. Is also large and 2.7k
When the voltage is equal to or less than V, an electric field intensity of 5.4 MV / m can be applied by applying a DC bias voltage of -2.7 kV as a collection bias voltage by the collection bias applying unit 5. By applying a DC bias voltage of -1 kV as an auxiliary bias voltage by the bias applying means 9, an electric field strength of 5 MV / m can be applied.

Assuming that the residual toner 6 has a positive polarity by applying a bias voltage as described above, the image information forming body 1
And the collection roller 4 having a lower potential than the metal roller 2 can be electrostatically attracted and collected, and the peeled residual toner 6 adheres to the image information forming body 1 and the metal roller 2. Can not be.

The collecting and conveying roller 4 is rotated at a peripheral speed ratio with the image information forming body 1 such that the collected residual toner 6 does not scatter, for example, at a peripheral speed ratio of 1 relative to the process speed.

The collection / conveying roller 4 may be made of a conductive material such as aluminum, copper, iron or steel, and alloys thereof, or a conductive material such as carbon. It is also possible to use a non-insulating material such as a conductive or semi-conductive material containing a material having conductivity. FR made by dispersing conductive fibers such as carbon fibers in engineering plastics by using a conductive or semiconductive polymer organic material containing a conductive material such as carbon
P, plastic materials, conductive engineering plastics and rubbers, etc., as well as conductive engineering plastics, solid or porous or foamable polymer organic materials, conductive ceramics, functionally graded materials Etc. can be used.

The collection and conveyance roller 4 electrostatically sucks the
The collected toner 8 is scraped off from the collecting and conveying roller 4 by a blade 15 provided in contact with the collecting and conveying roller 4, and is collected in a collecting bottle.

(Embodiment 4) FIG. 5 is an example of a specific embodiment of the bias applying method using the auxiliary bias applying means 9 shown in the second embodiment.

When the recovery bias applying means 5 is a DC bias voltage applying device and the auxiliary bias applying means 9 is an AC bias voltage applying device in the same configuration as in the second embodiment, the residual toner 6 is electrostatically charged by the AC bias voltage. A reciprocating motion is applied in a direction connecting the rotation center between the image information forming body 1 and the metal roller 2 by a natural vibration force, and the mist is formed with air. The flow body viscous flow generating member in this state, by the action of a fluid viscous flow, easily peeled away from the surface of the image information forming body 1, the image information in both the force and the shearing force by the fluid viscous flow 7 It is removed from the surface of the formed body 1.

For example, when the gap 3 is set to 200 μm,
Frequency and peak-to-peak voltage of the AC bias voltage in the range that does not cause a discharge collector, for example, the absolute value of the semi-amplitude of the oscillating voltage of the AC bias voltage only is greater than the absolute value of the charging potential of the image information forming body 1, and The voltage is set to 2.7 kV or less, and the remaining toner 6 is set to be easily oscillated electrostatically. The frequency of the AC bias voltage is 500 Hz to 10 kHz and the peak-to-peak voltage is 500 to 5 kVp-p. For example, the frequency of the AC bias voltage is 3 kHz and the peak-to-peak voltage 2
Apply kVp-p. The residual toner 6 after the removal is electrostatically attracted to the collecting and conveying roller 4 and collected.

In the case of positive polarity toner, if the gap between the collection and conveyance roller 4 and the image information forming body 1 is 500 μm ,
A range that does not cause the discharge electrostatic, for example absolute <br/> pair value of the DC bias voltage is greater than the absolute value of the charging potential of the image information forming body 1, and 2.7kV below, retrieving bias application means 5
DC bias voltage −
By applying 2.7 kV, an electric field strength of 5.4 MV / m can be applied.

If the residual toner 6 has a positive polarity, the residual toner 6 can be electrostatically attracted and collected by the collecting and conveying roller 4 having a lower potential than the image information forming body 1 and the metal roller 2, and the peeled residual toner can be collected. The toner 6 can be prevented from adhering to the image information forming body 1 and the metal roller 2.

The collecting and conveying roller 4 is rotated at a peripheral speed ratio with the image information forming body 1 such that the collected residual toner 6 does not scatter from the collecting and conveying roller 4, for example, at a peripheral speed ratio of 1 relative to the process speed.

The collecting and conveying roller 4 is not limited to aluminum, but may be made of conductive material such as aluminum alloy material, copper, steel and alloys thereof, and conductive material such as carbon. It is also possible to use a non-insulating material such as a conductive or semi-conductive material containing a material having conductivity. FR made by dispersing conductive fibers such as carbon fiber in engineering plastics by using a conductive or semiconductive polymer organic material containing a conductive material such as carbon
P, plastic materials, conductive engineering plastics and rubbers, etc., as well as conductive engineering plastics, solid or porous or foamable polymer organic materials, conductive ceramics, functionally graded materials Etc. can be used.

The collection and conveyance roller 4 electrostatically sucks the
The collected toner 8 is scraped off from the collecting and conveying roller 4 by a blade 15 provided in contact with the collecting and conveying roller 4, and is collected in a collecting bottle.

The AC bias voltage applied by the AC bias voltage applying device may apply an electrostatic vibration force to the residual toner 6. Therefore, as the applied waveform of the AC bias voltage, a sine wave, a rectangular wave, a triangular wave, a differentiated wave of a rectangular wave or an integrated wave can be considered. Needless to say, it is only necessary to use an applied waveform.

(Embodiment 5) FIG. 6 is an example of a specific embodiment of the bias applying method using the auxiliary bias applying means 9 shown in the second embodiment.

In the same configuration as in the second embodiment, the recovery bias applying means 5 is applied to a DC bias voltage applying apparatus, and the auxiliary bias applying means 9 is applied to a bias voltage applying apparatus for applying an oscillating voltage obtained by superimposing an AC bias voltage on a DC bias voltage. In this case, the residual toner 6 is caused to reciprocate in a direction connecting the rotation center between the image information forming body 1 and the metal roller 2 by an electrostatic vibration force by an AC bias voltage. It becomes mist with air due to electrostatic attraction by voltage. The flow body viscous flow generating member in this state, by the action of a fluid viscous flow, easily peeled away from the surface of the image information forming body 1, the image in both the force and the shearing force by the fluid viscous flow 7 It is removed from the surface of the information forming body 1.

For example, when the gap 3 is 200 μm,
The absolute value of the one-sided amplitude of the oscillation voltage obtained by superimposing the AC bias voltage on the DC bias voltage is larger than the absolute value of the charging potential of the image information forming body 1 and is 2.7 kV or less, for example, in a range where no discharge occurs. Further, the condition is set such that the residual toner 6 is easily vibrated electrostatically. The frequency of the AC bias voltage is 500 Hz to 10 kHz, and the peak-to-peak voltage is 5 Hz.
For example, the frequency of the AC bias is 3 kHz and a peak-to-peak voltage of 2 kVp-p is applied.

The absolute value of the DC bias voltage of the recovery bias applying means 5 is made higher than the absolute value of the DC bias voltage of the auxiliary bias applying means 9. For example, in the case of positive polarity toner, the gap between the collection and conveyance roller 4 and the image information
When the thickness is set to 00 μm, the recovery bias is applied by the recovery bias applying unit 5 when the absolute value of the DC bias voltage is larger than the absolute value of the charging potential of the image information forming body 1 and is 2.7 kV or less. DC bias voltage -2.7 kV as voltage, auxiliary bias applying means 9
DC bias voltage −2 as an auxiliary bias voltage
00V is applied.

When the residual toner 6 has a positive polarity, the residual toner 6 can be electrostatically attracted and collected by the collecting and conveying roller 4 having a lower potential than the image information forming body 1 and the metal roller 2, and the peeled residual toner can be collected. The toner 6 can be prevented from adhering to the image information forming body 1 and the metal roller 2.

The collecting and conveying roller 4 is rotated at a peripheral speed ratio with respect to the image information forming body 1 such that the collected residual toner 6 does not scatter from the collecting and conveying roller 4, for example, at a peripheral speed ratio of 1 relative to the process speed. .

The collection / conveyance roller 4 is not limited to aluminum, and may be made of a conductive metal material such as aluminum alloy material, copper, steel and alloys thereof, or a conductive material such as carbon. It is also possible to use a non-insulating material such as a conductive or semi-conductive material containing a material having conductivity. FR made by dispersing conductive fibers such as carbon fibers in engineering plastics by using a conductive or semiconductive polymer organic material containing a conductive material such as carbon
P, plastic materials, conductive engineering plastics and rubbers, etc., as well as conductive engineering plastics, solid or porous or foamable polymer organic materials, conductive ceramics, functionally graded materials Etc. can be used.

The collection and conveyance roller 4 electrostatically sucks the
The collected toner 8 is scraped off from the collecting and conveying roller 4 by a blade 15 provided in contact with the collecting and conveying roller 4, and is collected in a collecting bottle.

Incidentally, the AC bias voltage by the bias voltage applying device for applying the vibration voltage in which the AC bias voltage is superimposed on the DC bias voltage may apply an electrostatic vibration force to the residual toner 6. Therefore, as the applied waveform of the AC bias voltage, a sine wave, a rectangular wave, a triangular wave, a differentiated wave of a rectangular wave or an integrated wave can be considered. However, the applied waveform is not limited to the applied waveform. It goes without saying that any applied waveform that oscillates at the potential due to the bias voltage may be used.

(Embodiment 6) This embodiment is an example of a specific embodiment of the bias applying conditions by the auxiliary bias applying means 9 shown in Embodiments 4 and 5. Among the bias applying methods of the auxiliary bias applying means 9, when applying an oscillating voltage using only an AC bias or an oscillating voltage obtained by superimposing an AC bias voltage on a DC bias voltage, the frequency is 500 Hz to 10 k as an AC bias voltage applying condition.
Hz and a peak-to-peak voltage of 500 V to 5 kVp-p, preferably a frequency of 1.5 to 5 kHz from the viewpoint of cleaning efficiency, stability of toner flying threshold voltage and flying resonance frequency.
In addition, by setting the peak-to-peak voltage to 1 to 4 kVp-p, the degree of mist between the residual toner 6 and the air increases,
It is easy to be peeled off from the surface of the image information forming body 1.
7 and 8, when the specific charge of the toner is 13 μ / C, the cleaning efficiency indicating the cleaning property is significantly improved as compared with the other ranges. The cleaning efficiency is dramatically improved as compared with a case where no auxiliary bias voltage is applied or a case where a DC bias voltage is applied as the auxiliary bias voltage.

The cleaning efficiency representing the cleaning performance in FIGS. 7 and 8 is obtained by measuring the optical density of the toner adhering to the image information forming body 1 before and after cleaning. Specifically, the toner on the image information forming body 1 is peeled off with a tape based on JIS K7611 “Method for measuring photographic characteristics of general-purpose photographic printing paper”. At the time of peeling, a 1 kg weight is slowly put on and reciprocated two times. Thereafter, the tape is peeled at an angle of 180 degrees with respect to the surface of the image information forming body 1. At this time, the density of the toner attached to the tape is measured by an optical reflection density using a reflection densitometer.

This concentration was measured before and after cleaning, and
The cleaning efficiency is obtained by the following equation (3). When the cleaning efficiency is CR and the reflection density ratio before and after cleaning is R, R = density after cleaning / density before cleaning CR = (1−R) × 100 (3)

The residual toner 6 in the form of a mist due to the vibration voltage caused by only the AC bias or the vibration voltage obtained by superimposing the AC bias voltage on the DC bias voltage causes the fluid viscous flow 7 generated by the fluid viscous flow generating member to generate image information. It is peeled off from the formed body 1 and cleaned.

The removed residual toner 6 is electrostatically attracted to the collecting and conveying roller 4 and collected by a collecting bias voltage applied to the collecting and conveying roller 4 as a collecting and conveying member.

The collection and conveyance roller 4 electrostatically sucks the
The collected toner 8 is scraped off from the collecting and conveying roller 4 by a blade 15 provided in contact with the collecting and conveying roller 4, and is collected in a collecting bottle.

(Embodiment 7) FIG. 9 shows a basic configuration similar to that of Embodiment 1, except that the residual toner 6 adhering to the surface of the image information forming body 1 adheres to the image information forming body 1. Roller 29 (fluid viscous flow generating member) and
A charge removing step (for example, a corona charger such as a corotron or a scorotron) for removing the residual charge of the image information forming body (for example, charge removal) An example in which a static elimination step using a lamp is performed will be described.

The fluid viscous flow generating member may have the same configuration as that of the first embodiment. For example, the fluid viscous flow generating member may be a solid metal roller 2 made of aluminum, and
It can be 0 μm.

By appropriately applying a charge having a polarity opposite to the polarity of the residual toner 6 by a corona charger, the residual toner 6
And the residual charge of the image information forming body 1 can be removed by the discharge lamp, so that the electrostatic adhesion (Coulomb force) of the residual toner 6 to the image information forming body 1 can be reduced. In addition, the cleaning efficiency can be improved as compared with the case where there is no charge removing step by the charge removing means.

The residual toner 6 removed from the image information forming body 1 can be collected in the same manner as in the above embodiment.

[0090]

As described above, according to the method and the apparatus for cleaning an image forming apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to clean the non-contact matters such as toner adhered on the image information forming body. There is no stress on the information forming body, and there is no fear of damaging it.

In addition, since it is not affected by magnetic / non-magnetic, one-component / two-component developing methods such as magnetic / non-magnetic, it is effective for colorization, and stable cleaning performance can be obtained even on a high-speed machine or a large-sized machine. This has the effect of ensuring quality for a long time.

Further, cleaning blades such as toner particles used in an electrophotographic process, which have a rough surface formed by a conventional pulverizing method or the like, or have a smooth surface formed by a polymerization method or the like. It is also possible to remove toner that is difficult to clean by the cleaning method of contacting or abutting, so that there is an effect that good cleaning performance is obtained without being influenced by the shape, material, characteristics, and the like of the toner.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a cleaning device of an image forming apparatus embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a principle diagram for generating a fluid viscous flow.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration of a cleaning device of an image forming apparatus in a case where cleaning performance is improved by adding an auxiliary bias applying unit 9 for applying a bias voltage to a gap 3 between an image information forming body 1 and a fluid viscous flow generating member 2; FIG.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of a cleaning device of an image forming apparatus in which an auxiliary bias voltage is applied by an auxiliary bias applying unit 9 so as to apply a DC bias voltage.

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of a cleaning device of an image forming apparatus in which an auxiliary bias voltage is applied by an auxiliary bias applying unit 9 so as to apply an oscillating voltage of only an AC bias voltage.

FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of a cleaning device of an image forming apparatus in which an auxiliary bias voltage is applied by an auxiliary bias applying unit so as to apply a vibration voltage obtained by superimposing an AC bias voltage on a DC bias voltage.

FIG. 7 is a graph showing an example of a relationship between a frequency of an AC bias voltage and cleaning efficiency.

FIG. 8 is a graph showing an example of a relationship between a peak-to-peak voltage of an AC bias voltage and cleaning efficiency.

FIG. 9 shows an image forming apparatus provided with a corona charger, which is a discharging unit for uniforming the specific charge of the toner, and a discharging lamp, which is a discharging unit for removing the residual charge of the image information forming body, on the upstream side of the fluid viscous flow generating member. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a cleaning device of the apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of a conventional electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image information forming body 2 Fluid viscous flow generating member 3 Void 4 Collection / conveying member 5 Collection bias applying means 6 Residual toner 7 Fluid viscous flow 8 Collected toner 9 Auxiliary bias applying means 15 Blade 16 Corona charger 17 Static elimination lamp

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Masaaki Ozaki 22-22 Nagaike-cho, Abeno-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Inside Sharp Corporation (72) Inventor Masanori Yamada 22-22 Nagaike-cho, Abeno-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Sharp Corporation (56) References JP-A-47-45630 (JP, A) JP-A-4-175787 (JP, A) JP-A-51-123159 (JP, A) JP-A-4-6080 (JP, U) Japanese Utility Model Showa 58-123461 (JP, U) Japanese Utility Model Showa 57-139953 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) G03G 21/10-21/12

Claims (20)

(57) [Claims] 1. A cleaning method for an image forming apparatus, comprising developing an electron latent image formed on a surface of an image information forming body with toner, visualizing the latent image, and transferring the image to a transfer body. Fluid arranged via
By rotating the viscous flow generating member , a fluid viscous flow is generated on the surface of the image information forming body, and a removing step of removing extraneous matter such as toner from the surface of the image information forming body; A method for cleaning an image forming apparatus, comprising: a collecting step of collecting. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein a collecting bias voltage is applied in the collecting step. 3. The method for cleaning an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an auxiliary bias voltage is applied in the removing step. 4. The cleaning method for an image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a DC bias voltage is applied as the auxiliary bias voltage. 5. The cleaning of an image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein one of an oscillating voltage of an AC bias voltage and an oscillating voltage obtained by superimposing an AC bias voltage on a DC bias voltage is applied as the auxiliary bias voltage. Method. 6. The frequency of the AC bias voltage of the oscillating voltage is 500 Hz to 10 kHz, and the peak-to-peak voltage is 50 Hz.
The method for cleaning an image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the voltage is 0 V to 5 kVp-p. 7. The frequency of the AC bias voltage of the oscillating voltage is 1.5 kHz to 5 kHz, and the peak-to-peak voltage is 1 kHz.
7. The cleaning method for an image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the pressure is V to 4 kVp-p. 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein before the removing step and the collecting step, at least one of a charge removing step of making a specific charge of the toner uniform and a charge removing step of removing a residual charge of the image information forming body is performed. The method for cleaning an image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 9. A cleaning device for an image forming apparatus, which develops and visualizes an electronic latent image formed on a surface of an image information forming body with toner and transfers the image to a transfer body, wherein a gap is provided between the image forming body and the image forming body. And a fluid that removes deposits such as toner from the surface of the image information forming body by generating a fluid viscous flow by rotating around an axis parallel to the axis of the image information forming body. A cleaning device for an image forming apparatus, comprising: a viscous flow generating member; and a collecting and conveying member for collecting the removed attached matter. 10. The cleaning of the image forming apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a collecting bias applying unit for applying a collecting bias voltage to a gap between the collecting and conveying member and the image information forming body. apparatus. 11. The image according to claim 9, further comprising: an auxiliary bias applying unit that applies an auxiliary bias voltage to a gap between the fluid viscous flow generating member and the image information forming body. Cleaning device for forming equipment. 12. The cleaning device for an image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said auxiliary bias applying means applies a DC bias voltage as an auxiliary bias voltage. 13. The auxiliary bias applying unit applies one of an oscillating voltage of an AC bias voltage and an oscillating voltage obtained by superimposing an AC bias voltage on a DC bias voltage as the auxiliary bias voltage. Cleaning device for an image forming apparatus. 14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary bias applying means has a frequency of 500 Hz to 10 as an AC bias voltage of the oscillation voltage.
kHz and a peak-to-peak voltage of 500 V to 5 kVp-
14. The cleaning device for an image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein p is applied. 15. The method according to claim 1, wherein said auxiliary bias applying means has a frequency of 1.5 kHz to 5 kHz as a frequency of an AC bias voltage of the oscillation voltage.
kHz and a peak-to-peak voltage of 1 kV to 4 kVp-p
The cleaning device for an image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein: 16. The cleaning device according to claim 9, wherein the fluid viscous flow generating member is made of an insulating material. 17. The cleaning device for an image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said fluid viscous flow generating member is made of a non-insulating material. 18. The cleaning device for an image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the gap is 200 to 500 μm. 19. The peripheral velocity of the fluid viscous flow generating member is 3
19. The cleaning device for an image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the cleaning speed is 000 mm / s or more. 20. At least one of a static eliminator for making the specific charge of the toner uniform and a static eliminator for removing the residual electric charge of the image information forming body is provided upstream of the fluid viscous flow generating member and the collecting and conveying member. 20. The cleaning device for an image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the cleaning device is provided.