JP3509391B2 - Wet 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 a wet image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile or a printer, and more specifically, a latent image carrier and a latent image forming device for forming a latent image on the latent image carrier. Means, a developing device that visualizes the latent image using a wet developing solution, a transfer device that transfers the visualized image formed on the latent image carrier to a transfer material, and a latent image after the latent image is transferred. Cleaning unit 107 for removing the developer remaining on the surface of the image carrier
A cleaning liquid tank for storing the cleaning liquid used in the nuclear cleaning unit 107, a cleaning liquid circulating device for circulating the cleaning liquid between the cleaning liquid tank and the cleaning unit 107, and a latent image by the cleaning unit 107. The present invention relates to a wet image forming apparatus including a removing device that removes a developer from a cleaning liquid containing the developer removed from the surface of a carrier.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a wet image forming apparatus of this type, a cleaning liquid tank for storing a cleaning liquid used in a cleaning unit 107 for removing the developer remaining on the surface of a latent image carrier after the transfer of a visible image, A cleaning liquid circulating device for circulating the cleaning liquid between the cleaning liquid tank and the cleaning unit 107;
There is known one having a toner recovery means for recovering the toner as a developer in the cleaning liquid by a so-called electrodeposition method and discharging the toner into a recovery container (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-58242).
2-20979). The cleaning unit 107 collects the toner in the cleaning liquid by the toner collecting unit by the electrodeposition method and discharges it into the collecting container.
The toner removed from the latent image carrier by means of the above is restricted or prevented from being mixed in the cleaning liquid to increase its concentration, and the residual toner on the latent image carrier in the cleaning unit 107 is recycled to the cleaning liquid. This is to prevent cleaning failure due to insufficient dispersion.

[0003]

However, in the electrodeposition apparatus in the above-mentioned prior art, the electrostatic characteristic of the developer remaining on the latent image carrier after the transfer of the visible image is the development when the development is performed by the developing device. It is based on the assumption that there is no change with the electrostatic properties of the agent. That is, of the developers contained in the cleaning liquid, only the developer having the original electrostatic characteristics as it is is removed by the electrodeposition device. However, in reality, the developer circulates in various processes in the wet image forming apparatus, and during the process, some of the developers have their electrostatic characteristics reversed. For example,
It is considered that when the image is transferred, a charge having a polarity opposite to the polarity of the developer may be injected into the developer, and the electrostatic property of the developer remaining on the latent image carrier after the image transfer is reversed. There is. Such a polarity-reversed developer can be removed to some extent by a conventional electrodeposition device, but since the electrode on the side where the polarity-reversed developer is electrodeposited is a fixed electrode, this fixed When the electrodeposition on the electrodes reaches saturation, no further electrodeposition effect can be obtained. As a matter of course, the electrodeposition efficiency for the developer having a normal polarity also decreases.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a developer removed from the surface of a latent image bearing member even when a developer whose polarity is reversed is contained. It is an object of the present invention to provide a wet image forming apparatus capable of removing positive and negative developers over a long period of time from a cleaning liquid containing the developer.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention of claim 1 provides a latent image carrier, latent image forming means for forming a latent image on the latent image carrier, and the latent image forming means. A developing device that visualizes an image using a wet developer, a transfer device that transfers the visible image formed on the latent image carrier to a transfer material, and a latent image carrier surface after the visible image transfer. A cleaning unit for removing the residual developer; a cleaning liquid tank for storing the cleaning liquid used in the nuclear cleaning unit; and a cleaning liquid circulating device for circulating the cleaning liquid between the cleaning liquid tank and the cleaning unit, A wet image forming apparatus including a removing device for removing the developer from the cleaning liquid containing the developer removed from the surface of the latent image carrier by the cleaning unit,
The removing device is configured by using a pair of electrode members which face each other with a cleaning liquid containing the developer interposed therebetween and whose surfaces move endlessly, and a voltage applying unit which applies a voltage between both electrode members , Introduce cleaning liquid into the removal device
The cleaning liquid is discharged from the introducing liquid passage and the removing device.
And an effluent passage for forming a cleaning liquid in the introduction liquid passage.
The flowmeter that detects the flow rate and the cleaning liquid
Compare the flowmeters that detect the flow rate with the readings of both flowmeters.
A control means for controlling the gap width between the electrode members is provided . The invention of claim 2 is a latent image
Carrier and latent image forming hand for forming a latent image on the latent image carrier
Stage, and a developing device for visualizing the latent image using a wet developing solution
And transfer the visible image formed on the latent image carrier to a transfer material.
Transfer device that remains on the surface of the latent image carrier after the transfer of the visible image
Cleaning unit to remove developer and nuclear cleaner
Cleaning unit that stores the cleaning liquid used in the
The cleaning liquid tank, the cleaning liquid tank and the cleaning liquid tank.
Circulate the cleaning liquid with the burning unit
The cleaning liquid circulation device and the cleaning unit
A cleaner containing the developer removed from the surface of the latent image carrier.
Wet with a removing device for removing the developer from the polishing liquid
In the image forming apparatus, the removing device contains the developer.
With a cleaning liquid in between,
A pair of electrode members whose surfaces move endlessly and a voltage between both electrode members
And a voltage applying means for applying
From the introduction liquid passage for introducing the cleaning liquid to the
Forming an effluent passage for discharging the cleaning liquid,
A flow meter that detects the flow rate of the cleaning liquid in the liquid path, and an outflow
A flow meter that detects the flow rate of the cleaning liquid in the liquid path, and
If the surface movement speed of each electrode member is
Or a control means for controlling the moving direction is provided.
It is supposed to be.

[0006]

[0007]

[0008]

[0009]

[0010]

[0011]

[0012]

[0013]

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a wet electrophotographic copying machine which is a wet image forming apparatus will be described below. The photoconductor drum 100, which is a latent image carrier, is rotationally driven in the direction of the arrow for copying, especially at a constant speed. Then, after being charged in the dark by the main charger 105, the exposure device 106 irradiates and forms an image of the original light image to form an electrostatic latent image on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 100. Then, the electrostatic latent image is developed by the two-component developer while passing through the wet developing section (including the developing roller 102, the squeeze roller 103, and the set roller 104).
The toner image developed into the electrostatic latent image is transferred to the transfer paper conveyed by the transfer belt 110 in the transfer unit 109. In the wet developing section, the developing roller 102, the squeeze roller 103, and the set roller 104 are arranged in close proximity to the photosensitive drum 100 via bearings. A bias voltage is applied to the developing roller 102 in order to prevent the image on the photoconductor from being smeared, and the distance from the photoconductor 100 is kept at about 150 μm. The developing roller 102 is driven by a drive motor (not shown).
The photoconductor drum 100 is rotationally driven in the direction of the arrow that is the reverse rotation direction. The developing roller 102 has a developer tank 112.
The developing solution inside is supplied by the pump 108. The distance between the squeeze roller 103 and the photoconductor 100 is about 50 μm
The drive motor (not shown)
It is rotationally driven in the arrow direction which is the same rotation direction as the photosensitive drum 100. A high voltage is applied to the set roller 104 to generate the electric discharge necessary for binding the toner particles of the developed image on the photoconductor, and the distance from the photoconductor is about 7
It is kept at 0 μm. The set roller 104 is rotationally driven by a drive motor (not shown) in the direction of the arrow, which is the reverse rotation of the photosensitive drum 100. In the transfer section, a transfer roller 109 is installed opposite to the photosensitive drum 100 via a transfer belt 110, and a high voltage is supplied to the transfer roller 109 to form a transfer electric field. Since the residual solvent content and transfer residual toner adhere to the surface of the photoconductor that has undergone development, squeeze, toner binding, and transfer, they are cleaned by the cleaning unit 107. In the cleaning unit 107, a cleaning foam roller or a cleaning blade is in contact with the surface of the photoconductor in order to mechanically remove the toner attached to the photoconductor. In order to improve the cleaning effect in the cleaning unit 107, a clear cleaning liquid containing no toner, for example, a solvent such as ISOPA (product name) is supplied to the cleaning unit 107, and the cleaning is performed by the clear cleaning liquid. It is necessary to dissolve the toner component and discharge the cleaning liquid in which the toner is dissolved from the cleaning unit 107. The clear solvent in the cleaning liquid tank 113 is supplied to the cleaning unit 107 by the pump 114. Further, the cleaning liquid discharged from the cleaning unit 107 is supplied to the electrodeposition unit 115 as a developer removing device through the liquid guide path. The solvent that has cleared after passing through the electrodeposition unit 115 is again in the cleaning liquid tank 113.
Stored in.

2 to 4 each show an example of the constitution of an electrodeposition unit 115 suitable for supplying a cleaning liquid between the electrode pairs from the horizontal direction to electrodeposit and remove the developer by the electrode pairs. . In the configuration example of FIG. 2A, the cleaning liquid discharged from the cleaning unit 107 is supplied to the gap portion between the electrode roller pairs 1 and 2 which are installed close to each other and face each other. The rollers of the electrode roller pair 1 and 2 are rotated by driving means (not shown).
There is no particular limitation on the rotation speed or the rotation direction,
It is set so that the effect of electrodeposition can be sufficiently obtained. Also,
A voltage is applied to the electrode roller pairs 1 and 2 by a power source V in order to form an electric field between the gaps. Regarding the electric field formed in the gap, it is preferable that the electric field is strong in a range (-10 7 [V / m]) where abnormal discharge does not occur between the electrode rollers. The cleaning liquid that has passed through the pair of electrode rollers 1 and 2 is stored in the cleaning liquid tank 113.

In the configuration example of FIG. 2B, the cleaning liquid discharged from the cleaning unit 107 is supplied to the gap portion between the electrode belt pairs 5 and 6 which are installed close to each other and face each other. The belts of the pair of electrode belts 9 and 10 are rotatably supported by a pair of supporting rollers 5, 6, 7 and 8, and are driven by driving rollers 6 and 8 which are driven by driving means (not shown) of the supporting rollers. is doing. In the illustrated example, the support rollers 6 and 8 on the downstream side in the belt moving direction at the belt facing portion are drive rollers, and the other rollers 5 and 7 are driven rollers. As a result, if there is some resistance to the rotation of the driven roller 5 and the roller 7, tension is applied to the facing portions of the belts 9 and 10, so that high voltage short circuit due to the bending of the belt facing surfaces can be prevented. The driving speed or the driving direction is not particularly limited, and is set to such a degree that the effect of electrodeposition can be sufficiently obtained. A voltage is applied between the electrode belt 9 and the electrode belt 10 to form an electric field in the gap. Regarding the electric field formed in the gap, a range (~ 10 7 [V / m]) where abnormal discharge does not occur between the electrode rollers
And the stronger the better. The cleaning liquid that has passed through the pair of electrode belts is stored in the cleaning liquid tank 113.

In order to make the electrode belt facing portion through which the cleaning liquid passes as wide as possible, the drive roller 5 is used.
And a straight line connecting the respective rotation centers of the drive roller 6,
It is desirable that the straight lines connecting the respective rotation centers of the drive roller 7 and the drive roller 8 are substantially parallel. However, if the gap width on the downstream side of the belt facing surface is widened (becomes a divergent shape) due to variations in the setting of the roller position, there is an air layer area in which the cleaning liquid does not intervene in the downstream gap portion. As a result, the electrodeposition effect cannot be exhibited satisfactorily. This is because the amount of cleaning liquid that enters the belt facing portion depends on the gap width on the upstream side of the belt. Therefore, in the sense of increasing the margin for the cleaning liquid to sufficiently intervene between the belts facing each other, the distance between the drive rollers 6 and 8 is made narrower than the distance between the drive rollers 5 and 7, and the belt facing portion is formed. It is more desirable to make the shape slightly constricted.

Here, when the amount of toner mixed in the cleaning liquid discharged from the cleaning unit is small, the amount of toner adhering to the electrodeposition members such as the rollers 1 and 2 and the belts 9 and 10 is small, and the amount of toner is small. The electrodeposition effect can be exhibited for a relatively long period of time without providing cleaning means on the attachment member. In this case, it is troublesome to prevent the electrodeposition saturation by cleaning the developer adhering on the electrodeposition member with a human hand, or replace the electrodeposition member with the replacement member to replace the electrodeposition member. By doing so, the electrodeposition effect of the electrodeposition member can be continued. However, it is desirable to reduce the burden of manual cleaning and exchange of electrodeposition members as much as possible.

Therefore, in the configuration example of FIG.
In the configuration example of (a), the rollers 1, 2 of the electrode roller pair
For example, blades 3 and 4 as wiping members are provided in pressure contact with each other to forcibly wipe off the developer electrodeposited on each electrode roller. When the electrodeposition device is continuously operated, the developer adheres to the blades 3 and 4 in a highly viscous state. The attached developer is removed from the blade by a blade cleaning device (not shown). What is the blade cleaning device?
For example, when the electrodeposition device is not in operation, a mechanism for bouncing the tips of the blades 3 and 4 is provided as shown by the chain double-dashed line in the figure so that the developer adhering to the blades is splashed to the discharged developer recovery tanks 21 and 22. It is the one that is skipped and collected.

The configuration example of FIG. 3 (b) is shown in FIG. 2 (b).
In the configuration example of Fig. 1, each of the belts 9 and 10 of the electrode belt pair is provided in pressure contact with, for example, a blade-shaped wiping member, and this is also the same as the configuration example of Fig. 1 (c) described above. In addition, the developer electrodeposited on each electrode belt is forcibly wiped off. Further, the blade cleaning device removes the developer from the blade. This blade cleaning device is also used for the blade 1 as shown by the chain double-dashed line in the figure while the electrodeposition device is not operating.
A mechanism for bouncing the tips of the blades 1 and 12 is provided, and the developer attached to the blade is bounced and collected in the discharged developer collecting tanks 21 and 22.

Further, in the configuration example of FIG. 4, toner is attached to the surfaces of the facing portions of the rollers 30 and 31 of the pair of electrode rollers facing each other with a space therebetween so that they can be moved by the rotation of each roller. The sheet 32 is wound around and provided. The end portion of the toner adhesion sheet 32 is attached to the winding roller 33 and the feeding roller 34. The toner-adhering sheet is preferably electrically conductive, but an insulating material may be used. Then, the sheet portion located in the gap of the electrode roller pair is switched by being driven by the rotation of the electrode roller, and a new sheet portion having no toner adhesion is located in the gap. Then, when the sheet is completely wound around the take-up roller, the sheet can be replaced with a new sheet. The electrode rollers 30 and 31
Instead of being driven and rotated, the sheet portion may be switched by rotationally driving the winding roller 34. In this case, for example, it is desirable to automatically perform the copying every predetermined number of times. (Hereafter, margin)

5 (a) and 5 (b) each show an example of the construction of a developer removing device suitable for electrodepositing a developer by vertically supplying a cleaning liquid between electrode pairs to remove the developer. It is shown. In the configuration example of FIG. 5A, the electrode roller pair is installed such that the straight line connecting the rotation axis centers of the electrode rollers 1 and 2 is perpendicular to the direction in which the gravitational acceleration acts. Then, the cleaning liquid is supplied from above the electrode roller pair. According to this, the cleaning liquid can efficiently pass through the gap between the pair of electrode rollers by its own weight. Further, the cleaning liquid which has been subjected to the electrodeposition process after passing through the gap is directly discharged below the electrode roller, so that the cleaning liquid can be easily collected. To obtain a sufficient electrodeposition effect of the cleaning liquid,
The condition is that a sufficient cleaning liquid is present in the gap formed by the electrode roller 1 and the electrode roller 2.
For this reason, it is necessary to form an appropriate cleaning liquid reservoir above the gap between the pair of electrode rollers. To constantly form such a cleaning liquid pool,
It is also necessary to adjust the amount of cleaning liquid passing between the pair of electrode rollers in accordance with the variation in the amount of cleaning liquid supplied to the pair of electrode rollers. The adjustment can be performed by the gap distance d of the electrode roller pair and the rotation speeds v1 and v2 of the electrode rollers. Regarding the gap distance d, the smaller the d is, the smaller the passing cleaning liquid amount is, and the larger the d is, the larger the passing cleaning liquid amount is. Regarding the roller rotation speed, if the rotation direction is the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 5A, that is, the direction of moving vertically downward in the facing area,
The smaller the v1 or v2, the smaller the passing cleaning liquid amount, and the larger the v1 or v2, the larger the passing cleaning liquid amount. Furthermore, the rotation direction of the roller is as shown in FIG.
If it is in the opposite direction to the arrow in (a), v1 or v
The smaller the value 2, the larger the amount of the passing cleaning liquid, and the larger the value v1 or v2, the smaller the amount of the passing cleaning liquid.

In the configuration example of FIG. 5B, a straight line connecting the respective rotation centers of the drive roller 5 and the drive roller 6 supporting one electrode belt, and the drive roller 7 supporting the other electrode belt are driven. The straight lines connecting the respective rotation centers of the rollers 8 are set so as to be in the direction of gravitational acceleration. In this configuration example as well, as in the configuration example of FIG. 1B described above, in order for the cleaning liquid to sufficiently intervene between the opposing belts, the distance between the drive roller 5 and the drive roller 7 may be larger than that of the drive roller 6. In some cases, it may be effective to reduce the distance of the drive roller 8. In this configuration example, the cleaning liquid can be supplied from the upper portion of the electrode belt pair, so that the cleaning liquid can efficiently pass through the gap portion. Further, the cleaning liquid which has been subjected to the electrodeposition process after passing through the gap is discharged directly below the electrode belt, so that the cleaning liquid can be easily collected.
In order to sufficiently obtain the electrodeposition effect of the cleaning liquid, it is a condition that sufficient cleaning liquid is present in the gap portion formed by the electrode belt 9 and the electrode belt 10.
For that purpose, it is necessary to set the gap distance or the rotation speed of the electrode belt to an appropriate value or to adjust the amount of the cleaning liquid supplied to the pair of electrode belts.

Here, the above electrode roller pairs 1, 2, 3
It was mentioned that it is necessary to adjust the size of the gap and the peripheral speed of the electrode rollers in order to fill the cleaning liquid in the gaps of 0, 31 and the pair of electrode belts 9, 10. It is difficult to adjust and set the amount of cleaning liquid and the amount of cleaning liquid that can pass through the electrodeposition unit 115 so as to be stably balanced for a long term. Even if this adjustment could be made, it may be necessary to readjust it after the device is assembled. For example, the amount of cleaning liquid discharged from the cleaning unit 107 is the sum of the amount of cleaning liquid supplied to the cleaning unit 107 and the amount of carrier liquid adhering to the photoconductor after transfer. When actually printing an image, the rotation speed of the squeeze roller 103 is changed according to the type of transfer paper and the environment in which the system is placed to change the amount of carrier liquid adhering to the photoconductor drum 100 to achieve the best transfer. Process control is performed to obtain an image. Then, since the amount of carrier liquid remaining on the photoconductor after transfer also changes at any time, the total amount of cleaning liquid finally discharged from the cleaning unit 107 also changes at any time, and the cleaning that can pass through the electrodeposition unit 115 is performed. It is necessary to change the liquid volume accordingly.

As a measure against the above, it is possible to change the amount of the cleaning liquid that can pass through the electrodeposition unit 115 so as to follow the amount of the cleaning liquid supplied to the electrodeposition unit 115. In order to change the amount of the developer that can pass through the electrodeposition unit 115, the gap width between the electrodeposition members is changed at any time, or the surface moving speed of the electrode member is changed at any time. Specifically, a configuration as shown in FIGS. 6 to 7 can be adopted. FIG. 6 (a),
7B shows an example of a type in which the cleaning liquid is supplied in the horizontal direction, and FIGS. 7A and 7B show an example of a type in which the cleaning liquid is supplied in the vertical direction.

In the example of FIGS. 6 (a) and 7 (a), the electrodeposition unit 115 is constituted by the flowmeter 51 provided in the introduction liquid passage 41.
The amount of ingress cleaning liquid is detected, and the amount of cleaning liquid discharged from the electrodeposition unit 115 is detected by the flow meter 52 provided in the outflow liquid passage 42. Ideally, each flow meter 52,
Since the same reading value of 53 is a necessary condition for stabilizing the steady state, the reading values of the flowmeters 51 and 52 are compared, and the reading value of the flowmeter 51 of the introduction liquid passage 41 is larger. In this case, control is performed to widen the gap width or increase the number of rotations of the electrode rollers 1 and 2. The gap can be controlled, for example, by driving a cam 55 equipped with a driving unit such as a motor through a schilling 54 attached to the one electrode roller shaft 53. The cam 55 is driven by giving a signal to the controller of the cam driving motor after the values of the flowmeters 51 and 52 are compared by the comparison calculator.

In the examples of FIGS. 6 (b) and 7 (b), the liquid level sensor 56 provided in the introduction liquid passage 41 detects the cleaning liquid level on the entrance side of the electrodeposition unit 115, and the liquid level rises. In that case, control to widen the gap width or increase the rotation speed of the electrode rollers 1 and 2. In the above, the example using the electrode roller pair has been described,
Even when the electrode belt pair is used, the gap and peripheral speed can be controlled in the same manner.

FIGS. 8A to 8E show other structural examples. FIG. 8A shows the above-mentioned FIG.
In contrast to the configuration example of (a), the directions of rotation of both the electrode rollers 1 and 2 are reversed, and the respective surfaces in the facing area move in the direction opposite to the gravitational acceleration direction. In this configuration, the developer adheres to the blades 3 and 4, but at the same time, a large amount of solvent is also supplied. Therefore, the developer attached to the blade may be washed away by the solvent. In order to prevent this, as shown in the figure, it is desirable that the blade is shaped so that the developer easily accumulates. The developer accumulated on the blade may be appropriately removed by cleaning, or the blade may be displaced to be collected in the discharged developer collecting tanks 21 and 22 as shown in the example of FIG. .

The configuration example of FIG. 8 (b) is the same as that of the configuration example of FIG. 5 (b) using a pair of electrode belts, but the directions of rotation of both supporting rollers are reversed, and the above-mentioned configuration example of FIG. 8 (a) is used. A blade having a shape similar to that of is used.

The configuration example of FIG. 8C is different from the configuration example of FIG. 8A in that the cleaning liquid is conveyed to the blade by changing the shape and arrangement position of the blade, and the cleaning liquid is again conveyed. Is sent back between the pair of electrode rollers. However, if too much developer remains attached to the blade, the attached developer may be washed by the cleaning liquid and fall between the electrode roller pairs, so the developer attached to the blade is described above. It is necessary to remove it by a blade cleaning means or the like. Although the structure is complicated, it can be realized by a structure in which the cleaning liquid conveyed to the blade is pumped up by a pump and sent back between the pair of electrode rollers.

The configuration example of FIG. 8D differs from the configuration example of FIG. 8B in that the cleaning liquid is conveyed to the blade by changing the shape and arrangement position of the blade, and the cleaning liquid is again conveyed. Is sent back between the pair of electrode rollers. Even in this case, as in the configuration example of FIG. 8C described above, the developer attached to the blade may be washed by the cleaning liquid and fall between the pair of electrode rollers. It is necessary to remove the agent by the above-mentioned blade cleaning means or the like. Although the structure is complicated, it can be realized by a structure in which the cleaning liquid conveyed to the blade is pumped up by a pump and sent back between the pair of electrode rollers.

In the configuration example of FIG. 8E, a plurality of electrode roller pairs are provided in series so that the developer that cannot be electrodeposited sufficiently with only one stage can be completely removed. Although not shown, a potential for forming an electrodeposition electric field is applied between each pair of electrode rollers. In this case, in order to obtain a sufficient electrodeposition effect in each stage, it is a condition that a sufficient cleaning liquid is present in the electrode roller gap portion in each stage. For this purpose, similarly to the configuration example of FIG. 1E, the gap distance between the electrode roller pairs in each stage or the rotation speed of the electrode rollers is appropriately adjusted.

[0033]

According to the first and second aspects of the invention, the pair of electrode members constituting the removing device for removing the developer are both
Since the surface moves, a new electrode member surface can always be exposed to an effective electrodeposition area for removing the electrodeposition of the developer, in which both electrodes face each other. Therefore, there is an excellent effect that it is possible to perform electrodeposition removal for a long period of time with respect to the developer having both positive and negative polarities mixed in the cleaning liquid, as compared with the conventional case.

[0034]

[0035]

[0036]

[0037]

[0038]

[0039]

[0040]

[0041]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a main part of a wet image forming apparatus according to an embodiment.

2A and 2B are explanatory views of an electrodeposition unit according to the embodiment.

3A and 3B are explanatory views of an electrodeposition unit according to another embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of an electrodeposition unit according to another embodiment.

5A and 5B are explanatory views of an electrodeposition unit according to another embodiment, respectively.

6A and 6B are explanatory views of electrodeposition units according to other embodiments.

7A and 7B are explanatory views of an electrodeposition unit according to another embodiment, respectively.

FIG. 8A to FIG. Explanatory drawing of the electrodeposition unit which concerns on other each embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 electrode roller 2 electrode roller 3 blades 4 blades 5 Driven roller 6 drive roller 7 Driven roller 8 drive rollers 9 electrode belt 10 electrode belt 11 blade 12 blades 21 Waste developer recovery tank 22 Waste developer recovery tank 41 Introductory liquid path 42 Outflow 115 Electro-deposition unit V power supply

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G03G 15/10 G03G 21/10

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A latent image carrier, a latent image forming means for forming a latent image on the latent image carrier, a developing device for visualizing the latent image using a wet developing solution, and the latent image carrier. A transfer device that transfers the visible image formed on the image carrier to a transfer material, a cleaning unit that removes the developer remaining on the surface of the latent image carrier after the visible image transfer, and a cleaning liquid used in the nuclear cleaning unit. A cleaning liquid tank for storing the cleaning liquid, a cleaning liquid circulating device for circulating the cleaning liquid between the cleaning liquid tank and the cleaning unit, and a cleaning liquid containing a developer removed from the surface of the latent image carrier by the cleaning unit. A wet image forming apparatus having a removing device for removing the developer from the developing device, the removing device facing each other with a cleaning liquid containing the developer interposed therebetween; A pair of electrode members whose surfaces move endlessly and a voltage applying means for applying a voltage between both electrode members , and an introduction liquid passage for introducing a cleaning liquid to the removing device and the removal liquid passage.
Forming an outflow passage for discharging the cleaning liquid from the removal device
And a flow meter for detecting the flow rate of the cleaning liquid in the introduction liquid passage.
And a flow meter that detects the flow rate of the cleaning liquid in the outflow passage.
And the readings of both flowmeters are compared to determine the gap width between the electrode members.
A wet image forming apparatus, comprising: a control unit for controlling . 2. A latent image carrier and a latent image formed on the latent image carrier.
And a latent image forming means for forming the latent image by using a wet developing solution.
Developing device for visualizing, and visual image formed on the latent image carrier
Transfer device that transfers the image to the transfer material and latent image bearing after the visible image transfer
A cleaning unit that removes the developer remaining on the body surface.
And the cleaning used in the nuclear cleaning unit
Cleaning liquid tank for storing liquid and the cleaning
Cleaning between the liquid tank and the cleaning unit
Cleaning liquid circulation device for circulating the cleaning liquid and the cleaning liquid
Current removed from the surface of the latent image carrier by the
A removal device for removing the developer from the cleaning liquid containing the image agent
And a cleaning liquid containing the developer is interposed between the removing device and the wet image forming device.
Electrodes facing each other and moving their surfaces endlessly
Voltage applying means for applying a voltage between the member pair and both electrode members
And an introducing liquid passage for introducing a cleaning liquid to the removing device and the removing liquid passage.
Forming an outflow passage for discharging the cleaning liquid from the removal device
And a flow meter for detecting the flow rate of the cleaning liquid in the introduction liquid passage.
And a flow meter that detects the flow rate of the cleaning liquid in the outflow passage.
And the readings of both flowmeters are compared, and the surface moving speed of each electrode member
Alternatively, the provision of control means for controlling the moving direction
Characteristic wet image forming apparatus.