JP3694587B2 - Wet image forming device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a wet image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a printer, and the like. More specifically, the electrostatic latent image formed on an electrostatic latent image carrier is developed with toner which is a charged visualization particle. The present invention relates to a wet image forming apparatus using a liquid developing method.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a wet image forming apparatus using a liquid developing method in which an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrostatic latent image carrier is developed with toner, which is a charged visualization particle, formed on the image carrier. An image forming apparatus that performs a transfer step of transferring the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer member and a step of transferring the toner image on the intermediate transfer member onto a recording medium. A device provided with a cleaning device for cleaning with a cleaning member such as a cleaning blade is known. The cleaning blade and the like are appropriately brought into and out of contact so as not to disturb the toner image on the intermediate transfer member.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional cleaning device, when the liquid developer of the intermediate transfer member is cleaned, a liquid pool is generated at the tip of the cleaning member. The liquid pool remains on the intermediate transfer member at the time of contact and separation, and there is a problem that the transfer residue adheres to the transfer paper and causes stains in the next transfer.
[0004]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a wet image capable of reliably cleaning the transfer residue on the intermediate transfer member after transfer from the intermediate transfer member to the transfer paper. A forming device and a cleaning device are provided.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is a wet process using a liquid developing method in which an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrostatic latent image carrier is developed with toner that is charged image-forming particles. An image forming apparatus, a transfer step of transferring a toner image formed on an image carrier onto an intermediate transfer member, a step of transferring a toner image on the intermediate transfer member onto a recording medium, and the intermediate transfer perform the step of cleaning the body with two steps, the step of the cleaning, in to that wet type image forming apparatus performed by interlocking with each other the cleaning member configured intermediate transfer member through a double, the two-stage The intermediate transfer member cleaning member is a cleaning member provided on the downstream side in the direction of surface movement of the intermediate transfer member, and cleans the dissociation trace of the cleaning member provided on the upstream side and the transfer residue of the intermediate transfer member. It is characterized in that ring.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the wet image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, both of the two-stage intermediate transfer member cleaning members can be contacted and separated from the intermediate transfer member. .
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the wet image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, in the step of cleaning the intermediate transfer member in two stages, a cleaning blade or a cleaning roller is provided as an upstream cleaning member. It is what.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the wet image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, in the step of cleaning the intermediate transfer member in two stages, a cleaning blade or a cleaning roller is provided as a downstream cleaning member. It is what.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the wet image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, in the step of cleaning the intermediate transfer member in two stages, a cleaning roller is used as a cleaning member on at least one of the upstream side and the downstream side. A voltage is applied to the cleaning roller, and the intermediate transfer member is cleaned by the force of an electric field.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an intermediate transfer member in a wet image forming apparatus using a liquid developing method in which an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrostatic latent image carrier is developed with a toner that is a charged visualization particle. A cleaning device for removing transfer residual toner on a cleaning device comprising means for cleaning the intermediate transfer member in two stages, wherein the cleaning means comprises two steps for cleaning the intermediate transfer member in two steps. member is interlocked with one another, a cleaning member provided on the downstream side in the intermediate transfer member surface movement direction, characterized in that to clean the transfer residual dissociation marks and intermediate transfer member cleaning member provided on the upstream side Is.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiment 1
Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a wet electrophotographic copying machine (hereinafter referred to as a copying machine) which is a wet image forming apparatus will be described.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a main part of a copying machine according to the present embodiment. The photosensitive drum 1 as a latent image carrier is rotated in the direction of the arrow at a constant speed during copying by a driving means such as a motor (not shown). Then, after being uniformly charged in the dark by a charging device (not shown), an original light source is irradiated and imaged by an exposure device (not shown), and an electrostatic latent image is carried on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1. Here, the image information to be exposed is single-color image information obtained by separating a desired full-color image into yellow, magenta, cyan, and black color information. Thereafter, a prewetting liquid is applied to the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 carrying the electrostatic latent image by a prewetting device (not shown). The electrostatic latent image is developed with predetermined yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toners by the wet developing device 2, and each color image is formed on the photosensitive drum 1. Each color image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 is yellow, magenta, cyan, and black monochrome on the intermediate transfer belt 3 (volume resistivity: 10 ³ Ωcm) that is driven at the same speed as the photosensitive drum 1. Each is sequentially transferred as a primary transfer charger. The yellow, magenta, cyan, and black images superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 3 are collectively transferred by the transfer roller 5 as a secondary transfer charger to the transfer paper 4 conveyed to the transfer unit. After the transfer, the transfer paper 4 is fixed by a fixing device (not shown) to complete a full color image. The toner on the photosensitive drum 1 that has not been transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 3 is removed from the photosensitive drum 1 by a cleaning device (not shown). Further, the toner on the intermediate transfer belt 3 that has not been transferred onto the transfer paper 4 is removed from the intermediate transfer belt 3 by the intermediate transfer belt cleaning device 10. Thereafter, the residual potential on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is removed by a neutralizing lamp (not shown) to prepare for the next copy.
[0014]
As shown in FIGS. 2A to 2D, the intermediate transfer belt cleaning device 10 includes cleaning blades 11 and 12 on the upstream side and the downstream side, respectively, and a deformable material such as rubber as an elastic body. It consists of The upstream and downstream cleaning blades 11 and 12 are interlocked with each other, and oscillate around a fulcrum by driving means such as a solenoid (not shown). Thereby, it is possible to contact and separate from the intermediate transfer belt 3 as appropriate.
[0015]
FIG. 2A shows a state in which the upstream cleaning blade 11 and the downstream cleaning blade 12 are in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 3 that rotates in the direction of the arrow to perform cleaning. The transfer residue that could not be removed by the upstream cleaning blade 11 is removed by the downstream cleaning blade 12. In FIG. 2B, when the cleaning of the intermediate transfer belt 3 is finished, the upstream cleaning blade 11 is first dissociated, and the dissociation trace generated by the dissociation of the cleaning blade 11 is cleaned by the downstream cleaning blade 12. It shows the state that is. In FIG. 2C, after the dissociation trace of the upstream cleaning blade 11 passes through the downstream cleaning blade 12, the downstream cleaning blade 12 dissociates from the intermediate transfer belt 3, and the cleaning is completed to prepare for the next cleaning. This shows the state of waiting. FIG. 2D shows an example of the detailed structure of the cleaning member. The upstream cleaning blade 11 and the downstream cleaning blade 12 are each screwed to a bracket 13 and have a structure capable of swinging in conjunction with each other. The residual transfer on the intermediate transfer belt 3 that has been cleaned is collected in the collection tray 14 and then collected in a waste developer collection tank (not shown) through a liquid path (not shown).
[0016]
[Embodiment 2]
Next, another embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3A to 3D are front views illustrating a schematic configuration of the intermediate transfer belt cleaning device 10 according to the present embodiment.
In the first embodiment, the example in which the cleaning blade is used for each of the upstream side and the downstream side as the cleaning member has been described. However, in this embodiment, the cleaning roller 16 is employed as the downstream cleaning member. The configuration is different. The other points are the same as in the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the configuration operation will be described.
[0017]
FIGS. 3A to 3D show a cleaning device provided with a cleaning blade 15, for example, a rubber blade as an elastic body on the upstream side, and a cleaning roller 16 on the downstream side. FIG. 3A shows a state where the intermediate transfer belt 3 is cleaned by the upstream cleaning blade 15. At this time, the downstream cleaning roller 16 is dissociated from the intermediate transfer belt 3 and is in a standby state to clean the dissociation trace of the upstream cleaning blade 15. FIG. 3B shows a state in which the cleaning by the upstream cleaning blade 15 is finished and the dissociation trace of the cleaning blade 15 is cleaned by the downstream cleaning roller 16. The cleaning roller 16 is connected to a power source as a voltage applying means for applying a voltage. During cleaning, a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner having a potential difference from the surface potential of the intermediate transfer belt 3 of 0 to 1000 V is applied to the cleaning roller 16, so that the residual transfer and dissociation traces are caused by the electric field. Cleaning can be performed. In the illustrated example, since the toner is positively charged, a negative voltage is applied to the cleaning roller 16. In FIG. 3C, after the dissociation trace of the upstream cleaning blade 15 passes the downstream cleaning roller 16, the cleaning roller 16 dissociates from the intermediate transfer belt 3, and the cleaning is completed to prepare for the next cleaning. It shows the waiting state. FIG. 3D shows an example of the detailed structure of the cleaning member. The upstream cleaning blade 15 is screwed to the bracket 17, and the cleaning roller 16 is supported by the bracket 17, so that the upstream cleaning blade 15 can swing in conjunction with each other.
[0018]
[Embodiment 3]
Next, still another embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of the intermediate transfer belt cleaning device 10 according to the present embodiment. This embodiment is different from the configuration of the first embodiment in that the cleaning roller 18 is employed as the upstream cleaning member. The other points are the same as in the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the configuration operation will be described.
[0019]
FIG. 4 shows a state in which the intermediate transfer belt 3 is being cleaned by a cleaning device provided with a cleaning roller 18 on the upstream side and a cleaning blade 19 such as a rubber blade as an elastic body on the downstream side. The upstream cleaning roller 18 is supported by a bracket 20, and the downstream cleaning blade 19 is fixed to the bracket 20. After the transfer residue on the intermediate transfer belt 3 is cleaned by the upstream cleaning roller 18, the remaining transfer residue and the dissociation trace of the cleaning roller 18 are cleaned by the downstream cleaning blade 19. The cleaning roller 18 is connected to a power source as a voltage applying means so as to apply a voltage. During cleaning, by applying a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner such that the potential difference from the surface potential of the intermediate transfer belt 3 is 0 to 1000 V, the remaining transfer is cleaned by the electric field. be able to.
[0020]
[Embodiment 4]
Next, still another embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of the intermediate transfer belt cleaning device 10 according to the present embodiment. The present embodiment is different from the configuration of the first embodiment in that cleaning rollers 21 and 22 are employed as cleaning members on the upstream side and the downstream side, respectively. The other points are the same as in the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the configuration operation will be described.
[0021]
FIG. 5 shows a cleaning device provided with cleaning rollers 21 and 22 on the upstream side and the downstream side, respectively. The upstream cleaning roller 21 and the downstream cleaning roller 22 are each supported by a bracket 23. The dissociation trace after cleaning by the upstream cleaning roller 21 is cleaned by the downstream cleaning roller 22. During cleaning, an electric field force is applied to the upstream cleaning roller 21 and the downstream cleaning roller 22 by applying a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner so that the potential difference from the surface potential of the intermediate transfer belt 3 is 0 to 1000V. The residual transfer and dissociation traces can be cleaned with.
[0022]
In the above-described embodiments, a cleaning blade or a cleaning roller can be used as the upstream and downstream cleaning members. This cooling member can be freely used according to the surface properties and properties of the intermediate transfer belt.
[0023]
FIG. 6 is a plot of the cleaning performance against the potential difference between the applied voltage applied to the cleaning rollers 16, 18, 21 and 22 and the surface potential of the intermediate transfer belt 3. In the present invention, since the low volume resistance intermediate transfer belt 3 is used, a voltage of 1000 V or less is sufficient.
[0024]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first to sixth aspects of the present invention, since the intermediate transfer belt is cleaned in two steps, the dissociation traces generated when the upstream cleaning member is dissociated can be cleaned by the downstream cleaning member. There is an excellent effect that the transfer residue on the intermediate transfer belt can be reliably cleaned.
According to the invention of claim 2 , since both the upstream and downstream cleaning members can be brought into contact with and separated from the intermediate transfer belt, it is possible to perform color superposition on the intermediate transfer belt without any trouble. Has an excellent effect.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the cleaning roller is used as the cleaning member, the dissociation trace and the transfer residue of the intermediate transfer belt can be more reliably cleaned by the force of the electric field than when the cleaning blade is used. There is an excellent effect of being able to.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a main part of a wet image forming apparatus according to an embodiment.
FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D are front views showing a schematic configuration of an intermediate transfer belt cleaning device according to an embodiment.
FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D are front views showing a schematic configuration of an intermediate transfer belt cleaning device according to another embodiment. FIGS.
FIG. 4 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of an intermediate transfer belt cleaning device according to another embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of an intermediate transfer belt cleaning device according to another embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a graph showing the relationship between the cleaning property and the potential difference between the applied voltage applied to the cleaning roller and the surface potential of the intermediate transfer belt.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Photosensitive drum 2 Developing device 3 Intermediate transfer belt 4 Transfer paper 5 Transfer roller 10 Intermediate transfer belt cleaning device 11, 15 Upstream cleaning blades 12, 19 Downstream cleaning blades 13, 17, 20, 23 Bracket 14 Collection tray 16, 22 Downstream cleaning rollers 18, 21 Upstream cleaning rollers

Claims (6)

A wet-type image forming apparatus using a liquid developing method for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrostatic latent image carrier with toner, which is a charged image forming particle, and formed on the image carrier. run transferring the toner image on the intermediate transfer member, and transferring the toner image on the intermediate transfer member onto a recording medium, and a step of cleaning the intermediate transfer member in two stages, the cleaning In the wet image forming apparatus that executes the step of performing the step of interlocking the cleaning members of the intermediate transfer member configured in two stages ,
The intermediate transfer member cleaning member configured in the above two stages is a cleaning member provided on the downstream side in the surface movement direction of the intermediate transfer member, and cleans the dissociation traces of the cleaning member provided on the upstream side and the transfer residue of the intermediate transfer member. A wet-type image forming apparatus. The wet image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .
2. The wet image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the two-stage intermediate transfer member cleaning member is capable of contacting and separating from the intermediate transfer member. The wet image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 ,
In the step of cleaning the intermediate transfer member in two stages, a wet image forming apparatus comprising a cleaning blade or a cleaning roller as an upstream cleaning member. The wet image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 ,
In the step of cleaning the intermediate transfer member in two stages, a wet image forming apparatus comprising a cleaning blade or a cleaning roller as a downstream cleaning member. The wet image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 ,
In the step of cleaning the intermediate transfer member in two stages, a cleaning roller is used as a cleaning member on at least one of the upstream side and the downstream side, a voltage is applied to the cleaning roller, and the intermediate transfer member is cleaned by the force of an electric field. A wet-type image forming apparatus. Removal of residual toner on the intermediate transfer body in a wet image forming apparatus using a liquid development method that develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the electrostatic latent image carrier with toner, which is a charged visualization particle. A cleaning device comprising a means for cleaning the intermediate transfer member in two stages,
A cleaning member made of a two-stage of said means for cleaning the intermediate transfer member in two stages is interlocked with one another, a cleaning member provided on the downstream side in the intermediate transfer member surface movement direction, provided on the upstream side cleaning A cleaning device for cleaning a dissociation trace of a member and a transfer residue of an intermediate transfer member .

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