JP4854526B2 - Lubricant coating apparatus, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a lubricant application device that forms a thin layer of lubricant by applying a lubricant to the surface of an image carrier, and a process cartridge and an image forming apparatus including the lubricant application device.

The image forming process in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus uses a photoconductive phenomenon to form an electrostatic latent image on a photoconductor as an image carrier, and the toner particles colored in the electrostatic latent image are subjected to electrostatic force. This is a process of making a visible image by attaching using the. In an image forming apparatus that employs such an electrophotographic system, a lubricant application device that applies a lubricant to the surface of a photoreceptor, which is the main member, is usually provided.
The lubricant application device is used for solving various problems that occur in a cleaning process of an image forming apparatus, for example, a step of scraping off toner remaining on the surface of a photoreceptor after image transfer with a cleaning brush or a cleaning blade. That is, the life of the photosensitive member and the intermediate transfer belt is mainly determined by the degree of wear due to mechanical friction with the cleaning brush or the cleaning blade, and therefore by applying a lubricant to the surface of the photosensitive member and the intermediate transfer belt. The friction coefficient of the surface is reduced to suppress wear, thereby extending the life.

By applying a lubricant to the surface of the photoconductor, not only the life of the photoconductor is extended, but also the deposits adhering to the surface of the photoconductor are easily cleaned as the coefficient of friction of the surface of the photoconductor decreases. That is, by applying a lubricant to the surface of the photoreceptor, residual toner remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor or intermediate transfer body without being completely transferred to the recording medium or the like in the transfer step can be easily removed by a cleaning brush or a cleaning blade.
By the way, in recent years, spheroidized toners prepared by a polymerization method have been suitably used. However, since spheroidized toners have a uniform particle size distribution and can effectively reduce the particle size, image quality can be improved. While exhibiting the effect of improving, there is a problem that removal of residual toner from the photoreceptor, that is, cleaning becomes difficult. From this point of view, it is considered that a technique for applying a lubricant to the surface of the photosensitive member by a lubricant application device and thereby improving the cleaning property of the photosensitive member will become more important in the future.

  The lubricant is applied by supplying a small amount of the lubricant in the form of powder to the surface of the photoreceptor. As a specific application method, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, the lubricant is blocked by an application means such as a brush. And a method of scraping and applying the lubricant formed into a shape. Further, as disclosed in Patent Document 2, there is a method in which a lubricant is externally added to a toner and supplied to a photoreceptor. When the lubricant is externally added to the photoreceptor and the lubricant is supplied to the photoconductor, the supply amount depends on the output image area, so that it is difficult to always supply the lubricant to the entire surface of the photoconductor stably. Therefore, from the viewpoint of stably supplying the lubricant to the entire surface of the photoreceptor, a method of scraping and applying the solid lubricant with a brush is preferable.

  When the lubricant is applied to the surface of the photoreceptor, it is important to control the amount and state of application in order to maximize the two effects of preventing wear and improving the cleaning property. If the emphasis is on imparting lubricity, it is sufficient to continue supplying a certain amount or more of the lubricant, but if the supply amount becomes excessive, excess lubricant is mixed in, for example, a developing device provided adjacently, There may be a problem that the charge amount of the toner cannot be controlled. Further, due to the recent demand for miniaturization of copying machines and printers, miniaturization of each element member is becoming an important technology, and it is not preferable to mount a solid lubricant larger than necessary as equipment.

  As a conventional technique for controlling the application state of a lubricant to a photoconductor as an image carrier, for example, Patent Document 3 discloses a pressure of a solid lubricant applied to a photoconductor or a coating brush in contact with the solid lubricant depending on temperature. A technique for controlling the rotation speed is disclosed. Patent Document 4 discloses a technique for defining the amount of lubricant applied per unit rotational speed of the photoreceptor. Further, Patent Document 5 discloses a technique for controlling the number of rotations of the lubricant application brush in accordance with image formation information.

  Furthermore, Patent Document 6 discloses an apparatus developed for the purpose of providing an apparatus that does not require the user to purchase the image forming apparatus main body again when the user desires to change the performance of the image forming apparatus. A plurality of different types of engine units each having a non-volatile storage means can be exchanged and attached to the image forming apparatus main body, and the performance of the entire apparatus is determined based on the storage information of the storage means in the attached engine unit. An image forming apparatus provided with a control means for controlling is disclosed. According to this image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus main body is common, and an apparatus relating to recording speed, resolution, etc. can be obtained by simply replacing the engine unit with a different performance. The overall performance can be changed.

JP 2000-162881 A Japanese Patent No. 2859646 JP-A-9-62163 JP 2000-75752 A JP 2002-244485 A JP 2002-351287 A

However, the above prior art does not show any technical idea to improve the sliding failure between the lubricant holding member that supports the lubricant in the lubricant application device and the lubricant holder that accommodates the lubricant holding member. Therefore, there is a problem that the solid lubricant cannot be uniformly pressed against the lubricant application brush, and the amount of lubricant applied to the surface of the image carrier is likely to vary. If the lubricant application amount fluctuates and increases too much, for example, the adjacent charging device is easily contaminated. On the other hand, if the lubricant application amount is too small, the toner adheres to the surface of the image carrier. This so-called filming is likely to occur.
The present invention has been made in view of the problems of the prior art, and is a lubricant application device that applies a lubricant to the surface of an image carrier via a lubricant application means, the lubricant application By improving the slidability of the lubricant when pressing the solid lubricant on the means, the inclination and uneven wear of the solid lubricant are eliminated, thereby stabilizing the amount of lubricant applied to the image carrier and lubricating It is an object of the present invention to provide a lubricant application device capable of effectively using a lubricant, and a process cartridge and an image forming apparatus provided with the lubricant application device.
Another problem of the present invention is that the lubricant holding member is composed of at least a carrier member that carries the lubricant and a sliding member that slides relative to the lubricant holder, thereby improving the quality of the lubricant application device. There is.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a lubricant application device having a lubricant holding member that holds the lubricant firmly and has high slidability with respect to the lubricant holder.
Furthermore, another object of the present invention is to provide a lubricant applicator with high quality by increasing the degree of freedom of the shape of the sliding member in the lubricant holding member.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a lubricant application device including a lubricant holding member having excellent recyclability.

In order to solve the above problems, a lubricant application device according to the present invention includes a solid lubricant, a lubricant holding member that supports the solid lubricant, and a lubrication that contains the solid lubricant and the lubricant holding member. A lubricant holder, lubricant application means for applying the solid lubricant to the object to be applied, and pressing means for pressing the lubricant holding member between the lubricant holding member and the lubricant holder. In the lubricant application device, a frictional resistance reducing portion is interposed in a sliding contact portion between the lubricant holding member and the lubricant holder, and the frictional resistance reducing portion is located at a longitudinal end portion of the lubricant holding member. The lubricant holding member and the convex portion that makes point contact with the inner wall surface of the lubricant holder, and the lubricant holding member and the lubricant holder at the end in the short direction of the lubricant holding member are the lubricant holder. Tangential along the sliding direction You; and a convex portion.
In this case, it is preferable that the frictional resistance reducing portion is a convex portion provided on the surface of the lubricant holding member or the inner wall surface of the lubricant holder.
Further, the frictional resistance reducing portion is provided in at least one position of the sliding contact portion between the longitudinal end surfaces and both side surfaces and the inner wall surface of the lubricant holder of the end surfaces near the lubricant holding member Can be.
Further, when a plurality of the frictional resistance reducing portions are provided, at least one of them is preferably a convex portion formed continuously along the sliding direction of the lubricant holder.
The frictional resistance reducing portion supporting an axial or lubricants to the inner wall surface and the protrusions in point contact of the lubricant holder, the frictional resistance reducing portion provided on both sides of both end faces vicinity affecting the coating position of the lubricant By forming the convex portions continuously formed in line contact with the inner wall surface of the lubricant holder, it is possible to stabilize the lubricant application posture over time while reducing the frictional resistance.
Furthermore, the convex part continuously formed along the sliding direction of the lubricant holder may be provided outside the end of the solid lubricant in the side view.
Furthermore, the convex portion formed continuously along the sliding direction of the lubricant holder extends upward beyond the upper surface of the lubricant holding member or lubricant holder. May be.

Furthermore, it is preferable that the lubricant holding member is composed of at least two kinds of members: a supporting member that carries the lubricant and a sliding member that is in sliding contact with the lubricant holder.
By separating the support member and the sliding member and separating their functions, a high-quality lubricant application device can be provided. In other words, when the support member and the sliding member are integrated, the material with the sliding property becomes weak when the material is selected mainly. On the contrary, the material with the lubricating material is selected as the material with the sliding property. However, by making these separate, the choice of materials increases. For example, the support member can select a material that adheres a lubricant well, and the slide member can select a material with good slidability. As a result, it is possible to provide a lubricant application device with good quality.
In this case, it is preferable that the friction coefficient μt of the support member and the friction coefficient μs of the sliding member satisfy the relationship μt> μs.
By keeping the above relationship can be a solid lubricant held firmly, and to ensure good sliding property with respect to the lubricant holder.
Moreover, it is preferable that the said sliding member consists of resin. By making the sliding member made of resin, the shape can be freely formed at low cost, and a good quality lubricant application device can be provided.
Furthermore, the sliding member can be made of, for example, polyacetal. By the sliding member is made of polyacetal, sliding against the lubricant holder becomes better.
Furthermore, it is preferable that the sliding member is detachably locked to the carrying member. By detachably locking the sliding member and the supporting member, the sliding member can be re-operated after the solid lubricant supported by the supporting member has been used up, that is, after the lifetime as a lubricant has been reached. It can be used, and effective use of resources and cost reduction can be achieved. In addition, even when it cannot be reused, it can be separated and recycled as a material.
Furthermore, when the convex part as the frictional resistance reducing part is provided on the resinous sliding member, the convex part is formed integrally with the resinous sliding member. it can.

Furthermore, both end portions of the lubricant holding member are made of resin, and when the convex portion as the frictional resistance reducing portion is provided in this portion, the convex portion is integrally formed with the end portion. It is preferable.
Furthermore, the means for extruding the solid lubricant from the lubricant holder includes a pair of cam members provided on the anti-lubricant support surface of the lubricant holding member with a space therebetween, and spanning between the cam members. And a spring member that urges the cam members in a direction to narrow the interval between the cam members. The cam members are gradually raised, and the end of the cam member is pressed against the bottom surface of the lubricant holder, and the reaction force The solid lubricant may be extruded.

The process cartridge according to the present invention integrally supports an image carrier having an electrostatic latent image carrying surface, and at least one process unit selected from a charging unit, a developing unit, and a cleaning unit. In the process cartridge formed detachably on the main body, the process cartridge includes any one of the lubricant application devices described above.
An image forming apparatus according to the present invention forms an electrostatic latent image by exposing an image carrier, charging means for charging the surface of the image carrier, and exposing the surface of the image carrier based on image information. Via an exposure means, a developing means for supplying a toner to the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the image carrier to make a visible image, an intermediate transfer member that moves while contacting the image carrier, or directly, An image forming apparatus comprising: a transfer unit that transfers the visible image onto a recording medium; and a cleaning unit that collects toner remaining on the surface of the image carrier after the transfer. Any one lubricant applicator or the process cartridge is provided.

  According to the present invention, since the sliding resistance on the sliding contact surface between the lubricant holding member and the inner wall surface of the lubricant holder is reduced, the sliding property of the lubricant holding member is improved, and the solid lubrication supported thereby The entire agent is uniformly pressed by the lubricant application means and is not unevenly worn. Therefore, the amount of lubricant applied to the image carrier is stabilized, and the lubricant can be effectively used.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus including a lubricant application device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 200 is an image forming apparatus that forms a full-color image, and mainly includes a reading unit 110, an image forming unit 120, and a paper feeding unit 130. In the reading unit 110, a first reading traveling body 111, a second reading traveling body 112, an imaging lens 113, and a reading sensor 114 are arranged.
The image forming unit 120 supplies toner to four process cartridges 121 (Y, C, M, and K), an endless intermediate transfer belt 122, a secondary transfer roller 123, and each process cartridge. A toner bottle (not shown) is provided. The process cartridge 121 includes a photoconductor 10 and a cleaning device 30, a lubricant coating device 20, a charging device 40, and a developing device 50 that are sequentially arranged around the photoconductor 10.

The intermediate transfer belt 122 is disposed above the photosensitive member 10 of each process cartridge, and the lower running surface of the intermediate transfer belt 122 is in contact with the peripheral surface of each photosensitive member 10. The intermediate transfer belt 122 functions as a transfer material on which toner images of different colors formed on the surface of each photoconductor 10 are transferred in a superimposed manner. A primary transfer roller 125 (see FIG. 2) is disposed at a position facing the photoconductor 10 with the intermediate transfer belt 122 interposed therebetween. The configuration in which a toner image is formed on each photoconductor 10 and the toner image is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 122 is substantially the same in each process cartridge except that the color of the toner image is different. Below the process cartridge row, there is disposed an exposure device 60 that forms an electrostatic latent image by irradiating a charged image carrying surface with laser light based on, for example, image information. Note that a lubricant application device for applying a lubricant is provided on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 122 and the surface of the transfer roller 123, and a cleaning device is provided adjacent to the lubricant application device. .
On the other hand, the paper feed unit 130 is provided with a paper feed cassette 131 for storing transfer paper as a recording medium and a paper feed roller 132. The paper feed roller 132 is connected to the intermediate transfer belt 122 via a registration roller 133. The transfer paper is fed at a predetermined timing toward the nip portion with the next transfer roller 123.
Further, a fixing device 126 is disposed at the outlet of the secondary transfer roller 123, and a paper discharge roller 127 and a paper discharge storage unit 128 that stores the discharged recording paper are provided downstream of the fixing device 126. Is provided.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the process cartridge of FIG. In FIG. 2, the process cartridge mainly includes a photoconductor 10 and a cleaning device 30, a lubricant application device 20, a charging device 40, and a developing device 50 provided around the photoconductor 10. The cleaning device 30 is provided with a cleaning blade 31 that contacts the surface of the photoreceptor 10. The cleaning blade 31 collects toner remaining on the surface of the photoconductor 10 and cleans it.
The lubricant application device 20 includes a solid lubricant 21, a lubricant application brush roller 22 as a lubricant application means that rotates in contact with both the solid lubricant 21 and the photoreceptor 10, and a lubricant application blade 23. And urging means for pressing the solid lubricant 21 against the lubricant application brush roller 22. The lubricant application brush roller 22 applies a powdery lubricant scraped from the solid lubricant 21 to the surface of the photoreceptor 10. The lubricant application blade 23 levels the lubricant applied to the surface of the photoconductor 10 so that the thickness thereof is uniform.
The charging device 40 mainly includes a charging roller 41 disposed so as to abut on the photoreceptor 10 and a pressing unit 42 that abuts the charging roller 41 against the photoreceptor 10. The charging roller 41 uniformly charges the surface of the photoreceptor 10.
The developing device 50 includes a developing roller 51 that supplies toner as a developer to the surface of the photoreceptor 10 to visualize the electrostatic latent image, and a mixing roller that stirs the developer stored in the developer storage unit. 52, and a supply roller 53 that supplies the agitated and mixed developer to the developing roller 51.
As described above, the primary transfer roller (transfer bias roller) 125 is provided at a position facing the photoconductor 10 with the intermediate transfer belt 122 interposed therebetween.

FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged assembly view of the process cartridge described above, and FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view of the process cartridge after assembly.
In FIG. 3, a lubricant holder 25 is formed on the frame 11 of the process cartridge including the side plate 12, and the lubricant holder 25 accommodates the solid lubricant 21 together with the lubricant holding member 24. On the lower surface of the lubricant holding member 24 facing the lubricant mounting surface, there is provided an urging means for bringing the solid lubricant 21 into contact with a brush roller 22 as a lubricant application means. The biasing means will be described later.
The frame body 11 provided with the lubricant holder 25 is made of, for example, a material obtained by mixing a filler as a hardener with a polycarbonate resin, and the lubricant holder 25 has an elongated rectangular box shape in plan view. A short side of the box-shaped lubricant holder 25 and a part of the inner wall surface 27 on the downstream side in the rotational direction of the lubricant application brush roller 22 connected to the short side are a stainless plate (hereinafter referred to as an SUS plate) as a guide member. 13 is covered. The guide member 13 reduces the frictional resistance of the sliding contact portion between the lubricant holding member 24 and the inner wall surface of the lubricant holder 25. A so-called burr surface in the end cutting portion of the SUS plate 13 is, for example, a side facing the inner wall surface of the lubricant holder 25. Thereby, sliding failure of the lubricant holding member 24 due to burrs can be avoided.
In FIG. 4, the lubricant holder 25 of the frame 11 provided with the side plate 12 accommodates the solid lubricant 21 supported by the lubricant holding member 24, and this solid lubricant 21 is not shown. It is pressed against the lubricant application brush roller 22 rotatably supported between the side plates 12 by the biasing means.

Next, the features of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B are explanatory views showing a lubricant holding member of the lubricant application device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the end portion, and FIG. FIG. 5C is a rear view of the end portion, and FIG. 5D is a front view of the end portion.
In FIG. 5, the lubricant holding member 24 includes a lubricant holding member main body (hereinafter also referred to as a supporting member) 24d mainly composed of metal, for example, a zinc-treated steel plate, and both end portions (one end portion) of the supporting member 24d. Is mainly composed of a resin member 24a formed of, for example, polyacetal resin. The resin member 24 a is a sliding contact member that is in sliding contact with the inner wall surface of the lubricant holder 25. The sliding contact member (hereinafter also referred to as a resin member) 24a can be fitted to the lubricant holding member main body 24d by, for example, thermal caulking, double-sided tape, hot melt bonding, press-fitting, etc., but can be reused and reused. Thus, a snap-fit fitting method that is easy to attach and detach was used.
The end surface of the resin member 24a is provided with a convex section 24b having a circular arc shape, that is, a hemispherical shape as a frictional resistance reducing portion, and a ridge line is provided on the side surface as a frictional resistance reducing portion, that is, a sliding contact direction, that is, a lubricant holder. Is provided with a semi-cylindrical convex portion 24c extending toward the bottom (in FIG. 5A, downward).
The frictional resistance reducing portion on the end face of the resin member 24a supports the axial direction of the lubricant holding member 24 and does not directly affect the application posture of the lubricant 21, so that the lubricant is reduced in order to reduce the frictional resistance. The convex portion 24 a is in point contact with the inner wall surface of the holder 25. On the other hand, the frictional resistance reducing portion on the side surface of the resin member 24a directly affects the application posture of the lubricant 21, and in order to stably support the lubricant 21 without tilting, the inner wall surface of the lubricant holder 25 and A semi-cylindrical convex portion 24c in line contact was formed.
If the frictional resistance reducing portion on the side surface of the resin member 24a is a convex portion that makes point contact with the inner wall surface of the lubricant holder 25, similarly to the convex portion 24a provided on the end surface, the lubricant holding member 24 is easily inclined. Accordingly, the contact angle between the upper flat surface of the lubricant 21 supported by the lubricant 21 and the lubricant application brush roller 22 is not stable, and the lubricant 21 tends to be reduced by one side, so that the lubricant application amount becomes unstable. On the other hand, if the frictional resistance reducing portion on the end surface of the resin member 24a is a semi-cylindrical convex portion like the side frictional resistance reducing portion, the frictional resistance reducing effect is reduced. Therefore, in the present embodiment, in order to ensure the stable posture of the lubricant 21 over time while reducing the frictional resistance between the lubricant holding member 24 and the inner wall surface of the lubricant holder 25 as much as possible, the resin member 24a. Only the frictional resistance reducing portion provided on the side surface is a semi-cylindrical convex portion 24c having a predetermined length.

In particular, in FIG. 5B, the convex portion 24 c on the side surface of the lubricant holding member 24 is disposed so as to be on the outer side (left side in the drawing) than the end portion of the solid lubricant 21. That is, for example, two semi-cylindrical protrusions 24c provided on one side surface of the lubricant holding member 24 are provided on the outer side of the end portion of the solid lubricant 21 in the side view, and are semi-cylindrical. The intervals between the convex portions 24c of each other (the right side is not shown in the drawing) are longer than the lengths of the solid lubricant 21 and the lubricant application brush roller 22 having substantially the same length. . Thereby, even when the solid lubricant 21 is consumed and the lubricant holding member 24 is generally close to the application brush roller 22, the semi-cylindrical convex portion 24 c collides with the lubricant application brush roller 22. This can prevent the disturbance of the lubricant application amount, and the powdered lubricant scraped off by the lubricant application brush roller 22 is caused between the lubricant holding member 24 and the inner wall surface of the lubricant holder 25. Smooth sliding can be maintained by preventing biting into the sliding contact portion.
The upper end of the semi-cylindrical convex portion 24 c extends upward beyond the upper plane of the lubricant holding member 24. Accordingly, the left and right sides of the lubricant holding member 24 are always supported by the semi-cylindrical projections 24c having a predetermined length, so that the lubricant holding member 24 always faces the lubricant application brush roller 22 without being inclined. become. Therefore, the solid lubricant 21 is consumed evenly, and the amount of lubricant applied to the surface of the photoreceptor 10 is stabilized.

Here, when the length of the lubricant holding member 24 is, for example, 320 mm, the height is 6 mm, and the width is 8 mm, the convex portion 24b having an arcuate cross section provided on the end face of the lubricant holding member 24 has a diameter of Although the protrusion height is 2 mm at 0.5 mm, it is not particularly limited. The semi-cylindrical convex portion 24c has a width of 2 mm, a length of 9 mm, and a protruding height of 0.5 mm, but is not particularly limited.
Such protrusions 24b and 24c are preferably formed integrally during the injection molding of the resin member 24a fitted to the end of the lubricant holding member main body 24d. As a result, the molding process can be simplified, and the production cost can be reduced.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a state in which the solid lubricant 21 is accommodated in the lubricant holder 25 together with the lubricant holding member 24, and FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (a ') are partially open perspective views. 6 (b) and 6 (b ′) are cross-sectional views orthogonal to the length direction of the lubricant holding member 24, and FIGS. 6 (c) and 6 (c ′) are views of the lubricant holding member 24. It is a fragmentary sectional view along the length direction. 6 (a), 6 (b), and 6 (c) each show an initial stage of operation, that is, an initial state of use of the solid lubricant 21, and FIGS. 6 (a ′), (b ′), and (c ′). ) Is a diagram showing a state in which a predetermined period has elapsed from the start of operation, that is, a state in which the solid lubricant 21 is used and the remaining amount is reduced. Hereinafter, the urging means for pressing the solid lubricant 21 in the present embodiment against the lubricant application brush roller 22 will be mainly described with reference to FIG.

6 (a) and 6 (c), a pair of cam members 26 (one of which is not shown) are provided on the lower surface of the lubricant holding member 24 facing the mounting surface of the solid lubricant 21 at a predetermined interval. For example, a spring member 26 a made of a helical spring is installed between the cam members 26. That is, the biasing means is mainly constituted by the pair of cam members 26 and the spring member 26a provided between them. The cam member 26 gradually rises with the consumption of the solid lubricant 21 by the restoring force that acts to narrow the interval between the cam members 26 by the spring member 26 a. When the cam member 26 stands up, the lower end of the cam member 26 presses the bottom of the lubricant holder 25, and the reaction force causes the solid lubricant 21 supported by the lubricant holding member 24 to move against the lubricant application brush roller 22. Thus, it is always urged to come into contact with a predetermined contact pressure. However, in FIGS. 6A, 6 </ b> B, and 6 </ b> C, since the solid lubricant 21 is hardly consumed at the beginning of operation, the cam member 26 hardly stands.
On the other hand, in FIGS. 6 (a ′), (b ′), and (c ′) after the predetermined operation period has elapsed, the cam member 26 stands up by the restoring force of the spring member 26a as the solid lubricant 21 is consumed. As the cam member 26 rises, the lubricant holding member 24 moves upward in FIG. 6 together with the solid lubricant 21, and the contact pressure at which the solid lubricant 21 contacts the lubricant application brush roller 22 is as follows: For example, it is maintained in substantially the same manner as in the states of FIGS. 6 (a), (b), and (c).

When the lubricant holding member 24 moves upward in FIG. 6 with the solid lubricant 21, the lubricant holding member 24 and the inner wall surface of the lubricant holder 25 are in sliding contact with each other. On the end surface of the resin member 24a, a convex portion 24b having an arc-shaped cross section is provided as a frictional resistance reducing portion. Therefore, the contact between the end surface of the lubricant holding member 24 and the inner wall surface of the end of the lubricant holder 25 is a point contact. It becomes. On the other hand, a ridge line is formed on each of the left and right side surfaces of the resin member 24a fitted to the end portion of the lubricant holding member 24, in other words, both end portions on both side surfaces of the lubricant holding member 24. Since the semi-cylindrical convex part 24c extending toward is provided, the sliding contact between the lubricant holding member 24 and the inner wall surface of the lubricant holder 25 in this part is a line contact.
Since the convex section 24b and the semicylindrical convex section 24c are provided symmetrically at the left and right ends of the lubricant holding member 24, the sliding contact portion between the lubricant holding member 24 and the lubricant holder 25 is provided. Are all point contacts or line contacts, and the contact resistance is uniformly and small in the longitudinal direction and the width direction of the lubricant holding member 24. Therefore, as the solid lubricant 21 is consumed, the solid lubricant 21 moves evenly in the upward direction in FIG. 6, contacts the lubricant application brush roller 22 with a uniform pressing force, and is evenly consumed. As a result, the amount of lubricant applied to the photoreceptor 10 is stabilized, it is possible to prevent contamination of adjacent members due to an excessive amount of lubricant applied, and toner due to an excessive amount of applied lubricant is photosensitive. Occurrence of the filming phenomenon that adheres to the body surface can be prevented.
Such an effect is obtained by the above-described guide member 13 disposed on the sliding contact surface between the above-described frictional resistance reducing portions 24 b and 24 c provided on the lubricant holding member 24 and the lubricant holding member 24 of the lubricant holder 25. It becomes bigger by the synergistic effect.

  As shown in FIG. 2 described above, the lubricant application device 20 having the lubricant holding member 24 having the convex portion 24b having a circular arc section and the semicylindrical convex portion 24c as the frictional resistance reducing portion is provided. 10 and, for example, the cleaning device 30, the charging device 40, and the developing device 50 are attached to a process cartridge, and constitute a part of the process cartridge. As shown in FIG. 1 described above, such a process cartridge is incorporated in an image forming apparatus and used for image formation.

Hereinafter, the operation of the image forming apparatus incorporating the process cartridge provided with the lubricant applying device having such a configuration will be described.
First, the photosensitive member 10 of the process cartridge 121 is rotated in the clockwise direction in FIG. 1 or 2, and the surface thereof is charged to a predetermined polarity by the charging roller 41 of the charging device 40 to which a charging voltage is applied. The charged photoreceptor 10 is irradiated with, for example, a laser beam emitted from the exposure device 60 and subjected to light modulation, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of each photoreceptor 10. Each electrostatic latent image is supplied with a developer of each color from the developing roller 51 of the developing device 50, and a toner image corresponding to each developer is formed to be visualized.
Next, a transfer voltage is applied to the primary transfer roller 125 (see FIG. 2), and each toner image on the photoreceptor 10 is primarily transferred onto the rotating intermediate transfer belt 122 to form a color image as a composite image. The color image primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 122 is discharged from the paper feed roller 132 of the paper feed unit 130 at a predetermined timing and fed between the intermediate transfer belt 122 and the secondary transfer roller 123. Secondary transfer to recording paper. The recording sheet on which the color image has been secondarily transferred is sent to the downstream fixing device 126, where the color image on the recording sheet is fixed on the recording sheet by the action of heat and pressure. Next, the recording paper on which the color image is fixed is discharged to the paper discharge container 128 by the paper discharge roller 127.
On the other hand, the transfer residual toner remaining on the photoreceptor 10 after the toner image transfer is collected and removed by the cleaning blade 31 of the cleaning device 30.

Next, a lubricant is applied to the cleaned surface of the photoreceptor 10 by the lubricant application device 20. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, by the lubricant application brush roller 22 that rotates in contact with both the solid lubricant 21 slidably accommodated in the lubricant holder 25 and the photoreceptor 10 (not shown). The solid lubricant 21 is scraped off and applied to the surface of the photoreceptor 10 as a powdery lubricant.
At this time, a convex portion 24b having an arc cross section is provided on the end surface of the resin member 24a constituting the end portion of the lubricant holding member 24, and a semicylindrical convex portion 24c is provided on the side surface of the resin member 24a. Therefore, the sliding portion between the lubricant holding member 24 and the inner wall surface of the lubricant holder 25 in this portion is in point contact or line contact, so that the frictional resistance in the sliding contact portion is reduced and the lubricant holding member 24 is smooth. To slide. Thereby, the contact pressure of the solid lubricant 21 to the brush roller 22 is made uniform in the length direction. Further, since the semi-cylindrical convex portion 24c extends beyond the upper surface of the lubricant holding member 24, the solid lubricant 21 pushed upward with the consumption of the solid lubricant 21 is solid lubricated. Until the agent is completely consumed, the left and right convex portions 24c having a predetermined length are stably supported. Therefore, the solid lubricant 21 does not incline in the rotation direction of the application brush roller 22, for example, and maintains the posture facing the application brush roller 22 until the end, and the whole is consumed evenly. As a result, the amount of lubricant applied to the surface of the photoconductor 10 is stabilized, and contamination caused by the lubricant of the charging device, for example, provided in the vicinity due to the excessive amount of application is avoided. Furthermore, the occurrence of a filming phenomenon in which toner particles generated due to the coating amount of the lubricant being too small adheres to the surface of the photoreceptor is suppressed.
The lubricant applied to the surface of the photoreceptor 10 is leveled by the subsequent lubricant application blade 23, and the thickness thereof is made uniform. The photosensitive member 10 coated with the lubricant is uniformly charged to a predetermined polarity by the charging roller 41 of the charging device 40, and thereafter, the same operation is repeated to repeat the image forming process.

According to the present embodiment, the convex portion 24 b having an arc-shaped cross section is provided on the end face of the lubricant holding member 24 as a frictional resistance reducing portion, and the semicylindrical is provided as a frictional resistance reducing portion in the vicinity of both ends of the side surface of the lubricant holding member 24. By providing the convex portion 24c, the friction resistance when the lubricant holding member 24 and the inner wall surface of the lubricant holder 25 are in sliding contact with each other is reduced, so that the slidability of the lubricant holding member 24 is improved. The solid lubricant 21 is evenly pressed by the lubricant application brush roller 22 and does not wear unevenly. Accordingly, the amount of lubricant applied to the photoreceptor 10 is stabilized, and the lubricant can be effectively used until the end. In addition, this can prevent the occurrence of filming due to contamination of adjacent members due to excessive application amount of the lubricant and insufficient application amount.
According to the present embodiment, the semi-cylindrical convex portion 24c extends beyond the upper surface of the lubricant holding member 24, so that the solid lubricant 21 is always stable at the frictional resistance reduction portion having a predetermined length or more. Become supported. Therefore, since the solid lubricant 21 can be directly opposed to the lubricant application brush roller 22, for example, the solid lubricant 21 can be reliably prevented from tilting in the width direction to prevent the deformation deformation of the solid lubricant 21. Lubricant can be used effectively to the end.

In addition, according to the present embodiment, the semi-cylindrical convex portion 24c as the frictional resistance reducing portion is provided outside the end portion of the solid lubricant 21 in the side view, so that the solid lubricant 21 with time. Even when the lubricant holding member 24 is close to the lubricant application brush roller 22, the interference can be prevented and inconvenience due to the collision can be avoided.
Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the convex portion 24b and the semi-cylindrical convex portion 24c as the frictional resistance reducing portion of the resin member 24a fitted to the end portion of the lubricant holding member main body 24d. By integrally forming at the time of injection molding, the manufacturing process can be simplified and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.
Further, according to the present embodiment, the pair of cam members 26 are arranged at a predetermined interval on the anti-lubricant support surface of the lubricant holding member 24 that supports the solid lubricant 21, and the cam members 26 are arranged between the cam members 26. By providing a spring member that acts in the direction of narrowing the interval to form an urging means, that is, a lubricant pushing means, the cam member 26 rises as the solid lubricant 21 is consumed by the action of the spring member. The bottom portion of the lubricant holder 25 is pressed by the end portion, and the solid lubricant 21 can be urged toward the brush roller 22 by the reaction force of the pressing force to be brought into contact therewith. Accordingly, the solid lubricant 21 comes into contact with the lubricant application brush roller 22 uniformly in the length direction and also in the width direction, so that the solid lubricant 21 is consumed evenly and the lubricant application amount is stabilized. .

Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the lubricant holding member 24 has a lubricant holding member main body 24d as a carrying member and a resin member 24a as a sliding member fitted to both ends thereof. By doing so, each function can be made independent and the quality of the lubricant application device can be improved.
Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, since the sliding member is made of resin, for example, polyacetal resin, the degree of freedom in shape at the time of molding is improved, and the slidability at the sliding contact portion with the lubricant holder is improved. Is better.
Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the lubricant holding member 24 includes the lubricant holding member main body 24d and the resin member 24a as the sliding member, so that the lubricant holding member having excellent recyclability can be obtained. It becomes a lubricant application device provided with.
In addition, according to the present embodiment, by incorporating the lubricant application device 20 including the frictional resistance reduction unit into the process cartridge, maintenance and replacement of each component including the solid lubricant 21 are facilitated. . Furthermore, by incorporating such a process cartridge into the image forming apparatus, the amount of lubricant applied to the surface of the photoreceptor 10 can be stabilized, contamination of adjacent charging devices can be prevented, and filming can be eliminated. A high-quality image can be stably formed for a long period of time.
In this embodiment, zinc stearate (ZnSt) is suitably used as the lubricant, but calcium stearate (CaSt) or other lubricants can also be used.
Further, although the brush roller 22 is used as the lubricant application means, a sponge roller, a nonwoven fabric roller, or the like may be used outside the brush roller.

In the present embodiment, the relationship between the friction coefficient μt of the lubricant holding member main body 24d carrying the lubricant 21 and the friction coefficient μs of the resin member 24a as a sliding member fitted to both ends thereof is expressed as μt. It is preferable that> μs. Thus, by applying a material suitable for each member, for example, slidability with the lubricant holder and retention of the solid lubricant 21 can be ensured satisfactorily.
In the present embodiment, is provided with the convex portion of the frictional resistance reduction parts on both sides of both end surfaces and the end surfaces near the longitudinal lubricant holding member 24, the present invention is not limited thereto , both longitudinal end faces of the lubricant holding member 24 alone, or may be formed only on both side surfaces only or one side adjacent to the end faces. Further, a convex portion as a frictional resistance reducing portion can be provided on the inner wall surface of the lubricant holder 25.

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. It is sectional drawing of the process cartridge provided with the lubricant coating device which concerns on this invention. FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged exploded view of a process cartridge. FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view of a process cartridge. It is explanatory drawing which shows the principal part of a lubricant holding member. It is explanatory drawing which shows the principal part of a lubricant application apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

10 Photoreceptor 11 Frame 12 Side plate 13 Guide member (SUS plate)
20 Lubricant application device 21 Solid lubricant 22 Lubricant application brush roller 23 Lubricant application blade 24 Lubricant holding member 24a Resin member (sliding member)
24b Hemispherical convex portion 24c Semi-cylindrical convex portion 24d Lubricant holding member body (supporting member)
25 Lubricant holder 26 Cam member 26a Spring member 27 Downstream inner wall surface 30 Cleaning device 31 Cleaning blade 40 Charging device 41 Charging roller 42 Pressing means 50 Developing device 51 Developing roller 52 Mixing roller 53 Supply roller 60 Exposure device 110 Reading unit 111 First section 1 reading traveling body 112 second reading traveling body 113 imaging lens 114 reading sensor 120 image forming unit 121 process cartridge 122 intermediate transfer belt 123 secondary transfer roller 125 primary transfer roller 126 fixing device 127 paper discharge roller 128 paper discharge container 130 Paper feed unit 131 Paper feed cassette 132 Paper feed roller 133 Registration roller 200 Image forming apparatus

Claims (16)

Solid lubricant,
A lubricant holding member for supporting the solid lubricant;
A lubricant holder for housing the solid lubricant and the lubricant holding member;
Lubricant application means for applying the solid lubricant to an object to be applied;
In a lubricant application device comprising: a pressing unit that presses the lubricant holding member between the lubricant holding member and the lubricant holder;
A frictional resistance reducing portion is interposed in a sliding contact portion between the lubricant holding member and the lubricant holder ;
The frictional resistance reducing portion includes a convex portion that makes point contact with the lubricant holding member and an inner wall surface of the lubricant holder at an end portion in a longitudinal direction of the lubricant holding member, and a short side direction of the lubricant holding member. The lubricant application device according to claim 1, wherein the lubricant holding member and the lubricant holder have a convex portion in line contact along a sliding direction of the lubricant holder at an end portion . The lubricant application device according to claim 1, wherein the frictional resistance reducing portion is a convex portion provided on a surface of the lubricant holding member or an inner wall surface of the lubricant holder. The frictional resistance reducing section that is provided on at least one portion of the sliding contact portion between the longitudinal end surfaces and both side surfaces and the inner wall surface of the lubricant holder of the end surfaces near the lubricant holding member The lubricant application device according to claim 1 or 2. In the case where a plurality of the frictional resistance reducing portions are provided, at least one of them is a convex portion formed continuously along the sliding direction of the lubricant holder. The lubricant application device described. The convex part continuously formed along the sliding direction of the lubricant holder is provided outside the end of the solid lubricant in the longitudinal direction of the lubricant holder. Item 5. The lubricant application device according to Item 4. The convex portion continuously formed along the sliding direction of the lubricant holder extends upward beyond the upper surface of the lubricant holding member or the lubricant holder. Item 6. The lubricant application device according to Item 4 or 5. The said lubricant holding member consists of two types of members, the supporting member which carries a lubricant at least, and the sliding member which slidably contacts a lubricant holder, The one of Claim 1 thru | or 6 characterized by the above-mentioned. Lubricant application equipment. The friction coefficient μt of the support member and the friction coefficient μs of the sliding member are
μt> μs
The lubricant application device according to claim 7, wherein the relationship is satisfied . The lubricant application device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the sliding member is made of a resin . The lubricant application device according to claim 9, wherein the sliding member is made of polyacetal . The lubricant application device according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the sliding member is detachably locked to the carrying member . 12. The projection according to claim 9 , wherein, when a convex portion as the frictional resistance reducing portion is provided on the sliding member, the convex portion is formed integrally with the sliding member . The lubricant application device according to any one of the above. Both end portions of the lubricant holding member are made of resin, and when the convex portion as the frictional resistance reducing portion is provided at this portion, the convex portion is formed integrally with the end portion. The lubricant application device according to any one of claims 2 to 6 , wherein The means for extruding the solid lubricant from the lubricant holder is provided between a pair of cam members provided on the anti-lubricant support surface of the lubricant holding member with a space therebetween, and is interposed between the cam members. A spring member that biases the cam member in the direction of narrowing the interval between the cam members, the cam member is gradually raised, the end of the cam member is pressed against the bottom surface of the lubricant holder, and the solid force is generated by the reaction force. The lubricant application device according to any one of claims 1 to 13 , wherein the lubricant is extruded . An image carrier having an electrostatic latent image carrying surface;
In a process cartridge which integrally supports at least one process means selected from a charging means, a developing means and a cleaning means, and is detachably formed on the image forming apparatus main body,
The process cartridge includes the lubricant application device according to any one of claims 1 to 14. An image carrier;
Charging means for charging the surface of the image carrier;
Exposure means for exposing the surface of the image carrier based on image information to form an electrostatic latent image; and
Developing means for supplying a toner to the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the image bearing member to make a visible image;
A transfer means for transferring the visible image onto a recording medium directly or via an intermediate transfer member that moves in contact with the image carrier;
In an image forming apparatus comprising: a cleaning unit that collects toner remaining on the surface of the image carrier after transfer;
The image forming apparatus includes the lubricant application device according to any one of claims 1 to 14 or the process cartridge according to claim 15.
An image forming apparatus.

Images