JP5305674B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic system, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus provided with a charging device that charges a member to be charged via a charging member.

  Examples of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus include an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (for example, an LED printer, a laser beam printer, etc.), an electrophotographic facsimile machine, and the like.

A description will be given taking a laser beam printer as an example of the image forming apparatus. The laser beam printer has a structure as shown in FIG. In FIG. 10, reference numeral 101 denotes a photosensitive drum which is an image carrier having a photosensitive layer. Reference numeral 103 denotes a semiconductor laser as a light source, 105 denotes a rotating polygon mirror which is rotated by a scanner motor 104, and 106 denotes a laser beam which is irradiated from the semiconductor laser 103 and scans on the photosensitive drum 101 (on the image carrier). Reference numeral 122 denotes a replaceable cartridge. The cartridge 122 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 101 and is charged with a charging roller 102 (charging member) for uniformly charging the photosensitive drum 101, and an electrostatic latent image (latent image) formed on the photosensitive drum 101 is toner ( A developing device 107 for developing with a developer. Incidentally, 124 is a developing roller, it is applied more voltage to the high voltage power supply (not shown), and an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 101 a toner image (the developed image). A transfer roller 108 is applied with a transfer voltage having a polarity opposite to the charge held by the toner from the back surface of the recording paper (recording material) and transfers the toner image developed by the developing unit 107 onto a predetermined recording paper. is there. Reference numeral 109 denotes a fixing device for fusing the toner transferred to the recording paper by heat.

  Reference numeral 116 denotes a manual feed tray for setting recording paper, and 110 denotes a recording paper feed roller that feeds the recording paper from the manual feed tray 116 by one rotation and sends it to the conveyance path. 114 is for synchronizing the writing (recording / printing) of the image on the photosensitive drum 101 and the conveyance of the recording sheet with respect to the fed recording sheet and measuring the length of the fed recording sheet in the conveyance direction. It is a top sensor. Reference numeral 111 denotes a paper discharge roller for discharging the recording paper after fixing to the paper discharge tray 117, and 115 denotes a paper discharge sensor for detecting the presence or absence of the recording paper after fixing. An engine controller 112 includes a CPU 113 and controls the above-described components. Reference numeral 118 denotes a printer controller for expanding image code data sent from an external device such as a host computer (not shown) into bit data necessary for printing by the printer, reading internal information of the laser beam printer, and displaying it. .

  Next, a block diagram of a circuit configuration of the entire laser beam printer including the engine controller 112 and the printer controller 118 is shown in FIG. In FIG. 11, 201 is a printer main body, and 118 is a printer controller for expanding image code data sent from an external device such as a host computer (not shown) into bit data necessary for printer printing. Reference numeral 112 denotes an engine controller (engine control unit) for controlling the printing operation of each unit of the laser beam printer engine in accordance with an instruction from the printer controller 118 and notifying the printer controller 118 of internal printer information.

  Reference numeral 203 denotes a high voltage control unit that performs high voltage output control in each process such as charging, development, and transfer in accordance with an instruction from the engine controller 112. An optical system control unit 204 controls driving / stopping of the scanner motor 104 and lighting of the semiconductor laser 103 in accordance with instructions from the engine controller 112. Reference numeral 206 denotes a fixing device temperature control that performs driving / stopping of energization to the fixing heater 120 (see FIG. 10) in accordance with instructions from the engine controller 112 in accordance with temperature information from the fixing temperature detection thermistor 121 (see FIG. 10). Part. A sensor input unit 205 notifies the engine controller 112 of the paper presence / absence states of the top sensor 114 and the paper discharge sensor 115. A sheet conveyance control unit 202 drives / stops a motor / roller or the like for conveying a recording sheet in accordance with an instruction from the engine controller 112. It is responsible for stopping control.

FIG. 12 shows a schematic configuration of a charging bias circuit for applying a DC component bias to the charging member. Reference numeral 1201 denotes a charging DC bias circuit unit (charging bias application circuit unit). A voltage setting circuit unit 1202 changes a set value in accordance with a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal. 1203 is a transformer drive circuit unit, and 1204 is a high-voltage transformer unit. A feedback circuit unit 1205 detects the voltage value applied to the charging member (load) by the resistor R1201, and transmits the detected value to the voltage setting circuit unit 1202 as an analog value. Based on this value, control is performed such that a constant voltage is applied to the charging member (charging roller (C roller)) 1206. With such a configuration, a constant voltage value can be applied to the charging member (charging roller (C roller)) 1206 by performing a series of controls (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 06-003932

  However, the voltage at which discharge starts between the charging member (C roller) and the member to be charged (image carrier) (discharge starting voltage) varies depending on the environmental temperature and humidity, the drum thickness (thickness of the photosensitive layer of the drum), and the like. . Here, it will be described with reference to FIG. 13 that the discharge start voltage changes with a change in environmental temperature and humidity, and the drum potential varies. FIG. 13 is a graph showing the relationship between the PWM setting value and the drum potential in the charging bias application circuit unit 1201. Here, the drum potential refers to the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 101. As shown in FIG. 13, when the discharge start voltage is V1 in a high temperature and high humidity environment (denoted as environment H / H in the figure), the discharge temperature is normal temperature and normal humidity (environment N / N). When the discharge start voltage is V2 and the environment is low temperature and low humidity (environment L / L), the discharge start voltage is V3. In addition, the standard of specific temperature and humidity will be in a high-temperature, high-humidity environment with a temperature of 30 ° C. and a relative humidity of 80% in an H / H environment. Further, in an N / N environment, the temperature is 23 ° C. and the relative humidity is 60%. Furthermore, under the L / L environment, the temperature is 15 ° C. and the relative humidity is 10%. Thus, since the discharge start potential changes according to the environmental temperature and humidity, even if the control PWM value is constant, the drum potential varies.

  As described above, even when a predetermined voltage is applied, the drum potential varies depending on the environmental temperature and humidity, the drum thickness, and the like (FIG. 13), which causes variations in image density. In order to correct this density variation, it is necessary to provide an expensive sensor such as a density detection sensor or a temperature / humidity sensor.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to such points, and without providing an expensive sensor such as a density detection sensor or a temperature / humidity sensor, variation in the drum potential due to environmental changes and drum film thickness can be prevented at low cost. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus that can be used.

  In order to solve the above, the image forming apparatus of the present invention has the following configuration.

(1) An image carrier, a charging member that charges the image carrier, a latent image forming unit that forms a latent image on the image carrier, and the latent image formed on the image carrier as a developer. A developing member that develops an image, a transfer member that transfers the developer image developed on the image carrier to a recording material, and a voltage having a predetermined polarity is applied to the transfer member, and the voltage is applied by applying the voltage. A transfer voltage application unit having a current detection unit for detecting a current flowing through the transfer member; and a voltage output side of the transfer voltage application unit, and connected to the current detection unit; from the predetermined polarity to the member and the charge voltage application means for applying a reverse polarity voltage, when the previous SL charge voltage application means applying a voltage to said charging member, by the current detecting means of the transfer voltage applying means, Voltage on the charging member By detecting a current corresponding to the load variation of the charge voltage application means caused by the applied, calculates the discharge start voltage when discharge starts between the charging member based on a detection result and the image bearing member An image forming apparatus comprising: a calculating unit.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent drum potential variations due to environmental fluctuations and changes in drum film thickness at a low cost without providing expensive sensors such as concentration detection sensors and temperature / humidity sensors.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The present embodiment is characterized by the following configuration. First, a high voltage output having the same polarity is applied from one high voltage transformer to a charging bias and a transfer cleaning bias (hereinafter referred to as transfer negative ) . In such a configuration, the charging bias is provided with a constant voltage power source capable of applying a desired voltage, and a current value that flows negatively when the charging bias is gradually applied is provided in the transfer bias (hereinafter referred to as transfer positive). Monitoring is performed from a current detection circuit as current detection means. The output voltage of the constant voltage power supply when the monitored current value becomes a desired value is detected, and based on the detected voltage, the potential on the drum which is the surface potential of the photosensitive drum (hereinafter referred to as drum potential). Is controlled to be constant.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus in the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus of this embodiment is configured as follows. First, it is composed of a photosensitive drum 101 (image carrier), a charging member (charging roller (C roller)) 102 (hereinafter referred to as C roller), a developing roller 124 (developing member), and a transfer roller 108 (transfer member). . The charging bias + negative transfer application circuit 125 (charge voltage application hand stage) is composed of, for example from a laser light source 103 such as a semiconductor laser (latent means), transfer the positive application circuit 126 (transfer voltage applying means). Reference numeral 106 denotes a laser beam emitted from the laser light source 103 and scanned on the photosensitive drum 101. Further, the transfer roller 108 is applied with a voltage having a polarity opposite to the transfer voltage output from the transfer positive circuit by the transfer negative circuit, thereby removing the toner attached to the transfer roller 108 and performing cleaning.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of a charging bias circuit, a transfer negative circuit, and a transfer positive circuit in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. A voltage setting circuit unit 216 changes the charging bias and transfer negative bias value according to the shared_PWM signal 207. That is, it can be applied variably. 209 shared transformer drive circuit section, 210 is a shared high pressure transformer. The shared high-voltage transformer 210 is connected to a charging rectifier circuit unit 212 and a transfer negative rectifier circuit unit 213. Then, an output voltage value Vout1 for charging output and an output voltage value Vout2 for negative transfer output are generated and supplied to the C roller 102 and the transfer roller 108, respectively.

  In the positive transfer circuit, the positive transfer bias value is determined according to the positive transfer_PWM signal 218. Reference numeral 208 denotes a transfer positive transformer drive circuit unit, and 211 denotes a transfer positive high voltage transformer. A positive transfer rectifier circuit unit 215 is connected to the positive transfer high voltage transformer 211, and a positive transfer output is supplied to the transfer roller 108.

  Reference numeral 217 denotes a feedback circuit unit that monitors the output voltage value Vout1 via the resistor R201 and is provided so that the output voltage value Vout1 corresponds to the setting of the shared_PWM signal 207. At this time, the output voltage value Vout2 is a voltage value corresponding to the boosted voltage of the shared high-voltage transformer 210 necessary to become the output voltage value Vout1 corresponding to the setting of the shared_PWM signal 207. A transfer current detection circuit unit 214 detects a current value I203 flowing through the transfer roller 108 and transmits it from J201 to the CPU 113 in the engine controller 112 as an analog value. Note that I203 is a current until discharge starts between the photosensitive drum 101 and the C roller 102, and I204 is a current when discharge starts between the photosensitive drum 101 and the C roller 102.

  Until the discharge starts between the photosensitive drum 101 and the C roller 102, the photosensitive drum 101 and the C roller 102 are insulated. Therefore, until the discharge is started, the load of the shared high-voltage transformer 210 is only the resistor R201. Therefore, the shared high-voltage transformer 210 generates a boosted voltage corresponding to the resistor R201 in the charging rectifier circuit unit 212. At that time, a boosted voltage corresponding to the resistor R201 is also output from the shared high-voltage transformer 210 to the transfer negative rectifier circuit unit 213, and a current I203 flows through the detection resistor R202 of the transfer current detection circuit unit 214.

  When discharge is started between the photosensitive drum 101 and the C roller 102, the load of the common high-voltage transformer 210 becomes a value in which the resistor R201 and the C roller 102 are connected in parallel. The combined value when the loads are connected in parallel is expressed as “R201 // C roller 102”. Then, since the load of the shared high-voltage transformer 210 is R201> R201 // C roller 102, the boosted voltage output from the shared high-voltage transformer 210 to the charging rectifier circuit unit 212 is increased. Along with this, the boosted voltage output from the shared high-voltage transformer 210 to the transfer negative rectifier circuit unit 213 also increases, and a current I204 (I204> I203) flows through the detection resistor R202.

  Here, FIG. 3 is a graph showing the relationship between the PWM setting value and the current value ([uA]) (VI characteristic diagram when charging bias is applied). As shown by the straight line [1] in FIG. 3 (indicated by the solid line in the figure), the boosted voltage corresponding to the load of R201 is output to the transfer negative rectifier circuit unit 213 until the discharge is started, and is supplied to the detection resistor R202. Current I203 flows. However, when discharge is started between the photosensitive drum 101 and the C roller 102, a boosted voltage corresponding to the load of the R201 // C roller 102 is output to the transfer negative rectifier circuit unit 213, and a current I204 is supplied to the detection resistor R202. Flowing. That is, as shown by a straight line [2] in FIG. 3 (indicated by a broken line in the figure), the curve has a branch point when the discharge starts. From this, by calculating the Δ value obtained by subtracting the straight line [1] from the straight line [2], it is determined that the voltage at which the Δ value has reached a desired current value is the voltage at which discharge has started.

  After the voltage at which discharge has started can be detected, a predetermined voltage value (ΔPWM) is added to the discharge start voltage as shown in FIG. Here, FIG. 4 will be described. FIG. 4 is a graph showing a relationship between the PWM setting value and the drum potential ([V]) in the charging bias circuit (a graph showing an outline of drum potential correction after the discharge start voltage is detected). As shown in FIG. 4, when the discharge start voltage is V1 when the environment is high temperature and high humidity (denoted as environment H / H in the figure), when the environment is normal temperature and normal humidity (environment N / N) When the discharge start voltage is V2 and the environment is low temperature and low humidity (environment L / L), the discharge start voltage is V3. In addition, the standard of specific temperature and humidity will be in a high-temperature, high-humidity environment with a temperature of 30 ° C. and a relative humidity of 80% in an H / H environment. Further, in an N / N environment, the temperature is 23 ° C. and the relative humidity is 60%. Furthermore, under the L / L environment, the temperature is 15 ° C. and the relative humidity is 10%. As described above, the discharge start voltage changes according to the environmental temperature and humidity, but the drum potential is made constant by adding a predetermined voltage value ΔPWM to the discharge start voltage.

A flowchart of the present embodiment is shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining processing for setting a bias value during printing in this embodiment. When a print command is received (step A501, “step” is omitted hereinafter), a pre-rotation operation is started and the photosensitive drum 101 and the C roller 102 start to rotate (A502). Thereafter, a predetermined bias value is applied by PWM [1] (A503), and the current I203 flowing through the transfer roller 108 is detected by the CPU 113 as an analog value from J201 (A504). That is, the current is detected by the transfer current detection circuit unit 214 (A504). The discharge current is calculated from the detected value (A505). Then, the calculated value is compared with the Δ value (FIG. 3), and it is determined whether or not the Δ value is within the tolerance (Δ tolerance small <calculated value <Δ tolerance large) (A506 ). As a result of comparison, if it is larger (larger than Δ tolerance) (YES in A506), it is determined that the discharge start voltage is lower and the bias setting PWM [1] value is lowered (lowered) (A507). If it is smaller (smaller than Δ tolerance) (A506 NO smaller), it is determined that the discharge start voltage is higher and the bias setting PWM [1] value is increased (higher) (A508). In the process of performing this control and changing the bias setting PWM [1], if it falls within the tolerance of Δ value (A506 YES), the bias setting value (calculated bias value at A505) at that time is used as the discharge start voltage PWM. [2] is set (A509 ). Thereafter, a bias value (ΔPWM ) corresponding to the drum potential is added to the discharge start voltage (PWM [2]) (A510 ), and a bias value at the time of printing (PWM [3] = PWM [2] + ΔPWM) is set ( A511). After this setting is completed, printing is started (A512).

  By detecting the discharge start voltage and adding a bias value corresponding to the drum potential to the discharge start voltage as described above, a constant drum potential can be applied even if environmental fluctuations occur.

Although the configuration of the second embodiment is substantially the same as in Example 1, in this embodiment, it includes a nonvolatile memory capable of storing process information and the like to the cartridge, to be able to set the potential on the drum by the information of the non-volatile memory Features.

  In the description of the present embodiment, portions that are the same as those in the first embodiment are omitted, and the same components are described using the same reference numerals.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the cartridge for explaining the mounting of the nonvolatile memory according to the present embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the communication form between the laser beam printer and the communication form of the nonvolatile memory of the cartridge. The nonvolatile memory 601 is mounted on the cartridge 122 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the CPU 113 of the engine controller 112 detects the usage state of the cartridge 122 by communicating with a nonvolatile memory 601 (storage medium) in which the usage state of the cartridge 122 is stored.

A flowchart of this embodiment is shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining processing for setting a bias value during printing in this embodiment. First, after receiving a print command (A801), the CPU 113 of the engine controller 112 communicates with the nonvolatile memory 601 (A802) to determine the usage frequency (drum life, number of prints, etc.) of the cartridge 122 (A803). Then , it is determined whether the PWM value to be added is ΔPWM + a (A804) or ΔPWM + b (A815) according to the usage frequency of the cartridge 122. Thereafter, a pre-rotation operation is started, and the photosensitive drum 101 and the C roller 102 start to rotate (A805, A816). Thereafter, a predetermined bias is applied by PWM [1] (A806, A817), and the current I203 flowing through the transfer roller 108 is detected by the transfer current detection circuit unit 214 from J201 by the CPU 113 (A807, A818). A discharge current is calculated from the detected value (A808, A819).

  Then, the calculated value is compared with the Δ value, and it is determined whether the Δ value is within the tolerance (Δ tolerance small <calculated value <Δ tolerance large) (A809, A820). If the result of comparison at A809 or A820 is large (larger than Δ tolerance) (A809 or A820 YES is large), it is determined that the discharge start voltage is lower, and the bias setting PWM [1] value is lowered (down) (A811, A822). If it is small (smaller than Δ tolerance) (A809 or A820 NO small), it is determined that the discharge start voltage is higher, and the bias setting PWM [1] value is increased (up) (A810, A821). When this control is performed and the Δ value is within the tolerance (A809 or A820 YES), the bias setting value (calculated bias value at A808 or A819) at that time is set as the discharge start voltage PWM [2] (A812). , A823). Thereafter, a bias value (ΔPWM + a or ΔPWM + b) corresponding to the drum potential is added to the discharge start voltage (PWM [2]) (A813, A824). Then, a bias value (PWM [3] = PWM [2] + ΔPWM + a or PWM [3] = PWM [2] + ΔPWM + b) at the time of printing is set (A814, A825). After this setting is completed, printing is started (A826).

  FIG. 9 shows ΔPWM + a and ΔPWM + b added to the discharge start voltage. FIG. 9 is a graph showing a relationship between the PWM setting value and the drum potential in the charging bias circuit (a graph showing an outline of drum potential correction after detection of the discharge start voltage). As shown in FIG. 9, when the film thickness of the photosensitive drum 101 (hereinafter referred to as drum film thickness) is small, the discharge start voltage is V1, and when the drum film thickness is large, the discharge start voltage is V2. Here, the relationship between the drum film thickness and the usage frequency of the cartridge 122 will be described. The photosensitive drum 101 is driven to rotate, and the accumulated rotation time and the accumulated charging time by the C roller 102 for equalizing the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 101 are a major factor in the change in drum film thickness. In a state where the rotation time of the photosensitive drum 101 is short and the charging time by the C roller 102 is short, that is, a state where the use frequency is low, the drum film thickness is large. On the other hand, when the photosensitive drum 101 rotates for a long time and the charging time by the C roller 102 is long, that is, when the usage frequency is high, the drum film thickness is small. As described above, the discharge start voltage varies depending on the drum film thickness, that is, the usage frequency of the cartridge 122, but the drum potential is made constant by adding a predetermined voltage value ΔPWM + a or ΔPWM + b to the discharge start voltage. Can do.

  Since the VI characteristic slope from the discharge start voltage differs depending on the cartridge usage frequency in this way, the set value a or b corresponding to the cartridge usage frequency is added to ΔPWM in order to make the drum potential constant.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to set an optimum drum potential according to the usage frequency of the cartridge.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a main part of an image forming apparatus according to first and second embodiments. Configuration diagram of charging bias circuit, transfer negative circuit, and transfer positive circuit according to first and second embodiments The graph which shows the relationship between the PWM setting value which concerns on Example 1, 2 and an electric current value ([uA]). 6 is a graph showing a relationship between a PWM setting value and a drum potential ([V]) in the charging bias circuit according to the first embodiment. 10 is a flowchart for explaining processing for setting a bias value during printing according to the first embodiment. Schematic diagram of cartridge explaining mounting of nonvolatile memory according to Embodiment 2 FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a communication mode between a laser beam printer and a nonvolatile memory of a cartridge according to a second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart for explaining processing for setting a bias value during printing according to the second embodiment. 7 is a graph showing a relationship between a PWM setting value and a drum potential in the charging bias circuit according to the second embodiment. Schematic sectional view of a laser beam printer main body according to the present invention The block diagram of the circuit structure of the laser beam printer main body which concerns on this invention Schematic configuration diagram of a charging bias circuit according to a conventional example The graph which shows the relationship between the PWM setting value and drum potential in the charging bias application circuit part which concerns on a prior art example

Explanation of symbols

101 Photosensitive drum (image carrier)
102 C roller (charging member)
103 Laser light source (latent image means)
108 Transfer roller (transfer member)
124 Developing roller (developing member)
125 charging bias + negative transfer application circuit (charge voltage application hand stage)
126 Transfer positive application circuit (transfer voltage application means)

Claims (2)

An image carrier;
A charging member for charging the image carrier;
Latent image forming means for forming a latent image on the image carrier;
A developing member that develops the latent image formed on the image carrier as a developer image;
A transfer member for transferring the developer image developed on the image carrier to a recording material;
A transfer voltage applying means having a current detecting means for applying a voltage of a predetermined polarity to the transfer member and detecting a current flowing through the transfer member by applying the voltage;
A charging voltage applying unit which is on a voltage output side of the transfer voltage applying unit and is connected to the current detecting unit and applies a voltage having a polarity opposite to the predetermined polarity to the transfer member and the charging member; ,
When a voltage is applied to the charging member from the front Symbol charge voltage application means, by said current detecting means of the transfer voltage applying means, the load fluctuation of the charge voltage application means caused by applying a voltage to said charging member A calculation means for detecting a corresponding current and calculating a discharge start voltage when discharge starts between the charging member and the image carrier based on a detection result;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The charging voltage applying means before the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the benzalkonium to apply a reverse polarity voltage from the predetermined polarity to said transfer member for cleaning the Kizo carrier.

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