JP5569741B2 - Lubricant unit, lubricant supply device, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic system such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, or a multifunction machine thereof, a lubricant unit installed therein, a lubricant supply device, a process cartridge, It is about.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, a technique using a lubricant supply device that supplies a lubricant onto an image carrier such as a photosensitive drum or an intermediate transfer belt is known (for example, Patent Documents). (See 1, 2 etc.).

  Specifically, the untransferred toner remaining on the photosensitive drum after the transfer process should be completely removed by a cleaning blade (cleaning device) in contact with the photosensitive drum. However, when a chipping (deletion) occurs in the contact portion of the cleaning blade due to friction with the photosensitive drum, a cleaning failure occurs due to slipping through the gap between the cleaning blade where the untransferred toner is lost and the photosensitive drum. I was sorry.

  In response to such a problem, by applying a lubricant on the photosensitive drum, the friction coefficient on the photosensitive drum is reduced, so that the abrasion / defect of the cleaning blade and the deterioration of the photosensitive drum are reduced. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of poor cleaning in

  Specifically, the lubricant application device includes a brush roller (lubricant supply roller) that is slidably in contact with the photosensitive drum (image carrier), a solid lubricant that is in contact with the brush roller, and a solid lubricant that is applied to the double-sided tape or adhesive. The holding member that is adhered and held, a spring that biases the holding member toward the brush roller together with the solid lubricant, a biasing member such as a pressing mechanism, and the like. Then, the lubricant is gradually scraped off from the solid lubricant by the brush roller rotating in a predetermined direction, and the lubricant scraped off and transported by the brush roller is applied (supplied) to the surface of the image carrier.

  In such a lubricant supply device, in order to perform maintenance maintenance of the solid lubricant, the solid lubricant (lubricant unit) in a state of being stuck and held on the holding member can be attached to and detached from the device. Many things are used. Moreover, after taking out the lubricant unit in a state where the solid lubricant is stuck and held on the holding member during such replacement maintenance, the solid lubricant consumed in the recycling factory is held in the holding member. Many recycling operations are performed in which a new solid lubricant is attached to the holding member after being separated from the holding member.

  In the conventional lubricant supply device, since the solid lubricant is firmly attached to the holding member, in the recycling work of separating the used solid lubricant held by the holding member from the holding member. Workability was bad. In particular, since the used solid lubricant is thinned due to its consumption and is not easily gripped by the operator, it is difficult to separate the solid lubricant from the holding member.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and is capable of easily separating the solid lubricant held by the holding member in the recycling operation from the holding member. It is an object to provide an agent supply device, a process cartridge, and an image forming apparatus.

  The lubricant unit according to the first aspect of the present invention is a single unit or a part of a sticking surface to which the solid lubricant and the solid lubricant are stuck and the solid lubricant is stuck. A holding member in which a plurality of through holes are formed, a pair of rotating members that are rotatably supported at positions separated in the width direction on the holding member, and the pair of rotating members in different directions. An urging member that urges the urging member to rotate at least one of the pair of urging members through the through hole of the holding member as the urging member rotates. It is formed so as to press the solid lubricant.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the lubricant unit presses the solid lubricant through the through hole of the holding member when the use is not started. A restricting means for restricting the rotational movement of the moving member is detachably installed.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the lubricant unit according to the second aspect, wherein the restricting means is inserted into a hole formed in the holding member and is engaged with the rotating member. The locking pin is a mating pin.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the lubricant unit according to the second aspect of the present invention, wherein the restricting means includes a hole formed in the holding member and a hole formed in the rotating member. This is a locking pin that is inserted into and.

  A lubricant unit according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the lubricant unit according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein a sheet-like member is installed in the through hole of the holding member.

  A lubricant supply device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is a lubricant supply device that supplies a lubricant onto an image carrier on which a toner image is carried. And a lubricant supply roller that rotates in a predetermined direction and is in sliding contact with the image carrier and the solid lubricant, and the solid lubricant is in pressure contact with the lubricant supply roller. The holding member is housed together with the solid lubricant so as to be movable in a direction, and a case with which the pair of rotating members are pressed against each other is provided.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the lubricant supply device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the pair of rotating members are each configured such that the holding member is in accordance with consumption of the solid lubricant. It comprises a cam-shaped portion that is rotated by the urging force of the urging member so as to move in a direction approaching the lubricant supply roller together with the solid lubricant, and is in pressure contact with the case, wherein the at least one rotating member is It is formed on the opposite side of the cam-shaped part across the rotation center, and contacts the solid lubricant through the through hole when the rotation range of the rotation member exceeds a predetermined range. A pressing portion is formed so as to gradually increase the force for pressing the solid lubricant with the subsequent rotation of the rotating member.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the lubricant supply device according to the sixth or seventh aspect, the biasing member is connected to the pair of rotating members, The pair of rotating members is a tension spring that rotates the pair of rotating members so that the span between the portions where the pair of rotating members are pressed against the case gradually decreases.

  A process cartridge according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is a process cartridge that is detachably installed on the main body of the image forming apparatus, and the lubrication according to any one of the sixth to eighth aspects. An agent supply device and the image carrier are provided.

  A process cartridge according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the process cartridge according to the ninth aspect, wherein a cleaning unit that cleans the image carrier is rotated with respect to the lubricant supply device. This is provided on the upstream side in the direction.

  An image forming apparatus according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention includes the lubricant supply device according to any one of the sixth to eighth aspects and the image carrier.

  In the present application, the “process cartridge” refers to a charging unit that charges the image carrier, a developing unit (developing device) that develops a latent image formed on the image carrier, and a cleaning on the image carrier. At least one of the cleaning units and the image carrier are defined as a unit that is integrated and detachably installed on the image forming apparatus main body.

  In the present application, the “width direction” is defined as a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium and the same direction as the main scanning direction of the image carrier.

  According to the present invention, at least one of a pair of rotating members that are rotatably supported by the holding member and are rotated by the urging force of the urging member to urge the holding member is held by the rotation of the holding member. The solid lubricant is pressed through the through hole. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a lubricant unit, a lubricant supply device, a process cartridge, and an image forming apparatus in which the solid lubricant held in the holding member in the recycling operation is easily separated from the holding member. .

1 is an overall configuration diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows an image creation part. It is a perspective view which shows a lubricant unit. It is a perspective view which shows a holding member. It is a side view which shows a rotation member. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of the holding member accompanying consumption of a solid lubricant. It is a figure which shows a part of lubricant supply apparatus before a use start. It is a perspective view which shows the holding member of another form. It is a perspective view which shows the holding member of another form. It is a perspective view which shows the holding member in which the sheet-like member was installed.

Embodiment.
Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, in each figure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part which is the same or it corresponds, The duplication description is simplified or abbreviate | omitted suitably.

First, the configuration and operation of the entire image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.
The image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is a tandem color image forming apparatus in which process cartridges 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10BK as a plurality of image forming units are arranged in parallel so as to face the intermediate transfer belt 17. .

  In FIG. 1, 1 is an apparatus main body of a color copying machine as an image forming apparatus, 3 is a document conveying unit that conveys a document to a document reading unit 4, 4 is a document reading unit that reads image information of a document, and 6 is input image information. A writing unit (exposure unit) that emits laser light based on the above, 7 is a paper feeding unit that accommodates a recording medium P such as transfer paper, and 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10BK are colors (yellow, magenta, cyan, and black). A process cartridge as a corresponding image forming unit, 17 is an intermediate transfer belt on which toner images of a plurality of colors are transferred in an overlapping manner, and 18 is a secondary transfer that transfers a toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 17 to a recording medium P. A roller, 20 a fixing unit for fixing an unfixed image on the recording medium P, and 28 a toner for each color is supplied to the developing unit of each process cartridge (image forming unit) 10Y, 10M, 10C, 10BK. Toner container of the eye, showing the.

Here, each of the process cartridges 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10BK (image forming unit) includes a photosensitive drum 11 as an image carrier, a charging unit 12, a developing unit 13 (developing device), and a cleaning unit 15 (cleaning device). ), The lubricant supply device 16 (lubricant supply unit) is integrated (see FIG. 2). The process cartridges 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10BK are replaced with the apparatus main body 1 when the lifetime is reached.
A toner image of each color (yellow, magenta, cyan, black) is formed on the photosensitive drum 11 (image carrier) in each of the process cartridges 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10BK.

Hereinafter, an operation during normal color image formation in the image forming apparatus will be described.
First, the document is transported from the document table by the transport rollers of the document transport unit 3 and placed on the contact glass of the document reading unit 4. Then, the document reading unit 4 optically reads the image information of the document placed on the contact glass.
Specifically, the document reading unit 4 scans an image of a document on the contact glass while irradiating light emitted from an illumination lamp. Then, the light reflected from the original is imaged on the color sensor via the mirror group and the lens. The color image information of the original is read for each color separation light of RGB (red, green, blue) by the color sensor, and then converted into an electrical image signal. Further, an image processing unit (not shown) performs color conversion processing, color correction processing, spatial frequency correction processing, and the like on the basis of RGB color separation image signals, so that yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are processed. Get color image information.

  Then, image information of each color of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black is transmitted to the writing unit 6. Then, laser light (exposure light) based on the image information of each color is emitted from the writing unit 6 toward the photosensitive drums 11 of the corresponding process cartridges 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10BK, respectively.

On the other hand, the four photosensitive drums 11 rotate in the clockwise direction in the figure. First, the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 is uniformly charged at a position facing the charging roller 12a (charging unit 12) (this is a charging process). Thus, a charged potential is formed on the photosensitive drum 11. Thereafter, the surface of the charged photosensitive drum 11 reaches the irradiation position of each laser beam.
In the writing unit 6, laser light corresponding to the image signal is emitted from the light source corresponding to each color. Although not shown, the laser light is incident on the polygon mirror and reflected, and then passes through a plurality of lenses. The laser light after passing through the plurality of lenses passes through different optical paths for each of the yellow, magenta, cyan, and black color components (this is an exposure process).

  Laser light corresponding to the yellow component is irradiated onto the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 of the first process cartridge 10Y from the left side of the drawing. At this time, the yellow component laser light is scanned in the rotational axis direction (main scanning direction) of the photosensitive drum 11 by a polygon mirror (not shown) that rotates at high speed. Thus, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the yellow component is formed on the photosensitive drum 11 after being charged by the charging roller 12a.

  Similarly, the cyan component laser light is applied to the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 of the second process cartridge 10 </ b> C from the left side of the sheet, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image of the cyan component. The laser beam corresponding to the magenta component is irradiated onto the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 of the third process cartridge 10M from the left side of the paper, and an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the magenta component is formed. The black component laser light is applied to the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 of the process cartridge 10BK (black image forming unit), which is fourth from the left side of the drawing (the most downstream side with respect to the traveling direction of the intermediate transfer belt 17). Thus, an electrostatic latent image of the black component is formed.

Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 on which the electrostatic latent image of each color is formed reaches a position facing the developing unit 13. Then, each color toner is supplied from each developing unit 13 onto the photosensitive drum 11, and the latent image on the photosensitive drum 11 is developed (this is a developing step).
Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 after the development process reaches a position facing the intermediate transfer belt 17. Here, a primary transfer roller 14 is installed at each facing position so as to contact the inner peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 17. Then, at the position of the primary transfer roller 14, the toner images of the respective colors formed on the photosensitive drum 11 are sequentially transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 17 (first transfer process).

Then, the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 after the first transfer process reaches a position facing the cleaning unit 15. The untransferred toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 11 is collected by the cleaning unit 15 (this is a cleaning process).
Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 sequentially passes through the position of the lubricant supply device 16 and the position of the charge eliminating unit (not shown), and a series of image forming processes on the photosensitive drum 11 is completed.

On the other hand, the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 17 on which the images of the respective colors on the photosensitive drum 11 are transferred in an overlapping manner travels in the direction of the arrow in the drawing and reaches the position of the secondary transfer roller 18. Then, the full color image on the intermediate transfer belt 17 is secondarily transferred onto the recording medium P at the position of the secondary transfer roller 18 (second transfer step).
Thereafter, the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 17 reaches the position of an intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit (not shown). The untransferred toner on the intermediate transfer belt 17 is collected by the intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit, and a series of transfer processes on the intermediate transfer belt 17 is completed.

Here, the recording medium P at the position of the secondary transfer roller 18 is conveyed from the paper supply unit 7 via the conveyance guide, the registration roller 19 and the like.
Specifically, the transfer paper P fed by the paper feed roller 8 from the paper feed unit 7 that stores the recording medium P is guided to the registration roller 19 after passing through the conveyance guide. The recording medium P that has reached the registration roller 19 is conveyed toward the position of the secondary transfer roller 18 in synchronization with the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 17.

Thereafter, the recording medium P on which the full-color image is transferred is guided to the fixing unit 20. In the fixing unit 20, the color image is fixed on the recording medium P at the nip between the fixing roller and the pressure roller.
The recording medium P after the fixing step is discharged as an output image outside the apparatus main body 1 by the paper discharge roller 29 and then stacked on the paper discharge unit 5 to complete a series of image forming processes.

Next, the image forming unit of the image forming apparatus will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a process cartridge 10BK (monochrome process cartridge) as a black image forming unit. The monochrome process cartridge 10BK and the color process cartridges 10Y, 10M, and 10C are configured by substantially the same constituent members except that the color of the toner used in the image forming process is different. The illustration and description of the process cartridges 10Y, 10M, and 10C are omitted as appropriate.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the process cartridge 10BK includes a photosensitive drum 11 as an image carrier, a charging unit 12 (charging roller) for charging the photosensitive drum 11, and a static electricity formed on the photosensitive drum 11. A developing unit 13 that develops the electrostatic latent image, a cleaning unit 15 that collects untransferred toner on the photosensitive drum 11, and a lubricant supply device 16 that supplies a lubricant to the photosensitive drum 11 are provided in the case. It is housed in one piece.

Here, the photosensitive drum 11 as an image bearing member is a negatively charged organic photosensitive member, and a photosensitive layer or the like is provided on a drum-shaped conductive support.
Although not shown, the photosensitive drum 11 has an undercoat layer that is an insulating layer, a charge generation layer and a charge transport layer as a photosensitive layer, and a protective layer (surface layer) in this order on a conductive support as a base layer. Are stacked.
As the conductive support (base layer) of the photosensitive drum 11, a conductive material having a volume resistance of 10 ¹⁰ Ωcm or less can be used.

The charging unit 12 (charging roller) is a roller member formed by covering an outer periphery of a conductive metal core with a medium-resistance elastic layer, and is disposed downstream of the lubricant supply device 16 in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 11. It is arranged. Further, the charging unit 12 (charging roller) is disposed so as to face the photosensitive drum 11 in a non-contact manner so that the lubricant supplied onto the photosensitive drum 11 by the lubricant supply device 16 does not adhere. Has been.
A predetermined voltage is applied to the charging unit 12 from a power supply unit (not shown), thereby uniformly charging the surface of the opposing photosensitive drum 11.

  The developing unit (developing device) 13 mainly includes a developing roller 13a that faces the photosensitive drum 11, a first transport screw 13b1 that faces the developing roller 13a, and a first transport screw 13b1 that faces the first transport screw 13b1 via a partition member. It is comprised by the 2 conveyance screw 13b2 and the doctor blade 13c facing the developing roller 13a. The developing roller 13a includes a magnet that is fixed inside and forms a magnetic pole on the peripheral surface of the roller, and a sleeve that rotates around the magnet. A plurality of magnetic poles are formed on the developing roller 13a (sleeve) by the magnet, and the developer is carried on the developing roller 13a.

In the developing unit 13, a two-component developer composed of a carrier and a toner is accommodated.
As the toner, spherical toner having a circularity of 0.98 or more is used to improve the image quality. The “circularity” is an average circularity measured by a flow type particle image analyzer “FPIA-2000” (manufactured by Toa Medical Electronics Co., Ltd.). Specifically, 0.1 to 0.5 ml of a surfactant (preferably an alkylbenzene sulfonate) is added as a dispersant to 100 to 150 ml of water from which impure solids have been removed in advance. Further, about 0.1 to 0.5 g of a measurement sample (toner) is added. Thereafter, the suspension in which the toner is dispersed is subjected to a dispersion treatment with an ultrasonic disperser for about 1 to 3 minutes, and the dispersion liquid concentration is set to 3000 to 10000 / μl in the above-described analyzer. Then, the shape and distribution of the toner are measured.

As the spherical toner, it is possible to use an irregularly shaped toner (pulverized toner) whose shape is distorted by a pulverization method that has been widely used so far, which is spheroidized by heat treatment or the like, or a toner manufactured by a polymerization method. it can.
When such a spherical toner is used, conventionally, there is a case in which a slight gap between the cleaning blade 15a and the photosensitive drum 11 enters the gap and eventually passes through the gap, resulting in poor cleaning. However, in the present embodiment, a lubricant is applied to the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 by the lubricant supply device 16 to improve the toner peelability (removability) on the photosensitive drum 11, so that a cleaning failure occurs. Is suppressed.

  The cleaning unit 15 is disposed on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 11 with respect to the lubricant supply device 16. The cleaning unit 15 includes a cleaning blade 15a that is in contact with the photosensitive drum 11, a transport coil 15b that transports the toner collected in the cleaning unit 15 as waste toner toward a waste toner collection container (not shown). Etc. are installed. The cleaning blade 15a is made of a rubber material such as urethane rubber, and is in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 at a predetermined angle and a predetermined pressure. As a result, deposits such as untransferred toner adhering to the photosensitive drum 11 are mechanically scraped and collected in the cleaning unit 15. Here, examples of the deposit that adheres to the photosensitive drum 11 include untransferred toner, paper dust generated from the recording medium P (paper), and a discharge product generated on the photosensitive drum 11 when discharged by the charging roller 12a. And additives added to the toner.

The lubricant supply device 16 includes a solid lubricant 16b, a lubricant supply roller 16a (brush roller) that is in sliding contact with the photosensitive drum 11 and the solid lubricant 16b, a holding member 16c that holds the solid lubricant 16b, and a holding member 16c. 16f with the solid lubricant 16b, a rotating member 16g for urging the solid lubricant 16b with the holding member 16c toward the lubricant supply roller 16a, a tension spring 16h (pressure mechanism), and a lubricant supply roller 16a. The blade-like member 16d for thinning the lubricant supplied onto the photosensitive drum 11 is formed by the above. The blade-like member 16d is configured to contact the photosensitive drum 11 in the counter direction at a position downstream of the lubricant supply roller 16a in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 11.
The lubricant supply device 16 configured as described above supplies the thinned lubricant on the photosensitive drum 11. The configuration and operation of the lubricant supply device 16 will be described in detail later.

The image forming process described above will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.
The developing roller 13a rotates in the arrow direction (counterclockwise direction) in FIG. The developer in the developing unit 13 is replenished from the toner container 28 by a toner replenishing unit (not shown) by the rotation of the first transport screw 13b1 and the second transport screw 13b2 that are disposed so as to interpose a partition member therebetween. The toner circulates in the longitudinal direction while being agitated and mixed with the toner (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 2).

  The toner that is frictionally charged and adsorbed on the carrier is carried on the developing roller 13a together with the carrier. The developer carried on the developing roller 13a then reaches the position of the doctor blade 13c. The developer on the developing roller 13a is adjusted to an appropriate amount at the position of the doctor blade 13c and then reaches a position facing the photosensitive drum 11 (development region).

  Thereafter, in the developing region, the toner in the developer adheres to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11. Specifically, the latent image potential (exposure potential) of the image portion irradiated with the laser beam L and the electric field formed by the potential difference (development potential) between the development bias applied to the developing roller 13a cause the toner to become a latent image. (Toner image is formed).

  Thereafter, most of the toner adhering to the photosensitive drum 11 in the developing process is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 17. The untransferred toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 11 is collected in the cleaning unit 15 by the cleaning blade 15a.

  Here, although not shown in the figure, the toner replenishing portion provided in the apparatus main body 1 includes a bottle-shaped toner container 28 configured to be replaceable, and holds and rotates the toner container 28, and the developing unit 13 is newly installed. And a toner hopper for replenishing toner. Also, a new toner (any one of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black) is accommodated in the toner container 28. In addition, a spiral protrusion is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the toner container 28 (toner bottle).

  The new toner in the toner container 28 is appropriately supplied from the toner supply port into the developing unit 13 as the toner in the developing unit 13 (existing toner) is consumed. Although illustration is omitted, the consumption of toner in the developing unit 13 is indirectly caused by a reflection type photosensor facing the photosensitive drum 11 and a magnetic sensor installed below the second conveying screw 23b2 of the developing unit 13. Or detected directly.

Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the lubricant supply device 16 (lubricant supply unit) in the present embodiment will be described in detail.
As shown in FIG. 2, the lubricant supply device 16 includes a solid lubricant 16b, a lubricant supply roller 16a (brush-shaped roller) in which brush bristles that are in sliding contact with the photosensitive drum 11 and the solid lubricant 16b are provided. A holding member 16c for holding the solid lubricant 16b, a case 16f for storing the holding member 16c together with the solid lubricant 16b, a rotating member 16g for biasing the solid lubricant 16b toward the lubricant supply roller 16a together with the holding member 16c, and A tension spring 16h (pressure mechanism), a blade-like member 16d (thinning blade) for thinning the lubricant supplied onto the photosensitive drum 11 by the lubricant supply roller 16a, and the like.
The case 16f accommodates the holding member 16c together with the solid lubricant 16b so that the solid lubricant 16b can move in a direction in which the solid lubricant 16b is pressed against the lubricant supply roller 16a (so as not to prevent the movement).

The lubricant supply roller 16a (brush-shaped roller) is a core in which brush hairs having a length (hair feet) in the range of 0.2 to 20 mm (preferably 0.5 to 10 mm) are planted on the base fabric. Wrapped in a spiral on gold.
When the length of the bristle exceeds 20 mm, the bristle falls in a predetermined direction due to repeated rubbing with the photosensitive drum 11 over time, and the scraping property of the solid lubricant 16b or from the photosensitive drum 11 is reduced. Toner removability is reduced. On the other hand, if the length of the bristle is less than 0.2 mm, the physical contact force with respect to the solid lubricant 16b and the photosensitive drum 11 is insufficient. Therefore, it is preferable that the length of the bristle is in the above range.

The lubricant supply roller 16a rotates so as to come into contact with the photosensitive drum 11 rotating clockwise in FIG. 2 in the counter direction (clockwise rotation in FIG. 2). The lubricant supply roller 16a (brush bristles) is disposed so as to be in sliding contact with the solid lubricant 16b and the photosensitive drum 11, and the lubricant supply roller 16a rotates to rotate the lubricant from the solid lubricant 16b. After the scraped lubricant is conveyed to the sliding contact position with the photosensitive drum 11, the lubricant is applied onto the photosensitive drum 11.
In order to eliminate uneven contact between the lubricant supply roller 16a and the solid lubricant 16b, pressure mechanisms 16g and 16h are arranged at the rear portion of the solid lubricant 16b and are held (attached) to the holding member 16c. The solid lubricant 16b in a heated state is urged toward the lubricant supply roller 16a. Here, the pressurizing mechanism includes a pair of rotating members 16g rotatably supported by the holding member 16c, and a tension spring 16h as an urging member connected to the pair of rotating members 16g. Although it is configured, this will be described in detail later.

In the present embodiment, the solid lubricant 16b is mainly formed of zinc stearate. Specifically, the solid lubricant 16b is preferably prepared by dissolving a lubricating oil additive mainly composed of zinc stearate, having no side effects due to overcoating, and having sufficient lubricity.
Zinc stearate is a typical lamellar crystal powder. A lamellar crystal has a layered structure in which amphiphilic molecules are self-organized, and when a shearing force is applied, the crystal breaks along the layers and is slippery. Therefore, the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 can be made to have low friction. In other words, the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 can be effectively covered with a small amount of lubricant by the lamellar crystals that receive the shearing force and uniformly cover the surface of the photosensitive drum 11.

  As the solid lubricant 16b, in addition to zinc stearate, stearic acid groups such as barium stearate, iron stearate, nickel stearate, cobalt stearate, copper stearate, strontium stearate, calcium stearate, etc. The thing which has can be used. In addition, the same fatty acid group zinc oleate, barium oleate, lead oleate, the same compound as stearic acid, zinc palmitate, barium palmitate, lead palmitate, the following compound similar to stearic acid May be used. In addition, caprylic acid, linolenic acid, corinolenic acid and the like can be used as the fatty acid group. In addition, waxes such as candelilla wax, canrunauba wax, rice wax, wax, coconut oil, beeswax, and lanolin can also be used. These easily become organic solid lubricants and have good compatibility with the toner.

When the solid lubricant 16b is applied to the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 via the lubricant supply roller 16a, a powdery lubricant is applied to the surface of the photosensitive drum 11, but the lubricity is sufficient in this state. Therefore, the blade-like member 16d (thinned blade) functions as a member for uniformizing the lubricant. The blade-like member 16d forms a film of the lubricant on the photosensitive drum 11, and the lubricant exhibits its lubricity sufficiently.
At this time, the finer the powdery lubricant applied by the lubricant supply roller 16a, the thinner the film on the photosensitive drum 11 by the blade-like member 16d.

Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the lubricant supply device 16 which are characteristic in the present embodiment will be described in detail.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the lubricant unit. As shown in FIG. 3, the lubricant unit includes a solid lubricant 16b, a holding member 16c, a pair of rotating members 16g, a tension spring 16h (biasing member), and the like. This lubricant unit is configured to be detachable (replaceable) with respect to the lubricant supply device 16 (process cartridge 10BK). As a result, the replacement work of the solid lubricant in the lubricant supply device 16 (process cartridge 10BK) is facilitated.

  3 and 4, the solid lubricant 16b is stuck and held on the holding member 16c. Specifically, a double-sided tape, an adhesive, or the like is interposed between the holding member 16c and the solid lubricant 16b, and the holding member 16c holds and holds the solid lubricant 16b. Here, the holding member 16c is a sheet metal bent into a U-shape, and two through holes 16c1 are formed in a part of the attaching surface to which the solid lubricant 16b is attached, and both side surfaces are provided. A plurality of holes 16c2 and 16c3 are formed (see FIGS. 4 and 6).

  Here, referring to FIGS. 3, 5, 6, and the like, the holding member 16 c is spaced apart in the width direction (the vertical direction in FIG. 2 and the left-right direction in FIG. 6). A pair of rotating members 16g are supported to be rotatable. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, support shafts 16g1 (boss portions) are formed on both side surfaces of the rotating member 16g. Then, the support shaft 16g1 of the rotating member 16g is fitted in the hole 16c2 (bearing portion) of the holding member 16c, and the rotating member 16g is rotatably held by the holding member 16c. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the two rotating members 16 c are installed on the holding member 16 c so as to be symmetrical in the width direction.

3 and 6 and the like, the pair of rotating members 16g are connected by a tension spring 16h as an urging member. Specifically, hook portions at both ends of the tension spring 16h are connected to holes 16g5 (see FIG. 5) of the rotating member 16g, respectively.
The tension spring 16h rotates the pair of rotating members 16g in different directions so as to come into pressure contact with the case 16f, and urges the holding member 16c in a direction approaching the lubricant supply roller 16a. Will function as. Specifically, the tension spring 16h (biasing member) rotates the pair of rotating members 16g so that the span between the portions where the pair of rotating members 16g are pressed against the case 16f gradually decreases.
That is, the two rotating members 16g receive a spring force (biasing force) from the tension spring 16h in a direction in which the cam-shaped portions 16g2 (see FIG. 5 and the like) that contact the inner wall surface of the case 16f approach each other. Thereby, the left turning member 16g in FIG. 6 is urged to turn counterclockwise in FIG. 6 with the support shaft 16g1 as the turning center. On the other hand, the right rotating member 16g in FIG. 6 is urged to rotate in the clockwise direction in FIG. 6 with the support shaft 16g1 as the rotation center.

More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 6A to 6D, as the cumulative operation time in the image forming apparatus 1 increases, the solid lubricant 16b is gradually consumed by supplying the lubricant to the lubricant supply roller 16a. As a result, the thickness (thickness in the pressure-contact direction with respect to the lubricant supply roller 16a) becomes thinner. The pair of rotating members 16g are rotated in the above-described direction by the urging force of the tension spring 16h as the solid lubricant 16b is consumed (thinned).
In other words, the cam-shaped portions 16g2 formed on the pair of rotating members 16g move so that the holding member 16c approaches the lubricant supply roller 16a together with the solid lubricant 16b as the solid lubricant 16b is consumed. Then, it is rotated by the urging force of the tension spring 16h and comes into pressure contact with the case 16f.

Here, in the present embodiment, each of the two rotating members 16g is solid-lubricated through the through hole 16c1 of the holding member 16c in accordance with the rotation (rotation by the urging force of the tension spring 16h). It is formed so as to press the agent 16b.
Specifically, referring to FIG. 5 and the like, the rotating member 16g is formed with a pressing portion 16g3 (protruding portion) on the substantially opposite side of the cam-shaped portion 16g2 with the support shaft 16g1 (rotating center) therebetween. ing. The pressing portion 16g3 comes into contact with the solid lubricant 16b through the through hole 16c1 when the rotation range of the rotation member 16g exceeds a predetermined range due to the consumption (thinning) of the solid lubricant 16b described above. Thus, the force for pressing the solid lubricant 16b is gradually increased with the subsequent rotation of the rotating member 16g.

Hereinafter, the operation of the holding member 16c (particularly, the operation of the rotating member 16g) accompanying the consumption (thinning of the solid lubricant) 16b will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
First, as shown in FIG. 6A, a new solid lubricant 16b (attached to and held by the holding member 16c) is set in the lubricant supply device 16 (device main body 1). Then, in the state where the span of the cam-shaped portion 16g2 of the pair of rotating members 16g (the distance in the width direction between the two press contact portions with the case 16f) is the longest, the holding member 16c (additional member) The solid lubricant 16b is pressed against the lubricant supply roller 16a by the pressure mechanisms 16g and 16h). At this time, the pressing portion 16g3 of the rotating member 16g is accommodated in the holding member 16c without contacting the solid lubricant 16b through the through hole 16c1. In this state, supply of the lubricant onto the photosensitive drum 11 by the lubricant supply device 16 (lubricant supply roller 16a) is started.
Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6B, when the supply of the lubricant onto the photosensitive drum 11 is advanced by the lubricant supply device 16 (lubricant supply roller 16a) over time, a pair of rotating members The span of the 16g cam-shaped portion 16g2 gradually decreases, and in this state, the solid lubricant 16b is pressed against the lubricant supply roller 16a by the holding member 16c (pressure mechanisms 16g and 16h). At this time, although the pressing portion 16g3 of the rotating member 16g is housed inside the holding member 16c, the pressing portion 16g3 gradually approaches a position in contact with the solid lubricant 16b through the through hole 16c1.

  As shown in FIG. 6C, when the supply of the lubricant onto the photosensitive drum 11 is further advanced by the lubricant supply device 16 (lubricant supply roller 16a) as time passes, a pair of rotations are performed. The span of the cam-shaped portion 16g2 of the moving member 16g is further shortened (the rotating range of the rotating member 16g exceeds a predetermined range), and the pressing portion 16g3 of the rotating member 16g is solid via the through hole 16c1. It will be in the state which contacted the lubricant 16b. At this time, the solid member 16b does not receive a force to press the lubricant supply roller 16a via the holding member 16c, but directly from the pressurizing mechanisms 16g and 16h via the pressing portion 16c3. The force (pressure contact force) that presses against 16a is received. On the other hand, the reaction force of the pressure contact force described above acts on the holding member 16c, and as a result, a force that separates the holding member 16c and the solid lubricant 16b (removal of the double-sided tape or the like) acts. . Even in such a state, as described above, the pressure contact force of the solid lubricant 16b against the lubricant supply roller 16a is ensured by the pressurizing mechanisms 16g and 16h, so the lubricant supply roller 16a. Therefore, there is no problem that the amount of lubricant supplied to the photosensitive drum 11 is insufficient.

Finally, as shown in FIG. 6D, the supply of lubricant onto the photosensitive drum 11 by the lubricant supply device 16 (lubricant supply roller 16a) is further advanced, and the solid lubricant 16b is supplied. In a state where the wall thickness is reduced, the solid lubricant 16b is taken out from the lubricant supply device 16 (device main body 1) together with the holding member 16c, and replacement maintenance of the solid lubricant 16b is performed. It should be noted that the time when the replacement maintenance of the solid lubricant 16b is performed is a detection means for detecting the consumption of the solid lubricant 16b directly or indirectly (for example, a means for counting the cumulative operating time of the device 16 or the solid lubricant 16b). For example, a means for optically detecting the thickness of the material.).
At this time, the span of the cam-shaped portion 16g2 of the pair of rotating members 16g is minimized, and the pressing portion 16g3 of the rotating member 16g presses the solid lubricant 16b via the through hole 16c1. Become. Therefore, a force that separates the holding member 16c and the solid lubricant 16b acts on the holding member 16c due to the reaction force of the pressure contact force described above, and the solid lubricant 16b has a very weak adhesion force to the holding member 16c. It will be held (or will come into contact with the sticking force being zero).
Thus, after the used solid lubricant 16b is taken out from the lubricant supply device 16 (device main body 1) together with the holding member 16c, the solid lubricant that has been relatively firmly attached to the holding member 16c when new is used. The agent 16b can be easily separated from the holding member 16c. This is because an operator (mainly a serviceman) who performs replacement maintenance does not deliver the used solid lubricant 16b together with the holding member 16c to the recycling factory, and the existing holding member 16c can be used on the spot. This means that a recycling operation (maintenance operation) for separating the used solid lubricant 16b and sticking a new solid lubricant 16b prepared instead can be performed. Of course, even when the used solid lubricant 16b is delivered to the recycling factory together with the holding member 16c and the solid lubricant 16b is separated at the recycling factory, the workability is surely improved. It will be.

  In addition, even if the solid lubricant 16b is held by an extremely weak sticking force with respect to the holding member 16c, when the used solid lubricant 16b is thinned by its consumption and is not easily gripped by the operator, By pushing a solid lubricant 16b by pushing a jig or a finger through the through hole 16c1 from the inside of the holding member 16c, the thinned solid lubricant 16b can be easily separated from the holding member 16c. As another method, the rotation member 16g is manually rotated (rotation in a direction in which the span of the cam-shaped portion 16g2 of the pair of rotation members 16g decreases), and the rotation member 16g. By pressing the solid lubricant 16b through the through hole 16c1 by the pressing portion 16g3, the thinned solid lubricant 16b can be easily separated from the holding member 16c.

  Further, in the present embodiment, settings are made so that the processes of FIGS. 6A to 6D are performed inside the image forming apparatus 1. On the other hand, it is set so that the processes of FIGS. 6A to 6C are performed inside the image forming apparatus 1 and the process of FIG. 6D is performed outside the image forming apparatus 1. You can also. That is, the time for replacement maintenance is detected in the state shown in FIG. 6C (the solid lubricant 16b is not completely separated from the holding member 16c by the pressing of the rotating member 16g through the through hole 16c1). Based on the detected information, the lubricant unit (see FIG. 3) is taken out from the apparatus main body 1 (lubricant supply apparatus 16), and shown in FIG. 6D outside the apparatus. Such a solid lubricant 16b separation operation can also be performed. In this case, in FIG. 6D, the solid lubricant 16b is separated in a state where the lubricant unit is separated from the lubricant supply roller 16a and the case 16f.

In the present embodiment, when the use of the lubricant unit (lubricant supply device 16) is not started (for example, from the time of shipment from the factory to the time of arrival at the user), the holding member 16c. A restricting means for restricting the turning operation of the turning member 16g that presses the solid lubricant 16b through the through hole 16c1 is detachably installed.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7A, at the time of shipment from the factory, the two rotating members 16g are manually moved in the direction opposite to the normal rotating direction (the direction against the spring force of the tension spring 16h). And a locking pin 16k as a restricting means is inserted into a restricting hole 16c3 (see FIG. 3 and the like) formed in the holding member 16c, and the cam shape of the turnable member 16g is inserted. Engage with the part 16g2. Accordingly, since the posture of the turning member 16g in the turning direction is determined in the state shown in FIG. 7A, the pressing portion 16g3 comes into pressure contact with the solid lubricant 16b before starting use, and the solid lubricant with respect to the holding member 16c. The trouble that the holding force of 16b falls is suppressed. The locking pin 16k described above is taken out of the device by the operator when the user starts using the device.
As another form, as shown in FIG. 7B, in addition to the hole 16c3 of the holding member 16c, a restricting hole 16g4 is formed in the rotating member 16g, so that 2 By manually rotating the two rotating members 16g in the direction opposite to the normal rotating direction, and inserting the locking pins 16k as the restricting means into both restricting holes 16c3 and 16g4, It is also possible to regulate the rotation of the rotation member 16g. In particular, when such a configuration is adopted, since the locking pin 16k does not directly contact the cam-shaped portion 16g2, it is possible to suppress a problem that the cam-shaped portion 16g2 is damaged.
7A and 7B show the lubricant unit (see FIG. 3) installed in the lubricant supply device 16, but the lubricant unit alone is described above. It is also possible to install the locking pin 16k (regulating means).

In the present embodiment, the two through holes 16c1 are formed in a part of the attaching surface to which the solid lubricant is attached in the holding member 16c. However, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the holding member 16c is formed. In addition, one through hole 16c1 can be formed in a part of the sticking surface to which the solid lubricant is stuck.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, when one through hole 16c1 corresponding to only one rotating member 16g is formed in the holding member 16c (only one of the two through holes 16c1 shown in FIG. 4). In this case, one of the rotating members 16g presses the solid lubricant 16b through the through hole 16c1 when the rotating member 16g rotates (the other rotating member 16g has one rotation). Although rotating with the moving member 16g, the operation of pressing the solid lubricant 16b through the through hole 16c1 is not performed). That is, the pressing portion 16g3 of one pressing member 16g is solid lubricated via the through hole 16c1 when the rotating range of the rotating member 16g exceeds a predetermined range as the solid lubricant 16b is consumed (thinned). The force which contacts the agent 16b and presses the solid lubricant 16b with the subsequent rotation of the rotating member 16g is gradually increased. Even in the case of such a configuration, it is possible to obtain an effect similar to the effect in the present embodiment described above. In particular, when only one of the pressing members 16g is formed so that the solid lubricant 16b can be pressed, a force that intensively promotes separation from the holding member 16c acts on one place of the solid lubricant 16b. The separation of the solid lubricant 16b from the holding member 16c is promoted.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, when one through hole 16c1 corresponding to the pair of rotating members 16g is formed in the holding member 16c (when two through holes 16c1 shown in FIG. 4 are connected). In addition, an effect similar to the effect in the present embodiment described above can be obtained. In particular, when the through hole 16c1 having such a large opening area is formed, the area (sticking area) for sticking the solid lubricant 16b to the holding member 16c can be reduced. The original holding force of the solid lubricant 16b with respect to the member 16c can be reduced. That is, even if the force for pressing the solid lubricant 16b by the pressing portion 16g3 is set to be relatively weak, it is possible to obtain the same effect as the effect in the present embodiment described above.

Further, in the present embodiment, the sheet-like member 16m can be installed in the through hole 16c1 of the holding member 16c.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, a thin sheet-like member 16m (protective sheet) having flexibility is attached to the through hole 16c1 through a double-sided tape so as to cover the two through holes 16c1 formed in the holding member 16c. Adhere to the edge of. By installing the sheet-like member 16m in this manner, the pressing portion 16g3 of the rotating member 16g does not directly contact the solid lubricant 16b from the through hole 16c1, and the pressing portion 16g3 is interposed via the sheet-like member 16m. Since the contact is made with the solid lubricant 16b, it is possible to reduce the problem that the solid lubricant 16b is damaged by the contact with the pressing portion 16g3. In addition, the sheet-like member 16m installed in this way can be reused without being separated from the holding member 16c by the pressing of the pressing portion 16g3 when a highly flexible material is used, When a material with low flexibility is used, it is separated from the holding member 16c together with the solid lubricant 16b by the pressing of the pressing portion 16g3.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the rotation that is rotatably supported by the holding member 16c and is rotated by the urging force of the tension spring 16h (the urging member) to urge the holding member 16c. The member 16g is formed so as to press the solid lubricant 16b through the through hole 16c1 of the holding member 16c as it rotates. Thereby, the solid lubricant 16b held in the holding member 16c in the recycling operation can be easily separated from the holding member 16c.

In this embodiment, the process cartridges 10Y, 10M, and the process cartridges 10Y, 10M, and the like in the image forming unit (the photosensitive drum 11, the charging unit 12, the developing unit 13, the cleaning unit 15, and the lubricant supply device 16) are integrated. 10C and 10BK are configured to reduce the size of the image forming unit and improve maintenance workability.
In contrast, each of the image forming units 11, 12, 13, 15, and 16 can be configured to be installed in the apparatus main body 1 in a replaceable manner without being a component of the process cartridge. Even in such a case, the same effect as the present embodiment can be obtained.
In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to the image forming apparatus equipped with the two-component developing type developing unit 13 using the two-component developer. However, the one-component developing type using the one-component developer is used. Of course, the present invention can also be applied to an image forming apparatus in which the developing unit 13 is mounted.

  In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to a tandem type color image forming apparatus using the intermediate transfer belt 17. In contrast, a tandem color image forming apparatus using a transfer conveyance belt (a recording in which toner images on a plurality of photosensitive drums arranged in parallel so as to face the transfer conveyance belt are conveyed by the transfer conveyance belt. The present invention can also be applied to other image forming apparatuses such as a monochrome image forming apparatus. Even in such a case, the same effect as in the present embodiment can be obtained.

  In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to the lubricant supply device 16 that supplies the lubricant onto the photosensitive drum 11 as the image carrier. However, the image carrier other than the photosensitive drum 11 is lubricated. Naturally, the present invention can also be applied to a lubricant supply device that supplies a lubricant (for example, a lubricant supply device that supplies a lubricant to the intermediate transfer belt 17). Even in such a case, by providing the holding member 16c (pressurizing mechanisms 16g and 16h) as in the present embodiment, the same effects as in the present embodiment can be obtained.

  In the present embodiment, a brush-like roller having brush bristles is used as the lubricant supply roller 16a. However, a sponge-like roller having a sponge-like member (elastic material) is provided as the lubricant supply roller 16a. Can also be used. Even in such a case, by providing the holding member 16c (pressurizing mechanisms 16g and 16h) as in the present embodiment, the same effects as in the present embodiment can be obtained.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the present embodiment, and it is obvious that the present embodiment can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention, other than suggested in the present embodiment. is there. In addition, the number, position, shape, and the like of the constituent members are not limited to the present embodiment, and the number, position, shape, and the like suitable for implementing the present invention can be achieved.

1 image forming apparatus body (apparatus body),
11 Photosensitive drum (image carrier),
15 Cleaning section,
16 Lubricant supply device (lubricant supply unit),
16a Lubricant supply roller (brush roller),
16b solid lubricant,
16c holding member,
16c1 through hole,
16c2, 16c3 hole,
16f case,
16g rotating member,
16g1 spindle (rotation center),
16g2 cam-shaped part, 16g3 pressing part,
16h tension spring (biasing member),
16k locking pin (regulating means), 16m sheet-like member.

JP 2006-293262 A JP 2007-293240 A

Claims (11)

Solid lubricant,
While holding the solid lubricant, a holding member in which a single or a plurality of through holes are formed in a part of the sticking surface to which the solid lubricant is stuck,
A pair of rotating members that are rotatably supported at positions away from each other in the width direction in the holding member;
An urging member that urges the pair of rotating members to rotate in different directions;
With
Lubrication characterized in that at least one of the pair of rotating members is formed so as to press the solid lubricant through the through hole of the holding member as the energizing member rotates. Agent unit.   2. A detachable restricting means for restricting a rotating operation of the rotating member that presses the solid lubricant through the through hole of the holding member when the use is not started is provided. Lubricant unit as described in   3. The lubricant unit according to claim 2, wherein the restricting means is a locking pin that is inserted into a hole formed in the holding member and engages with the rotating member.   The lubricant unit according to claim 2, wherein the restricting means is a locking pin that is inserted into a hole formed in the holding member and a hole formed in the rotating member. .   The lubricant unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a sheet-like member is installed in the through hole of the holding member. A lubricant supply device for supplying a lubricant onto an image carrier on which a toner image is carried,
The lubricant unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A lubricant supply roller that rotates in a predetermined direction and is in sliding contact with the image carrier and the solid lubricant;
A case in which the solid lubricant is housed together with the solid lubricant so that the solid lubricant can move in a direction in pressure contact with the lubricant supply roller, and the pair of rotating members are in pressure contact;
A lubricant supply device comprising: Each of the pair of rotating members is rotated by the urging force of the urging member so that the holding member moves together with the solid lubricant in a direction approaching the lubricant supply roller as the solid lubricant is consumed. A cam-shaped portion that moves and press-contacts the case;
The at least one rotation member is formed on the opposite side of the cam-shaped portion with the rotation center therebetween, and when the rotation range of the rotation member exceeds a predetermined range, the at least one rotation member is inserted through the through hole. And a pressing portion formed so as to gradually increase a force that contacts the solid lubricant and presses the solid lubricant with the subsequent rotation of the rotating member. The lubricant supply device described.   The urging member is connected to the pair of rotating members, and rotates the pair of rotating members so that a span between portions where the pair of rotating members are pressed against the case gradually decreases. The lubricant supply device according to claim 6, wherein the lubricant supply device is a tension spring to be moved. A process cartridge that is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus main body,
9. A process cartridge comprising the lubricant supply device according to claim 6 and the image carrier.   The process cartridge according to claim 9, further comprising a cleaning unit that cleans the image carrier on an upstream side in the rotation direction of the image carrier with respect to the lubricant supply device.   An image forming apparatus comprising the lubricant supply device according to claim 6 and the image carrier.

Images