JP5995135B2 - Lubricant supply device, image forming apparatus, and process cartridge - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a lubricant supply device, an image forming apparatus, and a process cartridge.

  Image forming apparatuses such as printers, facsimiles, and copiers are provided with a lubricant supply device that supplies lubricant to the surface of the image carrier in order to protect the image carrier such as a photoconductor and an intermediate transfer belt and to reduce friction. The thing is known (for example, patent document 1).

FIG. 18 is a schematic configuration diagram of a lubricant supply device described in Patent Document 1. FIG. 18 (a) shows the state at the initial use, and FIG. 18 (b) shows the state when the solid lubricant 162 is used up. FIG. 18 shows the configuration of one end side in the longitudinal direction of the solid lubricant 162, but the other end side has the same configuration.
As shown in FIG. 18, the lubricant supply device described in Patent Document 1 is in contact with a bar-like solid lubricant 162, and a fine powder lubricant scraped off by rubbing it is applied to the image carrier. A supply member 161 for supply is provided. In addition, a lubricant holding member 164 that holds a portion of the solid lubricant 162 opposite to the side in contact with the supply member 161 is provided. The lubricant holding member 164 is housed in a case 165 of the lubricant supply device so as to be movable in the contact / separation direction of the solid lubricant 162 with respect to the supply member 161. Further, in the space on the opposite side of the solid lubricant 162 holding side of the lubricant holding member 164 in the case 165, a pressing mechanism that presses the side opposite to the solid lubricant 162 holding side of the lubricant holding member 164 to the supply member side. 163 is provided.

  One end of the pressing mechanism 163 is swingably provided on the lubricant holding member 164 and is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the solid lubricant 162 (the supply member rubbing direction on the contact surface of the solid lubricant 162 with the supply member 161. A pair of oscillating members 163A arranged symmetrically with respect to the center of the direction) (the oscillating member on the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the lubricant holding member is not shown). Each end of a spring 163C as an urging means is attached to the pair of swing members 163A. Each swinging member 163A obtains an urging force in the direction of arrow D in the figure from the one spring 163C toward the longitudinal center of the lubricant holding member 164. By this urging force, the other end side (hereinafter referred to as a swinging end portion) of each swinging member 163A is biased in a direction away from the lubricant holding member 164 as shown in FIG. 165 is in contact with the lubricant holding member facing surface 165A. The lubricant holding member 164 is solid lubricated by being pressed to the supply member side by the reaction force of the pressing force (force applied to the lower side in the figure) of the swinging member 163A received by the lubricant holding member facing surface 165A of the case 165. The agent 162 contacts the supply member 161 with a predetermined contact pressure.

  When the supply member 161 rotates, the solid lubricant 162 in contact with the supply member 161 is rubbed, whereby the lubricant that is scraped off and attached to the supply member 161 is applied to the surface of the image carrier. As the solid lubricant 162 is gradually scraped by rubbing with the supply member 161, as shown in FIG. 18B, the swing member 163A swings and the lubricant holding member 164 moves to the supply member side. I will do it. The solid lubricant 162 abuts on the supply member 161 from the beginning to the end, and the solid lubricant 162 can be scraped off favorably by the supply member 161.

When the image forming operation is performed in a state where the lubricant is depleted, the protective action of the lubricant does not work, so that the image carrier is worn and deteriorated. For this reason, it is necessary to detect that the remaining amount of lubricant has decreased (near-end detection) and replace the lubricant. Therefore, the present applicant made a trial manufacture of a lubricant supply device as shown in FIG. 19 (hereinafter referred to as a prototype).
As shown in FIG. 19, the prototype has a remaining amount of lubricant in a sliding region (hereinafter referred to as a sliding case region) S in which the swing member 163A slides on the lubricant holding member facing surface 165A of the case 165. A first electrode member 171 as a first detection member is provided at a position where the swing member 163A comes into contact with the remaining little amount. Further, in the contact region 163A that contacts the sliding case region S of the swing member 163A, when the remaining amount of the lubricant is little (near end), the portion that contacts the lubricant holding member facing surface 165A, A second electrode member 172 as a second detection member is provided.

  In this prototype, the second electrode member 172 provided in the contact region 163B of the swinging member 163A and the sliding case region S when the remaining amount of the lubricant is small (near end) are provided. The first electrode member 171 contacts (opposes). As a result, the electrode members become conductive and current flows between the electrode members, and the detection unit 173 can detect the near end of the lubricant.

  However, this prototype lubricant supply device has a new problem that the lubricant may not be uniformly applied to the surface of the image carrier. More specifically, the lubricant holding member 164 needs to be configured so as to be able to move inside the case 165, and thus is accommodated in the case 165 with some backlash with respect to the case 165. As a result, the position of the lubricant holding member 164 may be shifted in the longitudinal direction of the solid lubricant 162 during use. When the position of the lubricant holding member 164 is shifted in the longitudinal direction, the position of the swinging member 163A that is swingably attached to the lubricant holding member 164 is also shifted in the longitudinal direction. As a result, a portion other than the portion where the second electrode member 172 is provided in the contact region 163B of the swing member 163A comes into contact with the first electrode member 171 of the case 165. Since the friction coefficient of the first electrode member 171 provided in the case 165 and the friction coefficient of the case 165 are different, the surface of the first electrode member 171 of the case 165 is changed when the swinging member 163A slides on the inner surface of the case 165. The sliding resistance differs depending on when sliding. As a result, the sliding resistance of the other swing member sliding with the case 165 and the one swing member sliding with the first electrode member 171 are different from each other, and the swing amount of the swing member 163A is one. It will be different on the other side. As a result, the solid lubricant 162 cannot contact the supply member 161 with a uniform contact pressure in the longitudinal direction, and the amount of lubricant scraped by the supply member 161 differs in the longitudinal direction, and the surface of the image carrier is evenly lubricated. The agent cannot be applied.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to detect that the remaining amount of lubricant has decreased and to allow the swinging member to slide on the first detection member. It is an object to provide a lubricant supply device, an image forming apparatus, and a process cartridge that can suppress unevenness in the amount of lubricant supplied to a supply target.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 includes: a solid lubricant; and a supply member that contacts the solid lubricant and supplies the lubricant scraped by rubbing the solid lubricant to a lubricant supply target. A lubricant holding member that holds the solid lubricant, a storage case that stores the lubricant holding member, a pair of swing members that are swingably supported in the storage case, and the pair of swings Urging means for urging the moving member, and the oscillating member oscillates while sliding the inner peripheral surface of the storage case or the lubricant holding member by the urging force of the urging means, and the solid lubrication. agent and a pressing mechanism for pressing the said supply member, the lubricant supply apparatus and a remaining amount detection means for detecting that the remaining amount of the solid lubricant is less than a predetermined amount, the remaining amount detecting means In the member in which the swing member slides when swinging A first detection member provided on the opposed face portion opposed at a predetermined distance with respect to the swinging member in the direction of the solid lubricant rubbing by the supplying member, the swinging attitude of the swing member, the predetermined amount And a second detection member attached to the swinging member so as to face the first detection member when the swinging posture corresponds to the remaining amount of the solid lubricant. Is.

According to the present invention, a predetermined interval is provided in the direction of the solid lubricant rubbing by the supply member with respect to the swing member in a member (hereinafter referred to as a slide member) that the swing member slides when swinging. Since the 1st detection member has been arrange | positioned in the opposing surface part which opposes, the following effects can be acquired. That is, the position of the lubricant holding member is shifted in a direction orthogonal to the supply member rubbing direction on the rubbing surface with the solid lubricant supply member due to the backlash between the lubricant holding member and the storage case, and Even if the sliding position with the sliding member is shifted in the orthogonal direction, the swinging member does not come into contact with the first detection member.
Thereby, a pair of rocking | swiveling member can be slid with a sliding member until the amount of solid lubricants becomes below predetermined. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a difference in swing amount between one swing member and the other swing member, and the solid lubricant is brought into contact with the supply member with a uniform contact pressure in the orthogonal direction. Can do. As a result, the amount of the lubricant scraped by the supply member can be made uniform in the orthogonal direction, and the lubricant can be supplied uniformly to the supply target.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a printer according to a first embodiment. It is an enlarged view which shows one of four image formation units. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a lubricant application device at the end of use. Schematic configuration diagram showing a lubricant application device provided with a pressing mechanism of a modified example The schematic block diagram which shows the state at the end of use of the lubricant coating device shown in FIG. The schematic block diagram of the lubricant application device provided with the residual amount detection mechanism. FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the vicinity of a swing member on one side of the lubricant application device of FIG. 7. B1-B1 sectional drawing of FIG. The figure which shows the state of a solid lubricant near-end. A1-A1 sectional drawing of FIG. The schematic block diagram of the lubrication agent coating apparatus which provided the 1st electrode member in the application roller surface movement upstream side surface of the storage case. The figure which shows the form which applied the residual amount detection mechanism to the lubricant application device provided with the press mechanism shown in FIG. FIG. 14 is a top view of the vicinity of a swing member on one side of the lubricant application device of FIG. 13. B2-B2 sectional drawing of FIG. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the solid lubricant is in a near-end state in the form illustrated in FIG. 13. A2-A2 sectional drawing of FIG. The schematic block diagram which shows the conventional lubricant supply apparatus. The schematic block diagram which shows the lubricant supply apparatus of a prior application.

An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a printer which is an electrophotographic image forming apparatus will be described below.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a printer according to the present embodiment.
This printer includes an intermediate transfer belt 56 as an intermediate transfer member, which is an image carrier, at substantially the center inside the printer. The intermediate transfer belt 56 is an endless belt made of a heat-resistant material such as polyimide or polyamide and made of a base body adjusted to a medium resistance, and is supported across four rollers 52, 53, 54, and 55. It is rotationally driven in the direction of arrow A. Below the intermediate transfer belt 56, four image forming units corresponding to yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toners are arranged along the belt surface of the intermediate transfer belt 56. It is out.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing one of the four image forming units.
Since all image forming units have the same configuration, the subscripts Y, M, C, and K indicating the distinction of colors are omitted here. Each image forming unit has a photoconductor 1 as an image carrier, and around each photoconductor 1 is a charging unit that uniformly charges the surface of the photoconductor to have a desired potential (negative polarity). The charging device 2, the developing device 4 as a developing unit that develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor with each color toner charged to a negative polarity to form a toner image, and supplies the lubricant to the surface of the photoreceptor by coating. A lubricant application device 3 that is a lubricant supply device and a cleaning device 8 that cleans the surface of the photoreceptor after the toner image transfer are disposed.

  The image forming unit is configured as a process cartridge that is detachable from the image forming apparatus, and is configured such that the photosensitive member 1, the charging device 2, the developing device 4, the cleaning device 8, and the lubricant applying device 3 are replaced at once.

  Further, referring to FIG. 1, below the four image forming units, an electrostatic image is written on the surface of each charged photosensitive member based on the image data of each color by dropping the potential of the exposed portion and writing an electrostatic latent image. An exposure device 9 is provided as latent image forming means. A primary transfer roller 51 serving as a transfer unit that primarily transfers the toner image formed on the photoconductor 1 onto the intermediate transfer belt 56 is located at a position facing each photoconductor 1 with the intermediate transfer belt 56 interposed therebetween. Each is arranged. The primary transfer roller 51 is connected to a power source (not shown) and is applied with a predetermined voltage.

  A secondary transfer roller 61 as a secondary transfer unit is pressed against the outside of the portion of the intermediate transfer belt 56 supported by the roller 52. The secondary transfer roller 61 is connected to a power source (not shown) and is applied with a predetermined voltage. A contact portion between the secondary transfer roller 61 and the intermediate transfer belt 56 is a secondary transfer portion, and the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 56 is transferred onto a transfer sheet as a recording material. An intermediate transfer belt cleaning device 57 for cleaning the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 56 after the secondary transfer is provided outside the portion of the intermediate transfer belt 56 supported by the roller 55. Above the secondary transfer portion, a fixing device 70 is provided for fixing the toner image on the transfer paper to the transfer paper. The fixing device 70 includes a heating roller 72 having a halogen heater therein and an endless fixing belt 71 wound around the fixing roller 73, and a pressurization disposed so as to be opposed to and in pressure contact with the fixing roller 73 via the fixing belt 71. And a roller 74. A paper feeding device 20 is provided at the bottom of the printer. The paper feeding device 20 places the transfer paper and feeds the transfer paper toward the secondary transfer unit.

  The photoreceptor 1 is an organic photoreceptor, and a surface protective layer is formed of a polycarbonate-based resin. The charging device 2 includes a charging roller 2a configured by covering a conductive cored bar with a medium resistance elastic layer as a charging member. The charging roller 2a is connected to a power source (not shown) and is applied with a predetermined voltage. The charging roller 2 a is disposed with a small gap with respect to the photoreceptor 1. The minute gap is set by, for example, winding a spacer member having a certain thickness around the non-image forming regions at both ends of the charging roller 2a to bring the surface of the spacer member into contact with the surface of the photoreceptor 1. can do. Further, the charging roller 2a is provided with a charging cleaning member 2b for cleaning in contact with the surface of the charging roller 2a.

  In the developing device 4, a developing sleeve 4 a as a developer carrying member provided with a magnetic field generating means is disposed at a position facing the photoconductor 1. Below the developing sleeve 4a, there are provided two screws 4b for mixing toner introduced from a toner bottle (not shown) with the developer and pumping it up to the developing sleeve 4a while stirring. The developer composed of toner and magnetic carrier pumped up by the developing sleeve 4a is regulated to a predetermined developer layer thickness by the doctor blade 4c and is carried on the developing sleeve 4a. The developing sleeve 4a carries and conveys the developer while moving in the same direction at a position facing the photoconductor 1, and supplies toner to the electrostatic latent image portion on the photoconductor 1. In FIG. 1, the configuration of the two-component developing type developing device 4 is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a one-component developing type developing device can also be applied.

The lubricant application device 3 includes a solid lubricant 3b housed in a fixed case, and a supply member that constitutes application means for applying a powdery lubricant scraped from the solid lubricant 3b to the surface of the photoreceptor 1. As an application roller 3a. The application roller 3a can be a brush roller or a urethane foam roller. When a brush roller is used as the coating roller 3a, a resistance control material such as carbon black is added to a resin such as nylon or acrylic to adjust the volume resistivity within a range of 1 × 10 ³ Ωcm to 1 × 10 ⁸ Ωcm. A brush roller formed of the formed material is preferred. The rotation direction of the application roller 3 a is a rotation direction with respect to the photoreceptor 1. When a foamed urethane roller is used as the application roller 3a, a foamed polyurethane roller can be used.

  The solid lubricant 3b is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape and is pressed toward the application roller 3a by a pressing mechanism 3c described later. As the lubricant of the solid lubricant 3b, a lubricant containing at least a fatty acid metal salt is used. Examples of the fatty acid metal salt include a fatty acid metal salt having a lamellar crystal structure such as fluororesin, zinc stearate, calcium stearate, barium stearate, aluminum stearate, magnesium stearate, lauroyl lysine, sodium zinc monocetyl phosphate Substances such as salt and lauroyl taurine calcium can be used. Of these fatty acid metal salts, it is particularly preferable to use zinc stearate. This is because zinc stearate has very good extensibility on the surface of the photoreceptor 1 and has low hygroscopicity, and even when the humidity changes, the lubricity is not easily lost. . Therefore, it is possible to form a coating layer of a lubricant having a high ability to protect the surface of the photoconductor which is not easily affected by environmental changes, and the surface of the photoconductor can be well protected. Moreover, since it has the characteristic that lubricity is hard to be impaired, the effect of reducing cleaning defects can be obtained satisfactorily. In addition to these fatty acid metal salts, liquid materials such as silicone oil, fluorine oil, and natural wax, and gaseous materials can be added as an external addition method.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the lubricant of the solid lubricant 3b contains boron nitride which is an inorganic lubricant. Examples of the crystal structure of boron nitride include a hexagonal low-pressure phase (h-BN) and a cubic high-pressure phase (c-BN). Among these boron nitrides, hexagonal low-pressure phase boron nitride crystals have a layered structure and are easily cleaved, so the friction coefficient is about 0. 2 or less can be maintained, the characteristics hardly change due to the discharge, and even if the discharge is received, the lubricity is not lost as compared with other lubricants. By adding such boron nitride, the lubricant supplied to the surface of the photoreceptor 1 and thinned does not deteriorate early due to the discharge generated when the charging device 2 or the primary transfer roller 51 is operated. Boron nitride does not easily change its characteristics due to discharge, and even when subjected to discharge, lubricity is not lost compared to other lubricants. Moreover, it is possible to prevent the photosensitive layer of the photosensitive member 1 from being oxidized and evaporated by discharge. Further, since boron nitride can exhibit its lubricity even with a slight addition amount, it is effective for problems caused by adhesion of lubricant to the charging roller 2a and the like and blade noise of the cleaning blade 8a.

  As the solid lubricant 3b of this embodiment, a material obtained by compression molding a lubricant raw material containing zinc stearate and boron nitride was used. The molding method of the solid lubricant 3b is not limited to this, and other molding methods such as melt molding may be employed. Thereby, the effect of the zinc stearate described above and the effect of the boron nitride described above can be obtained.

  The solid lubricant 3b is scraped off and consumed by the application roller 3a, and the thickness thereof decreases with time. However, since the solid lubricant 3b is pressed by the pressing mechanism 3c, the solid lubricant 3b is always in contact with the application roller 3a. The application roller 3a applies the lubricant scraped off while rotating to the surface of the photoreceptor. Thereafter, the applied lubricant is spread by contact between the surface of the photosensitive member 1 and the cleaning blade 8a to form a thin film. As a result, the coefficient of friction of the surface of the photoreceptor 1 is reduced. Note that the lubricant film attached to the surface of the photoreceptor 1 is very thin and does not hinder charging by the charging roller 2a.

  The cleaning device 8 includes a cleaning blade 8a as a cleaning member, a support member 8b, a toner recovery coil 8c, and a blade pressure spring 8d. The cleaning blade 8a is formed by forming a rubber such as urethane rubber or silicone rubber into a plate shape, and the edge of the cleaning blade 8a is in contact with the surface of the photoconductor 1 to remove the toner on the photoconductor 1 remaining after transfer. To do. The cleaning blade 8 a is attached to and supported by a support member 8 b made of metal, plastic, ceramic, or the like, and is installed at a predetermined angle with respect to the surface of the photoreceptor 1. Further, the blade pressing spring 8d is brought into contact with the surface of the photosensitive member 1 with a predetermined contact pressure and a biting amount. In addition to the cleaning blade, a known member such as a cleaning brush can be widely used as the cleaning member.

In the present embodiment, the lubricant application device 3 is arranged on the downstream side in the moving direction of the photoconductor surface with respect to the position where the photoconductor 1 faces the primary transfer means 51 (primary transfer portion) and on the upstream side with respect to the cleaning device 8. The As a result, the lubricant applied to the surface of the photoreceptor by the lubricant application device 3 is extended by the rubbing of the surface of the photoreceptor with the cleaning blade 8a, and uneven application of the lubricant applied to the surface of the photoreceptor is thereby eliminated. It can be roughly leveled. The photosensitive member 1 is disposed on the downstream side in the moving direction of the photosensitive member surface with respect to the position facing the cleaning device 8 (cleaning position), and on the upstream side with respect to the position facing the charging device 2 (charging position). You may do it. In this case, when a charge removing unit for discharging the surface of the photoconductor before the charging process in the charging device 2 is provided, the photoconductor 1 is arranged on the upstream side of a position (static discharge position) opposed to the charge removing unit.
In the present embodiment, the lubricant application device 3 is provided inside the cleaning device 8. As a result, the toner adhering to the application roller 3a when the photoconductor 1 is rubbed is shaken off by the solid lubricant 3b or flicker (not shown), and is easily recovered by the toner recovery coil 8c together with the toner recovered by the cleaning blade 8a. can do.

The lubricant application device 3 will be described in more detail.
FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of the lubricant application device 3.
As shown in FIG. 3, there is provided a lubricant holding member 3d that holds the portion of the solid lubricant 3b opposite to the surface (the lower surface in the figure) that contacts the application roller 3a in the longitudinal direction. . The lubricant holding member 3d is provided in the storage case 3e so as to be able to contact and separate from the application roller 3a. In addition, a pressing mechanism 3c that presses the lubricant holding member 3d toward the supply member is provided in the upper space in the drawing from the lubricant holding member 3d of the storage case 3e.

  The pressing mechanisms 3c are provided in the vicinity of both ends in the longitudinal direction of the lubricant holding member 3d, and have a swing member 31a swingably attached to the storage case 3e, and a spring 31b as a biasing means. Yes. Each end of the spring 31b is attached to the swing member 31a. Each oscillating member 31a obtains an urging force in the direction of arrow D in the figure from the spring 31b toward the longitudinal center of the lubricant holding member. By this urging force, the swing member on the right side in the drawing is biased so as to swing counterclockwise in the drawing and the swing member on the left side in the drawing swings clockwise in the drawing. Thereby, the arc-shaped contact portion 311 that contacts the lubricant holding member 3d of each swing member 31a is biased toward the lubricant holding member 3d as shown in FIG.

  In the initial stage of use, the swinging end portion of each swinging member 31a is swung in a direction approaching the inner peripheral surface 32 of the upper surface portion of the storage case 3e against the biasing force of the spring 31b. With such a configuration, the two oscillating members 31a receive the biasing force of the spring 31b and press the lubricant holding member 3d with equal force to each other, and apply the solid lubricant 3b held by the lubricant holding member 3d to the application roller. Press to 3a. Therefore, the solid lubricant 3b is uniformly pressed against the application roller 3a in the longitudinal direction. As a result, the amount of the lubricant scraped off by the rotation of the application roller 3a is uniform in the longitudinal direction, and the lubricant can be applied evenly on the surface of the photoreceptor 1.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of the lubricant application device 3 at the end of use (when the remaining amount of the solid lubricant is small).
When the solid lubricant 3b is gradually scraped by the rubbing by the application roller 3a, the swing member 31a swings and the lubricant holding member 3d moves toward the application roller. When the amount of the solid lubricant finally becomes small as shown in FIG. 4, the swing end of the swing member 31a comes into contact with the lubricant holding member 3d.

  In the pressing mechanism 3c of this embodiment, even if the height of the solid lubricant 3b decreases due to use over time, a decrease in the applied pressure of the solid lubricant 3b can be suppressed. Therefore, fluctuations in the amount of the powder lubricant supplied to the surface of the photoreceptor 1 from the initial stage over time can be suppressed to a small level.

The reason why such a result is obtained is as follows.
In general, as the length of the spring as a whole increases with respect to the amount of change in spring extension that changes from the beginning until the solid lubricant 3b disappears, the variation in the biasing force of the spring with respect to the amount of change in spring spring decreases. I'll do it. The conventional pressing mechanism is arranged in a state where the spring is contracted, and the direction of the urging force (extrusion force) is made to coincide with the pressing direction of the solid lubricant 3b against the application roller 3a. In this configuration, the longer the length of the entire spring, the more difficult it is to match the direction of the urging force of the spring and the pressing direction of the solid lubricant 3b against the application roller 3a. There is a limit to how long it can be. In addition, in the conventional pressing mechanism, an arrangement space for the length of the spring must be secured in the radial direction of the application roller 3a, leading to an increase in the size of the apparatus. For these reasons, in the conventional pressing mechanism, a relatively short spring must be used, and the urging force fluctuation of the spring with time increases.

  On the other hand, in the pressing mechanism 3c of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the spring 31b is disposed in an extended state, and the solid lubricant 3b is applied to the application roller 3a by its urging force (tensile force). Can be pressed. Therefore, even if the length of the entire spring is increased, the problem as in the conventional pressing mechanism does not occur. Moreover, in the pressing mechanism 3c of the present embodiment, the spring 31b is arranged so that the length direction of the spring 31b coincides with the long direction of the solid lubricant 3b, that is, the axial direction of the application roller 3a. Therefore, even if the length of the spring 31b is increased, the arrangement space does not increase in the radial direction of the application roller 3a, and the apparatus does not need to be enlarged. For this reason, the pressing mechanism 3c of the present embodiment can employ a spring 31b that is much longer than the length of the spring used in the conventional pressing mechanism. As a result, it is possible to suppress fluctuations in the biasing force of the spring over time.

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a lubricant application device including a modified pressing mechanism.
In this modification, the pressing mechanism 300c is configured such that each swinging member 301a is swingably attached to the lubricant holding member 3d. As a result, each oscillating member 301a is applied in a direction in which the oscillating end portion of each oscillating member 301a is separated from the lubricant holding member 3d by a biasing force from the spring 301b toward the longitudinal center of the lubricant holding member 3d. The swing end portion of each swing member 301a is in contact with the inner peripheral surface 32 of the upper surface portion of the storage case 3e.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the initial stage of use, the swinging end portion of each swinging member 301a is disposed in a state of swinging in a direction approaching the lubricant holding member 3d against the biasing force of the spring 301b. In this modification, the two oscillating members 301a receive the urging force of the spring 301b and press the inner peripheral surface 32 of the upper surface of the case with equal force to each other, and the solid lubricant 3b held by the lubricant holding member 3d. Is pressed against the coating roller 3a. Also in this modified example, when the solid lubricant 3b is gradually scraped by rubbing with the application roller 3a, the swing member 301a swings and the lubricant holding member 3d moves to the application roller side. Then, when the amount of the solid lubricant finally becomes small, each swing member 301a swings to a state as shown in FIG.

Next, the remaining amount detection mechanism 40 as the remaining amount detecting means for detecting the near end of the solid lubricant, which is a characteristic point of the present embodiment, will be described.
FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a configuration in which the lubricant application device 3 including the pressing mechanism 300c illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 is provided with the remaining amount detection mechanism 40 of the present embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the vicinity of the swing member 301a on one side of the lubricant application device 3 of FIG. 7, and FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B1-B1 of FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, the remaining amount detection mechanism 40 includes a first electrode member 41 as a first detection member, a second electrode member 42 as a second detection member, and the like. The first electrode member 41 is provided in the vicinity of both ends in the longitudinal direction of the side surface of the storage case 3e. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the second electrode member 42 is provided on the side surface of each swinging member 31a. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the second electrode member 42 is provided in the vicinity of the swing side end of the swing member 31a. As shown in FIG. 7, the first electrode member 41 is located closer to the center in the longitudinal direction than the second electrode member 42 in the initial stage of using the solid lubricant.

  Each first electrode member 41 and each second electrode member 42 are connected to electrical resistance detection means 44 as voltage application means. The electrical resistance detection means 44 is connected to the control means 100 that controls the electrical resistance detection means 44. The electrical resistance detector 44 applies a voltage between the first electrode member 41 and the second electrode member 42 to measure the electrical resistance.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, in the initial stage of use, the second electrode member 42 attached to each swing member 301 a is separated from the first electrode member 41 and is in a non-conductive state. Therefore, at this time, even if a voltage is applied between the first electrode member 41 and the second electrode member 42 by the electrical resistance detection means 44, a current is generated between the first electrode member 41 and the second electrode member 42. It does not flow, and it is in a state where measurement of the electric resistance value is impossible.

FIG. 10 is a view showing a state in which the solid lubricant 3b is near-end, and FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A1-A1 of FIG.
The solid lubricant 3b is scraped and the lubricant is consumed, and the swing member 301a swings while sliding on the inner peripheral surface 32 of the upper surface portion of the storage case 3e, and the second electrode member 42 gradually becomes the second electrode member 42. The one electrode member 41 is approached. Then, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the second electrode member 42 comes into contact with the first electrode member 41 when the amount of the solid lubricant 3 b becomes a little (near end). When the second electrode member 42 contacts the first electrode member 41, the first electrode member 41 and the second electrode member 42 are switched from the non-conducting state to the conducting state. As a result, when the electrical resistance detection means 44 applies a voltage between the first electrode member 41 and the second electrode member 42, a current flows between the first electrode member 41 and the second electrode member 42, The electrical resistance value is measured by the resistance detection means 44.

  The control means 100 monitors the measurement result of the electrical resistance value detection means 44. When the control means 100 detects that the electrical resistance value detected by the electrical resistance detection means 44 is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the control means 100 detects the lubricant. Judged to be near-end. Then, the operation display unit (not shown) notifies the user that the remaining lubricant is low, and prompts the user to replace the solid lubricant 3b. In addition, the service center may be notified that the lubricant needs to be replaced using a communication means (not shown).

  The lubricant holding member 3d is provided in the storage case so that it can move in the storage case in a direction in which it is in contact with and away from the application roller 3a (a direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 8). For this reason, the storage case 3e has a backlash and is held by the storage case 3e. The backlash generates a gap (gap) of about 1 mm at the maximum due to variations in fixing accuracy between the lubricant holding member 3d and the solid lubricant 3b and variations in component accuracy of the storage case 3e. Accordingly, the lubricant holding member 3d may be displaced in the longitudinal direction during use.

  The first electrode member 41 is disposed at the left end of the sliding region S in the figure, and the second electrode member 42 is disposed in the vicinity of the swing end portion of the contact portion of the swing member 31a, so that solid lubrication is achieved. When the first electrode member 41 and the second electrode member 42 are brought into contact with each other when the agent becomes near-end, when the lubricant holding member 3d is displaced in the longitudinal direction, one of the swinging members 301a A portion other than the second electrode member 42 of the contact portion 311 may contact the first electrode member 41. In this case, the material with which the swinging member 301a abuts changes midway, and the sliding state changes due to the difference in the friction coefficient of the material. Therefore, the sliding state of the contact portion 311 differs between the swing member 301a on the side in contact with the first electrode member 41 and the swing member 301a on the non-contact side. As a result, the pressure applied to the application roller 3a by the solid lubricant 3b is different between the one side and the other side in the longitudinal direction, and the amount of lubricant applied in the photosensitive member axial direction may be different.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the first electrode member 41 is provided on the side surface of the storage case 3e, so that the position of the lubricant holding member 3d is long during use. Even if the direction is deviated, the contact portion 311 of the swinging member 301 a does not slide with the first electrode member 41. As a result, the swinging members swing similarly, and the pressure applied to the application roller 3a by the solid lubricant 3b can be made uniform in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the amount of lubricant applied to the photoreceptor can be made uniform in the axial direction.

  Also, the lubricant holding member 3d and the storage case 3e have a backlash in the short direction of the solid lubricant 3b (the rubbing direction with the solid lubricant of the application roller 3a), and together with the lubricant holding member 3d. The swinging member 301a may be shifted in the short direction. However, as shown in FIG. 8, the swinging member 301a is provided at the central portion in the short direction of the lubricant holding member 3d, so that the lubricant holding is performed before the swinging member 301a contacts the side surface of the storage case. The member 3d comes into contact with the side surface of the storage case 3e. Therefore, the swing member 301a does not come into contact with the first electrode member 41 provided on the side surface of the storage case 3e. Therefore, even if the swinging member 301a is displaced in the short direction together with the lubricant holding member 3d, the swinging member 301a does not slide with the first electrode member 41.

  At the contact portion of the solid lubricant 3b with the coating roller 3a, the solid lubricant is slid in the rubbing direction downstream (downstream in the direction of surface movement of the coating roller 3a) by rubbing with the solid lubricant 3b of the coating roller 3a. Receive power towards Since the center of gravity of the solid lubricant 3b and the lubricant holding member is located away from the abutting portion, the solid lubricant 3b and the lubricant holding member are integrated as shown in FIG. Then, it tries to rotate counterclockwise in the storage case 3e. At this time, since there is a gap between the storage case 3e and the lubricant holding member 3d and between the storage case 3e and the solid lubricant 3b, the force to rotate is applied to the contact portion of the application roller 3a in the solid lubricant. This is received on the upstream side of the application roller surface movement direction. As a result, the application roller surface moving direction upstream side of the contact portion of the application roller 3a in the solid lubricant is scraped from the downstream side, and the integral with the solid lubricant rotates counterclockwise in the drawing, The downstream end of the solid lubricant 3b in the movement direction of the application roller contacts the downstream side surface of the storage case, and the upstream end of the lubricant holding member 3d in the movement direction of the application roller contacts the upstream side surface of the storage case. At this time, the swinging member 301a that is swingably supported by the lubricant holding member 3d is also tilted counterclockwise in the drawing.

  As the solid lubricant 3b is shaved, the inclination of the solid lubricant 3b, the lubricant holding member 3d, and the swing member 301a in the housing case gradually increases, and as shown in FIG. When the lubricant is near-end, the integrated body of the lubricant holding member 3d, the lubricant holding member, and the swinging member 301a is greatly inclined. This is because the height from the contact portion between the solid lubricant and the application roller is shortened and the posture is greatly inclined. Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the deviation in height between the upstream side and the downstream side in the direction of movement of the surface of the application roller 3a of the solid lubricant 3b becomes large.

  As shown in FIG. 11, when the first electrode member 41 is provided on the side surface on the downstream side in the moving direction of the application roller surface of the storage case 3e, the integrated member (the lubricant holding member 3d, the lubricant holding member, and the swinging member 301a). The second electrode member 42 moves in a direction away from the first electrode member 41 with the inclination of the first electrode member 41 and the second electrode member 42 may not come into contact with each other at the near end of the lubricant. There is a possibility that near-end detection cannot be performed well. As a result, there is a possibility that the upstream side of the solid lubricant applying roller 3a in the moving direction is depleted, and the applying roller 3a and the lubricant holding member 3d slide to damage the applying roller 3a.

  For this reason, as shown in FIG. 12, it is preferable to provide the 1st electrode member 41 in the application roller surface moving direction upstream side surface of the storage case 3e. By providing the first electrode member 41 on the upstream side surface in the moving direction of the applying roller surface of the storage case 3e, as shown in FIG. 12B, the upstream and downstream sides of the applying roller 3a in the moving direction of the application roller 3a surface, When the one-piece (a member made up of the solid lubricant 3b, the lubricant holding member 3d, and the swinging member 301a) rotates counterclockwise in the figure due to the height deviation, the second member provided on the swinging member 301a. The electrode member 42 moves in a direction approaching the first electrode member 41. As a result, when the amount of lubricant upstream of the surface movement direction of the solid lubricant 3b in the application roller 3a becomes a predetermined value or less, the first electrode member 41 comes into contact with the second electrode member 42, and the solid lubricant 3b application roller 3a. It can be detected that the amount of lubricant upstream in the direction of surface movement has become a predetermined amount or less. When the amount of lubricant upstream of the solid lubricant 3b in the direction of movement of the surface of the application roller 3a is less than a predetermined value and the swinging member 301a assumes a predetermined rotation posture within the storage case, the first electrode member 41 and the second electrode member 41 Each electrode member is provided so that the electrode member 42 contacts.

  In the present embodiment, the first electrode member 41 and the second electrode member 42 are in a non-energized state before the amount of lubricant is near-end, and a current flows even when a voltage is applied between the electrode members. Absent. Thereby, since power is not consumed every time near-end is detected, power consumption can be reduced.

  In the present embodiment, the energization state of the first electrode member and the second electrode member is detected in the vicinity of both longitudinal ends of the lubricant holding member 3d. As a result, even when the solid lubricant 3b is different in the longitudinal direction in the amount of lubricant consumption, when the end portion on the side where the lubricant consumption is large becomes near end, the side where the lubricant consumption is large The second electrode member 42 on the end side of this is in contact with the first electrode member 41 and becomes conductive. Thereby, even when the solid lubricant 3b has a different amount of lubricant consumption in the longitudinal direction, the near end of the lubricant can be accurately detected. As a result, it is possible to prevent a problem that the lubricant on the side where the amount of consumption is larger is exhausted, the surface of the photoconductor cannot be protected, and the surface of the photoconductor is damaged.

FIG. 13 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a configuration in which the lubricant application device 3 including the pressing mechanism 3c illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 is provided with the remaining amount detection mechanism 40 of the present embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 15 is a top view around the rocking member 31a on one side of the lubricant application device 3 in FIG. 13, and FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view along B2-B2 in FIG.
In the configuration shown in FIG. 13, the member on which the contact portion 311 of the swinging member 31a slides is the lubricant holding member 3d, and the lubricant holding member 3d is on the downstream side surface in the movement direction of the application roller 3a. First electrode members 41 are provided in the vicinity of both ends in the longitudinal direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the second electrode member 42 is provided on the downstream side surface in the sliding direction of the application roller 3 a with the solid lubricant (application roller surface movement direction) in each swing member 31 a. Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the second electrode member 42 is disposed in the vicinity of the swing side end of the swing member 301a.

16 is a view showing a state in which the solid lubricant 3b is near-end in the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, and FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A2-A2 of FIG.
Also in the configuration shown in FIG. 13, as shown in FIG. 15, in the initial stage of use, the second electrode member 42 provided on each swing member 31a is the first electrode member provided on the lubricant holding member 3d. It is separated from 41. The solid lubricant 3b is scraped and the lubricant is consumed, and the swing member 301a swings while sliding on the lubricant holding member 3d, and the second electrode member 42 gradually moves to the first electrode member 41. Approaching. As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the second electrode member 42 comes into contact with the first electrode member 41 when the amount of the solid lubricant 3 b is small (near end). When the second electrode member 42 contacts the first electrode member 41, the first electrode member 41 and the second electrode member 42 are switched from the non-conducting state to the conducting state. As a result, when the electrical resistance detection means 44 applies a voltage between the first electrode member 41 and the second electrode member 42, a current flows between the first electrode member 41 and the second electrode member 42, The electrical resistance value is measured by the resistance detection means 44.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 13 as well, the first electrode member 41 is provided on the side surface of the lubricant holding member 3d on which the swinging member 301a slides. Even if they deviate in the longitudinal direction or the lateral direction, the contact portion 311 of the swinging member 301a does not slide with the first electrode member 41. As a result, the swinging members 301a swing similarly, and the pressure applied to the application roller 3a by the solid lubricant 3b can be made uniform in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the amount of lubricant applied to the photoreceptor can be made uniform in the axial direction.

  Also in the form shown in FIG. 13, when the upstream side in the surface movement direction of the application roller 3a in the lubricant holding member 3d is inclined so as to be close to the application roller 3a as shown in FIG. 17, the lubricant holding member 3d Tilt counterclockwise. As a result, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the side surface of the lubricant holding member 3d on the downstream side in the movement direction of the application roller approaches the swinging member 31a. Therefore, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the first electrode member 41 is provided on the side surface of the lubricant holding member 3d on the downstream side of the application roller surface movement direction, so that the solid lubricant 3b on the application roller 3a surface movement direction upstream. The second electrode member 42 can be reliably brought into contact with the first electrode member 41 even when the side is reduced earlier than the downstream side and the lubricant retaining member 3d is inclined. Thereby, it can suppress that the application roller 3a surface moving direction upstream of the solid lubricant 3b is exhausted.

  Also in the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the first electrode member 41 and the second electrode member 42 are in a non-energized state before the amount of lubricant is near-end, and even if a voltage is applied between the electrode members. Current does not flow. Thereby, since power is not consumed every time near-end is detected, power consumption can be reduced.

  Further, the near end detection of the solid lubricant 3b of the remaining amount detection mechanism is not limited to the above. For example, a push switch is used instead of the first electrode member 41, and a pressing member is used instead of the second electrode member. May be. In this case, when the pressing member attached to the swing member approaches the push switch as the first detection member along with the rotation of the swing member, and the solid lubricant 3b is in the near end state, The pressing member pushes the push switch, and the near end is detected. In this configuration, the push switch is provided on the side surface of the member (storage case or lubricant holding member) on which the swing member slides, so that the swing member does not push the push switch before the near end. The near end of the solid lubricant can be detected well.

  Moreover, it can also be set as the structure which detects the near end of the solid lubricant 3b with a photo sensor. In this case, a reflective photosensor is arranged instead of the first electrode member. And a reflecting plate is arrange | positioned instead of a 2nd electrode member. In this case, when the solid lubricant is in the near-end state, the reflection plate as the second detection member attached to the swinging member faces the reflection type photosensor as the first detection member. As a result, the photo sensor detects the reflected light, and the near end of the lubricant is detected. Further, the near end of the lubricant can be detected using a transmissive photosensor (photo interrupter) instead of the reflective photo sensor (photo reflector).

  Further, the above-described lubricant applying device may be applied to the lubricant applying device that applies the lubricant to the intermediate transfer belt 56.

What has been described above is merely an example, and the present invention has a specific effect for each of the following aspects (1) to (10).
(1)
A solid lubricant 3b, a supply member such as an application roller 3a for supplying the lubricant, which is in contact with the solid lubricant 3b and scraped off by rubbing the solid lubricant 3b, to a lubricant supply target such as the photoreceptor 1, and the solid A lubricant holding member 3d for holding the lubricant 3b, a storage case 3e for storing the lubricant holding member 3d so as to be movable toward the supply member, and a pair of rockers supported in a swingable manner in the storage case There is provided a biasing means such as a moving member 31a and a spring 31b that biases the pair of swinging members 31a, and the swinging member 31a is moved by the biasing force of the biasing means or the inner peripheral surface of the storage case 3e. A pressing mechanism 3c that swings while sliding the lubricant holding member 3d and presses the solid lubricant 3b against the supply member, and detects that the remaining amount of the solid lubricant 3b is a predetermined amount or less. Remaining amount detection mechanism 40 In the lubricant supply device including any remaining amount detecting means, the remaining amount detecting means is a solid lubricant by the supply member with respect to the swing member 31a in a member that slides when the swing member 31a swings. The swinging posture of the first detection member such as the first electrode member 41 and the swinging member 31a provided on the opposing surface portion facing each other with a predetermined interval in the direction of the agent rubbing is determined by the predetermined amount of the solid lubricant. A second detection member such as the second electrode member 42 attached to the swinging member is provided so as to face the first detection member when the swinging posture corresponds to the remaining amount of 3b.
With this configuration, as described in the embodiment, even if the sliding region of the member (storage case or lubricant holding member) on which the swinging member slides shifts in the longitudinal direction of the solid lubricant, the swinging member slides. The moving member does not slide with the first electrode member. Thereby, the solid lubricant 3b can be uniformly pressurized to the supply member in the longitudinal direction of the solid lubricant 3b. Thereby, the lubricant can be uniformly supplied to the lubricant supply target such as the photoreceptor 1.

(2)
In the lubricant supply device according to the aspect described in (1), the swing member is swingably attached to the lubricant holding member, and the swing member slides when swinging. Is the storage case, and the first detection member is provided on the upstream side surface in the rubbing direction of the supply member with respect to the solid lubricant in the storage case.
By providing such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 12, the upstream side in the rubbing direction of the supply member of the solid lubricant with respect to the solid lubricant is scraped earlier than the downstream side, and the swinging member together with the lubricant holding member Is inclined, the second electrode member 42 provided on the swing member approaches the first electrode member 41. Thereby, the rubbing direction upstream side of the solid lubricant with respect to the solid lubricant of the supply member is scraped earlier than the downstream side, and the rubbing direction upstream side of the solid lubricant with respect to the solid lubricant is less than a predetermined amount. When this happens, the first electrode member and the second electrode member can be brought into contact with each other. As a result, it is possible to prevent the lubricant on the upstream side of the supply member surface moving direction in the solid lubricant 3b from being depleted.

(3)
In the lubricant supply device according to the aspect described in (1), the swing member is swingably attached to the storage case, and a member that slides when the swing member swings is the lubricant. A holding member, wherein the first detection member is provided on a side surface on the downstream side in the rubbing direction of the supply member of the lubricant holding member with respect to the solid lubricant.
By providing such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 17 above, when the supply side of the solid lubricant is scraped earlier in the rubbing direction with respect to the solid lubricant than the downstream side, and the lubricant holding member is inclined, The first electrode member 41 provided on the lubricant holding member approaches the second electrode member 42. Thereby, the rubbing direction upstream side of the solid lubricant with respect to the solid lubricant of the supply member is scraped earlier than the downstream side, and the rubbing direction upstream side of the solid lubricant with respect to the solid lubricant is less than a predetermined amount. When this happens, the first electrode member and the second electrode member can be brought into contact with each other. As a result, it is possible to prevent the lubricant on the upstream side of the supply member surface moving direction in the solid lubricant 3b from being depleted.

(4)
In the lubricant supply device according to any one of the above (1) to (3), the solid lubricant 3b contains a fatty acid metal salt.
By having such a configuration, as described in the embodiment, it is possible to form a protective layer of a coated lubricant that is not easily affected by environmental changes and has a high ability to protect the surface of the photoconductor, and is excellent in photoconductor. The surface can be protected. In addition, since a low friction state on the surface of the photoconductor can be maintained, cleaning failure can be suppressed.

(5)
In the lubricant supply device according to the aspect described in (4) above, since the fatty acid metal salt is zinc stearate, the effect of the aspect described in (4) above can be favorably obtained.

(6)
In the lubricant supply device according to any one of (1) to (5), the solid lubricant contains an inorganic lubricant.
By providing such a configuration, as described in the embodiment, the surface of the photoconductor can be well protected, and problems caused by adhesion of lubricant to the charging roller 2a and the like, and blade noise of the cleaning blade 8a can be suppressed.

(7)
In the lubricant supply device according to the aspect described in (6) above, the inorganic lubricant is boron nitride.
By providing such a configuration, the effect of the aspect described in the above (6) can be favorably obtained.

(8)
In the lubricant supply device according to any one of the above (1) to (7), a roller member made of foamed polyurethane is used as the supply member.
By providing such a configuration, the ability to remove foreign matter adhering to the lubricant supply target when supplying the lubricant to the lubricant supply target such as a photoreceptor is improved compared to the brush roller. Thereby, even if the lubricant supply amount to the lubricant supply target is reduced by 30 to 50% compared to the brush roller, the lubricant supply target can be well protected and the lubricant consumption can be suppressed.

(9)
In addition, the image bearing member such as the photosensitive member 1 and a lubricant supplying unit that supplies a lubricant to the surface of the image bearing member are provided, and the image on the image bearing member is finally transferred onto a recording material to In the image forming apparatus for forming an image on the recording material, the lubricant supply device according to any one of the above (1) to (9) is used as the lubricant supply means.
With this configuration, the near end of the lubricant can be detected well, and the image forming operation can be suppressed from being performed when the lubricant is exhausted. Thereby, deterioration of the photoreceptor can be suppressed over time.

(10)
Further, in a process cartridge having an image carrier such as the photosensitive member 1 and a lubricant supply means for supplying a lubricant to the surface of the image carrier and configured to be detachable from the image forming apparatus main body, lubrication As the agent supply means, the lubricant supply device according to any one of the above (1) to (10) was used.
With this configuration, the near end of the lubricant can be detected well, and the image forming operation can be suppressed from being performed when the lubricant is exhausted. Thereby, it is possible to provide a process cartridge capable of suppressing deterioration of the photoreceptor over time.

1: Photoconductor 3: Lubricant coating device 3a: Coating roller 3b: Solid lubricant 3c: Pressing mechanism 3d: Lubricant holding member 3e: Storage case 31a: Swing member 31b: Spring 40: Remaining amount detection mechanism 41: No. 1 electrode member 42: second electrode member 44: electrical resistance value detecting means 100: control means 300c: pressing mechanism 301a: swinging member 301b: spring 311: contact portion S: sliding region

JP 2007-293240 A

Claims (7)

Solid lubricant,
A supply member that contacts the solid lubricant and supplies the lubricant that has been scraped by rubbing the solid lubricant to a lubricant supply target;
A lubricant holding member for holding the solid lubricant;
A storage case for storing the lubricant holding member;
A pair of oscillating members supported in the storage case so as to oscillate; and urging means for urging the pair of oscillating members; A pressing mechanism that swings while sliding the inner peripheral surface of the storage case or the lubricant holding member and presses the solid lubricant against the supply member;
In the lubricant supply device comprising a remaining amount detecting means for detecting that the remaining amount of the solid lubricant is equal to or less than a predetermined amount,
The remaining amount detecting means is
A first detection member provided on an opposing surface portion facing the swing member in the direction of solid lubricant rubbing by the supply member at a predetermined interval with respect to the swing member; ,
When the swinging posture of the swinging member becomes a swinging posture corresponding to the remaining amount of the predetermined amount of solid lubricant, the swinging member is attached to the swinging member so as to face the first detection member. A lubricant supply device comprising a second detection member. The lubricant supply device according to claim 1, wherein
The swing member is swingably attached to the lubricant holding member, and a member that slides when the swing member swings is the storage case,
The lubricant supply device according to claim 1, wherein the first detection member is provided on an opposing surface portion on the upstream side in the rubbing direction of the solid lubricant by the supply member in the storage case. The lubricant supply device according to claim 1, wherein
The swing member is swingably attached to the storage case, and a member that slides when the swing member swings is the lubricant holding member,
The lubricant supply device according to claim 1, wherein the first detection member is provided on a facing surface portion on the downstream side in the sliding direction of the solid lubricant by the supply member in the lubricant holding member. In the lubricant supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
The lubricant supply device according to claim 1, wherein the swing member is located in the center of the lubricant holding member in a short direction with respect to the lubricant holding member. The lubricant supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
The swing member slides on the sliding surface of the lubricant holding member when swinging,
The lubricant supply device, wherein the sliding surface is inclined with respect to a swing shaft of the swing member as the solid lubricant is consumed. An image carrier, and a lubricant supply means for supplying a lubricant to the surface of the image carrier, and finally transferring an image on the image carrier onto the recording material to form an image on the recording material. In an image forming apparatus for forming
As the lubricant supply means, the image forming apparatus characterized by using either the lubricant supply apparatus according to claim 1 to 5. In a process cartridge that includes an image carrier and a lubricant supply unit that supplies a lubricant to the surface of the image carrier, and is configured to be detachable from the image forming apparatus main body.
As the lubricant supply means, the process cartridge characterized by using any of the lubricant supply apparatus according to claim 1 to 5.

Images