JPH04268386A - Sealing member - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a sealing member which can prevent an elastic member from being deteriorated by ozone, NOx, etc., generated during the discharge of a corona discharger and can maintain the initial airtightness of an intake or exhaust path such as a duct. CONSTITUTION:An elastic member 70 serving as a sealing member which is provided at, e.g. the joints of a duct 61 for the intake or exhaust of ozone generated from a corona discharger 14 of image-forming equipment or the joints of a suction fan 62 to ensure the airtightness of an intake or exhaust path such as the duct 61 is covered with an ozone-resistant member 80 in filmy form for preventing the deterioration by ozone.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

[Industrial Application Field] This invention relates to a sealing member for an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic process, and more particularly, to a sealing member for an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic process, and more particularly, to a sealing member for an intake/exhaust duct for intake/exhaust ozone generated from a corona discharger of a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a printer, etc. The present invention relates to a sealing member formed of an elastic member, which is disposed at a joint portion and is used to ensure airtightness of this intake/exhaust duct.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art Corona dischargers are widely used in image forming apparatuses such as copying machines, facsimile machines, and printers using electrophotographic processes as means for charging photoreceptors and as means for transferring and separating transfer paper. As is well known, this corona discharger is configured to generate corona discharge by applying a high voltage to an extremely thin wire. Therefore, in this corona discharger, even if the wire is slightly dirty, uneven discharge occurs, which shortens its life. Also,
This corona discharger has a problem in that the corona flow becomes non-uniform due to ozone and the like generated during the corona discharge. In order to eliminate such problems, ozone etc. have been conventionally introduced through suction ducts and filters, as shown in Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 171056/1983, Publication No. 8530/1999, and Publication No. 8531/1999. A device for inhaling and exhausting has been proposed.

0003

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] By the way, the conventional suction ducts and filters have joints, corners, etc.
In order to ensure the airtightness of these intake and exhaust paths, a sealing member made of an elastic material such as soft polyurethane foam (sponge) is provided. However, with this conventional sealing member, ozone (O3), nitrogen oxides (NOx), etc., which are taken in and exhausted through the suction duct and filter, come into direct contact with the elastic member. As a result, the elasticity of the sealing member decreases, and countless cracks occur in the elastic member, creating gaps between the sealing member and the suction duct or filter, which impairs the sealing effect. There is. In order to prevent this elastic member from deteriorating due to ozone, etc., there is a method of configuring the sealing member with soft foamed EP rubber, which has approximately twice the ozone resistance compared to sponge. In an image forming apparatus, such as a machine, in which the sealing member is required to have high durability, even if the sealing member is made of soft foamed EP rubber, its life cannot be maintained longer than the life of the apparatus. The present invention
This was done in view of the above points, and its purpose is to
It is an object of the present invention to provide a sealing member capable of maintaining the airtightness of an intake/exhaust path such as a duct in its initial state by preventing deterioration of an elastic member due to ozone, nox, etc. generated during discharge of a corona discharger.

0004

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is designed to solve the above-mentioned problems by disposing ozone in a duct, a filter joint, etc. that takes in and exhausts ozone generated from a corona discharger of an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic process. A seal member formed of an elastic member to ensure the airtightness of the air intake and exhaust route such as the duct, which is a film-like ozone deterioration prevention member having ozone resistance, and the surface of the elastic member is The structure is such that it is coated with

[0005]

[Operation] According to the present invention, the surface of the elastic member of the sealing member is coated with a film-like ozone deterioration prevention member having ozone resistance, so that ozone, NOx, etc., which are sucked and exhausted through the suction duct or filter, etc. contact with the elastic member is prevented.

[0006]

[Embodiments] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the drawings. However, in order to avoid complicating the explanation, illustrations and disclosures thereof will be omitted to avoid complicating the explanation, as well as the configuration and operation within the range that can be clearly recalled from the description of this specification, as well as the above-mentioned and other objects and novel features of the present invention. , or simplify it.

First, an example of a copying machine in which the present invention is implemented will be explained with reference to FIG. In FIG. 1, a document 1a is set by an automatic document feeder (ADF) 1.
is fed onto the contact glass 2. The original 1b on this contact glass 2 is exposed to a light source (flash lamp) 3
The entire image is irradiated instantly by the endless belt photoreceptor (
8 (hereinafter referred to as a photoreceptor) are simultaneously exposed. The photoreceptor 8 includes a driving roller 9 and three driven rollers 10a, 1
0b and 10c, and are stretched by a tension spring 11 to form a photoreceptor unit. Each roller of this photoreceptor unit is pivotally supported by a rear side plate (not shown) of the unit. The photoreceptor 8 is independently driven and controlled by a drive motor 12 disposed on the rear side plate of this unit.

At the start of the copying operation of this copying machine, first, the drive motor 12 and the main motor (not shown)
The photoconductor unit, other paper feeding units, cleaning units, etc. rotate. As a result, when the photoconductor 8 rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG. ,
It is operated based on preset timing conditions to perform a predetermined electrophotographic process.

Specifically, first, the surface of the photoreceptor 8 is charged to a predetermined polarity (in this case, since an organic semiconductor (OPC semiconductor) is used, this polarity is set to negative) by the charger 14. be done. On the other hand, as described above, the reflected light from the original 1b that has been entirely exposed by the light source 3 passes through the reflecting mirrors 4a, 4b, the first mirror 5, the lens 6, and the second mirror 7, and reaches the surface of the photoreceptor 8. Exposure is irradiated and an image is formed. In this way, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image of the original 1b is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor 8. This electrostatic latent image is
As the photoreceptor 8 rotates, it corresponds to the developing device 15 and is visualized with toner. This toner visible image is irradiated from the transfer charger 19 and the back surface thereof onto a transfer sheet of a predetermined size selected from the paper feeders 16a, 16b, 16c and the mass paper feeder 17 and fed. The image is transferred by the static eliminating lamp 20. The transfer paper onto which the visible toner image has been transferred is separated from the photoreceptor 8 by a curvature separation method that utilizes the diameter of the driven roller 10b and the stiffness of the transfer paper. Here, this transfer paper is reliably separated by a separation charger 21 for increasing the reliability of separation. This transfer paper is transported by the conveyor vacuum belt 2
2 to the fixing device 23 and the transferred toner visible image is fixed thereon.
4a or the paper discharge tray 24b of the sorter 26. Note that the toner remaining on the photoreceptor 8 without being transferred to the transfer paper is uniformly charged by the pre-cleaning charger 28, and then removed from the surface of the photoreceptor 8 by the cleaning device 29.

By the way, the charging section of this copying machine includes a charging mechanism 40, a cleaner mechanism 50, and an ozone suction mechanism 60, as shown in FIG. The charging mechanism 40 is
As shown in FIG. 9, a scorotron method is adopted as the charging method in order to give a uniform surface charge to the photoreceptor 8, and a corona discharger (charger) 1 is shown in the figure.
4 is composed of two loop-shaped charge wires 41 and 21 grid wires 42. Here, a constant current output of -2.5 mA is applied to the charge wire 41 from a charging power pack (not shown) through its charging terminal 43. On the other hand, a constant voltage output of -650V is applied to the grid wire 42 through its grid terminal 44 from a charging power pack, also not shown. Further, from this charging power pack, a voltage obtained by dividing the grid voltage into 32 steps at a ratio of 28 V/1 step is outputted in a variable manner for process control of the copying machine. This changes the photoreceptor surface potential in order to obtain a proper image. Furthermore, even if the amount of discharge from the charge wire 41 changes due to dirt or the like, the grid output of the grid wire 42 operates at a constant voltage, so the grid current changes and its potential is held constant. As a result, the photoreceptor 8
Electrification is stabilized.

The cleaner mechanism 50 employs a system in which a feed screw 52 is directly driven by a cleaner motor 51, as shown in FIG. That is, in FIG.
When the feed screw 52 is driven by the cleaner motor 51, the cleaner 5 is rotated by the rotation of the feed screw 52.
3 is moved along the casing 14a of the corona discharger 14, and the charge wire 41 and the grid wire 42 are cleaned by rubbing with the cleaner 53.

The ozone suction mechanism 60 is shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.
As shown in FIG.
The two ozone suction fans 62 installed at the back of the
The air containing ozone and Knox generated during the discharge of the corona discharger 14 is sucked in, and the air containing ozone and Knox is filtered by an ozone filter 63 installed on the cover of the copying machine body and sent out of the copying machine. Constructed to emit clean air. The arrows shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 indicate the outflow direction of air containing ozone and NOx when the ozone suction fan 62 is in operation.

By the way, as shown in FIG. 12, there are intake and exhaust routes at the joints (for example, section A in FIG. 10) and each corner of these ducts 61, ozone suction fan 62, and ozone filter 63. In order to ensure airtightness, an elastic member 70 such as soft polyurethane foam (sponge) is used.
A sealing member consisting of is provided. however,
As mentioned above, this conventional sealing member
Ozone (O
3), nitrogen oxides (NOx), etc., come into direct contact with the elastic member 70, so these ozone, NOx, etc.
As shown in FIG. 13, the elasticity of the elastic member 70 decreases,
As shown in FIG. 14, countless cracks occur in the elastic member 70, and gaps are created in the contact areas between the elastic member 70 and the duct 61 and the ozone suction fan 62, impairing the sealing effect of the seal member. There is a problem with this.

Therefore, in the present invention, as shown in FIG.
Film-shaped ozone deterioration prevention member having ozone resistance 8
0, the surface of a conventional elastic member 70 is coated to form a sealing member. The coating of the ozone deterioration preventing member 80 on the surface of the elastic member 70 is performed as shown in FIG.
This is done by wrapping the ozone deterioration prevention member 80 around the circumferential surface of the ozone deterioration prevention member 80, and then gluing the end portion 80a of the ozone deterioration prevention member 80. According to this sealing member, the ozone deterioration prevention member 80 coated on the surface of the elastic member 70 prevents ozone, which is sucked and exhausted through the duct 61 and the ozone suction fan 62, from coming into contact with the elastic member 70, such as Knox. Ru. Therefore, according to the invention, the corona discharger 1
This prevents deterioration of the elastic member 70 due to ozone, nox, etc. generated during the discharge of step 4, and maintains the air-tight air-tight state of the intake and exhaust paths such as the duct 61. Here, the ozone deterioration prevention member 80 is preferably formed of a material that is highly resistant to harmful substances such as ozone and NOX, and to elastic deformation due to external forces, such as a polyester film with a thickness of approximately 50 to 75 microns. It is desirable that the

Each corner portion B of the sealing member of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1(a) is joined with an adhesive member 90 such as double-sided tape, as shown in FIG. 1(b). Thereby, the airtightness of each corner portion B of this seal member is ensured.

To attach this sealing member to the joint between the duct 61 and the ozone suction fan 62, first attach an adhesive member 90 such as double-sided tape to the side surface of the sealing member, as shown in FIG. 3(a). This sealing member is then adhered to the frame of the ozone suction fan 62, as shown in FIG. 3(b). As a result, as shown in FIG. 3(c),
The elasticity of this sealing member ensures airtightness of the joint between the duct 61 and the ozone suction fan 62.

On the other hand, as another method for coating the surface of the elastic member 70 with the ozone deterioration prevention member 80, as shown in FIG. 80, and after inserting the elastic member 70 into the tubular ozone deterioration prevention member 80, it is heated to form the elastic member 70 as shown in FIG. 4(b).
The ozone deterioration prevention member 80 may be brought into close contact with the surface. Figure 4(b) shows how to treat the end of this sealing member.
), as shown in FIG. 4(c), the extending end 80b of the tubular ozone deterioration prevention member 80 may be welded or glued into a bag shape, as shown in FIG. 4(c). It's okay.

Another method for coating the surface of the elastic member 70 with the ozone deterioration prevention member 80 is to coat the ozone deterioration prevention member 80 with an adhesive tape such as a polyester tape having an adhesive layer formed on at least one side. configure,
By utilizing the adhesiveness of this ozone deterioration prevention member 80, as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b), the elastic member 70 may be directly attached to the frame of the ozone suction fan 62, or as shown in FIGS. 5(c) and 5(d), the elastic member 70 may be An ozone deterioration prevention member 80 may be adhered to the surface.

Furthermore, as another method of joining the corner portions B of this seal member, as shown in FIG. 6(a), the cut surfaces of the ends of the seal members are formed at approximately 45 degrees. , the elastic member 70 of each seal member may be bonded so that the cut surface is not exposed, or as shown in FIG.
), the corner portion B of this sealing member may be adhered with an adhesive tape 100 such as a polyester tape having an adhesive layer formed on one side.

[0020]

As described above, according to the present invention, deterioration of the elastic member due to ozone, nox, etc. generated during discharge of a corona discharger is prevented, and the airtightness of the air intake/exhaust route such as a duct is maintained in the initial state. can be maintained.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a sealing member according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the cross-sectional structure of the seal member.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the process of attaching the seal member.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing another method of manufacturing the seal member of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing still another method of manufacturing the seal member of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing another method for treating the corner portion of the seal member of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a copying machine in which the present invention is implemented.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a charging section of the copying machine.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the corona discharger for explaining the functions of the charging mechanism and cleaner mechanism of the charging section.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing an ozone suction mechanism of the charging section.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a corona discharger for explaining the operation of the ozone suction mechanism.

FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view showing a conventional seal member mounting structure.

FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the conventional seal member mounting structure.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing the conventional seal member mounting structure.

[Explanation of symbols]

14 Electrostatic charger (corona discharger) 61
Duct 62 Ozone suction fan 63 Ozone filter 70 Elastic member 80 of the sealing member
Ozone deterioration prevention member 90 Adhesive member

Claims (2)

[Claims] Claim 1: Disposed at the joint of a duct or filter that sucks and exhausts ozone generated from a corona discharger of an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic process, and ensures airtightness of the suction and exhaust path of the duct, etc. What is claimed is: 1. A sealing member formed of an elastic member, the surface of the elastic member being coated with a film-like ozone deterioration preventing member having ozone resistance. 2. The sealing member according to claim 1, wherein the ozone deterioration preventing member is formed of a polyester film.