JPH0615065U - Cleaning device for wet developing unit in image recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] To obtain a wet developing device of an image recording device in which a good cleaning operation is performed. After the development processing operation is completed, the wet development units 33 to 37 are moved from the position where the electrophotographic recording paper 3 is developed to a predetermined standby position, and the wet development units 33 to 37 are provided at the standby position. Elastic blade 106 for cleaning,
As a state in which 109 and 111 are in sliding contact with the surface of the member to be cleaned in the corresponding wet developing unit,
The surface of the member to be cleaned is satisfactorily cleaned by reciprocating between one end and the other end of the member. While the member targeted for cleaning in the wet developing section is being cleaned, a voltage having the same polarity as the charging polarity of the developing particles in the electrophotographic wet developer is applied to the cleaning section in the wet developing section. An electric repulsive force is applied from the member to be cleaned to the wet developer for electrophotography by applying it to the member to be cleaned.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention relates to a cleaning device for a wet developing unit in an image recording apparatus.

[0002]

[Prior art]

 Between the surface of the electrophotographic recording paper on which the electric charge image corresponding to the image is formed and the electrode surface of the developing electrode, which is placed at a predetermined interval and faces each other, a coloring agent or a binder is added in the electrically insulating liquid. In an image recording apparatus equipped with a wet developing unit for supplying a wet developing agent for electrophotography, in which fine particles for development composed of a developing agent and the like are dispersed, to visualize a charge image, The wet developer for electrophotography supplied from the container (tank) of the wet developer for electrophotography to the wet development unit that performs the development processing operation is supplied through the pump and the pipe to the development electrode surface in the wet development unit. The discharge port is used to discharge onto the surface of the electrophotographic recording paper. In addition, in an image recording apparatus in which electrophotographic recording paper is visualized with a wet developer for electrophotography, electrophotographic recording is performed after development so that the visualized image is not fogged. Conventionally, a surplus developer removing device using a blade that removes surplus developer remaining on the surface of paper, and a surplus developing agent removing device having various configurations have been proposed.

[0003]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 Now, in an image recording apparatus equipped with a wet developing section, when the developing processing operation is completed, the wet developer for electrophotography is not discharged from the discharge port of the developing electrode surface in the wet developing section. The electrode surface of the developing electrode is soiled by the wet developer for electrophotography left on the surface of the developing electrode. Further, the blade of the excess developer removing device for removing the excess developing agent remaining on the surface of the electrophotographic recording paper is also soiled by the excess developing agent adhering to it. Although a petroleum-based liquid is used as the electrically insulating liquid in the above-mentioned electrophotographic wet developer, the electricity generated by the petroleum-based liquid in the electrophotographic wet developer remaining on the developing electrode surface is used. When the insulating liquid evaporates, the developing particles adhere firmly to the electrode surface of the developing electrode, the blade, etc., causing stains that cannot be removed. At times, etc., it is complicated because it is necessary to clean the developing electrode surface and blades. As a device for preventing the contamination of the developing electrode provided in the wet developing section, a device in which a cleaning mechanism is provided in the wet developing device has been disclosed in, for example, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 53-24279. When the wet developing device is configured by applying such a known technique, there is a drawback that the structure of the wet developing device is complicated and large.

[0004]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 In the present invention, an electrically insulating liquid is colored between the surface of an electrophotographic recording paper on which an electric charge image corresponding to an image is formed and the electrode surface of a developing electrode which is arranged at a predetermined distance to face each other. In an image recording apparatus equipped with a wet developing unit for supplying a wet developer for electrophotography in which fine particles for development including a developing agent and a binder are dispersed to visualize a charge image. A means for moving the wet developing section from a position where the electrophotographic recording paper is subjected to the developing processing to a predetermined standby position after the completion of the developing processing operation, and a predetermined standby position of the wet developing section. In addition, an elastic blade disposed so as to be capable of sliding contact with the electrode surface of the developing electrode of the wet developing section is placed in sliding contact with the electrode surface of the corresponding developing electrode in the corresponding wet developing section to develop the wet developing section. Between one end and the other end of the electrode surface of the electrode, A cleaning device for the wet image forming part of the image recording device, which comprises means for moving back and forth, and a predetermined wet developing part from the position where the developing process is performed on the electrophotographic recording paper after completion of the developing process operation. Means for moving the wet developing unit to the standby position, and elasticity provided at a predetermined standby position of the wet developing unit in a state capable of sliding contact with the surface of the excess developer removing member in the wet developing unit. The body blade is reciprocated between the one end and the other end of the surface of the surplus developer removing member in the corresponding wet developing section in sliding contact with the surface of the surplus developer removing member. Means for cleaning the wet developing section in the image recording apparatus, and after the completion of the developing processing operation, the wet developing section described above is provided from the position where the electrophotographic recording paper is developed. A means for moving to the standby position of the image section, and an elastic blade disposed at a predetermined standby position of the wet developing section so as to be capable of sliding contact with the electrode surface of the developing electrode in the wet developing section, Between one end and the other end of the electrode surface of the developing electrode in the corresponding wet developing section, the electrode surface of the developing electrode is slidably contacted and reciprocated, and a predetermined waiting time of the wet developing section is established. An individual blade made of an elastic body that can slide on the surface of the excess developer removing member in the wet developing unit arranged at a position is connected to one end of the surface of the excess developer removing member in the corresponding wet developing unit. Provided is a cleaning device for a wet developing portion in an image recording apparatus, which comprises means for reciprocating the surface of the surplus developer removing member in sliding contact with the other end portion.

[0005]

[Action]

 After the completion of the developing process operation, the wet developing section is moved from the position where the electrophotographic recording paper has been developed to the predetermined standby position. It is an object of cleaning in the wet developing section such as the electrode surface of the developing electrode of the wet developing section provided at a predetermined standby position of the wet developing section or the surface of the excess developing agent removing member in the wet developing section. One end of the above-mentioned member with the surface of the member being slidably contacted with the elastic blade made of an elastic material and being brought into sliding contact with the surface of the member to be cleaned in the corresponding wet developing section. By reciprocating between the part and the other end, the surface of the member to be cleaned is satisfactorily cleaned by the sliding contact of the elastic blade. While the member targeted for cleaning in the wet developing section is being cleaned, a voltage of the same polarity as the charging polarity of the developing particles in the electrophotographic wet developer is cleaned in the wet developing section. So that electric repulsive force is applied to the electrophotographic wet type developer from the member to be cleaned so that the cleaning is properly performed. To do. The cleaning operation for the wet developing section for each color for multicolor development is performed by moving the wet developing section to a predetermined standby position of the wet developing section each time the developing processing operation for each color is completed. Alternatively, it may be performed in a predetermined standby position of the wet developing unit after the development processing operations for all the colors which are sequentially performed by the wet developing unit for each color are completed.

In addition, during the development processing operation for each color that is sequentially performed by the wet development unit for each color for performing multicolor development, a member to be cleaned is a wet type member for electrophotography. By applying a voltage with the same polarity as the charge polarity of the developing particles in the developer, each wet developer for electron copying is circulated to the wet developing sections other than the wet developing section during the development processing operation. In this state, the cleaning operation for the wet type developing section is performed at a predetermined standby position of the wet type developing section after the completion of the developing processing operations for all the colors which are sequentially performed. Good. If the wet developer for electrophotography is supplied to the wet developing section during the cleaning operation for the developing electrode surface of the wet developing section, the surface of the member to be cleaned is wet for electrophotography. By being wet with the developer, the developer adhered to the member to be cleaned becomes easy to be removed by the elastic blade, and the development scraped by the elastic blade is removed. The agent is washed off by the wet developer for electrophotography supplied to the wet development section and returned to the tank, then stirred by a pump and easily melted into the electrically insulating liquid in the wet developer for electrophotography. It

[0007]

【Example】

 Hereinafter, the specific contents of the cleaning device for the wet developing unit in the image recording apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view (a part of which is a sectional view) showing a schematic structure of an image recording apparatus provided with a cleaning device for a wet developing section in the image recording apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an image of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a side view of a part of the cleaning device of the wet developing unit in the recording apparatus, FIG. 3 is a front view of a part of the cleaning device of the wet developing unit in the image recording apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a wet developing unit in the developing processing state. FIG. 5 is a side view of the wet developing section during the excess developer removing operation by the excess developer removing member, and FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged side view for explaining the operation of the excess developer removing member. 7 is an explanatory view of a cleaning state, FIG. 8 is a top view of the wet developing section, FIG. 9 is a front sectional view of the lifting device, and FIGS. 10 to 12 are side views for explaining the operation of the lifting device. FIG. 4 is a side view for explaining a developing state in a wet developing section.

First, a schematic configuration of an image recording apparatus provided with a cleaning device for a wet developing section in the image recording apparatus of the present invention will be described mainly with reference to FIG. In FIG. 1, reference numerals 1 and 2 denote side plates of a machine body of the image recording apparatus. Above the side plate 1 of the machine body, one end of a rotary shaft 4 of a roll-shaped electrophotographic recording paper 3 is rotatable. Two bearing plates 5 are fixed to support the bearings (not shown in the figure for supporting the other end of the rotary shaft 4). An imaginary line 6 in the figure is a covering member 6 for shielding light. When the operator inputs information on the start of image recording to an input unit (not shown) in order to start image recording by the image recording apparatus, the roll-shaped electrophotographic recording paper 3 is guided by the guide plate 7 of the supply unit. It is fed to the rotary drum 13 by the supply rollers 9 and 10 which are sandwiched between the supply rollers 9 and 10 after passing through 8 and whose rotation is controlled under the control of the controller 11. Reference numeral 12 denotes a cutting device having a well-known structure, which is provided with, for example, a rotary blade and a fixed receiving blade, and the cutting device 12 cuts the electrophotographic recording paper 3 under the control of the control device 11. .

When the supply of the electrophotographic recording paper 3 is started by the supply rollers 9 and 10 as described above, the starting position regulating member 14 provided above the rotating drum 13 controls the control device 11. A downwardly operating cam (not shown) lowers the tip of the cam to the surface of the rotating drum 13 which is in a stopped state in this state, showing the reference rotational phase, and the supply roller 9 When the leading edge of the electrophotographic recording paper 3 advancing due to the rotation of the first and second contact rollers 10 and 10 comes into contact with the above-mentioned starting position regulating member 14, a signal generated by a sensor (not shown) is given to the control device 11. Further, the press roller 15 is lowered by the operation of a cam (not shown), and the vicinity of the beginning of the electrophotographic recording paper 3 is pressed against the rotary drum 13. A shallow groove is provided in the generatrix direction of the rotary drum 13 on the surface of the rotary drum 13 in the portion covered by the vicinity of the leading end of the electrophotographic recording paper 3, and a large number of grooves are formed in the groove. A through hole is provided so as to communicate with a suction port 16 of a suction device provided in the internal space of the rotary drum 13, and a vacuum pump (not shown) is connected to the suction port 16.

At the time when the leading end portion of the electrophotographic recording paper 3 comes into contact with the above-mentioned starting end position regulating member 14, the control device 11 sets a predetermined timing based on a signal generated from a sensor (not shown). The suction operation by the vacuum pump is started so that the leading portion of the electrophotographic recording paper 3 is brought into close contact with the peripheral surface of the rotary drum 13. As described above, in the state where the leading end position of the leading portion of the electrophotographic recording paper 3 is regulated by the starting end position regulating member 14, the leading portion of the electrophotographic recording paper 3 is moved from the suction port 16 of the suction device. Immediately after the suctioned air is brought into close contact with the peripheral surface of the rotary drum 13, the rotary drum 13 is controlled by the control device 11 immediately after the start end position regulating member 14 is moved up under the control of the control device 11. Should be started to rotate in the direction of arrow R in the figure below, and the winding operation should be started in the state where the electrophotographic recording paper 3 is in close contact with the outer circumference of the rotating drum 13 and be wound around the rotating drum 13. The electrophotographic recording paper 3 is cut to a length required for image recording by the cutting operation of the cutting device 12 that operates under the control of the control device 11 described above. Is the end also the suction port 17 of the suction device? The sucking operation is carried out through a number of through holes, it is in close contact with the peripheral surface of the rotary drum 13.

As described above, when the rotary drum 13 in which the electrophotographic recording paper 3 of a predetermined size is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface is continuously rotated, the rotary drum 13 is wound around the rotary drum 13. The electrophotographic recording paper 3 is uniformly charged by a charger 18 to which a voltage is supplied from a power supply 19. Reference numeral 21 denotes a rotating mirror wheel, which is rotated at a predetermined rotation speed by a motor 20 to deflect the laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser 22 in a predetermined direction. The semiconductor laser 22 emits laser light intensity-modulated by predetermined exposure data including halftone image digital data to be recorded, and the laser light is an optical system including a lens 23 and reflecting mirrors 24, 25. The above-mentioned uniformly charged electrophotographic recording paper 3 is irradiated through the system, and the predetermined exposure data including the halftone dot image digital data to be recorded is applied to the electrophotographic recording paper. 3 is exposed, and a charge image corresponding to the image information to be recorded is formed on the photoconductor of the electrophotographic recording paper 3. A prebath device 26 is mounted on a support plate 27 between the portion where the electrophotographic recording paper 3 is exposed by the laser light and the lowermost portion of the rotating drum 13. The pre-bath device 26 is supplied with the pre-bath liquid from a container 30 of the pre-bath liquid fixed to the bottom plate 29 of the machine body through a pipe 31, and the roller 28 of the pre-bath device 26 is used for electrophotography. A film of the prebath liquid is formed on the surface of the recording paper 3. The remaining pre-bath solution is dropped back into the pre-bath device 26 and collected through a pipe 32 into a container 30 of the pre-bath solution fixed to the bottom plate 29 of the fuselage.

The electrophotographic recording paper 3 that has been subjected to the pre-bath treatment in the pre-bath device 26 is then visualized by the wet developing section. The wet developing unit (wet developing device) is located in the vicinity of the portion immediately below the rotating drum 13 and is located at a portion closer to the upstream side of the drum rotation than the position immediately below the rotating drum 13 described above. Of the developing electrodes 33a to 37a provided respectively, the developing electrodes of the wet developing device that are selectively used. In the state shown in the drawing, the wet developing device 33 is used, so all or most of the developing electrodes 33a). Are arranged so that they are located. The surface of the developing electrode 33a (same for 34a-37a) of the wet developing device 33 (same for 34-37) is the surface of the electrophotographic recording paper 3 which is wound around the rotating drum 13 in a close contact state. In contrast, the surface of the developing electrode 33a is opposed to the developing electrode 33a by a slight distance, and is used in the container 38 (38 to 42) of the wet developer for electrophotography arranged on the bottom plate 29 of the machine body. The wet developer for electrophotography, which is supplied to the wet developing device 33 from the wet developing device (corresponding to the existing wet developing device) through the pipe 43, is formed in the developing electrode 33a. 8)), the wet developer for electrophotography is supplied to the surface of the electrophotographic recording paper 3 wound in close contact with the rotating drum 13 to produce an electrophotographic recording medium. Record The toner according to the amount of charge images of 3 is the visualized the charge image is deposited on the front surface of the electrophotographic recording paper 3 is performed.

Since the surface of the above-mentioned developing electrode 33a has an inclination corresponding to the inclination of the surface of the electrophotographic recording paper 3 wound in close contact with the rotary drum 13, the developing electrode 33a is developed as described above. The wet developer for electrophotography flows out or is jetted from the discharge port 33as formed in the electrode 33a. The wet developer for electrophotography has a gap between the surface of the developing electrode 33a and the surface of the electrophotographic recording paper 3. In the state of being filled with the liquid, it is well flowed down in the rotating direction of the rotary drum 13 and is collected in the wet developing device 33. The wet developer for electrophotography collected in the wet developing device 33 is collected in a container 38 of the wet developer for electrophotography by a pipe 44. In FIG. 1, the containers 38 to 42 for the electrophotographic wet developer disposed on the bottom plate 29 of the machine body are different types of electrophotographic wet developers (colorants, binders, etc. in the electrically insulating liquid). And a wet developer for electrophotography in which fine particles for development composed of are dispersed.

In each of the wet developing devices 33 to 37, one selected from the wet developing devices 33 to 37 is located immediately below the rotary drum 13 in the vicinity of a portion immediately below the rotary drum 13 as described above. All or most of the developing electrodes are arranged on the upstream side of the drum rotation with respect to the drum rotation. In the image recording device shown in the figure, a plurality of wet developing devices are used. The bottoms of 33 to 37 are placed on two transfer bands (for example, chains, belts, etc.) 45 stretched in parallel at a predetermined interval, and the transfer band 45 is directed in the direction of arrow E in the figure. And one lifting device 49 provided between the two transfer belts 45 raises one wet developing device 33 (34 to 37) on the transfer belt 45 to the predetermined position. And used for development processing operation Or by removing the excess developer at a position slightly lowered from the ascending position, or by returning the wet developing device to the transfer belt 45, a plurality of wet developing devices 33 to One of the 37 is selected and used. The arrow F in the figure indicates the moving direction of the lifting device. Each of the above-mentioned wet developing devices 33 to 37 is mounted on two transfer belts stretched in parallel at a predetermined interval, with their position regulated by the interval pieces S, S. It is placed.

The transfer belt 45 (chain) is stretched around the sprockets 46 and 47, and the drive force is transmitted to the drive sprockets or the supply of the drive force is cut off under the control of the control device 11. Or Reference numeral 48 is a rail for eliminating the above-mentioned slack in the chain and preventing it from meandering. Incidentally, the chain 45 and the sprockets 46 and 47 shown in FIG. The chain (45) on the front side of the machine body is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. 2 and 3, (48) is a rail, and (46) in FIG. 2 is a sprocket}. The control device 11 controls the supply state of the driving force to the driving sprocket and transfers one selected one of the wet developing devices 33 to 37 to the position of the elevating device 49. Let Under the control of the control device 11, the elevating device 49 transmits the rotational force to the cam shaft 51 to which the cam plate 50 is fixed, whereby the rotation of the cam plate 50 causes the cam plate 50 to rotate. The substrate 54 of the elevating member to which the rotary shaft 53 of the roller 52 that is in sliding contact with the cam surface is fixed is moved up or down. 55 is a support. Below the base plate 54 of the elevating member, there are fixed interiors 61 and 62 having holes to be fitted into the two guide bars 58 and 59 fixed to the mounting plate 56, and A support base 64 is provided above the substrate 54 of the elevating member via the connecting bodies 62 and 63. The specific structure of the lifting device 49 is shown in the front sectional view of FIG.

From the state in which the support base 64 of the above-described lifting device is lowered from the height position of the chain 45 in which the wet developing devices 33 to 37 are placed, the cam plate 50 is rotated to raise it. Then, the wet developing device 33, which was positioned above the support base 64 at that time, is moved up to the position of the wet developing device 33 illustrated in FIG. 1 (and FIGS. 4 and 10). Then, the predetermined image processing operation as described above can be performed at that position. When the wet developing device 33, which has completed the developing processing operation, descends along with the lowering of the support base 64 of the elevating device 49 by the rotation of the cam plate 50 under the control of the control device 11, FIG. 11), the excess developer is satisfactorily removed, and then the support plate 64 of the elevating device 49 is lowered by the rotation of the cam plate 50, so that the wet developing device 33 moves above the chain 50. Is placed in the state. In this way, a plurality of wet type developing devices 33 to 37 can be selected one by one and used sequentially for the development processing operation.

After the developing process is performed in the developing section, if the developing process for the electrophotographic recording paper 3 is completed, the wet developing device is lowered by the elevating device 49, but the developing process is performed in the developing unit. When an excessive amount of developer remains at the trailing edge of the electrophotographic recording paper 3 for which the processing operation has been completed, it is not possible to obtain a recorded image with good image quality, so that a good liquid out state is obtained. Therefore, the wet developing device 33, which has completed the developing process on the electrophotographic recording paper 3 and has completed the developing process operation, is controlled by the controller 11. When the support base 64 of the lifting device 49 is lowered by the rotation of the cam plate 50, which is performed at the same time as shown in FIG. 5 (and FIG. 10), 11) In the state, that is, the blade 73 is brought into contact with the excess developer after development that has flowed to a position near the lowermost part of the rotary drum that winds and carries the recording paper for electrophotography, during the removal operation of the excess developer, and The blade 73 is used to generate an electric field that exerts an attractive force on the electric charge of the developing particles, or the downstream side of drum rotation from the lowermost position of the rotary drum that winds and carries the electrophotographic recording paper. The air blown in the air blowing chamber 67 is jetted from the tip end 65a of the air guide tube through the air guide tube 65 from the side, and the excess developer is collected by the air pressure near the lowermost position of the rotary drum. The blade 73 is brought into contact with it during the operation of removing the excess developer, and an electric field that exerts an attractive force on the electric charges of the developing particles is generated in the blade 73. The corona discharge collects excess developer near the lowermost position of the rotating drum, and the blade 73 contacts the excess developer after development that has flowed near the lowermost part of the rotating drum during the removal operation of the excess developer. At the same time, the blade 73 is made to generate an electric field that exerts an attractive force on the electric charges of the developing particles, so that the excess developing solution can be removed well.

FIG. 4 shows that the electrophotographic recording paper 3 wound tightly around the outer circumference of the rotary drum 13 is subjected to a developing process by the wet developing device 33. FIG. 6 is an enlarged side view of the main part in the vicinity of the developing section in the state shown in the drawing. When the image recording apparatus is performing the developing processing operation as shown in FIG. Is lifted to the uppermost position by the lifting device described above, and the tip of the developing electrode 33a provided in the wet developing device 33 is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the rotating drum 13 and faces it. Has been done. The housing of the wet developing device 33 (the same applies to 34 to 37) is made of an electrically insulating material (for example, synthetic resin), and 72 is shaken in FIGS. 4, 5 and 8 to 12. It is the axis of movement. The oscillating shaft 72 is a bearing provided on one side upper part of side plates 80, 81 (see side plate 81 of FIG. 8) of the housing of the wet developing device 33 (the same applies to 34 to 37). It is supported by 82 and 83 (see FIG. 8).

Each end of the swing shaft 72 projecting from the side plates 80 and 81 of the housings of the wet type developing devices 33 to 37 is fitted into a hole provided in each side end 71 a and 71 b of the swing member 71. After that, the screws 84 and 85 are fixed to the side end portions 71a and 71b of the rocking member 71. The vicinity of the tip of each side end 71a, 71b of the swing member 71 is connected by a blade 73 made of a conductive material. A disk (eccentric disk) 75 is fixed to one side end portion 71b of the rocking member 71 described above with the center position deviated from the center of the rocking shaft 72. . The eccentric disc 75 fixed to the rocking member 71 is given a force by the actuating member 97 shown in FIGS. 9 to 12 so as to be displaced downward in the drawings as described later. In this case, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 11, the swinging member 71 is brought into a state in which the tip end portion 71c of the swinging member is moved upward with the swinging shaft 72 as the center of rotation.

Now, as shown in FIGS. 9 to 12, a cam plate 90 is also fixed to the cam shaft 51 to which a cam plate 50 for controlling the lifting operation of the lifting device 49 is fixed. . In FIG. 9, the power from the motor 88 is transmitted to the cam shaft 51 to which the cam plate 90 is fixed via a clutch mechanism and a gear 89 which are not shown. The rotation control of the cam shaft 51 is performed by the control device 11 to which the control signal generated by the sensor 100 for detecting the rotation phase of the cam shaft 51 is applied. A roller 91, which operates as a cam follower, is in contact with the cam surface of the cam plate 90 fixed to the cam shaft 51. That is, the rotating shaft 92 of the roller 91 is supported by the roller support plate 94, and the roller support plate 94 is attached downward by a spring 93 stretched between the roller support plate 94 and the mounting plate 56. By being biased, the roller 91 is brought into contact with the cam surface of the cam plate 90. A guide portion mounting plate 95 is fixed to the upper end portion of the roller support plate 94, and a tubular guide portion 98 fitted to the guide rods 101 and 102 is provided at both ends of the guide portion mounting plate 95 described above. 99 is fixed. A lower end of a connecting plate 96 is fixed to the guide mounting plate 95, and an operating member 97 is fixed to an upper end of the connecting plate 96. Then, when the cam plates 50 and 90 rotate due to the rotation of the cam shaft 51, the support base 64 of the lifting device 49 moves up and down as described above due to the displacement of the roller 52 that abuts on the cam surface of the cam plate 50. At the same time, the actuating member 97 is moved up and down by the displacement of the roller 91 that contacts the cam surface of the cam plate 90.

Now, from the state shown in FIG. 4 (FIG. 10) in which the wet developing device 33 (34 to 37) is performing the developing processing operation, after the time when the developing processing operation is completed, When the wet developing device 33 (34 to 37) descends as the support base 64 of the elevating device 49 descends by the rotation of the cam plate 50 under control, the wet developing device 33 (34 to 37) descends. Compared with the amount of lowering, the amount of downward displacement given to the eccentric disc 75 fixed to the rocking member 71 by the operating member 97 that is displaced downward according to the cam surface of the cam plate 90 described above. If the cam surface of the cam plate 90 is configured so as to be larger, the wet developing device 33 (34 to 37) performs the developing processing operation from the state of FIG. 4 (FIG. 10). Lifting device after completion of development processing 4 The wet developing device 33 (34 to 37) descends as the support base 64 of FIG. 5 descends and the wet developing device 33 (34 to 37) reaches the position shown in FIG. 5 (FIG. 11), for example. As compared with the descending distance Lm of the moving shaft 72, the descending distance Lu at the center position of the eccentric disc 75 has a relationship of Lm <Lu. Therefore, the swinging member 71 has the swinging shaft 72 as the rotation center. It rotates from the state shown in (FIG. 10) to the state shown in FIG. 5 (FIG. 11).

Then, the wet developing device 33 (34 to 37) starts descending from the state during the current image processing operation illustrated in FIG. 4 (FIG. 10) after completion of the developing processing operation, In the swinging member 71 in the state of performing the excess developer removing operation shown in FIG. 11), the tip of the pin 74 planted in the swinging member is attached to the mounting member 77 of the spring 76. It is rotated until it comes into contact with the configured stopper 86, and at that time, the tip end portion 71c of the swinging member 71 comes into contact with the spring 76 and is connected via the electric wire 87. The voltage supplied from the power source not applied to the blade 73 is applied to the blade 73 by the path of the spring 76 → the tip portion 71c of the swinging member 71 → the blade 73. The attachment member 77 of the spring 76 is fixed to the machine frame 103. 5 (FIG. 11), the tip of the blade 73 fixed to the rocking member 71 is wound around the rotary drum 13 in the vicinity of the lowermost portion of the rotary drum 13 in the state of performing the excess developer removing operation. For the electrophotography in which the tip of the blade 73 fixed to the swinging member 71 is wound around the rotating drum 13 in a state where it is in contact with or extremely close to the surface of the electrophotographic recording paper 3 being rotated. The recording paper 3 is brought into a state in which it can come into contact with the excess developer accumulated on the surface of the end portion of the recording paper 3.

FIG. 6 shows that the tip portion of the blade 73 described above is used for the excess developer accumulated on the surface of the end portion of the electrophotographic recording paper 3 wound around the rotary drum 13 as described above. In order to bring the wet developing device 33 (34 to 37) into contact with each other easily, the wet developing device 33 (34 to 37) starts descending from the state in which the developing processing operation is illustrated in FIG. 4 (FIG. 10) after the completion of the developing processing operation. When the operation for removing the excess developer is performed, the end portion of the electrophotographic recording paper 3 wound around the rotary drum 13 is separated from the rotary drum 13, and the electrophotographic recording paper 3 is removed. When the end portion of No. 3 is floated from the surface of the rotating drum 13 so that the tip of the blade 73 can easily contact the excess developer accumulated on the end surface of the electrophotographic recording paper 3. Is illustrated.

By the way, the excess developer which is attached to the surface of the electrophotographic recording paper 3 and passes through the vicinity of the lowermost portion of the rotary drum 13 as the rotary drum 13 rotates and is moved toward the fixing section. However, even if there is such excess developer, the wind generated in the air blowing chamber 67 is ejected from the tip 65a of the air guide tube 65 to the vicinity of the lowermost portion of the rotary drum 13 as described above. Further, as described above, the excess developer collected near the bottom of the rotary drum 13 is blown up to the position of the blade 73 that is projected near the bottom of the rotary drum 13. The blade 73 of the swinging member 71 to which a voltage is applied as described above in a state of being in contact with or extremely close to the surface of the electrophotographic recording paper 3 wound around the rotary drum 13 near the bottom of After being sucked into It is returned through the blade 73 into the wet developing device.

The wet developing device 33 (34 to 37) shown in FIG. 4 (FIG. 10) in the state where the developing processing operation is being performed, is used for the lowering and lowering operation by the elevating device 49 after the completion of the developing processing operation. In the process, the electrophotographic recording paper 3 from which the excess developing solution on the surface is removed by the excess developing solution removing operation performed in the state as shown in FIG. After the fixing operation is performed, the electricity is removed by the electricity eliminator 68, and then the paper is transported on the inner plate 69 of the paper ejection unit and ejected to the outside of the machine. It should be noted that prior to the above-described sheet discharge, the internal space of the rotary drum 13 corresponding to the start end region and the end region of the electrophotographic recording paper 3 wound around the rotary drum 13 is provided. The electrophotographic recording paper 3 is peeled off from the outer periphery of the rotary drum 13 by ejecting air from the intake port at a predetermined timing. Reference numerals 70 and 70 in FIG. 1 denote heat fixing portions for planographic printing plates.

As is clear from the above description, in the image recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1, the plurality of wet developing devices 33 to 37 mounted on the two transfer bands (chains) 45 are A predetermined one selected from the above is used for the development processing operation for the electrophotographic recording paper 3 in a state where it is raised to the above-mentioned raised position by the lifting device 49, and then the above-mentioned raising operation is performed. The operation of removing the excess developer at a position slightly lowered from the position and then returning it to the transfer belt 45 is repeated a predetermined number of times to visualize the charge image on the electrophotographic recording paper 3. When the developing operation for the electrophotographic recording paper 3 is completed by performing the converting operation and the excess developer removing operation, a plurality of wet types mounted on the above-mentioned two transfer bands (chains) 45 are used. The developing devices 33 to 37 are It is moved to a fixed standby position (home position).

Each of the wet developing devices 33 to 37 that has been moved to the predetermined standby position (home position) has a plurality of wet developing devices by a cleaning device provided at the predetermined standby position (home position). A cleaning operation is performed on the developing electrode surfaces 33a to 37a of each of the devices 33 to 37, and a cleaning operation is performed on the blade 73 used for the operation of removing the excess developer. The specific configuration of the cleaning device described above is clarified by the side view shown in FIG. 2 and the front view shown in FIG. The wet developing device 33 (34 to 37) indicated by the imaginary line in FIG. 2 is a reference for the position where the elevating and lowering operation is performed by the elevating and lowering device 49 described above. It's a drum. In FIG. 2, a sprocket 114 that drives a chain 121 is attached to an output shaft 113 of a motor (geared motor) 112 provided on a support plate 27 fixed to the side plate 2 of the machine body. The chain 121 is stretched between the sprocket 114 and the driven sprocket 123, as shown in FIG. 3, in a direction orthogonal to the tensioning direction of the chain 45 described above with reference to FIG. ing.

The blade fixing plate 104 is connected and fixed to the chain 121 via a connecting member 125. The blade fixing plate 104 is fixed to the bush 124 by the two connecting plates 133 and 134 as shown in FIG. Since the bush 124 is movably fitted to the guide rod 117 (118), the motor 112 rotates to drive the drive sprocket 114 attached to the output shaft 113 of the motor 112. Then, as the chain 121 moves in the direction of the left and right side plates 136 and 135 in FIG. 3 (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIGS. 1 and 2), the chain 121 is connected via the connecting member 125. The fixed blade fixing plate 104 is guided by the guide rods 117 and 118 (118 is a guide rod provided in parallel to the guide rods), and the blade fixing plate 104 is fixed in the left-right direction in FIG. 3 (perpendicular to the paper surface in FIGS. 1 and 2). Direction). Reference numerals 115 and 116 denote support members for one end portion of the guide rods 117 and 118, and the other end portion of the guide rod 117 is supported by the support member 137 (the other end portion of the guide rod 118 described above). The support member is not shown). As shown in FIG. 2, the blade fixing plate 104 is in a state in which the plurality of wet developing devices 33 to 37 described above are respectively located at predetermined standby positions (home positions). Blade 111 (see FIG. 7) used to individually clean the developing electrode surfaces 33a to 37a of the wet developing devices 33 to 37, and the operation of removing excess developer of the wet developing devices 33 to 37. Blades 106 and 109 (see FIG. 7) used for individually cleaning the blade 73 used in the above.

That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the blade mounting plates 110, 108, 105 are fixed to the blade fixing plate 104, and the wet developing devices 33 to 37 are attached to the blade mounting plate 110. A blade 111 used for individually cleaning the developing electrode surfaces 33a to 37a, for example, an elastic blade 111 such as a rubber blade is attached, and the blade attachment plates 105 and 108 are The blades 106, 109 used for individually cleaning the blades 73 used for the operation of removing the excess developer in each of the wet type developing devices 33 to 37, for example, the blades 106 made of an elastic material such as rubber blades. , 109 are attached, as described above, the rotation of the motor 112 causes the chain 121 to move in the left-right direction in FIG. 2 and the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 2), the blade fixing plate 104 fixedly connected to the chain 121 via the connecting member 125 is guided by the guide rod 117 (118), When it moves in the left-right direction in FIG. 3 (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIGS. 1 and 2), the cleaning attached to the blade attachment plates 110, 108, 105 fixed to the blade fixing plate 104 is performed. Each of the blades 111, 106, and 109 described above for reciprocation moves in a state of being in contact with the surface of the component to be cleaned on which the blades 111, 106, and 109 are in contact, thereby performing a good cleaning operation. Will be performed.

A blade 111 used to individually clean the developing electrode surfaces 33a to 37a of the wet developing devices 33 to 37, which are fixed to the blade fixing plate 104 via the blade mounting plate 110. Alternatively, the blade 73, which is fixed to the blade fixing plate 104 via the blade mounting plates 105 and 108 and used for removing the excess developer of each of the wet developing devices 33 to 37, is individually cleaned. The blades 106, 109 and the like used for this purpose are in the vicinity of the right end in FIG. 3 when they are not being cleaned. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 3, the blades 111, 106, 109, etc., which are in a rest state when the cleaning operation is not performed, are configured to be attached to the fixing portion 127 of the device by screws 128. The rest member 129 is brought into contact with the rest member 129. The pause member 129 is made of, for example, a porous material such as sponge, and adsorbs the photographic wet developer adhering to the blades 111, 106, 109 and the like that are in contact with the pause member 129. Then, the toner in the wet developer for photography is prevented from being dried and fixed to the blades 111, 106, 109 and the like.

In the cleaning device of the wet developing section in the image recording apparatus of the present invention, the development processing operation for the electrophotographic recording paper 3 is completed, and a plurality of transfer belts (chains) 45 are mounted on the plurality of transfer belts 45. After the wet developing devices 33 to 37 are moved to a predetermined standby position (home position), the cleaning devices are used to clean the developing electrode surfaces 33a to 33a of the plurality of wet developing devices 33 to 37 at the home position. In the case where the cleaning operation for 37a and the cleaning operation for the blade 73 used for the operation of removing the excess developer are performed, the cleaning operation is performed for the member to be cleaned in the wet developing section. For development in a wet developer for electrophotography, which is prepared by dispersing fine particles for development composed of a colorant and a binder in an electrically insulating liquid. When a voltage having the same polarity as the charging polarity of the particles is applied to the member to be cleaned (cleaned member) in the wet development section, repulsive force is generated between the cleaned member and the electrophotographic wet developer. In order to work, the member to be cleaned is in a well-cleaned state.

Further, when multicolor development is performed in the image recording apparatus, the wet developing unit is set to a predetermined waiting position each time the developing processing operation for each color by the wet developing unit for each color is completed. After moving to the (home position), the cleaning device may perform the cleaning operation on the developing electrode surfaces 33a to 37a of the plurality of wet developing devices 33 to 37 at the home position, or During the development processing operation for each color that is sequentially performed by the wet development section for each color for performing multi-color development, each electronic component is applied to the wet development section other than the wet development section during the development processing operation. While circulating the wet developer for photography, the voltage of the same polarity as the charge polarity of the developing particles in the electrophotographic wet developer is applied to the member to be cleaned. After the application of the applied voltage and the completion of the development processing operations for all the colors which are sequentially performed, the wet developing unit is moved to a predetermined standby position (home position) to cause the wet developing units 33 to 37 to operate. The cleaning operation for the developing electrode surfaces 33a to 37a can be performed.

Further, during the cleaning operation of the developing electrode surface of the wet developing section in the image recording apparatus of the present invention, the cleaning blade is used while supplying the wet developer for electrophotography to the wet developing section. When reciprocating, the surface of the member to be cleaned is wetted by the wet developer for electrophotography, so that the developer adhered to the member to be cleaned is elastic. The developer easily removed by the body blade and scraped off by the elastic blade is washed away by the electrophotographic wet developer supplied to the wet developing section and returned to the tank. After that, it is agitated by a pump and easily melted into the electrically insulating liquid in the wet developer for electrophotography, so that it can be conveniently cleaned. When cleaning the developing electrode surface of the wet developing section while supplying the wet developing section for electrophotography to the wet developing section as described above, the wet developing section for electrophotography is used for the wet developing section. In this state, the cleaning blade is reciprocated once, then the electrophotographic wet developer supply to the developing electrode surface of the wet development section is stopped, and then the cleaning blade is reciprocated once again. It is a preferred embodiment to perform cleaning in this manner.

[0034]

[Effect of device]

 As is clear from the above detailed description, the cleaning device for the wet developing section in the image recording apparatus of the present invention is located at the position where the image processing is performed on the electrophotographic recording paper after the development processing operation is completed. The wet developing unit to a predetermined standby position from the above to remove the electrode surface of the developing electrode of the wet developing unit provided at the predetermined standby position of the wet developing unit and the excess developer removing member in the wet developing unit. The surface of the member to be cleaned in the wet developing section, such as the surface, is attached to the surface of the member to be cleaned in the corresponding wet developing section by a blade made of an elastic material capable of sliding contact with the surface of the member to be cleaned. By sliding it back and forth between one end and the other end of the above-mentioned member, the surface of the member to be cleaned has an elastic blade. Good cleaning by sliding contact Therefore, the voltage of the same polarity as the charging polarity of the developing particles in the electrophotographic wet developer is applied to the wet type during the cleaning operation of the member to be cleaned in the wet developing section. Cleaning is performed by applying an electric repulsive force to the electrophotographic wet developer from the member to be cleaned by applying it to the material to be cleaned in the developing section. The cleaning operation for the wet development section for each color for performing multicolor development is easy every time the development processing operation for each color is completed. A predetermined wet development process is performed after the development unit is moved to a predetermined standby position of the wet development unit, or after the development processing operation for all colors that is sequentially performed by the wet development unit for each color is completed. Standby position Or the wet development section for each color to perform multicolor development, the members to be cleaned include the wet type for electrophotography during the development processing operation for each color which is sequentially performed. A voltage having the same polarity as the charge polarity of the developing fine particles in the developer is applied, and each electrophotographic wet developer is circulated to the wet developing sections other than the wet developing section during the development processing operation. In a certain state, after the completion of the development processing operations for all the colors that are sequentially performed, the cleaning operation may be performed on the wet development section at a predetermined standby position of the wet development section. Since it is possible to perform various cleaning operations, if the wet developer for electrophotography is supplied to the wet developing section during the cleaning operation for the developing electrode surface of the wet developing section, cleaning can be performed. Since the surface of the member targeted for cleaning is wetted by the wet developer for electrophotography, the developer adhered to the member targeted for cleaning is easily removed by the elastic blade, Further, the developer scraped off by the elastic blade is washed by the wet developer for electrophotography supplied to the wet developing section and returned to the tank, and then stirred by the pump to be used for electrophotography. It also has the advantage of being easily melted by the electrically insulating liquid in the wet developer. Therefore, conventionally, the developing electrode of the wet developing unit in the image recording apparatus has a proper density and no fog at a proper density because the developing electrode surface is contaminated by toner sticking as illustrated in FIG. 13 (b). Although there is a problem in that a recorded image cannot be obtained, in the cleaning device for the wet developing section in the image recording apparatus of the present invention, the developing electrode surface is always shown in FIG. Since it can be kept in a clean state as illustrated in, it is possible to easily solve the problem as in the conventional device.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view (a part of which is a cross-sectional view) showing a schematic configuration of an image recording apparatus provided with a cleaning device for a wet developing section in the image recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a part of the cleaning device for the wet developing section in the image recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a part of the cleaning device for the wet developing section in the image recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a wet developing unit in a development processing state.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the wet developing unit during an excessive developer removing operation by the excessive developer removing member.

FIG. 6 is a partial enlarged side view for explaining the operation of the excess developer removing member.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a cleaning state.

FIG. 8 is a top view of a wet developing unit.

FIG. 9 is a front sectional view of the lifting device.

FIG. 10 is a side view for explaining the operation of the lifting device.

FIG. 11 is a side view for explaining the operation of the lifting device.

FIG. 12 is a side view for explaining the operation of the lifting device.

FIG. 13 is a side view for explaining a developing state in the wet developing section.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 2 ... Side plate of machine body of image recording device, 3 ... Electrophotographic recording paper, 4 ... Rotating shaft of roll, 11 ... Control device, 13 ... Rotating drum, 27 ... Support plate, 33-37 ... Wet developing device ,
33a to 37a ... Developing electrodes, discharge ports ... 33as to 37a
s, 45, 121 ... Chain, 46, 47, 114, 1
23 ... Sprocket, 49 ... Lifting device, 73 ... Blade, 104 ... Blade fixing plate, 105, 108, 110
... Blade mounting plate, 106,109,111 ... Blade,
112 ... Motor (geared motor), 113 ... Output shaft, 1
17, 118 ... Guide rod, 124 ... Bushing, 125 ... Connection member, 127 ... Device fixing part, 129 ... Resting member, 1
33,134 ... connecting plate,

Claims (8)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. An electrically insulating liquid is provided between the surface of an electrophotographic recording paper on which an electric charge image corresponding to an image is formed and the electrode surface of a developing electrode, which is opposed to the recording paper at a predetermined distance. In an image recording apparatus provided with a wet developing unit that visualizes a charge image by supplying a wet developer for electrophotography in which fine particles for development composed of a colorant, a binder and the like are dispersed. A cleaning device for the wet developing unit, which is configured to move the wet developing unit from a position where the electrophotographic recording paper is subjected to the developing process to a predetermined standby position after the completion of the developing process operation, and the above-mentioned wet developing unit. A blade made of an elastic material disposed at a predetermined standby position of the wet developing section so as to be capable of sliding contact with the electrode surface of the developing electrode of the wet developing section is brought into sliding contact with the electrode surface of the developing electrode of the corresponding wet developing section. , One of the electrode surfaces of the developing electrode of the wet developing section A cleaning device for a wet developing unit in an image recording apparatus, comprising a means for reciprocating between an end portion and the other end portion. 2. An electrically insulating liquid is provided between the surface of an electrophotographic recording paper on which an electric charge image corresponding to an image is formed and the electrode surface of a developing electrode, which is opposed to the surface at a predetermined distance. In an image recording apparatus provided with a wet developing unit that visualizes a charge image by supplying a wet developer for electrophotography in which fine particles for development composed of a colorant, a binder and the like are dispersed. A cleaning device for the wet developing unit, which moves the wet developing unit from a position where the electrophotographic recording paper has been developed to a predetermined standby position of the wet developing unit after the completion of the developing operation. And an elastic blade disposed at a predetermined standby position of the wet developing unit in a state capable of sliding contact with the surface of the excess developer removing member in the wet developing unit. One end of the surface of the agent removing member And a means for reciprocating the surface of the surplus developer removing member in a slidable contact state between the other end portion and the other end portion. 3. An electrically insulating liquid is provided between the surface of the electrophotographic recording paper on which an electric charge image corresponding to the image is formed and the electrode surface of the developing electrode, which is opposed to the recording paper at a predetermined distance. In an image recording apparatus provided with a wet developing unit that visualizes a charge image by supplying a wet developer for electrophotography in which fine particles for development composed of a colorant, a binder and the like are dispersed. A device for cleaning a wet developing unit, which moves the wet developing unit to a predetermined standby position of the wet developing unit from a position where the electrophotographic recording paper is subjected to the developing process after completion of the developing operation. And a blade made of an elastic material, which is disposed at a predetermined standby position of the wet developing section so as to be capable of sliding contact with the electrode surface of the developing electrode in the wet developing section, and an electrode of the developing electrode in the corresponding wet developing section. Between one end of the surface and the other In the meantime, an individual elastic body capable of reciprocating in a sliding contact state with the electrode surface of the developing electrode and slidingly contacting the surface of the excess developer removing member in the wet developing section arranged at a predetermined standby position of the wet developing section The blade made of the material is reciprocated while being slidably in contact with the surface of the excess developer removing member between one end and the other end of the surface of the excess developer removing member in the corresponding wet developing section. And a cleaning device for a wet developing unit in an image recording apparatus. 4. Fine particles for development, wherein an electrically insulating liquid contains a colorant, a binder and the like during a period in which a member to be cleaned is being cleaned in the wet developing section. A voltage of the same polarity as the charging polarity of the fine particles for development in the electrophotographic wet developer in which
The apparatus for cleaning the wet developing section in the image recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for applying to a member to be cleaned in the wet developing section. 5. Each time the development processing operation for each color by the wet development section for each color for performing multicolor development is completed,
5. The wet developing unit is moved from a position where the electrophotographic recording paper is developed to a predetermined standby position of the wet developing unit to perform a cleaning operation for the wet developing unit. Cleaning device for the wet developing section in the image recording apparatus. 6. A wet developing unit at a predetermined standby position of the wet developing unit after the development processing operation for all colors sequentially performed by the wet developing unit for each color for performing multicolor development is completed. A cleaning device for a wet developing unit in an image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a cleaning operation is performed on the unit. 7. A wet developing section other than the wet developing section during the developing processing operation during the developing processing operation for each color that is sequentially performed by the wet developing section for each color for performing multicolor development. In addition to circulating the respective electrophotographic wet developers, a voltage having the same polarity as the charging polarity of the developing particles in the electrophotographic wet developer is applied to the member to be cleaned. 5. The cleaning operation for the wet developing section is performed at a predetermined standby position of the wet developing section after the completion of the developing processing operations for all the colors that are sequentially performed. Cleaning device for a wet developing unit in an image recording apparatus. 8. The wet developer for electrophotography is supplied to the wet developing section during a cleaning operation of the developing electrode surface of the wet developing section. Cleaning device for the wet developing unit in the image recording apparatus of FIG.