JPH07225517A - Transferred paper separating device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To always perform the excellently discharging and surely separating the transferred paper from the photoreceptor surface by preventing the static charge elimination member from being soiled by the falling toner, etc. CONSTITUTION:The static charge elimination brush 5 as the static charge elimination member for eliminating the static electricity on the transferred paper P is fitted to the turning shaft 11 arranged in parallel with the rotary shaft of the photoreceptor 1, and the static elimination brush 5 is provided in turnable from the first position held in contact with the transferred paper P facing to the photoreceptor 1 to the second position where the static charge elimination end part 5a is directed in the direction opposite the photoreceptor 1. Moreover, the static charge elimination member cover 6 formed with the opening 6a is disposed in turnable together with the static charge elimination brush 5 in one body. Therefore, when the static charge elimination brush 5 is placed at the second position, the static charge elimination end part 5a giving an effect on the static charge eliminating function is prevented from being stuck with the toner, etc., even though the toner, etc., fall dawn from the photoreceptor 1 and the cleaning device 8.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is provided in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, an optical printer, a facsimile, etc., and when a toner image is transferred onto a transfer sheet, it is transferred to a photoreceptor by static electricity. The present invention relates to a transfer paper separating device that separates paper by removing its static electricity by a charge removing member.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, an optical printer or a facsimile forms a latent image by exposing the surface of a uniformly charged photoconductor, and the latent image is developed by a developing device. The toner image is developed and transferred to a transfer paper by a transfer device.

At this time, an electrostatic attraction force acts between the surface of the photoconductor and the transfer paper, and the transfer paper on which the image (toner image) is transferred tends to adhere to the surface of the photoconductor. Therefore, the image forming apparatus as described above is provided with a transfer paper separating device that separates the transfer paper, which is brought into close contact with the surface of the photoconductor by static electricity, from the photoconductor.

An example of the transfer paper separating device is one in which the transfer paper is mechanically separated from the photosensitive member by a wedge-shaped separating claw. In this system, the tip of the claw is used. May contact the surface of the photoconductor and damage the surface. Therefore, as a method that does not damage the surface of the photoconductor, a transfer paper separation device that separates the transfer paper from the surface of the photoconductor by removing the static electricity charged on the transfer paper due to the transfer of the image by the static elimination member is used. is there.

As such a transfer paper separating device, as described in, for example, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 61-44212, static electricity removing members, which are static eliminating members, are provided on the back surface of the front end of the transfer paper sheet on which the image transfer is completed. There is a system in which a brush is brought into contact with the brush to discharge the charge on the transfer paper while the brush is in contact with the back surface of the transfer paper, thereby removing the electrostatic attraction of the transfer paper to the photoconductor.

In this case, the charge-eliminating transfer paper is separated (disengaged) from the photoconductor due to the rigidity of the transfer paper itself, and then the charge-eliminating brush is retracted to a position apart from the photoconductor by a mechanism using a solenoid or the like. There is.

[0007]

However, in the case of the transfer paper separating device for discharging and separating the electric charge on the transfer paper attached to the photosensitive member by using the above-mentioned charge removing member such as the charge removing brush, In a normal case, since the charge removing member is provided in the vicinity of the transfer paper transporting downstream side of the transfer device, when the charge removing member is of a fixed type, the toner is dropped or scattered from the photoreceptor, or There is a problem that it is easily soiled by toner floating around and further by paper dust and the like.

Further, even when the brush can be retracted to a position apart from the photoconductor to some extent as in the static elimination brush (static elimination brush) disclosed in the above-mentioned publication, after the transfer of the image. If the toner drops from the cleaning device or the photoconductor that scrapes off the toner remaining on the surface of the photoconductor to clean it, the static elimination end, which is important for the static elimination of the static elimination brush, will be soiled. However, there was a problem that it was easy to get dirty.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and prevents the static elimination end portion of the static elimination member from being contaminated by toner, paper dust or the like falling from the surface of the photoconductor or the cleaning device. It is an object of the present invention to ensure that a good charge eliminating function can be always exerted so that the transfer paper can be reliably separated from the surface of the photoconductor.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a transfer paper separating device as described above, wherein a static eliminating member for removing static electricity on the transfer paper is provided in parallel with the rotation axis of the photoconductor. Attached to the rotating shaft arranged, rotate from the first position where the static elimination end faces the photoconductor and comes into contact with or comes close to the transfer paper, to the second position where the static elimination end faces the direction opposite to the photoconductor. It is provided as possible.

Similarly, in the transfer paper separating device for separating the static electricity on the transfer paper from the photoconductor by removing the static electricity by the charge removing member, the charge removing end which surrounds the charge removing member and contacts or approaches the transfer paper of the charge removing member. A static elimination member cover having an opening corresponding to the portion is rotatable from a first position where the opening exposes the static elimination end of the static elimination member to a second position where a portion other than the opening covers the static elimination end. It is good to provide.

Further, in the transfer paper separating apparatus, when the image forming operation is started, the charge removing member is rotated to the first position, and when the series of image forming operations is completed, the charge removing member is moved to the second position. It is preferable to provide a static elimination member rotation control means for rotating.

Further, in the transfer paper separating apparatus in which the charge removing member cover is rotatably provided, when the image forming operation is started, the charge removing member cover is rotated to the first position to form a series of image formations. It is preferable to provide static elimination member cover rotation control means for rotating the static elimination member cover to the second position when the operation is completed.

Alternatively, a means for detecting the separation failure of the transfer paper from the photosensitive member, and a separation failure cover for rotating the charge removing member cover to the second position when the means detects the separation failure of the transfer paper. The transfer paper separating device may be configured by providing a rotation control means.

Further, a static elimination member cover surrounding the static elimination member and having an opening corresponding to a static elimination end portion which comes into contact with or approaches the transfer paper of the static elimination member, and a shutter member which opens and closes the opening of the static elimination member cover. May be provided to configure the transfer paper separating device.

[0016]

In the transfer paper separating device thus constructed, when the charge removing member is rotated to the second position, the charge removing end of the charge removing member which comes into contact with or approaches the transfer paper is in the opposite direction to the photoconductor. Therefore, even if toner or the like falls from the photoconductor or the cleaning device in that state, it does not adhere to the static elimination end portion that affects the static elimination function, so that it does not become dirty.

Further, the static elimination member cover having the opening is
If the opening is rotatably provided from the first position where the static elimination member exposes the static elimination end to the second position where the portion other than the opening covers the static elimination end, the static elimination member can be used when the static elimination member is not operated for static elimination. By rotating the cover to the second position, the static elimination end of the static elimination member can be covered with the static elimination member cover, so that even if toner or the like drops from the photoconductor or the cleaning device, it adheres to the static elimination end. do not do.

Further, if the charge removing member rotation control means is provided, the charge removing member is rotated to the first position when the image forming operation is started, and the charge removing member is moved to the second position when a series of image forming operations is completed. By rotating to the position, the charge eliminating end of the charge eliminating member faces the direction opposite to the photoconductor, so even if toner or the like drops from the photoconductor or the cleaning device after the image forming operation is completed, Does not adhere to the static elimination end of the static elimination member.

Further, if the charge removing member cover rotation control means is provided, the charge removing member cover is rotated to the first position when the image forming operation is started, and when the series of image forming operations is completed, the charge removing member cover. Is rotated to the second position so that the static elimination end of the static elimination member is covered by the static elimination member cover. Therefore, after the image forming operation is completed, toner or the like adheres to the static elimination end of the static elimination member. do not do.

Further, if a means for detecting the separation failure of the transfer paper from the photosensitive member and a cover rotation control means at the time of the separation failure are provided, the means for detecting the separation failure detect the separation failure of the transfer paper. Then, since the portion other than the opening of the charge removing member cover rotates to the second position that covers the charge removing end of the charge removing member,
Even if a large amount of toner or the like drops when removing the transfer sheet that has become defective in separation, the charge removing member does not get dirty because it drops onto the charge removing member cover.

Further, if the charge removing member cover and the shutter member for opening and closing the opening are provided, the shutter member is opened when the charge removing member is discharged, and the shutter member is opened when the image forming operation is finished and the charge removing operation is not performed. If it is closed, the entire area of the static elimination member will be covered, so that even toner and the like floating in the vicinity can be prevented from adhering to the static elimination member.

[0022]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT An embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an image forming unit of a copying machine equipped with a transfer paper separating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention together with a control system. A copying machine, which is an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, includes a charging device 2, a developing device 10, a transfer roller 7 forming a transfer device, a transfer device, a transfer device 7, a transfer device 7, a transfer device 7, a transfer device 7, a transfer device 7, a transfer device 7, a transfer device 7, a transfer device 7, a transfer device 7, a transfer device 7, a transfer device 7 and a transfer device 7. A paper separating device 3 and a cleaning device 8 are provided respectively.

Then, the light from the exposure device 9 is made incident on the surface of the photoconductor 1 uniformly charged by the charging device 2, and the charged surface is exposed to form an electrostatic latent image thereon. Is developed with the toner supplied by the developing sleeve 10a of the developing device 10 to form a toner image (visible image).

On the other hand, transfer papers are fed out one by one from a paper feed cassette (not shown) by a paper feed roller which rotates at a predetermined timing, and their leading ends are located just before the upper and lower entrance guide plates 17 and 18. Registration roller 13 disposed in
And the roller 14 which is pressed against the roller 14 and is rotated by pressing the roller 14 and the roller 14 are temporarily stopped and adjusted in timing.
Is conveyed toward the transfer section where is provided.

A toner image is transferred to the upper surface side of the transfer paper P in FIG. 1, and at that time, it is attached (adsorbed) to the photoconductor 1 by static electricity. Is removed from the photoconductor 1 and is conveyed to a fixing device (not shown). Then, after the toner is fixed, the toner is discharged to a discharge tray or the like outside the apparatus.

The residual toner remaining on the photoconductor 1 after the transfer is removed by the cleaning blade 8a of the cleaning device 8, and the residual potential remaining on the photoconductor 1 is removed by a discharge lamp (not shown). In preparation for the next charging by the charging device 2.

The transfer paper separating device 3 adheres to the surface of the photoconductor 1 by static electricity when the toner image formed on the surface of the photoconductor 1 is transferred to the transfer paper P by the transfer roller 7.
A static elimination brush 5 which is a static elimination member is brought into contact with and the static electricity on the transfer paper is removed to separate it from the photoconductor 1.

In this embodiment, the static elimination brush 5 is fixed to the rotary shaft 11, and both ends of the rotary shaft 11 can be rotated by, for example, front and rear side plates (not shown) via bearings. I have you support it.

Therefore, when the rotary shaft 11 is rotated, the static elimination brush 5 comes into contact with the transfer paper P with the static elimination end 5a at the tip thereof facing the photoconductor 1 and the first sheet shown in FIG. The charge eliminating end 5a is rotated from the position to a second position (position shown in FIG. 2) in the direction opposite to the photoconductor 1.

Although the static elimination brush 5 is grounded via the rotary shaft 11 formed of a conductor, a bias voltage for static elimination may be applied thereto. A static elimination member cover 6 is also integrally fixed to the rotating shaft 11 to which the static elimination brush 5 is fixed, and the static elimination member cover 6 is provided so as to surround the periphery of the static elimination brush 5 at substantially the same interval.

The static elimination member cover 6 is provided with a static elimination brush 5
Is formed with an opening 6a corresponding to the static elimination end 5a that comes into contact with the transfer sheet, and the cover portion 6c, which is a portion other than the opening 6a, extends in the longitudinal direction of the static elimination brush 5 (front and back in FIG. 1).
Is formed with a length corresponding to the entire area of. It should be noted that both ends in the longitudinal direction of the static elimination member cover 6 have side covers 6b, 6b.
(The front side is omitted in FIG. 1) and toner and the like are removed from the side surface of the charge removing member cover 6.
It is designed not to get inside.

The static elimination brush 5 and the static elimination member cover 6 have a rotary shaft 11 driven by a motor 12 which is one component constituting the static elimination member rotation driving means and also one component constituting the static elimination member cover rotation means. It rotates by being rotated by a predetermined angle. The motor 12 is controlled by the microcomputer 50 and rotates at a predetermined timing.

The microcomputer 50 functions as a static elimination member rotation control means and a static elimination member cover rotation control means, and has a central processing unit (CPU) having various judgment and processing functions, various programs and fixed functions. It includes a ROM that is a program memory that stores data, a RAM that is a data memory that stores input data and processing data by the CPU, an input / output circuit (I / O), and a timer.

Then, the microcomputer 50
Inputs a copy start signal when the copy start key 51, which is pressed to start copying, is pressed. Further, signals corresponding to various information selected by the operator are input from the key group 52 for selecting various image forming conditions such as the transfer paper size, the number of copies, and the copy density.

Further, the registration sensor 15 and the separation failure detection sensor 16 provided on the transfer paper P conveyance path.
From various sensors such as a reflection type photo sensor, on / off signals output in response to passage of the transfer paper are input.

Then, a driving signal for driving the motor 12 is output, and at the same time, various loads including various driving systems of the copying machine are driven at a predetermined timing. It outputs various signals. When the copy start key 51 is pressed and a copy start signal is input, the microcomputer 50 starts the routine shown in FIG.

First, the copy start key 51 is pressed,
When the image forming operation is started by inputting the copy start signal, the motor 12 is driven to cause the static elimination brush 5 to contact the transfer sheet P with the static elimination end 5a facing the photoconductor 1 as shown in FIG. The transfer sheet P attached to the photoconductor 1 can be separated by the static elimination brush 5 due to the static electricity generated during the transfer operation by the transfer roller 7 by rotating the transfer sheet P to the first position (when it is already in the first position). Put in a state.

When the static elimination brush 5 is rotated, the static elimination member cover 6 which rotates integrally with the static elimination brush 5 also rotates to the position shown in FIG. Next, the copy operation is started to perform a predetermined copy operation, and the copy operation (image forming operation) for the number of times corresponding to the number of copies input from the key group 52 for selecting the image forming condition in the next step is completed. By determining whether or not, it is determined whether or not the series of copy operations designated by the operator have been completed.

If it is finished, the motor 12 is driven to remove the static elimination end 5a of the static elimination brush 5 as shown in FIG.
Rotates the static elimination brush 5 to a second position in which the direction is opposite to the photoconductor 1. At this time, as described above, the charge removing member cover 6 also rotates integrally, so that it rotates to the position shown in FIG. Then, when the rotation is completed, the processing of this routine ends.

As described above, this copying machine drives and controls the motor 12 in response to the start and end of the image forming operation,
When the image forming operation is performed, the static elimination brush 5 is set to the first position.
And the charge removing member cover 6 is rotated in conjunction with the charge removing member cover 6 so that the opening 6a of the charge removing member cover 6 is rotated.
By facing the static elimination brush 5 to the static elimination end 5
By bringing a into contact with the back surface of the transfer paper attached to the surface of the photoconductor 1 and removing the static electricity on the transfer paper, the separation operation for separating the transfer paper from the photoconductor 1 is made possible.

When a series of image forming operations is completed,
The charge eliminating brush 5 is rotated to the second position shown in FIG. 2 and the charge eliminating member cover 6 is rotated in conjunction with the charge eliminating brush 5 so that the charge eliminating end 5a thereof is not easily soiled.
Since the static eliminating member cover 6 is oriented so that the cover portion 6c other than the opening 6a faces the photoconductor 1, toner, paper dust, and the like scattered from the surface of the photoconductor 1 and the cleaning device 8 fall onto the transfer paper separating device 3. Even then, the static elimination end 5 of the static elimination brush 5
a is not dirty. Therefore, a good charge eliminating function can be always exerted, so that the transfer paper attached to the surface of the photoconductor 1 can be reliably separated.

FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are schematic views showing an embodiment of a transfer paper separating device in which a static elimination brush which is a static elimination member is non-rotatably fixed and only the static elimination member cover is rotatable.
The parts corresponding to those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals.

In this embodiment, the posture shown in FIG. 4 (the first embodiment of FIG. 1 is used to remove the static electricity of the transfer paper adhering to the photoconductor 1 by static electricity so that the transfer paper can be separated. 1), and the static elimination member cover 6 alone is exposed by the motor 12 (see FIG. 1) to the static elimination end 5a of the static elimination brush 5 by the motor 12 as in the embodiment of FIG. The cover 6c other than the opening 6a covers the charge eliminating end 5a from the first position shown in FIG. 4 to the second position shown in FIG.
1 is different from the embodiment of FIG. 1 only in that it can be rotated to the position.

In this way, when the series of copying operations (image forming operations) are completed, the charge removing member cover 6 is moved to the position shown in FIG.
When rotated to the second position shown in, the toner, paper dust, and the like scattered from the surface of the photoconductor 1 and the cleaning device 8 do not adhere to the charge eliminating end 5a of the charge eliminating brush 5. Moreover, since the static elimination brush 5 is not rotated but only the static elimination member cover 6 is rotated, the structure of the transfer sheet separating device can be simplified as compared with the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an embodiment in which the cover member is rotated to a rotation position where the cover portion covers the charge eliminating end portion of the charge eliminating brush when the transfer paper is not properly separated from the photoconductor. Since the mechanical portion of the transfer paper separating device is similar to that of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, its illustration is omitted and will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 and also FIG. 1 as necessary. .

In this embodiment, when the means for detecting the defective separation of the transfer paper from the photosensitive member detects the defective separation of the transfer paper, the motor 12 is driven to cause the charge removing member cover 6 to cover the charge removing brush. 5 is rotated to the second position described in FIG. 5 that covers the charge eliminating end 5a.

The control is performed by the microcomputer having the same structure as the microcomputer 50 shown in FIG. 1 executing judgment and processing in accordance with the routine shown in FIG.

That is, the routine shown in FIG. 6 is started at every predetermined timing, and a drive signal is first output to the drive system for rotating the registration roller 13 (see FIG. 1) to start the rotation. If the separation failure detection sensor 16 detects the transfer paper and turns on within a predetermined time from the start of the rotation Then, it is determined whether or not the transfer sheet has been normally conveyed and passed over the separation failure detection sensor 16 by determining whether or not it has been turned off after a certain period of time.

Here, the above-mentioned predetermined time is based on the conveyance speed of the transfer sheet P conveyed by the registration rollers 13 and 14 shown in FIG. 1 and the conveyance distance from the registration rollers 13 to the separation failure detection sensor 16. This is the calculated time, which takes into account variations in the time from when the transfer sheet P is started from the position of the registration roller 13 to when the leading edge of the transfer sheet P is detected by the separation failure detection sensor 16.

The fixed time is the time from when the separation failure detection sensor 16 detects the leading edge of the transfer sheet P until when the separation failure detection sensor 16 detects the passage of the trailing edge of the transfer sheet P. Yes, it is a time set corresponding to the transfer speed of the transfer sheet and the length of the transfer sheet conveyed in the transfer direction.

If such a judgment is made, the transfer sheet conveyed by the registration rollers 13 will be detected by the separation failure detection sensor 16 within a predetermined time if it is conveyed without jamming. The sensor signal is turned on, and after the lapse of the above-mentioned fixed time, the sensor signal is turned off because the trailing edge of the transfer sheet has already passed through the separation failure detection sensor 16. It is possible to detect whether or not a jam has occurred.

If it is determined that the transfer sheet is not normally conveyed due to a jam, it is determined in the next step as shown in FIG.
5 is rotated by a predetermined amount to rotate the static elimination member cover 6 to the second position shown in FIG. 5, that is, to a position where the cover portion 6c of the static elimination member cover 6 covers the static elimination end 5a of the static elimination brush 5. And then return to the main routine.

By doing so, the static elimination end portion 5a of the static elimination brush 5 can be covered with the cover portion 6c of the static elimination member cover 6, so that the transfer paper is not transferred between the photoconductor 1 and the transfer paper separating device 3. Even if a large amount of toner drops when the operator removes the transfer paper when a jam occurs, it is possible to prevent the toner from adhering to the charge eliminating end 5a.

Further, the operator's hand does not directly touch the static elimination end 5a of the static elimination brush 5 to stain it.

In this embodiment, only the charge removing member cover 6 is rotated when the transfer paper is jammed, but the charge removing brush 5 is configured to be rotatable similarly to the embodiment of FIG. Then, even if it is rotated together with the static elimination member cover 6 to the second position shown in FIG.
Since a is at a position where it is difficult to get dirty with falling toner, etc.,
It is possible to prevent the static elimination brush 5 from being contaminated with toner or the like when removing the transfer paper having the jam.

7 and 8 are schematic views showing an embodiment in which a shutter member for opening and closing the opening of the charge removing member cover is provided, and the portions corresponding to those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals.
In this embodiment, both the static elimination brush 5 and the static elimination member cover 6 are fixed to the apparatus in the posture shown in FIG. 7 (corresponding to the above-mentioned first position), and the shutter member 19 for opening and closing the opening 6a of the static elimination member cover 6. Is newly established.

The shutter member 19 is, as shown in FIG. 8, an outer peripheral surface (may be an inner peripheral surface) of the charge removing member cover 6.
A shutter portion 19a formed in an arc shape along is rotated to a position for opening the opening 6a as shown by a solid line in FIG. 7 and a position for closing it as shown by an imaginary line.

As shown in FIG. 8, tubular support portions 19b, 19b are formed at both ends of the shutter member 19, and each support portion 19b is rotatably fitted on the rotary shaft 11. . A gear 21 is fixed to one of the support portions 19b, and a drive gear 22 rotated by a motor (not shown) meshes with the gear 21.

Therefore, when the drive gear 22 is rotated by a predetermined amount, the gear 21 is rotated by a corresponding amount and the shutter member 19 is rotated to the positions shown by the solid line and the phantom line in FIG.

According to this embodiment, the shutter member 19 is used when the charge removing operation in the state where the image forming operation is completed is not performed.
7 in the position indicated by the phantom line in FIG.
Since the entire area of the static elimination brush 5 is covered by the static elimination brush 5, the toner and the like floating in the vicinity thereof can be prevented from adhering to the static elimination brush 5.

Although the respective embodiments of the transfer paper separating apparatus according to the present invention have been described above, in the above-mentioned respective embodiments, an example in which a dedicated motor 12 is used as a driving means for rotating the static elimination brush 5 and the static elimination member cover 6 is used. However, the driving means does not have to be a dedicated motor, and it can be transferred through an electromagnetic clutch or the like by utilizing the rotational force of a motor that rotationally drives another rotating member (for example, a photoconductor). It may be driven.

Further, the static elimination brush 5 does not always have to be brought into contact with the photosensitive member 1 at the brush tip. Even if the brush tip is slightly separated, the static elimination efficiency is deteriorated but static electricity can be removed from the charged transfer paper. it can.

Further, the charge removing member cover 6 shown in FIG. 1 and the like.
Is provided, only the static elimination brush 5 is provided, and the static elimination end 5a of the static elimination brush 5 faces the photoconductor 1 and contacts the transfer paper P. The static elimination end 5a from the first position shown in FIG. Even if it is only rotatably provided to the second position shown in FIG. 2 facing the opposite direction to the photoconductor 1, the toner, the paper dust, etc. falling from the surface of the photoconductor 1 or the cleaning device 8 will be removed. As a result, the static elimination end 5a of the static elimination brush 5 can be prevented from becoming dirty.

In each of the above embodiments, the case where the charge eliminating member is a brush-type charge eliminating brush has been described. However, the same applies to other charge removing members such as blade type and roller type. it can.

[0065]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the static elimination end portion of the static elimination member from being soiled by the surface of the photoconductor or toner, paper dust, or the like dropped or scattered from the cleaning device, and always A good charge eliminating function can be exerted. Therefore, the transfer paper adhered to the photoconductor by the static electricity can be reliably separated from the photoconductor surface.

Further, if the static elimination member rotation control means is provided,
When the series of image forming operations is completed, the charge eliminating member rotates to the second position where the charge eliminating end faces in the direction opposite to the photoconductor, and therefore the charge eliminating operation for separating the transfer paper adhered to the photoconductor by static electricity is performed. If not, even if toner or paper powder falls from the photoconductor or cleaning device, it does not adhere to the static elimination end of the static elimination member that affects the static elimination function, so maintain good static elimination. You can

Further, by providing a means for detecting the improper separation of the transfer paper from the photosensitive member and a cover rotation control means at the time of improper separation, the charge removing member cover will be provided with an element other than the opening when the transfer paper is improperly separated. Since the portion covers the charge eliminating end of the charge eliminating member, even if the toner drops when removing the transfer paper which has become defective in separation, it does not adhere to the charge eliminating end. Further, since the operator's hand does not touch the static elimination end, the static elimination member can be prevented from becoming dirty.

Further, if a shutter member for opening and closing the opening of the charge removing member cover is provided, the periphery of the charge removing member can be entirely covered by the shutter member, so that toner and the like floating near the charge removing member cover can be covered. Can also be prevented from adhering to the static elimination member.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing, together with a control system, an image forming unit of a copying machine equipped with a transfer paper separating device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a state in which the charge removal brush 5 of the transfer paper separating device is also rotated to a second position.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing one of routines performed by a microcomputer which constitutes the control system of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing an embodiment of a transfer paper separating device in which a static elimination brush is fixed so as not to be rotatable and only a static elimination member cover is rotatable.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a state in which the charge removing member cover is rotated to a second position in the same embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an embodiment in which the cover member is rotated to a rotation position where the cover portion covers the charge eliminating end of the charge eliminating brush when the transfer paper is poorly separated from the photoconductor.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing an embodiment of a transfer paper separating device provided with a shutter member for opening and closing the opening of the charge removing member cover.

FIG. 8 is an external perspective view of the transfer paper separating device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1: Photoreceptor 3: Transfer paper separating device 5: Static elimination brush (static elimination member) 5a: Static elimination end 6: Static elimination member cover 6a: Opening 6c: Cover portion 7: Transfer roller 11: Rotating shaft 16: Separation failure detection sensor 19: Shutter member 50: Microcomputer

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A transfer paper, which is provided in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus and adheres to the photoconductor by static electricity when a toner image formed on the surface of the photoconductor is transferred to the transfer paper by a transfer device. In a transfer paper separating device that separates static electricity on a transfer paper from the photoconductor by removing it with a static elimination member, the static elimination member is attached to a rotary shaft arranged parallel to the rotary shaft of the photoconductor, and the static elimination end portion thereof is attached. Is rotatably provided from a first position facing the photoconductor to contact or approach the transfer sheet to a second position in which the static elimination end faces in a direction opposite to the photoconductor. Transfer paper separating device. 2. A transfer paper, which is provided in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus and adheres to the photoconductor by static electricity when a toner image formed on the surface of the photoconductor is transferred to the transfer paper by a transfer device. In a transfer paper separating device that separates static electricity on a transfer paper from the photoconductor by removing the static electricity with a charge removing member, an opening corresponding to a charge removing end that surrounds the charge removing member and contacts or approaches the transfer paper of the charge removing member. The formed static elimination member cover is rotatably provided from a first position where the opening exposes the static elimination end of the static elimination member to a second position where a portion other than the opening covers the static elimination end. Characteristic transfer paper separation device. 3. The transfer sheet separating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the image forming operation is started, the charge removing member is rotated to the first position, and when the series of image forming operations is completed, the charge removing member is moved to the charge removing member. A transfer paper separating device, characterized in that a charge removing member rotation control means for rotating the transfer paper to a second position is provided. 4. The charge removing member according to claim 2, wherein the charge removing member cover is rotated to the first position when the image forming operation is started, and the series of image forming operations is ended. A transfer paper separating device, comprising: a charge removing member cover rotation control means for rotating the cover to the second position. 5. The transfer paper separating device according to claim 2, wherein a means for detecting a separation failure of the transfer paper from the photoconductor and the static eliminator cover when the means detects a separation failure of the transfer paper. A transfer paper separating device, comprising: cover rotation control means at the time of separation failure for rotating the cover to the second position. 6. A transfer paper, which is provided in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus and adheres to the photoconductor by static electricity when a toner image formed on the surface of the photoconductor is transferred to the transfer paper by a transfer device. In a transfer paper separating device that separates static electricity on a transfer paper from the photoconductor by removing the static electricity with a charge removing member, an opening corresponding to a charge removing end that surrounds the charge removing member and contacts or approaches the transfer paper of the charge removing member. A transfer paper separating device comprising a formed charge removing member cover and a shutter member for opening and closing an opening of the charge removing member cover.