JPH11174927A - Toner dust collecting device and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make toner dust collection to be performed for only the toner falling on the toner image carrier. SOLUTION: This toner dust collecting device, provided with the dust collecting roller 22 collecting the toner by applying voltage in polarity opposite to the toner charged polarity, and cleaning means recovering the toner collected by the dust collecting roller 22, is composed so as to make a developing area on the toner image carrier 1 generating the visual image by the developing roller 11 of developing means used in a pair with the toner collecting device, corresponding to the non-dust collecting area 26 standing for the non-dust collecting area on the dust collecting roller 22, and the non-developing area on the toner image carrier 1 being free from producing the visual image corresponding to dust collecting areas 24 and 25 standing for the dust collecting area on the dust collecting roller 22. In the mean time, the device is composed so that an outside diameter on the non-dust collecting area 26 of the dust collecting roller 22 is made thinner than the outside diameter of the dust collecting areas 24 and 25.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a toner collecting device for collecting toner spilled on a toner image carrier, and an image forming apparatus of an orthogonal transfer type using the toner collecting device. It is about.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, toner-type image forming apparatuses capable of forming clear images with excellent resolution, such as laser printers, have become widespread. Among such toner-type image forming apparatuses, Japanese Patent Application No. 7-328600.
As described above, the orthogonal transfer type image forming apparatus that moves the toner image carrier in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the printing paper and transfers the toner image in small steps at a time is a small-sized product due to its configuration. It is very suitable for promoting the conversion.

[0003] A conventional image forming apparatus which is compatible with color by the orthogonal transfer system will be described below.

FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration diagram of a conventional image forming apparatus, and FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a transfer process of the conventional image forming apparatus. FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing a state of forming a toner layer of a developing roller of a conventional image forming apparatus.
FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing a state of toner dropped from a developing roller of a conventional image forming apparatus.

In FIGS. 11 to 12, a toner image carrier 1 composed of a photoreceptor belt whose surface is coated with a layer of an organic photoconductive material comprises a support roller 2, a displacement roller 3,
It is stretched by a plurality of rollers such as the transfer opposing roller 4 in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the printing paper 5, and rotates in the direction of an arrow during image formation to form a toner image on the surface of the toner image carrier 1. . Around the toner image carrier 1, charging means 6, developing means 7, cleaning means 8, static elimination means 9 and the like are arranged, and an upper portion of the toner image carrier 1 is exposed to laser light. Means 10 are arranged. As shown by the arrow in FIG. 11, when the toner image carrier 1 rotates in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the printing paper 5, the portion passing through the charging means 6 is uniformly charged to about -600V. The exposure unit 10 irradiates the surface of the toner image carrier 1 with laser light corresponding to the four primary colors based on image signals of the four primary colors of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. Potential of laser irradiated part is -100V
As a result, the electrostatic latent images divided into four for each primary color are simultaneously formed on the surface of the toner image carrier 1. When the four primary colors of toner are pressed against the portion where the electrostatic latent image is formed by the developing roller 11, the toner of each of the four primary colors becomes a visible image on the toner image carrier 1 by toner particles having a negative polarity. Images appear one after another.

[0006] As shown in FIGS.
Is composed of four parts for each primary color.
C is cyan, developing means 7M is magenta, developing means 7Y is yellow, and developing means 7B is black. Are formed on the developing roller 11 of each of the four primary colors.
As shown in FIG. 13, toner layers 1 of four colors of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black are applied to developing roller 11 from right.
2 are formed, and each toner layer 12 is separated by a gap 13 or a gap 14 to prevent color mixing. However, since these gaps 13 and 14 are sealed by sealing materials 15 and 16, The toner does not adhere.

As shown in FIG. 12, the orthogonal transfer type image forming apparatus is characterized in that the rotation of the toner image carrier 1 and the conveyance of the printing paper 5 are temporarily stopped during the transfer, and The toner image carrier 1 is displaced by being rubbed (rubbed) with the movement of the transfer opposing roller 4 on the printing paper 5 that is stationary above (see also FIG. 11). At this time, the displacement roller 3 is used to prevent the toner image carrier 1 from sagging.
Is displaced following the movement of the transfer opposing roller 4.

[0008] During the transfer step, the printing paper 5
If the printing paper 5 is not lifted from the transfer plate 17 and the slippage of the printing paper 5 is not prevented, there is a possibility that a printing shift occurs. Therefore, in order to suppress the occurrence of printing deviation, a positive voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner image is applied to the transfer plate 17 so that a positive charge is applied. Then, the printing paper 5 is electrostatically attracted by the static electricity generated on the surface of the transfer plate 17 and temporarily bound on the transfer plate 17. Then, the transfer plate 17 having a positive charge attracts the negatively charged toner images of the four primary colors from the surface of the toner image carrier 1 to be peeled off and transferred to the printing paper 5.

Whenever the transfer for one process is completed, the transfer opposing roller 4 passes over the printing paper 5 and moves out of the area of the printing paper 5, so that the toner image carrier 1 is separated from the printing paper 5. . Immediately before the toner image carrier 1 is separated from the printing paper 5, the application of the voltage to the transfer plate 17 has already been stopped, so the printing paper 5 electrostatically attracted to the transfer plate 17 is released from the suction. I have. The transport of the printing paper 5 is started to move to the next transfer step. The transporting distance of the printing paper 5 is only the width of the developing area of each color of the toner image carrier 1 shown in FIG. The print paper 5 is intermittently sent to the fixing means 18 by the width of the development area of each color.
When the printing paper 5 on which the image has been transferred is conveyed and placed on the support member 19, the fixing means 18 of the hot air fixing system for performing the fixing without contacting the printing paper 5 has a heat source and a blower fan inside. Hot air is generated by the hot air means 20 and blown onto the printing paper 5 so that the toner particles on the surface of the printing paper 5 are melted and fixed on the printing paper 5.

[0010]

However, in the conventional image forming apparatus as described above, as shown in FIG.
The outer diameter of the developing roller 11 is the same over the entire length. Therefore, even if the gaps 13 and 14 are formed by sealing the gaps 13 and 14 between the toner layers 12 of the developing roller 11 with the sealing materials 15 and 16, the sealing is not performed over the entire circumference of the developing roller 11. Gap 1
May accumulate on 3,14. As a result, as shown in FIG. 14, when a sudden toner leak occurs from the gaps 13 and 14, zero (spills) onto the toner image carrier 1 immediately below, resulting in falling toner, and contaminating the toner image carrier 1. Will be. Then, at the time of transfer to the printing paper 5, there is a problem that the color of the toner is finally generated due to the dropped toner and the sharpness of the image is lost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned problems and to provide a toner dust collecting device for collecting only toner dropped on a toner image carrier, and an image forming apparatus which prevents color mixing of toner.

[0012]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve this problem, a toner dust collecting apparatus according to the present invention comprises a dust collecting roller for applying a voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner to collect the toner; Cleaning means for collecting the toner collected by the roller, and a developing area on the toner image carrier for generating a visible image by a developing roller of a developing means used in combination with the toner collecting device. A toner collecting device in which a non-developing area on a toner image carrier that does not generate a visible image corresponds to a dust collecting area of a dust collecting roller, wherein the non-developing area corresponds to a dust area. The diameter is made smaller than the outer diameter of the dust collection area.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a toner dust collecting device for collecting only the toner dropped on the toner image carrier.

Further, the toner dust collecting apparatus of the present invention comprises a dust collecting brush for applying a voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner to collect the toner, and a cleaning means for collecting the toner collected by the dust collecting brush. And a developing area on the toner image carrier that generates a visible image by a developing roller of a developing unit used in combination with the toner dust collecting device corresponds to a non-dust collecting area of the dust collecting brush, and does not generate a visible image. A toner collecting device in which a non-developing area on a toner image carrier corresponds to a dust collecting area of a dust collecting brush, wherein an outer diameter of the non-collecting area of the dust collecting brush is smaller than an outer diameter of the dust collecting area. It is configured.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a toner collecting device for collecting only the toner dropped on the toner image carrier.

In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, a toner image carried on a toner image carrier stretched by a plurality of rollers in a direction perpendicular to a transport direction of the printing paper is transported by a transfer opposing roller. An image forming apparatus of an orthogonal transfer system for transferring a toner image transferred to a printing paper in a direction perpendicular to the printing direction and fixing the toner image transferred on the printing paper, wherein the image forming apparatus is a downstream side of a developing unit for developing a toner image carrier and is transferred. This is a configuration in which any one of the toner dust collection devices of the present invention is disposed at a location that is upstream of the opposing roller.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus in which color mixing of toner is prevented.

[0018]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is directed to a dust collecting roller for applying a voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner to collect the toner, and a toner collecting device for collecting the toner. Cleaning means for collecting the toner, the developing area on the toner image carrier that generates a visible image by the developing roller of the developing means used in combination with the toner dust collecting device corresponds to the non-dust collecting area of the dust collecting roller, A toner collecting device in which a non-developing area on a toner image carrier that does not generate a visible image corresponds to a dust collecting area of a dust collecting roller. It is configured to be thinner than the outer diameter, and has an operation of reliably collecting dust falling on the toner image carrier.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a dust collecting brush for collecting a toner by applying a voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner, and a cleaning for collecting the toner collected by the dust collecting brush. Means for developing a visible image by a developing roller of a developing means used in combination with the toner dust collecting device, so that a developing area on the toner image carrier corresponds to a non-dust collecting area of the dust collecting brush to generate a visible image. A dust collecting device in which a non-development area on a toner image carrier that does not correspond to a dust collecting area of a dust collecting brush, wherein an outer diameter of the non-dust collecting area of the dust collecting brush is smaller than an outer diameter of the dust collecting area. This has the function of reliably collecting the toner dropped on the toner image carrier.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus, wherein a toner image carried on a toner image carrier stretched by a plurality of rollers in a direction perpendicular to a conveying direction of the printing paper is transferred by a transfer opposing roller to the printing paper. Is an image forming apparatus of an orthogonal transfer system for transferring a toner image transferred to a printing paper in a direction orthogonal to a conveying direction of the toner, and fixing the toner image transferred to the printing paper, which is a downstream side of a developing unit for developing a toner image carrier. In addition, the toner dust collecting device according to any one of claims 1 and 2 is arranged at a location on the upstream side of the transfer opposing roller, so that the falling toner on the toner image bearing member is reliably collected. Since the particles can be dusted, they have the effect of preventing the printing surface from being stained during transfer to printing paper.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, the toner image carrier comprises a photosensitive belt, and is provided with an exposing means for exposing the toner image carrier based on an image signal. With this configuration, dust falling on the photoreceptor belt can be reliably collected, so that the transfer surface can be prevented from being stained during transfer to printing paper.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the invention, the developing means is configured to develop only a single color, so that the toner falling on the photoreceptor belt is reliably collected. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the printing surface from being stained during transfer to printing paper.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the invention, the developing means comprises at least cyan,
The toner is developed by using the three primary colors of magenta and yellow, and the toner falling on the photoreceptor belt can be reliably collected, so that the color mixing of the toner can be prevented when transferring to printing paper. Have.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect, the developing means comprises at least cyan,
The toner is developed using the four primary colors of magenta, yellow, and black. Since toner falling on the photoreceptor belt can be reliably collected, it is possible to prevent toner color mixing when transferring to printing paper. Has an action.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
As will be described with reference to FIG. 10, the same parts as those in the conventional example are denoted by the same reference numerals.

(Embodiment 1) An outline of one embodiment of the present invention is to collect toner which has suddenly fallen from a developing roller to a non-development area on a toner image carrier. A dust collecting portion, which is a dust collecting area of a dust collecting roller (or a dust collecting brush) of a toner dust collecting apparatus that applies a voltage having a polarity opposite to a charging polarity to correspond to a non-developing area on a toner image carrier. The outer diameter of the non-dust collecting portion should be smaller than the outer diameter of the dust collecting portion so that the non-dust collecting portion, which is the non-dust collecting region of the dust collecting roller (or the dust collecting brush), does not touch the developing region on the toner image carrier. The idea is to make it thinner.

Such a toner dust collecting device is arranged at a position downstream of the developing means of the image forming apparatus of the orthogonal transfer type and at a position upstream of the transfer opposing roller, so that the toner is collected before the transfer to the printing paper. This is to prevent the printed surface from being stained at the time of transfer by collecting the toner dropped on the toner image carrier. In particular, in the case of a color-compatible image forming apparatus, the present invention has been devised so as to prevent color mixing of toner on a printing surface, which significantly reduces print quality.

Hereinafter, a color-compatible image forming apparatus will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10 as an embodiment of the present invention. Will do it together.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a transfer process of the image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 to FIG. 5 are schematic views showing the correspondence between the developing means of the image forming apparatus and the toner collecting device according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 to 9 are schematic views showing a transfer state of the image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a fixing unit of the image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. is there.

In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a toner image carrier 1 composed of a photoreceptor belt whose surface is coated with a layer of an organic photoconductive material comprises a plurality of support rollers 2, displacement rollers 3, transfer opposing rollers 4, and the like. These rollers are stretched in the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the printing paper 5 is conveyed by the rollers, and rotate in the direction of an arrow during image formation, whereby a toner image is formed on the surface of the toner image carrier 1. Around the toner image carrier 1,
A charging unit 6, a developing unit 7, a toner dust collecting unit 21, a cleaning unit 8, a static elimination unit 9 and the like are arranged. In particular, the toner dust collecting unit 21 It is installed on the downstream side of the means 7 and on the upstream side of the transfer opposing roller 4. And
Exposure means 10 for irradiating a laser beam is disposed above the toner image carrier 1. In the embodiment of the present invention, a case where a laser is used as a typical example of the exposure unit 10 will be described. However, the exposure unit 10 may use not only a laser but also an LED or an LCD. As shown by an arrow in FIG. 1, when the toner image carrier 1 rotates in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the printing paper 5, the portion passing through the charging means 6 is uniformly charged to about -600V. Exposure means 10 irradiates the surface of toner image carrier 1 with laser light corresponding to the four primary colors on the surface of toner image carrier 1 based on the image signals of the four primary colors of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. The potential of the portion irradiated with the laser beam is -100
By rising to about V, electrostatic latent images divided into four for each primary color are simultaneously formed on the surface of the toner image carrier 1. When four primary color toners are pressed against the portion where the electrostatic latent image is formed by the developing roller 11, toner images of the four primary colors, each of which becomes a visible image, appear on the toner image carrier 1 one after another.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the development of the four primary colors is simultaneously performed by the four primary color toner layers 12 formed on the common developing roller 11 by dividing the primary colors into four. At the time of development, the developing means 7 causes the developing roller 11 to which the negatively charged toners of the four primary colors adhere to the toner image carrier 1 in order to make the respective electrostatic latent images corresponding to the four primary colors visible. To transfer the toners of the four primary colors to the portions of the electrostatic latent image divided into the four primary colors on the surface of the toner image carrier 1 so that the toner images of the four primary colors of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black are It is formed in a state divided into.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the developing means 7 comprises four parts for each primary color. The developing means 7C is cyan, the developing means 7M is magenta, the developing means 7Y is yellow, and the developing means 7B The toner layers of the four primary colors of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black are formed on the common developing roller 11 so as to be divided into four for each of the primary colors by using the primary color toners contained therein. As shown in FIG. 3, a toner layer 12 of four colors of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black is formed on the developing roller 11 from the right, and each toner layer 12 has a gap 13 for preventing color mixing.
Alternatively, it is separated by the gap 14, but this gap 13,
Since the portion 14 is sealed by the sealing materials 15 and 16, the toner does not normally adhere.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the color developing roller 11 according to claim 7. In order to reproduce the color tone of a photograph or the like, light cyan and light magenta are added in addition to the four primary colors. Is also good. Although not shown, a description will be given of “claim 6”. Since the black color tone itself can be synthesized with the three primary colors of cyan, magenta, and yellow,
The developing roller 11 is formed by removing cyan, magenta,
It is also possible to use one for the three primary colors of yellow. As shown in FIG. 4, the developing roller 11 itself may correspond to a single color such as black according to claim 5, but in this case, the gaps 14 at both ends of the single color toner layer 12 are
6 will seal.

Returning to FIG. 3, the developing roller 1 corresponding to the color
1 will be described. Clearances 13 and 14 of developing roller 11
Is sealed by the seal members 15 and 16 so that toner does not normally adhere thereto. However, the gap between the toner layer 12 of the developing roller 11 is sealed by the seal members 15 and 16. Even if the toner particles 13 and 14 are formed, the toner does not seal over the entire circumference of the developing roller 11.
May accumulate on 3,14. As a result, the gaps 13 and 14
From the toner image carrier 1 immediately below, causing the toner image carrier 1 to spill on the toner image carrier 1 immediately below and fall as toner, and the toner image carrier 1 may be contaminated.
As shown in (1), the toner collecting device 21 used in the image forming apparatus of the present invention is provided with the dust collecting roller 22 to which a voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner is applied.
Only the upper falling toner is collected, and the collected toner can be collected by the cleaning unit 23.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the dust collecting roller 22 and the developing roller 11 completely correspond to each other for use as a pair, and the dust collecting portions 24 and 25 of the dust collecting roller 22 are The non-dust collecting portion 2 of the dust collecting roller 22 corresponding to the gaps 13 and 14 of FIG.
Reference numeral 6 corresponds to the toner layer 12 of the developing roller 11 on a one-to-one basis. In other words, the non-development area on the toner image carrier 1 corresponds to the dust collection units 24 and 25 which are the dust collection area of the dust collection roller 22, and the development area on the toner image carrier 1 corresponds to the dust collection area. A non-dust collecting portion 26 which is a non-dust collecting area of the roller 22 corresponds to the non-dust collecting portion 26. The outer diameter of the non-dust collecting portion 26 of the dust collecting roller 22 is
The outer diameters of the dust collecting portions 24 and 25 are smaller than the outer diameters of the dust collecting portions 24 and 25. This is for collecting the dropped toner by contacting the toner image carrier 1. For this reason, the toner dust collecting device 21 of the present invention can effectively collect the toner dropped on the toner image carrier 1, and the image forming apparatus equipped with the toner dust collecting device 21 is different from the conventional example. Color mixing of toner can be prevented.

The ratio of the width of the toner layer 12 for one color in the developing roller 11 to the width of the gap 13 is {1: 1},
{2: 1}, {3: 1}, etc. are conceivable, but the case of {1: 1} will be described in order to simplify the description. When the printing paper 5 is transported, the transport distance requires the width of the toner layer 12 for one color (also the width of the developing area for one color).

By the way, as described in the summary of the invention, a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner is applied to the dust collecting roller 22 to collect the dropped toner by static electricity. As shown in FIG. 7, there is a method of collecting falling toner with a dust collecting brush 27. In principle, it is the same as the case of the dust collecting roller 22, and the dust collecting section 2 which is the dust collecting area of the dust collecting brush 27
A voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner is applied to 8, 29, and the falling toner is collected by static electricity. The difference from the dust collecting roller 22 is that the dust collecting portions 28 and 29 of the dust collecting brush 27 are different.
Means that the dust collecting portions 28 and 29 formed by brushes are in contact with the toner image carrier 1 and the tips of the dust collecting portions 28 and 29 are widened. That is, the width of the dust portions 28 and 29 corresponds to the non-developing area of the toner image carrier 1 on a one-to-one basis. The outer diameter of the non-dust collecting portion 30 which is the non-dust collecting region of the dust collecting brush 27 is
9 is smaller than the outside diameter, but of course
0 is to prevent the toner images of the four primary colors formed on the toner image carrier 1 from touching, and only the dust collecting portions 28 and 29 are brought into contact with the toner image carrier 1 to collect the dropped toner.

At the time of transfer to the printing paper 5, as shown in FIG.
7 (see also FIG. 1) while the printing paper 5 is stationary.
The rotation of the toner image carrier 1 is also stopped. Then, the portion of the toner image carrier 1 where the four primary color toner images are formed is rubbed against the printing paper 5 by rolling the transfer opposing roller 4 from the back side to transfer the four primary color toner images.
Is displaced in the opposite direction from the left end or the right end by one step. At this time, the transfer end surface of the toner image carrier 1 on which the transfer of the toner images of the four primary colors has been completed is sequentially separated from the printing paper 5 as the transfer opposing roller 4 passes.

The transfer by the toner image carrier 1 can be performed not only on the outward path but also on the return path. At this time, when the moving direction of the toner image carrier 1 is viewed from the printing paper 5 side, the toner image carrier 1 is displaced on the printing paper 5 in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the printing paper 5.

During the transfer step, the printing paper 5
If the printing paper 5 is not lifted from the transfer plate 17 and the slippage of the printing paper 5 is not prevented, there is a possibility that a printing shift occurs. Therefore, in order to suppress the occurrence of printing deviation, a positive voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner image is applied to the transfer plate 17 so that a positive charge is applied. Then, the printing paper 5 is electrostatically attracted by the static electricity generated on the surface of the transfer plate 17 and temporarily bound on the transfer plate 17. Then, the transfer plate 17 having a positive charge attracts the negatively charged toner images of the four primary colors from the surface of the toner image carrier 1 to be peeled off and transferred to the printing paper 5.

Each time the transfer for one process is completed, the transfer roller 4 passes over the printing paper 5 and moves out of the area of the printing paper 5, so that the toner image carrier 1 is separated from the printing paper 5. . Immediately before the toner image carrier 1 is separated from the printing paper 5, the application of the voltage to the transfer plate 17 has already been stopped, so the printing paper 5 electrostatically attracted to the transfer plate 17 is released from the suction. I have. The conveyance of the printing paper 5 is started in order to proceed to the next transfer step, and the conveyance distance of the printing paper 5 is only the width of the developing area of each color of the toner image carrier 1 shown in FIG.

While the printing paper 5 is being conveyed, as shown in FIG. 1, the cleaning means 8 removes residual toner on the surface of the toner image carrier 1 with a cleaning blade or a cleaning brush to generate waste toner. The collected toner image carrier 1 is physically cleaned. Then, the charge removing means 9 is provided for the toner image carrier 1 after removing the residual toner.
The surface of the toner image carrier 1 is electrically cleaned by neutralizing the negative charges remaining on the surface of the toner image carrier 1. Note that the installation of the charge removing means 9 is not an essential requirement.

As shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, a developing area of each color to be developed by the developing means 7 is provided on the toner image carrier 1.
Although there is a non-development area sandwiched between the development areas, the width of the development area in the transport direction of the printing paper 5 is set to be the same for each color. In particular, in FIGS. 6 to 9, the width of the development area and the width of the non-development area are set to 1: 1. Hereinafter, a method of forming a color toner image will be described.

The method of forming a color toner image initially starts with the state shown in FIG. 6, but in the first transfer, only the {cyan} toner image is transferred in one step, so that the first column Only the cyan toner image is transferred. When the printing paper 5 is conveyed by the width of the development area, the second transfer is performed. However, even in the second transfer, only the cyan image is transferred in one process, so that the cyan in the second column is also transferred. Is transferred.

Next, as shown in FIG. 7, in the third transfer, the {cyan, magenta} toner image is transferred in one step, so the {cyan, magenta} toner image is superimposed on the first column. In the third column, only the {cyan} toner image is transferred. When the printing paper 5 is conveyed by the width of the developing area, the fourth transfer is performed in the same manner. However, even in the fourth transfer, the {cyan, magenta} toner image is transferred in one process, so the second column is transferred. In the fourth column, only the {cyan} toner image is transferred.

Next, as shown in FIG. 8, in the fifth transfer, a {cyan, magenta, yellow} toner image is transferred in one step, so that the {cyan, magenta, yellow} toner image is in the first column. In the third column, a {cyan, magenta} toner image is superimposed. In the fifth column, only the {cyan} toner image is transferred. When the printing paper 5 is conveyed by the width of the development area, the sixth transfer is performed in the same manner. Even in the sixth transfer, {Cyan, Magenta, Yellow} is performed in one process.
, The second column overlaps the cyan, magenta and yellow toner images, the fourth column overlaps the cyan and magenta toner images, and the sixth column overlaps the cyan image. Is transferred.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 9, in the seventh transfer, the toner image of {cyan, magenta, yellow, black} is transferred in one process, so that the first column is {cyan, magenta, yellow, black}. A color toner image is formed by the toner images of
A yellow toner image is superimposed. In the fifth column, the {cyan, magenta} toner image is superimposed, but in the seventh column, only the {cyan} toner image is transferred.

The last part of the transcription follows exactly the reverse path,
In the process, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black toner images were transferred, but cyan was missing, and magenta, yellow, and black were lost, and magenta was missing, resulting in yellow and black. Is only black.

After the above steps are repeated, as shown in FIG. 2, the printing paper 5 is intermittently sent to the fixing means 18 by the width of the developing area of each color. And printing paper 5
The fixing means 18 of the hot air fixing system for performing the fixing without contact with the
When the printing paper 5 on which the image has been transferred is conveyed and placed on the support member 19 of the fixing means 18, the hot air means 20 having a heat source 31 and a blower fan 32 inside has a structure as shown in FIG. To generate hot air.

The airflow generated by the blower fan 32 is blown to the heat transfer member 33 heated by the heat source 31 and flows into the heat transfer member 33 from the uppermost through hole 34. When flowing out of the uppermost through-hole 34, the air flow takes in heat from the periphery of the through-hole 34 and diffuses when flowing out of the same uppermost through-hole 34, and successively removes heat from each layer of the heat transfer member 33. The printing paper 5 is robbed and turned into hot air, blows out from the lowermost through-hole 34 and is sprayed on the printing paper 5, and the toner particles on the surface of the printing paper 5 are melted and fixed on the printing paper 5.

Lastly, to briefly describe what is claimed in claim 4, a photoconductor is not necessarily used as a toner image carrier, and an exposure unit may not be necessary in some cases. This is because a toner image can be formed by forming an electrostatic latent image with a heat source and developing it, or by blowing off a solid-coated toner image carrier with an air jet, as if carving a print. This is because a toner image can also be formed.

[0052]

As described above, the toner collecting apparatus of the present invention applies the voltage of the polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner to collect the toner and the toner collected by the dust collecting roller. Cleaning means for collecting the toner, and a developing area on the toner image carrier for generating a visible image by a developing roller of a developing means used in combination with the toner dust collecting device corresponds to a non-dust collecting area of the dust collecting roller; What is claimed is: 1. A toner dust collecting device in which a non-development area on a toner image carrier that does not generate an image corresponds to a dust collection area of a dust collection roller. By making the configuration smaller than the diameter, it is possible to surely collect the falling toner on the toner image carrier.

Further, the toner dust collecting apparatus of the present invention comprises a dust collecting brush for applying a voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner to collect the toner, and a cleaning means for collecting the toner collected by the dust collecting brush. And a developing area on the toner image carrier that generates a visible image by a developing roller of a developing unit used in combination with the toner dust collecting device corresponds to a non-dust collecting area of the dust collecting brush, and does not generate a visible image. A toner collecting device in which a non-developing area on a toner image carrier corresponds to a dust collecting area of a dust collecting brush, wherein an outer diameter of the non-collecting area of the dust collecting brush is smaller than an outer diameter of the dust collecting area. With this configuration, it is possible to surely collect the falling toner on the toner image carrier.

In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the toner image carried on the toner image carrier stretched in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the printing paper by a plurality of rollers is transported by the transfer opposing rollers. An image forming apparatus of an orthogonal transfer system for transferring a toner image transferred to a printing paper in a direction perpendicular to the printing direction and fixing the toner image transferred on the printing paper, wherein the image forming apparatus is a downstream side of a developing unit for developing a toner image carrier and is transferred. By arranging any one of the toner dust collecting devices of the present invention at a location on the upstream side of the opposing roller, it is possible to surely collect the falling toner on the toner image carrier, so that it can be printed on the printing paper. The transfer surface can be prevented from being stained on the printing surface. Further, if the developing means is of a color type, it is possible to completely prevent color mixing of the toner on the printing surface which is conspicuous because of the color.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a transfer process of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a correspondence between a developing unit and a toner dust collecting device of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a correspondence between a developing unit and a toner dust collecting device of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a correspondence between a developing unit and a toner dust collecting device of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a transfer state of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a transfer state of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a transfer state of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a transfer state of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a fixing unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration diagram of a conventional image forming apparatus.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a transfer process of a conventional image forming apparatus.

FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing a state of forming a toner layer of a developing roller of a conventional image forming apparatus.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state of toner dropped from a developing roller of a conventional image forming apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 toner image carrier 2 support roller 3 displacement roller 4 transfer opposing roller 5 printing paper 6 charging means 7 developing means 7C developing means 7M developing means 7Y developing means 7B developing means 8 cleaning means 9 discharging means 10 exposure means 11 developing roller 12 toner Layer 13 Gap 14 Gap 15 Seal material 16 Seal material 17 Transfer plate 18 Fixing means 19 Support member 20 Hot air means 21 Toner dust collecting device 22 Dust collecting roller 23 Cleaning means 24 Dust collecting unit 25 Dust collecting unit 26 Non-dust collecting unit 27 Collecting Dust brush 28 Dust collecting part 29 Dust collecting part 30 Non-dust collecting part 31 Heat source 32 Blower fan 33 Heat transfer member 34 Through hole

Claims (7)

[Claims] A dust collecting roller for collecting a toner by applying a voltage having a polarity opposite to a charging polarity of the toner; and a cleaning means for collecting the toner collected by the dust collecting roller. A non-development area on the toner image carrier that does not generate a visible image by associating a development area on the toner image carrier that generates a visible image with the development roller of the developing means used in pairs with a non-dust collection area of the dust collection roller A dust collecting device corresponding to the dust collecting area of the dust collecting roller, wherein the outer diameter of the non-dust collecting area of the dust collecting roller is smaller than the outer diameter of the dust collecting area. . 2. A toner dust collecting device comprising: a dust collecting brush for applying a voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner to collect the toner; and a cleaning means for collecting the toner collected by the dust collecting brush. The non-development area on the toner image carrier that does not generate a visible image by making the development area on the toner image carrier that generates a visible image by the developing roller of the developing means used in pairs correspond to the non-dust collection area of the dust collection brush A dust collecting device corresponding to the dust collecting area of the dust collecting brush, wherein the outer diameter of the non-dust collecting area of the dust collecting brush is smaller than the outer diameter of the dust collecting area. . 3. A printing method according to claim 1, wherein the toner image carried on the toner image carrier stretched in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the printing paper by a plurality of rollers is transferred by a transfer opposing roller in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the printing paper. And an image forming apparatus of an orthogonal transfer type for fixing the toner image transferred to the printing paper, wherein the image forming apparatus is located downstream of a developing unit for developing a toner image carrier and upstream of a transfer facing roller. An image forming apparatus, comprising the toner dust collecting device according to claim 1. 4. A toner image carrier comprising a photoreceptor belt,
4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising an exposure unit that exposes the toner image carrier based on the image signal. 5. An image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said developing means develops only a single color. 6. The developing means includes at least cyan, magenta,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image is developed using three primary colors of yellow. 7. The developing means includes at least cyan, magenta,
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein development is performed using four primary colors of yellow and black.