JPH11219086A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent image flow by sufficiently removing the foreign matter on a photoreceptor by a cleaning device and to lessen the shortening of the life of the photoreceptor by sliding friction of the photoreceptor and the cleaning device. SOLUTION: The foreign matter, such as toners, remaining after transfer, adhered to the photoreceptor surface is removed by a cleaning blade arranged in contact with the photoreceptor surface. At this time, post-rotation is prolonged for 30 seconds according to the external information of a place or the like where a printer is installed, by which the foreign matter not sufficiently removable by the ordinary cleaning operation alone is sufficiently removed. Namely, the post-rotation is prolonged for 30 seconds when, the example, a country or area where the printer is used is a place where the temp. is high and humidity high (S1), and when it is a season of the high temp. and high humidity (S2) and an air conditioner is not is operation (S3) and when a user's desired is to stress image quality. The image flow occurring in the moisture absorption of the foreign matter of the photoreceptor surface is prevented and the unnecessary shortening of the life of the photoreceptor does not occur.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a laser beam printer, a facsimile and the like using an electrophotographic system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine, a toner image is formed on the surface of a photoreceptor by charging, exposing, developing, etc., and the toner image is transferred to a transfer material such as paper. Fix on transfer material.

In the above-described transfer step, transfer residual toner,
That is, toner remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor without being transferred to the transfer material is generated. The transfer residual toner is removed by a normal cleaning operation performed by the cleaning device each time the transfer of one transfer material is completed. The cleaning device has, for example, a cleaning blade arranged in contact with the surface of the photoreceptor, and the cleaning blade removes foreign substances adhering to the surface of the photoreceptor by moving the surface of the photoreceptor. It is.

[0004]

However, various foreign substances other than the above-mentioned transfer residual toner adhere to the surface of the photoreceptor, and these foreign substances can be sufficiently removed by a normal cleaning operation performed by a cleaning device. There are foreign substances that are difficult to remove. For example, fine paper powder generated from paper mainly used as a transfer material, an organic component precipitated from the paper powder, a high-pressure member in an image forming apparatus (for example,
Corona discharger) and the like.

[0005] These foreign substances have low resistance especially in a high humidity environment. Therefore, if image formation is performed in a high humidity environment with foreign matter adhered, the electrostatic latent image is disturbed by the reduced resistance foreign matter, so that image degradation called image deletion occurs.

The above-described foreign substances can be removed by increasing the number of cleaning operations or extending the cleaning operation time. However, when the cleaning operation time is increased, the surface of the photoconductor is correspondingly removed. Is rubbed by the cleaning blade, thereby shortening the life of the photoconductor.

Accordingly, the present invention sets an additional cleaning operation to a necessary minimum to sufficiently remove foreign matters on the surface of the photoreceptor and prevent the life of the photoreceptor from being shortened. It is an object to provide a forming apparatus.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising: an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a movable surface; and an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a movable surface. In an image forming apparatus provided with a cleaning device for removing foreign matter on the surface of a photoreceptor, a storage unit for storing external information input from outside, and a normal cleaning operation based on the external information input to the storage unit Control means for determining whether or not to perform an additional cleaning operation in addition to the above.

The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control means determines the length of operation time of the additional cleaning operation based on the external information.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the additional cleaning operation is performed by extending post-rotation.
It is characterized by the following.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus, the additional cleaning operation is performed after forming an image on a predetermined number of transfer materials.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus, the cleaning device includes a cleaning blade that is in contact with the surface of the photoconductor in a counter direction with respect to a moving direction of the surface of the photoconductor. And

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus, the external information is input from an operation panel of the main body of the image forming apparatus.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus, the external information is input from a host computer connected to the image forming apparatus main body.

The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the control means automatically loads the external information into the storage means.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 shows an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an electrophotographic laser beam printer.

First, referring to FIG.
0 will be described.

The image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a drum type electrophotographic photosensitive member (hereinafter, referred to as "photosensitive drum") 1 as an image carrier inside an image forming apparatus main body M. The photosensitive drum 1 is driven to rotate in the direction of arrow R1 by a main motor (driving means) 1a.

Around the photosensitive drum 1, a charging roller (charging device) 2, an exposing unit 3, a developing device 4, a transfer roller (transfer device) 5, and a cleaning roller are arranged substantially in order along the rotation direction (direction of arrow R1). A device 6 is provided.

A sheet cassette (not shown), a sheet feed roller 7, a fixing device 8, a sheet discharge sensor 9, and a sheet discharge roller 1 are arranged substantially in order from the upstream along the conveying direction (arrow K _P ) of the transfer material P.
0a, 10b, and 10c, and a paper discharge tray 11 are provided.

The photosensitive drum 1 has a diameter of 30 mm by providing a photosensitive layer such as OPC (organic optical semiconductor) on the surface of a cylindrical conductive substrate such as aluminum. The photosensitive drum 1 is moved at a predetermined process speed (in this embodiment, 106 mm /
), and each image forming process such as charging, exposure, development, transfer, and cleaning is performed during the rotation.

The charging roller 2 is disposed in contact with the photosensitive drum 1 surface constitutes the charging nip N ₁ between the photosensitive drum 1, driven in the arrow R2 direction with the rotation of the arrow R1 direction of the photosensitive drum 1 Rotate. A charging bias is applied to the charging roller 2 so that the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 has a predetermined polarity.
A charging bias application power source (not shown) for uniformly charging to a predetermined potential is connected.

The exposure device 3 includes an oscillator (not shown) that emits a laser beam according to image information, a polygon mirror 3a that scans the laser beam, a mirror 3b that reflects the laser beam, and the like.

The developing device 4 has a developing sleeve 4a that carries a toner T as a developer on its surface and conveys it to a developing position facing the surface of the photosensitive drum 1, and a regulation that regulates the layer thickness of the toner on the developing sleeve 4a. The image forming apparatus includes a blade 4b and a stirring member 4c that stirs the toner and conveys the toner toward the developing sleeve 3a. The developing sleeve 4a includes a developing sleeve 4a.
A developing bias applying power source (not shown) for applying a developing bias for attaching toner on the surface to the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is connected.

The transfer roller 5 is disposed in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 and has a transfer nip N ₂ between the transfer roller 5 and the surface of the photosensitive drum 1.
Is composed. The transfer roller 5 is driven by the above-described main motor 1a in the direction of arrow R5 via a gear train (not shown). The transfer roller 5 is connected to a transfer bias application power supply (not shown) for applying a transfer bias for transferring the toner image on the photosensitive drum 1 to a transfer material P such as paper.

The cleaning device 6 includes a cleaning blade 6a which is in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 and removes residual toner, and a waste toner container 6b which collects the removed toner.

The paper feed roller 7, Beku conveyed to the transfer nip N ₂ by feeding the transfer material P stored in the sheet cassette, through a Giyatoren (not shown) by a main motor 1a above arrow It is driven to rotate in the R7 direction.

The fixing device 8 includes a fixing roller 8a for heating an unfixed toner image transferred and carried on the surface of the transfer material P.
When, and a pressure roller 8b constituting the fixing nip N ₃ is arranged in contact with this. The fixing roller 8a is driven to rotate in the direction of arrow R8a by a gear train (not shown) by the above-described main motor 1a, and by this rotation, the pressure roller 8b is driven to rotate in the direction of arrow 8b.

The paper discharge sensor 9 detects the rear end of the transfer material P after fixing, and discharge rollers 10a, 10b, 1
0c is to discharge the transfer material P after fixing onto the discharge tray 11.

In the above-described image forming apparatus 100, the photosensitive drum 1, the charging roller 2, the cleaning device 6
Are integrated to form a photosensitive drum unit 12, and furthermore, the photosensitive drum unit 12 and the developing device 4 are integrated to form a detachable process cartridge 20,
The process cartridge 20 is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body M.

The above-mentioned image forming apparatus 100 includes a CPU (control means) 13. The CPU 13 is connected to each component of the image forming apparatus 100, including the above-described main motor 1a and the paper ejection sensor 9, and controls the operation of the entire image forming apparatus 100. This CPU
13 is connected to storage means 14 using a non-volatile memory.

Next, the image forming apparatus 100 having the above-described configuration will be described.
Will be described.

The photosensitive drum 1 is rotated in the direction of arrow R1 by the main motor 1a, and its surface is charged by the charging roller 2. A charging bias (primary bias) in which an AC voltage and a DC voltage are superimposed is applied to the charging roller 2 by a charging bias application power source.
The surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is uniformly charged to a predetermined polarity and a predetermined potential.

An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the charged photosensitive drum 1. The surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is irradiated with a laser beam corresponding to the image information from the exposure device 3, and the charge of the irradiated portion is removed to form an electrostatic latent image.

This electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing device 4. The developing sleeve 4a receives replenishment of the toner T agitated by the agitating member 4c, and frictionally charges the toner T, which is frictionally charged by rubbing with the developing blade 6, and uniformly coats the surface thereof with the developing bias from a developing bias applying power source. As a result, the toner is attached to the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 and developed (visualized) as a toner image.

The toner image developed on the photosensitive drum 1 is
The image is transferred onto the transfer material P. Feed roller 7 conveys the toner image P in the paper feed cassette to the transfer nip portion N _2. The transported transfer material P is further nipped and transported by the transfer nip portion N ₂ , and at this time, a transfer bias is applied to the transfer roller 5 from a transfer bias application power source, so that the toner image on the photosensitive drum 1 is transferred to the surface. Is done.

The unfixed toner image on the transfer material P is fixed by the fixing device 8. Transfer material P bearing the unfixed toner image is nipped and conveyed by the fixing nip N ₃ between the fixing roller 8a and the pressure roller 8b, at this time are simultaneously heated, the unfixed toner image is fixed on the surface You. At this time, while the transfer material P is passing through the fixing nip portion N ₃ , the paper discharge sensor 9 detects the transfer material P and sends a signal to the CPU 13, and the CP
U13 detects that the transfer material P is being fixed. The trailing edge of the transfer material P when passing the fixing nip portion N _3, cutting detection signal of the sheet discharge sensor 9, CPU 13 detects that the transfer material P is discharged. Thereafter, the transfer material P is discharged onto the discharge tray 11 on the upper surface of the image forming apparatus main body M by the discharge rollers 10a, 10b, and 10c, thereby completing the image formation.

On the other hand, the photosensitive drum 1 after the transfer of the toner image
The toner (transfer residual toner) remaining on the surface without being transferred to the transfer material P at the time of transfer is removed by the cleaning blade 6a of the cleaning device 6 and collected in the cleaning container, so that the cleaning is performed. Is done. The removed waste toner is collected in the waste toner container 6b. The cleaning operation performed after the transfer of the toner image onto one transfer material P and the cleaning operation performed during the normal post-rotation are referred to as “normal cleaning operation” and are distinguished from “additional cleaning operation” described later. Shall be.

The above-described image forming operation is performed by the CPU 13 described above.
The storage means 14 connected to the CPU 13 stores an extended post-rotation time after image formation input from an information input means (for example, an operation panel of the image forming apparatus main body), a cleaning operation, and the like. Information necessary for determining an operation is stored.

As described above, the image flow is caused by the ozone product generated when the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is primarily charged, and fine paper powder and organic components contained in the transfer material P are transferred onto the surface of the photosensitive drum 1. It adheres and is generated when the attached foreign matter absorbs moisture.

FIG. 2 shows that, in the image forming apparatus 100, continuous printing of 10,000 sheets (in a high-temperature and high-humidity environment at a temperature of 32.5 ° C. and a relative humidity of 80% and a normal environment at a temperature of 23 ° C. and a relative humidity of 50%) In the following, "continuous image formation" is referred to as "printing."), The number of durable sheets when image deletion starts to occur. In addition,
In the present embodiment, when “with post-rotation extension” is set, after continuous printing of five sheets, in addition to the normal printing operation, 30
The operation of removing the foreign matter on the photosensitive drum 1 by repeating the operation of rotating the photosensitive drum 1 without paper passing for one second and without applying the primary charging bias and the developing bias was repeated.

According to FIG. 2, it is understood that by performing post-rotation extension, it is possible to suppress the image flow to a slight level over 10,000 sheets. this is,
By rotating the photosensitive drum 1 and performing an additional cleaning operation in a state where factors that cause image deletion such as paper passing and application of a high pressure are eliminated,
This is because the cleaning of the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is efficiently performed, and the foreign matter attached to the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is reliably removed.

Further, in a normal environment, even when post-rotation extension was not performed, image deletion did not occur over 10,000 sheets. This is because even if foreign matter adheres to the surface of the photosensitive drum 1, the foreign matter does not absorb moisture in a normal environment, so that the resistance is not reduced and the electrostatic latent image is not disturbed.

FIG. 3 shows the relationship between the number of printed sheets (horizontal axis) and the amount of scraping of the photosensitive drum (the amount of scraping of the photosensitive layer on the surface of the photosensitive drum, vertical axis). When the post-rotation extending operation is performed, the scraping amount of the photosensitive drum tends to increase compared to when the post-rotation extending operation is not performed.

In the present embodiment, the thickness of the photosensitive layer of the photosensitive drum is 25 μm. Further, when the photosensitive layer is shaved by 15 μm and the thickness becomes 10 μm or less, the electrification holding ability of the photosensitive drum 1 is reduced, and a so-called fogged image in which toner is originally attached to a white portion on the image is generated. It is known. That is, when the surface of the photosensitive drum is abraded beyond the line of the limit abrasion amount shown in FIG.
Becomes unusable. This means that by performing the post-rotation extension operation, the photosensitive drum 1, which should be able to print 15,000 sheets, becomes unnecessary after printing about 9000 sheets.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the storage unit 14 of the image forming apparatus (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as “printer”) 100
A function of determining whether or not the printer 100 performs post-rotation extension operation based on information input by a user is provided to maintain a high-quality image without image deletion while maintaining the life of the printer 100. It is possible to do.

Here, the contents of the information stored in the storage means 14 include the following. Usage environment (country / region where printer is used, air conditioning, etc.) Season / time User's request such as priority to image quality, life or print speed These information is input via the information input means described above. Then, the data is sent from the user to the storage device 14 in the printer main body M and stored. Based on the above information, the presence or absence and time of the post-rotation extension operation and the cleaning operation of the printer 100 are determined.

FIG. 4 shows the printer 100 according to the first embodiment.
4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation control of FIG. In the figure, first, it is determined whether the "country / region where the printer 100 is used" input by the user is a place where the temperature and humidity are high (S1).

The storage means 14 of the printer 100 stores FIG.
As shown in, the annual temperature of each country and region,
Data on changes in the relative humidity and the amount of water (in the air) are stored. Among them, it is known that an image deletion phenomenon occurs at least in June in Bombay, India.
From this, when image deletion occurs, it is expected that the amount of water in the air is 0.02 g / dm ³ or more. On the other hand, in an experimental environment in which the temperature was 23 ° C. and the relative humidity was 50% (see the lower table in FIG. 5), no image deletion occurred at all. It is expected that in areas where the density does not exceed 0.001 g / dm ³ , the possibility of image deletion is extremely low. Therefore, if such an area is selected, it is determined that the humidity will not be high, and the post-rotation extension is not performed as shown in FIG. 4 (S6).

In S2, the "time when the printer 100 is used (current month)" is determined to be high humidity and high humidity by means such as using the data of the monthly moisture content in the air as shown in FIG. Is determined. Here, when the printing operation is performed, the average water content in the air is 0.02 g /
unless it is determined that the months of greater than dm ³ will not take place post-rotation extending (S6). That is, for example, in Japan and Naha, post-rotation is extended only in July and August, and post-rotation is not extended in other months.

Then, in S3, "the user enters the printer 1
It is determined whether or not the air conditioner is in the “location where 00 is used”. If it is determined from the information input by the user that the air conditioner is being used, post-rotation extension is not performed even in a high-humidity area and high-humidity period (S6).

Finally, in S4, the user's desire is reflected. If the user is concerned about extending the life of the photosensitive drum and printing speed,
No post-rotation extension is performed (S6). On the other hand, if the user selects the image quality priority, the post-rotation is extended by 30 seconds (S
5).

As described above, whether or not post-rotation is extended is determined based on the information input to the printer 100 by the user, and by controlling whether or not post-rotation is extended, image flow can be accurately prevented while preventing image deletion. It is possible to prevent a shortening of the life of the drum 1 and a decrease in the printing speed, thereby making it easier for the user.

In the present embodiment, as an example of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, an electrophotographic printer 10 is used.
However, the present invention is not limited to a printer as long as the image forming apparatus employs an electrophotographic method, and may be a facsimile machine, a copier, or a multifunction machine integrating these functions. The information input by the user is not limited to the three types described in the present embodiment, but may be other types of information.

Further, in the present embodiment, the post-rotation is extended as a measure for sufficiently removing the foreign matter adhering to the photosensitive drum 1. However, instead of the post-rotation, a certain number of the transfer materials P is used. After printing, when the printer 100 is not performing a printing operation, by performing an additional cleaning operation for several minutes to several tens of minutes, that is, performing idle rotation without applying a high pressure or supplying the transfer material P, Foreign matter adhering to the photosensitive drum 1 may be removed.

<Embodiment 2> FIG. 6 shows Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
5 is a flowchart for explaining operation control of the printer 100 of FIG. In the second embodiment, in addition to the first embodiment, the post-rotation extension time of the printer 100 is made variable, and an appropriate post-rotation time is selected according to the number of prints designated from outside the printer 100. It is characterized by being able to do.

In FIG. 6, S11, S12, S13,
S14 is a step for determining whether or not to extend the post-rotation. These steps are the same as S1, S2, S3, and S4 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. Description is omitted.

At S14, the emphasis on image quality is selected.
If it is determined that post-rotation extension is necessary, the time for performing post-rotation extension is determined in S15. In the first embodiment, a satisfactory image is obtained by performing post-rotation extension for 30 seconds after every five print operations. Therefore, the time required for the post-rotation extension can be calculated as 6 seconds per one of the number of prints in one print job.

On the basis of this, in S15, the printer 100 is instructed to extend the post-rotation by the number of seconds obtained by multiplying the number of prints in one job multiplied by 6 by the outside (S16). ).

In this way, the number of prints in one job is relatively small compared to the case where the post-rotation extension time is uniformly allocated to a fixed number of seconds regardless of the number of prints of the job for any job. When the number is small, unnecessary post-rotation time can be reduced, and when the number of prints in one job is relatively large, it is possible to prevent deterioration in image quality due to insufficient post-rotation extension. Become.

In S14 of FIG. 6, when the life is emphasized, the post-rotation is not extended as in S6 of FIG. 4 (S17).

Third Embodiment FIG. 7 shows a connection between an image forming apparatus (printer) 100 and a computer 21 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In the third embodiment, the printer 100 connects the cable 2 to the computer 21.
2 and the like, and performs printing in accordance with a print command issued from the computer 21.

The computer 21 has, for example, Windows 95 installed as an operating system (OS).
The software (printer driver) for controlling the operation of No. 0 is installed. The printer driver prompts the user to input information necessary to control the operation of the printer 100 by displaying an initial setting screen as shown in FIG. 8 on a monitor.

In FIG. 8, at 31, the user inputs regional information for using the printer 100. In the present embodiment, on the map on the screen, the user
By clicking on a place corresponding to the place where is used, the country / region information where the user uses the printer 100 is automatically input. Alternatively, in 33, the user may manually input the country / region where the printer 100 is used from a keyboard (not shown). At 32, the current date / time is directly input from a keyboard or the like. In the step 34, the user selects, using radio buttons, a request to give priority to image quality or to give priority to speed and life. The check box 35 asks whether the user is using the air conditioner. As described above, after inputting necessary information, by clicking an "OK" button or an "update" button at 36, necessary information is transmitted to the printer 100 and stored in the storage means 14 in the printer 100. You.

Based on the information stored in the printer 100, the post-rotation extension of the printer 100 and the control of the additional cleaning operation are performed in the same manner as in the first and second embodiments.

As described above, in the printer 100 connected to the computer 21, information necessary for controlling post-rotation extension and additional cleaning operation is transmitted to the computer 2.
By inputting from 1, it is possible to easily input using an interface that is easier to understand than inputting from the control panel or the like of the printer 100.

In the third embodiment, the OS of the computer 21 is Windows 95. However, the same operation may be performed on another OS (for example, Mac OS or UNIX). In addition, the screen and contents of the initial setting, as long as necessary information can be appropriately input,
Other default screens and contents can also be used.

<Fourth Embodiment> FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a connection state between a printer 100 and a client computer 42 according to a fourth embodiment.

According to the fourth embodiment, when the printer 100 is connected to the host computer 43, necessary information is automatically acquired from the host computer 43, and the user does not need to perform troublesome information input, and can obtain accurate information. The print operation can be controlled.

In FIG. 9, the computer network 41 includes a printer 100 and a client computer 4.
2 and a host computer 43. The number of printers 100, client computers 42, and host computers 43 is arbitrary, and they are mutually connected by means such as cables.

The computer network 41 according to the fourth embodiment is connected to the Internet 44 via a host computer 43, and can extract information from many other networks.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printer 100 according to the fourth embodiment. In S21, when the power of the printer main body M is turned on (S2
1) The printer 100 acquires country / region information and date / time information registered in the host computer 43 (S22, S23).

Next, in S24, it is determined whether or not the Internet 44 can be accessed via the host computer 43. If the access to the Internet 44 is not possible, in S25, the environment in which the printer 100 is currently used is predicted from the data shown in FIG. 5 based on the country / region information and the date / time information. Will be.

If the user can access the Internet 44, there is a possibility that temperature / relative humidity information can be obtained from a weather information site on the Internet 44 (S26).
In S26, if it is determined that the weather information site on the Internet 44 (for example, “Yahoo! Weather Information”) is accessible, in S27, the weather information site sends the information to the area where the printer 100 is used.
Obtain temperature information and relative humidity information. In S28, based on the temperature and relative humidity information thus obtained,
The amount of moisture in the air at the place where the printer 100 is used is calculated. The amount of moisture in the air is a value obtained by multiplying the amount of saturated steam determined according to the temperature by the relative humidity. The saturated water vapor amount is stored in the printer 100 as shown in FIG.
This table is obtained by comparing the acquired temperature data.

In S29, it is determined whether or not the moisture content in the air is high enough to cause image deletion. As described in the first embodiment, when the amount of water in the air exceeds 0.02 g / dm ³ , the possibility of occurrence of image deletion increases. Is exceeded, the post-rotation extension time is calculated in S30, and post-rotation extension is performed (S31). On the other hand, if the current moisture content in the air is less than 0.02 g / dm ³ , there is no need to perform post-rotation extension (S32), and the process ends only with a normal print operation.

As described above, by controlling the post-rotation extension based on the information from the host computer 43 or the Internet 44, an appropriate post-rotation operation is automatically performed without bothering the user, and It is possible to achieve both prevention of flow and extension of the durable life.

As in the first embodiment, the operation of the printer 100 controlled based on the information on the host computer 43 or the Internet 44 is not limited to post-rotation extension, but also after the printing of a fixed number of sheets of the transfer material P. Alternatively, an additional cleaning operation may be performed in which the printer 100 performs idle rotation without applying a high pressure or supplying the transfer material P for several minutes to several tens of minutes when the printer 100 is not performing a printing operation.

The devices connected to the network in the fourth embodiment are not limited to the electrophotographic printer 100, but may be a network-copier, a facsimile, or a multifunction machine integrating these functions. Needless to say, there may be.

[0080]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Foreign substances adhered to the photoreceptor that cannot be removed by the normal cleaning operation are set to the minimum necessary additional cleaning operation, and sufficiently removed.
It is possible to prevent the life of the photoconductor from being shortened.
As a result, it is possible to prevent an image from flowing due to foreign matter adhering to the surface of the photoreceptor being reduced in a high-humidity environment, and to form a high-quality image.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view for explaining a state of occurrence of image deletion depending on the use environment of the image forming apparatus and whether or not post-rotation of the image forming apparatus is extended;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the relationship between the number of durable sheets and the amount of abrasion of a photosensitive layer on the surface of a photosensitive drum depending on whether or not a post-rotation extending operation is performed.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation in Embodiment 1.

FIG. 5 shows the country / country stored in the storage unit of the image forming apparatus main body.
The figure which shows some data of the temperature, relative humidity, and the amount of moisture in the air for every area | region and every month.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation in Embodiment 2.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a connection state between an image forming apparatus and a computer according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a screen for initial setting of an image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 9 illustrates a network according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation in Embodiment 4.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between an air temperature and a saturated water vapor amount stored in an image forming apparatus according to a fourth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 photoconductor (image carrier, photoconductor drum) 6 cleaning device 6a cleaning blade 13 storage unit 14 control unit (CPU) 43 host computer 100 image forming apparatus (printer) M image forming apparatus main body (printer main body) P transfer material

Continued on the front page. (72) Inventor Ken Sunahara 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc.

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus comprising: an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a movable surface; and a cleaning device for removing foreign matters on the photosensitive member surface as the photosensitive member moves. Storage means for storing the external information, and control means for determining whether or not to perform an additional cleaning operation in addition to the normal cleaning operation, based on the external information input to the storage means. Characteristic image forming apparatus. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines the length of operation time of the additional cleaning operation based on the external information. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the additional cleaning operation is performed by extending post-rotation. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the additional cleaning operation is performed after forming an image on a predetermined number of transfer materials. 5. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning device includes a cleaning blade that is in contact with the surface of the photoconductor in a counter direction with respect to a moving direction of the surface of the photoconductor. 5. The image forming apparatus according to 3 or 4. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the external information is input from an operation panel of the image forming apparatus main body. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the external information is input from a host computer connected to the image forming apparatus main body. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the control unit automatically loads the external information into the storage unit.