JPH11327359A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an image forming device capable of removing the excess of a lubricant with a simple structure in a short time even in the case that the excess of the lubricant such as zinc stearate is applied to an image carrier such as a photoreceptor drum. SOLUTION: This image forming device receives a copying-operation instruction from a consol panel (step S61), and carries out an image forming operation (step S63). Then, the device adds a number corresponding to the image forming operation to the totalized transfer number of times (m) (step S64) and when judging that the totalized transfer number of time (m) reaches 'M' (step S65), the device applies zinc stearate to a transfer belt (step S71) and drives a developing device 36 to carry out development aging (step S67).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus configured to apply a lubricant to a peripheral surface of an image carrier such as a photosensitive drum.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In copying machines, printers and facsimile machines, an electrostatic latent image is formed on a photosensitive drum, and this is visualized into a toner image by a developing device. The toner image formed on the photoreceptor drum is transferred to a sheet directly conveyed or temporarily transferred to an intermediate transfer member such as a transfer belt. At the time of this transfer, a predetermined voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner is applied to a transfer charger or a transfer roller provided on the back surface of the paper or the transfer belt to attract the toner.

There is a possibility that toner may remain on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum even after passing through the transfer portion. In order to remove such residual toner, a cleaning device is provided. For example, in order to weaken the binding force of toner adhering to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum, the cleaning device uses a fur brush in which fibers are planted on the peripheral surface and is driven to rotate. The cleaning blade may be provided so as to make contact with the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum, and the toner on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum loosened by the fur brush may be scraped off by the cleaning blade.

In the case where such a cleaning device is provided, the cleaning blade is pressed against the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum, and a lump of toner or paper powder adheres to the cleaning blade. The frictional resistance with the peripheral surface may increase. For this reason, it is conceivable that zinc stearate is applied to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum by a fur brush to reduce the frictional resistance between the cleaning blade and the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum. It is effective to apply zinc stearate to the peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum in order to prevent the occurrence of “hollowout” in the image.

However, since the fur brush is always in contact with the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum, when the photosensitive drum is driven to rotate, zinc stearate is always applied to the peripheral surface. The developing device includes a developing roller arranged to face the photosensitive drum. A magnetic brush of toner is formed on the peripheral surface of the developing roller. At the time of development, the magnetic brush rubs the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum, and the uncharged portion of the electrostatic latent image on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum. Adheres to the toner. As a result, the electrostatic latent image on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum is visualized. Therefore, while the developing device is driven, the magnetic brush of the toner formed on the peripheral surface of the developing roller comes into contact with the peripheral surface of the photoreceptor drum. And collected in the developing device.

[0006]

However, if the photosensitive drum is driven to rotate while the developing device is not driven, the zinc stearate applied to the surface of the photosensitive drum is not recovered by the developing roller, and thus the surface of the photosensitive drum is not recovered. Extra zinc stearate remains applied. When the image forming operation is performed in such a state, the charge amount of the toner changes, and so-called “fogging” occurs.

In an image forming apparatus such as a full-color copying machine, a plurality of developing devices for storing toners of respective colors based on color components constituting a color image are arranged around a photosensitive drum, and an intermediate transfer member such as a transfer belt is provided. Are arranged facing the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum. In this case, the toner image visualized on the photosensitive drum by one developing device is transferred onto a transfer belt, and the toner images formed by the other developing devices are sequentially transferred thereon in a stacked state. ,
A primary transfer step of forming a color toner image on a transfer belt is performed. Thereafter, a secondary transfer step of transferring the color toner image on the transfer belt onto the conveyed paper is performed.

In such a color copying machine, in the secondary transfer step, zinc stearate is applied to the surface of the transfer belt so that the toner is easily separated from the transfer belt and the transfer onto the paper is ensured. Release agent applying means is provided. The release agent applying means may be provided with, for example, a sponge roller impregnated with zinc stearate so as to be able to advance and retreat with respect to the surface of the transfer belt such that the peripheral surface thereof can contact the surface of the transfer belt. In the primary transfer step, the application of zinc stearate to the transfer belt is not performed, so that the sponge roller is retracted to a position separated from the surface of the transfer belt. The application of zinc stearate to the transfer belt is performed every time a predetermined number of secondary transfer steps are performed. For example, the number of sheets to be transferred is counted, and when the counted value reaches a predetermined number, the sponge roller is brought into contact with the surface of the transfer belt, the transfer belt is driven to rotate, and the zinc stearate is applied from the sponge roller. Can be configured.

At this time, when the transfer belt is rotationally driven,
At the same time, the photosensitive drum is also configured to be driven to rotate. When zinc stearate is applied to the transfer belt, zinc stearate is simultaneously applied to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum. However, when the zinc stearate is applied onto the transfer belt, the developing device is not driven, unlike the rotational drive during image formation. Therefore, the zinc stearate applied to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum is not removed by the magnetic brush of the toner.
It will be in a state of being excessively applied. In this case, as described above, the charge amount of the toner changes, and a failure such as fogging occurs in the formed toner image.

An object of the present invention is to make it possible to remove a lubricant such as zinc stearate with a simple structure and in a short time even when an extra lubricant such as zinc stearate is applied to an image carrier such as a photosensitive drum. An image forming apparatus is provided.

[0011]

An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an image carrier, a developing unit, a lubricant applying unit, and a lubricant removing unit. The image carrier has an electrostatic latent image formed on the peripheral surface. The developing means develops the electrostatic latent image on the peripheral surface of the image carrier into a toner image. The lubricant applying means applies the lubricant to the peripheral surface of the image carrier. The lubricant removing means removes excess lubricant applied to the peripheral surface of the image carrier.

As a result, when an excessive amount of lubricant is applied to the surface of the image bearing member, the lubricant is removed by the lubricant removing means, so that the formed image is not affected. Here, the image carrier can be constituted by a photosensitive drum, and further includes a cleaning blade for removing toner remaining on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum. The lubricant is provided between the cleaning blade and the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum. Zinc stearate, which reduces frictional resistance at the site of contact with the metal.

In this case, the friction resistance between the cleaning blade for removing the toner remaining on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum and the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum is reduced by zinc stearate to prevent wear of the cleaning blade, The effect on the image due to the extra application of zinc acid can be prevented. Further, the lubricant applying means may be a fur brush for weakening the binding force of the toner remaining on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum.

Further, the lubricant removing means is configured to drive the developing device to remove the excess lubricant from the peripheral surface of the image carrier when the excess lubricant is applied to the peripheral surface of the image carrier. Can be. In this case, the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum is rubbed with the toner of the developing device, and extra zinc stearate can be adhered to the toner and collected in the developing device. Further, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus including a photosensitive drum, a developing unit, an intermediate transfer body, a primary transfer unit, a lubricant applying unit, and a lubricant removing unit. Here, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum. The developing unit visualizes the electrostatic latent image on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum into a toner image. The intermediate transfer member is driven to rotate together with the photosensitive drum, and the visualized toner image is transferred onto the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum. The primary transfer unit transfers the toner image from the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum to the intermediate transfer member. The lubricant applying means applies a lubricant to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum when the photosensitive drum and the intermediate transfer member are driven to rotate. The lubricant removing means removes excess lubricant applied to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum.

In such a configuration, when the toner image is not formed by the developing means, the weekly transfer member may be driven to rotate and simultaneously apply the lubricant to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum. In this case, extra lubricant is applied to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum. Therefore,
By removing such extra lubricant by the lubricant removing means, the formed image is not affected.

Here, it is possible to further comprise a secondary transfer means for transferring the toner image from the surface of the intermediate transfer member to the surface of the conveyed paper, wherein the intermediate transfer member is stretched between a driving roller and a driven roller. Transfer belt to be used. Further, a release agent applying means for applying a toner release agent for facilitating the transfer of the toner at the time of the secondary transfer to the surface of the transfer belt can be further provided. In this case, the number of times of the secondary transfer operation is counted. Transfer number counting means for performing transfer of the toner release agent to the transfer belt by the release agent application means when the count value of the transfer number counting means reaches a predetermined value. It is possible to remove excess lubricant applied by the lubricant removing means.

In this case, when the toner releasing agent is applied to the transfer belt, the photosensitive drum is simultaneously driven to rotate,
Extra lubricant is applied to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum. However, it is possible to remove this extra lubricant by the lubricant removing means. Further, the developing means is constituted by a plurality of developing devices in which color toners based on the color components constituting the color image are stored, and the toner images of the respective color toners can be transferred onto the surface of the transfer belt in a stacked state.

Further, the lubricant may be zinc stearate. Further, the lubricant removing means can be configured to drive any one of the plurality of developing devices to remove excess lubricant on the peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum. In the case of using four developing devices for black, the lubricant removing means is configured to remove the lubricant applied extra to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum by driving the developing device for black. Is preferred.

The toner release agent is preferably zinc stearate.

[0020]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a full-color copying machine to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. The copying machine 1 has a main body 10 and a document holder 11 mounted on the upper part of the main body 10 so as to be openable and closable. An original platen 15 on which an original is placed is disposed on the main body 10 at an upper portion thereof. Inside the main body 10, an image forming unit 16 is provided at the left end as viewed from the front and substantially at the center in the vertical direction. Further, a paper feed unit 17 for supplying a document to the image forming unit 16 is provided below.

The paper supply unit 17 is detachably attached to the main body 10 and stores paper supply cassettes 18, 19, and 19.
20 and 21, and a bypass tray 22 provided on the right side thereof. Below the platen 15, the platen 1
An optical system 23 for reading image information of a document placed on the document 5 is provided. The optical system 23 includes a light source 24 for irradiating light to the surface of a document placed on the document table 15.
And a mirror 2 for deflecting light reflected from the original surface
5, 26, 27, a lens 28 for converging the light from the mirror 27, and a color imaging device such as a CCD sensor for receiving the light converged by the lens 28 and generating an image data signal corresponding to the original image. 29.

The image forming section 16 has a photosensitive drum 30 on the surface of which an electrostatic latent image is formed.
0, a main charging device 31, a developing device 33,
34, 35, and 36, a transfer device 37, and a cleaning device 38. The main charging device 31 is a device for charging the surface of the photoconductor drum 30, and is disposed above the photoconductor drum 30. Developing devices 33, 34, 35, and 36 that form toner images on the photoconductor drum 30 are arranged from the left side of the photoconductor drum 30 downward from the main charging device 31 with a predetermined gap. Each of the developing devices 33, 34, 35, and 36 stores cyan, magenta, yellow, and black toner, respectively, and visualizes the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 30 by each color toner. . The transfer device 37 is a device for transferring the toner image on the photosensitive drum 30 to a sheet, and is disposed diagonally below and to the right of the photosensitive drum 30.
The cleaning device 38 is a device for removing residual toner and the like on the surface of the photoconductor drum 30, and is disposed diagonally above and to the right of the photoconductor drum 30.

An exposure device 39 for forming an electrostatic latent image on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 30 is provided diagonally above and to the left of the photosensitive drum 30. The exposure device 39 includes a laser unit 40 and a mirror 41 that deflects the laser light from the laser unit 40 to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 30. The exposure device 39 rotates the photosensitive drum 30 based on an image data signal obtained from the color image sensor 29. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface. The laser light emitted from the exposure device 39 is configured to pass between the main charging device 31 and the developing device 33 and to irradiate the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 30. [Transfer Device] As shown in FIG. 2, the transfer device 37 includes a driving roller 44 to which the driving force of the driving motor 42 is transmitted via the driving belt 43, a secondary transfer upper roller 45, and the driving rollers 44 and 2. A transfer belt 46 stretched between the next transfer upper rollers 45; a primary transfer upper roller 47 for pressing the outer peripheral surface of the transfer belt 46 against the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 30; And a tension roller 49 disposed on the inner peripheral surface side of the belt 46.

The upper primary transfer roller 47 and the lower primary transfer roller 48 are located between the drive roller 44 and the secondary transfer upper roller 45, and are connected to the photosensitive drum 30 via a transfer belt 46.
Is disposed at a position opposite to the above. Primary transfer upper roller 4
Numeral 7 is movable between a pressing position where the transfer belt 46 is pressed together with the primary transfer lower roller 48 against the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 30 and a separation position where the transfer belt 46 is separated from the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 30. ing.

For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the primary transfer roller 47 is rotatably mounted on a mounting plate 50,
The mounting plate 50 is rotatably mounted on the transfer device 37 via the support shaft 51. The mounting plate 50 has a protruding piece 52 protruding downward, and the protruding piece 52 has a primary pressing roller 53 provided in parallel with the rotation axis of the primary transfer upper roller 47.
Is provided. Also. The mounting plate 50 is urged by a spring 54 'in a direction away from the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 30.

On the transfer device 37 side, a primary pressing cam 5 having a cam surface capable of contacting the primary pressing roller 53 of the mounting plate 50
4 is movably supported and provided. The driving force of the primary pressing cam drive motor 56 is transmitted to the primary pressing cam 54 by the drive belt 55, and the primary pressing cam 54 is rotatable. A light-shielding plate 57 that rotates integrally with the primary pressing cam 54 is provided on a rotation shaft of the primary pressing cam 54. The light shielding plate 57 has a sector shape in which a part of a circular plate is cut out, and is arranged so as to block an optical path of a transfer belt pressing sensor 58 formed of a photo interrupter.

For example, when the distance of pressing the primary pressing roller 53 on the cam surface of the primary pressing cam 54 is maximized, the upper primary transfer roller 47 presses the transfer belt 46 against the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 30. At this time, the transfer belt pressure sensor 58 is shielded from light by the light shielding plate 57 and is turned on at the same time. Also, when the distance of pressing the primary pressing roller 53 on the cam surface of the primary pressing cam 54 is minimized, the upper primary transfer roller 47 is located at a separating position for separating the transfer belt 46 from the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 30. And at this time,
The transfer belt pressing sensor 58 is released by the light shielding plate 57 and is turned off.

The transfer device 37 is provided with a zinc stearate coating device 59 for coating the transfer belt 46 with zinc stearate. The zinc stearate coating device 59 includes a zinc stearate coating brush 60 pressed against the drive roller 44 via the transfer belt 46, and a zinc stearate storage unit 61 for supplying zinc stearate to the zinc stearate coating brush 60. It is composed of The zinc stearate coating device 59 is used to transfer the transfer belt 46.
When the toner adhered to the paper is transferred to the surface of the paper, the binding force of the toner to the transfer belt 46 is weakened, and zinc stearate for preventing the toner image formed on the paper from dropping out of the paper is transferred at regular intervals. 46 is applied to the surface. For this reason, the zinc stearate application brush 60 is capable of protruding and retracting with respect to the transfer belt 46, and is configured to be pressed against the drive roller 44 as necessary to apply zinc stearate to the transfer belt 46. ing.

Further, the transfer belt 37 includes a transfer belt 4.
Cleaning device 6 for cleaning the surface of 6
2 are provided. The cleaning device 62 includes
A cleaning roller 63 disposed between the lower secondary transfer roller 48 and the upper secondary transfer roller 45 and in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the transfer belt 46; a cleaning blade 64 in pressure contact with the cleaning roller 63;
4 is provided with a toner collecting section 66 having a spiral 65 for sending the toner scraped off to the collecting tank.

The transfer device 37 includes a transfer belt 46.
And a lower secondary transfer roller 67 that is disposed at a position facing the upper secondary transfer roller 45 through the intermediary of the transfer belt, and applies a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner on the surface of the transfer belt 46 to transfer a toner image onto paper. I have. The secondary transfer lower roller 67 is shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, the mounting plate 68 is rotatably supported. Further, the secondary transfer lower roller 67 is provided with secondary pressing rollers 69 each having a slightly larger outer diameter and rotating integrally with each other at both ends in the width direction. The outer peripheral surface of the secondary pressing roller 69 comes into contact with the side plate of the transfer device 37,
The positioning is performed so that the peripheral surface of the secondary transfer lower roller 67 and the surface of the transfer belt 46 are at a fixed distance.

The mounting plate 68 is movable vertically in FIG. 4, and is urged downward by an urging member (not shown) such as a spring. The mounting plate 68 has a protruding piece 70 protruding downward. The protruding piece 70 is provided with a contact piece 71 protruding in parallel with the rotation axis of the secondary transfer lower roller 67. The contact piece 71 can contact a cam surface of a secondary pressing cam 72 rotatably supported by a side plate of the transfer device 37. The secondary pressing cam 72 is rotatable by a drive motor (not shown), and includes a light shielding plate 73 that rotates integrally. The light shielding plate 73 is configured to be able to take a position where the optical path of the transfer roller pressing sensor 74 constituted by a photo interrupter is shut off and a position where it is opened by rotating.

For example, when the contact piece 71 moved by the cam surface of the secondary pressing cam 72 is located at the uppermost position,
The mounting plate 68 is pushed up most. At this time, 2
The next pressing roller 69 contacts the side plate of the transfer device 37 to position the lower secondary transfer roller 67 at a predetermined position, and the light-shielding plate 73 blocks the optical path of the transfer roller pressing sensor 74 to turn it on. When the contact piece 71 moved by the cam surface of the secondary pressing cam 72 is located at the lowest position,
The mounting plate 68 is positioned at the lowest position by the urging of the urging member. At this time, the lower secondary transfer roller 67 is separated from the surface of the transfer belt 46, and at the same time, the light shielding plate 73 opens the optical path of the transfer roller pressing sensor 74 to be in the off state.

The secondary transfer lower roller 67 is provided with a cleaning blade 75 for removing toner adhering to the peripheral surface in a state of pressing against the peripheral surface. further,
In the vicinity of the lower secondary transfer roller 67, a separation needle 7 for applying a predetermined voltage to separate the sheet from the transfer belt 46 is applied.
6 are provided. [Sheet Feeding Unit] The sheet feeding unit 17 includes the respective sheet feeding cassettes 18, 1.
A vertical conveyance path 81 for conveying paper from 9, 20, 21 to the image forming unit 16 and a bypass conveyance path 82 for conveying paper from the bypass tray 22 to the image forming unit 16 are provided. Each paper cassette 18, 19, 20,
Pickup rollers 83, 84, 8 for taking out the stored paper are provided in the bypass tray 21 and the bypass tray 22.
5, 86, 87, and a pair of paper feed rollers 88, 89, 90, 91, 92 for feeding the paper one by one to the transport path. A transport roller pair 93,
94, 95, and 96 are provided. The vertical transport path 81 and the bypass transport path 82 are joined on the right side of the secondary transfer upper roller 45 and the secondary transfer lower roller 67 of the transfer device 37, and a paper feed transport path 97 that supplies paper to the transfer device 37.
It is continuous. The paper feed path 97 is provided with a registration roller 98 for holding the paper conveyed from the paper feed unit 17 at a predetermined position. [Fixing Device] On the left side of the secondary transfer upper roller 45 and the secondary transfer lower roller 67 of the transfer device 37, a paper discharge transport path 99 for transporting the paper on which the toner image has been transferred is formed. Further, a fixing device 100 is disposed on the left side. The fixing device 100 includes a heating roller 101 having a built-in heater and a pressure roller 10 which is in pressure contact with the heating roller 101.
2 is provided for nipping and transporting the sheet between the two rollers, and heat-fixing the toner image formed on the sheet surface.

A paper discharge roller pair 103 is provided on the left side of the fixing device 100, and is configured to discharge paper to a paper discharge tray 104. [Transfer Belt] The transfer belt 46 is made of a fluorine resin or the like, and as shown in FIG. 5, an outer peripheral surface 111 on which a toner image is transferred and an intermediate inner peripheral surface supported by the outer peripheral surface of each roller. 112. At both ends in the width direction of the transfer belt 46, meandering preventing ridges 11 protruding toward the inner peripheral surface side are provided.
3,113 are provided. This meandering preventing ridge 11
Reference numerals 3 and 113 have end inner peripheral surfaces 114 and 114 that contact the outer peripheral surface of the end edge of each roller.

Each roller on which the transfer belt 46 is stretched has a structure as shown in FIG. 5, and here, the primary transfer upper roller 47 is shown as an example. Primary transfer upper roller 4
Reference numeral 7 denotes an intermediate supporting portion 115 for supporting the intermediate inner peripheral surface 112 of the transfer belt 46, an edge supporting portion 116 having a diameter smaller than that of the intermediate supporting portion 115 by the height of the meandering preventing ridge 113, and have. The outer peripheral surface of the intermediate support portion 115 has a width substantially equal to the width of the intermediate inner peripheral surface 112 of the transfer belt 46, and abuts on the intermediate inner peripheral surface 112 to support the intermediate inner peripheral surface 112 of the transfer belt 46. Intermediate support surface 1
17. The edge support portions 116 are provided at both end edges of the intermediate support portion 115, and the outer peripheral surface thereof has a width substantially equal to the width of the meandering preventing ridge 113 of the transfer belt 46. Inner peripheral surface 114 of end of ridge 113
Is formed as an end supporting surface 118 for supporting the end portion.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, the intermediate inner peripheral surface 112 of the transfer belt 46 is
And the inner peripheral surface 114 of the end of the meandering preventing ridge 113 abuts on the end supporting surface 118 of the upper primary transfer roller 47, so that the transfer belt 46 It is supported on the outer peripheral surface. Each of the primary transfer lower roller 48, the cleaning roller 63, the secondary transfer upper roller 45, the tension roller 49, and the drive roller 44 includes an intermediate support and an edge support, similar to the primary transfer upper roller 47 described above. And a configuration having: As a result, the transfer belt 46 is uniformly supported by contacting the outer peripheral surface of each roller at the intermediate portion in the width direction and the edge portion in the width direction, and the outer peripheral surface does not have irregularities. In particular, since the upper primary transfer roller 47 and the lower primary transfer roller 48 are disposed relatively close to each other in the primary transfer section, the inner peripheral surface of the meandering preventing ridge 113 is separated from the outer peripheral surface of the roller. In this case, dents are likely to occur at the edge portion between the two rollers. However, in the above-described embodiment, such a problem is solved, and the occurrence of omission in the transferred toner image can be prevented.

At the edge of the transfer belt 46 in the width direction, detection holes 120 penetrating from front to back are provided. The six detection holes 120 are provided at equal intervals in the rotation direction of the transfer belt 46 and are used to position the leading end of the toner image formed on the outer peripheral surface 111. Transfer device 37
As shown in FIG. 2, a photointerrupter 122 is attached to the frame via an attachment plate 121.
As shown in FIG. 7, this photo interrupter 122
A light emitting unit 123 composed of an ED and a light receiving unit 124 composed of a phototransistor are opposed to each other with a predetermined distance therebetween. It is arranged so as to sandwich the part. Light emitted from the light emitting unit 123 of the photo interrupter 122 is blocked by the transfer belt 46 and
Is not reached, the photo interrupter 122
Does not output the detection signal. With the rotation of the transfer belt 46, the detection hole 12 is
When 0 arrives, the light from the light emitting unit 123 is
And the photo interrupter 122 generates a detection signal. A timing signal for performing a transfer operation is generated based on a detection signal output from the photo interrupter 122 to perform primary transfer of a toner image from the photosensitive drum 30 to the transfer belt 46 or a toner image from the transfer belt 46 to a sheet. Is performed.

At this time, six detection holes 120 provided at the widthwise edge of the transfer belt 46 are provided at equal intervals in the rotation direction, and the photo interrupter 122 detects any of the detection holes 120. A transfer timing signal can also be generated at the timing, so that the standby time can be reduced and the processing time can be reduced. [Cleaning Device] As shown in FIG. 2, the cleaning device 38 includes a casing 141 disposed close to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 30, a fur brush 142 rotatably supported by the casing 141, and a photosensitive drum. A cleaning blade 143 pressed against the peripheral surface of the body drum 30. The fur brush 142 is a roller in which fibers are implanted on the peripheral surface, and the tip of the fibers abuts on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 30 to reduce the binding force of the toner attached to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 30. The photosensitive drum 30 is driven to rotate at a counter or at a different peripheral speed. The fur brush 141 has a zinc stearate storage section 144.
Supplies zinc stearate. As a result, the fur brush 1
By 41, zinc stearate is applied to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 30.

The cleaning blade 143 is a resin plate-shaped member whose tip is pressed against the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 30, and scrapes off the toner on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 30 whose binding force has been weakened by the fur brush 142. It has a configuration. The toner removed from the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 30 is collected in the casing 141, and is collected in a collection tank (not shown).
Will be collected. [Control System] Inside the copying machine 1, a control unit 201 is provided as shown in FIG. The control unit 201 controls the CP
It is constituted by a microcomputer system including U, RAM, ROM, various drivers and the like. Control unit 201
Is connected to an operation panel 202 for performing various operation instructions. The operation panel 202 includes an input key unit including numeric keys and other command keys, a liquid crystal display element, and an LED.
And the like, and also includes a start key for instructing the start of a copying operation, a switch for setting a special paper mode, and the like.

The control unit 201 further includes an image reading unit 2
03 is connected. The image reading unit 203 includes the above-described optical system 23 and the like, irradiates a document placed on the document table 15 with light, and reflects light reflected from the document on the color image sensor 2.
In step 9, the image data is read and converted into an image data signal. The control unit 201 includes an image processing unit 20 that receives an image data signal output from the color image sensor 29 and performs image processing.
4 are connected. The image processing unit 204 restores a two-dimensional color image based on an image data signal output from the color imaging device 29,
The image is decomposed into images of magenta, yellow, and black color components.

An exposure unit 205 including a laser unit 40 is connected to the control unit 201. The exposure unit 205 irradiates a laser beam from the laser unit 40 based on the image information decomposed into each color component by the image processing unit 204, and forms an electrostatic latent image on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 30.
Further, the control unit 201 is connected to a photosensitive drum driving unit 206 for driving the photosensitive drum 30 to rotate. The photoconductor drum driving unit 206 drives the photoconductor drum 30 to rotate in synchronization with the laser beam emitted from the exposure unit 205.

The control unit 201 includes a sheet transport system 20.
7 is connected. The paper transport system 207 includes a paper feed transport system including a drive motor 42 for rotationally driving the transfer belt 46, and a paper transport including a drive motor such as the paper discharge transport path 99, the fixing device 100, and a pair of paper discharge rollers 103. It is composed of systems. The paper transport system 207 can be set to at least one of a normal transport speed and a special paper transport speed that is lower than the normal transport speed, and performs speed control in accordance with the set mode. Is possible.

The control unit 201 includes a primary transfer upper roller 47.
And a primary transfer roller control unit 208 for moving the first transfer roller between the pressed position and the separated position. The primary transfer roller controller 208 presses and separates the primary transfer upper roller 47 from and to the photosensitive drum 30 by controlling the drive of the primary pressing cam drive motor 56.
In a normal operation, the upper primary transfer roller 47 and the lower primary transfer roller 48 transfer the transfer belt 46 to the photosensitive drum 30.
The primary transfer upper roller 47 is moved to the pressure contact position so as to be in pressure contact with the peripheral surface. In the special paper mode, the primary transfer upper roller 47 is moved so that the transfer belt 46 is separated from the photosensitive drum 30 peripheral surface. The upper transfer roller 47 is moved to the separated position.

The control unit 201 includes a secondary transfer lower roller 67.
Transfer roller control unit 2 for moving the sheet between a predetermined position at the time of transfer and a separated position separated from the transfer belt 46
09 is connected. This secondary transfer roller control unit 20
Numeral 9 is for controlling the motor for driving the secondary pressing cam to move the secondary transfer lower roller 67 toward and away from the transfer belt 46. Photoconductor drum 30
During the primary transfer of the toner image from the transfer belt 46 to the transfer belt 46, the secondary transfer lower roller 67 is separated from the transfer belt 46, and the second transfer of the toner image from the transfer belt 46 to the sheet is performed.
When performing the next transfer, the lower secondary transfer roller 67 is moved so that the gap between the peripheral surface of the lower secondary transfer roller 67 and the surface of the transfer belt 46 is a predetermined distance.

Further, a secondary transfer voltage control section 210 for controlling a voltage applied to the secondary transfer lower roller 67 is connected to the control section 201. Secondary transfer voltage controller 2
10 is a transfer belt 46 for attracting toner onto the paper from the back side of the paper and transferring the toner image to the front surface of the paper.
A voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner on the surface is applied to the lower secondary transfer roller 67. When the toner is negatively charged, the voltage applied to the secondary transfer lower roller is a DC bias voltage of about +1 kV to 2.5 kV. Immediately after the apparatus returns from the stop state, there is a possibility that toner has adhered to the secondary transfer lower roller 67, and the secondary transfer voltage controller 210 applies a predetermined voltage to the secondary transfer lower roller 67 for a certain period of time. Apply 2
The transfer belt 46 and the secondary transfer roller 67 are rotationally driven at a position where the next transfer lower roller 67 is close to the transfer belt 46. At this time, the voltage applied to the secondary transfer lower roller 67 has the same polarity as that during the transfer, and is a DC bias voltage of about +300 to 400V. However, when the cleaning blade 75 is not in contact with the secondary transfer lower roller 67, it is preferable that the voltage at this time be reverse polarity.

The control unit 201 is further connected to another input / output unit. [General Operation] The operation of the copying machine 1 will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG.

When the power of the copying machine 1 is turned on, various parameters and the entire apparatus are initialized in step S1 shown in FIG. During this initialization operation, a toner peeling voltage is applied to the secondary transfer lower roller 67 to transfer the transfer belt 46.
And the secondary transfer lower roller 67 is driven to rotate for a certain period of time.
The operation includes retransferring the toner adhered to the next transfer lower roller 67 to the transfer belt 46 and collecting the toner to the cleaning device 62 provided on the transfer belt 46. The toner peeling voltage applied to the lower secondary transfer roller 67 is a DC voltage of +300 to 400 V when the cleaning blade 75 is in contact with the peripheral surface of the lower secondary transfer roller 67. After this,
The photosensitive drum 30, the transfer belt 46, and the like are set at the initial positions.

In step S2, it is determined whether or not the special paper mode has been set. Here, the operation panel 20
When the special paper mode is selected by the mode setting button 2, it is determined that the special paper mode has been set, and the process proceeds to step S 3. In step S3, an image forming process in the special paper mode is executed. If it is determined in step S2 that the special paper mode has not been set, the process proceeds to step S4. In step S4, the apparatus is set to the normal image forming mode. In step S5, it is determined whether or not an instruction to start image formation has been given. When a start key provided on the operation panel 202 is operated, it is determined that an instruction to start image formation has been given, and
Move to step S6.

In step S6, an image is formed on a sheet based on a normal image forming mode. Here, the original placed on the original table 15 is irradiated with light by the optical system 23, and the reflected light is converted into an image data signal by the color image sensor 29. The image data signal is decomposed into an image of each color component by the image processing unit 204, and first, an electrostatic latent image based on the cyan color component is formed on the photosensitive drum 30. This electrostatic latent image is visualized by the developing device 33 containing the cyan toner.

The upper primary transfer roller 47 is provided on the photosensitive drum 3
It is located at a pressure contact position close to the 0 side, and the transfer belt 46 is pressed against the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 30 together with the primary transfer lower roller 48. As a result, the toner image formed of the cyan toner formed on the photosensitive drum 30 is transferred to the surface of the transfer belt 46 by the upper primary transfer roller 47 and the lower primary transfer roller 48.

When the toner image of the cyan toner is transferred to the transfer belt 46, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to magenta is formed on the photosensitive drum 30. The image is visualized. This toner image is similarly transferred onto the transfer belt 46. Hereinafter, similarly, the toner images of the respective color components of yellow and black are transferred onto the transfer belt 46 in a stacked state. When transferring toner images of each color component,
Synchronization is performed so that there is no image shift.
At the same time, the paper feed cassettes 18, 19, 20, 21,
The sheet is conveyed from any one of the bypass trays 22 and is made to stand by by the registration rollers 98 in the sheet feeding conveyance path 97.

When the transfer of the color toner image onto the transfer belt 46 is completed, a sheet is supplied from the registration roller 98 to between the upper secondary transfer roller 45 and the lower secondary transfer roller 67 to be stacked on the surface of the transfer belt 46. The color toner image formed in this state is transferred onto the sheet by the secondary transfer lower roller 67. Thereafter, the sheet having the color toner image transferred to the surface thereof is conveyed to the fixing device 100 through the sheet discharge conveyance path 99, and the color toner image transferred to the sheet surface is heated and melt-fixed and discharged to the sheet discharge tray 104. I do. During this time, 1
The next transfer upper roller 47 is located at the pressure contact position,
The surface of the transfer belt 46 is pressed against the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 30 by an upper primary transfer roller 47 and a lower primary transfer roller 48. The paper transport system 207 is set at a normal transport speed in synchronization with the photosensitive drum drive unit 206.

In step S7, it is determined whether a predetermined image forming operation has been completed. Here, the operation panel 20
When the copying operation of the number of sheets designated from Step 2 has been completed, it is determined that the predetermined image forming operation has been completed, and Step S8 is performed.
Move to In step S8, another process is executed. [Special Paper Mode] In the special paper mode in step S3, an operation as shown in FIG. 10 is executed. Step S1
In step 1, it is determined whether an instruction to start image formation has been issued. Here, the paper feed cassettes 18 and 1 of the paper feed unit 17 are previously set.
A special paper for image formation is set in one of 9, 20, 21 and the bypass tray 22, and a setting to feed paper from the place where the special paper is set is instructed from the operation panel 202. Special paper is cardboard or OHP
It is a sheet or a surface-coated paper coated with a surface, and is usually set on the bypass tray 22 in many cases. In this case, a setting to feed paper from the bypass tray 22 may be indicated from the operation panel 202. .
Thereafter, when the start key provided on the operation panel 202 is operated, it is determined that there is an instruction to start image formation, and the process proceeds to step S12.

In step S12, a process of reading the document image placed on the document table 15 and transferring the color toner image onto the transfer belt 46 is executed. In this case, the original placed on the original platen 15 is irradiated with light by the optical system 23 and the reflected light is emitted by the color image sensor 29 in the same manner as in the case of forming an image on plain paper. Convert to a signal. The image data signal from the color image sensor 29 is decomposed into images of each color component by the image processing unit 204, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 30 in the order of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black to form an image. The images are visualized by the developing devices 33, 34, 35, and 36, and are sequentially transferred to the transfer belt 46. At the same time,
7, the sheet is taken out from the position designated in advance, conveyed to the transfer device 37 side, and made to stand by by the registration roller 98.

At this time, the upper primary transfer roller 47 is located at a pressure contact position close to the photosensitive drum 30 side, and the paper transport system 207 operates in synchronism with the photosensitive drum drive unit 206 for normal operation. Each part is driven at the speed. In step S13, it is determined whether the primary transfer operation has been completed. Here, when the transfer of the cyan, magenta, yellow, and black toner images onto the transfer belt 46 is completed, it is determined that the primary transfer operation has been completed, and the process proceeds to step S14.

In step S14, the primary transfer upper roller 4
7 is moved to the separating position to separate the surface of the transfer belt 46 from the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 30, and the paper transport speed of the paper transport system 207 is set to a special paper transport speed lower than the transport speed in the normal operation. I do. The special paper transport speed is set to a speed at which the color toner image transferred in a laminated state on the surface of a material paper such as a thick paper, an OHP sheet, or a surface coated paper is sufficiently fused and fixed in the fixing device 100.

In step S15, the registration roller 98
Is transported to the transfer device 37, and the secondary transfer operation for this paper is started. Here, the secondary transfer upper roller 45 is driven at the special paper transport speed, and the paper is transported at the special paper transport speed, and the color toner image formed on the transfer belt 46 is transferred onto the paper. . Thereafter, the sheet on which the color toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 100, and the color toner on the sheet surface is fused and fixed, and
03, the sheet is discharged to the sheet discharge tray 104.

In step S16, it is determined whether a predetermined image forming operation has been completed. Here, operation panel 2
02, when the copying operation of the number of sheets specified from
It is determined that the predetermined image forming operation has been completed, and the process returns to the main routine. In this case, when an image is formed on a material paper such as a thick paper, an OHP sheet, or a surface-coated paper, the primary transfer upper roller 47 is set when the transfer of the toner image to the transfer belt 46 is completed. Is moved to the separating position to separate the surface of the transfer belt 46 from the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 30, and the paper is transported at a special paper transport speed lower than the normal transport speed of the paper transport system 207. Therefore, the color toner image transferred onto the sheet can be sufficiently fused and fixed, and the photosensitive drum 3
0 can be prevented from being rubbed against the transfer belt 46 and damaged. [Secondary Transfer Voltage Control] In the secondary transfer in which the toner image on the surface of the transfer belt 46 is transferred onto paper, the voltage applied to the secondary transfer lower roller 67 by the secondary transfer voltage control unit 210 is equal to the transfer belt. +1 kV of the opposite polarity to the toner on
It is set to 2.5 kV.

At the time of initial setting immediately after the power is turned on, a toner peeling voltage is applied to the lower secondary transfer roller 67 to transfer the transfer belt 46 and the lower secondary transfer roller 67 as described above.
Is rotated for a certain period of time to re-transfer the toner adhered to the secondary transfer lower roller 67 onto the transfer belt 46, and perform a roller initialization operation to collect the toner on the cleaning device 62 provided on the transfer belt 46. In this case, the cleaning blade 75 is provided in pressure contact with the secondary transfer lower roller 67, and the toner peeling voltage applied to the secondary transfer lower roller 67 by the secondary transfer voltage controller 210 is Is set to +300 to 400V of the opposite polarity.

When the paper jam or the apparatus cover is opened, the apparatus is stopped. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation at this time. In step S21, it is determined whether a paper jam has occurred. Here, it is provided at various locations such as a vertical transport path 81, a bypass transport path 82, a paper feed transport path 97, a paper discharge transport path 99, and a path from the fixing device 100 to the paper discharge roller pair 103 of the paper feed unit 17. It is determined based on the detection signal of the sheet detection sensor whether or not the sheet conveyance is normal. For example, if any of the paper detection sensors does not detect a paper after a predetermined time,
It is determined that a paper jam has occurred, and the process proceeds to step S23.

In step S22, it is determined whether or not the device cover is open. For example, a sensor that is turned off when the device cover is closed at a predetermined position and turned on when the device cover is open is provided, and based on a detection signal of this sensor, the device cover is opened and It is possible to determine whether or not there is. If the device cover is open, the process proceeds to step S23.

In step S23, the apparatus is brought into the stop state, the acceptance of the operation instruction input from the operation panel 202 is prohibited, and at the liquid crystal display portion of the operation panel 202, the place where the paper jam has occurred, the position of the opened apparatus cover. Are displayed corresponding to the current state. In step S24,
It is determined whether or not the return operation has been completed. For example, when a paper jam has occurred, when the paper is removed from the location where the jam has occurred and the reset switch is operated, it is determined that the return operation has been completed. Further, when the apparatus cover is opened, when the sensor is turned off and the apparatus cover is closed, it is determined that the return work is completed. However, when removing paper from the location where a paper jam has occurred, it is necessary to open the device cover and perform the paper removal operation.If the device stops due to the paper jam, the device cover is closed. Is included in the return work. Therefore, the case where the apparatus cover is opened here means a case where the inside of the apparatus is operated due to toner supply, other maintenance, or the like, or a case where the apparatus cover is accidentally opened. In this step S24,
If it is determined that the return operation has been completed, the process proceeds to step S25.

In step S25, the same roller initialization as that immediately after the power is turned on is performed. Here, +30 having a polarity opposite to that of the toner on the surface of the transfer belt 46 is applied to the lower secondary transfer roller 67.
The transfer belt 46 and the secondary transfer lower roller 67 are driven to rotate for a predetermined time (here, 3 seconds) by applying a toner peeling voltage of 0 to 400 V. As a result, the toner adhered to the secondary transfer lower roller 67 is re-transferred to the transfer belt 46, and the cleaning device 6 provided on the transfer belt 46
Collect in 2.

For example, when the transfer of the toner image onto the transfer belt 46 is completed and a paper jam occurs at the registration roller 98 when starting the secondary transfer, the paper is not conveyed to the transfer portion. Nevertheless, voltage application to the secondary transfer lower roller 67 is started, and the toner on the transfer belt 46 is transferred to the secondary transfer lower roller 67. Since the registration roller 98 and the transfer portion (the proximity position between the transfer belt 46 and the lower secondary transfer roller 67) are short, when the occurrence of paper jam is detected, the voltage application to the lower secondary transfer roller 67 has already started. Therefore, the toner is transferred to the lower secondary transfer roller 67. When the jammed sheet is removed and the apparatus returns from the stopped state, the secondary transfer lower roller 67
If the toner adhered to the sheet is left as it is, the toner adheres to the back side of the sheet at the time of the next image formation, and the sheet is soiled. Therefore, when the apparatus returns from the stop state, a predetermined toner peeling voltage is applied to the secondary transfer lower roller 67 to re-transfer to the transfer belt 46 side, and is collected by the cleaning device 62.

Even if the stop of the apparatus is other than the paper jam at the registration roller 98, there is a possibility that the toner is attached to the secondary transfer lower roller 67, and when the apparatus returns from the stop state, The lower transfer roller 6 for a predetermined time by always applying the toner peeling voltage as described above.
7 and the transfer belt 46 are driven to rotate.

The toner peeling voltage is set at the lower secondary transfer roller 67.
Is different depending on whether or not the cleaning blade 75 is pressed against the surface. In the above-described embodiment, since the cleaning blade 75 is pressed against the surface of the secondary transfer lower roller 67, it is preferable to apply a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner on the surface of the transfer belt 46. 2
The toner is forcibly attached to the lower secondary transfer roller 67, and the voltage applied to the lower secondary transfer roller 67 is -200V, -150V.
V, -100V, -50V, 0V, + 50V, +100
V and +200 V, and the cleaning performance when the voltage application time was 3 seconds is shown in Table 1. From this, when the applied voltage is a negative voltage having the same polarity as the toner, the effect of removing the toner attached to the secondary transfer lower roller 67 is deteriorated. It was found that the effect of removing the toner adhered to the roller 67 was improved.

When there is no cleaning blade 75 in pressure contact with the peripheral surface of the secondary transfer lower roller 67, it is preferable to apply a voltage having the same polarity as that of the toner. When the cleaning blade 75 is not provided, the toner is forcibly attached to the lower secondary transfer roller 67, and the voltage applied to the lower secondary transfer roller 67 is -500V, -400V, -300V, -20.
0V, -150V, -100V, -50V, 0V, +5
0 V and +100 V, and the voltage application time is 3
The cleaning performance in seconds is shown in Table 1. From this, when the cleaning blade 75 is not provided, when the applied voltage is a negative voltage having the same polarity as the toner, the effect of removing the toner adhered to the secondary transfer lower roller 67 becomes good, and the applied voltage becomes the positive polarity having the opposite polarity to the toner. In the case of voltage,
It was found that the effect of removing the toner adhered to the secondary transfer lower roller 67 was deteriorated.

[0068]

[Table 1]

As described above, when the apparatus returns from the stop state, the toner peeling voltage is applied to the lower secondary transfer roller 67, and the adhered toner is retransferred to the lower secondary transfer roller 67 for cleaning. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the toner from adhering to the back surface of the paper and contaminating it. [Copy Control for Multiple Copies] When a copy process for multiple copies is selected by an instruction from the operation panel 202, the operation is performed based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

In step S31, the number of copies n instructed from the operation panel 202 is substituted for a variable k. In step S32, the optical system 2 is attached to the original placed on the original table 15.
3 irradiates light, converts the reflected light into an image data signal by the color image sensor 29, and reads an original image. In step S33, the color image sensor 2
9. The image data signal converted by the
04 separates each color component into images.

In step S34, it is determined whether or not the size of the document set on the document table 15 or the sheet size specified from the operation panel 202 is A4 landscape or smaller.
The size of the paper to be copied exceeds A4 width, for example, A3
If it is the size, the process proceeds to step S35. In step S35, a normal image forming operation of forming a toner image based on the document image on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 30, transferring the toner image to the surface of the transfer belt 46, and further transferring the image on paper is performed. In this case, the toner image based on each color component of the original image is positioned at the leading end based on a detection signal obtained by detecting the detection hole 120 of the transfer belt 46 by the photo interrupter 122, and is stacked on the surface of the transfer belt 46. . As described above, six detection holes 120 are provided at equal intervals in the rotation direction at the widthwise edge of the transfer belt 46, and based on the first detection signal, the toner The transfer of the image to the surface of the transfer belt 46 is started. After this, Photointerrupter 1
The counting of the detection signal output by the counter 22 is started, and the transfer of the magenta toner image is started based on the sixth detection signal. Similarly, the transfer of the yellow and black toner images is performed based on the sixth detection signal, and a full-color image in which the toner images of the respective color components are stacked on the transfer belt 46 is formed. Further, secondary transfer is started based on a predetermined number of detection signals. This ensures the positioning of the leading end of the toner image to be transferred, and allows image formation to be started at the start of transfer based on a detection signal from one of the six detection holes 120 that is detected first. The waiting time at the start of image formation can be saved, and the processing time can be shortened.

When the copying operation for one sheet is completed, the value of the variable k is decremented, and the above operation is repeated until the value of the variable k reaches zero. If it is determined in step S34 that the size of the sheet to be copied is A4 width or smaller, the process proceeds to step S36. Step S3
At 6, it is determined whether or not the photo interrupter 122 has output a predetermined detection signal. Here, the process proceeds to step S37 based on a detection signal when the photo interrupter 122 first detects the detection hole 120.

In step S37, the transfer of the toner image onto the transfer belt 46 by the first color component of the first image is started. Here, the color component of the first color is cyan. At this time, the counting of the detection signal output from the photo interrupter 122 is started. In step S38, it is determined whether the number of detection signals of the photo interrupter 122 has reached a predetermined number. Here, when the count number of the detection signal of the photo interrupter 122 becomes “3”, it is determined that the predetermined number has been reached, and the process shifts to step S39. At this time, the transfer belt 46 has been rotated by １ ／ since the transfer of the toner image based on the color component of the first color of the first image has started, and the size of the sheet on which the copying is to be performed is A4 width or smaller. The operation of transferring the toner image of the first image to the transfer belt 46 has been completed.

In step S39, the transfer of the toner image onto the transfer belt 46 by the first color component of the second image is started. At this time, the count of the detection signal output from the photo interrupter 122 is reset and a new count is started. In step S40, it is determined whether or not the number of detection signals of the photo interrupter 122 has reached a predetermined number. Here, when the count number of the detection signal of the photo interrupter 122 becomes “3”, it is determined that the predetermined number has been reached, and the process shifts to step S41. At this time, the transfer belt 46 has been rotated once since the transfer of the toner image based on the color component of the first color of the first image is started. Therefore, the transfer of the toner image onto the transfer belt 46 by the second color component of the first image is started. Here, the color component of the second color is magenta. Further, the count number of the detection signal of the photo interrupter 122 is reset. In step S42, it is determined whether or not the number of detection signals of the photo interrupter 122 has reached a predetermined number. Similarly to the above, when the count number of the detection signal of the photo interrupter 122 becomes “3”, it is determined that the predetermined number has been reached, and the process shifts to step S43.

In step S43, the transfer of the toner image onto the transfer belt 46 by the second color component of the second image is started. At this time, the count of the detection signal output from the photo interrupter 122 is reset and a new count is started. In step S44, it is determined whether or not the detection signal count number of the photo interrupter 122 has become "3". When the count number of the detection signal of the photo interrupter 122 becomes “3”, the process proceeds to step S45.

In step S45, transfer of the toner image onto the transfer belt 46 by the third color component of the first image is started. Here, the color component of the third color is yellow. Further, the count number of the detection signal of the photo interrupter 122 is reset. In the step S46, it is determined whether or not the count number of the detection signal of the photo interrupter 122 has reached “3”. When the count number of the detection signal of the photo interrupter 122 becomes “3”, the process proceeds to step S47.

In step S47, transfer of the toner image onto the transfer belt 46 by the third color component of the second image is started. At this time, the count of the detection signal output from the photo interrupter 122 is reset and a new count is started. In step S48, it is determined whether or not the detection signal count number of the photo interrupter 122 has become "3". When the count number of the detection signal of the photo interrupter 122 becomes “3”, the process proceeds to step S49.

In step S49, the transfer of the toner image onto the transfer belt 46 by the fourth color component of the first image is started. Here, the color component of the fourth color is black. Further, the count number of the detection signal of the photo interrupter 122 is reset. In step S50, it is determined whether or not the count number of the detection signal of the photo interrupter 122 has reached “3”. When the count number of the detection signal of the photo interrupter 122 becomes “3”, the process proceeds to step S51.

In step S51, transfer of the toner image onto the transfer belt 46 by the fourth color component of the second image is started. At this time, the count of the detection signal output from the photo interrupter 122 is reset and a new count is started. In step S52, it is determined whether or not the count number of the detection signal of the photo interrupter 122 has reached a predetermined number. Here, when the count number of the detection signal of the photo interrupter 122 reaches a predetermined number, the leading end position of the first image is set to reach a predetermined position near the secondary transfer position, and the detection of the photo interrupter 122 is performed. When the signal count reaches the predetermined number, the count is reset to newly start detection signal counting, and the process proceeds to step S53.

In step S53, the sheet which has been waiting by the registration roller 98 is conveyed to the transfer device 37 side, a predetermined voltage is applied to the lower secondary transfer roller 67, and the secondary transfer operation on the sheet is started. . At this time, the next sheet is simultaneously conveyed from the sheet feeding unit 17 and the registration rollers 98
To wait. As a result, the first image formed on the transfer belt 46 is transferred to the sheet. When the count number of the photo interrupter 122 becomes “3”, the secondary transfer operation of the first image has already been completed,
The leading end position of the second image has reached a predetermined position near the secondary transfer position. Therefore, the sheet that is kept on standby by the registration roller 98 is conveyed to the transfer device 37 side, a predetermined voltage is applied to the secondary transfer lower roller 67, and the secondary transfer operation on the sheet is started. When the secondary transfer operation of the two images is completed, the process proceeds to step S54. Step S54
Then, "2" is subtracted from the variable k indicating the number of remaining copies. In step S55, the value of the variable k is compared with “1”. If the value of the variable k is larger than "1", the process proceeds to step S36, and the same image forming operation is repeated. If the value of the variable k is “1”, step S3
Move to 5. This is the final copy when an odd number of copies is selected. In this case, since only one image needs to be formed on the transfer belt 46, the normal image formation in step S35 is performed. Processing may be performed. If the value of the variable k is smaller than 1, it is determined that all the designated number of copies have been processed, and step S
Go to 56. In step S56, end processing is performed.

In the embodiment configured as described above, the detection hole 12 provided at the widthwise edge of the transfer belt 46 is formed.
0 is provided at six locations at equal intervals in the rotation direction, and can generate a transfer timing signal at the timing when the photo interrupter 122 detects any of the detection holes 120, shortening the standby time and reducing the processing time. It can be shortened. [Zinc stearate coating control]
When a copy operation is instructed from, even in the case of a copy instruction of a plurality of copies, this is regarded as one operation, and
The designated number of copies is continuously processed, and each time the operation is completed, zinc stearate is applied to the surface of the transfer belt 46 by the zinc stearate coating device 59. Further, the number of times of transfer of the toner image to the surface of the transfer belt 46 is counted, and even when the number of times of transfer reaches a predetermined number, zinc stearate is transferred to the transfer belt 46.
It is configured to be applied to the surface. This will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In step S61, an instruction for a copying operation is received. For example, when a copy operation is instructed from the operation panel 202, the number of copies, the presence or absence of double-sided copy, the instruction of mono-color copy or the instruction of full-color copy, and the like are determined. Set the forming operation. In step S62, step S6
Based on the image forming operation of one operation set in 2, the number 1 of times of performing the secondary transfer operation from the transfer belt 46 to the sheet is set. For example, when ten copies are made from one original, the number of times 1 for performing the secondary transfer operation is set to “10”.

In step S63, a primary transfer operation for forming a toner image on the photosensitive drum 30 and transferring the toner image to the transfer belt 46 and a secondary transfer operation for transferring the toner image from the transfer belt 46 to a sheet are performed. In step S64, "1" is subtracted from the variable 1 indicating the number of remaining copies in the operation, and the toner image is transferred from the photosensitive drum 30 to the transfer belt 46 after zinc stearate was previously applied to the transfer belt 46. A predetermined number is added to the transfer count m indicating the total count. As the predetermined number to be added to the transfer count m, for example, “1” is added for mono-color copying, and “4” is added for full-color copying. In addition, in the case of double-sided copying, in order to increase the frequency of application of zinc stearate, “2” may be added in the case of monocolor, and “8” may be added in the case of full color.

In the step S65, it is determined whether or not the number of times of transfer m exceeds a predetermined number M. The predetermined number M is the transfer number m
Is a threshold value set to apply zinc stearate to the transfer belt 46 when the number of times reaches this number,
For example, it is set to about 200 to 240. As a result, in the case of a copying operation of only a mono color, 200 to 24
It is considered that this threshold value has been reached at the time of copying on 00 sheets, and 50% if only full-color copying operation is performed.
It is considered that the threshold value has been reached when copying of up to 60 sheets has been performed. In the case of double-sided copying,
In the case of full-color copying, this threshold value is considered to have been reached when copying is performed on 25 to 30 sheets.

If it is determined in step S65 that the number of times of transfer m has reached the threshold value M, the process proceeds to step S66. In step S66, the zinc stearate application brush 60 is brought into contact with the transfer belt 46 so that the transfer belt 4
6 is rotated to apply zinc stearate on the surface of the transfer belt 46. In step S47, the developing device 36 for storing the black toner is brought into contact with the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 30, and the developing roller is driven to execute the developing aging.

When the transfer belt 46 is driven to rotate in step S66, the photosensitive drum 30 also rotates at the same time. At this time, zinc stearate is applied to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 30 by the fur brush 142 of the cleaning device 38. However, when no electrostatic latent image is formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 30 and no developing device is driven, the photosensitive drum 30
The amount of zinc stearate applied to the peripheral surface becomes excessive. Then, the black developing device 36 is driven to contact the magnetic brush of the toner formed on the developing roller with the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 30 to remove the excess zinc stearate on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 30. can do. In step S68, it is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed.
Here, the predetermined time can be set to about 20 seconds.
When 20 seconds have elapsed in step S68, the application and development aging of zinc stearate are stopped, and the process proceeds to step S69. As a result, zinc stearate can be sufficiently applied to the surface of the transfer belt 46, so that the formed image can be prevented from being hollowed out. In step S69, a variable m indicating the total number of transfer times is reset, and the process proceeds to step S70.

In step S70, it is determined whether or not the number of remaining copies 1 in the operation is greater than "0". If the remaining number of copies 1 is greater than "0", the flow shifts to step S63 to execute the next copying operation. In step S70, the remaining copy number 1 is "0".
Is reached, the process moves to step S71. In step S71, the zinc stearate application brush 60 is brought into contact with the transfer belt 46, and the transfer belt 46 is rotationally driven to apply zinc stearate to the surface of the transfer belt 46. In this case, it is assumed that the zinc stearate is applied during one rotation of the transfer belt 46 after the paper passes the secondary transfer position. For example, if it takes about 6 seconds for the transfer belt 46 to make one rotation, the zinc stearate coating brush 60 is brought into contact with the transfer brush 46 and the transfer belt 46 is rotated for about 6 seconds. it can. In this case, at the same time, the developing device 36 is
The developing aging may be performed by driving the developing roller in contact with the peripheral surface of the developing roller.

As described above, the transfer belt 46
Since zinc stearate is applied for each operation, it is possible to prevent the toner image transferred to the paper from causing troubles such as voids. Immediately after the transfer of the toner image onto the paper is completed, the transfer belt 46 is moved for about 1 hour.
Since the zinc stearate is applied by rotating, the processing time is short and the user does not have to wait.

Even when the number of copies in one operation is large, when the number of times of transfer of the toner image to the transfer belt 46 reaches a predetermined value, the surface of the transfer belt 46 is coated with zinc stearate. Transfer belt 4
6. There is no shortage of zinc stearate on the surface, and it is possible to prevent obstacles such as voids. When the zinc stearate is applied onto the transfer belt 46, the photosensitive drum 30 also rotates at the same time, so that the zinc stearate is applied to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 30 by the fur brush 142. Since developing aging is performed by driving the developing device 36, excess zinc stearate on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 30 is removed by the developing device 36. Therefore, the amount of zinc stearate applied to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 30 is maintained at an appropriate amount. [Other Embodiments] (A) Reflecting members such as aluminum foil are provided at six positions at the width direction edge of the transfer belt 46 at equal intervals in the rotation direction,
A light emitting unit such as an LED that irradiates light to the reflecting member and a light receiving unit such as a phototransistor that receives light reflected from the reflecting member are arranged, and a transfer timing signal is generated based on an output signal of the phototransistor. It is also possible. (B) In the above-described embodiment, six detection holes 120 are provided, but the number is not limited to this, and four or six detection holes 120 are provided.
It is also possible to provide them at even or more locations. (C) In the above embodiment, the photo interrupter 122
The timing signal of the secondary transfer is configured to be generated based on the detection signal of (2). However, the detection signal of the photo interrupter 122 and the timer may be used to generate the signal of the timing of the secondary transfer. It is also possible to provide a photo-interrupter for generating a secondary transfer timing signal separately. (D) an automatic document feeder (ADF) having a size capable of forming two toner images on the transfer belt 46 when performing a copying operation based on a plurality of documents inserted into the ADF; When performing image formation on paper, 2
It is possible to read two original images, form two toner images in parallel on the transfer belt 46, and successively transfer the two toner images to two sheets. In this case, a transfer timing signal is generated based on the detection signal of the photo-interrupter 122 and a toner image based on two originals is formed on the transfer belt 46 in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment. After the toner images based on the respective color components are formed in a laminated state, the toner images are successively transferred to two sheets of paper. When the number of documents is odd, normal transfer processing is performed only on the last document.

With this configuration, the ADF
Can be performed at a high speed. (E) In the embodiment described above, a peripheral speed difference occurs between the intermediate support surface and the edge support surface of each roller. On the other hand, the intermediate inner peripheral surface 112 of the transfer belt 46 and the meandering preventing ridge 1
The inner peripheral surface 114 of the thirteenth edge moves at the same speed in the linear portion. Therefore, the intermediate inner peripheral surface 1 of the transfer belt 46
At a position where the edge 12 and the inner peripheral surface 114 of the edge 113 of the meandering preventing ridge 113 are in contact with the intermediate support surface and the edge support surface of the roller, slippage occurs, and abrasion of parts becomes a problem.

In order to solve such a problem, an embodiment in which each roller is configured as shown in FIG. 13 will be described. Here, the primary transfer upper roller 47 is shown as an example. The primary transfer upper roller 47 is provided on the intermediate inner peripheral surface 112 of the transfer belt 46.
And a roller body 131 that supports the roller. The roller body 131 has substantially the same width as the intermediate inner peripheral surface 112 of the transfer belt 46, and forms an intermediate support surface 132 whose outer peripheral surface is in contact with and supports the intermediate inner peripheral surface 112 of the transfer belt 46. ing.

[0092] At both ends of the roller body 131, support rollers 133 rotatably supported by a rotation shaft (not shown) of the roller body 131 are provided. Support roller 133
Is smaller than the diameter of the roller body 131.
The outer circumferential surface of the transfer belt 46 has a width substantially equal to the width of the meandering preventing ridge 113 of the transfer belt 46, and the inner circumferential surface of the end portion of the meandering preventing ridge 113. An end support surface 134 that supports the 114 is formed.
This support roller 133 is rotatably supported independently of the roller body 131.

As a result, the intermediate inner peripheral surface 112 of the transfer belt 46 comes into contact with the intermediate support surface 132 of the roller body 131, and the inner peripheral surface 114 of the end of the meandering preventing ridge 113 becomes the end support surface of the support roller 133. The transfer belt 46 is supported on the outer peripheral surface of the primary transfer roller 47 by contacting the transfer belt 134. Primary transfer lower roller 48, cleaning roller 63, secondary transfer upper roller 45, tension roller 4
9. Each roller of the drive roller 44 has a roller main body and a supporting roller similarly to the primary transfer upper roller 47 described above. As a result, the transfer belt 46
The roller is uniformly supported by contacting the outer peripheral surfaces of the roller body and the support roller at the widthwise intermediate portion and the widthwise edge, respectively, so that there is no unevenness on the outer peripheral surface. Since the support roller 133 is independently rotatable regardless of the rotation of the roller body 131, there is no difference in the peripheral speed even if the roller body 131 and the support roller 133 have different diameters. Therefore, no slippage occurs between the inner peripheral surface of the transfer belt 46 and each roller, and it is possible to prevent the life of each component from being shortened due to wear. (F) A fur brush having fibers implanted on the peripheral surface may be provided in the cleaning device 62, and zinc stearate may be applied to the surface of the transfer belt 46. In this case, the cleaning roller 6 of the cleaning device 62
When the brush 5 comes into contact with the transfer belt 46, at the same time, the cleaning roller 65 cleans a portion of the transfer belt 46 where the toner image has been transferred to the sheet after passing through the secondary transfer position. At the same time, the application of zinc stearate by the fur brush can be performed automatically.

[0094]

According to the present invention, since the lubricant excessively applied to the peripheral surface of the image carrier is removed by the lubricant removing means, the image is formed with good image quality without fogging. It can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a copying machine employing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a main part thereof.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view for explaining a main part.

FIG. 4 is a partial longitudinal sectional view thereof.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a relationship between a transfer belt and a roller.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view thereof.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an edge portion of the transfer belt.

FIG. 8 is a control block diagram.

FIG. 9 is a control flowchart of an embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a control flowchart of an embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a control flowchart of one embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a control flowchart of an embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a control flowchart of one embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating a relationship between a transfer belt and a roller according to another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Copier 10 Main body 15 Document table 16 Image forming part 17 Paper supply part 22 Bypass tray 23 Optical system 30 Photoconductor drum 33 Developing device 34 Developing device 35 Developing device 36 Developing device 37 Transfer device 39 Exposure device 43 Secondary transfer upper roller 46 transfer belt 47 primary transfer upper roller 48 primary transfer lower roller 59 zinc stearate coating device 60 zinc stearate coating brush 61 zinc stearate storage unit 67 secondary transfer lower roller 111 outer peripheral surface 112 intermediate inner peripheral surface 113 meandering prevention Projecting ridge 114 End inner peripheral surface 115 Intermediate support portion 116 Edge support portion

Claims (15)

[Claims] An image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed on a peripheral surface; a developing means for visualizing the electrostatic latent image on the peripheral surface of the image carrier into a toner image; and a peripheral surface of the image carrier. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a lubricant applying unit that applies a lubricant to a surface of the image carrier; and a lubricant removing unit that removes excess lubricant applied to the peripheral surface of the image carrier. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said image carrier is a photosensitive drum. 3. A cleaning blade for removing toner remaining on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum, wherein the lubricant reduces frictional resistance at a contact portion between the cleaning blade and the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus is zinc stearate. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said lubricant applying means is a fur brush for weakening a binding force of toner remaining on the peripheral surface of said photosensitive drum. 5. The lubricant removing means drives the developing device to remove excess lubricant from the peripheral surface of the image carrier when excess lubricant is applied to the peripheral surface of the image carrier. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 6. A photosensitive drum on which an electrostatic latent image is formed on a peripheral surface, developing means for visualizing the electrostatic latent image on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum into a toner image, and rotating together with the photosensitive drum. An intermediate transfer member that is driven to transfer a visualized toner image to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum; a primary transfer unit that transfers a toner image from the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum to the intermediate transfer member; A lubricant applying unit for applying a lubricant to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum when the photosensitive drum and the intermediate transfer body are driven to rotate; and a lubricant for removing a lubricant excessively applied to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum. An image forming apparatus comprising: a removing unit. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a secondary transfer unit that transfers a toner image from the surface of the intermediate transfer member to a surface of a sheet to be conveyed. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said intermediate transfer member is a transfer belt stretched between a driving roller and a driven roller. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a release agent applying means for applying a toner release agent for promoting the transfer of the toner at the time of the secondary transfer onto the surface of the transfer belt. 10. A transfer number counting means for counting the number of executions of the secondary transfer operation, wherein when the count value of the transfer number counting means reaches a predetermined value, toner on the transfer belt by the release agent applying means is provided. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the application of the release agent is performed, and the lubricant that is excessively applied to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum at this time is removed by the lubricant removing unit. 11. The developing means comprises a plurality of developing devices in which color toners based on color components constituting a color image are stored, and a toner image of each color toner is transferred to the transfer belt surface in a stacked state. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8. 12. The method according to claim 12, wherein the lubricant is zinc stearate.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 11. 13. The system according to claim 11, wherein said lubricant removing means is configured to drive any one of said plurality of developing devices to remove excess lubricant on the peripheral surface of said photosensitive drum.
13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12. 14. The developing means comprises four developing devices of cyan, magenta, yellow and black.
An image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said toner release agent is zinc stearate.