JPH11352784A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To stabilize the distance between a developing sleeve and a photoreceptive drum, in an image forming device equipped with an intermediate transfer belt having a rib on the backside of it. SOLUTION: The rib 22 on the backside of the intermediate transfer belt 6 is formed so that in the longitudinal direction of the photoreceptive drum 1 it is positioned further inside (or outside) than the position where a positional restriction member 21d provided on the developing sleeve 20d abuts on the photoreceptive drum 1. Thus, even in such case that the surface of the photoreceptive drum 1 near the rib 22 in shaved due to the rib 22 pressing the intermediate transfer belt 6 to the photoreceptive drum 1, the appropriate distance between the developing sleeve 20d and photoreceptive drum 1 can be maintained.

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 or a printer for forming an image by using an electrophotographic method, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus having an intermediate transfer belt having a rib on a back surface. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There are various image forming apparatuses such as an electrophotographic system, a thermal transfer system, and an ink jet system.
Among these, the image forming apparatus using the electrophotographic method has a high speed,
It is superior to other methods in terms of high image quality, high silence, and the like, and has been widely used in recent years.

There are various types of electrophotographic image forming apparatuses, for example, a multi-developing method in which a color image is superimposed on the surface of an image carrier and then transferred collectively to form an image. Multiple transfer method that repeats the cycle of
There is an intermediate transfer method in which a developed image (toner image) of each color is temporarily transferred onto an intermediate transfer member, and then transferred collectively onto a transfer material. Among them, the intermediate transfer method has attracted attention because it has no fear of color mixing and can cope with various media.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a conventional intermediate transfer type image forming apparatus.

This image forming apparatus is a rotating drum type electrophotographic photosensitive member (hereinafter, referred to as OPC (organic semiconductor)).
A photosensitive drum 1 is driven to rotate in the direction of arrow a, and the surface thereof is uniformly charged by a charging device 2. Then, an exposure L according to image information is performed from an exposure device 3 via a reflection mirror 4 to perform an electrostatic latent image. To form

Then, a yellow developing unit 5a, a cyan developing unit 5b, a magenta developing unit 5c, and a black developing unit 5d mounted on a rotatable rotating body 5A of the developing device 5 are rotatably supported.
A developing unit (for example, a yellow developing unit 5a) used for developing the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 1 by rotating the rotating body 5A in the direction of the arrow b is disposed at a developing position facing the photosensitive drum 1; A toner is attached to the electrostatic latent image and developed as a yellow toner image.

This yellow toner image is primary-transferred by a primary transfer roller 11 onto an intermediate transfer belt 6 formed by a rubber belt moving in the direction of arrow c. The intermediate transfer belt 6 is stretched around a driving roller 8, a secondary transfer facing roller 9 and a tension roller 10, and is pressed against the photosensitive drum 1 by a primary transfer roller 11. The toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 after the primary transfer is removed by the cleaning device 16.

The above-described charging, exposure, development, primary transfer, and cleaning are similarly performed for the remaining three colors, that is, cyan, magenta, and black, so that the four color toner images are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 6.

The toner images of these four colors are collectively transferred to a transfer material P conveyed at a predetermined timing by a secondary transfer section between a secondary transfer opposing roller 9 and a secondary transfer roller 7. Transcribed. The transfer material P after the secondary transfer is conveyed to a fixing device (not shown), where the toner images of four colors are heated and pressurized, fixed on the surface of the transfer material P, and discharged.

The toner (secondary transfer residual toner) remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 6 after the secondary transfer is removed by the cleaning blade 14 a of the intermediate transfer belt cleaner 14. Further, the secondary transfer roller 7 after the secondary transfer is discharged by the discharging roller 15.

Each of the yellow developing device 5a, cyan developing device 5b, magenta developing device 5c and black developing device 5d of the developing device 5 has a developing sleeve 20 carrying a toner.
a, 20b, 20c, and 20d are provided. Also,
On the surface of each of the developing sleeves 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d, positions for regulating the distance (gap) between each of the yellow developing device 5a, the cyan developing device 5b, the magenta developing device 5c, and the black developing device 5d and the photosensitive drum 1 are provided. Regulating members 21a, 2
1b, 21c and 21d are provided.

On the back surface of the intermediate transfer belt 6,
As shown in FIG. 10, a rib 22 is provided, and the rib 22 is fitted into a groove 8a provided at the end of the drive roller 8 and the secondary transfer opposing roller 9 (the end of the drive roller 8 in the figure). Meandering of the intermediate transfer belt 6 is prevented.

[0013]

In the above-described conventional image forming apparatus, as shown in FIG. 11, the ribs 22 of the intermediate transfer belt 6 and the position regulating members 21a, 21a,
1b, 21c, 21d (position regulating member 21d in the figure)
Are in contact with the photosensitive drum 1 at substantially the same position. For this reason, when the rib 22 is stretched over the driving roller 8, the secondary transfer opposing roller 9 and the tension roller 10, the rib 22 exerts a force that pushes the intermediate transfer belt 6 at that portion toward the photosensitive drum 1. .

As a result, each position regulating member 21a, 21
The surface of the photosensitive drum 1 where the b, 21c and 21d are located is scraped by the intermediate transfer belt 6 so that the developing device 5
There is a problem that it is difficult to maintain a predetermined distance between each of the developing sleeves 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d and the photosensitive drum 1.

The contact pressure of the intermediate transfer belt cleaner 14 against the cleaning blade 14a in the vicinity of the rib 22 of the intermediate transfer belt 6 is larger than that of the portion without the rib 22 on the back surface due to the force for pushing up the rib 22. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12, the intermediate transfer belt 6 of the cleaning blade 14a of the intermediate transfer belt cleaner 14 is used.
However, there is a problem that it is difficult to remove the secondary transfer residual toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 6.

Further, the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 6 near the ribs 22 is distorted by the force pushing up the ribs 22. For this reason, as shown in FIG.
If it is inside the charge removing roller 15 (and the secondary transfer roller 7), a gap 25 a is provided between the intermediate transfer belt 6 and the charge removing roller 15 (and the secondary transfer roller 7) to which a high-voltage electric field is applied near the rib 22. 25b, which causes a problem of electric field leakage.

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to stabilizing the distance between the developing sleeve and the photosensitive drum, stably removing the secondary transfer residual toner on the intermediate transfer belt, and the electric field between the intermediate transfer belt, the secondary transfer roller, and the charge removing roller. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing a leak.

[0018]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface by exposure, and a method in which toner is carried on a rotatable toner carrier. A developing unit that transports the toner to a developing unit facing the image carrier, develops an electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier, and visualizes the electrostatic latent image; and a developing unit provided on the toner carrier. A position regulating member that abuts on the image carrier and regulates a distance between the toner carrier and the image carrier; and a primary transfer unit that primarily transfers a visible image on the image carrier to the surface by a primary transfer unit. An intermediate transfer belt stretched between a plurality of rollers for secondary-transferring the visual image primary-transferred by the secondary transfer unit to a transfer material together with its own movement. On the back surface of the belt, a rib that fits into a groove formed in the roller is provided. In the longitudinal direction of the Kizo carrying member is characterized by the formation so as to be located inside or outside than the contact position between the image carrying body of said position regulating member.

Further, the rib is formed of a rubber material integrally with the intermediate transfer belt, and the thickness of the intermediate transfer belt is 0.3 to 2.0 mm.

Further, an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface by exposure, a toner carried on a rotatable toner carrier, and the toner conveyed to a developing section opposed to the image carrier. Developing means for developing and visualizing the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier; and developing means provided on the toner carrier and abutting on the image carrier to contact the toner carrier and the image carrier. A position regulating member that regulates the distance between the bodies, and a primary transfer unit that primarily transfers a visual image on the image carrier to a surface at a primary transfer unit, and that, along with its own movement, a primary transfer at a secondary transfer unit. An intermediate transfer belt stretched between a plurality of rollers for secondarily transferring an image to a transfer material, and a cleaning member that abuts on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt and removes secondary transfer residual toner remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt. And an image forming apparatus having:
A rib is provided on the back surface of the intermediate transfer belt so as to fit into a groove formed in the roller, and the rib is formed so as to be located outside the cleaning member in a longitudinal direction of the image carrier.

Further, the cleaning member is a blade member or a roller member.

Further, an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface by exposure, and a toner carried on a rotatable toner carrier, and the toner is conveyed to a developing section facing the image carrier. Developing means for developing and visualizing the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier; and developing means provided on the toner carrier and abutting on the image carrier to contact the toner carrier and the image carrier. A position regulating member that regulates the distance between the bodies, and a primary transfer unit that primarily transfers a visual image on the image carrier to a surface at a primary transfer unit, and that, along with its own movement, a primary transfer at a secondary transfer unit. An image forming apparatus, comprising: an intermediate transfer belt stretched between a plurality of rollers for secondarily transferring an image to a transfer material; and a charging unit that abuts on the intermediate transfer belt to charge the intermediate transfer belt. There is a rib on the back of the intermediate transfer belt that fits into the groove formed in the roller. , The rib is characterized in the longitudinal direction of the image bearing member that has been formed so as to be located outside of the charging member.

Further, the charging means is a discharging roller for discharging the intermediate transfer belt.

Further, the charging means is a secondary transfer roller for secondary transfer of a visual image primary-transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt in a secondary transfer section to the transfer material.

(Operation) According to the structure of the present invention, the rib of the intermediate transfer belt is positioned inside or outside of the position where the position regulating member contacts the image carrier in the longitudinal direction of the image carrier. By forming, the distance between the toner carrier and the image carrier can be stabilized.

Further, by forming the ribs of the intermediate transfer belt so as to be located outside the cleaning member in the longitudinal direction of the image carrier, the secondary transfer residual toner on the intermediate transfer belt can be stably removed. Can be.

Further, by forming the rib of the intermediate transfer belt so as to be located outside the charging member in the longitudinal direction of the image carrier, the rib between the intermediate transfer belt and the charging means (the secondary transfer roller and the charge removing roller) is formed. Electric field leakage can be prevented.

[0028]

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

Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. Note that FIG.
The same members as those of the conventional image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1, a charging device 2, an exposure device 3 for irradiating a laser beam to the photosensitive drum 1, and a developing device are arranged in the rotation direction (direction of arrow a) in this order. 5, intermediate transfer belt 6, photosensitive drum cleaner 16
And a charge removing roller 17.

The photosensitive drum 1 has a photosensitive layer formed by applying a photoconductor to the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical substrate made of aluminum or the like. As a photoconductor, O
PC (organic optical semiconductor), A-Si (amorphous silicon), CdS (cadmium sulfide), Se (selenium), or the like can be used. The photosensitive drum 1 is driven to rotate at a predetermined process speed in a direction indicated by an arrow a by a driving unit (not shown).

The charging device 2 is a scorotron charger in the present embodiment, and charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 with corona ions generated by corona discharge.

The exposure device 3 performs exposure L according to the input image information on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 charged by the charging device 2. The exposure device 3 includes a laser driver (not shown), a laser diode, a polygon mirror, a reflection mirror 4, and the like. Laser light is output from the laser diode in accordance with input image information. Exposure on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 through
And an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the input image information is formed.

The developing device 5 develops the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 1. The developing device 5 includes a yellow developing device 5a, a cyan developing device 5b, a magenta developing device 5c, and a black developing device 5d mounted on a rotatable rotating body 5A. The yellow developing device 5a, the cyan developing device 5b, the magenta developing device 5c, and the black developing device 5d develop colors used for developing the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 1 by rotating the rotating body 5A in the direction of the arrow b. The developing device is arranged at a developing position facing the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 and develops (visualizes) the toner by attaching toner to the electrostatic latent image.

A yellow developing device 5a, a cyan developing device 5b,
The magenta developing device 5c and the black developing device 5d have developing sleeves 20a, 20b, 20
c and 20d are provided. Also, each developing sleeve 2
On the surfaces of 0a, 20b, 20c, and 20d, a position regulating member 21a for regulating the distance (gap) between each of the yellow developing device 5a, the cyan developing device 5b, the magenta developing device 5c, and the black developing device 5d and the photosensitive drum 1. , 21b, 21c, 2
1d is provided.

The intermediate transfer belt 6 is wound around the drive roller 8, the secondary transfer opposing roller 9 and the tension roller 10 and is stretched with a tension of 4 to 8 kgf and moves in the direction of arrow c. At the primary transfer portion where the intermediate transfer belt 6 contacts the photosensitive drum 1, the primary transfer portion
A primary transfer roller 11 is provided.
Is connected to a high-voltage power supply 12. A secondary transfer roller 7 is disposed opposite the secondary transfer opposing roller 9 with an intermediate transfer belt 6 interposed therebetween to form a secondary transfer portion. In the secondary transfer, the secondary transfer roller 7 is used as a transfer material. It comes into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 6 via P. A high voltage power supply 13 is connected to the secondary transfer roller 7.

The intermediate transfer belt 6 has a thickness of 0.3 to
It is composed of a 2.0 mm rubber belt, and a rib 22 is integrally formed on the back side. As shown in FIG. 10, the rib 22 is fitted into a groove 8 a provided at the end of the driving roller 8 and the secondary transfer opposing roller 9 (the end of the driving roller 8 in the figure), thereby forming the intermediate transfer belt 6. Prevents meandering.

The secondary transfer opposing roller 9 of the intermediate transfer belt 6
An intermediate transfer belt cleaner 14 having a cleaning blade 14a for removing secondary transfer residual toner from the intermediate transfer belt 6 on an outer peripheral surface between the intermediate transfer belt 6 and the tension roller 10;
A charge removing roller 15 for removing charge from the intermediate transfer belt 6 is provided. A high-voltage power supply 23 is connected to the charge removing roller 15.

Next, an image forming operation of the image forming apparatus configured as described above will be described.

First, the photosensitive drum 1 is uniformly charged by the charging device 2, and an electrostatic latent image is formed by exposure L by a laser beam from the exposure device 3. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 is transferred to the yellow developing device 5 of the developing device 5.
a, each of the colors is developed by the cyan developing device 5b, the magenta developing device 5c, and the black developing device 5d, and is sequentially primary-transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 6 to form a superimposed four-color image. .

Then, the secondary transfer roller 7 comes into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 6 via the transfer material P as a recording medium, and the color image is secondarily transferred onto the transfer material P at once. The transfer material P after the secondary transfer is conveyed to a fixing device (not shown), and is discharged after the four color toner images are heated and pressurized and fixed on the surface of the transfer material P.

The above-described primary transfer step and secondary transfer step will be described in more detail.

(Primary Transfer Step) When the photosensitive drum 1 is an OPC photosensitive member having a negative polarity, a negative toner is used for developing an electrostatic latent image. Therefore, the transfer bias applied to the primary transfer roller 11 by the high voltage power supply 12 has a positive polarity.

As a material of the intermediate transfer belt 6, a rubber material having a low hardness of about 0.3 to 2 mm (chloroprene rubber,
EPDM, NBR, urethane rubber, etc.) with a volume resistivity of 10
It can be used after being adjusted to about ⁶ to 10 ¹¹ Ω · cm.

As the primary transfer roller 11, a roller having a volume resistivity of 10 ⁵ Ω · cm or less at a transfer portion is generally used.

(Secondary Transfer Step) In the secondary transfer section, the secondary transfer opposing roller 9 serving as the opposing electrode is grounded,
A positive transfer bias is applied to the next transfer roller 7 by the high voltage power supply 13. And in this state, 2
The secondary transfer is performed by passing the transfer material P through the next transfer portion.

After the completion of the secondary transfer process, the toner remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 6 after the secondary transfer (secondary transfer residual toner) is removed by the cleaning blade 14a of the intermediate transfer belt cleaner 14. And then,
The intermediate transfer belt 6 is neutralized by a neutralization roller 15 which comes into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 6 at a predetermined timing by a driving unit (not shown). Also, in order to increase the static elimination efficiency,
Generally, an electrode is provided at a position facing the charge removing roller 15 via the intermediate transfer belt 6. Note that the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 1 (primary transfer residual toner) even after the end of the primary transfer step is collected by the photosensitive drum cleaner 16, and
The photosensitive drum 1 is initialized by the charge eliminating roller 17 and prepares for the next image forming operation.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the ribs 22 of the intermediate transfer belt 6 are connected to the position regulating members 21a, 21b, 21c in the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 1.
21d (in the figure, the developing sleeve 2 of the black developing device 5d)
0d position restricting member 21d).

As shown in FIG. 11, the rib 22 of the intermediate transfer belt 6 and the position regulating members 21a, 21b,
When the photoconductive drums 21c and 21d are in contact with the same position, the ribs 22 of the intermediate transfer belt 6 are
When the rib 22 is stretched over the next transfer opposing roller 9 and the tension roller 10, the rib 22 exerts a force to push the intermediate transfer belt 6 at that portion toward the photosensitive drum 1, and the position regulating members 21a, 21b, 21c, The surface of the photosensitive drum 1 where 21d is located is scraped.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, as described above, in the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 1, the intermediate transfer belt 6
The ribs 22 on the back surface of the yellow developing device 5a, the cyan developing device 5b, the magenta developing device 5c, and the black developing device 5d are provided so as to be located inside the respective position regulating members 21a, 21b, 21c, and 21d. Even if the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 near the rib 22 is shaved by the rib 22 pressing the intermediate transfer belt 6 in that part against the photosensitive drum 1 side, the position regulating members 21a, 21b, 21
Since c and 21d are not positioned, it is possible to maintain a proper distance between each of the developing sleeves 20a, 20b, 20c and 20d of the developing device 5 and the photosensitive drum 1 to perform good development without uneven development. it can.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the rib 22 of the intermediate transfer belt 6 is
In the longitudinal direction of each position regulating member 21a, 21b, 2
1c and 21d (in the figure, the position regulating member 21d of the developing sleeve 20d of the black developing device 5d).
Similar effects can be obtained.

<Embodiment 2> In this embodiment, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, the ribs 22 of the intermediate transfer belt 6 are provided so as to be located outside the cleaning blade 14a of the intermediate transfer belt cleaner 14 in the longitudinal direction. Other configurations and image forming operations are the same as those in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted in the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 12, conventionally, the cleaning blade 14 near the rib 22 of the intermediate transfer belt 6 is used.
The contact pressure against a becomes larger than the portion without the rib 22 on the back surface due to the force for pushing up the rib 22.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the ribs 22 of the intermediate transfer belt 6 are provided so as to be located outside the cleaning blade 14a in the longitudinal direction as described above, so that the intermediate transfer belt 6 of the cleaning blade 14a is attached to the intermediate transfer belt 6. Is uniform, and the secondary transfer residual toner on the intermediate transfer belt 6 can be satisfactorily removed.

<Embodiment 3> In the present embodiment, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the secondary transfer roller 11 serving as a charging member for contacting the rib 22 of the intermediate transfer belt 6 with the intermediate transfer belt 6.
In addition, the configuration is such that it is provided on the outer side in the longitudinal direction of the charge removing roller 15 (the charge removing roller 15 in the figure). Other configurations and image forming operations are the same as those in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted in the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 13, the conventional ribs 22
The surface of the intermediate transfer belt 6 in the vicinity is distorted by the force for pushing up the ribs 22, so that the ribs 2
2 is inside the secondary transfer roller 7 and the neutralizing roller 15, a gap is generated between the intermediate transfer belt 6 and the neutralizing roller 15 and the secondary transfer roller 7 to which a high-voltage electric field is applied near the rib 22, Leaks occur.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the ribs 22 of the intermediate transfer belt 6 are connected to the secondary transfer roller 11 as described above.
In addition, by arranging the secondary transfer roller 7 and the charge eliminating roller 15 in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 6 by providing the charge removing roller 15 outside the longitudinal direction of the charge eliminating roller 15, the occurrence of electric field leakage can be prevented. it can.

Also, as in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.
Even when a cleaning roller 24 to which a secondary transfer bias is applied is used as a cleaning member of the intermediate transfer belt 6, similarly, the rib 22 of the intermediate transfer belt 6 is used to remove the secondary transfer roller 11, the discharging roller 15, and the cleaning roller 24. Providing the secondary transfer roller 7, the charge removing roller 15, and the cleaning roller 24 in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 6 becomes uniform by being provided on the outer side in the longitudinal direction, and it is possible to prevent electric field leakage from occurring. .

As shown in FIG. 7, each of the developing sleeves 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d of the developing device 5 (developing sleeve 20d in the figure) and the photosensitive drum 1 are in contact with each other, and the position regulating members 21a, 21b, Even in the case where the position regulating members 21c and 21d (the position regulating member 21d in the figure) are provided, the position regulating members 21a, 21b, 21c and 21d (the black developing device 5d in the figure) in the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 1 as in the first embodiment. The rib 22 of the intermediate transfer belt 6 may be provided so as to be located inside the position regulating member 21d) of the developing sleeve 20d.

As shown in FIG. 8, similarly to the first embodiment, the position regulating members 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d in the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 1 (in the drawing, the developing sleeve 20d of the black developing device 5d is formed). Position regulating member 21
The rib 22 of the intermediate transfer belt 6 may be provided so as to be located outside of the area d).

In this case, the developing sleeves 20a, 20b,
Reference numerals 20c and 20d are formed of an elastic body, and portions of the developing sleeves 20a, 20b, 20c and 20d which are in contact with the photosensitive drum 1 are elastically deformed. Also in this case, the position regulating member 2
1a, 21b, 21c and 21d, each developing sleeve 20
Positions between the photosensitive drums 1 a, 20 b, 20 c, 20 d are regulated.

The present invention can be similarly applied to a case where the intermediate transfer belt has ribs on both sides.

[0063]

As described above, according to the present invention, the ribs of the intermediate transfer belt are located inside or outside the position of the position regulating member in contact with the image carrier in the longitudinal direction of the image carrier. With such a configuration, it is possible to maintain an appropriate distance between the toner carrier and the image carrier of the developing unit and perform favorable development without uneven development.

Further, by forming the ribs of the intermediate transfer belt so as to be located outside the cleaning member in the longitudinal direction of the image carrier, the contact of the cleaning member with the intermediate transfer belt becomes uniform, so that the intermediate transfer belt is formed. 2 on the belt
The next transfer residual toner can be satisfactorily removed.

Further, by forming the ribs of the intermediate transfer belt so as to be located outside the charging member in the longitudinal direction of the image carrier, the charging members (secondary transfer roller and static elimination roller) can be transferred to the intermediate transfer belt. The contact is uniform, and the occurrence of electric field leakage can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an image forming apparatus provided with an intermediate transfer belt according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating positions of a rib of an intermediate transfer belt and a position regulating member with respect to a photosensitive drum according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating positions of ribs of an intermediate transfer belt and a position regulating member with respect to a photosensitive drum according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating positions of a rib of an intermediate transfer belt and a cleaning blade according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating positions of ribs of an intermediate transfer belt and a charge removing roller according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an image forming apparatus provided with an intermediate transfer belt according to another example of Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating positions of ribs of an intermediate transfer belt and a position regulating member with respect to a photosensitive drum according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating positions of ribs of an intermediate transfer belt and a position regulating member with respect to a photosensitive drum according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus including an intermediate transfer belt according to a conventional example.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating ribs of an intermediate transfer belt fitted in grooves of a driving roller.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing positions of a rib of an intermediate transfer belt and a position regulating member with respect to a photosensitive drum in a conventional example.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating positions of ribs of an intermediate transfer belt and a cleaning blade in a conventional example.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the positions of ribs and an electricity removing roller of an intermediate transfer belt in a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 1 photosensitive drum (image carrier) 2 charging device 3 exposing device 5 developing device (developing means) 5a yellow developing device 5b cyan developing device 5c magenta developing device 5d black developing device 6 intermediate transfer belt 7 secondary transfer roller (charging device) Reference Signs List 8 drive roller 11 primary transfer roller 14 intermediate transfer belt cleaner 14a cleaning blade (cleaning member) 15 static elimination roller (charging means) 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d developing sleeve (toner carrier) 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d Position regulation Member 22 Rib 24 Cleaning roller (cleaning member)

Claims (10)

[Claims] An image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed by exposure, and a toner carried on a rotatable toner carrier, and the toner is conveyed to a developing unit facing the image carrier. Developing means for developing and visualizing the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier; and developing means provided on the toner carrier and abutting on the image carrier to contact the toner carrier and the image carrier. A position regulating member that regulates the distance between the bodies, and a primary transfer unit that primarily transfers a visual image on the image carrier to a surface at a primary transfer unit, and that, along with its own movement, a primary transfer at a secondary transfer unit. Transfer image to transfer material 2
An intermediate transfer belt stretched between a plurality of rollers for performing the next transfer, comprising: a rib that fits into a groove formed in the roller on a back surface of the intermediate transfer belt; An image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus is formed so as to be located inside or outside a position where the position regulating member abuts on the image carrier in the longitudinal direction of the carrier. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rib is formed of a rubber material integrally with the intermediate transfer belt, and the thickness of the intermediate transfer belt is 0.3 to 2.0 mm. 3. An image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface by exposure, and a toner carried on a rotatable toner carrier and transporting the toner to a developing unit facing the image carrier. Developing means for developing and visualizing the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier; and developing means provided on the toner carrier and abutting on the image carrier to contact the toner carrier and the image carrier. A position regulating member that regulates the distance between the bodies, and a primary transfer unit that primarily transfers a visual image on the image carrier to a surface at a primary transfer unit, and that, along with its own movement, a primary transfer at a secondary transfer unit. Transfer image to transfer material 2
An image forming apparatus comprising: an intermediate transfer belt stretched between a plurality of rollers that perform next transfer; and a cleaning member that abuts on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt and removes residual secondary transfer toner remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt. The apparatus, further comprising: a rib fitted on a groove formed in the roller on a back surface of the intermediate transfer belt, wherein the rib is formed so as to be located outside the cleaning member in a longitudinal direction of the image carrier. Characteristic image forming apparatus. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the rib is formed of a rubber material integrally with the intermediate transfer belt, and the thickness of the intermediate transfer belt is 0.3 to 2.0 mm. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said cleaning member is a blade member. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said cleaning member is a roller member. 7. An image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface by exposure, and carrying the toner on a rotatable toner carrier and transporting the toner to a developing unit facing the image carrier. Developing means for developing and visualizing the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier; and developing means provided on the toner carrier and abutting on the image carrier to contact the toner carrier and the image carrier. A position regulating member that regulates the distance between the bodies, and a primary transfer unit that primarily transfers a visual image on the image carrier to a surface at a primary transfer unit, and that, along with its own movement, a primary transfer at a secondary transfer unit. Transfer image to transfer material 2
An image forming apparatus comprising: an intermediate transfer belt stretched between a plurality of rollers for performing next transfer; and a charging unit that contacts the intermediate transfer belt and charges the intermediate transfer belt. An image forming apparatus comprising: a rib that fits in a groove formed in the roller; and the rib is formed so as to be positioned outside the charging member in a longitudinal direction of the image carrier. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said rib is formed of a rubber material integrally with said intermediate transfer belt, and said intermediate transfer belt has a thickness of 0.3 to 2.0 mm. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said charging unit is a discharging roller for discharging said intermediate transfer belt. 10. The charging unit applies a visual image primary-transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt by a secondary transfer unit to the transfer material.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the image forming apparatus is a secondary transfer roller that performs next transfer.