JPS58205170A - Method and device for cleaning corona wire - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To clean securely and easily a corona wire, by oscillating the corona wire during the operation of a power device for a picture forming process while the corona wire is powered off. CONSTITUTION:An oscillation applying unit 15 is fitted to a fixed member in an insignificant picture are lengthwise over the corona wire 11 and close to a grip 13 and an electric insulating oscillator 16 formed at its tip part is in contact with the wire 11. When the oscillator 16 oscillates in correspondence to the output of a pulse generator 20, its oscillation is transmitted directly to the wire 11 and toner, dust, and other materials sticking to the wire fall off from the wire 11 by the oscillation.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for cleaning a corona wire.

In the present invention, the corona wire refers to an electrostatic recording device,
For example, it is a thin wire for discharging a corona that is a part of a so-called charger used in electrophotographic copying machines and their applied equipment, and a corona for the main charger that uniformly charges the photoreceptor prior to exposure. The term is not limited to wires, but also broadly includes transfer chargers, transfer paper-long life chargers, charge-eliminating bands, and corona wires used in electric appliances (generally referred to as static eliminators).

By the way, in Figure 1 showing a general electrophotographic copying machine, among the various members provided around the photosensitive drum 1 which rotates in the direction of the arrow, the one indicated by the reference numeral 2 is the main belt mechanism. Reference numeral 3 indicates a charger for transfer, and reference numeral 4 indicates a charger for separating transfer paper. In addition, code 5 is exposure light, code 6 is development 2 nits, code 7 is a transfer paper guide, code 8 is a transfer paper separation claw, code 9 is a cleaner/guy unit, code 1
0 indicates a quenching lamp for static elimination, etc.

A charger for static elimination may be used instead of this quench monitor.

The details of each component are well known, so I will not provide details.
f Description will be omitted.

By the way, Q) above, the corona wires w, w', w'' used in each charger will accumulate toner, dust, and other unnecessary substances over time, impairing the uniform discharge action. There is a problem.

If foreign matter adheres to the corona wire in this way, the kneading will directly result in uneven discharge, which will deteriorate the quality of copying.

For this reason, it is necessary to clean the corona wire from time to time or periodically, but since the part where the corona wire itself is stretched is located inside a concave frame, it is difficult to clean the corona wire. It is not easy for UK users to clean uniformly along the length, and they tend to neglect it.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for cleaning a corona wire that can easily and reliably clean the corona wire.

The present invention will be explained in detail below.

One aspect of the present invention is to energize the corona wire during the crab-off period and in synchronization with the start-up of the power equipment for the image forming process. Another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that an image is given to the corona wire via a vibrating means while the power unit is driving, and another aspect of the present invention is to directly or indirectly contact a vibrator to the corona wire in an ineffective image area. The special feature is that it is configured to do so.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 11 indicates a corona wire, which is stretched in a long frame 12 via a coiled spring SP. The reason why the spring SP is interposed in this way is because the corona wire 11 is (lI) as described later.

In order to obtain the required amplitude necessary to dig out dirt 1 when vibration is applied, and to ensure that no vibration is applied (・to automatically return to the required tensioned state in normal times) A pusher 13 is formed on one end of the frame 12, and an eave-shaped protrusion 4 is formed on the back surface of the frame 12 relative to the photoreceptor. Reference numeral 14 denotes a guide means for removably attaching the frame 12 to a predetermined position. The frame 12 is set to a size and shape that can be held together with the frame 12 by grasping the handle 3 by hand and engaging the convex portion L with the inner groove.
The corona wire 11 is positioned at a predetermined distance from the photoreceptor.

The position of the frame 12 shown in FIG. A oscillator unit 15 is attached to the immovable member, and the electrically insulating oscillator 16 formed at the tip thereof is not brought into contact with the corona wire 12.

In the above, the non-effective image area is the area outside the effective image area, and the effective image area is the area on the corona wire facing the area on the photoreceptor drum where the image is formed. A certain area of Vibration generating unit】
The arrangement position of 6 is limited to upper 3 (: because if it is permanently installed in the effective image area, the vibration generating unit) 6 becomes an obstacle and the corona wire is uniformly spread over the effective image area. Therefore, if the frame 12 is slid and pushed in along the guide groove, the corona wire 1 installed at the back end of the frame 12 will be removed.
The charging power terminal part 17 hits the stopper at the position where it is connected to the connector of the main body of the electrophotographic copying machine, and the position is insufficient. This means that it comes into contact with the

Here, in the example of FIG. 2, the corona wire 11 of the vibrator 16
Although the contact area is shown as an ineffective image area of the handle 13@, this example is limited to the power terminal t7ifll.
It is also possible to use the image area in the non-effective direction j of l.

In order to avoid unnecessary interference between the vibrator 16 and the frame 12 when the frame 2 is mounted, the portion through which the transducer 16 passes in the longitudinal direction of the frame 12 is left open.

Also, in Figures 3 and 2. Under the normal layering condition of Frame] 2, on the same wall side f on the back side of Frame] 2,
A suction unit 19 having a large number of suction openings 8 is attached to a stationary member and is configured to suck air as appropriate from the suction openings 18, facing the frame 12.

The vibration unit 15 is driven in response to an input from a pulse generator 20, and the output of the pulse generator 20 is controlled by an external signal S.

In the above configuration, when the vibrator 16 vibrates due to the output of the pulse generator 20, the vibration is directly transmitted to the corona wire, vibrating the stiffness of the corona wire. Any lingering toner, dust, or other undesired material is removed from the corona wire. The powder thus removed is sucked out from the suction opening [8] by operating the suction unit K, and is disposed of externally.

In the above example, the frame 12 is used as the vibration generating unit 15.
This is a suitable example when the vibration generating unit is so large that it is impossible to configure it in one body with the vibration generating unit, and the structure is fixed to an immovable member. When used, it is preferable to have a structure in which it is integrally attached within the frame 12.

An example of this is shown in Figs. The vibration generating unit 15' is mounted inside via the support member 21. In this example as well, the mounting position of the vibration generating unit 15' is not limited to the handle 13' side, for example, the position indicated by the arrow B on the power terminal section 17' side. Of course, it may be located near the location.

As a modification of the above example, as shown in Figures 5 and 3 and 6, the rear side of the frame 120 in the sliding direction A with the guide 1 when being attached to and detached from the electrophotographic copying machine.

That is, there is an example in which the vibrator generating unit 150 is provided integrally with the frame 20 near the end opposite to the side where the handle 130 is not provided. In this example, a power terminal section 70 is attached to the rear end of the frame 20. 1-6
The figure shows the power terminal section 170 viewed from the longitudinal direction of the core frame 120, and shows the input terminal 22 for the vibration generating unit 50 and the input terminal 23 for the corona wire 110, respectively. The frame 120) Convex portion 14 for guiding the frame 120)
0 is engaged with the guide groove formed in the electrophotographic copy 1 table and then pushed in. At the terminal position 1a (normal mounting position k) in this pushing direction, the above-mentioned Each input terminal 22. 23 are the respective electrophotographic plates'
It becomes connected to the terminals that are integrally attached to the four machines, and power is input.

As described above, in this example, the positioning of the frame 120 with respect to the photoreceptor drum 100 and the attachment/detachment of the frame 120 with respect to the main body are performed using the engagement gap between the above-mentioned business inscription and the convex portion 140, and at the same time, the input terminals 22, 23 are The connection and separation with each mating terminal can also be performed in conjunction with the attachment/detachment operation of the frame 1200, resulting in good operability.

Next, two typical modes of bringing the pendulum into contact with the corona wire will be described.

One of them is to move the corona wire m in an arbitrary plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the corona wire. & lI+ or X
The corona wire 110' is contacted from the axial direction. In addition, it is also possible to view from the shin direction in a plane orthogonal to the corona wire 110'.

The other one is illustrated in Figure 9 and Figure 10,
If connected to one end side of the corona wire 1100';
+5+, the end of P' is further bent over the free steel portion of the corona wire support 24. The proximal end of this corona wire support 240 is at the vibrator ]'609'.

When this vibrator 1600' is made of a beast body, the corona wire support 24 is made of a conductive material, and the corona wire 11 (10' is grounded from the garden part. Alternatively, the corona wire 16 (10') is
' may be made of a conductor to ground the kneader. In this example, - the vibrator 1600' indirectly contacts the corona wire OO' via the corona wire post 24, and functions to move the corona wire 1100' in its longitudinal direction to give a so-called longitudinal wave. do.

The present invention can be implemented by each of the above-mentioned configuration examples, and in that case, the frequency of the imager may be set to be the same as the resonant frequency of the corona wire, or the frequency of the imager may be set to be the same as the resonant frequency of the corona wire. This is preferable in terms of generating effective vibrations.

Next, the timing and the like to cause the tremor sword to vibrate I will be explained.

The example in Figure 3'11 explains the relationship between the corona wire and the vibrator. While the near zero wire is on (corona charging state), the vibrator is in the off state (non-vibrating state). ), and while the corona wire is off (no corona charging), the vibrator is off (
This indicates the i-synthesis that occurs when the vibration is in a vibrating state.

If the corona wire is vibrated during corona charging, the corona charging will not occur uniformly, and the +1 kimono that was not released from the corona wire may float or fall onto the photoreceptor. This is because it may have an adverse effect on image formation. Note that the time t1 during which the vibrator is turned on is the time necessary to remove the deposits,
It is not necessarily necessary to keep the transducer on for the entire time that the corona wire is off.

Figure 3.12 further explains the above example,
Both the corona wire and the oscillator may be turned on at least during the execution of the process, indicating that the oscillator is controlled to be turned on immediately before the corona wire is turned on. If controlled in this manner, the corona wire will swivel while the corona charge is being performed.

Figure 13 is a variation of the above example in which the copying process is in progress, the corona wire is off, and the corona wire is turned off (the charcoal is
Activate the vibrator inside! II describes the 7m1 method. Here, the rotary machine refers to various motors that are operated during the copying process.

By causing the vibrator to operate within the time period during which the operating sound generated from the Kowara motor and the mechanical parts that operate in conjunction with the Kowara, the unique vibrations associated with the operation of the vibrator can be reduced. The sound is superimposed on the above-mentioned operation sound, so that an effect is obtained in that the operator does not perceive it as an abnormal sound. The figure does not show an example of control in which the vibrator is turned on immediately after the corona wire is turned off, but as in the example in Figure 12, there is a control example in which the vibrator is turned on immediately before the corona wire is turned on. However, the open side 1 may be opened at any time.

In each of the above examples, while the corona wire is turned on, the suction unit explained in accordance with the above two figures is operated to suck the fine particles separated from the corona wire, resulting in a cleaning effect. In addition, it is possible to prevent the adverse effects on corona charge caused by the floating of Juki imitation powder. Also, regarding the timing and duration of applying vibration to the corona wire, a timer etc. can be used to set the desired time from that point on when the copy command button of the Kameko photocopier is turned on. If you give it as follows, cleaning will be performed dynamically, which is convenient.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure 1 shows the configuration of an electrophotographic camera suitable for implementing the present invention. Figure 1 and Figure 2 are perspective views of the corona wire and its vicinity, illustrating an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a sectional view of the charger explaining another embodiment, Figure J.4 is a 1111 side view of the same figure as above, Figure 5 is a plan view of the charger explaining another embodiment, Figure A.6. Figure 8 is a side view of the sleeper shown in the same figure, and the OFF view is a view of the charger and photoreceptor drum viewed from the longitudinal direction. Figure 8 is a plan view of the charger illustrating another embodiment. 3 and 9 The figure is a plan view of a charger explaining another embodiment, and Figure 10 is an enlarged view of one end of the corona wire in the same figure. It is a timing chart explaining time. 11.11'1llo, llO', 1100.
1100'...Corona wire. 16, 1600, 1600'... vibrator. /hmm! 1st I IIs / Mi 2nd Ward

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. In an electrostatic recording device equipped with a corona wire stretched at a predetermined distance from a photoreceptor. While the power supply to the corona wire is turned off and in synchronization with the activation of the power unit for one image/formation process, the corona wire is vibrated at least while the power unit is being driven. A method for cleaning a corona wire, characterized by applying vibration through means. 2. In claim 1, the corona wire is characterized in that the time for applying vibration to the corona wire is a cleaning time that is arbitrarily set from when the self-recording command button of the electrostatic recording device is turned on. How to clean/gage wire. 3. In an electrostatic recording device equipped with a corona wire stretched at a predetermined distance from a photoreceptor. A corona wire cleaning/cleaning device characterized in that a vibrator is configured to touch or indirectly contact a corona wire in a non-effective image area. 4. The corona wire recited in claims 1 and 3 is stretched within a long frame, and is detachable by sliding into guide grooves formed integrally with the frame and the electrostatic recording device. A corona wire cleaning device, characterized in that a power supply terminal for corona charging and a power supply terminal for driving a vibrator are provided on the back end of the frame in the bolt connection direction. 5. A corona wire cleaning device in which 'F4M' indicates that the frequency of the vibrator as set forth in claim 3 is the same as the resonant frequency of the corona wire. 6 Claim j as set forth in claim 3. A cleaning device for a corona wire, characterized in that the vibrator contacts the corona wire in a manner that gives a transverse wave to the corona wire.2. A cleaning device for a corona wire, characterized in that the device is in contact with the corona wire in a manner that provides longitudinal waves.