KR20070025368A - Developing unit for image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A developing unit of an image forming apparatus is provided to enable a lubricating device to spread a lubricant and a waste toner including external additives of lubricant components on the surface of a photoreceptor, thereby preventing the wear and damage of the photoreceptor and a urethane blade by reducing friction between the photoreceptor and the urethane blade. A developing unit of an image forming apparatus comprises the followings: a toner(T) which includes toner particles and external additives added to the toner particle; a photoreceptor(220) in which a toner image is formed by the toner(T); a cleaning member(272) which removes a non-transfer toner remaining in the surface of the photoreceptor(220) after transferring the toner image; and a lubricating device(275) which spreads a lubricant on the surface of the photoreceptor(220) so as to reduce friction between the cleaning member(272) and the photoreceptor(220).

Description

Developing unit for image forming apparatus

1 is a simplified diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a simplified diagram showing a developing unit of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a simplified view showing an enlarged waste toner charging unit is installed lubrication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a simplified diagram showing another embodiment of the lubrication apparatus according to the present invention.

** Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings **

100: image forming apparatus

110: paper feed cassette

130: laser scanning unit

140: transfer unit

150: fixing unit

160: discharge unit

200: developing unit

220: photosensitive member

270: waste toner charging part

272: cleaning member

275: Lubricator

The present invention relates to a developing unit of an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to prevent surface damage of the photosensitive member when the cleaning member of the developing unit cleans the surface of the photosensitive member, and to prevent flipping of the cleaning member. A developing unit of an image forming apparatus.

In general, an image forming apparatus refers to a device for transferring an image signal in the form of a visible image on printing paper, which is a recording medium, according to a digital signal input from a computer or a scanner, and using an electrostatic latent image according to an image forming method. Laser beam printers for forming images and ink-jet printers for forming images using ink spraying.

Here, a laser beam printer (hereinafter referred to as an 'image forming apparatus') includes a developing unit in which a photosensitive member in which an electrostatic latent image is formed in correspondence to an image, and a developing unit in which a toner formed as a toner image is stored on a surface of the photosensitive member are stored, and developed on the photosensitive member. A transfer unit for transferring the used toner image to printing paper, and a fixing unit for fixing the toner transferred to the toner image onto printing paper on a printing paper, and the like to print an image corresponding to the input digital signal on the paper.

On the other hand, after the toner image of the photoconductor is transferred onto the printing paper, a small amount of untransferred toner remains on the surface of the photoconductor. Thus, a cleaning member for cleaning the surface of the photoconductor is provided to remove the untransferred toner remaining on the surface of the photoconductor.

The photosensitive member cleaning member includes a bracket having one end fixed to an outer circumferential surface of the photosensitive member, and a urethane blade having one surface fixed to the bracket and having an end thereof adhered to the surface of the photosensitive member with a predetermined elastic force.

Here, the untransferred toner removed by the urethane blade may have a vertical black line formed by the non-transferred toner on the printing paper on which the image is formed when it remains on the surface of the photoconductor, but is mostly removed from the surface of the photoconductor by the urethane blade. Such a non-transfer toner may cause a fatal defect in an image formed on printing paper if it is not removed from the surface of the photosensitive member.

However, the untransferred toner removed by the urethane blade plays a role of lubrication between the urethane blade and the photoconductor by the external additive of the lubricating component among the external additives included in the toner, which greatly affects the life of the urethane blade and the photoconductor. It can be said.

However, in the photosensitive member cleaning operation of the cleaning member as described above, when the untransferred toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive member is extremely small (for example, the toner image formed on the photosensitive member is extremely small or the toner is not transferred to the printing paper from the photosensitive member). Very few cases) urethane blades come into close contact with the surface of the photoconductor.

In this case, when the urethane blade is completely in close contact with the surface of the photosensitive member, the wear of the urethane blade is severe, and when the urethane blade is excessively worn, the urethane blade cannot perform a normal cleaning operation. Accordingly. Foreign substances such as non-transfer toner, which are generated later, are caught between the urethane blade and the photosensitive member, damaging the surface of the photosensitive member, and there is a problem of causing an image defect formed on printing paper.

In addition, when the above-described phenomenon persists, the urethane blade may be flipped by the friction force between the damaged urethane blade and the photosensitive member and the rotational force of the photosensitive member, thereby completely losing the photoreceptor cleaning function of the urethane blade.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems, by providing a lubrication device that can apply a lubricant or waste toner that can serve as a lubrication of the urethane blade on the surface of the photosensitive member to damage the photosensitive member and the urethane blade It is an object of the present invention to provide a developing unit of an image forming apparatus which is to be prevented.

The developing unit of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention for achieving the above object comprises a toner including toner particles and an external additive added to the toner particles; A photoconductor for forming a toner image by the toner; A cleaning member for removing the untransferred toner remaining on the surface of the photoconductor after transferring the toner image; And a lubricator for applying a lubricant to the surface of the photoconductor to reduce friction between the cleaning member and the photoconductor.

In addition, the lubricator is provided in a direction parallel to the photosensitive member, it is preferable that the outer peripheral surface is in contact with the surface of the photosensitive member, the lubrication roller is provided with a porous filling hole filled with the lubricant on the surface.

In addition, the lubricant is preferably any one or more selected from a group of lubricating components consisting of fluororesin powder, zinc stearate powder, calcium stearate powder, polyvinylidene fluoride powder, polyfluoroethylene powder and the like.

In addition, the waste member is filled with the waste toner is filled with the waste toner is recovered from the surface of the photosensitive member by the cleaning member, the lubricator is preferably applied to the surface of the photosensitive member to the waste toner filled in the waste toner charging unit. Do.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention comprises a toner including toner particles and an external additive added to the toner particles; A transfer belt to which the toner image by the toner is intermediately transferred; A cleaning member for removing the untransferred toner remaining on the surface of the transfer belt after the toner image of the transfer belt is transferred to printing paper; And a lubricator for applying a lubricant to the surface of the transfer belt so as to reduce the friction between the cleaning member and the transfer belt.

Hereinafter, a developing unit of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the following description of the present invention, the terms defined are defined in consideration of functions in the present invention, and should not be understood as a meaning of limiting the technical components of the present invention.

1 is a simplified diagram showing an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a simplified diagram showing a developing unit of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown, an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a developing unit including a paper feeding cassette 110 on which printing paper P is loaded, and a photosensitive member 220 on which a toner image using an electrostatic latent image is formed. The laser scanning unit 130 for scanning the laser light according to the image signal to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoconductor 220, and the toner image of the developing unit 200 are transferred onto the printing paper P. The transfer unit 140, the fixing unit 150 for fixing the toner image onto the printing paper P on which the toner image is transferred, and the printed printing paper P to the outside of the image forming apparatus 100. A discharge unit 160 is provided.

Here, the developing unit 200 has a housing 210 in which an external shape is formed and the toner T is filled as shown in FIG. 2, and a photosensitive member 220 in which an electrostatic latent image is formed by the laser scanning unit 130; A charging roller 230 for charging the surface of the photoconductor 220 to a constant potential, a stirring member 240 for stirring the toner T filled in the housing 210, and a stirred toner T And a developing roller 260 for developing the supply roller 250 for supplying the toner T and the supplied toner T on the surface of the photoconductor 220, and remaining on the surface of the photoconductor 220 on one side of the housing 210. A waste toner charging unit 270 is provided in which untransferred toner is collected and filled.

In addition, the toner T filled in the developing unit 200 is a non-magnetic one-component polymerization and pulverized toner, and includes a colorant, a charging control agent (CCA), The release agent contains toner particles uniformly embedded in the binder resin, and various types of external additives added to the toner particles to impart fluidity, charge stability, and cleaning properties. .

Here, the external additives include fluororesin powder, zinc stearate powder, calcium stearate powder, polyvinylidene fluoride powder, polyfluoroethylene powder, etc. to assist the cleaning property of the photoconductor 220 and the lubrication role of the photoconductor 220. One or more than one selected from the group consisting of lubricating ingredients are optionally included.

Hereinafter, a lubrication apparatus of a developing unit according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 3 is a simplified view showing an enlarged waste toner charging unit is installed lubrication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated, the waste toner filling unit 270 is provided with a cleaning member 272 which removes the untransferred toner remaining on the surface of the photoconductor 220 and collects the waste toner filling unit 270 and the surface of the photoconductor 220. In order to alleviate friction with the cleaning member 272, a lubricator 275 is provided to supply the waste toner filled in the lubricant and the waste toner filling unit 270 to the surface of the photoconductor 220.

In addition, one side of the waste toner filling unit 270 may be provided with a separate stacking unit (not shown) in which the waste toner to be transported by the transfer screw 277 to be described later is loaded.

The cleaning member 272, one end of which extends from the inner circumferential surface of the waste toner filling unit 270 and is fixed adjacent to one side of the photosensitive member 220, one surface is fixed to the bracket 273, the end Is composed of a urethane blade 274 in close contact with the surface of the photosensitive member 220 with a predetermined elastic force.

The lubrication device is provided with a lubrication roller 276 provided in a state adjacent to the surface of the rotating photosensitive member, and a feeding screw for supplying the waste toner collected by the waste toner charging unit 270 to the lubrication roller 276.

The lubrication roller 276 is rotatably provided inside the waste toner filling unit 270, and a porous filling hole (not shown) is formed on an outer circumferential surface thereof. The lubrication roller 276 is a transfer unit 140 for transferring the toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive member 220 to the surface of the printing paper P, and the untransferred toner T remaining on the surface of the photosensitive member 220. It is provided to contact the surface of the photosensitive member 220 between the cleaning member 272 to remove the.

Meanwhile, in the porous filling hole formed in the lubrication roller 276, a fluororesin powder, zinc stearate powder, calcium stearate powder, polyvinylidene fluoride powder, and polyfluoro are added as an external additive to assist the lubrication role of the toner T. One or more selected from the group of lubricating powders consisting of ethylene powder or the like is optionally filled.

In addition, the transfer screw 277 transfers the waste toner T, which is collected from the surface of the photosensitive member 220 to the waste toner filling unit 270 by the cleaning member 272, to the loading unit, and fills the waste toner charging unit 270. Waste toner (T) is discharged to the loading portion provided on one side of the waste toner charging portion 270 while the loading height is uniform by the transfer screw (277).

Accordingly, the height of the waste toner in contact with the lubrication roller 276 becomes constant as the loading height of the waste toner stored in the waste toner filling portion 270 is uniform by the transfer screw 277, so that the photoreceptor 220 is controlled by the lubrication roller 276. Waste toner transferred to) is uniformly transferred to the entire surface of the photosensitive member 220.

Hereinafter, the operation of the developing unit of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail by way of examples. Each of the elements mentioned below should be understood with reference to the above description and FIGS. 1 to 3.

First, the printing paper P is fed from the paper feeding cassette 110 of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the input image forming signal, and the developing unit 200, the transfer unit 140, and the fixing unit 150 for image forming are formed. ) And the discharge unit 160 is operated to form an image on the printing paper (P) is supplied to be discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus 100.

Herein, the operation of the developing unit 200 will be briefly described. First, the surface of the photosensitive member 220 is charged to a predetermined potential by the charging roller 230, and then the photosensitive member of the developing unit 200 is charged by the laser scanning unit 130. 220) The electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface.

Thereafter, the toner supplied by the supply roller 250 is moved to the electrostatic latent image by the developing roller 260, and a toner image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive member 220. The toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive member 220 is transferred to the surface of the printing paper P by the transfer unit 140, and the toner image transferred to the printing paper P is printed paper by the fixing unit 150. It is fixed to the surface of (P).

Here, the toner untransferred with the printing paper P remains on the surface of the photosensitive member 220 on which the toner image is transferred onto the surface of the printing paper P. The non-transferring toner is the urethane blade 274 of the cleaning member 272. Being removed by the waste toner charging unit 270.

Meanwhile, the lubrication roller 276 provided in contact with the surface of the photoconductor 220 is filled with the porous filling hole formed in the lubrication roller 276 while being rotated together by the rotational force of the photoconductor 220 as the photoconductor 220 is rotated. The lubricant is transferred to the surface of the photoconductor 220 to improve lubricity between the photoconductor 220 and the urethane blade 274.

Here, the lubricant filled in the porous filling hole of the lubrication roller 276 is consumed as the photoconductor 220 is rotated to be consumable. The porous filling hole in which the lubricant is consumed transfers the waste toner to the surface of the photoconductor 220 while the waste toner collected in the waste toner filling unit 270 is filled.

As such, the waste toner transferred to the surface of the photoconductor 220 by the lubrication roller 276 includes a lubrication component added as an external additive of toner, thereby improving lubricity between the photoconductor 220 and the urethane blade 274. have.

Therefore, the lubricity between the photoconductor 220 and the urethane blade 274 may be improved to prevent abrasion of the photoconductor 220 and the urethane blade 274 and to prevent the flip phenomenon of the urethane blade 274 in advance. can do.

Hereinafter, another embodiment of the lubrication apparatus according to the present invention through the accompanying drawings. The same configuration as that of the embodiment of the present invention will be denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the present invention, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Figure 4 is a simplified diagram showing another embodiment of the lubrication apparatus according to the present invention.

As shown in the drawing, another embodiment of the present invention is applied to an image forming apparatus including a transfer belt 280 that is an intermediate transfer member, and includes a cleaning member 272 for cleaning a transfer surface of an endless track transfer belt 280. Lubrication is applied to the surface of the transfer belt 280 at the tip of the cleaning member 272 or lubricated to transfer a portion of the waste toner collected by the cleaning member 272 to the transfer surface of the transfer belt 280. Apparatus 275 is provided.

Although described in detail with respect to preferred embodiments of the present invention as described above, those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims Various modifications may be made to the invention. Therefore, changes in the future embodiments of the present invention will not be able to escape the technology of the present invention.

As described above, according to the developing unit of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, by providing a lubrication device for applying a waste toner containing a lubricant and an external additive of a lubricating component on the surface of the photosensitive member, the friction force between the photosensitive member and the urethane blade By mitigating the effect of preventing the wear and damage of the photosensitive member and the urethane blade.

In addition, the wear and damage of the photosensitive member and the urethane blade is prevented there is an effect that can maintain the quality of the image formed on the printing paper uniformly.

Claims (5)

A toner including toner particles and an external additive added to the toner particles; A photoconductor for forming a toner image by the toner; A cleaning member for removing the untransferred toner remaining on the surface of the photoconductor after transferring the toner image; And And a lubrication device for applying a lubricant to the surface of the photoconductor so as to reduce friction between the cleaning member and the photoconductor. According to claim 1, The lubrication device, And a lubrication roller provided in a direction parallel to the photoconductor, the outer peripheral surface of which is in contact with the surface of the photoconductor, and has a porous filling hole filled with the lubricant on the surface thereof. The method of claim 1, wherein the lubricant, An image forming apparatus developing unit, characterized in that at least one selected from the group consisting of fluororesin powder, zinc stearate powder, calcium stearate powder, polyvinylidene fluoride powder, polyfluoroethylene powder, and the like. The method of claim 1, A waste toner charging portion for filling the waste toner recovered from the surface of the photosensitive member is formed by the cleaning member, And the lubricating device is configured to apply the waste toner filled in the waste toner filling part to the surface of the photosensitive member. A toner including toner particles and an external additive added to the toner particles; A transfer belt to which the toner image by the toner is intermediately transferred; A cleaning member for removing the untransferred toner remaining on the surface of the transfer belt after the toner image of the transfer belt is transferred to printing paper; And And a lubrication device for applying a lubricant to the surface of the transfer belt so as to reduce friction between the cleaning member and the transfer belt.

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