JP5522524B2 - Lubricant coating apparatus, image forming apparatus, process unit, and holding member for holding solid lubricant - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a lubricant application device for applying lubricant powder obtained by scraping from a solid lubricant to an object to be applied, and an image forming apparatus and a process unit using the same. is there. The present invention also relates to a holding member mounted on the lubricant application device.

  As this type of lubricant application device, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a device that applies a lubricant to a photosensitive member as an object to be coated is known. FIG. 1 is a main part configuration diagram showing a main part of a conventional lubricant application apparatus together with a photoreceptor 203. In the figure, an application brush roller 207 as an application member has a rotary shaft member 208 that is rotatably supported, and a brush roller portion 209 made up of a plurality of raised brushes erected on the peripheral surface thereof. And rotates in the clockwise direction in FIG. A solid lubricant urged by a spring 219 is pressed against the application brush roller 207. The application brush roller 207 applies lubricant powder obtained by scraping from the solid lubricant 210 to the surface of the photoreceptor 203 as it rotates. The surface of the photosensitive member 203 coated with the lubricant powder weakens the physical adhesion to the toner, thereby improving the transferability of the toner image to the transfer member, improving the toner cleaning property, To suppress toner sticking to itself.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the inside of a conventional lubricant application apparatus. In the figure, the solid lubricant 210 is formed to have a length that makes contact with almost the entire region of the brush roller portion 208 of the application brush roller 207 in the rotation axis direction. Then, the thickness gradually decreases as it is scraped off by the application brush roller 207, but by being biased toward the application brush roller 207 by the spring 219, it comes into contact with the application brush roller 207 regardless of the thickness. to continue. However, if the thickness is very small, the possibility of generating cracks and chips increases. Therefore, when the thickness is reduced to a certain level, it is necessary to replace the solid lubricant 210 with a new one. In recent years when there is an increasing demand for easier maintenance and lower costs, the thickness of the solid lubricant 210 tends to increase. When the thickness of the solid lubricant 210 is increased, the amount of restoration of the spring 219 from when the new solid lubricant 210 is set to when the solid lubricant 210 is reduced to the thickness of the life (restoration from the contracted state) Quantity).

  The present inventors have found through experiments that in recent years, when the stroke length tends to be larger, the solid lubricant 210 tends to cause lateral movement. Specifically, on the rubbing surface between the application brush roller 207 and the solid lubricant 210, the application brush roller applies a force in the direction of brush rotation to the solid lubricant 210, but the brush brush has a slanted surface. In some cases, in addition to the force in the rotation direction, a force in the rotation axis direction may be applied. This force acts in a certain direction such as from one end side to the other end side in the rotation axis direction or from the other end side to one end side. If such a force continues to act on the solid lubricant 210, the solid lubricant 210 may cause a lateral movement along the rotation axis direction of the application brush roller 207 as shown in FIG. However, in the past, the spring 219 was able to exert a sufficient reaction force against the solid lubricant 210 to be laterally moved for the reason described below, so that the lateral movement could be prevented. It was. That is, in the prior art in which the amount of restoration of the spring 219 is relatively small, a spring 219 having a relatively short free length is used. On the other hand, in recent years when the amount of restoration of the spring 219 tends to be larger, it is necessary to use a spring 219 having a relatively long free length. Such a spring 219 cannot exert a sufficient resistance against the solid lubricant 210 that is going to move laterally, and it is easy to cause the lateral movement of the solid lubricant 210.

  When the lateral movement of the solid lubricant 210 occurs, the solid lubricant 210 is brought into contact with either one of both end portions in the rotation axis direction of the application brush roller 207 as shown by a dotted line in FIG. Can not be. As a result, poor application of the lubricant occurs at one end portion in the axial direction of the photosensitive member (not shown). Further, in this state, a difference occurs in the biasing direction of the biasing force against the solid lubricant 210 between the spring 219 disposed on one end side in the brush rotation axis direction and the spring 219 disposed on the other end side. It becomes easy. When a difference occurs in the urging direction, there is a difference in the lubricant pressing force per unit area against the brush between the one end side and the other end side of the application brush roller 207. Then, there is a difference in the amount of lubricant scraped per unit time at both ends. In the illustrated state, as shown in FIG. 4, the right end portion of the solid lubricant 210 in the drawing is scraped more than the left end portion. This causes a large deviation in the amount of lubricant applied in the axial direction of the photoconductor, which adversely affects image quality.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above background, and an object of the present invention is to provide a lubricant application device and the like that can avoid the occurrence of lateral movement of a solid lubricant.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is characterized in that the solid lubricant is scraped from the solid lubricant as it moves endlessly in contact with the solid lubricant and the surface of the solid lubricant to be coated. a coating member for applying the lubricant powder taken to the medium to be coated, a holding member that holds the solid lubricant, the coating member the solid lubricant on the holding member to urge said retaining member in the lubricant applying device and a biasing means for abutment, while allowing the movement of the the applying member to the direction Cow direction in the solid lubricant biased toward the applying member by the biasing means, Regulating movement in the orthogonal direction in the solid lubricant to which a force in a direction orthogonal to the endless movement direction is applied in addition to the force in the endless movement direction on the rubbing surface with the coating member that moves endlessly , Before the solid lubricant A guide groove for guiding the movement toward the applying member, only set the counter member which is provided opposite to the holding member by the guide groove, while being allowed to move in a direction toward the applying member, the orthogonal The holding member is provided with a convex portion for engaging with the guide groove so that the movement in the direction to be controlled is restricted , and the biasing direction force applied from the biasing means to the holding member is applied. A movement amount detecting means for providing a slope in the guide groove and detecting a movement amount of the solid lubricant or the holding member in the orthogonal direction while being directed to the orthogonal direction while being directed to the urging direction; Further, a consumption amount grasping means for grasping the consumption amount of the solid lubricant based on the detection result is provided .
Also, the invention of claim 2, a lubricant applying device according to claim 1, wherein the coating member is the rotary shaft member is rotatably supported, and was erected on the circumferential surface of this A brush roller part comprising a plurality of brushed parts, and the guide groove is formed between the one end and the other end of the brush roller part in the rotation axis direction of the entire region of the housing of the apparatus main body. It is provided in the area between.
Further, the invention of claim 3 is the lubricant application device according to claim 2 , wherein the roller portion that rotates around the rotating shaft member and the flocked brush sheet that is spirally wound around the peripheral surface of the roller portion. A brush roller portion is configured, and a gap is provided between the flocked brush sheets wound spirally so as to apply a force in the direction orthogonal to the rubbing surface from the brush roller portion to the solid lubricant. It is characterized by that.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the lubricant application device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the inclination is more in the direction perpendicular to the amount of movement of the solid lubricant in the biasing direction. An inclination angle that increases the amount of movement is provided.
The invention of claim 5 is the lubricant application device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
As the inclination, an inclination having an inclination angle changed in at least two stages is provided.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the lubricant application device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the solid lubricant in an initial state that is not consumed is consumed in a direction perpendicular to the predetermined amount as the solid lubricant is consumed by a predetermined thickness. The inclination angle is set so that the amount of the solid lubricant that has been consumed until the end of its life is moved in the orthogonal direction as the predetermined amount is consumed rather than the amount that is moved. Is changed in at least two stages.
Further, the invention of claim 7 is the lubricant application device according to claim 6, wherein the inclination angle is set to zero in the end region on the application brush roller side of the entire region in the longitudinal direction of the guide groove. The end region extends in the orthogonal direction.
Further, the invention according to claim 8 is the lubricant application device according to claim 6 or 7 , wherein in the entire region in the longitudinal direction of the guide groove, in the region where the inclination angle is changed, the inclination is different from each other. It is characterized in that a bending portion that connects between the two with a curved track is provided.
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image carrier that carries a toner image, a toner image forming unit that forms a toner image on the surface thereof, and a lubricant application unit that applies a lubricant to the surface of the image carrier. in the image forming apparatus including bets, as the lubricant application means, characterized in that with a lubricant coating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8.
The invention of claim 1 0, an image bearing member for bearing a toner image, a lubricant applying device for applying a lubricant to the surface, the toner image formed for forming a toner image on the surface of the image bearing member And at least the image carrier and the lubricant applicator are held by a common holder so that they can be integrally attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body as a single unit. a configuration and process units, the lubricant applying device is characterized in that a lubricant coating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8.
The invention of claim 1 1, the coating member with to rotate while contacting each solid lubricant and the medium to be coated, applying the scraped lubricant powder from the solid lubricant to said member to be coated And a holding member that holds the solid lubricant, and a biasing unit that biases the holding member to bring the solid lubricant on the holding member into contact with the coating member. The holding member is provided with the convex portion that engages with the guide groove in the lubricant application device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 .

  In these inventions, a force in the direction perpendicular to the direction of endless movement of the coating member is applied from the coating member to the solid lubricant on the sliding surface between the solid lubricant and the coating member, and the holding member together with the solid lubricant If they are to move laterally in the same direction, the guide groove engaged with the convex portion of the holding member restricts the lateral movement. Thereby, generation | occurrence | production of the horizontal movement of a solid lubricant can be avoided.

The principal part block diagram which shows the principal part of the conventional lubricant application apparatus with a photoconductor. The schematic block diagram which shows the inside of the same lubricant application device. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating the horizontal movement of a solid lubricant. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating the uneven wear of a solid lubricant. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a printer according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is an enlarged configuration diagram illustrating a Y process unit and a developing device in the printer. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the process unit and the developing device. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the developing device. FIG. 3 is an enlarged configuration diagram showing the process unit together with an intermediate transfer belt. The assembly exploded perspective view showing the process unit. The disassembled perspective view which shows the inside of the lubricant coating device of the process unit. FIG. 6 is an exploded exploded perspective view partially showing an internal configuration of a lubricant application device 6Y for Y in the printer according to the embodiment. The expansion perspective view which shows the example of a flat convex part. FIG. 3 is an exploded exploded perspective view partially showing an internal configuration of a lubricant application device for Y in the printer according to the first embodiment. The schematic diagram for demonstrating the movement in the guide groove of the convex part 18Y of the holding member in the lubricant coating device. The graph which shows the relationship between the consumption of the thickness of a solid lubricant, and the movement amount to a brush axial direction. The side view which shows the solid lubricant of the initial state in the printer, and its surrounding structure. FIG. 2 is a side view showing a solid lubricant and its surrounding configuration in a state where the printer is consumed until the end of its life. The side view which shows the solid lubricant of the initial state in the modification of the printer, and its surrounding structure. FIG. 2 is a side view showing a solid lubricant and its surrounding configuration in a state where the printer is consumed until the end of its life. The perspective view which shows the flocked brush sheet used for the brush roller part of the application brush roller in the printer which concerns on 1st Example. The assembly exploded perspective view showing the application brush roller. The perspective view which shows the one end part of the axial direction of the application brush roller with a solid lubricant. The schematic diagram for demonstrating the relationship between the application brush roller and various directions. The schematic diagram for demonstrating the motion of the convex part of a holding member when the application brush roller rotates. The schematic diagram for demonstrating the inclination | tilt angle (theta) of the guide groove in the lubricant coating device of the printer which concerns on 2nd Example. The schematic diagram for demonstrating the inclination | tilt angle (theta) of the guide groove in the lubricant coating device of the printer which concerns on 3rd Example. The schematic diagram for demonstrating the inclination | tilt angle (theta) of the guide groove in the lubricant coating device of the printer which concerns on 4th Example. The schematic diagram for demonstrating inclination | tilt angle (theta) of the guide groove GD in the lubricant coating device of the printer which concerns on 5th Example.

Hereinafter, as an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied, an embodiment of an electrophotographic printer (hereinafter simply referred to as a printer) will be described.
First, a basic configuration of the printer according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a printer according to the embodiment. This printer includes four image forming units 1Y, C, M, and K for yellow, magenta, cyan, and black (hereinafter referred to as Y, C, M, and K) as image forming units as toner image forming means. ing. These use Y, C, M, and K toners of different colors as image forming substances for forming an image, but the other configurations are the same. Taking an image forming unit 1Y for generating a Y toner image as an example, this has a process unit 2Y and a developing unit 25Y as shown in FIG. These units are integrally attached to and detached from the printer body as an image forming unit 1Y as shown in FIG. In a state where it is detached from the printer main body, as shown in FIG. 8, the developing unit 25Y can be attached to and detached from a process unit (2Y in FIG. 7) not shown.

  In FIG. 6 described above, the process unit 2Y includes a drum-shaped photoconductor 3Y as a latent image carrier, a drum cleaning device 4Y, a static elimination device (not shown), a charging device 20Y, and the like.

  The charging device 20Y uniformly charges the surface of the photoreceptor 3Y that is driven to rotate in the clockwise direction in the drawing by a driving unit (not shown). In the figure, a method of uniformly charging the photosensitive member 3Y by contacting or approaching the photosensitive member 3Y with a charging roller 21Y driven to rotate counterclockwise in the drawing while a charging bias is applied by a power source (not shown). The charging device 20Y is shown. Instead of the charging roller 21Y, a roller that contacts or approaches a charging brush may be used. In addition, a charger that uniformly charges the photoreceptor 3Y by a charger method, such as a scorotron charger or a corotron charger, may be used. However, since the scorotron charger system generates ozone during discharge, it has not been used much in recent years from the viewpoint of placing importance on the environment. In addition, the corotron charger system generates less ozone but charges the photoreceptor positively, so it has not been used much in recent years when the inversion phenomenon system has become mainstream. In recent years, the charging roller method is the most common method. The charging roller system includes a contact charging roller system in which the charging roller is brought into contact with the photoconductor and a non-contact charging roller system in which the charging roller is brought into contact with the photoconductor in a noncontact manner.

  In the contact charging roller method, when a charging bias applied to the charging roller is obtained by superimposing an alternating current on a direct current, a higher image quality can be obtained than when a structure consisting only of a direct current is employed. On the other hand, there is a demerit that it is easy to generate so-called filming for fixing the toner to the photosensitive member. In addition, in the case of the superimposed bias, there is a merit that the charged potential on the surface of the photosensitive member can be stabilized by controlling the alternating current at a constant current, regardless of the fluctuation of the resistance value of the charging roller due to the environmental change. There are disadvantages in that the cost of the high-voltage power supply increases and the AC high-frequency sound is loud. When a charging bias consisting of only a direct current is employed, it becomes easy to change the charging potential due to fluctuations in the resistance value of the charging roller due to changes in the environment, so a measure to change the voltage value with changes in the environment is required.

  On the other hand, in the non-contact charging roller system, if an AC voltage is used as the charging bias and constant current control is performed, unevenness in the charging potential is likely to occur due to gap fluctuation between the photosensitive member and the charging roller. It is necessary to change the voltage value. However, since it is a non-contact method, there is a margin for contamination of the charging roller than the contact method. As a method of changing the AC voltage, a method of switching the voltage value according to the result of detecting the temperature in the vicinity of the charging roller, a method of switching the voltage value according to the result of periodically detecting ground contamination on the photosensitive member, feedback For example, a method of determining an applied voltage based on a current value may be used. By adopting these methods, the surface potential of the photoreceptor is charged to about −500V to −700V.

  As a method for driving the charging roller, there are a method in which the photosensitive member is pressed against the photosensitive member and driven by a frictional force, a method in which a driving force is obtained from a photosensitive member gear, and the like. In the case of a low speed machine, the former method is often used, but in the machine that requires high speed and high image quality, the latter method is often used.

  In FIG. 6, when the surface of the charging roller 21Y is contaminated with toner, the charging ability at the contaminated portion is lowered, and it becomes difficult to charge the photoreceptor 3Y to a target potential. Therefore, the charging roller 21Y is in contact with a cleaning roller 22Y for removing the toner adhering to the surface. As the cleaning roller 22Y, a flocking roller in which fibers are electrostatically flocked on a rotating shaft member that is rotatably supported, a melamine roller in which a melamine resin is arranged on the roller around the rotating shaft member, and the like can be used. From the viewpoint of extending the life, the melamine roller is advantageous. If slip occurs between the cleaning roller 22Y and the charging roller 21Y, the toner is rubbed against the surface of the charging roller 21Y and filming is likely to occur. More preferably, the cleaning roller 22Y is driven by the charging roller 21Y as a driven roller.

  The surface of the photoreceptor 3Y uniformly charged by the charging device 20Y is exposed and scanned by a laser beam emitted from an optical writing unit to be described later, and carries a Y electrostatic latent image.

  The developing unit 25Y as developing means has a first agent accommodating portion 26Y in which a first conveying screw 28Y is disposed. Further, it also has a second agent storage portion 27Y in which a toner concentration sensor (hereinafter referred to as a toner concentration sensor) 29Y including a magnetic permeability sensor, a second transport screw 30Y, a developing roll 31Y, a doctor blade 34Y, and the like are disposed. . In these two agent storage portions, a Y developer (not shown) composed of a magnetic carrier and a negatively chargeable Y toner is included. The first transport screw 28Y is driven to rotate by a driving unit (not shown), so that the Y developer in the first agent storage unit 26Y is transported from the near side to the far side in the direction perpendicular to the drawing sheet. And it penetrates into the 2nd agent accommodating part 27Y through the communication port which is not illustrated provided in the partition wall between the 1st agent accommodating part 26Y and the 2nd agent accommodating part 27Y.

  The second transport screw 30Y in the second agent container 27Y is driven to rotate by a driving unit (not shown), thereby transporting the Y developer from the back side to the front side in the drawing. The Y developer during conveyance is detected by a toner concentration sensor 29Y fixed to the bottom of the first agent storage unit 27Y. In this way, the developing roll 31Y is arranged in a posture parallel to the second transport screw 30Y above the second transport screw 30Y that transports the Y developer. The developing roll 31Y includes a magnet roller 33Y in a developing sleeve 32Y made of a non-magnetic pipe that is driven to rotate counterclockwise in the drawing. A part of the Y developer conveyed by the second conveying screw 30Y is pumped up to the surface of the developing sleeve 32Y by the magnetic force generated by the magnet roller 33Y. Then, after the layer thickness is regulated by a doctor blade 34Y arranged so as to maintain a predetermined gap from the developing sleeve 32Y as a developing member, the layer thickness is regulated and conveyed to a developing area facing the photosensitive member 3Y. Y toner is adhered to the Y electrostatic latent image. This adhesion forms a Y toner image on the photoreceptor 3Y. The Y developer that has consumed the Y toner by the development is returned to the second conveying screw 30Y as the developing sleeve 32Y of the developing roll 31Y rotates. And if it conveys to the near end in a figure, it will return in the 1st agent accommodating part 28Y through the communication port which is not shown in figure.

  The result of detecting the magnetic permeability of the Y developer by the toner concentration sensor 29Y is sent as a voltage signal to a control unit (not shown). Since the magnetic permeability of the Y developer has a correlation with the Y toner concentration of the Y developer, the toner concentration sensor 29 outputs a voltage having a value corresponding to the Y toner concentration. The control unit includes a RAM, in which a Y Vtref which is a target value of the output voltage from the toner density sensor 29Y and a C, M, K toner density sensor mounted on another developing unit. The data of C Vtref, M Vtref, and K Vtref, which are target values of the output voltage, are stored. For the Y developing unit 25Y, the value of the output voltage from the toner density sensor 29Y is compared with the Y Vtref, and a Y toner supply device (not shown) is driven for a time corresponding to the comparison result. With this driving, an appropriate amount of Y toner is supplied to the Y developer whose Y toner density has been reduced by the consumption of Y toner accompanying development in the first agent container 26Y. For this reason, the Y toner concentration of the Y developer in the second agent container 27Y is maintained within a predetermined range. Similar toner supply control is performed for the developers in the process units (1C, M, K) for other colors.

  The Y toner image formed on the photoreceptor 3Y is intermediately transferred to an intermediate transfer belt described later. The drum cleaning device 4Y of the process unit 2Y removes the toner remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor 3Y after the intermediate transfer process. As a result, the surface of the photoreceptor 3Y that has been subjected to the cleaning process is neutralized by a neutralizing device (not shown). By this charge removal, the surface of the photoreceptor 3Y is initialized and prepared for the next image formation.

  In FIG. 5, the C, M, and K toner images are similarly formed on the photoreceptors 3C, M, and K in the image forming units 1C, M, and K for other colors, and the intermediate transfer belt. 61 is superimposed and transferred.

  An optical writing unit 40 is disposed below the image forming units 1Y, 1C, 1M, and 1K in the drawing. The optical writing unit 40 serving as a latent image forming unit irradiates the photoconductors 3Y, C, M, and K of the image forming units 1Y, 1C, 1M, and 1K with a laser beam L emitted based on the image information. Thereby, electrostatic latent images for Y, C, M, and K are formed on the photoreceptors 3Y, 3C, 3M, and 3K. The optical writing unit 40 deflects the laser light L emitted from the light source by the polygon mirror 41 that is rotationally driven by a motor, and passes through the photoreceptors 3Y, 3C, 3M, and 3K via a plurality of optical lenses and mirrors. Is irradiated. In place of such a configuration, an optical scanning device using an LDE array may be employed.

  A first paper feed cassette 51 and a second paper feed cassette 52 are arranged below the optical writing unit 40 so as to overlap in the vertical direction. In each of these paper feed cassettes, a plurality of recording papers P as recording members are accommodated in a stack of recording papers. The uppermost recording paper P includes a first paper feed roller 51a, The second paper feed rollers 52a are in contact with each other. When the first paper feed roller 51a is driven to rotate counterclockwise in the figure by driving means (not shown), the uppermost recording paper P in the first paper feed cassette 31 is vertically oriented on the right side of the cassette in the figure. The paper is discharged toward a paper feed path 53 disposed so as to extend. Further, when the second paper feed roller 52 a is driven to rotate counterclockwise in the drawing by a driving means (not shown), the uppermost recording paper P in the second paper feed cassette 52 is directed toward the paper feed path 53. Discharged.

  A plurality of transport roller pairs 54 are disposed in the paper feed path 53, and the recording paper P fed into the paper feed path 53 is sandwiched between the rollers of the transport roller pair 54 while being fed between the paper feed paths 53. 53 is conveyed from the lower side to the upper side in the figure.

  A registration roller pair 55 is disposed at the end of the paper feed path 53. The registration roller pair 55 temporarily stops the rotation of both rollers as soon as the recording paper P fed from the conveying roller pair 54 is sandwiched between the rollers. Then, the recording paper P is sent out toward a later-described secondary transfer nip at an appropriate timing.

  Above the image forming units 1Y, 1C, 1M, and 1K, a transfer unit 60 that is endlessly moved counterclockwise in the drawing while an intermediate transfer belt 61 that is an endless moving body is stretched is disposed. The transfer unit 60 serving as a transfer unit includes an intermediate transfer belt 61, a belt cleaning unit 62, a first bracket 63, a second bracket 64, and the like. Also provided are four primary transfer rollers 65Y, 65C, 65M, 65K, a secondary transfer backup roller 66, a drive roller 67, an auxiliary roller 68, a tension roller 69, and the like. The intermediate transfer belt 61 is endlessly moved counterclockwise in the figure by the rotational driving of the driving roller 67 while being stretched around these eight rollers. The four primary transfer rollers 65Y, 65C, 65M, 65K sandwich the intermediate transfer belt 61 moved endlessly in this manner from the photoreceptors 3Y, 3C, 3M, and 3K to form primary transfer nips. ing. Then, a transfer bias having a polarity opposite to that of the toner (for example, plus) is applied to the back surface (loop inner peripheral surface) of the intermediate transfer belt 61. The intermediate transfer belt 61 sequentially passes through the primary transfer nips for Y, C, M, and K along with the endless movement thereof, and on the photoreceptor 3Y, C, M, and K on the front surface. The Y, C, M, and K toner images are superimposed and primarily transferred. As a result, a four-color superimposed toner image (hereinafter referred to as a four-color toner image) is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 61.

  The secondary transfer backup roller 66 sandwiches the intermediate transfer belt 61 with the secondary transfer roller 70 disposed outside the loop of the intermediate transfer belt 61 to form a secondary transfer nip. The registration roller pair 55 described above feeds the recording paper P sandwiched between the rollers toward the secondary transfer nip at a timing at which the recording paper P can be synchronized with the four-color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 61. The four-color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 61 is affected by the secondary transfer electric field formed between the secondary transfer roller 70 to which the secondary transfer bias is applied and the secondary transfer backup roller 66, and the influence of the nip pressure. The secondary transfer is batch-transferred onto the recording paper P in the secondary transfer nip. Then, combined with the white color of the recording paper P, a full color toner image is obtained.

  Untransferred toner that has not been transferred to the recording paper P adheres to the intermediate transfer belt 61 after passing through the secondary transfer nip. This is cleaned by the belt cleaning unit 62. The belt cleaning unit 62 has a cleaning blade 62a in contact with the front surface of the intermediate transfer belt 61, thereby scraping off and removing the transfer residual toner on the belt.

  The first bracket 63 of the transfer unit 60 swings at a predetermined rotation angle about the rotation axis of the auxiliary roller 68 as the solenoid (not shown) is turned on / off. When forming a monochrome image, the printer according to the embodiment rotates the first bracket 63 slightly in the counterclockwise direction in the drawing by driving the solenoid described above. This rotation causes the Y, C, and M primary transfer rollers 65Y, C, and M to revolve counterclockwise in the drawing about the rotation axis of the auxiliary roller 68, thereby causing the intermediate transfer belt 61 to move in the Y, C, and C directions. , M is separated from the photoconductors 3Y, 3C, 3M. Of the four image forming units 1Y, 1C, 1M, and 1K, only the K image forming unit 1K is driven to form a monochrome image. Accordingly, it is possible to avoid wear of the image forming units due to unnecessary driving of the Y, C, and M image forming units when forming a monochrome image.

  A fixing unit 80 is disposed above the secondary transfer nip in the drawing. The fixing unit 80 includes a pressure heating roller 81 that contains a heat source such as a halogen lamp, and a fixing belt unit 82. The fixing belt unit 82 includes a fixing belt 84 as a fixing member, a heating roller 83 containing a heat source such as a halogen lamp, a tension roller 85, a driving roller 86, a temperature sensor (not shown), and the like. Then, the endless fixing belt 84 is endlessly moved in the counterclockwise direction in the drawing while being stretched by the heating roller 83, the tension roller 85, and the driving roller 86. In the process of endless movement, the fixing belt 84 is heated from the back side by the heating roller 83. A pressure heating roller 81 that is driven to rotate in the clockwise direction in the drawing is in contact with the surface of the fixing belt 84 that is heated in this manner from the front side. Thus, a fixing nip where the pressure heating roller 81 and the fixing belt 84 abut is formed.

  A temperature sensor (not shown) is disposed outside the loop of the fixing belt 84 so as to face the front surface of the fixing belt 84 with a predetermined gap, and the fixing belt 84 just before entering the fixing nip. Detect surface temperature. This detection result is sent to a fixing power supply circuit (not shown). The fixing power supply circuit performs on / off control of power supply to the heat generation source included in the heating roller 83 and the heat generation source included in the pressure heating roller 81 based on the detection result of the temperature sensor. Accordingly, the surface temperature of the fixing belt 84 is maintained at about 140 [°].

  The recording paper P that has passed through the secondary transfer nip is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 61 and then fed into the fixing unit 80. Then, in the process of being conveyed from the lower side to the upper side in the figure while being sandwiched by the fixing nip in the fixing unit 80, the full-color toner image is fixed by being heated or pressed by the fixing belt 84.

  The recording sheet P subjected to the fixing process in this manner is discharged outside the apparatus after passing between the rollers of the discharge roller pair 87. A stack unit 88 is formed on the top surface of the printer body, and the recording paper P discharged to the outside by the discharge roller pair 87 is sequentially stacked on the stack unit 88.

  Above the transfer unit 60, four toner cartridges 100Y, 100C, M, and K that store Y, C, M, and K toners are disposed. The Y, C, M, and K toners in the toner cartridges 100Y, 100C, 100M, and 100K are appropriately supplied to the developing units 25Y, 25C, 25M, and 25K of the image forming units 1Y, 1C, 1M, and 1K. The toner cartridges 100Y, 100C, 100M, and 100K are detachable from the printer main body independently of the image forming units 1Y, 1C, 1M, and 1K.

  FIG. 9 is an enlarged configuration diagram showing the Y process unit 2 </ b> Y together with the intermediate transfer belt 61. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing the process unit 2Y. FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing the inside of the lubricant application device 6Y of the process unit 2Y. In these drawings, residual toner that has not been transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 61 is attached to the surface of the photoreceptor 3Y after passing through the primary transfer nip for Y in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 61. This transfer residual toner is removed by the drum cleaning device 4Y of the process unit 2Y.

  In the drum cleaning device 4Y, the free end side of the cleaning blade 5Y that is cantilevered is brought into contact with the surface of the photoreceptor 3Y in the counter direction, and the transfer residual toner is scraped off from the surface of the photoreceptor 3Y by the blade edge. The residual toner that has been scraped off falls onto a collecting coil in the drum cleaning device 4Y and is discharged out of the drum cleaning device 4Y. The discharged transfer residual toner falls into a waste toner bottle (not shown).

  The surface of the photoreceptor 3Y after the cleaning process by the drum cleaning device 4Y is subjected to the lubricant application process and the lubricant leveling process by the lubricant application device 6Y. The lubricant application device 6Y has a brush tip of an application brush roller 7Y that includes a rotary shaft member 8Y that is rotatably supported and a brush roller portion 9Y that includes a plurality of raised brushes that are erected on the peripheral surface thereof. It is rotated in the clockwise direction in the figure while being brought into contact with the photoreceptor 3Y. A solid lubricant 10Y urged toward the application brush roller 7Y is pressed against the application brush roller 7Y together with the holding member 17Y by the coil spring 19Y. The application brush roller 7 </ b> Y applies lubricant powder obtained by scraping from the solid lubricant 10 </ b> Y to the surface of the photoreceptor 3 </ b> Y as it is rotationally driven. As a result, the surface frictional resistance of the photoreceptor 3Y is reduced to improve the cleaning property, the transfer property, and the suppression of filming.

  As raising | lifting used for the brush roller part 9Y of the application brush roller 7Y which is an application | coating member, what consists of an insulating or electroconductive polyethylene terephthalate, an acrylic fiber, etc. can be illustrated. Instead of the application brush roller 7Y, an application sponge roller having a sponge roller portion may be used.

  As solid lubricant 10Y, what consists of various fatty acid salts and what consists of zinc stearate can be illustrated. Other examples include fatty acids such as stearic acid, palmitic acid, myristic acid, oleic acid, and fatty acid metal salts composed of metals such as zinc, aluminum, calcium, magnesium, iron, and lithium as main components. You can also. In particular, zinc stearate is suitable.

Next, a characteristic configuration of the printer according to the embodiment will be described.
FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view partially showing the internal configuration of the lubricant application device 6Y for Y in the printer according to the embodiment. In the figure, the solid lubricant 10Y is fixed to the surface of a holding member 17Y made of C-type steel by a double-sided tape or the like. A coil spring 19Y is pressed against the back surface of the lubricant fixing surface of the holding member 17Y. The coil spring 19Y urges the solid lubricant 10Y in the direction of arrow A in the drawing toward the application brush roller 7Y via the holding member 17Y. This arrow A direction is a direction along an orthogonal virtual plane orthogonal to the rotation axis direction of the application brush roller 7Y and toward the center of the application brush roller 7Y.

  The solid lubricant 10Y is formed into an elongated block shape so as to contact almost the entire region in the longitudinal direction of the brush roller portion of the application brush roller 7Y.

  In the holding member 17Y, rod-shaped convex portions 18Y are formed on two side surfaces arranged in the short direction. This convex part is formed in the both ends of the longitudinal direction with respect to one side surface, respectively.

  Of the plurality of inner walls in the casing of the lubricant application device, the two inner wall surfaces Sa1 and Sa2 that individually face the two side surfaces of the solid lubricant 10Y are respectively provided with rod-like convex portions 18Y of the holding member 17Y. Two guide grooves GD to be received are formed. These guide grooves GD extend in the direction of arrow A in the figure, which is the biasing direction of the coil spring 19Y. The holding member 17Y, on which the solid lubricant 10Y is fixed on the surface, is set in the lubricant application device in a posture in which the four convex portions 18Y are engaged with the four guide grooves GD.

  The guide groove GD allows movement in the direction toward the application brush roller 7Y in the holding member 17Y urged toward the application brush roller 7Y by the coil spring 19Y, that is, sliding movement in the direction of arrow A in the drawing. On the other hand, in addition to the force in the rotation direction on the sliding surface with the rotating application brush roller 7Y, a force in the rotation axis direction (in the direction of arrow B in the figure) perpendicular to the rotation direction is applied to the solid lubricant 10Y. Thus, the movement of the holding member 17Y that attempts to move laterally in the rotational axis direction together with the solid lubricant 10Y is restricted. Thus, the guide groove GD functions as a guide portion that guides the movement of the solid lubricant 10Y and the holding member 17Y toward the application brush roller 7Y.

  In such a configuration, the guide groove GD guides the movement toward the coating brush roller 7Y while restricting the lateral movement of the solid lubricant 10Y and the holding member 17Y in the direction of arrow B in the figure. The occurrence of lateral movement of the solid lubricant 10Y can be avoided.

  Although the Y-lubricant application device 6Y has been described in detail, the lubricant application devices for other colors also avoid the lateral movement of the solid lubricant by the same configuration. As the rotation direction of the application brush roller 7Y, any of a counter direction and a forward direction at the contact portion with the photoreceptor 3Y may be employed. Moreover, although the example which provided the rod-shaped thing as the convex part 18Y of the holding member 17Y was demonstrated, the shape of the convex part 18Y is not restricted to a rod shape. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, a flat convex portion 18 </ b> Y may be provided.

Next, printers according to the respective examples in which a more characteristic configuration is added to the printer according to the embodiment will be described. Note that the configuration of the printer according to each example is the same as that of the embodiment unless otherwise specified.
[First embodiment]
FIG. 14 is an exploded exploded perspective view partially showing the internal configuration of the lubricant application device 6Y for Y in the printer according to the first embodiment. This printer is different from the printer according to the embodiment in that a guide groove GD is inclined with respect to the direction of arrow A in FIG.

  FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram for explaining the movement of the convex portion 18Y of the holding member (17Y) in the guide groove GD. When the holding member (not shown) is urged by the coil spring in the direction of arrow A in the figure, the convex portion 18Y provided on the holding member tends to move in the direction of arrow A in the figure. Then, the convex part 18Y contacts one of the two side walls of the guide groove GD. Since this side wall is inclined from the direction orthogonal to the arrow A direction (the same direction as the brush rotation axis direction), when the convex portion 18Y comes into contact with the side wall, a force is directed toward the arrow A direction of the convex portion 18Y. , Converted into a force in the direction of arrow E in the figure along the side wall. The direction of the arrow E is the same as the direction of the resultant force of the force toward the arrow A direction and the force toward the arrow B direction, which is the brush rotation axis direction. For this reason, the convex portion 18Y moves in the direction of the arrow B1 while in the direction of the arrow A by contacting the side surface of the inclined guide groove GD. Thus, in the printer according to the first embodiment, the force in the biasing direction (arrow A direction) applied from the coil spring (19Y) to the convex portion 18Y of the holding member (17Y) is directed toward the biasing direction. The guide groove GD is provided with a slope that converts the force toward the brush rotation axis direction (arrow B1 direction).

  In FIG. 15, at which position in the length direction of the guide groove GD the convex portion 18Y stops depends on the thickness of the solid lubricant (not shown). When the thickness of the solid lubricant is relatively thick, the convex portion 18Y stops at a position relatively distant from the application brush roller (not shown) in the guide groove GD. The position is in the vicinity of the lower end in the figure. As the thickness of the solid lubricant decreases, the convex portion 18Y approaches the application brush roller. It gradually moves in the direction of arrow E in the guide groove GD. Thereby, the solid lubricant and the holding member (not shown) also move in the direction of arrow E. Then, the holding member and the solid lubricant gradually move in the arrow B1 direction as the thickness of the solid lubricant decreases. A correlation is established between the amount of movement in the direction of arrow B1 and the amount of solid lubricant consumed (thickness consumption). For example, when the guide groove GD is inclined 45 [°] with respect to the direction of the arrow A, as shown in FIG. 16, the consumption amount of the solid lubricant and the movement of the solid lubricant and the holding member in the direction of the arrow B1. The amount is the same.

  FIG. 17 is a side view showing the solid lubricant 10Y in the initial state and the surrounding configuration. As shown in the figure, as the solid lubricant 10Y and the holding member 17Y, those having a length in the longitudinal direction larger than the length in the rotation axis direction of the brush roller portion 9Y of the application brush roller 7Y are used. As shown in the drawing, the solid lubricant 10Y in the initial state is set in the apparatus so that the end opposite to the arrow B1 direction is positioned outside the end of the brush roller portion 9Y. In this state, the new article detection first electrode 151 and the new article detection second electrode 152 fixed in the apparatus are brought into contact with each other by contacting the metal holding member 17Y. A CPU (Central Processing Unit) (not shown) detects that the new solid lubricant 10Y is set by detecting the conduction. In the drawing, only one electrode for detecting a new article is shown, but this is because the first electrode for detecting new article 151 and the second electrode for detecting new article 152 are perpendicular to each other in the drawing. This is because they are lined up through a predetermined gap.

  When the solid lubricant 10Y in a new state shown in FIG. 17 is scraped off by the application brush roller 7Y and the thickness thereof is gradually reduced, the solid lubricant 10Y and the holding member 17Y are moved along the arrow B1 in the drawing. Move gradually in the direction. Then, the holding member 17Y moves away from the new article detection first electrode 151 and the new article detection second electrode 152 shown in the drawing.

  FIG. 18 is a side view showing the solid lubricant 10Y that has been consumed until the end of its life and the surrounding configuration. As shown in the figure, when the thickness of the solid lubricant 10Y decreases to the end of its life, the end of the holding member 17Y in the direction of the arrow B1 comes into contact with the first electrode for life detection 153 and the second electrode for life detection 154. Thereby, the first electrode for life detection 153 and the second electrode for life detection 154 are conducted through the holding member 17Y. The CPU (not shown) detects that the solid lubricant 10Y has been consumed until the end of its life by detecting the conduction. Then, a message for notifying the user of the end of the life is displayed on the display.

  In the above configuration, the first electrode 151 for new article detection, the second electrode for new article detection 152, the first electrode for life detection 153, the second electrode for life detection 154, and the CPU are connected to the solid lubricant 10Y and the holding member 17Y. It functions as movement amount detection means for detecting the movement amount in the direction of arrow B1. Further, the CPU functions as consumption amount grasping means for grasping the consumption amount of the solid lubricant 10Y based on the detection result of the movement amount.

  FIG. 19 is a side view showing the solid lubricant 10Y in the initial state and the surrounding configuration thereof in a modification of the printer according to the first embodiment. FIG. 20 is a side view showing the solid lubricant 10Y in a state where it has been consumed until the end of its life in the printer according to the modification and the surrounding configuration. In the printer according to the modified example, a distance sensor 156 is provided in place of the electrode for detecting a new article and the electrode for detecting the life. In addition, a test member 155 is fixed at a location facing the distance sensor 156 in the holding member 17Y. The distance sensor 156 detects the distance between itself and the test member 155 by reflection of ultrasonic waves, infrared rays, or the like. And based on the variation | change_quantity of the distance, the movement amount to the arrow B1 direction of the holding member 17Y is grasped | ascertained. Unlike the printer according to the first embodiment, which can detect only the movement amount corresponding to the new state to the life state, the fine movement of the holding member 17Y can be detected. For this reason, it is possible to have the user know how much time is left until the end of the service life and accurately grasp the timing of preparation for replacement of the solid lubricant 10Y.

  In the printer according to the first embodiment, the application brush roller 7Y actively applies a force in the direction of the rotation axis on the rubbing surface to the solid lubricant 10Y, and the solid lubrication is performed using the force. The pressing of the agent 10Y is favorably performed. For this purpose, the application brush roller 7Y is devised to reliably apply a force in one direction from the one end side to the other end side in the rotation axis direction, regardless of the brush wrinkles.

  FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing a flocked brush sheet 9cY used in the brush roller portion of the application brush roller 7Y. The planted brush sheet 9cY is obtained by planting a plurality of raised brushes 9aY on a rectangular woven fabric 9bY by a known technique.

  FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing one end portion of the application brush roller 7Y in the axial direction together with the solid lubricant 10Y. The application brush roller 7Y includes a metal rotation shaft member 8Y and a brush roller portion 9Y that rotates about the rotation shaft member 8Y. The brush roller portion 9Y includes a roller portion 9dY and a flocked brush sheet 9cY wound spirally around the roller portion 9dY. As shown in the figure, a slight gap G is provided between the spirally wound sheets so that the rectangular flocked brush sheet 9cY follows the peripheral surface of the roller-shaped roller portion 9dY. By providing such a gap G, as shown by an arrow B1 in FIG. 23, the application brush roller 7Y applies a force from one end side to the other end side in the rotation axis direction on the solid lubricant 10Y. It is like that.

  FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram for explaining the relationship between the application brush roller 7Y and various directions. In the same figure, the arrow X direction is the same as the arrow X direction in FIG. 21, and has shown the longitudinal direction in the flocked brush sheet (9cY). Moreover, the arrow Y direction in FIG. 24 is the same as the arrow Y direction in FIG. 21, and has shown the transversal direction in the flocked brush sheet (9cY). In FIG. 24, the arrow Z direction indicates the direction in which the application brush roller 7Y advances on the rubbing surface on which the application brush roller 7Y and the solid lubricant rub. In the case of a normal application brush roller, a force mainly in the direction of arrow Z is applied to the solid lubricant from the application brush roller. In addition, as shown in FIG. 22, in the application brush roller 7Y in which the flocked brush sheet (9cY) is wound spirally, as shown by the arrow D in FIG. On the other hand, a force in a direction substantially perpendicular to the coating brush roller 7Y is applied to the solid lubricant. The direction of arrow D is a direction in which the resultant force of the force traveling in the direction of arrow Z and the force traveling in the direction of arrow C orthogonal thereto is advanced. For this reason, in addition to the force in the arrow Z direction, a force in the arrow B1 direction is applied to the solid lubricant on the rubbing surface with the application brush roller 7Y. As shown in FIG. The lubricant 10Y tries to move in the direction of the arrow B1 along the brush rotation axis direction.

  The state previously shown in FIG. 15 shows the movement of the convex portion 18Y of the holding member when a coating brush roller (not shown) is not rotating. When the applicator brush roller is not rotating, the projection 18Y that is about to move in the direction of arrow A as shown in the drawing is in contact with the side wall of the guide groove, and the force along the direction of arrow A is in the direction of arrow E along the side wall. Redirected to At this time, the movement of the solid lubricant in the direction of arrow E is obstructed by the friction between the side wall and the convex portion 18Y.

  When the application brush roller rotates, as shown in FIG. 23, a force in the direction of arrow B1 is applied from the application brush roller 7Y to the solid lubricant 10Y. A force in the direction of arrow B1 is similarly applied to the holding member 17Y. Then, as shown in FIG. 25, the convex portion 18Y that has been in contact with one side wall of the guide groove GD in the stopped state is separated from the side wall. Immediately before this separation, the movement in the direction of arrow E, which has been hindered by friction with the side walls, is promoted, and the convex portion 18Y moves smoothly along the direction of arrow E. And it contacts the side wall on the opposite side to the side wall which has been in contact so far, and is pressed in the direction of arrow E. In this case, the solid lubricant 10Y is pressed against the application brush roller in the direction of arrow E by the force in the direction of arrow B1 by the brush in addition to the force in the direction of arrow A due to the urging of the coil spring 19Y. Thereby, generation | occurrence | production of the press defect of solid lubricant 10Y can be suppressed.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 26 is a schematic diagram for explaining the inclination angle θ of the guide groove in the lubricant application device for a printer according to the second embodiment. The inclination angle θ of the guide groove indicates the inclination of the groove extending direction with respect to the arrow B1 direction which is the brush rotation axis direction. In the printer according to the second modification, the inclination angle θ is set to a value that can satisfy the condition “tan θ <1”. Tan θ has the same value as “height side / bottom side” in a triangle having a base extending in the direction of arrow B1 and a height side extending in the direction of arrow A. Therefore, providing the condition “tan θ <1” is equivalent to making the base larger than the side in the height direction. Then, making the bottom side larger than the side in the height direction indicates the movement amount of the solid lubricant in the B1 direction as the thickness of the solid lubricant (not shown) decreases by, for example, 1 [mm]. This means that it is larger than the amount of movement in the direction.

  That is, in the printer according to the second embodiment, the inclination angle θ is set to a value that makes the amount of movement of the solid lubricant in the arrow B1 direction larger than the amount of movement of the solid lubricant in the biasing direction (arrow A direction). Yes. In such a configuration, the amount of movement of the solid lubricant in the arrow B1 direction is greater than the amount of decrease in the thickness of the solid lubricant. By detecting the amount of movement of the latter, it is possible to amplify and detect the decrease in thickness, so that the decrease in thickness can be detected with high sensitivity.

[Third embodiment]
FIG. 27 is a schematic diagram for explaining the inclination angle θ of the guide groove in the lubricant application device for a printer according to the third embodiment. The inclination angle θ of the guide groove is provided in two stages of a first inclination angle θ1 and a second inclination angle θ2. In the illustrated configuration, as the value of the inclination angle θ increases, the amount of movement of the solid lubricant in the arrow B1 direction decreases as the thickness of the solid lubricant decreases by 1 [mm]. For a while for the first time when the solid lubricant is used in the initial state, the convex portion of the holding member (not shown) moves in the direction of the arrow E1 along the inclination in the region of the inclination angle θ1 in the guide groove GD. Thereafter, when the thickness of the solid lubricant is consumed to near the end of its life, a convex portion (not shown) moves in the direction of the arrow E2 along the inclination in the region of the inclination angle θ2 in the guide groove GD. Since the inclination angle θ2 is smaller than the inclination angle θ1, the amount of movement in the direction of the arrow B1 relative to the decrease in thickness is greater when the thickness of the solid lubricant is consumed near the end of its life than in the initial state. . That is, near the life, a decrease in the thickness of the solid lubricant is detected with higher sensitivity than in the initial state.

  The solid lubricant moves in the direction of the arrow B1 as it is consumed. However, the larger the total amount of movement in the direction of the arrow B1 until the solid lubricant in the initial state is consumed, the larger the amount of movement is in the direction of the brush rotation axis. It will be bigger. For this reason, it is necessary to keep the movement total amount to some extent. On the other hand, in order to detect the decrease in the thickness of the solid lubricant with high sensitivity, it is desirable to increase the amount of movement in the direction of the arrow B1 with respect to the amount of decrease in the thickness as much as possible. It may not fit.

  Therefore, in the printer according to the third embodiment, for a while for the first time after using the solid lubricant in the initial state, the convex portion of the holding member is moved in the region of the relatively large inclination angle θ1 in the guide groove GD. The amount of movement in the direction of the arrow B1 with respect to the amount of decrease in the lubricant thickness is relatively small. At a time that is still far from the service life, rather than detecting the decrease in the thickness of the solid lubricant with high sensitivity, it is possible to suppress the increase in the size of the apparatus by setting the arrow B1 direction per unit decrease in thickness relatively large. It has priority. On the other hand, when the solid lubricant enters a period near the end of its life, the protrusion of the holding member is moved in a region of a relatively small inclination angle θ2 in the guide groove GD, and the amount of decrease in the thickness of the solid lubricant The amount of movement in the direction of arrow B1 is relatively large. Near the life, the decrease in the thickness of the solid lubricant is detected with high sensitivity, and the life arrival timing is detected with high accuracy. Therefore, in this printer, it is possible to suppress an increase in the size of the lubricant application device while accurately detecting the end of life.

[Fourth embodiment]
FIG. 28 is a schematic diagram for explaining the inclination angle θ of the guide groove in the lubricant application device for a printer according to the fourth embodiment. For a while for the first time when a solid lubricant (not shown) is used from the initial state, the convex portion of the holding member moves along the direction of the arrow E in the region of the inclination angle θ in the guide groove GD. One end of the guide groove GD in the longitudinal direction has an inclination angle θ of zero, and extends in the direction of the arrow B1 along the rotation axis of the application brush roller. When the solid lubricant is consumed to the end of its life, the convex portion of the holding member (not shown) enters the one end of the guide groove GD. When the application brush roller rotates in this state and a force in the direction of arrow B1 is applied from the brush to the solid lubricant, the convex portion of the holding member moves greatly in the direction of arrow B1 within one end of the guide groove GD. . Thereby, the arrival of the lifetime is detected with very high sensitivity.

[Fifth embodiment]
FIG. 29 is a schematic diagram for explaining the inclination angle θ of the guide groove GD in the lubricant application device for a printer according to the fifth embodiment. In this printer, as in the printer according to the third embodiment, the guide groove GD is provided with two-step inclinations of an inclination angle θ1 and an inclination angle θ2. In the entire region in the longitudinal direction of the guide groove GD, a bending portion that connects the inclinations having different angles with a curved track is provided in a region where the inclination angle θ is changed from θ1 to θ2. In such a configuration, it is possible to smoothly move the convex portion at the change point of the slope and suppress the occurrence of the poor movement of the convex portion, as compared with the case where the slopes with different angles are connected with each other.

  The example in which the present invention is applied to a printer that forms a color image by the so-called tandem method has been described so far, but the present invention can also be applied to an image forming apparatus that forms a monochrome image.

  As described above, in the printers according to the embodiments, the force in the urging direction (in the direction of arrow A) applied from the coil spring 19Y serving as the urging unit to the holding member 17Y moves toward the urging direction while moving the brush on the rubbing surface. Based on the detection result by the movement amount detection means for detecting the movement amount of the holding member 17Y in the arrow B1 direction while providing the inclination to convert the force in the direction of the arrow B1 that is a direction orthogonal to the direction in the guide groove GD. Consumption amount grasping means for grasping the consumption amount of the solid lubricant 10Y is provided. In such a configuration, the timing at which the solid lubricant 10Y is consumed until the end of its life can be detected based on the above-described consumption.

  Further, in the printer according to each embodiment, the application includes a rotation shaft member 8Y that is rotatably supported as an application member, and a brush roller portion 9Y that includes a plurality of raised brushes erected on the peripheral surface thereof. A brush roller is used. And the guide groove GD is provided in the area | region between the one end of the rotating shaft direction of the brush roller part 9Y among the whole area | regions in the casing of a lubricant application apparatus. In such a configuration, the apparatus can be downsized as compared with the case where the guide groove GD is provided outside the region.

  Further, in the printer according to each embodiment, the brush roller portion 9 is configured by the roller portion 9dY that rotates about the rotation shaft member 8Y and the flocked brush sheet 9cY that is spirally wound around the peripheral surface of the roller portion 9dY. A gap G is provided between the flocked brush sheets 9cY wound in a shape, and a force in the direction of arrow B1 is applied from the brush roller portion 9Y to the solid lubricant 10Y on the rubbing surface. In such a configuration, as already described, the projection 18Y that has been in contact with the one side wall of the guide groove GD in the stopped state is separated from the side wall, and the arrow that has been impeded by the friction with the side wall immediately before that. Promotes movement in the E direction. Thereby, the convex part 18Y can be smoothly moved within the guide groove GD.

  In the printer according to the second embodiment, the amount of movement in the arrow B1 direction is larger than the amount of movement of the solid lubricant 10Y in the urging direction (arrow A direction) as the inclination provided in the guide groove GD. The one with the inclination angle θ is provided. In such a configuration, as already described, a decrease in the thickness of the solid lubricant 10Y can be amplified and detected with high sensitivity.

  Further, in the printer according to the third embodiment, the inclination provided in the guide groove GD is provided with the inclination angle changed in at least two stages, so that the thickness of the solid lubricant 10Y can be reduced according to the time. The amount of movement in the direction of arrow B1 can be changed.

  Further, in the printer according to the third embodiment, the solid lubricant 10Y in the initial state that has not been consumed is consumed to near the end of its life, compared to the amount of movement in the arrow B1 direction as it is consumed by a predetermined thickness. The inclination angle θ is changed in at least two stages so as to increase the amount of the solid lubricant 10Y in a state of being moved in the direction of the arrow B1 as it is consumed by a predetermined thickness. In such a configuration, as already described, it is possible to suppress the increase in size of the lubricant application device while accurately detecting the life arrival timing.

  In the printer according to the fourth embodiment, the inclination angle is set to zero in the end region on the application brush roller 7Y side in the entire longitudinal direction of the guide groove GD, and the end region is set in the direction of the arrow B1. It is extended. In such a configuration, as already described, the solid lubricant 10Y can be moved greatly in the direction of the arrow B1 with the arrival of the lifetime, and the arrival of the lifetime can be detected with very high sensitivity.

  In the printer according to the fifth embodiment, a bending portion that connects the inclinations having different angles with each other by a curved track is provided in a region where the inclination angle θ is changed in the entire longitudinal direction of the guide groove GD. Therefore, the convex part can be smoothly moved at the change point of the inclination, and the occurrence of the poor movement of the convex part can be suppressed.

3Y: Photoconductor (object to be coated)
7Y: Application brush roller (application member)
8Y: Rotating shaft member 9Y: Brush roller part 9aY: Brushed 9bY: Woven cloth 9cY: Flocked brush sheet 9dY: Roller part 10Y: Solid lubricant 17Y: Holding member 18Y convex part 19Y: Coil spring (biasing means)
GD: Guide groove

JP 2007-79468 A

Claims (11)

Solid lubricant,
With their surfaces in contact to each of the solid lubricant and the member to be coated to cause endless movement, a coating member for applying the lubricant powder scraped from the solid lubricant to said member to be coated,
A holding member for holding the solid lubricant;
In a lubricant application device comprising: an urging unit that urges the holding member to bring the solid lubricant on the holding member into contact with the application member;
While permitting movement of the to the coating member in the direction Cow direction in the solid lubricant biased toward the applying member by the biasing means, endless moving direction rubbing surface between the coating member that endlessly moves The movement of the solid lubricant in the direction perpendicular to the endless movement direction in addition to the force of the solid lubricant is regulated to guide the movement of the solid lubricant toward the application member. the guide grooves, set to opposite member which is provided opposite to said holding member,
The holding member is provided with a convex portion for engaging with the guide groove so that the guide groove is allowed to move in the direction toward the application member and the movement in the orthogonal direction is restricted. ,
An inclination is provided in the guide groove for converting the force in the biasing direction applied from the biasing means to the holding member into the force in the direction orthogonal to the biasing direction,
And a movement amount detecting means for detecting the movement amount of the solid lubricant or the holding member in the orthogonal direction, and a consumption amount grasping means for grasping the consumption amount of the solid lubricant based on a detection result thereby. A lubricant application device characterized by that. The lubricant application device according to claim 1 ,
The coating member is a coating brush roller including a rotating shaft member that is rotatably supported, and a brush roller unit that includes a plurality of raised brushes erected on the peripheral surface thereof.
The lubricant is characterized in that the guide groove is provided in a region between one end and the other end in the rotation axis direction of the brush roller portion in the entire region in the housing of the apparatus main body. Coating device. The lubricant application device according to claim 2 ,
The brush roller portion is configured by a roller portion that rotates around the rotation shaft member and a flocked brush sheet that is spirally wound around the peripheral surface thereof, and a gap is provided between the flocked brush sheet that is wound spirally. A lubricant application device characterized in that a force in the direction perpendicular to the rubbing surface is applied to the solid lubricant from the brush roller portion. In the lubricant application device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
The lubricant application apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inclination is provided with an inclination angle that increases a movement amount of the solid lubricant in the direction perpendicular to a movement amount of the solid lubricant in the biasing direction. In the lubricant application device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
A lubricant application device characterized in that the inclination is changed by changing the inclination angle in at least two stages. In the lubricant application device according to claim 5 ,
The solid lubricant in a state where it is consumed near the end of its life, rather than the amount of the solid lubricant in the initial state that is not consumed is moved in the orthogonal direction as it is consumed by a predetermined thickness, The lubricant application device according to claim 1, wherein the inclination angle is changed in at least two stages so as to increase the amount of movement in the orthogonal direction as the predetermined thickness is consumed. In the lubricant application device according to claim 6 ,
Lubrication characterized in that in the end region on the application brush roller side of the entire region in the longitudinal direction of the guide groove, the inclination angle is zero and the end region extends in the orthogonal direction. Agent applicator. In the lubricant application device according to claim 6 or 7 ,
A lubricant application device characterized in that a curved portion that connects slopes having different angles with each other by curved trajectories is provided in a region in which the slope angle is changed in the entire longitudinal direction of the guide groove. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image carrier that carries a toner image; a toner image forming unit that forms a toner image on a surface of the image carrier; and a lubricant application unit that applies a lubricant to the surface of the image carrier.
As the lubricant application means, the image forming apparatus characterized by using the lubricant coating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8. Used in an image forming apparatus comprising: an image carrier that carries a toner image; a lubricant application device that applies a lubricant to the surface of the image carrier; and a toner image forming unit that forms a toner image on the surface of the image carrier. ,
At least a process unit configured such that the image carrier and the lubricant application device are held by a common holder and can be integrally attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body as a unit.
Process units the lubricant coating device, characterized in that it is a lubricant coating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8. An application member that applies the lubricant powder scraped from the solid lubricant to the object to be coated as it rotates while contacting the solid lubricant and the object to be coated, and a holder that holds the solid lubricant. A holding member mounted on a lubricant application device comprising: a member; and an urging unit that urges the holding member to bring the solid lubricant on the holding member into contact with the application member,
Holding member, characterized in that it comprises the convex portion engaged with the guide groove in the lubricant applying device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

Images