JP2017009706A - Lubricant application mechanism, image forming apparatus, and process cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

【Task】
Lubricant application mechanism comprising a roller-shaped supply member having a foam layer, and a lubricant application mechanism capable of suppressing uneven application of the lubricant to the surface of the image carrier when a voltage is applied to the charging member An image forming apparatus and a process cartridge are provided.
[Solution]
A region where the lubricant is applied by the roller-shaped supply member 61 having a foam layer on the surface of the image carrier uniformly charged by the charging member, and the lubricant is applied by the supply member on the surface of the image carrier, In a lubricant application mechanism including a charged area charged by a charging member on the surface of the image carrier and a non-charged area α not charged by the charging member on the surface of the image carrier, the lubricant is applied to the non-charged area. The amount of lubricant scraped by the supply member was increased when no voltage was applied to the charging member, compared to the amount of lubricant scraped by the supply member in order to apply the lubricant to the charging region.
[Selection] Figure 7

Description

  The present invention relates to a lubricant application mechanism, an image forming apparatus, and a process cartridge.

  Conventionally, in order to protect the surface of an image carrier such as a photoconductor, a lubricant application mechanism for applying a lubricant to the surface of the image carrier by a supply member is known.

As this type of lubricant application mechanism, for example, in Patent Document 1, a roller-shaped supply member having a foam layer is used, and a protective agent (lubricant) is applied to the surface of an image carrier that is uniformly charged by a charging member. ) Is applied.
This lubricant application mechanism hardly causes scattering of the protective agent powder due to the rubbing of the protective agent, and the protective agent is efficiently applied to the surface of the image carrier as compared with the case where a brush-like rotating member is used as the supply member. It can be applied to.

However, according to the lubricant application mechanism of Patent Document 1, depending on the length relationship in the image carrier width direction of the charging region charged by the supply member, the lubricant, and the charging member on the surface of the image carrier, There is a possibility that a problem of uneven coating occurs.
That is, when the length of the supply member is equal to the length of the lubricant in the width direction of the image carrier and is longer than the charged area on the surface of the image carrier, the lubricant is applied by the supply member on the surface of the image carrier. The lubricant application area includes a charged area on the surface of the image carrier and an uncharged area on the surface of the image carrier that is not charged by the charging member in the width direction of the image carrier.

The amount of lubricant scraped by the supply member in order to apply the lubricant to the surface of the image carrier is affected by a charging hazard due to charging of the image carrier surface. Specifically, the amount of lubricant scraped by the supply member in order to apply the lubricant to a place where the influence of the charging hazard on the surface of the image carrier is large is limited to a place where the influence of the charging hazard on the surface of the image carrier is small. More than the amount of lubricant scraped by the supply member in order to apply the lubricant.
Accordingly, the amount of lubricant scraped by the supply member to apply the lubricant to the non-charged area on the surface of the image carrier is not affected by the charging hazard, so the lubricant is applied to the charged area on the surface of the image carrier. This is less than the amount of lubricant that is scraped off by the supply member in order to apply.

  Therefore, a deviation occurs in the image carrier width direction in the amount of lubricant scraped by the supply member, and a step occurs in the image carrier width direction on the contact surface of the lubricant in contact with the supply member. If a step occurs in the width direction of the image carrier on the contact surface of the lubricant that comes into contact with the supply member, the contact of the supply member with the lubricant becomes unstable in the width direction of the image carrier, and the supply member becomes the lubricant. Cannot be scraped off well, resulting in a problem of uneven coating on the image carrier.

In order to achieve the above-described problem, a lubricant is applied to the surface of the image carrier uniformly charged by the charging member by a roller-shaped supply member having a foam layer, The area where the lubricant is applied by the supply member on the surface of the image carrier includes a charging area charged by the charging member on the surface of the image carrier, and a non-charge which is not charged by the charging member on the surface of the image carrier. In the lubricant application mechanism including the region,
The amount of lubricant scraped by the supply member to apply the lubricant to the non-charged region is larger than the amount of lubricant scraped by the supply member to apply the lubricant to the charged region. The number of the charging members is increased when no voltage is applied to the charging member.

  According to the present invention, in a lubricant application mechanism including a roller-shaped supply member having a foam layer, uneven application of the lubricant to the surface of the image carrier when a voltage is applied to the charging member is suppressed. Can do.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a color printer that is an example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. The perspective view which shows the state which opened the side cover provided in the main body case of the color printer. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration around a photoconductor included in the color printer. The graph which shows the presence or absence of the AC voltage application to a charging member, and the relationship of A / B. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing how the lubricant is scraped when an AC voltage is applied to the charging member and how the lubricant is shaved when no AC voltage is applied to the charging member. Explanatory drawing about an example of a structure of the supply member which concerns on this embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a supply member according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a lubricant according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 8A shows the configuration around the lubricant in the conventional and the lubricant application apparatus of this embodiment. FIG. 8B shows the shape of the contact surface with the lubricant supply member when viewed from the arrow I shown in FIG. FIG. 8C shows the shape of the contact surface with the lubricant supply member of this embodiment. Explanatory drawing about the structure of the conventional lubricant application apparatus. FIG. 9A shows an initial state, and FIG. 9B shows a state after change with time. Explanatory drawing about the positional relationship of the charging roller in a conventional lubricant application device, a lubricant application member, and a lubricant.

Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a color printer which is an electrophotographic image forming apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings.
First, the configuration of the color printer 1 as an example of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a color printer 1 which is an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.
In the main body case 2 of the color printer 1, a printer engine 3, an optical writing device 4 that emits a light beam, and a paper feed cassette 5 that is a recording medium storage unit that stores a recording medium P that is a transfer target are provided. ing. Further, a fixing device 6 for fixing the recording medium P to which the toner image has been transferred, a waste toner collecting container 7 for collecting waste toner generated after the toner image is transferred, and the like are also provided.

  The printer engine 3 is a part that forms a toner image and transfers the formed toner image to the recording medium P. The printer engine 3 includes four photoconductors 8 (8Y, 8C, 8M, and 8K) as image carriers, a charging roller 9 as a charging unit disposed around each photoconductor 8, a developing device 10, and a cleaning device. 11, a primary transfer roller 12, an intermediate transfer belt 13, a secondary transfer roller 14 as a transfer device, a cleaning device 15, and the like. Here, in the description of the present specification and drawings, Y, C, M, and K subscripts indicate yellow, cyan, magenta, and black colors, respectively, and these subscripts are omitted as necessary. .

The photoconductor 8 is formed in a cylindrical shape and connected to a drive motor, and rotates around a center line by a drive force from the drive motor. A photosensitive layer on which an electrostatic latent image is formed is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the photoreceptor 8.
The charging roller 9 is a charging device disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor 8. When a voltage is applied to the charging roller 9 from the power supply unit, the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor 8 is uniformly charged.
The optical writing device 4 emits a light beam corresponding to the image data, and exposes the outer peripheral surface of the uniformly charged photoreceptor 8. By this exposure, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image data is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the photoreceptor 8.
The developing device 10 supplies toner to the photoreceptor 8. The supplied toner adheres to the electrostatic latent image formed on the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor 8, and the electrostatic latent image on the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor 8 is visualized as a toner image.

The intermediate transfer belt 13 is a photoreceptor and a transfer target, and is a loop belt formed using a resin film or rubber as a base. The intermediate transfer belt 13 is wound around the drive roller 16, the entrance roller 17, and the tension roller 18, and rotates in the direction of arrow A when the drive roller 16 connected to the drive motor is driven to rotate. The entrance roller 17 and the tension roller 18 are driven to rotate by the frictional force with the intermediate transfer belt 13 as the intermediate transfer belt 13 rotates in the direction of arrow A.
The primary transfer roller 12 is disposed on the inner peripheral surface side (inside the loop) of the intermediate transfer belt 13, and a toner image on each photoconductor 8 is formed by applying a transfer voltage to the primary transfer roller 12. The image is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 13. The toner images formed on the respective photoreceptors 8 are sequentially transferred and superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 13, and a color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 13.

  The cleaning device 11 is a cleaning unit that cleans the outer peripheral surface of the photoreceptor 8 after the toner image is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 13. By this cleaning, toner, paper dust, and the like remaining on the outer peripheral surface of the photoreceptor 8 after the toner image is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 13 are collected as waste toner.

  The color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 13 is transferred to the secondary transfer roller 14 at the timing when the recording medium P is sent to the transfer position where the intermediate transfer belt 13 and the secondary transfer roller 14 are in contact with each other. When the working voltage is applied, it is transferred to the recording medium P. The recording medium P is fed from the sheet feeding cassette 5 and is conveyed by the conveyance roller 19 and the registration roller 20, and is transferred to the fixing device 6 after the toner image is transferred. The recording medium P to which the toner image has been transferred is subjected to fixing processing by applying heat and pressure in the fixing device 6, and the toner image melted by this fixing processing is fixed to the recording medium P. The recording medium P for which the fixing process has been completed is discharged onto a discharge tray 21 formed on the upper surface of the main body case 2.

The cleaning device 15 cleans the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 13 after the color toner image is transferred to the recording medium P. By this cleaning, toner, paper dust, and the like remaining on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 13 after the toner image is transferred are collected as waste toner.
The waste toner collection container 7 is a portion in which waste toner collected by the cleaning devices 11 and 15 is input from the cleaning devices 11 and 15 and the input waste toner is stored. The waste toner collection container 7 is detachably attached to the main body case 2 and is removed from the main body case 2 when the waste toner in the waste toner collection container 7 is almost full. A toner recovery container 7 is attached.

  The photosensitive member 8 that is a component of the printer engine 3, the developing device 10 disposed around each photosensitive member 8, and the cleaning device 11 are unitized and housed in the case 22, and the process cartridges 23 (23Y, 23C,. 23M, 23K). Each process cartridge 23 is detachably mounted in the main body case 2. Since the photosensitive member 8, the developing device 10, and the cleaning device 11 are unitized as a process cartridge 23, replacement and maintenance work is facilitated. Further, the positional accuracy between the members can be maintained with high accuracy, and the quality of the formed image can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, the process cartridge 23 in which the photosensitive member 8, the developing device 10, and the cleaning device 11 are unitized has been described as an example. However, the configuration of the process cartridge that can be applied to the present embodiment is described here. Not exclusively. There are various types of process cartridges, for example, a unit in which at least one of the charging roller 9, the developing device 10, and the cleaning device 11 and the photosensitive member 8 are housed in a case.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the side cover 24 provided on the main body case 2 is opened.
As shown in FIG. 2, in the color printer 1 of this embodiment, the printer engine 3 and the waste toner collection container 7 appear by opening the side cover 24, and the process cartridge 23, the intermediate transfer belt 13, and the waste toner collection are displayed. Replacement of the container 7 and other maintenance can be performed. The intermediate transfer belt 13, the rollers 16, 17, 18 and the cleaning device 15 are housed in a belt case 13a and unitized.

Next, the process cartridge 23 of this embodiment will be described.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration around the photoconductor 8 included in the color printer 1.
As shown in FIG. 3, the process cartridge 23 includes a photoconductor 8 as a photoconductor, a cleaning blade 31 (cleaning member) that removes transfer residual toner and the like adhering to the photoconductor 8, a scattering prevention sheet 32, and a transfer A powder transfer coil 33 is provided for transferring residual toner and the like. Furthermore, a lubricant application device 50 that is a lubricant application mechanism, a lubricant leveling blade 34 that applies a thin film of lubricant supplied to the photoreceptor, a charging roller 9, and a charging cleaner roller that cleans the surface of the charging roller 9 9a. These component parts of the process cartridge 23 are held directly or indirectly by the frame 30 of the process cartridge 23.

The scattering prevention sheet 32 prevents the transfer residual toner and the like scraped off by the cleaning blade 31 from scattering.
The lubricant application device 50 includes a lubricant supply roller 51 that is a supply member, a solid lubricant 52 that is a lubricant, a lubricant holding member 53 that holds the solid lubricant 52, and a solid lubricant 52 that serves as the lubricant supply roller 51. And a lubricant pressing spring 54 for pressing. The lubricant supply roller 51 is a roller-shaped supply member having a foam layer, and applies lubricant to the surface of the image carrier. The detailed configuration of the lubricant application device 50 will be described later.

  In the process cartridge 23 of the present embodiment, the lubricant is supplied to the surface of the photoconductor 8 after being cleaned by the cleaning blade 31 by the lubricant supply roller 51, so that the lubricant is not affected by foreign matters such as transfer residual toner. It becomes possible to supply the agent evenly. As a result, the lubricant can be stably supplied to the surface of the photosensitive member even under conditions of continuous output with a large image area where the transfer residual toner is the largest among the use conditions of the user. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of streak-like smear images in the paper passing direction due to defective cleaning without damaging them. That is, a high function and high reliability of cleaning can be achieved. Further, by applying the lubricant evenly on the surface of the photoconductor 8, the life of the cleaning blade can be extended.

The charging roller 9 of the present embodiment includes rollers that are gap forming means at both ends of the charging roller 9 outside the image area, and the rollers contact the photoconductor 8 to maintain a gap with the photoconductor. Yes. By applying a charging bias to the charging roller 9, the surface of the photoreceptor is uniformly charged.
Further, the lubricant leveling blade 34 in the present embodiment is configured to be in contact with the photoreceptor 8 by a trailing method. As a result, the contact surface pressure of the lubricant leveling blade 34 with respect to the photoreceptor 8 can be reduced, and the wear of the lubricant leveling blade 34 can be greatly reduced as compared with the conventional counter system.
Further, the lubricant leveling blade 34 of the present embodiment has the longitudinal tip of the lubricant leveling blade 34 facing the photoconductor in the state where the deflection due to contact with the photoconductor is not generated. Arranged toward the center. Thereby, the arrangement area of the lubricant leveling blade 34 can be reduced, and the space of the apparatus can be saved.
In the lubricant leveling blade 34 of the present embodiment, the contact method with respect to the photoconductor 8 is the trailing method, but the invention is not limited to this, and a counter method may be used as the contact method.

Next, the lubricant used in the lubricant application device 50 of this embodiment will be described in detail.
In the lubricant application device 50 shown in FIG. 3, a solid lubricant is used as the lubricant, but the lubricant applicable to the lubricant application device 50 of the present embodiment is not limited to the solid lubricant. For example, it is good also as a structure which uses a powder lubricant and a solid and a powder lubricant together.

By using the following fatty acid metal salt (A) or inorganic lubricant (B) as the lubricant, it is possible to achieve high durability, high reliability, and long life of the cleaning property.
Examples of the fatty acid metal salt (A) include barium stearate, lead stearate, iron stearate, nickel stearate, cobalt stearate, copper stearate, strontium stearate, calcium stearate, cadmium stearate, magnesium stearate, Zinc stearate, zinc oleate, magnesium oleate, iron oleate, cobalt oleate, copper oleate, lead oleate, manganese oleate, zinc palmitate, cobalt palmitate, lead palmitate, magnesium palmitate, palmitate Aluminum, calcium palmitate, lead caprylate, lead caprate, zinc linolenate, cobalt linolenate, calcium linolenate, zinc ricinoleate, cadmium ricinoleate, and mixtures thereof There are things, but not limited applicable fatty acid metal salt in the present embodiment the (A) thereto. These fatty acid metal salts (A) may be mixed and used. Among these, zinc stearate is most preferably used because it is particularly excellent in film formability on a photoreceptor.

The inorganic lubricant (B) refers to an inorganic compound that cleaves and lubricates itself or causes internal slip. Specific examples include talc, mica, boron nitride, molybdenum disulfide, tungsten disulfide, kaolin, smectite, hydrotalcite compound, calcium fluoride, graphite, plate-like alumina, sericite, and synthetic mica. However, the inorganic lubricant (B) applicable to the present embodiment is not limited to this. Among these, boron nitride is most preferably used because hexagonal mesh surfaces in which atoms are firmly combined overlap with each other at a wide interval, and the force acting between the layers is only a weak van der Waals force.
These inorganic lubricants may be subjected to surface treatment as necessary for the purpose of imparting hydrophobicity.

  Further, a larger effect can be obtained with respect to cleaning by performing a step of applying or adhering both the fatty acid metal salt (A) and the inorganic lubricant (B). Furthermore, the use of a solid lubricant formed by mixing at least boron nitride with the above-described fatty acid group provides a greater effect with respect to cleaning of the surface of the photoreceptor.

Next, the lubricant application device 50 of this embodiment will be described in detail.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of a conventional lubricant application device 150. FIG. 9A shows an initial state, and FIG. 9B shows a state after change with time.
As shown in FIG. 9A, the conventional lubricant application device 150 includes a lubricant application member 151 as a supply member for applying the lubricant to the photoreceptor, a lubricant 152, and a pressing mechanism 153. Yes. Note that the configuration of the lubricant application device 150 shown in FIG. 9 is substantially the same as the configuration of the lubricant application device according to the present embodiment, and thus the description of the same configuration is omitted.
The lubricant application member 151 is a roller-shaped supply member having a foam layer. The pressing mechanism 153 includes a pressing member 153a, a spring 153b, and a plate member 153c. One end of the pressing member 153a is pulled by the spring 153b, and the other end of the pressing member 153a receives the lubricant 152 via the plate member 153c. It presses toward the lubricant application member 151.

The ability of the roller-shaped supply member having the foam layer to scrape the lubricant is smaller than that of the supply member made of a brush-like rotating member in a situation where no AC voltage is applied to the charging member. However, the balance of the lubricant supply amount due to the charging hazard to the photosensitive member and the toner or the like serve as an abrasive to ensure the necessary amount of lubricant scraping.
As described above, in the conventional lubricant application device 150 using the roller-shaped supply member having the foam layer, the amount of lubricant scraping varies depending on the presence or absence of a charging hazard. Specifically, the smaller the influence of the charging hazard on the surface of the photoreceptor, the smaller the amount of lubricant scraped by the supply member in order to apply the lubricant to this region.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the positional relationship among the charging roller 109, the lubricant application member 151, and the lubricant 152 in the conventional lubricant application device 150.
As shown in FIG. 10, the conventional lubricant application device 150 uses a non-contact type charging roller 109 as a charging member for charging the surface of the photoreceptor. The charging roller 109 has a roller member 109a for forming a gap with the photosensitive member at the end of the roller. The roller member 109a is formed of a resin or the like, and a region α facing the roller member 109a on the surface of the photoreceptor is an uncharged region. For this reason, in the conventional lubricant application device 150, no charging hazard occurs in the area α facing the roller member 109a, which is the non-charged area on the surface of the photoreceptor.

  Further, in the conventional lubricant application device 150, since the region α facing the roller member 109a is a non-charged region, a non-charged region and a charged region are included in the lubricant application region on the surface of the photoconductor in the width direction of the photoconductor. It is. Therefore, in the width direction of the photosensitive member, the amount of the lubricant that is scraped to apply the lubricant to the opposing region α on the surface of the photosensitive member is reduced to apply the lubricant to other regions on the surface of the photosensitive member. Compared to the amount of scraping.

As a result, in the width direction of the photoconductor in the lubricant, the area scraped by the supply member to apply the lubricant to the charged area on the photoconductor surface is supplied to apply the lubricant to the non-charged area on the photoconductor surface. More than the region cut by the member, the supply member cuts more than the region cut by the time. As a result, a step is generated in the photoreceptor width direction on the contact surface with the lubricant supply member, and as shown in FIG. 9B, the contact between the lubricant 152 and the lubricant application member 151 is in the photoreceptor width direction. Becomes unstable. When the contact between the lubricant 152 and the lubricant application member 151 becomes unstable in the width direction of the photoconductor, for example, the supply to the region of the lubricant scraped by the supply member in order to apply the lubricant to the charged region on the surface of the photoconductor The contact pressure of the member may be lower than a desired range, or a location where the supply member cannot be contacted due to a step in the width direction of the photoconductor of the lubricant may occur. As a result, the supply member cannot scrape off the lubricant well, resulting in uneven coating on the photoreceptor.
Further, since the lubricant plays a role in protecting the photoconductor, if there is uneven application of the lubricant, filming or cleaning failure occurs, resulting in an abnormal image.

  In the lubricant application device 50 of the present embodiment, the amount of lubricant scraped in the width direction of the photoconductor scraped by the lubricant supply roller 51 in order to apply the solid lubricant 52 to the surface of the photoconductor 8 is as follows. Configured. That is, the amount of lubricant scraped by the lubricant supply roller 51 in order to apply the solid lubricant 52 to the area α facing the roller of the charging roller 9 which is an uncharged area on the surface of the photoreceptor 8 is determined by the surface of the photoreceptor 8. In the state where the AC voltage is not applied to the charging roller 9, the amount is larger than the amount of lubricant scraped by the lubricant supply roller 51 in order to apply the solid lubricant 52 to other regions in FIG.

  As a result, in the state where the AC voltage is applied to the charging roller 9, the lubricant scraped by the lubricant supply roller 51 compared to a lubricant application mechanism having a roller-shaped supply member having a conventional foam layer. It has been found that it is possible to eliminate the deviation of the amount in the photoconductor width direction. Thereby, in a state where an AC voltage is applied, the lubricant can be uniformly shaved in the width direction of the photoreceptor 8 by the supply member, and the supply member can be stably brought into contact with the lubricant. Therefore, it is possible to make the application of the lubricant to the image carrier in a state where the AC voltage is applied to the charging member, and the lubricant to the surface of the image carrier as compared with the conventional lubricant application device 150. Coating unevenness can be suppressed.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the presence / absence of application of an AC voltage to the charging member and B / A described later.
In order to apply the lubricant to the region (non-charged region) facing the charging roller roller portion on the surface of the photoreceptor, where A is the amount of lubricant scraped by the supply member to apply the lubricant to the charged region on the surface of the photoreceptor. Let B be the amount of lubricant scraped by the supply member.
According to experiments conducted by the present inventors, in order to reduce the deviation in the width direction of the photoconductor of the lubricant scraped by the supply member in a state where an AC voltage is applied to the charging member, the lubricant scraping amount A It was found that it is preferable to set the relationship between the amount of lubricant and the amount of lubricant scraping B as follows. That is, it was found that 1.1 ≦ B / A ≦ 1.4 is preferable in a state where no AC voltage is applied to the charging roller 9.

  The amount of lubricant scraped by the supply member in order to apply the lubricant to the charging area of the charging area on the surface of the photosensitive member in a state where no AC voltage is applied to the charging member as in a conventional lubricant application apparatus The B / A is 1 when the amount of lubricant scraped by the supply member in order to apply the lubricant to the non-charged area on the surface of the photoreceptor is uniform in the width direction of the photoreceptor. In this case, as indicated by a point a in FIG. 4, B / A was 0.7 when the AC voltage was applied to the charging member. That is, in the conventional lubricant application device, in the state where the AC voltage is applied to the charging member, the region to be applied to the charged region on the surface of the photosensitive member is the photosensitive region in the lubricant width direction. It can be seen that there are more scrapes than areas to be applied to uncharged areas on the body surface.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of how the lubricant is scraped when an AC voltage is applied to the charging member and how the lubricant is shaved when no AC voltage is applied to the charging member.
FIGS. 5A to 5D categorize the types of lubricant scraping in a state where no AC voltage is applied to the charging member into four types, and the AC voltage is applied to the charging member under the same conditions. This shows the change in how the lubricant is scraped.
In the conventional lubricant application apparatus, the amount of lubricant scraping becomes uniform in the width direction of the photosensitive member when no AC voltage is applied to the charging member. Therefore, as shown in FIG. Lubricant was evenly shaved.

However, in a state where an AC voltage is applied to the charging member, the method of scraping the lubricant in the width direction of the photoreceptor has become as follows. That is, the region scraped by the supply member to apply the lubricant to the charged region on the surface of the photoreceptor is applied to the region (non-charged region) α facing the roller of the charging roller on the surface of the photoreceptor. It has been cut more than the area cut by the supply member. As a result, a step is generated in the lubricant in the photoconductor width direction.
Further, when B / A in a state where an AC voltage is not applied to the charging member is larger than 1.4, the lubricant is scraped in the width direction of the photosensitive member as follows. That is, the area scraped by the supply member to apply the lubricant to the non-charged area on the surface of the photoconductor is scraped more than the area scraped by the supply member to apply the lubricant to the charged area of the photoconductor surface. I have. As a result, a step is generated in the lubricant in the photoconductor width direction.

  On the other hand, when B / A is 1.1 or more and 1.4 or less in the state where the AC voltage is not applied to the charging member as in the lubricant coating device of the present embodiment, the AC voltage is applied to the charging member. In this state, the lubricant was scraped in the width direction of the photoreceptor as follows. That is, as shown in FIG. 5C, the lubricant is applied to the region of the lubricant that is scraped by the supply member in order to apply the lubricant to the charged region on the surface of the photoreceptor, and the non-charged region α on the surface of the photoreceptor. In order to achieve this, the area cut by the supply member was uniformly cut. Therefore, by setting B / A to 1.1 or more and 1.4 or less, it is possible to eliminate deviations in the amount of lubricant scraping in the width direction of the photosensitive member when an AC voltage is applied to the charging member.

Next, in the lubricant application device 50 of the present embodiment, a specific method for reducing the deviation in the photoreceptor width direction of the amount of lubricant scraped by the supply member in a state where an AC voltage is applied to the charging member. The configuration will be described based on examples.
First, a configuration in which the deviation of the amount of lubricant scraped by the supply member in a state in which the AC voltage is applied to the charging member is reduced in the photoreceptor width direction by the configuration of the lubricant supply roller 51 will be described.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the lubricant supply roller 51 according to the present embodiment.
For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the lubricant scraping ability of the lubricant supply roller 51 is changed in the photoconductor width direction in a situation where no AC voltage is applied to the charging member. Specifically, the lubricant scraping ability with respect to the region α facing the roller of the charging roller 9 on the surface of the photoreceptor 8 is improved as compared with the lubricant scraping ability with respect to other regions on the surface of the photoreceptor 8.
As a result, the amount of lubricant scraped by the supply member in order to apply the lubricant to the region α facing the charging roller roller portion on the surface of the photosensitive member 8 in a state where the AC voltage is not applied to the charging roller 9, It is possible to increase the amount of lubricant scraped by the supply member in order to apply the lubricant to other regions on the surface of the body 8. Therefore, in the state where the AC voltage is applied to the charging roller 9, the deviation of the amount of lubricant scraped by the supply member in the width direction of the photoconductor can be eliminated. Can be cut evenly.

  In this way, the lubricant scraping ability for the region α facing the roller of the charging roller 9 on the surface of the photosensitive member 8 is improved as compared with the lubricant scraping ability for other regions on the surface of the photosensitive member 8. Examples include the following configurations. Examples include a configuration in which the outer diameter of the facing region α of the lubricant supply roller 51 is increased, the density is increased, the hardness is increased, and the material is changed. However, the configuration of the supply member according to the lubricant application device 50 of the present embodiment is not limited to this.

[Example 1]
A first example (hereinafter referred to as Example 1) of the lubricant device according to the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the supply member 61 according to the first embodiment.
The lubricant application device of this example is the same as the configuration described for the lubricant application device 50 of the embodiment except that the outer diameter of the supply member 61 having the foam layer is changed in the photoreceptor width direction. Therefore, the description is omitted.
The supply member 61 of this embodiment has an outer diameter h1 of a region where the lubricant is applied to a region (non-charged region) facing the charging roller roller portion on the surface of the photosensitive member, and other region (charged region) of the surface of the photosensitive member. It is larger than the outer diameter h2 of the region where the lubricant is applied.

That is, in the supply member 61 having a foam layer, the outer diameter of the region where the lubricant is applied to the non-charged region α on the surface of the photoconductor 8 is C, and the region where the lubricant is applied to the other region of the surface of the photoconductor 8. The outer diameter is D. In this case, the supply member 61 of this embodiment satisfies the relationship C / D> 1.
The supply member having the foam layer has a larger contact area per unit length with the lubricant as the outer diameter thereof becomes larger, and the larger the contact area per unit length with the lubricant, the more the amount of the lubricant is scraped. Become more. Therefore, in the lubricant application device according to the present embodiment, the supply member is used to apply the lubricant to the region α facing the charging roller roller portion on the surface of the photosensitive member 8 in a state where the AC voltage is not applied to the charging roller 9. The amount of the lubricant scraped by the step can be made larger than the amount of the lubricant scraped by the supply member in order to apply the lubricant to other regions on the surface of the photoreceptor 8.

  According to experiments conducted by the present inventors, it was found that when C / D is larger than 1 and smaller than 1.05, the lubricant is scraped as follows. That is, as shown in FIG. 5B, in the state in which the AC voltage is applied to the charging member, the lubricant is applied to the charged area on the surface of the photoreceptor in the area of the lubricant in the width direction of the photoreceptor. In addition, it was found that the area cut by the supply member was cut more than the area applied to the non-charged area on the surface of the photoreceptor. However, even in this case, the conventional lubricant application device shown in FIG. 5A, that is, the lubricant application amount in which the lubricant scraping amount is uniform in the width direction of the photosensitive member when no AC voltage is applied to the charging member. Compared with the method of scraping the lubricant in the apparatus, the deviation of the amount of lubricant scraped in the width direction of the photoreceptor when an AC voltage is applied can be reduced.

  Moreover, when C / D was larger than 1.2, it turned out that a lubricant is shaved as follows. That is, as shown in FIG. 5D, in the state in which the AC voltage is applied to the charging member, the lubricant is applied to the non-charged area on the surface of the photoreceptor in the area of the lubricant in the width direction of the photoreceptor. Therefore, it has been found that the area cut by the supply member is cut more than the area cut by the supply member in order to apply the lubricant to the charged area on the surface of the photoreceptor. However, even in this case, the deviation of the lubricant scraping amount in the width direction of the photosensitive member can be reduced as compared with the method of scraping the lubricant in the conventional lubricant applying apparatus shown in FIG.

  Furthermore, it was found that when C / D is 1.05 or more and 1.2 or less, the lubricant is scraped as follows. That is, as shown in FIG. 5C, it has been found that the amount of lubricant scraping when the AC voltage is applied to the charging member is uniform in the width direction of the photoreceptor. Thus, in a state where an AC voltage is applied to the charging member, the lubricant can be evenly shaved in the width direction of the photoreceptor 8 by the supply member, and the supply member can be stably brought into contact with the lubricant. it can. For this reason, uneven application of the lubricant to the photoreceptor can be eliminated. Therefore, C / D in the supply member 61 of the present embodiment is preferably 1.05 or more and 1.2 or less.

[Example 2]
A second example (hereinafter referred to as Example 2) of the lubricant device according to the present embodiment will be described.
The lubricant application device of the present example is the same as the configuration described for the lubricant application device 50 of the embodiment except that the hardness of the supply member having the foam layer is changed in the width direction of the photoreceptor. The description is omitted.
In the supply member of this embodiment, the hardness of the area where the lubricant is applied to the non-charged area on the surface of the photoconductor is made larger than the hardness of the area where the lubricant is applied to the other area of the photoconductor surface. .

That is, in the supply member having the foamed body layer, the hardness of the region where the lubricant is applied to the non-charged region on the surface of the photoreceptor is E, and the hardness of the region where the lubricant is applied to the other region of the photoreceptor surface is F. In this case, the hardness of the lubricant supply roller 51 of this embodiment satisfies the relationship of E / F> 1.
The supply member having the foam layer has a higher amount of scraping the lubricant as its hardness is higher. Therefore, in the lubricant application device of this embodiment, the lubricant scraped by the supply member in order to apply the lubricant to the non-charged area on the surface of the photosensitive member 8 in a state where the AC voltage is not applied to the charging roller 9. The scraping amount can be made larger than the lubricant scraping amount scraped by the supply member in order to apply the lubricant to other regions on the surface of the photoreceptor 8.

  According to experiments conducted by the present inventors, it was found that when E / F is larger than 1 and smaller than 1.1, the lubricant is scraped as follows. That is, as shown in FIG. 5B, in the state in which the AC voltage is applied to the charging member, the lubricant is applied to the charged area on the surface of the photoreceptor in the area of the lubricant in the width direction of the photoreceptor. In addition, it was found that the area cut by the supply member was cut more than the area applied to the non-charged area on the surface of the photoreceptor. However, even in this case, the deviation of the amount of lubricant scraping in the width direction of the photoconductor in the state where the AC voltage is applied, as compared with the method of scraping the lubricant in the conventional lubricant coating apparatus shown in FIG. Was able to be reduced.

  Moreover, when E / F was larger than 1.4, it turned out that a lubricant is shaved as follows. That is, as shown in FIG. 5D, in the state in which the AC voltage is applied to the charging member, the lubricant is applied to the non-charged area on the surface of the photoreceptor in the area of the lubricant in the width direction of the photoreceptor. Therefore, it has been found that the area cut by the supply member is cut more than the area cut by the supply member in order to apply the lubricant to the charged area on the surface of the photoreceptor. However, even in this case, the deviation of the lubricant scraping amount in the photoconductor width direction can be reduced as compared with the method of scraping the lubricant in the conventional lubricant applying apparatus shown in FIG.

  Furthermore, it was found that when E / F is 1.1 or more and 1.4 or less, the lubricant is scraped as follows. That is, as shown in FIG. 5C, it has been found that the amount of lubricant scraping when the AC voltage is applied to the charging member is uniform in the width direction of the photoreceptor. Thereby, in a state where an AC voltage is applied to the charging member, the lubricant can be evenly shaved in the width direction of the photoreceptor 8 by the supply member, and the supply member can be stably brought into contact with the lubricant. Can do. For this reason, uneven application of the lubricant to the photoreceptor can be eliminated. Therefore, it is preferable that E / F in the supply member of a present Example is 1.1 or more and 1.4 or less.

[Example 3]
A third example (hereinafter, referred to as Example 3) of the lubricant device according to the present embodiment will be described.
The lubricant application device of the present example is the same as the configuration described for the lubricant application device 50 of the embodiment except that the density of the supply member having the foam layer is changed in the photoreceptor width direction. Description is omitted.
In the supply member of this embodiment, the density [kg / m ³ ] of the region where the lubricant is applied to the non-charged region on the surface of the photoreceptor in the supply member, and the region where the lubricant is applied to other regions on the surface of the photoreceptor The density [kg / m ³ ] is increased.

That is, the density [kg / m ³ ] of the area where the lubricant is applied to the non-charged area on the surface of the photoreceptor in the supply member having the foam layer is G, and the area where the lubricant is applied to other areas of the photoreceptor surface The density [kg / m ³ ] of H is defined as H. In this case, the supply member of the present embodiment satisfies the relationship of G / H> 1.
The supply member having the foam layer has a higher amount of scraping the lubricant as its density is higher. Therefore, in the lubricant application device of the present embodiment, the amount of lubricant scraping with respect to the region α facing the charging roller roller portion on the surface of the photosensitive member 8 in a state where the AC voltage is not applied to the charging roller 9 is determined as the photosensitive member 8. It is possible to make the amount of lubricant scraping larger than that for other regions on the surface.

  According to experiments conducted by the present inventors, it was found that when G / H is larger than 1 and smaller than 1.1, the lubricant is scraped as follows. That is, as shown in FIG. 5B, in the state in which the AC voltage is applied to the charging member, the lubricant is applied to the charged area on the surface of the photoreceptor in the area of the lubricant in the width direction of the photoreceptor. In addition, it was found that the area cut by the supply member was cut more than the area applied to the non-charged area on the surface of the photoreceptor. However, even in this case, the deviation of the amount of lubricant scraping in the width direction of the photoconductor in the state where the AC voltage is applied, as compared with the method of scraping the lubricant in the conventional lubricant coating apparatus shown in FIG. Was able to be reduced.

  Moreover, when G / H was larger than 1.4, it turned out that a lubricant is shaved as follows. That is, as shown in FIG. 5D, in the state in which the AC voltage is applied to the charging member, the lubricant is applied to the non-charged area on the surface of the photoreceptor in the area of the lubricant in the width direction of the photoreceptor. Therefore, it has been found that the area cut by the supply member is cut more than the area cut by the supply member in order to apply the lubricant to the charged area on the surface of the photoreceptor. However, even in this case, the deviation of the lubricant scraping amount in the photoconductor width direction can be reduced as compared with the method of scraping the lubricant in the conventional lubricant applying apparatus shown in FIG.

  Furthermore, it was found that when G / H is 1.1 or more and 1.4 or less, the lubricant is scraped as follows. As shown in FIG. 5C, it was found that the amount of lubricant scraping in a state where an AC voltage is applied to the charging member is uniform in the width direction of the photoreceptor. Thereby, in a state where an AC voltage is applied to the charging member, the lubricant can be evenly shaved in the width direction of the photoreceptor 8 by the supply member, and the supply member can be stably brought into contact with the lubricant. Can do. For this reason, uneven application of the lubricant to the photoreceptor can be eliminated. Therefore, it is preferable that G / H in the supply member of the present embodiment is 1.1 or more and 1.4 or less.

  In the first to third embodiments, the configuration in which the outer diameter, hardness, and density of the supply member are changed has been described. However, the configuration of the supply member according to the present embodiment is not limited to this. For example, it is good also as a structure which combined the change of the outer diameter, hardness, and density.

Next, a configuration in which the deviation of the amount of lubricant scraped by the supply member in a state where an AC voltage is applied to the charging member by the configuration of the solid lubricant 52 is reduced will be described.
The configuration for reducing the deviation of the amount of lubricant scraping between the non-charged region and the charged region in a state where no AC voltage is applied to the charging roller 9 is not limited to the configuration described in the first to third embodiments. For example, in the configuration of the lubricant, the region of the lubricant in the width direction of the photoconductor that is scraped by the supply member in order to apply the lubricant to the roller portion that is an uncharged region on the surface of the photoconductor It is good also as a structure which is easy to scrape compared with the area | region shaved by a supply member in order to apply | coat a lubricant to.

[Example 4]
A fourth example (hereinafter, referred to as Example 4) of the lubricant device according to the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the lubricant 62 according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 8A shows the configuration around the lubricant in the conventional lubricant applicator and in the present embodiment. FIG. 8B shows the shape of the contact surface with the lubricant supply member when viewed from the arrow I shown in FIG. 8A. FIG. 8C shows the present embodiment. The shape of the contact surface with the supply member of an example lubricant is shown.
As shown in FIG. 8B, the supply member of the lubricant 152 provided in the conventional lubricant application device has a length H in the rotation direction of the supply member on the contact surface 152a with the supply member of the lubricant. It is constant at.

The lubricant application apparatus according to the present embodiment is different from the lubricant application apparatus according to the embodiment except that the length of the contact surface 62a of the lubricant 62 in contact with the supply member is changed in the width direction of the photosensitive member. Since it is the same as the structure demonstrated about 50, the description is abbreviate | omitted.
Further, as shown in FIG. 8A, the lubricant application device of the present embodiment includes a pressing mechanism 63, and the lubricant 62 is pressed toward the supply member by the pressing mechanism 63. The configuration of the pressing mechanism 63 is the same as the configuration of the conventional pressing mechanism 153 described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 8C, the lubricant 62 of this embodiment is a supply member for applying the lubricant to the non-charged region α on the surface of the photoreceptor among the region of the lubricant 62 in the photoreceptor width direction. The length h3 of the region scraped by the supply member in the rotation direction of the supply member is shorter than the length h4 of the region scraped by the supply member in order to apply the lubricant to the other region of the photoreceptor surface. doing.
That is, in the lubricant 62, the length of the region in the rotating direction of the supply member that is scraped in order to apply the lubricant to the non-charged region α on the surface of the photoreceptor is I, and the lubricant is applied to other regions on the surface of the photoreceptor. Therefore, when the length of the region cut by the supply member in the supply member rotation direction is J, the lubricant 62 of this embodiment satisfies the relationship of I / J <1.

When the force with which the lubricant is pressed toward the supply member is constant in the width direction of the photosensitive member, the shorter the length in the rotation direction of the supply member on the contact surface with the lubricant supply member, the more the supply member The contact pressure per unit length increases. Therefore, in the lubricant 62 of this embodiment, the amount of lubricant scraped by the supply member in the region where the length in the supply member rotation direction is short is reduced by the supply member in the region where the length in the supply member rotation direction is long. Increased compared to the amount of lubricant scraping.
Therefore, in the lubricant application device according to the present embodiment, the supply member is used to apply the lubricant to the region α facing the charging roller roller portion on the surface of the photosensitive member 8 in a state where the AC voltage is not applied to the charging roller 9. The amount of the lubricant scraped by the step can be made larger than the amount of the lubricant scraped by the supply member in order to apply the lubricant to other regions on the surface of the photoreceptor 8.

  According to experiments conducted by the present inventors, it was found that when I / J is smaller than 1 and larger than 0.9, the lubricant is scraped as follows. That is, as shown in FIG. 5B, in the state in which the AC voltage is applied to the charging member, the lubricant is applied to the charged area on the surface of the photoreceptor in the area of the lubricant in the width direction of the photoreceptor. In addition, it was found that the area cut by the supply member was cut more than the area applied to the non-charged area on the surface of the photoreceptor. However, even in this case, the deviation of the amount of lubricant scraping in the width direction of the photoconductor in the state where the AC voltage is applied, as compared with the method of scraping the lubricant in the conventional lubricant coating apparatus shown in FIG. Was able to be reduced.

  Further, it was found that when I / J is less than 0.7, the lubricant is scraped as follows. That is, as shown in FIG. 5D, in the state in which the AC voltage is applied to the charging member, the lubricant is applied to the non-charged area on the surface of the photoreceptor in the area of the lubricant in the width direction of the photoreceptor. Therefore, it has been found that the area cut by the supply member is cut more than the area cut by the supply member in order to apply the lubricant to the charged area on the surface of the photoreceptor. However, even in this case, the deviation of the lubricant scraping amount in the photoconductor width direction can be reduced as compared with the method of scraping the lubricant in the conventional lubricant applying apparatus shown in FIG.

  Furthermore, it was found that when I / J is 0.7 or more and 0.9 or less, the lubricant is scraped as follows. That is, as shown in FIG. 5C, it has been found that the amount of lubricant scraping when the AC voltage is applied to the charging member is uniform in the width direction of the photoreceptor. Thereby, in a state where an AC voltage is applied to the charging member, the lubricant can be evenly shaved in the width direction of the photoreceptor 8 by the supply member, and the supply member can be stably brought into contact with the lubricant. Can do. For this reason, it is preferable that I / J in the lubricant of the present embodiment is 0.7 or more and 0.9 or less.

[Example 5]
A fifth example (hereinafter referred to as Example 5) of the present embodiment will be described.
The lubricant application device of the present example is the same as the configuration described for the lubricant application device 50 of the embodiment except that the density of the lubricant is changed in the photoreceptor width direction, and thus the description thereof is omitted.
The lubricant of the present embodiment has the density of the region of the lubricant 62 in the width direction of the photoconductor that is scraped by the supply member in order to apply the lubricant to the non-charged region of the photoconductor surface. The density is reduced compared with the density of the area cut by the supply member in order to apply the lubricant to other areas.
That is, in the lubricant, the density of the region scraped by the supply member for applying the lubricant to the non-charged region α on the surface of the photoconductor is K, and the supply member for applying the lubricant to other regions of the photoconductor surface When the density of the region to be scraped by L is L, the lubricant of this example satisfies the relationship of K / L <1.

  The smaller the density of the lubricant, the easier it is to be scraped by the supply member. For this reason, in the lubricant of the present embodiment, the amount of the lubricant scraped by the supply member in the low density region increases compared to the amount of the lubricant scraped by the supply member in the higher density region. Therefore, in the lubricant application device according to the present embodiment, the supply member is used to apply the lubricant to the region α facing the charging roller roller portion on the surface of the photosensitive member 8 in a state where the AC voltage is not applied to the charging roller 9. The amount of the lubricant scraped by the step can be made larger than the amount of the lubricant scraped by the supply member in order to apply the lubricant to other regions on the surface of the photoreceptor 8.

  According to experiments conducted by the present inventors, it was found that when K / L is smaller than 1 and larger than 0.95, the lubricant is scraped as follows. That is, as shown in FIG. 5B, in the state in which the AC voltage is applied to the charging member, the lubricant is applied to the charged area on the surface of the photoreceptor in the area of the lubricant in the width direction of the photoreceptor. In addition, it was found that the area cut by the supply member was cut more than the area applied to the non-charged area on the surface of the photoreceptor. However, even in this case, the deviation of the amount of lubricant scraping in the width direction of the photoconductor in the state where the AC voltage is applied, as compared with the method of scraping the lubricant in the conventional lubricant coating apparatus shown in FIG. Was able to be reduced.

  Further, it was found that when K / L is smaller than 0.9, the lubricant is scraped as follows. That is, as shown in FIG. 5D, in the state in which the AC voltage is applied to the charging member, the lubricant is applied to the non-charged area on the surface of the photoreceptor in the area of the lubricant in the width direction of the photoreceptor. Therefore, it has been found that the area cut by the supply member is cut more than the area cut by the supply member in order to apply the lubricant to the charged area on the surface of the photoreceptor. However, even in this case, the deviation of the lubricant scraping amount in the photoconductor width direction can be reduced as compared with the method of scraping the lubricant in the conventional lubricant applying apparatus shown in FIG.

  Furthermore, it was found that when K / L is 0.9 or more and 0.95 or less, the lubricant is scraped as follows. That is, as shown in FIG. 5C, it has been found that the amount of lubricant scraping when the AC voltage is applied to the charging member is uniform in the width direction of the photoreceptor. Thereby, in a state where an AC voltage is applied to the charging member, the lubricant can be evenly shaved in the width direction of the photoreceptor 8 by the supply member, and the supply member can be stably brought into contact with the lubricant. Can do. For this reason, K / L in the lubricant of the present embodiment is preferably 0.9 or more and 0.95 or less.

In Examples 4 and 5, the configurations in which the density of the lubricant and the length in the rotation direction of the supply member are changed in the width direction of the photosensitive member have been described. However, the configuration of the lubricant according to the present embodiment is not limited thereto. Not exclusively. For example, a configuration in which changes in the density of the lubricant and the length in the rotation direction of the supply member are combined in the photoreceptor width direction may be employed.
Also, by changing the prescription of the region of the lubricant in the width direction of the photoconductor that is scraped by the supply member in order to apply the lubricant to the non-charged region on the surface of the photoconductor, Compared with the area cut by the supply member in order to apply the lubricant, it may be easy to cut.

In addition, as a configuration of the lubricant application device according to the present embodiment, a configuration in which the outer diameter, hardness, and density of the supply member are changed in the photoreceptor width direction described in Examples 1 to 3, and Example 4, 5 may be used in combination with the configuration in which the density of the lubricant and the length in the rotation direction of the supply member are each changed in the width direction of the photoconductor described in the item 5.
In addition, by using the lubricant application device of this embodiment in an image forming apparatus, it is possible to apply the lubricant uniformly to the photoconductor in the width direction of the photoconductor while efficiently applying the lubricant to the photoconductor. it can. As a result, it is possible to prevent filming due to uneven application of the lubricant on the surface of the photoreceptor, cleaning failure, and the like, and provide a high-quality image.

What was demonstrated above is an example, and there exists an effect peculiar for every following aspect.
(Aspect A)
Lubrication of the solid lubricant 52 and the like by a supply member such as a roller-like lubricant supply roller 51 having a foam layer on the surface of the image carrier such as the photoreceptor 8 that is uniformly charged by the charging member such as the charging roller 9. A region where the lubricant is applied by the supply member on the surface of the image carrier, a charging region charged by the charging member on the surface of the image carrier, and the charging on the surface of the image carrier. In a lubricant application mechanism such as the lubricant application device 50 including a non-charged region that is not charged by a member, the amount of lubricant scraped by the supply member to apply the lubricant to the non-charged region More than the amount of lubricant scraped by the supply member in order to apply the lubricant to the region, it was increased in a state where no voltage was applied to the charging member. And wherein the door.

  In this aspect, as described in the embodiment, in the state where a voltage is applied to the charging member, as compared with a conventional lubricant application mechanism having a roller-shaped supply member having a foam layer, the image carrier It is possible to reduce the deviation in the image carrier width direction of the amount of lubricant scraped by the supply member in order to apply the lubricant to the surface. Thereby, in a state where an AC voltage is applied, the lubricant can be uniformly shaved in the width direction of the photoreceptor 8 by the supply member, and the supply member can be stably brought into contact with the lubricant. Accordingly, it is possible to make uniform the application of the lubricant to the photosensitive member 8 in a state where the AC voltage is applied to the charging roller 9, and to suppress uneven application of the lubricant to the surface of the image carrier.

(Aspect B)
In the aspect A, the charging member such as the charging roller 9 has a gap forming means such as a roller member to which a voltage including an AC component is applied and forms a predetermined gap with the image carrier, and the image carrier The surface of the image carrier is uniformly charged in non-contact with the body, and a region such as a facing region α facing the gap forming unit on the surface of the image carrier is the non-charged region. And

In this aspect, as described in the embodiment, the supply member is used to apply the lubricant to the area α facing the charging roller roller portion on the surface of the photosensitive member 8 in a state where the AC voltage is applied to the charging roller 9. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate a deviation between the amount of the lubricant scraped by the above and the amount of the lubricant scraped by the supply member in order to apply the lubricant to the charged region on the surface of the photoconductor 8.
Thus, the lubricant can be evenly shaved in the width direction of the photoconductor 8 by the supply member in a state where the AC voltage is applied, and the supply member can be stably brought into contact with the lubricant. Accordingly, it is possible to make uniform the application of the lubricant to the photosensitive member 8 in a state where the AC voltage is applied to the charging roller 9, and to suppress uneven application of the lubricant to the surface of the image carrier.

(Aspect C)
In the aspect B, the amount of lubricant scraped by the supply member to apply the lubricant to the charged region on the surface of the image carrier such as the photoconductor 8 is A, the facing region α on the surface of the image carrier, etc. When the amount of lubricant scraped by the supply member to apply the lubricant to the non-charged region is B, 1.1 ≦ B / A in a state where no voltage is applied to the charging member. The relationship of ≦ 1.4 is satisfied.

In this aspect, as described in the above embodiment, it is possible to reduce the deviation of the lubricant scraping amount in the width direction of the photosensitive member 8 in a state where the AC voltage is applied to the charging member.
When the AC voltage is not applied to the charging member and B / A is 1, when the AC voltage is applied to the charging member, the method of scraping the lubricant in the width direction of the photosensitive member is as follows. Oops. That is, the region scraped by the supply member to apply the lubricant to the charged region on the surface of the photoreceptor is applied to the region (non-charged region) α facing the roller of the charging roller on the surface of the photoreceptor. It has been cut more than the area cut by the supply member. Further, when B / A in a state where an AC voltage is not applied to the charging member is larger than 1.4, the lubricant is scraped in the width direction of the photosensitive member as follows. That is, the area scraped by the supply member to apply the lubricant to the non-charged area on the surface of the photoconductor is scraped more than the area scraped by the supply member to apply the lubricant to the charged area of the photoconductor surface. I have.

(Aspect D)
In the aspect B or the aspect C, the outer diameter such as the outer diameter h1 of the region where the lubricant is applied to the non-charged region of the surface of the image carrier such as the photosensitive member 8 in the supply member such as the supply member 61 is defined as C. When the outer diameter such as the outer diameter h2 of the region where the lubricant is applied to other regions on the surface of the image carrier is D, the relationship of C / D> 1 is satisfied.

  In this aspect, as described in the first embodiment, the non-charged area on the surface of the image carrier in the supply member is larger than the outer diameter of the area where the lubricant is applied to the charged area on the surface of the image carrier in the supply member. It becomes possible to increase the outer diameter of the region where the lubricant is applied. A supply member having a foam layer has a larger contact area per unit length with the lubricant as its outer diameter increases, and lubrication that is scraped by the supply member as the contact area per unit length with the lubricant increases. The amount of agent sharpening increases. Therefore, in a state where the AC voltage is not applied to the charging roller 9, the amount of lubricant scraped by the supply member in order to apply the lubricant to the region α facing the charging roller roller portion on the surface of the photosensitive member 8 is determined by the photosensitive member. It is possible to increase the amount of lubricant scraped by the supply member in order to apply the lubricant to other regions on the surface.

(Aspect E)
In any one of the aspects BD, the hardness of the region where the lubricant is applied to the non-charged region of the surface of the image carrier in the supply member is E, and the region other than the region of the image carrier is the surface of the image carrier. When the hardness of the region where the lubricant is applied is F, the relationship of E / F> 1 is satisfied.

  In this embodiment, as described in the second embodiment, the lubricant is applied to the non-charged area of the image carrier surface of the supply member, rather than the hardness of the area where the lubricant is applied to the charged area of the image carrier surface of the supply member. It is possible to increase the hardness of the region where the coating is applied. The supply member having the foam layer has a higher amount of scraping the lubricant as its hardness is higher. Therefore, in a state where the AC voltage is not applied to the charging roller 9, the amount of lubricant scraped by the supply member in order to apply the lubricant to the region α facing the charging roller roller portion on the surface of the photosensitive member 8 is determined by the photosensitive member. It is possible to increase the amount of lubricant scraped by the supply member in order to apply the lubricant to other regions on the surface.

(Aspect F)
In any one of the aspects B to E, the density of the region where the lubricant is applied to the uncharged region on the surface of the image carrier in the supply member is set to G, and the density of the region other than the surface of the image carrier is When the density of the region where the lubricant is applied is H, the relationship of G / H> 1 is satisfied.

  In this aspect, as described in the third embodiment, the lubricant is applied to the non-charged area on the surface of the image carrier on the supply member rather than the density of the area where the lubricant is applied to the charged area on the surface of the image carrier on the supply member. It is possible to increase the density of the region where the coating is applied. The supply member having the foam layer has a higher amount of scraping the lubricant as its density is higher. Therefore, in a state where no voltage is applied to the charging member, the amount of lubricant scraped by the supply member in order to apply the lubricant to the non-charged region on the surface of the image carrier is reduced to the charged region on the surface of the image carrier. The amount of lubricant can be larger than the amount of lubricant scraped by the supply member in order to apply the lubricant.

(Aspect G)
In any one of the aspects B to F, the lubricant is applied to the non-charged area of the surface of the image carrier on the contact surface such as the contact surface 62a of the lubricant such as the lubricant 62 with the supply member. In order to achieve this, the length in the rotation direction of the supply member, such as the length h3 of the region cut by the supply member, is set to I, and the supply member is used to apply the lubricant to other regions on the surface of the image carrier. When the length in the rotation direction of the supply member, such as the length h4 of the region to be formed, is J, the relationship of I / J <1 is satisfied.

In this aspect, as described in the fourth embodiment, the region of the contact surface 62a of the lubricant 62 with the supply member that is scraped by the supply member in order to apply the lubricant to the non-charged region on the surface of the image carrier. The length h3 in the rotation direction of the supply member can be made shorter than the length h4 in the rotation direction of the supply member in the region scraped by the supply member in order to apply the lubricant to the charged region on the surface of the image carrier.
When the force with which the lubricant is pressed toward the supply member is constant in the width direction of the photosensitive member, the supply surface of the contact surface 62a of the lubricant 62 with the supply member is shorter in the supply member rotation direction. The contact pressure per unit length with the member increases. Therefore, in the lubricant 62 of this embodiment, the amount of lubricant scraped by the supply member in the region where the length in the supply member rotation direction is short is reduced by the supply member in the region where the length in the supply member rotation direction is long. Increased compared to the amount of lubricant scraping.
Therefore, in a state where no voltage is applied to the charging member, the amount of lubricant scraped by the supply member in order to apply the lubricant to the non-charged region on the surface of the image carrier is reduced to the charged region on the surface of the image carrier. The amount of lubricant can be larger than the amount of lubricant scraped by the supply member in order to apply the lubricant.

(Aspect H)
In any one of the aspects B to G, the density of an area scraped by the supply member for applying the lubricant to the uncharged area on the surface of the image carrier in the lubricant is K, and the image carrier The relationship of K / L <1 is satisfied, where L is the density of the region scraped by the supply member in order to apply the lubricant to other regions on the body surface.
The smaller the density of the lubricant, the easier it is to be scraped by the supply member. For this reason, in this aspect, as described in Example 5 above, the amount of lubricant scraped in the region where the lubricant density is low increases compared to the amount of lubricant scraped in the region where the density is higher. Accordingly, in a state where no voltage is applied to the charging roller 9, the amount of lubricant scraped by the supply member to apply the lubricant to the non-charged region on the surface of the image carrier is set to the charged region on the surface of the image carrier. The amount of lubricant scraped by the supply member in order to apply the lubricant can be increased.

(Aspect I)
A charging unit such as a charging roller 9 for uniformly charging the surface of the image carrier, a lubricant supply unit for supplying a lubricant to the surface of the image carrier, and a cleaning device for cleaning the surface of the image carrier In an image forming apparatus such as a color printer 1 provided with a cleaning unit 11 or the like, the lubricant application mechanism according to any one of modes A to H is used as the lubricant supply unit.
In this embodiment, the lubricant can be uniformly applied to the photoreceptor along the length of the lubricant while efficiently applying the lubricant to the photoreceptor. For this reason, it is possible to prevent filming due to uneven application of lubricant on the surface of the photoreceptor, cleaning failure, and the like, and to provide a high-quality image. In addition, the photoreceptor can be protected with a lubricant.

(Aspect J)
A color provided with a lubricant application mechanism such as a lubricant application device 50 for applying a lubricant such as a solid lubricant 52 to the surface of an image carrier such as a photoreceptor 8 that is uniformly charged by a charging means such as a charging roller 9. Used in an image forming apparatus such as a printer 1 and configured so that at least the charging unit and the lubricant supply unit are held by a common holding body as a unit and can be integrally attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body. In the process cartridge such as the process cartridge 23, the lubricant supply mechanism according to any one of the aspects A to H is used as the lubricant supply means.
In this aspect, since the maintenance parts can be replaced by a single operation, the replacement and maintenance operations are facilitated, and the maintainability of the image forming apparatus can be improved.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Color printer 8 Photoconductor 9 Charging roller 10 Developing device 11 Cleaning device 23 Process cartridge 50 Lubricant application device 51 Lubricant supply roller 52 Solid lubricant 54 Lubricant pressing spring 61 Supply member 62 according to Example 1 Example 4 Lubricants h1, h2 supply member outer diameters h3, h4 Lubricant supply member length α in the rotation direction of the photosensitive member surface Area facing the roller member (non-charged area)

JP 2012-177882 A

Claims (10)

  A region in which the lubricant is applied to the surface of the image carrier uniformly charged by the charging member by a roller-like supply member having a foam layer, and the lubricant is applied to the surface of the image carrier by the supply member In a lubricant application mechanism including a charged region charged by the charging member on the surface of the image carrier and a non-charged region not charged by the charging member on the surface of the image carrier, the lubricant is applied to the non-charged region. The voltage applied to the charging member is greater than the amount of lubricant scraped by the supply member to apply the agent, and the amount of lubricant scraped by the supply member to apply the lubricant to the charging region. Lubricant application mechanism characterized in that it is increased in a state where it is not applied.   2. The lubricant application mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the charging member includes a gap forming unit configured to form a predetermined gap with the image carrier, to which a voltage including an AC component is applied. A lubricant coating mechanism characterized in that the surface of the image carrier is uniformly charged in a non-contact manner, and a region facing the gap forming means on the surface of the image carrier is the non-charged region. .   3. The lubricant application mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the amount of lubricant scraped by the supply member to apply the lubricant to the charged region of the surface of the image carrier is A, and the surface of the image carrier is When the amount of lubricant scraped by the supply member to apply the lubricant to the non-charged region is B, 1.1 ≦ B / A ≦ 1 in a state where no voltage is applied to the charging member. A lubricant application mechanism satisfying the relationship .4.   4. The lubricant application mechanism according to claim 1, wherein an outer diameter of a region where the lubricant is applied to the non-charged region on the surface of the image carrier in the supply member is C, and the image carrier is provided. A lubricant application mechanism characterized by satisfying a relationship of C / D> 1, where D is an outer diameter of a region where the lubricant is applied to another region of the surface.   5. The lubricant application mechanism according to claim 1, wherein E is a hardness of a region where the lubricant is applied to the non-charged region of the surface of the image carrier in the supply member, and the surface of the image carrier. A lubricant application mechanism satisfying a relationship of E / F> 1, where F is a hardness of a region where the lubricant is applied to another region.   6. The lubricant application mechanism according to claim 1, wherein G is a density of a region where the lubricant is applied to the non-charged region of the surface of the image carrier in the supply member, and the surface of the image carrier. A lubricant application mechanism satisfying a relationship of G / H> 1, where H is a density of a region where the lubricant is applied to another region.   The lubricant application mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the lubricant is applied to the non-charged area of the surface of the image carrier on the contact surface of the lubricant with the supply member. The length in the rotation direction of the supply member in the region cut by the supply member is I, and the length in the rotation direction of the supply member in the region cut by the supply member in order to apply the lubricant to other regions on the surface of the image carrier. A lubricant application mechanism that satisfies a relationship of I / J <1, where J is a thickness.   The lubricant application mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a density of an area of the lubricant that is scraped by the supply member to apply the lubricant to the charged area on the surface of the image carrier is set. K, where the density of an area scraped by the supply member to apply the lubricant to the non-charged area of the image carrier in the lubricant is L, and the relationship of K / L <1 is satisfied. Lubricant application mechanism.   Image formation comprising charging means for uniformly charging the surface of the image carrier, lubricant supply means for supplying a lubricant to the surface of the image carrier, and cleaning means for cleaning the surface of the image carrier 9. An image forming apparatus using the lubricant application mechanism according to claim 1 as the lubricant supply unit.   Used in an image forming apparatus having a lubricant application mechanism for applying a lubricant to the surface of an image carrier uniformly charged by a charging means, and at least the charging means and the lubricant supply means are shared as one unit. A process cartridge that is held by a holding body and is detachable integrally with the image forming apparatus main body, wherein the lubricant supply mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 8 is used as the lubricant supply means. Process cartridge characterized by.

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