JP2018151593A - Image forming apparatus, method of detecting service life of discharging member, and management system of image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus which removes charges remaining in a recording medium with a toner image transferred thereon by means of a discharging member, while detecting service life of the discharging member properly.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus A1 removes charges remaining in a recording medium S with a toner image transferred thereon by a transfer member 23 by means of a discharging member 27. A voltage value or current value to be detected between the transfer member and the discharging member by detection means 232, 273 when a predetermined voltage or current is applied to the transfer member while the discharging member is controlled in a first potential state, is defined as a first detection value. A voltage value or current value to be detected between the transfer member and the discharging member by the detection means when a predetermined voltage or current is applied to the transfer member while the discharging member is controlled in a second potential state, is defined as a second detection value. The first detection value and the second detection value are compared with each other, to detect service life of the discharging member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an image in which a toner image formed on an image carrier is transferred to a recording medium by a transfer member, and then a residual charge in the recording medium after the toner image is transferred is discharged by a charge removing member. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a forming apparatus, a method for detecting the life of a charge removal member used in the image forming apparatus, and a management system in such an image forming apparatus. In particular, the present invention is characterized in that the service life of the neutralizing member used in the image forming apparatus as described above is appropriately detected and appropriate measures can be taken.

  Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, and a composite machine of these, an image bearing member such as a photosensitive member on which a toner image is formed or an intermediate transfer belt onto which a toner image is transferred from the photosensitive member. The toner image formed on the image carrier is transferred to a recording medium by a transfer member.

  Here, in transferring the toner image formed on the image carrier onto the recording medium by the transfer member, the toner image is transferred to the recording medium by applying a transfer bias to the transfer member. The recording medium after the image is transferred is charged by the transfer bias.

  After the toner image is transferred to the recording medium in this way, if the recording medium is excessively charged, the recording medium is discharged when it comes into contact with the guide in the conveyance path in the image forming apparatus. There has been a problem that unfixed toner is scattered from the recording medium and the image quality is deteriorated or the surroundings are stained. In addition, an electric charge may move from the recording medium to a fixing roller or the like, causing unnecessary charging, and electrostatic offset may occur. Further, the recording medium is electrostatically attracted to the image carrier. As a result, a defect such as a jam or a paper wrinkle may occur in the conveyance to the fixing unit.

  For this reason, a charge eliminating member for separating / discharging the recording medium after transferring the toner image has been conventionally provided in the vicinity of the transfer path of the recording medium after the transfer, and the recording medium charged after the transfer by the charge eliminating member. To remove static electricity.

  Here, as such a charge eliminating member, a needle electrode having a plurality of needle-like tips is used. When such a charge eliminating member is used to remove charge from the recording medium, It is said that the discharge toner generated by the scattered toner, the recording medium, and the discharge product generated by the discharge at the time of static elimination adheres to the needle electrode, so that the tip of the needle electrode deteriorates and the static elimination function decreases. There was a problem.

  In particular, in recent years, with the extension of the life of the image forming apparatus, the above-mentioned quality problems due to the deterioration of the charge removal member have occurred, and the charge removal member having a shorter life than the image forming apparatus has been replaced. Or it became necessary to clean up and try to recover the function.

  Here, when the deterioration state of the static elimination member is determined by determining the deterioration state of the static elimination member, the amount of current flowing between the static elimination member and the discharge target decreases as compared with that before the degradation as the degradation of the static elimination member proceeds. As shown in 1, 2, and the like, a technique has been proposed in which a change in the amount of current flowing between a charge removal member and a discharge target is detected to determine a deterioration state of the charge removal member.

  However, the value of the current flowing between the charge removal member and the discharge target is not only the degree of deterioration of the charge removal member, but also the resistance value of the discharge target of the charge removal member (for example, the image carrier or the transfer roller) itself and the usage environment. Therefore, if the deterioration state of the static elimination member is determined without considering the resistance value fluctuation of the discharge target as described above, the degradation state of the static elimination member cannot be detected properly. Arise.

JP 2005-241947 A JP 2012-137754 A

  In the present invention, when a toner image formed on an image carrier is transferred from the image carrier to a recording medium by applying a transfer bias to the transfer member, the toner image is charged by the transfer bias applied to the transfer member. It is an object of the present invention to solve the above-described problems in an image forming apparatus in which residual charges in a recording medium are neutralized by a neutralizing member.

  That is, it is an object of the present invention to appropriately detect the life of a static elimination member used in the image forming apparatus as described above and to perform an appropriate response.

In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, in order to solve the above problems, a transfer member that transfers a toner image formed on an image carrier to a recording medium, and a transfer bias that applies a transfer bias to the transfer member. A voltage value between an application unit, a neutralization member that neutralizes residual charge in the recording medium after transferring the toner image, a neutralization potential control unit that switches a potential state in the neutralization member, and the transfer member and the neutralization member Alternatively, in an image forming apparatus having a detection means for detecting a current value,
When the static elimination member is controlled to the first potential state and a predetermined voltage or current is applied to the transfer member, the voltage value or current value between the transfer member and the static elimination member detected by the detection means is changed to the first potential state. 1 detection value,
When the charge eliminating member is controlled to the second potential state and a predetermined voltage or current is applied to the transfer member, a voltage value or a current value between the transfer member and the charge eliminating member detected by the detecting means is changed to a first value. 2 detection value,
The first detection value and the second detection value are compared to detect the life of the static elimination member.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, as described above, the potential state of the static elimination member is controlled to a plurality of potential states, the status of the static elimination member under each condition is detected, and the resistance of the static elimination member to the discharge target is detected. Since the fluctuation of the value is corrected, the deterioration state of the static elimination member can be detected appropriately.

  Here, in the image forming apparatus, when the difference between the first detection value and the second detection value exceeds a predetermined threshold, the life of the charge removal member is detected, or the first detection value is detected. When the ratio between the first detection value and the second detection value exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the life of the static elimination member can be detected.

  In the image forming apparatus, the detection unit includes a current detection unit that detects a current value flowing through the charge removal member, and controls the discharge member to the first potential state so that a predetermined voltage or a predetermined voltage is applied to the transfer member. When a current is applied, the current value that has flowed through the charge removal member detected by the current detection unit is set as a first detection value, and the charge removal member is controlled to a second potential state, so that a predetermined voltage or a predetermined voltage is applied to the transfer member. When the current is applied, the current value that has flowed through the static elimination member detected by the current detection unit can be set as the second detection value.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus, a voltage detection unit that detects a voltage when a predetermined current is passed through the transfer member is provided as the detection unit, and the charge removal member is controlled to a first potential state to perform transfer. When a predetermined current is applied to the member, the voltage value of the transfer member detected by the voltage detection unit is set as a first detection value, and the charge eliminating member is controlled to a second potential state, so that the predetermined current is applied to the transfer member. When the voltage is applied, the voltage value of the transfer member detected by the voltage detection unit can be set as the second detection value. In the image forming apparatus, voltage detecting means for detecting a voltage when a predetermined current is supplied to the transfer member is generally provided, so that the current detecting means for detecting the value of the current flowing through the charge eliminating member as described above. The cost can be reduced compared to the case of providing the device.

  In the image forming apparatus, the first potential state of the charge removal member is set to a non-grounded state, the second potential state of the charge removal member is set to the grounded state, or a predetermined bias is applied. State.

  In the image forming apparatus, the first potential state of the charge removal member is set to a state where no bias is applied to the charge removal member, and the second potential state of the charge removal member is set to a predetermined bias applied to the charge removal member. State. In this case, as described above, it is not necessary to provide a switching circuit for bringing the neutralizing member into a non-grounded state, so that the cost can be reduced.

  In the image forming apparatus, the predetermined voltage or the predetermined current applied to the transfer member can be changed according to the use environment or the use state of the transfer member. For example, when the use of the transfer member becomes longer, the current applied to the transfer member can be increased.

  In the image forming apparatus, the neutralizing bias to be applied to the neutralizing member can be controlled according to the life of the neutralizing member detected as described above. And when the deterioration of the static elimination member progresses, the static elimination bias applied to the static elimination member is increased.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus, it is possible to instruct the replacement or cleaning of the charge removal member according to the life of the charge removal member detected as described above.

  In the image forming apparatus, the charge removal member can be constituted by a needle electrode having a plurality of needle-shaped tips.

  Further, in the method for detecting the life of the static elimination member in the present invention, a transfer member that transfers a toner image formed on the image carrier to a recording medium, a transfer bias applying unit that applies a transfer bias to the transfer member, A neutralization member that neutralizes residual charges on the recording medium after transferring the toner image, a neutralization potential control unit that switches a potential state in the neutralization member, and a voltage value or a current value between the transfer member and the neutralization member. In detecting the life of the charge removal member in an image forming apparatus having a detection means for detecting, the detection is performed when the charge removal member is controlled to a first potential state and a predetermined voltage or current is applied to the transfer member. A voltage value or a current value between the transfer member and the charge removal member detected by the means is set as a first detection value, and the charge removal member is controlled to a second potential state. When a predetermined voltage or a predetermined current is applied to the transfer member, a voltage value or a current value between the transfer member and the charge removal member detected by the detection unit is set as a second detection value, and the first detection value The lifetime of the static elimination member is detected by comparing with the second detection value.

  In the image forming apparatus management system according to the present invention, a transfer member that transfers a toner image formed on an image carrier to a recording medium, a transfer bias applying unit that applies a transfer bias to the transfer member, A neutralization member that neutralizes residual charges on the recording medium after transferring the toner image, a neutralization potential control unit that switches a potential state in the neutralization member, and a voltage value or a current value between the transfer member and the neutralization member. An image forming apparatus having a detecting unit for detecting is connected to the management apparatus so as to be communicable. In the image forming apparatus, the management apparatus uses the first potential as the information for detecting the life of the neutralization member. The voltage between the transfer member and the charge removal member detected by the detection means when a predetermined voltage or a predetermined current is applied to the transfer member by controlling the state. Alternatively, the transfer member and the charge removal member detected by the detection means when the current value is controlled to the first detection value and the charge removal member is controlled to the second potential state and a predetermined voltage or current is applied to the transfer member. And the second detection value is transmitted to the management device, and the management device compares the first detection value with the second detection value and The life is detected.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the toner image formed on the image carrier is applied to the transfer member when the transfer bias is applied to the transfer member and transferred from the image carrier to the recording medium. In the image forming apparatus in which the residual charge in the recording medium charged by the transfer bias is neutralized by the neutralizing member, the potential state of the neutralizing member is controlled to a plurality of potential states as described above, and the state of the neutralizing member under each condition is controlled. By detecting and correcting the fluctuation of the resistance value with respect to the discharge target of the static elimination member, the deterioration state of the static elimination member can be appropriately detected.

  As a result, in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, by properly detecting the deterioration state of the neutralization member, it is possible to perform functional recovery by performing replacement or cleaning of the neutralization member at an appropriate time, and good image formation. Can be performed stably.

1 is a schematic explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the image forming apparatus according to the above embodiment, after the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt is transferred to the recording medium, the residual charge on the recording medium after the toner image is transferred is neutralized by the neutralizing member. FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a management system that manages the lifetime of a charge removal member used in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6 shows an example of an image forming apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention, wherein after a toner image formed on a photoconductor is transferred to a recording medium, residual charges on the recording medium after the toner image is transferred are neutralized. It is the schematic explanatory drawing which showed the state neutralized by a member.

  Next, an image forming apparatus, a charge removal member life detection method, and an image forming apparatus management system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The image forming apparatus, the static elimination member life detection method, and the image forming apparatus management system according to the present invention are not limited to those shown in the following embodiments, and may be appropriately modified and implemented without changing the gist thereof. It can be done.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus A1 according to the first embodiment uses an intermediate transfer belt 21 to which a toner image t is transferred from a photoreceptor 11 as an image carrier, and as a transfer member. The case where the secondary transfer roller 23 that transfers the toner image t transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 21 to the recording medium S will be described.

  In this image forming apparatus A1, as shown in FIG. 1, four imaging cartridges 10A to 10D are mounted therein.

  Here, in each of the imaging cartridges 10A to 10D, the photoconductor 11, the charging roller 12 for charging the surface of the photoconductor 11, and the surface of the charged photoconductor 11 are exposed according to image information. A latent image forming device 13 for forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoconductor 11, a developing device 14 for supplying toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoconductor 11 to form a toner image, A first cleaning device 15 is provided for removing toner remaining on the surface of the photoconductor 11 after the toner image formed on the surface of the photoconductor 11 is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 21.

  Further, in each developing device 14 in each of the imaging cartridges 10A to 10D, the color of the toner to be stored is different, and black, yellow, magenta, and cyan toners are stored.

  In the image forming apparatus A1, in each of the imaging cartridges 10A to 10D, the surface of the photoconductor 11 is charged by the charging roller 12, and the surface of the photoconductor 11 thus charged is latently charged. The image forming apparatus 13 performs exposure according to the image information to form an electrostatic latent image according to the image information on the surface of each photoconductor 11, and thus the electrostatic image formed on the surface of each photoconductor 11. A toner of each color is supplied from the developing device 14 to the latent image, and a toner image (not shown) of each color is formed on the surface of each photoconductor 11.

  Subsequently, the toner images of the respective colors formed on the surfaces of the respective photoreceptors 11 in the respective imaging cartridges 10A to 10D in this way are laid on the driving roller 20a and the rotating roller 20b and are driven to rotate. The toner image t is sequentially transferred onto the image carrier 21) by the primary transfer roller 22 to form a synthesized toner image t on the intermediate transfer belt 21, and the toner image t thus formed is intermediate transferred. While the belt 21 guides the toner to the position facing the secondary transfer roller (transfer member) 23, the toner remaining on the surface of each photoconductor 11 after transfer is transferred to the surface of each photoconductor 11 by the corresponding first cleaning device 15. To be removed from.

  On the other hand, the recording medium S accommodated in the image forming apparatus A1 is fed by the paper feed roller 24 and guided to the timing roller 25, and the intermediate transfer belt is fed to the recording medium S at an appropriate timing by the timing roller 25. 21 and the secondary transfer roller 23.

  Then, a predetermined transfer bias is applied from the transfer bias applying unit 230 to the secondary transfer roller 23, and the toner image t formed on the intermediate transfer belt 21 is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 21 by the secondary transfer roller 23. While the toner is transferred onto the recording medium S guided between the transfer belt 21 and the secondary transfer roller 23, the toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 21 without being transferred onto the recording medium S is transferred by the second cleaning device 26. It is removed from the intermediate transfer belt 21.

  Here, when the transfer bias is applied to the secondary transfer roller 23 and the toner image t is transferred to the recording medium S as described above, the recording medium S is charged by the transfer bias.

  For this reason, in this image forming apparatus A1, a plurality of needles formed in a needle shape along the width direction of the intermediate transfer belt 21 at a position downstream of the secondary transfer roller 23 in the feeding direction of the recording medium S. A neutralizing member 27 having electrodes is provided, and the potential applied to the charged recording medium S in the neutralizing member 27 is adjusted by the neutralizing potential control means 270, and the recording medium S charged by the neutralizing member 27 is neutralized. I am doing so.

  Then, the recording medium S to which the toner image t has been transferred and discharged as described above is guided to the fixing device 28, and the unfixed toner image t transferred to the recording medium S is transferred to the recording medium S by the fixing device 28. After fixing, the recording medium S on which the toner image t is fixed is separated from the fixing device 30 and guided to the paper discharge roller 29, and the recording medium S on which the toner image t is fixed is discharged by the paper discharge roller 29. I try to let them.

  Here, in the image forming apparatus A1 of this embodiment, since the recording medium S charged by the transfer bias is neutralized by the neutralizing member 27 as described above, the recording medium S to which the toner image t is transferred is intermediate. Electrostatic adsorption to the transfer belt 21 is prevented, the recording medium S is appropriately conveyed to prevent jamming, paper wrinkles, etc., and recording before the toner image t is fixed. When the medium S comes into contact with a guide (not shown) in the conveyance path, the recording medium S is not discharged and unfixed toner is scattered from the recording medium S, so that the image quality is not deteriorated and the surroundings are not stained. It is also possible to prevent the electric charge from moving from S to the fixing roller or the like in the fixing device 28 to cause unnecessary charging and electrostatic offset.

  Here, when an operation is performed to neutralize the recording medium S charged with the toner image t transferred as described above by the neutralizing member 27 having a plurality of needle electrodes, the scattered toner floating in the image forming apparatus A1 or the like Fibers and fillers contained in the recording medium S, discharge products generated by discharge at the time of static elimination, and the like gradually adhere to the needle electrode of the static elimination member 27 and the tip of the needle electrode deteriorates, and the static elimination function of the static elimination member 27 Decreases, and the charged recording medium S cannot be appropriately neutralized.

  For this reason, in the image forming apparatus A1 of this embodiment, as described above, the potential of the static elimination member 27 is adjusted by the static elimination potential control means 270.

  Here, in the image forming apparatus A1 of this embodiment, when adjusting the electric potential in the static elimination member 27 by the static elimination potential control means 270, as shown in FIG. Between the power supply unit 271 that outputs a bias having a polarity opposite to the bias applied to the roller 23 to the neutralization member 27, and between the power supply unit 271 and the neutralization member 27, the neutralization member 27 can be floated in potential. Switching circuit 272 and a current detection unit 273 that detects a current value flowing through the charge removal member 27 are provided as detection means. In this embodiment, a switching circuit 272 is provided between the power supply unit 271 and the charge removal member 27 so that the charge removal member 27 can be floated in potential, and the potential state of the charge removal member 27 is set to the float state. However, the switching circuit 272 is eliminated, and only the voltage applied from the power supply unit 271 to the static elimination member 27 is changed, so that the static elimination member 27 is changed into the first potential state and the second potential. It is also possible to simply change the state.

  Further, in the transfer bias applying means 230 for applying a transfer bias to the secondary transfer roller 23, a power supply unit that applies a bias having a polarity opposite to that of the toner to the secondary transfer roller 23 so as to transfer the toner to the recording medium S. 231 and a current / voltage detection unit 232 that detects a current value and a voltage value in the secondary transfer roller 23 are provided as detection means.

Here, as the secondary transfer roller 23, for example, the outer periphery of the core metal is covered with a foam made of epichlorohydrin rubber (ECO, CO, etc.), nitrile rubber (NBR), ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM), or the like. In which the resistance value is adjusted to 1 × 10 ⁶ to 1 × 10 ⁸ Ω can be used, and a skin layer with a modified surface layer is provided in order to improve releasability with respect to the toner. What was made can be used.

  In the image forming apparatus A1 of this embodiment, when performing the operation of determining the deterioration state and the life of the charge removal member 27, not at the time of transferring the toner image t to the recording medium S as described above. A state in which the recording medium S is not guided between the intermediate transfer belt 21 and the secondary transfer roller 23, for example, before the recording medium S is guided to the secondary transfer roller 23, or after the recording medium S has passed through the charge removal member 27. Alternatively, in addition to the normal image forming operation, an operation for determining the deterioration state and the life of the static elimination member 27 may be performed.

  In addition, the frequency of performing the operation of determining the deterioration state and the life of the charge removal member 27 is set to a level that is sufficiently shorter than the generally set life of the charge removal member 27 and does not impair image formation productivity. When it is assumed that the performance of the charge removal member 27 starts to deteriorate at about 500,000 image forming sheets, the detection operation may be performed at a frequency of about once every 1000 sheets.

  In determining the deterioration state and life of the static elimination member 27, when the static elimination member 27 is controlled to the first potential state and a predetermined voltage or a predetermined current is applied to the secondary transfer roller 23, A voltage value or a current value between the secondary transfer roller 23 and the charge removal member 27 detected by the current detection unit 273 or the current / voltage detection unit 232 is set as a first detection value, and the charge removal member 27 is set as the second detection value. The secondary transfer roller 23 and the charge removal member 27 detected by the current detection unit 273 and the current / voltage detection unit 232 when a predetermined voltage or a predetermined current is applied to the secondary transfer roller 23 by controlling the potential state. When the difference or ratio between the first detection value and the second detection value exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the deterioration state or life of the static elimination member is determined. I will judge It has to.

  When the deterioration state or the life of the static elimination member 27 is determined by the detection operation, a display prompting the replacement or cleaning of the static elimination member 27 is displayed on the status display unit (not shown) of the image forming apparatus A1. Can be.

  Further, not only the image forming apparatus A1 determines the deterioration state and life of the charge removal member 27 as described above, but also determines the deterioration state and life of the charge removal member 27 in the plurality of image forming apparatuses A1. An image forming apparatus management system as shown in FIG.

  In the image forming apparatus management system shown in FIG. 3, the data of the first detection value and the second detection value detected by each image forming apparatus A1 is transmitted to a management server (management apparatus) B, respectively. Then, the management server B determines the deterioration state and life of the static elimination member 27 in each image forming apparatus A1 as described above, and transmits the result to each image forming apparatus A1 to each image forming apparatus A1. Display for prompting replacement or cleaning of the charge removal member 27 is performed, and further, information on the deterioration state and life of the charge removal member 27 in each image forming apparatus A1 is transmitted from the management server B to the service base C. Therefore, the image forming apparatus A1 can be replaced with a service for replacement or cleaning of the charge removal member 27.

  In the image forming apparatus A1 of this embodiment, the toner image formed on the surface of the photoconductor 11 is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt (image carrier) 21 and the toner on the intermediate transfer belt 21 is transferred. The image t is transferred to the recording medium S by a secondary transfer roller (transfer member) 23 to which a transfer bias is applied, and the recording medium S charged with the toner image t transferred in this way is discharged by the charge removing member 27. However, the type of image forming apparatus to be used is not limited to the above.

  For example, the intermediate transfer belt 21 is not used as an image carrier, and the photoconductor 11 may be used as an image carrier as in the image forming apparatus A2 of the second embodiment shown in FIG. it can.

  In this image forming apparatus A2, the surface of the photoconductor 11 serving as an image carrier is charged by the charging roller 12, and the surface of the photoconductor 11 thus charged is converted into image information by the latent image forming apparatus 13. The electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information is formed on the surface of the photoconductor 11 by performing appropriate exposure, and toner is supplied from the developing device 14 to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoconductor 11, A toner image t is formed on the surface of the body 11.

  The toner image t thus formed on the surface of the photoconductor 11 is transferred to the recording medium S by the transfer roller (transfer member) 23A to which the transfer bias is applied from the transfer bias applying unit 230, and thus the toner is transferred. When the recording medium S to which the image t is transferred and charged is neutralized by the neutralizing member 27 having a plurality of needle electrodes, the potential applied to the neutralizing member 27 is eliminated as in the case of the image forming apparatus A1. Adjustment is made by the potential control means 270, and the recording medium S charged by the charge removal member 27 is discharged.

  Here, also in this image forming apparatus A2, in the same way as in the case of the image forming apparatus A1, the electric potential in the static elimination member 27 is adjusted by the static elimination potential control means 270. A power supply unit 271 that outputs a bias having a reverse polarity to the bias applied to the transfer roller 23 </ b> A to the charge removal member 27, and the charge removal member 27 may be floated between the power supply unit 271 and the charge removal member 27. A possible switching circuit 272 and a current detection unit 273 that detects a current value flowing through the charge removal member 27 are provided as detection means. The transfer bias applying unit 230 that applies a transfer bias to the transfer roller 23A includes a power supply unit 231 that applies a bias having a polarity opposite to that of the toner to the secondary transfer roller 23 so that the toner is transferred to the recording medium S. As a detection means, a current / voltage detection unit 232 that detects a current value or a voltage value in the secondary transfer roller 23 is provided.

  Also in this image forming apparatus A2, in determining the deterioration state and life of the charge removal member 27, the charge removal member 27 is controlled to the first potential state as in the case of the image formation apparatus A1. Thus, when a predetermined voltage or a predetermined current is applied to the transfer roller 23A, a voltage value or a current value between the transfer roller 23A and the static elimination member 27 detected by the current detection unit 273 or the current / voltage detection unit 232 is set. The current detection unit 273 and the current / voltage detection unit 232 are set to the first detection value when the static elimination member 27 is controlled to the second potential state and a predetermined voltage or a predetermined current is applied to the transfer roller 23A. The voltage value or current value between the secondary transfer roller 23 and the charge removal member 27 detected by the second detection value is set as the second detection value, and the difference or ratio between the first detection value and the second detection value is set. There when exceeds a predetermined threshold value, determines the deterioration state or the lifetime of the charge removing member.

  Next, an experiment was carried out to determine the deterioration state and life of the static elimination member as described above using a modification of a commercially available copying machine (manufactured by Konica Minolta: bizhub C658) as shown in FIG. .

(Experimental example 1)
In Experimental Example 1, a new secondary transfer roller was used, and the current applied to the secondary transfer roller was set to 30 μA.

  And in this Experimental Example 1, in the 1st environmental condition set to temperature 23 degreeC and humidity 65% RH, and the 2nd environmental condition set to temperature 30 degreeC and humidity 85% RH, each static elimination at the time of a new article Using a member and a preset static elimination member at the end of its life, a bias of -3 kV is applied to the static elimination member in the first potential state, and a bias is applied to the static elimination member in the second potential state In the 0V (GND) state, the current value (μA) of the static elimination member under each condition is detected, and the neutralization member detection in the first potential state relative to the detected current value of the static elimination member in the second potential state is detected. The ratio of current values was determined, and the results are shown in Table 1 below.

  As a result, in both the first environmental condition set at a temperature of 23 ° C. and a humidity of 65% RH and the second environmental condition set at a temperature of 30 ° C. and a humidity of 85% RH, the static elimination member is new and the life of the static elimination member. The difference in the ratio of the detected current value of the neutralizing member to the time is large. For example, by setting the threshold value of the ratio of the detected current value of the neutralizing member to a value of 2.9 or more, the environmental change Even when this occurs, the degree of deterioration of the charge removal member can be detected appropriately.

  Note that, in the first environmental condition, the difference in the detected current value of the neutralizing member between the new neutralizing member and the lifetime of the neutralizing member in a state where a bias of −3 kV is applied to the neutralizing member is 3.5 μA. However, in the second environmental condition, the detected current value of the static elimination member at the time when the static elimination member is new and the lifetime of the static elimination member in a state where a bias of -3 kV is applied to the static elimination member. The difference is as very small as 0.5 μA, and it is difficult to appropriately detect the degree of deterioration of the static elimination member when an environmental change occurs.

(Experimental example 2)
In Experimental Example 2, the environmental condition is set to the first environmental condition of a temperature of 23 ° C. and a humidity of 65% RH, the current applied to the secondary transfer roller is set to 30 μA, and a static elimination member at the time of a new article is preset. The static elimination member at the lifetime is used.

  And in this Experimental Example 2, as the secondary transfer roller, a secondary transfer roller at the time of a new article and a secondary transfer roller after endurance after 300,000 sheets of printing durability were used. 1, a state in which a bias of −3 kV is applied to the charge removal member in the first potential state, and a state of 0 V (GND) in which no bias is applied to the charge removal member in the second potential state. While detecting the voltage value (V) in the secondary transfer roller, the ratio of the detected voltage value of the secondary transfer roller in the first potential state to the detected voltage value of the secondary transfer roller in the second potential state is obtained. The results are shown in Table 2 below. Here, when detecting the voltage value (V) at the secondary transfer roller when a predetermined current is passed through the secondary transfer roller in this way, the image is detected in order to detect the current value or voltage value of the secondary transfer roller. The current / voltage detection unit generally provided in the forming apparatus can be used as it is, as compared with the case where a current detection unit for detecting the current value flowing in the static elimination member is newly provided as in Experiment Example 1. To be able to reduce costs.

  As a result, when using a secondary transfer roller of a new article and a secondary transfer roller that has been subjected to a durability of 300,000 sheets, the neutralization member can be used in a new condition. The difference in the ratio of the detection voltage value of the secondary transfer roller to the lifetime of the member is large. For example, the threshold value of the ratio of the detection voltage value of the secondary transfer roller is set to 0.95 or more. As a result, the degree of deterioration of the static elimination member can be appropriately detected.

  In addition, the charge removal member is not in direct contact with the secondary transfer roller to be discharged, whereas the secondary transfer roller forms an electric circuit up to the opposing member (GND) without forming a gap. Forming. For this reason, in the case of the secondary transfer roller, it is possible to directly detect the influence of the error factor due to the resistance value fluctuation in the transfer portion, and to detect the value of the current flowing through the static elimination member as in the case of the experimental example 1. The detection accuracy can be improved as compared with the method.

(Experimental example 3)
In Experimental Example 3, as in Experimental Example 2, the environmental conditions were set to the first environmental conditions of a temperature of 23 ° C. and a humidity of 65% RH, the current applied to the secondary transfer roller was set to 30 μA, and a new product was used. Using a static elimination member at the time and a preset static elimination member at the end of the service life, and as the secondary transfer roller, a secondary transfer roller at the time of a new article, and after durability after 300,000 sheets were printed A secondary transfer roller was used.

  In Experimental Example 3, in the first potential state, the biasing member is not applied with a bias of 0V (GND), and in the second potential state, the discharging member is electrically floated. The voltage value (V) at the secondary transfer roller is detected and the ratio of the detected voltage value of the secondary transfer roller in the first potential state to the detected voltage value of the secondary transfer roller in the second potential state is The results are shown in Table 3 below.

  As a result, the ratio of the detected voltage value of the secondary transfer roller in the first potential state to the detected voltage value of the secondary transfer roller in the second potential state is the same as when the new secondary transfer roller is used. In each of the cases where the post-endurance secondary transfer roller that has performed 300,000 printing durability is used, it is 0.93 when the static elimination member is new, and 0.98 when the static elimination member is at the end of its service life. For example, by setting the ratio threshold in the detection voltage value of the secondary transfer roller to 0.97 or more, it is possible to appropriately detect the degree of deterioration of the static elimination member. In addition, when the second potential state causes the static elimination member to be in an electrically floating state as described above, the accuracy of detecting the degree of deterioration of the static elimination member is improved. However, since it is necessary to use a switching circuit for electrically removing the charge removal member as described above, the cost of the apparatus increases.

  In Examples 1 to 3 described above, the current applied to the secondary transfer roller was set to a constant 30 μA when detecting the degree of deterioration of the charge removal member. When the impedance of the roller changes, the current applied to the secondary transfer roller can be changed, so that the accuracy of detecting the degree of deterioration of the charge removal member can be reduced.

  Here, in the second experimental example, a case where the current applied to the secondary transfer roller is changed in accordance with the use of the secondary transfer roller when new is described as an example.

  In the second experimental example, when about 150,000 sheets were printed and the secondary transfer roller was deteriorated to some extent, the current applied to the secondary transfer roller was 30 μA as described above. In the first potential state, a -3 kV bias is applied to the static elimination member as described above, and no bias is applied to the static elimination member in the second potential state. In the (GND) state, the voltage value (V) at the secondary transfer roller is detected under each condition, and the secondary in the first potential state with respect to the detected voltage value of the secondary transfer roller in the second potential state. The ratio of the detection voltage value of the transfer roller was determined, and the result is shown in Table 4 below.

  In Experimental Example 2, the post-endurance secondary transfer roller that performed 300,000 sheets of printing as described above was used, and the current applied to the secondary transfer roller was set to 30 μA as described above. In the first potential state, a -3 kV bias is applied to the static elimination member in the first potential state, and in the second potential state, a bias is applied to the static elimination member, respectively. In the first potential state, the voltage value (V) at the secondary transfer roller is detected in each condition, and the detected voltage value of the secondary transfer roller in the second potential state is detected. The ratio of the detection voltage value of the secondary transfer roller was determined, and the result is shown in Table 5 below.

  As is apparent from the results shown in Table 4 and Table 5, when the current applied to the secondary transfer roller is increased during the durability of the secondary transfer roller, the secondary transfer in the second potential state is performed. The ratio of the detection voltage value of the secondary transfer roller in the first potential state to the detection voltage value of the roller is greatly different between the new charge removal member and the life of the charge removal member. It is possible to appropriately detect the degree of deterioration of the static elimination member by appropriately setting the threshold value of the ratio.

  Although not specifically illustrated, the voltage value applied to the static elimination member is made larger than that of a new one according to the detected degree of deterioration of the static elimination member, so that the separation / static elimination performance with respect to the recording medium is maintained. It can also be controlled.

A1, A2: Image forming apparatuses 10A to 10D Imaging cartridge 11 Photoconductor (image carrier)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 Charging device 13 Latent image forming device 14 Developing device 15 First cleaning device 20a Driving roller, 20b Rotating roller 21 Intermediate transfer belt (image carrier)
22 Primary transfer roller 23 Secondary transfer roller (transfer member)
23A transfer roller (transfer member)
24 Feed roller 25 Timing roller 26 Second cleaning device 27 Static elimination member 28 Fixing device 29 Paper discharge roller 30 Fixing device 230 Transfer bias applying unit 231 Power supply unit 232 Voltage detection unit (detection unit)
270 Static elimination potential control means 271 Power supply part 272 Switching circuit 273 Current detection part (detection means)
B Management server (management device)
C Service site S Recording medium t Toner image

Claims (13)

A transfer member for transferring a toner image formed on the image carrier to a recording medium;
Transfer bias applying means for applying a transfer bias to the transfer member;
A charge removal member for removing charge remaining on the recording medium after transferring the toner image;
A static elimination potential control means for switching a potential state in the static elimination member;
In the image forming apparatus having a detection means for detecting a voltage value or a current value between the transfer member and the charge removal member,
When the static elimination member is controlled to the first potential state and a predetermined voltage or current is applied to the transfer member, the voltage value or current value between the transfer member and the static elimination member detected by the detection means is changed to the first potential state. 1 detection value,
When the charge eliminating member is controlled to the second potential state and a predetermined voltage or current is applied to the transfer member, a voltage value or a current value between the transfer member and the charge eliminating member detected by the detecting means is changed to a first value. 2 detection value,
An image forming apparatus, wherein the first detection value and the second detection value are compared to detect the life of the static elimination member. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
An image forming apparatus, comprising: detecting a lifetime of the charge removal member when a difference between the first detection value and the second detection value exceeds a predetermined threshold value. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
An image forming apparatus comprising: detecting a lifetime of the charge removal member when a ratio between a first detection value and a second detection value exceeds a predetermined threshold value. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
As the detection means, provided is a current detection means for detecting the current value flowing through the static elimination member,
When the static elimination member is controlled to the first potential state and a predetermined voltage or a predetermined current is applied to the transfer member, a current value that has flowed through the static elimination member detected by the current detection unit is set as a first detection value,
When the static elimination member is controlled to the second potential state and a predetermined voltage or a predetermined current is applied to the transfer member, the current value that has flowed through the static elimination member detected by the current detection unit is set as the second detection value. An image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
As the detection means, a voltage detection means for detecting a voltage when a predetermined current is passed through the transfer member is provided,
When the static elimination member is controlled to the first potential state and a predetermined current is applied to the transfer member, the voltage value of the transfer member detected by the voltage detection unit is set as the first detection value,
The neutralization member is controlled to a second potential state, and when a predetermined current is applied to the transfer member, the voltage value of the transfer member detected by the voltage detection unit is set as a second detection value. Image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
The first potential state of the static elimination member is such that the static elimination member is ungrounded,
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second potential state of the charge removal member is such that the charge removal member is grounded or a predetermined bias is applied. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
The first potential state of the charge removal member is a state in which no bias is applied to the charge removal member,
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second potential state of the charge removal member is a state in which a predetermined bias is applied to the charge removal member. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
An image forming apparatus, wherein a predetermined voltage or a predetermined current applied to a transfer member is changed according to a use environment or a use state of the transfer member. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
An image forming apparatus that controls a neutralizing bias to be applied to a neutralizing member according to the detected lifetime of the neutralizing member. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
An image forming apparatus characterized in that an instruction to replace or clean the discharging member is given in accordance with the detected life of the discharging member. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
An image forming apparatus, wherein the static elimination member is constituted by a needle electrode having a plurality of needle-shaped tips. A transfer member for transferring a toner image formed on the image carrier to a recording medium; a transfer bias applying means for applying a transfer bias to the transfer member; and a residual charge on the recording medium after the toner image is transferred. The neutralization member in an image forming apparatus, comprising: a neutralization member that neutralizes, a neutralization potential control unit that switches a potential state in the neutralization member, and a detection unit that detects a voltage value or a current value between the transfer member and the neutralization member. In detecting the life of
When the static elimination member is controlled to the first potential state and a predetermined voltage or current is applied to the transfer member, the voltage value or current value between the transfer member and the static elimination member detected by the detection means is changed to the first potential state. The voltage between the transfer member and the charge removal member detected by the detecting means when the charge removal member is controlled to the second potential state and a predetermined voltage or current is applied to the transfer member. A method of detecting a life of a static elimination member, wherein a lifetime of the static elimination member is detected by using a value or current value as a second detection value and comparing the first detection value and the second detection value. A transfer member for transferring a toner image formed on the image carrier to a recording medium; a transfer bias applying means for applying a transfer bias to the transfer member; and a residual charge on the recording medium after the toner image is transferred. An image forming apparatus having a neutralizing member for neutralizing, a neutralizing potential control unit that switches a potential state in the neutralizing member, and a detecting unit that detects a voltage value or a current value between the transfer member and the neutralizing member is a management device. A management system for image forming apparatuses connected to be communicable,
In the image forming apparatus, the information is detected when the control device controls the discharge member to the first potential state and applies a predetermined voltage or a predetermined current to the transfer member as information for detecting the life of the discharge member. The voltage value or current value between the transfer member and the charge removal member detected by the means is controlled to the first detection value and the charge removal member to the second potential state, and a predetermined voltage or current is applied to the transfer member. When applied, a voltage value or a current value between the transfer member and the charge removal member detected by the detection unit is transmitted to the management device, and the management device transmits the first detection value. A management system for an image forming apparatus, wherein the life of the static elimination member is detected by comparing the value with a second detection value.

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