JP2000338819A - Device and method for applying lubricant - Google Patents
Device and method for applying lubricantInfo
- Publication number
- JP2000338819A JP2000338819A JP11151003A JP15100399A JP2000338819A JP 2000338819 A JP2000338819 A JP 2000338819A JP 11151003 A JP11151003 A JP 11151003A JP 15100399 A JP15100399 A JP 15100399A JP 2000338819 A JP2000338819 A JP 2000338819A
- Authority
- JP
- Japan
- Prior art keywords
- solid lubricant
- lubricant
- fur brush
- applying
- image carrier
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Pending
Links
Landscapes
- Cleaning In Electrography (AREA)
- Electrostatic Charge, Transfer And Separation In Electrography (AREA)
- Application Of Or Painting With Fluid Materials (AREA)
- Coating Apparatus (AREA)
Abstract
Description
【０００１】[0001]
【発明の属する技術分野】本発明は，画像形成装置の像
担持体（感光体若しくは中間転写体）に固形潤滑剤を塗
布する潤滑剤塗布装置及びその装置を用いた潤滑剤塗布
方法に関するものである。BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a lubricant applying apparatus for applying a solid lubricant to an image carrier (photoreceptor or intermediate transfer body) of an image forming apparatus, and a method for applying a lubricant using the apparatus. is there.
【０００２】[0002]
【従来の技術】図２は，中間転写ベルトを用いた一般的
なディジタルフルカラー複写機Ａ０の概略構成を示した
ものである。同図を用いて，まず上記複写機Ａ０のフル
カラーでの複写動作の概略を説明する。上記複写機Ａ０
では，原稿載置台５１上にセットされた原稿に対して，
矢印Ｘで示す副走査方向に走査される光源５２からの光
が照射され，その反射光がミラーＭ１，Ｍ２，Ｍ３，及
びレンズ５３を介して複数のＣＣＤ等からなる光学セン
サ５４上に結像される。上記光学センサ５４上に結像さ
れた原稿画像は，図示しない画像処理部において画像出
力信号に変換され，この画像出力信号に基づく光がレー
ザスキャナ５５から感光体ドラム５６に照射されて上記
感光体ドラム５６上に静電潜像が形成される。上記感光
体ドラム５６上に形成された静電潜像は，各色毎に独立
に設置された４つの現像装置５７ａ，５７ｂ，５７ｃ，
５７ｄの内の一つによって顕像化されてトナー像が形成
され，該トナー像は中間転写ベルト５８上に転写され
る。上記現像，転写処理を上記４つの現像装置について
繰り返すことにより，上記中間転写ベルト５８上には４
色全てのトナー像が重ねられる。その後，カセット５９
若しくは手差しトレー６０から矢印Ｙ１若しくはＹ２の
方向に搬送された転写紙を，上記中間転写ベルト５８の
トナー像形成位置と同期させながら転写ローラ６１間を
通過させつつ電位を与えることにより，上記トナー像は
上記中間転写ベルト５８から上記転写紙に転写される。
上記中間転写ベルト５８から画像が転写された転写紙
は，搬送ベルト６３によって矢印Ｙ３方向に搬送され，
定着ローラ６４によって上記画像が定着された後，排紙
トレー６５上に排出される。2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of a general digital full-color copying machine A0 using an intermediate transfer belt. First, an outline of a full-color copying operation of the copying machine A0 will be described with reference to FIG. Copying machine A0
With respect to the original set on the original placing table 51,
Light from a light source 52 scanned in the sub-scanning direction indicated by an arrow X is emitted, and the reflected light forms an image on an optical sensor 54 including a plurality of CCDs and the like via mirrors M1, M2, M3, and a lens 53. Is done. The original image formed on the optical sensor 54 is converted into an image output signal by an image processing unit (not shown), and light based on the image output signal is irradiated from a laser scanner 55 to a photosensitive drum 56 to An electrostatic latent image is formed on the drum 56. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 56 is divided into four developing devices 57a, 57b, 57c,
The toner image is formed by being visualized by one of 57d, and the toner image is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 58. By repeating the development and transfer processes for the four developing devices, four
The toner images of all colors are superimposed. After that, the cassette 59
Alternatively, the transfer paper conveyed from the manual feed tray 60 in the direction of the arrow Y1 or Y2 is passed between the transfer rollers 61 while synchronizing with the toner image forming position of the intermediate transfer belt 58, and a potential is applied to the transfer paper. Is transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 58 to the transfer paper.
The transfer paper on which the image has been transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 58 is conveyed by the conveyance belt 63 in the direction of arrow Y3.
After the image is fixed by the fixing roller 64, the image is discharged onto a paper discharge tray 65.
【０００３】ところで，上記感光体ドラム５６の周上に
は，上記中間転写ベルト５８への転写後の残留トナーを
除去すると共に，ドラム上にステアリン酸亜鉛等の潤滑
剤を塗布するクリーニング部７０が設置されている。図
３に，上記クリーニング部７０周辺の拡大図を示す。図
３に示すように，上記クリーニング部７０は，クリーニ
ングブレード７３，ファーブラシ７１，ステアリン酸亜
鉛等の固形潤滑剤７２，クリーニングスパイラル７４等
で構成されている。上記クリーニングブレード７３，フ
ァーブラシ７４は，共に感光体ドラム５６に当接し，上
記中間転写ベルト５８への転写後の残留トナーを除去す
る。除去されたトナーは，上記クリーニングスパイラル
７４によってトナー回収タンク（不図示）へ送られる。
また，上記ファーブラシ７１には，上記固形潤滑剤７２
がバネ（不図示）などによって押し当てられている。上
記固形潤滑剤７２は，上記ファーブラシ７４によって掻
き取られ，感光体ドラム５６の表面に塗布される。即
ち，上記ファーブラシ７１と上記固形潤滑剤７２とで潤
滑剤塗布装置７５が構成されている。上記固形潤滑剤７
２を感光体ドラム５６に塗布することにより，ドラムと
トナーとの結着力が弱められ，転写性能が向上する。ま
た，図２に示すように，中間転写ベルト５８の経路上に
も，ファーブラシ８１と固形潤滑剤８２とよりなる潤滑
剤塗布装置８０が設置されている。その動作や目的は上
記感光体ドラム５６の潤滑剤塗布装置７５と全く同様で
ある。On the periphery of the photosensitive drum 56, a cleaning unit 70 for removing residual toner after transfer to the intermediate transfer belt 58 and applying a lubricant such as zinc stearate on the drum is provided. is set up. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view around the cleaning section 70. As shown in FIG. 3, the cleaning unit 70 includes a cleaning blade 73, a fur brush 71, a solid lubricant 72 such as zinc stearate, a cleaning spiral 74, and the like. The cleaning blade 73 and the fur brush 74 both come into contact with the photosensitive drum 56 and remove residual toner after being transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 58. The removed toner is sent to a toner collection tank (not shown) by the cleaning spiral 74.
The fur brush 71 has a solid lubricant 72.
Is pressed by a spring (not shown) or the like. The solid lubricant 72 is scraped off by the fur brush 74 and applied to the surface of the photosensitive drum 56. That is, the fur brush 71 and the solid lubricant 72 constitute a lubricant applying device 75. The above solid lubricant 7
By applying 2 to the photosensitive drum 56, the binding force between the drum and the toner is weakened, and the transfer performance is improved. As shown in FIG. 2, a lubricant application device 80 including a fur brush 81 and a solid lubricant 82 is also provided on the path of the intermediate transfer belt 58. The operation and the purpose are exactly the same as those of the lubricant applying device 75 for the photosensitive drum 56.
【０００４】[0004]
【発明が解決しようとする課題】ところで，上記従来の
複写機Ａ０に搭載されている２つの潤滑剤塗布装置７
５，８０においては，固形潤滑剤の新品時はその表面が
平面である。従って，使用開始後，固形潤滑剤の表面が
ある程度削り取られるまでの間は，ファーブラシと固形
潤滑剤との接触面積が小さいため，ファーブラシによる
上記固形潤滑剤の掻き取り量，ひいては上記感光体ドラ
ム５６や中間転写ベルト５８（以下，像担持体で総称す
る）への塗布量が少ない状態が続く。像担持体への潤滑
剤の塗布量が十分でないと，文字中抜けなどの画像不良
の原因となる。このように，上記従来の潤滑剤塗布装置
を用いた場合，新品の固形潤滑剤の使用開始後しばらく
の間，画像不良を引き起こす可能性があった。本発明
は，上記事情に鑑みてなされたものであり，その目的と
するところは，使用開始直後においても，像担持体に十
分な量の潤滑剤を塗布することが可能な潤滑剤塗布装置
を提供することである。By the way, two lubricant coating devices 7 mounted on the above-mentioned conventional copying machine A0.
In No. 5,80, when the solid lubricant is new, its surface is flat. Therefore, since the contact area between the fur brush and the solid lubricant is small until the surface of the solid lubricant is shaved to a certain extent after the start of use, the amount of the solid lubricant scraped off by the fur brush and, consequently, the photoconductor are reduced. A state in which the amount of application to the drum 56 and the intermediate transfer belt 58 (hereinafter, generally referred to as an image carrier) is small. If the amount of the lubricant applied to the image carrier is not sufficient, it causes image defects such as missing characters. As described above, when the above-described conventional lubricant applying device is used, there is a possibility that an image defect may be caused for a while after the start of using a new solid lubricant. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a lubricant applying apparatus capable of applying a sufficient amount of lubricant to an image carrier even immediately after the start of use. To provide.
【０００５】[0005]
【課題を解決するための手段】上記目的を達成するため
に，第１の発明は，固形潤滑剤とファーブラシとを有
し，上記ファーブラシが上記固形潤滑剤と像担持体の両
方に当接しつつ回転することによって，上記固形潤滑剤
を掻き取ると共に該掻き取った潤滑剤を上記像担持体に
塗布する潤滑剤塗布装置であって，上記固形潤滑剤の上
記ファーブラシの当接面側の上層部が，下層部よりも削
れ易いことを特徴とする潤滑剤塗布装置として構成され
ている。上記固形潤滑剤の上層部と下層部との削れ易さ
を異ならせる手段としては，ステアリン酸亜鉛等の同一
の材料を用いて上層と下層とで成形条件を変えたり，或
いは固形潤滑剤の上層部と下層部とで削れ易さの異なる
別の材料，例えば上層部にステアリン酸亜鉛，下層部に
エチレンビスステアリルアミドを用いるなどが考えられ
る。In order to achieve the above object, a first invention comprises a solid lubricant and a fur brush, and the fur brush is applied to both the solid lubricant and the image carrier. A lubricant application device for scraping the solid lubricant and applying the scraped lubricant to the image carrier by rotating while contacting the solid lubricant, wherein the solid lubricant is in contact with a contact surface of the fur brush with the fur brush. The upper layer portion is configured to be more easily scraped than the lower layer portion. Means for making the upper layer and the lower layer of the solid lubricant different in shaving easiness include changing the molding conditions between the upper layer and the lower layer using the same material such as zinc stearate, or changing the upper layer of the solid lubricant. It is conceivable to use another material having different easiness of scraping between the lower part and the lower part, for example, using zinc stearate for the upper part and ethylenebisstearylamide for the lower part.
【０００６】また，第２の発明は，固形潤滑剤とファー
ブラシとを有し，上記ファーブラシが上記固形潤滑剤と
像担持体の両方に当接しつつ回転することによって，上
記固形潤滑剤を掻き取ると共に該掻き取った潤滑剤を上
記像担持体に塗布する潤滑剤塗布装置であって，上記固
形潤滑剤を予め含ませたファーブラシを用いることを特
徴とする潤滑剤塗布装置として構成されている。また，
第３の発明は，ファーブラシを固形潤滑剤と像担持体の
両方に当接させて回転させる潤滑剤塗布装置により，上
記固形潤滑剤を上記像担持体に塗布する潤滑剤塗布方法
であって，上記固形潤滑剤を上記像担持体に塗布する前
に，上記固形潤滑剤を上記ファーブラシに予め含ませて
おくことを特徴とする潤滑剤塗布方法として構成されて
いる。上記固形潤滑剤を上記ファーブラシに予め含ませ
ておく方法の一例としては，上記潤滑剤塗布装置の製造
時に，上記ファーブラシに上記固形潤滑剤を含ませてお
く方法や，上記ファーブラシを上記像担持体に当接させ
て上記固形潤滑剤の塗布を開始する前に，上記ファーブ
ラシを上記固形潤滑剤にのみ当接させた状態で上記ファ
ーブラシを回転させることにより，上記固形潤滑剤を上
記ファーブラシに予め含ませておく方法などが考えられ
る。The second invention has a solid lubricant and a fur brush, and the fur brush rotates while abutting on both the solid lubricant and the image bearing member, thereby removing the solid lubricant. A lubricant application device for scraping and applying the scraped lubricant to the image carrier, wherein the fur brush containing the solid lubricant in advance is used. ing. Also,
A third invention is a lubricant applying method in which the solid lubricant is applied to the image carrier by a lubricant applying device which rotates the fur brush in contact with both the solid lubricant and the image carrier. Before applying the solid lubricant to the image bearing member, the solid lubricant is preliminarily contained in the fur brush. Examples of a method of preliminarily including the solid lubricant in the fur brush include a method of including the solid lubricant in the fur brush at the time of manufacturing the lubricant applying device, and a method of incorporating the fur brush in the fur brush. Before the application of the solid lubricant in contact with the image carrier, the fur brush is rotated while the fur brush is in contact with only the solid lubricant, thereby removing the solid lubricant. A method in which the ink is included in the fur brush in advance is conceivable.
【０００７】[0007]
【作用】第１の発明（潤滑剤塗布装置）によれば，新品
の固形潤滑剤の使用開始直後でファーブラシとの接触面
積が小さいときにも像担持体に対して十分な潤滑剤塗布
量が得られる。また，使用開始後しばらくしてファーブ
ラシと固形潤滑剤との接触面積が大きくなってくると，
上層部よりも削れ難い下層部が表面に現れるため，像担
持体に対する固形潤滑剤の塗布量が過多となることもな
い。即ち，固形潤滑剤の像担持体への塗布量が均一化さ
れ，常に安定した画像が得られる。また，第２の発明
（潤滑剤塗布装置），若しくは第３の発明（潤滑剤塗布
方法）によれば，像担持体への固形潤滑剤の塗布が開始
される時点で，ファーブラシに所定量の固形潤滑剤が予
め含まれているため，新品の固形潤滑剤の使用開始直後
でファーブラシとの接触面積が小さいときの像担持体へ
の潤滑剤の塗布量の不足分を補うことができる。これに
より，潤滑剤の感光体ドラム等への塗布量が均一化さ
れ，常に安定した画像が得られる。According to the first aspect of the invention (lubricant application device), even when the contact area with the fur brush is small immediately after the start of the use of a new solid lubricant, a sufficient amount of lubricant applied to the image carrier is obtained. Is obtained. Also, if the contact area between the fur brush and the solid lubricant increases after a while after use,
Since the lower layer, which is less likely to be scraped than the upper layer, appears on the surface, the amount of the solid lubricant applied to the image bearing member does not become excessive. That is, the amount of the solid lubricant applied to the image carrier is made uniform, and a stable image is always obtained. Further, according to the second invention (lubricant application device) or the third invention (lubricant application method), when the application of the solid lubricant to the image carrier is started, a predetermined amount is applied to the fur brush. Since the solid lubricant is contained in advance, the shortage of the amount of the lubricant applied to the image carrier when the contact area with the fur brush is small immediately after the use of the new solid lubricant can be compensated. . As a result, the amount of the lubricant applied to the photosensitive drum or the like is made uniform, and a stable image is always obtained.
【０００８】[0008]
【発明の実施の形態】以下添付図面を参照して，本発明
の実施の形態及び実施例につき説明し，本発明の理解に
供する。尚，以下の実施の形態及び実施例は本発明を具
体化した一例であって，本発明の技術的範囲を限定する
性格のものではない。ここに，図１は本発明の実施の形
態に係る潤滑剤塗布装置Ａ１の概略構成を示す模式図で
ある。本実施の形態に係る潤滑剤塗布装置Ａ１は，感光
体ドラムを像担持体の一例として本発明を具現化したも
のである。図１に示すように，上記潤滑剤塗布装置Ａ１
は，その基本構成において上記従来の潤滑剤塗布装置７
５とほぼ共通しており，固形潤滑剤１が２つの層１ａ，
１ｂで形成されている点で異なっている。本潤滑剤塗布
装置Ａ１においては，固形潤滑剤１の上層部１ａは，下
層部１ｂよりも削れ易く（即ち柔らかく）形成されてい
る。これにより，新品の固形潤滑剤１の使用開始直後
は，ファーブラシ２によって柔らかい上記上層部１ａの
部分が掻き取られるため，接触面積が小さくても感光体
ドラム５６に対して十分な塗布量が得られる。また，使
用開始後しばらくしてファーブラシ２と固形潤滑剤１と
の接触面積が大きくなってくると，上記上層部１ａより
も削れ難い下層部１ｂが表面に現れるため，感光体ドラ
ム５６に対する固形潤滑剤の塗布量が過多となることも
ない。即ち，固形潤滑剤１の感光体ドラム５６への塗布
量が均一化され，常に安定した画像が得られる。DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments and examples of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings to facilitate understanding of the present invention. The following embodiments and examples are mere examples embodying the present invention, and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention. Here, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a lubricant applying device A1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The lubricant application device A1 according to the present embodiment embodies the present invention using a photosensitive drum as an example of an image carrier. As shown in FIG. 1, the lubricant application device A1
Is a conventional lubricant application device 7 in its basic configuration.
5, and the solid lubricant 1 has two layers 1a,
1b. In the present lubricant applying device A1, the upper layer portion 1a of the solid lubricant 1 is formed so as to be more easily scraped (that is, softer) than the lower layer portion 1b. As a result, the soft upper layer 1a is scraped off by the fur brush 2 immediately after the use of the new solid lubricant 1 is started, so that even if the contact area is small, a sufficient amount of application to the photosensitive drum 56 can be obtained. can get. Further, if the contact area between the fur brush 2 and the solid lubricant 1 increases after a short time from the start of use, the lower layer 1b that is harder to cut than the upper layer 1a appears on the surface. The amount of lubricant applied does not become excessive. That is, the amount of the solid lubricant 1 applied to the photosensitive drum 56 is made uniform, and a stable image is always obtained.
【０００９】ここで，上層部１ａと下層部１ｂとは，同
じ材料を用いても，別の材料を用いてもよい。上層部１
ａと下層部１ｂに同じ材料を用いる場合には，例えばそ
れら２層の成形条件を変えることで削れ易さを異ならせ
ることが可能である。具体的には，材料としてステアリ
ン酸亜鉛を用いる場合，例えば上層部１ａはその成形条
件を１４０°Ｃで１時間とし，下層部１ｂは１７０°Ｃ
で７時間とすれば，相対的に上層部１ａを削れ易く，下
層部１ｂを削れ難くすることができる。また，上層部１
ａと下層部１ｂとで削れ易さの異なる材料，例えば上層
部１ａにステアリン酸亜鉛を，下層部１ｂにエチレンビ
スステアリルアミドを用いても，相対的に上層部１ａを
削れ易く，下層部１ｂを削れ難くすることができる。Here, the upper layer portion 1a and the lower layer portion 1b may use the same material or different materials. Upper part 1
When the same material is used for the lower layer 1a and the lower layer 1b, it is possible to change the ease of shaving by changing the molding conditions of the two layers, for example. Specifically, when zinc stearate is used as the material, for example, the molding conditions of the upper layer 1a are 140 ° C. for 1 hour, and the lower layer 1b is 170 ° C.
If the time is set at 7 hours, the upper layer 1a can be relatively easily scraped and the lower layer 1b can be hardly scraped. In addition, upper part 1
a and the lower layer portion 1b, even if zinc stearate is used for the upper layer portion 1a and ethylenebisstearylamide is used for the lower layer portion 1b, the upper layer portion 1a is relatively easily cut, and the lower layer portion 1b Can be hardly scraped.
【００１０】以上説明したように，本実施の形態に係る
潤滑剤塗布装置Ａ１は，固形潤滑剤１が相対的に削れ易
い上層部１ａと削れ難い下層部１ｂとで形成されている
ため，新品の固形潤滑剤１の使用開始直後でファーブラ
シ２との接触面積が小さいときにも感光体ドラム５６に
対して十分な塗布量が得られる。また，使用開始後しば
らくしてファーブラシ２と固形潤滑剤１との接触面積が
大きくなってくると，上記上層部１ａよりも削れ難い下
層部１ｂが表面に現れるため，感光体ドラム５６に対す
る固形潤滑剤の塗布量が過多となることもない。即ち，
固形潤滑剤１の感光体ドラム５６への塗布量が均一化さ
れ，常に安定した画像が得られる。尚，上記固形潤滑剤
１において，上層部１ａを下層部１ｂよりも削れ易く形
成できるのであれば，上記成形条件や材料の組合せは任
意である。また，層の分割は２層に限られるものではな
く，３層以上でもよいし，また柔らかさを無断階に変化
させてもよい。As described above, in the lubricant applying apparatus A1 according to the present embodiment, since the solid lubricant 1 is formed by the upper layer 1a which is relatively easy to be cut and the lower layer 1b which is hard to be cut, Even when the contact area between the solid lubricant 1 and the fur brush 2 is small immediately after the start of use of the solid lubricant 1, a sufficient amount of application to the photosensitive drum 56 can be obtained. Further, if the contact area between the fur brush 2 and the solid lubricant 1 increases after a short time from the start of use, the lower layer 1b that is harder to cut than the upper layer 1a appears on the surface. The amount of lubricant applied does not become excessive. That is,
The amount of the solid lubricant 1 applied to the photosensitive drum 56 is made uniform, and a stable image is always obtained. In the solid lubricant 1, as long as the upper layer 1a can be formed more easily than the lower layer 1b, the above molding conditions and combinations of materials are arbitrary. Further, the division of the layers is not limited to two layers, but may be three or more layers, and the softness may be changed without notice.
【００１１】[0011]
【実施例】上記実施の形態では，基本的な装置構成（固
形潤滑剤の構成）を変えることによって目的を達成した
が，次のように，基本的な装置構成は従来の潤滑剤塗布
装置７５（図３）から変えることなく上記目的を達成す
ることも可能である。即ち，感光体ドラム５６への固形
潤滑剤７２の実際の塗布を開始する前に，上記ファーブ
ラシ７１に所定量の固形潤滑剤を予め含ませておくこと
でも，上記実施の形態と同様の効果が期待できる。ファ
ーブラシ７１に固形潤滑剤を予め含ませておく方法とし
ては，例えば潤滑剤塗布装置７５若しくはそれを搭載す
る複写機Ａ０の製造時に，上記ファーブラシ７１に固形
潤滑剤を含ませておくことが考えられる。或いは，装置
製造後，固形潤滑剤７２の感光体ドラム５６への塗布を
開始する前に，ファーブラシ７１を固形潤滑剤７２にの
み当接させた状態で上記ファーブラシ７１を回転させる
ことにより，固形潤滑剤７２をファーブラシ７１に予め
含ませることも考えられる。例えば，潤滑剤塗布装置７
５が複写機Ａ０から取り外し可能なユニットで構成され
ていれば，そのユニットを複写機Ａ０から取り外した状
態でファーブラシ７１を回転させてもよいし，或いは，
ファーブラシ７１を感光体ドラム５６から機械的手段に
よって隔離させた状態でファーブラシ７１を回転させて
もよい。これらの方法により，新品の固形潤滑剤７２の
使用開始直後でファーブラシ７１との接触面積が小さい
ときの感光体ドラム５６への固形潤滑剤７２の塗布量の
不足分を補うことができるため，固形潤滑剤７２の感光
体ドラム５６への塗布量が均一化され，常に安定した画
像が得られる。In the above embodiment, the object was achieved by changing the basic device configuration (the configuration of the solid lubricant), but the basic device configuration was changed to the conventional lubricant coating device 75 as follows. The above object can be achieved without changing from FIG. 3. That is, the same effect as in the above-described embodiment can be obtained by including a predetermined amount of the solid lubricant in the fur brush 71 before the actual application of the solid lubricant 72 to the photosensitive drum 56 is started. Can be expected. As a method of preliminarily including the solid lubricant in the fur brush 71, for example, the solid lubricant is contained in the fur brush 71 when the lubricant applying device 75 or the copying machine A0 equipped with the lubricant applying device is manufactured. Conceivable. Alternatively, after the apparatus is manufactured, the fur brush 71 is rotated while the fur brush 71 is in contact with only the solid lubricant 72 before the application of the solid lubricant 72 to the photosensitive drum 56 is started. It is also conceivable to include the solid lubricant 72 in the fur brush 71 in advance. For example, the lubricant application device 7
If the unit 5 is constituted by a unit detachable from the copying machine A0, the fur brush 71 may be rotated while the unit is detached from the copying machine A0, or
The fur brush 71 may be rotated while the fur brush 71 is separated from the photosensitive drum 56 by mechanical means. These methods can compensate for the shortage of the amount of the solid lubricant 72 applied to the photosensitive drum 56 when the contact area with the fur brush 71 is small immediately after the start of using the new solid lubricant 72. The amount of the solid lubricant 72 applied to the photosensitive drum 56 is made uniform, and a stable image is always obtained.
【００１２】尚，以上の説明では，固形潤滑剤の塗布対
象である像担持体を感光体ドラム５６とした例を示した
が，像担持体が中間転写ベルトなどであっても全く同様
であることは言うまでもない。また，画像形成装置に
は，像担持体として感光体のみを有するもの，感光体と
中間転写体とを有するものとがあるが，もちろん本発明
はいずれの画像形成装置に対しても適用可能である。In the above description, an example in which the image bearing member to which the solid lubricant is applied is the photosensitive drum 56 has been described. However, the same is true even if the image bearing member is an intermediate transfer belt or the like. Needless to say. Some image forming apparatuses have only a photoconductor as an image carrier, and some have a photoconductor and an intermediate transfer body. Of course, the present invention is applicable to any image forming apparatus. is there.
【００１３】[0013]
【発明の効果】以上説明したように，第１の発明は，固
形潤滑剤とファーブラシとを有し，上記ファーブラシが
上記固形潤滑剤と像担持体の両方に当接しつつ回転する
ことによって，上記固形潤滑剤を掻き取ると共に該掻き
取った潤滑剤を上記像担持体に塗布する潤滑剤塗布装置
であって，上記固形潤滑剤の上記ファーブラシの当接面
側の上層部が，下層部よりも削れ易いことを特徴とする
潤滑剤塗布装置として構成されているため，新品の固形
潤滑剤の使用開始直後でファーブラシとの接触面積が小
さいときにも像担持体に対して十分な塗布量が得られ
る。また，使用開始後しばらくしてファーブラシと固形
潤滑剤との接触面積が大きくなってくると，上層部より
も削れ難い下層部が表面に現れるため，像担持体に対す
る固形潤滑剤の塗布量が過多となることもない。即ち，
固形潤滑剤の像担持体への塗布量が均一化され，常に安
定した画像が得られる。また，第２の発明は，固形潤滑
剤とファーブラシとを有し，上記ファーブラシが上記固
形潤滑剤と像担持体の両方に当接しつつ回転することに
よって，上記固形潤滑剤を掻き取ると共に該掻き取った
潤滑剤を上記像担持体に塗布する潤滑剤塗布装置であっ
て，上記固形潤滑剤を予め含ませたファーブラシを用い
ることを特徴とする潤滑剤塗布装置として構成されてい
るため，新品の固形潤滑剤の使用開始直後でファーブラ
シとの接触面積が小さいときの像担持体への固形潤滑剤
の塗布量の不足分を補うことができる。これにより，固
形潤滑剤の像担持体への塗布量が均一化され，常に安定
した画像が得られる。また，第３の発明は，ファーブラ
シを固形潤滑剤と像担持体の両方に当接させて回転させ
る潤滑剤塗布装置により，上記固形潤滑剤を上記像担持
体に塗布する潤滑剤塗布方法であって，上記固形潤滑剤
を上記像担持体に塗布する前に，上記固形潤滑剤を上記
ファーブラシに予め含ませておくことを特徴とする潤滑
剤塗布方法として構成されているため，上記第２の発明
と同様，固形潤滑剤の像担持体への塗布量が均一化さ
れ，常に安定した画像が得られる。As described above, the first invention has a solid lubricant and a fur brush, and the fur brush rotates while contacting both the solid lubricant and the image carrier. A lubricant application device for scraping the solid lubricant and applying the scraped lubricant to the image carrier, wherein an upper layer portion of the solid lubricant on a contact surface of the fur brush is a lower layer. Since it is configured as a lubricant application device characterized by being easier to scrape than the part, even when the contact area with the fur brush is small immediately after the start of using a new solid lubricant, it is sufficient for the image carrier. The application amount is obtained. When the contact area between the fur brush and the solid lubricant increases after a while after use, a lower layer, which is less likely to be scraped than the upper layer, appears on the surface. There is no excess. That is,
The amount of the solid lubricant applied to the image carrier is made uniform, and a stable image is always obtained. The second invention has a solid lubricant and a fur brush, and the fur brush rotates while abutting on both the solid lubricant and the image carrier to scrape off the solid lubricant and A lubricant application device for applying the scraped lubricant to the image carrier, wherein the lubricant application device is configured to use a fur brush containing the solid lubricant in advance; The shortage of the amount of the solid lubricant applied to the image carrier when the contact area with the fur brush is small immediately after the start of using the new solid lubricant can be compensated. Thus, the amount of the solid lubricant applied to the image carrier is made uniform, and a stable image is always obtained. Further, a third invention is a lubricant applying method for applying the solid lubricant to the image bearing member by a lubricant applying device for rotating the fur brush in contact with both the solid lubricant and the image bearing member. Further, since the solid lubricant is preliminarily contained in the fur brush before the solid lubricant is applied to the image carrier, the method is applied as a lubricant application method. As in the second aspect, the amount of the solid lubricant applied to the image carrier is made uniform, and a stable image is always obtained.
【図１】 本発明の実施の形態に係る潤滑剤塗布装置Ａ
１の概略構成を示す模式図。FIG. 1 shows a lubricant application device A according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of No. 1.
【図２】 中間転写ベルトを用いた一般的なディジタル
フルカラー複写機Ａ０の概略構成を示す模式図。FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a general digital full-color copying machine A0 using an intermediate transfer belt.
【図３】 従来技術に係る潤滑剤塗布装置７５を含むク
リーニング部７０の概略構成を示す模式図。FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a cleaning unit including a lubricant applying device according to a conventional technique.
１…固形潤滑剤（１ａ：上層部，１ｂ：下層部） ２…ファーブラシ ５６…感光体ドラム（像担持体の一例） DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Solid lubricant (1a: Upper part, 1b: Lower part) 2 ... Fur brush 56 ... Photoconductor drum (an example of an image carrier)
Claims (8)
記ファーブラシが上記固形潤滑剤と像担持体の両方に当
接しつつ回転することによって，上記固形潤滑剤を掻き
取ると共に該掻き取った潤滑剤を上記像担持体に塗布す
る潤滑剤塗布装置であって，上記固形潤滑剤の上記ファ
ーブラシの当接面側の上層部が，下層部よりも削れ易い
ことを特徴とする潤滑剤塗布装置。1. A solid lubricant and a fur brush, wherein the fur brush rotates while contacting both the solid lubricant and the image carrier, thereby scraping the solid lubricant and scraping the solid lubricant. A lubricant application device for applying the lubricant to the image carrier, wherein an upper layer portion of the solid lubricant on the contact surface side of the fur brush is more easily scraped than a lower layer portion. Coating device.
記下層部の成形条件が異なる請求項１記載の潤滑剤塗布
装置。2. The lubricant applying device according to claim 1, wherein molding conditions of the upper layer portion and the lower layer portion of the solid lubricant are different.
記下層部とが別材料である請求項１記載の潤滑剤塗布装
置。3. The lubricant applying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the upper layer and the lower layer of the solid lubricant are made of different materials.
なる請求項１又は２記載の潤滑剤塗布装置。4. The lubricant applying device according to claim 1, wherein the solid lubricant comprises zinc stearate.
記ファーブラシが上記固形潤滑剤と像担持体の両方に当
接しつつ回転することによって，上記固形潤滑剤を掻き
取ると共に該掻き取った潤滑剤を上記像担持体に塗布す
る潤滑剤塗布装置であって，上記固形潤滑剤を予め含ま
せたファーブラシを用いることを特徴とする潤滑剤塗布
装置。5. A solid lubricant and a fur brush, wherein the fur brush rotates while abutting on both the solid lubricant and the image carrier, thereby scraping the solid lubricant and scraping the solid lubricant. A lubricant application device for applying the lubricant to the image carrier, wherein a fur brush containing the solid lubricant in advance is used.
両方に当接させて回転させる潤滑剤塗布装置により，上
記固形潤滑剤を上記像担持体に塗布する潤滑剤塗布方法
であって，上記固形潤滑剤を上記像担持体に塗布する前
に，上記固形潤滑剤を上記ファーブラシに予め含ませて
おくことを特徴とする潤滑剤塗布方法。6. A lubricant applying method for applying the solid lubricant to the image bearing member by a lubricant applying device for rotating a fur brush in contact with both the solid lubricant and the image bearing member, and rotating the fur brush. A method for applying a lubricant, wherein the solid lubricant is previously contained in the fur brush before the solid lubricant is applied to the image carrier.
ァーブラシに上記固形潤滑剤を含ませておく請求項６記
載の潤滑剤塗布方法。7. The lubricant applying method according to claim 6, wherein the solid lubricant is contained in the fur brush when the lubricant applying apparatus is manufactured.
させて上記固形潤滑剤の塗布を開始する前に，上記ファ
ーブラシを上記固形潤滑剤にのみ当接させた状態で上記
ファーブラシを回転させることにより，上記固形潤滑剤
を上記ファーブラシに予め含ませておく請求項６記載の
潤滑剤塗布方法。8. Before the fur brush is brought into contact with the image carrier and the application of the solid lubricant is started, the fur brush is brought into contact with the solid lubricant only in a state where the fur brush is brought into contact only with the solid lubricant. 7. The method for applying a lubricant according to claim 6, wherein the solid lubricant is previously contained in the fur brush by rotating.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP11151003A JP2000338819A (en) | 1999-05-31 | 1999-05-31 | Device and method for applying lubricant |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP11151003A JP2000338819A (en) | 1999-05-31 | 1999-05-31 | Device and method for applying lubricant |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| JP2000338819A true JP2000338819A (en) | 2000-12-08 |
Family
ID=15509172
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP11151003A Pending JP2000338819A (en) | 1999-05-31 | 1999-05-31 | Device and method for applying lubricant |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JP2000338819A (en) |
Cited By (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP2006113420A (en) * | 2004-10-18 | 2006-04-27 | Ricoh Co Ltd | Lubricant applying device, process cartridge and image forming apparatus |
| JP2008310183A (en) * | 2007-06-15 | 2008-12-25 | Kyocera Mita Corp | Lubricant application device and image forming apparatus mounted with the same |
| US7680446B2 (en) | 2006-09-19 | 2010-03-16 | Ricoh Company, Limited | Cleaning device, process cartridge and image forming apparatus |
| JP2010243937A (en) * | 2009-04-09 | 2010-10-28 | Ricoh Co Ltd | Image carrier protection agent, protection layer forming device, process cartridge, image forming apparatus, and image forming method |
| US7894758B2 (en) | 2006-09-15 | 2011-02-22 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Image forming apparatus, image forming device charging device and lubricant supplying device constitution |
| US7991342B2 (en) | 2008-05-07 | 2011-08-02 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Protective material and image forming apparatus using the protective material |
| US8204422B2 (en) | 2007-07-05 | 2012-06-19 | Ricoh Company, Limited | Image forming apparatus and process cartridge having a charging unit |
| JP2016156977A (en) * | 2015-02-25 | 2016-09-01 | コニカミノルタ株式会社 | Image forming method, image forming apparatus, and solid lubricant |
-
1999
- 1999-05-31 JP JP11151003A patent/JP2000338819A/en active Pending
Cited By (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP2006113420A (en) * | 2004-10-18 | 2006-04-27 | Ricoh Co Ltd | Lubricant applying device, process cartridge and image forming apparatus |
| JP4606837B2 (en) * | 2004-10-18 | 2011-01-05 | 株式会社リコー | Lubricant coating apparatus, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus |
| US7894758B2 (en) | 2006-09-15 | 2011-02-22 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Image forming apparatus, image forming device charging device and lubricant supplying device constitution |
| US7680446B2 (en) | 2006-09-19 | 2010-03-16 | Ricoh Company, Limited | Cleaning device, process cartridge and image forming apparatus |
| JP2008310183A (en) * | 2007-06-15 | 2008-12-25 | Kyocera Mita Corp | Lubricant application device and image forming apparatus mounted with the same |
| US8204422B2 (en) | 2007-07-05 | 2012-06-19 | Ricoh Company, Limited | Image forming apparatus and process cartridge having a charging unit |
| US7991342B2 (en) | 2008-05-07 | 2011-08-02 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Protective material and image forming apparatus using the protective material |
| JP2010243937A (en) * | 2009-04-09 | 2010-10-28 | Ricoh Co Ltd | Image carrier protection agent, protection layer forming device, process cartridge, image forming apparatus, and image forming method |
| JP2016156977A (en) * | 2015-02-25 | 2016-09-01 | コニカミノルタ株式会社 | Image forming method, image forming apparatus, and solid lubricant |
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