JP3790718B2 - Cleaning method for liquid developing electrophotographic apparatus and liquid developing electrophotographic apparatus - Google Patents

Cleaning method for liquid developing electrophotographic apparatus and liquid developing electrophotographic apparatus Download PDF

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JP3790718B2
JP3790718B2 JP2002128341A JP2002128341A JP3790718B2 JP 3790718 B2 JP3790718 B2 JP 3790718B2 JP 2002128341 A JP2002128341 A JP 2002128341A JP 2002128341 A JP2002128341 A JP 2002128341A JP 3790718 B2 JP3790718 B2 JP 3790718B2
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JP2003323058A (en
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勲 長田
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PFU Ltd
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【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
この発明は、液体現像剤を使用する液体現像電子写真装置のクリーニング方法及び液体現像電子写真装置に関し、中間転写体に凝集／固着した残留現像剤を効果的に安定してクリーニングすることを実現する、液体現像電子写真装置のクリーニング方法及び液体現像電子写真装置に関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
図５は液体現像電子写真装置の全体構成を示す従来技術の図である。同図において、液体現像電子写真装置は、現像ユニット５４、５５、５６、５７と、中間転写体５１と、キャリア除去ユニット６１と、クリーニングユニット６２と、定着ユニット５３とを主な構成としている。現像ユニット５４、５５、５６、５７は、中間転写体５１にイエロー／マゼンタ／シアン／ブラックに対応付けて設けられている。また、現像ユニット５４、５５、５６、５７には、それぞれ感光ドラム及び現像ローラが設けられている。
【０００３】
現像ローラは、所定の電圧にバイアスされて、感光ドラムとの間の電界に従って、感光ドラム上の露光部分にトナーを付着させて、感光ドラム上の静電潜像を現像し画像を形成する。現像ローラ上には、トナー溜まりから液体トナーを供給する。これによって、現像ローラ上に所定の層厚で液体トナーを塗布する。
【０００４】
中間転写体５１は、各感光ドラムとの間の電界に従って、感光ドラムに付着されたトナーを転写する。これによって、各感光ドラム上に現像された４色のトナー画像は、中間転写体５１を１回転させる間に、順次中間転写体５１上に重ね合わされて、カラー画像が形成される。このようにして中間転写体５１上に重ね合わされた４色カラー画像は、キャリア除去ユニット６１によりキャリア液体が除去される。
【０００５】
キャリア除去ユニット６１は、中間転写体５１上に液体トナーで形成された画像にはキャリア液体が含まれており、このキャリアオイル分を除去する。なお、キャリア除去ユニット６１は、図６に示すように、各色画像を中間転写体５１に押付ける方向にバイアスを印加するバイアス印加手段とオイルを回収する回収手段とを具備したキャリア除去ローラ６１ａ、又はキャリア除去ベルトを中間転写体５１に当接して中間転写体５１上に形成されたトナー層から余剰なキャリア液を除去するように構成されている。
【０００６】
その後、４色カラー画像は、印刷媒体との接触部において、加圧ローラ５２を用いて印刷媒体に転写された後、定着ユニット５３を通して定着処理される。
【０００７】
ところで、中間転写体５１上に形成された４色カラー画像は全て印刷媒体に転写されることは無い。印刷媒体に転写せず中間転写体５１上に残留した残留現像剤は、中間転写体５１が１回転して印刷媒体にトナー画像を転写する転写プロセスが終了し、次のプロセスにおいて感光ドラムが中間転写体５１にトナー画像を転写するプロセスが開始されるまでの間に除去される。すなわち、印刷媒体にトナー画像を転写するために設けた中間転写体５１に対向して設置する加圧ローラ５２の下流で現像ユニット５４の上流に設けるクリーニング手段によって除去する。
【０００８】
図６に示すように、クリーニング手段は、中間転写体５１上に圧接する第１クリーニング部材６２ａと、第１クリーニング部材６２ａの後方に配置された第２クリーニング部材６２ｂとからなる。第１クリーニング部材６２ａは、導電性の弾性体ローラを用い、接地または静電潜像の極性とは逆極性のバイアス電圧が印加される。すなわち、現像剤を剥がす方向のバイアス電圧を中間転写体５１に印加することにより、中間転写体５１に凝集／固着した残留現像剤を中間転写体５１から剥離させるものである。第２クリーニング部材６２ｂは、弾性クリーニングブレードを用い、第１クリーニング部材６２ａによって中間転写体５１から剥離させる残留現像剤を中間転写体５１から除去するものである。
【０００９】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
前記のごとく、従来の技術では次のような問題点がある。
【００１０】
しかし、液体現像剤を用いた液体現像電子写真装置において、印刷媒体に転写せずに中間転写体に残留した残留現像剤をクリーニングする場合は、以下の理由によりクリーニングが困難である。
【００１１】
中間転写体より印刷媒体へ画像転写する工程に先立ち、印刷媒体に対する濡れ等による印刷品質の劣化を阻止するため、中間転写体に転写された液体現像剤（画像）から液体現像剤の液体分であるキャリア液を適度に除去する必要がある。その際、液体現像剤のトナー固形分（顔料、色素を含む樹脂）が中間転写体に凝集／固着する。また、印刷媒体に転写せずに中間転写体に残留した残留現像剤は、中間転写体に強く凝集／固着している。
【００１２】
印刷媒体への転写時に、液体現像剤のトナー固形分（顔料、色素を含む樹脂）が軟化する温度以上に現像剤を加熱して転写するため、印刷媒体に転写せずに中間転写体に残留した残留現像剤は、中間転写体に強く凝集／固着している。
【００１３】
印刷媒体への転写時に、高い圧力を加えるため、印刷媒体に転写せずに中間転写体に残留した残留現像剤は、中間転写体に強く凝集／固着している。
【００１４】
この発明の課題は、
液体現像剤を使用する液体現像電子写真装置のクリーニングにおいて、中間転写体に強く凝集／固着した残留現像剤を効果的に安定してクリーニングすることにある。
【００１５】
【課題を解決するための手段】
前記の問題点を解決するために、この発明では次に示す手段を取った。
【００１６】
印刷媒体に画像を転写した後の中間転写体にキャリア液を塗布して中間転写体に残留する残留現像剤が凝集／固着することを弱め、中間転写体に凝集／固着した残留現像剤を再び液状化させる。さらに、中間転写体に凝集／固着した残留現像剤を中間転写体から剥離させるためのバイアス電圧を中間転写体に印加する。さらに、中間転写体から剥離した残留現像剤をキャリア液とともに回収する。
【００１７】
上記の手段をとることにより、液体現像剤を使用する液体現像電子写真装置のクリーニングにおいて、中間転写体に残留する残留現像剤が凝集／固着することを弱め、中間転写体に凝集／固着した残留現像剤を再び液状化させる。さらに、残留現像剤を中間転写体から剥離させる。さらに、中間転写体から剥離した残留現像剤をキャリア液とともに回収する。これにより、中間転写体に強く凝集／固着した残留現像剤を効果的に安定してクリーニングする。
【００１８】
【発明の実施の形態】
この発明は、次に示す実施の形態を取った。
【００１９】
液体現像剤を使用する液体現像電子写真装置のクリーニング方法において、
印刷媒体に画像を転写した後の中間転写体にキャリア液を塗布するキャリア液塗布過程と、
中間転写体に現像剤のトナー粒子の帯電特性と逆極性のバイアス電圧（現像剤を剥がす方向のバイアス電圧）を印加するバイアス電圧印加過程と、
キャリア液塗布過程で塗布したキャリア液と印刷媒体に画像を転写せず中間転写体に残留した残留現像剤とを中間転写体より除去して残留現像剤を回収する回収過程とを備える。
【００２０】
上記の形態をとることにより、キャリア液塗布過程では、印刷媒体に画像を転写した後の中間転写体にキャリア液を塗布するので、キャリア液が中間転写体に残留した残留現像剤に浸透し、中間転写体に残留する残留現像剤が凝集／固着することを弱める。さらに、中間転写体に凝集／固着した残留現像剤を再び液状化させる。また、バイアス電圧印加過程では、現像剤を剥がす方向のバイアス電圧を中間転写体に印加するので、中間転写体に残留する残留現像剤を中間転写体から剥離させる。また、回収過程では、中間転写体から剥離した残留現像剤をキャリア液とともに回収する。
【００２１】
さらに、前記液体現像電子写真装置のクリーニング方法において、
キャリア液塗布過程において、中間転写体に残留した残留現像剤を現像剤の樹脂が軟化する温度以上に加熱する。
【００２２】
上記の形態をとることにより、キャリア液塗布過程で現像剤の樹脂が軟化する温度以上に加熱することで、残留現像剤が軟化して中間転写体に残留する残留現像剤が固着することを弱め、中間転写体に凝集／固着した残留現像剤のクリーニングの性能を向上する。
【００２３】
また、中間転写体に残留した残留現像剤を除去するクリーニング手段を印刷媒体にトナー画像を転写するために中間転写体に対向して設置する加圧ローラの下流で現像ユニットの上流に設けた液体現像剤を使用する液体現像電子写真装置において、
前記クリーニング手段は、
印刷媒体に画像を転写した後の中間転写体にキャリア液を塗布するキャリア液塗布手段と、
中間転写体に現像剤のトナー粒子の帯電特性と逆極性のバイアス電圧（現像剤を剥がす方向のバイアス電圧）を印加するバイアス電圧印加手段と、
キャリア液塗布手段で塗布したキャリア液と印刷媒体に画像を転写せず中間転写体に残留した残留現像剤とを中間転写体より除去して残留現像剤を回収する回収手段とを備える。
【００２４】
上記の形態をとることにより、キャリア液塗布手段では、印刷媒体に画像を転写した後の中間転写体にキャリア液を塗布するので、キャリア液が中間転写体に残留した残留現像剤に浸透し、中間転写体に残留する残留現像剤が凝集／固着することを弱める。さらに、中間転写体に凝集／固着した残留現像剤を再び液状化させる。また、バイアス電圧印加手段では、現像剤を剥がす方向のバイアス電圧を中間転写体に印加するので、中間転写体に残留する残留現像剤を中間転写体から剥離させる。また、回収手段では、中間転写体から剥離した残留現像剤をキャリア液とともに回収する。
【００２５】
さらに、前記クリーニング手段は、
印刷媒体に画像を転写した後の中間転写体にキャリア液を塗布する第１ブレードと、
中間転写体に現像剤のトナー粒子の帯電特性と逆極性のバイアス電圧（現像剤を剥がす方向のバイアス電圧）を印加する導電体からなる導電性ブラシと、
第１ブレードで塗布したキャリア液と印刷媒体に画像を転写せず中間転写体に残留した残留現像剤とを中間転写体より除去する第２ブレードとで構成する。
【００２６】
上記の形態をとることにより、第１ブレードによって印刷媒体に画像を転写した後の中間転写体にキャリア液を塗布するので、キャリア液が中間転写体に残留した残留現像剤に浸透し、中間転写体に残留する残留現像剤が凝集／固着することを弱める。さらに、中間転写体に凝集／固着した残留現像剤を再び液状化させる。また、導電性ブラシによって現像剤を剥がす方向のバイアス電圧を中間転写体に印加するので、中間転写体に残留する残留現像剤を中間転写体から剥離させる。また、第２ブレードによって中間転写体から剥離した残留現像剤をキャリア液とともに回収する。
【００２７】
さらに、前記クリーニング手段は、
印刷媒体に画像を転写した後の中間転写体にキャリア液を塗布する第１回転体と、
中間転写体に現像剤のトナー粒子の帯電特性と逆極性のバイアス電圧（現像剤を剥がす方向のバイアス電圧）を印加する導電体からなる導電性ブラシと、
第１回転体で塗布したキャリア液と印刷媒体に画像を転写せず中間転写体に残留した残留現像剤とを中間転写体より除去するブレードとで構成する。
【００２８】
上記の形態をとることにより、第１回転体によって印刷媒体に画像を転写した後の中間転写体にキャリア液を塗布するので、キャリア液が中間転写体に残留した残留現像剤に浸透し、中間転写体に残留する残留現像剤が凝集／固着することを弱める。さらに、中間転写体に凝集／固着した残留現像剤を再び液状化させる。また、導電性ブラシによって現像剤を剥がす方向のバイアス電圧を中間転写体に印加するので、中間転写体に残留する残留現像剤を中間転写体から剥離させる。また、ブレードによって中間転写体から剥離した残留現像剤をキャリア液とともに回収する。
【００２９】
さらに、前記クリーニング手段は、
印刷媒体に画像を転写した後の中間転写体にキャリア液を塗布するとともに、中間転写体に現像剤のトナー粒子の帯電特性と逆極性のバイアス電圧（現像剤を剥がす方向のバイアス電圧）を印加する導電体からなる第２回転体と、
第２回転体で塗布したキャリア液と印刷媒体に画像を転写せず中間転写体に残留した残留現像剤とを中間転写体より除去するブレードとで構成する。
【００３０】
上記の形態をとることにより、第２回転体によって印刷媒体に画像を転写した後の中間転写体にキャリア液を塗布するので、キャリア液が中間転写体に残留した残留現像剤に浸透し、中間転写体に残留する残留現像剤が凝集／固着することを弱める。さらに、中間転写体に凝集／固着した残留現像剤を再び液状化させる。また、現像剤を剥がす方向のバイアス電圧を中間転写体に印加するので、中間転写体に残留する残留現像剤を中間転写体から剥離させる。また、ブレードによって中間転写体から剥離した残留現像剤をキャリア液とともに回収する。
なお、第２回転体を印刷媒体に画像を転写した後の中間転写体にキャリア液を塗布するとともに、中間転写体に現像剤を剥がす方向のバイアス電圧を印加するように構成することから、クリーニング機構の構造を簡素化する。
【００３１】
さらに、前記クリーニング手段は、
印刷媒体に画像を転写した後の中間転写体にキャリア液を塗布するために中間転写体に当接する回転体、又は／及び、中間転写体に現像剤のトナー粒子の帯電特性と逆極性のバイアス電圧（現像剤を剥がす方向のバイアス電圧）を印加するために中間転写体に当接する回転体で構成する場合は、当該回転体の回転方向は、中間転写体との接触部で接触表面が逆方向に移動するように回転（逆回転ということもある。）させる。
【００３２】
上記の形態をとることにより、回転体を逆回転させることで、中間転写体と回転体との接触部の摩擦が増大することから、クリーニングの性能が向上する。
【００３３】
さらに、前記キャリア液塗布手段は、
中間転写体に残留した残留現像剤を現像剤の樹脂が軟化する温度以上に加熱するために、キャリア液を予め一定温度に加熱する加熱手段を備える。
【００３４】
上記の形態をとることにより、残留現像剤を加熱することから、残留現像剤が軟化して、中間転写体に残留する残留現像剤が固着することを弱め、クリーニングの性能を向上する。
【００３５】
なお、前記キャリア液塗布手段は、
中間転写体に残留した残留現像剤を現像剤の樹脂が軟化する温度以上に加熱するために、キャリア液を加熱するヒータを備えることが望ましい。なお、ヒータは、キャリア液を塗布する回転体またはブレードにヒータを内蔵する。あるいは、キャリア液の塗布機構の一部を構成するキャリア液を供給する受け皿にヒータを内蔵する。これにより、簡単な構造でキャリア液を容易に加熱する。
【００３６】
【実施例】
この発明による代表的な実施例を図１ないし図４によって説明する。なお、以下において、同じ箇所は同一の符号を付してあり、詳細な説明を省略することがある。
【００３７】
図１は本発明の実施例を示す。
【００３８】
同図において、印刷媒体に転写せず中間転写体１上に残留した残留現像剤は、中間転写体１が１回転して印刷媒体にトナー画像を転写する転写プロセスが終了し、次のプロセスにおいて現像ユニット４の感光ドラムが中間転写体１にトナー画像を転写するプロセスが開始されるまでの間に除去する必要がある。このため、印刷媒体にトナー画像を転写するために設けた中間転写体１に対向して設置する加圧ローラ２の下流で現像ユニット４の上流に設けるクリーニング手段によって除去する。なお、キャリア除去ローラ６は、中間転写体１上に液体トナーで形成された画像に含まれるキャリアオイル分を除去するものである。
【００３９】
クリーニング手段は、加圧ローラ２の下流で現像ユニット４の上流において、キャリア液塗布手段１１と、バイアス電圧印加手段１２と、回収手段１３とをこの順番に設ける。また、当該クリーニング手段は、中間転写体１に対してクリーニングユニットを接触させたり退避させたりする接触／退避機構によって、クリーニングユニットを中間転写体１に対して着脱できるようにしている。
【００４０】
キャリア液塗布手段１１は、印刷媒体に画像を転写した後の中間転写体１にキャリア液を塗布するものであり、キャリア液塗布手段１１には適宜にキャリア液が供給される。キャリア液塗布手段１１によって塗布したキャリア液が中間転写体１に残留した残留現像剤に浸透し、中間転写体１に残留する残留現像剤が凝集／固着することを弱めるとともに、中間転写体に凝集／固着した残留現像剤を再び液状化させる。
【００４１】
バイアス電圧印加手段１２は、中間転写体１に現像剤のトナー粒子の帯電特性と逆極性のバイアス電圧（現像剤を剥がす方向のバイアス電圧）を印加するものである。なお、本実施例では、トナー粒子がプラス帯電特性を有する場合を示している。バイアス電圧印加手段１２によって現像剤を剥がす方向のバイアス電圧を中間転写体１に印加することにより、中間転写体１に残留する凝集／固着することを弱められた残留現像剤あるいは液状化させた残留現像剤を中間転写体１から剥離させる。
【００４２】
回収手段１３は、キャリア液塗布手段１１で塗布したキャリア液と、中間転写体１から剥離させた凝集／固着することを弱められた残留現像剤あるいは液状化させた残留現像剤とを回収するとともに回収したキャリア液を適宜に排出する。
【００４３】
この構成によれば、液体現像剤を使用する液体現像電子写真装置のクリーニングにおいて、中間転写体に残留する残留現像剤が凝集／固着することを弱め、中間転写体に凝集／固着した残留現像剤を再び液状化させることができる。さらに、中間転写体に残留する残留現像剤を中間転写体から剥離させる。さらに、中間転写体から剥離した残留現像剤をキャリア液とともに回収する。これにより、中間転写体に強く凝集／固着した残留現像剤を効果的に安定してクリーニングすることができる。
【００４４】
以下、クリーニング手段の詳細な構成を説明する。
【００４５】
図２は本発明の実施例を示す。
【００４６】
同図において、前記のキャリア液塗布手段１１として、印刷媒体に画像を転写した後の中間転写体１にキャリア液を塗布するフェルト材からなる第１ブレードを設ける。第１ブレードには、供給用受け皿２４に供給されたキャリア液が供給される。供給用受け皿２４に供給されたキャリア液は、液面が一定になるように適宜に制御される。
【００４７】
また、供給用受け皿２４に供給されたキャリア液は、中間転写体１に残留した残留現像剤を現像剤の樹脂が軟化する温度以上に加熱するために、予め一定温度に加熱されたキャリア液を供給することが望ましい。
【００４８】
バイアス電圧印加手段１２として、中間転写体に現像剤のトナー粒子の帯電特性と逆極性のバイアス電圧（現像剤を剥がす方向のバイアス電圧）を印加する導電体からなる導電性ブラシ２２を用いる。
【００４９】
回収手段１３として、前記の第１ブレード２１で塗布したキャリア液と、印刷媒体に画像を転写せず中間転写体１に残留した残留現像剤とを中間転写体１より除去する第２ブレード２３を構成する。当該第２ブレード２３は、付圧力と弾性をもって中間転写体１に接触し、中間転写体１から剥離した残留現像剤と第１ブレードで塗布したキャリア液とを回収用受け皿２５に回収する。
【００５０】
図３は本発明の実施例を示す。
【００５１】
同図において、前記のキャリア液塗布手段１１として、印刷媒体に画像を転写した後の中間転写体１にキャリア液を塗布する発泡ゴム材からなる第１回転体３１とする。第１回転体３１の回転方向は、中間転写体１との接触部で接触表面が逆方向に移動するように回転（逆回転ということもある。）させる。第１回転体３１には、供給用受け皿２４に供給されたキャリア液がキャリア液供給ローラ３４を介して供給される。なお、第１回転体３１の回転方向を、中間転写体１との接触部で接触表面が順方向に移動するように回転（順回転ということもある。）させてもよい。
【００５２】
また、第１回転体３１には、中間転写体１に残留した残留現像剤を現像剤の樹脂が軟化する温度以上に加熱するために、予め一定温度に加熱されたヒータ３５を内蔵することが望ましい。
【００５３】
バイアス電圧印加手段１２として、中間転写体に現像剤のトナー粒子の帯電特性と逆極性のバイアス電圧（現像剤を剥がす方向のバイアス電圧）を印加する導電体からなる回転体である導電性ブラシ３２を用いる。回転体である導電性ブラシ３２の回転方向は、中間転写体１との接触部で接触表面が逆方向に移動するように回転（逆回転ということもある。）させる。なお、導電性ブラシ３２の回転方向を中間転写体１との接触部で接触表面が順方向に移動するように回転（順回転ということもある。）させてもよい。
【００５４】
回収手段１３は、前述の図２で示した構成と同様の構成とし、前記の第１回転体３１で塗布したキャリア液と印刷媒体に画像を転写せず中間転写体１に残留した残留現像剤とを中間転写体１より除去するブレード３３を構成する。当該ブレード３３は、付圧力と弾性をもって中間転写体１に接触し、中間転写体１から剥離した残留現像剤と第１回転体３１で塗布したキャリア液とを回収用受け皿２５に回収する。
【００５５】
図４は本発明の実施例を示す。
【００５６】
同図において、前記のキャリア液塗布手段１１及びバイアス電圧印加手段１２として、印刷媒体に画像を転写した後の中間転写体１にキャリア液を塗布するとともに、中間転写体１に現像剤のトナー粒子の帯電特性と逆極性のバイアス電圧（現像剤を剥がす方向のバイアス電圧）を印加する導電体からなる第２回転体４１とする。なお、第２回転体４１は導電性ブラシを用いる。導電性ブラシからなる第２回転体４１の回転方向は、中間転写体１との接触部で接触表面が逆方向に移動するように回転（逆回転ということもある。）させる。導電性ブラシからなる第２回転体３１には、供給用受け皿２４に供給されたキャリア液がキャリア液供給ローラ３４を介して供給される。なお、第２回転体４１の回転方向を中間転写体１との接触部で接触表面が順方向に移動するように回転（順回転ということもある。）させてもよい。
【００５７】
なお、供給用受け皿２４には、中間転写体１に残留した残留現像剤を現像剤の樹脂が軟化する温度以上に加熱するために、第２回転体３１に供給するキャリア液を一定温度に加熱させるヒータ３５を内蔵することが望ましい。
【００５８】
回収手段１３は、前述の図２で示した構成と同様の構成とし、前記の第２回転体４１で塗布したキャリア液と印刷媒体に画像を転写せず中間転写体１に残留した残留現像剤とを中間転写体１より除去するブレード４３を構成する。当該ブレード４３は、付圧力と弾性をもって中間転写体１に接触し、中間転写体１から剥離した残留現像剤と第２回転体４１で塗布したキャリア液とを回収用受け皿２５に回収する。
【００５９】
図４に示す構成によれば、第２回転体４１を印刷媒体に画像を転写した後の中間転写体１にキャリア液を塗布するとともに、中間転写体１に現像剤を剥がす方向のバイアス電圧を印加するように構成することから、構造を簡素化する。
【００６０】
図２ないし図４の構成において、中間転写体に残留した残留現像剤を現像剤の樹脂が軟化する温度以上に加熱するために、キャリア液あるいはキャリア液塗布部材を一定温度に加熱することにより、中間転写体に残留した残留現像剤が軟化して、残留現像剤が固着することを弱め、クリーニングの性能を向上する。また、ヒータはキャリア液を塗布する回転体に内蔵する。あるいは、キャリア液の塗布機構を構成するキャリア液を供給する受け皿に内蔵する。あるいは、ヒータを図２に示したキャリア液を塗布するブレードに内蔵しても良い。これにより、簡単な構造でキャリア液を容易に加熱する。
【００６１】
また、第１回転体３１、第２回転体４１、及び回転体である導電性ブラシ３２を逆回転させる場合は、中間転写体と前記回転体との接触部の摩擦が増大することから、クリーニングの性能が向上する。
【００６２】
【発明の効果】
【００６３】
液体現像剤を使用する液体現像電子写真装置のクリーニングにおいて、印刷媒体に画像を転写した後の中間転写体にキャリア液を塗布するので、キャリア液が中間転写体に残留した残留現像剤に浸透し、中間転写体に残留する残留現像剤が凝集／固着することを弱める。さらに、中間転写体に凝集／固着した残留現像剤を再び液状化させる。また、現像剤を剥がす方向のバイアス電圧を中間転写体に印加するので、中間転写体に残留する残留現像剤を中間転写体から剥離させる。また、中間転写体から剥離した残留現像剤をキャリア液とともに回収する。これにより、中間転写体に強く凝集／固着した残留現像剤を効果的に安定してクリーニングすることができる。
【００６４】
さらに、残留現像剤を加熱することから、残留現像剤が軟化して、中間転写体に残留する残留現像剤が固着することを弱め、クリーニングの性能を向上することができる。
【００６５】
さらに、印刷媒体に画像を転写した後の中間転写体にキャリア液を塗布する過程と、中間転写体に現像剤を剥がす方向のバイアス電圧を印加する過程とを同時に行うように構成することから、クリーニング機構の構造を簡素化することができる。
【００６６】
さらに、前記クリーニング機構を構成する回転体の回転を逆回転とすることにより、中間転写体と回転体との接触部の摩擦が増大することから、クリーニングの性能を向上することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の実施例の図である。
【図２】本発明の実施例の図である。
【図３】本発明の実施例の図である。
【図４】本発明の実施例の図である。
【図５】従来技術の図である。
【図６】従来技術の図である。
【符号の説明】
１：中間転写体
２：加圧ローラ
１１：キャリア液塗布手段
１２：バイアス電圧印加手段
１３：回収手段
２１：第１ブレード
２２：導電性ブラシ
２３：第２ブレード
２４：供給用受け皿
２５：回収用受け皿
３１：第１回転体
３２：導電性ブラシ
３３：ブレード
３４：キャリア液供給ローラ
３５：ヒータ
４１：第２回転体
４３：ブレード[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a cleaning method for a liquid developing electrophotographic apparatus using a liquid developer and a liquid developing electrophotographic apparatus, and achieves effective and stable cleaning of residual developer aggregated / fixed on an intermediate transfer member. The present invention relates to a cleaning method for a liquid developing electrophotographic apparatus and a liquid developing electrophotographic apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
FIG. 5 is a diagram of the prior art showing the overall configuration of a liquid developing electrophotographic apparatus. In the figure, the liquid developing electrophotographic apparatus mainly includes developing units 54, 55, 56, and 57, an intermediate transfer member 51, a carrier removing unit 61, a cleaning unit 62, and a fixing unit 53. The developing units 54, 55, 56, and 57 are provided on the intermediate transfer member 51 in association with yellow / magenta / cyan / black. The developing units 54, 55, 56, and 57 are each provided with a photosensitive drum and a developing roller.
[0003]
The developing roller is biased to a predetermined voltage and adheres toner to an exposed portion on the photosensitive drum according to an electric field between the developing roller and develops the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum to form an image. Liquid toner is supplied from a toner reservoir onto the developing roller. Thus, the liquid toner is applied on the developing roller with a predetermined layer thickness.
[0004]
The intermediate transfer member 51 transfers the toner attached to the photosensitive drum in accordance with the electric field between the photosensitive drums. Thus, the four color toner images developed on the respective photosensitive drums are sequentially superimposed on the intermediate transfer member 51 while the intermediate transfer member 51 is rotated once, thereby forming a color image. The carrier liquid is removed by the carrier removal unit 61 from the four-color image superimposed on the intermediate transfer member 51 in this manner.
[0005]
The carrier removal unit 61 removes the carrier oil component from the carrier liquid contained in the image formed with the liquid toner on the intermediate transfer member 51. As shown in FIG. 6, the carrier removing unit 61 includes a carrier removing roller 61a including a bias applying unit that applies a bias in a direction in which each color image is pressed against the intermediate transfer member 51 and a collecting unit that collects oil. Alternatively, the carrier removing belt is brought into contact with the intermediate transfer member 51 to remove excess carrier liquid from the toner layer formed on the intermediate transfer member 51.
[0006]
Thereafter, the four-color image is transferred to the print medium using the pressure roller 52 at the contact portion with the print medium, and then fixed through the fixing unit 53.
[0007]
By the way, all the four color images formed on the intermediate transfer member 51 are not transferred to the printing medium. The residual developer that has not been transferred to the print medium and remains on the intermediate transfer body 51 has completed the transfer process in which the intermediate transfer body 51 makes one rotation to transfer the toner image to the print medium, and the photosensitive drum is in the middle in the next process The toner image is removed before the process of transferring the toner image to the transfer body 51 is started. That is, the toner is removed by a cleaning unit provided downstream of the pressure roller 52 provided opposite to the intermediate transfer member 51 provided for transferring the toner image to the printing medium and upstream of the developing unit 54.
[0008]
As shown in FIG. 6, the cleaning means includes a first cleaning member 62a that is pressed onto the intermediate transfer member 51, and a second cleaning member 62b that is disposed behind the first cleaning member 62a. The first cleaning member 62a uses a conductive elastic roller and is applied with a bias voltage having a polarity opposite to the polarity of the ground or electrostatic latent image. That is, by applying a bias voltage in the direction in which the developer is peeled off to the intermediate transfer member 51, the residual developer aggregated / fixed on the intermediate transfer member 51 is peeled off from the intermediate transfer member 51. The second cleaning member 62b uses an elastic cleaning blade to remove the residual developer that is peeled off from the intermediate transfer member 51 by the first cleaning member 62a.
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, the conventional techniques have the following problems.
[0010]
However, in a liquid development electrophotographic apparatus using a liquid developer, when the residual developer remaining on the intermediate transfer body is not transferred to the printing medium, cleaning is difficult for the following reasons.
[0011]
Prior to the process of transferring the image from the intermediate transfer body to the printing medium, in order to prevent deterioration of the print quality due to wetness with respect to the printing medium, the liquid component of the liquid developer from the liquid developer (image) transferred to the intermediate transfer body It is necessary to remove some carrier liquid appropriately. At that time, the toner solid content (a resin containing pigments and dyes) of the liquid developer aggregates / adheres to the intermediate transfer member. Further, the residual developer remaining on the intermediate transfer member without being transferred to the printing medium is strongly aggregated / fixed on the intermediate transfer member.
[0012]
At the time of transfer to the printing medium, the developer is heated and transferred to a temperature higher than the temperature at which the toner solids of the liquid developer (resin containing pigments and dyes) soften, so it remains on the intermediate transfer body without being transferred to the printing medium. The residual developer thus formed is strongly aggregated / fixed on the intermediate transfer member.
[0013]
Since a high pressure is applied during transfer to the print medium, the residual developer remaining on the intermediate transfer body without being transferred to the print medium is strongly aggregated / adhered to the intermediate transfer body.
[0014]
The subject of this invention is
In the cleaning of a liquid developing electrophotographic apparatus using a liquid developer, it is to effectively and stably clean the residual developer that is strongly aggregated / fixed on the intermediate transfer member.
[0015]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention takes the following means.
[0016]
The carrier liquid is applied to the intermediate transfer member after the image is transferred to the printing medium to weaken the residual developer remaining on the intermediate transfer member from agglomerating / adhering, and the residual developer aggregating / adhering to the intermediate transfer member is removed again. Liquefy. Further, a bias voltage is applied to the intermediate transfer member for separating the residual developer aggregated / fixed on the intermediate transfer member from the intermediate transfer member. Further, the residual developer peeled off from the intermediate transfer member is collected together with the carrier liquid.
[0017]
By taking the above-mentioned means, in cleaning of a liquid developing electrophotographic apparatus using a liquid developer, the residual developer remaining on the intermediate transfer member is weakened from aggregating / fixing, and the residue remaining on the intermediate transfer member is aggregated / fixed. The developer is liquefied again. Further, the residual developer is peeled off from the intermediate transfer member. Further, the residual developer peeled off from the intermediate transfer member is collected together with the carrier liquid. As a result, the residual developer strongly agglomerated / adhered to the intermediate transfer member is effectively and stably cleaned.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention takes the following embodiments.
[0019]
In a cleaning method of a liquid developing electrophotographic apparatus using a liquid developer,
A carrier liquid application process in which a carrier liquid is applied to an intermediate transfer body after transferring an image to a print medium;
A bias voltage application process in which a bias voltage (bias voltage in the direction of peeling the developer) having a polarity opposite to the charging characteristics of the toner particles of the developer is applied to the intermediate transfer member;
A recovery process for recovering the residual developer by removing the carrier liquid applied in the carrier liquid application process and the residual developer remaining on the intermediate transfer body without transferring the image onto the printing medium.
[0020]
By taking the above form, in the carrier liquid application process, since the carrier liquid is applied to the intermediate transfer body after the image is transferred to the print medium, the carrier liquid penetrates into the residual developer remaining on the intermediate transfer body, It weakens the residual developer remaining on the intermediate transfer member from aggregating / fixing. Further, the residual developer aggregated / fixed on the intermediate transfer member is liquefied again. Further, in the bias voltage application process, a bias voltage in the direction in which the developer is peeled off is applied to the intermediate transfer member, so that the residual developer remaining on the intermediate transfer member is peeled off from the intermediate transfer member. In the recovery process, the residual developer peeled from the intermediate transfer member is recovered together with the carrier liquid.
[0021]
Furthermore, in the cleaning method of the liquid developing electrophotographic apparatus,
In the carrier liquid coating process, the residual developer remaining on the intermediate transfer member is heated to a temperature at which the developer resin softens.
[0022]
By taking the above-mentioned form, the residual developer is softened and heated to a temperature higher than the temperature at which the developer resin is softened in the carrier liquid coating process, and the residual developer remaining on the intermediate transfer member is weakened. Further, the cleaning performance of the residual developer aggregated / fixed on the intermediate transfer member is improved.
[0023]
In addition, a liquid provided upstream of the developing unit downstream of the pressure roller, which is disposed opposite to the intermediate transfer member for transferring the toner image to the printing medium with a cleaning means for removing the residual developer remaining on the intermediate transfer member. In a liquid development electrophotographic apparatus using a developer,
The cleaning means includes
Carrier liquid application means for applying a carrier liquid to the intermediate transfer body after transferring the image to the print medium;
A bias voltage applying means for applying a bias voltage (bias voltage in a direction in which the developer is peeled) having a polarity opposite to the charging characteristics of the toner particles of the developer to the intermediate transfer member;
And a recovery means for recovering the residual developer by removing the carrier liquid applied by the carrier liquid application means and the residual developer remaining on the intermediate transfer body without transferring the image onto the printing medium.
[0024]
By taking the above form, the carrier liquid application means applies the carrier liquid to the intermediate transfer body after transferring the image to the printing medium, so that the carrier liquid penetrates into the residual developer remaining on the intermediate transfer body, It weakens the residual developer remaining on the intermediate transfer member from aggregating / fixing. Further, the residual developer aggregated / fixed on the intermediate transfer member is liquefied again. Further, since the bias voltage applying means applies a bias voltage in the direction in which the developer is peeled off to the intermediate transfer member, the residual developer remaining on the intermediate transfer member is peeled off from the intermediate transfer member. The collecting unit collects the residual developer peeled off from the intermediate transfer member together with the carrier liquid.
[0025]
Further, the cleaning means includes
A first blade for applying a carrier liquid to an intermediate transfer body after transferring an image to a print medium;
A conductive brush made of a conductor that applies a bias voltage (bias voltage in the direction of peeling the developer) having a polarity opposite to the charging characteristics of the toner particles of the developer to the intermediate transfer member;
The carrier liquid applied by the first blade and the second blade that removes the residual developer remaining on the intermediate transfer member without transferring the image onto the printing medium from the intermediate transfer member.
[0026]
By taking the above form, the carrier liquid is applied to the intermediate transfer body after the image is transferred to the printing medium by the first blade, so that the carrier liquid penetrates into the residual developer remaining on the intermediate transfer body, and the intermediate transfer Reduces aggregation / fixation of residual developer remaining on the body. Further, the residual developer aggregated / fixed on the intermediate transfer member is liquefied again. In addition, since a bias voltage in the direction of peeling off the developer by the conductive brush is applied to the intermediate transfer member, the residual developer remaining on the intermediate transfer member is peeled off from the intermediate transfer member. Further, the residual developer peeled off from the intermediate transfer member by the second blade is collected together with the carrier liquid.
[0027]
Further, the cleaning means includes
A first rotating body for applying a carrier liquid to an intermediate transfer body after transferring an image to a print medium;
A conductive brush made of a conductor that applies a bias voltage (bias voltage in the direction of peeling the developer) having a polarity opposite to the charging characteristics of the toner particles of the developer to the intermediate transfer member;
The carrier liquid applied by the first rotating body and a blade that removes residual developer remaining on the intermediate transfer body without transferring the image onto the printing medium from the intermediate transfer body.
[0028]
By taking the above form, the carrier liquid is applied to the intermediate transfer body after the image is transferred to the print medium by the first rotating body, so that the carrier liquid penetrates into the residual developer remaining on the intermediate transfer body, It weakens the residual developer remaining on the transfer body from agglomerating / adhering. Further, the residual developer aggregated / fixed on the intermediate transfer member is liquefied again. In addition, since a bias voltage in the direction of peeling off the developer by the conductive brush is applied to the intermediate transfer member, the residual developer remaining on the intermediate transfer member is peeled off from the intermediate transfer member. Further, the residual developer separated from the intermediate transfer member by the blade is collected together with the carrier liquid.
[0029]
Further, the cleaning means includes
The carrier liquid is applied to the intermediate transfer body after the image is transferred to the print medium, and a bias voltage (bias voltage in the direction in which the developer is peeled off) having the opposite polarity to the charging characteristics of the toner particles of the developer is applied to the intermediate transfer body. A second rotating body made of a conductive material,
The carrier liquid applied by the second rotating body and a blade that removes the residual developer remaining on the intermediate transfer body without transferring the image onto the printing medium from the intermediate transfer body.
[0030]
By taking the above form, the carrier liquid is applied to the intermediate transfer body after the image is transferred to the printing medium by the second rotating body, so that the carrier liquid penetrates into the residual developer remaining on the intermediate transfer body, It weakens the residual developer remaining on the transfer body from agglomerating / adhering. Further, the residual developer aggregated / fixed on the intermediate transfer member is liquefied again. Further, since a bias voltage in the direction in which the developer is peeled off is applied to the intermediate transfer member, the residual developer remaining on the intermediate transfer member is peeled off from the intermediate transfer member. Further, the residual developer separated from the intermediate transfer member by the blade is collected together with the carrier liquid.
Since the second rotating body is configured to apply the carrier liquid to the intermediate transfer body after the image is transferred to the printing medium and to apply a bias voltage in the direction of peeling the developer to the intermediate transfer body, the cleaning is performed. Simplify the structure of the mechanism.
[0031]
Further, the cleaning means includes
A rotating member that contacts the intermediate transfer member to apply the carrier liquid to the intermediate transfer member after the image is transferred to the printing medium, and / or a bias having a polarity opposite to the charging characteristics of the toner particles of the developer on the intermediate transfer member In the case of a rotating body that abuts on the intermediate transfer body in order to apply a voltage (bias voltage in the direction in which the developer is peeled off), the rotation surface of the rotating body is reversed at the contact portion with the intermediate transfer body. Rotate to move in the direction (sometimes called reverse rotation).
[0032]
By taking the above-described form, by rotating the rotating body in the reverse direction, the friction at the contact portion between the intermediate transfer body and the rotating body increases, so that the cleaning performance is improved.
[0033]
Furthermore, the carrier liquid application means includes
In order to heat the residual developer remaining on the intermediate transfer member to a temperature higher than the temperature at which the resin of the developer is softened, a heating unit that heats the carrier liquid to a predetermined temperature is provided.
[0034]
By taking the above form, the residual developer is heated, so that the residual developer is softened, and the residual developer remaining on the intermediate transfer body is weakened and the cleaning performance is improved.
[0035]
The carrier liquid applying means is
In order to heat the residual developer remaining on the intermediate transfer body to a temperature higher than the temperature at which the developer resin softens, it is desirable to include a heater for heating the carrier liquid. In addition, a heater incorporates a heater in the rotary body or blade which apply | coats carrier liquid. Alternatively, a heater is incorporated in a tray that supplies a carrier liquid that constitutes a part of the carrier liquid coating mechanism. Thereby, the carrier liquid is easily heated with a simple structure.
[0036]
【Example】
A typical embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following, the same portions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description may be omitted.
[0037]
FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention.
[0038]
In the figure, the residual developer that has not been transferred to the printing medium and remains on the intermediate transfer body 1 has completed the transfer process in which the intermediate transfer body 1 makes one rotation and transfers the toner image to the printing medium. It is necessary to remove the photosensitive drum of the developing unit 4 until the process of transferring the toner image to the intermediate transfer body 1 is started. For this reason, the toner is removed by a cleaning unit provided downstream of the pressure roller 2 disposed opposite to the intermediate transfer member 1 provided for transferring the toner image to the printing medium and upstream of the developing unit 4. The carrier removing roller 6 removes the carrier oil contained in the image formed with the liquid toner on the intermediate transfer body 1.
[0039]
The cleaning means is provided with carrier liquid application means 11, bias voltage application means 12, and recovery means 13 in this order, downstream of the pressure roller 2 and upstream of the developing unit 4. In addition, the cleaning unit is configured so that the cleaning unit can be attached to and detached from the intermediate transfer body 1 by a contact / retraction mechanism that brings the cleaning unit into contact with or retracts from the intermediate transfer body 1.
[0040]
The carrier liquid applying unit 11 applies a carrier liquid to the intermediate transfer body 1 after transferring an image to a printing medium, and the carrier liquid is appropriately supplied to the carrier liquid applying unit 11. The carrier liquid applied by the carrier liquid coating unit 11 penetrates into the residual developer remaining on the intermediate transfer body 1 to weaken the residual developer remaining on the intermediate transfer body 1 from aggregating / adhering and aggregating on the intermediate transfer body. / The residual developer that has been fixed is liquefied again.
[0041]
The bias voltage applying unit 12 applies a bias voltage (bias voltage in a direction in which the developer is peeled) having a polarity opposite to the charging characteristics of the toner particles of the developer to the intermediate transfer member 1. In this embodiment, the toner particles have a positive charging characteristic. By applying a bias voltage in the direction in which the developer is peeled off by the bias voltage applying means 12 to the intermediate transfer body 1, the residual developer that has been weakened from agglomeration / adherence remaining on the intermediate transfer body 1 or liquefied residual The developer is peeled from the intermediate transfer member 1.
[0042]
The collecting unit 13 collects the carrier liquid applied by the carrier liquid applying unit 11 and the residual developer that has been weakened from being agglomerated / fixed and separated from the intermediate transfer body 1 or the liquefied residual developer. The collected carrier liquid is appropriately discharged.
[0043]
According to this configuration, in the cleaning of the liquid development electrophotographic apparatus using the liquid developer, the residual developer remaining on the intermediate transfer member is weakened from aggregation / fixation, and the residual developer aggregated / fixed on the intermediate transfer member Can be liquefied again. Further, the residual developer remaining on the intermediate transfer member is peeled off from the intermediate transfer member. Further, the residual developer peeled off from the intermediate transfer member is collected together with the carrier liquid. This makes it possible to effectively and stably clean the residual developer that is strongly aggregated / adhered to the intermediate transfer member.
[0044]
Hereinafter, a detailed configuration of the cleaning unit will be described.
[0045]
FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the present invention.
[0046]
In the figure, as the carrier liquid applying means 11, a first blade made of a felt material for applying a carrier liquid to the intermediate transfer body 1 after transferring an image to a printing medium is provided. The carrier liquid supplied to the supply tray 24 is supplied to the first blade. The carrier liquid supplied to the supply tray 24 is appropriately controlled so that the liquid level is constant.
[0047]
In addition, the carrier liquid supplied to the supply tray 24 is obtained by using a carrier liquid heated to a predetermined temperature in advance in order to heat the residual developer remaining on the intermediate transfer body 1 to a temperature higher than the temperature at which the developer resin softens. It is desirable to supply.
[0048]
As the bias voltage applying means 12, a conductive brush 22 made of a conductor for applying a bias voltage (bias voltage in a direction in which the developer is peeled) having a polarity opposite to the charging characteristics of the toner particles of the developer to the intermediate transfer member is used.
[0049]
As the collecting means 13, a second blade 23 that removes from the intermediate transfer body 1 the carrier liquid applied by the first blade 21 and the residual developer remaining on the intermediate transfer body 1 without transferring an image to the printing medium. Constitute. The second blade 23 contacts the intermediate transfer member 1 with pressure and elasticity, and collects the residual developer peeled off from the intermediate transfer member 1 and the carrier liquid applied by the first blade in the collection tray 25.
[0050]
FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the present invention.
[0051]
In the figure, the carrier liquid applying means 11 is a first rotating body 31 made of a foamed rubber material for applying a carrier liquid to the intermediate transfer body 1 after transferring an image to a printing medium. The rotation direction of the first rotating body 31 is rotated (sometimes referred to as reverse rotation) so that the contact surface moves in the reverse direction at the contact portion with the intermediate transfer body 1. The carrier liquid supplied to the supply tray 24 is supplied to the first rotating body 31 via the carrier liquid supply roller 34. Note that the rotation direction of the first rotating body 31 may be rotated (sometimes referred to as forward rotation) so that the contact surface moves in the forward direction at the contact portion with the intermediate transfer body 1.
[0052]
Further, the first rotating body 31 may include a heater 35 that is heated to a predetermined temperature in advance in order to heat the residual developer remaining on the intermediate transfer body 1 to a temperature higher than the temperature at which the developer resin softens. desirable.
[0053]
As the bias voltage applying means 12, a conductive brush 32, which is a rotating body made of a conductor that applies a bias voltage (bias voltage in the direction in which the developer is peeled) having a polarity opposite to the charging characteristics of the toner particles of the developer to the intermediate transfer member. Is used. The direction of rotation of the conductive brush 32, which is a rotating body, is rotated so that the contact surface moves in the reverse direction at the contact portion with the intermediate transfer body 1 (sometimes referred to as reverse rotation). The rotating direction of the conductive brush 32 may be rotated (sometimes referred to as forward rotation) so that the contact surface moves in the forward direction at the contact portion with the intermediate transfer body 1.
[0054]
The collection means 13 has the same configuration as that shown in FIG. 2 described above, and the residual developer remaining on the intermediate transfer body 1 without transferring an image to the carrier liquid and the printing medium applied by the first rotating body 31. The blade 33 is configured to be removed from the intermediate transfer member 1. The blade 33 contacts the intermediate transfer body 1 with pressure and elasticity, and collects the residual developer peeled off from the intermediate transfer body 1 and the carrier liquid applied by the first rotating body 31 in the collection tray 25.
[0055]
FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the present invention.
[0056]
In the figure, as the carrier liquid applying means 11 and the bias voltage applying means 12, the carrier liquid is applied to the intermediate transfer body 1 after the image is transferred to the printing medium, and the developer toner particles are applied to the intermediate transfer body 1. The second rotating body 41 is made of a conductor to which a bias voltage (bias voltage in the direction to peel off the developer) having a polarity opposite to the charging characteristics is applied. The second rotating body 41 uses a conductive brush. The rotation direction of the second rotating body 41 made of a conductive brush is rotated (sometimes referred to as reverse rotation) so that the contact surface moves in the opposite direction at the contact portion with the intermediate transfer body 1. The carrier liquid supplied to the supply tray 24 is supplied via the carrier liquid supply roller 34 to the second rotating body 31 made of a conductive brush. The rotation direction of the second rotating body 41 may be rotated (sometimes referred to as forward rotation) so that the contact surface moves in the forward direction at the contact portion with the intermediate transfer body 1.
[0057]
In the supply tray 24, the carrier liquid supplied to the second rotating body 31 is heated to a constant temperature in order to heat the residual developer remaining on the intermediate transfer body 1 to a temperature higher than the temperature at which the developer resin softens. It is desirable to incorporate the heater 35 to be built.
[0058]
The collection means 13 has the same configuration as that shown in FIG. 2 described above, and the residual developer remaining on the intermediate transfer body 1 without transferring the image to the carrier liquid and the printing medium applied by the second rotating body 41. The blade 43 is configured to be removed from the intermediate transfer body 1. The blade 43 comes into contact with the intermediate transfer body 1 with pressure and elasticity, and collects the residual developer peeled off from the intermediate transfer body 1 and the carrier liquid applied by the second rotating body 41 in the collection tray 25.
[0059]
According to the configuration shown in FIG. 4, the carrier liquid is applied to the intermediate transfer body 1 after the second rotating body 41 has transferred the image to the print medium, and the bias voltage in the direction in which the developer is peeled off is applied to the intermediate transfer body 1. Since it is configured to apply, the structure is simplified.
[0060]
2 to 4, in order to heat the residual developer remaining on the intermediate transfer body to a temperature higher than the temperature at which the resin of the developer softens, the carrier liquid or the carrier liquid coating member is heated to a constant temperature, Residual developer remaining on the intermediate transfer member is softened to weaken sticking of the residual developer and improve cleaning performance. The heater is built in the rotating body that applies the carrier liquid. Alternatively, it is built in a receiving tray for supplying the carrier liquid constituting the carrier liquid coating mechanism. Or you may incorporate a heater in the braid | blade which apply | coats the carrier liquid shown in FIG. Thereby, the carrier liquid is easily heated with a simple structure.
[0061]
In addition, when the first rotating body 31, the second rotating body 41, and the conductive brush 32, which is the rotating body, are rotated in reverse, the friction at the contact portion between the intermediate transfer body and the rotating body increases, so that cleaning is performed. Improved performance.
[0062]
【The invention's effect】
[0063]
When cleaning a liquid developing electrophotographic apparatus using a liquid developer, the carrier liquid is applied to the intermediate transfer body after the image is transferred to the printing medium, so that the carrier liquid penetrates into the residual developer remaining on the intermediate transfer body. The residual developer remaining on the intermediate transfer member is weakened from aggregation / fixation. Further, the residual developer aggregated / fixed on the intermediate transfer member is liquefied again. Further, since a bias voltage in the direction in which the developer is peeled off is applied to the intermediate transfer member, the residual developer remaining on the intermediate transfer member is peeled off from the intermediate transfer member. Further, the residual developer peeled off from the intermediate transfer member is collected together with the carrier liquid. This makes it possible to effectively and stably clean the residual developer that is strongly aggregated / adhered to the intermediate transfer member.
[0064]
Further, since the residual developer is heated, the residual developer is softened, and the residual developer remaining on the intermediate transfer member is weakened and the cleaning performance can be improved.
[0065]
Furthermore, since the process of applying the carrier liquid to the intermediate transfer body after transferring the image to the printing medium and the process of applying a bias voltage in the direction of peeling the developer to the intermediate transfer body are performed at the same time, The structure of the cleaning mechanism can be simplified.
[0066]
Further, by making the rotation of the rotating member constituting the cleaning mechanism reverse, the friction at the contact portion between the intermediate transfer member and the rotating member increases, so that the cleaning performance can be improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram of the prior art.
FIG. 6 is a diagram of the prior art.
[Explanation of symbols]
1: Intermediate transfer member
2: Pressure roller
11: Carrier liquid application means
12: Bias voltage applying means
13: Collecting means
21: First blade
22: Conductive brush
23: Second blade
24: Supply tray
25: Collection tray
31: First rotating body
32: Conductive brush
33: Blade
34: Carrier liquid supply roller
35: Heater
41: Second rotating body
43: Blade

Claims (6)

液体現像剤を使用する液体現像電子写真装置のクリーニング方法において、
印刷媒体に画像を転写した後の中間転写体にキャリア液を塗布するキャリア液塗布過程と、
中間転写体に現像剤のトナー粒子の帯電特性と逆極性のバイアス電圧を印加するバイアス電圧印加過程と、
キャリア液塗布過程で塗布したキャリア液と印刷媒体に画像を転写せず中間転写体に残留した残留現像剤とを中間転写体より除去して残留現像剤を回収する回収過程とを備え、
さらに、前記キャリア液塗布過程において、中間転写体に残留した残留現像剤を現像剤の樹脂が軟化する温度以上に加熱する、ことを特徴とする液体現像電子写真装置のクリーニング方法。In a cleaning method of a liquid developing electrophotographic apparatus using a liquid developer,
A carrier liquid application process in which a carrier liquid is applied to an intermediate transfer body after transferring an image to a print medium;
A bias voltage application process in which a bias voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging characteristics of the toner particles of the developer is applied to the intermediate transfer member;
A recovery process for recovering the residual developer by removing the carrier liquid applied in the carrier liquid application process and the residual developer remaining on the intermediate transfer body without transferring the image onto the printing medium,
Further, in the carrier liquid coating process, the residual developer remaining on the intermediate transfer member is heated to a temperature at which the developer resin is softened or higher . 中間転写体に残留した残留現像剤を除去するクリーニング手段を印刷媒体にトナー画像を転写するために中間転写体に対向して設置する加圧ローラの下流で現像ユニットの上流に設けた液体現像剤を使用する液体現像電子写真装置において、
前記クリーニング手段は、印刷媒体に画像を転写した後の中間転写体にキャリア液を塗布するキャリア液塗布手段と、
中間転写体に現像剤のトナー粒子の帯電特性と逆極性のバイアス電圧を印加するバイアス電圧印加手段と、
キャリア液塗布手段で塗布したキャリア液と印刷媒体に画像を転写せず中間転写体に残留した残留現像剤とを中間転写体より除去して残留現像剤を回収する回収手段とを備え、
さらに、前記キャリア液塗布手段に、中間転写体に残留した残留現像剤を現像剤の樹脂が軟化する温度以上に加熱するために、キャリア液を予め一定温度に加熱する加熱手段を備える、ことを特徴とする液体現像電子写真装置。A liquid developer provided upstream of the developing unit downstream of the pressure roller provided on the intermediate transfer member to remove the residual developer remaining on the intermediate transfer member so as to transfer the toner image onto the printing medium. In a liquid developing electrophotographic apparatus using
The cleaning means includes a carrier liquid application means for applying a carrier liquid to the intermediate transfer body after transferring the image to the printing medium;
Bias voltage applying means for applying a bias voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging characteristics of the toner particles of the developer to the intermediate transfer member;
A recovery means for recovering the residual developer by removing the carrier liquid applied by the carrier liquid application means and the residual developer remaining on the intermediate transfer body without transferring the image onto the printing medium;
Further, the carrier liquid coating means includes heating means for heating the carrier liquid to a predetermined temperature in advance in order to heat the residual developer remaining on the intermediate transfer body to a temperature higher than the temperature at which the developer resin softens. A liquid developing electrophotographic apparatus. 前記クリーニング手段は、
印刷媒体に画像を転写した後の中間転写体にキャリア液を塗布する第１ブレードと、中間転写体に現像剤のトナー粒子の帯電特性と逆極性のバイアス電圧を印加する導電体からなる導電性ブラシと、第１ブレードで塗布したキャリア液と印刷媒体に画像を転写せず中間転写体に残留した残留現像剤とを中間転写体より除去する第２ブレードとで構成する、ことを特徴とする請求項２記載の液体現像電子写真装置。The cleaning means includes
Conductivity comprising a first blade for applying a carrier liquid to an intermediate transfer body after transferring an image to a print medium, and a conductor for applying a bias voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging characteristics of toner particles of the developer to the intermediate transfer body The brush comprises a carrier liquid applied by a first blade and a second blade that removes residual developer remaining on the intermediate transfer member without transferring an image onto the printing medium from the intermediate transfer member. The liquid developing electrophotographic apparatus according to claim 2 . 前記クリーニング手段は、
印刷媒体に画像を転写した後の中間転写体にキャリア液を塗布する第１回転体と、中間転写体に現像剤のトナー粒子の帯電特性と逆極性のバイアス電圧を印加する導電体からなる導電性ブラシと、第１回転体で塗布したキャリア液と印刷媒体に画像を転写せず中間転写体に残留した残留現像剤とを中間転写体より除去するブレードとで構成する、ことを特徴とする請求項２記載の液体現像電子写真装置。The cleaning means includes
A first rotating body that applies a carrier liquid to an intermediate transfer body after an image is transferred to a print medium, and a conductive body that applies a bias voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging characteristics of toner particles of the developer to the intermediate transfer body. And a blade that removes residual carrier remaining on the intermediate transfer body without transferring the image onto the printing medium and the carrier liquid applied by the first rotating body from the intermediate transfer body. The liquid developing electrophotographic apparatus according to claim 2 . 前記クリーニング手段は、
印刷媒体に画像を転写した後の中間転写体にキャリア液を塗布するとともに、中間転写体に現像剤のトナー粒子の帯電特性と逆極性のバイアス電圧を印加する導電体からなる第２回転体と、第２回転体で塗布したキャリア液と印刷媒体に画像を転写せず中間転写体に残留した残留現像剤とを中間転写体より除去するブレードとで構成する、ことを特徴とする請求項２記載の液体現像電子写真装置。The cleaning means includes
A second rotating body made of a conductor for applying a carrier voltage to the intermediate transfer body after the image is transferred to the print medium and applying a bias voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging characteristics of the toner particles of the developer to the intermediate transfer body; , claim 2 constituted by a blade for removing residual developer and remaining on the intermediate transfer member without transferring the image to a coated carrier liquid and the printing medium in the second rotary member from the intermediate transfer member, it is characterized by The liquid developing electrophotographic apparatus according to the description. 前記クリーニング手段は、
印刷媒体に画像を転写した後の中間転写体にキャリア液を塗布するために中間転写体に当接する回転体、又は／及び、中間転写体に現像剤のトナー粒子の帯電特性と逆極性のバイアス電圧を印加するために中間転写体に当接する回転体で構成する場合は、当該回転体の回転方向は、中間転写体との接触部で接触表面が逆方向に移動するように回転させる、ことを特徴とする請求項２、３、４、または５記載の液体現像電子写真装置。The cleaning means includes
A rotating member that contacts the intermediate transfer member to apply the carrier liquid to the intermediate transfer member after the image is transferred to the printing medium, and / or a bias having a polarity opposite to the charging characteristics of the toner particles of the developer on the intermediate transfer member In the case of a rotating body that contacts the intermediate transfer body in order to apply a voltage, the rotational direction of the rotating body is rotated so that the contact surface moves in the opposite direction at the contact portion with the intermediate transfer body. The liquid developing electrophotographic apparatus according to claim 2 , 3, 4, or 5 .
JP2002128341A 2002-02-08 2002-04-30 Cleaning method for liquid developing electrophotographic apparatus and liquid developing electrophotographic apparatus Expired - Fee Related JP3790718B2 (en)

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