JP4578130B2 - Image carrier polishing method and image forming apparatus in image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Image carrier polishing method and image forming apparatus in image forming apparatus Download PDF

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JP4578130B2
JP4578130B2 JP2004081198A JP2004081198A JP4578130B2 JP 4578130 B2 JP4578130 B2 JP 4578130B2 JP 2004081198 A JP2004081198 A JP 2004081198A JP 2004081198 A JP2004081198 A JP 2004081198A JP 4578130 B2 JP4578130 B2 JP 4578130B2
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image carrier
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toner
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孝幸 佐藤
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Kyocera Document Solutions Inc
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Description

本発明は、電子写真方式を利用した複写機、プリンタ、ファクシミリ、それらの複合機などの画像形成装置における像担持体の研磨方法及び画像形成装置に係り、特に、複数の感光体（像担持体）を中間転写ベルトなどの中間転写体の搬送方向に設け、それぞれの感光体（像担持体）上に形成されたトナー像を中間転写体に転写した後、感光体（像担持体）上に残ったトナーをクリーニングするようにした画像形成装置における像担持体の研磨方法及び画像形成装置に関するものである。   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image carrier polishing method and an image forming apparatus in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, or a composite machine using an electrophotographic method, and more particularly, a plurality of photoconductors (image carriers). ) In the conveying direction of the intermediate transfer member such as an intermediate transfer belt, and after the toner images formed on the respective photosensitive members (image carriers) are transferred to the intermediate transfer member, the toner images are formed on the photosensitive member (image carrier). The present invention relates to an image carrier polishing method and an image forming apparatus in an image forming apparatus in which remaining toner is cleaned.

使用するトナーの色に対応させ、感光体（像担持体）、帯電器、プリント用露光器、トナー供給容器などで構成される複数の電子写真プロセス部材を中間転写体などの転写部材の搬送方向に並べて配置し、転写部材の送りに同期させて各色の感光体（像担持体）上にトナー像を形成して転写部材上で色重ねを行うタンデム型のカラー画像形成装置は、高速のカラー画像形成装置として注目されている。   A plurality of electrophotographic process members composed of a photoreceptor (image carrier), a charger, an exposure device for printing, a toner supply container, and the like corresponding to the color of the toner to be used are transported in the transfer member such as an intermediate transfer member. The tandem type color image forming apparatus, which is arranged side by side and forms a toner image on each color photoconductor (image carrier) in synchronization with the transfer of the transfer member and superimposes the color on the transfer member, is a high-speed color image forming apparatus. It is attracting attention as an image forming apparatus.

すなわちフルカラー画像形成装置では、複数色のトナー像を正確に重ね合わせることが必要であるが、紙等の記録用紙上で直接トナー像を重ね合わせるよりも、各色のトナー像を一旦中間転写体上に中間転写（１次転写）して重ね合わせ、このフルカラーとなったトナー像をさらに中間転写体から記録用紙に転写（２次転写）する方が、記録用紙の位置ズレなどによる色ズレ等の不都合を生じることなく、確実にフルカラー画像の形成を行うことができるからである。   That is, in a full-color image forming apparatus, it is necessary to accurately superimpose toner images of a plurality of colors. However, rather than superimposing toner images directly on recording paper such as paper, each color toner image is temporarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer member. The intermediate transfer (primary transfer) is superimposed and the full-color toner image is further transferred from the intermediate transfer member to the recording paper (secondary transfer). This is because a full color image can be reliably formed without causing any inconvenience.

そしてこのような中間転写体は、一般に、樹脂フィルム単層、またはゴム弾性体などからなる弾性基体（無瑞ベルト或いはドラム状）の表面にフッ素樹脂が設けられた構造を有し、樹脂フィルム単層、または表面にフッ素樹脂を設けた弾性体であっても、いずれにしても表面の離型性を高め、且つ、摩擦係数を軽減する必要がある。   Such an intermediate transfer member generally has a structure in which a fluororesin is provided on the surface of a resin film single layer or an elastic substrate (ruby belt or drum shape) made of a rubber elastic body. Even in the case of an elastic body having a layer or a surface provided with a fluororesin, it is necessary to increase the surface releasability and reduce the friction coefficient in any case.

また画像形成装置においては、次の画像形成に備えるため、感光体（像担持体）上に形成されたトナー像を中間転写体に転写した後、感光体（像担持体）上に残ったトナーをクリーニングブレード等のクリーニング機構によってクリーニングして除去すること、さらに必要に応じ、光照射等による除電を行うことが一般的に行われている。   In the image forming apparatus, in order to prepare for the next image formation, the toner image formed on the photosensitive member (image carrier) is transferred to the intermediate transfer member, and then the toner remaining on the photosensitive member (image carrier). Is generally removed by cleaning with a cleaning mechanism such as a cleaning blade, and if necessary, neutralization is performed by light irradiation or the like.

そしてこのクリーニングに際しては、トナーに含まれる研磨剤等が、クリーニングブレード先端と感光体（像担持体）との接触部であるクリーニング部分に滞留して感光体（像担持体）表面を摺擦・研磨するため、印字枚数を重ねるにしたがって感光体（像担持体）表面が磨耗してゆく。一方、中間転写体を用いずに記録用紙に感光体（像担持体）から直接トナー像を転写し、感光体（像担持体）と記録用紙が直接接触するような方式では、記録用紙と感光体（像担持体）表面が擦れることによって感光体（像担持体）表面が摩耗してゆく。   In this cleaning, the abrasive contained in the toner stays in the cleaning portion that is the contact portion between the tip of the cleaning blade and the photoconductor (image carrier) and rubs the surface of the photoconductor (image carrier). As the number of printed sheets is increased, the surface of the photosensitive member (image carrier) is worn away. On the other hand, in a system in which a toner image is directly transferred from a photosensitive member (image carrier) to a recording sheet without using an intermediate transfer member, and the photosensitive member (image carrier) and the recording sheet are in direct contact, the recording sheet and the photosensitive member are exposed. The surface of the photoconductor (image carrier) is worn by rubbing the surface of the photoconductor (image carrier).

しかしながら中間転写体は、前記したように記録用紙等と比較して表面粗さが小さく、摩擦係数も小さくしてあるから、中間転写方式におけるドラムの磨耗及び研磨は、画像形成時のトナーのクリーニングによるところが大きく、印字される画像パターンに依存するところが大きくなる。そのため極端には、記録用紙搬送方向に対して平行に描かれる画像が多い定型フォームのように、一定の部分に画像のみが印字されるような画像を多数印字するような場合、ドラム軸方向に関して画像の形成される場所と形成されない場所、つまり転写残トナーがクリーニング部分へ供給される場所と供給されない場所が一定となり、クリーニング部分における滞留トナー量にバラツキが生じる。   However, since the intermediate transfer member has a smaller surface roughness and a smaller coefficient of friction than the recording paper as described above, the abrasion and polishing of the drum in the intermediate transfer method is a cleaning of toner during image formation. Is greatly dependent on the image pattern to be printed. Therefore, in the extreme case, when printing a large number of images in which only an image is printed on a certain part, such as a fixed form in which many images are drawn in parallel to the recording paper conveyance direction, A place where an image is formed and a place where the image is not formed, that is, a place where the transfer residual toner is supplied to the cleaning portion and a place where the toner is not supplied are constant, and the amount of staying toner in the cleaning portion varies.

ここで、クリーニング部分においては、トナーは進行方向に対し堰きとめられる状況であるため、かなりの長い時間滞留することとなり、感光体（像担持体）の回転やトナーの進入等、物理的なストレスを受け、トナー粒子表面に付着している小径の研磨剤等の外添剤がトナー表面から脱落しやすく、このトナー粒子から脱落した研磨剤などはトナー粒子より硬度が大きいため、感光体表面を削る（研磨）ことになる。したがって、このように一定位置のみにトナーが滞留すると、その部分が他の位置に比べて余計研磨されて感光体の軸方向における研磨具合がばらつく。   Here, in the cleaning portion, since the toner is dammed in the traveling direction, the toner stays for a considerably long time, and physical stress such as rotation of the photosensitive member (image carrier) or toner intrusion occurs. As a result, external additives such as a small diameter abrasive that adheres to the surface of the toner particles are easily removed from the toner surface, and the abrasive removed from the toner particles has a higher hardness than the toner particles. It will be scraped (polished). Therefore, when the toner stays only at a certain position as described above, the portion is further polished as compared with other positions, and the degree of polishing in the axial direction of the photoreceptor varies.

また、タンデム型フルカラー画像形成装置では、使用されるトナーは一般に黒（Ｂ）、イエロー（Ｙ）、シアン（Ｃ）、マゼンタ（Ｍ）の４種類であるが、各色のトナーの処方や外添剤の種類、量が色毎に異なることがあり、同量のトナーがクリーニング部分に達しても、同一の研磨・摺擦効果が得られるとは限らない。そのため各感光体（像担持体）には、クリーニング部分でのトナー量のバラツキに加え、各色の電子写真プロセスで使用されるトナーの研磨剤処方の差異によって研磨具合がバラツキ、感光体（像担持体）の膜厚が軸方向でバラついて、感光体によって帯電電位や露光後電位が異なり、所望するカラー画像が得られないということがあった。   In the tandem type full-color image forming apparatus, there are generally four types of toners, black (B), yellow (Y), cyan (C), and magenta (M). The type and amount of the agent may be different for each color, and even if the same amount of toner reaches the cleaning portion, the same polishing and rubbing effect is not always obtained. For this reason, each photoconductor (image carrier) varies in the amount of toner in the cleaning portion, and also varies depending on the abrasive formulation of the toner used in each color electrophotographic process. The thickness of the body) varies in the axial direction, and the charged potential and post-exposure potential differ depending on the photoreceptor, and a desired color image cannot be obtained.

このようなことに対処するため例えば特許文献１、２には、感光体（像担持体）の軸方向に対してトナーが特性上の差異をもつことを極力抑制して、カブリ、カスレ等の印字欠陥のない画像を得るため、記録用紙の印字領域を用紙搬送方向と直角な方向に複数の領域に分割し、各領域毎に印字ドット数をカウントしてカウント数に基づき、予め定めた段階のべた画像を形成して現像するか（特許文献１）、またはクリーニング機能の劣化が推認される非画像領域のクリーニング用トナー量を他の部位のトナー量とは異ならせ、それによってクリーニングを行うようにした画像形成装置が示されている。   In order to deal with such a problem, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose that the toner has a characteristic difference with respect to the axial direction of the photoconductor (image carrier) as much as possible to prevent fogging, blurring, and the like. In order to obtain an image free from print defects, the print area of the recording paper is divided into a plurality of areas in a direction perpendicular to the paper conveyance direction, and the number of print dots is counted for each area, and a predetermined stage based on the count number Either a solid image is formed and developed (Patent Document 1), or the amount of cleaning toner in the non-image area where the deterioration of the cleaning function is assumed to be different from the amount of toner in other portions, thereby cleaning is performed. An image forming apparatus configured as described above is shown.

また特許文献３には、感光体表面に付着したコロナ生成物やタルク等の付着物を取り除くため、感光体の表面研磨のための磁気ブラシを設置し、感光体表面の汚れ状況をチェックするセンサからの信号によって感光体表面を研磨するようにした画像形成装置が示されている。   In Patent Document 3, a magnetic brush for polishing the surface of the photoconductor is installed in order to remove deposits such as corona products and talc adhering to the surface of the photoconductor, and a sensor for checking the contamination status of the photoconductor surface. 1 shows an image forming apparatus in which the surface of a photoconductor is polished by a signal from.

特許第３２８５７８４号公報Japanese Patent No. 3285784 特開平５−１６５２９４号公報JP-A-5-165294 特開平１０−１３３５１０号公報JP-A-10-133510

しかしながら特許文献１、２に示された画像形成装置は、記録用紙搬送方向と直角な方向に印字領域を複数に分割し、そのおのおのの領域毎にカウントした印字ドット数に基づいてクリーニングトナー量を制御するようにしているだけで、前記した各色の電子写真プロセスで使用されるトナーの研磨剤処方の差異によって生じる研磨具合のバラツキへの対処方法については示唆が無い。そのため、複数の色を用いる画像形成装置においては、トナーの研磨剤処方の差異によって感光体（像担持体）毎に研磨具合がバラついてしまう。   However, the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 divides a print area into a plurality of directions in a direction perpendicular to the recording paper conveyance direction, and determines the amount of cleaning toner based on the number of print dots counted for each area. There is no suggestion about how to deal with the variation in the polishing condition caused by the difference in the abrasive formulation of the toner used in the above-described electrophotographic process of each color. For this reason, in an image forming apparatus using a plurality of colors, the degree of polishing varies for each photoconductor (image carrier) due to a difference in toner abrasive formulation.

また、特許文献３に示された画像形成装置は、感光体表面の汚れ状況をチェックするセンサからの信号によって研磨しているが、この研磨にあたっても、複数の感光体（像担持体）を有し、複数の色を用いる画像形成装置において、トナーの研磨剤処方の差異によって生じる感光体（像担持体）毎の研磨具合のバラツキについては何ら考慮されてはおらず、そのため、トナーの研磨剤処方の差異によって感光体（像担持体）毎の研磨具合がバラついてしまう。また外添剤が色調に影響する場合は研磨剤の添加量は必要最小限に押えられいているが、このようなトナーで感光体（像担持体）の研磨を行うと、トナー中の研磨剤の添加量が少ないのでトナーを大量に消費することになるので、トナーが無駄になってしまう。   In addition, the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 3 is polished by a signal from a sensor that checks the state of contamination on the surface of the photoconductor. In this polishing, a plurality of photoconductors (image carriers) are provided. However, in the image forming apparatus using a plurality of colors, no consideration is given to the variation in the degree of polishing for each photoconductor (image carrier) caused by the difference in the toner abrasive prescription. Due to this difference, the degree of polishing for each photoconductor (image carrier) varies. Further, when the external additive affects the color tone, the amount of the abrasive added is kept to a minimum, but when the photosensitive member (image carrier) is polished with such a toner, the abrasive contained in the toner Since the amount of toner added is small, a large amount of toner is consumed, so that the toner is wasted.

そのため本発明においては、定型フォームのように一定部分に画像のみが印字されるような場合でも、また、使用されるトナーの処方や外添剤の種類、量によって研磨具合がバラつくような場合でも、常に均等に感光体（像担持体）が摺擦・研磨されるようにしたタンデム型の画像形成装置における像担持体のクリーニング方法及び画像形成装置を提供することが課題である。   Therefore, in the present invention, even in the case where only an image is printed on a certain part like a standard form, or when the degree of polishing varies depending on the prescription of the toner used and the type and amount of the external additive. However, it is an object to provide a cleaning method and an image forming apparatus for an image carrier in a tandem type image forming apparatus in which a photoconductor (image carrier) is always rubbed and polished uniformly.

上記課題を解決するため本発明の画像形成装置における像担持体のクリーニング方法は、
使用する複数色のトナーのそれぞれに対応して配列された複数の像担持体に夫々対応させて設けた複数の現像装置には、研磨剤を含有する各色毎のトナーの収納容器が夫々設けてあり、該夫々の現像装置内の現像手段を用いて形成させた各色のトナー像を、前記像担持体の前記配列方向を搬送方向とする中間転写体に、前記複数の像担持体の夫々の一次転写手段に印加した転写バイアスによって重ね合わせて転写させ、
一方前記像担持体上の転写残のトナーを、前記像担持体に接触させたクリーニング手段で摺擦させて、該像担持体を研磨するようにした画像形成装置における像担持体の研磨方法において、
前記中間転写体搬送方向最上流に位置した像担持体に対応して設けた現像装置が用いるトナーに、他の像担持体に対応して設けた現像装置が用いるトナーよりも多くの研磨剤を含ませ、
前記複数の像担持体のそれぞれにおいて該像担持体の軸方向に複数の領域を設定し、該各々の領域毎の累積現像量を算出し、
該算出結果に基づいて研磨を行うべき前記領域毎の研磨用トナー量に対応したトナー像を、前記中間転写体搬送方向最上流に位置する像担持体に形成させ、
研磨対象の像担持体が前記中間転写体搬送方向最上流に位置する像担持体である場合には、該研磨対象の像担持体の一次転写手段に前記転写バイアスとは極性が逆の転写逆バイアスを印加することにより、前記トナー像を前記像担持体に接触させたクリーニング手段で摺擦させて、前記研磨対象の像担持体を研磨し、
研磨対象の像担持体が前記中間転写体搬送方向最上流より下流側に位置する像担持体である場合には、（ｉ）前記中間転写体搬送方向最上流に位置する像担持体に形成されたトナー像を、該中間転写体搬送方向最上流に位置する像担持体に対応した一次転写手段に前記転写バイアスを印加することにより前記中間転写体に転写し、（ｉｉ）該中間転写体を搬送することにより前記中間転写体に転写されたトナー像を研磨対象の像担持体の転写位置に導き、（ｉｉｉ）前記研磨対象の像担持体の一次転写手段に、前記転写バイアスとは極性が逆の転写逆バイアスを印加するとともに、前記研磨対象の像担持体と前記中間転写体搬送方向最上流に位置する像担持体との間に位置する像担持体の一次転写手段に前記転写バイアスを印加することにより、前記導かれたトナー像を前記研磨対象の像担持体上に逆転写させて、前記像担持体に接触させたクリーニング手段で摺擦させて、前記研磨対象の像担持体を研磨することを特徴とする。 In order to solve the above problems, a method for cleaning an image carrier in the image forming apparatus of the present invention includes:
A plurality of developing devices provided respectively corresponding to a plurality of image carriers arranged corresponding to each of a plurality of colors of toner to be used are provided with toner storage containers for each color containing an abrasive. A toner image of each color formed using the developing means in each of the developing devices is transferred to an intermediate transfer member having the arrangement direction of the image carriers as a transport direction, and each of the plurality of image carriers is the transfer bias applied to primary transfer means thus superimposed is transferred,
On the other hand, in the method for polishing an image carrier in an image forming apparatus, the toner remaining after transfer on the image carrier is rubbed with a cleaning means in contact with the image carrier to polish the image carrier. ,
The toner used by the developing device provided corresponding to the image carrier positioned at the most upstream in the conveyance direction of the intermediate transfer member has more abrasive than the toner used by the developing device provided corresponding to the other image carrier. Include
In each of the plurality of image carriers, a plurality of regions are set in the axial direction of the image carrier, and a cumulative development amount for each region is calculated.
Based on the calculation result, a toner image corresponding to the amount of toner for polishing in each region to be polished is formed on the image carrier located at the most upstream in the intermediate transfer member conveyance direction,
When the image carrier to be polished is the image carrier located at the most upstream in the conveyance direction of the intermediate transfer member, the reverse transfer of the polarity opposite to the transfer bias is applied to the primary transfer unit of the image carrier to be polished. By applying a bias, the toner image is rubbed with a cleaning means in contact with the image carrier to polish the image carrier to be polished,
When the image carrier to be polished is an image carrier located downstream from the most upstream in the intermediate transfer member conveyance direction, (i) formed on the image carrier located in the most upstream in the intermediate transfer member conveyance direction. The transferred toner image is transferred to the intermediate transfer member by applying the transfer bias to a primary transfer unit corresponding to the image carrier positioned on the most upstream side in the conveyance direction of the intermediate transfer member, and (ii) the intermediate transfer member is transferred to the intermediate transfer member. The toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer member is conveyed to the transfer position of the image carrier to be polished, and (iii) the transfer bias has a polarity to the primary transfer unit of the image carrier to be polished. While applying a reverse transfer reverse bias, the transfer bias is applied to the primary transfer means of the image carrier positioned between the image carrier to be polished and the image carrier located at the most upstream in the transport direction of the intermediate transfer member. By applying , The guided toner image is reversely transferred onto the image bearing member of the polished, by rubbing with a cleaning means into contact with said image bearing member, to polish the image bearing member of the polished Features.

また、この像担持体のクリーニング方法を実施する、
請求項１記載の像担持体の研磨方法に使用される画像形成装置において、
前記複数の像担持体のそれぞれにおいて該像担持体の軸方向に設定された複数の領域毎の累積現像量を算出する手段と、該累積現像量算出手段が算出した軸方向領域毎の累積現像量を前記像担持体毎に記憶する記憶手段と、該記憶手段に記憶された軸方向領域毎の累積現像量に基づき、研磨を行う像担持体における軸方向領域毎の研磨用トナー量に対応したトナー像を前記中間転写体搬送方向最上流に位置する像担持体に形成させる研磨用トナー像形成手段と、
該研磨用トナー像形成手段により形成されたトナー像を、前記中間転写体搬送方向最上流に位置する像担持体を研磨する場合は前記中間転写体搬送方向最上流に位置する像担持体の一次転写手段に前記転写逆バイアスを印加し、
一方前記中間転写体搬送方向下流の像担持体を研磨する場合は前記中間転写体搬送方向最上流に位置する像担持体の一次転写手段に前記転写バイアスを印加して前記形成されたトナー像を前記中間転写体に転写させ、前記研磨対象の像担持体の一次転写手段に前記転写逆バイアスを印加し、一方該研磨対象の像担持体と前記中間転写体搬送方向最上流に位置する像担持体との間に位置する像担持体の一次転写手段に前記転写バイアスを印加させる転写バイアス印加制御手段とからなることを特徴とする。 Also, this image carrier cleaning method is carried out,
The image forming apparatus used in the image carrier polishing method according to claim 1 ,
Means for calculating a cumulative development amount for each of a plurality of regions set in the axial direction of the image carrier in each of the plurality of image carriers, and a cumulative development for each axial region calculated by the cumulative development amount calculation unit. Corresponding to the amount of polishing toner for each axial region in the image carrier to be polished based on the storage means for storing the amount for each image carrier and the accumulated development amount for each axial region stored in the storage means a polishing toner image forming means for the toner image Ru is formed on the image bearing member positioned in the conveyance direction of the intermediate transfer body most upstream that,
The toner image formed by the polishing toner image forming means, the primary of the intermediate transfer member when polishing a image bearing member which is positioned in the conveying direction most upstream image carrier positioned at the most upstream the intermediate transfer member conveyance direction the transfer reverse bias is applied to the transfer means,
Meanwhile the intermediate transfer member a toner image which is the formed by applying the transfer bias to the primary transfer unit of the image carrier is located in the conveying direction most upstream when polishing the intermediate transfer member conveyance direction downstream image bearing member wherein is transferred to an intermediate transfer member, the transfer reverse bias to the primary transfer means before Symbol Migaku Ken target image bearing member is applied, while positioned in the conveyance direction of the intermediate transfer body most upstream image carrier of the polished characterized in that comprising a transfer bias applying control means for applying the transfer bias to the primary transfer unit of the image carrier positioned between the image bearing member.

そして、前記像担持体の軸方向に設定した複数の領域毎の累積現像量算出は、形成する画像のドット数を像担持体の軸方向所定領域毎に累積して算出し、その算出にはカウンタを用いることを特徴とする。   The cumulative development amount calculation for each of the plurality of regions set in the axial direction of the image carrier is calculated by accumulating the number of dots of the image to be formed for each predetermined region in the axial direction of the image carrier. A counter is used.

また、前記研磨を、非画像形成時、劣化トナー排出時行うことを特徴とする。   Further, the polishing is performed when non-image formation is performed and when deteriorated toner is discharged.

さらに、前記中間転写体搬送方向最上流に位置した像担持体に対応して設けた現像装置が用いるトナーに、他の像担持体に対応して設けた現像装置が用いるトナーよりも多くの像担持体の研磨・摺擦用研磨剤を含ませたことを特徴とする。   Further, the toner used by the developing device provided corresponding to the image carrier positioned upstream in the conveyance direction of the intermediate transfer member has more images than the toner used by the developing device provided corresponding to the other image carrier. An abrasive for polishing and rubbing the carrier is included.

そして、前記中間転写体搬送方向最上流に位置した像担持体に対応して設けた現像装置が用いるトナーの収容装置を、他の像担持体に対応して設けた現像装置が用いるトナーの収容装置より大きくしたことを特徴とする。   The toner storage device used by the developing device provided corresponding to the image carrier positioned at the most upstream in the conveyance direction of the intermediate transfer member is used as the toner storage device used by the developing device provided corresponding to the other image carrier. It is characterized by being larger than the device.

このように、複数の像担持体のそれぞれにおける軸方向に設定した複数の領域毎の累積現像量を算出し、その算出結果に基づいて研磨を行う像担持体軸方向領域毎の研磨用トナー量を中間転写体搬送方向最上流に位置する像担持体に形成させ、形成されたトナー像を、中間転写体搬送方向最上流に位置する像担持体を研磨する場合は前記中間転写体搬送方向最上流に位置する像担持体に対応した一次転写手段に上記転写バイアスとは極性が逆の転写逆バイアスを印加して、下流の像担持体を研磨する場合は中間転写体搬送方向最上流に位置する像担持体に対応した一次転写手段に前記転写バイアスを印加して前記形成されたトナー像を前記中間転写体に転写させ、前記研磨すべき領域を有する研磨対象の像担持体に対応する一次転写手段には転写逆バイアスを印加し、研磨対象の像担持体と前記中間転写体搬送方向最上流に位置する像担持体との間に位置する像担持体に対応する一次転写手段には前記転写バイアスを印加させて、クリーニング手段による研磨を行わせることにより、定型フォームのように一定部分に画像のみが印字されるような場合でも、また、使用されるトナーの処方や外添剤の種類、量によって研磨具合がバラつくような場合でも、常に均等に感光体（像担持体）が摺擦・研磨されるようにしたタンデム型の画像形成装置における像担持体のクリーニング方法及び画像形成装置を提供することができる。   As described above, the cumulative development amount for each of the plurality of regions set in the axial direction in each of the plurality of image carriers is calculated, and the amount of polishing toner for each image carrier axial region in which polishing is performed based on the calculation result Is formed on the image carrier positioned at the uppermost stream in the intermediate transfer member conveyance direction, and the formed toner image is polished at the outermost position in the intermediate transfer member conveyance direction when the image carrier positioned at the uppermost stream in the intermediate transfer member conveyance direction is polished. When applying a reverse transfer bias having a polarity opposite to that of the transfer bias to the primary transfer means corresponding to the upstream image carrier, and polishing the downstream image carrier, it is positioned at the most upstream in the conveyance direction of the intermediate transfer member. The transfer bias is applied to a primary transfer unit corresponding to the image carrier to be transferred to transfer the formed toner image to the intermediate transfer member, and the primary corresponding to the image carrier to be polished having the region to be polished. For transfer means A transfer reverse bias is applied, and the transfer bias is applied to the primary transfer means corresponding to the image carrier located between the image carrier to be polished and the image carrier located upstream in the transport direction of the intermediate transfer member. Therefore, even if only an image is printed on a fixed part like a standard form by polishing with a cleaning means, it is also polished depending on the type of toner used and the type and amount of external additives. To provide a cleaning method and an image forming apparatus for an image carrier in a tandem type image forming apparatus in which a photosensitive member (image carrier) is always rubbed and polished even when the condition varies. Can do.

そして、前記像担持体の軸方向に設定した複数の領域毎の累積現像量算出は、形成する画像のドット数を像担持体の軸方向所定領域毎に累積してカウンタなどで算出することで、簡単に累積現像量を算出することができる。   The cumulative development amount for each of the plurality of regions set in the axial direction of the image carrier is calculated by accumulating the number of dots of the image to be formed for each predetermined region in the axial direction of the image carrier and using a counter or the like. The accumulated development amount can be easily calculated.

また、前記研磨を、非画像形成時、劣化トナー排出時に行うことで、通常の画像形成には何ら影響を与えずに均等な感光体（像担持体）のクリーニングが可能となる。   Further, by performing the polishing at the time of non-image formation and discharging of deteriorated toner, it is possible to uniformly clean the photoconductor (image carrier) without affecting normal image formation.

さらに、前記中間転写体搬送方向最上流に位置した像担持体に対応して設けた現像装置が用いるトナーに、他の像担持体に対応して設けた現像装置が用いるトナーよりも多くの像担持体の研磨・摺擦用研磨剤を含ませ、また、前記中間転写体搬送方向最上流に位置した像担持体に対応して設けた現像装置が用いるトナーの収容装置を、他の像担持体に対応して設けた現像装置が用いるトナーの収容装置より大きくしたことにより、他の部分の現像装置が使用するトナーへの研磨剤の添加や、トナー収容装置を心配する必要が無くなり、使用するトナーの組成が簡単になると共に画像形成装置そのものの構成も簡単になる。   Further, the toner used by the developing device provided corresponding to the image carrier positioned upstream in the conveyance direction of the intermediate transfer member has more images than the toner used by the developing device provided corresponding to the other image carrier. The toner storage device used by the developing device provided corresponding to the image carrier located upstream in the conveyance direction of the intermediate transfer member is used as another image carrier. Because it is larger than the toner storage device used by the development device provided for the body, there is no need to worry about the addition of abrasives to the toner used by other parts of the development device and the toner storage device. Therefore, the composition of the toner to be processed becomes simple and the configuration of the image forming apparatus itself becomes simple.

以下、図面を参照して本発明の好適な実施例を例示的に詳しく説明する。但しこの実施例に記載されている構成部品の寸法、材質、形状、その相対的配置等は特に特定的な記載がない限りは、この発明の範囲をそれに限定する趣旨ではなく、単なる説明例に過ぎない。   Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of the components described in this embodiment are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention unless otherwise specified, but are merely illustrative examples. Not too much.

図１は、本発明になる画像形成装置における像担持体のクリーニング方法を実施する画像形成装置の一例を概略的に示すブロック図、図２は中間転写体（中間転写ベルト）の層構成概略の一例を示す図、図３は本発明になる画像形成装置における像担持体のクリーニング方法のフロー図、図４は像担持体の軸方向における所定領域毎の累積現像量を、一例としてドット累積度数分布として示したグラフである。   FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing an example of an image forming apparatus for carrying out a method for cleaning an image carrier in an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a layer structure of an intermediate transfer member (intermediate transfer belt). FIG. 3 is a flow chart of an image carrier cleaning method in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 4 is a cumulative development amount for each predetermined area in the axial direction of the image carrier, and a dot cumulative frequency as an example. It is the graph shown as distribution.

図中１１、１２、１３、１４はドラム状に形成した感光体（像担持体）、２は中間転写体としての中間転写ベルト、３１、３２、３３、３４はスコロトロン等の帯電装置、４１、４２、４３、４４は図示していない露光装置による露光、５１、５２、５３、５４はカラー画像形成装置で使用するブラック（Ｂ）、マゼンタ（Ｍ）、シアン（Ｃ）、イエロー（Ｙ）などの各色に対応して設けられ、それぞれ図示しない各色のトナー収納容器を有した現像装置で、この現像装置５１、５２、５３、５４における図示しないトナー収納容器は、中間転写ベルト２の搬送方向最上流の現像装置５１におけるトナー収納容器が他の現像装置５２、５３、５４におけるトナー収納容器よりも容量を大きくしてあり、かつ、その収容容器に収容されるトナーには、像担持体クリーニング用の研磨剤物質を例えば１．０％ｗｔ以上含有させるようにし、他の現像装置５２、５３、５４のトナー収納容器に収容されるトナーの研磨剤は、それぞれ０．５％ｗｔ程度とする。 In the figure, reference numerals 1 1 , 1 2 , 1 3 , 1 and 4 denote drum-shaped photoreceptors (image carriers), 2 denotes an intermediate transfer belt as an intermediate transfer member, 3 1 , 3 2 , 3 3 , and 3 4 Charging devices such as Scorotron, etc. 4 1 , 4 2 , 4 3 , 4 4 are exposed by an exposure device not shown, 5 1 , 5 2 , 5 3 , 5 4 are black (B) used in a color image forming apparatus , Magenta (M), cyan (C), yellow (Y), etc., corresponding to the respective colors, and developing devices having toner storage containers of the respective colors (not shown), the developing devices 5 1 , 5 2 , 5 3, the toner container, not shown in the 5 4, the toner container is another developing device 5 2 in the developing device 5 1 in the conveying direction most upstream of the intermediate transfer belt 2, 5 3, capacity than the toner container in 5 4 And that The toner accommodated in the container, so as to contain the abrasive material for the image carrier cleaning for example 1.0% wt or more, contained in the other developing devices 5 2, 5 3, 5 4 of the toner container The toner abrasive used is about 0.5% wt.

６１、６２、６３、６４はクリーニング装置で、このクリーニング装置は、ブレード方式、ローラ方式等種々の方式のものを使うことができる。７１、７２、７３、７４は除電器、８１、８２、８３、８４は１次転写ローラ、１０は中間転写ベルト２の補強用樹脂層、１１は同じく弾性基体、１２は同じくフッ素樹脂含有表面層、１３は画像形成装置全体の制御装置で、像担持体１１、１２、１３、１４それぞれの軸方向所定領域毎の累積現像量算出手段としてのカウンタを有して構成されている。１４は制御装置１３を介して送られてきた各色毎に分解された画像データ１５により露光を指示する露光制御装置、１６は１次転写ローラ８１、８２、８３、８４へ印加する転写バイアスの電源、１７はその制御装置、１８は像担持体１１、１２、１３、１４それぞれの軸方向所定領域毎の累積現像量の記憶装置、２１、２２は中間転写ベルト２の駆動ローラと被動ローラ、２３はバックアップローラ、２４は中間転写ベルトのクリーニングブラシ、２５は２次転写ローラ、２６は定着装置、２７は記録用紙である。 Reference numerals 6 1 , 6 2 , 6 3 , and 6 4 denote cleaning devices, and various types of cleaning devices such as a blade method and a roller method can be used. 7 1 , 7 2 , 7 3 , 7 4 are static eliminators, 8 1 , 8 2 , 8 3 , 8 4 are primary transfer rollers, 10 is a reinforcing resin layer of the intermediate transfer belt 2, 11 is also an elastic substrate, 12 also fluororesin-containing surface layer, the control unit of the entire image forming apparatus 13, the image bearing member 1 1, 1 2, 1 3, 1 4 counter as the cumulative development amount calculation means in each axial direction by a predetermined area each It is comprised. Reference numeral 14 denotes an exposure control device that instructs exposure using image data 15 separated for each color sent via the control device 13, and 16 applies to the primary transfer rollers 8 1 , 8 2 , 8 3 , and 8 4 . power transfer bias, 17 a control device, 18 is an image bearing member 1 1, 1 2, 1 3, 1 4 cumulative development of storage devices in each axial direction by a predetermined area each, 21 and 22 the intermediate transfer belt 2 Drive roller and driven roller, 23 a backup roller, 24 an intermediate transfer belt cleaning brush, 25 a secondary transfer roller, 26 a fixing device, and 27 a recording sheet.

最初に、本発明を適用したタンデム型画像形成装置について簡単に説明すると、１１、１２、１３、１４の感光体（像担持体）は、カラー画像形成装置で使用する例えばブラック（Ｂ）、マゼンタ（Ｍ）、シアン（Ｃ）、イエロー（Ｙ）のそれぞれに対応し、それぞれの感光体（像担持体）１１、１２、１３、１４の周囲には、帯電装置３、図示していない露光装置４、現像装置５、クリーニング装置６、除電器７などの電子写真プロセス部材がそれぞれ配され、また、中間転写ベルト２を挟んで１次転写ローラ８がそれぞれ配されている。 First, briefly I described tandem image forming apparatus according to the present invention, 1 1, 1 2, 1 3, 1 4 of the photosensitive member (image bearing member) is used in a color image forming apparatus for example, black ( B), respectively corresponding to the magenta (M), cyan (C), yellow (Y), each of the photosensitive member (image bearing member) 1 1, 1 2, 1 3, 1 around the 4, a charging device 3. Electrophotographic process members such as an exposure device 4, a developing device 5, a cleaning device 6, and a static eliminator 7 (not shown) are arranged, and a primary transfer roller 8 is arranged with the intermediate transfer belt 2 interposed therebetween. ing.

また、中間転写体である中間転写ベルト２は、一対の駆動及び被動ローラ２１、２２とバックアップローラ２３に張架されており、この中間転写ベルト２には、該中間転写ベルト２に接触するようにして、前記ブラック（Ｂ）、にマゼンタ（Ｍ）、シアン（Ｃ）、イエロー（Ｙ）対応した像担持体である感光体１１、１２、１３、１４が中間転写ベルト２の搬送方向にサイドバイサイドに配列されている。 The intermediate transfer belt 2 as an intermediate transfer member is stretched between a pair of driving and driven rollers 21 and 22 and a backup roller 23, and the intermediate transfer belt 2 is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 2. a manner, the black (B), magenta (M), the cyan (C), yellow (Y) corresponding to the photosensitive member 1 1 is an image bearing member, 1 2, 1 3, 1 4 of the intermediate transfer belt 2 It is arranged side by side in the transport direction.

そして各感光体１の周囲に配置されている現像装置５におけるトナー収容容器には、それぞれ、ブラック（Ｂ）トナー、マゼンタ（Ｍ）トナー、シアン（Ｃ）トナー、イエロー（Ｙ）トナーが充填されており、公知の電子写真法により、それぞれの色のトナー像が形成されるようになっている。即ち、各感光体１は、帯電装置３によって所定極性に一様に帯電され、制御装置１３によって各色毎に分解された画像データ１５に基づく光で露光４を行うと、光照射部の電位が低下することによって静電潜像が形成される。この形成された静電潜像部（電位低下部分）には、所定の現像バイアス下で現像装置５によって供給される各色のトナーが付着し、トナー像が形成される。   The toner container in the developing device 5 disposed around each photoconductor 1 is filled with black (B) toner, magenta (M) toner, cyan (C) toner, and yellow (Y) toner, respectively. Each color toner image is formed by a known electrophotographic method. In other words, when each photosensitive member 1 is uniformly charged to a predetermined polarity by the charging device 3 and is exposed 4 with light based on the image data 15 separated for each color by the control device 13, the potential of the light irradiating portion is increased. By lowering, an electrostatic latent image is formed. The toner of each color supplied by the developing device 5 under a predetermined developing bias adheres to the formed electrostatic latent image portion (potential drop portion), and a toner image is formed.

こうして各感光体１に形成された各色のトナー像は、転写バイアス制御装置１７で制御される転写バイアス電源１６によってそれぞれ印加される１次転写バイアス電位（トナーの帯電極性とは逆極性）を印加された１次転写ローラ８１、８２、８３、８４により、図１において矢印方向に駆動されている中間転写体である中間転写ベルト２上に順次転写され、色重ねされてフルカラートナー像が形成される。そのフルカラートナー像は、さらに２次転写ローラ２５とバックアップローラ２３の間に搬送されてくる記録用紙２７に、２次転写ローラ２５に転写バイアス電源１６から印加されるトナーの帯電極性とは逆極性の２次転写バイアスで転写され、その記録用紙は、さらに定着装置２６に送られてトナー像が定着される。 In this way, the toner images of the respective colors formed on the respective photoreceptors 1 are each applied with a primary transfer bias potential (a polarity opposite to the toner charging polarity) applied by the transfer bias power source 16 controlled by the transfer bias controller 17. The primary transfer rollers 8 1 , 8 2 , 8 3 , and 8 4 that have been transferred are sequentially transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 2 that is an intermediate transfer member driven in the direction of the arrow in FIG. An image is formed. The full-color toner image is further applied to the recording paper 27 conveyed between the secondary transfer roller 25 and the backup roller 23, and has a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner applied to the secondary transfer roller 25 from the transfer bias power supply 16. The recording sheet is further transferred to the fixing device 26 to fix the toner image.

そして、感光体１１、１２、１３、１４のそれぞれから中間転写ベルト２に１次転写されずに残ったトナーは、クリーニング装置６１、６２、６３、６４によって除去されると共に、除電器７１、７２、７３、７４によって感光体１１、１２、１３、１４ 表面に残った電荷が除電され、また、２次転写後に中間転写ベルト２上に残ったトナーは、クリーニングブラシ２４によってクリーニングされて次の画像形成に備えられる。尚、クリーニングブラシ２４は中間転写ベルト２から離間するようになっていない。 The toner remaining without being primarily transferred from the photoreceptors 1 1 , 1 2 , 1 3 , and 1 4 to the intermediate transfer belt 2 is removed by the cleaning devices 6 1 , 6 2 , 6 3 , and 6 4 . Rutotomoni, discharger 7 1, 7 2, 7 3, 7 4 photoconductor 1 1 by 1 2, 1 3, 1 4 remaining charges on the surface is discharged, and the intermediate transfer belt 2 above after the secondary transfer The remaining toner is cleaned by the cleaning brush 24 and prepared for the next image formation. The cleaning brush 24 is not separated from the intermediate transfer belt 2.

このうち、中間転写体である中間転写ベルト２は、図２に示すように、ベルト状とした弾性基体１１と、表面に設けられたフッ素樹脂含有表面層１２とを有しており、さらに、ベルト状とした弾性基体１１のフッ素樹脂含有表面層１２の反対側には、補強用樹脂層１０が設けられている。かかる補強用樹脂層１０を設けることにより、弾性基体１１の伸縮による転写ズレなどを有効に防止することができる。なお、この補強用樹脂層１０と弾性基体１１は、転写を有効に行うために１０８．５〜１０１１．５Ω・ｃｍ、特に１０９〜１０１１Ω・ｃｍ程度の体積抵抗を有しているのがよく、さらに、その厚みは、８０乃至１００μｍの範囲にあるのがよい。 Among these, the intermediate transfer belt 2 as an intermediate transfer member has a belt-like elastic base 11 and a fluororesin-containing surface layer 12 provided on the surface, as shown in FIG. On the opposite side of the belt-shaped elastic substrate 11 from the fluororesin-containing surface layer 12, a reinforcing resin layer 10 is provided. By providing such a reinforcing resin layer 10, it is possible to effectively prevent transfer misalignment due to expansion and contraction of the elastic substrate 11. The reinforcing resin layer 10 and the elastic substrate 11 have a volume resistance of about 10 8.5 to 10 11.5 Ω · cm, particularly about 10 9 to 10 11 Ω · cm, for effective transfer. Further, the thickness is preferably in the range of 80 to 100 μm.

尚、上述した画像形成装置において、一次転写ローラ２５及び二次転写ローラ３０は、例えば発泡ＥＰＤＭなどの導電性ゴムから形成され、また、クリーニングブラシ２４の代わりに、クリーニングブレードやクリーニングローラを使用することも可能である。   In the image forming apparatus described above, the primary transfer roller 25 and the secondary transfer roller 30 are formed of conductive rubber such as foamed EPDM, for example, and a cleaning blade or a cleaning roller is used instead of the cleaning brush 24. It is also possible.

このように構成した本発明の画像形成装置において、カラー画像形成装置で使用するブラック（Ｂ）、マゼンタ（Ｍ）、シアン（Ｃ）、イエロー（Ｙ）などの各色に対応して設けられた現像装置５１、５２、５３、５４には、それぞれ図示しない各色のトナー収納容器が設けてあり、そのうち中間転写ベルト２の搬送方向最上流の現像装置５１におけるトナー収納容器は、他の現像装置５２、５３、５４におけるトナー収納容器よりも容量が大きくなっていて、その収容容器に収容されるトナーには、像担持体研磨用の酸化チタン・アルミナ・酸化亜鉛・チタン酸ストロンチウム等、像担持体１の研磨効果が期待できる物質を、トナー粒の表面処理剤として研磨剤物質が０．５％ｗｔ以上、好ましくは１．０〜２．０％ｗｔ含有させ、他の現像装置５２、５３、５４のトナー収納容器に収容されるトナーの研磨剤は、それぞれ０．５％ｗｔ程度の各トナーに適した量とする。 In the image forming apparatus of the present invention configured as described above, development provided corresponding to each color such as black (B), magenta (M), cyan (C), and yellow (Y) used in the color image forming apparatus. the device 5 1, 5 2, 5 3, 5 4, is provided with a respective color toner storing container (not shown), respectively, of which the toner container in the intermediate transfer belt developing device 5 1 in the conveying direction most upstream 2, other The developing device 5 2 , 5 3 , 5 4 has a larger capacity than the toner storage container, and the toner stored in the storage container includes titanium oxide, alumina, zinc oxide, titanium for polishing the image carrier. A substance that can be expected to have a polishing effect on the image carrier 1, such as strontium acid, is contained as a surface treatment agent for toner particles in an amount of 0.5% by weight or more, preferably 1.0 to 2.0% by weight. The amount of toner abrasive contained in the toner storage containers of the other developing devices 5 2 , 5 3 , 5 4 is an amount suitable for each toner of about 0.5% wt.

また、画像形成装置全体の制御装置１３には、像担持体１１、１２、１３、１４それぞれの軸方向における領域毎の累積現像量を算出するための図示していないカウンタが設けられ、画像データ１５は、制御装置１３によって各色毎に分解された後、この図示していないカウンタによって像担持体１１、１２、１３、１４毎の軸方向所定領域毎の累積現像量が算出される。 The control unit 13 of the image forming apparatus, the image bearing member 1 1, 1 2, 1 3, 1 4 illustrated non counter for calculating the cumulative development of each region in each axial direction is provided is, the image data 15, the control device after the separation for each color by 13, the illustrated image bearing member 1 by not not counter 1, 1 2, 1 3, 1 4 cumulative development of axially predetermined region for each of the respective A quantity is calculated.

そして図３のフロー図におけるステップＳ２で、図１の画像データ１５は、前記したように制御装置１４によって各色に対応したデータとされ、さらに制御装置１４により、それぞれの感光体（像担持体）１における軸方向の所定領域毎に、例えば画像のドット数、現像頻度などのトナー現像量に換算可能な因子としてカウントされて累積され、累積現像量として累積現像量記憶装置１８に記憶される。   In step S2 in the flowchart of FIG. 3, the image data 15 of FIG. 1 is converted into data corresponding to each color by the control device 14 as described above, and each photoconductor (image carrier) is further controlled by the control device 14. For each predetermined area in the axial direction in 1, for example, it is counted and accumulated as a factor that can be converted into the toner development amount such as the number of dots of the image and the development frequency, and is stored in the cumulative development amount storage device 18 as the cumulative development amount.

すなわち露光装置を例えば像担持体１の軸方向に、１ユニット１２８ドットのＬＥＤを４０ブロック用いた光学ユニットで構成した場合、例えばこの１ブロックを前記した領域として、印字するドット数などを現像量に換算可能な因子として計数する。図４は、このような考えに従ってブロック毎の発光回数を計数してドット累積度数分布として示したグラフであり、この図４において横軸は前記したブロック、縦軸はドット数で、平均値として示した線は各ブロックの印字したドット数の平均値を表しており、４０ブロックの各々における累積発光ドット数の分布が示されている。   That is, when the exposure apparatus is configured with an optical unit using 40 blocks of LEDs of 128 dots per unit, for example, in the axial direction of the image carrier 1, for example, the number of dots to be printed is set as the development amount with the one block as the area described above. Count as a factor that can be converted to. FIG. 4 is a graph showing the dot cumulative frequency distribution by counting the number of times of light emission for each block in accordance with such an idea. In FIG. 4, the horizontal axis is the above-described block, the vertical axis is the number of dots, and the average value is shown. The lines shown represent the average number of dots printed by each block, and the distribution of the cumulative number of luminescent dots in each of the 40 blocks is shown.

そして次のステップＳ３で、画像形成が終わった非画像形成時かどうかが判断され、Ｎｏの場合はまたステップＳ３にもどり、Ｙｅｓの場合は次のステップＳ４に行って研磨する像担持体が選択され、さらに次のステップＳ５で、この選ばれた像担持体における前記累積現像量記憶装置１８に記憶された軸方向領域毎の累積現像量が読み出されて、その軸方向領域毎の累積現像量に対応した研磨用トナー量が決定される。   Then, in the next step S3, it is determined whether or not the image formation has been completed. If NO, the process returns to step S3. If YES, the process proceeds to the next step S4 to select an image carrier to be polished. In the next step S5, the cumulative development amount for each axial region stored in the cumulative development amount storage device 18 in the selected image carrier is read, and the cumulative development for each axial region is read. The amount of polishing toner corresponding to the amount is determined.

そして次のステップＳ６で制御装置１３は、中間転写体２の搬送方向に対して最上流に位置する像担持体１、すなわちこの図１に示した構成の画像形成装置においては１１の像担持体に、この決定した軸方向領域毎の研磨用トナー量となるトナー像が形成されるよう、露光制御装置１４に指示して露光を行い、現像して軸方向領域毎に累積した現像量に対応した研磨用トナー量に対応したトナー像を形成させる。 The control unit 13 in the next step S6, the image bearing member 1 located at the most upstream with respect to the conveying direction of the intermediate transfer body 2, i.e. 1 1 of the image bearing in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 The exposure is controlled by instructing the exposure control device 14 so that a toner image corresponding to the determined amount of polishing toner for each axial region is formed on the body, and the developed amount is accumulated for each axial region. A toner image corresponding to the corresponding polishing toner amount is formed.

そして次のステップＳ７で制御装置１３は、先にステップＳ４で決定した研磨すべき像担持体１の情報により、研磨すべき像担持体が最上流の像担持体１１、すなわち今、軸方向領域毎に累積した現像量に対応した研磨用トナー量に対応したトナー像を形成した像担持体１１である場合はステップＳ８に、もっと下流の像担持体１である場合はステップＳ９に進む。 In the next step S7, the control device 13 determines that the image carrier to be polished is the most upstream image carrier 1 1 , that is, now the axial direction, based on the information of the image carrier 1 to be polished previously determined in step S4. to step S8 if an image bearing member 1 1, which forms a toner image corresponding to the polishing amount of toner corresponding to the development amount of accumulated for each region, if an image bearing member 1 of more downstream processing proceeds to step S9 .

ステップＳ８に進んだ場合制御装置１３は、転写バイアス制御装置１７に、転写バイアス電源１６によって転写ローラ８１に逆転写バイアス、すなわち像担持体１１上に形成されたトナー像が中間転写ベルト２に転写されずにそのまま像担持体１１に残留するようなトナー転写時とは逆の極性の転写バイアスを一次転写ローラ８１に印加するよう指示する。そのため、像担持体１１上に形成されたトナー像はそのままクリーニング装置６１に達し、像担持体１１は、軸方向領域毎に累積した現像量に対応した量の研磨用トナーによって研磨される。 If the processing proceeds to step S8 the control unit 13, the transfer bias control in the apparatus 17, the transfer bias reverse transfer bias to the transfer roller 8 1 by the power source 16, i.e. the image bearing member 1 1 toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 2 it is the time of toner transfer, such as remaining on the image bearing member 1 1 instructs to apply a reverse polarity transfer bias to the primary transfer roller 8 1 without being transferred to. Therefore, the toner image formed on the image bearing member 1 1 reaches directly to the cleaning device 61, the image bearing member 1 1 is polished by the polishing amount of toner corresponding to the development amount of accumulated for each axial region The

一方ステップＳ９に進んだ場合制御装置１３は、まず転写バイアス制御装置１７に、転写バイアス電源１６によって転写ローラ８１に通常の転写バイアス、すなわち像担持体１１上に形成されたトナー像を中間転写ベルト２に転写するバイアスを印加するよう指示し、像担持体１１上に形成されたトナー像は、中間転写ベルト２に転写される。 On the other hand when the control device proceeds to step S9 13 is the first transfer bias control unit 17, an intermediate normal transfer bias to the transfer roller 81, i.e., a toner image formed on the image bearing member 1 1 by a transfer bias power source 16 instructed to apply a bias to be transferred to the transfer belt 2, toner images formed on the image bearing member 1 1 is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 2.

そして次のステップＳ１０で制御装置１３は、先にステップＳ４で決定した研磨する像担持体１が、最上流から二つ目である１２の像担持体である場合、この像担持体１２に対応する転写ローラ８２に逆転写バイアス、すなわち中間転写ベルト２に転写されたトナー像を、この像担持体１２に逆転写するようなバイアスを印加するよう転写バイアス制御装置１７に指示する。そのため、中間転写ベルト２に転写されたトナー像はこの像担持体１２に転写され、次のステップＳ１１で、そのままクリーニング装置６２に達して像担持体１２は、軸方向領域毎に累積した現像量に対応した量の研磨用トナーによって研磨される。 In the next step S10, when the image carrier 1 to be polished determined in step S4 is the second image carrier that is the second from the most upstream, the image carrier 12 reverse transfer bias, that is, the toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 2, and instructs the transfer bias controller 17 to apply a bias so as to reverse transcription to the image bearing member 1 2 to the transfer roller 82 corresponding to the . Therefore, the toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 2 is transferred to the image bearing member 1 2, in the next step S11, the image carrier 1 2 as it reached the cleaning device 6 2, accumulated for each axial region Polishing is performed with an amount of polishing toner corresponding to the developed amount.

また、ステップＳ１０において、先にステップＳ４で決定した研磨する像担持体１が上流から三つ目、または四つ目の１３、または１４の像担持体である場合、制御装置１３は、途中の像担持体１２、または１３に対応する転写ローラ８２、８３に通常の転写バイアス、すなわち中間転写ベルト２に転写されたトナー像がこれら像担持体１２、または１３に逆転写されないようなバイアスを印加するよう転写バイアス制御装置１７に指示する。一方、研磨する像担持体１３、または１４に対応する転写ローラ８３、または８４には、逆転写バイアス、すなわち中間転写ベルト２に転写されたトナー像を、この像担持体１３、または１４に逆転写するようなバイアスを印加するよう転写バイアス制御装置１７に指示する。そのため、中間転写ベルト２に転写されたトナー像は、この像担持体１２、または１３を通過し、像担持体１３、または１４に転写されて、次のステップＳ１１で、そのままクリーニング装置６３、または６４に達して像担持体１３、または１４は、軸方向領域毎に累積した現像量に対応した量の研磨用トナーによって研磨される。 Further, in step S10, when the image bearing member 1 for polishing determined in step S4 above is third, or Fourth of 1 3 or 1 4 image carrier, from the upstream, the control device 13, transfer roller 82, 8 3 to the normal transfer bias corresponding to the image bearing member 1 2 or 1 3, in the middle, that is, the intermediate transfer belt 2 toner image of these image bearing member 1 2 transferred or 1 3, The transfer bias controller 17 is instructed to apply a bias that prevents reverse transfer. On the other hand, the image bearing member 1 3 or 1 4 transfer roller 8 3 corresponding to, or 8 4, polishing, reverse transfer bias, that is, the toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 2, the image carrying member 1 3 or it instructs the transfer bias controller 17 to apply a bias so as to reverse transcription to 1 4. Therefore, the toner transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 2 image passes through the image carrier 1 2 or 1 3, and is transferred to the image bearing member 1 3 or 1 4, at the next step S11, it is cleaned After reaching the apparatus 6 3 or 6 4 , the image carrier 1 3 or 1 4 is polished with an amount of polishing toner corresponding to the development amount accumulated for each axial region.

こうして一つの像担持体１が研磨されたら、次のステップＳ１２で制御装置１３は、研磨が必要な像担持体１が全て研磨されたかどうかを判断し、終了していない場合はステップＳ３に戻って順次次の像担持体１を研磨し、すべての像担持体１の研磨が終了している場合はステップＳ１３に行って終了する。なお、終了した時点で累積現像量をリセットする。   When one image carrier 1 is polished in this way, in the next step S12, the control device 13 determines whether or not all the image carriers 1 that need to be polished have been polished, and if not finished, returns to step S3. Then, the next image carrier 1 is polished sequentially, and when the polishing of all the image carriers 1 has been completed, the process proceeds to step S13 and the process ends. Note that the accumulated development amount is reset at the end of the process.

なお、クリーニングブレードと像担持体の接触するニップ部に保持可能なトナー量には限りがあり、画像形成動作においても過剰な量のトナーはニップ部から脱落してクリーニング装置に回収されるので、全ての転写残トナーが像担持体の研磨作用に寄与しているわけではない。そのため本実施例では平均ドット密度が５％以下の領域に対して研磨を行うこととした。また研磨動作においても一度に大量のトナーをクリーニング装置に送りこんでも無駄が発生するため、研磨動作の要否の判定を行う間隔は短いほど良く、本実施例では５００回の画像形成おきに判定を行い必要があれば研磨動作を行うこととした。   Note that the amount of toner that can be held in the nip portion where the cleaning blade and the image carrier are in contact with each other is limited, and an excessive amount of toner falls off the nip portion and is collected by the cleaning device even in the image forming operation. Not all transfer residual toner contributes to the polishing action of the image carrier. For this reason, in this embodiment, polishing was performed for an area where the average dot density was 5% or less. Also, in the polishing operation, even if a large amount of toner is sent to the cleaning device at once, waste occurs. Therefore, it is better that the interval for determining whether the polishing operation is necessary is shorter. In this embodiment, the determination is performed every 500 image formations. If necessary, the polishing operation was performed.

このようにして研磨が必要な像担持体１が全て研磨されたら、次の画像形成が行われるわけであるが、この研磨は、一回につき消費できるトナー量に限界があり、また、あまりに多量のトナーを浪費したり、あまりに頻繁にこの研磨を行うことは、単にトナーを消費するだけになるので好ましくはない。そのため本発明のように、それぞれの像担持体１１、１２、１３、１４に最適な量のトナーで研磨を行うことで、経済的な研磨を行うことができる。 When all the image carriers 1 that need to be polished in this way are polished, the next image formation is performed. However, this polishing has a limit on the amount of toner that can be consumed at one time, and is too large. It is not preferable to waste this toner or to perform this polishing too frequently because it only consumes the toner. Therefore, as in the present invention, by performing the polishing in the optimum amount of toner in each of the image bearing member 1 1, 1 2, 1 3, 1 4, it is possible to perform an economical polishing.

また、中間転写ベルト２搬送方向最上流部の像担持体１１におけるドラム表面は、中間転写体２上に付着した異物（記録用紙添料など）の影響を一番受けやすく、トナーフィルミング、帯電生成物等付着物、中間転写体２に付着してくる異物などの除去のため、適度な研磨を最も必要とするところであるが、このように最上流の像担持体１１に像担持体１１、１２、１３、１４全てを研磨する研磨剤を持たせることで、この像担持体１１におけるこういった研磨が容易になる。さらに、この研磨は、非画像形成時に行うが、通常画像形成装置は、トナーの帯電を安定させたり、劣化したトナーを排出するため、非画像形成時にドラムにトナーを現像して消費するといったことが行われ、また、クリーニングブレードを用いたクリーニング装置では、クリーニングブレードのクリーニング性能を維持するためにトナーに添加されたクリーニング助剤を用いるが、こういったときに本発明の研磨方法を同時に実施することで、より経済的な研磨を行うことができる。 Also, the drum surface of the image bearing member 1 1 of the intermediate transfer belt 2 carrying direction most upstream portion, the effect most susceptible to the foreign matter adhering on the intermediate transfer body 2 (such as a recording paper添料) toner filming, charge products like deposits, for the removal of foreign matter that come to adhere to the intermediate transfer member 2, but is where most need moderate polishing, the image carrier thus the image bearing member 1 1 of the most upstream 1 1, 1 2, 1 3, 1 4 by providing a polishing agent for polishing all, is these abrasive in the image bearing member 1 1 is facilitated. Further, this polishing is performed at the time of non-image formation. Normally, the image forming apparatus develops and consumes the toner on the drum at the time of non-image formation in order to stabilize the charging of the toner and discharge the deteriorated toner. In a cleaning device using a cleaning blade, a cleaning aid added to the toner is used to maintain the cleaning performance of the cleaning blade. In such a case, the polishing method of the present invention is simultaneously performed. By doing so, more economical polishing can be performed.

なお、以上の説明では、中間転写体として図２に示したような中間転写ベルト２を用いた例で説明したが、本発明の研磨方法では、中間転写体の材質に関してこの例に限定されるものではなく、樹脂フィルム単層であってもよい。   In the above description, the intermediate transfer belt 2 as shown in FIG. 2 is used as the intermediate transfer member. However, the polishing method of the present invention is limited to this example with respect to the material of the intermediate transfer member. It may not be a thing but a resin film single layer may be sufficient.

以上種々述べてきたように本発明によれば、
複数の像担持体のそれぞれにおける軸方向に設定した複数の領域毎の累積現像量を算出し、その算出結果に基づいて研磨を行う像担持体軸方向領域毎の研磨用トナー量を中間転写体搬送方向最上流に位置する像担持体に形成させ、形成されたトナー像を、中間転写体搬送方向最上流に位置する像担持体を研磨する場合は前記中間転写体搬送方向最上流に位置する像担持体に対応した一次転写手段に上記転写バイアスとは極性が逆の転写逆バイアスを印加して、下流の像担持体を研磨する場合は中間転写体搬送方向最上流に位置する像担持体に対応した一次転写手段に前記転写バイアスを印加して前記形成されたトナー像を前記中間転写体に転写させ、前記研磨すべき領域を有する研磨対象の像担持体に対応する一次転写手段には転写逆バイアスを印加し、研磨対象の像担持体と前記中間転写体搬送方向最上流に位置する像担持体との間に位置する像担持体に対応する一次転写手段には前記転写バイアスを印加させて、クリーニング手段による研磨を行わせることにより、定型フォームのように一定部分に画像のみが印字されるような場合でも、また、使用されるトナーの処方や外添剤の種類、量によって研磨具合がバラつくような場合でも、常に均等に感光体（像担持体）が摺擦・研磨されるようにしたタンデム型の画像形成装置における像担持体の研磨方法及び画像形成装置を提供することができる。 As described above, according to the present invention,
The cumulative development amount for each of a plurality of regions set in the axial direction in each of the plurality of image carriers is calculated, and the amount of polishing toner for each region of the image carrier in the axial direction for polishing is calculated based on the calculation result. When the toner image is formed on the image carrier positioned at the uppermost stream in the transport direction and the formed toner image is polished on the image carrier positioned at the uppermost stream in the intermediate transfer member transport direction, the toner image is positioned at the uppermost stream in the intermediate transfer member transport direction. When a reverse transfer bias having a polarity opposite to that of the transfer bias is applied to the primary transfer means corresponding to the image carrier, and the downstream image carrier is polished, the image carrier located at the most upstream in the conveyance direction of the intermediate transfer member The primary transfer means corresponding to the image carrier to be polished having the region to be polished is applied by applying the transfer bias to the primary transfer means corresponding to the above and transferring the formed toner image to the intermediate transfer body. Transcription reverse via And applying the transfer bias to the primary transfer means corresponding to the image carrier located between the image carrier to be polished and the image carrier located in the uppermost stream in the intermediate transfer member conveyance direction, By polishing with a cleaning means, even when only an image is printed on a fixed part like a standard form, the degree of polishing varies depending on the prescription of the toner used and the type and amount of the external additive. Even in such a case, it is possible to provide an image carrier polishing method and an image forming apparatus in a tandem type image forming apparatus in which a photoconductor (image carrier) is always rubbed and polished evenly.

そして、前記像担持体の軸方向に設定した複数の領域毎の累積現像量算出は、形成する画像のドット数を像担持体の軸方向所定領域毎に累積してカウンタなどで算出することで、簡単に累積現像量を算出することができる。   The cumulative development amount for each of the plurality of regions set in the axial direction of the image carrier is calculated by accumulating the number of dots of the image to be formed for each predetermined region in the axial direction of the image carrier and using a counter or the like. The accumulated development amount can be easily calculated.

また、前記研磨を、非画像形成時、劣化トナー排出時に行うことで、通常の画像形成には何ら影響を与えずに均等な感光体（像担持体）のクリーニングが可能となる。   Further, by performing the polishing at the time of non-image formation and discharging of deteriorated toner, it is possible to uniformly clean the photoconductor (image carrier) without affecting normal image formation.

さらに、前記中間転写体搬送方向最上流に位置した像担持体に対応して設けた現像装置が用いるトナーに、他の像担持体に対応して設けた現像装置が用いるトナーよりも多くの像担持体の研磨・摺擦用研磨剤を含ませ、また、前記中間転写体搬送方向最上流に位置した像担持体に対応して設けた現像装置が用いるトナーの収容装置を、他の像担持体に対応して設けた現像装置が用いるトナーの収容装置より大きくしたことにより、他の部分の現像装置が使用するトナーへの研磨剤の添加や、トナー収容装置を心配する必要が無くなり、使用するトナーの組成が簡単になると共に画像形成装置そのものの構成も簡単になる。   Further, the toner used by the developing device provided corresponding to the image carrier positioned upstream in the conveyance direction of the intermediate transfer member has more images than the toner used by the developing device provided corresponding to the other image carrier. The toner storage device used by the developing device provided corresponding to the image carrier located upstream in the conveyance direction of the intermediate transfer member is used as another image carrier. Because it is larger than the toner storage device used by the development device provided for the body, there is no need to worry about the addition of abrasives to the toner used by other parts of the development device and the toner storage device. Therefore, the composition of the toner to be processed becomes simple and the configuration of the image forming apparatus itself becomes simple.

本発明によれば、定型フォームのように一定部分に画像のみが印字されるような画像を多数印字する場合でも、また、使用されるトナーの処方や外添剤の種類、量によって研磨具合がバラつくような場合でも、常に全ての感光体（像担持体）が均等に摺擦・研磨されるから、安定して不具合のない画像を形成できる画像形成装置が提供できる。   According to the present invention, even when a large number of images are printed so that only an image is printed on a certain portion like a standard form, the degree of polishing depends on the prescription of the toner used and the type and amount of the external additive. Even in the case of variations, all the photoconductors (image carriers) are always rubbed and polished evenly, so that it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of stably forming an image having no defects.

本発明になる画像形成装置における像担持体のクリーニング方法を実施する画像形成装置の一例を概略的に示すブロック図である。1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus that performs a method of cleaning an image carrier in an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. 中間転写体（中間転写ベルト）の層構成概略の一例を示す図である。FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic layer configuration of an intermediate transfer member (intermediate transfer belt). 本発明になる画像形成装置における像担持体のクリーニング方法のフロー図である。It is a flowchart of the cleaning method of the image carrier in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. 像担持体の軸方向における所定領域毎の累積現像量を、一例としてドット累積度数分布として示したグラフである。6 is a graph showing an accumulated development amount for each predetermined region in the axial direction of the image carrier as an example of a cumulative dot frequency distribution.

符号の説明Explanation of symbols

１ 感光体（像担持体）
２ 中間転写ベルト
３ 帯電装置
４ 露光装置による露光
５ 現像装置
６ クリーニング装置
７ 除電器
８ １次転写ローラ
１３ 制御装置
１４ 露光制御装置
１５ 画像データ
１６ 転写バイアス電源
１７ 転写バイアス制御装置
１８ 累積現像量記憶装置
２１、２２ 駆動ローラと被動ローラ
２３ バックアップローラ
２４ クリーニングブラシ
２５ ２次転写ローラ
２６ 定着装置
２７ 記録用紙 1 Photoconductor (image carrier)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 Intermediate transfer belt 3 Charging device 4 Exposure by exposure device 5 Development device 6 Cleaning device 7 Charger 8 Primary transfer roller 13 Control device 14 Exposure control device 15 Image data 16 Transfer bias power supply 17 Transfer bias control device 18 Cumulative development amount storage Devices 21, 22 Driving roller and driven roller 23 Backup roller 24 Cleaning brush 25 Secondary transfer roller 26 Fixing device 27 Recording paper

Claims (9)

使用する複数色のトナーのそれぞれに対応して配列された複数の像担持体に夫々対応させて設けた複数の現像装置には、研磨剤を含有する各色毎のトナーの収納容器が夫々設けてあり、該夫々の現像装置内の現像手段を用いて形成させた各色のトナー像を、前記像担持体の前記配列方向を搬送方向とする中間転写体に、前記複数の像担持体の夫々の一次転写手段に印加した転写バイアスによって重ね合わせて転写させ、
一方前記像担持体上の転写残のトナーを、前記像担持体に接触させたクリーニング手段で摺擦させて、該像担持体を研磨するようにした画像形成装置における像担持体の研磨方法において、
前記中間転写体搬送方向最上流に位置した像担持体に対応して設けた現像装置が用いるトナーに、他の像担持体に対応して設けた現像装置が用いるトナーよりも多くの研磨剤を含ませ、
前記複数の像担持体のそれぞれにおいて該像担持体の軸方向に複数の領域を設定し、該各々の領域毎の累積現像量を算出し、
該算出結果に基づいて研磨を行うべき前記領域毎の研磨用トナー量に対応したトナー像を、前記中間転写体搬送方向最上流に位置する像担持体に形成させ、
研磨対象の像担持体が前記中間転写体搬送方向最上流に位置する像担持体である場合には、該研磨対象の像担持体の一次転写手段に前記転写バイアスとは極性が逆の転写逆バイアスを印加することにより、前記トナー像を前記像担持体に接触させたクリーニング手段で摺擦させて、前記研磨対象の像担持体を研磨し、
研磨対象の像担持体が前記中間転写体搬送方向最上流より下流側に位置する像担持体である場合には、（ｉ）前記中間転写体搬送方向最上流に位置する像担持体に形成されたトナー像を、該中間転写体搬送方向最上流に位置する像担持体に対応した一次転写手段に前記転写バイアスを印加することにより前記中間転写体に転写し、（ｉｉ）該中間転写体を搬送することにより前記中間転写体に転写されたトナー像を研磨対象の像担持体の転写位置に導き、（ｉｉｉ）前記研磨対象の像担持体の一次転写手段に、前記転写バイアスとは極性が逆の転写逆バイアスを印加するとともに、前記研磨対象の像担持体と前記中間転写体搬送方向最上流に位置する像担持体との間に位置する像担持体の一次転写手段に前記転写バイアスを印加することにより、前記導かれたトナー像を前記研磨対象の像担持体上に逆転写させて、前記像担持体に接触させたクリーニング手段で摺擦させて、前記研磨対象の像担持体を研磨することを特徴とする画像形成装置における像担持体の研磨方法。 A plurality of developing devices provided respectively corresponding to a plurality of image carriers arranged corresponding to each of a plurality of colors of toner to be used are provided with toner storage containers for each color containing an abrasive. A toner image of each color formed using the developing means in each of the developing devices is transferred to an intermediate transfer member having the arrangement direction of the image carriers as a transport direction, and each of the plurality of image carriers is the transfer bias applied to primary transfer means thus superimposed is transferred,
On the other hand, in the method for polishing an image carrier in an image forming apparatus, the toner remaining after transfer on the image carrier is rubbed with a cleaning means in contact with the image carrier to polish the image carrier. ,
The toner used by the developing device provided corresponding to the image carrier positioned at the most upstream in the conveyance direction of the intermediate transfer member has more abrasive than the toner used by the developing device provided corresponding to the other image carrier. Include
In each of the plurality of image carriers, a plurality of regions are set in the axial direction of the image carrier, and a cumulative development amount for each region is calculated.
Based on the calculation result, a toner image corresponding to the amount of toner for polishing in each region to be polished is formed on the image carrier located at the most upstream in the intermediate transfer member conveyance direction,
When the image carrier to be polished is the image carrier located at the most upstream in the conveyance direction of the intermediate transfer member, the reverse transfer of the polarity opposite to the transfer bias is applied to the primary transfer unit of the image carrier to be polished. By applying a bias, the toner image is rubbed with a cleaning means in contact with the image carrier to polish the image carrier to be polished,
When the image carrier to be polished is an image carrier located downstream from the most upstream in the intermediate transfer member conveyance direction, (i) formed on the image carrier located in the most upstream in the intermediate transfer member conveyance direction. The transferred toner image is transferred to the intermediate transfer member by applying the transfer bias to a primary transfer unit corresponding to the image carrier positioned on the most upstream side in the conveyance direction of the intermediate transfer member, and (ii) the intermediate transfer member is transferred to the intermediate transfer member. The toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer member is conveyed to the transfer position of the image carrier to be polished, and (iii) the transfer bias has a polarity to the primary transfer unit of the image carrier to be polished. While applying a reverse transfer reverse bias, the transfer bias is applied to the primary transfer means of the image carrier positioned between the image carrier to be polished and the image carrier located at the most upstream in the transport direction of the intermediate transfer member. By applying , The guided toner image is reversely transferred onto the image bearing member of the polished, by rubbing with a cleaning means into contact with said image bearing member, to polish the image bearing member of the polished An image carrier polishing method in an image forming apparatus. 前記像担持体の軸方向に設定した複数の領域毎の累積現像量算出は、形成する画像のドット数を像担持体の軸方向領域毎に累積して算出することを特徴とする請求項１に記載した画像形成装置における像担持体の研磨方法。   The cumulative development amount calculation for each of a plurality of regions set in the axial direction of the image carrier is calculated by accumulating the number of dots of an image to be formed for each axial region of the image carrier. A method for polishing an image carrier in the image forming apparatus described in 1 above. 前記研磨を、非画像形成時に行うことを特徴とする請求項１に記載した画像形成装置における像担持体の研磨方法。   The method for polishing an image carrier in an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the polishing is performed during non-image formation. 前記研磨を、劣化トナー排出時に行うことを特徴とする請求項１に記載した画像形成装置における像担持体の研磨方法。   The method for polishing an image carrier in an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the polishing is performed when the deteriorated toner is discharged. 前記中間転写体搬送方向最上流に位置する像担持体に対応する現像手段のトナー収容容器の容量が、他の像担持体に対応する現像手段のトナー収容容器の容量より多いことを特徴とする請求項１に記載した画像形成装置における像担持体の研磨方法。   The capacity of the toner storage container of the developing unit corresponding to the image carrier positioned upstream in the conveyance direction of the intermediate transfer member is larger than the capacity of the toner storage container of the development unit corresponding to the other image carrier. The method for polishing an image carrier in the image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 請求項１記載の像担持体の研磨方法に使用される画像形成装置において、
前記中間転写体搬送方向最上流に位置した像担持体に対応して設けた現像装置が用いるトナーに、他の像担持体に対応して設けた現像装置が用いるトナーよりも多くの研磨剤を含ませてなり、
前記複数の像担持体のそれぞれにおいて該像担持体の軸方向に設定された複数の領域毎の累積現像量を算出する手段と、該累積現像量算出手段が算出した軸方向領域毎の累積現像量を前記像担持体毎に記憶する記憶手段と、該記憶手段に記憶された軸方向領域毎の累積現像量に基づき、研磨を行う像担持体における軸方向領域毎の研磨用トナー量に対応したトナー像を前記中間転写体搬送方向最上流に位置する像担持体に形成させる研磨用トナー像形成手段と、
該研磨用トナー像形成手段により形成されたトナー像を、前記中間転写体搬送方向最上流に位置する像担持体を研磨する場合は前記中間転写体搬送方向最上流に位置する像担持体の一次転写手段に前記転写逆バイアスを印加し、
一方前記中間転写体搬送方向下流の像担持体を研磨する場合は前記中間転写体搬送方向最上流に位置する像担持体の一次転写手段に前記転写バイアスを印加して前記形成されたトナー像を前記中間転写体に転写させ、前記研磨対象の像担持体の一次転写手段に前記転写逆バイアスを印加し、一方該研磨対象の像担持体と前記中間転写体搬送方向最上流に位置する像担持体との間に位置する像担持体の一次転写手段に前記転写バイアスを印加させる転写バイアス印加制御手段とからなることを特徴とする画像形成装置。 The image forming apparatus used in the image carrier polishing method according to claim 1,
The toner used by the developing device provided corresponding to the image carrier positioned at the most upstream in the conveyance direction of the intermediate transfer member has more abrasive than the toner used by the developing device provided corresponding to the other image carrier. Included
Means for calculating a cumulative development amount for each of a plurality of regions set in the axial direction of the image carrier in each of the plurality of image carriers, and a cumulative development for each axial region calculated by the cumulative development amount calculation unit. Corresponding to the amount of polishing toner for each axial region in the image carrier to be polished based on the storage means for storing the amount for each image carrier and the accumulated development amount for each axial region stored in the storage means A toner image forming means for polishing that forms the toner image on the image carrier located on the most upstream side in the conveyance direction of the intermediate transfer member;
When the toner image formed by the polishing toner image forming means is used to polish the image carrier located at the most upstream in the intermediate transfer member conveyance direction, the primary of the image carrier located at the most upstream in the intermediate transfer member conveyance direction Applying the transfer reverse bias to the transfer means;
On the other hand, when the image carrier downstream of the intermediate transfer member conveyance direction is polished, the transfer bias is applied to the primary transfer unit of the image carrier located at the most upstream in the intermediate transfer member conveyance direction to remove the formed toner image. Transfer to the intermediate transfer member, and apply the reverse transfer bias to the primary transfer means of the image carrier to be polished, while the image carrier located on the most upstream side in the conveyance direction of the image carrier to be polished and the intermediate transfer member An image forming apparatus comprising: a transfer bias application control unit that applies the transfer bias to a primary transfer unit of an image carrier positioned between the image carrier and the image carrier. 前記像担持体の軸方向領域毎の累積現像量算出手段は、形成する画像のドット数を像担持体の軸方向所定領域毎に累積するカウンタであることを特徴とする請求項６に記載した画像形成装置。   The cumulative development amount calculating means for each axial region of the image carrier is a counter that accumulates the number of dots of an image to be formed for each predetermined region in the axial direction of the image carrier. Image forming apparatus. 前記中間転写体搬送方向最上流に位置した像担持体に対応して設けた現像装置が用いるトナーに、他の像担持体に対応して設けた現像装置が用いるトナーよりも多くの像担持体の研磨・摺擦用研磨剤を含ませたことを特徴とする請求項６に記載した画像形成装置。   More toner than the toner used by the developing device provided corresponding to the other image carrier in the toner used by the developing device provided corresponding to the image carrier located at the most upstream in the conveyance direction of the intermediate transfer member. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising an abrasive for polishing and rubbing. 前記中間転写体搬送方向最上流に位置した像担持体に対応して設けた現像装置が用いるトナーの収容装置を、他の像担持体に対応して設けた現像装置が用いるトナーの収容装置より大きくしたことを特徴とする請求項６に記載した画像形成装置。   The toner storage device used by the developing device provided corresponding to the image carrier positioned at the most upstream in the intermediate transfer member conveyance direction is different from the toner storage device used by the developing device provided corresponding to the other image carrier. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the image forming apparatus is enlarged.
JP2004081198A 2004-03-19 2004-03-19 Image carrier polishing method and image forming apparatus in image forming apparatus Expired - Fee Related JP4578130B2 (en)

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JP5232612B2 (en) * 2008-12-08 2013-07-10 京セラドキュメントソリューションズ株式会社 Image forming apparatus
JP5070191B2 (en) * 2008-12-08 2012-11-07 京セラドキュメントソリューションズ株式会社 Image forming apparatus
JP5230461B2 (en) 2009-01-23 2013-07-10 キヤノン株式会社 Image forming apparatus
JP5365355B2 (en) * 2009-06-11 2013-12-11 株式会社リコー Image forming apparatus, image forming method, image forming program, and image forming system
JP6160114B2 (en) * 2013-02-20 2017-07-12 富士ゼロックス株式会社 Image forming apparatus
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