JP5804241B2 - Image forming apparatus and external additive removing apparatus - Google Patents

Image forming apparatus and external additive removing apparatus Download PDF

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JP5804241B2
JP5804241B2 JP2011041877A JP2011041877A JP5804241B2 JP 5804241 B2 JP5804241 B2 JP 5804241B2 JP 2011041877 A JP2011041877 A JP 2011041877A JP 2011041877 A JP2011041877 A JP 2011041877A JP 5804241 B2 JP5804241 B2 JP 5804241B2
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external additive
image carrier
image forming
forming apparatus
toner
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JP2012177868A (en
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山浦　正彰
正彰 山浦
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Fujifilm Business Innovation Corp
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Fuji Xerox Co Ltd
Fujifilm Business Innovation Corp
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Description

本発明は、画像形成装置及び外添剤除去装置に関する。   The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an external additive removing apparatus.

特許文献１には、現像剤により現像される像を担持する像担持体と、上記像担持体に接触して回転することにより上記像担持体を帯電させる帯電手段と、上記像担持体に接触して上記像担持体に付着した現像剤を除去するクリーニング手段と，を備えた画像形成装置であって、上記クリーニング手段は、上記帯電手段より上記像担持体回転方向上流側に設けられた第１のクリーニング手段と、上記第１のクリーニング手段と上記帯電手段との間に設けられ、上記像担持体の回転方向下流側に向かって撓みながら上記像担持体に接触する弾性部材である第２のクリーニング手段とを有してなり、上記帯電手段は、上記帯電手段に接触して回転することにより上記帯電手段に付着した現像剤に含まれる外添材を均一にするブラシ状の外添材均一手段を備えてなることを特徴とする画像形成装置が開示されている。   In Patent Document 1, an image carrier that carries an image to be developed by a developer, a charging unit that charges the image carrier by rotating in contact with the image carrier, and a contact with the image carrier. And a cleaning unit that removes the developer adhering to the image carrier, wherein the cleaning unit is provided upstream of the charging unit in the rotation direction of the image carrier. A second elastic member that is provided between the first cleaning unit, the first cleaning unit, and the charging unit and that contacts the image carrier while being bent toward the downstream side in the rotation direction of the image carrier. The charging means is in contact with the charging means and rotates to make the external additive contained in the developer adhered to the charging means uniform. Uniform hand Image forming apparatus is disclosed which is characterized in that it comprises an.

特許文献２には、移動する表面に潜像を担持する潜像担持体と、該潜像担持体に潜像を形成する潜像形成手段と、該潜像担持体上の潜像をトナーによって現像する現像手段と、該潜像形成手段によって潜像が形成される前の該潜像担持体に当接させた自らの表面を無端移動せしめながら、該潜像担持体の表面を一様帯電せしめる帯電部材、及び該帯電部材によって一様帯電せしめられる前の該潜像担持体に当接する帯電前当接部材を有する帯電装置と、該帯電部材に帯電バイアスを供給する帯電バイアス供給手段と、該帯電前当接部材に帯電前バイアスを供給する帯電前バイアス供給手段とを備える画像形成装置に用いられる該帯電前当接部材において、上記潜像担持体の表面に当接する第１箇所と、該第１箇所よりも該潜像担持体の表面移動方向下流側で該第１箇所よりも窪んでいることで、該第１箇所よりも弱い力で該潜像担持体の表面に当接するか、あるいは該表面に非接触で対向する第２箇所とを設けたことを特徴とする帯電前当接部材が開示されている。   Patent Document 2 discloses a latent image carrier that carries a latent image on a moving surface, latent image forming means that forms a latent image on the latent image carrier, and a latent image on the latent image carrier using toner. The surface of the latent image carrier is uniformly charged while the surface of the latent image carrier that is in contact with the latent image carrier before the latent image is formed is moved endlessly. A charging device having a pre-charging contact member that contacts the latent image carrier before being uniformly charged by the charging member, and a charging bias supply unit that supplies a charging bias to the charging member; In the pre-charging contact member used in the image forming apparatus provided with a pre-charging bias supply unit that supplies a pre-charging bias to the pre-charging contact member, a first location that contacts the surface of the latent image carrier; The surface transfer of the latent image carrier rather than the first location. A second portion that is in contact with the surface of the latent image carrier with a force weaker than that of the first location or that is opposed to the surface in a non-contact manner. There is disclosed a pre-charging contact member characterized by comprising

特許文献３には、回転可能な電子写真感光体と、前記電子写真感光体の表面に接触しバイアスを印加して前記電子写真感光体の表面を所定の極性に帯電する帯電部材と、前記電子写真感光体の表面に形成された潜像を現像剤を用いて現像する現像手段と、前記電子写真感光体の表面と接触し前記電子写真感光体の表面をクリーニングするクリーニング部材と、を有し、記録媒体に画像を形成する電子写真画像形成装置において、前記電子写真感光体の回転方向に対して、前記クリーニング部材の下流側で、かつ前記帯電部材の上流側に、前記電子写真感光体の表面と接する摩擦帯電部材を有し、前記クリーニング部材からすり抜けた前記電子写真感光体の表面から回収すべき回収物を前記摩擦帯電部材により前記帯電部材のバイアスと同じ極性に摩擦帯電を行うことを特徴とする電子写真画像形成装置が開示されている。   Patent Document 3 discloses a rotatable electrophotographic photosensitive member, a charging member that contacts the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member and applies a bias to charge the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member to a predetermined polarity, and the electron Development means for developing a latent image formed on the surface of the photographic photosensitive member using a developer; and a cleaning member that contacts the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member and cleans the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. In the electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium, the electrophotographic photosensitive member is disposed downstream of the cleaning member and upstream of the charging member with respect to the rotation direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. A friction charging member in contact with the surface, and the material to be recovered from the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member that has passed through the cleaning member is disposed at the same pole as the bias of the charging member by the friction charging member. Triboelectric charging the electrophotographic image forming apparatus and performing are disclosed.

特開２００７−２４８８６５号公報JP 2007-248865 A 特開平２００８−２０３４１３号公報Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-203413 特開２００８−７０８１２号公報JP 2008-70812 A

本発明は、トナーの外添剤の除去効率を上げることができる画像形成装置及び外添剤除去装置を提供することを目的とする。   An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and an external additive removing apparatus capable of increasing the efficiency of removing an external additive from a toner.

請求項１に係る本発明は、トナーで形成された像を保持する像保持体と、前記像保持体を清掃する清掃部材と、前記像保持体の移動方向において前記清掃部材よりも下流側に配置され、前記像保持体の表面に付着するトナーの外添剤を凝集させる外添剤凝集部材と、前記外添剤凝集部材によって凝集された外添剤を除去する除去部材と、を有し、前記外添剤凝集部材は、粒径が３μｍ以上２０μｍ以下である粒子が少なくとも前記像保持体に接触する部分に付着されてなる画像形成装置である。   According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image carrier that holds an image formed of toner, a cleaning member that cleans the image carrier, and a downstream side of the cleaning member in the moving direction of the image carrier. An external additive aggregation member that is disposed and aggregates the external additive of the toner adhering to the surface of the image carrier, and a removal member that removes the external additive aggregated by the external additive aggregation member. The external additive aggregating member is an image forming apparatus in which particles having a particle size of 3 μm or more and 20 μm or less are attached to at least a portion in contact with the image carrier.

請求項２に係る本発明は、前記外添剤凝集部材に付着する粒子は、材質が有機物である請求項１記載の画像形成装置である。   The present invention according to claim 2 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the particles adhering to the external additive aggregation member are made of an organic material.

請求項３に係る本発明は、前記像保持体に接触し、前記像保持体を帯電させる帯電部材をさらに有し、前記除去部材は、前記帯電部材の表面から前記外添剤凝集部材によって凝集された外添剤を除去する請求項１又は２記載の画像形成装置である。   The present invention according to claim 3 further includes a charging member that contacts the image carrier and charges the image carrier, and the removing member is aggregated from the surface of the charging member by the external additive aggregation member. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the external additive is removed.

請求項４に係る本発明は、前記除去部材は、前記像保持体の表面から前記外添剤凝集部材によって凝集された外添剤を除去する請求項１又は２記載の画像形成装置である。   The present invention according to claim 4 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the removal member removes the external additive aggregated by the external additive aggregation member from the surface of the image carrier.

請求項５に係る本発明は、前記外添剤凝集部材は、電圧が印加される請求項１乃至４いずれか記載の画像形成装置である。   The present invention according to claim 5 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a voltage is applied to the external additive aggregation member.

請求項６に係る本発明は、前記外添剤凝集部材は、無端状であって、回転する請求項１乃至５いずれか記載の画像形成装置である。   The present invention according to claim 6 is the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the external additive aggregation member is endless and rotates.

請求項７に係る本発明は、前記除去部材は、少なくとも表面が発泡体であり、ロール形状である請求項１乃至６いずれか記載の画像形成装置である。   The present invention according to claim 7 is the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least the surface of the removing member is a foam and has a roll shape.

請求項８に係る本発明は、トナーで形成された像を保持する像保持体の移動方向において、前記像保持体を清掃する清掃部材よりも下流側に配置され、前記像保持体の表面に付着するトナーの外添剤を凝集させる外添剤凝集部材を有し、前記外添剤凝集部材は、粒径が３μｍ以上２０μｍ以下である粒子が少なくとも前記像保持体に接触する部分に付着されてなる外添剤除去装置である。   The present invention according to claim 8 is disposed downstream of a cleaning member for cleaning the image carrier in the moving direction of the image carrier that holds an image formed of toner, and is disposed on the surface of the image carrier. An external additive aggregating member for aggregating the external additive of the toner adhering thereto, wherein the external additive aggregating member is adhered to at least a portion where particles having a particle diameter of 3 μm to 20 μm are in contact with the image carrier; This is an external additive removing device.

請求項１に係る本発明によれば、トナーの外添剤の除去効率を上げることができる画像形成装置を提供することができる。   According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of increasing the efficiency of removing toner external additives.

請求項２に係る本発明によれば、請求項１に係る本発明が奏する効果を奏することに加えて、像保持体の摩耗を抑制することができる画像形成装置を提供することができる。   According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing the wear of the image carrier.

請求項３に係る本発明によれば、請求項１又は２係る本発明が奏する効果を奏することに加えて、像保持体に接触する部材の数を減らすことができ、像保持体の摩耗を抑制すことができる画像形成装置を提供することができる。   According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the first or second aspect of the present invention, the number of members in contact with the image carrier can be reduced, and the wear of the image carrier can be reduced. An image forming apparatus that can be suppressed can be provided.

請求項４に係る本発明によれば、請求項１又は２に係る本発明が奏する効果を奏することに加えて、帯電部材に到達する前にトナーの外添剤を除去することができ、帯電部材への外添剤の付着を抑制することができる画像形成装置を提供することができる。   According to the present invention of claim 4, in addition to the effects of the present invention of claim 1 or 2, the external additive of the toner can be removed before reaching the charging member, It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing adhesion of an external additive to a member.

請求項５に係る本発明によれば、請求項１乃至４いずれかに係る本発明が奏する効果を奏することに加えて、外添剤凝集部材からトナーの外添剤が離脱しやすくすることができる画像形成装置を提供することができる。   According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the first aspect of the present invention according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the external additive of the toner can be easily detached from the external additive aggregation member. An image forming apparatus that can be used can be provided.

請求項６に係る本発明によれば、請求項１乃至５いずれかに記載の本発明が奏する効果を奏することに加えて、外添剤凝集部材の帯電部材又は像保持体に接触する部分の面積を大きくすることができ、外添剤を凝集しやすくすることができる画像形成装置を提供することができる。   According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the present invention according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the portion of the external additive aggregating member in contact with the charging member or the image holding member. It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can increase the area and can easily aggregate external additives.

請求項７に係る本発明によれば、請求項１乃至６いずれかに係る本発明が奏する効果を奏することに加えて、凝集した状態にあるトナーの外添剤を回収しやすくすることができる画像形成装置を提供することができる。   According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the present invention according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, it is possible to easily collect the external additive of the toner in an aggregated state. An image forming apparatus can be provided.

請求項８に係る本発明によれば、トナーの外添剤の除去効率を上げることができる外添剤除去装置を提供することができる。   According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an external additive removing apparatus capable of increasing the efficiency of removing the external additive of the toner.

本発明の第１実施形態に係る画像形成装置を示す図である。1 is a diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 図１に示す画像形成装置で用いられるトナーを示す図である。FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating toner used in the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. 図１に示す画像形成装置が有する外添剤凝集部材を、図１における矢印Ａ―Ａ方向から示す図である。FIG. 2 is a view showing an external additive aggregation member included in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 from the direction of arrow AA in FIG. 1. 比較例に係る画像形成装置が有する外添剤凝集部材を示す図である。It is a figure which shows the external additive aggregation member which the image forming apparatus which concerns on a comparative example has. 図３に示す外添剤凝集部材の表面を示し、図５（Ａ）は外添剤凝集部材の表面を約１００００倍に拡大して示す図であり、図５（Ｂ）は外添剤凝集部材の表面を約５００００倍に拡大して示す図である。3 shows the surface of the external additive aggregating member shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 5A is an enlarged view of the surface of the external additive aggregating member about 10,000 times, and FIG. It is a figure which expands and shows the surface of a member about 50000 times. 図４に示す外添剤凝集部材の表面を示し、図６（Ａ）は外添剤凝集部材の表面を約１００００倍に拡大して示す図であり、図６（Ｂ）は外添剤凝集部材の表面を約５００００倍に拡大して示す図である。4 shows the surface of the external additive aggregating member shown in FIG. 4, FIG. 6A is an enlarged view of the surface of the external additive aggregating member about 10000 times, and FIG. 6B is the external additive agglomerated member. It is a figure which expands and shows the surface of a member about 50000 times. 図１に示す画像形成装置において、現像剤凝集部材の感光体に接触する部分の表面粗さ、及び粗さ間隔を変化させた場合に、外添剤凝集部材を設けなかった場合と比較して、画像に筋が生じるまでの画像形成枚数が１００００枚以上、多いか否かを示す図である。In the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1, when the surface roughness of the portion of the developer aggregating member that contacts the photoconductor and the roughness interval are changed, compared to the case where the external additive aggregating member is not provided. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing whether or not the number of image formations until streaks occur in the image is 10,000 or more. 外添剤凝集部材にバイアスを印加することによる効果を確認する実験の結果を示すグラフである。It is a graph which shows the result of the experiment which confirms the effect by applying a bias to an external additive aggregation member. 本発明の第２の実施形態に係る画像形成装置を示す図である。It is a figure which shows the image forming apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. 本発明の第３の実施形態に係る画像形成装置を示す図である。It is a figure which shows the image forming apparatus which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

次に本発明の実施形態を図面に基づいて説明する。
図１には、本発明の第１の実施形態に係る画像形成装置１０が示されている。図１に示すように、画像形成装置１０は画像形成装置本体１２を有し、画像形成装置本体１２内に像形成部１００と給紙装置３００とが設けられている。また、画像形成装置本体１２内には、記録媒体として用いられる用紙を搬送する搬送路３５０が形成されている。また、画像形成装置本体１２には、用紙を排出するために用いられる排出口１４が形成されている。 Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows an image forming apparatus 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 includes an image forming apparatus main body 12, and an image forming unit 100 and a paper feeding device 300 are provided in the image forming apparatus main body 12. Further, a conveyance path 350 for conveying a sheet used as a recording medium is formed in the image forming apparatus main body 12. Further, the image forming apparatus main body 12 is formed with a discharge port 14 used for discharging the sheet.

像形成部１００は、例えば単色の画像を形成するものであり、電子写真方式が採用されている。像形成部１００は、トナーで形成された像（以下、「トナー像」）を保持する像保持体として用いられていて、例えば円筒形状の感光体１０２と、感光体１０２を一様に帯電する帯電装置１０４と、帯電装置１０４によって帯電された感光体１０２の表面に光を照射し、感光体１０２の表面に静電潜像を形成する潜像形成装置１１０と、感光体１０２に形成された潜像をトナーを用いて現像し、感光体１０２の表面にトナー像を形成する現像装置１１４と、現像装置１１４によって感光体１０２の表面に形成されたトナー像を用紙に転写する転写装置１２２と、転写装置１２２によってトナー像が用紙に転写された後の感光体１０２を清掃する清掃装置１４０と、転写装置１２２によって用紙に転写されたトナーを、その用紙に定着する定着装置１２６とを有する。   The image forming unit 100 forms, for example, a monochromatic image and employs an electrophotographic system. The image forming unit 100 is used as an image holding member that holds an image formed with toner (hereinafter, “toner image”). For example, the cylindrical photosensitive member 102 and the photosensitive member 102 are uniformly charged. A charging device 104, a latent image forming device 110 that irradiates light on the surface of the photosensitive member 102 charged by the charging device 104 and forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive member 102, and the photosensitive member 102. A developing device 114 that develops the latent image with toner and forms a toner image on the surface of the photoconductor 102; and a transfer device 122 that transfers the toner image formed on the surface of the photoconductor 102 by the developing device 114 to a sheet. A cleaning device 140 that cleans the photosensitive member 102 after the toner image is transferred to the paper by the transfer device 122, and a fixing that fixes the toner transferred to the paper by the transfer device 122 to the paper. And a location 126.

清掃装置１４０は、感光体１０２の表面に接触し、感光体１０２の表面を清掃する清掃部材１４２を有する。清掃部材１４２は、感光体１０２の表面に残留するトナーや、感光体１０２に付着する紙粉等を感光体１０２の表面から掻き取るようにして除去する。   The cleaning device 140 has a cleaning member 142 that contacts the surface of the photoreceptor 102 and cleans the surface of the photoreceptor 102. The cleaning member 142 removes toner remaining on the surface of the photoconductor 102, paper dust attached to the photoconductor 102, and the like by scraping from the surface of the photoconductor 102.

清掃部材１４２は、トナーや紙粉等を感光体１０２の表面から除去するものの、トナーの外添剤（以下、「外添剤」）の一部を感光体１０２の表面から除去することができない。清掃部材１４２によって感光体１０２の表面から除去されなかった外添剤は、感光体１０２と清掃部材１４２との間を通過する。これは、外添剤がトナーよりも小径であり、外添剤がトナーよりも強く感光体１０２に付着しているためである。また、球形の外添剤ほど、転がり易いため、特に感光体と清掃部材との間をすり抜ける傾向がある。清掃部材１４２と感光体１０２との間を通過する外添剤は、主として外径が１００ｎｍ程度の球形の外添剤である。感光体１０２と清掃部材１４２との間を通過した外添剤は、感光体１０２の回転に伴って、感光体１０２に付着した状態で帯電装置１０４の側へと搬送される。   The cleaning member 142 removes toner, paper dust, and the like from the surface of the photoconductor 102, but cannot remove a part of the toner external additive (hereinafter, “external additive”) from the surface of the photoconductor 102. . The external additive that has not been removed from the surface of the photoreceptor 102 by the cleaning member 142 passes between the photoreceptor 102 and the cleaning member 142. This is because the external additive has a smaller diameter than the toner, and the external additive adheres to the photoconductor 102 stronger than the toner. Further, since the spherical external additive is easier to roll, it tends to slip through between the photoreceptor and the cleaning member. The external additive that passes between the cleaning member 142 and the photoreceptor 102 is mainly a spherical external additive having an outer diameter of about 100 nm. The external additive that has passed between the photosensitive member 102 and the cleaning member 142 is transported to the charging device 104 in a state of adhering to the photosensitive member 102 as the photosensitive member 102 rotates.

帯電装置１０４は、感光体１０２に接触し、感光体１０２を帯電させる帯電部材として用いられる帯電ロール１０６を有する。帯電ロール１０６には、予め定められたタイミングで帯電用の電圧が印加される。   The charging device 104 includes a charging roll 106 that is used as a charging member that contacts the photosensitive member 102 and charges the photosensitive member 102. A charging voltage is applied to the charging roll 106 at a predetermined timing.

現像装置１１４は、現像装置本体１１６を有し、現像装置本体１１６に例えばロール形状の現像剤搬送部材１１８が装着されている。また、現像装置本体１１６内には、トナーとキャリアとからなる現像剤が収納されていて、この現像剤中のトナーが現像剤搬送部材１１８によって感光体１０２に向けて搬送される。   The developing device 114 has a developing device main body 116, and a developer conveying member 118 having a roll shape, for example, is attached to the developing device main body 116. The developing device main body 116 contains a developer composed of toner and carrier, and the toner in the developer is conveyed toward the photosensitive member 102 by the developer conveying member 118.

また、像形成部１００は、外添剤凝集装置２００を有する。外添剤凝集装置２００は、外添剤凝集部材２０２と、外添剤凝集部材２０２に電圧（ＡＣバイアス）を印加するＡＣバイアス印加装置２１０とを有する。外添剤凝集部材２０２は、図１中に矢印ａで示す感光体１０２の移動方向において、清掃部材１４２よりも下流側に配置されている。また、外添剤凝集部材２０２は、感光体１０２と清掃部材１４２との間を通過し、感光体１０２の表面に付着した状態にある外添剤を凝集させる。外添剤凝集部材２０２の詳細は後述する。   In addition, the image forming unit 100 includes an external additive aggregation device 200. The external additive aggregation device 200 includes an external additive aggregation member 202 and an AC bias application device 210 that applies a voltage (AC bias) to the external additive aggregation member 202. The external additive aggregation member 202 is disposed on the downstream side of the cleaning member 142 in the moving direction of the photoconductor 102 indicated by an arrow a in FIG. Further, the external additive aggregation member 202 passes between the photosensitive member 102 and the cleaning member 142 and aggregates the external additive that is attached to the surface of the photosensitive member 102. Details of the external additive aggregation member 202 will be described later.

ＡＣバイアス印加装置２１０は、外添剤凝集部材２０２にＡＣバイアスを印加することで、外添剤凝集部材２０２に付着し、外添剤凝集部材２０２から離間しにくくなっている外添剤を外添剤凝集部材２０２から離間させる。外添剤を外添剤凝集部材２０２から離間させることで、外添剤凝集部材２０２の機能の低減が抑制され、外添剤凝集部材２０２の寿命が延び、外添剤凝集部材の交換頻度が低くなる。加えて、外添剤が凝集しやすくなり、後述する外添剤除去装置２５０による外添剤の除去がより良好になされやすくなる。   The AC bias applying device 210 applies an AC bias to the external additive aggregating member 202 to remove the external additive that adheres to the external additive aggregating member 202 and is difficult to separate from the external additive aggregating member 202. The additive aggregating member 202 is separated. By separating the external additive from the external additive aggregating member 202, the reduction of the function of the external additive aggregating member 202 is suppressed, the life of the external additive aggregating member 202 is extended, and the frequency of replacement of the external additive aggregating member is reduced. Lower. In addition, the external additive is easily aggregated, and the external additive is easily removed by the external additive removing apparatus 250 described later.

また、像形成部１００は、外添剤除去装置２５０を有し、外添剤除去装置２５０は、外添剤除去部材２５２を有する。外添剤除去部材２５２は、外添剤凝集装置２００によって凝集された外添剤を除去するための部材であり、この実施形態においては帯電ロール１０６に接触している。また、外添剤除去部材２５２は、ロール形状を有し、帯電ロール１０６に接触する部分の材質は、例えばスポンジである。また、外添剤除去部材２５２は、少なくとも表面部分、すなわち少なくとも帯電ロール１０６に接触する部分が発泡体であることが望ましい。   Further, the image forming unit 100 includes an external additive removing device 250, and the external additive removing device 250 includes an external additive removing member 252. The external additive removing member 252 is a member for removing the external additive aggregated by the external additive aggregating apparatus 200, and is in contact with the charging roll 106 in this embodiment. Further, the external additive removing member 252 has a roll shape, and the material of the portion that contacts the charging roll 106 is, for example, a sponge. In addition, it is desirable that at least the surface portion of the external additive removing member 252, that is, at least the portion in contact with the charging roll 106 is a foam.

外添剤除去部材２５２の帯電ロール１０６に接触する部分は、より具体的には、多孔質の３次元構造を有する発泡体からなり、内部や表面に空洞や凹凸部が存在し、弾性を有していることが好ましい。外添剤除去部材２５２の帯電ロール１０６に接触する部分の具体的な材料としては、例えば、ポリウレタン、ポリエチレン、ポリアミド、オレフィン、メラミン又はポリプロピレン、ＮＢＲ、ＥＰＤＭ、天然ゴム及びスチレンブタジエンゴム、クロロプレン、シリコーン、ニトリル等の発泡性の樹脂又はゴムを材質としたもの等を用いることができる。   More specifically, the portion of the external additive removing member 252 that comes into contact with the charging roll 106 is made of a foam having a porous three-dimensional structure. It is preferable. Specific materials of the portion of the external additive removing member 252 that contacts the charging roll 106 include, for example, polyurethane, polyethylene, polyamide, olefin, melamine or polypropylene, NBR, EPDM, natural rubber and styrene butadiene rubber, chloroprene, and silicone. Further, a foaming resin such as nitrile or a material made of rubber can be used.

外添剤除去部材２５２は、凝集した状態にある外添剤であって、粒径が数μｍ程度の比較的に大きい外添剤であって、帯電ロール１０６に対する付着力が比較的に小さい外添剤を帯電ロール１０６の表面から除去することができる。一方、外添剤除去部材２５２は、粒径が比較的に小さく、帯電ロール１０６に対する付着力が比較的に大きい外添剤を帯電ロール１０６の表面から除去することは困難である。   The external additive removing member 252 is an external additive in an agglomerated state, and is a relatively large external additive having a particle size of about several μm. The additive can be removed from the surface of the charging roll 106. On the other hand, it is difficult for the external additive removing member 252 to remove the external additive having a relatively small particle size and a relatively large adhesion force to the charging roll 106 from the surface of the charging roll 106.

定着装置１２６は、内部に熱源を有する加熱ロール１２８と、加熱ロール１２８に接触する加圧ロール１３０とを有し、加熱ロール１２８と加圧ロール１３０との接触部で用紙に転写されたトナー像を加熱し、加圧することで、トナー像を用紙に像を定着させる。   The fixing device 126 includes a heating roll 128 having a heat source therein and a pressure roll 130 in contact with the heating roll 128, and a toner image transferred to a sheet at a contact portion between the heating roll 128 and the pressure roll 130. Is heated and pressurized to fix the toner image on the paper.

給紙装置３００は、像形成部１００に用紙を供給する装置であって、用紙が積層された状態で収容された用紙収納容器３０２と、用紙収納容器３０２から用紙を送り出す送り出しロール３０４とを有する。   The sheet feeding device 300 is a device that supplies sheets to the image forming unit 100, and includes a sheet storage container 302 that stores sheets in a stacked state, and a delivery roll 304 that feeds sheets from the sheet storage container 302. .

搬送路３５０は、給紙装置３００から転写装置１２２に向けて用紙を搬送し、転写装置１２２から定着装置１２６に向けて用紙を搬送し、排出口１４を通過して画像形成装置本体１２内から用紙を排出するように用紙を搬送する搬送路である。用紙搬送路３５０に沿って、用紙の搬送方向における上流側がら順に、先述の送り出しロール３０４、搬送ロール３５４、レジストロール３５６、先述の転写装置１２２、先述の定着装置１２６が配置されている。   The conveyance path 350 conveys the sheet from the sheet feeding device 300 toward the transfer device 122, conveys the sheet from the transfer device 122 toward the fixing device 126, passes through the discharge port 14, and from the inside of the image forming apparatus main body 12. This is a conveyance path for conveying a sheet so as to discharge the sheet. The delivery roll 304, the transport roll 354, the registration roll 356, the transfer device 122, and the fixing device 126 are arranged in this order along the paper transport path 350 from the upstream side in the paper transport direction.

レジストロール３５６は、転写装置１２２に向けて搬送される用紙の先端部の転写装置１２２側に向けての移動を一時的に停止させ、感光体１０２にトナーが形成されるタイミングと合致するように、用紙の先端部の転写装置１２２に向けての移動を再開させる。   The registration roll 356 temporarily stops the movement of the leading end portion of the sheet conveyed toward the transfer device 122 toward the transfer device 122 so that it coincides with the timing at which toner is formed on the photoconductor 102. Then, the movement of the leading edge of the sheet toward the transfer device 122 is resumed.

図２には、画像形成装置１０で用いられるトナーＴが示されている。トナーＴは、例えば、乳化重合により、乳化樹脂粒子、顔料粒子、ワックス粒子を凝集することにより形成された所謂重合トナーである。ここで、トナーＴとして、重合トナーを用いることに代えて、混練粉砕法で製造された所謂粉砕トナーを用いても良い。ここで混練粉砕法とは、樹脂、顔料等を溶融し、混練した後に粉砕して、さらに分級することによりトナーを製造する方法である。   FIG. 2 shows the toner T used in the image forming apparatus 10. The toner T is a so-called polymerized toner formed by agglomerating emulsion resin particles, pigment particles, and wax particles by, for example, emulsion polymerization. Here, as the toner T, a so-called pulverized toner manufactured by a kneading pulverization method may be used instead of using the polymerized toner. Here, the kneading and pulverizing method is a method for producing a toner by melting a resin, a pigment, and the like, kneading, pulverizing, and further classifying.

トナーＴの表面には、外添剤Ａが付着している。外添剤とは、トナーの流動性、転写性、帯電量の制御性等を改善するためにトナーの表面に添付される粒子であり、無機粒子であることが好ましく、例えば、ＳｉＯ２（シリカ）、ＴｉＯ２（チタニア）、Ａｌ２Ｏ３、ＣｕＯ、ＺｎＯ、ＳｎＯ２、ＣｅＯ２、Ｆｅ２Ｏ３、ＭｇＯ、ＢａＯ、ＣａＯ、Ｋ２Ｏ、Ｎａ２Ｏ、ＺｒＯ２、ＣａＯ・ＳｉＯ２、Ｋ２Ｏ・（ＴｉＯ２）ｎ、Ａｌ２Ｏ３・２ＳｉＯ２、ＣａＣＯ３、ＭｇＣＯ３、ＢａＳＯ４、ＭｇＳＯ４等を使用することができる。これらのうち、本実施形態で用いられる外添剤Ａとしては、シリカの粒子が用いられている。外添剤の体積平均粒径は、３０ｎｍ以上５００ｎｍ以下であることが望ましく、５０ｎｍ以上２００ｎｍ以下であることがより好ましい。 The external additive A adheres to the surface of the toner T. The external additive is a particle attached to the surface of the toner in order to improve toner fluidity, transferability, charge amount controllability, etc., and is preferably inorganic particles such as SiO 2 (silica). ), TiO 2 (titania), Al 2 O 3 , CuO, ZnO, SnO 2 , CeO 2 , Fe 2 O 3 , MgO, BaO, CaO, K 2 O, Na 2 O, ZrO 2 , CaO · SiO 2 , K 2 O · (TiO 2) n, can be used Al 2 O 3 · 2SiO 2, CaCO 3, MgCO 3, BaSO 4, MgSO 4 , and the like. Among these, silica particles are used as the external additive A used in the present embodiment. The volume average particle size of the external additive is preferably 30 nm or more and 500 nm or less, and more preferably 50 nm or more and 200 nm or less.

図３には、外添剤凝集部材２０２が示されている。
図３に示されるように、外添剤凝集部材２０２は、多数の粒子Ｐが少なくとも感光体１０２（図１参照）に接触する部分に付着されてなる。具体的には、外添剤凝集部材２０２は、板状の基材２０４と、基材２０４に塗布され、粒子Ｐが分散している塗布層２０６とを有する。基材２０４は、板状であって、その材質としては、例えばポリウレタン等のゴムや、例えばＰＥＴ（Poly-Ethylene-Terephthalate）等の樹脂フィルムなどを用いることができる。粒子Ｐの体積平均粒径は、後述するように３μｍ以上２０μｍ以下であることが望ましい。 FIG. 3 shows the external additive aggregation member 202.
As shown in FIG. 3, the external additive aggregating member 202 is formed by attaching a large number of particles P to at least a portion in contact with the photosensitive member 102 (see FIG. 1). Specifically, the external additive aggregation member 202 includes a plate-like base material 204 and an application layer 206 that is applied to the base material 204 and in which particles P are dispersed. The base material 204 is plate-shaped, and as a material thereof, for example, rubber such as polyurethane, resin film such as PET (Poly-Ethylene-Terephthalate) can be used. The volume average particle diameter of the particles P is desirably 3 μm or more and 20 μm or less as described later.

塗布層２０６は、粒子Ｐを分散させた樹脂ポリマーが用いられていて、その厚さは、例えば５μｍ以上９０μｍ以下であることが望ましい。粒子Ｐとしては、有機物である粒子が用いられている。より具体的には、粒子Ｐとして、アクリル樹脂からなる粒子、スチレン樹脂からなる粒子、ナイロン樹脂からなる粒子を用いることができる。ここで、アクリル樹脂からなる粒子としては、例えば清水化成品工業社が製造のＡＲＸシリーズ、ＳＳＸシリーズを用いることができる。また、スチレン樹脂からなる粒子としては、例えば清水化成品工業社製のＳＢＸシリーズを用いることができる。また、ナイロン樹脂からなる粒子としては、例えば東レ社製のナイロン６微粒子を用いることができる。   The coating layer 206 is made of a resin polymer in which particles P are dispersed, and the thickness thereof is desirably, for example, 5 μm or more and 90 μm or less. As the particles P, organic particles are used. More specifically, as the particles P, particles made of acrylic resin, particles made of styrene resin, and particles made of nylon resin can be used. Here, as the particles made of acrylic resin, for example, ARX series and SSX series manufactured by Shimizu Kasei Kogyo Co., Ltd. can be used. Moreover, as a particle | grains which consist of styrene resin, the SBX series by Shimizu Kasei Kogyo Co., Ltd. can be used, for example. Moreover, as particles made of nylon resin, for example, nylon 6 fine particles manufactured by Toray Industries, Inc. can be used.

粒子Ｐとして有機物からなる粒子を用いることにより、粒子Ｐとして、無機物からなる粒子を用いる場合と比較して感光体１０２の摩耗が生じにくい。   By using organic particles as the particles P, the photoconductor 102 is less likely to be worn as compared to the case where inorganic particles are used as the particles P.

以上のように構成された画像形成装置１０においては、画像形成時に感光体１０２が図１に示す矢印ａ方向に回転することに伴って、清掃部材１４２が、感光体１０２の表面から紙粉や、転写後に残留したトナー等を掻き落とする。清掃部材１４２は、感光体１０２の表面から残留したトナー等をかき落とすものの、感光体１０２の表面に付着した粒径が比較的に小さい外添剤は感光体１０２と清掃部材１４２との間をすり抜ける。このすり抜けた外添剤は、感光体１０２の回転に伴って、感光体１０２と外添剤凝集部材２０２とが接触している位置に到達する。   In the image forming apparatus 10 configured as described above, as the photosensitive member 102 rotates in the direction of arrow a shown in FIG. The toner remaining after the transfer is scraped off. Although the cleaning member 142 scrapes off toner remaining from the surface of the photoconductor 102, the external additive attached to the surface of the photoconductor 102 has a relatively small particle size between the photoconductor 102 and the cleaning member 142. Slip through. The slipped external additive reaches the position where the photoconductor 102 and the external additive aggregation member 202 are in contact with the rotation of the photoconductor 102.

感光体１０２と外添剤凝集部材２０２とが接触した部分に到達した外添剤は、外添剤凝集部材２０２の作用により凝集される。そして、ある程度の大きさになるまで凝集すると、外添剤の外添剤凝集部材２０２に対する付着力が弱くなり、外添剤は外添剤凝集部材２０２から離間する。そして、外添剤凝集部材２０２から離間した外添剤が、感光体１０２の回転に伴って感光体１０２と帯電ロール１０６とが接触する位置に到達する。そして、感光体１０２から帯電ロール１０６に移動した外添剤が、外添剤除去部材２５２によって帯電ロール１０６の表面から除去される。   The external additive that has reached the portion where the photoconductor 102 and the external additive aggregation member 202 are in contact with each other is aggregated by the action of the external additive aggregation member 202. When the particles are aggregated to a certain size, the adhesion of the external additive to the external additive aggregating member 202 is weakened, and the external additive is separated from the external additive aggregating member 202. Then, the external additive separated from the external additive aggregating member 202 reaches a position where the photoconductor 102 and the charging roll 106 come into contact with the rotation of the photoconductor 102. Then, the external additive that has moved from the photoreceptor 102 to the charging roll 106 is removed from the surface of the charging roll 106 by the external additive removing member 252.

ここで、単体の外添剤や、凝集しているもの粒径が小さい外添剤などは、外添剤除去部材２５２によって帯電ロール１０６の表面から除去されにくい。これは、粒径が小さいと、外添剤の帯電ロール１０６に対する付着力が強くなるためである。帯電ロール１０６の表面から外添剤が十分に除去されないと、帯電ロール１０６による感光体１０２の帯電が均一になることがあり、これを原因として画像形成装置１０で形成される最終的な画像の品質が低下することがある。   Here, a single external additive, an agglomerated external additive having a small particle size, and the like are hardly removed from the surface of the charging roll 106 by the external additive removing member 252. This is because when the particle size is small, the adhesive force of the external additive to the charging roll 106 increases. If the external additive is not sufficiently removed from the surface of the charging roll 106, the charging of the photosensitive member 102 by the charging roll 106 may become uniform, and this causes the final image formed by the image forming apparatus 10 to be uniform. Quality may be reduced.

この第１の実施形態では、外添剤凝集部材２０２によって外添剤が凝集されるため、単体の外添剤や、凝集しているもの粒径が小さい外添剤などの除去しにくい外添剤が少なくなり、外添剤除去部材２５２によって除去されやすい比較的に粒径が大きい外添剤が増える。このため、外添剤が除去されやすく、最終的に形成される画像の品質が低下しにくい。   In the first embodiment, since the external additive is aggregated by the external additive aggregation member 202, it is difficult to remove a single external additive, an aggregated aggregated external additive, or the like that is difficult to remove. The amount of the additive is reduced, and the number of external additives having a relatively large particle size that is easily removed by the external additive removing member 252 is increased. For this reason, the external additive is easily removed, and the quality of the finally formed image is unlikely to deteriorate.

また、以上のように構成された画像形成装置１０においては、外添剤凝集部材２０２の、凝集した外添剤が離間した部分は、凝集した外添剤が離間した後、感光体１０２の表面に付着した外添剤を凝集させるために用いられる。このように、外添剤凝集部材２０２は、外添剤を凝集させるために繰り返して用いられる。   In the image forming apparatus 10 configured as described above, the portion of the external additive aggregation member 202 where the aggregated external additive is separated is the surface of the photoreceptor 102 after the aggregated external additive is separated. It is used to agglomerate external additives attached to the surface. Thus, the external additive aggregation member 202 is repeatedly used to aggregate the external additive.

図４には、比較例に係る画像形成装置が有する外添剤凝集部材２０２が示されている。比較例に係る画像形成装置は、外添剤凝集部材２０２の構造を除き、他の構成は先述の第１の実施形態に係る画像形成装置１０（図１参照）と同じである。また、この比較例に係る画像形成装置が有する外添剤凝集部材２０２は、後述するように外添剤を凝集させる機能がほとんどないものの、説明の便宜上、外添剤凝集部材との名前をつけている。   FIG. 4 shows an external additive aggregation member 202 included in the image forming apparatus according to the comparative example. The image forming apparatus according to the comparative example is the same as the image forming apparatus 10 (see FIG. 1) according to the first embodiment described above except for the structure of the external additive aggregation member 202. Further, although the external additive aggregation member 202 included in the image forming apparatus according to this comparative example has almost no function of aggregating the external additive as will be described later, the external additive aggregation member is named for convenience of explanation. ing.

先述の第１の実施形態に係る画像形成装置１０が有する外添剤凝集部材２０２（図３参照）は、板状の基材２０４と、粒子Ｐが分散された樹脂ポリマーが用いられる塗布層２０６とを有していた。これに対して、この比較例に係る画像形成装置が有する外添剤凝集部材２０２は、基材２０４を有するものの、塗布層２０６を有しない。このため、基材２０４の表面が帯電ロール１０６に接触する。   The external additive aggregation member 202 (see FIG. 3) included in the image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment described above includes a plate-like base material 204 and a coating layer 206 using a resin polymer in which particles P are dispersed. And had. On the other hand, the external additive aggregation member 202 included in the image forming apparatus according to this comparative example includes the base material 204 but does not include the coating layer 206. For this reason, the surface of the base material 204 contacts the charging roll 106.

図５は、第１の実施形態に係る画像形成装置１０が有する外添剤凝集部材２０２（図３参照）であって、外添剤が付着していない状態で使用が開始された後、５００枚の画像を形成した後の外添剤凝集部材２０２の感光体１０２に接触する部分を示した図であって、図５（Ａ）は外添剤凝集部材２０２の表面を約１００００倍に拡大して示した図であり、図５（Ｂ）は外添剤凝集部材２０２の表面を約５００００倍に拡大して示した図である。尚、図５（Ａ）、図５（Ｂ）ともに、外添剤凝集部材２０２の表面を顕微鏡で拡大して撮影した写真をもとに、外添剤凝集部材２０２の表面を描いたものである。   FIG. 5 is an external additive aggregation member 202 (see FIG. 3) included in the image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment, and after the start of use with no external additive attached, 500 FIG. 5A is a diagram showing a portion of the external additive aggregating member 202 that comes into contact with the photoreceptor 102 after forming a sheet of images, and FIG. 5A enlarges the surface of the external additive aggregating member 202 by about 10,000 times. FIG. 5B is an enlarged view of the surface of the external additive aggregating member 202 with a magnification of about 50000 times. 5 (A) and 5 (B) both depict the surface of the external additive aggregating member 202 based on a photograph obtained by enlarging the surface of the external additive aggregating member 202 with a microscope. is there.

図５（Ａ）、図５（Ｂ）から、粒子Ｐ（図３参照）の一部が塗布層２０６の表面から突出することで塗布層２０６の表面に形成された凸部に外添剤Ａが集中的に付着するようにして、外添剤Ａが凝集していることがわかる。尚、塗布層２０６の表面に形成された凸部は、図５（Ａ）、図５（Ｂ）においては、凝集した外添剤Ａの下側に隠れた状態となっている。   5A and 5B, a part of the particles P (see FIG. 3) protrudes from the surface of the coating layer 206 so that the external additive A is formed on the convex portion formed on the surface of the coating layer 206. Thus, it can be seen that the external additive A is aggregated. In addition, the convex part formed in the surface of the application layer 206 is the state hidden under the aggregated external additive A in FIG. 5 (A) and FIG. 5 (B).

図６は、比較例に係る画像形成装置が有する外添剤凝集部材２０２（図４参照）であって、外添剤が付着していない状態で使用が開始された後、５００枚の画像を形成をした後の感光体１０２に接触する部分を示した図であって、図５は外添剤凝集部材２０２の表面を約１００００倍に拡大して示した図であり、図５（Ｂ）は外添剤凝集部材２０２の表面を約５００００倍に拡大して示した図である。尚、図６（Ａ）、図６（Ｂ）ともに、外添剤凝集部材２０２の表面を顕微鏡で拡大して撮影した写真をもとに、外添剤凝集部材２０２の表面を描いたものである。   FIG. 6 is an external additive aggregation member 202 (see FIG. 4) included in the image forming apparatus according to the comparative example, and after the start of use with no external additive attached, 500 images are displayed. FIG. 5 is a view showing a portion in contact with the photoreceptor 102 after the formation, and FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the surface of the external additive aggregation member 202 about 10000 times, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the surface of the external additive aggregation member 202 enlarged by about 50000 times. 6A and 6B depict the surface of the external additive aggregating member 202 based on a photograph of the surface of the external additive aggregating member 202 magnified with a microscope. is there.

先述の第１の実施形態に係る画像形成装置１０においては、外添剤凝集部材２０２の感光体１０２に接触する部分に形成された凸部に付着するようにして外添剤が凝集していた。これに対して、この比較例においては、感光体１０２に接触する部分に凸部が形成されていないため、外添剤は凝集することなく、感光体１０２に接触する部分に敷き詰められたように分散された状態となっている。   In the image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment described above, the external additive is aggregated so as to adhere to the convex portion formed on the portion of the external additive aggregating member 202 that contacts the photoreceptor 102. . On the other hand, in this comparative example, since the convex portion is not formed in the portion that contacts the photoconductor 102, the external additive does not aggregate and appears to be spread over the portion that contacts the photoconductor 102. It is in a distributed state.

図７には、外添剤凝集部材２０２を設けなかった場合と比較して、最終的に形成される画像に画質の低下が生じるまでの枚数が１００００枚以上多いか否かを、外添剤凝集部材２０２の感光体１０２に接触する部分の表面粗さ（Ｒｚ）と凹凸の平均間隔（Ｓｍ）とに応じて示したグラフである。図７においては、外添剤凝集部材２０２を設けなかった場合と比較して、最終的に形成される画像に画質の低下が生じるまでの枚数が１００００枚以上多い場合を○で示し、外添剤凝集部材２０２を設けなかった場合と比較して、最終的に形成される画像に画質の低下が生じるまでの枚数が１００００枚以上多くない場合を?で示している。   FIG. 7 shows whether or not the number of sheets until the deterioration of the image quality in the finally formed image is 10,000 or more as compared with the case where the external additive aggregation member 202 is not provided. 6 is a graph showing the surface roughness (Rz) of the portion of the aggregating member 202 that contacts the photoconductor 102 and the average interval (Sm) of irregularities. In FIG. 7, the case where the number of sheets until the deterioration of the image quality of the finally formed image is 10000 or more is indicated by ◯ compared to the case where the external additive aggregation member 202 is not provided. Compared with the case where the agent aggregating member 202 is not provided, the case where the number of sheets until the deterioration of the image quality of the finally formed image is not more than 10,000 is indicated by?.

ここで、画質の低下とは、具体的には、帯電ロール１０６のトナーの外添剤が付着することにともなって、画像に用紙が搬送される方向の筋が最終的に形成される画像に生じることをさす。また、表面粗さ（Ｒｚ）とは、１０点平均粗さとも称され、粗さ曲線からその平均線の方向に基準長さだけを抜取り、この抜取り部分の平均線から縦倍率の方向に測定した最も高い山頂から５番目までの山頂の標高の絶対値の平均値と、最も低い谷底から５番目までの谷底の標高の絶対値の平均値との和を求め、この値をマイクロメートル(μｍ)で表したものである。また、凹凸の平均間隔（Ｓｍ）とは、一般には、粗さ曲線からその平均線の方向に基準長さだけ抜取り、この抜取り部分において一つの山及びそれに隣り合う一つの谷に対応する平均線の長さの和を求め、この多数の凹凸の間隔の算術平均をミリメートル（ｍｍ）で表したものであるが、ここでは、上述の算術平均をマイクロメートル(μｍ)で表したものを用いている。尚、表面粗さ（Ｒｚ）及び凹凸の平均間隔（Ｓｍ）の測定は、例えば、株式会社東京精密のＳｕｒｆｃｏｍ ５９０Ａ（商品名）を用いて測定することができる。   Here, the deterioration in image quality specifically refers to the image in which the streak in the direction in which the sheet is conveyed is finally formed on the image as the toner external additive of the charging roll 106 adheres. This is what happens. Surface roughness (Rz) is also called 10-point average roughness, and only the reference length is extracted from the roughness curve in the direction of the average line, and measured in the direction of the vertical magnification from the average line of the extracted portion. Calculate the sum of the absolute value of the altitude of the highest peak from the highest peak to the fifth and the average of the absolute values of the lowest peak from the lowest to the fifth, and calculate this value in micrometers (μm ). In addition, the average interval of unevenness (Sm) is generally an average line corresponding to one peak and one valley adjacent to the reference line in the direction of the average line from the roughness curve. Is obtained by calculating the arithmetic mean of the intervals between the many irregularities in millimeters (mm). Here, the above-described arithmetic average is expressed in micrometers (μm). Yes. In addition, the measurement of surface roughness (Rz) and the average space | interval (Sm) of an unevenness | corrugation can be measured using Surfcom 590A (brand name) of Tokyo Seimitsu Co., Ltd., for example.

また、外添剤凝集部材２０２の表面粗さ（Ｒｚ）及び凹凸の平均間隔（Ｓｍ）は、例えば、塗布層２０６を形成する際に、粒子Ｐ（図３参照）として異なる径のアクリル樹脂粒子を用いることで調整することができる。   In addition, the surface roughness (Rz) and the average interval (Sm) of the unevenness of the external additive aggregation member 202 are, for example, acrylic resin particles having different diameters as the particles P (see FIG. 3) when the coating layer 206 is formed. It can be adjusted by using.

図７から、外添剤凝集部材２０２の感光体１０２に接する部分の表面粗さ（Ｒｚ）が５μｍ以上、凹凸の平均間隔（Ｓｍ）が２００μｍ以下である場合に、画質の低下が生じにくいことがわかる。ここで、外添剤凝集部材２０２の表面粗さ（Ｒｚ）を５μｍ以上にするために、外添剤凝集部材２０２を研磨することも可能であるとも思われる。しかしながら、研磨後の外添剤凝集部材２０２の形状を維持することが困難である。そこで、この第１の実施形態においては、外添剤凝集部材２０２の形状を維持することができるように、基材２０４の表面に粒子Ｐを分散させた塗布層２０６を形成するとの構成を採用している。   From FIG. 7, when the surface roughness (Rz) of the portion of the external additive aggregating member 202 in contact with the photoconductor 102 is 5 μm or more and the average interval of unevenness (Sm) is 200 μm or less, the image quality is hardly deteriorated. I understand. Here, in order to make the surface roughness (Rz) of the external additive aggregation member 202 5 μm or more, the external additive aggregation member 202 may be polished. However, it is difficult to maintain the shape of the external additive aggregation member 202 after polishing. Therefore, in the first embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which the coating layer 206 in which the particles P are dispersed is formed on the surface of the base material 204 so that the shape of the external additive aggregation member 202 can be maintained. doing.

外添剤凝集部材２０２の感光体１０２に接する部分の表面粗さ（Ｒｚ）が５μｍ以上、凹凸の平均間隔（Ｓｍ）が２００μｍ以下となるように塗布層２０６を形成しようとした場合、粒子Ｐの粒径が３μｍ以上、２０μｍ以下であることが望ましい。粒子Ｐの粒径が、３μｍ未満であると、表面粗さ（Ｒｚ）を５μｍ以上にしようとした場合、５０重量部パーセント以上との大量の粒子Ｐを添加した樹脂ポリマーを用いて塗布層２０６を形成することを要し、粒子Ｐの分散が不十分になり、不均一になる虞があり、均一な表層を得られない虞がある。また、粒子Ｐの粒径が、３μｍ未満であると、粒子Ｐの割合が増え、樹脂ポリマーの割合が減るため十分な粘着強度を得ることができずに、塗布層２０６の表面にクラックが生じやすくなるとの弊害が生じる虞がある。   When the coating layer 206 is formed so that the surface roughness (Rz) of the portion in contact with the photoreceptor 102 of the external additive aggregation member 202 is 5 μm or more and the average interval (Sm) of the unevenness is 200 μm or less, the particles P It is desirable that the particle size of the glass be 3 μm or more and 20 μm or less. When the particle size of the particles P is less than 3 μm, when the surface roughness (Rz) is to be increased to 5 μm or more, the coating layer 206 is formed using a resin polymer to which a large amount of particles P of 50 parts by weight or more are added. And the dispersion of the particles P becomes insufficient, which may result in non-uniformity, and a uniform surface layer may not be obtained. Further, if the particle size of the particles P is less than 3 μm, the ratio of the particles P increases and the ratio of the resin polymer decreases, so that sufficient adhesive strength cannot be obtained, and cracks occur on the surface of the coating layer 206. There is a risk that adverse effects will occur.

一方、粒子Ｐの粒径が２０μｍよりも大きいと、凹凸の平均間隔（Ｓｍ）を２００μｍ以下にするために粒子Ｐを樹脂ポリマー中に大量に添加することを要し、樹脂ポリマーの割合が減るために十分な粘着強度を得ることができずに、塗布層２０６の表面にクラックが生じやすくなるとの弊害が生じる虞がある。さらに、粒子Ｐの粒径が２０μｍよりも大きいと、十分な粘着強度が得られないため、使用中に粒子Ｐが離脱してしまう虞がある。   On the other hand, when the particle size of the particle P is larger than 20 μm, it is necessary to add a large amount of the particle P into the resin polymer in order to make the average interval (Sm) of the unevenness 200 μm or less, and the ratio of the resin polymer is reduced. For this reason, sufficient adhesive strength cannot be obtained, and there is a possibility that a bad effect that cracks are likely to occur on the surface of the coating layer 206 may occur. Furthermore, if the particle size of the particles P is larger than 20 μm, sufficient adhesive strength cannot be obtained, and thus the particles P may be detached during use.

以上のように、外添剤凝集部材２０２を、粒径が３μｍ以上２０μｍ以下である粒子Ｐが少なくとも感光体１０２に接触する部分に付着されてなるようにすることで、外添剤凝集部材２０２の表面粗さ（Ｒｚ）、及び凹凸の平均間隔（Ｓｍ）が好適な値となり、外添剤凝集部材２０２が破損しにくくなる。   As described above, the external additive aggregating member 202 is formed such that the particles P having a particle size of 3 μm or more and 20 μm or less are attached to at least a portion in contact with the photoreceptor 102. The surface roughness (Rz) and the average interval (Sm) of the irregularities become suitable values, and the external additive aggregating member 202 is hardly damaged.

図８は、外添剤凝集部材２０２にバイアスを印加することによる効果を確認する実験の結果を示すグラフである。実験においては、まず、感光体１０２に接する部分の表面粗さ（Ｒｚ）と、凹凸の平均間隔（Ｓｍ）とが同じである２種類の外添剤凝集部材である外添剤凝集部材Ａと、外添剤凝集部材Ｂとを準備した。外添剤凝集部材Ａは、Ａｌフィルムを基材とし、この基材に、ナイロン樹脂ポリマーに粒径が５μｍのアクリル樹脂を４０重量部、分散させた表層を塗布したものである。外添剤凝集部材Ｂは、ＰＥＴフィルムを基材とし、この基材に、ナイロン樹脂ポリマーに粒径が５μｍのアクリル樹脂を４０重量部、分散させた表層を塗布したものである。外添剤凝集部材Ａ、外添剤凝集部材Ｂともに、表面粗さ（Ｒｚ）は９.６μｍであり、凹凸の平均間隔（Ｓｍ）は６５μｍである。   FIG. 8 is a graph showing the results of an experiment for confirming the effect of applying a bias to the external additive aggregation member 202. In the experiment, first, an external additive aggregating member A, which is two types of external additive aggregating members, having the same surface roughness (Rz) at the portion in contact with the photoconductor 102 and the average interval (Sm) of the unevenness; The external additive aggregation member B was prepared. The external additive aggregation member A has an Al film as a base material, and a surface layer in which 40 parts by weight of an acrylic resin having a particle size of 5 μm is dispersed in a nylon resin polymer is applied to the base material. The external additive aggregation member B has a PET film as a base material, and a surface layer in which 40 parts by weight of an acrylic resin having a particle size of 5 μm is dispersed in a nylon resin polymer is applied to the base material. Both the external additive aggregating member A and the external additive aggregating member B have a surface roughness (Rz) of 9.6 μm and an average interval (Sm) of irregularities of 65 μm.

実験では、図１に示す第１の実施形態に係る画像形成装置１０の外添剤凝集部材２０２として外添剤凝集部材Ａを取付け、外添剤凝集部材Ａにバイアス印加装置２１０で６００ＶｐｐのＡＣバイアスを印加して、１００００枚の画像を形成した後の帯電ロール１０６の抵抗上昇幅を測定した。その結果、帯電ロール１０６の抵抗の上昇は、０．０４ｌｏｇΩであった。   In the experiment, the external additive aggregation member A is attached as the external additive aggregation member 202 of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and 600 Vpp AC is applied to the external additive aggregation member A by the bias application device 210. The resistance increase width of the charging roll 106 after measuring 10,000 images by applying a bias was measured. As a result, the increase in resistance of the charging roll 106 was 0.04 logΩ.

次に、図１に示す第１の実施形態に係る画像形成装置１０の外添剤凝集部材２０２として外添剤凝集部材Ｂを取付け、外添剤凝集部材ＢにＡＣバイアスを印加することなく、１００００枚の画像を形成した後の帯電ロール１０６の抵抗上昇幅を測定した。その結果、帯電ロール１０６の抵抗の上昇は、０．２４ｌｏｇΩであった。   Next, the external additive aggregation member B is attached as the external additive aggregation member 202 of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 without applying an AC bias to the external additive aggregation member B. The resistance increase width of the charging roll 106 after forming 10,000 images was measured. As a result, the increase in resistance of the charging roll 106 was 0.24 logΩ.

トナーの外添剤は高抵抗である。このため、帯電ロール１０６に外添剤が付着すると、帯電ロール１０６の抵抗が上昇する。すなわち、帯電ロール１０６の抵抗上昇幅が大きいほど、帯電ロール１０６が外添剤によって汚染されていることを意味する。このことから、外添剤凝集部材ＡにＡＣバイアスを印加した場合の方が、外添剤凝集部材Ｂにバイアスを印加しない場合と比較して帯電ロール１０６の外添剤による汚染が抑制されていることがわかる。以上のように、外添剤凝集部材２０２にＡＣバイアスを印加することで、外添剤凝集部材２０２にＡＣバイアスを印加しない場合と比較して外添剤が除去されやすくなり、帯電ロール１０６の外添剤による汚染が抑制されることが実験によって確認された。   The toner external additive has high resistance. For this reason, when an external additive adheres to the charging roll 106, the resistance of the charging roll 106 increases. That is, the larger the resistance increase width of the charging roll 106, the more the charging roll 106 is contaminated by the external additive. From this, when the AC bias is applied to the external additive aggregating member A, contamination by the external additive of the charging roll 106 is suppressed compared to the case where no bias is applied to the external additive aggregating member B. I understand that. As described above, by applying an AC bias to the external additive aggregating member 202, it becomes easier to remove the external additive than when no AC bias is applied to the external additive aggregating member 202. Experiments confirmed that contamination by external additives was suppressed.

図９には、本発明の第２実施形態に係る画像形成装置１０が示されている。
前述の第１の実施形態に係る画像形成装置１０においては、外添剤凝集装置２００の外添剤凝集部材２０２は、塗布層２０６が形成された基材２０４を有し、基材２０４は板状であった（図３参照）。これに対して、この第２の実施形態に係る画像形成装置１０が有する外添剤凝集装置２００は、板状の基材２０４に替えて、無端条の基材２２０が用いられている。また、基材２２０の外側の面であって、感光体１０２に接触する面には、その面の全域にわって塗布層２２２が形成されている。塗布層２２２の構成は、先述の第１の実施形態における塗布層２０６（図３参照）と同じである。 FIG. 9 shows an image forming apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
In the image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment described above, the external additive aggregating member 202 of the external additive aggregating apparatus 200 includes the base material 204 on which the coating layer 206 is formed, and the base material 204 is a plate. (See FIG. 3). On the other hand, in the external additive aggregating apparatus 200 included in the image forming apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment, an endless base material 220 is used instead of the plate-like base material 204. In addition, a coating layer 222 is formed on the outer surface of the base material 220 and in contact with the photoconductor 102 over the entire surface. The configuration of the coating layer 222 is the same as that of the coating layer 206 (see FIG. 3) in the first embodiment described above.

基材２２０は、支持部材２３０に回転することができるように支持されている。基材２２０を回転させることで、感光体１０２に接触する塗布層２２２の面積が大きくなり、先述の第１の実施形態と比較して外添剤が凝集しやすくなる。以上で説明をした部分以外は、先述の第１の実施形態と同様であるので説明を省略する。   The base material 220 is supported by the support member 230 so that it can rotate. By rotating the base material 220, the area of the coating layer 222 in contact with the photoreceptor 102 is increased, and the external additives are more likely to aggregate as compared with the first embodiment described above. Since the portions other than those described above are the same as those of the first embodiment described above, description thereof will be omitted.

図１０には、本発明の第３の実施形態に係る画像形成装置１０が示されている。
先述の第１の実施形態に係る画像形成装置１０では、外添剤除去装置２５０は、帯電ロール１０６の表面から凝集した外添剤を除去するように、帯電ロール１０６に接触する外添剤除去部材２５２を有していた（図１参照）。これに対して、この第３の実施形態に係る画像形成装置１０では、外添剤除去装置２５０は、感光体１０２の表面から凝集した外添剤を除去する外添剤除去部材２６０を有している。外添剤除去部材２６０は、図１０に矢印ａで示す感光体１０２の移動方向において、清掃部材１４２が感光体１０２に接触する部分よりも下流側であって、帯電ロール１０６が感光体１０２に接触する位置よりも上流側で感光体１０２に接触している。外添剤除去部材２６０の構成は、先述の第１の実施形態における外添剤除去部材２５２と同様である。また、以上で説明をした部分以外は、先述の第１の実施形態と同様であるので説明を省略する。 FIG. 10 shows an image forming apparatus 10 according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
In the image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment described above, the external additive removing device 250 removes the external additive in contact with the charging roll 106 so as to remove the aggregated external additive from the surface of the charging roll 106. A member 252 was included (see FIG. 1). In contrast, in the image forming apparatus 10 according to the third embodiment, the external additive removing device 250 has an external additive removing member 260 that removes the aggregated external additive from the surface of the photoreceptor 102. ing. The external additive removing member 260 is downstream of the portion where the cleaning member 142 contacts the photoconductor 102 in the moving direction of the photoconductor 102 indicated by an arrow a in FIG. The photosensitive member 102 is in contact with the upstream side of the contact position. The configuration of the external additive removing member 260 is the same as that of the external additive removing member 252 in the first embodiment described above. Also, since the portions other than those described above are the same as those in the first embodiment described above, description thereof will be omitted.

以上のように構成された、この第３の実施形態に係る画像形成装置１０では、感光体１０２と清掃部材１４２との間をすり抜けた小径の外添剤が、外添剤凝集部材２０２の作用により凝集し、凝集した外添剤が外添剤除去装置２５０によって感光体１０２の表面から除去される。このため、感光体１０２の移動方向において外添剤凝集装置２００よりも下流側に位置する帯電装置１０４まで外添剤が到達しにくくなり、帯電装置１０４が有する帯電ロール１０６に外添剤が付着しにくくなる。   In the image forming apparatus 10 according to the third embodiment configured as described above, the external additive having a small diameter that has passed through between the photosensitive member 102 and the cleaning member 142 acts as an action of the external additive aggregation member 202. And the aggregated external additive is removed from the surface of the photoreceptor 102 by the external additive removing device 250. This makes it difficult for the external additive to reach the charging device 104 positioned downstream of the external additive aggregating device 200 in the moving direction of the photosensitive member 102, and the external additive adheres to the charging roll 106 of the charging device 104. It becomes difficult to do.

上述の第２の実施形態と第３の実施形態とを組み合わせて、画像形成装置１０を、外添剤凝集装置２００を、無端条の基材２２０を有し、基材２２０の外側の面であって、感光体１０２に接触する面には、その面の全域にわって塗布層２２２が形成されるようにするとともに、外添剤除去装置２５０は、感光体１０２の表面から凝集した外添剤を除去する外添剤除去部材２６０を有するように構成しても良い。   The image forming apparatus 10, the external additive aggregation apparatus 200, the endless base material 220, and the outer surface of the base material 220 are combined by combining the second embodiment and the third embodiment described above. In addition, the coating layer 222 is formed over the entire surface of the surface in contact with the photoreceptor 102, and the external additive removing device 250 is configured to add the external additive aggregated from the surface of the photoreceptor 102. You may comprise so that it may have the external additive removal member 260 which removes an agent.

以上述べたように、本発明は、少なくとも、例えばプリンタ、ファクシミリ、複写機等の画像形成装置と、例えばこれらの画像形成装置に適用することができる外添剤除去装置とに利用することができる。   As described above, the present invention can be used for at least an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a facsimile machine, and a copying machine, and an external additive removing apparatus that can be applied to these image forming apparatuses. .

１０・・・画像形成装置
１０２・・・感光体
１０４・・・帯電装置
１０６・・・帯電ロール
１４２・・・清掃部材
２００・・・外添剤凝集装置
２０２・・・外添剤凝集部材
２０４・・・基材
２０６・・・塗布層
２１０・・・バイアス印加装置
２２０・・・基材
２２２・・・塗布層
２５０・・・外添剤除去装置
２５２・・・外添剤除去部材
２６０・・・外添剤除去部材
Ａ・・・外添剤
Ｐ・・・粒子
Ｔ・・・トナー DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Image forming apparatus 102 ... Photoconductor 104 ... Charging apparatus 106 ... Charging roll 142 ... Cleaning member 200 ... External additive aggregation apparatus 202 ... External additive aggregation member 204 ... Substrate 206 ... Coating layer 210 ... Bias applying device 220 ... Base material 222 ... Coating layer 250 ... External additive removing device 252 ... External additive removing member 260 ..External additive removing member A ... External additive P ... Particle T ... Toner

Claims (7)

トナーで形成された像を保持する像保持体と、
前記像保持体を清掃する清掃部材と、
前記像保持体の移動方向において前記清掃部材よりも下流側に配置され、前記像保持体の表面に付着するトナーの外添剤を凝集させる外添剤凝集部材と、
前記外添剤凝集部材によって凝集された外添剤を除去する除去部材と、
前記像保持体に接触し、前記像保持体を帯電させる帯電部材と、
を有し、
前記外添剤凝集部材は、粒径が３μｍ以上２０μｍ以下である粒子が少なくとも前記像保持体に接触する部分に付着されてなり、
前記除去部材は、前記帯電部材の表面から前記外添剤凝集部材によって凝集された外添剤を除去する画像形成装置。 An image carrier for holding an image formed with toner;
A cleaning member for cleaning the image carrier;
An external additive aggregating member that is arranged downstream of the cleaning member in the moving direction of the image carrier and agglomerates the external additive of the toner adhering to the surface of the image carrier;
A removal member for removing the external additive aggregated by the external additive aggregation member;
A charging member that contacts the image carrier and charges the image carrier;
Have
The external additive aggregation member is formed by adhering particles having a particle size of 3 μm or more and 20 μm or less to at least a portion in contact with the image carrier,
The image forming apparatus that removes the external additive aggregated by the external additive aggregation member from the surface of the charging member. 前記外添剤凝集部材に付着する粒子は、材質が有機物である請求項１記載の画像形成装置。   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the particles adhering to the external additive aggregation member are made of an organic material. 前記外添剤凝集部材は、電圧が印加される請求項１又は２記載の画像形成装置。   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a voltage is applied to the external additive aggregation member. 前記外添剤凝集部材は、無端状であって、回転する請求項１乃至３いずれか記載の画像形成装置。   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the external additive aggregation member is endless and rotates. トナーで形成された像を保持する像保持体と、
前記像保持体を清掃する清掃部材と、
前記像保持体の移動方向において前記清掃部材よりも下流側に配置され、前記像保持体の表面に付着するトナーの外添剤を凝集させる外添剤凝集部材と、
前記外添剤凝集部材によって凝集された外添剤を除去する除去部材と、
を有し、
前記外添剤凝集部材は、粒径が３μｍ以上２０μｍ以下である粒子が少なくとも前記像保持体に接触する部分に付着されてなり、
前記除去部材は、少なくとも表面が発泡体であり、ロール形状である画像形成装置。 An image carrier for holding an image formed with toner;
A cleaning member for cleaning the image carrier;
An external additive aggregating member that is arranged downstream of the cleaning member in the moving direction of the image carrier and agglomerates the external additive of the toner adhering to the surface of the image carrier;
A removal member for removing the external additive aggregated by the external additive aggregation member;
Have
The external additive aggregation member is formed by adhering particles having a particle size of 3 μm or more and 20 μm or less to at least a portion in contact with the image carrier,
The removal member is an image forming apparatus in which at least a surface is a foam and has a roll shape. トナーで形成された像を保持する像保持体の移動方向において、前記像保持体を清掃する清掃部材よりも下流側に配置され、前記像保持体の表面に付着するトナーの外添剤を凝集させる外添剤凝集部材と、
前記外添剤凝集部材によって凝集された外添剤を、前記像保持体に接触し前記像保持体を帯電させる帯電部材の表面から除去する除去部材と、
を有し、
前記外添剤凝集部材は、粒径が３μｍ以上２０μｍ以下である粒子が少なくとも前記像保持体に接触する部分に付着されてなる外添剤除去装置。 In the moving direction of the image carrier that holds the image formed with toner, the toner external additive adhering to the surface of the image carrier is aggregated on the downstream side of the cleaning member that cleans the image carrier. An external additive aggregation member
A removal member that removes the external additive aggregated by the external additive aggregation member from the surface of a charging member that contacts the image carrier and charges the image carrier;
Have
The external additive aggregating member is an external additive removing device in which particles having a particle size of 3 μm or more and 20 μm or less are attached to at least a portion in contact with the image carrier. トナーで形成された像を保持する像保持体の移動方向において、前記像保持体を清掃する清掃部材よりも下流側に配置され、前記像保持体の表面に付着するトナーの外添剤を凝集させる外添剤凝集部材と、
前記外添剤凝集部材によって凝集された外添剤を除去する除去部材と、
を有し、
前記外添剤凝集部材は、粒径が３μｍ以上２０μｍ以下である粒子が少なくとも前記像保持体に接触する部分に付着されてなり、
前記除去部材は、少なくとも表面が発泡体であり、ロール形状である外添剤除去装置。 In the moving direction of the image carrier that holds the image formed with toner, the toner external additive adhering to the surface of the image carrier is aggregated on the downstream side of the cleaning member that cleans the image carrier. An external additive aggregation member
A removal member for removing the external additive aggregated by the external additive aggregation member ;
Have
The external additive aggregation member is formed by adhering particles having a particle size of 3 μm or more and 20 μm or less to at least a portion in contact with the image carrier,
The removing member is an external additive removing device having at least a foam surface and a roll shape.
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