Lubricant application device and image forming apparatus

Abstract

An example lubricant application device includes a rotatable applicator to apply lubricant from a solid lubricant source to a component to be coated, and a support device to support the solid lubricant source in a contact state with the rotatable applicator. The support device changes a support angle of the solid lubricant source relative to the rotatable applicator when consumption of the solid lubricant source reaches a consumption threshold.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to lubricant coating. Background Technology

[0002] The basic operation of an electrophotographic imaging system includes transferring toner onto an image carrier to form a latent image, transferring the toner onto paper, and fixing the toner transferred to the paper. The image carrier corresponds to a photosensitive drum, an intermediate transfer belt, etc. To protect the image carrier and reduce friction on it, a lubricant is applied to its surface. The device used to apply the lubricant can be called a lubricant coating device. When the lubricant is consumed, the lubricant coating device, or a unit including a lubricant coating device, is replaced. Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a lubricant coating apparatus includes: a rotatable applicator for applying lubricant from a solid lubricant source to a component to be coated; and a pair of support members for supporting the solid lubricant source in a contact state with the rotatable applicator and for changing the support angle of the solid lubricant source relative to the rotatable applicator based on the consumption of the solid lubricant source, wherein the pair of support members are symmetrically arranged with respect to a plane intersecting a rotation axis of the rotatable applicator, wherein the pair of support members includes two support plates for supporting the solid lubricant source, the support plates being configured to rotate in opposite directions about corresponding rotation axes parallel to the rotation axis of the rotatable applicator based on the consumption of the solid lubricant source, to support the solid lubricant source in a split state on the support plates.

[0004] According to another aspect of this disclosure, an imaging apparatus includes a lubricant coating device, wherein the lubricant coating device comprises: a rotatable applicator for applying lubricant from a solid lubricant source to a component to be coated; a pair of support members for supporting the solid lubricant source in contact with the rotatable applicator and for changing the support angle of the solid lubricant source relative to the rotatable applicator based on the consumption of the solid lubricant source; and a segmentation facilitating member for facilitating the segmentation of the solid lubricant source supported on the pair of support members by abutting the pair of support members to rotate the pair of support members. Attached Figure Description

[0005] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an example imaging device.

[0006] Figure 2 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the photosensitive drum and its vicinity in an example imaging device.

[0007] Figure 3AThis is a schematic side view of an example lubricant coating device, illustrating an example state before the lubricant is consumed.

[0008] Figure 3B This is a schematic side view of an example lubricant coating apparatus, illustrating an example state after the lubricant has been consumed.

[0009] Figure 4A This is a schematic perspective view of an example lubricant coating device.

[0010] Figure 4B This is a schematic exploded perspective view of the main parts of an example lubricant coating device.

[0011] Figure 5A It is a cross-sectional view of the solid lubricant source in the example.

[0012] Figure 5B This is a cross-sectional view of a solid lubricant source based on another example.

[0013] Figure 5C This is a cross-sectional view of a solid lubricant source based on another example.

[0014] Figure 6A This is a schematic side view of an example lubricant coating device, illustrating an example state before the lubricant is consumed.

[0015] Figure 6B This is a schematic side view of an example lubricant coating device, illustrating an example state where the front end of the segmented promoting member is adjacent to the adjacent portion of the supporting member.

[0016] Figure 6C This is a schematic side view of an example lubricant coating device, illustrating an example state of rotation of the support member.

[0017] Figure 6D This is a schematic side view of an example lubricant coating apparatus, illustrating an example state after the lubricant source has been consumed.

[0018] Figure 7A This is a cross-sectional view of the solid lubricant source, illustrating the first consumption state.

[0019] Figure 7B This is a cross-sectional view of the solid lubricant source, illustrating the second consumption state.

[0020] Figure 7C This is a cross-sectional view of a solid lubricant source, illustrating the third consumption state.

[0021] Figure 8 It is a graph showing the relationship between the amount of printed sheet and the weight of the lubricant source. Detailed Implementation

[0022] When with attachment Figure 1 When reading this document, the following detailed description will best help you understand this disclosure. Identical or similar reference numerals in different figures denote identical or similar feature elements, and redundant explanations related to such feature elements are omitted. The terms "above," "below," "right," and "left" indicate the orientation when viewed from the front in the figures, and are not always the same as the orientation when the device is actually in use. Feature elements are not always drawn to scale, and sometimes a portion of them is emphasized to illustrate the operation, effects, etc., of this disclosure.

[0023] An example lubricant coating apparatus may include: a rotatable applicator for applying lubricant from a solid lubricant source to a component to be coated; and a support member for supporting the solid lubricant source in contact with the rotatable applicator and for changing the support angle of the solid lubricant source relative to the rotatable applicator in response to consumption of the solid lubricant source relative to a consumption threshold. Using such a lubricant coating apparatus, unscraped lubricant residue (residue) can be reduced, thus reducing waste. Therefore, for lubricant sources of the same size, the lifespan of the lubricant coating apparatus or a unit including a lubricant coating apparatus can be extended. Furthermore, when the lubricant coating apparatus or a unit including a lubricant coating apparatus is designed to have a lifespan as long as currently available counterparts, the lubricant source can be reduced in size, and the lubricant coating apparatus or a unit including a lubricant coating apparatus can be reduced in size accordingly.

[0024] See Figure 1 The schematic configuration of example imaging device 1 will be described below. Imaging device 1 can be a device for forming color images using toners of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. Imaging device 1 may be provided with: a recording medium transport device 10 for transporting paper P; developing devices 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K for developing electrostatic latent images; a transfer unit 30 for secondary transfer of the toner image onto the paper P; photosensitive drums 40Y, 40M, 40C, and 40K as carriers of the electrostatic latent image, on which images are formed; and a fixing unit 50 for fixing the toner image onto the paper P. Y, M, C, and K following the corresponding reference numerals indicate that the components are associated with yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, respectively. In this specification, when components do not need to be distinguished by color, for simplicity, Y, M, C, and K following the corresponding reference numerals may be omitted, and they may be referred to as developing device 20 and photosensitive drum 40. Similarly, for the developing roller 21, primary transfer roller 32, charging roller 41 and cleaning unit 44 described later, the Y, M, C and K following the corresponding reference numerals may also be omitted.

[0025] The recording medium transport unit 10 can transport paper P as a recording medium on which an image is formed, along the transport path R1. The paper P can be stacked and stored in the cassette K. The recording medium transport unit 10 can transport paper P to the secondary transfer area R2 via the transport path R1 when the toner image to be transferred to the paper P reaches the secondary transfer area R2.

[0026] Four developing units 20 can be provided, one for each color. Each developing unit 20 can be provided with a developing roller 21, which allows the toner to be carried on the photosensitive drum 40. The developing unit 20 can adjust the toner and carrier to a target mixing ratio and further mix and agitate them to uniformly disperse the toner, thereby adjusting the developer to be given an optimal amount of charge. The developer is carried on the developing roller 21. Further, as the developing roller 21 rotates, the developer is conveyed to the area facing the photosensitive drum 40, in which the toner in the developer carried on the developing roller 21 moves to the electrostatic latent image formed on the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 40 in order to develop the electrostatic latent image.

[0027] The transfer unit 30 can transfer the toner image formed in the developing apparatus 20 to the secondary transfer area R2, where the toner image is transferred a second time onto the paper P. The transfer unit 30 may be provided with a transfer belt 31, suspension rollers 31a, 31b, 31c and 31d for suspending (or supporting) the transfer belt 31, a primary transfer roller 32 arranged to position the transfer belt 31 between the primary transfer roller 32 and the photosensitive drum 40, and a secondary transfer roller 33 positioned to position the transfer belt 31 between the secondary transfer roller 33 and the suspension roller 31d.

[0028] The transfer belt 31 can be an annular belt that rotates via suspension rollers 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d. The primary transfer roller 32 can be configured to press against the photosensitive drum 40 from the inner circumference of the transfer belt 31. The secondary transfer roller 33 can be configured to press against the suspension roller 31d from the outer circumference of the transfer belt 31.

[0029] Four photosensitive drums 40 can be provided, one for each color. Each photosensitive drum 40 can be arranged along the movement direction of the transfer belt 31. In the circumferential direction of the photosensitive drum 40, a developing unit 20, a charging roller 41, an exposure unit 42, a cleaning unit 44, etc., can be provided.

[0030] The charging roller 41 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 40 to a predetermined potential. The charging roller 41 is rotatable to follow the rotation of the photosensitive drum 40. The exposure unit 42 changes the potential in a portion of the surface of the photosensitive drum 40 to form an electrostatic latent image based on the image to be formed on the paper P. The developing unit 20 develops the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 40 using toner supplied from toner tanks N1 to N4 located adjacent to the respective developing unit 20 to generate a corresponding toner image. Toner tanks N1 to N4 are each filled with yellow toner, magenta toner, cyan toner, or black toner, respectively. After the toner image on the photosensitive drum 40 is transferred once to the transfer belt 31, the cleaning unit 44 collects the residual toner on the photosensitive drum 40. In one example, the photosensitive drum 40 and the charging roller 41 are mounted to a housing forming the cleaning unit 44. That is, the cleaning unit 44, the photosensitive drum 40, and the charging roller 41 are formed as a single unit.

[0031] The fixing unit 50 allows the toner image transferred secondary from the transfer belt 31 to adhere to the paper P for fixing. The fixing unit 50 may be provided with a heater roller 51 that heats the paper P and a pressure roller 52 that presses against the heater roller 51. The heater roller 51 and pressure roller 52 are each formed in a cylindrical shape, and the heater roller 51 may be internally provided with a heat source, such as a halogen lamp. A fixing roller gap, serving as a contact area, is provided between the heater roller 51 and the pressure roller 52, and the toner image can be melted and fixed onto the paper P by allowing the paper P to pass through the fixing roller gap.

[0032] In addition, the imaging device 1 may be provided with discharge rollers 61 and 62 to discharge the toner image fixed to the paper P by the fixing unit 50 to the outside of the device.

[0033] The printing process performed by imaging device 1 will be described. During the charging operation, when the image signal of the image to be recorded is input to imaging device 1, the controller 70 of imaging device 1 causes the charging roller 41 to uniformly charge the surface of the photosensitive drum 40 to a predetermined potential based on the received image signal. During the exposure operation, the exposure unit 42 exposes a laser to the surface of the photosensitive drum 40 to form an electrostatic latent image.

[0034] As part of the developing operation, each developing unit 20 develops an electrostatic latent image to form a toner image. As part of the transfer operation, the toner image formed in this way is transferred once from the photosensitive drum 40 to the transfer belt 31 in the area where the photosensitive drum 40 faces the transfer belt 31. On the transfer belt 31, the toner images formed on the four photosensitive drums 40 can be superimposed or layered one after another to form a single composite toner image. The composite toner image can then be transferred a second time in the secondary transfer area R2 where the suspension roller 31d faces the secondary transfer roller 33 to the paper P conveyed from the recording medium transport unit 10.

[0035] The composite toner image, onto which the paper P is transferred a second time, can be conveyed to the fixing unit 50. During the fixing operation, the composite toner image is melted and fixed onto the paper P by allowing the paper P to pass through the section between the heater roller 51 and the pressure roller 52 while being subjected to heat and pressure. Subsequently, the paper P can be discharged to the outside of the imaging device 1 via the discharge rollers 61 and 62.

[0036] The aforementioned operations of imaging device 1, etc., can be controlled by controller 70. Controller 70 can be executed in the form of a processor (such as a central processing unit that executes machine-readable instructions). Machine-readable instructions can be stored in any suitable computer-readable medium.

[0037] Figure 2 This is an illustrative example. Figure 1 The image shows the photosensitive drum (also referred to as the image carrier or the component to be coated) 40 and its vicinity in the example imaging device 1 shown. Figure 2 An image of the toner formed from toner 22 on the transfer belt 31 is shown.

[0038] like Figure 2 As shown, the imaging apparatus 1 according to the example includes a primary transfer roller 32, a cleaning blade 4, a lubricant coating device 100, a blade 5, a charging roller 41, an exposure unit 42, a developing device 20, etc., along the rotation direction Ra of the photosensitive drum 40. The charging roller 41 and the exposure unit 42 have already been described above.

[0039] A cleaning blade 4, which may be part of the cleaning unit 44, can collect toner (transfer residue toner) remaining on the photosensitive drum 40, even after the toner image has been transferred from the photosensitive drum 40 to the transfer belt 31 once. The cleaning blade 4 may be formed of an elastomer (such as, for example, polyurethane rubber). The cleaning blade 4 is configured to press against the surface of the photosensitive drum 40 and is capable of scraping off the transfer residue toner from the surface of the photosensitive drum 40.

[0040] Example lubricant coating apparatus 100 applies lubricant to the surface of an image carrier (e.g., photosensitive drum 40) to protect the image carrier and reduce friction on it. Lubricant coating apparatus 100 includes a supply roller (also referred to as an applicator or rotatable applicator) 101 disposed circumferentially on the photosensitive drum 40 and includes a solid lubricant source 102. The supply roller 101 is located between a cleaning blade 4 and a cleaning blade 5 circumferentially on the photosensitive drum. In one example, lubricant coating apparatus 100 may be disposed within imaging device 1 for replacement as a single unit. In another example, the supply roller 101, lubricant source 102, cleaning blade 5, etc., may be mounted to a housing forming cleaning unit 44.

[0041] A scraper 5 may be provided to uniformly layer the particles of lubricant applied to the surface of the photosensitive drum 40. The scraper 5 may be formed of an elastomer (such as, for example, polyurethane rubber). The scraper 5 is configured to press against the surface of the photosensitive drum 40. In another example, the blade 5 may also be used as a cleaning scraper, and in this case, the cleaning scraper 4 may be omitted.

[0042] Figures 3A to 4B This is a schematic diagram illustrating a lubricant coating apparatus 100 according to an example of the present disclosure. Figure 3A and Figure 3B The diagram schematically illustrates a lubricant coating device 100 configured to apply lubricant to a photosensitive drum 40. Figure 3A This shows the state before the lubricant source 102 is consumed (initial state), and Figure 3B This indicates that the lubricant source 102 is depleted (or consumed). Furthermore, Figure 4A This is a perspective view of an example lubricant coating apparatus 100, and Figure 4B This is an exploded perspective view of the main parts of the lubricant coating device 100.

[0043] like Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 4AAs shown, the lubricant coating apparatus 100 may include: a rotatable supply roller (also referred to as an applicator) 101 for applying lubricant from a lubricant source 102 to a photosensitive drum (also referred to as the component to be coated or the rotating component) 40; a pair of support members 103a and 103b forming a support structure to support the lubricant source 102 in contact with the rotatable supply roller 101; a guide member 104 that rotatably supports the support members 103a and 103b; a segmentation promoting member 105 that promotes the segmentation of the lubricant source 102; a housing 106 that accommodates the guide member 104 for guidance in a direction toward the supply roller 101; and an elastomer 107. The elastomer 107 can press the guide member 104 in a direction toward the supply roller 101, thereby maintaining the contact state between the solid lubricant source 102 and the supply roller 101 in a stable manner. Furthermore, the guide member 104, which rotatably supports the support members 103a and 103b, can prevent accidental fragmentation of the solid lubricant source when it is incorporated. As an example, the housing 106 can be formed as a box-like object having an opening and accommodating the lubricant source 102, support members 103a and 103b, guide member 104, and elastomer 107. For example, the housing 106 can be attached to the outer shell of a unit including the lubricant application device 100. As an example, the elastomer 107 can be disposed between the inner wall of the housing 106 facing the opening and the guide member 104, pressing the guide member 104 in the direction toward the opening of the housing 106. According to an example, a compression spring (such as a coil spring) can be used as the elastomer 107.

[0044] The supply roller 101 has a rotatable shaft 101a and an elastomer 101b formed on the circumferential surface of the shaft 101a. The end of the shaft 101a can be rotatably supported by a support member 105' and can be driven to rotate by a drive device (not illustrated). The supply roller 101 is driven to rotate in a rotational direction Rb that follows the rotation of the photosensitive drum 40. The elastomer 101b can be formed of foam (foam layer). That is, the elastomer 101b can be a sponge-like elastomer. For example, the foam can be polyurethane foam, etc. Furthermore, for example, the elastomer 101b can also be formed of napped fiber (instead of foam), such that the elastomer 101b is, for example, a brush-like elastomer. The napped fiber can be flexible and can be, for example, a polyolefin-based resin (e.g., polyethylene or polypropylene).

[0045] Lubricant source 102 can be configured to contact supply roller 101. Lubricant source 102 contacts the elastomer 101b of supply roller 101, thereby allowing lubricant to be carried on supply roller 101. Lubricant source 102 can be advanced by elastomer 107 via support members 103a, 103b and guide member 104 to press against supply roller 101. This allows the elastomer 101b of supply roller 101 to scrape lubricant and carry lubricant particles thereon. Supply roller 101 can then apply the lubricant particles carried thereon to surface 40a of photosensitive drum 40.

[0046] The lubricant source 102 can be a molded body, for example, made by molding the lubricant into a predetermined shape (rod shape, prism shape, column shape, etc.). The lubricant source 102 can be made of, for example, zinc stearate, barium stearate, lead stearate, etc. A groove 102a parallel to the axis of rotation of the supply roller 101 can be formed in the surface of the lubricant source 102 supported on the support members 103a and 103b. The groove 102a facilitates the division of the lubricant source 102 and can be formed to orient the division of the lubricant source 102. In some examples, the groove 102a can be formed at the center of the lubricant source 102 and parallel to the axis of rotation of the supply roller 101 to divide the lubricant source 102 into two halves, and the two divided halves of the lubricant source 102 are respectively supported on the support members 103a and 103b. In this case, the groove 102a can be formed along the entire length or part of the length of the lubricant source 102 in the longitudinal direction.

[0047] like Figure 5A , Figure 5B and Figure 5C As shown, the groove can have a cross-sectional shape of triangle 102a, semicircle 102b, or rectangle 102c. Furthermore, the support members 103a and 103b can be rotated, or the threshold at which the lubricant source 102 can be segmented (also referred to as the consumption threshold of the solid lubricant source 102) can be defined by adjusting the depth of the grooves 102a to 102c. That is, when the consumption of the lubricant source 102 reaches the grooves 102a to 102c, the lubricant source 102 is segmented, and the segmented blocks of the lubricant source 102 can be supported on the support members 103a and 103b, respectively. Furthermore, when the lubricant source 102 is consumed to the vicinity of the grooves 102a, 102b, or 102c, the segmentation of the lubricant source 102 can be facilitated. Therefore, the support angle of the solid lubricant source 102 can vary in response to the consumption of the solid lubricant source 102 relative to the consumption threshold. In another example, the consumption threshold of the solid lubricant source 102 can be determined by the length of the segmentation facilitator 105. In this case, slots 102a, 102b, and 102c can be omitted.

[0048] like Figure 4B As shown, the support member 103a has a support plate 108a supporting the lubricant source 102, and has an upper end portion 110a extending from the upper end of the support plate 108a in a direction opposite to and perpendicular to the support surface 109a supporting the lubricant source 102, side end portions 111a each extending in a downward direction and perpendicular to the longitudinal end of the upper end portion 110a, rotating rods 112a extending outward from the respective side end portions 111a in the longitudinal direction of the support plate 108a, and abutting portions 113a protruding from the lower end of the support plate 108a to extend in the longitudinal direction of the support plate 108a. The rotating rods 112a are respectively fitted into holes 114 (described later) formed in the guide members 104, and the support member 103a can thus be rotatably supported between the guide members 104. When the guide member 104 is pressed by the elastomer 107 in the direction toward the supply roller 101, the lubricant source 102 can be pushed against the supply roller 101 via the support member 103a supported by the guide member 104.

[0049] The rotating rod 112a is the rotation center of the support member 103a. For example, when the lubricant source 102 is not consumed, the rotating rod 112a can be positioned on the longitudinal extension of the support surface 109a at the intersection of the support surface 109a and the tangent of the supply roller 101 perpendicular to the support surface 109a. That is, when the lubricant source 102 is not consumed, the rotation axis of the support member 103a can be an axis that passes through the intersection of the support surface 109a of the support member 103a and the tangent of the supply roller 101 perpendicular to the support surface 109a, and is parallel to the rotation axis of the supply roller 101. By positioning the rotating rod 112a of the support member 103a in this position, the residue (or residue) of the lubricant source 102 can be further reduced. In another example, the rotating rod 112a can be positioned on the longitudinal extension of the support surface 109a at the portion of the upper end of the lubricant source 102 that contacts the support surface 109a.

[0050] The adjacent portion 113a is the portion that the front end of the segmentation facilitator 105 can abut. This adjacent portion 113a can be abutted by the front end of the segmentation facilitator 105 when the lubricant source 102 is consumed and the supply roller 101 and support member 103a move closer in distance. This causes the support member 103a to rotate about the rotating rod 112a, for example, in response to the consumption of the solid lubricant source relative to a consumption threshold, thereby facilitating the segmentation of the lubricant source 102 when it is not segmented. Therefore, one solid lubricant source 102 can be segmented into multiple solid lubricant sources 102 to change the corresponding support angles of the solid lubricant sources 102 supported on the support members 103a and 103b.

[0051] Similarly, the support member 103b has a support plate 108b supporting the lubricant source 102, and has a lower end portion 110b extending from the lower end of the support plate 108b in a direction opposite to and perpendicular to the support surface 109b supporting the lubricant source 102; side end portions 111b each extending vertically in an upward direction from the longitudinal end of the lower end portion 110b; rotating rods 112b extending outward from the respective side end portions 111b in the longitudinal direction of the support plate 108b; and abutting portions 113b protruding from the upper end of the support plate 108b to extend in the longitudinal direction of the support plate 108b. The rotating rods 112b are respectively fitted into holes 114 (described later) formed in the guide members 104, and the support member 103b can thus be rotatably supported between the guide members 104. When the guide member 104 is pressed by the elastomer 107 in the direction toward the supply roller 101, the lubricant source 102 can be pushed against the supply roller 101 via the support member 103b supported by the guide member 104.

[0052] The rotating rod 112b provides the rotation center of the support member 103b. For example, when the lubricant source 102 is not consumed, the rotating rod 112b can be positioned on the longitudinal extension of the support surface 109b at the intersection of the support surface 109b and the tangent of the supply roller 101 perpendicular to the support surface 109b. That is, when the lubricant source 102 is not consumed, the rotation axis of the support member 103b can be an axis that passes through the intersection of the support surface 109b of the support member 103b and the tangent of the supply roller 101 perpendicular to the support surface 109b, and this axis is parallel to the rotation axis of the supply roller 101. By positioning the rotating rod 112b of the support member 103b in this position, the residue (or residue) of the lubricant source 102 can be further reduced. In another example, the rotating rod 112b can be positioned on the longitudinal extension of the support surface 109b at the lower end of the lubricant source 102 where it contacts the support surface 109b.

[0053] The adjacent portion 113b is the portion that the front end of the segmentation promoting member 105 can abut. When the lubricant source 102 is consumed and the distance between the supply roller 101 and the support member 103b shortens, the front end of the segmentation promoting member 105 can abut this adjacent portion 113b. This causes the support member 103b to rotate about the rotating rod 112b, thereby promoting the segmentation of the lubricant source 102 when it is not being segmented.

[0054] Support members 103a and 103b can be arranged symmetrically in pairs on both sides of a plane including the axis of rotation of the supply roller 101. For example, support members 103a and 103b can be configured to face each other substantially, such that rotating rods 112a and 112b are parallel to the axis of rotation of the supply roller 101, and support surfaces 109a and 109b are in the same plane, and lubricant source 102 can be fixed to these support surfaces 109a and 109b using double-sided tape or the like. Support members 103a and 103b can be made of metal such as stainless steel or resin (e.g., ABS resin). In another example, the number of support members can be one or more, and for example, when the number of support members is three, another non-rotatable support member (not shown) can be arranged between support members 103a and 103b.

[0055] Guide members 104 may be configured in pairs, facing the side end portions 111a and 111b of support members 103a and 103b. In guide members 104, holes 114 may be formed to pass through rotating rods 112a and 112b on which support members 103a and 103b are mounted. Furthermore, in each of the upper and lower ends of guide members 104, a groove 115 may be formed to guide the guide member 104 in a direction toward the supply roller 101. Housing 106 may be provided with guide members (not illustrated) corresponding to these grooves 115, such as convex portions or rollers. Additionally, a space 116 may be formed at the central portion of guide members 104 to prevent adjacent portions 113a and 113b from impacting guide members 104 during rotation of support members 103a and 103b, which could inhibit rotation. In another example, the housing 106 may be formed with elongated holes (not shown) to guide the rotating rods 112a and 112b of the support members 103a and 103b in the direction toward the supply roller 101. In this case, the guide member 104 may be omitted.

[0056] The segmentation promoting member 105 can be configured to extend from the support member 105' in the direction toward the support members 103a and 103b. The segmentation promoting member 105 can be an integral component with the support member 105'. In another example, the segmentation promoting member 105 can be disposed as a separate component within the support member 105'. In another example, the segmentation promoting member 105 can be disposed within a housing 106, etc. By determining the length of the segmentation promoting member 105 extending in the direction toward the support members 103a and 103b, the timing at which the segmentation of the lubricant source 102 is promoted or the support members 103a and 103b are forced to rotate can be adjusted. That is, the threshold at which the support members 103a and 103b can be rotated or the lubricant source 102 can be segmented (also referred to as the consumption threshold of the solid lubricant source 102) can be defined by the length of the segmentation promoting member 105. Then, when the consumption of the lubricant source 102 reaches this threshold, the support members 103a and 103b can be rotated to change the support angle of the lubricant source 102. Therefore, the accumulated tolerance can be reduced, and the support members 103a and 103b can rotate in response to the consumption of the solid lubricant source 102 relative to a consumption threshold. This facilitates the segmentation of the solid lubricant source 102 to change the support angle at which each solid lubricant source 102 is supported on the support members 103a and 103b. The consumption threshold of the solid lubricant source 102 can be defined, for example, by the thickness of the central portion of the lubricant source 102 in the direction in which the lubricant source 102 is pressed. More specifically, the moment when the thickness of the residue in the central portion of the lubricant source 102 is 0 mm can be considered the consumption threshold of the lubricant source 102. For example, when the distance L between the plane passing through the axis of the coating roller 101 and perpendicular to the direction in which the lubricant source 102 is pressed, and the front end of the segmentation promoting member 105 extending in the direction toward the support members 103a and 103b, is set to the sum of the radius of the coating roller 101 and the initial thickness of the central portion of the lubricant source 102, the moment when the central portion of the lubricant source 102 is just consumed can be set as the consumption threshold of the lubricant source 102. This consumption threshold of the solid lubricant source 102 can be the time when the lubricant source 102 is consumed until it reaches a plane on the opposite side of the surface in contact with the supply roller 101, or it can be the time when the lubricant source 102 is consumed until it is near a plane on the opposite side of the surface in contact with the supply roller 101. In another example, the depth of the groove 102a of the lubricant source 102 is determined, and the time when the lubricant source 102 is consumed into the groove 102a can be defined as the consumption threshold of the lubricant source 102. In this case, the segmentation promoting member 105 can be omitted.

[0057] Figure 6A , Figure 6B, Figure 6C and Figure 6D This is a schematic diagram showing the state of the lubricant coating device 100 based on the consumption of lubricant source 102. Figure 6A This shows the state before the lubricant source 102 is consumed, and Figure 6B This is a diagram showing the state in which the lubricant source 102 is consumed and the front end of the promoting member 105 is separated from the adjacent portions 113a and 113b of the supporting members 103a and 103b.

[0058] Figure 6C This is a diagram showing the state in which support members 103a and 103b are rotated, and Figure 6D This is a diagram showing the state in which the lubricant source 102 is substantially completely consumed.

[0059] like Figure 6A As shown, support members 103a and 103b are supported by guide member 104 such that support surfaces 109a and 109b are in the same plane. Support members 103a and 103b can be supported such that support surfaces 109a and 109b are perpendicular to the pressing direction of lubricant source 102. Since guide member 104 is pressed by elastomer 107 in the direction toward supply roller 101, support members 103a and 103b supported by guide member 104 are pressed in the direction toward supply roller 101. This allows lubricant source 102 to be supported on support members 103a and 103b in contact with supply roller 101. Here, the angle between the support surfaces 109a and 109b and the plane of the rotating rods 112a and 112b including the support members 103a and 103b (that is, the plane perpendicular to the pressing direction of the lubricant source 102) is assumed to be the rotation angle θ of the support members 103a and 103b. In the state before the lubricant source 102 is consumed, the rotation angle θ of the support members 103a and 103b is 0°.

[0060] like Figure 6B As shown, when the lubricant source 102 is consumed and the supply roller 101 and support members 103a and 103b thus move closer in distance, the front end of the splitting facilitator 105 abuts against the adjacent portions 113a and 113b of the support members 103a and 103b. This forces the support members 103a and 103b to rotate, thereby facilitating the splitting of the lubricant source 102 when it is not split. It should be noted that the lubricant source 102 can be split as it is consumed up to the groove 102a of the lubricant source 102, or by pressure from the support members 103a and 103b. In this state, a significant amount of lubricant source 102 residue (or residue) remains in the upper and lower portions of the lubricant source 102.

[0061] like Figure 6C As shown, support members 103a and 103b are rotated, thereby pressing the residue in the upper or lower portion of the lubricant source 102 in the direction toward the supply roller 101. In this case, the rotation angle θ of the support members 103a and 103b will change in response to the consumption of the lubricant source 102. Support members 103a and 103b rotate in opposite directions. In this way, by changing the pressing angle of the lubricant source 102 relative to the supply roller 101, portions that would otherwise remain as unscraped residue (or sludge) can be brought into contact with the supply roller 101 and scraped.

[0062] like Figure 6D As shown, the lubricant source 102 is consumed by the rotational operation of the supply roller 101, and eventually, the lubricant source 102 is exhausted or substantially completely consumed. The adjacent portions 113a, 113b of the support members 103a and 103b are arranged to abut the inner wall of the guide member 104 (e.g., the wall surface of space 116) so that after the lubricant source 102 is consumed, the rotation angle θ of the support members 103a and 103b can be limited to a predetermined angle.

[0063] When the lubricant source 102 is depleted or substantially completely consumed, the lubricant source 102, the lubricant application device 100, or a unit including the lubricant application device 100 needs to be replaced by a maintenance engineer or the like. Therefore, in the imaging device 1, the residual amount of the lubricant source 102, etc., is sensed. For example, the consumption of the lubricant source 102 can be predicted or estimated based on the distance (running distance) the surface of the supply roller 101 moves.

[0064] See Figure 7A , Figure 7B , Figure 7C and Figure 8 The effect of the lubricant coating device 100 on reducing the amount of lubricant residue (or residue) will be described. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the shape of the lubricant source 102 before or after consumption, and Figure 8 It is a graph showing the relationship between the amount of printed sheet and the weight of the lubricant source.

[0065] like Figure 7A As shown, the thickness of the central portion of the initial lubricant source 102 is 3 mm, and its weight is 11.2 g. With the support members 103a and 103b not rotating (that is, with the lubricant source 102 supported on a support member), when the central portion of the lubricant source 102... Figure 7BWhen the lubricant source 102 is consumed as shown, this is determined to be the end of its lifespan. At this point, the remaining amount of lubricant source 102 is 2.6g, and the remaining lubricant percentage is 23%. The remaining lubricant percentage is the ratio of the remaining amount of lubricant source 102 after consumption to the initial weight of lubricant source 102.

[0066] like Figure 7C As shown, when the support angle of the lubricant source 102 is changed by the support members 103a and 103b in response to the consumption of lubricant, the weight of the lubricant source 102 and the percentage of remaining lubricant are 0.3g and 0.03%, respectively, when the lubricant source 102 is determined to have reached the end of its life.

[0067] like Figure 8 As shown, with the support angle of the lubricant source 102 unchanged, the lifespan is approximately 720×10 at print depths of [missing value]. 3 The process terminates when the paper is applied. Conversely, even when using a lubricant source 102 of the same size, the lubricant coating apparatus 100 according to this disclosure is able to print approximately 930 × 10⁻⁶. 3 A sheet of paper. In other words, even with the same weight and shape of lubricant source 102, the lifespan is extended by up to 23%.

[0068] As described above, the lubricant coating apparatus according to this disclosure can reduce the residue (residue) of the solid lubricant source by changing the support angle of the solid lubricant source in response to consumption of the solid lubricant source relative to a consumption threshold. That is, as the solid lubricant source is consumed and the residual amount decreases, the solid lubricant source is segmented to change its support angle, thereby reducing the residue (residue) of the solid lubricant source. Therefore, when using solid lubricant sources of the same size, the lifespan of the solid lubricant source can be extended. Furthermore, the size of the solid lubricant source can be reduced to match the lifespan of currently available larger solid lubricant sources, and the lubricant coating apparatus can thus be reduced in size.

Claims

1. A lubricant coating apparatus, comprising: A rotatable applicator for applying lubricant from a solid lubricant source to the component to be coated; and A pair of support members for supporting the solid lubricant source in contact with the rotatable applicator and for changing the support angle of the solid lubricant source relative to the rotatable applicator based on the consumption of the solid lubricant source, wherein the pair of support members are symmetrically arranged with respect to a plane intersecting the rotation axis of the rotatable applicator, wherein the pair of support members includes two support plates for supporting the solid lubricant source, the support plates being configured to rotate in opposite directions about corresponding rotation axes parallel to the rotation axis of the rotatable applicator based on the consumption of the solid lubricant source, so as to support the solid lubricant source in a split state on the support plates.

2. The lubricant coating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the pair of support members has a rotation axis, which is located at the intersection of the support surface of the support member and the tangent of the rotatable applicator perpendicular to the support surface, based on the fact that the solid lubricant source is not consumed.

3. The lubricant coating apparatus of claim 1, comprising a guide member for guiding the pair of support members in a direction toward the rotatable applicator based on the consumption of the solid lubricant source, wherein the pair of support members are rotatably supported by the guide member.

4. The lubricant coating apparatus of claim 3, comprising a housing for receiving the guide member for guiding in a direction toward the rotatable applicator.

5. The lubricant coating apparatus according to claim 3, Each of the pair of support members has a rotating rod extending parallel to the rotation axis of the rotatable applicator, and The guide member includes a corresponding hole, and the rotating rod of each of the pair of support members is disposed in the corresponding hole.

6. The lubricant coating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the solid lubricant source includes a groove for facilitating the segmentation of the solid lubricant source.

7. The lubricant coating apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the groove is semi-circular or polygonal.

8. The lubricant coating apparatus of claim 6, wherein the groove extends parallel to the rotation axis of the rotatable applicator.

9. The lubricant coating apparatus of claim 6, wherein the pair of support members are located on opposite sides of the groove.

10. The lubricant coating apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a segmentation promoting member for promoting the segmentation of the solid lubricant source supported on the pair of support members by rotating the pair of support members by abutting them.

11. The lubricant coating apparatus of claim 10, wherein the segmentation promoting member is disposed in the support of the rotatable applicator.

12. The lubricant coating apparatus according to claim 11, Each of the pair of support members is configured to move in a direction toward the rotatable applicator based on the consumption of the solid lubricant source. The segmentation promoting member extends from the support of the rotatable applicator in a direction toward the pair of support members, and The segmentation facilitator includes an end portion for abutting the pair of support members to allow each of the pair of support members to rotate.

13. An imaging device including a lubricant coating apparatus, wherein the lubricant coating apparatus is the lubricant coating apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1-12.

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