Image forming system

Abstract

To provide an image forming system having a scraping member on a conveyance belt, in which a defective attitude of the scraping member is suppressed compared to a case where aggregate adhering to the conveyance belt is wiped off without considering temperature.SOLUTION: An image forming system comprises a photosensitive drum 14 that holds a toner image, an intermediate transfer belt 22 that is arranged opposite the photosensitive drum 14, a cleaning blade 62 that scrapes off toner adhering to a surface of the intermediate transfer belt 22, a fixing device 30, a temperature acquisition unit 80 that acquires temperature, and a CPU 70A. When a temperature acquired by the temperature acquisition unit 80 falls below a predetermined temperature, the CPU 70A executes a mode in which recording paper P heated by the fixing device 30 is used to wipe off aggregates D adhering to the intermediate transfer belt 22.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an imaging system. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus equipped with a reversing tray that reverses paper for automatic double-sided printing, in which, without an image being formed on a photosensitive member, the paper is heated in a fixing device and then switched back and stored in the reversing tray, and the paper is fed from the reversing tray, pressed against the surface of the photosensitive member and stopped for a predetermined period of time, while the photosensitive member is rotated, thereby polishing the surface of the photosensitive member with the surface of the paper in contact with it. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2005-164729 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present disclosure aims to provide an image forming system having a scraping member on a conveying belt in which poor posture of the scraping member is suppressed compared to a case in which agglomerates adhering to the conveying belt are wiped off without taking temperature into consideration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The image forming system of the first embodiment includes an image carrier that holds a toner image, a conveying belt arranged opposite the image carrier, a scraping member that scrapes off toner adhering to the surface of the conveying belt, a heating means, a temperature acquisition unit that acquires temperature, and a processor, and when the temperature acquired by the temperature acquisition unit falls below a predetermined temperature, the processor executes a mode in which a wiping member heated by the heating means wipes off aggregates adhering to the conveying belt.

[0006] In a second aspect of the image forming system, in the image forming system according to the first aspect, the heating unit includes a fixing device that fixes the toner image transferred onto the recording medium.

[0007] The image forming system of the third aspect is the image forming system described in the second aspect, further comprising a conveying unit that conveys the recording medium heated by the fixing device to the conveying belt, and in the mode, the processor uses the recording medium conveyed by the conveying unit as the wiping member.

[0008] In a fourth aspect of the image forming system, in the image forming system according to the first or second aspect, the conveying belt is an intermediate transfer belt that conveys a toner image transferred from the image carrier to a transfer position onto a recording medium.

[0009] An image forming system of a fifth aspect is the image forming system of the fourth aspect, in which, in the mode, the processor uses a secondary transfer member that secondarily transfers the toner image transported by the intermediate transfer belt to the surface of a recording medium as the wiping member.

[0010] The image forming system of a sixth aspect is the image forming system according to the fifth aspect, further comprising a cleaning unit that cleans the surface of the secondary transfer member.

[0011] An image forming system of a seventh aspect is the image forming system according to the sixth aspect, further comprising a second heating means for heating the cleaning means, and the processor operates the second heating means in the mode.

[0012] An image forming system of an eighth aspect is an image forming system according to any one of the fifth to seventh aspects, wherein the coefficient of friction between the secondary transfer member and the recording medium is greater than the coefficient of friction between the intermediate transfer belt and the recording medium.

[0013] An image forming system of a ninth aspect is an image forming system according to any one of the fifth to eighth aspects, wherein in the mode, the processor makes the circumferential speed of the secondary transfer member and the circumferential speed of the intermediate transfer belt different from each other.

[0014] An image forming system of a tenth aspect is the image forming system according to any one of the fourth to ninth aspects, further comprising a pressing member that presses the conveying belt against the wiping member from a rear surface of the conveying belt. Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to the first aspect of the image forming system, in an image forming system having a scraping member and a conveying belt, an image forming system is provided in which poor posture of the scraping member is suppressed compared to a case in which agglomerates adhering to the conveying belt are wiped off without taking temperature into consideration.

[0016] According to the image forming system of the second aspect, a dedicated heating device for heating the wiping member is not required.

[0017] According to the image forming system of the third aspect, the cost of cleaning the wiping member that wipes off the aggregates can be reduced compared to when a functional component within the apparatus is used as the wiping member.

[0018] According to the fourth aspect of the image forming system, in a configuration including an intermediate transfer belt, an image forming system is provided in which poor posture of the scraping member is suppressed compared to a case in which aggregates adhering to the conveying belt are wiped off without taking temperature into consideration.

[0019] According to the image forming system of the fifth aspect, maintenance by the user is easier than when a consumable item is used as the wiping member.

[0020] According to the image forming system of the sixth aspect, adhesion of aggregates from the secondary transfer member to the recording medium is suppressed, compared to a case in which the secondary transfer member is in contact only with the intermediate transfer belt.

[0021] According to the seventh aspect of the image forming system, the efficiency of removing agglomerates adhering to the secondary transfer member can be improved compared to a case in which the cleaning means is not heated in a mode for wiping off agglomerates adhering to the conveying belt.

[0022] According to the eighth aspect of the image forming system, aggregates adhering to the intermediate transfer belt are more easily removed than when the frictional force between the secondary transfer member and the recording medium is equal to or less than the frictional force between the intermediate transfer belt and the recording medium.

[0023] According to the image forming system of the ninth aspect, aggregates adhering to the conveying belt are more easily removed than in a case where the peripheral speed of the secondary transfer member and the peripheral speed of the intermediate transfer belt are the same.

[0024] According to the image forming system of the tenth aspect, the aggregates adhering to the conveyor belt are more easily removed than when the rear surface of the conveyor belt is in a free state at the wiping position by the wiping member. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] 1 is a front cross-sectional view illustrating an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a scraping member according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control unit according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 1A and 1B are diagrams for explaining the degradation of the performance of the scraping member according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, in which (A) is a diagram showing the cleaning blade scraping off toner adhering to the intermediate transfer belt, (B) is a diagram showing the state in which aggregates are sandwiched between the cleaning blade and the intermediate transfer belt, and (C) is a diagram showing the state in which the posture of the cleaning blade changes. [Diagram 5] 5 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the surface free energy of an intermediate transfer belt decreases as the number of times a paper is conveyed increases in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 6] 11A to 11C are diagrams illustrating the results of examples in which the wiping member wipes the intermediate transfer belt in different environments in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] 6 is a flow diagram illustrating a sequence in which a control unit wipes an intermediate transfer belt in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a front cross-sectional view illustrating an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating a sequence in which a control unit wipes an intermediate transfer belt in an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or equivalent components and parts are given the same reference numerals. In addition, the dimensional ratios of the drawings are exaggerated for the convenience of explanation and may differ from the actual ratios.

[0027] In the following description, a user refers to a person who uses an image forming device to create printed matter, and a worker refers to a person who repairs the image forming device. There is no limit to the number of users and workers, and each may play a different role.

[0028] [First embodiment] (Image forming device) An image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment is an example of an image forming system of the present disclosure, and is an electrophotographic image forming apparatus that forms a toner image on recording paper P, which is an example of a recording medium. As shown in Fig. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 includes an image forming unit 15 that forms a toner image and transfers the toner image to the recording paper P, a paper tray 29, and a conveying mechanism 28 that conveys the recording paper P stored in the paper tray 29. The image forming apparatus 10 also includes a fixing device 30 that fixes the toner image on the recording paper P, a control unit 70, and a temperature acquisition unit 80.

[0029] (Image forming section) Image forming section 15 is capable of full-color image formation using a four-series tandem system, and from the upstream side, a first image forming unit 12Y, a second image forming unit 12M, a third image forming unit 12C, and a fourth image forming unit 12K, which use electrophotographic technology to output images of each color, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), are arranged at predetermined intervals from each other.

[0030] In the following description, the four image forming units, ie, first image forming unit 12Y, second image forming unit 12M, third image forming unit 12C, and fourth image forming unit 12K, have the same configuration, and therefore are collectively referred to as "image forming units 12." In addition, when describing the image forming unit 12 without distinguishing between its components, the suffixes ("Y," "M," "C," "K") of the reference numerals of the components shown in the drawings may be omitted.

[0031] The image forming unit 12 includes a drum-shaped photoreceptor drum 14 having a photoreceptor layer on its surface, a charging device 16 that uniformly charges the photoreceptor drum 14, and an exposure device 18 that irradiates the uniformly charged photoreceptor drum 14 with image light to form an electrostatic latent image. The photoreceptor drum 14 is an example of an image carrier in this embodiment. The image forming unit 12 also includes a developing device 20 that transfers toner T to the latent image to form a toner image, and a cleaning device 26 that removes toner T remaining on the photoreceptor drum 14 after transfer.

[0032] The image forming section 15 also includes an endless belt-like intermediate transfer belt (IBT) 22 as an image carrier that is rotatably stretched along a path that contacts each of the photoconductor drums 14 of the four image forming units 12, and a primary transfer roll 24 that transfers the toner image formed on the photoconductor drum 14 to the intermediate transfer belt 22. The area where the photoconductor drum 14 and the primary transfer roll 24 face each other is called a primary transfer section T1.

[0033] The intermediate transfer belt 22 is an example of a conveyor belt in this embodiment, and is wound around a drive roll 32 that is rotated, a tension roll 34 that adjusts the tension, and a backup roll 36. The primary transfer roll 24 is disposed inside the intermediate transfer belt 22.

[0034] Further, at a position facing the backup roll 36 with the intermediate transfer belt 22 in between, a secondary transfer roll 38 is provided as a transfer member that transfers the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 22 onto the recording paper P transported by the transport mechanism 28. The area where the backup roll 36 and the secondary transfer roll 38 face each other is called a secondary transfer portion T2.

[0035] In the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, the friction coefficient between the secondary transfer roll 38 and the recording paper P is greater than the friction coefficient between the intermediate transfer belt 22 and the recording paper P. In other words, the friction force generated by the friction between the secondary transfer roll 38 and the recording paper P is greater than the friction force generated by the friction between the intermediate transfer belt 22 and the recording paper P.

[0036] The surface material of the secondary transfer roll 38 that provides the above-mentioned friction coefficient relationship is, for example, polyurethane, and the surface material of the intermediate transfer belt 22 is, for example, polyimide or polyamideimide.

[0037] In addition, at a position opposite the drive roll 32 with the intermediate transfer belt 22 in between, a toner removal device 40 is provided which removes the toner T remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 22 after the toner image is transferred onto the recording paper P by the secondary transfer roll 38.

[0038] 1 and 2, the toner removal device 40 has a cleaning blade 62 that removes toner T adhering to the intermediate transfer belt 22, and a box body 64 that supports the cleaning blade 62. In the toner removal device 40 according to the present embodiment, the cleaning blade 62 scrapes off the toner T remaining on the rotating intermediate transfer belt 22, and the scraped off toner T is stored in the box body 64, thereby removing the toner T remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 22. That is, the cleaning blade 62 is an example of a scraping member in the present embodiment.

[0039] The cleaning blade 62 is formed into a plate shape of a predetermined thickness from an elastic material. The blade material is, for example, thermosetting polyurethane rubber, which has excellent mechanical properties such as abrasion resistance, chipping resistance, and creep resistance. The material of the cleaning blade 62 is not limited to urethane rubber, and functional rubber materials such as silicone rubber, fluororubber, and ethylene-propylene-diene rubber may also be used.

[0040] (paper tray, transport mechanism) The transport mechanism 28 has a pickup roll 42, a transport roll 44, a paper guide 48 that guides the transport movement path, a path switching member 46, a reversing roll 56, a paper discharge roll 58, and a paper discharge tray (not shown). The transport mechanism 28 drives and transports the recording paper P stored in the paper tray 29 to a secondary transfer section T2 where a secondary transfer roll 38 and a backup roll 36 face each other with the intermediate transfer belt 22 in between. The transport mechanism 28 also drives and transports the recording paper P from the secondary transfer section T2 to the fixing device 30, and drives and transports the recording paper P from the fixing device 30 to the paper discharge tray.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 1, the path switching member 46 and the reversing roller 56 are provided on the path from the fixing device 30 to the paper discharge roller 58.

[0042] The reversing roll 56 is controlled by the control unit 70 so that it can either rotate forward to transport the recording paper P downstream, or rotate reversely to transport the recording paper P upstream. When the reversing roll 56 rotates reversely to transport the recording paper P upstream, the path switching member 46 switches the path of the recording paper P, so that the recording paper P is transported upside down to the secondary transfer unit T2.

[0043] (Fixing device) As shown in FIG. 1, the fixing device 30 is disposed downstream of the secondary transfer portion T2 in the transport direction of the recording paper P.

[0044] The fixing device 30 includes a heating roll 66 that comes into contact with the conveyed recording paper P to heat the recording paper P, and a pressure roll 68 that presses the recording paper P against the heating roll 66 .

[0045] The heating roll 66 is a roll-shaped member that comes into contact with the front surface of the transported recording paper P. The heating roll 66 is heated by a heater (not shown).

[0046] The pressure roll 68 is a roll-shaped member that contacts the back surface of the recording paper P being transported, on the opposite side of the heating roll 66 with the recording paper P being sandwiched therebetween.

[0047] In this configuration, the pressure roll 68 presses the recording paper P toward the heating roll 66. Furthermore, the pressure roll 68 rotates by a rotational force transmitted from a driving member (not shown). The heating roll 66 rotates in response to the rotating pressure roll 68. Furthermore, the heating roll 66 and the pressure roll 68 sandwich and transport the recording paper P to which the toner image has been transferred, whereby the toner image is heated and fixed to the recording paper P.

[0048] (Control unit) 3, the control unit 70 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 70A, which is an example of a processor, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 70B used as a temporary work area for the CPU 70A. The control unit also includes a non-volatile memory 70C that stores a control program for causing the control unit 70 to function, and an input / output interface (I / O) 70E. The CPU 70A, RAM 70B, non-volatile memory 70C, and I / O 70E are each connected via a bus 70D.

[0049] Further, the CPU 70A of the control unit 70 reads a control program from the non-volatile memory 70C and executes the overall control of the image forming apparatus 10 under the control unit 70.

[0050] The non-volatile memory 70C is an example of a storage device that maintains stored information even if the power supplied to each is cut off, and is, for example, a semiconductor memory or a hard disk. The non-volatile memory 70C also stores a program that causes the CPU 70A to execute a wiping mode, which will be described later.

[0051] In addition, the conveying mechanism 28, the fixing device 30, the temperature acquisition unit 80, and the image forming unit 15 are connected to the I / O 70E.

[0052] (Temperature acquisition section) The temperature acquisition unit 80 acquires the temperature and humidity inside a housing (not shown) of the image forming apparatus 10 , and transmits the acquired temperature and humidity values ​​to the control unit 70 .

[0053] Note that each component connected to I / O 70E is an example, and components are connected according to the functions of image forming apparatus 10. Note that a component represents an execution unit that executes processing under the control of a processor such as CPU 70A and RAM 70B.

[0054] (Reduction in surface free energy of intermediate transfer belt) In the meantime, as shown in FIG. 4A, the cleaning blade 62 scrapes off the toner T remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 22 under normal conditions. In the image forming apparatus 10, agglomerates D released from the recording paper P may adhere to the intermediate transfer belt 22 and may be sandwiched between the cleaning blade 62 and the intermediate transfer belt 22 as shown in FIG. 4B. The agglomerates D may adhere to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 22 and reduce the surface free energy of the intermediate transfer belt 22, thereby reducing the frictional force between the cleaning blade 62 and the intermediate transfer belt 22. The reduced frictional force between the cleaning blade 62 and the intermediate transfer belt 22 may cause the posture of the cleaning blade 62 to become poor (the contact area between the cleaning blade 62 and the intermediate transfer belt 22 may be reduced) as shown in FIG. 4C.

[0055] If the posture of the cleaning blade 62 becomes poor, the ability of the cleaning blade 62 to scrape off the toner T remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 22 decreases, and the remaining toner T may degrade the quality of the image formed on the recording paper P. In particular, adhesion of the aggregates D is likely to occur in periods when the temperature drops, and the quality of the image formed on the recording paper P is also likely to decrease with a drop in temperature.

[0056] 5 is a diagram showing the results of measuring the relationship between the number of times the recording paper is conveyed in this embodiment, i.e., the number of times printing is performed on the recording paper P, and the surface free energy of the intermediate transfer belt 22. As shown in FIG. 5, as the number of times the recording paper P is conveyed increases, aggregates D adhere to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 22, and the surface free energy of the intermediate transfer belt 22 decreases.

[0057] (Examples and results of wiping) FIG. 6 shows a graph of the results of four examples in which the intermediate transfer belt 22, whose surface free energy has decreased, was wiped under different conditions. The "degree of recovery" in FIG. 6 indicates the value of the surface free energy restored by wiping, with the value of the surface free energy decreased from the initial state (state in which no conveyance is being performed) as shown in FIG. 5 being taken as 100%. In each example, the "low temperature environment" refers to a case in which the temperature inside the machine is 15 degrees Celsius, and the "high temperature environment" refers to a case in which the temperature inside the machine is 28 degrees Celsius. In each example, the "non-heating" refers to a case in which the recording paper P is not heated, and the "heating" refers to a case in which the recording paper P is heated to 35 degrees Celsius by the fixing device 30.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 6, the surface free energy reduced by the aggregate D released from the recording paper P was restored by wiping in all four examples. Furthermore, among the four examples, the example in the low temperature environment had a greater increase in the surface free energy of the intermediate transfer belt 22 than the example in the high temperature environment. Furthermore, among the four examples, the example in which heating was performed had a greater increase in the surface free energy of the intermediate transfer belt 22 than the example in which heating was not performed. This result is believed to be due to the fact that the aggregate D solidifies and becomes easier to remove when the temperature inside the machine is low, and that the aggregate D softens and becomes easier to wipe off when the recording paper P is at a high temperature.

[0059] In the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, when an instruction from a user or an operator is received, the wiping mode described below is executed to increase (restore) the surface free energy of the intermediate transfer belt 22. The wiping mode according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0060] [Wipe mode] Fig. 7 is a flow diagram for explaining the wiping mode executed by the control unit 70 in this embodiment. The CPU 70A of the control unit 70 executes a series of procedures shown in Fig. 7 by reading a program stored in the non-volatile memory 70C. Note that the execution of the wiping mode may be started by a user or worker inputting the command to the control unit 70, or may be automatically started by another program executed by the control unit 70.

[0061] First, in step S102, the CPU 70A acquires the internal temperature of the image forming apparatus 10 from the temperature acquisition unit 80. Then, the CPU 70A proceeds to step S104.

[0062] Next, in step S104, the CPU 70A compares the acquired temperature inside the machine with a predetermined threshold. If the temperature inside the machine is less than the predetermined threshold, the CPU 70A proceeds to step S106. On the other hand, if the temperature inside the machine is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold, the CPU 70A ends the wiping mode.

[0063] Next, in step S106, the CPU 70A transports the recording paper P to the fixing device 30 and uses the fixing device 30 to heat the recording paper P. Specifically, the CPU 70A transports the recording paper P stored in the paper tray 29 through the secondary transfer portion T2 to the fixing device 30. The CPU 70A also causes the heating roll 66 of the fixing device 30 to generate heat, and heats the recording paper P to a predetermined temperature or higher. The CPU 70A then proceeds to step S108.

[0064] Next, in step S108, the CPU 70A transports the recording paper P to the secondary transfer portion T2. ​​More specifically, after the recording paper P is transported to the reversing roll 56, the reversing roll 56 is reversed to transport the recording paper P to the secondary transfer portion T2. ​​Then, the CPU 70A proceeds to step S110.

[0065] Next, in step S110, the CPU 70A starts the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 22 with the recording paper P held at the secondary transfer portion T2. ​​More specifically, the CPU 70A starts the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 22 with the recording paper P being sandwiched and held between the backup roll 36 and the secondary transfer roll 38. Then, the CPU 70A proceeds to step S112.

[0066] Next, in step S112, the CPU 70A discharges the recording paper P from the discharge section and stops the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 22. Then, the CPU 70A ends the wiping mode.

[0067] In step S104 described above, the predetermined threshold temperature is, for example, equal to or higher than 0 degrees Celsius and lower than 20 degrees Celsius, and preferably equal to or higher than 10 degrees Celsius and lower than 16 degrees Celsius.

[0068] In step S106 described above, the predetermined threshold temperature is, for example, 30 degrees Celsius or more and less than 60 degrees Celsius, and preferably 35 degrees Celsius or more and less than 50 degrees Celsius.

[0069] As described above, according to the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment, the following actions and effects can be obtained.

[0070] (Action and Effects) In the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, the coagulation D adhering to the intermediate transfer belt 22 is wiped off using the recording paper P heated by the fixing device 30. Therefore, according to the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, in the image forming apparatus 10 having the cleaning blade 62 and the intermediate transfer belt 22, there is provided an image forming apparatus 10 in which poor posture of the cleaning blade 62 is suppressed compared to a case in which the coagulation D adhering to the intermediate transfer belt 22 is wiped off without taking temperature into consideration.

[0071] In addition, in the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, the fixing device 30 is used as a heating device. Therefore, according to the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, a dedicated heating device for heating the recording paper P is not required.

[0072] Moreover, in the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, the recording paper P is used as a wiping member. Therefore, according to the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, the cost of cleaning the wiping member that has wiped off the aggregate D can be reduced compared to the case where a functional component within the apparatus is used as the wiping member.

[0073] (Modification) In the above description, the recording paper P is heated by the fixing device 30 in the wiping mode, but the technology according to the present embodiment is not limited to this. For example, instead of the fixing device 30, the wiping mode may be executed by heating the recording paper P using another heating device.

[0074] In the above description, the conveyor belt is the intermediate transfer belt 22, but the technology according to the present embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the technology according to the present embodiment can be applied to an image forming apparatus 10 in which a conveyor belt conveys a recording paper P and a toner image is directly formed on a transfer unit.

[0075] Next, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Note that since the configuration of the information processing device according to the second embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment are used and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0076] [Second embodiment] 8 is a front cross-sectional view showing an image forming apparatus 110 according to the second embodiment. As shown in Fig. 8, the image forming apparatus 110 according to this embodiment further includes a first heating device 51, a cleaning roll 50, and a second heating device 52 in addition to the image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment.

[0077] 8, the first heating device 51 is provided on the opposite side to the entrance side of the recording paper P to the secondary transfer section so as to be in contact with the secondary transfer roll 38. As an example, the first heating device 51 is a metal roll having a heater (not shown) on the inside, and is arranged to be rotatable while in contact with the circumferential surface of the cleaning roll 50. The first heating device 51 heats the cleaning roll 50 by generating heat from the heater (not shown).

[0078] 8, the cleaning roll 50 is provided on the secondary transfer roll 38 on the opposite side to the intermediate transfer belt 22. As an example, the cleaning roll 50 is formed of a sponge-like, flexible, porous material, and is arranged to be rotatable while in contact with the circumferential surface of the secondary transfer roll 38. The cleaning roll 50 is an example of a cleaning means according to the present embodiment, which rotates together with the secondary transfer roll 38 to capture particles adhering to the surface of the secondary transfer roll 38 and clean it.

[0079] The cleaning roll 50 is formed into a cylindrical shape with a predetermined diameter from an elastic material. The material of the cleaning roll 50 is, for example, thermosetting polyurethane rubber, which has excellent mechanical properties such as abrasion resistance, chipping resistance, and creep resistance. The material of the cleaning roll 50 is not limited to urethane rubber, and functional rubber materials such as silicone rubber, fluororubber, and ethylene-propylene-diene rubber may be used.

[0080] 8, the second heating device 52 is provided on the cleaning roll 50 on the opposite side to the secondary transfer roll 38. As an example, the second heating device 52 is a metal roll having a heater (not shown) on the inside, and is arranged to be rotatable while in contact with the circumferential surface of the cleaning roll 50. The second heating device 52 is an example of a second heating means according to the present embodiment, which heats the cleaning roll 50 by generating heat from a heater (not shown).

[0081] The backup roll 36 and the secondary transfer roll 38 are in contact with each other while being pressed against each other. In other words, in this embodiment, the backup roll 36 functions as a pressing member that presses the intermediate transfer belt 22 against the secondary transfer roll 38 from the back side.

[0082] In the image forming apparatus 110 according to this embodiment, in the wiping mode, the CPU 70A of the control unit 70 reads a program stored in the non-volatile memory 70C, and thereby performs a series of procedures shown in the flowchart of FIG.

[0083] [Wipe mode] First, in step S202, CPU 70A acquires the internal temperature of image forming apparatus 110 from temperature acquisition unit 80. Then, CPU 70A proceeds to step S204.

[0084] Next, in step S204, the CPU 70A compares the acquired temperature inside the machine with a predetermined threshold. If the temperature inside the machine is less than the predetermined threshold, the CPU 70A proceeds to step S206. On the other hand, if the temperature inside the machine is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold, the CPU 70A ends the wiping mode.

[0085] Next, in step S206, the CPU 70A starts the rotation of the secondary transfer roll 38. Then, the CPU 70A proceeds to step S208.

[0086] Next, in step S208, the CPU 70A causes the first heating device 51 and the second heating device 52 to generate heat to heat the cleaning roll 50 and the secondary transfer roll 38. Specifically, the heaters of the first heating device 51 and the second heating device 52 are caused to generate heat to heat the secondary transfer roll 38 to a predetermined temperature or higher. Then, the CPU 70A proceeds to step S210.

[0087] Next, in step S210, the CPU 70A starts the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 22 and wipes the intermediate transfer belt 22 with the secondary transfer roll 38. It is preferable that the secondary transfer roll 38 and the intermediate transfer belt 22 have different circumferential speeds. In other words, in the image forming apparatus 110 according to this embodiment, it is preferable that the secondary transfer roll 38 and the intermediate transfer belt 22 are configured to rub against each other in step S210. Then, the CPU 70A proceeds to step S212.

[0088] Next, in step S212, the CPU 70A stops the secondary transfer roll 38 and the intermediate transfer belt 22. More specifically, the CPU 70A stops the rotation of the secondary transfer roll 38 and the intermediate transfer belt 22, and then stops the heat generation of the first heating device 51 and the second heating device 52. Then, the CPU 70A ends the wiping mode.

[0089] In addition, in the above-mentioned steps S204 and S208, the predetermined temperature is the same as that in steps S104 and S106 in the first embodiment.

[0090] According to the image forming apparatus 110 of this embodiment, the following actions and effects can be obtained.

[0091] (Action and Effects) In the image forming apparatus 110 according to the present embodiment, the secondary transfer roll 38 heated by the fixing device 30 is used to wipe off the aggregate D adhering to the intermediate transfer belt 22. Therefore, according to the image forming apparatus 110 according to the present embodiment, in the image forming apparatus 110 having the cleaning blade 62 and the intermediate transfer belt 22, there is provided an image forming apparatus 110 in which poor posture of the cleaning blade 62 is suppressed compared to a case in which the aggregate D adhering to the intermediate transfer belt 22 is wiped off without taking temperature into consideration.

[0092] In addition, in the image forming apparatus 110 according to the present embodiment, the secondary transfer roll 38 is used as a wiping member. Therefore, according to the image forming apparatus 110 according to the present embodiment, the user can easily perform maintenance compared to the case where a consumable item is used as the wiping member.

[0093] Moreover, the image forming apparatus 110 according to the present embodiment includes a cleaning roll 50 that cleans the surface of the secondary transfer roll 38. Therefore, according to the image forming apparatus 110 according to the present embodiment, adhesion of aggregates D from the secondary transfer roll 38 to the recording medium is suppressed compared to a case in which the secondary transfer roll 38 contacts only the intermediate transfer belt 22.

[0094] Moreover, the image forming apparatus 110 according to this embodiment includes a second heating device 52 that heats the cleaning roll 50. Therefore, according to the image forming apparatus 110 according to this embodiment, the efficiency of removing the aggregate D adhering to the secondary transfer roll 38 can be improved compared to a case in which the cleaning unit is not heated.

[0095] Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 110 according to this embodiment, the coefficient of friction between the secondary transfer roll 38 and the recording paper P is greater than the coefficient of friction between the intermediate transfer belt 22 and the recording paper P. Therefore, according to the image forming apparatus 110 according to this embodiment, the aggregate D adhered to the intermediate transfer belt 22 is more likely to be removed by the secondary transfer roll 38 than when the frictional force between the secondary transfer roll 38 and the recording paper P is equal to or less than the frictional force between the intermediate transfer belt 22 and the recording paper P.

[0096] Moreover, the image forming apparatus 110 according to this embodiment includes a second heating device 52 that heats the cleaning roll 50. Therefore, according to the image forming apparatus 110 according to this embodiment, the aggregate D adhered to the intermediate transfer belt 22 is more easily removed than in the case where the peripheral speed of the secondary transfer roll 38 and the peripheral speed of the intermediate transfer belt 22 are the same.

[0097] In the image forming apparatus 110 according to the present embodiment, the backup roll 36 functions as a pressing member that presses the intermediate transfer belt 22 from the back side in the wiping mode. Therefore, according to the image forming apparatus 110 according to the present embodiment, the aggregate D adhered to the intermediate transfer belt 22 is more easily removed than when the back side of the conveyor belt is in a free state at the wiping position by the wiping member.

[0098] (Modification) In the above description, the second heating device 52 heats the wiping member and the secondary transfer roll 38 in the wiping mode, but the technology according to the present embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the wiping mode may be executed by heating the cleaning roll 50 and the secondary transfer roll 38 using the fixing device 30 instead of the second heating device 52. In this case, the fixing device 30 may generate heat and the cleaning roll 50 and the secondary transfer roll 38 may be heated using a blower, or the recording paper P may be heated by the fixing device 30, and the heated recording paper P may heat the secondary transfer roll 38.

[0099] In the above description, the second heating device 52 heats both the wiping member and the secondary transfer roll 38 in the wiping mode, but the technology according to the present embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the wiping mode may be executed by heating either the wiping member or the secondary transfer roll 38. Also, as long as it is possible to heat the secondary transfer roll 38 by another heating device such as the fixing device 30, the configuration may not include the second heating device 52.

[0100] In the above description, the peripheral speeds of the secondary transfer roll 38 and the intermediate transfer belt 22 are different in the wiping mode, but the technology according to the present embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the peripheral speeds of the secondary transfer roll 38 and the intermediate transfer belt 22 may be the same as long as it is possible to wipe off the aggregate D adhering to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 22.

[0101] In the above description, the backup roll 36 has a function as a pressing member that presses the intermediate transfer belt 22 from the back side in the wiping mode, but the technology according to the present embodiment is not limited to this. For example, in the wiping mode, the backup roll 36 may be configured not to press the secondary transfer roll 38 as long as the secondary transfer roll 38 is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 22 to such an extent that the secondary transfer roll 38 can wipe off the aggregate D adhering to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 22.

[0102] In the above description, the cleaning roll 50 for cleaning the surface of the secondary transfer roll 38 is provided, but the technology according to the present embodiment is not limited to this. For example, when the amount of aggregates D adhering to the intermediate transfer belt 22 is small and the performance of the secondary transfer roll 38 is unlikely to deteriorate, the cleaning roll 50 may not be provided.

[0103] In the above description, the conveyor belt is the intermediate transfer belt 22, but the technology according to the present embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the technology according to the present embodiment can be applied to an image forming apparatus 10 in which a conveyor belt conveys a recording paper P and a toner image is directly formed on a transfer unit.

[0104] In these modified examples as well, the same functions and effects as those described above can be obtained.

[0105] The above describes an embodiment of the present disclosure with reference to the attached drawings. However, it is clear that a person with ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present disclosure pertains can conceive of various modifications or applications within the scope of the technical ideas described in the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0106] Furthermore, preferred aspects of the present disclosure will be described below.

[0107] (((1))) an image carrier that holds a toner image; a conveyor belt disposed opposite the image carrier; a scraping member for scraping off toner adhering to the surface of the conveyor belt; A heating means; A temperature acquisition unit that acquires a temperature; A processor; Equipped with When the temperature acquired by the temperature acquisition unit is lower than a predetermined temperature, the processor executes a mode in which the coagulated matter adhering to the conveyor belt is wiped off by a wiping member heated by the heating means. Image forming system.

[0108] (((2))) the heating unit includes a fixing device that fixes the toner image transferred onto a recording medium; (((1))) An image forming system.

[0109] (((3))) a conveying unit that conveys the recording medium heated by the fixing device to the conveying belt, the processor uses the recording medium conveyed by the conveying unit as the wiping member in the mode; (((2))) an image forming system.

[0110] (((4))) the conveying belt is an intermediate transfer belt that conveys the toner image transferred from the image carrier to a transfer position onto a recording medium; An image forming system according to (((1))) or (((2))).

[0111] (((5))) the processor uses, in the mode, a secondary transfer member that secondarily transfers the toner image conveyed by the intermediate transfer belt onto a surface of a recording medium as the wiping member; (((4))) An image forming system.

[0112] (((6))) a cleaning unit for cleaning the surface of the secondary transfer member; (((5)))'s image forming system.

[0113] (((7))) Further comprising a second heating means for heating the cleaning means, The processor operates the second heating means in the mode. (((6))) An image forming system.

[0114] (((8))) a friction coefficient between the secondary transfer member and the recording medium is greater than a friction coefficient between the intermediate transfer belt and the recording medium; An image forming system according to any one of (((5))) to (((7))).

[0115] (((9))) the processor, in the mode, causes a peripheral speed of the secondary transfer member and a peripheral speed of the intermediate transfer belt to differ from each other; An image forming system according to any one of (((5))) to (((8))).

[0116] (((10))) The conveyor belt further includes a pressing member that presses the conveyor belt against the wiping member from a rear surface of the conveyor belt. An image forming system according to any one of (((4))) to (((9))).

[0117] According to the image forming system (((1))), in an image forming system having a scraping member and a conveying belt, an image forming system is provided in which poor posture of the scraping member is suppressed compared to a case in which agglomerates adhering to the conveying belt are wiped off without taking temperature into consideration. According to the image forming system (((2))), a dedicated heating device for heating the wiping member is not required. According to the image forming system (((3))), the cost of cleaning the wiping member that has wiped away the aggregates can be reduced, compared to when a functional component within the apparatus is used as the wiping member. According to the image forming system (((4))), in a configuration including an intermediate transfer belt, an image forming system is provided in which poor posture of the scraping member is suppressed compared to a case in which aggregates adhering to the conveying belt are wiped off without taking temperature into consideration. According to the image forming system of (((5))), maintenance by the user is easier than when a consumable item is used for the wiping member. According to the image forming system (((6))), adhesion of aggregates from the secondary transfer member to the recording medium is suppressed, compared to a case in which the secondary transfer member is in contact only with the intermediate transfer belt. According to the image forming system of (((7))), the efficiency of removing the aggregates adhering to the secondary transfer member can be improved compared to a case in which the cleaning means is not heated. According to the image forming system (((8))), aggregates adhering to the intermediate transfer belt are more easily removed than when the frictional force between the secondary transfer member and the recording medium is equal to or less than the frictional force between the intermediate transfer belt and the recording medium. According to the image forming system (((9))), aggregates adhering to the conveying belt are more easily removed than in a case where the peripheral speed of the secondary transfer member and the peripheral speed of the intermediate transfer belt are the same. According to the image forming system of (((10))), the aggregates adhering to the conveyor belt are more easily removed than when the rear surface of the conveyor belt is in a free state at the wiping position by the wiping member. [Explanation of symbols]

[0118] 10, 110 Image forming apparatus (an example of an image forming system) 12 Image forming unit 14 Photoconductor drum (an example of an image carrier) 15 Image forming section 16 Charging device 18 Exposure equipment 20 Developing device 22 Intermediate transfer belt (an example of a conveyor belt) 24 Primary transfer roll 26 Cleaning device 28 Conveyor mechanism 29 Paper Tray 30 Fixing device (an example of a heating means) 32 Drive Roll 34 Tension Roll 36 Backup roll (an example of a pressing member) 38 Secondary transfer roll 40 Toner removal device 42 Pickup Roll 44 Transport roll 46 Route switching components 48 Paper Guide 50 Cleaning Roll 51 First heating device 52 Second heating device (an example of a heating means) 56 Reverse Roll 58 Paper ejection roll 62 Cleaning blade (an example of a scraping member) 64 Box body 66 Heating Roll 68 Pressure Roll 70 Control section 70A CPU (an example of a processor) 70B RAM 70C Non-volatile Memory 70D Bus 70E I / O 80 Temperature acquisition section D Aggregates P Recording paper T Toner T1 Primary transfer section T2 Secondary transfer section

Claims

1. an image carrier that holds a toner image; a conveyor belt disposed opposite the image carrier; a scraping member for scraping off toner adhering to the surface of the conveyor belt; A heating means; A temperature acquisition unit that acquires a temperature; A processor; Equipped with When the temperature acquired by the temperature acquisition unit is lower than a predetermined temperature, the processor executes a mode in which the coagulated matter adhering to the conveyor belt is wiped off by a wiping member heated by the heating means. Image forming system.

2. the heating unit includes a fixing device that fixes the toner image transferred onto a recording medium; The imaging system of claim 1 .

3. a conveying unit that conveys the recording medium heated by the fixing device to the conveying belt, the processor uses the recording medium conveyed by the conveying unit as the wiping member in the mode; The image forming system according to claim 2 .

4. the conveying belt is an intermediate transfer belt that conveys the toner image transferred from the image carrier to a transfer position onto a recording medium; 3. The image forming system according to claim 1 or 2.

5. the processor uses, in the mode, a secondary transfer member that secondarily transfers the toner image conveyed by the intermediate transfer belt onto a surface of a recording medium as the wiping member; The image forming system according to claim 4 .

6. a cleaning unit for cleaning the surface of the secondary transfer member; The image forming system according to claim 5 .

7. Further comprising a second heating means for heating the cleaning means, The processor operates the second heating means in the mode. The image forming system according to claim 6 .

8. a friction coefficient between the secondary transfer member and the recording medium is greater than a friction coefficient between the intermediate transfer belt and the recording medium; The image forming system according to claim 5 .

9. the processor, in the mode, causes a peripheral speed of the secondary transfer member and a peripheral speed of the intermediate transfer belt to differ from each other; The image forming system according to claim 5 .

10. The conveyor belt further includes a pressing member that presses the conveyor belt against the wiping member from a rear surface of the conveyor belt. The image forming system according to any one of claims 5 to 9.

Images