Recycling method

Abstract

To provide a technique that enables determination of the state of a cleaner in a scorotron charger without having to disassemble the scorotron charger.SOLUTION: A load applied to a cleaner 53 in a first direction is measured while moving the cleaner 53 in the first direction along a wire 51. Whether an obtained measurement value is within a preset tolerable range or not is determined. The state of the cleaner 53 can thus be determined without having to disassemble a scorotron charger.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a recycling method.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, electrophotographic image forming apparatuses such as LED printers are known. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a photoreceptor drum and a scorotron charger that charges the photoreceptor drum. The photoreceptor drum and the scorotron charger may be mounted on a drum unit that is detachable from the image forming apparatus.

[0003] Regarding conventional scorotron chargers, for example, they are described in Patent Document 1. The scorotron charger of Patent Document 1 has a wire and a cleaner that cleans the wire.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Used scorotron chargers may be recycled for effective utilization of resources. However, conventionally, in order to determine whether the cleaner of a scorotron charger can be recycled, it was necessary to disassemble the scorotron charger and examine the cleaner. For this reason, determining whether the cleaner can be recycled was a labor-intensive task.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a technique capable of determining the state of the cleaner of a scorotron charger without disassembling the scorotron charger.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The first disclosure of the present application is a recycling method of the cleaner in a used scorotron charger, which has a wire extending in a first direction and a cleaner supported by a frame together with the wire, and the cleaner sweeps the wire by moving in the first direction along the wire while sandwiching the wire. The recycling method includes a measuring step of measuring a load in the first direction applied to the cleaner while moving the cleaner in the first direction along the wire, and a determining step of determining whether a measured value obtained in the measuring step is within a preset allowable range, and is characterized by including these steps.

[0008] The second disclosure of the present application is the recycling method of the first disclosure, and in the measuring step, the load applied to the cleaner is measured while moving the cleaner in the first direction from one end to the other end of the wire in the first direction.

[0009] The third disclosure of the present application is the recycling method of the first disclosure or the second disclosure, and in the measuring step, at least the dynamic frictional force applied to the cleaner during the movement of the cleaner is measured.

[0010] The fourth disclosure of the present application is the recycling method of the first disclosure or the second disclosure, and in the measuring step, at least the static frictional force applied to the cleaner at the time when the movement of the cleaner starts is measured.

[0011] The fifth disclosure of the present application is the recycling method of the first disclosure or the second disclosure, and in the determining step, when it is determined that the measured value is within the allowable range, it is determined that the cleaner can be recycled, and in the determining step, when it is determined that the measured value is outside the allowable range, it is determined that the cleaner cannot be recycled.

[0012] The sixth disclosure of the present application is the recycling method of the fifth disclosure, and in the determining step, when the measured value is lower than a preset lower limit value, it is determined that the cleaner cannot be recycled.

[0013] The seventh disclosure of the present application is the recycling method of the fifth disclosure, wherein in the determination step, when the measured value is higher than a preset upper limit value, it is determined that the recycling of the cleaner is impossible.

[0014] The eighth disclosure of the present application is the recycling method of the first disclosure or the second disclosure, further comprising a preliminary cleaning step of moving the cleaner in the first direction along the wire before the measurement step.

[0015] The ninth disclosure of the present application is the recycling method of the first disclosure or the second disclosure, wherein in the measurement step, a measuring instrument having a force gauge measures the load in the first direction applied to the cleaner while pushing or pulling the cleaner in the first direction.

[0016] The tenth disclosure of the present application is the recycling method of the ninth disclosure, wherein in the measurement step, the measuring instrument inputs the measured value into a computer, the computer has a memory storing the allowable range, and in the determination step, the computer determines whether the measured value is within the allowable range read from the memory.

[0017] The eleventh disclosure of the present application is the recycling method of the fifth disclosure, further comprising a replacement step of replacing the cleaner when it is determined that the recycling of the cleaner is impossible.

[0018] The twelfth disclosure of the present application is the recycling method of the eleventh disclosure, wherein the cleaner has a sponge sandwiching the wire and a resin cleaner body holding the sponge, and in the replacement step, the sponge and the cleaner body are replaced.

[0019] The 13th disclosure of the present application is the recycling method of the 11th disclosure, characterized in that in the replacement step, the cleaner and the frame are replaced.

Advantages of the Invention

[0020] According to the 1st to 13th disclosures, while moving the cleaner in the first direction along the wire, the load in the first direction applied to the cleaner is measured. Then, it is determined whether the obtained measured value is within a preset allowable range. Thereby, the state of the cleaner can be determined without disassembling the scorotron charger.

[0021] Further, according to the 2nd disclosure, the load applied to the cleaner can be measured in a state where foreign matter attached to the wire is removed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0023] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, the direction in which the wire of the scorotron charger extends is defined as the "first direction".

[0024] <1. Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus> FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 1 is an electrophotographic printer. Specifically, the image forming apparatus 1 is a laser printer or an LED printer. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a casing 10, four toner cartridges 20, a drum unit 30, and a control unit 40.

[0025] The casing 10 has a box-shaped main body frame 11 and a cover 12. The four toner cartridges 20, the drum unit 30, and the control unit 40 are housed inside the main body frame 11.

[0026] The main body frame 11 has an opening 13. The cover 12 is rotatable between a closed position shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1 and an open position shown by a solid line in FIG. 1. When the cover 12 is disposed at the closed position, the opening 13 of the main body frame 11 is covered by the cover 12. When the cover 12 is disposed at the open position, the opening 13 of the main body frame 11 is opened.

[0027] The four toner cartridges 20 are detachable from the drum unit 30. Toner, which is a developer, is housed inside the toner cartridge 20. The four toner cartridges 20 house toners of different colors. Each toner cartridge 20 has a developing roller 21. The developing roller 21 is rotatably supported with respect to the casing of the toner cartridge 20. The developing roller 21 has a cylindrical outer surface extending in the first direction. The toner housed inside the toner cartridge 20 is carried on the outer surface of the developing roller 21.

[0028] The drum unit 30 is detachable from the main body frame 11. More specifically, the drum unit 30 can be attached to the main body frame 11 with the four toner cartridges 20 mounted thereon. That is, the drum unit 30 is used together with the four toner cartridges 20.

[0029] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the drum unit 30. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the drum unit 30 includes a drum frame 31, four photosensitive drums 32, and four scorotron chargers 50.

[0030] The drum frame 31 is a frame that supports the four photosensitive drums 32 and the four scorotron chargers 50. The drum frame 31 can accommodate the four toner cartridges 20.

[0031] The photosensitive drum 32 is a cylindrical member extending along a first direction. The photosensitive drum 32 is rotatable about an axis extending in the first direction. The outer surface of the photosensitive drum 32 is covered with a photosensitive material.

[0032] When the toner cartridge 20 is attached to the drum frame 31, the outer surface of the developing roller 21 contacts the outer surface of the photosensitive drum 32. The toner in the toner cartridge 20 is supplied to the outer surface of the photosensitive drum 32 via the outer surface of the developing roller 21. Then, the toner carried on the outer surface of the photosensitive drum 32 is transferred to the printing paper.

[0033] Figure 3 is a control block diagram of the image forming apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 40 includes a processor 41 and a main body memory 42. The processor 41 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The main body memory 42 is a storage medium capable of reading and writing information. The main body memory 42 is, for example, a flash ROM or an EEPROM.

[0034] The main body memory 42 stores a computer program for controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus 1. The processor 41 controls each part of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the computer program stored in the main body memory 42. Thereby, the printing process in the image forming apparatus 1 is executed.

[0035] <2. About the scorotron charger> As described above, the drum unit 30 has four scorotron chargers 50. The scorotron charger 50 is a device that charges the outer surface of the photosensitive drum 32. The scorotron charger 50 is provided for each photosensitive drum 32. The scorotron charger 50 is supported by the drum frame 31.

[0036] FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the drum unit 30. FIG. 4 shows a cross-section perpendicular to the first direction. FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the scorotron charger 50. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the scorotron charger 50 has a wire 51. Also, as shown in FIG. 4, the scorotron charger 50 has a grid 52. The wire 51 and the grid 52 are located in the vicinity of the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 32.

[0037] The wire 51 is a metal wire. The wire 51 extends in the first direction along the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 32. The wire 51 is arranged at an interval from the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 32. One end of the wire 51 in the first direction is supported by one end of the drum frame 31 in the first direction. The other end of the wire 51 in the first direction is supported by the other end of the drum frame 31 in the first direction.

[0038] The grid 52 is a metal plate having a plurality of holes. The grid 52 extends in a first direction along the outer peripheral surface of the photoreceptor drum 32. The grid 52 is positioned between the outer peripheral surface of the photoreceptor drum 32 and the wire 51. The grid 52 is disposed at a distance from the outer peripheral surface of the photoreceptor drum 32. The wire 51 is disposed at a distance from the grid 52. One end of the grid 52 in the first direction is supported by one end of the drum frame 31 in the first direction. The other end of the grid 52 in the first direction is supported by the other end of the drum frame 31 in the first direction.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a voltage application circuit 43. The voltage application circuit 43 is electrically connected to the control unit 40. The voltage application circuit 43 is an electric circuit for applying a voltage to the scorotron charger 50. In a state where the drum unit 30 is attached to the main body frame 11, the wire 51 and the grid 52 are electrically connected to the voltage application circuit 43.

[0040] FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of the voltage application circuit 43. As shown in FIG. 3, the voltage application circuit 43 includes a power source 431, a resistor 432, and an ammeter 433. The + pole of the power source 431 is connected to the wire 51. The - pole of the power source 431 is grounded to the ground G. Thereby, the power source 431 can apply a voltage to the wire 51. Hereinafter, the voltage applied by the power source 431 to the wire 51 (the potential with respect to the ground G) is referred to as "wire voltage Vw".

[0041] One end of the resistor 432 is connected to the grid 52. The other end of the resistor 432 is grounded to the ground G. The voltage of the grid 52 changes according to the wire voltage Vw. Hereinafter, the voltage of the grid 52 (the potential with respect to the ground G) is referred to as "grid voltage Vg". A current corresponding to the grid voltage Vg flows through the resistor 432. The ammeter 433 measures the current value flowing through the resistor 432.

[0042] The grid voltage Vg varies not only depending on the value of the wire voltage Vw, but also on the state of dust, toner, silica compounds derived from external additives of toner, etc. adhering to the wire 51. Specifically, when dust or toner adheres to the wire 51, the resistance value of the wire 51 increases, so the grid voltage Vg decreases.

[0043] Since the resistance value of the resistor 432 is constant, the grid voltage Vg and the current value flowing through the resistor 432 are proportional. The control unit 40 performs feedback control on the wire voltage Vw applied by the power supply 431 to the wire 51 so that the current value measured by the ammeter 433 becomes constant. As a result, the grid voltage Vg is maintained constant.

[0044] During the execution of the printing process, the control unit 40 drives a motor (not shown). The developing roller 21 and the photosensitive drum 32 rotate by the driving force transmitted from this motor. Also, the control unit 40 applies a voltage to the scorotron charger 50 by the voltage application circuit 43 described above. Then, due to the corona discharge generated between the wire 51 and the grid 52, the outer surface of the photosensitive drum 32 is charged.

[0045] In addition, the control unit 40 causes a light source (not shown) to emit light. The light source is, for example, a laser scanning unit or an LED (Light Emitting Diode) unit. The light emitted from the light source is irradiated onto the outer surface of the photosensitive drum 32. As a result, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the outer surface of the photosensitive drum 32. The toner supplied from the toner cartridge 20 is supplied onto the electrostatic latent image of the photosensitive drum 32 via the developing roller 21. Thereby, a toner image is formed on the outer surface of the photosensitive drum 32.

[0046] The printing paper is conveyed between the photosensitive drum 32 on which the toner image is formed and a transfer belt (not shown). As a result, the toner image is transferred from the outer surface of the photosensitive drum 32 to the printing paper. Then, in the fixing unit within the image forming apparatus 1, the toner image is thermally fixed to the printing paper. As a result, an image is printed on the printing paper.

[0047] <Regarding the cleaner> The scorotron charger 50 has a cleaner 53 for cleaning the wire 51. The cleaner 53 is supported by the drum frame 31. The cleaner 53 can move in the first direction along the wire 51 while contacting the wire 51. When the cleaner 53 moves in the first direction, the wire 51 is cleaned. Specifically, when the cleaner 53 moves in the first direction, toner or dust attached to the wire 51 is wiped off by the cleaner 53.

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the cleaner 53 sandwiches the wire 51. Specifically, the cleaner 53 has a cleaner body 54 and a sponge 55. The cleaner body 54 is made of resin. The sponge 55 is a porous member that is more easily elastically deformed than the cleaner body 54. The cleaner body 54 has two claws 541. The cleaner body 54 holds the sponge 55 between the two claws 541.

[0049] The drum frame 31 has a charger frame 411 that sandwiches the cleaner body 54. The charger frame 411 is an example of a "frame". The charger frame 411 extends in the first direction. Also, the charger frame 411 presses the two claws 541 in a direction approaching each other. Thereby, the sponge 55 is compressed between the two claws 541. Also, the wire 51 is sandwiched by the sponge 55 between the two claws 541.

[0050] When the cleaner 53 moves in the first direction along the charger frame 411 with the cleaner 53 sandwiching the wire 51, the sponge 55 rubs against the wire 51. Thereby, toner or dust attached to the wire 51 is wiped off.

[0051] Further, the cleaner 53 has a handle 56. The handle 56 extends from the cleaner main body 54 in a direction intersecting the first direction. When cleaning the wire 51, the user of the image forming apparatus 1 moves the handle 56 in the first direction with respect to the drum frame 31. Then, the cleaner main body 54 and the sponge 55 also move in the first direction with respect to the drum frame 31 together with the handle 56.

[0052] <4. Recycling method of cleaner> Subsequently, a recycling method of the cleaner 53 in the used scorotron charger 50 will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the recycling process of the cleaner 53.

[0053] When recycling the cleaner 53, first, in the used drum unit 30, preliminary cleaning is performed by the cleaner 53 (step S1, preliminary cleaning step). Specifically, the cleaner 53 is moved in the first direction along the wire 51. Thereby, the toner and dust attached to the wire 51 are removed. This preliminary cleaning may be omitted. However, by performing this preliminary cleaning, the next measurement step can be performed in a state where toner and dust are removed from the wire 51. Therefore, in the next measurement step, the load applied to the cleaner 53 can be accurately measured.

[0054] Next, while moving the cleaner 53 in the first direction along the wire 51, the load in the first direction applied to the cleaner 53 is measured (step S2, measurement step). FIGS. 8 to 10 are diagrams schematically showing examples of the measurement method in step S2. In the examples of FIGS. 8 to 10, a measuring instrument 60 having a force gauge 61 is used.

[0055] The force gauge 61 is, for example, a push-pull gauge capable of measuring the pressing force and the tensile force applied to the measuring shaft. However, the force gauge 61 may be a gauge capable of measuring only the pressing force. Further, the force gauge 61 may be a gauge capable of measuring only the tensile force.

[0056] In the example of FIG. 8, the handle 56 of the cleaner 53 and the measurement axis of the force gauge 61 are connected via a rope 62. The measuring instrument 60 moves the cleaner 53 in the first direction by pulling the rope 62 in the first direction. At this time, the force gauge 61 measures the tensile force received from the rope 62. Thereby, the load in the first direction applied to the cleaner 53 can be measured.

[0057] In the example of FIG. 9, an L-shaped hook 63 is connected to the measurement axis of the force gauge 61. And the hook 63 is hung on the handle 56 of the cleaner 53. The measuring instrument 60 moves the cleaner 53 in the first direction by pulling the hook 63 in the first direction. At this time, the force gauge 61 measures the tensile force received from the hook 63. Thereby, the load in the first direction applied to the cleaner 53 can be measured.

[0058] In the example of FIG. 10, the measurement axis of the force gauge 61 moves the cleaner 53 in the first direction by pushing the handle 56 in the first direction. At this time, the force gauge 61 measures the pressing force received from the handle 56. Thereby, the load in the first direction applied to the cleaner 53 can be measured.

[0059] In the measurement step of step S2, the measuring instrument 60 measures the load in the first direction applied to the cleaner 53 while moving the cleaner 53 from one end to the other end of the wire 51 in the first direction. FIG. 11 is a graph showing the change in the load in the first direction applied to the cleaner 53 in step S2. The horizontal axis of FIG. 11 indicates time. The vertical axis of FIG. 11 indicates the load in the first direction applied to the cleaner 53.

[0060] In the example of FIG. 11, at time t0, a tensile force or a pressing force in the first direction is started to be applied from the measuring instrument 60 to the cleaner 53. Between time t0 and t1, the tensile force or the pressing force in the first direction applied from the measuring instrument 60 to the cleaner 53 gradually increases, but the cleaner 53 is still stopped. Then, at time t1, the cleaner 53 starts to move in the first direction. The load in the first direction applied to the cleaner 53 at this time t1 is the maximum static friction force F1 of the cleaner 53 with respect to the drum frame 31 and the wire 51.

[0061] Between time t1 and time t3, the cleaner 53 moves in the first direction. However, between time t1 and t2, the load in the first direction applied to the cleaner 53 gradually decreases, and between time t2 and t3, the load in the first direction applied to the cleaner 53 becomes substantially constant. The load in the first direction applied to the cleaner 53 between time t2 and t3 is the dynamic friction force F2 of the cleaner 53 with respect to the drum frame 31 and the wire 51.

[0062] At time t3, the cleaner 53 stops. After that, between time t3 and t4, the tensile force or the pressing force in the first direction applied from the measuring instrument 60 to the cleaner 53 gradually decreases.

[0063] The measuring instrument 60 measures the load in the first direction applied to the cleaner 53 at time t0 to t4. Thereby, measured values including the above maximum static friction force F1 and dynamic friction force F2 are obtained. As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the measuring instrument 60 inputs the obtained measured values to the computer 70.

[0064] The computer 70 determines the measured value of the force gauge 61 at time t1 when the cleaner 53 starts to move as the maximum static friction force F1 applied to the cleaner 53. Further, the computer 70 may determine the maximum value of the measured values of the force gauge 61 at time t0 to t4 as the maximum static friction force F1 applied to the cleaner 53.

[0065] The computer 70 determines the measured value of the force gauge 61 during the movement of the cleaner 53 at times t2 to t3 as the dynamic frictional force F2 applied to the cleaner 53. Further, the computer 70 may determine the measured value of the force gauge 61 at the time when a preset time has elapsed since time t0 as the dynamic frictional force F2 applied to the cleaner 53.

[0066] In the memory 71 of the computer 70, an allowable range regarding the measured value is stored. The computer 70 determines whether the measured value input from the measuring instrument 60 is within the allowable range read from the memory 71 (step S3, determination step).

[0067] For example, the computer 70 determines whether the above-described maximum static frictional force F1 is within the allowable range regarding the maximum static frictional force F1. Also, for example, the computer 70 determines whether the above-described dynamic frictional force F2 is within the allowable range regarding the dynamic frictional force F2.

[0068] When the computer 70 determines that the measured value is within the allowable range (Yes in step S3), it determines that the cleaner 53 can be recycled (step S4). On the other hand, when the computer 70 determines that the measured value is outside the allowable range (No in step S3), it determines that the cleaner 53 cannot be recycled (step S5).

[0069] The above-described allowable range has, for example, both a lower limit value and an upper limit value. In that case, the computer 70 determines that the cleaner 53 can be recycled when the measured value input from the measuring instrument 60 is equal to or greater than the lower limit value and equal to or less than the upper limit value. Also, the computer 70 determines that the cleaner 53 cannot be recycled when the measured value input from the measuring instrument 60 is lower than the lower limit value or higher than the upper limit value.

[0070] However, the above allowable range may have no upper limit value and only have a lower limit value. In that case, when the measured value input from the measuring instrument 60 is higher than the lower limit value, the computer 70 determines that the recycling of the cleaner 53 is possible. Also, when the measured value input from the measuring instrument 60 is lower than the lower limit value, the computer 70 determines that the recycling of the cleaner 53 is impossible.

[0071] Alternatively, the above allowable range may have no lower limit value and only have an upper limit value. In that case, when the measured value input from the measuring instrument 60 is lower than the upper limit value, the computer 70 determines that the recycling of the cleaner 53 is possible. Also, when the measured value input from the measuring instrument 60 is higher than the upper limit value, the computer 70 determines that the recycling of the cleaner 53 is impossible.

[0072] When the computer 70 determines that the recycling of the cleaner 53 is possible, the cleaner 53 is reused (step S6). On the other hand, when the computer 70 determines that the recycling of the cleaner 53 is impossible, the cleaner 53 is replaced (steps S7, replacement process).

[0073] In the replacement process of step S7, the operator replaces the cleaner body 54 and the sponge 55 with new cleaner body 54 and sponge 55. However, the operator may replace the entire cleaner 53 with a new cleaner 53. Also, the operator may replace the cleaner 53 and the charger frame 411 with new cleaner 53 and charger frame 411.

[0074] As described above, in the recycling method of the present embodiment, while moving the cleaner 53 in the first direction along the wire 51, the load in the first direction applied to the cleaner 53 is measured. Then, it is determined whether the obtained measured value is within a preset allowable range. Thereby, the state of the cleaner 53 can be determined without disassembling the scorotron charger 50. For example, it can be detected that the frictional force during the movement of the cleaner 53 is too high or too low due to deformation of the cleaner body 54, deterioration of the sponge 55, or deformation of the charger frame 411. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether the cleaner 53 can be recycled without disassembling the scorotron charger 50.

[0075] <5. Modification Example> As described above, one embodiment of the present disclosure has been described, but the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

[0076] In the above embodiment, in the measurement step of step S2, the measuring instrument 60 moved the cleaner 53 from one end to the other end of the wire 51 in the first direction. However, the measuring instrument 60 may move the cleaner 53 from the other end to the one end of the wire 51 in the first direction. Further, the measuring instrument 60 may measure the load in the first direction applied to the cleaner 53 while moving the cleaner 53 from the center of the wire 51 in the first direction to one end or the other end. That is, the point where the maximum static frictional force F1 is measured was one end of the wire 51 in the first direction in the above embodiment, but it may be the other end or the center of the wire 51 in the first direction.

[0077] Also, the measurement step may be performed a plurality of times. In that case, in the determination step, it may be determined whether the average value of the plurality of measured values is within the allowable range. Alternatively, each time the measurement step is performed once, it may be determined whether the measured value is within the allowable range.

[0078] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the computer 70 has been determining whether or not the measured value output from the measuring instrument 60 is within the allowable range. However, the determination as to whether or not the measured value output from the measuring instrument 60 is within the allowable range may be made by an operator.

[0079] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the drum unit 30 has included four photoreceptor drums 32. However, the number of photoreceptor drums 32 included in the drum unit 30 may be 1 to 3, or may be 5 or more.

[0080] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the drum unit 30 has included four scorotron chargers 50. However, the number of scorotron chargers 50 included in the drum unit 30 may be 1 to 3, or may be 5 or more.

[0081] Also, in the above-described embodiment, four toner cartridges 20 could be attached to the drum unit 30. However, the number of toner cartridges 20 that can be attached to the drum unit 30 may be 1 to 3, or may be 5 or more.

[0082] For example, the drum unit 30 may include one photoreceptor drum 32 and one scorotron charger 50. And a plurality of drum units 30 each with one toner cartridge 20 attached may be attachable to the main body frame 11.

[0083] Also, the toner cartridge 20 may not have a developing roller 21. In that case, the drum unit 30 may have a developing roller 21.

[0084] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the drum unit 30 has included a scorotron charger 50. However, the main body frame 11 of the image forming apparatus 1 may include a scorotron charger 50.

[0085] Also, the respective elements appearing in the above-described embodiment and modification examples may be appropriately combined within a range where no contradiction occurs.

Explanation of Symbols

[0086] 1: Image forming apparatus 10: Casing 20: Toner cartridge 30: Drum unit 31: Drum frame 32: Photoconductor drum 40: Control unit 43: Voltage application circuit 50: Scorotron charger 51: Wire 52: Grid 53: Cleaner 54: Cleaner body 55: Sponge 56: Handle 60: Measuring instrument 61: Force gauge 70: Computer 411: Charger frame

Claims

1. A wire extending in a first direction, and a cleaner supported by a frame together with the wire, the cleaner moving in the first direction along the wire while sandwiching the wire to clean the wire, A recycling method of the cleaner in a used scorotron charger having the above, A measuring step of measuring a load in the first direction applied to the cleaner while moving the cleaner in the first direction along the wire, A determination step of determining whether a measured value obtained in the measuring step is within a preset allowable range, A recycling method, characterized by comprising the above.

2. The recycling method according to claim 1, In the measuring step, the load applied to the cleaner is measured while moving the cleaner in the first direction from one end to the other end of the wire in the first direction. A recycling method characterized by this.

3. The recycling method according to claim 1 or claim 2, In the measuring step, at least the dynamic frictional force applied to the cleaner during the movement of the cleaner is measured. A recycling method characterized by this.

4. The recycling method according to claim 1 or claim 2, In the measuring step, at least the static frictional force applied to the cleaner at the time of starting the movement of the cleaner is measured. A recycling method characterized by this.

5. The recycling method according to claim 1 or claim 2, In the determination step, when it is determined that the measured value is within the allowable range, it is determined that the cleaner can be recycled, In the determination step, when it is determined that the measured value is outside the allowable range, it is determined that the cleaner cannot be recycled. A recycling method characterized by this.

6. The recycling method according to claim 5, In the determination step, when the measured value is lower than a preset lower limit value, it is determined that the cleaner cannot be recycled. A recycling method characterized by this.

7. The recycling method according to claim 5, In the determination step, when the measured value is higher than a preset upper limit value, it is determined that the cleaner cannot be recycled. A recycling method characterized by this.

8. The recycling method according to claim 1 or claim 2, A preliminary cleaning step of moving the cleaner along the wire in the first direction before the measurement step A recycling method, characterized by further comprising this step.

9. The recycling method according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein in the measurement step, a measuring instrument having a force gauge measures the load in the first direction applied to the cleaner while pushing or pulling the cleaner in the first direction. This is the recycling method.

10. The recycling method according to Claim 9, wherein in the measurement step, the measuring instrument inputs the measured value into a computer, the computer has a memory storing the allowable range, in the determination step, the computer determines whether the measured value is within the allowable range read from the memory. This is the recycling method.

11. The recycling method according to Claim 5, wherein when it is determined that recycling of the cleaner is impossible, an exchange step of exchanging the cleaner is further included. This is the recycling method.

12. The recycling method according to Claim 11, wherein the cleaner includes a sponge that sandwiches the wire, a resin cleaner body that holds the sponge, and has in the exchange step, the sponge and the cleaner body are exchanged. This is the recycling method.

13. The recycling method according to Claim 11, wherein in the exchange step, the cleaner and the frame are exchanged. This is the recycling method.

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