Device and method for lubricant application

Abstract

To provide a lubricant application apparatus that can separate an application brush from an application target object and a lubricant and also can be arranged in a limited space.SOLUTION: A lubricant application apparatus 200 includes a coating brush 3 for applying a lubricant 4 to a surface of a photoreceptor 123 by bringing brush bristles 31 into sliding contact with the surface of the photoreceptor 123 while rotating the surface of the photoreceptor 123. The lubricant application apparatus 200 is configured such that the coating brush 3 can be brought into pressure contact with or separated from the photoreceptor 123, and is also configured such that the coating brush 3 can be brought into pressure contact with and separated from the lubricant 4.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a lubricant application device and an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] In conventional image forming devices, the coefficient of friction of the surface of the image forming rotor is reduced by applying a lubricant to the photosensitive member on which the toner image is formed and the image forming rotor of the intermediate transfer member (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The brush processing device described in Patent Document 1 has a lubricant applicator that applies a lubricant to an intermediate transfer belt. The lubricant applicator includes a brush roller that contacts the intermediate transfer belt, a solid lubricant, a pressure spring that urges the lubricant through a bracket, and a holder case that houses the lubricant, the bracket, and the pressure spring.

[0004] The lubricant application device also has a lubricant release means that can release the lubricant with the brush roller. The lubricant release means has a release member inserted into a bracket that holds the lubricant, and the release member moves the lubricant in the release direction, and the release member is removably engaged and fixed at the lubricant release position.

[0005] In addition, in the lubricant application device described in Patent Document 1, the brush roller and the holder case are integrated, and the holder case is rotated around a fulcrum as the center of rotation, allowing the brush roller to be moved toward and away from the surface of the intermediate transfer belt. The rotation of the holder case is performed by a contact / separation control mechanism as a brush-like member contact / separation means controlled by a swing lever and a semi-rotating cam that pushes up and swings the swing lever in the rotation direction of the holder case. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-258668 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, the lubricant release means of the brush treatment device described in Patent Document 1 is designed to separate only the lubricant from the brush roller. Therefore, in this brush treatment device, the brush roller is always in pressure contact with the intermediate transfer belt, causing the brushes of the brush roller to collapse and deform. This causes unevenness in the lubricant applied to the photosensitive element and intermediate transfer element, which in turn causes uneven density in the image.

[0008] Furthermore, the lubricant release means described in Patent Document 1 separates the brush roller and the lubricant from the entire unit, which is an integrated unit of the brush roller and the holder case, by means of a contact / separation control mechanism having a swing lever and a half-rotating cam. Therefore, the lubricant release means must be provided with a contact / separation control mechanism having a swing lever and a half-rotating cam, which requires installation space for the contact / separation control mechanism, resulting in a problem of the overall size of the mechanism.

[0009] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a lubricant application device and an image forming device that can be placed in a limited space and that allows the application brush to be separated from the object to be applied and the lubricant. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has the following configuration. (1) A lubricant application device comprising an application brush that rotates over the surface of an object to be applied with its bristles sliding against the surface, thereby applying a lubricant to the surface of the object to be applied, the application brush being configured to be capable of being pressed against and separated from the object to be applied, and the application brush being configured to be capable of being pressed against and separated from the lubricant.

[0011] (2) The lubricant applicator according to claim 1, wherein the bearing of the application brush is formed in an elongated hole shape and is arranged to be movable to a position separated from the object to be applied during storage.

[0012] (3) The application brush is fixed in the pressure contact position by pushing up the rotation shaft of the application brush with a lever rotatably attached to the outer periphery of the unit that includes the object to be applied.

[0013] (4) The lubricant applicator according to claim 1, wherein the application brush and the lubricant rod on which the lubricant is solidified are moved apart by independent movements.

[0014] (5) The lubricant application device according to claim 1, wherein the application brush and the lubricant rod on which the lubricant is solidified are arranged in a unit including the object to be applied, even when they are spaced apart.

[0015] (6) The lubricant applicator according to claim 3, wherein the spacing between the application brush and the lubricant is achieved by removing an elastic member and fixing the brush with a fixing member, and the fixing member is disposed so as to be detachable from the unit.

[0016] (7) The lubricant application device according to claim 3, further comprising a lever that is disposed outside the unit and can be operated by hand.

[0017] (8) The lubricant applicator according to claim 1, wherein the application brush is supported by an eccentric bearing when the application brush is disposed at a position spaced apart from the object to be lubricated.

[0018] (9) The lubricant applicator according to claim 1, wherein the application brush is held by a plate member when held at a position spaced apart from the object to be lubricated.

[0019] (10) The lubricant applicator according to claim 7, wherein the lever is arranged to be rotatable around a rotation shaft of the cleaning blade as a fulcrum.

[0020] (11) The lubricant applicator according to claim 1, wherein the application brush applies the lubricant when pressed against the object.

[0021] (12) The lubricant applicator according to claim 3, wherein the application brush is brought into pressure contact with the object by operating the lever.

[0022] (13) The lubricant application device according to claim 3, wherein the attachment mechanism for attaching the application brush to the unit comprises a first attachment mechanism and a second attachment mechanism arranged at the front and rear of the unit, and the first attachment mechanism and the second attachment mechanism are configured as different mechanisms.

[0023] (14) An image forming apparatus comprising the lubricant application device according to any one of claims 1 to 13. [Effects of the Invention]

[0024] The present invention can provide a lubricant application device and an image forming apparatus that can separate the application brush from the object to be applied and the lubricant and can be placed in a limited space. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an image forming unit and a lubricant applying device. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a unit of the lubricant application device. [Figure 4] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the application brush of the lubricant application device is separated from the photosensitive body and the lubricant (lubricant rod) which are the application targets. FIG. [Figure 5] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the application brush of the lubricant application device is applying the lubricant to a photosensitive member which is an object to be applied; FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a fixing member of the lubricant applicator is attached to a unit. [Figure 7] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the lever is operated to separate the application brush from the photosensitive member. FIG. [Figure 8] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a state when the lever is operated to bring the application brush into pressure contact with the photosensitive member. FIG. [Figure 9] 10 is an explanatory diagram (front view of essential parts) showing the installation state of the fixed bearing when the application brush is separated from the photosensitive member. FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is an explanatory diagram (rear view of the main part) showing the state in which the plate member is installed when the application brush is separated from the photosensitive member. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numerals are used to designate common components in the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Image forming device The image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes, for example, a paper feed unit 110, an image forming unit 120, a fixing unit 130, an operation display unit 140, an image reading device 150, a control unit (not shown), a memory unit, and a lubricant application device 200.

[0028] <Paper feed section> The paper feed unit 110 includes a plurality of paper feed trays 111, 112, and 113 that store paper sheets. Paper sheets of different sizes are stored in the paper feed trays 111, 112, and 113. The paper sheets stored in the paper feed trays 111, 112, and 113 pass through a predetermined transport path 160 and are transported to the image forming unit 120.

[0029] <Image forming section> The image forming unit 120 forms an image on paper using yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toners, for example, based on an image forming job transmitted from an external device. The image forming unit 120 may also be configured to form a monochrome image on paper. The image forming unit 120 includes image forming units 120Y, 120M, 120C, and 120K that form images on paper using yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toners, an intermediate transfer body 121, a secondary transfer roller 122, and the like.

[0030] <Image forming unit> 1, the image forming units 120Y, 120M, 120C, and 120K each have the same configuration. Each of the image forming units 120Y, 120M, 120C, and 120K includes a photoconductor 123, a charging unit 124, an exposure unit 125, a developing unit 126, and a primary transfer unit 127.

[0031] <Intermediate transfer body> Intermediate transfer body 121 is made up of an endless belt and travels at a constant speed in the direction of arrow 121a. An intermediate toner image formed by sequentially superimposing (primary transfer) toner images of each color on intermediate transfer body 121 is secondarily transferred onto the paper by pressing intermediate transfer body 121 against the paper by secondary transfer roller 122. The paper is then transported to fixing unit 130.

[0032] <Primary transfer section> FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the image forming unit 120 and the lubricant applying device 200. As shown in FIG. 2, the primary transfer unit 127 is a portion that transfers the toner image formed on the photosensitive member 123 to the intermediate transfer member 121 in a transfer area. The primary transfer unit 127 is made up of primary transfer modules 127a, 127b, 127c, and 127d for yellow, magenta, cyan, and black.

[0033] <Secondary transfer roller> Secondary transfer roller 122 is disposed outside intermediate transfer body 121 and is positioned so that paper can pass between it and intermediate transfer body 121. The toner images formed by image forming units 120Y-120K are transferred onto intermediate transfer body 121 by primary transfer modules 127a-127d, forming a color toner image in which yellow, magenta, cyan, and black layers are superimposed. The formed toner image is transferred by secondary transfer roller 122 onto transported paper.

[0034] <Photoconductor as the coating target> The photoreceptor 123 is a drum-shaped member that is a rotationally driven image carrier, and is an object onto which lubricant is applied by an application brush 3 of the lubricant application device 200, which will be described later. An electrostatic latent image of each color component is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor 123 due to the potential difference with the surrounding area.

[0035] <Charging section> The charging unit 124 is a member for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive member 123. The charging unit 124 uses a charger to charge the surface of the photosensitive member 123 to a constant potential.

[0036] <Exposure section> 1, the exposure unit 125 is a part for forming an electrostatic latent image by exposing the surface of the photoconductor 123 charged by the charging unit 124. The exposure unit 125 is configured with, for example, a semiconductor laser, and irradiates the photoconductor 123 with laser light corresponding to an image of each color component.

[0037] <Developing section> 2, the developing unit 126 is a part for visualizing the electrostatic latent image formed by the exposure unit 125 (see FIG. 1) using a developer containing toner. The developing unit 126 contains developers of each color component, and by attaching the toner of each color component to the surface of the photoconductor 123, the electrostatic latent image is visualized to form a toner image.

[0038] Specifically, the developing unit 126 includes a developing sleeve 126a disposed to face the photosensitive member 123 across a developing region. A developing bias is applied to the developing sleeve 126a, for example, a DC developing voltage having the same polarity as the charging polarity of the charging unit 124, or a developing bias in which an AC voltage is superimposed with a DC voltage having the same polarity as the charging polarity of the charging unit 124. This causes reversal development, in which toner adheres to the electrostatic latent image formed by the exposure unit 125 (see FIG. 1).

[0039] The developer used here contains a toner and a carrier for charging the toner. The toner is not particularly limited, and any commonly used known toner can be used. For example, the toner can be a binder resin containing a colorant and, if necessary, a charge control agent, a release agent, etc., and treated with an external additive.

[0040] The toner image formed on the photoconductor 123 by the developing unit 126 is carried to a transfer area formed between the photoconductor 123 and the primary transfer unit 127. In the transfer area, a voltage of the opposite polarity to that of the toner is applied to the primary transfer unit 127. The toner image on the photoconductor 123 is transferred onto the intermediate transfer body 121.

[0041] The toner remaining on the photosensitive member 123 without being transferred onto the intermediate transfer member 121 in the transfer region is transported to the lubricant application device 200 and collected by the lubricant application device 200 . Furthermore, the photoconductor 123 from which the toner on the surface has been collected by the lubricant application device 200 is again charged by the charging unit 124, and the next electrostatic latent image is formed to form a toner image, and this process is repeated.

[0042] <Lubricant application device> The lubricant applicator 200 is a device for applying a lubricant to the photoreceptor 123. The lubricant applicator 200 includes an applicator brush 3, a lubricant rod 40, and a blade 12, and together with the photoreceptor 123 and the housing 8 of FIG. 6, constitutes a part of the photoreceptor unit 2. The lubricant applicator 200 will be described in more detail later.

[0043] <Fixing section> As shown in FIG. 1, the fixing unit 130 applies heat and pressure to the paper on which the toner image has been formed by the image forming unit 120, thereby fixing the toner image to the paper.

[0044] <Operation display section> The operation display unit 140 includes a display unit that displays various information on a display screen, and an operation unit that is used by the user to input various instructions. The operation display unit 140 is configured, for example, by a liquid crystal display (LCD) with a touch panel, and functions as both a display unit and an operation unit.

[0045] <Image reader> The image reading device 150 is a device for generating image data of a document, and includes a light source, an optical system, and an imaging element (not shown). The light source irradiates the document placed on the reading surface, and the reflected light passes through the optical system and forms an image on the image sensor that has moved to the reading position. The imaging element is, for example, a line image sensor, and generates an electrical signal (electrical-optical conversion) according to the intensity of reflected light. The generated electrical signal undergoes image processing and is then input to the image forming unit 120. The image processing includes A / D conversion, shading correction, filtering, image compression, etc.

[0046] <Control unit> The control unit (not shown) is configured with, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The CPU of the control unit reads out various programs such as system programs and processing programs stored in a storage unit (not shown), expands them in the RAM, and executes various processes such as image formation processing according to the expanded programs.

[0047] <Storage section> The storage unit (not shown) is configured, for example, with a hard disk drive (HDD) or a semiconductor nonvolatile memory. The storage unit stores various programs, including system programs and processing programs, executed by the control unit (not shown), as well as data required to execute these programs. For example, the storage unit stores setting information required to execute image formation processing.

[0048] Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing the photosensitive unit 2 including the lubricant applicator 200. Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a state when the application brush 3 of the lubricant applicator 200 is separated from the photosensitive member 123, which is the object to be applied, and the lubricant rod 40, which is the lubricant. Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a state when the application brush 3 of the lubricant applicator 200 is applying the lubricant to the photosensitive member 123, which is the object to be applied. Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a state when the fixing member 7 of the lubricant applicator 200 is attached to the photosensitive unit 2.

[0049] <Lubricant application device and photosensitive unit> 4, 5, or 6, the lubricant applicator 200 is a device that supplies lubricant scraped off from a solidified lubricant stick 40 by an applicator brush 3 to the surface of the photoreceptor 123, which is an object to be applied. The lubricant applicator 200 is disposed downstream of the cleaning blade 11 (downstream in the direction of rotation of the photoreceptor 123). The lubricant application device 200 is configured to include an application brush 3, a lubricant rod 40, an elastic member 5, a cover member 6, a fixing member 7, and a blade 12. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the photosensitive unit 2 includes a lubricant application device 200, a photosensitive member 123, a cleaning blade 11, and the housing 8 shown in FIG.

[0050] <Application brush> The application brush 3 is a roll-shaped brush member that rotates over the surface of the photoreceptor 123, sliding its brush bristles 31 against the surface to apply lubricant to the surface of the photoreceptor 123. The application brush 3 is configured to include a rotating shaft 32 supported by a bearing 33 (see FIG. 10) and an eccentric bearing 34, and brush bristles 31 extending centrifugal from the outer periphery of the rotating shaft 32. The application brush 3 is set to rotate (rotate clockwise (in the direction of arrow 3a)) relative to the rotation of the photoreceptor 123. The application brush 3 is installed so as to abut both the lubricant rod 40 and the photoreceptor 123, and applies lubricant particles (lubricant powder) scraped from the lubricant rod 40 to the photoreceptor 123, supplying the lubricant powder to the photoreceptor 123.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 4, the application brush 3 is disposed at a distance L1 from the photosensitive member 123 and at a distance L2 from the lubricant rod 40 during storage or when not in use.

[0052] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram (front view of essential parts) showing the state when the lever 23 is operated to separate the application brush 3 from the photosensitive member 123. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram (front view of essential parts) showing the state when the lever 23 is operated to press the application brush 3 against the photosensitive member 123. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram (front view of essential parts) showing the installation state of the fixed bearing 35 when the application brush 3 is separated from the photosensitive member 123. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram (rear view of essential parts) showing the installation state of the plate member 22 when the application brush 3 is separated from the photosensitive member 123.

[0053] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the application brush 3 is fixed in a position where it presses the rotation shaft 32 of the application brush 3 against the photosensitive member 123 by a lever 23 rotatably attached to the outer periphery of the photosensitive member 123. As shown in FIGS. 7, 9, and 10, when the application brush 3 is disposed at a position spaced apart from the photosensitive member 123, the application brush 3 is supported by the eccentric bearing . 10, by attaching plate member 22, application brush 3 is held at a position separated from photoreceptor 123. As shown in FIG. 8, by operating lever 23, application brush 3 is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of photoreceptor 123.

[0054] <Bearings> As shown in Figures 7 and 8, bearing 33 is a member for supporting rotation shaft 32 of application brush 3, and is made of, for example, a bearing. Bearing 33 is formed in the shape of an elongated hole, and as shown in Figure 7, is arranged so that it can be moved to a position separated from photosensitive element 123 when photosensitive element unit 2 is stored. As shown in Figure 8, bearing 33 presses against the inner surface of elongated eccentric bearing 34, so that application brush 3 maintains a pressed state in which application brush 3 is pressed against photosensitive element 123. This makes it possible to easily fix application brush 3 in a fixed position at all times.

[0055] <Eccentric bearing> 7 and 8, the eccentric bearing 34 is a member that supports the bearing 33 when the application brush 3 is separated from the photosensitive element 123, and that supports the bearing 33 when the application brush 3 is in pressure contact with the photosensitive element 123. The eccentric bearing 34 is made of a member that has a frame-shaped portion that is formed in a substantially elliptical shape when viewed from the front.

[0056] <Lubricant> The lubricant constituting the lubricant rod 40 shown in FIG. 4 is selected from materials (e.g., zinc stearate) that can be applied to the surface of the photoreceptor 123 and can reduce the surface energy of the photoreceptor 123, thereby reducing the adhesive force between the toner and the photoreceptor 123.

[0057] <Sliding rod> The lubricant rod 40 is a solidified powder lubricant. The lubricant rod 40 is formed by melting and molding the above-mentioned material or by compressing and molding particles of the above-mentioned material, and is formed into a shape (rod shape) that can be scraped off by the application brush 3.

[0058] <Elastic material> As shown in FIG. 5, the elastic member 5 is a lubricant pressing member that presses the lubricant rod 40 toward the application brush 3, maintaining the lubricant rod 40 in pressure contact with the application brush 3. The elastic member 5 is composed of a compression coil spring or the like that presses the lubricant rod 40 against the application brush 3 and presses the application brush 3 against the photosensitive element 123 via the lubricant rod 40. The elastic member 5 is supported by a cover member 6 that can be detachably attached to the housing 8. This makes the elastic member 5 removable. When the application brush 3 is to be spaced apart from the photosensitive element 123 and the lubricant rod 40, the cover member 6 is removed from the housing 8, as shown in FIG. 4, to remove the elastic member 5 from the photosensitive element unit 2.

[0059] <Cover material> 5 is a housing member for housing and supporting the elastic member 5 in a state in which it presses against the lubricant rod 40. The cover member 6 is elastically engaged with a locking portion (not shown) by snap-fitting it into the housing 8 (see FIG. 6), so that the opening side of the cover member 6 is positioned at the end of the lubricant rod 40.

[0060] <Fixing material> 6, the fixing member 7 is a member for fixing the lubricant rod 40 when the application brush 3 and the lubricant rod 40 are separated from each other. The fixing member 7 is installed so that when the application brush 3 and the lubricant rod 40 are separated from each other, the base end 7a side of the fixing member 7 is engaged with the housing 8 to fix the lubricant rod 40, and the tip end 7b side of the fixing member 7 supports the lubricant rod 40 without rattle. In this way, the fixing member 7 is arranged to be detachable from the photosensitive unit 2.

[0061] <Housing> The housing 8 is a member for supporting the fixed member 7 and blade 12, which are components of the photosensitive unit 2. The housing 8 is made of metal plate members disposed at the front and rear ends of the photosensitive unit 2. The lubricant rod 40, cover member 6, fixed member 7, cleaning blade 11, and blade 12 are integrated into the housing 8.

[0062] <Plate member> 10, plate member 22 is a member for holding application brush 3 at a position spaced apart from photoreceptor 123. Plate member 22 has a base end rotatably supported by screw member 921, and a tip end having a U-shaped groove 921a into which rotation shaft 32 is inserted. Plate member 22 has the function of maintaining a constant distance between screw member 921 and rotation shaft 32.

[0063] <Lever> The levers 23 are roughly lever-shaped operating members disposed on the front and rear outer sides of the photosensitive unit 2 and can be operated manually. As shown in FIG. 9, the levers 23 are disposed rotatably around the rotation shaft 11a of the cleaning blade 11 as a fulcrum. By swinging the lever 23, the application brush 3 can be spaced apart from the photosensitive element 123 as shown in FIG. 7, or pressed against the photosensitive element 123 as shown in FIG. 8. Therefore, the application brush 3 and the lubricant rod 40 are separated by independent movements. Even in the spaced-apart state, the application brush 3 and the lubricant rod 40 are disposed within the photosensitive element 2 including the photosensitive element 123. A screw insertion hole 23a is formed at the lower end of the lever 23, through which a screw member 25 is inserted to secure the lever 23 to the housing 8, in order to maintain the application brush 3 pressed against the photosensitive element 123 as shown in FIG. 8.

[0064] <Cleaning blade> 4 and 5, cleaning blade 11 is made of an elastic material such as polyurethane rubber processed into a flat plate (sheet). Cleaning blade 11 is installed so that its tip rubs against photoreceptor 123, and is a component of a cleaning device (not shown) that scrapes off and removes deposits such as untransferred toner remaining on the surface of photoreceptor 123. Cleaning blade 11 comes into contact with photoreceptor 123 and removes residues such as residual toner, paper dust, and external additives remaining on the surface of photoreceptor 123 after primary transfer. The cleaning device is configured to include a cleaning blade 11, a waste toner conveying screw (not shown) that discharges residual toner outside the device, and a housing (not shown) that houses the cleaning blade 11 and the like.

[0065] <Blade> 6 is a member that spreads and applies the lubricant powder supplied to the photoreceptor 123 onto the photoreceptor 123 to form a coating by applying a contact pressure to the photoreceptor 123. The blade 12 is held by a holding portion (not shown) of the housing 8 downstream of the application brush 3, and is disposed in contact with the photoreceptor 123.

[0066] <Mounting mechanism> The attachment mechanism 9 shown in Figure 11 is a mechanism for attaching the application brush 3 to the photosensitive unit 2. The attachment mechanism 9 is made up of a first attachment mechanism 91 disposed in front of the photosensitive unit 2 and a second attachment mechanism 92 (see Figure 10) disposed in rear of the photosensitive unit 2. The first attachment mechanism 91 and the second attachment mechanism 92 are each made up of different mechanisms.

[0067] <First attachment mechanism> As shown in FIG. 11 , the first mounting mechanism 91 includes a retaining ring 911 that mounts the fixed bearing 915, a fixed member (not shown), and a gear to the shaft 91a, a retaining ring 912 that mounts the gear 27 and bearing 29 to the shaft 91b, a retaining ring 913 that mounts the gear 26 to the shaft 91c, and a positioning pin 914 that supports the cleaning blade fixing member 13. The retaining rings 911, 912, and 913 are, for example, E-shaped retaining rings. As such, the first mounting mechanism 91 does not include screws. Therefore, compared to a mechanism that uses screws, the first mounting mechanism 91 has the advantages of being easier to install, being able to be installed in a narrow space, being less expensive, being able to withstand high loads and vibrations, and being less susceptible to damage. The lever 23 is supported by a rotation shaft 24. The cleaning blade 11 is rotatably supported by the rotation shaft 24. The cleaning blade fixing member 13 is supported by a positioning pin 914 and a locking portion 14 (see FIG. 9).

[0068] <Second attachment mechanism> As shown in FIG. 10, the second attachment mechanism 92 includes a screw member 921 for supporting the plate member 22 axially.

[0069] <<Procedure for separating the application brush from the photosensitive element and the lubricant rod>> As shown in Fig. 4, when separating the application brush 3 from the photosensitive element 123 and the lubricant rod 40, first, the cover members 6 located on the front and rear of the photosensitive element unit 2 shown in Fig. 5 are removed from the photosensitive element unit 2. Next, the elastic members 5 located on the front and rear of the photosensitive element unit 2 are removed. By removing the elastic members 5 from the photosensitive element unit 2, the lubricant rod 40 is no longer biased toward the application brush 3, so that it can be positioned in a state separated from the application brush 3 as shown in Fig. 4.

[0070] Next, as shown in FIG. 6, fixing members 7 are attached to the front and rear of the photosensitive unit 2, respectively, and the lubricant rod 40 is fixed by the fixing members 7 in a state separated from the application brush 3. Next, the screw member 25 of the lever 23 on the rear side of the photosensitive unit 2 shown in FIG. 10 is removed.

[0071] Next, the two retaining rings 911 and 912 and the gear (not shown) provided on the front shafts 91a and 91b of the photosensitive unit 2 shown in Fig. 11 are removed. Furthermore, the bearings (not shown) provided on the shafts 91a and 91b are removed. Next, the screw member 25 of the lever 23 located on the front side of the photosensitive unit 2 is removed. Then, the front lever 23 is rotated from the state shown in Fig. 8 to the state shown in Fig. 7. This causes the application brush 3 to move in a direction away from the photosensitive member 123, and the application brush 3 is separated from the photosensitive member 123. Next, the fixed bearing 915 is attached to the front shaft 91 a of the photosensitive unit 2 . Next, the cleaning blade 11 on the front side of the photosensitive unit 2 is separated from the photosensitive member 123 by the cleaning blade fixing member 13 (see FIG. 4).

[0072] Next, at the same time as the cleaning blade 11 is separated from the photosensitive member 123, the plate member 22, which enables the application brush 3 to be separated from the photosensitive member 123, is fixed by the rotation shaft 32 and the screw member 921 in a state in which the application brush 3 is separated from the photosensitive member 123 (see FIG. 6 or FIG. 10). Note that the screw member 921 shown in FIG. 10 also serves to separate the cleaning blade 11 from the photosensitive member 123. By doing so, as shown in FIG. 4, the application brush 3 can be maintained in a state separated from the photosensitive member 123 and the lubricant rod 40.

[0073] <<The procedure for pressing the application brush against the photosensitive element and the lubricant rod>> As shown in FIG. 5, when pressing the application brush 3 against the photosensitive element 123 and the lubricant rod 40, first, the screw member 921 on the rear side of the photosensitive element unit 2 shown in FIG. 10 is removed to remove the plate member 22. Next, the cleaning blade fixing member 13 on the front side of the photosensitive unit 2 shown in FIG. 11 is removed from the photosensitive unit 2, and the cleaning blade 11 is brought into pressure contact with the photosensitive member 123 (see FIG. 5). Next, the fixed bearing 915 on the front side of the photosensitive unit 2 is removed from the photosensitive unit 2.

[0074] Next, the lever 23 on the front side of the photosensitive unit 2 is rotated from the state shown in Fig. 7 to the state shown in Fig. 8. This causes the application brush 3 to move in the pressing direction in which it presses against the photosensitive element 123, and the application brush 3 comes into pressing contact with the photosensitive element 123. Next, the lever 23 is fixed by the screw member 25 shown in FIG. 11 to the application brush pressing position where the application brush 3 is pressed against the photosensitive member 123 .

[0075] 10 is rotated to bring the application brush 3 into pressure contact with the photosensitive element 123. Then, the screw member 25 is attached to the screw insertion hole 23a of the rear lever 23 to fix the application brush 3 in the application brush pressure contact position where it is in pressure contact with the photosensitive element 123.

[0076] Next, bearings (not shown) are attached to the shafts 91a and 91b arranged on the front side of the photosensitive unit 2 shown in Fig. 11. Furthermore, gears (not shown) are fitted onto the shafts 91a and 91b, and retaining rings (not shown) are attached to the shafts 91a and 91b, thereby holding the gears (not shown) on the shafts 91a and 91b. Next, the fixed member 7 shown in FIG. 6 is removed from the supporting lubricant rod 40. Next, as shown in Fig. 5, elastic members 5 are attached to bias the lubricant rods 40 arranged at the front and rear of the photosensitive unit 2. Then, cover members 6 are attached to the front and rear of the photosensitive unit 2 to hold the elastic members 5. Furthermore, adhesive tape (not shown) is affixed to the cover members 6 at the front and rear of the photosensitive unit 2 to fix the cover members 6 to the housing 8 (see Fig. 6). By doing so, the application brush 3 shown in FIG. 5 can be kept in pressure contact with the photosensitive member 123 and the lubricant rod 40 can be kept in pressure contact with the application brush 3.

[0077] 4 includes an application brush that rotates with brush bristles 31 in sliding contact with the surface of photoreceptor 123 to apply lubricant to the surface of photoreceptor 123. Lubricant application device 200 is configured so that application brush 3 can be pressed against and separated from photoreceptor 123, and so that application brush 3 can be pressed against and separated from lubricant rod 40.

[0078] With this configuration, the lubricant applicator 200 of the present invention can always separate the applicator brush 3 from the photosensitive element 123 and the lubricant rod 40 when the applicator brush 3 is not in use. The lubricant applicator 200 can place the device for separating the applicator brush 3 from the photosensitive element 123 and the lubricant rod 40 in a limited space, preventing the entire device from becoming large. Furthermore, the lubricant applicator 200 can separate the application brush 3 from the photosensitive element 123 and the lubricant rod 40, so that when the lubricant is not used for a long period of time, the pressing force that presses the lubricant rod 40 can be eliminated. This eliminates deformation of the bristles of the application brush 3, making it possible to apply the lubricant evenly to the photosensitive element and intermediate transfer element, thereby eliminating unevenness in image density.

[0079] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the bearing 33 of the application brush 3 is formed in the shape of an elongated hole, and is movably disposed at a position separated from the photosensitive member 123 during storage.

[0080] With this configuration, the bearing 33 of the application brush 3 can be moved to a position away from the photosensitive element 123 during storage when the lubricant is not being used, and the application brush 3 can be placed away from the lubricant rod 40. This reduces the time that the application brush 3 is pressed against the lubricant rod 40, thereby preventing deformation of the bristles. Therefore, when applying lubricant, the application brush 3 can apply the lubricant evenly to the photosensitive element 123.

[0081] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the application brush 3 is fixed in a pressure contact position by pushing up the rotation shaft 32 of the application brush 3 using a lever 23 rotatably attached to the outer periphery of the photosensitive unit 2 equipped with the photosensitive element 123.

[0082] With this configuration, when lever 23 is rotated, it rotates around rotation shaft 24, pushing up rotation shaft 32 of application brush 3 via bearing 33, and moving application brush 3 to a pressure contact position where it presses against photosensitive element 123. Therefore, by rotating lever 23, application brush 3 can be easily maintained in a state where it presses against photosensitive element 123.

[0083] As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 7 and 8, the application brush 3 and the lubricant rod 40 on which the lubricant has been solidified are moved apart by independent operations.

[0084] With this configuration, the application brush 3 and the lubricant rod 40 are separated by independent movements, which increases the degree of freedom in the configuration of the mechanisms for separating them, and therefore makes it possible to reduce the size of the lubricant application device 200.

[0085] As shown in FIG. 4, the application brush 3 and the lubricant rod 40 made of solidified lubricant are disposed in the photoreceptor unit 2 including the photoreceptor 123 even when they are spaced apart from each other.

[0086] According to this configuration, even when the application brush 3 and the lubricant rod 40 are spaced apart, they are arranged within the photosensitive unit 2 equipped with the object to be applied 1, thereby preventing the entire photosensitive unit 2 from becoming larger.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 6, the application brush 3 and the lubricant rod 40 are spaced apart by removing the elastic member 5 and fixing them with a fixing member 7, and the fixing member 7 is arranged so as to be detachable from the photosensitive unit 2.

[0088] With this configuration, the application brush 3 and the lubricant rod 40 can be separated by removing the elastic member 5 and fixing the member 7 to the housing 8. The member 7 is arranged so that it can be detached from the outside of the photosensitive unit 2, so it can be attached when necessary and removed when not needed.

[0089] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the lubricant applicator 200 has a lever 23 that is disposed outside the photosensitive unit 2 and can be operated by hand.

[0090] According to this configuration, by providing the lever 23 on the outside of the photosensitive unit 2, the lever 23 can be disposed in a position where it can be easily operated by hand.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 7, when application brush 3 is disposed at a position spaced apart from photoreceptor 123, application brush 3 is supported by eccentric bearing .

[0092] According to this configuration, when the application brush 3 is positioned at a distance from the photosensitive element 123, it is supported by the eccentric bearing 34, so that it does not fall off even if the rotation shaft 32 of the application brush 3 moves.

[0093] As shown in FIG. 10, when application brush 3 is held at a position spaced apart from photoreceptor 123, it is held by plate member 22. As shown in FIG.

[0094] According to this configuration, the application brush 3 can be kept spaced apart from the photosensitive element 123 by fixing the plate member 22, so that the application brush 3 can be kept spaced apart with simple work.

[0095] As shown in FIG. 9, the lever 23 is arranged to be rotatable around a rotation shaft 24 of the cleaning blade 11 as a fulcrum.

[0096] According to this configuration, the lever 23 is arranged to be rotatable around the rotation shaft 24 of the cleaning blade 11 as a fulcrum, so that the rotation shaft 24 can be used as both the lever 23 and the cleaning blade 11. Therefore, the rotation shaft 24 can reduce the number of parts and the number of assembly steps, thereby reducing costs.

[0097] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the application brush 3 applies the lubricant when it is pressed against the photosensitive member 123.

[0098] According to this configuration, the application brush 3 is coated with a lubricant, and the lubricant can be soaked into the brush bristles 31, so that the lubricant can be applied to the photosensitive element 123 that is in pressure contact with the application brush 3.

[0099] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, application brush 3 is brought into pressure contact with photoreceptor 123 by operating lever 23.

[0100] With this configuration, by operating lever 23, application brush 3 can be easily placed in a predetermined position where application brush 3 is in pressure contact with photoreceptor 123, and lubricant can be applied.

[0101] As shown in Figure 10 or 11, the mounting mechanism 9 that mounts the application brush 3 to the photosensitive unit 2 consists of a first mounting mechanism 91 and a second mounting mechanism 92 arranged in front of and behind the photosensitive unit 2, and the first mounting mechanism 91 and the second mounting mechanism 92 are configured with different mechanisms.

[0102] According to this configuration, the mounting mechanism 9 that mounts the application brush 3 to the photosensitive unit 2 is different from the first mounting mechanism 91 and the second mounting mechanism 92 that are arranged in front of and behind the photosensitive unit 2, and therefore the configurations of the first mounting mechanism 91 and the second mounting mechanism 92 can be freely set.

[0103] As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 also includes a lubricant application device 200.

[0104] With this configuration, image forming apparatus 100 is equipped with lubricant applicator 200, which can prevent deformation of the bristles of application brush 3 during storage. As a result, when application brush 3 is in use, lubricant can be evenly applied to photoreceptor 123, preventing uneven density in the image.

[0105] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0106] 2 Photoconductor unit 3 Application Brush 5 Elastic member 7 Fixing member 11 Cleaning blade 11a Rotating shaft 22 Plate members 23 Lever 31 Brush bristles 32 Rotation axis 33 Bearings 34 Eccentric bearing 40 Lubricant rod 91 First mounting mechanism 92 Second mounting mechanism 100 Image forming device 123 Photoconductor (object to be coated) 200 Lubricant application device 915 Fixed bearing

Claims

1. an application brush that applies a lubricant to a surface of an object to be applied by rotating the brush bristles on the surface of the object to be applied and sliding the brush bristles over the surface, The application brush is configured to be able to be pressed against and separated from the object to be applied, and the application brush is configured to be able to be pressed against and separated from the lubricant. Lubricant application device.

2. the bearing of the application brush is formed in an elongated hole shape and is arranged to be movable to a position separated from the object to be applied during storage; The lubricant application device according to claim 1 .

3. The application brush is fixed in a pressure-contact position by pushing up a rotation shaft of the application brush with a lever rotatably attached to the outer periphery of a unit including the object to be applied. The lubricant application device according to claim 1 .

4. The application brush and the lubricant stick on which the lubricant is solidified are moved apart by independent movements. The lubricant application device according to claim 1 .

5. The application brush and the lubricant rod on which the lubricant is solidified are arranged in a unit including the object to be applied even when they are separated from each other. The lubricant application device according to claim 1 .

6. The application brush and the lubricant are spaced apart by removing the elastic member and fixing them with a fixing member; The fixing member is arranged to be detachable from the unit. The lubricant application device according to claim 3.

7. a lever disposed on the outside of the unit and operable by hand; The lubricant application device according to claim 3.

8. the application brush is supported by an eccentric bearing when disposed at a position spaced apart from the object to be applied; The lubricant application device according to claim 1 .

9. The application brush is held by a plate member when held at a position spaced from the object to be applied. The lubricant application device according to claim 1 .

10. the lever is arranged to be rotatable around the rotation shaft of the cleaning blade as a fulcrum. The lubricant application device according to claim 7.

11. The application brush applies the lubricant when pressed against the object to be applied. The lubricant application device according to claim 1 .

12. The application brush is brought into pressure contact with the object to be applied by operating the lever. The lubricant application device according to claim 3.

13. an attachment mechanism for attaching the application brush to the unit, the attachment mechanism comprising a first attachment mechanism and a second attachment mechanism disposed at the front and rear of the unit; The first attachment mechanism and the second attachment mechanism are configured by different mechanisms. The lubricant application device according to claim 3.

14. A lubricant application device comprising the lubricant application device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, Image forming device.

Images