Image forming device

Abstract

To stabilize static elimination performance for electric charges on a surface of image holding means, while reducing the influence on the life of the image holding means.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus comprises: exposure and static elimination means 11 that, when stopping image formation on image holding means 1 formed of a photoreceptor having a surface protective layer 1a in eliminating a residual potential on the image holding means 1, eliminates the residual potential on the image holding means 1 by using exposure means 3; transfer and static elimination means 12 that, when stopping image formation on the image holding means 1, eliminates the residual potential on the image holding means 1 by using at least transfer means 5; and switching means 13 that performs static elimination with the exposure and static elimination means 11 in a condition where the residual potential on the image holding means 1 does not exceed a threshold of an allowable static elimination level at which the exposure and static elimination means 11 can eliminate a residual potential, and performs static elimination with the transfer and static elimination means 12 in place of the exposure and static elimination means 11 in a condition where the residual potential exceeds the threshold.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] As conventional image forming apparatuses, for example, those described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are already known. In Patent Document 1, a first mode in which toner adhesion to the developing sleeve is unlikely to occur and a second mode in which wasteful toner consumption due to fogging can be suppressed are switched based on information that affects the toner charge amount, and the potential of the image carrier is forcibly lowered by removing electricity from the surface of the image carrier. This discloses a technology that achieves both suppression of toner adhesion to the developing sleeve and suppression of wasteful toner consumption, particularly in the case of a DC charging method. Patent Document 2 discloses a technology in which, when image formation is stopped, the potential applied to the developing means is brought closer to ground potential while the surface of the image holder is exposed by an electrostatic latent image forming means, thereby gradually bringing the potential of the image holder closer to ground potential, and the amount of light when the electrostatic latent image forming means exposes the surface of the image holder is determined sequentially based on the potential of the image holder, and the potential of the image holder is gradually brought closer to ground potential. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-206597 A (Form for carrying out the invention, FIG. 5) [Patent Document 2] JP 2013-228491 A (Form for carrying out the invention, FIG. 2) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The technical problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide an image forming apparatus that, when discharging an image bearing means consisting of a photoconductor having a surface protective layer, stabilizes the discharging performance for the charge on the surface of the image bearing means while suppressing the impact on the life of the image bearing means. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The invention according to claim 1 comprises an image holding means comprising a photoconductor having a surface protective layer, a charging means for charging the surface of the image holding means with a DC potential, an exposure means for exposing the surface of the image holding means charged by the charging means to form an electrostatic latent image, a developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the image holding means, a transfer means for electrostatically transferring the visible image formed on the image holding means to a transfer medium, an exposure and discharge means for discharging residual charges of the image holding means using the exposure means when image formation on the image holding means is stopped, and The transfer unit and the charging unit a transfer charge eliminating means for eliminating residual charges of the image holding means by using at least the transfer means, and when the residual charges of the image holding means do not exceed a threshold value of an allowable charge eliminating level at which the residual charges of the image holding means can be eliminated by the exposure charge eliminating means, the charge is eliminated by the exposure charge eliminating means, and when the residual charges of the image holding means exceed the threshold value, the charge is eliminated by the transfer charge eliminating means from the exposure charge eliminating means. In order to achieve this, the means for removing electricity from the image holding means is switched. and a switching unit.

[0006] The invention of claim 2 is an image forming apparatus of claim 1, characterized in that the developing means develops the electrostatic latent image using a two-component developer containing toner and carrier as an image-forming material. The invention of claim 3 is an image forming apparatus of claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the exposure de-electrification means reduces the development voltage applied to the development means to ground potential and performs de-electrification by the exposure means. The invention of claim 4 is an image forming apparatus of claim 3, characterized in that the exposure de-electrification means outputs the amount of light of the exposure means in stages so that the residual potential of the image holding means gradually approaches the ground potential while bringing the development voltage applied to the development means closer to the ground voltage. The invention of claim 5 is an image forming apparatus of claim 1, characterized in that the transfer de-electrification means de-electrifies the image holding means by applying a de-electrification voltage to the transfer means so that the surface potential of the image holding means becomes a target potential after de-electrification. The invention of claim 6 is an image forming apparatus of claim 5, characterized in that the transfer de-electrification means applies a de-electrification voltage to the transfer means to de-electrify the image holding means so that the surface potential of the image holding means exceeds the target potential after de-electrification, and then charges the image holding means with the charging means so that the potential becomes the target potential after de-electrification.

[0007] According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the switching unit includes a use condition recognition unit capable of recognizing a use condition of the image holding unit, and performs charge removal by the exposure charge removal unit or the transfer charge removal unit based on a recognition result by the use condition recognition unit. In order to achieve this, the means for removing electricity from the image holding means is switched. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that: According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the seventh aspect, the switching means includes an environment detection means capable of detecting environmental information including a temperature and humidity around the image holding means as the use condition recognition means, and when the detection result of the environment detection means belongs to a predetermined low temperature and low humidity environment, the transfer static elimination means performs static elimination. In order to achieve this, the means for removing electricity from the image holding means is switched. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that: According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the seventh aspect, the switching means includes a density detection means capable of detecting a density of a visible image formed on the image holding means as the use condition recognition means, and when density information detected by the density detection means is lighter than a predetermined reference density, the transfer charge removal means performs charge removal. In order to achieve this, the means for removing electricity from the image holding means is switched. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that: The invention according to claim 10 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the switching means includes an image discrimination section capable of discriminating an average image density of a visible image formed on the image holding means as the use condition recognition means, and when the average image density discriminated by the image discrimination section is lower than a reference image density in a predetermined number of continuous image formations, the transfer static elimination means performs static elimination. In order to achieve this, the means for removing electricity from the image holding means is switched. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that: According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the seventh aspect, the switching means includes a counting unit capable of counting the number of rotations of the image holding means as the use condition recognition means, and when the number of rotations of the image holding means reaches or exceeds a predetermined reference number of rotations as measured by the counting unit, the charge is removed by the transfer charge removing means. In order to achieve this, the means for removing electricity from the image holding means is switched. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that: Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the invention of claim 1, when discharging an image holding means consisting of a photoconductor having a surface protective layer, it is possible to stabilize the discharging performance for the charge on the surface of the image holding means while suppressing the impact on the lifespan of the image holding means, compared to a case in which the discharging method is determined regardless of the value of the residual charge of the image holding means. According to the invention as defined in claim 2, it is possible to suppress the carrier discharge from the developing unit caused by the residual charge of the image holding unit, as compared to the case where only charge removal by exposure is performed. According to the invention as defined in claim 3, it is possible to suppress the influence of the developing unit and to perform charge removal by exposure on the image holding unit. According to the invention as set forth in claim 4, it is possible to effectively perform exposure-based static elimination of the image holding means, compared to a case in which the light amount of the exposure means is not output in stages. According to the invention as set forth in claim 5, the transfer charge removal for the image holding means can be carried out by utilizing only the transfer means. According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, transfer static elimination for the image holding means can be performed more effectively than when transfer static elimination is performed using only the transfer means. According to the invention as set forth in claim 7, by recognizing the usage conditions of the image holding means, it is possible to appropriately switch the static elimination method for the image holding means. According to the invention as defined in claim 8, attention is paid to environmental information as a use condition of the image holding means, and the static elimination method for the image holding means can be appropriately switched. According to the invention as defined in claim 9, it is possible to focus on density information of a visible image as a use condition of the image holding means, and to appropriately switch the static elimination method for the image holding means. According to the invention as defined in claim 10, attention is paid to average image density information of a visible image as a use condition of the image holding means, and the static elimination method for the image holding means can be appropriately switched. According to the invention as set forth in claim 11, attention is paid to the usage history information as a usage condition of the image holding means, and the static elimination method for the image holding means can be appropriately switched. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied; [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 3] 2 is an explanatory diagram showing details of an image forming unit used in the first embodiment and its drive control system. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2A is an explanatory diagram showing the characteristics of photoelectric charge removal by exposure for a photoreceptor having a surface protective layer and an organic photoreceptor not having a surface protective layer, and FIG. 2B is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the surface structure of a photoreceptor having a surface protective layer. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a flowchart at the start of a cycle down of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment; [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing another flowchart at the start of a cycle down of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a flowchart for carrying out an exposure charge removal process. [Figure 8]FIG. 4A is a timing chart showing the operation process of each device during exposure charge removal processing, and FIG. 4B is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic diagram of a developing operation during image formation processing. [Figure 9] FIG. 2A is an explanatory diagram showing a group of devices for performing a transfer static elimination process, and FIG. 2B is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic diagram of the principle of the transfer static elimination process. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a flowchart for carrying out a transfer charge removal process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Overview of the embodiment FIG. 1 shows an outline of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. In the figure, the image forming apparatus includes image holding means 1 consisting of a photoconductor having a surface protective layer 1a, charging means 2 which charges the surface of the image holding means 1 with a DC potential, exposure means 3 which exposes the surface of the image holding means 1 charged by the charging means 2 to form an electrostatic latent image, developing means 4 which develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the image holding means 1, transfer means 5 which electrostatically transfers the visible image formed on the image holding means 1 to a transfer medium 6, exposure and discharge means 11 which, when image formation on the image holding means 1 is stopped, uses the exposure means 3 to discharge residual charges on the image holding means 1, and, when image formation on the image holding means 1 is stopped, Of the transfer means 5 and the charging means 2 A transfer charge eliminating means 12 that eliminates residual charge of the image holding means 1 using at least the transfer means 5, and when the residual charge of the image holding means 1 does not exceed a threshold of an allowable charge eliminating level that can be eliminated by the exposure charge eliminating means 11, charge is eliminated by the exposure charge eliminating means 11, and when the residual charge exceeds the threshold, charge is eliminated by the transfer charge eliminating means 12 from the exposure charge eliminating means 11. In order to achieve this, the means for removing static electricity from the image holding means 1 is switched. and a switching means 13. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 7 denotes a cleaning means for cleaning off residues remaining on the image holding means 1, reference numeral 2a denotes a power source for the charging means 2, and reference numeral 5a denotes a power source for the transfer means 5.

[0011] In such technical means, the image holding means 1 is a photoconductor having a surface protective layer 1a, and the surface protective layer 1a may be a protective layer having a higher hardness than the photoconductor, and may be a layer separate from the photoconductor, or a layer obtained by hardening the surface of the photoconductor. Here, in a photoreceptor having a surface protective layer 1a, charges tend to accumulate within the surface protective layer 1a or at the interface with the electric field transport layer, compared to an organic photoreceptor not having a surface protective layer 1a, and it tends to be difficult to remove the residual charges on the photoreceptor surface by exposure de-electrification alone. The charging means 2 is intended to be applied to photoconductors that are charged with a DC potential. The AC charging method has high charging performance, and the generation of discharge products is easily activated on the photoconductor surface, and the photoconductor having the surface protection layer 1a has high abrasion resistance and the discharge products are difficult to remove. Therefore, the discharge products are likely to film on the surface of the photoconductor. In contrast, the DC charging method applies small charging stress to the photoconductor surface, making it possible to suppress the filming of discharge products. Furthermore, with regard to the exposure charge removal means 11, stepwise exposure charge removal in which the exposure level is changed stepwise is effective as shown in, for example, Patent Document 1, but it also includes uniform exposure charge removal in which the exposure level is not changed stepwise. Furthermore, the transfer charge eliminating means 12 may be a charge eliminating method using only the transfer means 5, or may include a mode in which the transfer means 5 and the charging means 2 are combined.

[0012] Next, a representative or preferred embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. First, a preferred embodiment of the developing means 4 is one in which an electrostatic latent image is developed using a two-component developer containing a toner and a carrier as the image forming material G. For example, in an embodiment in which the image holding means 1 is provided with a photoconductor having a surface protective layer 1a, the dielectric constant becomes high and charges tend to remain on the photoconductor only by exposure-based charge removal using the exposure-based charge removal means 11, but carrier discharge becomes prominent in addition to excessive toner fogging, and image quality defects tend to occur, so this is preferred in that the method of switching the charge removal method according to the present application works more effectively.

[0013] A representative embodiment of the exposure charge-eliminating means 11 is one in which the development voltage applied to the development means 4 is reduced to the ground potential, and charge elimination is performed by the exposure means 3 . In this case, in order to improve the charge removal efficiency, it is preferable for the exposure charge removal means 11 to output the amount of light from the exposure means 3 in stages so that the residual potential of the image holding means 1 gradually approaches the ground potential while bringing the development voltage applied to the development means 4 closer to the ground potential. Furthermore, a representative embodiment of the transfer neutralization means 12 is a mode in which the image holding means 1 is neutralized by applying a neutralization voltage from a power source 5a to the transfer means 5 so that the surface potential of the image holding means 1 becomes a target potential after neutralization. In particular, from the viewpoint of improving the de-electrification efficiency, it is preferable that the transfer de-electrification means 12 applies a de-electrification voltage from the power source 5a to the transfer means 5 to de-electrify the image holding means 1 so that the surface potential of the image holding means 1 exceeds the target potential after de-electrification, and then charges the image holding means 1 by the power source 2a of the charging means 2 so that the potential becomes the target potential after de-electrification.

[0014] In addition, a representative embodiment of the switching means 13 is a switching means for detecting the use conditions of the image holding means 1, and the image holding means 1 is switched to a switching means for detecting the use conditions of the image holding means 1. The switching means 13 is provided with a use condition recognition means 14 capable of recognizing the use conditions of the image holding means 1, and the image holding means 1 is switched to a switching means for performing charge removal by the exposure charge removal means 11 or the transfer charge removal means 12 based on the recognition result by the use condition recognition means 14. In order to achieve this, the means for removing static electricity from the image holding means 1 is switched. The embodiments include: Here, the use conditions of the image holding means 1 include environmental conditions, image forming conditions (density, image density), use history conditions (number of rotations), and the like. Specific embodiments of the use condition recognition means 14 are as follows: (1) An embodiment in which the use condition recognition means 14 is an environment detection means In this embodiment, the switching means 13 includes an environment detection means capable of detecting environmental information including the temperature and humidity around the image holding means 1 as a usage condition recognition means 14, and when the detection result of the environment detection means belongs to a predetermined low temperature and low humidity environment, the transfer charge removal means 12 performs charge removal. In order to achieve this, the means for removing static electricity from the image holding means 1 is switched. It is something. (2) An embodiment in which the use condition recognition means 14 is a concentration detection means In this embodiment, the switching means 13 includes a density detection means capable of detecting the density of a visible image formed on the image holding means 1 as a use condition recognition means 14, and when the density information detected by the density detection means is lighter than a predetermined reference density, the transfer charge removal means 12 performs charge removal. In order to achieve this, the means for removing static electricity from the image holding means 1 is switched. It is something. (3) An embodiment in which the use condition recognition means 14 is an image discrimination unit In this embodiment, the switching means 13 is provided with an image discrimination section capable of discriminating the average image density of the visible image formed on the image holding means 1 as a use condition recognition means 14, and when the average image density discriminated by the image discrimination section is lower than the reference image density in a predetermined number of continuous image formations, the transfer charge eliminating means 12 performs charge elimination. In order to achieve this, the means for removing static electricity from the image holding means 1 is switched. It is something. (4) An embodiment in which the use condition recognition means 14 is a counter unit In this embodiment, the switching means 13 includes a counter capable of counting the number of rotations of the image holding means 1 as a usage condition recognition means 14, and when the number of rotations of the image holding means 1 reaches a predetermined reference number of rotations or more in the counter, the transfer charge removing means 12 removes charge. In order to achieve this, the means for removing static electricity from the image holding means 1 is switched. It is something.

[0015] First embodiment Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail based on the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. -Overall configuration of image forming apparatus- FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. In the figure, the image forming device 20 is equipped with an image creation engine 30 that forms images of multiple colors (in this embodiment, four colors: yellow, magenta, cyan, and black) within an apparatus housing 21, and below this image creation engine 30 is disposed a recording material supplying device 50 in which recording material such as paper is stored, with a recording material transport path 55 from this recording material supplying device 50 being arranged in an approximately vertical direction. In this example, the image creation engine 30 has image forming units 31 (specifically 31a to 31d) that form images of multiple colors arranged in a substantially horizontal direction, and above them is a transfer module 40 that includes, for example, a belt-like intermediate transfer body 45 that circulates along the arrangement direction of the image forming units 31, and transfers the images of each color formed by each image forming unit 31 onto a recording material via the transfer module 40.

[0016] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, each image forming unit 31 (31a to 31d) forms toner images, for example, for yellow, magenta, cyan, and black (the arrangement is not necessarily in this order), in order from the upstream side in the circulation direction of the intermediate transfer body 45, and is equipped with a photoconductor 32, a charger (a charging roll in this example) 33 that pre-charges the photoconductor 32, an exposure unit (an LED writing head in this example) 34 that writes an electrostatic latent image on each photoconductor 32 charged by the charger 33, a developing unit 35 that develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor 32 with a corresponding color component toner (negative polarity in this embodiment, for example), and a cleaner 36 that cleans off residual matter on the photoconductor 32. In this example, as shown in FIG. 3, the developing unit 35 has a developing container 35a that contains a developer including a toner and a carrier and that opens facing the photoconductor 32, and a developing roll 35b is disposed at the opening of the developing container 35a. The developing roll 35b holds the developer and supplies the developer to the portion facing the photoconductor 32, and stirring and transporting members 35c and 35d are disposed within the developing container 35a for charging, stirring and transporting the developer. In this example, the cleaner 36 has a cleaning container 36a that contains residue on the photoreceptor 32 and opens facing the photoreceptor 32. A plate-shaped cleaning member 36b is attached to the edge of the opening of the cleaning container 36a for scraping off the residue on the photoreceptor 32, and a transport member 36c is disposed within the cleaning container 36a for transporting the contained residue so as to level it out. Incidentally, reference numeral 37 (specifically, 37a to 37d) denotes a toner cartridge for replenishing each developing device 35 with a toner of each color component.

[0017] In the present embodiment, the transfer module 40 has a belt-like intermediate transfer body 45 stretched across a plurality of tension rolls 41 to 44, and the tension roll 41 is used as a drive roll to circulate the intermediate transfer body 45. A transfer device (transfer roll in this example) 46 for primary transfer is disposed on the rear surface of the intermediate transfer body 45 facing the photoconductor 32 of each image forming unit 31, and a transfer voltage of the opposite polarity to the charge polarity of the toner is applied to this transfer device 46 to electrostatically transfer the toner image on the photoconductor 32 to the intermediate transfer body 45 side. Furthermore, a belt cleaner 47 is disposed upstream of the most upstream image forming unit 31 a of the intermediate transfer body 45 to remove residual toner on the intermediate transfer body 45 .

[0018] In addition, in this embodiment, a secondary transfer device 60 is arranged at a position facing the tension roll 42 downstream of the most downstream image forming section 31d of the intermediate transfer body 45, and is configured to secondarily transfer (collectively transfer) the primary transfer image on the intermediate transfer body 45 to the recording material. In this example, the secondary transfer device 60 includes a secondary transfer roll 61 arranged in pressure contact with the toner image bearing surface side of the intermediate transfer body 45, and a backup roll (also serving as the tension roll 42 in this example) arranged on the back side of the intermediate transfer body 45 and serving as an opposing electrode of the secondary transfer roll 61. For example, the secondary transfer roll 61 is grounded, and a secondary transfer voltage of the same polarity as the charging polarity of the toner is applied to the backup roll (tension roll 42).

[0019] In addition, the recording material supply device 50 is provided with a supply roll 51 that supplies the recording material, and a recording material transport path 55 is provided with a transport roll (not shown), and the recording material transport path 55, located immediately before the secondary transfer site, is provided with an alignment roll (registration roll) 56 that supplies the recording material to the secondary transfer site at a predetermined timing. Furthermore, a fixing device 70 is provided in the recording material transport path 55 located downstream of the secondary transfer portion, and this fixing device 70 includes, for example, a heating fixing roll 71 incorporating a heater (not shown), and a pressure fixing roll 72 that is placed in pressure contact with the heating fixing roll 71 and rotates following the heating fixing roll 71. Also, downstream of the fixing device 70, a discharge roll 57 that discharges the recording material in the device housing 21 is provided, which clamps and transports the recording material to discharge it, and stores the recording material in a recording material storage receptacle 58 formed in the upper part of the device housing 21. Although not shown in the figure, it goes without saying that a manual feeding device for recording material and a double-sided recording module that enables double-sided recording on a recording material may be additionally provided.

[0020] -Image forming unit control system- In this embodiment, the control system of the image forming unit 31 (31a to 31d) is equipped with a control device 100 including a processor and a memory. To this control device 100, as input destinations for collecting various information, there are connected a start button 101 for starting the image formation process of the image forming device 20, an environmental sensor 102 for detecting environmental conditions around the image forming unit 31, such as temperature and humidity conditions, a density sensor 103 for detecting the density of an evaluation image formed on the intermediate transfer body 45, and a counting sensor 104 for counting the number of rotations (number of cycles) of the photosensitive body 32, and the like. In addition, as output destinations for sending control signals, there are connected a drive motor 110 for the photosensitive body 32, a charging power supply 111 for applying a charging voltage VC to the charger 33, a light amount adjuster 112 for adjusting the exposure amount of the exposure device 34, a drive motor 113 for driving the development roll 35b of the development device 35, a development power supply 114 for applying a development voltage VD to the development roll 35b, and a transfer power supply 115 for applying a transfer voltage VT to the transfer device 46. In this context, the term "processor" refers to a processor in a broad sense, including general-purpose processors (e.g., CPU: Central Processing Unit, etc.) and dedicated processors (e.g., GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic device, etc.). In this example, the control device 100 receives input signals from various input destinations, executes various control programs (including the cycle down start program described below) pre-installed in the memory through a processor, and sends specified control signals to each output destination.

[0021] -Characteristics of photoreceptors with surface protective layers- In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4(b), the photoreceptor 32 has an organic photosensitive layer 32b laminated on a metal (aluminum in this example) base material 32a, and a surface protective layer 32c having excellent abrasion resistance laminated on the organic photosensitive layer 32b. Here, the organic photosensitive layer 32b is formed by sequentially laminating an undercoat layer 321, a charge generating layer 322, and a charge transport layer 323 on a base material 32a, the undercoat layer 321 preventing the injection of counter charges (+) generated by electrification, the charge generating layer 322 generating charges (+-) by photoelectric conversion, and further, the charge transport layer 323 transporting the charges (+) generated in the charge generating layer 322 to the surface protective layer 32c. The surface protective layer 32c may be formed of a high hardness material to prevent wear of the organic photosensitive layer 32b. In a photoconductor 32 having such a surface protective layer 32c (corresponding to a so-called overcoat photoconductor), charges accumulate in the surface protective layer 32c or at the interface with the charge transport layer 323, as compared to an organic photoconductor without the surface protective layer 32c, and it may be the case that the residual charges on the photoconductor 32 cannot be removed by an exposure charge removal method (described in detail later) that utilizes exposure by an exposure device 34.

[0022] Regarding this point, as shown in FIG. 4(a), an experiment was conducted in which the residual potential was plotted while changing the exposure dose of the static charge removal by exposure for a photoconductor having a surface protective layer 32c (referred to as an overcoated photoconductor in FIG. 4(a)) and a photoconductor not having a surface protective layer (referred to as an organic photoconductor in FIG. 4(a)). As a result, it was found that, for the organic photoconductor, it was possible to reduce the residual potential on the photoconductor 32 after static charge removal to below a predetermined permissible static charge removal level VHs by increasing the exposure dose, whereas, for the overcoated photoconductor, it was possible to reduce the current potential on the photoconductor 32 to below the permissible static charge removal level VHs by increasing the exposure dose of the static charge removal method under a predetermined high-temperature and high-humidity environment. However, in a predetermined low-temperature and low-humidity environment, it was difficult to reduce the residual potential on the photoconductor 32 to below the permissible static charge removal level even if the exposure dose was increased in the static charge removal by exposure method. In this embodiment, since a negative polarity photoconductor 32 is used, the photoconductor 32 is charged in the negative direction and neutralized in the positive direction. In this case, the term "reduction" refers to a change in potential from the charged polarity toward 0V. In FIG. 4(a), it can be seen that the exposure charge removal method may not function effectively depending on the environmental conditions. In the case of an overcoated photoconductor, the residual potential on the photoconductor 32 may not be sufficiently reduced not only due to environmental conditions, but also when, for example, the charge amount of the toner increases due to continuous running of low-density images, or when the amount of charge generated by the photoconductor 32 changes over time. For this reason, in this embodiment, when a cycle down start process is performed to remove the residual charge on the photoconductor 32 after the image formation process is completed, the exposure discharge method is performed in situations where the residual charge on the photoconductor 32 can be removed by the exposure discharge method, and a transfer discharge method (details will be described later) that uses a transfer device 46 and is different from the exposure discharge method is performed in situations where the residual charge on the photoconductor 32 cannot be removed by the exposure discharge method. The term "cycle down" as used herein refers to a cycle in which the operation of the image forming apparatus that is included in the normal image forming cycle is stopped.

[0023] -Cycle down start processing- In this example, the control device 100 performs the cycle down start process shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. <Cycle down start process I> The cycle-down process shown in FIG. 5 determines the environmental conditions, the average image density conditions, and the photoconductor cycle number conditions, and switches between an exposure discharge method (in this example, "step exposure discharge") and a transfer discharge method as a method for discharging the residual potential of the photoconductor 32. First, in the process of determining the environmental conditions, it is determined whether the environmental conditions are low temperature and low humidity conditions based on the detection information of the environmental sensor 102, and if the environmental conditions are low temperature and low humidity conditions, the "transfer static electricity removal method" is implemented. Here, in this example, the low temperature and low humidity environment is set to a condition that the temperature is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature Tm (for example, 15° C.) and equal to or lower than a predetermined humidity Hm (for example, 30%). In addition, as a process for determining the average image density condition, an image determination unit (a functional unit that calculates the average image density from the image data to be formed) in the control device 100 determines whether the average image density of a predetermined k sheets (e.g., 100 sheets) run is equal to or lower than a threshold value Gm (e.g., 1%), and if it is equal to or lower than Gm, a "transfer de-electrification method" is implemented. In this example, the toner charge increases due to the continuous running of low-density images, so it becomes necessary to increase the required image potential (the difference between the development voltage VD and the image area potential VL; see Figure 8(b)) compared to when the toner charge does not increase. However, if the residual potential is high, the required image potential and non-image area potential VH will also be high, so it is considered that static elimination by exposure alone will not be possible. Furthermore, in the process of determining the number of photoconductor cycles, a determination is made as to whether or not the number of photoconductor cycles is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value Xm based on information from a counting sensor 104 that counts the number of cycles of the photoconductor 32. If the number of photoconductor cycles is equal to or greater than Xm, it is assumed that the amount of charge generated by the photoconductor has changed over time due to the stress of repeated exposure, resulting in an increase in the residual potential of the photoconductor, and a "transfer neutralization method" is implemented.

[0024] <Cycle down start process II> The cycle-down process shown in FIG. 6 determines the environmental conditions and image density conditions, and switches between an exposure discharge method (in this example, "step exposure discharge") and a transfer discharge method as a method for discharging the residual potential of the photoconductor 32. In this example, the process for determining the environmental conditions is similar to the cycle-down start process I shown in FIG. In addition, the image density condition is determined by determining whether the density is lighter than the reference density based on the density information of the image for density evaluation detected by the density sensor 103 shown in Figure 3, and if it is determined that the density is lighter, the "transfer static elimination method" is implemented. In this example, if the image density does not reach a predetermined reference density, it becomes necessary to increase the required image potential (the difference between the development voltage VD and the image area potential VL; see Figure 8(b)). However, if the residual potential is high, the required image potential and non-image area potential VH will become high, and therefore static elimination by exposure static elimination alone will not be possible.

[0025] -Exposure static elimination method- FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the exposure charge elimination process carried out in this embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a timing chart showing the operation timing of each unit during the exposure charge elimination process. 3, 7 and 8(a), when the exposure charge removal process is started, the control device 100 first turns off the developing voltage VD(AC) of the developing device 35, the transfer voltage VT of the transfer device 46, and the charging voltage VC of the charger 33. Thereafter, the control device 100 obtains the potential of the photoconductor 32 from a potential sensor (not shown), and also obtains temperature and humidity information from the environment sensor 102 . After this, the control device 100 raises the potential of the development power source 114 and drops the development voltage VD (DC). Since the development roll 35b is charged with a negative potential, the potential actually rises toward 0, but in FIG. 8, the negative potential side is shown at the top in the figure, so the development voltage VD (DC) is shown to drop linearly downward in the figure. At this time, the time when the drop starts is shown as E in FIG. 8. This E is the time when the point where the discharge of the photoconductor 32 by the exposure device 34 starts reaches the position of the development roll 35b. In other words, since the photoconductor 32 is rotated by the drive motor 110, this point moves to the position of the development roll 35b at the time ED. Then, starting from this point, the drop of the potential applied to the development roll 35b starts.

[0026] In this embodiment, the difference (Vcln) between the potential on the surface of the photoconductor 32 and the potential (developing voltage VD(DC)) applied to the developing roll 35b at this time is set within a predetermined range. Here, as shown in FIG. 8(b), the surface potential distribution of the photoconductor 32 during image formation is shown diagrammatically. If the non-image portion potential is VH (e.g., −600 V), the image portion potential is VL (e.g., −50 V), the development voltage VD (DC) is VDEVE, the difference between VH and VDEVE is Vcln, and the difference between VDEVE and VL is Vcont, then if Vcont is small, the density will be insufficient, and Vcln controls toner fogging and carrier discharge onto the non-image portion potential VH. As a result, the difference between the potential of the surface of the photoconductor 32 and the potential of the developing roll 35b falls within a predetermined range. The range of Vcln varies depending on environmental conditions, but is, for example, 100±30 V. If Vcln falls outside this range, toner and carrier are more likely to be expelled. That is, if Vcln is too small, toner is more likely to move toward the photoconductor 32. If Vcln is too large, carrier is more likely to move toward the photoconductor 32. In this embodiment, the expulsion of toner and carrier is suppressed by setting Vcln within a predetermined range.

[0027] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 7 and Fig. 8(a), the light amount of the exposure device (LED writing head in this embodiment) 34 is increased stepwise. As a result, both the potential of the surface of the photoconductor 32 and the development voltage VD(DC) fall. Then, the difference (Vcln) between the potential of the surface of the photoconductor 32 and the development voltage VD(DC) can be set within a predetermined range. Fig. 8(a) shows a stepwise manner in which the light amount of the exposure device 34 is increased stepwise, thereby causing the potential of the surface of the photoconductor 32 to fall stepwise and approach the ground potential. Then, as shown in Fig. 7, when the development voltage VD(DC) becomes approximately 0, the control device 100 stops the exposure of the photoconductor 32 by the exposure device 34, and changes the control signal for the drive motors 110, 113 from ON to OFF. As a result, the exposure device 34 turns OFF, and the drive motors 110, 113 stop, and both the photoconductor 32 and the development roll 35b stop. In Fig. 8, this time is indicated as F. At this point F, the stopping operation for stopping the image formation is completed.

[0028] - Transfer static elimination method - FIG. 9A is a schematic diagram showing a group of devices that perform transfer charge removal processing, in which the charging position by the charger 33 is indicated as PC, the developing position by the developer 35 is indicated as PD, and the transfer position by the transfer device 46 is indicated as PT. FIG. 9B is an explanatory diagram that illustrates the principle of the transfer charge removal process. FIG. 9(b) shows the change in the charge potential of the photoconductor 32 due to the charge removal. Here, a charge removal voltage is applied so that a charge removal current flows that is a current larger than the transfer current that flows when the transfer voltage VT is applied to the transfer device 46 when the toner image is transferred. The transfer power source 115 shown in FIG. 3 is a power source with a large current capacity that can pass a charge removal current of a level that reduces the photoconductor 32, which has a potential before charge removal, to an overcharged charge potential that exceeds a target potential. Then, by passing the charge removal current, the photoconductor 32 is reduced to an overcharged charge potential that exceeds a target potential. After the photoconductor 32 is reduced to the overcharged charge potential, a charge voltage during charge removal is applied to the charger 33 to return the surface that has become the overcharged charge potential to the target potential at the time of charge removal, thereby returning the surface that has become the overcharged charge potential to the target potential at the time of charge removal.

[0029] When the charge potential of the photoconductor 32 transitions to the over-charged charge potential due to the action of the transfer device 46, the photoconductor 32 has a potential distribution in the axial direction, but the subsequent charging by the charger 33 results in a substantially uniform target potential. Fig. 9B shows a sequence in which the potential of the photoconductor 32 is assumed to be shifted in one go to the final target charge potential at the time of neutralization while the photoconductor 32 makes one revolution. If the charging ability (neutralization ability) of the photoconductor 32 by the transfer device 46 is sufficiently high, the sequence of shifting in one go shown in Fig. 9B may be adopted. However, if there is a limit to the charging ability (neutralization ability) of the transfer device 46, that is, if the transfer power source 115 shown in Fig. 3 does not have the capacity to flow a current sufficient to shift the transfer device 46 in one go from the charge potential at the time of image formation to the over-neutralization charge potential that is significantly different from the charge potential, a sequence of rotating the photoconductor 32 multiple times and gradually neutralizing the charge with each rotation may be adopted.

[0030] Fig. 10 is a flow chart showing a stepwise process of the transfer charge removal process while rotating the photoconductor 32 multiple times. In Fig. 10, n indicates the number of rotations of the photoconductor 32, and it is assumed that n = 2, for example. In the transfer charge removal process, a negative voltage [-V] is applied to the charger 33 and the developer 35, and a positive voltage [+V] is applied to the transfer unit 46 so that a current flows in a direction that cancels the negative charge of the photoconductor 32. In FIG. 10, when the cycle down is started, first, the rotation of the developing unit 35 is stopped, and then the photoconductor 32 makes a first rotation. At this time, the control device 100 changes the output of the transfer unit 46 to VT(1) for the first cycle of static elimination. The output of the transfer unit 46 here is 20A. Next, when the transfer position PT of the photoconductor 32 facing the transfer device 46 at the timing when the output of the transfer device 46 is changed to VT(1) for the first round of static elimination reaches the charger 33, the photoconductor 32 rotates a predetermined angle, and the output of the charger 33 is changed to VC(1) for the first round of static elimination, as shown in Fig. 9(a). In this example, the output of the charger 33 at this time is -900V. Furthermore, when the charging position PC of the photoconductor 32 facing the charger 33 at the timing when the charger 33 output is changed to VC(1) for the first cycle of static elimination reaches the developer 35, the output of the developer 35 is changed to VD(1) for the first cycle of static elimination, as shown in Fig. 9(a). In this example, the output of the developer 35 at this time is -170V.

[0031] Next, when the development position PD of the photoconductor 32, which faced the developer 35 at the timing when the output of the developer 35 was changed to VD(1) for the first round of discharge, reaches the transfer device 46, that is, when the photoconductor 32 makes one revolution from the start of the cycle down, the output of the transfer device 46 is changed to VT(2) for the second round of discharge. However, in this example, the same current value as VT(1) for the first round of discharge is used as the output of the transfer device 46 for the second round of discharge. Then, when the transfer position PT of the photoconductor 32 facing the transfer device 46 reaches the charger 33 at the timing when the output of the transfer device 46 is changed to VT(2) for the second round of static elimination, the output of the charger 33 is then changed to VC(2) for the second round of static elimination. In this example, the output of the charger 33 at this time is -600V. The photoconductor 32 is charged to a charging voltage of 0V by the output of the charger 33 of -600V.

[0032] Next, when the charging position PC of the photoconductor 32 facing the charger 33 at the timing when the output of the charger 33 is changed to VC(2) for the second cycle of static elimination reaches the developer 35, the output of the developer 35 is then changed to VD(2) for the second cycle of static elimination. In this example, the output of the developer 35 at this time is 0V. Next, when the development position PD of the photoconductor 32, which was facing the developer 35 at the time when the output of the developer 35 is changed to VD(2) for the second round of de-electrification, reaches the transfer device 46, that is, when the photoconductor 32 has completed two revolutions from the start of the cycle down, the transfer de-electrification process is considered to be completed, and the output of the transfer device 46 is changed to off (0 μA).

[0033] Next, when the transfer position PT of the photoconductor 32 facing the transfer device 46 at the timing when the output of the transfer device 46 was turned off reaches the charger 33, the output of the charger 33 is turned off. Furthermore, when the charging position PC of the photoconductor 32, which faced the charger 33 at the timing when the charger 33 output was changed to OFF, reaches the developer 35, the developer 35 output is then changed to OFF. Here, in this example, the developer 35 output is already 0V in the second cycle of static elimination, but considering that the developer 35 output in the second cycle of static elimination may be finely adjusted, a step of changing the developer 35 output to OFF is provided here.

[0034] In this manner, after the output of the transfer unit 46, the output of the charger 33, and the output of the developing unit 35 are turned off, the rotation of the photoconductor 32 is stopped. In the cycle-down sequence described above, the rotation of the developing unit 35 is stopped immediately after the cycle-down is started. The reason for stopping the rotation of the developing unit 35 is that it is possible to suppress toner fogging and carrier transfer more effectively than if the cycle-down sequence was executed while the developing unit 35 was rotating. However, in order to suppress toner fogging and carrier transfer, it is not necessary to stop the rotation of the developing unit 35 immediately after the cycle-down is started, and it is sufficient to stop the rotation of the developing unit 35 while the developing position PD of the photoconductor 32 facing the developing unit 35 is at the charging potential during image creation.

[0035] By adopting the cycle down sequence as described above, it is possible to eliminate the charge on the photoconductor 32 to a targeted potential while suppressing toner fogging and carrier transfer. Furthermore, by adopting the multiple-stage (two-stage in this example) charge elimination shown here, the current flowing through the transfer device 46 is suppressed compared to the case where the photoconductor 32 is eliminated all at once to a targeted potential in a single stage, and a transfer power supply 115 with a small current capacity can be used. However, when the current capacity of the transfer power supply 115 is sufficient, the photoconductor 32 may be neutralized in one step to a desired potential. In that case, for example, the first cycle of neutralization shown in FIG. 10 may be omitted, and the voltage may be changed from the time of image formation to the voltage for the second cycle of neutralization in one step. Alternatively, when the current capacity of the transfer power source 115 is smaller, the charge may be gradually removed in three or more separate stages. Incidentally, although the image forming apparatus using the intermediate transfer body 45 has been described as an example here, the present invention can also be applied to, for example, a monochrome image forming apparatus having only one image forming unit without using the intermediate transfer body 45.

[0036] Comparison form 1 In this embodiment, the configuration is capable of implementing both the exposure charge removal method and the transfer charge removal method, and one of them can be switched over to be implemented. However, if a comparative embodiment is assumed in which the methods are always implemented simultaneously, transfer charge removal is always involved, so that even a photoconductor 32 having a surface protective layer cannot effectively extend its lifespan. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 1...image holding means, 1a...surface protection layer, 2...charging means, 2a...power source, 3...exposure means, 4...development means, 5...transfer means, 5a...power source, 6...transfer medium, 7...cleaning means, 11...exposure charge eliminating means, 12...transfer charge eliminating means, 13...switching means, 14...usage condition recognition means, G...image forming material

Claims

1. an image carrying means comprising a photoreceptor having a surface protective layer; a charging means for charging the surface of the image holding means with a direct current potential; an exposure unit for exposing the surface of the image holding unit charged by the charging unit to light to form an electrostatic latent image; a developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the image holding means; a transfer means for electrostatically transferring the visible image formed on the image holding means onto a transfer medium; an exposure and charge removal means for removing residual charges from the image holding means by using the exposure means when image formation on the image holding means is stopped; a transfer / discharging unit that, when the image formation on the image holding unit is stopped, uses at least the transfer unit out of the transfer unit and the charging unit to discharge residual charges on the image holding unit; a switching means for switching a means for eliminating electricity from the image holding means so that, under a condition where the residual charge of the image holding means does not exceed a threshold value of an allowable charge eliminating level at which the residual charge can be eliminated by the exposure charge eliminating means, and, under a condition where the residual charge of the image holding means exceeds the threshold value, the charge is eliminated by the transfer charge eliminating means instead of the exposure charge eliminating means; An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, The developing means develops the electrostatic latent image using a two-component developer containing a toner and a carrier as an image forming material.

3. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, The image forming apparatus according to the present invention, wherein the exposure and charge removal means reduces a development voltage applied to the development means to a ground potential, and performs charge removal by the exposure means.

4. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, an exposure discharge means for gradually outputting the amount of light from the exposure means so that the residual potential of the image holding means gradually approaches the ground potential while causing the development voltage applied to the development means to approach the ground potential;

5. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, The image forming apparatus according to the present invention, wherein the transfer discharge means discharges the image holding means by applying a discharge voltage to the transfer means so that the surface potential of the image holding means becomes a target potential after discharge.

6. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the transfer discharge means applies a discharge voltage to the transfer means to discharge the image holding means so that the surface potential of the image holding means exceeds a target potential after discharge, and then charges the image holding means with the charging means so that the surface potential becomes the target potential after discharge.

7. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, The switching means is provided with a usage condition recognition means capable of recognizing the usage conditions of the image holding means, and switches the means for discharging the image holding means so that discharging is performed by the exposure discharging means or the transfer discharging means based on the recognition results by the usage condition recognition means.

8. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, The switching means is provided with an environmental detection means as the usage condition recognition means capable of detecting environmental information including the temperature and humidity around the image holding means, and is characterized in that the switching means switches the means for discharging the image holding means so that discharging is performed by the transfer discharging means when the detection result of the environmental detection means belongs to a predetermined low temperature and low humidity environment.

9. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, The switching means is provided with a density detection means as the usage condition recognition means capable of detecting the density of a visible image formed on the image holding means, and is characterized in that the switching means switches the means for eliminating static electricity from the image holding means so that static electricity is eliminated by the transfer static elimination means when density information detected by the density detection means is lighter than a predetermined reference density.

10. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, The switching means is provided with an image discrimination unit as the usage condition recognition means, which is capable of discriminating the average image density of the visible image formed on the image holding means, and is characterized in that the switching means switches the means for discharging the image holding means so that discharging is performed by the transfer discharging means when the average image density discriminated by the image discrimination unit is lower than a reference image density for a predetermined number of continuous image formations.

11. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, The switching means is provided with a counting unit as the usage condition recognition means, which is capable of counting the number of rotations of the image holding means, and is characterized in that when the number of rotations of the image holding means in the counting unit reaches or exceeds a predetermined reference number of rotations, the switching means switches the means for de-electrifying the image holding means so that de-electrification is performed by the transfer de-electrification means.

Images