JPH01100571A - process unit - Google Patents
process unitInfo
- Publication number
- JPH01100571A JPH01100571A JP25775287A JP25775287A JPH01100571A JP H01100571 A JPH01100571 A JP H01100571A JP 25775287 A JP25775287 A JP 25775287A JP 25775287 A JP25775287 A JP 25775287A JP H01100571 A JPH01100571 A JP H01100571A
- Authority
- JP
- Japan
- Prior art keywords
- corona wire
- corona
- process unit
- cleaning
- cleaning member
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Pending
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 32
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 claims description 41
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000000356 contaminant Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000007547 defect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229920000742 Cotton Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000013019 agitation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008030 elimination Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003379 elimination reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000007667 floating Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000011086 high cleaning Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007639 printing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003068 static effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
- G03G15/02—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for laying down a uniform charge, e.g. for sensitising; Corona discharge devices
- G03G15/0258—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for laying down a uniform charge, e.g. for sensitising; Corona discharge devices provided with means for the maintenance of the charging apparatus, e.g. cleaning devices, ozone removing devices G03G15/0225, G03G15/0291 takes precedence
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
- G03G15/02—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for laying down a uniform charge, e.g. for sensitising; Corona discharge devices
- G03G15/0291—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for laying down a uniform charge, e.g. for sensitising; Corona discharge devices corona discharge devices, e.g. wires, pointed electrodes, means for cleaning the corona discharge device
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Electrostatic Charge, Transfer And Separation In Electrography (AREA)
Abstract
(57)【要約】本公報は電子出願前の出願データであるた
め要約のデータは記録されません。(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.
Description
【発明の詳細な説明】
〔産業上の利用分野〕
本発明は、ゼログラフィ技術を利用した画像形成装置に
関し、詳しくは、ゼログラフィのプロセス要素の一部を
含んで、画像形成装置本体に着脱可能としたプロセスユ
ニットに関する。DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus using xerography technology. Regarding the enabled process unit.
従来、光導電体等の像担持体上にトナー画像を形成し、
記録紙に転写・定着後、像担持体表面をクリーニングし
て印刷工程を繰り返す、いわゆるゼログラフィ技術を利
用した画像形成装置が実用化されており、最近は、像担
持体などのメンテナンスを必要とするプロセス要素をユ
ニット化（以後、プロセスユニットと呼ぶ）シ、ユーザ
ー自身で交換できる様にした装置が広く普及しはじめて
いる。Conventionally, a toner image is formed on an image carrier such as a photoconductor,
Image forming devices that use so-called xerography technology, which repeats the printing process by cleaning the surface of the image carrier after transferring and fixing it to recording paper, have been put into practical use. Devices in which the process elements used for processing are unitized (hereinafter referred to as process units) and can be replaced by the user themselves are beginning to become widespread.
こうしたプロセスユニットの中には、コロナ帯電器内の
コロナワイヤーが、画像形成装置内浮遊物質の付着や手
攪の接触によって汚染した場合、コロナワイヤー表面に
汚染物を付着させたまま画像出力を行なうとコロナ帯電
器は本来の帯電機能を果たさず画像欠陥が生じるため、
前記汚染物を除去する目的でプロセスユニットとは別体
でコロナワイヤー清掃部材を備えたものが提案されてい
る。In some of these process units, if the corona wire in the corona charger becomes contaminated due to adhesion of floating substances in the image forming device or contact with manual agitation, images are output with the contaminants still attached to the surface of the corona wire. Because the corona charger does not perform its original charging function and causes image defects,
For the purpose of removing the contaminants, a device equipped with a corona wire cleaning member separate from the process unit has been proposed.
しかし、前述したプロセスユニット及び別体で備えられ
たコロナワイヤー清掃部材の場合、コロナワイヤー清掃
時には特定方向からのみ作業可能な構造になっており、
作業方向から見たコロナワイヤー背面側は清掃されるこ
とがなかった。このため、コロナワイヤー表面の汚染物
の除去という本来の目的を果たしていないものが多かっ
た。However, in the case of the process unit and the separately provided corona wire cleaning member described above, the structure allows work to be performed only from a specific direction when cleaning the corona wire.
The back side of the corona wire viewed from the working direction was never cleaned. For this reason, many corona wires did not fulfill their original purpose of removing contaminants from the surface.
又、コロナワイヤー清掃部材の紛失という危険が免れな
い。Furthermore, there is an unavoidable risk of losing the corona wire cleaning member.
本発明はこうした問題点を解決するもので、その目的と
するところは、極めて簡単な構成で、かつコロナワイヤ
ー表面を清掃する機能及び清掃する際の取り扱い性に優
れたプロセスユニットを提供する事にある。The present invention is intended to solve these problems, and its purpose is to provide a process unit that has an extremely simple configuration, has a function of cleaning the surface of the corona wire, and is easy to handle during cleaning. be.
本発明におけるプロセスユニットは、少なくともコロナ
帯電器を含む、プロセスユニットであって、前記コロナ
帯電器内のコロナワイヤーカ、該コロナワイヤーを清掃
するための部材を貫通し、かつ該部材が該部材と接触位
置にある前記コロナワイヤー全周表面を常時圧接せしめ
る様に構成することを特徴とする。The process unit in the present invention is a process unit that includes at least a corona charger, and which penetrates a corona wire in the corona charger and a member for cleaning the corona wire, and the member is connected to the corona wire. The corona wire is characterized in that it is constructed so that the entire peripheral surface of the corona wire at the contact position is always brought into pressure contact.
本発明によれば、コロナワイヤーがコロナワイヤー清掃
部材を貝通し、かつ該部材が該部材と接触位置にある前
記コロナワイヤー全周表面を常時圧接せしめる様に構成
しであるため、コロナワイヤー清掃時の作業方向によら
ず、コロナワイヤー全周表面を清掃することが可能にな
る。又、一方向からの動作で前記作業が行なえるため、
コロナワイヤーを清掃する際の取り扱い性に優れたプロ
セスユニットが実現できる。According to the present invention, the corona wire is configured to pass through the corona wire cleaning member, and the member is always in pressure contact with the entire circumferential surface of the corona wire that is in contact with the member, so that when cleaning the corona wire, It becomes possible to clean the entire circumferential surface of the corona wire regardless of the working direction. In addition, since the above-mentioned work can be performed by movement from one direction,
A process unit that is easy to handle when cleaning the corona wire can be realized.
第１図は、本発明におけるプロセスユニットを用いる画
像形成装置のプロセスを説明するための断面図である。FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the process of an image forming apparatus using a process unit according to the present invention.
光導電体である像担持体１は、矢印Ａ方向に回転駆動さ
れ、まず、コロナ帯電器２によって像担持体１表面が一
様帯電される。この帯電部分は、光信号発生装置３によ
り光像露光を受け、像担持体１表面に静電潜像が形成さ
れる。The image carrier 1, which is a photoconductor, is rotated in the direction of arrow A, and first, the surface of the image carrier 1 is uniformly charged by the corona charger 2. This charged portion is subjected to optical image exposure by the optical signal generating device 3, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the image carrier 1.
この静電潜像は、磁気ブラシを形成する現像装置４を通
過するとき、トナーによって、顕像化される。このよう
にして形成されたトナー像は、転写器５によって転写紙
スタッカー（図示せず）上り像担持体１上のトナー像と
同期して転写位置へ給紙された転写紙（図示せず）上に
転写される。転写を終えた転写紙は、像担持体１から分
離され、定着装置１０へ送り込まれ、排紙トレイ（図示
せず）に排紙される。図中点線Ｂにより転写紙の経路を
示しである。上記の如く転写を終えた像担持体１の表面
には、約３０〜４０％の未転写トナーが残留しており、
この残留トナーは、クリーニング装置６により除去され
る。クリーニングを終えた像担持体１は、除電ランプ７
によって一定レベルまで除電され次の作像工程にそなえ
る。本画像形成装置においては、プロセス要素中、ドラ
ム状の像担持体１とコロナ帯電器２とクリーニング装置
６とを一体化して、プロセスユニット８を構成し、装置
本体に対して着脱可能としている。同図では、プロセス
ユニット内の各プロセス要素を説明する目的で、プロセ
スユニットの筐体は図示せず、−点鎖線の枠で示しであ
る。This electrostatic latent image is visualized by toner when it passes through a developing device 4 that forms a magnetic brush. The toner image formed in this manner is transferred to a transfer paper stacker (not shown) by a transfer device 5, and is fed to a transfer position in synchronization with the toner image on the image carrier 1. transferred on top. After the transfer, the transfer paper is separated from the image carrier 1, sent to the fixing device 10, and discharged to a paper discharge tray (not shown). The dotted line B in the figure shows the path of the transfer paper. Approximately 30 to 40% of untransferred toner remains on the surface of the image carrier 1 after the transfer has been completed as described above.
This residual toner is removed by a cleaning device 6. The image carrier 1 that has been cleaned is exposed to the static elimination lamp 7.
The charge is removed to a certain level and the image is prepared for the next image forming process. In this image forming apparatus, among the process elements, a drum-shaped image carrier 1, a corona charger 2, and a cleaning device 6 are integrated to form a process unit 8, which is detachable from the apparatus main body. In the figure, for the purpose of explaining each process element within the process unit, the casing of the process unit is not shown and is indicated by a dashed-dotted line frame.
第２図は、本発明におけるプロセスユニット中の、コロ
ナ帯電器２の詳細を示す図である。同図中、コロナハウ
ス１１、コロナワイヤー１２、：１０ナワイヤー固定具
１３は、通常のコロナ帯電器と同じ構成及び同じ位置関
係である。コロナワイヤー１２はコロナワイヤー清掃部
材１４を貫通する構成とする。FIG. 2 is a diagram showing details of the corona charger 2 in the process unit according to the present invention. In the figure, a corona house 11, a corona wire 12, and a 10 wire fixture 13 have the same configuration and the same positional relationship as a normal corona charger. The corona wire 12 is configured to pass through the corona wire cleaning member 14.
第３図は、本発明におけるプロセスユニット中の、コロ
ナワイヤー清掃部材の詳細を示す図である。同図中、第
２図と同じ構成要素については第２図と同じ記号を付し
である。コロナワイヤー清掃部材１４の外周に圧縮チュ
ーブ１５を被せ、前記コロナワイヤー清掃部材１４は自
身の中心に向かって圧縮する様に構成する。このため、
コロナワイヤー清掃部材１４とコロナワイヤ−１２全周
表面は、圧接することが可能になる。コロナワイヤー清
掃時にはコロナワイヤー清掃部材１４を指又はピンセッ
ト状部材（図示せず）で挾み、前記コロナワイヤー清掃
部材１４をコロナワイヤー張設方向に動かすことで容易
に清掃が行なえ、又コロナワイヤー１２表面には拭き残
しが生じない。FIG. 3 is a diagram showing details of the corona wire cleaning member in the process unit according to the present invention. In the figure, the same components as in FIG. 2 are given the same symbols as in FIG. 2. A compression tube 15 is placed over the outer periphery of the corona wire cleaning member 14, and the corona wire cleaning member 14 is configured to be compressed toward its own center. For this reason,
The corona wire cleaning member 14 and the entire circumferential surface of the corona wire 12 can be brought into pressure contact with each other. When cleaning the corona wire, the corona wire cleaning member 14 can be easily cleaned by holding the corona wire cleaning member 14 with fingers or a tweezers-like member (not shown) and moving the corona wire cleaning member 14 in the direction in which the corona wire is stretched. No residue is left on the surface.
この時、コロナワイヤー１２に与えられる力には以下の
関係が必要である。At this time, the force applied to the corona wire 12 requires the following relationship.
Ｆ 、＞ Ｆ ＊ ＞ Ｆ ｓ ＞ 、Ｆ′−・・
・・・・・・・（１）Ｆ、 −：Ｉｅｌナワイヤーを断
線させるのに必Ｗな最小の力。F, > F * > F s >, F'-...
(1) F, -: Minimum force necessary to break the Iel wire.
Ｆ、−作業者がコロナワイヤー清掃時にコロナワイヤー
に与える最大の力。F, - the maximum force that the operator applies to the corona wire when cleaning the corona wire.
Ｆ、−コロナワイヤー清掃部材を移動させるのに必要な
力。F, - the force required to move the corona wire cleaning member.
Ｆ４−機械体振動がコロナワイヤー清掃部材を移動させ
ようとして働く力。F4 - Force exerted by mechanical body vibration to try to move the corona wire cleaning member.
上記（１）式の力関係が成立していれば、コロナワイヤ
ー清掃時に誤ってコロナワイヤー１２を断線させてしま
う危険はない。又、コロナワイヤー清掃部材を清掃作業
終了後には画像形成領域外に配置しておけば、機械体振
動等の不可抗力によって画像形成領域内に前記コロナワ
イヤー清掃部材が移動してくることもなく、画像欠陥を
生じる要因は全て排除されている。コロナワイヤー清掃
部材１４の材質としては、フェルト、スポンジ、脱脂綿
等が、清掃効率が高く、又コロナワイヤー表面に傷を与
えることもなく、耐久性の面からも好適であった。If the force relationship of formula (1) above is established, there is no risk of accidentally breaking the corona wire 12 during corona wire cleaning. Furthermore, if the corona wire cleaning member is placed outside the image forming area after the cleaning work is completed, the corona wire cleaning member will not move into the image forming area due to force majeure such as mechanical body vibration, and the image forming area will be protected. All factors that cause defects have been eliminated. As the material for the corona wire cleaning member 14, felt, sponge, absorbent cotton, etc. were preferable from the viewpoint of high cleaning efficiency, no damage to the surface of the corona wire, and durability.
以上述べた様に、本発明におけるプロセスユニットはコ
ロナワイヤー清掃部材をコロナワイヤーが貫通し、かつ
該部材が該部材と接触位置にある前記コロナワイヤー全
周表面を常時圧接せしめる様に構成しであるため、コロ
ナワイヤー全周を拭き残しなく容易に清掃が行なえる。As described above, the process unit of the present invention is configured such that the corona wire passes through the corona wire cleaning member, and the member constantly presses the entire circumferential surface of the corona wire that is in contact with the member. Therefore, the entire circumference of the corona wire can be easily cleaned without leaving any residue.
又、前記コロナワイヤー清掃部材は、コロナワイヤーが
貫通しているために前記コロナワイヤー清掃部材を紛失
することは有り得ない。さらに、前記コロナワイヤー清
掃部材はコロナワイヤー円周方向に回転可能であるため
、従来コロナワイヤー清掃部材の局所的な欠陥や汚れが
生じた場合の清掃効率の低下という問題点も同時に回避
でき、常時高効率でコロナワイヤーを清掃できるという
効果もをする。Further, since the corona wire cleaning member is penetrated by the corona wire, it is impossible to lose the corona wire cleaning member. Furthermore, since the corona wire cleaning member is rotatable in the circumferential direction of the corona wire, it is possible to simultaneously avoid the problem of reduced cleaning efficiency when localized defects or dirt occur in the conventional corona wire cleaning member. It also has the effect of cleaning the corona wire with high efficiency.
第１図は本発明におけるプロセスユニットを用いる画像
形成装置のプロセスを説明するための断面図。
第２図は本発明におけるプロセスユニット中ノコロナ帯
電器の詳細を示す図。
第３図は本発明におけるプロセスユニット中のコロナワ
イヤー清掃部材の詳細を示す図。
１４・・・・・・コロナワイヤー清掃部材以 上
７２コＯナワイで−
７４コロナワイヤづ責利■Ｐ十第
７５圧協手・−ブFIG. 1 is a sectional view for explaining the process of an image forming apparatus using a process unit according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing details of the corona charger in the process unit in the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing details of the corona wire cleaning member in the process unit according to the present invention. 14...Corona wire cleaning member and above 72 pieces O nawai - 74 corona wire zu responsibility ■ P 10th 75 Pressure supporter - bu
Claims (2)
像形成装置本体に着脱可能としたプロセスユニットにお
いて、少なくともコロナ帯電器を含むプロセスユニット
であって、前記コロナ帯電器内のコロナワイヤーが、該
コロナワイヤーを清掃するための部材を貫通し、かつ該
部材が該部材と接触位置にある前記コロナワイヤー全周
表面を常時圧接せしめる様に構成することを特徴とする
プロセスユニット。(1) A process unit that includes a part of xerographic process elements and is removably attached to an image forming apparatus main body, the process unit including at least a corona charger, wherein the corona wire in the corona charger is A process unit that penetrates a member for cleaning the corona wire, and is configured such that the member constantly presses the entire circumferential surface of the corona wire at a position in contact with the member.
記コロナワイヤーの円周方向に回転可能であることを特
徴とする特許請求の範囲第１項記載のプロセスユニット
。(2) The process unit according to claim 1, wherein the member for cleaning the corona wire is rotatable in a circumferential direction of the corona wire.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP25775287A JPH01100571A (en) | 1987-10-13 | 1987-10-13 | process unit |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP25775287A JPH01100571A (en) | 1987-10-13 | 1987-10-13 | process unit |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| JPH01100571A true JPH01100571A (en) | 1989-04-18 |
Family
ID=17310607
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP25775287A Pending JPH01100571A (en) | 1987-10-13 | 1987-10-13 | process unit |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPH01100571A (en) |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPH0545727U (en) * | 1991-11-14 | 1993-06-18 | 株式会社リコー | Charger |
| US6580885B2 (en) * | 2001-02-28 | 2003-06-17 | Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Ag | Automatic mechanism for cleaning corona wires |
| US7043176B1 (en) | 2002-09-26 | 2006-05-09 | Eastman Kodak Company | Apparatus and method for damping a corona wire in an electrographic printer |
-
1987
- 1987-10-13 JP JP25775287A patent/JPH01100571A/en active Pending
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPH0545727U (en) * | 1991-11-14 | 1993-06-18 | 株式会社リコー | Charger |
| US6580885B2 (en) * | 2001-02-28 | 2003-06-17 | Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Ag | Automatic mechanism for cleaning corona wires |
| US6868242B2 (en) | 2001-02-28 | 2005-03-15 | Eastman Kodak Company | Mechanism and method for cleaning corona wires |
| US7043176B1 (en) | 2002-09-26 | 2006-05-09 | Eastman Kodak Company | Apparatus and method for damping a corona wire in an electrographic printer |
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