Lubricant applicator, cleaning device, and image forming apparatus

A lubricant applicator incorporated in a cleaning device disposed in an image forming apparatus having an image bearing member on which an image containing toner is formed, includes: a lubricant supplying unit that supplies lubricant; a brush roller that scrapes off the lubricant to apply the lubricant to a surface of the image bearing member; and a flicker member positioned on an upstream side from the lubricant supplying unit in a rotation direction of the brush roller, the flicker member coming into contact with the brush roller, wherein the flicker member is a plate-shaped member in which an opening is formed, the flicker member having elasticity to be allowed to elastically rock by coming into contact with the brush roller, and the opening is formed in a region with which the brush roller comes into contact.

The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-239741 filed on Dec. 8, 2015 including description, claims, drawings, and abstract are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a lubricant applicator, a cleaning device, and an image forming apparatus.

Description of the Related Art

An image forming apparatus develops an electrostatic latent image as a toner image by attaching toner (developer) to an image bearing member on which an electrostatic latent image is formed. The toner image is transferred to a recording medium, and fixed to the recording medium by being heated and pressed by a fixing roller. A part of the toner remains on a surface of the image bearing member. The remaining toner forms image noise such as a black point, a stripe, etc., and decreases image quality. Thus, the image forming apparatus includes a cleaning device that removes the remaining toner from the image bearing member using a cleaning blade.

The cleaning device includes a lubricant applicator that applies lubricant to the surface of the image bearing member to decrease a frictional force between the image bearing member and the cleaning blade, thereby protecting the surface of the image bearing member and stabilizing cleaning performance.

The lubricant applicator includes a brush roller that applies a scraped lubricant to the surface of the image bearing member. The brush roller is contaminated with a remaining lubricant, toner shifted from the image bearing member, etc. over time. As a result, the amount of lubricant scraped off by the brush roller and the amount of lubricant applied to the image bearing member are affected, and uniform application of the lubricant is difficult. For this reason, technologies have been proposed to bring a flicker member into contact with the brush roller to flick (flick and separate) contaminating particles of lubricant, toner, etc. (for example, see JP 2015-106004 A, JP 2011-170155 A, and JP 2010-133997 A).

However, when a brush bristle implanted in the brush roller falls out while rubbing and scraping the flicker member, there is a problem in that some separated contaminating particles (lubricant, toner, an external additive thereof) are reattached to the brush bristle. For this reason, separation performance for the contaminating particles is insufficient, and the contaminating particles affect the amount of lubricant scraped off by the brush roller and the amount of lubricant applied to the image bearing member. Thus, there is a problem in that uniformity in lubricant application is limited. In addition, in this way, there occurs a problem of difficulty in exhibiting stable cleaning performance by the cleaning device and excellent image quality by the image forming apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been conceived to solve the problems associated with the above-described conventional art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a lubricant applicator having excellent uniformity in lubricant application, a cleaning device having stable cleaning performance, and an image forming apparatus having excellent image quality.

The abovementioned object of the present invention is achieved by means below.

(1) To achieve the abovementioned object, according to an aspect, a lubricant applicator incorporated in a cleaning device disposed in an image forming apparatus having an image bearing member on which an image containing toner is formed, reflecting one aspect of the present invention comprises:

a lubricant supplying unit that supplies lubricant;

a brush roller that scrapes off the lubricant to apply the lubricant to a surface of the image bearing member; and

a flicker member positioned on an upstream side from the lubricant supplying unit in a rotation direction of the brush roller, the flicker member coming into contact with the brush roller, wherein

the flicker member is a plate-shaped member in which an opening is formed, the flicker member having elasticity to be allowed to elastically rock by coming into contact with the brush roller, and

the opening is formed in a region with which the brush roller comes into contact.

(2) The lubricant applicator according to Item. 1, wherein the opening preferably has a mesh structure.

(3) The lubricant applicator according to Item. 2, wherein an opening ratio of the region is preferably in a range of 30% to 80%.

(4) The lubricant applicator according to any one of Items. 1 to 3, wherein the plate-shaped member is preferably made of metal.

(5) The lubricant applicator according to Item. 4, wherein a thickness of the flicker member is preferably in a range of 20 μm to 300 μm.

(6) The lubricant applicator according to any one of Items. 1 to 5, wherein

the brush roller preferably includes a loop-shaped brush bristle, and

a loop formation plane of the brush bristle is preferably in one direction.

(7) The lubricant applicator according to Item. 6, wherein the loop formation plane of the brush bristle preferably intersects with the rotation direction of the brush roller.

(8) The lubricant applicator according to Item. 7, wherein the loop formation plane of the brush bristle is preferably substantially parallel with a direction orthogonal to the rotation direction of the brush roller.

(9) To achieve the abovementioned object, according to an aspect, a cleaning device disposed in an image forming apparatus having an image bearing member on which an image containing toner is formed, reflecting one aspect of the present invention comprises:

the lubricant applicator according to any one of Items. 1 to 8; and

a cleaning blade that scrapes off toner remaining on a surface of the image bearing member, wherein

the cleaning blade is positioned on a downstream side from the lubricant applicator in a rotation direction of the image bearing member.

(10) To achieve the abovementioned object, according to an aspect, an image forming apparatus reflecting one aspect of the present invention comprises:

the cleaning device according to Item. 9; and

an image bearing member on which an image containing toner is formed, wherein

a cleaning blade included in the cleaning device scrapes off toner remaining on a surface of the image bearing member, and

a brush roller of a lubricant applicator included in the cleaning device applies lubricant to the surface of the image bearing member.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the scope of the invention is not limited to the illustrated examples. A dimensional ratio of the drawings is exaggerated for convenience of description, and may be different from an actual ratio.

FIG. 1is a cross-sectional view for description of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

An image forming apparatus100illustrated inFIG. 1is a multi-function peripheral (MFP) having a copy function, a printer function, and a scanner function, and includes a controller110, a memory unit115, an image reading unit120, an operation display unit130, an image forming unit140, a transfer unit170, a fixing unit175, a paper conveying unit180, and a communication interface190.

The controller110is a control circuit including a microprocessor that executes control of the above-mentioned units or various arithmetic processing according to a program, and each function of the image forming apparatus100is exhibited when the controller110executes a program corresponding thereto.

The memory unit115is configured by appropriately combining a high-speed random access memory that serves as a work area to temporarily store a program and data with a high-capacity random access memory that stores various processing programs or various data. Stored data corresponds to image data transmitted from the communication interface190or the image reading unit120, etc. A stored program corresponds to a raster image processing (RIP) (rasterizing) program, etc. RIP corresponds to processing for converting image data into raster image data (bitmap data) used in the image forming unit140.

The image reading unit120is used to generate image data of an original, and includes a light source122, an optical system124, and an image pick-up element126. The light source122irradiates an original placed on a reading surface128with light, and reflected light thereof passes through the optical system124to form an image on the image pick-up element126which is moved to a reading position. For example, the image pick-up element126includes a line image sensor, and generates an electric signal (performs photoelectric conversion) depending on reflected light intensity. The generated electric signal is input to the image forming unit140after image processing. Image processing corresponds to A/D conversion, shading compensation, filtering, image compression processing, etc.

For example, the operation display unit130includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) and a key board, and serves both as an output unit and an input unit. The LCD is used to post a configuration, progress of a print job, an error occurrence state, currently changeable setting, etc. for a user. The keyboard has a plurality of keys including a selection key for designating a size of paper P, a ten key for setting the number of copies, etc., a start key for instructing that an operation be started, and a stop key for instructing that an operation be suspended. Furthermore, the keyboard is used to perform various instructions (inputs) such as a character input, various settings, and a start instruction by the user.

The image forming unit140is used to form an image on the paper P corresponding to a recording medium using an electrophotographic process. The image forming unit140includes an image forming unit140A that forms a yellow (Y) image, an image forming unit140B that forms a magenta (M) image, an image forming unit140C that forms a cyan (C) image, and an image forming unit140D that forms a black (K) image.

Each of the units of the image forming unit140includes a development device141, a photosensitive drum142, an electrifying unit143, a light writing unit145, and a cleaning device150.

The development device141develops an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum142, and visualize the image using toner. Monochrome toner images corresponding to yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are formed on photosensitive drums142of the image forming units140A,140B,140C, and140D.

The photosensitive drum142is an image bearing member having a photosensitive layer made of resin such as polycarbonate including an organic photoconductor (OPC), and is configured to rotate at a predetermined speed. The electrifying unit143includes a corona discharge electrode disposed around the photosensitive drum142, and electrifies a surface of the photosensitive drum142using a generated ion.

A scanning optical device146is incorporated in the light writing unit145. When the electrified photosensitive drum142is exposed based on raster image data, an electric potential of an exposed portion is decreased, and a charge pattern (electrostatic latent image) corresponding to image data is formed.

The cleaning device150is used to maintain an excellent surface state of the photosensitive drum142by scraping (removing) toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum142after a toner image is transferred to an intermediate transfer belt171described below.

The transfer unit170includes the intermediate transfer belt171, a primary transfer unit173, and a secondary transfer unit174. The intermediate transfer belt171is wound around and movably supported by the primary transfer unit173and a plurality of rollers. The primary transfer unit173includes primary transfer modules173A,173B,173C, and173D corresponding to yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. The secondary transfer unit174is disposed outside the intermediate transfer belt171, and positioned such that the paper P may pass between the intermediate transfer belt171and the secondary transfer unit174.

The toner images having the respective colors formed by the image forming units140A,140B,140C, and140D are successively transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt171by the primary transfer modules173A,173B,173C, and173D, and a toner image in which respective layers of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are superimposed on one another is formed. The formed toner image is transferred to the conveyed paper P by the secondary transfer unit174.

The fixing unit175is used to fix a color image transferred to the paper P, and includes a heating roller177and a pressing roller178. The paper P is pressed and heated when passing between the heating roller177and the pressing roller178, and the color image is fixed by melting toner.

The paper conveying unit180includes a paper feeding unit182, a resist roller184, a fixing and conveying roller185, a paper discharge roller186, and a paper inverting unit188.

The paper feeding unit182includes paper feeding trays182A to182C that accommodate the paper P, a delivery roller183A, and a handling roller183B. The delivery roller183A and the handling roller183B send papers from the paper feeding trays182A to182C one by one to a conveyance path.

The resist roller184conveys the paper P fed from the paper feeding unit182to the secondary transfer unit174. The fixing and conveying roller185conveys the paper P passing by the secondary transfer unit174and the fixing unit175toward the paper discharge roller186. The paper discharge roller186discharges the conveyed paper P to the outside of the apparatus.

The paper inverting unit188is used to invert and discharge the paper P or form images on both surfaces of the paper P by introducing the paper P passing by the fixing and conveying roller185to a conveyance path between the paper feeding trays182A to182C and the paper discharge roller186rather than a conveyance path directed to the paper discharge roller186.

The communication interface190is an extension device (local area network (LAN) board) connected to a computer via a network to add a communication function for executing transmission and reception of data of a print job, etc. to the image forming apparatus100. The network includes various networks such as a LAN, a wide area network (WAN) obtained by connecting LANs through an exclusive line, the Internet, a combination thereof, etc. For example, a LAN standard corresponds to Ethernet (registered trademark), a token ring, and a fiber-distributed data interface (FDDI). For example, a communication protocol corresponds to transmission control protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP).

Next, the cleaning device150will be described in detail.

FIG. 2is a cross-sectional view for description of the cleaning device illustrated inFIG. 1,FIG. 3is a side view for description of an example of a brush bristle of a brush roller of a lubricant applicator illustrated inFIG. 2,FIG. 4is a plan view of the brush bristle illustrated inFIG. 3,FIG. 5is a plan view for description of another example of the brush bristle, andFIG. 6is a plan view for description of still another example of the brush bristle.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, the cleaning device150includes a cleaning blade151, a blade support152, and a casing167. In addition, a lubricant applicator154is incorporated in the cleaning device150.

The cleaning blade151is positioned on a downstream side from the lubricant applicator154in a rotation direction D1of the photosensitive drum142, and used to scrape off toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum142corresponding to the image bearing member. For example, the blade support152is fixed to the casing167to support the cleaning blade151.

The lubricant applicator154includes a brush roller155, a lubricant supplying unit158, a flicker member160, and a flicker member supporting unit166.

The brush roller155includes a brush bristle156coming into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum142, and is configured to be rotatably driven. The brush bristle156is used to apply lubricant to the surface of the photosensitive drum142.

As illustrated inFIG. 3, the brush bristle156is implanted in a loop shape in a ground fabric155B wound around a shaft portion155A of the brush roller155. For example, a material of the brush bristle156corresponds to a synthetic resin such as Nylon 6, Nylon 12, polyester, acrylic, vinylon, and aramid, and a mixture of two or more types thereof. Furthermore, the brush bristle156has fineness in a range of 2 to 15 denier (D), a density (density of implanting) in a range of 50 to 300 kF/(inch)2, and a bristle length (height) in a range of 2 to 8 mm.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, arrangement of brush bristles156corresponds to a zigzag shape. A loop formation plane157of the brush bristle156is in only one direction, which is substantially parallel with a width direction D3orthogonal to a rotation direction D2of the brush roller155.

The brush bristle156is not restricted to the above-described shape. For example, the loop formation plane157of the brush bristle156is not restricted to the shape substantially parallel with the width direction D3, and may be inclined to intersect with the width direction D3as illustrated inFIG. 5. An angle of inclination with respect to the rotation direction D2is preferably set such that brush bristles156adjacent to each other in the rotation direction D2do not overlap each other. For example, the angle is in a range of 20 to 40 degrees.

As illustrated inFIG. 6, the brush bristle156may have loop formation planes157in two intersecting directions (a direction parallel with the width direction D3and a direction parallel with the rotation direction D2of the brush roller155). Furthermore, a straight bristle not forming a loop may be applied.

The lubricant supplying unit158includes a lubricant block158A, a holder158B, and an elastic support158C, and is fixed to the casing167. The lubricant block158A is a solid lubricant formed by solidifying a pulverulent body of a melted lubricant in a horn shape. The holder158B holds the lubricant block158A. For example, the elastic support158C has a compression coil spring, and is used to press the lubricant block158A against the brush bristle156of the brush roller155(put the lubricant block158A into contact with the brush bristle156) through the holder158B. In this way, the brush bristle156may scrape off lubricant from the lubricant block158A by being rotatably driven.

Lubricant is preferably fatty acid metal salt, and more preferably zinc stearate. Fatty acid metal salt other than zinc stearate, fluororesin, silicone resin, and polyolefin resin may be applied as necessary. Note that fatty acid metal salt refers to a compound obtained by replacing H of fatty acid with a metal ion, and fatty acid refers to monovalent carboxylic acid of long chain hydrocarbon. Examples of metal contained in fatty acid metal salt include zinc, lithium, sodium, magnesium, lead, and nickel. Examples of fatty acid contained in fatty acid metal salt include stearic acid, lauric acid, and palmitic acid.

The flicker member160is used to separate contaminating particles such as lubricant remaining on the brush roller155or toner shifted from the photosensitive drum142. The flicker member160is positioned on an upstream side from the lubricant block158A (lubricant supplying unit158) in the rotation direction D2of the brush roller155, and is positioned to come into contact with the brush bristle156of the brush roller155. The flicker member supporting unit166is fixed to the casing167to support the flicker member160.

A conveying member168is provided in the casing167. The conveying member168is used to discharge toner removed from the surface of the photosensitive drum142by the cleaning blade151and contaminating particles separated from the brush roller155by the flicker member160(lubricant, toner, and an external additive thereof) from the cleaning device150. The conveying member168is disposed below the cleaning blade151and the flicker member160such that the removed toner and the separated contaminating particles fall due to empty weights thereof. For example, the toner and the contaminating particles discharged from the cleaning device150are introduced to a collection container (not illustrated) replaceably disposed in an empty space at a bottom of the image forming apparatus100via a conveyance path provided inside the image forming apparatus100.

Next, the flicker member160will be described in detail.

FIG. 7andFIG. 8are a side view and is a plan view for description of the flicker member of the lubricant applicator illustrated inFIG. 2,FIG. 9is an enlarged view of a main part ofFIG. 8,FIG. 10is a schematic view for description of an example of an opening illustrated inFIG. 9, andFIG. 11is a schematic view for description of another example of the opening.

The flicker member160is a substantially rectangular plate-shaped member, is disposed parallel with the brush roller155as illustrated inFIG. 8, and has an opening162as illustrated inFIG. 9.

For example, the flicker member160is made of austenitic stainless steel (SUS 304) having a thickness T of less than 500 μm. As illustrated inFIG. 7, the flicker member160has elasticity to be allowed to elastically rock (warp and vibrate) by coming into contact with the rotatably driven brush roller155(brush bristle156).

Therefore, contaminating particles (lubricant, toner, and an external additive thereof) remaining on the brush roller155is more easily separated since impact, in which a dashing force of the rotating brush bristle156and a restoring force of the flicker member160are combined, acts when the flicker member160and the brush roller155come into contact with each other. In other words, the flicker member160may suitably separate the contaminating particles remaining on the brush roller155by flicking the contaminating particles.

Stainless steel other than austenitic stainless steel or metal such as phosphor bronze may be applied to a material of the flicker member160. Alternatively, a resin material may be applied when the flicker member160has sufficient elasticity to be allowed to elastically rock (warp) by coming into contact with the brush roller155(brush bristle156). Metal is preferable in that metal has excellent elasticity and the opening162is easily formed therein. In addition, a free length L1of the flicker member160is preferably in a range of 3 mm to 10 mm.

For example, the opening162of the flicker member160has a circular shape as illustrated inFIG. 10, and openings162are disposed in a zigzag shape in a region (contact region)161, with which the brush roller155comes into contact, to form a mesh structure. The contact region161is an area defined by a width W of the brush roller155and a maximum length L2in which a bristle tip of the brush bristle156enters (seeFIGS. 7 and 9).

Therefore, the flicker member160elastically rocks (warps and vibrates) by coming into contact with the rotating brush roller155(brush bristle156). In addition, when the flicker member160flicks contaminating particles such as lubricant remaining on the brush roller155or toner shifted from the photosensitive drum142, some contaminating particles are separated through the opening162. The contaminating particles separated through the opening162are inhibited from being reattached to the brush roller155. Thus, the amount of contaminating particles is further reduced (contamination of the brush roller155is suppressed) when compared to a case in which the opening162is not provided. In other words, an influence of contaminating particles on the amount of lubricant scraped off by the brush roller and the amount of lubricant applied to the image bearing member is further decreased, and uniformity in lubricant application is improved.

A size of the opening162is set in consideration of a size of a contaminating particle of the brush roller155and the free length L1of the flicker member160. For example, the size of the opening162is 500 μm (diameter). A method of forming the opening162is not particularly restricted, and etching processing or machining may be applied. A shape of the opening162is not restricted to a circular shape. For example, it is possible to apply an oval shape, a triangular shape, a rectangular shape, an oblong shape, and a polygonal shape having five or more sides. Arrangement of the openings162is not restricted to the zigzag shape, and the openings162may be aligned and disposed as illustrated inFIG. 11. An installation position of the opening162is not restricted to the contact region161.

As described above, the lubricant applicator154has excellent uniformity in lubricant application. Therefore, the cleaning device150in which the lubricant applicator154is incorporated may decrease a frictional force between the photosensitive drum142and the cleaning blade151, and protect the surface of the image bearing member. For example, durability of the cleaning blade151may be ensured by reducing the amount at which toner dashes against an edge portion of the cleaning blade151, and stable cleaning performance may be exhibited by preventing poor cleaning in association with scratch or chip due to winding of the cleaning blade151. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus100having the cleaning device150may reduce image noise such as a block point or stripe resulting from poor cleaning, and improve image quality.

Next, a description will be given of results of evaluating image quality of the image forming apparatus100.

FIG. 12is a table showing results of evaluating image quality in Examples 1 to 6 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3.

Image quality of the image forming apparatus100was evaluated by visually observing image unevenness when halftone A4 image data was printed after printing 25,000 and 50,000 pieces of A4 image data, the entire of which is black, respectively. Evaluations A, B, C, and F indicate excellent, favorable, acceptable, and practically unacceptable levels.

Common conditions of a lubricant applicator incorporated in the image forming apparatus100were that a pressure force of a lubricant block to a brush roller was 3.5 N, brush bristles were disposed in the zigzag shape, the amount at which a flicker member goes into the brush roller was 1.3 mm, a material of the flicker member was austenitic stainless steel (SUS 304), and a free length of the flicker member was 6.5 mm.

Conditions of Example 1 were that a brush bristle was an acrylic straight bristle having a bristle length of 3.0 mm, fineness was 6 denier (D), a density was 100 kF/(inch)2, a thickness of a flicker member was 300 μm, and an opening ratio of a contact region was 30%.

Conditions of Example 2 were that a brush bristle was a polyester loop-shaped bristle (loop formation planes in two intersecting directions) (seeFIG. 6) having a bristle length of 3.0 mm, fineness was 6 denier (D), a density was 40 kF/(inch)2, a thickness of a flicker member was 100 μm, and an opening ratio of a contact region was 50%.

Conditions of Example 3 were that a brush bristle was a polyester loop-shaped bristle (having a loop formation plane in only one direction) (seeFIG. 4) having a bristle length of 3.0 mm, fineness was 10 denier (D), a density was 40 kF/(inch)2, a thickness of a flicker member was 200 μm, and an opening ratio of a contact region was 60%.

Conditions of Example 4 are the same as the conditions of Example 3 except that the loop formation plane is inclined (an angle of inclination is the same as that ofFIG. 5, similarly applied hereinafter).

Conditions of Example 5 were that a brush bristle was a polyester loop-shaped bristle (having a loop formation plane in only one direction) having a bristle length of 4.0 mm, fineness was 3 denier (D), a density was 100 kF/(inch)2, a thickness of a flicker member was 50 μm, and an opening ratio of a contact region was 50%.

Conditions of Example 6 were that a brush bristle was a polyester loop-shaped bristle (having a loop formation plane in only one direction) having a bristle length of 3.0 mm, fineness was 3 denier (D), a density was 225 kF/(inch)2, a thickness of a flicker member was 25 μm, and an opening ratio of a contact region was 80%.

Conditions of Comparative Example 1 were that a brush bristle was a polyester loop-shaped bristle (having a loop formation plane in only one direction) having a bristle length of 3.0 mm, fineness was 10 denier (D), a density was 40 kF/(inch)2, a thickness of a flicker member was 500 μm, and an opening ratio of a contact region was 30%. The flicker member of Comparative Example 1 is a substantially rigid body, and does not have elasticity to be allowed to elastically rock by coming into contact with a brush roller (the brush bristle).

Conditions of Comparative Example 2 are the same as the conditions of Comparative Example 1 except that the loop formation plane is inclined.

Conditions of Comparative Example 3 were that a brush bristle was a polyester loop-shaped bristle (having a loop formation plane in only one direction) having a bristle length of 3.0 mm, fineness was 10 denier (D), a density was 40 kF/(inch)2, and a thickness of a flicker member was 150 μm. The flicker member of Comparative Example 3 does not have any opening.

In Examples 1 to 6, the opening ratio was in a range of 30% to 80% and the thickness of the flicker member was in a range of 25 μm to 300 μm. Furthermore, as illustrated inFIG. 12, evaluations corresponded to A or B, and results were acceptable.

In particular, Examples 3 to 6 having the loop formation plane in only one direction were all evaluated as A, and were more excellent than Comparative Example 2 having the loop formation planes in two intersecting directions. A reason for these evaluation results is conjectured as follows. When the loop formation plane is only in one direction, the flicker member easily goes deep into (enters) the brush bristle, the amount at which the flicker member and the brush bristle warp is maximized, a restoring force increases, and thus separation performance is improved.

Example 2 having the loop formation planes in two intersecting directions were more excellent than Example 1 which does not have any loop formation plane (straight bristle). A reason for this evaluation result is conjectured as follows. When a loop formation plane is included, a surface comes into contact with the flicker member, and thus impact of contact is larger when compared to a straight brush bristle corresponding to line contact, and separation efficiency is improved.

On the other hand, Comparative Examples 1 to 3 were evaluated as B or C. In particular, evaluation after 50,000 pieces were printed was F, which was a practically unacceptable level. A reason for these evaluation results is as follows. In Comparative Examples 1 and 2, even though the flicker member has the opening, the flicker member is the substantially rigid body, and does not have elasticity to be allowed to elastically rock by coming into contact with the brush roller. In Comparative Example 3, even though the flicker member is a thin plate, and has elasticity to be allowed to elastically rock by coming into contact with the brush roller, no opening is formed.

Therefore, the opening ratio of the flicker member in a region with which the brush roller comes into contact is preferably in a range of 30% to 80%, and more preferably in a range of 50% to 80%. The thickness of the flicker member is preferably less than or equal to 300 μm, and more preferably less than or equal to 200 μm. The thickness of the flicker member is preferably greater than or equal to 20 μm, and more preferably greater than or equal to 25 μm in consideration of strength, elasticity, etc. of the flicker member.

As described in the foregoing, according to the lubricant applicator pertaining to the present embodiment, the flicker member elastically rocks by coming into contact with the brush roller, and contaminating particles such as lubricant remaining on the brush roller or toner shifted from the image bearing member are flicked. In addition, in this instance, some contaminating particles (lubricant and toner) are separated via the opening disposed in a region with which the brush roller comes into contact with. The contaminating particles separated via the opening are inhibited from being reattached to the brush roller, and thus the amount of contaminating particles is further reduced when compared to a case in which the opening is not included. Therefore, an influence of contaminating particles on the amount of lubricant scraped off by the brush roller and the amount of lubricant applied to the image bearing member is further decreased, and uniformity in lubricant application is improved.

The cleaning device according to the present embodiment includes the lubricant applicator having excellent uniformity in lubricant application. For this reason, a frictional force between the image bearing member and the cleaning blade may be decreased, and the surface of the image bearing member may be protected. For example, durability of the cleaning blade may be ensured by reducing the amount at which toner dashes against the edge portion of the cleaning blade, and stable cleaning performance may be exhibited by preventing poor cleaning in association with scratch or chip due to winding of the cleaning blade.

The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment includes the cleaning device having stable cleaning performance. For this reason, it is possible to reduce image noise such as a block point or stripe resulting from poor cleaning, and improve image quality.

Therefore, the present embodiment may provide the lubricant applicator having excellent uniformity in lubricant application, the cleaning device having stable cleaning performance, and the image forming apparatus having excellent image quality.

The present invention is not restricted to the above-described embodiment, and may be variously modified within the scope of claims. For example, the image bearing member having the surface to which lubricant is applied by the brush roller is not restricted to the photosensitive drum, and is applicable to a photoreceptor belt. In addition, the image forming apparatus is not restricted to the MFP, and is applicable to, for example, a printer, a copy machine, and a facsimile machine.

Although the present invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustrated and example only and is not to be taken byway of limitation, the scope of the present invention being interpreted by terms of the appended claims.