Automatic cleaning method for electrifier, and image forming apparatus
US6205303A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 18, 1999 |
| Grant date | Mar 20, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 18, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G15/0291
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An automatic cleaning method for cleaning an electrifier of an image forming apparatus. A drive mechanism moves the cleaning member to clean the electrifier. An electrification time measuring section measures an electrification time of the electrifier after the last cleaning of the electrifier. A medium detecting section discriminates whether or not a medium is located in an image forming station. A control section controls the drive mechanism to render the cleaning member to clean the electrifier when a medium is not present in the image forming station after the measured electrification time reaches a determined time. The result is that automatic electrifier cleaning can be done at an appropriate preset timing, causing an elongated service life of the electrifier.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.