JP2002214910A - Developing device and image forming device provided with the same - Google Patents
Developing device and image forming device provided with the sameInfo
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- JP2002214910A JP2002214910A JP2001009241A JP2001009241A JP2002214910A JP 2002214910 A JP2002214910 A JP 2002214910A JP 2001009241 A JP2001009241 A JP 2001009241A JP 2001009241 A JP2001009241 A JP 2001009241A JP 2002214910 A JP2002214910 A JP 2002214910A
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- developer
- toner
- developing device
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- voltage
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Abstract
Description
【０００１】[0001]
【発明の属する技術分野】本発明は潜像担持体（像担持
体）上に形成される静電潜像を現像剤などによって現像
する現像装置、およびこれを備えた画像形成装置に関
し、特に、進行波電界を用いて現像剤を搬送する機構
（電界カーテン）を利用するものに係わる。BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on a latent image carrier (image carrier) with a developer or the like, and an image forming apparatus provided with the same. The present invention relates to an apparatus using a mechanism (electric field curtain) for transporting a developer using a traveling wave electric field.
【０００２】[0002]
【従来の技術】複写機、プリンタ、ファクシミリなどの
電子写真プロセスを用いた画像形成装置に適用される現
像装置としては、マグネットブラシを用いた二成分方式
の現像装置や、一成分現像剤をブレードなどにより現像
ローラなどの現像剤担持体に押圧して薄層を形成し、像
担持体である感光体と接触させて現像を行うようにした
ものが知られており、すでに実用化に至っている。2. Description of the Related Art As a developing device applied to an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic process such as a copying machine, a printer and a facsimile, a two-component developing device using a magnet brush or a one-component developer using a blade is used. There is known a method in which a thin layer is formed by pressing against a developer carrier such as a developing roller with a developing roller and the like, and a photoconductor, which is an image carrier, is contacted for development. .
【０００３】一方、像担持体に現像剤担持体を接触させ
ずに現像を行う非接触方式の現像装置があり、このもの
は、パウダークラウド法、ジャンピング法や電界カーテ
ン（進行波電界）を利用している。On the other hand, there is a non-contact type developing apparatus which performs development without bringing a developer carrier into contact with an image carrier, and uses a powder cloud method, a jumping method, or an electric field curtain (traveling wave electric field). are doing.
【０００４】そして、電界カーテンを用いた現像装置と
しては、例えば、特開平３−２１９６７号公報に開示さ
れるように、現像剤担持搬送体により搬送される現像剤
を予備荷電する予備荷電手段と、現像剤担持搬送体上に
電界カーテンを作用させる電界カーテン発生手段とを設
ける。また、予備荷電手段としては、発泡ウレタンなど
からなる予備荷電ローラが用いられ、この予備荷電ロー
ラが現像剤担持搬送体に接するように設けられ、かつ、
予備荷電ローラに先端が接するようにブレードが設けら
れている。そして、予備荷電ローラは、現像剤担持搬送
体との間で現像剤を摩擦することにより、現像剤の予備
帯電を行うとともに現像剤の層厚も規制する。この場
合、予備荷電ローラの周辺を覆うように現像装置の筐体
が配置され、現像領域への現像剤の飛散等を防ぐように
している。As a developing device using an electric field curtain, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-21967, a pre-charging means for pre-charging a developer conveyed by a developer carrying carrier is provided. And an electric field curtain generating means for applying an electric field curtain on the developer carrying carrier. Further, as the pre-charging means, a pre-charging roller made of urethane foam or the like is used, and the pre-charging roller is provided so as to be in contact with the developer carrying carrier, and
A blade is provided so that the tip contacts the preliminary charging roller. The pre-charging roller rubs the developer with the developer-carrying carrier, thereby pre-charging the developer and regulating the layer thickness of the developer. In this case, the housing of the developing device is arranged so as to cover the periphery of the preliminary charging roller, so as to prevent the developer from scattering into the developing area.
【０００５】ところで、上記従来のものでは、現像剤担
持搬送体が現像装置内で回転するため、現像装置が非常
に大型化することになり、かかる点から、本発明者ら
は、先に出願した特願２０００−２３４４７１におい
て、進行波電界により現像剤（トナー）を搬送する現像
剤搬送手段を像担持体に対して突状に配置し、現像剤に
所定の電荷を付与すると共に現像剤搬送手段に現像剤を
供給する現像剤帯電手段を設け、現像に寄与しなかった
現像剤を現像装置本体内に回収する回収手段、現像剤搬
送手段、現像剤帯電手段および装置本体の壁面により囲
まれる空間に現像剤を収容するようにしたものを提案し
ている。このものでは、現像装置を小型化した上で、現
像剤帯電手段により現像剤の帯電量を制御して現像剤搬
送手段に供給する供給量を安定させることで搬送量を安
定させると共に、現像に寄与しなかった現像剤を回収手
段によって確実に装置内に回収することができることに
なる。[0005] In the above-mentioned conventional apparatus, the developer carrying carrier rotates inside the developing device, so that the developing device becomes very large. In Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-234471, a developer conveying means for conveying a developer (toner) by a traveling wave electric field is arranged in a projecting manner with respect to an image carrier, and a predetermined charge is applied to the developer and the developer is conveyed. The means is provided with a developer charging means for supplying the developer, and is surrounded by a collecting means for collecting the developer not contributing to the development into the developing device main body, the developer conveying means, the developer charging means, and a wall of the apparatus main body. A proposal has been made to accommodate a developer in a space. In this apparatus, after the developing device is downsized, the amount of developer charged is controlled by the developer charging unit to stabilize the supply amount supplied to the developer conveying unit, thereby stabilizing the transport amount and developing the image. The developer that has not contributed can be reliably recovered in the apparatus by the recovery means.
【０００６】[0006]
【発明が解決しようとする課題】しかしながら、上記提
案のものにおいても、以下に示すような課題を包含して
いることが判明した。However, it has been found that the above-mentioned proposals also include the following problems.
【０００７】つまり、現像剤帯電手段や回収手段の近傍
で飛散トナーが多く発生することが判明し、この飛散ト
ナーが像担持体（感光体）に付着して画質が劣化するお
それがある。That is, it has been found that a large amount of scattered toner is generated in the vicinity of the developer charging means and the recovery means, and the scattered toner may adhere to the image bearing member (photosensitive member) to deteriorate the image quality.
【０００８】また、現像剤帯電手段の近くに設けられた
封止部材（ブレード）に現像剤が付着し、この現像剤の
付着によって、封止部材の局所的な帯電が生じることが
ある。このような現象によって、進行波電界が封止部材
の局所的な帯電により乱され、搬送される現像剤の層厚
不均一を引き起こす原因となり、現像剤を円滑かつ確実
に搬送することができない。Further, the developer adheres to a sealing member (blade) provided near the developer charging means, and the adhesion of the developer may cause local charging of the sealing member. Due to such a phenomenon, the traveling wave electric field is disturbed by the local charging of the sealing member, causing the layer thickness of the transported developer to be uneven, and the developer cannot be transported smoothly and reliably.
【０００９】本発明は、かかる点に鑑みてなされたもの
であり、その目的とするところは、進行波電界を用いて
現像剤を搬送する機構（電界カーテン）を利用する場合
において、現像剤の飛散による画質劣化および局所的な
帯電を防止し、現像剤を円滑かつ確実に搬送することが
できる現像装置およびこれを備えた画像形成装置を提供
することにある。SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the foregoing, and an object of the present invention is to use a mechanism (electric field curtain) for transporting a developer by using a traveling wave electric field. It is an object of the present invention to provide a developing device capable of preventing image quality deterioration and local electrification due to scattering and transporting a developer smoothly and reliably, and an image forming apparatus including the same.
【００１０】[0010]
【課題を解決するための手段】上記目的を達成するため
に、本発明では、現像装置として、静電潜像をその表面
に担持する像担持体に対向する現像領域に配置され、基
材中に所定間隔を存して複数配列された電極に対して多
相電圧の印加により形成される進行波電界によって現像
剤を搬送する現像剤搬送手段と、この現像剤搬送手段の
表面に接触もしくは近接位置で対峙するように設けら
れ、現像剤搬送手段に現像剤を供給する供給手段および
現像剤搬送手段上から現像剤を回収する回収手段のうち
の少なくとも一方と、この供給手段および回収手段のう
ちの少なくとも一方の周辺を覆うように配置された被覆
手段とを備える。そして、上記供給手段および回収手段
のうちの少なくとも一方の周辺に対応する被覆手段に、
導電性を有する領域を設けている。According to the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, a developing device is provided in a developing region opposed to an image carrier which carries an electrostatic latent image on its surface, and a developing device is provided. Developer transporting means for transporting the developer by a traveling-wave electric field formed by applying a polyphase voltage to a plurality of electrodes arranged at predetermined intervals, and contacting or approaching the surface of the developer transporting means; At least one of a supply unit that supplies the developer to the developer transport unit and a recovery unit that recovers the developer from the developer transport unit, and a supply unit that collects the developer from the developer transport unit. Covering means arranged so as to cover at least one of the periphery. And, in the covering means corresponding to the periphery of at least one of the supply means and the recovery means,
A region having conductivity is provided.
【００１１】この特定事項により、供給手段および回収
手段のうちの少なくとも一方の周辺において飛散する現
像剤は、現像剤の供給手段近傍での現像剤の供給や、現
像剤の回収手段近傍での現像剤の回収が行われる際に、
これらの供給手段近傍あるいは回収手段近傍において飛
散し易い状況にあるが、被覆手段により閉じこめられる
ことになる。このため、飛散した現像剤が像担時体の不
必要な箇所に付着することがなくなり、画像劣化を防止
して良好な画像形成を行うことが可能となる。しかも、
現像剤の飛散によって画像形成装置の機内汚れを引き起
こすことも防止され、使用者の操作性やメンテナンス性
を向上させることも可能となる。更に、被覆手段に導電
性を有する領域が設けられているので、トナーが付着し
ても被覆手段での局所的な帯電を抑制する効果が得られ
ることになり、このことから、被覆手段が絶縁性である
場合に被覆手段への飛散現像剤の付着により被覆手段が
局所的に著しく帯電するなどして、供給手段や回収手段
からの現像剤の飛散を助長したり、現像剤搬送状態に不
具合をもたらすことがなくなり、安定した現像剤の供
給、搬送、回収を行うことが可能となる。According to this specific matter, the developer scattered around at least one of the supply means and the recovery means is supplied to the developer in the vicinity of the developer supply means, and the developer in the vicinity of the developer recovery means. When the agent is collected,
Although it is in a situation where it is easy to be scattered in the vicinity of the supply means or the recovery means, it is trapped by the covering means. For this reason, the scattered developer does not adhere to unnecessary portions of the image bearing member, and it is possible to prevent deterioration of the image and to form a good image. Moreover,
It is also possible to prevent the developer from being scattered inside the image forming apparatus due to the scattering of the developer, and to improve the operability and the maintainability of the user. Furthermore, since the covering means is provided with a conductive region, even if toner adheres, the effect of suppressing local charging in the covering means can be obtained. When the developer is scattered, the coating means may be locally remarkably charged due to the adhesion of the scattered developer to the coating means, thereby facilitating the scattering of the developer from the supply means or the recovery means, or causing a problem in the developer conveyance state. , And stable supply, transport, and recovery of the developer can be performed.
【００１２】特に、より安定した現像剤の供給、搬送、
回収を行うものとして、以下の構成が掲げられる。In particular, more stable supply and transport of the developer,
The following configurations are listed as items to be collected.
【００１３】つまり、任意の電圧を印加する電圧印加手
段を被覆手段に設けている。That is, a voltage applying means for applying an arbitrary voltage is provided in the covering means.
【００１４】この特定事項により、被覆手段に現像剤が
付着して著しく帯電した際にも、被覆手段を除電するこ
とが可能となり、安定した現像剤の供給、搬送、回収を
行うことが可能となる。According to this specific matter, even when the developer adheres to the coating means and is significantly charged, it is possible to remove the charge from the coating means and to stably supply, transport and recover the developer. Become.
【００１５】特に、画像の品質を向上させるものとし
て、以下の構成が掲げられる。[0015] In particular, the following configuration is proposed to improve image quality.
【００１６】つまり、電圧印加手段により被覆手段に印
加される電圧を、被覆手段と現像剤搬送手段との間にお
いて所定の極性を有する現像剤を現像剤搬送手段側へ移
動させる電界が生じるような値に設定している。That is, the voltage applied to the coating means by the voltage applying means is set such that an electric field is generated between the coating means and the developer transporting means for moving the developer having a predetermined polarity toward the developer transporting means. Is set to a value.
【００１７】この特定事項により、現像剤の供給手段近
傍で飛散する現像剤が、被覆手段と現像剤搬送手段との
間の電界により、被覆手段に付着せずに現像剤搬送手段
側に戻され、静電潜像の現像に使用されるべく現像剤搬
送手段により搬送されることになる。このため、被覆手
段への過剰な現像剤の付着が抑制され、安定した現像剤
の供給、搬送工程が良好に行われ、画像の品質を一層向
上させることが可能となる。According to this specific matter, the developer scattered in the vicinity of the developer supply means is returned to the developer transport means side without adhering to the coating means by the electric field between the coating means and the developer transport means. The developer is conveyed by developer conveying means so as to be used for developing the electrostatic latent image. For this reason, excessive adhesion of the developer to the coating means is suppressed, the stable developer supply and transport process is performed favorably, and the image quality can be further improved.
【００１８】また、電圧印加手段により被覆手段に印加
される電圧を、被覆手段と現像剤搬送手段との間におい
て所定の極性を有する現像剤を現像剤搬送手段側へ移動
させる電界が生じるような値に設定し、かつ、被覆手段
と供給手段との間において所定とは逆極性を有する現像
剤を供給手段側へ移動させる電界が生じるような値に設
定している場合には、供給手段近傍で飛散する現像剤
が、被覆手段と現像剤搬送手段との間の電界により、被
覆手段に付着せずに現像剤搬送手段側に戻され、静電潜
像の現像に使用されるべく現像剤搬送手段により搬送さ
れる。一方、供給手段近傍で飛散している現像剤の中に
は、所望の極性と逆極性のものが微量含まれているが、
これら逆極性現像剤は供給手段側へ移動し、よって被覆
手段への過剰な現像剤付着が抑制され、安定した現像剤
の供給、搬送工程が良好に行われ、画像の品質をさらに
向上させることが可能となる。Further, the voltage applied to the coating means by the voltage applying means is set such that an electric field is generated between the coating means and the developer conveying means for moving the developer having a predetermined polarity toward the developer conveying means. If the value is set to a value such that an electric field for moving the developer having a polarity opposite to the predetermined polarity to the supply unit side between the coating unit and the supply unit is generated, the vicinity of the supply unit is set. The developer scattered by the developer is returned to the developer transporting unit side without being attached to the coating unit due to the electric field between the coating unit and the developer transporting unit, and the developer is used for developing the electrostatic latent image. It is transported by the transport means. On the other hand, among the developer scattered in the vicinity of the supply means, a small amount of the polarity opposite to the desired polarity is contained,
These opposite-polarity developers move to the supply means side, so that excessive developer adhesion to the coating means is suppressed, the stable developer supply and transport steps are performed well, and the image quality is further improved. Becomes possible.
【００１９】そして、電圧印加手段により被覆手段に印
加される電圧に交流電圧を重畳している場合には、被覆
手段の除電が効果的に行われ、飛散した現像剤が被覆手
段に付着し難くいものとなり、これによって安定した現
像剤の供給、搬送工程が良好に行われ、画像の品質をよ
り一層向上させることが可能となる。When the AC voltage is superimposed on the voltage applied to the coating means by the voltage applying means, the charge removal of the coating means is effectively performed, and the scattered developer hardly adheres to the coating means. As a result, a stable developer supply and transport process is performed favorably, and the image quality can be further improved.
【００２０】しかも、電圧印加手段により被覆手段に印
加される交流電圧の周波数を、現像剤搬送手段に印加さ
れる電圧の周波数よりも低く設定している場合には、飛
散している現像剤を移動させるために必要な電界形成時
間を長くとることが可能となり、安定した現像剤の供
給、搬送工程がより良好に行われ、画像の品質をより効
果的に向上させることが可能となる。In addition, when the frequency of the AC voltage applied to the coating means by the voltage applying means is set lower than the frequency of the voltage applied to the developer conveying means, the scattered developer is reduced. It is possible to lengthen the electric field forming time required for the movement, to perform a stable developer supply and transport process more favorably, and to improve the image quality more effectively.
【００２１】特に、被覆手段に対し振動を付与する振動
付与手段を被覆手段に備えている場合には、被覆手段に
振動を付与することで、被覆手段への現像剤付着量の蓄
積が軽減され、これにより安定した現像剤の供給、搬
送、回収工程が良好に行われ、画像の品質をより一層効
果的に向上させることが可能となる。In particular, when the coating means is provided with a vibration applying means for applying vibration to the coating means, the vibration is applied to the coating means, whereby the accumulation of the developer adhering amount on the coating means is reduced. As a result, the stable supply, transport, and recovery of the developer can be performed satisfactorily, and the quality of the image can be more effectively improved.
【００２２】また、被覆手段の振動の振幅Ａ（ｍ）およ
び周波数ｆ（Ｈｚ）を、 Ａ×ｆ2＞１０3 の関係を満たすように設定している場合には、振動付与
による現像剤の除去が効果的に行われ、これにより安定
した現像剤の供給、搬送、回収工程が良好に行われて、
画像の品質をより一層向上させることが可能となる。When the amplitude A (m) and the frequency f (Hz) of the vibration of the covering means are set so as to satisfy the relation of A × f 2 > 10 3 , the developer is vibrated by applying the vibration. Removal is carried out effectively, so that stable developer supply, transport and recovery processes are performed well,
Image quality can be further improved.
【００２３】特に、飛散している現像剤を効果的に封じ
込めるものとして、以下の構成が掲げられる。In particular, the following configurations are listed as those which effectively contain the scattered developer.
【００２４】つまり、供給手段の周面および回収手段の
周面のうちの少なくとも一方が現像剤搬送手段に向き合
う位置まで覆われるように被覆手段を構成し、その被覆
手段と現像剤搬送手段との間隙を０．０５ｍｍ以上に設
定している。That is, the covering means is constituted so that at least one of the peripheral surface of the supply means and the peripheral surface of the collecting means is covered up to a position facing the developer conveying means. The gap is set to 0.05 mm or more.
【００２５】この特定事項により、現像剤搬送手段上の
現像剤の流れを妨げることなく、飛散している現像剤を
効果的に封じ込めることが可能となる。According to this particular matter, it is possible to effectively contain the scattered developer without obstructing the flow of the developer on the developer conveying means.
【００２６】さらに、上述した現像装置を画像形成装置
に備えている場合には、画像劣化を防止して良好な画像
形成を行え、使用者の操作性やメンテナンス性が高く、
かつ安定した現像剤の供給、搬送、回収を行い得る画像
形成装置を提供することが可能となる。Further, when the above-described developing device is provided in the image forming apparatus, it is possible to prevent deterioration of the image and to form a good image, thereby improving the operability and maintenance for the user.
Further, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of stably supplying, transporting, and collecting the developer.
【００２７】[0027]
【発明の実施の形態】以下、本発明の実施の形態を図面
に基づいて説明する。Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
【００２８】＜第１の実施の形態＞図１は本発明の第１
の実施形態に係わる現像装置を備えた画像形成装置を示
し、この画像形成装置Ｘの内部には、像担持体としての
円筒状の感光体ドラム１が設けられている。この感光体
ドラム１を中心として、その周囲に、帯電部材２、露光
部材３、現像装置４、転写部材５、クリーニング部材
６、および除電部材７が順に配置されている。また、感
光体ドラム１と転写部材５との間には、記録媒体として
の用紙Ｐが搬送される用紙搬送路が設けられている。こ
の用紙搬送路の搬送方向から見て感光体ドラムの下流側
には、上下一対の定着ローラ８１，８１を備えた定着装
置８が配置されている。<First Embodiment> FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention.
1 shows an image forming apparatus provided with a developing device according to the embodiment. Inside the image forming apparatus X, a cylindrical photosensitive drum 1 as an image carrier is provided. Around the photosensitive drum 1, a charging member 2, an exposure member 3, a developing device 4, a transfer member 5, a cleaning member 6, and a charge removing member 7 are arranged in this order. Further, between the photosensitive drum 1 and the transfer member 5, a paper transport path for transporting a paper P as a recording medium is provided. A fixing device 8 having a pair of upper and lower fixing rollers 81 is disposed downstream of the photosensitive drum when viewed from the conveyance direction of the paper conveyance path.
【００２９】電子写真プロセスでは、感光体ドラム１に
原稿像、あるいはホストコンピュータ（図示せず）から
のデータに対応した静電潜像が形成され、その静電潜像
が現像装置によって可視化され、用紙Ｐ上に転写されて
画像形成が行われる。In the electrophotographic process, an original image or an electrostatic latent image corresponding to data from a host computer (not shown) is formed on the photosensitive drum 1, and the electrostatic latent image is visualized by a developing device. The image is transferred onto the sheet P to form an image.
【００３０】感光体ドラム１は、基材１１上に光導電層
１２が形成されており、帯電部材２から上記各部材３〜
７の配置順に従って回転可能となっている。まず、感光
体ドラム１の表面（光導電層１２）は、帯電部材２によ
って所定の電位となるまで帯電される。所定電位まで帯
電された感光体ドラム１の表面は、感光体ドラム１の回
転によって露光部材３の位置まで到達する。この露光部
材３は書き込み手段であり、画像情報に基づいて、たと
えばレーザーなどの光によって帯電している感光体ドラ
ム１の表面上に画像を書き込む。これによって、感光体
ドラム１上に静電潜像が形成される。静電潜像が形成さ
れた感光体ドラム１の表面は、この感光体ドラム１の回
転によって現像装置４の位置まで到達する。The photoconductor drum 1 has a photoconductive layer 12 formed on a base material 11.
7 can be rotated according to the arrangement order. First, the surface (photoconductive layer 12) of the photosensitive drum 1 is charged by the charging member 2 until it reaches a predetermined potential. The surface of the photosensitive drum 1 charged to a predetermined potential reaches the position of the exposure member 3 by the rotation of the photosensitive drum 1. The exposure member 3 is a writing unit, and writes an image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 charged by light such as a laser based on image information. As a result, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 1. The surface of the photosensitive drum 1 on which the electrostatic latent image is formed reaches the position of the developing device 4 by the rotation of the photosensitive drum 1.
【００３１】現像装置４では、トナー搬送部材４１（現
像剤搬送手段）上を搬送されるトナーによって、感光体
ドラム１の表面の静電潜像をトナー像として現像する。
トナー像が担持された感光体ドラム１の表面は、この感
光体ドラム１の回転によって転写部材５の位置まで到達
する。In the developing device 4, the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is developed as a toner image by the toner carried on the toner carrying member 41 (developer carrying means).
The surface of the photosensitive drum 1 carrying the toner image reaches the position of the transfer member 5 by the rotation of the photosensitive drum 1.
【００３２】転写部材５は、感光体ドラム１の表面上の
トナー像を、用紙Ｐ上に転写する。感光体ドラム１から
用紙Ｐ上に転写されたトナー像は、定着装置８によって
用紙Ｐ上に定着される。The transfer member 5 transfers the toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 onto the paper P. The toner image transferred from the photosensitive drum 1 onto the sheet P is fixed on the sheet P by the fixing device 8.
【００３３】トナー像が転写された後の感光体ドラム１
の表面は、この感光体ドラム１の回転によってクリーニ
ング部材６の位置まで到達する。クリーニング部材６
は、感光体ドラム１の表面に残留しているトナーや紙粉
などを除去する。クリーニング部材６によってクリーニ
ングされた感光体ドラム１の表面は、この感光体ドラム
１の回転によって除電部材７の位置まで到達する。除電
部材７は、感光体ドラム１の表面に残留している電位を
除去する。上述した一連の動作によって一回の画像形成
が終了する。Photosensitive drum 1 after transfer of toner image
Reaches the position of the cleaning member 6 due to the rotation of the photosensitive drum 1. Cleaning member 6
Removes toner and paper dust remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1. The surface of the photosensitive drum 1 cleaned by the cleaning member 6 reaches the position of the charge removing member 7 by the rotation of the photosensitive drum 1. The charge removing member 7 removes a potential remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1. One image formation is completed by a series of operations described above.
【００３４】上記感光体ドラム１としては、たとえば、
アルミニウムなどの金属ドラムを基材１１として、その
外周面にアモルファスシリコン（ａ−Ｓｉ）、セレン
（Ｓｅ）や有機光半導体（ＯＰＣ）などの光導電層１２
が薄膜状に形成されてなる構成が挙げられるが、特に限
定されるものではない。As the photosensitive drum 1, for example,
A metal drum made of aluminum or the like is used as a base material 11, and a photoconductive layer 12 made of amorphous silicon (a-Si), selenium (Se), or an organic optical semiconductor (OPC) is formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof.
Is formed in the form of a thin film, but is not particularly limited.
【００３５】上記帯電部材２としては、たとえばタング
ステンワイヤなどの帯電線・金属製のシールド板、グリ
ッド板などよりなるコロナ帯電器や帯電ローラ、帯電ブ
ラシなどの構成が挙げられるが、特に限定されるもので
はない。Examples of the charging member 2 include a corona charger composed of a charged wire such as a tungsten wire, a metal shield plate, a grid plate, and the like, a charging roller, a charging brush, and the like, but are particularly limited. Not something.
【００３６】上記露光部材３としては、たとえば半導体
レーザや発光ダイオードなどが挙げられるが、特に限定
されるものではない。The exposing member 3 includes, for example, a semiconductor laser and a light emitting diode, but is not particularly limited.
【００３７】上記転写部材５としては、たとえば、コロ
ナ転写器、転写ローラ、転写ブラシなどが挙げられる
が、特に限定されるものではない。The transfer member 5 includes, for example, a corona transfer device, a transfer roller, and a transfer brush, but is not particularly limited.
【００３８】上記クリーニング部材６としては、クリー
ニングブレードなどが挙げられるが、特に限定されるも
のではない。The cleaning member 6 includes, for example, a cleaning blade, but is not particularly limited.
【００３９】上記除電部材７としては、除電ランプなど
が挙げられるが、特に限定されるものではない。Examples of the charge removing member 7 include a charge removing lamp, but are not particularly limited.
【００４０】本実施形態では、トナー搬送部材４１と感
光体ドラム１との間には一定の間隔が設けられ、感光体
ドラム１の表面の静電潜像を非接触で現像する構成とな
っているが、本発明はこれに限定されるものではなく、
トナー搬送部材と感光体ドラムの表面とを接触させて接
触現像を行う構成であっても構わない。In the present embodiment, a constant interval is provided between the toner conveying member 41 and the photosensitive drum 1, and the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is developed in a non-contact manner. However, the present invention is not limited to this,
A configuration in which the toner transport member is brought into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum to perform contact development may be employed.
【００４１】上記現像装置４は、図２に示すように、ケ
ーシング４０と、トナー搬送部材４１と、ミキシングパ
ドル４２と備えている。ケーシング４０はトナーを内部
に収容するものである。ミキシングパドル４２は、ケー
シング４０内に収容されているトナーを混合するための
ものである。As shown in FIG. 2, the developing device 4 includes a casing 40, a toner conveying member 41, and a mixing paddle 42. The casing 40 contains the toner inside. The mixing paddle 42 is for mixing the toner contained in the casing 40.
【００４２】上記トナー搬送部材４１は、感光体ドラム
１の現像領域Ａに対向して略平面を形成するようなベル
ト形状となっている。なお、本実施形態では、トナー搬
送部材４１としてベルト形状のものを示しているが、ト
ナー搬送部材４１の形状はこれに限定されるものではな
く、例えば、半円弧状のものでも構わない。The toner conveying member 41 has a belt shape so as to form a substantially flat surface facing the developing area A of the photosensitive drum 1. In this embodiment, a belt-shaped toner conveying member 41 is shown, but the shape of the toner conveying member 41 is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a semicircular arc.
【００４３】また、トナー搬送部材４１は、現像装置４
における上下方向に対して若干傾斜して、感光体ドラム
１の表面における現像領域Ａの接線に対して略平行とな
るように配置されている。また、ベルト形状のトナー搬
送部材４１が上記配置を保持できるように、トナーを搬
送する表面とは反対側の面に、トナー搬送部材４１を保
持する支持部材４３が設けられている。The toner conveying member 41 is connected to the developing device 4
Is slightly inclined with respect to the vertical direction in FIG. Further, a support member 43 for holding the toner conveying member 41 is provided on the surface opposite to the surface for conveying the toner so that the belt-shaped toner conveying member 41 can maintain the above arrangement.
【００４４】トナー搬送部材４１の下方側端部には、こ
のトナー搬送部材４１の表面上を搬送されるトナーを供
給する供給部材４４（供給手段）が設けられている。一
方、トナー搬送部材の上方側端部には、このトナー搬送
部材４１の表面のトナーを回収する回収部材４５（回収
手段）が設けられている。さらに、これら供給部材４４
および回収部材４５の周囲を覆う被覆部材４６（被覆手
段）が設けられ、この被覆部材４６によって、現像剤の
感光体ドラム１側への飛散を防止するようにしている。
被覆部材４６は、ケーシング４０と一体的に設けられた
基体４６ａと、この基体４６ａの内側に取り付けられた
導電性を有する層状の導電部４６ｂ（導電領域）とを備
えている。この場合、被覆部材４６の基体４６ａとして
は、絶縁性の樹脂やフィルム状のものが適用される一
方、導電部４６ｂとしては、基体４６ａにアルミニウム
や金等の金属膜を蒸着等の手段により形成したものでも
良いし、基体４６ａそのものに導電性粒子を含ませた導
電性樹脂や導電性フィルムであっても良いし、あるいは
被覆部材４６が金属板であってもよく、導電性を示すも
のであれば特に限定されるものではない。A supply member 44 (supply means) for supplying the toner conveyed on the surface of the toner conveying member 41 is provided at a lower end portion of the toner conveying member 41. On the other hand, a collecting member 45 (collecting means) for collecting the toner on the surface of the toner conveying member 41 is provided at an upper end of the toner conveying member. Furthermore, these supply members 44
A covering member 46 (covering means) is provided to cover the periphery of the collecting member 45, and the covering member 46 prevents the developer from scattering to the photosensitive drum 1 side.
The covering member 46 includes a base 46a provided integrally with the casing 40, and a conductive layered portion 46b (conductive region) having conductivity attached inside the base 46a. In this case, as the base 46a of the covering member 46, an insulating resin or a film-like base is applied, while as the conductive portion 46b, a metal film such as aluminum or gold is formed on the base 46a by means such as evaporation. May be used, may be a conductive resin or a conductive film in which conductive particles are contained in the base 46a itself, or the covering member 46 may be a metal plate, which has conductivity. If there is, it is not particularly limited.
【００４５】また、トナー搬送部材４１には、多相交流
電源４７と現像バイアス電源４８とが直列に接続されて
いる。上記供給部材４４および回収部材４５は、いずれ
も円筒形状を呈し、ベルト形状のトナー搬送部材４１の
表面に対し回転可能に接触している。A multi-phase AC power supply 47 and a developing bias power supply 48 are connected to the toner conveying member 41 in series. The supply member 44 and the recovery member 45 each have a cylindrical shape, and rotatably contact the surface of the belt-shaped toner transport member 41.
【００４６】上記供給部材４４は、ケーシング４０内に
収容されているトナーをトナー搬送部材４１に供給する
ためのものであり、その材質としては特に限定されるも
のではないが、たとえばシリコーン、ウレタン、ＥＰＤ
Ｍ（エチレン−プロピレン−ジエン−メチレン共重合
体）などのソリッドゴム、発泡ゴムなどが挙げられる。
また、カーボンブラックやイオン導電剤を添加すること
によって導電性を付与してもよい（電圧印加も可能）。
上記供給部材４４とトナー搬送部材４１との接触圧力や
供給部材４４に印加する電圧値を適切な値に設定し、供
給部材４４にトナーを帯電させる機能を付加するように
しても良い。あるいは、上記供給部材４４の前段に、例
えば薄板状のブレード（材料としては、上記供給部材４
４と同じものが使用可能）を設けトナーを帯電させるよ
うにしても構わない。The supply member 44 is for supplying the toner contained in the casing 40 to the toner conveying member 41, and the material thereof is not particularly limited. For example, silicone, urethane, EPD
Solid rubber such as M (ethylene-propylene-diene-methylene copolymer), foamed rubber, and the like.
In addition, conductivity may be imparted by adding carbon black or an ionic conductive agent (voltage can also be applied).
The function of charging the toner to the supply member 44 may be added by setting the contact pressure between the supply member 44 and the toner conveying member 41 and the voltage value applied to the supply member 44 to appropriate values. Alternatively, before the supply member 44, for example, a thin plate-like blade (the material is the supply member 4
4 can be used) to charge the toner.
【００４７】上記回収部材４５は、感光体ドラム１上の
静電潜像の現像に寄与しないトナーを回収して現像装置
４内に戻すためのものであり、その材質としては、特に
限定されないが、たとえば上記供給部材４４と同様のも
のを使用することができる。The collecting member 45 is for collecting the toner not contributing to the development of the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 1 and returning the collected toner to the inside of the developing device 4, and the material is not particularly limited. For example, the same member as the supply member 44 can be used.
【００４８】上記支持部材４３は、ベルト形状のトナー
搬送部材４１を感光体ドラム１の現像領域Ａに対向した
状態を保持するためのもので、その構成は特に限定され
るものではない。たとえば、ＡＢＳ（Ａｃｒｙｌｏｎｉ
ｔｒｉｌｅ−Ｂｕｔａｄｉｅｎｅ−Ｓｔｙｒｅｎｅ：ア
クリロニトリルブタジエンスチレン）樹脂などを挙げる
ことができる。The support member 43 is for holding the belt-shaped toner conveying member 41 in a state of facing the developing area A of the photosensitive drum 1, and its configuration is not particularly limited. For example, ABS (Acryloni)
tributyl-butadiene-styrene: acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) resin.
【００４９】上記トナー搬送部材４１は、電界カーテン
作用によりトナーを搬送するものであり、図３に示すよ
うに、絶縁層よりなる基材４１ａ上に、電界カーテン作
用を発生させる進行波発生電極４１ｂ，…が、４本を一
組として複数組が順次連続して配設されている。このト
ナー搬送部材４１の表面側は表面保護層４１ｃによって
覆われている。そして、これらの電極４１ｂ，…にトナ
ー搬送のための多相交流電源４７から、多相の交流電圧
が印加されることにより、トナー搬送部材４１の表面に
おいてそれと平行となる方向に電界カーテンが発生し、
これによって現像領域Ａまで電界カーテン作用によりト
ナーを搬送するようになっている。The toner transporting member 41 transports toner by an electric field curtain effect. As shown in FIG. 3, a traveling wave generating electrode 41b for generating an electric field curtain effect is formed on a base material 41a made of an insulating layer. ,... Are arranged in succession in a plurality of sets with four as one set. The front side of the toner conveying member 41 is covered with a surface protective layer 41c. When a multi-phase AC voltage is applied to these electrodes 41b from a multi-phase AC power supply 47 for toner conveyance, an electric field curtain is generated on the surface of the toner conveyance member 41 in a direction parallel thereto. And
As a result, the toner is transported to the developing area A by the electric field curtain action.
【００５０】上記トナー搬送部材４１の具体例を挙げる
と、たとえば、基材４１ａ：ポリイミド（厚さ２５μ
ｍ）、進行波発生電極４１ｂ：銅（厚さ１８μｍ）、表
面保護層４１ｃ：ポリイミド（厚さ２５μｍ）といった
構成を挙げることができる。また、上記進行波発生電極
４１ｂは、幅４０μｍの微小電極となっているが、これ
が１００ｄｐｉ（ｄｏｔ ｐｅｒ ｉｎｃｈ）〜３００ｄ
ｐｉ、すなわち約２５４μｍ〜８５μｍのピッチの間隔
を保って互いに平行に配置されている。なお、本実施の
形態では、４本の進行波発生電極４１ｂ，…を１組と
し、これら各組の進行波発生電極４１ｂ，…に対して、
たとえば図４に示すような電圧波形の４相の交番電圧を
印加し、進行波発生電極４１ｂ，…上に進行波電界を形
成しているが、特にこれに限定されるものではなく、３
本の進行波発生電極を１組として３相の交番電圧を印加
しても構わない。また、電圧波形は正弦波や台形波など
でも良く、電圧値の範囲としては１０Ｖ〜１ｋＶ程度が
好ましく、周波数の範囲としては１００Ｈｚ〜１０ｋＨ
ｚが好ましく用いられるが、これらの電圧値や周波数に
ついては、進行波発生電極素子の形状、トナーの搬送速
度、トナーの使用材料などによって適性値を設定すれば
よく、特に限定されるものではない。A specific example of the toner transport member 41 is, for example, a substrate 41a: polyimide (25 μm thick).
m), traveling wave generating electrode 41b: copper (18 μm in thickness), surface protective layer 41c: polyimide (25 μm in thickness). The traveling-wave generating electrode 41b is a minute electrode having a width of 40 μm, which is formed in a range of 100 dpi (dot per inch) to 300d.
pi, that is, they are arranged in parallel with each other with a pitch of about 254 μm to 85 μm. In the present embodiment, four traveling wave generating electrodes 41b,... Constitute one set, and the traveling wave generating electrodes 41b,.
For example, a four-phase alternating voltage having a voltage waveform as shown in FIG. 4 is applied to form a traveling-wave electric field on the traveling-wave generating electrodes 41b,..., But the invention is not limited to this.
A set of the traveling wave generating electrodes may be applied with a three-phase alternating voltage. Further, the voltage waveform may be a sine wave or a trapezoidal wave, and the voltage value range is preferably about 10 V to 1 kV, and the frequency range is 100 Hz to 10 kHz.
Although z is preferably used, these voltage values and frequencies are not particularly limited as long as appropriate values are set according to the shape of the traveling wave generating electrode element, the toner transport speed, the material used for the toner, and the like. .
【００５１】ここで、供給部材４４あるいは回収部材４
５付近でのトナー飛散の原因について述べる。Here, the supply member 44 or the recovery member 4
The cause of toner scattering at around 5 will be described.
【００５２】供給部材４４あるいは回収部材４５は、数
１０ｍｍ／ｓないし１００〜２００ｍｍ／ｓ程度の回転
周速度で回転する。The supply member 44 or the recovery member 45 rotates at a rotational peripheral speed of several tens mm / s to about 100 to 200 mm / s.
【００５３】一方、トナー搬送部材４１上を進行波電界
により移動するトナー速度は非常に早く、トナーの特性
（比電荷や粒径等）や、トナー搬送部材４１への印加電
圧の条件（周波数やピーク間電圧等）や、トナー搬送部
材４１の構成条件（電極間ピッチ、表面保護層４１ｃの
厚み等）により変動を受けるが、数１０ｍｍ／ｓないし
数１０００ｍｍ／ｓの速度で移動する。On the other hand, the speed of the toner moving on the toner conveying member 41 by the traveling wave electric field is very fast, and the characteristics (specific charge, particle size, etc.) of the toner and the conditions of the voltage applied to the toner conveying member 41 (frequency, Although it varies depending on the peak-to-peak voltage, etc., and the configuration conditions of the toner conveying member 41 (the pitch between the electrodes, the thickness of the surface protective layer 41c, etc.), it moves at a speed of several tens mm / s to several thousand mm / s.
【００５４】よって、供給部材４４あるいは回収部材４
５と、トナー搬送部材４１の最近接点近傍では、移動速
度差の大きいトナー層が存在するため、トナー同士の衝
突等により、飛散が発生しやすいと考えられる。供給部
材４４や回収部材４５が存在しないトナー搬送部材領域
（例えば現像領域Ａ近傍 ）では、トナー移動速度が大
きく異なる状態が発生しないため、トナー飛散が起こり
にくいものとなる。Therefore, the supply member 44 or the recovery member 4
5 and the vicinity of the nearest point of contact of the toner conveying member 41, there is a toner layer having a large difference in moving speed, and it is considered that scattering occurs easily due to collision of toners. In the toner conveying member area where the supply member 44 and the recovery member 45 are not present (for example, in the vicinity of the developing area A), a state in which the toner moving speed is not greatly different does not occur, so that toner scattering hardly occurs.
【００５５】したがって、本実施形態では、供給手段４
４および回収手段４５の周辺において飛散するトナー
は、供給手段４４近傍でのトナーの供給や、回収手段４
５近傍でのトナーの回収が行われる際に、これらの供給
手段４４近傍および回収手段４５近傍において飛散し易
い状況にあるが、被覆部材４６によりケーシング４０内
に閉じこめられることになる。このため、飛散したトナ
ーが感光体ドラム１の不必要な箇所に付着することがな
くなり、画像劣化を防止して良好な画像形成を行うこと
ができる。Therefore, in this embodiment, the supply means 4
4 and the toner scattered around the collection unit 45 may be supplied to the toner in the vicinity of the supply unit 44,
When the toner is collected in the vicinity of 5, the toner is easily scattered in the vicinity of the supply unit 44 and the collection unit 45, but the toner is trapped in the casing 40 by the covering member 46. For this reason, the scattered toner does not adhere to unnecessary portions of the photosensitive drum 1, and it is possible to prevent deterioration of the image and to form a good image.
【００５６】しかも、トナーの飛散によって画像形成装
置Ｘの機内汚れを引き起こすことも防止され、使用者の
操作性やメンテナンス性を向上させることもできる。Further, the contamination of the inside of the image forming apparatus X due to the scattering of the toner can be prevented, and the operability and maintenance of the user can be improved.
【００５７】更に、被覆部材４６の基体４６ａの内側に
導電部４６ｂが設けられているので、トナーが付着して
も被覆部材４６での局所的な帯電を抑制する効果が得ら
れる。このことから、被覆部材が絶縁性である場合に飛
散したトナーが被覆部材に付着して被覆部材が局所的に
著しく帯電するなどし、供給手段４４や回収手段４５か
らのトナーの飛散を助長したり、トナー搬送状態に不具
合をもたらすことがなくなり、安定したトナーの供給、
搬送、回収を行うことができる。Further, since the conductive portion 46b is provided inside the base 46a of the covering member 46, an effect of suppressing local charging of the covering member 46 even when toner adheres can be obtained. For this reason, when the covering member is insulative, the scattered toner adheres to the covering member, and the covering member is locally significantly charged. Thus, the scattering of the toner from the supply unit 44 and the collection unit 45 is promoted. And stable toner supply,
It can be transported and collected.
【００５８】さらに、上述した現像装置４を画像形成装
置Ｘに備えることで、画像劣化を防止して良好な画像形
成を行え、使用者の操作性やメンテナンス性が高く、か
つ安定した現像剤の供給、搬送、回収を行い得る画像形
成装置を提供することができる。Further, by providing the above-mentioned developing device 4 in the image forming apparatus X, it is possible to prevent deterioration of the image and to form a good image, to improve the operability and maintenance of the user, and to obtain a stable developer. An image forming apparatus capable of supplying, conveying, and collecting can be provided.
【００５９】＜第１の変形例＞なお、本実施形態では、
被覆部材４６の基体４６ａの内側に導電部４６ｂを設け
るのみとしたが、図２に仮想線（二点鎖線）で示すよう
に、供給部材４４および回収部材４５の周囲をそれぞれ
覆う被覆部材４６の導電部４６ｂに対し任意の電圧を印
加する電圧印加手段としての第１電源４６ｃおよび第２
電源４６ｄが設けられていても良い。この場合、トナー
の付着により被覆部材４６が帯電し、この帯電電荷が蓄
積していった際に、帯電電荷を除電することが可能とな
り、これによって、被覆部材４６の帯電が効果的に抑制
され、安定したトナーの供給、搬送、回収を行うことが
できる。<First Modification> In this embodiment,
Although only the conductive portion 46b is provided inside the base 46a of the covering member 46, as shown by a virtual line (two-dot chain line) in FIG. A first power supply 46c as a voltage applying means for applying an arbitrary voltage to the conductive portion 46b;
A power supply 46d may be provided. In this case, the covering member 46 is charged by the adhesion of the toner, and when the charged charges are accumulated, the charged charges can be removed. As a result, the charging of the covering member 46 is effectively suppressed. Thus, stable supply, conveyance, and collection of toner can be performed.
【００６０】＜第２の変形例＞また、第１電源４６ｃお
よび第２電源４６ｄ（電圧印加手段）により被覆部材４
６の導電部４６ｂに与える印加電圧として、被覆部材４
６とトナー搬送部材４１との間において、所望の極性を
有するトナーをトナー搬送部材４１側へ移動させる電界
が生じるような値に設定しても良い。この場合、供給部
材４４および回収部材４５近傍で飛散するトナーが、被
覆部材４６とトナー搬送部材４１との間の電界により、
被覆部材４６に付着せずにトナー搬送部材４１側に戻さ
れ、静電潜像の現像に使用されるべくトナー搬送部材４
１により搬送されて行く。よって被覆部材４６への過剰
なトナーの付着が抑制され、これによって安定したトナ
ーの供給、搬送、回収工程が良好に行われ、画像の品質
をより一層向上させることができる。<Second Modification> The first power supply 46c and the second power supply 46d (voltage applying means) cover the cover member 4.
The voltage applied to the conductive portion 46b of the coating member 4
A value may be set so that an electric field is generated between the toner transport member 41 and the toner transport member 41 to move toner having a desired polarity toward the toner transport member 41. In this case, the toner scattered in the vicinity of the supply member 44 and the recovery member 45 is caused by an electric field between the covering member 46 and the toner conveying member 41.
The toner transport member 4 is returned to the toner transport member 41 without adhering to the covering member 46, and is used to develop an electrostatic latent image.
It is transported by 1. Therefore, the excessive adhesion of the toner to the covering member 46 is suppressed, so that the stable toner supply, conveyance, and collection steps are performed favorably, and the quality of the image can be further improved.
【００６１】具体的には、負極性トナーを使用する場合
には、図５に示すような電圧設定を行う。トナー搬送部
材４１に０〜−４００Ｖの交流電圧を印加し、供給部材
４４に−５００Ｖの電圧を印加する。このとき、供給部
材４４側の被覆部材４６に−６００Ｖの電圧を印加す
る。このような設定にした場合、被覆部材４６とトナー
搬送部材４１との間には負極性トナーをトナー搬送部材
４１側に移動させるような電界が生じるため、飛散した
トナーが再びトナー搬送部材４１側に戻され、被覆部材
４６側へのトナー付着を抑制することができる。Specifically, when a negative polarity toner is used, the voltage is set as shown in FIG. An AC voltage of 0 to −400 V is applied to the toner conveying member 41, and a voltage of −500 V is applied to the supply member 44. At this time, a voltage of −600 V is applied to the covering member 46 on the supply member 44 side. In such a setting, an electric field is generated between the covering member 46 and the toner conveying member 41 to move the negative polarity toner toward the toner conveying member 41. And the toner adhesion to the covering member 46 side can be suppressed.
【００６２】一方、回収部材４５側の被覆部材４６につ
いても同様な構成をとることができる。たとえば、図５
に示すようにトナー搬送部材４１に０〜−４００Ｖの電
圧を印加し、回収部材４５に＋１００Ｖの電圧を印加す
る。このとき、回収部材４５側の被覆部材４６に−６０
０Ｖの電圧を印加する。このような設定にした場合に
も、被覆部材４６とトナー搬送部材４１との間には負極
性トナーをトナー搬送部材４１側に移動させるような電
界が生じるため、上述のような効果が得られる。On the other hand, the covering member 46 on the collecting member 45 side can have the same configuration. For example, FIG.
As shown in (2), a voltage of 0 to -400 V is applied to the toner conveying member 41 and a voltage of +100 V is applied to the collecting member 45. At this time, -60 is applied to the covering member 46 on the collecting member 45 side.
A voltage of 0 V is applied. Even in such a setting, an electric field is generated between the covering member 46 and the toner conveying member 41 so as to move the negative toner toward the toner conveying member 41, so that the above-described effects can be obtained. .
【００６３】＜第３の変形例＞そして、供給部材４４を
覆う被覆部材４６に印加する電圧として、被覆部材４６
とトナー搬送部材４１との間において所定の極性を有す
るトナーをトナー搬送部材４１側へ移動させる電界が生
じるような値に設定され、かつ被覆部材４６と供給部材
４４との間において所定とは逆極性を有するトナーを供
給部材４４側へ移動させる電界が生じるような値に設定
しても良い。<Third Modification> The voltage applied to the covering member 46 covering the supply member 44 is
Is set to such a value that an electric field for moving the toner having a predetermined polarity to the toner conveying member 41 between the toner conveying member 41 and the toner conveying member 41 is generated. The value may be set such that an electric field for moving the toner having the polarity to the supply member 44 side is generated.
【００６４】具体的には、図６に示すような電圧設定が
挙げられる。つまり、トナー搬送部材４１に０〜−４０
０Ｖの交流電圧を印加し、供給部材４４に−５００Ｖの
電圧を印加する。このとき、供給部材４４側の被覆部材
４６に−４００Ｖの電圧を印加する。このような設定に
した場合、被覆部材４６とトナー搬送部材４１との間に
は負極性トナーをトナー搬送部材４１側に移動させるよ
うな電界が生じ、また、被覆部材４６と供給部材４４と
の間には逆極性トナーを供給部材４４側に移動させるよ
うな電界が生じる。Specifically, there is a voltage setting as shown in FIG. That is, 0 to −40 is applied to the toner conveying member 41.
An AC voltage of 0 V is applied, and a voltage of −500 V is applied to the supply member 44. At this time, a voltage of −400 V is applied to the covering member 46 on the supply member 44 side. In such a setting, an electric field is generated between the covering member 46 and the toner conveying member 41 so as to move the negative toner to the toner conveying member 41 side. An electric field that causes the opposite polarity toner to move toward the supply member 44 is generated therebetween.
【００６５】この場合、供給部材４４近傍で飛散するト
ナーが、被覆部材４６とトナー搬送部材４１との間の電
界により、被覆部材４６に付着せずにトナー搬送部材４
１側に戻され、静電潜像の現像に使用されるべくトナー
搬送部材４１により搬送されて行く。また、基本的には
供給部材４４からトナー搬送部材４１へ移動するトナー
は所望の極性のものだけが移動し、逆極性のトナーにつ
いてはトナー搬送部材４１へ移動せずに再び現像装置４
のケーシング４０内に戻されるが、微量に逆極性のトナ
ーも移動してしまうことがある。このとき、供給部材４
４近傍で飛散しているトナーの中には、所望の極性と逆
極性のものが微量含まれているが、これら逆極性のトナ
ーは供給部材４４側へ移動する。よって被覆部材４６へ
の過剰なトナーの付着を抑制することができる。また、
この効果により、トナー搬送部材４１上を移動するトナ
ー（現像工程に供されるトナー）中の逆極性トナーの量
を低減する効果もある。即ち、供給部材４４にて逆極性
トナーをトナー搬送部材４１側に移動させず、積極的に
供給部材４４側に戻し、これをケーシング４０内に戻す
効率を向上させることができる。よって、トナー搬送部
材４１上を移動し、現像工程にて使用されるトナー中の
逆極性トナーの比率が低減され、逆極性トナーのよる感
光体ドラム１の地かぶり（本来、非画像部である領域へ
のトナー付着による感光体ドラム１のトナー汚れであ
り、逆極性トナーが主たる原因となることが多い。）も
低減でき、より安定したトナーの供給、搬送、現像、回
収工程が良好に行われ、画像の品質をより一層向上させ
ることができる。In this case, the toner scattered in the vicinity of the supply member 44 does not adhere to the covering member 46 due to the electric field between the covering member 46 and the toner carrying member 41, and the toner
The toner is returned to the first side, and is conveyed by the toner conveying member 41 to be used for developing the electrostatic latent image. Basically, only toner having a desired polarity moves from the supply member 44 to the toner conveying member 41, and toner of the opposite polarity moves again to the developing device 4 without moving to the toner conveying member 41.
Is returned to the inside of the casing 40, but a small amount of toner having the opposite polarity may also move. At this time, the supply member 4
Although a small amount of toner having the opposite polarity to the desired polarity is contained in the toner scattered in the vicinity of 4, the toner having the opposite polarity moves to the supply member 44 side. Thus, excessive adhesion of the toner to the covering member 46 can be suppressed. Also,
With this effect, there is also an effect of reducing the amount of the opposite polarity toner in the toner moving on the toner conveying member 41 (toner used in the developing process). That is, it is possible to improve the efficiency of returning the reverse polarity toner to the supply member 44 side positively without moving the opposite polarity toner to the toner transport member 41 side by the supply member 44 and returning the toner into the casing 40. Therefore, the toner is moved on the toner conveying member 41, the ratio of the opposite polarity toner in the toner used in the developing process is reduced, and the background of the photosensitive drum 1 by the opposite polarity toner (which is originally a non-image portion) The toner is contaminated on the photosensitive drum 1 due to toner adhesion to the area, and the opposite polarity toner is often the main cause.), And more stable toner supply, transport, development, and recovery steps can be carried out well. Therefore, the quality of the image can be further improved.
【００６６】＜第４の変形例＞更には、第１電源４６ｃ
および第２電源４６ｄ（電圧印加手段）により被覆部材
に印加される電圧に、交流電圧を重畳しても良い。<Fourth Modification> Further, the first power supply 46c
Alternatively, an AC voltage may be superimposed on the voltage applied to the covering member by the second power supply 46d (voltage applying means).
【００６７】具体的には、図７に示すような電圧設定が
挙げられる。つまり、トナー搬送部材４１に０〜−４０
０Ｖの電圧を印加し、供給部材４４に−５００Ｖの電圧
を印加する。このとき、供給部材４４側の被覆部材４６
（導電部４６ｂ）に−３００Ｖの直流電圧にピーク間電
圧６００Ｖの交流電圧を重畳する。即ち、被覆部材４６
には０Ｖから−６００Ｖの電圧が印加される。例えば供
給部材４４に−６００Ｖの電圧が印加されたときは、負
極性トナーをトナー搬送部材４１側に戻すための電界が
十分形成され、また０Ｖが印加されたときには、逆極性
トナーを供給部材４４側に戻すための電界が十分形成さ
れ、上述の第３の変形例の作用をより効果的に実現でき
る。Specifically, there is a voltage setting as shown in FIG. That is, 0 to −40 is applied to the toner conveying member 41.
A voltage of 0 V is applied, and a voltage of −500 V is applied to the supply member 44. At this time, the covering member 46 on the supply member 44 side
An AC voltage having a peak-to-peak voltage of 600 V is superimposed on a DC voltage of -300 V on the (conductive portion 46b). That is, the covering member 46
Is applied with a voltage from 0V to -600V. For example, when a voltage of −600 V is applied to the supply member 44, an electric field for returning the negative polarity toner to the toner conveying member 41 side is sufficiently formed, and when 0 V is applied, the opposite polarity toner is supplied to the supply member 44. The electric field for returning to the side is sufficiently formed, and the operation of the third modification can be more effectively realized.
【００６８】この理由について更に詳細に説明する。The reason will be described in more detail.
【００６９】供給部材４４に印加する電圧をあまり大き
くしすぎると、供給部材４４からトナー搬送部材４１へ
の電界によるトナーの押し付け力が強くなり、トナー搬
送部材４１上の進行波電界でトナーを移動させることが
困難になる場合がある。逆に、供給部材４４への印加電
圧が小さすぎると、供給部材４４からトナー搬送部材４
１へ十分なトナー供給が行えず、必要なトナー搬送量を
得ることができなくなる場合がある。よって、供給部材
４４に印加する電圧は適正値が存在する。即ち、被覆部
材４６に印加する電圧を直流電圧のみとした場合、被覆
部材４６に印加できる電圧範囲は、トナー搬送部材４１
に印加される電圧と供給部材４４に印加される電圧の間
の値とする必要がある。このため、供給部材４４とトナ
ー搬送部材４１との電位差が小さい場合、飛散トナーを
トナー搬送部材４１や供給部材４４に戻すための電界強
度を十分確保できないことがある。しかしながら、本変
形例の構成によれば、所望の極性トナーをトナー搬送部
材４１に戻す電界と、逆極性トナーを供給部材４４に戻
す電界を大きくとることができ、飛散トナーの付着を有
効に抑制できる。If the voltage applied to the supply member 44 is too large, the pressing force of the toner by the electric field from the supply member 44 to the toner conveying member 41 becomes strong, and the toner moves by the traveling wave electric field on the toner conveying member 41. It can be difficult to do so. Conversely, if the voltage applied to the supply member 44 is too small, the supply member 44
1 may not be able to supply a sufficient amount of toner, and may not be able to obtain a necessary toner conveyance amount. Therefore, the voltage applied to the supply member 44 has an appropriate value. That is, when the voltage applied to the covering member 46 is only the DC voltage, the voltage range that can be applied to the covering member 46 is
And the voltage applied to the supply member 44. Therefore, when the potential difference between the supply member 44 and the toner conveying member 41 is small, the electric field strength for returning the scattered toner to the toner conveying member 41 and the supplying member 44 may not be sufficiently secured. However, according to the configuration of the present modification, the electric field for returning the desired polarity toner to the toner conveying member 41 and the electric field for returning the opposite polarity toner to the supply member 44 can be increased, and the adhesion of the scattered toner can be effectively suppressed. it can.
【００７０】また、被覆部材４６へのトナー付着による
帯電が生じた際にも、交流電圧を重畳することで、被覆
部材４６の除電効果が向上し、好適である。本効果は回
収部材４５にも適用可能である。Further, even when charging due to toner adhesion to the covering member 46 occurs, it is preferable to superimpose an AC voltage on the covering member 46, because the effect of removing electricity from the covering member 46 is improved. This effect is also applicable to the recovery member 45.
【００７１】さらに、被覆部材４６に印加する電圧の周
波数は、トナー搬送部材４１に印加する電圧の周波数よ
り低くする方が望ましい。例えば、トナー搬送部材４１
への印加電圧周波数の１／２以下とすることが望まし
い。このような条件とすることで、飛散トナーを移動さ
せるための電界形成時間が長くとれる。またトナー搬送
部材４１の電圧の位相との兼ね合いによっては、被覆部
材４６とトナー搬送部材４１との間の電位差が最小とな
る状態が起こる可能性があり、飛散トナーを所望の場所
へ移動させるための電界が弱まる危険性がある。しか
し、本変形例の構成によれば、上記課題も回避でき、よ
り好適である。Further, it is desirable that the frequency of the voltage applied to the covering member 46 be lower than the frequency of the voltage applied to the toner conveying member 41. For example, the toner conveying member 41
It is desirable that the applied voltage frequency be equal to or less than 1/2 of the applied voltage frequency. Under such conditions, the electric field forming time for moving the scattered toner can be extended. Further, depending on the balance with the voltage phase of the toner conveying member 41, a state where the potential difference between the covering member 46 and the toner conveying member 41 is minimized may occur, and the scattered toner is moved to a desired place. There is a danger that the electric field of the will weaken. However, according to the configuration of the present modified example, the above problem can be avoided, which is more preferable.
【００７２】要するに、本変形例の構成によれば、交流
電圧を重畳することで、被覆部材４６への付着トナー蓄
積が押えられ、かつトナー付着による帯電を効果的に除
電でき、より安定したトナーの供給、搬送、回収工程が
良好に行われ、画像の品質をより一層向上させることが
できる。In short, according to the configuration of the present modified example, by superimposing an AC voltage, the accumulation of the toner adhered to the covering member 46 is suppressed, and the charge due to the toner adhesion can be effectively eliminated. Supply, transport, and recovery steps are performed favorably, and the quality of images can be further improved.
【００７３】＜第２の実施の形態＞次に、本発明の第２
の実施形態を図８に基づいて説明する。<Second Embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
【００７４】この実施形態では、被覆部材に振動を付与
する手段を設けている。なお、被覆部材を除くその他の
構成は第１の実施形態の場合と同じであり、同一の部分
については同一の符号を付してその説明を省略する。In this embodiment, means for applying vibration to the covering member is provided. The configuration other than the covering member is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the same portions are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.
【００７５】すなわち、本実施形態では、図８に示すよ
うに、被覆部材９は約１００μｍのＰＥＴ（ポリエチレ
ンテレフタレート）フィルムよりなり、この被覆部材９
に振動を付与する振動付与手段９１を設けている。この
振動付与手段９１としては、例えば積層型のピエゾ素子
等を用いることができる。このピエゾ素子の一方の端を
ケーシング４０に固定し、他端を被覆部材９側に固定す
る。That is, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the covering member 9 is made of a PET (polyethylene terephthalate) film of about 100 μm.
Is provided with a vibration imparting means 91 for imparting a vibration to the. As the vibration applying means 91, for example, a laminated piezo element can be used. One end of the piezo element is fixed to the casing 40, and the other end is fixed to the covering member 9 side.
【００７６】これにより、飛散したトナーが被覆部材９
に付着しても、被覆部材９の振動によってふるい落とさ
れ、被覆部材９への付着トナーの蓄積を防ぐことができ
る。このような作用により、被覆部材９へのトナー蓄積
による被覆部材９の帯電が抑制され、安定したトナーの
供給、搬送、回収工程を行うことができ、良好な画像形
成を得ることができる。Thus, the scattered toner is transferred to the covering member 9.
Even if the toner adheres to the cover member 9, it is sieved off by the vibration of the covering member 9, and the accumulation of the adhered toner on the covering member 9 can be prevented. By such an operation, the charging of the covering member 9 due to the accumulation of the toner in the covering member 9 is suppressed, and a stable toner supply, conveyance, and recovery process can be performed, and a good image formation can be obtained.
【００７７】＜変形例＞なお、本実施形態では、被覆部
材９に単に振動を付与するに止めたが、振動を付与する
条件として、被覆部材９の振動の振幅Ａ（ｍ）および周
波数ｆ（Ｈｚ）を、 Ａ×ｆ2＞１０3 の関係を満たすように設定すると、なお好適である。<Modification> In the present embodiment, only the vibration is applied to the covering member 9. However, as the conditions for applying the vibration, the amplitude A (m) and the frequency f ( Hz) is more preferably set to satisfy the relationship of A × f 2 > 10 3 .
【００７８】つまり、被覆部材９の最大振幅をＡ
（ｍ）、周波数をｆ（Ｈｚ）とし、正弦波形の振動を行
っているとすると、被覆部材９の時間ｔ（ｓ）に対する
変位量ｘ（ｍ）は次式で表される。That is, the maximum amplitude of the covering member 9 is A
(M), assuming that the frequency is f (Hz) and the vibration of the sinusoidal waveform is performed, the displacement x (m) of the covering member 9 with respect to the time t (s) is expressed by the following equation.
【００７９】ｘ＝Ａ×ｓｉｎ（２×π×ｆ×ｔ） よって被覆部材９の加速度ａは、 ａ＝−４×π2×ｆ2×Ａ×ｓｉｎ（２×π×ｆ×ｔ） となる。X = A × sin (2 × π × f × t) Therefore, the acceleration “a” of the covering member 9 is expressed as follows: a = −4 × π 2 × f 2 × A × sin (2 × π × f × t) Become.
【００８０】被覆部材９に付着したトナーを除去するに
は、被覆部材９に付着したトナーの付着力に打ち勝つ力
（ｍ×ａ。ここでｍはトナー質量、ａは被覆部材９の加
速度である。）を作用させなければならない。即ち、上
記の加速度ａを決める被覆部材９の振幅Ａおよび周波数
ｆで決まるＡ×ｆ2値を大きくすることで、被覆部材９
に付着したトナーに対する除去能力が向上する。In order to remove the toner adhered to the covering member 9, a force (m × a, where m is the mass of the toner, and a is the acceleration of the covering member 9, overcoming the adhesive force of the toner adhered to the covering member 9. )). That is, by increasing the A × f 2 value determined by the amplitude A and the frequency f of the covering member 9 that determines the acceleration a, the covering member 9
The ability to remove toner adhering to the toner is improved.
【００８１】そこで、ピエゾ素子に与える電圧および周
波数を変化させて上記のＡ×ｆ2値を変化させ、被覆部
材９へのトナー付着による画像形成への影響を検討する
と、表１に示すような結果が得られた。Therefore, the above-mentioned A × f 2 value was changed by changing the voltage and frequency applied to the piezo element, and the effect of toner adhesion to the covering member 9 on image formation was examined. The result was obtained.
【００８２】[0082]
【表１】 この表１において、Ａ×ｆ2値が１０００以上では、被
覆部材９の振動による付着トナーの除去が効率的に行わ
れ、トナー付着による被覆部材９の帯電や、付着トナー
の蓄積によるトナー搬送、現像工程への影響を抑制でき
る。[Table 1] In Table 1, when the A × f 2 value is 1000 or more, the removal of the adhered toner by the vibration of the covering member 9 is efficiently performed, and the charging of the covering member 9 by the adhesion of the toner, the toner conveyance by the accumulation of the adhered toner, and the The influence on the development process can be suppressed.
【００８３】これにより、安定した現像剤の供給、搬
送、回収工程が良好に行われ、画像の品質をより一層向
上させることができる。As a result, the stable developer supply, transport, and recovery steps are performed favorably, and the image quality can be further improved.
【００８４】＜他の変形例＞また、上記第２の実施形態
では、被覆部材９に導電性を与え、任意の電圧印加等を
行っていない例を示したが、これに限定されるものでは
ない。上記第１の実施形態において記載した手段を併用
すれば、より良好な画像形成を行うことが可能である。<Other Modifications> In the above-described second embodiment, an example was given in which the covering member 9 was made conductive and no arbitrary voltage was applied, but the present invention is not limited to this. Absent. If the units described in the first embodiment are used together, it is possible to form a better image.
【００８５】＜第３の実施の形態＞次に、本発明の第３
の実施形態を図９に基づいて説明する。<Third Embodiment> Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
【００８６】この実施形態では、被覆部材のトナー搬送
部材に対する配置状態を規定している。なお、被覆部材
を除くその他の構成は第１の実施形態の場合と同じであ
り、同一の部分については同一の符号を付してその説明
を省略する。In this embodiment, the arrangement of the covering member with respect to the toner conveying member is defined. The configuration other than the covering member is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the same portions are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.
【００８７】すなわち、本実施形態では、図９に示すよ
うに、被覆部材１０は、供給手段の周面および回収手段
の周面がそれぞれトナー搬送部材４１に向き合う位置ま
で覆われるように形成され、その被覆部材１０とトナー
搬送部材４１との間隙Ｋは０．０５ｍｍ以上に設定され
ている。That is, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the covering member 10 is formed so as to cover the peripheral surface of the supply unit and the peripheral surface of the collection unit up to the position facing the toner conveying member 41, respectively. The gap K between the covering member 10 and the toner conveying member 41 is set to 0.05 mm or more.
【００８８】この場合、被覆部材１０とトナー搬送部材
４１との間隙Ｋを小さくする方が、飛散トナーの外部
（被覆部材１０外部）への漏れを防ぐ点では有効であ
る。しかし、本発明のようにトナーを進行波電界により
クラウド状にして搬送する方式では、一般的な１成分方
式の現像方法（ゴムローラー、もしくは金属ローラ等の
トナー担持体上に薄層トナーを形成）に比べ、トナー層
の厚みが大きい。よって、あまり被覆部材１０とトナー
搬送部材４１との間隙Ｋを小さくしすぎると、トナー搬
送の障害となる。In this case, reducing the gap K between the covering member 10 and the toner conveying member 41 is more effective in preventing the scattered toner from leaking outside (outside the covering member 10). However, in the method of transporting toner in the form of a cloud using a traveling wave electric field as in the present invention, a general one-component developing method (forming a thin layer toner on a toner carrier such as a rubber roller or a metal roller) is used. ), The thickness of the toner layer is larger. Therefore, if the gap K between the covering member 10 and the toner conveying member 41 is too small, the toner conveying becomes an obstacle.
【００８９】そこで、トナー特性や進行電界形成条件を
種々設定し、トナー搬送を妨げない間隙Ｋを検討した結
果、５０μｍ以上の間隙Ｋとすることで良好なトナー搬
送ができることが分かった。Then, the toner characteristics and the conditions for forming the traveling electric field were set variously, and the gap K which does not hinder the toner conveyance was examined. As a result, it was found that the toner can be favorably conveyed by setting the gap K to 50 μm or more.
【００９０】また、被覆部材１０とトナー搬送部材４１
との間隙Ｋを広げる方向については、被覆部材１０によ
り覆われる供給部材４４および回収部材４５において、
この供給部材４４および回収部材４５の周面がトナー搬
送部材４１に向き合う位置まで被覆部材１０が供給部材
４４および回収部材４５を覆う、具体的には、たとえば
供給部材４４のトナー搬送部材４１に対する接線Ｓと平
行な供給部材４４の略中心を通る平行線Ｈよりもトナー
搬送部材４１側（図９では上側）を覆うようにすれば良
い。The covering member 10 and the toner conveying member 41
With respect to the direction in which the gap K is increased, the supply member 44 and the recovery member 45 covered by the covering member 10
The covering member 10 covers the supply member 44 and the recovery member 45 up to a position where the peripheral surfaces of the supply member 44 and the recovery member 45 face the toner transport member 41. Specifically, for example, a tangent line of the supply member 44 to the toner transport member 41 What is necessary is just to cover the toner conveying member 41 side (upper side in FIG. 9) with respect to the parallel line H passing through the approximate center of the supply member 44 parallel to S.
【００９１】この理由としては、供給部材４４および回
収部材４５がローラー状である場合を例に、図９をもと
に説明する。The reason for this will be described with reference to FIG. 9 by taking as an example a case where the supply member 44 and the recovery member 45 are roller-shaped.
【００９２】トナー搬送部材４１と最近接する位置から
その直径の略半分の位置（供給部材４４の中心を通る平
行線Ｈと交差する位置）までは、トナー搬送部材４１に
対してトナーの供給部材４４および回収部材４５はトナ
ー搬送部材４１と向き合う形となっている。よって、こ
の領域では、供給部材４４および回収部材４５とトナー
搬送部材４１との間には飛散現像剤を浮遊させず、いず
れかの部材４４，４５の方に引き寄せるための電界が形
成されている。つまり、被覆部材１０による飛散トナー
隠蔽効果だけでなく、供給部材４４および回収部材４５
自身が、飛散トナーを制御しようとする働きがある。し
かし、供給部材４４および回収部材４５の直径の略半分
の位置より下方に離れたところ、すなわちトナー搬送部
材４１と向き合っていない領域では、トナー搬送部材４
１との間の電界による作用で飛散したトナーを制御する
機能が無くなり、被覆部材１０による隠蔽効果しか期待
できなくなり、十分な飛散トナーの隠蔽効果が得られな
い場合がある。よって、飛散トナーを隠蔽するために被
覆部材１０とトナー搬送部材４１との間隙Ｋの上限とし
ては、供給部材４４および回収部材４５の周面がトナー
搬送部材４１に向き合う位置となるように設定するのが
望ましい。From the position closest to the toner conveying member 41 to a position approximately half its diameter (the position intersecting the parallel line H passing through the center of the supplying member 44), the toner supplying member 44 is The collecting member 45 faces the toner conveying member 41. Therefore, in this area, an electric field is formed between the supply member 44 and the recovery member 45 and the toner conveying member 41 so as not to float the scattered developer but to draw the developer toward any one of the members 44 and 45. . That is, not only the scattering toner hiding effect by the covering member 10 but also the supply member 44 and the collection member 45 are provided.
It has the function of controlling the scattered toner itself. However, at a position separated from a position substantially half the diameter of the supply member 44 and the recovery member 45 below, that is, in a region not facing the toner conveying member 41, the toner conveying member 4
In this case, the function of controlling the toner scattered by the action of the electric field between the first and second members is lost, so that only the hiding effect of the covering member 10 can be expected, and the sufficient hiding effect of the scattered toner may not be obtained. Therefore, the upper limit of the gap K between the covering member 10 and the toner conveying member 41 for hiding the scattered toner is set so that the peripheral surfaces of the supply member 44 and the collecting member 45 face the toner conveying member 41. It is desirable.
【００９３】上記構成によれば、トナー搬送部材４１上
のトナーの流れを妨げることがなく、かつ飛散したトナ
ーを効果的に封じ込めることができる。According to the above configuration, the flow of the toner on the toner conveying member 41 is not obstructed, and the scattered toner can be effectively contained.
【００９４】[0094]
【発明の効果】以上のように、現像剤搬送手段に対する
現像剤の供給手段および回収手段のうちの少なくとも一
方の周辺に対応する被覆手段に、導電性を有する領域を
設けることで、その周辺において飛散する現像剤を被覆
手段により閉じ込めて像担時体の不必要な箇所に付着す
ることを防止し、画像劣化を防止して良好な画像形成を
行うことができるとともに、現像剤の飛散による画像形
成装置の機内汚れを防止して使用者の操作性やメンテナ
ンス性を向上させることもできる。更に、被覆手段に導
電性を有する領域を設けることで、トナー付着による被
覆手段での局所的な帯電の抑制効果が得られ、安定した
現像剤の供給、搬送、回収を行うことができり。As described above, by providing a conductive area in the covering means corresponding to at least one of the developer supply means and the recovery means for the developer conveying means, the peripheral area is provided. The scattered developer is confined by the covering means to prevent the developer from adhering to unnecessary portions of the image bearing member, prevent image deterioration, and perform good image formation. It is also possible to prevent the inside of the forming apparatus from being contaminated, thereby improving the operability and maintainability of the user. Further, by providing a conductive region in the coating means, an effect of suppressing local charging in the coating means due to toner adhesion can be obtained, and stable supply, transport, and recovery of the developer can be performed.
【００９５】特に、任意の電圧を印加する電圧印加手段
を被覆手段に設けることで、被覆手段への現像剤の付着
により著しく帯電した際に被覆手段を除電することがで
き、安定した現像剤の供給、搬送、回収を行うことがで
きる。In particular, by providing the coating means with a voltage applying means for applying an arbitrary voltage, the coating means can be neutralized when the developer is extremely charged due to the adhesion of the developer to the coating means. Supply, transport, and collection can be performed.
【００９６】特に、被覆手段への印加電圧を、被覆手段
と現像剤搬送手段との間で所定の極性を有する現像剤を
現像剤搬送手段側へ移動させる電界が生じるような値に
設定することで、供給手段近傍で飛散する現像剤を被覆
手段に付着させずに現像剤搬送手段側に戻し、被覆手段
への過剰な現像剤の付着を抑制し、安定した現像剤の供
給、搬送工程を良好に行って、画像の品質を一層向上さ
せることができる。In particular, the voltage applied to the coating means is set to a value such that an electric field is generated between the coating means and the developer conveying means to move the developer having a predetermined polarity toward the developer conveying means. Then, the developer scattered in the vicinity of the supply unit is returned to the developer transport unit side without attaching to the coating unit, the excessive developer is prevented from being attached to the coating unit, and a stable developer supply and transport process is performed. By doing so well, the image quality can be further improved.
【００９７】また、被覆手段への印加電圧を、被覆手段
と現像剤搬送手段との間で所定の極性を有する現像剤を
現像剤搬送手段側へ移動させる電界が生じるような値に
設定し、かつ被覆手段と供給手段との間で逆極性を有す
る現像剤を供給手段側へ移動させる電界が生じるような
値に設定することで、供給手段近傍で飛散する現像剤
を、被覆手段に付着させずに現像剤搬送手段側に戻して
搬送する一方、供給手段近傍で飛散する逆極性の現像剤
を、供給手段側へ移動させて被覆手段への過剰な現像剤
付着を抑制し、安定した現像剤の供給、搬送工程を良好
に行って画像の品質をさらに向上させることができる。Further, the voltage applied to the coating means is set to a value such that an electric field is generated between the coating means and the developer conveying means to move the developer having a predetermined polarity toward the developer conveying means. Further, by setting the value so as to generate an electric field that moves the developer having the opposite polarity to the supply unit between the coating unit and the supply unit, the developer scattered in the vicinity of the supply unit is attached to the coating unit. The developer is transported back to the developer transporting means side, and the developer of the opposite polarity scattered in the vicinity of the supplying means is moved to the supplying means side to suppress excessive developer adhesion to the coating means, thereby achieving stable development. The quality of the image can be further improved by performing the agent supply and transport steps favorably.
【００９８】そして、被覆手段への印加電圧に交流電圧
を重畳することで、被覆手段の除電を効果的に行って被
覆手段に飛散現像剤を付着し難くし、安定した現像剤の
供給、搬送工程を良好に行って画像の品質をより一層向
上させることができる。Then, by superimposing an AC voltage on the voltage applied to the coating means, the charge removal of the coating means is effectively performed so that the scattered developer hardly adheres to the coating means, and the stable supply and transport of the developer are performed. By performing the process well, the quality of the image can be further improved.
【００９９】しかも、被覆手段に印加する交流電圧の周
波数を、現像剤搬送手段への印加電圧の周波数よりも低
く設定することで、電界形成時間を長くとることがで
き、安定した現像剤の供給、搬送工程をより良好に行っ
て画像の品質をより効果的に向上させることができる。Further, by setting the frequency of the AC voltage applied to the coating means lower than the frequency of the voltage applied to the developer conveying means, the electric field forming time can be extended, and the stable supply of the developer can be achieved. In addition, the quality of the image can be more effectively improved by performing the transport process more favorably.
【０１００】特に、振動付与手段を被覆手段に設けるこ
とで、被覆手段への現像剤付着量の蓄積を軽減し、安定
した現像剤の供給、搬送、回収工程を良好に行って画像
の品質をより一層効果的に向上させることができる。In particular, by providing the vibration applying means in the coating means, the accumulation of the amount of the developer adhering to the coating means can be reduced, and the stable developer supply, conveyance and recovery steps can be performed well to improve the image quality. It can be more effectively improved.
【０１０１】また、被覆手段の振動の振幅Ａ（ｍ）およ
び周波数ｆ（Ｈｚ）を、 Ａ×ｆ2＞１０3 の関係を満たすように設定することで、振動付与による
現像剤の除去を効果的に行え、安定した現像剤の供給、
搬送、回収工程を良好に行って画像の品質をより一層向
上させることができる。Further, by setting the amplitude A (m) and the frequency f (Hz) of the vibration of the covering means so as to satisfy the relationship of A × f 2 > 10 3 , the removal of the developer by applying the vibration is effective. And stable developer supply,
The image quality can be further improved by satisfactorily performing the conveyance and collection steps.
【０１０２】特に、供給手段および回収手段のうちの少
なくとも一方の周面を現像剤搬送手段に向き合う位置ま
で覆う被覆手段と、現像剤搬送手段との間隙を０．０５
ｍｍ以上に設定することで、現像剤搬送手段上の現像剤
の流れを妨げることなく、飛散現像剤を効果的に封じ込
めることができる。In particular, the gap between the coating means for covering at least one peripheral surface of the supply means and the recovery means to a position facing the developer conveying means and the developer conveying means is set to 0.05.
By setting the distance to be not less than mm, the scattered developer can be effectively contained without obstructing the flow of the developer on the developer conveying means.
【０１０３】さらに、上述した現像装置を画像形成装置
に備えることで、画像劣化を防止して良好な画像形成を
行え、使用者の操作性やメンテナンス性が高く、かつ安
定した現像剤の供給、搬送、回収を行い得る画像形成装
置を提供することができる。Further, by providing the above-mentioned developing device in the image forming apparatus, it is possible to prevent deterioration of the image and to form a good image, to improve the operability and maintenance of the user and to stably supply the developer. An image forming apparatus capable of carrying and collecting can be provided.
【図１】本発明の第１の実施形態に係わる現像装置が適
用される電子写真方式を用いた画像形成装置の概略構成
を示す模式図である。FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus to which a developing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied.
【図２】同じく現像装置の構成を示す模式図である。FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of the developing device.
【図３】同じくトナー搬送部材の構成を示す模式図であ
る。FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a toner conveying member.
【図４】同じくトナー搬送部材に印加される電圧波形を
示す波形図である。FIG. 4 is a waveform diagram showing a voltage waveform applied to the toner conveying member.
【図５】第１の実施形態の第２変形例に係わる現像装置
への印加電圧条件の説明図である。FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of voltage conditions applied to a developing device according to a second modified example of the first embodiment.
【図６】第１の実施形態の第３変形例に係わる現像装置
への印加電圧条件の説明図である。FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of voltage conditions applied to a developing device according to a third modification of the first embodiment.
【図７】第１の実施形態の第４変形例に係わる現像装置
への印加電圧条件の説明図である。FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of voltage conditions applied to a developing device according to a fourth modification of the first embodiment.
【図８】本発明の第２の実施形態に係わる現像装置の概
略構成を示す模式図である。FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a developing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
【図９】本発明の第３の実施形態に係わる現像装置の概
略構成を示す模式図である。FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a developing device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
１ 感光体ドラム（像担持体） ４ 現像装置 ４１ トナー搬送部材（現像剤搬送手段） ４１ａ 基材 ４１ｂ 進行波発生電極（電極） ４４ 供給部材（供給手段） ４５ 回収部材（回収手段） ４６，９，１０ 被覆部材（被覆手段） ４６ｂ 導電部（導電性を有する領域） ４６ｃ 第１電源（電圧印加手段） ４６ｄ 第２電源（電圧印加手段） ９１ 振動付与手段 Ａ 現像領域 Ｋ 間隙 Ｔ トナー（現像剤） Ｘ 画像形成装置 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 photoconductor drum (image carrier) 4 developing device 41 toner transport member (developer transport unit) 41 a base material 41 b traveling-wave generating electrode (electrode) 44 supply member (supply unit) 45 recovery member (recovery unit) 46, 9 , 10 covering member (covering means) 46b conductive part (region having conductivity) 46c first power supply (voltage applying means) 46d second power supply (voltage applying means) 91 vibration applying means A developing area K gap T toner (developer) ) X Image forming apparatus
───────────────────────────────────────────────────── フロントページの続き (72)発明者 上村 太介 大阪府大阪市阿倍野区長池町22番22号 シ ャープ株式会社内 (72)発明者 戸泉 潔 大阪府大阪市阿倍野区長池町22番22号 シ ャープ株式会社内 Ｆターム(参考） 2H077 AB03 AB14 AC04 AC13 AD07 CA05 CA11 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Tasuke Uemura 22-22, Nagaikecho, Abeno-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Inside Sharp Corporation (72) Inventor Kiyoshi Tomi 22-22, Nagaikecho, Abeno-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka F-term (for reference) in JAP Corporation 2H077 AB03 AB14 AC04 AC13 AD07 CA05 CA11
Claims (11)
に対向する現像領域に配置され、基材中に所定間隔を存
して複数配列された電極に対して多相電圧の印加により
形成される進行波電界によって現像剤を搬送する現像剤
搬送手段と、 この現像剤搬送手段の表面に接触もしくは近接位置で対
峙するように設けられ、現像剤搬送手段に現像剤を供給
する供給手段および現像剤搬送手段上から現像剤を回収
する回収手段のうちの少なくとも一方と、 この供給手段および回収手段のうちの少なくとも一方の
周辺を覆うように配置された被覆手段とを備えており、 上記供給手段および回収手段のうちの少なくとも一方の
周辺に対応する被覆手段には、導電性を有する領域が設
けられていることを特徴とする現像装置。1. A multi-phase voltage is applied to a plurality of electrodes arranged at a predetermined interval in a base material and arranged in a developing area facing an image carrier that carries an electrostatic latent image on its surface. A developer transporting means for transporting the developer by the traveling wave electric field formed by the developing means; And at least one of a collecting unit for collecting the developer from the unit and the developer conveying unit, and a covering unit arranged to cover a periphery of at least one of the supplying unit and the collecting unit. A developing device, wherein a conductive region is provided in a covering unit corresponding to a periphery of at least one of the supplying unit and the collecting unit.
て、 被覆手段には、任意の電圧を印加する電圧印加手段が設
けられていることを特徴とする現像装置。2. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein said coating means is provided with a voltage applying means for applying an arbitrary voltage.
て、 電圧印加手段により被覆手段に印加される電圧は、被覆
手段と現像剤搬送手段との間において所定の極性を有す
る現像剤を現像剤搬送手段側へ移動させる電界が生じる
ような値に設定されることを特徴とする現像装置。3. The developing device according to claim 2, wherein the voltage applied to the coating means by the voltage applying means is such that the developer having a predetermined polarity is provided between the coating means and the developer conveying means. A developing device characterized in that the developing device is set to a value such that an electric field to be moved to the conveying means side is generated.
像装置において、 電圧印加手段により被覆手段に印加される電圧は、被覆
手段と現像剤搬送手段間において所定の極性を有する現
像剤を現像剤搬送手段側へ移動させる電界が生じるよう
な値に設定され、かつ、被覆手段と供給手段との間にお
いて所定とは逆極性を有する現像剤を供給手段側へ移動
させる電界が生じるような値に設定されていることを特
徴とする現像装置。4. The developing device according to claim 2, wherein the voltage applied to the coating means by the voltage applying means is a voltage having a predetermined polarity between the coating means and the developer conveying means. A value is set such that an electric field for moving the developer to the developer conveying means is generated, and an electric field for moving the developer having a polarity opposite to a predetermined polarity to the supplying means between the coating means and the supplying means is generated. A developing device set to a value.
に記載の現像装置において、 電圧印加手段により被覆手段に印加される電圧には、交
流電圧が重畳されていることを特徴とする現像装置。5. The developing device according to claim 2, wherein an AC voltage is superimposed on a voltage applied to the covering means by the voltage applying means. Developing device.
て、 電圧印加手段により被覆手段に印加される交流電圧の周
波数は、現像剤搬送手段に印加される電圧の周波数より
も低く設定されていることを特徴とする現像装置。6. The developing device according to claim 5, wherein the frequency of the AC voltage applied to the covering means by the voltage applying means is set lower than the frequency of the voltage applied to the developer conveying means. A developing device, characterized in that:
に対向する現像領域に配置され、基材中に所定間隔を存
して複数配列された電極に対して多相電圧の印加により
形成される進行波電界によって現像剤を搬送する現像剤
搬送手段と、 この現像剤搬送手段の表面に接触もしくは近接位置で対
峙するように設けられ、現像剤搬送手段に現像剤を供給
する供給手段および現像剤搬送手段上から現像剤を回収
する回収手段のうちの少なくとも一方と、 この供給手段および回収手段のうちの少なくとも一方の
周辺を覆うように配置された被覆手段とを備えており、 被覆手段は、該被覆手段に対し振動を付与する振動付与
手段を備えていることを特徴とする現像装置。7. A multi-phase voltage is applied to a plurality of electrodes arranged at predetermined intervals in a base material and arranged in a developing region facing an image carrier that carries an electrostatic latent image on its surface. A developer transporting means for transporting the developer by the traveling wave electric field formed by the developing means; And at least one of a collecting unit for collecting the developer from the unit and the developer conveying unit, and a covering unit arranged to cover a periphery of at least one of the supplying unit and the collecting unit. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the covering unit includes a vibration applying unit that applies vibration to the covering unit.
て、 供給手段および回収手段のうちの少なくとも一方の周辺
に対応する被覆手段には、導電性を有する領域が設けら
れていることを特徴とする現像装置。8. The developing device according to claim 7, wherein the covering means corresponding to at least one of the supply means and the recovery means has a conductive region. Developing device.
て、 被覆手段の振動の振幅Ａ（ｍ）および周波数ｆ（Ｈｚ）
は、 Ａ×ｆ2＞１０3 の関係を満たすように設定されていることを特徴とする
現像装置。9. The developing device according to claim 7, wherein the amplitude A (m) and the frequency f (Hz) of the vibration of the covering means are provided.
Is a developing device set so as to satisfy a relationship of A × f 2 > 10 3 .
つに記載の現像装置において、 被覆手段は、供給手段の周面および回収手段の周面のう
ちの少なくとも一方が現像剤搬送手段に向き合う位置ま
で覆われるように構成され、 その被覆手段と現像剤搬送手段との間隙は０．０５ｍｍ
以上に設定されていることを特徴とする現像装置。10. The method according to claim 1, wherein
The coating device is configured so that at least one of the peripheral surface of the supply unit and the peripheral surface of the collection unit is covered to a position facing the developer conveying unit, and the coating unit and the developer The gap with the conveying means is 0.05mm
A developing device set as described above.
か１つに記載の現像装置を備えていることを特徴とする
画像形成装置。11. An image forming apparatus comprising the developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.
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|---|---|---|---|
| JP2001009241A JP3715535B2 (en) | 2001-01-17 | 2001-01-17 | Developing device and image forming apparatus having the same |
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|---|---|---|---|
| JP2001009241A JP3715535B2 (en) | 2001-01-17 | 2001-01-17 | Developing device and image forming apparatus having the same |
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| Publication Number | Publication Date |
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| JP3715535B2 JP3715535B2 (en) | 2005-11-09 |
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Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6816694B2 (en) * | 2001-12-25 | 2004-11-09 | Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha | Developer apparatus and image forming apparatus |
| US6934496B2 (en) * | 2001-06-28 | 2005-08-23 | Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha | Developing device conveying toner using a traveling-wave electric field and image forming apparatus using same |
| JP2008116599A (en) * | 2006-11-02 | 2008-05-22 | Ricoh Co Ltd | Developing device, image forming apparatus and process unit |
-
2001
- 2001-01-17 JP JP2001009241A patent/JP3715535B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6934496B2 (en) * | 2001-06-28 | 2005-08-23 | Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha | Developing device conveying toner using a traveling-wave electric field and image forming apparatus using same |
| US6816694B2 (en) * | 2001-12-25 | 2004-11-09 | Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha | Developer apparatus and image forming apparatus |
| JP2008116599A (en) * | 2006-11-02 | 2008-05-22 | Ricoh Co Ltd | Developing device, image forming apparatus and process unit |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JP3715535B2 (en) | 2005-11-09 |
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