JPH0315874A - Developing device - Google Patents
Developing deviceInfo
- Publication number
- JPH0315874A JPH0315874A JP1151531A JP15153189A JPH0315874A JP H0315874 A JPH0315874 A JP H0315874A JP 1151531 A JP1151531 A JP 1151531A JP 15153189 A JP15153189 A JP 15153189A JP H0315874 A JPH0315874 A JP H0315874A
- Authority
- JP
- Japan
- Prior art keywords
- developer
- electric field
- field curtain
- image carrier
- alternating voltage
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Pending
Links
- 230000005684 electric field Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 59
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 17
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 8
- 108091008695 photoreceptors Proteins 0.000 description 7
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 4
- 239000000843 powder Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000003086 colorant Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000003756 stirring Methods 0.000 description 3
- PPBRXRYQALVLMV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Styrene Chemical compound C=CC1=CC=CC=C1 PPBRXRYQALVLMV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229920001971 elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 230000005611 electricity Effects 0.000 description 2
- -1 fluororesin Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 238000009413 insulation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000009191 jumping Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000005060 rubber Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920000459 Nitrile rubber Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004677 Nylon Substances 0.000 description 1
- CBENFWSGALASAD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ozone Chemical compound [O-][O+]=O CBENFWSGALASAD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- ISWSIDIOOBJBQZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Phenol Chemical compound OC1=CC=CC=C1 ISWSIDIOOBJBQZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229930182556 Polyacetal Natural products 0.000 description 1
- 239000005062 Polybutadiene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004698 Polyethylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000013459 approach Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003795 chemical substances by application Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001276 controlling effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000006866 deterioration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003989 dielectric material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000005520 electrodynamics Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000011810 insulating material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920001778 nylon Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920002857 polybutadiene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004417 polycarbonate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920000515 polycarbonate Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000573 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920006324 polyoxymethylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920005749 polyurethane resin Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000001105 regulatory effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920002379 silicone rubber Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004945 silicone rubber Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G2215/00—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes
- G03G2215/06—Developing structures, details
- G03G2215/0634—Developing device
- G03G2215/0636—Specific type of dry developer device
- G03G2215/0651—Electrodes in donor member surface
Landscapes
- Dry Development In Electrophotography (AREA)
Abstract
Description
【発明の詳細な説明】
［産業上の利用分野］
この発明は、電子写真装置等に使用する現像装置に係り
、特に電界カーテンの作用を利用した現像装置に関する
ものである．
［従来の技術及びその問題点コ
従来より、複写機，ファクシミリ，プリンタ等において
広く利用されている電子写真装置に使用される現像装置
としては、カスケード法やマグネットブラシ法等による
二戒分式の現像装置や、米国特許第２７２５３０４号に
示されるパウダクラウド法，特公昭４１−９４７５号公
報に示されるタッチダウン法，特公昭４５−２８７７号
公報に示されるインプレッション法，特公昭５４−３６
２４号公報に示されるジャンピング法等による一成分式
の現像装置が知られている。DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a developing device used in an electrophotographic device, etc., and particularly to a developing device that utilizes the action of an electric field curtain. [Prior art and its problems] Conventionally, developing devices used in electrophotographic devices widely used in copying machines, facsimile machines, printers, etc. have been developed using a two-command method using a cascade method, a magnetic brush method, etc. The developing device, the powder cloud method shown in U.S. Patent No. 2,725,304, the touchdown method shown in Japanese Patent Publication No. 41-9475, the impression method shown in Japanese Patent Publication No. 45-2877, and the impression method shown in Japanese Patent Publication No. 1984-36
A one-component type developing device using a jumping method or the like as shown in Japanese Patent No. 24 is known.
そして、近年においては、上記のような電子写真装置に
おいてカラー化が要求されるようになり、感光体等の像
担持体に様々な色彩の現像剤を重ねて現像させるため、
像担持体に現像剤担持搬送体等を接触させないで、現像
剤を像担持体に供給して現像を行える現像装置が注目さ
れるようになった。In recent years, there has been a demand for colorization in electrophotographic devices such as those mentioned above, and in order to develop by layering developers of various colors on an image carrier such as a photoreceptor,
2. Description of the Related Art Developing devices that can perform development by supplying developer to an image bearing member without bringing a developer carrying conveyance member or the like into contact with the image bearing member have been attracting attention.
ここで、このように感光体等の像担持体に現像剤担持搬
送体等を接触させないで、現像剤を像担持体に供給して
現像を行える従来の現像装置としては，パウダクラウド
法やジャンビング法等による現像装置が知られている．
しかし、上記のパウダクラウド法による現像装置におい
ては、帯電したトナーを空気流で噴霧してトナー雲を形
威し、このトナー雪中に静電潜像が形或された像担持体
を通してトナーを供給するため、装置が複雑になり大型
化すると共に、空気中に漂うトナー雲の制御も困難であ
る等のｒ：′ｉ題があった．
また、ジャンビング法による現像装置においては、トナ
ーが現像剤担持搬送体と像担持体との間で激しく往復運
動するため、高解像度のものが得難い上、重ね現像させ
てカラー化させる際に様々な色彩のトナーが混ざり合っ
てしまうという問題があった．
このため、近年においては、上記のように感光体等の像
担持体に非接触状態で現像剤を供給して現像を行う現像
装置として、特開昭４７−４７８１１号公報，特開昭５
８−２０２２１７号公報，特開昭５９−１７６７５５号
公報，特開昭５９−１８１３７１号公報，特開昭５９〜
１８９３６７号公報，特開昭６３−１３０６８号公報等
に示されるように、電界カーテンの作用を利用した現像
装置が開発されるに至った。Conventional developing apparatuses that can perform development by supplying developer to an image bearing member without bringing a developer carrying conveyance member or the like into contact with the image bearing member such as a photoreceptor include the powder cloud method and the jumper method. Developing devices using the Bing method are known. However, in the developing device using the powder cloud method described above, charged toner is sprayed with an air stream to form a toner cloud, and the toner is passed through an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed in the toner snow. In order to supply toner, the equipment becomes complicated and large, and there are problems such as difficulty in controlling toner clouds floating in the air. In addition, in a developing device using the jumbing method, toner moves violently back and forth between the developer-carrying conveyor and the image-bearing member, making it difficult to obtain high-resolution images. There was a problem that toners of different colors would mix together. For this reason, in recent years, as described above, a developing device that performs development by supplying developer to an image bearing member such as a photoreceptor in a non-contact state has been published in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 47-47811 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5
8-202217, JP-A-59-176755, JP-A-59-181371, JP-A-59-Sho.
As shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 189367 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 13068/1989, a developing device utilizing the effect of an electric field curtain has been developed.
そして、上記のような電界カーテンの作用を利用した現
像装置は、基本的には、第５図に示すように、電極（１
〉間に交番電圧電源（２）から交番電圧を印加して、電
ｉ（１）間に同図に破線で示すような電気力線をもった
交番不平等電界を作用させ、この交番不平等電界によっ
て帯電したトナー（３）を飛翔させながら像担持体と対
面する現像領域まで搬送させ、この現像領域において、
上記電界カーテンの作用により飛翔したトナーを像担持
体の静電潜像箇所に供給するようになっている。A developing device that utilizes the effect of the electric field curtain as described above basically consists of electrodes (1
〉 Apply an alternating voltage from an alternating voltage power supply (2) between the electric currents (1) and 2. The toner (3) charged by the electric field is transported to a developing area facing the image carrier while flying, and in this developing area,
The flying toner is supplied to the electrostatic latent image portion of the image carrier by the action of the electric field curtain.
ここで、上記電界カーテンの作用を第５図に基づいてよ
り具体的に説明すると、上記のように交番電圧電源（２
）から交番電圧が電極（１）に印加されて電気力線が形
成された電界域に、上記のように帯電したトナー（３）
が近づくと、この帯電したトナー（３）は、上記電気力
線に沿った方向の交番電気力を受け、上記トナー（３）
はほぼ上記の彎曲した電気力線に沿って振動するように
なる。Here, to explain the action of the electric field curtain in more detail based on FIG. 5, the alternating voltage power supply (2
) is applied to the electrode (1), and the charged toner (3) as described above is placed in the electric field region where electric lines of force are formed.
As the toner (3) approaches, the charged toner (3) receives an alternating electric force in the direction along the lines of electric force, and the toner (3)
begins to vibrate almost along the curved lines of electric force mentioned above.
そして、上記トナー（３）は重力等の外力Ｆｅの池に、
上記振動の半周期ごとに電気力線の接線方向に対して外
向きに垂直な遠心力Ｆｃを受け、さらに電気力線に沿っ
た平均グラジエント力Ｆｇを受けるようになる．ここで
、上記遠心力Ｆｃは電気力線の方向の空間的変化に起因
し、また平均グラジエントカＦｇは電気力線の密度の空
間的変化に起因して作用し、これらはともに電界が不平
等でかつ交番的であることがら発生する。Then, the toner (3) is placed in a pond of external force Fe such as gravity,
Every half cycle of the vibration, it receives a centrifugal force Fc perpendicular outward to the tangential direction of the electric lines of force, and also receives an average gradient force Fg along the lines of electric force. Here, the centrifugal force Fc is caused by a spatial change in the direction of the lines of electric force, and the average gradient force Fg is caused by a spatial change in the density of the lines of electric force, both of which are caused by an unequal electric field. This occurs because it is large and alternating.
ここで、定在波電界カーテンによって上記のように帯電
したトナー（３）に作用する電気力学的力Ｆｒ （＝Ｆ
ｃ＋Ｆｇ）は、次のように示される。Here, the electrodynamic force Fr (=F
c+Fg) is shown as follows.
Ｆ ｒ ＝ − ｇ ｒ ａ ｄ ＩＦ．＝−Ｋ ［
（ｇｒａｄ）ｂ （ｆ２）］（但し、？．＝Ｋｂ ｆ２
）
ここで、ｍ ［Ｋｇ］はトナー粒子の質量、ａ［ｍコは
トナー粒子の半径、ｑ［ｃｌはトナー粒子の帯電量、ω
［９−’］は電源角周波数、η［ Ｎ − ｓ ／ ｍ
”コは空気粘性抵抗、Ｅ［Ｖ／ｍ］は電界強度、Ｖ［Ｖ
］は印加電圧、ｂ ［ｒｎ）は隣接電極表面間最短距離
、Ｅ ＱＩＩＬＸ ［ Ｖ ／ ｍ ］は電極表面上
の最大電界強度、ζ＝（Ｖ／ｂ）／Ｅ ｗａｘは電界利
用率、ｆ＝Ｅ／（Ｖ／ｂ）は規格化電界、（ｇｒａｄ）
ｂはｂで規格化した座標系（ｒ／ｂ，ｚ／ｂ）における
ｇｒａｄである。F r = − g r a d IF. =-K [
(grad)b (f2)] (however, ?.=Kb f2
) Here, m [Kg] is the mass of the toner particle, a [m is the radius of the toner particle, q [cl is the amount of charge of the toner particle, ω
[9-'] is the power source angular frequency, η[N-s/m
``K is air viscous resistance, E [V/m] is electric field strength, V [V
] is the applied voltage, b [rn) is the shortest distance between adjacent electrode surfaces, E QIILX [V/m] is the maximum electric field strength on the electrode surface, ζ = (V/b)/E wax is the electric field utilization rate, f = E/(V/b) is the normalized electric field, (grad)
b is grad in the coordinate system (r/b, z/b) normalized by b.
すなわち、電界カーテンによる力は、トナー粒子の質量
ｍ， トナー粒子の半径ａ，トナー粒子の帯電Ｊｔｑか
らなるトナー粒子側の条件と、電界強度Ｅ，電源周波数
ｆ（＝Ｏ），／２π）の外部条件に左右され、これらを
うまく調整することによって、トナー粒子を宙に舞い上
がらせることも可能になるのである．
そして、電界カーテンの作用を利用した現像装置におい
ては、このようにして電界カーテンの作用により飛翔さ
せたトナーを、像担持体にソフトに接触して像担持体に
形成された！ＩＰ電潜像箇所に供給させることができ、
前記のような従来の像担持体に非接触状態で現像剤を供
給して現像を行う現像装置に比べ、重ね現像によるカラ
ー化がうまく行えるようになった．しかし、このように
電界カーテンの作用を利用した現像装置においては、ト
ナーを飛翔させながら搬送させるにあたり、トナーを十
分に帯電させる必要があった．
このため、従来においては、特開昭５８−２０２２１７
号公報、特開昭６３−１３０６６号公報等に示されるよ
うに、電界カーテンを作用させる電極群の一部を露出さ
せ、この露出した電極群によってコロナ放電を行い、ト
ナーを強制的に帯電させるようにする等の方法が採られ
ていた。In other words, the force due to the electric field curtain is determined by the conditions on the toner particle side, which are the mass m of the toner particle, the radius a of the toner particle, and the charge Jtq of the toner particle, and the electric field strength E and power frequency f (=O), /2π). It depends on external conditions, and by adjusting these properly, it is possible to make toner particles fly into the air. In a developing device that utilizes the action of an electric field curtain, the toner thus blown away by the action of the electric field curtain is formed on the image carrier by coming into soft contact with the image carrier! IP latent image can be supplied to the location,
Compared to the conventional developing device described above, which performs development by supplying developer to the image carrier in a non-contact manner, it has become possible to successfully achieve colorization through overlapping development. However, in a developing device that utilizes the effect of an electric field curtain as described above, it is necessary to sufficiently charge the toner in order to transport the toner while flying it. For this reason, conventionally, JP-A-58-202217
As shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-13066, a part of the electrode group on which an electric field curtain is applied is exposed, corona discharge is caused by this exposed electrode group, and the toner is forcibly charged. Methods such as doing this were adopted.
しかし、このようにコロナ放電によりトナーを帯電させ
て、トナーを電界カーテンの作用によって搬送させるに
は、電極に非常に高い電圧を印加しなければならず、こ
れが誘電体に短期間に絶縁劣化を生じさせて、装置の寿
命を短縮させたり、またこれによってオゾンが発生した
り、騒音が発生したりするという問題があった。However, in order to charge the toner by corona discharge and transport the toner by the action of an electric field curtain, a very high voltage must be applied to the electrodes, which causes insulation deterioration of the dielectric material in a short period of time. This poses a problem in that it shortens the life of the device, generates ozone, and generates noise.
また、適正な荷電量に帯電されていないトナーを電界カ
ーテンの作用によって飛翔させながら搬送させようとし
た場合、不良帯電トナーが飛散したり、形或される画像
に不良帯電トナーによるかぶりが生じる等の問題があっ
た。Furthermore, if you attempt to transport toner that is not charged to an appropriate amount by flying it due to the action of an electric field curtain, the improperly charged toner may scatter, or the formed image may be fogged due to the improperly charged toner. There was a problem.
［発明が解決しようとする課題］
この発明は、電子写真装置等に使用する現像装置におい
て、感光体等の像担持体に非接触状態で現像剤を供給し
て現像を行う場合における上記のような問題を解決する
ことを課題とするものである．
すなわち、この発明は、感光体等の像担持体に非接触状
態で現像剤を供給して現像を行う現像装置において、従
来のパウダクラウド法やジャンビング法による現像装置
のような問題がない電界カーテンの作用を利用して、現
像剤を感光体等の像担持体に非接触状態で供給するにあ
たり、現像剤を搬送させるために、非常に高い電圧を印
加させて現像剤を荷電させたりする必要がなく、またト
ナーを浮遊させて搬送することがないため、現像剤を感
光体等の像担持体に安定して搬送させることができると
共に、搬送時に現像剤が飛散したり、こぼれたりするこ
ともなく、形成される画像にかぶりが生じたりすること
もない現像装置を提供することを課題とするものである
。[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] The present invention is directed to the above-described problem in a developing device used in an electrophotographic device, etc., when developing is performed by supplying a developer to an image bearing member such as a photoreceptor in a non-contact state. The goal is to solve such problems. That is, the present invention provides a developing device that supplies developer to an image bearing member such as a photoreceptor in a non-contact state to perform development, and is capable of using an electric field that does not have the problems of developing devices that use the conventional powder cloud method or the jumping method. When using the action of a curtain to supply developer to an image carrier such as a photoreceptor in a non-contact manner, a very high voltage is applied to charge the developer in order to transport the developer. There is no need for this, and since the toner is not transported while floating, the developer can be stably transported to the image bearing member such as a photoreceptor, and the developer is not scattered or spilled during transport. An object of the present invention is to provide a developing device that does not cause fogging in the formed images.
［課題を解決するための手段コ
この発明は、上記のような課題を解決するため、現像剤
担持搬送体を駆動させて現像剤を像担持体に搬送する現
像装置において、上記現像剤担持搬送体上に電界カーテ
ン発生用の電極を設けると共に、この現像剤担持搬送体
が上記像担持体と対面する現像領域においてのみ、上記
電界カーテン発生用の電極に交番電圧を印加させる交番
電圧印加手段を設けるようにしたのである。[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a developing device that drives a developer carrying conveyance member to convey developer to an image bearing member. An electrode for generating an electric field curtain is provided on the body, and an alternating voltage applying means is provided for applying an alternating voltage to the electrode for generating the electric field curtain only in a development area where the developer carrying conveyor faces the image carrier. I decided to set it up.
［作用］
このように構成された現像装置においては、現像剤を像
担持体と対面する現像領域に搬送させるにあたり、電界
カーテンは作用させずに、現（ＩＰｃ剤担持搬送体を駆
動させて現像剤を搬送させるようにしており、現像剤を
電界カーテンの作用によって荷電させながら飛翔させて
搬送させる場合のように、電界カーテンを作用させる電
極に非常に高い電圧を印加させる必要がなく、また搬送
時におけるトナーの飛散が少なくなる，
そして、現像剤担持搬送体によって搬送された現像剤が
、像担持体と対面する現像領域に達すると、現像剤担持
搬送体上に設けられた電界カーテン発生用の電極に、上
記交番電圧印加手段から交番電圧を印加して電界カーテ
ンを作用させ、現像領域に搬送された上記現像剤をこの
電界カーテンを作用によって飛翔させ、像担持体の潜像
置所に非接触の状態で現像剤を供給するようになってい
る．
［実施例］
以下、この発明の実施例を添付図面に基づいて具体的に
説明する．
この実施例に係る現像装置（１０〉においては、第１図
に示すように、現像剤（１２）を搬送させる現像剤担持
搬送体（１１〉として円筒状に形威されたものを用い、
この現像剤担持搬送体（１１）をドラム状になった像担
持体（３０）に対向するようにして配すると共に、この
現像剤担持搬送体〈１ｌ〉を上記像担持体（３０）と反
対方向に回転させるようにしている．
そして、この現像剤担持搬送体（１１）の外周面におい
ては，ポリカーボネート，ナイロン，フッ素系樹脂，ポ
リアセタール，フェノール．ボリエチレン等の合戒樹脂
や、ニトリルゴム，シリコンゴム，スチレンゴム．ブタ
ジエンゴム等のゴムからなる絶縁性材料から構成された
絶縁Ｍ （１３）の表面もしくは表面近傍の周面に、線
状に形成された電界カーテン発生用の電極〈１４〉を、
現像剤担持搬送体（１ｌ〉の軸方向と平行に等間隔で多
数配列させるようにしている。[Function] In the developing device configured as described above, when the developer is conveyed to the development area facing the image carrier, the current (IPc agent carrying conveyance body is driven) and the development is carried out without using an electric field curtain. This method eliminates the need to apply a very high voltage to the electrodes that act on the electric field curtain, unlike when the developer is charged by the action of an electric field curtain and transported by flying. When the developer conveyed by the developer carrying conveyance member reaches the development area facing the image bearing member, an electric field curtain generated on the developer carrying conveyance body An alternating voltage is applied to the electrode from the alternating voltage applying means to cause an electric field curtain to act, and the developer conveyed to the development area is caused to fly by the action of the electric field curtain and to the latent image location on the image carrier. The developer is supplied in a non-contact manner. [Example] Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail based on the accompanying drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, a cylindrical developer carrying conveyor (11) for conveying the developer (12) is used,
This developer carrying conveyance body (11) is disposed so as to face the drum-shaped image bearing body (30), and this developer carrying conveyance body <1l> is placed opposite to the image bearing body (30). I'm trying to rotate it in the direction. The outer circumferential surface of the developer carrying and conveying member (11) is made of polycarbonate, nylon, fluororesin, polyacetal, phenol, etc. Polyurethane resins such as polyethylene, nitrile rubber, silicone rubber, styrene rubber. An electrode <14> for generating an electric field curtain formed in a linear shape on the surface or the circumferential surface near the surface of the insulation M (13) made of an insulating material made of rubber such as butadiene rubber,
A large number of them are arranged at equal intervals parallel to the axial direction of the developer carrying conveyor (1l).
また、このように現像剤担持搬送体（１ｌ）上に設けら
れた電界カーテン発生用の電極（１４）に、交番電圧を
像担持体（３０）と対面する現像領域においてのみ印加
させる交番電圧印加手段（１５）を設けるにあたり、こ
の実施例のものにおいては、第２図及び第３図に示すよ
うに、上記の電界カーテン発生用の電極（１４）と対応
するようにして、現像剤担持搬送体（１１）の側端面に
、側方に凸部を有するようにして折り曲げ加工された導
電性弾性板（１５ａ）を設け、この導電性弾性板（１５
ａ＞を電界カーテン発生用の電極ク１４）に接続させる
ようにしている．
さらに、上記現像剤担持搬送体（１１）内に内部ローラ
（１５ｂ）を回転しないようにして内装させると共に、
像担持体（３０〉と対面する現像領域においてのみ、こ
の内部ローラ（１５ｂ）の側端面に、交番電圧電源（１
５ｄ）に接続された固定電極（１５ｃ）を所要数設け、
これらの固定電極（１５ｃ）と、電界カーテン発生用の
電極（１４〉に接続された上記導電性弾性板（１５ａ）
とが接触するようにしている．
そして、このような状態で現像剤担持搬送体（１ｌ）が
回転すると、電界カーテン発生用の電極（１４〉に接続
された導電性弾性板（１５ａ）が、像担持体（−３０）
と対面する現像領域において、上記内部ローラ（１５ｂ
）の側端面に設けられた固定電極（１５ｃ）と接触しな
がら回転し、この固定電極＜１５ｃ）に接続された上記
交番電圧電源（１５ｄ）から、上記導電性弾性板（１５
ａ）を介して、現像領域における電界カーテン発生用の
電［！ （１４）にのみ交番電圧が印加され、現像領域
においてのみ電界カーテンが作用するようになっている
．そして、この実施例の現像装置（１０）においては、
上記現像剤担持搬送体（１１）より後方、すなわち、像
担持体（３０〉から離れた位置にある現像剤収容部（１
６）に現像剤（１２〉を収容させるようにし、この現像
剤収容部〈１６）の上方に設けられたホッパー（ｌ７）
より現像剤（１２〉を補給させるようにしている．
ここで、ホッパ−（１７〉より現像剤（１２）を現像剤
収容部（ｌ６）に補給するにあたっては、ホッパ− （
１７）内に設けられた攪拌部材（１８〉によって現像剤
〈１２〉を攪拌すると共に、このホッパー（１７）と上
記現像剤収容部（ｌ６）との間に設けられた補給ローラ
（１９）を回転させて、適当量の現像剤（ｌ２）を上記
現像剤収容部（１６）内に補給するようにしている．
そして、このように現像剤収容部（１６）内に収容され
た現像剤（１２）を、上記現像剤担持搬送体（１ｌ）に
供給するにあたっては、この現渫剤収容部（１６）内に
設けられた第１及び第２の攪拌羽根（２０ａ ） ．
（２０ｂ ）を回転させて、現像剤（ｌ２）を混合攪拌
させながら現像剤担持搬送体（１１）上に供給するよう
になっている．
このようにして現像剤担持搬送体（１１）上に供給され
た現像剤（１２）は、現像剤担持搬送体（１１〉の回転
に伴って像担持体（３０）側に搬送され、像担持体（３
０）と対面する現像領域に導かれる途中の段階で、この
現像装置（１０）内に設けられたブレード（２１）によ
って、現像剤担持搬送体＜１１）上で圧接されて荷電さ
れると共に、現像剤担持搬送体（１１〉上における現像
剤（１２）の層厚が適当な量に規制されるようになって
いる．
そして、このように荷電された現像剤（１２）が、現像
剤担持搬送体（１ｌ〉の回転に伴って像担持体（３０）
と対面する現像領域に搬送されると、この現像領域にお
いては、上記のように交番電圧電源（１５ｄ）に接続さ
れた固定電！（１５ｃ）と電界カーテン発生用のｔ極（
ｌ４）に接続された導電性弾性板（１５ａ）とが接触し
、現像剤担持搬送体（１１）上に設けられた電界カーテ
ン発生用のｔ極（１４）に、交番電圧電源（１５ｄ）か
らの交番電圧が印加されて、電界カーテンが作用するよ
うになる。In addition, an alternating voltage is applied to the electrode (14) for generating an electric field curtain provided on the developer carrying conveyance member (1l) in this way only in the development area facing the image carrier (30). In providing the means (15), in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the means (15) is arranged so as to correspond to the electrode (14) for generating the electric field curtain, so as to carry and transport the developer. A conductive elastic plate (15a) is provided on the side end surface of the body (11) and is bent so as to have a convex portion on the side.
a> is connected to the electrode 14) for generating an electric field curtain. Further, an internal roller (15b) is installed inside the developer carrying conveyance member (11) so as not to rotate;
Only in the development area facing the image carrier (30), an alternating voltage power source (1
Provide the required number of fixed electrodes (15c) connected to 5d),
These fixed electrodes (15c) and the conductive elastic plate (15a) connected to the electric field curtain generation electrode (14)
I make sure that they are in contact with each other. When the developer carrying conveyance member (1l) rotates in this state, the conductive elastic plate (15a) connected to the electric field curtain generation electrode (14>) moves toward the image carrier (-30).
In the developing area facing the inner roller (15b
) rotates while contacting a fixed electrode (15c) provided on the side end surface of the conductive elastic plate (15c), and is connected to the alternating voltage power source (15d) connected to this fixed electrode
a) for generating an electric field curtain in the development area. An alternating voltage is applied only to (14), so that an electric field curtain acts only in the development area. In the developing device (10) of this embodiment,
The developer accommodating section (1
6) contains the developer (12), and a hopper (17) provided above the developer storage section (16).
In order to replenish the developer (12) from the hopper (17> to the developer storage section (l6)), the developer (12) is replenished from the hopper (17).
The developer <12> is stirred by the stirring member (18>) provided in the hopper (17) and the replenishment roller (19) provided between the hopper (17) and the developer storage section (l6) is stirred. By rotating, an appropriate amount of developer (l2) is replenished into the developer accommodating section (16). 12) to the developer carrying conveyance member (1l), first and second stirring blades (20a) .
(20b) is rotated to supply the developer (12) onto the developer carrying conveyance member (11) while mixing and stirring the developer (12). The developer (12) thus supplied onto the developer carrying conveyor (11) is conveyed to the image carrier (30) side as the developer carrying conveyor (11>) rotates, and Body (3
On the way to the developing area facing developer 0), the developer is pressed onto the developer carrying conveyor <11) by a blade (21) provided in the developing device (10) and charged. The layer thickness of the developer (12) on the developer-carrying transport member (11) is regulated to an appropriate amount. As the conveying body (1l) rotates, the image carrier (30)
When conveyed to the developing area facing the ! (15c) and the t-pole for electric field curtain generation (
The conductive elastic plate (15a) connected to the conductive elastic plate (15a) connected to the developer carrier (11) contacts the t-pole (14) for generating an electric field curtain provided on the developer carrying conveyance member (11), and receives electricity from the alternating voltage power source (15d). An alternating voltage of is applied, and an electric field curtain comes into play.
そして、この電界カーテンの作用により、上記のように
荷電された現像剤（１２）が、．電界カーテン発生用の
電極（１４）間を飛翔しながら搬送・され、像担持体（
３０）上に形戒された静電潜像箇所に吸着されて、像担
持体（３０〉上にトナー像が形成されるようになる。Then, due to the action of this electric field curtain, the developer (12) charged as described above is . The image carrier (
30) The toner image is attracted to the electrostatic latent image portion formed on the image carrier (30), and a toner image is formed on the image carrier (30>).
このようにして像担持体（３０）に現像剤（１２）を供
給した後は、現像剤担持搬送体（１１）上に残った現像
剤（１２）を、この現像剤担持撮送体（１１）の回転に
伴って現像装置（１０〉内に戻し、この現像装置（１０
）内において、現像剤担持搬送体（■１）に新たに現像
剤（１２）を補給し、前記のような動作を繰り返して行
い、現像剤（１２）を像担持体（３０）に形成された静
電潜像箇所に供給するようになっている．
なお、現像剤担持搬送体（１１）上に設けられた電界カ
ーテン発生用の電極（１４）に、交番電圧を現（’Ａｐ
ｌ域においてのみ作用させる交番電圧印加手段（ｌ５）
は、上記の実施例に示すものに限定されず、例えば、第
４図に示すように、現像剤担持搬送体（１１）上に設け
られた電界カーテン発生用の電極（１４）を、この現像
剤担持搬送体（１１）の側端面側に導くと共に、段部を
有する導電性アーム（１５ｅ）の先端部を、像担持体（
３ｏ）と対面する現１象領域においてのみ、現像剤担持
搬送体（１１〉の側端面に導かれた電極（１１）に接触
させ、この導電性アーム（１５ｅ）を介して、交番電圧
を、現像領域においてのみ電界カーテン発生用の電！
（１４）に印加させるようにすることも可能である，
［発明の効果コ
以上詳述したように、この発明に係る現像装置において
は、現像剤を像担持体と対面する現像領域に搬送するに
あたり、現像剤担持搬送体を駆動させて現像剤を搬送さ
せるようにし、この現像剤担持搬送体が上記像担持体と
対面する現ｕＡ領域においてのみ、現像剤担持搬送体上
に設けられた電界カーテン発生用の電極に、交番電圧印
加手段から交番電圧を印加して電界カ−テンを作用させ
、この電界カーテンの作用により現像剤を飛翔させて、
像担持体の静電潜像箇所に現像剤を供給するようになっ
ている。After the developer (12) is supplied to the image carrier (30) in this way, the developer (12) remaining on the developer carrier (11) is transferred to the developer carrier (11). ) is returned into the developing device (10〉) as the developing device (10〉) rotates.
), the developer carrying transport member (■1) is newly supplied with developer (12), and the above-mentioned operation is repeated to form the developer (12) on the image carrier (30). The electrostatic latent image is supplied to the area where the electrostatic latent image is generated. Note that an alternating voltage is applied to the electrode (14) for generating an electric field curtain provided on the developer carrying conveyance member (11).
Alternating voltage applying means (l5) that acts only in the l region
For example, as shown in FIG. The distal end of the conductive arm (15e) having a stepped portion is guided toward the side end surface of the agent-carrying conveyor (11), and is guided toward the side end surface of the agent-carrying conveyor (11).
The electrode (11) led to the side end surface of the developer carrying/conveying member (11>) is brought into contact with the electrode (11) led to the side end surface of the developer carrying/conveying member (11>) only in the phenomenon area facing the developer carrying member (11), and an alternating voltage is applied via this conductive arm (15e). Electricity for generating an electric field curtain only in the development area!
(14) [Effects of the Invention] As detailed above, in the developing device according to the present invention, the developer is conveyed to the developing area facing the image carrier. In this case, the developer carrying conveyance member is driven to convey the developer, and the electric field provided on the developer carrying conveyance body is applied only in the development area uA where the developer carrying conveyance body faces the image carrier. An electric field curtain is applied by applying an alternating voltage from an alternating voltage applying means to the curtain generating electrode, and the developer is caused to fly due to the action of the electric field curtain.
A developer is supplied to the electrostatic latent image location on the image carrier.
この結果、この発明に係る現像装置においては、従来の
電界カーテンを利用した現像装置のように、現像剤を搬
送させるために、電界カーテン発生用の電極に非常に高
い電圧を印加させて現像剤を荷電させる必要がなく、ま
た搬送時において帯電不良の現像剤が飛散したりすると
いうこともなく、現像剤を像担持体に安定して搬送させ
ることができるようになると共に、形成される画像にか
ぶりが生じたりすることもなくなり、高品位の画像が得
られるようになった．
また、このように搬送された現像剤を像担持体に供給す
る現像領域においては、電界カーテンの作用により現像
剤を飛翔させて、像担持体の静電潜像箇所に供給するよ
うにしたため、現像剤が像担持体にむらなくソフトに接
触し、重ね現ｆ☆によるカラー化も容易に行えるように
なった．As a result, in the developing device according to the present invention, unlike a conventional developing device using an electric field curtain, in order to transport the developer, a very high voltage is applied to the electrode for generating the electric field curtain to remove the developer. There is no need to charge the developer, and there is no possibility that poorly charged developer will scatter during transportation, making it possible to stably transport the developer to the image carrier, and improve the image formation. There is no longer any fogging, and high-quality images can now be obtained. In addition, in the development area where the developer transported in this manner is supplied to the image carrier, the developer is caused to fly by the action of an electric field curtain and is supplied to the electrostatic latent image location on the image carrier. The developer comes into even and soft contact with the image carrier, making it easy to create colors using overlay development f☆.
第１図はこの発明の一実施例に係る現像装置の概略断面
図、第２図及び第３図は同実施例において使用した現像
剤担持搬送体の概略側面図及び部分縦断面図、第４図は
現像領域においてのみ電界カーテン発生用の！極に交番
電圧を印加させる交番電圧印加手段の変更例を示す斜視
図、第５図は電界カーテンの原理を示す図である．
（１０）・・・現像装置， （１１）・・・現像剤担持
搬送体，（１２）・・・現像剤， （１４）・・・電界
カーテン発生用の電極， （１５）・・・交番電圧印加
手段， （３０＞・・・像担持体．FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a developing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. The figure shows the electric field curtain generated only in the developing area! FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the alternating voltage applying means for applying an alternating voltage to the poles, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the principle of an electric field curtain. (10)...Developing device, (11)...Developer carrying conveyor, (12)...Developer, (14)...Electrode for generating electric field curtain, (15)...Alternative box Voltage application means, (30>...image carrier.
Claims (1)
搬送する現像装置において、上記現像剤担持搬送体上に
電界カーテン発生用の電極を設けると共に、この現像剤
担持搬送体が上記像担持体と対面する現像領域において
のみ、上記電界カーテン発生用の電極に交番電圧を印加
させる交番電圧印加手段を設けたことを特徴とする現像
装置。1. In a developing device that drives a developer carrying conveyance member to convey the developer to an image bearing member, an electrode for generating an electric field curtain is provided on the developer carrying conveyance member, and this developer carrying conveyance member is provided with an electrode for generating an electric field curtain. A developing device comprising an alternating voltage applying means for applying an alternating voltage to the electric field curtain generating electrode only in a developing area facing an image carrier.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP1151531A JPH0315874A (en) | 1989-06-14 | 1989-06-14 | Developing device |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP1151531A JPH0315874A (en) | 1989-06-14 | 1989-06-14 | Developing device |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| JPH0315874A true JPH0315874A (en) | 1991-01-24 |
Family
ID=15520551
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP1151531A Pending JPH0315874A (en) | 1989-06-14 | 1989-06-14 | Developing device |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPH0315874A (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5172170A (en) * | 1992-03-13 | 1992-12-15 | Xerox Corporation | Electroded donor roll for a scavengeless developer unit |
| JP2008122707A (en) * | 2006-11-13 | 2008-05-29 | Ricoh Co Ltd | Developing device and method, and image forming apparatus |
-
1989
- 1989-06-14 JP JP1151531A patent/JPH0315874A/en active Pending
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5172170A (en) * | 1992-03-13 | 1992-12-15 | Xerox Corporation | Electroded donor roll for a scavengeless developer unit |
| JP2008122707A (en) * | 2006-11-13 | 2008-05-29 | Ricoh Co Ltd | Developing device and method, and image forming apparatus |
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