JPH03181977A - Electrophotographic copying device - Google Patents
Electrophotographic copying deviceInfo
- Publication number
- JPH03181977A JPH03181977A JP32202789A JP32202789A JPH03181977A JP H03181977 A JPH03181977 A JP H03181977A JP 32202789 A JP32202789 A JP 32202789A JP 32202789 A JP32202789 A JP 32202789A JP H03181977 A JPH03181977 A JP H03181977A
- Authority
- JP
- Japan
- Prior art keywords
- toner
- storage part
- supply port
- electrostatic latent
- latent image
- 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
- 108091008695 photoreceptors Proteins 0.000 claims description 14
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 20
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 15
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 9
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 8
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 7
- 239000003086 colorant Substances 0.000 description 6
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 4
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000004065 semiconductor Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000015271 coagulation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005345 coagulation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000011109 contamination Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003989 dielectric material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003912 environmental pollution Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000006872 improvement Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001678 irradiating effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000049 pigment Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002985 plastic film Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920006255 plastic film Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000000843 powder Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000001556 precipitation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052709 silver Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000004332 silver Substances 0.000 description 1
- -1 silver halide Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000010186 staining Methods 0.000 description 1
Landscapes
- Wet Developing 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、電子写真プロセス等における静電潜像現像
をするために用いて好適な電子写真装置に関する。DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an electrophotographic apparatus suitable for use in developing electrostatic latent images in electrophotographic processes and the like.
この発明は、トナーを保持するためのトナー容器と、こ
のトナー容器から必要に応じて出力されるトナーを貯留
し、現像電極に供給する貯留部とを備え、貯留部から毛
細管現象を利用してトナーを感光体へ供給するための供
給口を貯留部に配するようにすることにより、必要最小
量のトナーのみを供給できるようにしたものである。The present invention includes a toner container for holding toner, and a storage section that stores the toner output from the toner container as needed and supplies it to a developing electrode. By arranging a supply port for supplying toner to the photoreceptor in the reservoir, only the minimum necessary amount of toner can be supplied.
電子写真現像プロセス等の静電プロセスにおける静電潜
像は、例えば光導体などからなる感光体上に一様に帯電
させた後、画像信号に応じて選択的に光照射を行い、こ
の光照射された箇所の電荷を消滅させて作られることが
ある。あるいは誘電体、例えば紙、プラスチックフィル
ムなどにマルチスクイラスヘッドと呼ばれる静電電極に
よって電気信号に応じて帯電させることにより作られる
ことがある。そして、この静電潜像を現像するため番こ
、静電潜像を有する静電潜像担体（感光体ドラム、誘電
体フィルムなど）と逆極性に帯電させたトナーを感光体
上の帯電箇所に静電的に付着させて現像する方法が知ら
れている。An electrostatic latent image in an electrostatic process such as an electrophotographic development process is created by uniformly charging a photoreceptor, such as a photoconductor, and then selectively irradiating it with light according to an image signal. It is sometimes created by extinguishing the electric charge at the location where it was applied. Alternatively, it may be made by charging a dielectric material such as paper or plastic film in accordance with an electric signal using an electrostatic electrode called a multi-squill head. To develop this electrostatic latent image, toner charged to the opposite polarity to the electrostatic latent image carrier (photoreceptor drum, dielectric film, etc.) having the electrostatic latent image is applied to the charged portion on the photoreceptor. A method is known in which the film is electrostatically attached to the surface and developed.
現像方法にはトナーとして乾式トナーを用いる乾式現像
方式と液体トナーを用いる湿式現像方式とが知られてい
る。乾式トナーは、通常は微粒粉末から威る。そのため
、乾式トナーが飛散すると環境汚染の問題があり、乾式
トナーを収容するカートリッジを密閉構造としなければ
ならず、現在では静電潜像担体及び現像部ごと交換して
しまう構造をとる現像装置が多い。このため、コスト高
となっているが、乾式トナーは保存性に優れ、カートリ
ッジ方式をとれば取り扱い簡単という長所がある。As a developing method, a dry developing method using a dry toner and a wet developing method using a liquid toner are known. Dry toners are usually produced from fine powders. Therefore, if the dry toner scatters, there is a problem of environmental pollution, and the cartridge containing the dry toner must be of a sealed structure.Currently, developing devices have a structure in which the electrostatic latent image carrier and the developing section are replaced. many. For this reason, the cost is high, but dry toner has the advantage of excellent storage stability, and cartridge type toner is easy to handle.
一方、液体トナーは例えば顔料等の着色剤粒子を絶縁性
液体に分散させたもので、液体トナーをトナー容器内か
ら遠心ポンプなどにより、静電潜像担体と逆極性に帯電
させるための現像電極のスリン１〜から噴出させて、静
電潜像担体に静電的に着色剤粒子を付着させる構造の現
像装置が知られている。しかしながら、この現像装置に
おいては、静電潜像担体に付着しない余剰液体は再びト
ナー容器内に戻り、トナー中の着色剤粒子濃度が薄くな
っていく。そのため、現像液（液体トナー）の濃度管理
が問題となっていた。また、現像中または現像装置保持
時、液体トナー交換時などの液漏れによる汚染や、液体
トナーの着色剤粒子の凝集沈澱等による液体トナー保存
性等の諸問題などが生していた。一方、液体トナーを用
いる静電プロセスは画像の解像度や階調を銀塩写真に匹
敵するレベルに高め得る可能性を有しており、電子スチ
ルカメラ等に用いるビデオプリンタなど高画質の印画装
置に適した静電潜像現像方式として期待されている。On the other hand, liquid toner is made by dispersing colorant particles such as pigments in an insulating liquid, and a developing electrode is used to charge the liquid toner from inside a toner container to a polarity opposite to that of the electrostatic latent image carrier using a centrifugal pump or the like. A developing device is known that has a structure in which colorant particles are ejected from Surin 1 to electrostatically adhere to an electrostatic latent image carrier. However, in this developing device, excess liquid that does not adhere to the electrostatic latent image carrier returns to the toner container, and the concentration of colorant particles in the toner decreases. Therefore, concentration management of the developer (liquid toner) has been a problem. In addition, there have been various problems such as contamination due to liquid leakage during development, when holding the developing device, or when replacing the liquid toner, and storage stability of the liquid toner due to coagulation and precipitation of colorant particles in the liquid toner. On the other hand, the electrostatic process using liquid toner has the potential to increase image resolution and gradation to a level comparable to silver halide photography, and is suitable for high-quality printing devices such as video printers used in electronic still cameras. It is expected to be a suitable electrostatic latent image development method.
かかる背景のもとに、本出願人は、先に特願昭６３−１
５６８４７号において、液体トナーを用いた静電プロセ
スの持つ長所を生かしつつ、液体トナーの取扱いにくさ
、特に汚れやすさ、メンテナンスのしにくさ及び保存性
の悪さ等の諸問題を解決した静電潜像の現像方法を提案
した。すなわち、常温で固体の静電絶縁性有機物に着色
剤が分散されてなる現像剤（トナー）を加熱して液化し
、この液化した現像剤によって静電潜像を湿式現像する
ことを特徴とする静電潜像現像方法である。Against this background, the present applicant previously filed a patent application in 1986-1.
In No. 56847, an electrostatic process that takes advantage of the advantages of the electrostatic process using liquid toner while solving various problems such as the difficulty of handling liquid toner, especially its easy staining, difficulty in maintenance, and poor storage stability, was proposed. A method for developing latent images was proposed. That is, the method is characterized in that a developer (toner) consisting of an electrostatic insulating organic substance that is solid at room temperature and a colorant dispersed therein is heated and liquefied, and an electrostatic latent image is wet-developed using the liquefied developer. This is an electrostatic latent image developing method.
しかしながら、特願昭６３−１５６８４７号において提
案した技術においても、実施例中に示した現像装置は、
所定の濃度のトナーを現像のために必要とする一定量だ
け静電潜像担体へ供給する技術において改良の余地が残
されていた。However, even in the technology proposed in Japanese Patent Application No. 63-156847, the developing device shown in the examples is
There remains room for improvement in the technology of supplying a certain amount of toner of a predetermined density required for development to an electrostatic latent image carrier.
そこで、本出願人は、常温で固体で加熱すると液化する
電気絶縁性有機物に着色剤が分散されてなる薄板状また
は粒状の固形化トナーを用い、静電潜像を有する静電潜
像担体の上方または上側方に設けたヒータによってトナ
ーの必要量を加熱して液化し、現像に供することを特徴
とする静電潜像現像装置を先に提案した（特願平１−１
６２５８６号）。Therefore, the present applicant used a thin plate-like or granular solidified toner, which is made of an electrically insulating organic substance that is solid at room temperature and liquefies when heated, and a coloring agent dispersed therein, to form an electrostatic latent image carrier having an electrostatic latent image. We have previously proposed an electrostatic latent image developing device that heats and liquefies the required amount of toner using a heater provided above or on the upper side and uses it for development (Patent Application No. 1-1).
No. 62586).
ところで、上記特願平１−１６２５８６号等に記載され
ているような従来装置の場合、多量のトナーの供給と廃
棄が必要であり、一定量を供給するにはなお困難な問題
があった。また、トナー濃度が経時的に変化し、つまり
トナー濃度が現像するにつれてうずくなる等の欠点があ
った。However, in the case of the conventional apparatus described in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application No. 1-162586, it is necessary to supply and dispose of a large amount of toner, and it is still difficult to supply a constant amount of toner. Further, there was a drawback that the toner concentration changed over time, that is, the toner concentration became dull as development progressed.
この発明は斯る点に鑑みてなされたもので、上述の従来
の欠点を一掃することができる電子写真装置を提供する
ものである。The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide an electrophotographic apparatus that can eliminate the above-mentioned conventional drawbacks.
この発明に係る電子写真装置は、トナーを保持するため
のトナー容器（４）と、このトナー容器力・ら必要に応
じて出力されるトナーを貯留し、現像電極（１０）に供
給する貯留部（７）とを備え、この貯留６Ｂから毛細管
現象を利用してトナーを感光体ヘイ共給するための供給
口を貯留部に配するよう番こしたものである。The electrophotographic apparatus according to the present invention includes a toner container (4) for holding toner, and a storage section that stores toner output from the toner container as needed and supplies it to a developing electrode (10). (7), and a supply port for co-feeding toner from the reservoir 6B to the photoreceptor using capillary action is arranged in the reservoir.
こ○発明においては、貯留部から毛細管現象を利用して
トナーを感光体へ供給するための供給口を貯留部に配す
る。これにより必要最小量のトナーのみを供給できる。In this invention, the reservoir is provided with a supply port for supplying toner from the reservoir to the photoreceptor using capillary action. This allows only the minimum amount of toner required to be supplied.
〔実施例〕
以下、この発明の一実施例を添付図面に基づいて詳しく
説明する。図において、（１）は感光体（静電潜像担体
の一例）を平板状に設けた感光板、（２）は感光体全面
に一様に例えば負の電荷を帯電させるための帯電器、（
３）は画像信号に応じて選択的に光照射を行ってこの光
照射された個所の電荷を消滅させて静電潜像を形成する
ための半導体レーザ（露光系）、（４）は粒状固形化ト
ナー（５）を収容するための容器、（６）は容器（４）
の底部にあって固形化トナー（５）を回転しながら１つ
づつ下方へ落下させるバルブ、（７）はバルブ（６）を
通して落下してくる固形化トナー（５）を貯留する貯留
部である。この貯留部（７）は例えば２枚の平板が微小
間で、そのギャップが下部で狭く上部で広くなるように
微少のテーパーをつけて保持されており、その下部に供
給口（図示せず）を有する。（８）は貯留部（７）に対
して設けられたヒータであって、容器（５）からの固形
化トナー（５）を加熱して液状トナー（９）に変化する
。（１０）はトナーに感光体ど逆極性の帯電をさせるた
めの現像電極である。[Embodiment] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail based on the accompanying drawings. In the figure, (1) is a photosensitive plate provided with a photoreceptor (an example of an electrostatic latent image carrier) in the form of a flat plate, (2) is a charger for uniformly charging the entire surface of the photoreceptor with, for example, a negative charge; (
3) is a semiconductor laser (exposure system) that selectively irradiates light according to an image signal to eliminate the charge on the irradiated area to form an electrostatic latent image, and (4) is a granular solid. a container for containing the toner (5), (6) is the container (4)
The valve (7) is a storage part that stores the solidified toner (5) that falls through the valve (6). . This reservoir (7) is made up of, for example, two flat plates that are held with a slight taper so that the gap is narrower at the bottom and wider at the top, and a supply port (not shown) is provided at the bottom. has. (8) is a heater provided for the storage section (7), which heats the solidified toner (5) from the container (5) and changes it into liquid toner (9). (10) is a developing electrode for charging the toner with the opposite polarity to the photoreceptor.
（１１）は貯留部（７）に貯留されている液状トナー（
９）の水面位置を検出する水面位置検出センサであって
、例えばフォトカプラ等が用いられる。（１２）は水面
位置検出センサ（１１）の検出出力を増幅するアンプ、
（１３）はアンプ（１２）の出力と基準電源（１４）か
らの基準値を比較する比較器、（１５）は比較器（１３
）の出力に応じて駆動信号を発生するモータドライブ回
路、（１６）はバルブ（６）を回転駆動するモータであ
る。(11) is the liquid toner (
9) A water surface position detection sensor for detecting the water surface position, for example, a photocoupler or the like is used. (12) is an amplifier that amplifies the detection output of the water surface position detection sensor (11);
(13) is a comparator that compares the output of the amplifier (12) with the reference value from the reference power supply (14), and (15) is the comparator (13).
), and (16) is a motor that rotationally drives the valve (6).
いま、図面は帯電、露光のプロセスを終えた感光板（１
）が現像位置に来た所である。貯留部（７）では液状ト
ナー（９）を入れると毛細管現象によりある高さまで入
ることになる。この高さは常に一定となるように水面位
置検出センサ（１１）で検出されている。貯留部（７）
の下部（供給口）は現像電極（１０）につながり、ある
ギャップを隔てて感光体と対向している。現像時は表面
張力によりこのギャップ間に現像液（液状トナー）が満
たされている。The drawing now shows a photosensitive plate (1) that has completed the charging and exposure process.
) has reached the developing position. When liquid toner (9) is placed in the reservoir (7), it will enter to a certain height due to capillary action. This height is detected by a water surface position detection sensor (11) so that it is always constant. Storage part (7)
The lower part (supply port) is connected to the developing electrode (10) and faces the photoreceptor with a certain gap in between. During development, this gap is filled with developer (liquid toner) due to surface tension.
貯留部（７）に貯留されている液状トナー（９）が図示
の如くある一定の高さにあるときは水面位置検出センサ
（１１）の出力は零で、比較器（１３）の出力も零であ
る。従ってモータ（１６）は停止してバルブ（６）を閉
した状態に保持している。いま、液状トナー（１９）が
ある一定の高さより低くなると、水面位置検出センサ（
１１）がこれを検出して出力を発生して、アンプ（１２
）に供給する。アンプ（１２）の出力は比較器（１３）
の基準値を越えるようになり、比較器（１３〉より出力
が発生される。この出力によりモータドライブ回路（１
５）より駆動信号が発生されてモータ（１６）が回転し
、これによりバルブ（１６）が回転して開き容器（４）
より固形化トナー（５）が貯留部（７）に供給されて液
化される。そして液状トナー（９）の水位が成る一定の
高さまで来ると水面位置検出センサ（１１）の出力がな
くなるのでバルブ（６）は回転停止して閉まる。このよ
うにして現像電極（１０〉と感光体間のトナーが表面張
力により流れ出さない程度の量に常に保持される。つま
り、現像電極（１０）と感光体の間には現像に必要な適
量のトナーのみが常に保持され、実質的に廃棄が不要と
なる。When the liquid toner (9) stored in the storage section (7) is at a certain height as shown in the figure, the output of the water surface position detection sensor (11) is zero, and the output of the comparator (13) is also zero. It is. The motor (16) is therefore stopped and the valve (6) is held closed. Now, when the liquid toner (19) becomes lower than a certain height, the water surface position detection sensor (
11) detects this and generates an output, and the amplifier (12)
). The output of the amplifier (12) is the comparator (13)
exceeds the reference value, and an output is generated from the comparator (13). This output causes the motor drive circuit (13) to
5) A drive signal is generated to rotate the motor (16), which rotates the valve (16) and opens the container (4).
The solidified toner (5) is supplied to the storage section (7) and liquefied. Then, when the water level of the liquid toner (9) reaches a certain level, the output of the water surface position detection sensor (11) disappears, and the valve (6) stops rotating and closes. In this way, the amount of toner between the developing electrode (10) and the photoreceptor is always maintained at an amount that does not flow out due to surface tension.In other words, the amount of toner between the developing electrode (10) and the photoreceptor is kept at a level necessary for development. of toner is retained at all times, virtually eliminating the need for disposal.
なお、上述の実施例では粒状の固形化トナーを貯留部（
７）に供給するようにしたが固形化トナーのかたまりを
少しずつ削りとって貯留部（７）に供給するようにして
もよい。Note that in the above embodiment, the granular solidified toner is stored in the storage section (
7), but the solidified toner mass may be scraped off little by little and then supplied to the storage section (7).
上述の如くこの発明によれば、トナーを貯留する貯留部
から毛細管現象を利用してトナーを感光体へ供給するた
めの供給口を貯留部に配するようにしたので、必要最小
量のトナーのみ供給でき、多量のトナーの供給、廃棄が
不要となり、実質的に廃棄処理を不要とすることができ
る。また、トナー濃度が経時的に変化することもない。As described above, according to the present invention, since the supply port for supplying toner from the storage section for storing toner to the photoreceptor using capillary phenomenon is arranged in the storage section, only the minimum amount of toner required is provided. This eliminates the need for supplying and discarding a large amount of toner, and substantially eliminates the need for disposal. Further, the toner concentration does not change over time.
図はこの発明の一実施例を示す構成図である。
（１）は感光板、（２）は帯電器、（３）は半導体レー
ザ、（４）は容器、（６）はバルブ、（７）は貯留部、
（１０）は現像電極、（１１）は水面位置検出センサ、
（１３）は比較器、（１６）はモータである。The figure is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. (1) is a photosensitive plate, (2) is a charger, (3) is a semiconductor laser, (4) is a container, (6) is a valve, (7) is a storage unit,
(10) is a developing electrode, (11) is a water surface position detection sensor,
(13) is a comparator, and (16) is a motor.
Claims (1)
貯留し、現像電極に供給する貯留部とを備え、該貯留部
から毛細管現像を利用して上記トナーを感光体へ供給す
るための供給口を上記貯留部に配してなることを特徴と
する電子写真装置。[Scope of Claims] A toner container for holding toner, and a storage section for storing the toner outputted from the toner container as needed and supplying it to a developing electrode, from which capillary development is carried out. An electrophotographic apparatus characterized in that a supply port for supplying the toner to the photoreceptor using the storage section is arranged in the storage section.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP32202789A JPH03181977A (en) | 1989-12-12 | 1989-12-12 | Electrophotographic copying device |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP32202789A JPH03181977A (en) | 1989-12-12 | 1989-12-12 | Electrophotographic copying device |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| JPH03181977A true JPH03181977A (en) | 1991-08-07 |
Family
ID=18139107
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP32202789A Pending JPH03181977A (en) | 1989-12-12 | 1989-12-12 | Electrophotographic copying device |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPH03181977A (en) |
-
1989
- 1989-12-12 JP JP32202789A patent/JPH03181977A/en active Pending
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