JPH06289697A - Image forming device and process cartridge - Google Patents
Image forming device and process cartridgeInfo
- Publication number
- JPH06289697A JPH06289697A JP5096911A JP9691193A JPH06289697A JP H06289697 A JPH06289697 A JP H06289697A JP 5096911 A JP5096911 A JP 5096911A JP 9691193 A JP9691193 A JP 9691193A JP H06289697 A JPH06289697 A JP H06289697A
- Authority
- JP
- Japan
- Prior art keywords
- developer
- developing
- toner
- developing sleeve
- regulating member
- 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.)
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- Dry Development In Electrophotography (AREA)
Abstract
Description
【０００１】[0001]
【産業上の利用分野】本発明は、例えば複写機やページ
プリンター等とされる電子写真式或は静電記録式の画像
形成装置に関するものであり、特に現像装置に特徴を有
する。BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrophotographic or electrostatic recording type image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a page printer, and is characterized by a developing device.
【０００２】[0002]
【従来の技術】図１０において、複写機やページプリン
ター等の画像形成装置に用いられてきた電子写真記録装
置の概略構成が示されている。プリンターエンジンたる
電子写真記録装置本体１は、潜像担持体たる円筒状の感
光ドラム２を備えている。感光ドラム２はその軸を中心
として一方向に回転し、帯電装置３によりその表面を一
様に帯電された後、露光装置４により潜像が形成され
る。現像装置５は現像剤６の貯蔵・保管を行う現像剤収
納装置たるホッパー７と現像剤担持体たる現像スリーブ
８とを備えており、感光ドラム２上に形成した潜像に現
像剤６を供給して可視化する。現像スリーブ８の近傍に
は現像剤規制部材たる現像ブレード９が設置されてい
る。感光ドラム２と現像スリーブ８との間には直流バイ
アスに交流バイアスを重畳したバイアス供給電源１９が
接続されており、適正な現像バイアスを与えるようにな
っている。2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 10 shows a schematic structure of an electrophotographic recording apparatus used in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a page printer. A main body 1 of an electrophotographic recording apparatus, which is a printer engine, includes a cylindrical photosensitive drum 2 that is a latent image carrier. The photosensitive drum 2 rotates in one direction around its axis, and its surface is uniformly charged by the charging device 3, and then a latent image is formed by the exposure device 4. The developing device 5 includes a hopper 7 that is a developer accommodating device that stores and stores the developer 6, and a developing sleeve 8 that is a developer carrier, and supplies the developer 6 to the latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 2. And visualize it. A developing blade 9, which is a developer regulating member, is installed near the developing sleeve 8. Between the photosensitive drum 2 and the developing sleeve 8, a bias supply power source 19 in which an alternating current bias is superposed on a direct current bias is connected so as to give an appropriate developing bias.
【０００３】現像剤６により可視化された感光ドラム２
上の像は転写装置１０により転写材１１に転写される。
尚、転写材１１は給紙ローラ１２により給紙され、レジ
ストローラ１３により感光ドラム２上の像と同期がとら
れて転写装置１０に送られる。転写装置１０により転写
材１１に転写された、現像剤による可視像は転写材１１
と共に定着装置１４に搬送され熱もしくは圧力により転
写材１１に定着され記録画像となる。一方、転写後に転
写されず感光ドラム２上に残った現像剤６はクリーニン
グ装置１５により除かれる。現像剤６を除かれた感光ド
ラム表面は再び帯電装置３によって帯電され上述の工程
を繰り返す。Photosensitive drum 2 visualized by developer 6
The upper image is transferred to the transfer material 11 by the transfer device 10.
The transfer material 11 is fed by a paper feed roller 12 and is sent to the transfer device 10 by a registration roller 13 in synchronism with the image on the photosensitive drum 2. The visible image of the developer transferred onto the transfer material 11 by the transfer device 10 is the transfer material 11.
At the same time, it is conveyed to the fixing device 14 and fixed on the transfer material 11 by heat or pressure to form a recorded image. On the other hand, the developer 6 not transferred after the transfer and remaining on the photosensitive drum 2 is removed by the cleaning device 15. The surface of the photosensitive drum from which the developer 6 has been removed is charged again by the charging device 3 and the above steps are repeated.
【０００４】上記の電子写真記録装置ではメンテナンス
を容易にするため現像装置５を現像プロセスユニットと
し、感光ドラム２、クリーニング装置１５及び帯電装置
３を一体化してクリーニングユニット１６とし、各々の
ユニットの脱着が可能な構成としている。さらには上記
の２つのユニットをまとめてプロセスカートリッジ１７
として、メンテナンスをより簡単にしたものが普及して
いる。このようなプロセスユニットもしくはプロセスカ
ートリッジの現像剤は、キャリアの残らない磁性一成分
現像剤が使われることが多い。この磁性一成分現像剤を
用いる場合は、上記現像スリーブ８上に現像剤を保持す
るため現像スリーブ内にマグネット１８が配置される。In the above electrophotographic recording apparatus, in order to facilitate maintenance, the developing device 5 serves as a developing process unit, and the photosensitive drum 2, the cleaning device 15 and the charging device 3 are integrated into a cleaning unit 16 which is attached and detached. Is possible. Furthermore, the above two units are combined into a process cartridge 17
As a result, the one that is easier to maintain has become popular. As a developer for such a process unit or process cartridge, a magnetic one-component developer that does not leave a carrier is often used. When this magnetic one-component developer is used, a magnet 18 is arranged in the developing sleeve 8 to hold the developer on the developing sleeve 8.
【０００５】ところで、近年、電子写真画像の解像度の
向上を目的として、トナーの粒径を６〜９μｍ程度に小
径化する傾向にある。小径化されたトナーは粒径の大き
なトナーに対して単位体積当たりの粒子数が多い為、各
々の粒子に均等に現像スリーブや現像ブレードの表面と
の接触機会を与えにくく、均一に帯電させることが難し
い。特に非接触現像方式の現像装置では、現像装置のト
ナーの帯電効率が低くまたトナーの帯電が不均一になり
易いため、画像濃度及び解像度の低下、及び非画像部の
カブリやトナーの飛散が悪化する傾向がある。このため
現像ブレード設置形式としては、現像ブレードの側面を
現像スリーブに摺擦するように当接させる接触方式が用
いられることが多い。接触方式ではトナーを現像スリー
ブ及び現像ブレードの双方で押し付け摺擦させるため非
接触方式に較べてトナーを帯電する能力が高く、小径化
されたトナーに適している。尚、接触方式の現像ブレー
ドの材質としては燐青銅等の金属バネ材やウレタン、シ
リコン等の弾性ゴムが用いられ、現像スリーブに対し所
定の当接圧が加わるように設置されている。By the way, in recent years, in order to improve the resolution of electrophotographic images, the toner particle size tends to be reduced to about 6 to 9 μm. Toner with a smaller diameter has a larger number of particles per unit volume than toner with a large particle size, so it is difficult to evenly give each particle an opportunity to contact the surface of the developing sleeve or developing blade, and to uniformly charge the particles. Is difficult. Particularly in a non-contact developing type developing device, since the toner charging efficiency of the developing device is low and the toner charging is likely to be non-uniform, deterioration of image density and resolution, and fogging of non-image areas and toner scattering are aggravated. Tend to do. For this reason, as a method for installing the developing blade, a contact method is often used in which the side surface of the developing blade is brought into contact with the developing sleeve so as to slide against it. In the contact method, the toner is pressed and rubbed by both the developing sleeve and the developing blade, so that the toner has a higher ability to charge the toner than the non-contact method, and is suitable for a toner having a reduced diameter. As the material of the contact type developing blade, a metal spring material such as phosphor bronze or an elastic rubber such as urethane or silicon is used, and it is installed so that a predetermined contact pressure is applied to the developing sleeve.
【０００６】また、トナーの帯電効率をさらに向上させ
るため、トナーと現像スリーブもしくは現像ブレードと
が接触する機会を増加させる目的で、現像スリーブ上に
塗布されるトナーの層の厚さを薄くする努力がなされて
いる。トナーの層厚は現像スリーブの表面粗さ、現像ブ
レードの当接圧、現像ブレードの硬度などによってある
程度の制御が可能あるが、磁性一成分現像剤の場合は現
像スリーブの表面粗さにより調整することが多い。尚、
トナーの層厚は現像スリーブの表面粗さが小さくなるほ
ど薄くなりトナーの帯電量は増加する傾向がある。Further, in order to further improve the charging efficiency of the toner, an effort to reduce the thickness of the toner layer applied on the developing sleeve for the purpose of increasing the chances of contact between the toner and the developing sleeve or the developing blade. Has been done. The toner layer thickness can be controlled to some extent by the surface roughness of the developing sleeve, the contact pressure of the developing blade, the hardness of the developing blade, etc., but in the case of a magnetic one-component developer, it is adjusted by the surface roughness of the developing sleeve. Often. still,
The layer thickness of the toner becomes thinner as the surface roughness of the developing sleeve becomes smaller, and the toner charge amount tends to increase.
【０００７】上記のようにトナー層の薄層化に伴いトナ
ーの帯電効率は向上するが、トナー供給量が低下して画
像濃度が落ちるため当然ながら薄層化には下限が存在す
る。また、トナー層は薄層化するほど現像スリーブと現
像ブレードの摺擦状況に敏感になり塗布ムラが発生しや
すかった。上記の対策としては、感光ドラムに対する現
像スリーブの回転速度比を上げてトナー供給量を維持し
たり、現像ブレード上の現像スリーブとの摺擦部には硬
度の小さな（７０度以下；AskerC）弾性体を用いて塗布
ムラの発生を抑えるなどの方法が取られている。As described above, as the toner layer becomes thinner, the charging efficiency of the toner is improved, but the toner supply amount is lowered and the image density is lowered, so naturally there is a lower limit for thinning. Further, the thinner the toner layer, the more sensitive it was to the condition of rubbing between the developing sleeve and the developing blade, and uneven coating was likely to occur. As measures against the above, the rotation speed ratio of the developing sleeve to the photosensitive drum is increased to maintain the toner supply amount, and the sliding portion of the developing blade with the developing sleeve has a small hardness (70 degrees or less; AskerC) elasticity. Methods such as using the body to suppress the occurrence of coating unevenness have been adopted.
【０００８】[0008]
【発明が解決しようとする課題】ところで、上記のよう
にトナーの帯電効率を向上させる努力が行われる一方
で、トナーの帯電量が必要以上に増加すると、現像スリ
ーブや現像ブレードの表面が、強く帯電したトナー（以
下、強電帯トナーと呼ぶ）で覆われた層（以下、強帯電
層と呼ぶ）が生じ、様々な弊害が発生した。Meanwhile, while efforts have been made to improve the charging efficiency of the toner as described above, when the charge amount of the toner increases more than necessary, the surface of the developing sleeve or the developing blade becomes strong. A layer (hereinafter, referred to as a strongly charged layer) covered with the charged toner (hereinafter, referred to as a strongly charged toner) was generated, and various problems were caused.
【０００９】上記強帯電層は以下のようにして発生す
る。即ち、帯電したトナーには現像スリーブや現像ブレ
ードとの間に距離および帯電量に比例した静電鏡映力が
働く。さらに、現像スリーブや現像ブレードの表面に付
着したトナーには他に様々な物理的吸着力が働く。従っ
て、強帯電トナーが一度現像スリーブや現像ブレードに
付着すると、大きな静電鏡映力を主として、更に様々な
物理的吸着力が働き容易に引き剥せなくなる。The strongly charged layer is generated as follows. That is, an electrostatic mirror image force proportional to the distance and the amount of charge acts on the charged toner between the developing sleeve and the developing blade. Further, various physical attraction forces act on the toner attached to the surface of the developing sleeve or the developing blade. Therefore, once the strongly charged toner adheres to the developing sleeve or the developing blade, a large electrostatic mirror image force is mainly exerted, and further various physical attracting forces act, so that the toner cannot be easily peeled off.
【００１０】この強帯電層によって後から供給されるト
ナーと現像スリーブや現像ブレードとの接触が阻害され
る。このため必然的にトナー同士の摩擦帯電が増加し、
反対極性に帯電するトナー（反転トナー）の量が相対的
に増加して結果的には画像濃度の低下や非画像部のカブ
リの増大となっていた。また、この強帯電層はトナーの
帯電効率を低下させトナーの帯電を不均一にする原因と
もなっていた。この結果、現像スリーブ上のトナーの一
部が現像に供されると、現像された画像部と現像されな
かった非画像部のトナーの帯電量が不均一となり、次回
の現像で前回の画像の影響（”ゴースト”と呼ばれる現
象）が現れる場合があった。特に低湿度環境では、現像
スリーブ上を覆う強帯電層が更に強力に帯電して帯電ム
ラ、塗布ムラ等の画像不良（”ブロッチ”と呼ばれる現
象）が発生する場合があった。上記のように特に現像ス
リーブ上の強帯電層の存在による弊害が大きい。また、
特に小径化されたトナーは、より稠密に現像スリーブや
現像ブレードの表面に付着するため上記の弊害が著しか
った。The strongly charged layer hinders the contact between the toner supplied later and the developing sleeve or the developing blade. Therefore, the frictional electrification between toners inevitably increases,
The amount of toner charged to the opposite polarity (reversed toner) relatively increases, resulting in a decrease in image density and an increase in fog in the non-image area. In addition, this strong charging layer has been a cause of reducing the charging efficiency of the toner and making the charging of the toner uneven. As a result, when a part of the toner on the developing sleeve is used for the development, the charge amounts of the toner in the developed image area and the non-developed non-image area become non-uniform, and the next image is not charged in the same amount. In some cases, an effect (a phenomenon called "ghost") appeared. Particularly in a low humidity environment, the strong charging layer covering the developing sleeve was more strongly charged, and image defects such as charging unevenness and coating unevenness (a phenomenon called "blotch") sometimes occurred. As described above, the presence of the strongly charged layer on the developing sleeve is particularly harmful. Also,
Particularly, the toner having a reduced diameter adheres more densely to the surface of the developing sleeve or the developing blade, and the above-mentioned adverse effects are remarkable.
【００１１】本出願人等は、上記のような、低湿度環境
において発生する強帯電層の除去と塗布ムラおよび帯電
ムラの緩和を目的として、特公昭６３−４１０６８号公
報において、小径化トナーを用い、接触方式の現像ブレ
ードによる帯電効率の向上を図った構成で、現像剤担持
体と現像剤担持体と対向する非接触部材との間に交番電
界を加えることにより強帯電トナーを振動させ強帯電層
を除去する方法を提案した。しかしながら、強帯電層を
必要十分に除去するにはかなり強力かつ均一な電界を加
える必要があり、このためリーク等の不平等放電が発生
しやすいといった問題が生じ満足できるものではなかっ
た。The applicants of the present invention have proposed a toner with a reduced diameter in Japanese Patent Publication No. 63-41068 for the purpose of removing the strongly charged layer generated in a low humidity environment and alleviating coating unevenness and charging unevenness as described above. The contact type developing blade is used to improve the charging efficiency.By applying an alternating electric field between the developer carrying member and the non-contact member facing the developer carrying member, the strongly charged toner is vibrated and strongly charged. A method of removing the charge layer was proposed. However, in order to remove the strongly charged layer in a necessary and sufficient manner, it is necessary to apply a fairly strong and uniform electric field, which causes a problem that uneven discharge such as leak is likely to occur, which is not satisfactory.
【００１２】従って、本発明の目的は、トナーの帯電効
率向上化及びトナーの小径化に伴い顕在化したトナー強
帯電層による画像濃度の低下や非画像部のカブリの増
大、及びゴースト、ブロッチ等の帯電ムラや塗布ムラ現
象の発生をあらゆる環境で抑えるとともに、現像スリー
ブと現像ブレードとの間に挟まった異物等による塗布ム
ラの緩和を可能とする電子写真装置の現像装置を提供す
ることである。Therefore, an object of the present invention is to reduce the image density and increase the fog in the non-image area, the ghost, blotch, etc. due to the toner strongly charged layer which has become apparent as the toner charging efficiency is improved and the toner diameter is reduced. It is to provide a developing device of an electrophotographic apparatus capable of suppressing the occurrence of the charging unevenness and the coating unevenness phenomenon in any environment and alleviating the coating unevenness due to a foreign substance or the like sandwiched between the developing sleeve and the developing blade. .
【００１３】[0013]
【課題を解決するための手段】上記目的は本発明に係る
電子写真装置の現像装置にて達成される。要約すれば、
本発明は、潜像が形成される潜像担持体と、該潜像担持
体上に形成した潜像に一定方向に回転することによって
磁性一成分現像剤を供給して可視化せしめる現像剤担持
体及び該現像剤担持体に圧接して現像剤担持体上の現像
剤の量を規制し、かつ均一に塗布せしめる現像剤規制部
材とを備えた現像装置とを有する画像形成装置におい
て、前記現像剤規制部材と前記現像剤担持体との摺擦部
及びその近傍で、前記現像剤規制部材に微細振動を発生
させる手段を具備してなることを特徴とする画像形成装
置である。The above object can be achieved by a developing device for an electrophotographic apparatus according to the present invention. In summary,
The present invention relates to a latent image carrier on which a latent image is formed, and a developer carrier on which a magnetic one-component developer is supplied to be visualized by rotating the latent image formed on the latent image carrier in a certain direction. And a developing device having a developer regulating member that presses against the developer carrying body to regulate the amount of the developer on the developer carrying body and to apply the developer uniformly. The image forming apparatus is characterized by comprising a means for generating fine vibrations in the developer regulating member at and near the sliding portion between the regulating member and the developer carrying member.
【００１４】好ましくは、前記微細振動発生手段により
発生された微細振動は、前記現像剤規制部材と前記現像
剤担持体との摺擦部の当接圧の５％以上の変動幅を有す
る。Preferably, the fine vibration generated by the fine vibration generating means has a fluctuation range of 5% or more of the contact pressure of the sliding contact portion between the developer regulating member and the developer carrying member.
【００１５】本発明の他の態様によれば、潜像担持体上
に形成した潜像に一定方向に回転することによって磁性
一成分現像剤を供給して可視化せしめる現像剤担持体
と、該現像剤担持体に圧接して現像剤担持体上の現像剤
の量を規制し、かつ均一に塗布せしめる現像剤規制部材
とを備えた電子写真記録装置の現像装置において、前記
現像剤規制部材と前記現像剤担持体との摺擦部及びその
近傍で、前記現像剤規制部材と前記現像剤担持体上の現
像剤とに振動電界による微細振動を加える手段を具備す
る装置が提供される。According to another aspect of the present invention, a developer carrier for supplying a magnetic one-component developer to visualize the latent image formed on the latent image carrier by rotating the latent image in a fixed direction, and the developer. In a developing device of an electrophotographic recording apparatus, which comprises a developer regulating member that presses against a developer carrying body to regulate the amount of the developer on the developer carrying body and to apply the developer uniformly, the developer regulating member and the developer regulating member There is provided an apparatus including means for applying a fine vibration due to an oscillating electric field to the developer regulating member and the developer on the developer carrying member at and near the sliding contact portion with the developer carrying member.
【００１６】好ましくは、前記振動電界は前記現像剤規
制部材と現像剤規制部材に対向する部材との間に振動電
圧を加えることにより与えられる。Preferably, the oscillating electric field is applied by applying an oscillating voltage between the developer regulating member and a member facing the developer regulating member.
【００１７】また、好ましくは、前記現像剤規制部材に
対向する部材は現像剤担持体である。Preferably, the member facing the developer regulating member is a developer carrying member.
【００１８】前記振動電圧は方向が交互に変化する交番
電圧であるのが好ましい。The oscillating voltage is preferably an alternating voltage whose directions change alternately.
【００１９】また、好ましくは、前記振動電界は、前記
現像剤規制部材と前記現像剤担持体との摺擦部及びその
近傍で、現像剤担持体上の現像剤が現像剤規制部材に向
けて移動する方向に加えられ、かつその最大強度が１０
6 Ｖ／ｍ以上１０8 Ｖ／ｍ以下である。Further, preferably, the oscillating electric field causes the developer on the developer carrying member to face the developer restricting member at and near the sliding portion between the developer restricting member and the developer carrying member. Is applied in the direction of movement and its maximum strength is 10
It is 6 V / m or more and 10 8 V / m or less.
【００２０】好ましくは、前記現像剤規制部材の微細振
動の周波数は１０〜１０ｋＨｚである。Preferably, the frequency of the fine vibration of the developer regulating member is 10 to 10 kHz.
【００２１】さらに、本発明は、少なくとも現像装置を
有し、画像形成装置に対して着脱可能なプロセスユニッ
トもしくはプロセスカードリッジであって、前記画像形
成装置が上記のいずれかの特徴を備えているプロセスユ
ニットもしくはプロセスカートリッジを提供する。Further, the present invention is a process unit or a process cartridge which has at least a developing device and is attachable to and detachable from the image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus has any one of the features described above. Provide a process unit or process cartridge.
【００２２】[0022]
【実施例】以下、本発明に係る電子写真記録装置の現像
装置を図面に則して更に詳しく説明する。尚、従来技術
と同一の部材については同一の符号を付しその説明を省
略するものとする。DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The developing device for an electrophotographic recording apparatus according to the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings. The same members as those of the conventional technique are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.
【００２３】実施例１ 図１及び２を参照して第１の実施例について説明する。Example 1 A first example will be described with reference to FIGS.
【００２４】図１において、現像剤規制部材たる現像ブ
レード２０は、ホッパー７に固定された支持板金２０ａ
及びこの支持板金に端部を貼り付けられた薄板状のウレ
タンゴム２０ｂから構成されている。ウレタンゴム２０
ｂの先端部は現像剤担持体たる現像スリーブ８にその回
転方向と逆の方向に当接されている。又、図２に詳細に
図示されているようにウレタンゴム２０ｂの背面には、
ウレタンゴム２０ｂと現像スリーブ８との摺接部に対向
して非磁性板金２１が接着されており、この非磁性板金
上に振動発生装置たる複数個のピエゾ振動素子２２が長
手方向に等間隔で配置されている。更にウレタンゴム２
０ｂの背面にはユニバーサル基盤２３が貼り付けられて
おり、この基盤上に各ピエゾ素子２２の信号線がプリン
トされている。信号線は、所定の周波数及び所定の電圧
を出力するバイアス電源たる振動信号供給電源２４に接
続されている。In FIG. 1, a developing blade 20 as a developer regulating member is a supporting sheet metal 20a fixed to a hopper 7.
And a thin plate-shaped urethane rubber 20b having an end attached to the supporting sheet metal. Urethane rubber 20
The leading end of b is in contact with the developing sleeve 8 as a developer bearing member in the direction opposite to the rotating direction. Further, as shown in detail in FIG. 2, on the back surface of the urethane rubber 20b,
A non-magnetic sheet metal 21 is adhered so as to face the sliding contact portion between the urethane rubber 20b and the developing sleeve 8, and a plurality of piezoelectric vibrating elements 22 as vibration generators are arranged on the non-magnetic sheet metal at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction. It is arranged. Further urethane rubber 2
A universal board 23 is attached to the back surface of 0b, and the signal line of each piezo element 22 is printed on this board. The signal line is connected to a vibration signal supply power supply 24 that is a bias power supply that outputs a predetermined frequency and a predetermined voltage.
【００２５】尚、本実施例において、ウレタンゴム２０
ｂの厚さは１ｍｍであり、現像スリーブの外径は１５ｍ
ｍである。又、現像スリーブ８と現像ブレード２０との
摺接部は約２ｍｍで単位長手方向当たりの当接圧は約２
０ｇ／ｃｍであり、現像スリーブの周速は約４７ｍｍ／
ｓである。In this embodiment, the urethane rubber 20 is used.
The thickness of b is 1 mm, and the outer diameter of the developing sleeve is 15 m.
m. Further, the sliding contact portion between the developing sleeve 8 and the developing blade 20 is about 2 mm, and the contact pressure per unit longitudinal direction is about 2 mm.
The peripheral speed of the developing sleeve is about 47 mm /
s.
【００２６】次に上記のように構成された第１の実施例
の作用について説明する。Next, the operation of the first embodiment constructed as described above will be described.
【００２７】バイアス電源２４からの所定の周波数及び
所定の電圧の出力によりピエゾ素子２２が振動する。振
動は非磁性板金２１及びウレタンゴム２０ｂを伝播して
現像スリーブ８との摺接部及びその近傍で当接圧を変動
させる。当接圧が最大となる時点において、図３に示す
ように現像ブレード２０のウレタンゴム２０ｂは図中の
破線の位置から現像スリーブ８側に近接される。このた
め現像スリーブ８と現像ブレード２０に挟まれた摺擦部
のトナーは、図中の斜線矢印に示すように現像スリーブ
８の周方向に押しやられる。このとき現像スリーブ８及
び現像ブレード２０の表面とほぼ水平に前述の強帯電層
に対して力が加えられ、強帯電層の一部が現像スリーブ
８及び現像ブレード２０から引き剥される。１回の振動
で引き剥がされる部分はわずかであるが、現像スリーブ
８の回転中に連続的に振動を加え続けることにより、ほ
ぼ完全に強帯電層を除去することができる。The piezoelectric element 22 vibrates due to the output of a predetermined frequency and a predetermined voltage from the bias power source 24. The vibration propagates through the non-magnetic sheet metal 21 and the urethane rubber 20b to change the contact pressure at the sliding contact portion with the developing sleeve 8 and in the vicinity thereof. At the time when the contact pressure becomes maximum, as shown in FIG. 3, the urethane rubber 20b of the developing blade 20 approaches the developing sleeve 8 side from the position of the broken line in the drawing. For this reason, the toner in the sliding portion sandwiched between the developing sleeve 8 and the developing blade 20 is pushed in the circumferential direction of the developing sleeve 8 as indicated by the hatched arrow in the figure. At this time, a force is applied to the above-mentioned strongly charged layer substantially horizontally to the surfaces of the developing sleeve 8 and the developing blade 20, and a part of the strongly charged layer is peeled off from the developing sleeve 8 and the developing blade 20. Although the portion to be peeled off by one vibration is small, the strong charging layer can be almost completely removed by continuously applying the vibration during the rotation of the developing sleeve 8.
【００２８】なお、本実施例では各ピエゾ素子が５００
Ｈｚの周波数で振動するように信号を与え、当接圧の変
動量を±２．５ｇ／ｃｍ（変動幅５ｇ／ｃｍ）とした。
また、摺擦部に異物があって長手方向に不均一な塗布ム
ラが生じている場合には、上記当接圧が最大となる時点
で、現像スリーブ８の周方向にだけでなく長手方向にも
トナーが押し出され塗布ムラが緩和される。In this embodiment, each piezoelectric element is 500
A signal was applied so as to vibrate at a frequency of Hz, and the variation amount of the contact pressure was set to ± 2.5 g / cm (variation width 5 g / cm).
Further, when foreign matter is present in the rubbing portion and uneven coating unevenness occurs in the longitudinal direction, not only in the circumferential direction of the developing sleeve 8 but also in the longitudinal direction when the contact pressure becomes maximum. Also, the toner is pushed out and uneven coating is alleviated.
【００２９】ところで、本発明者等は第１の実施例によ
る現像装置によって強帯電層の除去が計画通りに行われ
るかどうかの実験を次の通り実施した。即ち、現像スリ
ーブ上に通常の黒のトナーによる強帯電層を形成させた
後、強帯電層以外のトナーを除去し色が異なるほぼ同一
特性の現像剤を代わりに供給した。そして当接圧の変動
量を実施例通り±２．５ｇ／ｃｍとし、但し周波数を１
０Ｈｚとして１秒間作動させ、現像スリーブ上のトナー
の塗布状態を観察した。その結果、現像スリーブのトナ
ー層の厚さは周方向に約４．７ｍｍ周期で変化してお
り、現像スリーブから１層目のトナーも色の異なるトナ
ーが交互に付着していた。従って、振動に応じて強帯電
層が除去されていることが確認された。By the way, the inventors of the present invention conducted an experiment as to whether or not the strongly charged layer was removed as planned by the developing device according to the first embodiment as follows. That is, after forming a strong charging layer of normal black toner on the developing sleeve, the toner other than the strong charging layer was removed and a developer having substantially the same characteristics but different colors was supplied instead. Then, the variation of the contact pressure is set to ± 2.5 g / cm as in the example, but the frequency is 1
It was operated for 1 second at 0 Hz, and the coating state of the toner on the developing sleeve was observed. As a result, the thickness of the toner layer of the developing sleeve was changed in the circumferential direction at a period of about 4.7 mm, and the toners of different colors were alternately adhered to the toner of the first layer from the developing sleeve. Therefore, it was confirmed that the strongly charged layer was removed according to the vibration.
【００３０】さらに、１秒毎に作動させて現像スリーブ
上のトナーの塗布状態の変化を調べた結果、現像スリー
ブが５回転した時点で、現像スリーブ表層の黒のトナー
がほぼ完全に除去されていることが確認された。周波数
１０〜１０ｋＨｚの範囲では当接圧の変動幅が一定なら
ば、強帯電層の除去効果に大きな変化がないことも確認
された。しかしながら、現像スリーブの回転速度にもよ
るが周波数１００Ｈｚ以下ではトナー層の塗布量が現像
に影響する場合があり、また高周波になるほど高いエネ
ルギーを要する。従って、振動周波数は１００〜３ｋＨ
ｚの範囲内で現像スリーブの回転速度にあわせて選択す
ることが望ましい。Further, as a result of examining the change of the toner application state on the developing sleeve by operating every 1 second, the black toner on the surface layer of the developing sleeve was almost completely removed when the developing sleeve rotated 5 times. Was confirmed. It was also confirmed that within the frequency range of 10 to 10 kHz, if the fluctuation range of the contact pressure is constant, the effect of removing the strongly charged layer does not change significantly. However, depending on the rotation speed of the developing sleeve, the coating amount of the toner layer may affect the development at a frequency of 100 Hz or less, and higher energy requires higher energy. Therefore, the vibration frequency is 100 ~ 3kH
It is desirable to select within the range of z according to the rotation speed of the developing sleeve.
【００３１】また、上記の実験において、周波数を５０
０Ｈｚに固定して当接圧の変動量を変化させたところ、
強帯電層の除去効果は±１ｇ／ｃｍ以上の変動量（２ｇ
／ｃｍ以上の変動幅）が必要であった。しかしながら、
現像スリーブ上に強帯電層が形成されていない場合は、
当初より当接圧の変動が±０．５ｇ／ｃｍ（１ｇ／ｃｍ
以上の変動幅）の振動を与えることによって低湿度環境
でも強帯電層の形成を防止することができる。当接圧の
変動量の適応範囲は、現像スリーブの回転速度や目標と
するトナー層の厚み等によって大きく変わるが、当接圧
が１０〜３００ｇ／ｃｍの範囲では当接圧の変動幅が当
接圧の５％以上であれば強帯電層形成の防止効果が期待
できる。さらに強帯電層の除去効果を得るには当接圧の
変動幅が少なくとも当接圧の１０％以上必要である。
又、塗布ムラの緩和効果は上記変動幅が大きいほどよ
い。In the above experiment, the frequency was set to 50.
When the amount of fluctuation of the contact pressure was changed by fixing at 0 Hz,
The effect of removing the strongly charged layer is ± 1 g / cm or more (2 g
/ Cm or more fluctuation range) was required. However,
When the strong charging layer is not formed on the developing sleeve,
From the beginning, the fluctuation of the contact pressure is ± 0.5 g / cm (1 g / cm
The formation of the strongly charged layer can be prevented even in a low-humidity environment by applying vibration having the above fluctuation range). The variation range of the contact pressure varies greatly depending on the rotation speed of the developing sleeve, the target thickness of the toner layer, etc., but within the contact pressure range of 10 to 300 g / cm, the variation range of the contact pressure is the same. If the contact pressure is 5% or more, the effect of preventing the formation of a strongly charged layer can be expected. Furthermore, in order to obtain the effect of removing the strongly charged layer, the fluctuation range of the contact pressure must be at least 10% of the contact pressure.
Further, the larger the fluctuation range, the better the effect of alleviating coating unevenness.
【００３２】さらに、上記第１の実験に加えて次のよう
な第２の実験を行った。即ち、第１の実施例の振動源で
ある非磁性板金とこれに付随しているピエゾ素子の位置
を摺擦部上流側及び摺擦部下流側にそれぞれ２ｍｍずら
して第１の実験と同様な実験を行い、第１の実験結果と
比較した。その結果、強帯電層に対する効果は周波数及
び当接圧の変動共に第１の実験の場合とほとんど大差な
かった。よって、摺擦部又はその近傍にほぼ同様な振動
が加われば、強帯電層に対する効果はその振動源の位置
に依存しないといえる。従って、摺擦部及びその近傍に
ほぼ同様な振動が加えられるならば、その効果は現像ブ
レードの構成又は形状に依らない。例えば、図４に示す
ように、現像ブレード２５を非磁性ＳＵＳ板金２５ａ、
及びこの板金の現像スリーブ８との摺擦部に貼り付けた
シリコンゴム２５ｂにより構成し、現像ブレード２５の
適所に何らかの駆動源により回転されるギヤ３１を接触
させ機械的に振動させるものでもよい。Further, in addition to the first experiment, the following second experiment was conducted. That is, similar to the first experiment, the positions of the non-magnetic sheet metal, which is the vibration source of the first embodiment, and the positions of the piezo elements attached thereto are shifted by 2 mm to the sliding rubbing portion upstream side and the sliding rubbing portion downstream side, respectively. Experiments were conducted and compared with the first experimental results. As a result, the effects on the strongly charged layer were almost the same as those in the first experiment with respect to the fluctuations in frequency and contact pressure. Therefore, if almost the same vibration is applied to the rubbing portion or its vicinity, the effect on the strongly charged layer does not depend on the position of the vibration source. Therefore, if substantially the same vibration is applied to the rubbing portion and its vicinity, the effect does not depend on the configuration or shape of the developing blade. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the developing blade 25 is replaced with a non-magnetic SUS sheet metal 25a,
Alternatively, the sheet metal may be made of silicon rubber 25b attached to the sliding contact portion with the developing sleeve 8, and a gear 31 rotated by a drive source may be brought into contact with a suitable position of the developing blade 25 to mechanically vibrate.
【００３３】実施例２ つぎに図５を参照して本発明の第２の実施例について説
明する。現像剤規制部材たる現像ブレード２６はであ
り、ホッパー７に固定された支持板金２６ａと、この支
持板金に端部を貼り付けられた導電性ゴム（カーボン分
散ＥＰＤＭ）２６ｂと、この導電性ゴムの表面を被覆す
る約５０μｍのウレタン樹脂高抵抗層２６ｃとから構成
されている。導電性ゴム２６ｂの先端部は現像剤担持体
たる現像スリーブ８にその回転方向と逆の方向に当接さ
れている。導電性ゴム２６ｂには支持板金２６ａを介し
てバイアス電源２７が接続されており、所定のバイアス
電圧が印加できるようになっている。尚、ウレタン樹脂
高抵抗層２６ｃは現像ブレード２６と現像スリーブ８と
のリーク防止のために設けられたものである。又、本実
施例において、現像スリーブ８と現像ブレード２６との
摺擦部は約２ｍｍ、単位長手方向当たりの当接圧は約３
０ｇ／ｃｍ、そして現像スリーブ８の周速は約９４ｍｍ
／ｓである。Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The developing blade 26, which is a developer regulating member, is a supporting sheet metal 26a fixed to the hopper 7, a conductive rubber (carbon dispersed EPDM) 26b having an end portion attached to the supporting sheet metal, and a conductive rubber It is composed of a urethane resin high resistance layer 26c of about 50 μm covering the surface. The tip end portion of the conductive rubber 26b is in contact with the developing sleeve 8 as a developer bearing member in the direction opposite to the rotating direction. A bias power source 27 is connected to the conductive rubber 26b via a supporting metal plate 26a so that a predetermined bias voltage can be applied. The urethane resin high resistance layer 26c is provided to prevent leakage between the developing blade 26 and the developing sleeve 8. Further, in this embodiment, the sliding contact portion between the developing sleeve 8 and the developing blade 26 is about 2 mm, and the contact pressure per unit longitudinal direction is about 3.
0 g / cm, and the peripheral speed of the developing sleeve 8 is about 94 mm
/ S.
【００３４】また、現像スリーブ８は現像バイアス電源
１９に接続されており、現像スリーブ８と感光ドラム２
の間に所定の現像バイアスが印加できる構成となってお
り、従って、本実施例における電界発生手段は、現像ブ
レード２６、現像スリーブ８及びブレードバイアス電源
２７、現像バイアス電源１９から構成されている。The developing sleeve 8 is connected to a developing bias power source 19, and the developing sleeve 8 and the photosensitive drum 2 are connected.
A predetermined developing bias can be applied during this period. Therefore, the electric field generating means in this embodiment comprises the developing blade 26, the developing sleeve 8, the blade bias power source 27, and the developing bias power source 19.
【００３５】さらに本実施例において、トナーは粒径約
６μｍの負帯電トナーであり、現像バイアスとして、 直流電圧 Ｖｄｃ ＝ −４００Ｖ 交流電圧 矩形波 振幅 Ｖａｃ ＝ １．６ｋＶｐｐ 周波数 ｆ ＝ １８００Ｈｚ を加えた。又、ブレードバイアスとして、 直流電圧 Ｖｄｃ ＝ ０Ｖ とし、交流電圧は加えなかった（即ち、現像ブレードを
接地した）。Further, in this embodiment, the toner is a negatively charged toner having a particle size of about 6 μm, and a DC voltage Vdc = −400V AC voltage rectangular wave amplitude Vac = 1.6 kVpp frequency f = 1800 Hz was added as a developing bias. Further, as the blade bias, a DC voltage Vdc = 0 V and no AC voltage was applied (that is, the developing blade was grounded).
【００３６】本実施例におけるトナーにおいては、個々
のトナーの帯電量の大きさが１０-1 3 Ｃ、又、個々のト
ナーの静電鏡映力の大きさが１０-7Ｎを超えることはほ
とんどないと考えられる。従って、交番電界の大きさが
おおよそ１０6 Ｖ／ｍ以上になれば電界の力のみで強帯
電層を現像スリーブから引き剥せるはずであるが、実際
には１０7 Ｖ／ｍの電界をかけても完全に引き剥すこと
ができなかった。これは磁力による拘束力やトナーに吸
着した水分等による表面張力などの物理的吸着力が上記
の電界の力に勝ったものと考察される。又、電界の強さ
をさらに上げると１０8 Ｖ／ｍ程度でリークが発生する
ことが多い。[0036] In the toner of this embodiment, each of the charge amount of the toner size is 10 -1 3 C, also unlikely that the magnitude of the electrostatic mirrors movies force of each of the toner exceeds 10 -7 N Not considered. Therefore, if the magnitude of the alternating electric field becomes approximately 10 6 V / m or more, the strong charging layer should be able to be peeled off from the developing sleeve only by the force of the electric field, but in reality an electric field of 10 7 V / m is applied. But I couldn't remove it completely. It is considered that this is because the binding force of the magnetic force and the physical attraction force such as the surface tension of the moisture adsorbed on the toner have exceeded the force of the electric field. Further, if the strength of the electric field is further increased, leakage often occurs at about 10 8 V / m.
【００３７】ところで、本実施例においては、上述のよ
うにスリーブとブレードとの間に現像バイアスが加えら
れており、現像スリーブと現像ブレードとの間の電位差
によって現像ブレードに対する引力が生じ現像ブレード
が振動する。従って、トナーに対して上記電界の力と現
像ブレードの振動とが加えられることとなり、これが本
実施例を特徴づけるものとなっている。By the way, in this embodiment, as described above, the developing bias is applied between the sleeve and the blade, and the potential difference between the developing sleeve and the developing blade causes an attractive force to the developing blade to cause the developing blade to move. Vibrate. Therefore, the force of the electric field and the vibration of the developing blade are applied to the toner, which characterizes this embodiment.
【００３８】なお、上述のように現像スリーブと現像ブ
レードの間に印加される電圧は現像ブレードを基準とし
て -1200Ｖ及び＋４００Ｖである。又、ウレタン樹脂高
抵抗層の厚さは約５０μｍ、比誘電率は約３、トナー層
の厚さは約１００μｍ、比誘電率は約１とすると、上記
条件では強帯電層には現像スリーブから引き剥される方
向に最大１×１０7 Ｖ／ｍの電界が加わる。又、当接圧
の変動幅は約１．５ｇ／ｃｍである。第１の実施例にお
いては当接圧の変動幅がおおよそ当接圧の約１０％であ
れば現像スリーブ上の強帯電層を除去できることが確認
されたが、本実施例においては現像ブレードの当接圧が
約３０ｇ／ｃｍであり、当接圧の変動幅は上記の条件を
満たしていない。しかしながら、強帯電層は第１の実施
例に較べさらに容易に除去できることが確認された。こ
れは現像ブレードの振動により現像スリーブの周方向に
加えられる力と、現像スリーブに対してほぼ垂直に加え
られる電界による力の相乗効果によると考察される。As described above, the voltages applied between the developing sleeve and the developing blade are -1200V and + 400V with reference to the developing blade. Further, assuming that the thickness of the urethane resin high resistance layer is about 50 μm, the relative permittivity is about 3, the thickness of the toner layer is about 100 μm, and the relative permittivity is about 1, from the developing sleeve to the strong charging layer under the above conditions. An electric field of maximum 1 × 10 7 V / m is applied in the peeling direction. The fluctuation range of the contact pressure is about 1.5 g / cm. In the first embodiment, it was confirmed that the strongly charged layer on the developing sleeve can be removed if the fluctuation range of the contact pressure is about 10% of the contact pressure. The contact pressure is about 30 g / cm, and the fluctuation range of the contact pressure does not satisfy the above condition. However, it was confirmed that the strongly charged layer can be removed more easily than in the first embodiment. It is considered that this is due to the synergistic effect of the force applied in the circumferential direction of the developing sleeve by the vibration of the developing blade and the force due to the electric field applied almost perpendicularly to the developing sleeve.
【００３９】さらに図６により本実施例による作用を説
明すると、現像スリーブと現像ブレードとの間の電位差
に基づく現像ブレード２６の振動によって、強帯電層に
は現像スリーブ８の周方向への力（図中斜線矢印）が加
えられ、物理的吸着力が弱められ現像スリーブから剥離
し易くなる。そこへさらに現像スリーブ２６に対して垂
直に電界が加えられると、強帯電層は電界によるクーロ
ン力で現像スリーブから容易に剥離される。このように
強帯電層を容易に除去できるのは、前述のように方向の
異なる力が加えられることによると考えられ、もし、当
接圧による変動等による力が働かずに、電界の力のみに
よっては強帯電層を現像スリーブから剥離することは困
難である。当然ながら、電界の方向はトナーを現像スリ
ーブから引き剥す方向に強く加えられることが望まし
い。The operation of this embodiment will be further described with reference to FIG. 6. Due to the vibration of the developing blade 26 caused by the potential difference between the developing sleeve and the developing blade, the strong charge layer exerts a force in the circumferential direction of the developing sleeve 8 ( A hatched arrow in the figure) is added to weaken the physical adsorption force and facilitate separation from the developing sleeve. When an electric field is further applied thereto perpendicularly to the developing sleeve 26, the strongly charged layer is easily peeled off from the developing sleeve due to the Coulomb force of the electric field. It is thought that the reason why the strongly charged layer can be easily removed in this way is that the forces in different directions are applied as described above.If the force due to the fluctuation due to the contact pressure does not work, only the force of the electric field is exerted. In some cases, it is difficult to peel off the strongly charged layer from the developing sleeve. Of course, it is desirable that the direction of the electric field is strongly applied in the direction of peeling the toner from the developing sleeve.
【００４０】さらに本実施例においては、現像ブレード
と現像スリーブとの間に加えられる力が逆転するため、
一旦剥離された強帯電層は現像ブレードと現像スリーブ
との間を運動または飛翔して撹拌される。特に摺擦部か
ら下流側の領域においては、図７において右側から左側
へ経時的に示すように、トナーが往復飛翔して強力な撹
拌効果が得ることができ、これにより帯電ムラをほぼ解
消することができる。このような撹拌効果を得るために
は、現像ブレードと現像スリーブとの間に交番電界を加
えることが望ましい。又、上記のような帯電ムラの解消
と同時に、現像ブレードと現像スリーブとの間に挟まれ
た異物による塗布ムラも実用上問題にならない程度まで
緩和することができる。Further, in this embodiment, the force applied between the developing blade and the developing sleeve is reversed, so that
The once strongly peeled strongly charged layer moves or flies between the developing blade and the developing sleeve and is stirred. In particular, in the region on the downstream side from the rubbing portion, the toner reciprocally flies and a strong stirring effect can be obtained as shown with time from right side to left side in FIG. 7, whereby uneven charging is almost eliminated. be able to. In order to obtain such a stirring effect, it is desirable to apply an alternating electric field between the developing blade and the developing sleeve. Further, at the same time as eliminating the charging unevenness as described above, the coating unevenness due to the foreign matter sandwiched between the developing blade and the developing sleeve can be alleviated to such an extent that it does not pose a practical problem.
【００４１】つぎに上記第２の実施例における第３の実
験の結果について説明する。本実験においても第１の実
施例における第１の実験と同様に、現像スリーブ上に通
常の黒のトナーによる強帯電層を形成させた後、強帯電
層以外のトナーを除いて色の異なるほぼ同一特性の現像
剤を代わりに供給し、現像バイアスの振幅Ｖａｃをパラ
メータとして強帯電層の除去効果の度合いを調査した。Next, the result of the third experiment in the second embodiment will be described. In this experiment as well, as in the first experiment in the first embodiment, after forming a strong charging layer of normal black toner on the developing sleeve, the toner except for the strong charging layer has almost the same color. A developer having the same characteristics was supplied instead, and the degree of the effect of removing the strongly charged layer was investigated using the amplitude Vac of the developing bias as a parameter.
【００４２】この場合、現像バイアスは、 直流電圧 Ｖｄｃ ＝ −４００Ｖ 交流電圧 矩形波 周波数 ｆ ＝ １８００Ｈｚ、 ブレードバイアスとして、 直流電圧 Ｖｄｃ ＝ ４００Ｖ を加え
た。In this case, the developing bias was DC voltage Vdc = -400V AC voltage rectangular wave frequency f = 1800Hz, and DC voltage Vdc = 400V was applied as a blade bias.
【００４３】その結果、強帯電層の除去効果の下限は振
幅Ｖａｃ＝１０００Ｖまでであった。このとき現像スリ
ーブと現像ブレードとの間に印加されている電圧は現像
ブレードを基準として±５００Ｖである。他の条件が第
２の実施例と変わらなければ当接圧の変動幅は実測で約
０．３８ｇ／ｃｍとなり、このときの摺擦部の最大電界
は概算で４．２×１０6 Ｖ／ｍであった。又、強帯電層
形成の防止効果が得られる下限は振幅Ｖａｃ＝５００Ｖ
であった。このとき現像スリーブと現像ブレードとの間
に印加されている電圧は現像ブレードを基準として±２
５０Ｖである。他の条件が第２の実施例と変わらなけれ
ば、当接圧の変動幅は実測で約０．０９５ｇ／ｃｍとな
り、このときの摺擦部の最大電界は２．１×１０6 であ
った。上記のように電界が加わっている状態では、電界
が加わらない場合に比べて、強帯電層の除去効果および
強帯電層形成防止効果を得るための当接圧の変動はかな
り小さくてすむことが確認された。又、当接圧の変動量
の適応範囲は現像スリーブの回転速度や目標とするトナ
ー層の厚み等によって大きく変わるが、当接圧が１０〜
３００ｇ／ｃｍの範囲では、最大電界が１０6 Ｖ／ｍ以
上であるならば、当接圧の変動幅が当接圧の０．３％で
あっても強帯電層形成の防止効果が期待できる。上記条
件で強帯電層の除去効果を得るには当接圧の変動幅が当
接圧の１％以上必要である。As a result, the lower limit of the effect of removing the strongly charged layer was up to the amplitude Vac = 1000V. At this time, the voltage applied between the developing sleeve and the developing blade is ± 500 V with reference to the developing blade. If the other conditions are not different from those of the second embodiment, the fluctuation range of the contact pressure is about 0.38 g / cm in actual measurement, and the maximum electric field of the rubbing portion at this time is approximately 4.2 × 10 6 V / It was m. The lower limit of the effect of preventing the formation of a strongly charged layer is the amplitude Vac = 500V.
Met. At this time, the voltage applied between the developing sleeve and the developing blade is ± 2 with reference to the developing blade.
It is 50V. Unless other conditions differ from those of the second embodiment, the fluctuation range of the contact pressure is about 0.095 g / cm in actual measurement, and the maximum electric field of the rubbing portion at this time is 2.1 × 10 6 . . In the state where the electric field is applied as described above, the fluctuation of the contact pressure for obtaining the effect of removing the strongly charged layer and the effect of preventing the formation of the strongly charged layer can be considerably smaller than that in the case where the electric field is not applied. confirmed. Further, the applicable range of the variation amount of the contact pressure largely varies depending on the rotation speed of the developing sleeve, the target thickness of the toner layer, etc.
In the range of 300 g / cm, if the maximum electric field is 10 6 V / m or more, the effect of preventing the formation of a strongly charged layer can be expected even if the fluctuation range of the contact pressure is 0.3% of the contact pressure. . In order to obtain the effect of removing the strongly charged layer under the above conditions, the fluctuation range of the contact pressure must be 1% or more of the contact pressure.
【００４４】実施例３ つぎに、図８を参照して第３の実施例について説明す
る。現像剤規制部材たる現像ブレード２８は、ホッパー
７に固定された０．１ｍｍの非磁性ＳＵＳ板金２８ａ
と、この板金の表面を被覆する約４０μｍのポリアミド
樹脂高抵抗層２８ｂと、高抵抗層先端部の現像スリーブ
８との摺擦部に接着された約０．４ｍｍ程度のウレタン
ゴム２８ｃとから構成されている。現像ブレード２８は
現像スリーブ８の回転方向に当接されている。又、本実
施例において、現像スリーブ８と現像ブレード２８との
摺擦部は約２．５ｍｍ、単位長手方向当たりの当接圧は
約３０ｇ／ｃｍ、そして現像スリーブ８の周速は約９４
ｍｍ／ｓである。Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The developing blade 28, which is a developer regulating member, is a 0.1 mm non-magnetic SUS sheet metal 28a fixed to the hopper 7.
And a polyamide resin high resistance layer 28b of about 40 .mu.m covering the surface of the sheet metal, and a urethane rubber 28c of about 0.4 mm adhered to the sliding contact portion with the developing sleeve 8 at the tip of the high resistance layer. Has been done. The developing blade 28 is in contact with the developing sleeve 8 in the rotating direction. Further, in the present embodiment, the sliding contact portion between the developing sleeve 8 and the developing blade 28 is about 2.5 mm, the contact pressure per unit longitudinal direction is about 30 g / cm, and the peripheral speed of the developing sleeve 8 is about 94.
mm / s.
【００４５】また、非磁性ＳＵＳ板金２８ａにはブレー
ドバイアス電源２９が接続されており、所定のバイアス
電圧が印加できるように構成されている。更に、現像ス
リーブ８には現像バイアス電源１９が接続されており、
現像スリーブ８と感光ドラム２との間に所定の現像バイ
アスが印加できるようになっている。尚、ポリアミド樹
脂高抵抗層２８ｂは現像ブレード２８と現像スリーブ８
とのリーク防止のために設けたものである。A blade bias power source 29 is connected to the non-magnetic SUS sheet metal 28a so that a predetermined bias voltage can be applied. Further, a developing bias power source 19 is connected to the developing sleeve 8,
A predetermined developing bias can be applied between the developing sleeve 8 and the photosensitive drum 2. The polyamide resin high resistance layer 28b is used for the developing blade 28 and the developing sleeve 8.
It is provided for the purpose of preventing leaks.
【００４６】さらに本実施例において、第２の実施例と
同様に負帯電トナーを用いており、現像バイアスとし
て、 直流電圧 Ｖｄｃ ＝ −４００Ｖ 交流電圧 矩形波 振幅 Ｖａｃ ＝ １．６ｋＶｐｐ 周波数 ｆ ＝ １８００Ｈｚ を加えた。又、ブレードバイアスとして、 直流電圧 Ｖｄｃ ＝ ０Ｖ 交流電圧 正弦波 振幅 Ｖａｃ ＝ １．０ｋＶｐｐ 周波数 ｆ ＝ ５００Ｈｚ を加えた。Further, in this embodiment, as in the second embodiment, negatively charged toner is used, and as the developing bias, a DC voltage Vdc = -400V AC voltage rectangular wave amplitude Vac = 1.6kVpp frequency f = 1800Hz is used. added. Further, as a blade bias, DC voltage Vdc = 0 V AC voltage sine wave amplitude Vac = 1.0 kVpp frequency f = 500 Hz was added.
【００４７】なお、本実施例において、ウレタンゴムの
厚さは約４００μｍであり、比誘電率は約３、ナイロン
樹脂高抵抗層の厚さは約４０μｍ、比誘電率は約４、ト
ナー層の厚さは約６０μｍ、比誘電率は約１であり、電
圧の大きさは現像ブレードを基準として最大１７００Ｖ
であるから最大電界の強さは約８．４×１０6 Ｖ／ｍで
あり、摺擦部での当接圧の変動幅は約１．０ｇ／ｃｍで
ある。In this embodiment, the thickness of the urethane rubber is about 400 μm, the relative permittivity is about 3, the nylon resin high resistance layer is about 40 μm, the relative permittivity is about 4, and the toner layer is about 4 μm thick. The thickness is about 60 μm, the relative permittivity is about 1, and the maximum voltage is 1700 V with reference to the developing blade.
Therefore, the strength of the maximum electric field is about 8.4 × 10 6 V / m, and the fluctuation range of the contact pressure at the sliding portion is about 1.0 g / cm.
【００４８】このような条件下において、現像ブレード
と現像スリーブとの間に加えられる電界はかなり複雑で
あるが、強帯電層を十分に除去できることが確認され
た。ところで、本実施例は、第２の実施例と同様に、ス
リーブとブレードとの間に現像バイアスが加えられてお
り、現像スリーブと現像ブレードとの間の電位差によっ
て現像ブレードに対する引力が生じ現像ブレードが振動
する。従って、トナーに対して上記電界の力と現像ブレ
ードの振動とが加えられる。このように強帯電層を除去
できる振動と電界とが与えられるならば、電界の波形は
どのようなものでもよく、例えばブレードバイアスが三
角波や鋸波であっても何等差し支えない。又、現像ブレ
ードの振動は上述のように対向する現像スリーブとの電
位差によって与えられるため、現像ブレードと現像スリ
ーブとの間に加えられる電界はその方向が逆転しなくて
もよい。It has been confirmed that under such conditions, the electric field applied between the developing blade and the developing sleeve is quite complicated, but the strongly charged layer can be sufficiently removed. By the way, in this embodiment, similarly to the second embodiment, a developing bias is applied between the sleeve and the blade, and the potential difference between the developing sleeve and the developing blade causes an attractive force to the developing blade. Vibrates. Therefore, the force of the electric field and the vibration of the developing blade are applied to the toner. As long as the vibration and the electric field capable of removing the strongly charged layer are applied in this manner, the electric field may have any waveform, for example, the blade bias may be a triangular wave or a sawtooth wave. Further, since the vibration of the developing blade is given by the potential difference between the developing sleeve and the opposing developing sleeve as described above, the direction of the electric field applied between the developing blade and the developing sleeve does not have to be reversed.
【００４９】上記の説明で明らかなように、本発明は、
現像スリーブと現像ブレードとの摺擦部又はその近傍
で、現像ブレードに微細振動を加えて強帯電層を除去す
ることが重要であり、更に、電界を加えることにより上
記現像ブレードに微細振動を発生させて、同時に生じる
現像スリーブ及び現像ブレードの間の電界により強帯電
層の除去をより容易に行うものである。従って、斯かる
目的が達成されるものであるならば、現像ブレード及び
現像スリーブの形状、構成、材質等は限定されない。例
えば、図９に示すように、現像スリーブ８の内部に電極
３０を設け、これと現像スリーブ８を挟んで対向する現
像ブレード２８の間に振動電圧を与えるようにしてもよ
い。この例の場合、現像スリーブとして例えばフェノー
ル樹脂、エポキシ樹脂等の非金属、非導電性の材料を用
いてもよい。又、現像方式としては、接触方式又は非接
触方式のいずれでもよい。更に現像バイアスもＤＣ印加
方式、ＡＣ印加方式等に限定されるものではない。As is apparent from the above description, the present invention is
It is important to apply fine vibration to the developing blade to remove the strongly charged layer at or near the rubbing portion between the developing sleeve and the developing blade, and further generate fine vibration to the developing blade by applying an electric field. The electric field between the developing sleeve and the developing blade, which is generated at the same time, facilitates the removal of the strongly charged layer. Therefore, the shape, configuration, material and the like of the developing blade and the developing sleeve are not limited as long as such an object is achieved. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, an electrode 30 may be provided inside the developing sleeve 8 and an oscillating voltage may be applied between the electrode 30 and the developing blade 28 that faces the developing sleeve 8 with the developing sleeve 8 interposed therebetween. In this case, a non-metal or non-conductive material such as phenol resin or epoxy resin may be used as the developing sleeve. The developing system may be either a contact system or a non-contact system. Further, the developing bias is not limited to the DC application method, the AC application method, or the like.
【００５０】[0050]
【発明の効果】以上説明したように、本発明による画像
形成装置は、現像剤規制部材と現像剤担持体との摺擦部
及びその近傍で、現像剤規制部材に微細振動を発生させ
る手段を備えたことにより、現像剤の帯電効率向上化お
よび現像剤の小径化に伴って形成される強帯電層に現像
剤規制部材により微細振動を与えることができるため強
帯電層の除去を容易に行うことができる。従って、画像
濃度の低下、非画像部のカブリの増大、及びゴースト、
ブロッチ等の帯電ムラや塗布ムラ現象の発生をあらゆる
環境において防止することができ、良好な画像を実現す
ることができる。更に、上記摺擦部に挟まれた異物等に
よる塗布ムラも緩和することができる。As described above, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes means for generating fine vibrations in the developer regulating member at and near the sliding contact portion between the developer regulating member and the developer carrying member. With the provision, since the developer regulating member can apply fine vibration to the strong charging layer formed with the improvement of the charging efficiency of the developer and the reduction of the diameter of the developer, the strong charging layer can be easily removed. be able to. Therefore, the image density is reduced, the fog in the non-image area is increased, and the ghost,
It is possible to prevent the occurrence of charging unevenness and coating unevenness phenomena such as blotches in all environments, and it is possible to realize good images. Furthermore, it is possible to alleviate coating unevenness due to foreign matter or the like sandwiched between the rubbing portions.
【００５１】また、本発明による装置は、現像剤規制部
材と現像剤担持体との摺擦部及びその近傍で、現像剤規
制部材と現像剤担持体上の現像剤とに振動電界による微
細振動を加える手段を備えたことにより、上記と同様な
効果を得ることができる。Further, in the apparatus according to the present invention, fine vibration due to an oscillating electric field is generated in the developer regulating member and the developer on the developer carrying member at and near the sliding contact portion between the developer regulating member and the developer carrying member. By providing the means for adding, it is possible to obtain the same effect as described above.
【図１】本発明による現像装置の第１の実施例を示す説
明図である。FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a first embodiment of a developing device according to the present invention.
【図２】第１の実施例の要部説明図である。FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a main part of the first embodiment.
【図３】第１の実施例における強帯電層の作用を示す説
明図である。FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing the action of the strongly charged layer in the first embodiment.
【図４】第１の実施例における他の構成を示す説明図で
ある。FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing another configuration of the first embodiment.
【図５】本発明による現像装置の第２の実施例を示す説
明図である。FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a second embodiment of the developing device according to the present invention.
【図６】第２の実施例における強帯電層の作用を示す説
明図である。FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing the action of the strongly charged layer in the second embodiment.
【図７】第２の実施例における強帯電層の、摺擦部下流
の作用を経時的に示す説明図である。FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the action of the strongly charged layer downstream of the rubbing portion over time in the second embodiment.
【図８】本発明による現像装置の第３の実施例を示す説
明図である。FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a third embodiment of the developing device according to the present invention.
【図９】第３の実施例における他の構成を示す説明図で
ある。FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing another configuration of the third embodiment.
【図１０】従来の電子写真記録装置の全体構成を概略的
に示す説明図である。FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of a conventional electrophotographic recording apparatus.
６ 現像剤 ８ 現像スリーブ １９ 現像バイアス電源 ２０ 現像ブレード ２０ａ 支持板金 ２０ｂ ウレタンゴム ２１ 非磁性板金 ２２ ピエゾ素子 ２４ 振動信号供給電源 6 developer 8 developing sleeve 19 developing bias power source 20 developing blade 20a supporting sheet metal 20b urethane rubber 21 non-magnetic sheet metal 22 piezo element 24 vibration signal supply power source
───────────────────────────────────────────────────── フロントページの続き (72)発明者 緒方 寛明 東京都大田区下丸子３丁目30番２号 キヤ ノン株式会社内 (72)発明者 木須 浩樹 東京都大田区下丸子３丁目30番２号 キヤ ノン株式会社内 (72)発明者 櫻井 和重 東京都大田区下丸子３丁目30番２号 キヤ ノン株式会社内 (72)発明者 山崎 道仁 東京都大田区下丸子３丁目30番２号 キヤ ノン株式会社内 (72)発明者 加藤 淳一 東京都大田区下丸子３丁目30番２号 キヤ ノン株式会社内 (72)発明者 浅野 えりか 東京都大田区下丸子３丁目30番２号 キヤ ノン株式会社内 (72)発明者 大関 行弘 東京都大田区下丸子３丁目30番２号 キヤ ノン株式会社内 (72)発明者 境澤 勝弘 東京都大田区下丸子３丁目30番２号 キヤ ノン株式会社内 (72)発明者 大久保 正晴 東京都大田区下丸子３丁目30番２号 キヤ ノン株式会社内 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Hiroaki Ogata 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Hiroki Kisu 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon (72) Inventor Kazushige Sakurai 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Michihito Yamazaki 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Junichi Kato 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Erika Asano 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Yukihiro Ozeki 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Katsuhiro Sakaizawa 3-30-3 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo No. Canon within Co., Ltd. (72) inventor Masaharu Okubo Ota-ku, Tokyo Shimomaruko 3-chome No. 30 No. 2 Canon within Co., Ltd.
Claims (9)
担持体上に形成した潜像に一定方向に回転することによ
って磁性一成分現像剤を供給して可視化せしめる現像剤
担持体及び該現像剤担持体に圧接して現像剤担持体上の
現像剤の量を規制し、かつ均一に塗布せしめる現像剤規
制部材を備えた現像装置とを有する画像形成装置におい
て、 前記現像剤規制部材と前記現像剤担持体との摺擦部及び
その近傍で、前記現像剤規制部材に微細振動を発生させ
る手段を具備してなることを特徴とする画像形成装置。1. A latent image carrier on which a latent image is formed, and a developer carrier on which a magnetic one-component developer is supplied to be visualized by rotating the latent image formed on the latent image carrier in a predetermined direction. An image forming apparatus having a developer and a developer regulating member that regulates the amount of the developer on the developer bearing body by pressing the developer body and the developer bearing body, and uniformly coats the developer on the developer bearing body. An image forming apparatus comprising means for generating fine vibrations in the developer regulating member at and near a sliding portion between the regulating member and the developer carrying member.
微細振動は、前記現像剤規制部材と前記現像剤担持体と
の摺擦部の当接圧の５％以上の変動幅を有することを特
徴とする請求項１の画像形成装置。2. The micro-vibration generated by the micro-vibration generating means has a fluctuation range of 5% or more of a contact pressure of a sliding contact portion between the developer regulating member and the developer carrying member. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
担持体上に形成した潜像に一定方向に回転することによ
って磁性一成分現像剤を供給して可視化せしめる現像剤
担持体及び該現像剤担持体に圧接して現像剤担持体上の
現像剤の量を規制し、かつ均一に塗布せしめる現像剤規
制部材を備えた現像装置とを有する画像形成装置におい
て、 前記現像剤規制部材と前記現像剤担持体との摺擦部及び
その近傍で、前記現像剤規制部材と前記現像剤担持体上
の現像剤とに振動電界による微細振動を加える手段を具
備してなることを特徴とする装置。3. A latent image carrier on which a latent image is formed, and a developer carrier on which a magnetic one-component developer is supplied to be visualized by rotating the latent image formed on the latent image carrier in a predetermined direction. An image forming apparatus having a developer and a developer regulating member that regulates the amount of the developer on the developer bearing body by pressing the developer body and the developer bearing body, and uniformly coats the developer on the developer bearing body. A means for applying fine vibration due to an oscillating electric field to the developer regulating member and the developer on the developer carrying member is provided at and near the sliding portion between the regulating member and the developer carrying member. Characterized device.
像剤規制部材に対向する部材との間に振動電圧を加える
ことにより与えられることを特徴とする請求項３の装
置。4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the oscillating electric field is applied by applying an oscillating voltage between the developer regulating member and a member facing the developer regulating member.
像剤担持体であることを特徴とする請求項４の装置。5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the member facing the developer regulating member is a developer carrier.
番電圧であることを特徴とする請求項４の装置。6. The device of claim 4, wherein the oscillating voltage is an alternating voltage with alternating directions.
前記現像剤担持体との摺擦部及びその近傍で、現像剤担
持体上の現像剤が現像剤規制部材に向けて移動する方向
に加えられ、かつその最大強度が１０6 Ｖ／ｍ以上１０
8 Ｖ／ｍ以下であることを特徴とする請求項３の装置。7. The oscillating electric field is a direction in which a developer on the developer carrying member moves toward the developer restricting member at and near a sliding portion between the developer restricting member and the developer carrying member. And its maximum strength is 10 6 V / m or more 10
The device according to claim 3, wherein the device has a voltage of 8 V / m or less.
は１０〜１０ｋＨｚであることを特徴とする請求項３の
装置。8. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the frequency of the fine vibration of the developer regulating member is 10 to 10 kHz.
置に対して着脱可能なプロセスユニットもしくはプロセ
スカードリッジであって、前記画像形成装置が請求項１
ないし８のうちのいずれかであることを特徴とするプロ
セスユニットもしくはプロセスカートリッジ。9. A process unit or process cartridge which has at least a developing device and is attachable to and detachable from the image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus is the image forming apparatus.
8. A process unit or process cartridge, wherein the process unit or process cartridge is any one of
Priority Applications (6)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP09691193A JP3420276B2 (en) | 1993-03-31 | 1993-03-31 | Developing device, image forming device and process cartridge |
| ES94105196T ES2141782T3 (en) | 1993-03-31 | 1994-03-31 | DEVELOPMENT DEVICE USING AN ELASTIC BLADE. |
| DE69421433T DE69421433T2 (en) | 1993-03-31 | 1994-03-31 | Developing device with elastic blade |
| US08/220,553 US5519472A (en) | 1993-03-31 | 1994-03-31 | Developing apparatus using elastic blade |
| EP94105196A EP0619530B1 (en) | 1993-03-31 | 1994-03-31 | Developing apparatus using elastic blade |
| HK98112867A HK1011760A1 (en) | 1993-03-31 | 1998-12-05 | Developing apparatus using elastic blade |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP09691193A JP3420276B2 (en) | 1993-03-31 | 1993-03-31 | Developing device, image forming device and process cartridge |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| JPH06289697A true JPH06289697A (en) | 1994-10-18 |
| JP3420276B2 JP3420276B2 (en) | 2003-06-23 |
Family
ID=14177551
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP09691193A Expired - Fee Related JP3420276B2 (en) | 1993-03-31 | 1993-03-31 | Developing device, image forming device and process cartridge |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JP3420276B2 (en) |
Cited By (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5897477A (en) * | 1996-02-29 | 1999-04-27 | Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. | Developer carrier and developing apparatus comprising the same |
| US7171137B2 (en) | 2003-10-30 | 2007-01-30 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Developing apparatus and image forming equipment and method thereof |
| JP2007199623A (en) * | 2006-01-30 | 2007-08-09 | Canon Inc | Image forming apparatus |
| JP2007279259A (en) * | 2006-04-05 | 2007-10-25 | Fuji Xerox Co Ltd | Developing device |
| US7346296B2 (en) * | 2005-01-12 | 2008-03-18 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Rotating member for generating air current in a developing device and image forming apparatus having the same |
-
1993
- 1993-03-31 JP JP09691193A patent/JP3420276B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Cited By (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5897477A (en) * | 1996-02-29 | 1999-04-27 | Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. | Developer carrier and developing apparatus comprising the same |
| US7171137B2 (en) | 2003-10-30 | 2007-01-30 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Developing apparatus and image forming equipment and method thereof |
| US7346296B2 (en) * | 2005-01-12 | 2008-03-18 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Rotating member for generating air current in a developing device and image forming apparatus having the same |
| JP2007199623A (en) * | 2006-01-30 | 2007-08-09 | Canon Inc | Image forming apparatus |
| JP2007279259A (en) * | 2006-04-05 | 2007-10-25 | Fuji Xerox Co Ltd | Developing device |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JP3420276B2 (en) | 2003-06-23 |
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