JPH1195563A - Liquid developing device - Google Patents
Liquid developing deviceInfo
- Publication number
- JPH1195563A JPH1195563A JP27190497A JP27190497A JPH1195563A JP H1195563 A JPH1195563 A JP H1195563A JP 27190497 A JP27190497 A JP 27190497A JP 27190497 A JP27190497 A JP 27190497A JP H1195563 A JPH1195563 A JP H1195563A
- Authority
- JP
- Japan
- Prior art keywords
- liquid developer
- developer
- liquid
- roller
- scraped
- 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
Landscapes
- Wet Developing In Electrophotography (AREA)
Abstract
Description
【０００１】[0001]
【発明の属する技術分野】この発明は、電子写真方式等
で形成された静電潜像を高粘度，高濃度の液体現像剤を
用いて顕像化する液体現像装置に関するものである。BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a liquid developing apparatus for visualizing an electrostatic latent image formed by an electrophotographic method or the like using a high-viscosity, high-density liquid developer.
【０００２】[0002]
【従来の技術】高粘度，高濃度の液体現像剤を使って静
電潜像を可視化する画像形成装置が、例えば特開平７−
239614号公報や特開平８−123205号公報等に開示されて
いる。この画像形成装置は、感光体表面を帯電手段で均
一に帯電してから、書込手段により画像データにしたが
って感光体表面を露光して静電潜像を形成し液体現像装
置で可視化する。液体現像装置は、例えばジメチルポリ
シロキサンオイル等の絶縁性液体からなる現像液溶媒中
に顕像化粒子であるトナーが高濃度に分散された高粘性
の液体現像剤で静電潜像を可視化するものであり、現像
剤貯蔵手段に貯蔵された液体現像剤を現像ベルトや現像
ローラに現像剤塗布手段で均一な厚さで塗布し、現像ベ
ルトや現像ローラに塗布された液体現像剤薄層が感光体
に近接して現像領域を通るとき、液体現像剤薄層のトナ
ーが感光体の画像領域に転移してトナー像を形成する。
感光体に形成されたトナー像を転写手段で転写紙に転写
し、転写紙に転写したトナー像を定着して画像を形成す
る。転写工程終了後の感光体に残留したトナーはクリー
ニング手段で除去し、感光体に残っている電荷を除電手
段によって除去して画像形成工程を終了する。また、現
像領域を通った現像ベルトや現像ローラに付着している
液体現像剤は回収して再利用したりしている。2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus for visualizing an electrostatic latent image using a high-viscosity, high-concentration liquid developer is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
This is disclosed in, for example, JP-A-239614 and JP-A-8-123205. In this image forming apparatus, the surface of the photoreceptor is uniformly charged by a charging unit, and then the surface of the photoreceptor is exposed by a writing unit in accordance with image data to form an electrostatic latent image, which is visualized by a liquid developing device. The liquid developing device visualizes an electrostatic latent image with a high-viscosity liquid developer in which toner, which is visualized particles, is dispersed at a high concentration in a developer solvent made of an insulating liquid such as dimethylpolysiloxane oil. The liquid developer stored in the developer storage means is applied to the developing belt or the developing roller with a uniform thickness by the developer applying means, and the thin layer of the liquid developer applied to the developing belt or the developing roller is formed. When passing through the development area in close proximity to the photoreceptor, the toner in the liquid developer thin layer transfers to the image area of the photoreceptor to form a toner image.
The toner image formed on the photoreceptor is transferred to transfer paper by transfer means, and the toner image transferred to the transfer paper is fixed to form an image. The toner remaining on the photoreceptor after the transfer step is removed by the cleaning unit, and the charge remaining on the photoreceptor is removed by the discharging unit, and the image forming step is completed. Further, the liquid developer adhering to the developing belt and the developing roller passing through the developing area is collected and reused.
【０００３】[0003]
【発明が解決しようとする課題】乾式現像に使用する現
像剤は流動性があり、従来の液式現像に使用する現像剤
はほとんど水と同じ程度の流動性を有するため、現像領
域を通過した後に現像ベルトや現像ローラに残留してい
る現像剤は剥離されてから自由落下や現像装置の傾斜し
た部分を利用して簡単に移動できる。しかしながら高濃
度で100〜10000ｍＰａ・ｓの高粘度の液体現像剤を使用
した場合、乾式現像方法と同様に、現像領域を通過した
現像ローラ等に残留した液体現像剤を剥離してから自由
落下や傾斜した部分を利用して移動させて回収しようと
しても高粘性のために移動がしにくく、回収経路の途中
で溜ってしまい、残留した液体現像剤の回収ができなく
なる可能性がある。また、回収経路の途中で溜っている
部分から回収した液体現像剤が溢れて現像装置の内外を
汚してしまい、場合によっては画像を形成することがで
きなくなる可能性もある。The developer used in dry development has fluidity, and the developer used in conventional liquid development has almost the same fluidity as water, so that it has passed through the development area. After the developer remaining on the developing belt and the developing roller is peeled off, the developer can be easily moved by free fall or using the inclined portion of the developing device. However, when a high-concentration liquid developer having a high concentration of 100 to 10,000 mPas is used, as in the case of the dry development method, the liquid developer remaining on the developing roller or the like that has passed through the development area is peeled off and then free-falled. There is a possibility that even if an attempt is made to move and collect using the inclined portion, the liquid developer is difficult to move due to the high viscosity and accumulates in the middle of the collection path, making it impossible to collect the remaining liquid developer. In addition, the collected liquid developer overflows from a pooled portion in the middle of the collecting path, and contaminates the inside and outside of the developing device, and in some cases, it may not be possible to form an image.
【０００４】この発明はかかる不具合が発生することを
防止して、現像ベルトや現像ローラに残留した高濃度で
高粘性の液体現像剤を確実に回収して再利用することが
できる液体現像装置を得ることを目的とするものであ
る。The present invention is directed to a liquid developing apparatus capable of preventing such a problem from occurring and reliably collecting and reusing a high-concentration, high-viscosity liquid developer remaining on a developing belt or a developing roller. The purpose is to obtain.
【０００５】[0005]
【課題を解決するための手段】この発明に係る液体現像
装置は、現像剤貯蔵手段に撹拌装置で撹拌しながら貯蔵
された高濃度で高粘度の液体現像剤を塗布ローラにより
現像剤担持体に塗布して現像剤担持体表面に液体現像剤
薄層を形成し、現像剤担持体表面の液体現像剤薄層に含
まれる顕像化粒子で像担持体に形成された潜像を可視化
する液体現像装置であって、現像工程終了後に現像剤担
持体表面に残留した液体現像剤を塗布ローラの現像剤担
持体と接触する位置より下流側の上に掻き落し、掻き落
した液体現像剤を塗布ローラの回転により現像剤貯蔵手
段に戻すことを特徴とする。According to the present invention, there is provided a liquid developing apparatus comprising: a high-concentration, high-viscosity liquid developer stored in a developer storing means while being stirred by a stirring device; A liquid that forms a thin liquid developer layer on the surface of the developer carrier by coating, and visualizes the latent image formed on the image carrier by visualized particles contained in the thin liquid developer layer on the surface of the developer carrier. A developing device, which scrapes liquid developer remaining on the surface of the developer carrier after the development process to a position downstream of a position where the application roller comes into contact with the developer carrier, and applies the scraped liquid developer. It is characterized in that the developer is returned to the developer storage means by rotation of the roller.
【０００６】上記塗布ローラは現像剤担持体に残留して
いる液体現像剤を掻き落す位置の下部に配置され、塗布
ローラの回転方向が現像剤担持体の回転方向と同じであ
ることが望ましい。The application roller is disposed below a position where the liquid developer remaining on the developer carrier is scraped off, and the rotation direction of the application roller is preferably the same as the rotation direction of the developer carrier.
【０００７】また、上記現像剤担持体に残留している液
体現像剤を掻き落す位置に液体現像剤中の溶剤を供給し
たり、現像剤担持体に残留している液体現像剤が掻き落
される塗布ローラの位置近傍に液体現像剤中の溶剤を供
給すると良い。Further, the solvent in the liquid developer is supplied to a position where the liquid developer remaining on the developer carrier is scraped off, or the liquid developer remaining on the developer carrier is scraped off. It is preferable to supply the solvent in the liquid developer near the position of the application roller.
【０００８】[0008]
【発明の実施の形態】この発明の液体現像装置は、感光
体に形成された静電潜像を可視化するものであり、現像
ローラと、撹拌手段を有し高濃度の液体現像剤を貯蔵し
た液体現像剤貯蔵部と、液体現像剤貯蔵部の液体現像剤
を現像ローラに塗布して現像ローラに液体現像剤薄層を
形成する塗布ローラと、塗布ローラに付着した液体現像
剤の付着量を一定量に規制する規制部材及び現像領域を
通過した現像ローラを掻き落すスクレーパを有する。塗
布ローラは現像領域を通過した現像ローラに残留してい
る液体現像剤をスクレーパで掻き落す位置の下部に配置
され、現像ローラと同じ回転方向で回転する。DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A liquid developing apparatus according to the present invention visualizes an electrostatic latent image formed on a photoreceptor, and has a developing roller and a stirring means for storing a high-concentration liquid developer. A liquid developer storage unit, an application roller that applies the liquid developer in the liquid developer storage unit to the development roller to form a liquid developer thin layer on the development roller, and an amount of the liquid developer attached to the application roller. It has a regulating member that regulates a certain amount and a scraper that scrapes off the developing roller that has passed through the developing area. The application roller is disposed below the position where the liquid developer remaining on the developing roller passing through the developing area is scraped off by the scraper, and rotates in the same rotational direction as the developing roller.
【０００９】液体現像剤貯蔵部に貯蔵され撹拌手段によ
り撹拌されて均一な濃度になっている高濃度の液体現像
剤は塗布ローラに付着して現像剤液膜を形成する。この
塗布ローラの現像剤液膜が規制部材により塗布量が一定
量に規制されて現像ローラの表面に接触し、現像ローラ
表面に一定厚さの液体現像剤薄層を形成する。現像ロー
ラに形成された液体現像剤薄層は感光体の接触部である
現像領域で感光体の静電潜像を可視化する。現像領域を
通過した現像ローラに残留した液体現像剤はスクレーパ
で掻き落とされて塗布ローラ上に落下する。塗布ローラ
は現像ローラから液体現像剤を掻き落すスクレーパの位
置の下部に配置され、塗布ローラと現像ローラは同じ方
向に回転しているため、スクレーパで掻き落した液体現
像剤は塗布ローラと現像ローラの接触部より下流側の塗
布ローラの上に落すことができる。塗布ローラの上に落
ちた液体現像剤は、塗布ローラの回転により強制的に液
体現像剤貯蔵部に送られ撹拌手段により撹拌される。こ
のようにスクレーパで掻き落した液体現像剤を塗布ロー
ラの回転により強制的に液体現像剤貯蔵部に送るから、
スクレーパで掻き落した液体現像剤が液体現像剤貯蔵部
までの搬送経路で溜ることはなく、確実に液体現像剤貯
蔵部に送ることができる。The high-concentration liquid developer which is stored in the liquid developer storage section and is stirred by the stirring means to have a uniform concentration adheres to the application roller to form a developer liquid film. The application amount of the developer liquid film of the application roller is regulated by the regulating member to a constant amount, and the developer liquid film comes into contact with the surface of the development roller to form a liquid developer thin layer having a constant thickness on the development roller surface. The liquid developer thin layer formed on the developing roller visualizes an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor in a developing area which is a contact portion of the photoconductor. The liquid developer remaining on the developing roller that has passed through the developing area is scraped off by a scraper and falls onto the application roller. The application roller is located below the position of the scraper that scrapes off the liquid developer from the development roller.Since the application roller and the development roller are rotating in the same direction, the liquid developer scraped off by the scraper removes the application developer and the development roller. Can be dropped on the application roller downstream of the contact portion. The liquid developer dropped on the application roller is forcibly sent to the liquid developer storage unit by the rotation of the application roller, and is agitated by the agitating means. Since the liquid developer scraped off by the scraper is forcibly sent to the liquid developer storage unit by the rotation of the application roller,
The liquid developer scraped off by the scraper does not accumulate in the transport path to the liquid developer storage section, and can be reliably sent to the liquid developer storage section.
【００１０】また、現像ローラに残留している液体現像
剤を掻き落す位置に液体現像剤中の溶剤を供給したり、
現像ローラに残留している液体現像剤が掻き落される塗
布ローラの位置近傍に液体現像剤中の溶剤を供給して、
塗布ローラの上に落ちた粘度が高い溶剤を塗布ローラの
回転により強制的に液体現像剤貯蔵部に送ることができ
るとともに、現像ローラから掻き落された液体現像剤の
トナーがスクレーパに付着して堆積することを防ぐこと
ができる。Further, a solvent in the liquid developer is supplied to a position where the liquid developer remaining on the developing roller is scraped off,
Supply the solvent in the liquid developer to the vicinity of the position of the application roller where the liquid developer remaining on the developing roller is scraped off,
The high-viscosity solvent dropped on the application roller can be forcibly sent to the liquid developer storage unit by the rotation of the application roller, and the toner of the liquid developer scraped off from the development roller adheres to the scraper. Accumulation can be prevented.
【００１１】[0011]
【実施例】図１はこの発明の一実施例の液体現像装置を
使用した湿式画像形成装置の構成図である。湿式画像形
成装置は、図に示すように、時計方向に回転する感光体
１に沿って配置された帯電手段２と書込手段３と液体現
像装置４と転写手段５と除電手段６及びクリーニング手
段７を有する。感光体１は帯電手段２で表面が均一に帯
電されたのち書込手段３により画像データにしたがって
露光して静電潜像を形成する。この感光体１に形成され
た静電潜像を液体現像装置４で可視化してトナー像を形
成し、形成したトナー像を転写手段５で転写紙８に転写
する。トナー像を転写紙８に転写した感光体１の電荷を
除電手段６で除電し、感光体１に残留しているトナーを
クリーニング手段７で除去して次の画像形成工程に入
る。FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a wet image forming apparatus using a liquid developing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the wet image forming apparatus includes a charging unit 2, a writing unit 3, a liquid developing unit 4, a transfer unit 5, a charge removing unit 6, a cleaning unit, and a charging unit 2, which are arranged along a photoreceptor 1 rotating clockwise. Seven. The photoreceptor 1 is charged uniformly by a charging unit 2 and then exposed by a writing unit 3 in accordance with image data to form an electrostatic latent image. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor 1 is visualized by the liquid developing device 4 to form a toner image, and the formed toner image is transferred to the transfer paper 8 by the transfer unit 5. The charge of the photoreceptor 1 having transferred the toner image onto the transfer paper 8 is discharged by the discharger 6, and the toner remaining on the photoreceptor 1 is removed by the cleaning unit 7 to start the next image forming step.
【００１２】液体現像装置４は、例えばジメチルポリシ
ロキサンオイル等の絶縁性液体からなる現像液溶媒中に
顕像化粒子であるトナーが高濃度に分散された100〜100
00ｍＰａ・ｓの高粘性の液体現像剤で静電潜像を可視化
するものであり、感光体１の表面移動速度と同じ表面移
動速度で反時計方向に回転し、感光体１の接触部である
現像領域で感光体１と同じ方向に移動する現像ローラ４
１と、撹拌手段４２を有し、補給経路４３から供給され
た高濃度の液体現像剤４４を貯蔵した液体現像剤貯蔵部
４５と、液体現像剤貯蔵部４５の液体現像剤４４を現像
ローラ４１に塗布して現像ローラ４１に液体現像剤薄層
を形成する塗布ローラ４６と、塗布ローラ４６に付着し
た液体現像剤４４の付着量を一定量に規制する規制部材
４７及び現像領域を通過した現像ローラ４１を掻き落す
スクレーパ４８を有する。塗布ローラ４６は金属やゴム
等の材質で形成され、表面は平滑に形成されたロール又
は多数の凹凸を有するグラビアロールからなり、現像ロ
ーラ４１に残留している液体現像剤をスクレーパ４８で
掻き落す位置の下部に配置され、現像ローラ４１と同様
に反時計方向に回転し、現像ローラ４１と接触する位置
では現像ローラ４１の移動方向と反対方向に移動する。
規制部材４７は塗布ローラ４６の表面が平滑状の場合に
はシャフトに細いワイヤーを螺旋状に巻いてインクの塗
布量の規制に使われるワイヤーバーを使用し、塗布ロー
ラ４６の表面がグラビアローラ状態であればブレード形
状の組み合わせを使用すると良い。The liquid developing device 4 has a high concentration of 100 to 100 particles of toner as visualized particles dispersed in a developer solvent made of an insulating liquid such as dimethylpolysiloxane oil.
The electrostatic latent image is visualized with a high-viscosity liquid developer of 00 mPa · s, and rotates counterclockwise at the same surface movement speed as the surface movement speed of the photosensitive member 1, and is a contact portion of the photosensitive member 1. Developing roller 4 moving in the same direction as photoconductor 1 in the developing area
1, a liquid developer storage section 45 having a stirring means 42 and storing a high-concentration liquid developer 44 supplied from a replenishment path 43, and a developing roller 41 for storing the liquid developer 44 in the liquid developer storage section 45. And a regulating member 47 for regulating the amount of the liquid developer 44 adhered to the application roller 46 to a constant amount, and the development passing through the development area. It has a scraper 48 for scraping off the roller 41. The application roller 46 is formed of a material such as metal or rubber, and has a smooth surface or a gravure roll having many irregularities. The liquid developer remaining on the developing roller 41 is scraped off by a scraper 48. It is disposed below the position and rotates counterclockwise similarly to the developing roller 41, and moves in a direction opposite to the moving direction of the developing roller 41 at a position where it contacts the developing roller 41.
When the surface of the application roller 46 is smooth, a thin wire is helically wound around a shaft and a wire bar is used to regulate the amount of ink applied. The surface of the application roller 46 is in a gravure roller state. If so, it is better to use a combination of blade shapes.
【００１３】上記のように構成された液体現像装置４に
おいては、液体現像剤貯蔵部４５に貯蔵され撹拌手段４
２により撹拌されて均一な濃度になっている高濃度の液
体現像剤４４は反時計方向に回転している塗布ローラ４
６に付着し、塗布ローラ４６に付着した現像剤液膜が規
制部材４７により塗布量が一定量に規制されて現像ロー
ラ４１の表面に接触し、現像ローラ４１表面に一定厚さ
の液体現像剤薄層を形成する。現像ローラ４１に形成さ
れた液体現像剤薄層は感光体１の接触部である現像領域
で感光体１の静電潜像のパターンにしたがって感光体１
に転移して静電潜像を可視化する。現像領域を通過した
現像ローラ４１に残留した液体現像剤はスクレーパ４８
で掻き落とされて塗布ローラ４６上に落下する。塗布ロ
ーラ４６は現像ローラ４１から液体現像剤を掻き落すス
クレーパ４８の位置の下部に配置され、塗布ローラ４６
と現像ローラ４１はともに反時計方向に回転しているた
め、スクレーパ４８で掻き落した液体現像剤は塗布ロー
ラ４６と現像ローラ４１の接触部より下流側の塗布ロー
ラ４６の上に落すことができる。塗布ローラ４６の上に
落ちた液体現像剤は、塗布ローラ４６の回転により強制
的に液体現像剤貯蔵部４５に送られ撹拌手段４２により
撹拌される。このように塗布ローラ４６でスクレーパ４
８で掻き落した液体現像剤を搬送するため、塗布ローラ
４６は、図１に示すように、現像ローラ４１より径を大
きくしたり、図２に示すように、塗布ローラ４６の中心
４６ａを現像ローラ４１の中心４１ａに対してスクレー
パ４８が配置された第３象限に配置して、スクレーパ４
８で掻き落した液体現像剤が塗布ローラ４６と現像ロー
ラ４１の接触部より下流側の塗布ローラ４６の上に確実
に落ちるようにしておく。In the liquid developing device 4 configured as described above, the stirring means 4 stored in the liquid developer storage section 45 is used.
The high-concentration liquid developer 44, which is agitated by the mixing roller 2 and has a uniform concentration, is applied to the coating roller 4 rotating
The developer liquid film adhering to the application roller 6 and being applied to the application roller 46 is regulated by the regulating member 47 so that the amount of application is regulated to a constant amount and comes into contact with the surface of the development roller 41. Form a thin layer. The liquid developer thin layer formed on the developing roller 41 is applied to the photosensitive member 1 according to the electrostatic latent image pattern of the photosensitive member 1 in a developing area which is a contact portion of the photosensitive member 1.
To visualize the electrostatic latent image. The liquid developer remaining on the developing roller 41 after passing through the developing area is scraped by a scraper 48.
, And falls on the application roller 46. The application roller 46 is disposed below the position of the scraper 48 that scrapes off the liquid developer from the development roller 41.
Since both the developing roller 41 and the developing roller 41 are rotating in the counterclockwise direction, the liquid developer scraped off by the scraper 48 can be dropped onto the applying roller 46 on the downstream side of the contact portion between the applying roller 46 and the developing roller 41. . The liquid developer that has fallen on the application roller 46 is forcibly sent to the liquid developer storage unit 45 by the rotation of the application roller 46 and is stirred by the stirring unit 42. In this manner, the scraper 4 is
In order to transport the liquid developer scraped off in step 8, the application roller 46 has a larger diameter than the development roller 41 as shown in FIG. 1 or develops the center 46a of the application roller 46 as shown in FIG. The scraper 4 is disposed in the third quadrant where the scraper 48 is disposed with respect to the center 41 a of the roller 41.
The liquid developer scraped off in step 8 is surely dropped onto the application roller 46 on the downstream side of the contact portion between the application roller 46 and the development roller 41.
【００１４】このようにスクレーパ４８で掻き落した液
体現像剤を塗布ローラ４６の回転により強制的に液体現
像剤貯蔵部４５に送るから、スクレーパ４８で掻き落し
た液体現像剤が液体現像剤貯蔵部４５までの搬送経路で
溜ることはなく、確実に液体現像剤貯蔵部４５に送るこ
とができる。Since the liquid developer scraped off by the scraper 48 is forcibly sent to the liquid developer storage section 45 by the rotation of the application roller 46, the liquid developer scraped by the scraper 48 is transferred to the liquid developer storage section. The liquid does not accumulate in the transport path up to 45 and can be reliably sent to the liquid developer storage unit 45.
【００１５】上記実施例はスクレーパ４８で掻き落した
液体現像剤を液体現像剤貯蔵部４５に送り、液体現像剤
貯蔵部４５内の液体現像剤４４と撹拌混合してそのまま
使用する場合について説明したが、長時間使用している
と液体現像剤貯蔵部４５内の液体現像剤４４の濃度すな
わち粘度が変化してくる。すなわち、液体現像剤４４は
着色剤であるトナーとトナーを分散する溶剤及びトナー
に極性を保有させる微量の極性制御剤が混合している。
この液体現像剤が高粘度であるのは、トナーの含有率が
数％から20％で構成され、例えばジメチルポリシロキサ
ンオイル等粘度の高い溶剤を使うためである。この高粘
度の液体現像剤４４が現像ローラ４１に塗布されて形成
された液体現像剤薄層は現像領域で感光体１と接触する
ときに、画像の地肌部分にも高粘度の溶剤が付着する。
このため現像領域を通過した現像ローラ４１に残留して
いる液体現像剤を液体現像剤貯蔵部４５内に回収するこ
とを繰返していると、液体現像剤貯蔵部４５内の液体現
像剤４４の溶剤の量が次第に少なくなり、液体現像剤４
４の濃度すなわち粘度が高くなる。そこで、この液体現
像剤４４の濃度や粘度の変化を検出して溶剤を補給し、
適正範囲の濃度になるようにする必要がある。In the above-described embodiment, the case where the liquid developer scraped off by the scraper 48 is sent to the liquid developer storage section 45, and the liquid developer 44 in the liquid developer storage section 45 is stirred and mixed with the liquid developer and used as it is. However, if the liquid developer 44 is used for a long time, the concentration, that is, the viscosity of the liquid developer 44 in the liquid developer storage section 45 changes. That is, the liquid developer 44 contains a toner as a colorant, a solvent for dispersing the toner, and a trace amount of a polarity controlling agent for imparting polarity to the toner.
The reason why the liquid developer has a high viscosity is that a high-viscosity solvent such as dimethylpolysiloxane oil is used, which has a toner content of several percent to 20%. When the liquid developer thin layer formed by applying the high-viscosity liquid developer 44 to the developing roller 41 comes into contact with the photoreceptor 1 in the development area, the high-viscosity solvent adheres to the background portion of the image. .
For this reason, when the liquid developer remaining on the developing roller 41 that has passed through the developing area is repeatedly collected in the liquid developer storage unit 45, the solvent of the liquid developer 44 in the liquid developer storage unit 45 is removed. Of the liquid developer 4 gradually decreases.
The concentration of 4, ie, the viscosity, increases. Therefore, a change in the concentration or viscosity of the liquid developer 44 is detected, and the solvent is replenished.
It is necessary to keep the concentration within an appropriate range.
【００１６】このように液体現像剤貯蔵部４５内の液体
現像剤４４の濃度や粘度の変化を検出して溶剤を補給す
る場合の実施例の構成を図３に示す。図３に示す液体現
像装置４は、液体現像剤貯蔵部４５に液体現像剤４４の
粘度や濃度を検知する濃度検知部５０を有し、現像ロー
ラ４１に残留している液体現像剤薄層を掻き落す位置に
液体現像剤中の溶剤を供給する溶剤供給装置５１の溶剤
補給口５２ａと現像ローラ４１に残留している液体現像
剤が掻き落される塗布ローラ４６の位置近傍に液体現像
剤中の溶剤を補給する溶剤補給口５２ｂのいずれか一方
又は双方を有する。溶剤補給口５２ａ，５２ｂは、図４
の斜視図に示すように、塗布ローラ４６の軸方向に沿っ
て設けた櫛歯状の複数本のノズル５２１を有し、塗布ロ
ーラ４６に沿って均一な分布で溶剤を供給する。溶剤供
給装置５１の動作を制御する制御部には濃度検出回路部
５３とＣＰＵ５４を有する。FIG. 3 shows the configuration of an embodiment in which a change in the concentration or viscosity of the liquid developer 44 in the liquid developer storage section 45 is detected and a solvent is supplied. The liquid developing device 4 shown in FIG. 3 has a concentration detecting unit 50 for detecting the viscosity and concentration of the liquid developer 44 in the liquid developer storage unit 45, and removes the liquid developer thin layer remaining on the developing roller 41. The liquid developer remaining in the solvent supply port 52a of the solvent supply device 51 and the application roller 46 where the liquid developer remaining in the developing roller 41 is scraped off at the position where the liquid developer in the liquid developer is scraped off. One or both of the solvent supply ports 52b for supplying the solvent. The solvent supply ports 52a and 52b are shown in FIG.
As shown in the perspective view, a plurality of comb-shaped nozzles 521 provided along the axial direction of the application roller 46 are provided, and the solvent is supplied with a uniform distribution along the application roller 46. The control unit that controls the operation of the solvent supply device 51 includes a concentration detection circuit unit 53 and a CPU 54.
【００１７】濃度検知部５０は液体現像剤貯蔵部４５内
の液体現像剤４４の濃度を常時又は一定の周期で検出し
て濃度検知回路部５３に送る。濃度検知回路部５３は送
られた濃度が適正範囲であるかどうかを判断して、検出
した液体現像剤４４の濃度が適正範囲より高くなってい
るときは、その旨を示す信号をＣＰＵ５４に送る。ＣＰ
Ｕ５４は液体現像剤４４の濃度が適正範囲を超えている
ことを示す信号を受けると溶剤供給装置５１を駆動す
る。溶剤供給装置５１は液体現像剤４４の溶剤補給口５
２ａと溶剤補給口５２ｂのいずれか一方又は双方あるい
は溶剤補給口５２ａと溶剤補給口５２ｂを切り換えて溶
剤を補給する。溶剤補給口５２ａから補給された溶剤は
スクレーパ４８に沿って塗布ローラ４６の上に落ちる。
この溶剤がスクレーパ４８に沿って塗布ローラ４６の上
に落ちるときに、現像ローラ４１から掻き落された液体
現像剤のトナーがスクレーパ４８に付着しているときに
は、スクレーパ４８に付着しているトナーを洗い流しな
がら塗布ローラ４６の上に落ちる。また、溶剤補給口５
２ｂから補給された溶剤は塗布ローラ４６の上に直接落
ちて、現像ローラ４１から掻き落された液体現像剤と混
合する。したがって現像ローラ４１から掻き落された液
体現像剤のトナーがスクレーパ４８に付着して堆積する
ことを防ぐことができるとともに液体現像剤の混合を促
進することができる。塗布ローラ４６の上に落ちた液体
現像剤と溶剤は塗布ローラ４６の回転により強制的に液
体現像剤貯蔵部４５に送られ撹拌手段４２により撹拌さ
れて均一な濃度の液体現像剤４４になる。液体現像剤貯
蔵部４５内の液体現像剤４４の濃度が適正範囲内になる
と溶剤供給装置５１の駆動を停止させて溶剤の補給を停
止する。なお、液体現像剤貯蔵部４５内の液体現像剤４
４が一定量以下になったら補給経路４３から液体現像剤
４４を補給する。The density detecting section 50 detects the density of the liquid developer 44 in the liquid developer storage section 45 at all times or at a constant cycle and sends it to the density detecting circuit section 53. The density detection circuit unit 53 determines whether or not the transmitted density is within the proper range, and if the detected concentration of the liquid developer 44 is higher than the proper range, sends a signal to that effect to the CPU 54. . CP
U54 drives the solvent supply device 51 when receiving a signal indicating that the concentration of the liquid developer 44 exceeds the appropriate range. The solvent supply device 51 is a solvent supply port 5 for the liquid developer 44.
The solvent is supplied by switching one or both of 2a and the solvent supply port 52b or by switching between the solvent supply port 52a and the solvent supply port 52b. The solvent supplied from the solvent supply port 52a falls onto the application roller 46 along the scraper 48.
When the solvent falls onto the application roller 46 along the scraper 48, and when the toner of the liquid developer scraped off from the developing roller 41 is attached to the scraper 48, the toner attached to the scraper 48 is removed. It falls onto the application roller 46 while being washed away. In addition, the solvent supply port 5
The solvent supplied from 2b falls directly onto the application roller 46 and mixes with the liquid developer scraped off from the developing roller 41. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the toner of the liquid developer scraped off from the developing roller 41 from adhering to and being accumulated on the scraper 48 and to promote the mixing of the liquid developer. The liquid developer and the solvent that have fallen on the application roller 46 are forcibly sent to the liquid developer storage unit 45 by the rotation of the application roller 46 and are agitated by the agitating unit 42 to become the liquid developer 44 having a uniform concentration. When the concentration of the liquid developer 44 in the liquid developer storage section 45 falls within an appropriate range, the driving of the solvent supply device 51 is stopped, and the supply of the solvent is stopped. Note that the liquid developer 4 in the liquid developer storage 45 is
When the value of 4 becomes equal to or less than a predetermined amount, the liquid developer 44 is supplied from the supply path 43.
【００１８】このようにして、液体現像剤貯蔵部４５内
の液体現像剤４４の濃度を常に適正範囲にすることがで
き、濃度むらのない良質な画像を感光体１上に形成する
ことができる。In this manner, the concentration of the liquid developer 44 in the liquid developer storage section 45 can always be kept in an appropriate range, and a high-quality image free from uneven density can be formed on the photosensitive member 1. .
【００１９】上記のように構成した液体現像装置４を使
用してプロセスカラー画像を形成する画像形成装置の構
成を図５に示す。図５に示すように、ブラック（Ｂ），
シアン（Ｃ），マゼンタ（Ｍ），イエロー（Ｙ）の液体
現像装置４Ｂ，４Ｃ，４Ｍ，４Ｙが感光体１の周囲に配
置され、各液体現像装置４Ｂ，４Ｃ，４Ｍ，４Ｙで感光
体１に形成されたブラック（Ｂ），シアン（Ｃ），マゼ
ンタ（Ｍ），イエロー（Ｙ）の画像は中間転写ベルト９
に順次転写され、中間転写ベルト９にプロセスカラー画
像を形成する。中間転写ベルト９に形成されたプロセス
カラー画像は給紙部１０から送られる転写紙８に転写手
段５で転写され定着手段１１で定着される。転写紙８に
転写した後に中間転写ベルト９に残留しているトナーは
ベルトクリーニングユニット１２で除去される。このよ
うに高濃度の液体現像剤を使用して画像を形成するか
ら、トナーの飛散を防止することができ、画像形成装置
内や設置場所付近を汚すことを防ぐことができる。FIG. 5 shows the configuration of an image forming apparatus for forming a process color image using the liquid developing device 4 configured as described above. As shown in FIG. 5, black (B),
Cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) liquid developing devices 4B, 4C, 4M, and 4Y are arranged around the photoconductor 1, and each of the liquid developing devices 4B, 4C, 4M, and 4Y controls the photoconductor 1. The black (B), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) images formed on the intermediate transfer belt 9
To form a process color image on the intermediate transfer belt 9. The process color image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 9 is transferred to the transfer paper 8 sent from the paper supply unit 10 by the transfer unit 5 and fixed by the fixing unit 11. The toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 9 after the transfer to the transfer paper 8 is removed by the belt cleaning unit 12. Since an image is formed using a high-concentration liquid developer as described above, it is possible to prevent toner from scattering and prevent the inside of the image forming apparatus and the vicinity of the installation location from being stained.
【００２０】上記実施例は液体現像装置４に現像ローラ
４１を設けて、現像ローラ４１に形成した液体現像剤薄
層で感光体１の静電潜像を可視化する場合について説明
したが、現像ベルトを使用して感光体１の静電潜像を可
視化する場合にも同様に適用することができる。In the above-described embodiment, the case where the developing roller 41 is provided in the liquid developing device 4 and the electrostatic latent image of the photosensitive member 1 is visualized by the thin liquid developer formed on the developing roller 41 has been described. The same can be applied to the case where the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member 1 is visualized by using.
【００２１】[0021]
【発明の効果】この発明は以上説明したように、現像領
域を通過した現像剤担持体に残留した液体現像剤をスク
レーパで掻き落して塗布ローラと現像剤担持体の接触部
より下流側の塗布ローラの上に落し、塗布ローラの上に
落ちた液体現像剤を塗布ローラの回転により強制的に現
像剤貯蔵手段に送るようにしたから、簡単な構成でスク
レーパで掻き落した液体現像剤が現像剤貯蔵手段までの
搬送経路で溜ることを防ぐことができ、掻き落した液体
現像剤を確実に現像剤貯蔵手段に送ることができる。As described above, according to the present invention, the liquid developer remaining on the developer carrier that has passed through the developing area is scraped off by the scraper, and the coating is performed on the downstream side of the contact portion between the application roller and the developer carrier. Since the liquid developer dropped on the roller and dropped on the application roller is forcibly sent to the developer storage means by the rotation of the application roller, the liquid developer scraped off by the scraper with a simple configuration is developed. It is possible to prevent the liquid developer from accumulating in the transport path to the developer storage means, and to surely send the scraped liquid developer to the developer storage means.
【００２２】また、現像剤担持体に残留している液体現
像剤を掻き落す位置に液体現像剤中の溶剤を供給した
り、現像剤担持体に残留している液体現像剤が掻き落さ
れる塗布ローラの位置近傍に液体現像剤中の溶剤を供給
して、塗布ローラの上に落ちた粘度が高い溶剤を塗布ロ
ーラの回転により強制的に現像剤貯蔵手段に送るから、
液体現像剤の溶剤を円滑に補給することができる。Further, a solvent in the liquid developer is supplied to a position where the liquid developer remaining on the developer carrier is scraped off, or the liquid developer remaining on the developer carrier is scraped off. Since the solvent in the liquid developer is supplied in the vicinity of the position of the application roller, and the high viscosity solvent dropped on the application roller is forcibly sent to the developer storage means by the rotation of the application roller,
The solvent of the liquid developer can be smoothly supplied.
【００２３】さらに、現像剤担持体に残留している液体
現像剤を掻き落す位置に液体現像剤中の溶剤を供給する
ことにより、現像剤担持体から掻き落された液体現像剤
のトナーがスクレーパに付着して堆積することを防ぐこ
とができ、保守を容易にすることができる。Further, by supplying the solvent in the liquid developer to a position where the liquid developer remaining on the developer carrier is scraped off, the toner of the liquid developer scraped off from the developer carrier is scraped off. Can be prevented from adhering to and accumulating on the surface, and maintenance can be facilitated.
【００２４】また、現像剤担持体に残留している液体現
像剤が掻き落される塗布ローラの位置近傍に液体現像剤
中の溶剤を供給することにより、現像剤担持体から掻き
落された液体現像剤との混合を促進し、現像剤貯蔵手段
内の液体現像剤の濃度を常に適正範囲にすることがで
き、濃度むらのない良質な画像を安定して形成すること
ができる。Further, by supplying the solvent in the liquid developer to the vicinity of the position of the coating roller where the liquid developer remaining on the developer carrier is scraped off, the liquid scraped off from the developer carrier is supplied. Mixing with the developer is promoted, the concentration of the liquid developer in the developer storage means can always be kept in an appropriate range, and a high-quality image free from uneven density can be formed stably.
【図１】この発明の実施例の構成図である。FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.
【図２】上記実施例の塗布ローラと現像ローラの配置図
である。FIG. 2 is a layout diagram of a coating roller and a developing roller of the embodiment.
【図３】第２の実施例の構成図である。FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a second embodiment.
【図４】溶剤補給口の構成を示す斜視図である。FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a solvent supply port.
【図５】上記実施例の液体現像装置を使用したプロセス
カラー画像を形成する画像形成装置の構成図である。FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus that forms a process color image using the liquid developing device of the embodiment.
１ 感光体 ４ 液体現像装置 ４１ 現像ローラ ４２ 撹拌手段 ４４ 液体現像剤 ４５ 液体現像剤貯蔵部 ４６ 塗布ローラ ４７ 規制部材 ４８ スクレーパ ５２ 溶剤補給口 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Photoconductor 4 Liquid developing device 41 Developing roller 42 Stirring means 44 Liquid developer 45 Liquid developer storage 46 Coating roller 47 Regulator 48 Scraper 52 Solvent supply port
Claims (4)
ら貯蔵された高濃度で高粘度の液体現像剤を塗布ローラ
により現像剤担持体に塗布して現像剤担持体表面に液体
現像剤薄層を形成し、現像剤担持体表面の液体現像剤薄
層に含まれる顕像化粒子で像担持体に形成された潜像を
可視化する液体現像装置であって、 現像工程終了後に現像剤担持体表面に残留した液体現像
剤を塗布ローラの現像剤担持体と接触する位置より下流
側の上に掻き落し、掻き落した液体現像剤を塗布ローラ
の回転により現像剤貯蔵手段に戻すことを特徴とする液
体現像装置。1. A high-concentration, high-viscosity liquid developer stored in a developer storage means while being stirred by a stirrer is applied to a developer carrier by an application roller, and the liquid developer thin film is applied to the surface of the developer carrier. A liquid developing device that forms a layer and visualizes a latent image formed on the image carrier by visualized particles contained in a thin liquid developer layer on the surface of the developer carrier, and the developer carrying device after the development process is completed. The liquid developer remaining on the body surface is scraped off from a position downstream of a position where the application roller comes into contact with the developer carrier, and the scraped liquid developer is returned to the developer storage means by rotation of the application roller. Liquid developing device.
ている液体現像剤を掻き落す位置の下部に配置され、塗
布ローラの回転方向が現像剤担持体の回転方向と同じで
ある請求項１記載の液体現像装置。2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the applying roller is disposed below a position where the liquid developer remaining on the developer carrier is scraped off, and the rotating direction of the applying roller is the same as the rotating direction of the developer carrier. 2. The liquid developing device according to 1.
像剤を掻き落す位置に液体現像剤中の溶剤を供給する請
求項２記載の液体現像装置。3. The liquid developing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a solvent in the liquid developer is supplied to a position where the liquid developer remaining on the developer carrier is scraped off.
像剤が掻き落される塗布ローラの位置近傍に液体現像剤
中の溶剤を供給する請求項２記載の液体現像装置。4. The liquid developing device according to claim 2, wherein a solvent in the liquid developer is supplied to a position near a coating roller where the liquid developer remaining on the developer carrier is scraped off.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP27190497A JPH1195563A (en) | 1997-09-19 | 1997-09-19 | Liquid developing device |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP27190497A JPH1195563A (en) | 1997-09-19 | 1997-09-19 | Liquid developing device |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| JPH1195563A true JPH1195563A (en) | 1999-04-09 |
Family
ID=17506515
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP27190497A Pending JPH1195563A (en) | 1997-09-19 | 1997-09-19 | Liquid developing device |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPH1195563A (en) |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6233280B1 (en) * | 1997-12-31 | 2001-05-15 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Video decoder for high picture quality |
| US7167666B2 (en) | 2003-08-20 | 2007-01-23 | Seiko Epson Corporation | Liquid development device, image forming apparatus, and image forming system |
| JP2008122815A (en) * | 2006-11-15 | 2008-05-29 | Seiko Epson Corp | Image forming apparatus |
-
1997
- 1997-09-19 JP JP27190497A patent/JPH1195563A/en active Pending
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6233280B1 (en) * | 1997-12-31 | 2001-05-15 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Video decoder for high picture quality |
| US7167666B2 (en) | 2003-08-20 | 2007-01-23 | Seiko Epson Corporation | Liquid development device, image forming apparatus, and image forming system |
| JP2008122815A (en) * | 2006-11-15 | 2008-05-29 | Seiko Epson Corp | Image forming apparatus |
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