JPS6228775A - Developing device capable of changing color - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To remarkably reduce the quantity of toner adhering to the inner surface of a developing agent container, etc., so as to prevent developing agents from being mixed in color when the developing agent is changed in color, by applying the voltage of the same polarity as the charged polarity of toner across the container and metallic members inside the container. CONSTITUTION:Toner tanks of each developing color and toner replenishing rollers 9 which are operated independently are provided above a developing container 5. Moreover, a power source 30 is provided under a condition where the power source 30 can be connected with and cut off from the developing container 5, a vane wheel 4, a developing agent moving member 6, a carrying screw 7, etc., so that a voltage of the same polarity as the electrified polarity of toner can be applied across the members. When the color of the developing agent is changed, the developing agent at a new color is replenished after the previous developing agent is recovered. Since the voltage of the same polarity as that of the toner is applied across the inner surface of the developing container, etc., when the developing agent is changed, the quantity of the toner adhering to the inner surface, etc., is remarkably reduced and color mixture can be prevented.

Description

【発明の詳細な説明】 技術分野 本発明は、現像剤を異る色のものと入れ替えることによ
り現像色を替えることが出来る単色電子写真複写機の２
成分現像装置に関する。Detailed Description of the Invention Technical Field The present invention relates to two monochrome electrophotographic copying machines in which the developed color can be changed by replacing the developer with one of a different color.
The present invention relates to a component developing device.

従来技術 最近、コピーの色を黒だけでなく、他の有彩色、例えば
、青、セピア、赤等のいずれかの好みの色でも複写でき
るようにした複写機が世に出ている。BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Recently, copying machines have come on the market that are capable of copying not only black, but also other chromatic colors such as blue, sepia, red, or any other desired color.

コピー色を替える方法としては、現像ユニットの交換方
式が一般的であるが、この方式では現像ユニットの着脱
時のトナーの飛散による機内外、操作者の汚染、交換作
業のわずられしさ等の欠点がある。A common way to change the copy color is to replace the developing unit, but this method reduces the risk of contaminating the inside and outside of the machine and the operator due to toner scattering when the developing unit is installed and removed, and the replacement work is tedious. There are drawbacks.

これを改善する目的で、現像容器内の現像剤を異る色の
ものと入替えて現像色を変換するようにした方式のもの
が種々提案されている。現像剤がトナーとキャリアとよ
り成る２成分現像剤の場合は、現像色変換のために現像
剤を現像容器より回収した際、現像剤中のトナーの一部
は、現像容器内面や羽根車等の容器内部材の表面に付着
し、回収されずに残留することが避けられない。そのた
め、新たに異る色の現像剤を装入した場合、その色のト
ナーと残留した前の色のトナーとが混色し、前回の色が
黒色の場合は、それとの混色によりコピーの色が黒ずん
だ色になシ、又、有彩色どうしが混色した場合は本来の
色と異った色になる欠点があった。In order to improve this problem, various methods have been proposed in which the developer in the developer container is replaced with one of a different color to change the developed color. If the developer is a two-component developer consisting of toner and carrier, when the developer is collected from the developer container for color conversion, some of the toner in the developer may be absorbed into the inner surface of the developer container, the impeller, etc. It is inevitable that the substances will adhere to the surface of the internal materials of the container and remain uncollected. Therefore, when a new developer of a different color is loaded, the toner of that color and the remaining toner of the previous color will mix, and if the previous color was black, the color of the copy will change due to the color mixing with that. There was a drawback that the color was dark, and when chromatic colors were mixed, the color would be different from the original color.

目　　　　　　的 本発明は、現像容器内の現像剤を異る色のものと入れ替
えて現像色を変換する２成分現像装置の従来提案さｈて
いるものの上述の問題点を解決した混色の生ずることの
ない現像装置を提供することを目的とする。Purpose The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems of the conventionally proposed two-component developing device that changes the developed color by replacing the developer in the developer container with one of a different color. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a developing device that does not require

構　　　成 本発明は、上記の目的を達成させるため、上記の現像容
器及びその内部の金属部材にトナーの帯電極性と同極性
の電圧を印加することを特徴とする０ 以下、本発明の実施例を図面に基づいて詳細に説明する
。Structure In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is characterized in that a voltage having the same polarity as the charging polarity of the toner is applied to the developer container and the metal member inside thereof. Examples of the present invention will be described below. This will be explained in detail based on the drawings.

第１図は本発明の実施例を示す図である。現像装置は、
感光体ドラム１と所定の現像ギャップを隔てＸ対設され
た現像スリーブ２と、トナーとキャリアとから成る２成
分現像剤を貯溜する現像剤貯溜部３と、該貯溜部内に設
け、られ、現像スＩＪ−プ２に平行に全長に亘って設け
られ羽根車４とが現像容器５内に設けられておシ、現像
スリーブ２の現像位置の上流側にはドクター１０が設け
られている。こ＼迄に述べた構成は従来の２成分現像装
置と変る所はない。FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. The developing device is
A developing sleeve 2 is arranged opposite to the photosensitive drum 1 with a predetermined developing gap therebetween, a developer storage section 3 stores a two-component developer consisting of toner and carrier, and a developer storage section 3 is provided within the storage section and is used for developing. An impeller 4 is provided in the developing container 5 and extends over the entire length in parallel with the IJ-pull 2, and a doctor 10 is provided on the upstream side of the developing position of the developing sleeve 2. The configuration described so far is no different from the conventional two-component developing device.

この装置では、さらに、現像色変換のための現像容器５
内の現像剤の回収、現像容器５内への現像剤の装入のた
め、羽根車４の軸４ａを中空軸とし、第２図に示す如く
、その両端部に夫々現像剤の流出入用開口４ｃ　、　４
ｄを設け、その内部に現像剤を図において左から右へ搬
送する搬送スクリュー７が設けられている。又羽根車４
の羽根４ｂを囲繞して全長に亘って螺旋状の現像剤移動
部材６が羽根車４に一体的に固定されている。羽根車４
の装置手前側端部（第２図において左端部）は現像容器
５の側板５ａより突出しその部分を囲繞して側板５ａに
は円筒状ケース５ｂが設けられている。円筒状ケース５
ｂの上下部には開口５ｃ　、　５ｄが設けられている。This device further includes a developer container 5 for converting the developed color.
In order to collect the developer inside the developer container 5 and charge the developer into the developer container 5, the shaft 4a of the impeller 4 is made into a hollow shaft, and as shown in FIG. Opening 4c, 4
d, and therein is provided a transport screw 7 for transporting the developer from left to right in the figure. Also impeller 4
A spiral developer moving member 6 is integrally fixed to the impeller 4 over its entire length, surrounding the blades 4b. Impeller 4
The front end of the device (the left end in FIG. 2) protrudes from the side plate 5a of the developer container 5, and a cylindrical case 5b is provided on the side plate 5a to surround that part. Cylindrical case 5
Openings 5c and 5d are provided at the top and bottom of b.

円筒状ケース５ｂに回動自在に外嵌して、第３図に示す
如く内部を放射状仕切板２１により複数の区画２２　、
２３　、２４に仕切られ、夫々、内側壁に開口２５とそ
のシャッタ２６を設けた現像剤タンク２゜が取付けられ
ている。各区画は夫々互いに異る色の現像剤の収容スペ
ースとなっている。又、第４図に示す如く、現像容器５
の上部には各現像剤の色のｌ・ナータンク８ａ　、　８
ｂ　、　８ｃが長手方向に一列に取付けられ、その開口
には夫々独立的に作動するトナー補給ローラ９が設けら
れている。It is rotatably fitted onto the cylindrical case 5b, and the interior is divided into a plurality of compartments 22 by radial partition plates 21, as shown in FIG.
A developer tank 2.degree. is partitioned into 23 and 24, each having an opening 25 and a shutter 26 on its inner wall. Each compartment is a storage space for a developer of a different color. Further, as shown in FIG.
At the top of each developer color tank 8a, 8
b and 8c are attached in a line in the longitudinal direction, and a toner replenishing roller 9 that operates independently is provided in each opening.

現像時、羽根車４は第１図に矢印で示す方向に回転、下
動され、現像容器５の剤貯溜部３に貯溜された現像剤は
搬送羽根４ｂにより現像スリーブ２に供給され、現像剤
は公知の如くスリーブ２内部の磁石によりスリーブ２の
表面に吸着されドクター１０により層厚を規制されて感
光体ドラム１と対向する現像位置に搬送され、感光体ド
ラム１上の静電潜像にトナーを供給して現像が行なわれ
、現像後の現像剤はスリーブ２により現像容器５内の現
像剤貯溜部３に戻され循環する。ドクター１ｏにょ９分
離された現像剤はセパレータ１１に沿って現像剤貯溜部
３に戻され、現像を重ねることにょシ減少したトナーは
現像容器中の現像剤と同色のトナーカートリッジ８よシ
補給される。こ＼迄に述べた作用は従来のとおシである
。During development, the impeller 4 is rotated and moved downward in the direction shown by the arrow in FIG. As is well known, the layer is attracted to the surface of the sleeve 2 by a magnet inside the sleeve 2, the layer thickness is regulated by a doctor 10, and the layer is conveyed to a developing position facing the photoreceptor drum 1, where it forms an electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor drum 1. Development is performed by supplying toner, and the developer after development is returned to the developer reservoir 3 in the developer container 5 by the sleeve 2 and circulated. The separated developer is returned to the developer reservoir 3 along the separator 11, and the toner that has decreased due to repeated development is replenished by a toner cartridge 8 of the same color as the developer in the developer container. Ru. The functions described up to this point are conventional.

一方、羽根車４が回転すると、一体に回転する現像剤移
動部材６により現像剤は第２図において右から左へ少し
ずつ移動して行き、左端に達すると羽根車４の中空軸４
ａの端部に設けられた流入口４Ｃから軸４ａ内に入シそ
の内部に設けられた搬送スクリュー７の回転により左か
ら右へと移動し、右端に達すると排出口４ｄ　！　、ｐ
中空軸の外に排出され循環する。その結果、現像剤は補
給されたトナーとともに横方向に充分攪拌され均一化さ
れて現像スリーブ２に供給される。On the other hand, when the impeller 4 rotates, the developer moves little by little from right to left in FIG.
It enters the shaft 4a from the inlet port 4C provided at the end of the shaft 4a, moves from left to right by the rotation of the conveyor screw 7 provided therein, and when it reaches the right end, the outlet port 4d! , p
It is discharged outside the hollow shaft and circulated. As a result, the developer is sufficiently agitated in the lateral direction together with the supplied toner, and is supplied to the developing sleeve 2 after being made uniform.

現像色を替える場合は、まず、現在現像容器５中に入っ
ている色の現像剤を収容すべき現像剤タンク２０の空の
室が真下にくる位置に、現像剤タンク２０全回動させ、
その室の開口２５ヲ現像容器の円筒状部５ｂの下側の開
口５ｄの位置に一致させ、シャッタ２６を開き、現像装
置を作動させると、現像剤移動部材６により左端迄移動
されてきた現像剤は開口５ｄより自重で落下し、現像剤
タンク２０のその色の現像剤を収容すべき室に収容され
る。When changing the developer color, first, rotate the developer tank 20 fully so that the empty chamber of the developer tank 20 that should contain the developer of the color currently contained in the developer container 5 is directly below.
When the opening 25 of the chamber is aligned with the lower opening 5d of the cylindrical portion 5b of the developer container, the shutter 26 is opened, and the developing device is operated, the developer moved to the left end by the developer moving member 6 is removed. The developer falls from the opening 5d under its own weight and is accommodated in the chamber of the developer tank 20 that is to accommodate the developer of that color.

次いで、色替えすべき色の現像剤が収容されている室が
真下にくる位置に現像剤タンク２０を回動させ、その室
の開口２５と、現像容器の円筒状部５ｂの上側の開口５
Ｃの位置を一致させ、シャッタ２６を開き現像装置を作
動させると、変えようとする色の現像剤は、現像剤タン
ク２０から現像容器５内に供給される。現像剤の供給が
完了するとシャッタ＋ｄ閉じられる。Next, the developer tank 20 is rotated to a position where the chamber containing the developer of the color to be changed is directly below, and the opening 25 of the chamber and the opening 5 on the upper side of the cylindrical portion 5b of the developer container are opened.
When the positions of C and C are aligned, the shutter 26 is opened, and the developing device is operated, the developer of the color to be changed is supplied from the developer tank 20 into the developer container 5. When the supply of developer is completed, the shutter +d is closed.

上述の如く現像容器５内の現像剤を回収した場合、現像
剤中のトナーの一部が現像容器５の内面や、現像容器内
の部材の外面に付着して残留するのを防止するため、本
装置では、さらに、第１図に示す如く、現像容器５、現
像スリーブ２、羽根車４、現像容器５、現像剤移動部材
６、搬送スクリュー７に、トナーの帯電極性と逆極性の
電圧を印加する電源３０がこれらの部材に接、断可能に
接続されている。なお、現像スリーブ２には、現像時、
常時トナーの帯電極性と逆極性のバイアスが印加される
ので、感光体の地肌相当部分へのトナーの付着全バイア
ス電界で防いでいる。通贋トナーは、←）極性で感光体
は（＋）帯電となシスリーブには、（＋）電圧が印加さ
れている。トナーの色替え時には、前回使用のトナーが
現像ユニット内に付着してしまう。特に、アルミ等の金
属部分、剤の流れの滞溜する部分へのトナー付着が多い
。When the developer in the developer container 5 is collected as described above, in order to prevent some of the toner in the developer from adhering to and remaining on the inner surface of the developer container 5 or the outer surface of the members inside the developer container, In this apparatus, as shown in FIG. 1, a voltage having a polarity opposite to the charged polarity of the toner is applied to the developer container 5, the developer sleeve 2, the impeller 4, the developer container 5, the developer moving member 6, and the conveying screw 7. A power supply 30 is connected to these members so as to be connectable and disconnectable. Note that the developing sleeve 2 has a
Since a bias with a polarity opposite to the charged polarity of the toner is constantly applied, the entire bias electric field prevents the toner from adhering to a portion corresponding to the background of the photoreceptor. The counterfeit toner is ←) polar and the photoreceptor is charged (+). A (+) voltage is applied to the sleeve. When changing toner colors, the previously used toner adheres to the inside of the developing unit. In particular, toner often adheres to metal parts such as aluminum and parts where the flow of the agent stagnates.

スリーブには、トナーの付着がひじように多く、これに
比べて離型性の良いテフロン等でコートされたパドルは
トナーの付着が少ない。剤回収時にスリーブに対してパ
ドルに（→の電位差金印加することでスリーブからパド
ルにトナーが移動し、Ｓドルへのトナー付着は、少ない
ため全体として現像ユニット内へのトナー付着が減るＯ また、パドルと剤タンクの間に電位差を設けて剤タンク
にトナーを集めることも可能である。The sleeve has a lot of toner adhering to it, but compared to this, the paddle coated with Teflon or the like, which has good releasability, has less toner adhering to it. By applying a potential difference (→) to the paddle with respect to the sleeve when collecting the agent, the toner moves from the sleeve to the paddle, and since there is less toner adhesion to the S dollar, overall toner adhesion inside the developing unit is reduced. It is also possible to collect toner in the agent tank by providing a potential difference between the paddle and the agent tank.

効　　　果 以上の如く、本発明によれば、簡単な構成で、現像剤回
収時、現像容器内面、その内部々材の表面に付着して残
るトナーの量を著しく減少させることができるので、混
色の発生を防止することができる。Effects As described above, according to the present invention, with a simple configuration, it is possible to significantly reduce the amount of toner that adheres to and remains on the inner surface of the developer container and the internal materials when collecting the developer, thereby preventing color mixing. can be prevented from occurring.

【図面の簡単な説明】[Brief explanation of the drawing]

第１図は本発明の実施例を示す断面図、第２図はその羽
根車の一部を切欠いて示す側面図、第３図はその現像剤
タンクの断面図、第４図はそのトナータンクの配置を示
す斜視図である。 １・・・感光体　　　　　２・・・現はスリーブ３・・
・現像剤溜り　　　４・・・羽根車５・・・現像容器　
　　　８・・・トナータンク３０　、３１・・・バイア
ス電源 １「、−）、・ ヴ人弁８士　伊藤武久し・、。 第１図Fig. 1 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a side view with a part of the impeller cut away, Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the developer tank, and Fig. 4 is the toner tank. It is a perspective view showing arrangement of. 1... Photoconductor 2... Currently sleeve 3...
・Developer reservoir 4... Impeller 5... Developer container
8... Toner tank 30, 31... Bias power supply 1 ``,-),... Eight Japanese dialect masters Takehisa Ito... Figure 1

Claims (1)

【特許請求の範囲】[Claims] 感光体に対設された現像スリーブと、トナーとキャリア
とから成る２成分現像剤を貯溜する現像剤貯溜部と、該
貯溜部内に上記現像スリーブに並行に設けられた羽根車
とを現像容器内に有し、上記現像スリーブが上記羽根車
により供給された現像剤を保持搬送して感光体上の潜像
にトナーを供給して現像を行ない、上記現像容器内の現
像剤を異る色のトナーを含むものと入れ替えて現像色を
替えることを可能とした電子写真複写機の現像装置にお
いて、上記の現像容器及びその内部の金属部材にトナー
の帯電極性と同極性の電圧を印加することを特徴とする
現像装置。A developing sleeve disposed opposite to the photoreceptor, a developer storage section for storing a two-component developer consisting of toner and carrier, and an impeller provided in the reservoir section in parallel with the developing sleeve are arranged in a developing container. The developing sleeve holds and conveys the developer supplied by the impeller to supply toner to the latent image on the photoconductor to perform development, and the developer in the developer container is used to transfer the developer of a different color to the latent image on the photoreceptor. In a developing device of an electrophotographic copying machine that makes it possible to change the developed color by replacing the developing device with one containing toner, it is possible to apply a voltage of the same polarity as the charged polarity of the toner to the developing container and the metal members inside thereof. Characteristic developing device.