CN101419419A - Developer apparatus, image forming apparatus and developing method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a developing device which uses a toner supporting roller which is provided with concaves and projections on a using surface, an image forming device and a developing method thereof, wherein the leakage, the diffusion of toner from the toner supporting roller and the image fog are reduced. The developing device comprises the following components: a storing part for storing toner; the toner supporting roller which is formed to an approximate cylinder that is provided with a plurality of projections regularly configured on the surface and convex surrounding the plurality of projections, supports the toner layer which is supplied from the storing part and is formed by the electrified toner at the surface and rotates simultaneously; and a restricting component which abuts on the surface of the toner supporting roller for forming a restricting clamping part and restricts the thickness of the toner layer supported on the surface of the toner supporting roller. The restricting component eliminates the toner layer of the projections from the toner layer supported by the surface of the toner supporting roller at the upstream end of the restricting clamping part in the rotation direction of the toner supporting roller.

Description

Developing apparatus, image processing system and developing method

Technical field

The present invention relates to have the developing method that the toner of bearing toner is from the teeth outwards born the developing apparatus of roller, image processing system and adopted this roller by toner electrostatic latent image to be developed.

Background technology

In the technology of electrostatic latent image being developed, a kind of method of bearing toner on the roller surface of bearing at the toner that forms the general cylindrical shape shape is arranged by toner.The applicant is in order to improve this characteristic of bearing the toner on roller surface in toner of bearing, once proposed a kind of toner and bear the structure of roller, this structure is provided with the protuberance of rule configuration and surrounds the recess (with reference to patent documentation 1) on every side of this protuberance on the surface of the roller that forms drum.Because this structure gets the concavo-convex schema management on surface evenly, so, be easy to the thickness of the toner layer of bearing on the pair roller surface and carried charge etc. and control.

Patent documentation 1: the spy opens 2007-127800 communique (Fig. 7)

But, the toner that has said structure in use is born under the situation of roller, because concavo-convex even, so, if the toner bed thickness that toner is born on the roller is not tightly managed, then exist toner to bear the problem of dispersing or produce image fog in the roller surface from toner.The inventor is by discovering, the one of the main reasons that causes these phenomenons is, when having sneaked into the old toner of deterioration in characteristics in the good new toner of characteristic, particularly in bear the layer on roller surface away from toner, be easy to bear old toner along with use.And, owing to bear in the toner layer on roller surface away from toner, to adhesion that toner is born roller a little less than, therefore take place easily toner leakage, disperse, image fog.

Summary of the invention

The present invention be directed to above-mentioned problem and make, its purpose is, bears in the developing apparatus of roller, image processing system and the developing method adopting the surface that irregular toner is set, reduce toner from toner bear roller leakage, disperse, image fog.

To achieve these goals, developing apparatus of the present invention has: the resettlement section of accommodating toner; Toner is born roller, and it forms a plurality of protuberances of having rule configuration on the surface and around the general cylindrical shape shape of the recess of this protuberance, on its surface bear the toner layer that by charged toner form from above-mentioned resettlement section supplied with and on one side rotate on one side; And limiting part, itself and above-mentioned toner are born roller surface butt and are formed the restriction clamping section, the thickness of above-mentioned toner being born the toner layer of bearing on the roller surface in this restriction clamping section limits, above-mentioned limiting part is born the upstream-side-end of the above-mentioned restriction clamping section on the sense of rotation of roller at above-mentioned toner, above-mentioned toner is born the toner layer of the raised part in the toner layer of bearing on the roller surface and remove.

Although the back will describe in detail, the inventor's various experiments are found to carry out brief description here.Toner is born in the toner of bearing on the roller surface, the good new toner (hereinafter referred to as " new toner ") of characteristic is collected in the near surface that toner is born roller, and in the toner that is layered on this new toner, is born with the state of bearing the roller surface away from toner, contain much toners (hereinafter referred to as " old toner ") of deterioration in characteristics in long-term use.That is, toner is born the toner layer that at first forms on the surface of roller based on new toner, and then forms the toner layer that contains a large amount of old toners on its surface.Old toner like this leaks, disperses, produces image fog easily because bearing contacting less of roller with toner can't obtain sufficient carried charge.

Therefore in the present invention, bear the toner layer that the roller surface forms from toner by limiting part, the toner layer of toner being born on the protuberance of roller is removed.Like this, the high new toner of carried charge from the toner that protuberance is removed is used to that carried charge that recess is born is weak, the old toner a little less than the Electrostatic Absorption power of bearing roller with respect to toner releases.Consequently, the contained old toner ratio of the toner layer after the restriction reduces, thereby can suppress that toner disperses or the generation of image fog.

In addition, if the low old toner of carried charge is exerted pressure, then toner particle condenses each other and generates the condensed matter that diameter is big and carried charge is low, and this condensed matter can leak into the outside from developing apparatus.But in the present invention, because toner is born the just recess of bearing toner on the surface of roller, so the toner that this recess is born can not be limited the parts pressurization.Therefore, become condensed matter, and can suppress the advancing of toner deterioration from body owing to making old toner be difficult for cohesion, so, also can suppress toner thus effectively and disperse to the developing apparatus outside.

Specific structure as foregoing, the difference of height that for example makes raised part and recess is more than the volume average particle size of toner, above-mentioned limiting part has the elasticity butt body that is formed by elastic body, this elasticity butt body can be born roller surface butt with above-mentioned toner, form above-mentioned restriction clamping section, above-mentioned elasticity butt body is born upstream-side-end on the roller sense of rotation at above-mentioned toner, bears the raised part butt of roller with above-mentioned toner, is used to scrape off the toner of this protuberance.

According to said structure, can in recess, bear the toner more than 1 layer, and can scrape off the toner of protuberance by elasticity butt body.And, be can be used for toner born by the high toner of carried charge in the toner that scrapes off and be positioned at bearing the old toner that roller bears by toner and extruding of restriction the place ahead, clamping section on the sense of rotation of roller.Thus, only bear toner at the rear of restriction clamping section, and the ratio of wherein contained old toner reduces, thereby can suppress dispersing and the generation of image fog of toner by recess.Here, the end face of preferred above-mentioned a plurality of protuberances constitutes the part of same barrel surface mutually, and promptly the enveloping surface that end face constituted of a plurality of protuberances is a barrel surface.Thus, toner can be born the cylinder that roller is considered as rotating on the macroscopic view, therefore can make its week upwards constant with the butt pressure maintenance of limiting part.In addition, each end face of above-mentioned a plurality of protuberances also can be the plane.

In this structure, preferred above-mentioned elasticity butt body is born upstream side end face on the roller sense of rotation at above-mentioned toner, and to bear the roller surface generally perpendicularly upright with above-mentioned toner.Thus, can prevent that the toner that adheres on the protuberance is adsorbed on the restriction clamping section, and cohesion be taken place or be consolidated in toner to bear the roller surface by the pressurization of elasticity butt body.In addition, owing to born the toner that the roller surface scrapes off from toner by elasticity butt body, be trapped near the upstream side end face of elasticity butt body, therefore can further promote toner to bear the displacement of lip-deep new toner of roller and old toner, thereby bear the ratio of old toner residual on the roller surface further having reduced toner after the restriction.

Here, the above-mentioned elasticity butt body in the above-mentioned restriction clamping section and the interval of above-mentioned recess can be more than 1 times below 3 times of the volume average particle size of toner.Elasticity butt body by making restriction clamping section place and more than the volume average particle size that is spaced apart toner of recess can make recess bear 1 layer of toner reliably.On the other hand, if the interval of elasticity butt body and recess is excessive, then can cause a large amount of toners to be born, and the content of old toner wherein also increase by recess.Therefore, if make for example below 3 times of the volume average particle size that is spaced apart toner of elasticity butt body and recess, then the toning dosage that recess can be born is controlled to be appropriate amount.

In addition, the above-mentioned elasticity butt body in the above-mentioned restriction clamping section and the interval of above-mentioned recess can be more than the maximum particle diameters for toner.Here, the maximum particle diameter of toner for example can be defined as the value to 50% particle diameter of the number benchmark in the size distribution of toner, adds 3 times geometric standard deviation and the value that obtains.Its reason is that in the toner of current manufacturing, the deviation of particle diameter reduces, and particle diameter is extremely low above the ratio of the toner-particle of this value.According to this structure, almost all can bearing roller by toner and bearing of the new toner of accommodating in the resettlement section can prevent that the big toner of particle diameter is trapped in the resettlement section.

For example, the above-mentioned elasticity butt body in the above-mentioned restriction clamping section and the interval of above-mentioned recess, can for the volume average particle size of toner and maximum particle diameter and more than.Like this, owing to the toner of having born one deck in recess surface, and then the toner-particle that can also bear maximum particle diameter, can prevent that therefore the big toner of particle diameter that enters into recess from being pressurizeed and problems such as deterioration, cohesion by elasticity butt body.And, help this big particle diameter toner is used to develop.

And above-mentioned elasticity butt body and above-mentioned toner are born the roller butt and the deflection of elastic deformation are taken place, and preferably bear upstream-side-end on the roller sense of rotation for maximum at above-mentioned toner.Make the distortion of elasticity butt body elasticity by making elasticity butt body and toner bear roller surface crimping.More specifically, the surface by elasticity butt body crush lobes makes this position elasticity depression, thereby elasticity butt body is reduced at the thickness of bearing on the direction of roller Surface Vertical with toner." deflection of elasticity butt body " of the present invention is meant the decrease of this thickness.From microcosmic angle, elasticity butt body is bearing the decrement of the opposed position of recess of roller with toner, and is littler than the decrement at the position that is extruded to protuberance.That is, in the space above recess, become the state that the surface of elasticity butt body enters towards the bottom of recess elasticity.The elasticity butt body that enters of elasticity like this, the toner pressurization that can bear recess.Macroscopic view, when the deflection of elasticity butt body is big more then elasticity butt body to enter into the deflection in recess space also big more.In addition, when the deflection of elasticity butt body is big more, also big more for the butt pressure of protuberance.

Here, if as mentioned above, the deflection of elasticity butt body is born the upstream-side-end maximum on the sense of rotation of roller at toner, then to the butt pressure of the protuberance upstream-side-end maximum in the restriction clamping section, can more reliably the toner on the protuberance be removed.In addition, elasticity butt body is more little the closer to the downstream at place, restriction clamping section to the elasticity inlet of recess, therefore the pressure of the toner of bearing for recess is weak more the closer to the downstream in the restriction clamping section, can avoid toner is applied unnecessary pressure.

In addition, to achieve these goals, the another way of developing apparatus of the present invention has: the resettlement section of accommodating toner; Toner is born roller, it forms the general cylindrical shape shape, have a plurality of protuberances of rule configuration on the surface and around the recess of this protuberance, and the difference of height of raised part and above-mentioned recess is more than 2 times of volume average particle size of above-mentioned toner, on its surface bear the toner layer that by charged toner constitute from above-mentioned resettlement section supplied with and on one side rotate on one side; And limiting part, itself and above-mentioned toner are born roller surface butt, bear the toner layer of removing raised part the toner layer of bearing on the roller surface from above-mentioned toner.

In the invention of said structure, because the toner of toner being born protuberance in the roller surface by limiting part removes, so same with above-mentioned developing apparatus, the situation of leaking or dispersing takes place in toner that can inhibition zone electric weight deficiency.On the other hand, the recess that can make toner bear roller is born the toner more than 2 layers.Therefore, exist with not with toner bear the roller surface directly state of contact bear toner in recess.Owing to this toner can be born in toner and bear roller, therefore in the present invention, can improve the development efficient when electrostatic latent image developed.

In the developing apparatus of above-mentioned variety of way, the surface that above-mentioned toner is born roller can be formed by conductive material.Experiment according to the inventor, above-mentioned phenomenon, be toner bear be laminated with on the roller surface based on the layer of new toner and based on old toner layer phenomenon (hereinafter referred to as " lamination "), particularly remarkable when forming by conductive material on the surface that toner is born roller.If the developing apparatus to this structure uses the present invention, then effect is more outstanding.

And, having in above-mentioned resettlement section and to be used under the situation of the supply mouth of outside supply toner, effect of the present invention is highly significant also.In having the developing apparatus of this structure, the phenomenon of a large amount of new toners can take place to inject from supply mouth long-term old toner that uses in the resettlement section.Above-mentioned lamination takes place easily in this moment, is easy to take place that toner disperses or image fog.The developing apparatus of this structure is used the present invention, can suppress that toner disperses or the generation of image fog.

And, above-mentioned resettlement section has a plurality of toner reception rooms of accommodating toner, at least a portion that above-mentioned toner is born the roller surface is exposed to one inside in above-mentioned a plurality of toner reception room, and is used for when this toner reception room is carried the toner transfer mechanism of the toner of accommodating in another reception room too having.By this structure, also can near the old toner toner is born roller transport new toner from another toner reception room.

In addition, the present invention is when to have used volume average particle size be toner below the 5 μ m, the particle diameter that perhaps uses the adjuvant that adds for the flowability that improves toner in toner has special effect as being under the situation of the toner more than 100% below the 50nm and to the lining rate of toner coatingparticles.For example, be 5 μ m when following in the volume average particle size of toner, the Van der Waals between the toner-particle is strengthened, and therefore old toner is easy to be attached to toner and bears toner layer on the roller.Because the old toner of also easy generation this moment disperses or the situation of image fog, so effect of the present invention is remarkable.In addition, in the toner that has added above-mentioned adjuvant, the toner flowability is changed significantly in time, and therefore lamination takes place especially easily, so use the present invention also can obtain remarkable result.

And to achieve these goals, image processing system of the present invention has: the picture of bearing electrostatic latent image is born body; And developer, it has toner and bears roller, by toner above-mentioned picture being born the electrostatic latent image that body bears develops, described toner is born roll forming becomes a plurality of protuberances that have the rule configuration on the surface and the general cylindrical shape shape that centers on the recess of this protuberance, bear the toner layer that forms by charged toner on its surface, bear the roller surface at above-mentioned toner, after having born toner layer by raised part and above-mentioned recess, and then the toner layer of raised part that will be is wherein removed by the limiting part of bearing roller surface butt with above-mentioned toner.

And to achieve these goals, the image processing system of other modes of the present invention has: the picture of bearing electrostatic latent image is born body; And developer, it is born the electrostatic latent image that body bears by toner to above-mentioned picture and develops, above-mentioned developer has: toner is born roller, it forms a plurality of protuberances that have the rule configuration on the surface and the general cylindrical shape shape that centers on the recess of this protuberance, and the difference of height of raised part and recess is more than 2 times of volume average particle size of above-mentioned toner, bears the toner layer that is formed by charged toner on its surface; And limiting part, itself and above-mentioned toner are born the surperficial butt of roller, bear the toner layer of bearing on the roller surface from above-mentioned toner the toner layer of raised part is removed.

In addition, to achieve these goals, developing method of the present invention makes toner bear roller and bears the body arranged opposite with the picture of bearing electrostatic latent image, by above-mentioned toner above-mentioned electrostatic latent image is developed, wherein, above-mentioned toner is born roll forming becomes a plurality of protuberances that have the rule configuration on the surface and the general cylindrical shape shape that centers on the recess of this protuberance, bear the toner layer that forms by charged toner on its surface, and, make above-mentioned toner layer and above-mentioned picture bear body opposed before, the raised part and the above-mentioned recess that make above-mentioned toner bear the roller surface are born toner layer, and then the toner layer of raised part that will be is wherein removed by the limiting part of bearing roller surface butt with above-mentioned toner.

According to these inventions, same with above-mentioned developing apparatus, the amount that can make toner bear the old toner that roller bears reduces, and suppresses toner and bears from toner that roller disperses or image fog.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is the figure that first embodiment of image processing system of the present invention has been used in expression.

Fig. 2 is the block diagram of electrical structure of the image processing system of presentation graphs 1.

Fig. 3 is the outside drawing of expression developer.

Fig. 4 is the cut-open view of expression developer structure.

Fig. 5 is the figure of the partial enlarged drawing on expression developer roll and surface thereof.

Fig. 6 is the figure of the pattern that describes of genesis mechanism that expression is dispersed etc. to toner.

Fig. 7 is an expression toner particle diameter and figure to the adhesion of developer roll.

Fig. 8 is the figure of the butt state of expression developer roll and limit blade (blade).

Fig. 9 is the enlarged diagram of the restriction clamping section (nip) of expression first embodiment.

Figure 10 is the figure that the carried charge of the toner of mensuration before and after the expression restriction distributes.

Figure 11 is the difference of height on expression developer roll surface and the synoptic diagram of the relation of the toner of being born.

Figure 12 is the figure of the butt state of expression developer roll of second embodiment and limit blade.

Figure 13 is the enlarged diagram of the restriction clamping section of expression second embodiment.

Symbol description: 4-rotary developing unit (toner transfer mechanism); 22-photoreceptor (as bearing body); 4C, 4K, 4M, 4Y-developer (developing apparatus, developer); 41-housing (resettlement section); 44-developer roll (toner is born roller); 46-limit blade (limiting part); 411-first Room (toner reception room); 412-second Room (toner reception room); 441-(the developer roll surface) protuberance; 442-(the developer roll surface) recess; 461-plate-shaped member (limiting part); 462-elastomeric element (elasticity butt body).

Embodiment

Fig. 1 is the figure that first embodiment of image processing system of the present invention has been used in expression.And Fig. 2 is the block diagram of electrical structure of the image processing system of presentation graphs 1.This device is to make the toner (developer) of Huang (Y), blue or green (C), fuchsin (M), black (K) four kinds of colors overlapping and form full-color image, perhaps only uses black (K) toner to form the image processing system of monochrome image.In this image processing system, when from external device (ED)s such as main frames when master controller 11 is given picture signal, according to instruction from this master controller 11, control by the CPU EG of the 101 pairs of engine portions each several part that is provided with in the engine controller 10, the image that puts rules into practice forms action, at the last formation of sheet material (sheet) the S image corresponding with picture signal.

In the EG of this engine portion, photoreceptor 22 is set to and can rotates freely along the direction of arrow D1 of Fig. 1.In addition, around this photoreceptor 22, dispose charged elements 23, rotary developing unit 4 and cleaning section 25 respectively along its sense of rotation D1.Charged elements 23 can apply the charged bias voltage of regulation, makes the surface potential of the even area of the outer peripheral face regulation of photoreceptor 22.Cleaning section 25 is removed residual toner attached to photoreceptor 22 surfaces after the primary transfer, is recovered in the inner waste toner box that is provided with.Above-mentioned photoreceptor 22, charged elements 23 and cleaning section 25 have constituted photoreceptor cartridge (cartridge) 2 integratedly, and this photoreceptor cartridge 2 can load and unload with respect to device body integratedly.

And, can be from the outer peripheral face illumination beam L of exposing unit 6 charged photoreceptor 22 to passing through this charged elements 23.This exposing unit 6 exposes light beam L to photoreceptor 22 according to the picture signal of being given by external device (ED), forms the electrostatic latent image corresponding with picture signal.

So the electrostatic latent image that forms carries out toner development by developing cell 4.That is, in this embodiment, developing cell 4 comprises: bracing frame 40, and it is set to and can rotates freely around the rotating shaft center of vertical view 1 paper; Bracing frame 40 constitutes the print cartridge that freely loads and unloads relatively, is built-in with yellow developer 4Y, cyan developer 4C, fuchsin the developer 4M and the black developer 4K of versicolor toner.This developing cell 4 is by engine controller 10 controls.And, if according to steering order from this engine controller 10, rotation drives developing cell 4, and make these developers 4Y, 4C, 4M, 4K optionally with photoreceptor 22 butts, perhaps be in the opposed regulation developing location of predetermined gap, then be arranged at this developer and bear the developer roll 44 and photoreceptor 22 arranged opposite of the toner of selected color, on this opposed locations, provide toner to the surface of photoreceptor 22 from developer roll 44.Thus, by selecting the toner color to make latent electrostatic image developing on the photoreceptor 22.

Fig. 3 is the outside drawing of expression developer.And Fig. 4 is the cut-open view of expression developer structure.Each developer 4Y, 4C, 4M, 4K have same structure.Therefore, with reference to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 the structure of developer 4K is specifically described here, other developer 4Y, 4C, 4M also have identical 26S Proteasome Structure and Function.Among this developer 4K, housing 41 axis of accommodating toner T in inside are equipped with donor rollers 43 and developer roll 44, when this developer 4K is positioned above-mentioned developing location, developer roll 44 is with photoreceptor 2 butts or be in across specified gap and by opposed location, and above-mentioned roller 43,44 engages with the rotary driving part that is arranged on base side (not shown) and rotates along prescribed direction.Donor rollers 43 for example forms cylindric by foaming urethane rubber, silicone rubber elastomeric material.In addition, developer roll 44 forms cylindric by metals such as copper, aluminium, stainless steel or alloy.And toner contacts and rotation by two rollers 43,44, and is attached to the surface of developer roll 44, and forms the toner layer of specific thickness on the surface of developer roll 44.Used electronegative toner in the present embodiment, but also can be the toner of positively charged.

The inner space of housing 41 is divided into first Room 411 and second Room 412 by next door 41a.Donor rollers 43 and developer roll 44 all are arranged in second Room 412, and along with the rotation of these rollers, the toner in second Room 412 is stirred mobile and supplies with to the surface of developer roll 44.On the other hand, the toner that is stored in first Room 411 is isolated with donor rollers 43 and developer roll 44, therefore can be owing to above-mentioned rotation is flowed.This toner rotates under the state that keeps developer by developing cell 4, and mixes stirring with second Room, the 412 interior toners that store.

Like this, in this developer, by enclosure interior being divided into two chambers, by the sidewall of housing 41 and next door 41a surround donor rollers 43 and developer roll 44 around, the second less Room 412 of volume is set, even under the situation that the toner surplus reduces, also can near developer roll 44, supply with toner efficiently.In addition, carry out supplying with to second Room 412 stirring of toner and toner integral body from first Room 411 by the rotation of developing cell 4, thereby need not be provided for the mixing component (screw feeder (auger)) that toner stirs in developer inside, realize no screw feeder structure.

In addition, dispose limit blade 46 in this developer 4K, its thickness limits that is used for the toner layer that will form on the surface of developer roll 44 is a specific thickness.This limit blade 46 comprises: the rubber-like plate-shaped member of being made by stainless steel or phosphor bronze etc. 461, and the elastomeric element of installing at the leading section of plate-shaped member 461 462 that is made of resin components such as silicone rubber or urethane rubbers.The rearward end of this plate-shaped member 461 is fixed on the housing 41, and on the sense of rotation D4 of the developer roll shown in the arrow of Fig. 4 44, the elastomeric element 462 that is installed in the leading section of plate-shaped member 461 is configured in the position of leaning on upstream side than the rearward end of plate-shaped member 461.And this elastomeric element 462 forms the restriction clamping section by the surface elasticity butt with developer roll 44, and the toner layer that will form on the surface of developer roll 44 finally is restricted to the thickness of regulation.

Like this, the toner layer that forms on the surface of developer roll 44, the rotation that is accompanied by developer roll 44 by in turn to the surface on be formed with electrostatic latent image photoreceptor 22 opposed positions carry.Then, when imposing on developer roll 44 with the development bias voltage of power supply from not shown bias voltage, the toner of being born by developer roll 44 partly adheres to according to its surface potential at the surperficial each several part of photoreceptor 22, thereby makes the electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 22 look like to be developed as the toner of this toner color.

And, on the housing 41 on the sense of rotation of developer roll 44 than with photoreceptor 22 opposed positions by the downstream, be provided with seal member 47 with the surperficial crimping of developer roll 44.The toner that remains in developer roll 44 surfaces that seal member 47 will pass through after the opposed locations with photoreceptor 22 guides in housing 41, and prevents that the toner in the housing from leaking into the outside.

Fig. 5 is the figure of the partial enlarged drawing on expression developer roll and surface thereof.Developer roll 44 forms the roller shape of general cylindrical shape, is provided with the rotating shaft coaxial with roller (shaft) 440 at the two ends of its length direction, and this rotating shaft 440 is supported by the developer body shaft, makes developer roll 44 whole rotations freely.In developer roll 44 surfaces, the 44a of portion is provided with a plurality of protuberances 441 of rule configuration and around the recess 442 of raised part 441 shown in the partial enlarged drawing of Fig. 5 (in the broken circle) in the central.

A plurality of protuberances 441 are outstanding towards paper the place ahead of Fig. 5 respectively, and the end face of each protuberance 441 has formed the part with the single barrel surface of the rotating shaft coaxle of developer roll 44 respectively.In addition, recess 442 become with the mesh shape surround protuberance 441 around the groove that connects, recess 442 integral body also form with the rotating shaft coaxle of developer roll 44 and are different from a barrel surface of the formed barrel surface of protuberance.About the developer roll 44 of this structure, for example can open the manufacture method that the 2007-140080 communique put down in writing and make by the spy.In addition, the end face of protuberance 441 can further be processed and all become the plane.

A length of side L1 of the end face of each protuberance 441 and each protuberance be spaced apart L2, for example can be made as about 10～100 μ mu, but be not limited thereto.In addition, the shape of protuberance 441 and arrange also is not limited to the content that illustrates herein.Wherein, the difference of height for protuberance 441 and recess 442 will be explained below.

Turning back to Fig. 1 continues image processing system is described.As mentioned above, the toner picture that develops by developing cell 4, in the TR1 of primary transfer zone by primary transfer to the intermediate transfer belt 71 of transfer printing unit 7.Transfer printing unit 7 has: be set up in the intermediate transfer belt 71 of a plurality of rollers 72～75, and by rotating drive roller 73 is rotated intermediate transfer belt 71 on the sense of rotation D2 of regulation drive division (not shown).And, with coloured image during to sheet material S transfer printing, make at the toner of all kinds that forms on the photoreceptor 22 to look like to overlap onto on the intermediate transfer belt 71 and form coloured image, and with the coloured image secondary transfer printing to taking out page by page from box 8 and being transported to along transport path F on the sheet material S of the regional TR2 of secondary transfer printing.

At this moment, for the image on the intermediate transfer belt 71 being transferred to exactly the assigned position on the sheet material S, the timing that sheet material S is fed to secondary transfer printing zone TR2 manages.Particularly, on transport path F, front side at secondary transfer printing zone TR2 is provided with a roller 81, rotate accordingly by making a roller 81 and the timing that the rotation of intermediate transfer belt 71 is moved, thereby timing according to the rules is sent to secondary transfer printing zone TR2 with sheet material S.

In addition, the sheet material S that has formed coloured image as mentioned above makes toner as photographic fixing by fixation unit 9, and is transported to the facial discharge dish portion 89 of going up that is arranged on device body via discharging preliminary roller 82 and distributing roller 83.In addition, when the two sides at sheet material S forms image, when making as mentioned above the rearward end that has formed the sheet material S of image in single face be transported to the backward position PR that discharges preliminary roller 82 rears, make the sense of rotation counter-rotating of distributing roller 83, thereby sheet material S is carried on arrow D3 direction along counter-rotating transport path FR.Then, be sent to transport path F once more, at this moment, in the TR2 of secondary transfer printing zone, be transferred the face of the sheet material S of image with intermediate transfer belt 71 butts in the front of door roller 81, be with previous transfer printing the opposite face of face of image.Like this, can form image on the two sides of sheet material S.

And, as shown in Figure 2, be respectively equipped with storer 91～94 among each developer 4Y, 4C, 4M and the 4K, in order to the manufacturing of storing this developer batch, use related datas such as historical record, built-in toner surplus.And, also be respectively equipped with wireless communicator 49Y, 49C, 49M, 49K among each developer 4Y, 4C, 4M and the 4K.And, can be as required, make above-mentioned wireless telecommunications device optionally carry out non-contacting data communication with wireless telecommunications device 109 in the base side setting, between CPU 101 and each storer 91～94, carry out the transmitting-receiving of data via interface 105, carry out the various management of information such as consumptive material management relevant with this developer.In addition, use electromagnetic mode such as radio communication to carry out data transmit-receive non-contactly in this embodiment, but also can connector etc. be set in base side and each developer side, mechanically chimeric connector waits and carries out data transmit-receive mutually.

And, in this device, as shown in Figure 2, have by the display part 12 of CPU 111 controls of master controller 11.This display part 12 for example is made of LCD, shows according to the steering order from CPU111: to user's operation indicating, image form action state of progress, device abnormal information, be used to notify the provisioning information in replacing period etc. of certain unit.

In addition, in Fig. 2, symbol 113 expressions are arranged at the video memory of master controller 11, and it is used to store the image that provides via interface 112 from external device (ED)s such as main frames.And, symbol 106 expression ROM, the control data etc. that it is used to store the performed operation program of CPU 101 or is used for the EG of Control Engine portion; And symbol 107 expression RAM, it temporarily stores the computing structure of CPU 101 or other data.

In addition, near roller 75, be provided with clearer 76.This clearer 76 can be by not shown electromagnetic clutch with respect to roller 75 carry out near or away from move.And, under the state that moves to roller 75 sides, the blade of clearer 76 be set up in the surperficial butt of the intermediate transfer belt 71 of roller 75, the toner of residual outer peripheral face attached to intermediate transfer belt 71 behind the secondary transfer printing is removed.

And, near roller 75, be provided with concentration sensor 60.The surperficial opposite disposed of this concentration sensor 60 and intermediate transfer belt 71 can be determined at the image color of the toner picture that the outer peripheral face of intermediate transfer belt 71 forms as required.And, can be according to this measurement result, to the operation condition of the device each several part that influences image quality, for example the gray correction characteristic of the intensity of the image bias voltage that each developer is applied, exposing light beam L, device etc. is adjusted in this device.

This concentration sensor 60 for example uses reflective photoelectric sensor, constitutes the deep or light corresponding signal in zone of regulation area on output and the intermediate transfer belt 71.Then, CPU 101 is by carrying out periodic sampling to the output signal of this concentration sensor 60 in the process that moves in intermediate transfer belt 71 rotation, thereby can detect toner on the intermediate transfer belt 71 as the image color of each several part.

Then, be specifically described for the toner layer restriction on the developer roll 44 among the developer 4K of the image processing system of above-mentioned formation etc.As mentioned above, in developer 4K of this image processing system etc., in housing 41 inside of having accommodated toner T, the surperficial butt of donor rollers 43 and developer roll 44, and the downstream on this developer roll sense of rotation, by the toner layer butt on limit blade 46 and the developer roll, limited the thickness of the toner layer of bearing by the surface of developer roll 44.If this thickness is inappropriate, then can forms action and impact image.That is, if toner layer is thin excessively, the toning dosage that then causes being transported to the opposed locations of photoreceptor 22 reduces, and can't obtain enough image colors.In addition, if toner layer is blocked up, then toner can fall from the surface of developer roll 44 and leak in the device, perhaps nebulizes from developer roll 44 and disperses, and be attached on the photoreceptor 22, produce image fog (following these phenomenons being referred to as " toner disperse etc. ").

At first the principle to toner layer restriction in this embodiment describes.The inventor is under the state of toner layer thicker (the several times degree of the volume average particle size of toner), is formed with the cause-effect relationship that the surface state of developer roll 44 of toner layer and toner disperse etc. and carried out various experiments.Its result shows, the mechanism that takes place that toner disperses etc. for example can describe by following pattern.

Fig. 6 is the mode chart that genesis mechanism that expression is dispersed etc. to toner describes.In developer, filled at first new toner, but, in developer, be mixed with: keep the toner (being called " new toner " in this manual) of primary characteristic without use and once on the surface of developer roll 44, bore but be not used and turn back to once more in the developer and cause the toner (being called " old toner " in this manual) through using of deterioration in characteristics along with the image that has used developer forms carrying out repeatedly of action.Therefore, shown in Fig. 6 (a), be in the state that new toner Tn and old toner To mix around the developer roll 44.In addition, in Fig. 6, the new toner Tn of white circle expression, the old toner To of circle expression of band hachure.

Wherein, owing to mobile height of new toner Tn and carried charge height, therefore be adsorbed to the surface of developer roll 44 by electrostatic force Ft.On the other hand, old toner is then because the burying or peel off etc. former thereby cause mobile and charging property deterioration of adjuvant, therefore is developed the power that roller 44 adsorbs and is weaker than new toner.Consequently, shown in Fig. 6 (b), be mainly new toner Tn with the toner that developer roll 44 directly contacts.That is, in the toner layer that is formed at developer roll 44 surfaces, the ground floor nearest with developer roll 44 formed by new toner.

On the other hand, in the layer of piling up on the ground floor that so forms, shown in Fig. 6 (c), new toner Tn and old toner To mix.This is because when the surface of developer roll 44 is covered by new toner layer, thereon the layer, the influence of the electrostatic force of developer roll self weakens, the new toner of charge attraction that therefore new toner has, the result not only can attract new toner, also can be by this charge attraction because deterioration, carried charge reduction or the charged old toner of reversed polarity.In this this instructions, this new toner is concentrated in the layer on close developer roll 44 surfaces, and old toner mainly is being called " lamination " away from the phenomenon in the layer on this surface.

In addition, the electrostatic force that has according to developer roll 44 or the charged characteristic of toner self, shown in Fig. 6 (d), might be at the new toner layer that forms on the surface of developer roll 44 more than 2 layers.In this case, also can occur in the layer away from the surface of developer roll 44 lamination that new toner Tn and old toner To mix.

Like this, in the layer away from the outside of developer roll 44 in the toner layer on the surface that is formed at developer roll 44, the increasing proportion of old toner To.Because the carried charge of old toner To is low, therefore a little less than the adhesion of the surperficial of developer roll 44 or the toner layer on it, consequently, carrying by the rotation of developer roll 44 in the process of toner, can cause toner and in the auto levelizer that disperses from the surfacial spalling of developer roll 44.In addition, have the toner with the electricity of original charged polarity opposite polarity, can on the zone of not answering adhering toner on the electrostatic latent image of photoreceptor 22 originally, adhere to and produce image fog.

Can following experimental fact be described by this pattern.For example, to through long-term the use and the developer that the toner surplus reduces when having replenished new toner, can observe that toner disperses and image fog temporarily increases, degree alleviates gradually then.This is owing to sneaked into a large amount of new toners in the toner of deterioration in developer, the result, and the near surface of developer roll 44 is occupied by new toner, and the outmost surface of toner layer mostly is old toner.And, in the process of continue using, owing to optionally use new toner, result, and the property difference between the old toner reduces and lamination is relaxed, so the degree that toner disperses etc. also decreases.

This situation has obtained confirmation by the experiment additional and toner that former toner color is not homochromy.For example replenish new Yellow toner, the surface of developer roll 44 is observed at the cyan developer 4C that the toner surplus reduced.Consequently, on the developer roll surface, formed the toner layer that cyan toner and Yellow toner mix near green, if but to this surface blow air or with methods such as bristle wipings the toner on surface is removed, then the color on developer roll 44 surfaces can be gradually varied to yellow.Particularly, with the toner of the ground floor that directly contacts of surface of developer roll 44 be and the essentially identical yellow of former toner color.On the other hand, form action, then disperse around developer or what become image fog on photoreceptor 22 mainly is the toner of cyan if use this developer to carry out image.

Therefore, know: the layer that has caused close developer roll 44 surfaces is mainly occupied by new toner, then mainly comprises this lamination of old toner away from the layer on this surface; Disperse etc. with toner and mainly to cause by old toner.

In addition, whether " new toner " here and " old toner " are the notions of the relative nature difference between the interior toner particle of expression developer, be that new product is relevant with toner self not necessarily.Though for example be the toner of new product, wherein what also can contain the toner as above-mentioned old toner characteristic deficiency, and this moment, the effect of this toner was equivalent to " old toner ".In addition, even be not the toner of new product,, then can think all be " new toner " if relative nature difference is little between each toner particle.

And same phenomenon is provided with in developer under the situation of the supply mouth that is used for replenishing toner and can takes place certainly, and also can take place under situation in addition.For example present embodiment like this, in constituting developer, be divided into more than the Room 2, with certain regularly from a chamber under the situation of another indoor supply toner, mixing of new toner and old toner takes place with the timing of this supply.Though screw feeder is not set in the developer in this embodiment, when developer 4K etc. rotated along with the rotation of rotary developing unit 4, the new toners that store in first Room 411 flow in second Room 412 that old toner ratio increases and mix.For the structure that is provided with toner conveying mechanisms such as screw feeder in developer, perhaps the structure from the print cartridge regular supply toner that independently is provided with developer also is similarly.

Fig. 7 is an expression toner particle diameter and figure to the relation of the absorption affinity of developer roll.As being used to make toner particle, mainly being the electrostatic attraction that acts on charged toner, being contact electrification adhesion and Van der Waals for attached to the surface of developer roll 44 or the power of this lip-deep toner layer.As shown in Figure 7, when the toner particle diameter was big, the size of contact electrification adhesion and Van der Waals for did not have marked difference.Relative with it, if the toner particle diameter is little, when particularly 5 μ m were following, then Van der Waals for occupied ascendancy.If Van der Waals for strengthens, then be easy between the toner particle adhere to.

Like this, when using the significant small particle size toner of Van der Waals for effect, above-mentioned lamination can become distinct issues.This is because when Van der Waals for is more weak, and toner mainly is subjected to electrostatic attraction and is attached to the surface of developer roll 44, so the little old toner of carried charge can not accumulate in the surface of developer roll 44.Relative therewith, if the effect of Van der Waals for is strong, then the toner layer on the developer roll 44 can irrespectively adhere to more toners with carried charge.In such toner, also will inevitably contain a lot of old toners, cause above-mentioned lamination.In addition, be condensed into bigger toner piece between the old toner easily because of Van der Waals for, this toner piece is compared with its particle diameter because carried charge is little and is come off from developer roll 44 surfaces easily, causes that toner disperses etc.Like this, the problem that lamination produced is outstanding especially under the little situation of the particle diameter of employed toner T.

Therefore, in this embodiment, do not make the protuberance 441 in developer roll 44 surfaces bear toner, recess 442 is born by approaching and uniform toner layer that new toner constitutes.It is as follows not make protuberance 441 bear the reason of toner.If bear toner on protuberance 441, then toner is limited blade pressurization in the restriction clamping section and condenses, and understands set on developer roll 44 surfaces and causes film forming (filming) phenomenon, and perhaps Ning Ju toner piece can disperse outside developer.This is highly significant under the situation of being born old toner by protuberance 441, and if as mentioned above toner T for example be the following small particle size toners of volume average particle size 5 μ m, then especially outstanding.For fear of this problem, the toner at being born by the protuberance 441 in developer roll 44 surfaces in housing 41 strikes off by limit blade 46.

In addition, only bear toner, can obtain following effect by recess 442.Because the toner that recess 442 is born can not be limited blade 46 extruding or hang, so be difficult for cohesion, deterioration.This helps making characteristic long term maintenance such as the carried charge of toner and flowability at the state near new product.In addition, the generation of " old toner " by the rejection characteristic deterioration can further suppress that toner disperses etc.

Fig. 8 is the figure of the butt state of expression developer roll and limit blade.In this embodiment, shown in Fig. 8 (a), surface and its sense of rotation D4 at developer roll 44 relatively limit blade 46 along so-called opposite direction butt, the elastomeric element 462 that its front end is provided with is the part elastic deformation with the surperficial crimping of developer roll 44, thereby has formed the restriction clamping section N1 that the surface of developer roll 44 contacts with elastomeric element 462.In addition, the edge of the upside of the upstream-side-end 462a of elastomeric element 462 on the sense of rotation D4 of developer roll 44 is included in the restriction clamping section N1, limits toner by so-called edge limitation.

Shown in Fig. 8 (b), the upstream-side-end 462a of elastomeric element 462, the vertical line that hangs down into the upper surface of elastomeric element 462 with rotation center from developer roll 44 is compared, and is positioned at upstream side at the sense of rotation D4 of developer roll 44.Therefore, the deflection Db of the elastomeric element 462 that causes because of near the elastic deformation the upstream-side-end 462a, more smaller than near the maximum deformation quantity Da of the elastomeric element the intersection point of above-mentioned vertical line 462.Therefore, elastomeric element 462 the interior in a big way of surface thereon contacts with developer roll 44, makes that restriction clamping section width W n1 is also bigger.

Fig. 9 is the enlarged diagram of the restriction clamping section of this embodiment.In Fig. 9, be labeled as " restriction before ", on the moving direction D4 on developer roll 44 surfaces than restriction clamping section N1 by in the zone of upstream side, under developer roll 44 surfaces, form the layer that constitutes by the new toner Tn shown in the white circle, on the other hand, formed the layer that mixes the old toner To shown in the circle that new toner Tn and band hachure are arranged on the surface of this toner layer.On the other hand, at restriction N1 place, clamping section, because the elastomeric element 462 of limit blade 46 and surface, particularly its protuberance 441 crimping of developer roll 44, therefore the toner of being born by protuberance 441 before the restriction no matter struck off by the upstream-side-end 462a of elastomeric element 462 by new former capital.

Mixing from the toner that protuberance 441 strikes off like this has new toner and old toner, and wherein, the toner carried charge of removing from the near surface of protuberance 441 is especially high.This is because the toner that adheres on the surface of protuberance 441 mainly is the good new toner of charging property, and by scraping, rotation with limit blade 46 carried charge is improved when protuberance 441 is struck off, therefore effect attracted to the stronger electrostatic force on the developer roll 44.On the other hand, also there is the lower old toner of carried charge at rear (left among Fig. 9) with the butt position of limit blade 46.When the high toner of this old toner and the carried charge that strikes off from protuberance 441 near surfaces clashed into, new toner Tn1, the Tn2 of high-band electric weight extruded old toner To1, the To2 of the low carried charge at rear.Like this, by new toner Tn displacement, old toner is pressed against the rear to the old toner that developer roll 44 near surfaces exist gradually gradually.The result is, relies on the downstream of developer roll sense of rotation D4 in restriction clamping section N1 and than it, only bear toner by recess 442, and the ratio of wherein contained old toner is extremely low.

In order to promote this phenomenon, preferably in the upstream-side-end 462a of elastomeric element 462, end face becomes the upright wall near normal ground with respect to the surface of developer roll 44.If the angle θ that the end became of elastomeric element 462 is an acute angle, then, therefore be difficult for taking place the displacement of above-mentioned new and old toner because the toner that is struck off leaves from the surface of developer roll 44.In addition, when above-mentioned angle θ was the obtuse angle, the toner that can cause striking off was pressed into restriction clamping section N1.When this angle θ was the 90 degree left and right sides, the toner that is struck off can be trapped near the upstream-side-end 462a of elastomeric element 462, promotes the displacement of toner.

Figure 10 is the figure that the carried charge of the toner of mensuration before and after the expression restriction distributes.If the individual percentage that uses limit blade 46 to scrape each carried charge of the toner of getting from the surface of limiting preceding developer roll 44 is described, then shown in the solid line of Figure 10, distribution curve compares broad, the ratio of the electroneutral toner that comprises and the toner of positively charged is higher, relative therewith, scraping the toner of getting, shown in the dotted line of Figure 10 from the surface of the later developer roll 44 of restriction clamping section N1, distribution curve is steeper, and the ratio of the toner of positively charged significantly reduces.According to this result as can be known, by the toner restriction of present embodiment, the toner layer after the restriction is made of charged good toner.Make latent electrostatic image developing by the opposed locations that confined like this toner layer is transported to photoreceptor 22, thereby can form the few preferable image of image fog in the present embodiment, and can disperse outside developer by the low old toner of inhibition zone electric weight.

Then, the protuberance 441 on research developer roll 44 surfaces and the difference of height of recess 442.In this embodiment, by the toner of protuberance 441 being removed, only bear toner by recess 442 with the butt of limit blade 46.Therefore, be transported to the amount that depends on the toner that recess 442 is born with the toner amount of the opposed locations of photoreceptor 22, can this difference of height become the key factor that obtain good image quality.

Figure 11 is the difference of height on expression developer roll surface and the synoptic diagram of the relation of the toner of being born.In this embodiment, in order under the state that makes elastomeric element 462 butt protuberances 441, toner to be born in recess 442, need make the difference of height of protuberance 441 and recess 442, more precisely make more than the volume average particle size that is spaced apart toner of recess 442 and elastomeric element 462.Particularly, because the hardness of elastomeric element 462 is higher, and the reasons such as area is bigger of restriction clamping section N1, when the elastic deformation of elastomeric element 462 at restriction N1 place, clamping section is not too big, the difference of height of protuberance 441 and recess 442, substantially equate that with the interval of recess 442 therefore any one party that is conceived to does not wherein all have essential distinction with elastomeric element 462.But, if at restriction N1 place, clamping section, the elastic deformation of elastomeric element 462 is big, it is bigger to stretch out degree to the bottom of recess 442, then be conceived to the interval between recess 442 and the elastomeric element 462, preferred this is spaced apart more than the volume average particle size of toner, below, represent the volume average particle size of toner with symbol Dave.Here, shown in Figure 11 (a), when the value G1 more than 2 times of the volume average particle size Dave that is spaced apart toner of recess 442 and elastomeric element 462, recess 442 is on average born the toner more than 2 layers.

The toner of the ground floor that contacts with the surface of developer roll 44 passes through stronger electrostatic force attached on the developer roll 44, and a little less than the electrostatic force that acts on the later toner of the second layer that adheres on the ground floor toner is compared, therefore toner separates with developer roll 44 easily, the main effect of performance when the opposed locations with photoreceptor 22 makes latent electrostatic image developing.That is, by forming the later toner layer of the second layers at recess 442 like this, can improve development efficient thereby compare during with the toner layer of only bearing 1 layer.This is effective especially when using the toner that makes the small particle diameter (for example below the volume average particle size 5 μ m) that the adhesion between toner particle increases because of Van der Waals for.From this respect, more preferably more than 2 times of the volume average particle size Dave that is spaced apart toner of recess 442 and elastomeric element 462, if but at interval excessive then can cause sneaking into of old toner, be suitable below 3 times therefore at the volume average particle size Dave of toner.That is, satisfy following formula: the relation of Dave≤G1≤3Dave... (formula 1) gets final product.Especially preferably use this relation for the little toner of the particle diameter deviation of toner.

In addition, in order to ensure enough development efficient, preferably make the recess 442 on developer roll 44 surfaces bear toner more than 2 layers.That is, preferred:

2Dave≤G1... (formula 1a)

On the other hand, consider the particle diameter deviation of toner, shown in Figure 11 (b), the interval G2 between recess 442 and the elastomeric element 462 can be set at more than the particle diameter of maximum particle diameter toner Tm of particle diameter maximum among the toner T.Here, the maximum particle diameter of toner is can statistical following determines.That is, be D50 at 50% particle diameter of the number benchmark of establishing toner T, when its geometric standard deviation was σ, maximum particle diameter Dm was defined by following formula:

Dm=D50+3 σ ... (formula 2).In toner commonly used, the toner ratio that particle diameter surpasses this maximum particle diameter Dm is extremely low.

If recess 442 is little with the interval of elastomeric element 462, the bigger toner of particle diameter that then can cause entering into recess 442 is pushed and deterioration by elastomeric element 462.In addition, if the big toner of particle diameter can not enter into recess 442 then can remain in all the time in the developer, cause the size distribution of the toner in the developer can't be used for developing to big particle diameter side migration gradually.Relative therewith, be spaced apart maximum particle diameter Dm when above when what make recess 442 and elastomeric element 462 as mentioned above, the contained most of toner particle of the toner T that accommodates in the developer can both be born by recess 442, can be effectively with the toner exhaustion in the developer.That is, satisfy the relation of following formula:

G2 〉=Dm=D50+3 σ ... (formula 3)

And, shown in Figure 11 (c), also can on the ground floor of the toner layer that recess 442 is born, bear the toner Tm of maximum particle diameter.That is, satisfy the relation of following formula according to the interval G3 of recess 442 and elastomeric element 462:

G3 〉=Dave+Dm=Dave+D50+3 σ ... the mode of (formula 4) sets G3 at interval.Thus, even the toner Tm of maximum particle diameter, also can with toner layer that developer roll 44 contacts on bear, therefore can bigger particle diameter toner be used for developing.

As mentioned above, in this embodiment, the toner that the protuberance 441 in developer roll 44 surfaces is born is limited blade 46 at restriction N1 place, clamping section and strikes off, and only bears toner on recess 442.Therefore, the situation of deterioration is condensed in generation in that restriction N1 place, clamping section is pressurized can to suppress toner.Avoid making toner deterioration like this, thereby can reduce the toner that causes owing to toner deterioration from disperse situation outside developer of developer roll 44.In addition, become from the upright wall in developer roll 44 near normal ground by the upstream side end face that makes limit blade 462, the toner that is struck off is detained, thereby the old toner that enters into recess 442 can be replaced into new toner, reduce the ratio of the contained old toner of toner layer.Thus, reduced the amount of the old toner of conveyance outside developer, further improved toner is dispersed and the inhibition effect of image fog.

Below, second embodiment of having used image processing system of the present invention is described.In second embodiment, limit blade 46 is different with first embodiment to the butt state of developer roll 44.Structure in addition is identical with first embodiment with action.Therefore, omitting explanation for structure tag same-sign common between first and second embodiments, is that the center describes second embodiment with the distinctive points with first embodiment only.

Figure 12 is the figure of the butt state of developer roll and limit blade in expression second embodiment.Shown in Figure 12 (a), in this embodiment, also make the limit blade 46 and the surface of developer roll 44 form restriction clamping section N2 at the reverse directions butt.But shown in Figure 12 (b), the upstream-side-end 462a of elastomeric element 462 hangs down into the vertical line of the upper surface of elastomeric element 462 than the rotation center from developer roll 44, is positioned at the downstream on the sense of rotation D4 of developer roll 44.Therefore, the deflection that elastomeric element 462 produces because of elastic deformation, side end 462a becomes maximal value Dc at its upstream.That is the upstream side leading section generation maximum flexibility of elastomeric element 462 distortion.In addition, elastomeric element 462 also reduces with the contact area of developer roll 44, and the width W n2 of restriction clamping section is also little than the clamping section width W n1 in first embodiment.

Figure 13 is the enlarged diagram of restriction clamping section in this embodiment.As mentioned above, because maximum elastic deformation takes place in elastomeric element 462 side end 462a place at its upstream, therefore near the upstream-side-end of restriction clamping section N2, to apply the butt pressure of maximum in the elastomeric element 462 with the protuberance 441 opposed positions of developer roll 44.On the other hand, do not exerting pressure with the recess 442 opposed positions of developer roll 44.Therefore, as shown in figure 13, in the elastomeric element 462 with recess 441 opposed positions towards the end of recess 442 (top among Figure 13) elastic deformation, the surface that becomes elastomeric element 462 is to the outstanding state in space that recess 442 is faced.This elastic deformation amount reduces towards the downstream gradually in the upstream-side-end maximum of the restriction clamping section of butt pressure maximum N2.That is, satisfy the relation of following formula: M1〉M2〉M3... (formula 5).In addition, this pass ties up to that contained recess only has also establishment under one the situation in the restriction clamping section, even in a recess 442, also is the trend that reduces more towards the downstream elastic deformation amount more.

Towards the outstanding elastomeric element 462 of recess 442, allow in the multilayer toner that this recess bears the conveying of the toner layer of the thickness that distance between the bottom with the front end of elastomeric element 462 and recess 442 is corresponding, and restriction situation in addition, but as mentioned above, owing to the downstream on the moving direction D4 of developer roll 44, the elastic deformation amount is more little, and the pressure that therefore acts on toner can not rise in the restriction clamping section, and the bottom of recess 442 can the set toner.In addition, the distance between the bottom of the front end of elastomeric element 462 and recess 442 is compared big situation with the downstream under, along with the toner layer that enters into the restriction clamping section makes progress downstream, can exert pressure to make and be out of shape set between toner, but adopt the aforesaid way then can this thing happens.

Owing to adopt this structure also can be same with above-mentioned first embodiment, remove the toner of protuberance 441 by limit blade 46, so, can prevent to cause toner deterioration owing to pushing.In addition, by the contained old toner of new toner displacement recess 442, can make the amount minimizing of the old toner of conveyance to developer outside.Therefore, also can be same in second embodiment with first embodiment, suppress that toner disperses or the generation of image fog.And, to the investigation of the difference of height of protuberance 441 and recess 442, set up too in the present embodiment in the first embodiment.

As mentioned above, in the respective embodiments described above, developer 4K etc. is equivalent to " developing apparatus " of the present invention, and the function of housing 41, developer roll 44, limit blade 46 is equivalent to " resettlement section " of the present invention, " toner is born roller ", " limiting part " respectively.And the elastomeric element 462 that is installed on limit blade 46 is as " elasticity butt body " of the present invention performance function.In addition, in the respective embodiments described above, first Room 411 and second Room 412 in the developer 4K are equivalent to " toner reception room " of the present invention, by making the whole rotation of developer the function that the toner of first Room is sent to the rotary developing unit 4 of second Room then are equivalent to " toner transfer mechanism " of the present invention.In addition, in the image processing system of above-mentioned embodiment, the function of photoreceptor 22 and developer 4K etc. is equivalent to " as bearing body " of the present invention and " developer ".

In addition, the invention is not restricted to above-mentioned embodiment, in the scope that does not break away from its thought, can carry out aforesaid way various distortion in addition.For example in the above-described embodiment, the protuberance 441 of developer roll 44 is an almost diamond, but is not limited thereto, and for example can make protuberance is other shapes such as circle or triangle.

And the developer roll 44 of above-mentioned embodiment is metal cylinder, but also can form developer roll with other material, for the device with this developer roll, also can use the present invention.In addition, experiment according to the inventor, under the situation of the developer roll that uses metallic or the nonmetal developer roll that applies the coat of metal etc., surface are formed by conductive material, above-mentioned lamination is very outstanding, and the present invention especially can bring into play remarkable result for possessing the device that this surface has the developer roll of electric conductivity.This respect for example forms the developer roll that possesses electric conductivity by conductive materials such as disperse black carbon or metal fine powder end in rubber or resinous cylinder, and the present invention is also effective for the device with this developer roll.

And the limit blade 46 in the above-mentioned embodiment is the formations of on metal plate-shaped member 461 resinous elastomeric element 462 being installed, but is not limited to this structure.For example can adopt the structure that on sheet metal, forms the elastic resin coating.And, also can provide suitable bias potential to limit blade.

In addition, employed toner is not particularly limited in the above-mentioned embodiment, but the present invention is especially remarkable for the situation effect that the use charged characteristic changes bigger component class toner in time.And, because problems such as toner disperses are more serious in the less toner of mean grain size, so the present invention is also effective especially for the device that uses this toner.Particularly become more meticulous along with in recent years image height and reduce the development trend of consumption of toner and require the small particle diameterization of toner, for example having begun to make volume average particle size is the following particulate toners of 5 μ m.And this particulate toner problem such as take place that toner disperses easily, but then can eliminate these problems by the present invention.

Particularly the particle diameter that has used the adjuvant in the toner as 50nm below and be under the situation of the toner more than 100% in the coverage rate on the toner coatingparticles, effect of the present invention is especially remarkable.In the toner that has added this adjuvant, its initial flow higher and through the time mobility variations bigger, and flowability has the significantly reduced trend along with aging (the long-time use).In this toner,, therefore use effect highly significant of the present invention easily because of the difference of flowability between new and old toner causes lamination.

In addition, the image processing system of above-mentioned embodiment, be that the coloured image that developer 4K etc. has been installed on rotary developing unit 4 forms device, and by the device that makes rotations such as developer 4K that the toner in the developer is mixed, but as mentioned above, use object of the present invention is not limited thereto.The monochrome image that for example forms monochrome image for only having a developer forms device, also can use the present invention, particularly for the device that can replenish toner from the supply mouth that is provided with at developer by user or dedicated operations personnel, perhaps constitute the device of the regular supply toners such as print cartridge that can establish in addition outside the developer, the present invention is very suitable.

Claims (18)

1. developing apparatus is characterized in that having:

Accommodate the resettlement section of toner;

Toner is born roller, and it forms a plurality of protuberances of having rule configuration on the surface and around the general cylindrical shape shape of the recess of this protuberance, on one side its surface bear the toner layer that forms by the charged toner of supplying with from described resettlement section and rotate on one side; With

Limiting part, itself and described toner are born roller surface butt, form the restriction clamping section, and the thickness of in this restriction clamping section described toner being born the toner layer of bearing on the roller surface limits;

Described limiting part is born the upstream-side-end of the described restriction clamping section on the sense of rotation of roller at described toner, bear the toner layer of bearing on the roller surface from described toner the toner layer of described protuberance is removed.

2. developing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that,

The difference of height of described protuberance and described recess is more than the volume average particle size of toner,

Described limiting part has and is formed and be crimped on that described toner is born the surface of roller and the elasticity butt body that forms described restriction clamping section by elastic body, described toner is born the upstream-side-end of the described elasticity butt body on the sense of rotation of roller and the described protuberance butt that described toner is born roller, scrapes the toner of getting this protuberance.

3. developing apparatus as claimed in claim 2 is characterized in that,

The end face of described a plurality of protuberances forms the part of same barrel surface mutually.

4. developing apparatus as claimed in claim 2 is characterized in that,

Described a plurality of protuberance end face separately is the plane.

5. developing apparatus as claimed in claim 2 is characterized in that,

Described toner is born the upstream side end face of the described elasticity butt body on the sense of rotation of roller, bears the roller surface with respect to described toner and generally perpendicularly erects.

6. as any described developing apparatus in the claim 2 to 5, it is characterized in that,

More than 1 times below 3 times of the described elasticity butt body in the described restriction clamping section and the volume average particle size that is spaced apart toner of described recess.

7. as any described developing apparatus in the claim 2 to 5, it is characterized in that,

Described elasticity butt body in the described restriction clamping section and more than the maximum particle diameter that is spaced apart toner of described recess.

8. developing apparatus as claimed in claim 7 is characterized in that,

Described elasticity butt body in the described restriction clamping section and the volume average particle size that is spaced apart toner of described recess and maximum particle diameter and more than.

9. as any described developing apparatus in the claim 2 to 5, it is characterized in that,

Because of the deflection of described elasticity butt body of bearing the butt elastic deformation of roller with described toner, bear the upstream-side-end maximum on the sense of rotation of roller at described toner.

10. developing apparatus is characterized in that having:

Accommodate the resettlement section of toner;

Toner is born roller, it forms the general cylindrical shape shape, have a plurality of protuberances of rule configuration on the surface and around the recess of this protuberance, and the difference of height of described protuberance and described recess is more than 2 times of volume average particle size of described toner, on its surface bear the toner layer that by the charged toner from described resettlement section supplied with constitute and on one side rotate on one side; With

Limiting part, itself and described toner are born roller surface butt, bear the toner layer of removing described protuberance the toner layer of bearing on the roller surface from described toner.

11. as any described developing apparatus in the claim 1 to 10, it is characterized in that,

The surface that described toner is born roller is formed by conductive material.

12. as any described developing apparatus in the claim 1 to 11, it is characterized in that,

Described resettlement section has the supply mouth that is used for from outside supply toner.

13. as any described developing apparatus in the claim 1 to 11, it is characterized in that,

Described resettlement section has a plurality of toner reception rooms of accommodating toner, at least a portion that described toner is born the surface of roller is exposed to one inside in described a plurality of toner reception room, and has the toner transfer mechanism that is used for the toner that other toner reception room is accommodated is sent to this toner reception room.

14. as any described developing apparatus in the claim 1 to 13, it is characterized in that,

The volume average particle size of described toner is below the 5 μ m.

15. as any described developing apparatus in the claim 1 to 14, it is characterized in that,

Be added with particle diameter and be the adjuvant below the 50nm in described toner, described adjuvant is more than 100% with respect to the lining rate of toner coatingparticles.

16. an image processing system is characterized in that having:

Bear the picture of electrostatic latent image and bear body; With

Developer, it has the toner that forms a plurality of protuberances of having rule configuration on the surface and bear the toner layer that is formed by charged toner on the general cylindrical shape shape of the recess of this protuberance and the surface and bears roller, and make described picture bear the latent electrostatic image developing of bearing on the body by described toner

When bearing at described toner after the roller surface born toner layer by described protuberance and described recess, and then remove by the toner layer of bearing the described protuberance that the limiting part of roller surface butt will be wherein with described toner.

17. an image processing system is characterized in that having:

Bear the picture of electrostatic latent image and bear body; With

Developer, it develops to the electrostatic latent image of being born body by described picture and bearing by toner,

Described developer has:

Toner is born roller, it forms a plurality of protuberances that have the rule configuration on the surface and the general cylindrical shape shape that centers on the recess of this protuberance, and the difference of height of described protuberance and described recess is more than 2 times of volume average particle size of described toner, bears the toner layer that is formed by charged toner on its surface; With

Limiting part, itself and described toner are born the surperficial butt of roller, bear the toner layer of bearing on the roller surface from described toner the toner layer of described protuberance is removed.

18. developing method, it is characterized in that, make toner bear roller and bear the body arranged opposite with the picture of bearing electrostatic latent image, by toner described electrostatic latent image is developed, wherein, described toner is born roll forming becomes a plurality of protuberances that have the rule configuration on the surface and the general cylindrical shape shape that centers on the recess of this protuberance, bears the toner layer that is formed by charged toner on its surface, and

Make described toner layer and described picture bear body opposed before, the described protuberance and the described recess that make described toner bear the roller surface are born toner layer, and then the toner layer of described protuberance that will be is wherein removed by the limiting part of bearing roller surface butt with described toner.

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