JP2001277576A - Image forming apparatus and manufacturing method for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a change of a head interval due to a tension variation to be given to a toner passage control means 4 or a waviness of the toner passage control means 4 in an image forming apparatus having a toner carrier 10, a plurality of toner passage holes 14 and the toner passage control means 4 for controlling passage of the toner 3 passing through the holes 14. SOLUTION: A fixed part 2b of a housing member 2 to be fixed with the toner passage control means 4 is arranged on a substantial extension of a direction for extending separately from the toner carrier 10. Then, a tensile force of the same direction is given to the control means 4. Thus, an excess bending moment is not generated at the means 4. A contact with a toner layer 3a on the carrier 10 is made uniform. Then, a head interval can be stabilized in a predetermined size at a periphery of the toner passage holes 14. The waviness or a wrinkle of the means 4 generated due to an unevenness of the tension or a temperature change can be prevented.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus applied to a copying machine, a facsimile, a printer, and the like, and a method for manufacturing the same. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a manufacturing method for controlling the flight of toner to an electrode and adhering the toner to an image receiving unit located between a toner passage control unit and a back electrode to form an image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the improvement of personal computer capability and the advancement of network technology, there has been an increasing demand for printers and copiers having a high processing capability capable of handling not only a large number of documents but also color documents. . However, an image forming apparatus capable of outputting satisfactory high-quality black and white or color documents and having a high processing speed is under development, and its appearance is expected.

As one of the techniques, a so-called “toner jet” (registered trademark) method is conventionally used in which toner is caused to fly on an image receiving means such as a recording sheet or an intermediate image carrying belt by an electric field to form an image. Image forming techniques are known.

As this type of image forming apparatus, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 44-26333, US Pat. No. 3,689,
No. 935 (Japanese Patent Publication No. 60-20747);
-500842 is known. As an example, what is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 10-100780 and drawings will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 6, reference numeral 31 denotes a grounded toner carrier that carries and conveys the charged toner, and 32 denotes a regulating blade that controls the toner on the toner carrier 31 in one to three layers and further charges the toner. A supply roller 33 supplies the toner to the toner carrier 31 and charges the toner. Reference numeral 34 denotes a toner passage control unit having a toner passage hole 35 formed therein. A control electrode 36 is disposed around the toner passage hole 35. The control electrode 36 has a control power source 3 such as a driving IC.
From 7, a voltage corresponding to the image signal is applied. 38 is a back electrode, and 39 is a power supply for the back electrode 38. Reference numeral 40 denotes an image receiving means for recording paper or the like conveyed on the back electrode 38.

In the above configuration, the supply roller 33 and the toner carrier 31 are operated, and the regulating blade 32 forms a uniform toner layer on the toner carrier 31 and conveys the toner. To the image receiving means 4
When the voltage corresponding to the image signal is applied from the control power supply 37 to the control electrode 36 in synchronization with the movement of the toner carrier 0 while the toner is moving, the toner on the toner carrier 31 passes through the toner passage hole 35 according to the image signal. As a result, it flies and adheres to the image receiving means 40, and a required image is formed on the image receiving means 40.

By the way, for example, 6
In order to form a fine image of 00 dpi (a density of 600 dots per inch), it is necessary to arrange a large number of toner passage holes 35 at such a pitch in the toner passage control means 34. 35 cannot be arranged in a single row, as shown in FIG.
5 and the control electrodes 36 are arranged in many rows (eight rows in the illustrated example). Toner passage hole 35 and control electrode 36
Has a circular shape, and lead electrodes connected to the respective control electrodes 36 extend on both sides in the moving direction of the toner carrier 31 in order to avoid mutual interference, and lead of a control power source 37 such as a drive IC for outputting a control voltage, respectively. Connected to electrodes.

FIG. 6 shows an example in which the image receiving means 40 is made of a recording paper or the like and an image is formed directly on the recording paper or the like. In addition, in the case of a color printer, there is a problem that it is difficult to synchronize the image forming timings of the respective colors due to variations in the conveyance of the recording paper, and the image quality is easily degraded. For this reason, Japanese Patent Application No. 10-1007
As shown in the specification No. 80 and the drawings, it is preferable that an intermediate image carrying belt is used as the image receiving means 40 and the image formed on the image carrying belt is collectively transferred to recording paper or the like. There are cases.

Referring to FIG. 8, reference numeral 43 denotes an endless image carrying belt as image receiving means 40. This image carrying belt 43 has a resistance of about 10 ¹⁰ Ω · cm in which a conductive filler is dispersed in a resin. Is composed of
It is wound between a pair of rollers 44a and 44b. 45
Is a pickup roller that feeds the recording paper 46 one by one from the paper feed tray 46a, 47 is a timing roller that synchronizes the image position with the fed recording paper 46, and 48 is a toner roller formed on the image carrying belt 42. The transfer roller is a transfer roller that transfers the image to the recording paper 46. The transfer roller is pressed toward the roller 44 a with the image carrying belt 43 interposed therebetween, and a transfer voltage is applied. A fixing device 49 fixes the toner image on the recording paper 46 by heating and pressing the recording paper 46 onto which the toner image has been transferred.

By the way, in the image forming apparatus having the above configuration, the interval (head interval) between the toner particles on the toner carrier 31 and the toner passage control means 34, that is, the toner carrier 31 is formed on the toner carrier 31. Since the amount of toner passing through the toner passage hole 35 is greatly affected by the spatial distance between the surface of the toner layer and the surface of the toner passage control means 34, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-500842, for example. By arranging a scraper blade between the toner carrier and the toner passage control means, the distance between the toner layer and the control electrode on the toner passage control means is maintained. Thus, in a configuration in which the toner passage control means and the toner layer are brought into contact with each other via the scraper blade near the upstream side of the toner passage hole, and the head gap is regulated to the thickness of the scraper blade, the outer shape of the toner carrier is The toner passage control means moves along the surface of the toner carrier when there is variation, irregularity in cylindricity, or circumferential runout, and is excellent in securing the above-mentioned appropriate head gap to compensate for the influence. It has characteristics.

[0010]

However, on the other hand, on the other hand,
While the toner carrier is cylindrical, the toner passage control means is formed in a substantially plane, so that the toner passage control means is brought into contact with the toner layer on the toner carrier via a scraper blade thereon. Even if the head gap between the toner layer and the toner passage control means is restricted to the thickness of the scraper blade, when the relative positional relationship between the toner passage hole and the toner carrier in the toner carrier moving direction changes,
It is inevitable that the recording characteristics fluctuate due to the change of the head interval.

In order to solve such a problem, if a configuration is considered in which the toner passage control means is brought into contact with the toner carrier in a curved state, if the cross-sectional shape at the curved portion of the toner passage control means changes. Also, there is a concern that the recording characteristics may change due to the fluctuation of the head interval. Factors that change the cross-sectional shape of the toner passage control means include variations in the material properties of the toner passage control means, temperature changes, the effect of the attachment portion of the toner passage control means to the main body, and the contact pressure with the toner carrier. And other factors.

On the other hand, since the toner passage control means is composed of several kinds of different materials, the surface tends to undulate due to the application of tension or the like, the head spacing becomes non-uniform in the toner passage hole row direction, and the main scanning direction. There is also a problem that image unevenness occurs and image quality is degraded.

In a recording method for forming an image by selectively flying toner on an image receiving means by an electric field, a spatial distance between a surface of a toner layer formed on a toner carrier and a surface of a toner passage control means is provided. (Head spacing) is a factor that greatly affects fluctuations in recording characteristics. In order to form a uniform image without unevenness, the head spacing is always kept constant over the entire row of toner passage holes. There is a need.

In order to fly a sufficient amount of toner to obtain a required recording density under a constant applied voltage condition, it is necessary to set the head interval to be extremely small as described above. Since the rate of change relatively increases even in the dimensional difference of the head gap, it becomes more difficult to keep the head gap constant over the entire row of toner passage holes.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to improve the mounting structure of the toner passage control means to the main body so that the influence of the mounting portion of the toner passage control means is reduced. Prevents the gap between the toner layer and the toner passage control means from fluctuating around the toner passage holes and prevents the toner passage control means from waving due to a temperature change or the like. The gap between the toner layer and the toner passage control means is kept fine and uniform over the entire area, and the required recording density is ensured under a constant applied voltage condition. Is to be formed stably.

[0016]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toner carrier which carries a charged toner and moves while forming a toner layer; A rear electrode disposed at a position opposite to the toner conveying position and provided with a voltage for forming a transfer electrostatic field for attracting toner of the toner carrier, and disposed between the toner carrier and the rear electrode, and the toner is A control electrode provided on at least a part of the periphery of each of the toner passage holes on an insulating member having a row of toner passage holes including a plurality of toner passage holes for passing, and the control electrode is provided in accordance with an image signal; A toner passage control means for applying a voltage to control the passage of toner through the toner passage hole; and a toner disposed between the toner passage control means and the back electrode, the toner passing through the toner passage hole being applied. The image forming apparatus is the subject that includes a receiving unit that.

The toner passage control means is fixed to a fixing portion of the image forming apparatus main body. The fixing portion of the image forming apparatus main body is separated from the toner carrier by the toner passage control means. It is characterized by being disposed on a substantial extension in the direction of extension extending to the side where it does not extend.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the first aspect is provided.
Similarly to the image forming apparatus described above, a toner carrier that carries charged toner and moves while forming a toner layer, and a toner carrier that is disposed at a position facing the toner conveying position of the toner carrier, A back electrode provided with a voltage for forming a transfer electrostatic field for sucking the toner, and a toner passage hole array including a plurality of toner passage holes for toner to be disposed between the toner carrier and the back electrode. A control electrode provided on at least a part of the periphery of each of the toner passage holes on the insulating member, and applying a voltage corresponding to an image signal to the control electrode to control the passage of toner through the toner passage holes An image forming apparatus comprising: a toner passage control unit; and an image receiving unit disposed between the toner passage control unit and the back electrode, and to which the toner that has passed through the toner passage hole is applied. Serial in contact with the toner layer carried on the toner carrying member comprises a spacer means for restricting a distance between the opening of the toner layer and the toner passage hole. Further, the toner passage control means is fixed to a fixing portion of the image forming apparatus main body. The fixing portion of the image forming apparatus main body is separated from the toner carrier and extends to a side having no toner passage hole. It is characterized in that it is disposed on a substantial extension in the extension direction in which it is extended.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the first or second aspect, the direction in which the toner passage control means is separated from the toner carrier and extends to the side having no toner passage hole is: And the tangent line of the toner carrier at the end in the extension direction of the contact area between the toner carrier and the toner passage control means.

According to these inventions, the toner passage control means extends substantially linearly from the row of toner passage holes to the fixing portion of the image forming apparatus main body. The positioning accuracy of the row of toner passage holes with respect to the toner carrier and the image forming apparatus main body when attached to the image forming apparatus main body can be improved.

Further, since the toner passage control means extending substantially linearly from the row of toner passage holes to the fixing portion has no excessive bending, the toner passage control means once positioned and fixed to the image forming apparatus main body is provided. There is no change in the radius of curvature due to a change in its own bending stiffness due to a temperature change or the like, and the position of the toner passage hole array does not change.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of any one of the first to third aspects, a configuration is adopted in which the toner passing control means is provided with a tensile force in a direction parallel to the extending direction.

According to the invention of claim 5, according to claims 1 to 4,
In any one of the image forming apparatuses, the end on the side where the toner passage control means is separated from the toner carrier and extends to the side without the toner passage hole is configured to be movable in parallel with the extending direction. Adopt a configuration.

According to the configurations of the present invention, no extra bending moment is generated in the toner passage control means, and the toner passage control means can be brought into uniform contact with the toner layer in the contact area.

Similar effects can be obtained also in the vicinity of the toner passage hole array on the toner passage hole side of the contact area of the toner passage control means with the toner layer. That is, the cross-sectional shape of the toner passage control unit is determined by the curvature of each of the image forming apparatus main body and the contact area with which the toner passage control unit comes into contact. Since no bending moment is applied to the toner passage control means on the toner passage hole side, the head interval can be stably maintained at a predetermined size.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of any one of the first to fifth aspects, the image forming apparatus is joined to the toner passage control means in a direction parallel to the toner carrier over a range not less than the row of toner passage holes. In this case, a configuration is provided in which an attaching means for applying a tensile force to the toner passage control means is provided.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the sixth aspect, the mounting means applies a tensile force uniformly distributed in a direction parallel to the toner carrier to the toner passage control means. I do.

With such a configuration, the toner passage control unit does not generate waving or wrinkles due to the variation in the tension applied in the main scanning direction of the toner passage control unit.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the seventh aspect, the mounting means is configured to be movable in parallel with the extending direction of the toner passage control means. With this configuration, the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to claim 5 can be specifically realized.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of any one of the sixth to eighth aspects, the mounting means and the image forming apparatus main body are fixed via elastic means for generating a tensile force. Means and the image forming apparatus main body are fixed via an elastic means for generating a tensile force, a joint surface between the attaching means and the toner passage control means, a joint point between the elastic means and the attaching means, and an elastic means and an image. The joining point with the forming apparatus main body adopts a configuration that is arranged on substantially the same plane.

With this configuration, a couple is not generated in the toner passage control unit due to the tension applied to the toner passage control unit, and the toner passage control unit is brought into uniform contact with the toner layer in a contact area with the toner layer. The head spacing can be stably maintained at a predetermined size on the toner passage hole side of the contact area.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the sixth to ninth aspects, the mounting means and the toner passage control means are joined by a joining means permitting relative displacement. take. According to such a configuration, a difference in the amount of expansion between the attachment unit and the toner passage control unit caused by a change in temperature is absorbed by the shearing deformation of the bonding unit, so that the two units do not warp.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the tenth aspect, the joining means employs a structure comprising a viscoelastic adhesive or an adhesive tape. With such a configuration, the image forming apparatus according to claim 10 can be realized.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, similarly to the image forming apparatus of the first or second aspect, a toner carrier that carries charged toner and moves while forming a toner layer, A back electrode provided at a position opposed to the toner transport position, to which a voltage for forming a transfer electrostatic field for sucking toner of the toner carrier is applied; and a back electrode provided between the toner carrier and the back electrode, A control electrode provided on at least a part of the periphery of each toner passage hole on an insulating member having a toner passage hole array including a plurality of toner passage holes through which the toner passes. A toner passage control means for controlling the passage of toner through the toner passage hole by applying the applied voltage, and a toner disposed between the toner passage control means and the back electrode and passing through the toner passage hole. There the image forming apparatus is the subject that includes a receiving unit that is applied. The toner passage control unit further includes an attachment unit that is joined to the toner passage control unit in a direction parallel to the toner carrier over a range equal to or larger than the toner passage hole array and applies a tensile force to the toner passage control unit. It is configured such that a tensile residual stress always acts in a state of being joined to the mounting means.

In this case, since the residual tensile stress always acts inside the toner passage control means, the toner passage control means may be bent, wrinkled or wavy even when a temperature change or the like occurs. Can be prevented.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the twelfth aspect, the toner passage control means and the attachment means are joined in a state where the toner passage control means is heated or the attachment means is cooled. Take the configuration.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming apparatus according to the twelfth aspect, that is, a toner carrier that carries charged toner and moves while forming a toner layer, and a toner of the toner carrier. A rear electrode disposed at a position opposite to the transport position and provided with a voltage for forming a transfer electrostatic field for attracting toner of the toner carrier, and disposed between the toner carrier and the rear electrode, and the toner is A control electrode provided on at least a part of the periphery of each toner passage hole is provided on an insulating member having a toner passage hole array including a plurality of toner passage holes for passing, and the control electrode is provided in accordance with an image signal. A voltage is applied to the toner passage control means for controlling the passage of toner in the toner passage hole, and the toner passage control means is disposed between the toner passage control means and the back electrode, and passes through the toner passage hole. Image receiving means to which toner is applied, and attaching means which is joined to the toner passage control means in a direction parallel to the toner carrier over a range of the toner passage hole array or more, and applies a tensile force to the toner passage control means. And a method for manufacturing an image forming apparatus that always has a tensile residual stress in a state where the toner passage control means and the attachment means are joined together.When the toner passage control means and the attachment means are joined and fixed, the toner passage control means is provided. The two are joined in a heated state or a cooled state of the mounting means.

With this configuration, a residual distortion can be given between the toner passage control means and the mounting means. And, while the attaching means has sufficient bending rigidity in the main scanning direction, the toner passage control means is a sheet-shaped insulating member as a base material, so the residual strain is exclusively tensile strain in the toner passage control means, A residual tensile stress always acts inside the toner passage control means, and the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the twelfth aspect can be realized. As a result, it is possible to prevent wrinkles from being generated in the toner passage control unit.

[0039]

(Embodiment 1) FIGS. 1 and 2 show the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
Reference numeral denotes a print head. The print head 1 is provided with a housing member 2 as an image forming apparatus main body having an open upper surface and an opening formed at a lower end portion, and a lower outer surface of the housing member 2 covering the opening. Toner passing control means 4,
And a toner supply unit 5 installed in the housing member 2. A back electrode 6 is disposed at a lower portion of the print head 1 at an appropriate interval, and is configured so that an image receiving means 7 such as a recording sheet passes between the back electrode 6 and the print head 1. .

The toner supply unit 5 is provided so as to face a storage container 9 for storing the toner 3 as a developer and an opening formed at a lower portion of the storage container 9. A cylindrical toner carrier 10 that rotates while forming 3a, a regulating blade 12 that regulates the toner layer 3a carried and conveyed by the toner carrier 10, and a toner 3 in the storage container 9 are agitated. And a supply roller 13 for supplying the toner 3 to the toner carrier 10 by frictional charging. Then, as shown in FIG. 2, the toner supply unit 5 is vertically inserted from the upper side to the lower side in the housing member 2 and set at a predetermined position of the housing member 2.

The toner carrier 10 is made of a metal or alloy such as aluminum or iron. In this embodiment, a rotatable sleeve made of aluminum having an outer diameter of 20 mm and a thickness of 1 mm is used as the toner carrier 10, and the potential is set to the ground potential.

The regulating blade 12 is made of an elastic member such as urethane and has a hardness of 40 to 80 degrees (JIS K63).
01A scale), the free end length (length of the portion protruding from the mounting portion) is 5 to 15 mm, and the linear pressure on the toner carrier 10 is 4.9 to 39.2 N / m (5 to 40 g / cm). The regulating blade 12 forms one to three toner layers 3 a on the toner carrier 10. In this embodiment, the regulating blade 12 is electrically floated.

The toner 3 in the storage container 9 is sandwiched between the toner carrier 10 and the regulating blade 12, where the toner 3 receives a small amount of agitation and receives electric charge from the toner carrier 10 to be charged. In the present embodiment, the toner 3 is −10 μC / g.
A non-magnetic material having a negative charge and an average particle size of 8 μm was used.

The supply roller 13 is provided with a synthetic rubber such as urethane foam of about 2 to 6 mm on a metal shaft (diameter 8 mm in the present embodiment) of iron or the like, and has a hardness of 30 degrees (roller-shaped JIS K6301A). (Measured by a scale method), and controls the supply in addition to assisting the charging of the toner 3. The amount of biting of the supply roller 13 into the toner carrier 10 is preferably about 0.1 to 2 mm.

The toner passage control means 4 has a bending characteristic whose effective width corresponds to the effective width of the toner carrier 10.
A plurality of toner passage holes 14 are formed at a fine pitch in the width direction of the image receiving means 7 on the insulating base material 8 having a thickness of about μm to form one or more rows of toner passage holes. Ring-shaped control electrode 15 so as to surround
(See FIG. 3) and the deflection electrode 17 on the back surface of the insulating base 8.
a, 17b (see FIG. 3). The insulating base material 8 is preferably made of a material such as polyimide or polyethylene terephthalate, and has a thickness of 10 to 100 μm.
m is appropriate. In the present embodiment, the insulating substrate 8 has a thickness of 50
μm polyimide is used.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the periphery of the toner passage hole 14 in the toner passage control means 4, and FIG.
3 shows the control electrode 15, and FIG.
FIG. 3C shows the deflection electrodes 17a and 17b, respectively. As described above, the toner passage control means 4 has a large number of toner passage holes 14 formed in a row at predetermined pitch intervals in parallel with the toner carrier 10 on the insulating base material 8. The pitch of the passage holes 14 is
It is set to 125 μm corresponding to 200 dpi corresponding to the recording resolution of 600 dpi. The shape of the toner passage hole 14 is a circle in the illustrated example, but may be another shape such as an ellipse or an ellipse. The diameter of the toner passage hole 14 is set to about 70 to 120 μm.

As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B,
The control electrode 15 is provided on the upper surface of the insulating substrate 8 with each toner passage hole 14.
The control electrode 15 is connected to an IC chip (not shown) for supplying an image signal via a lead electrode 15a. Normally, a voltage of 400 V or less is applied to the control electrode 15. In the present embodiment, a voltage of 250 V is applied for dot formation, and a voltage of -50 V is applied for non-dot formation.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C, a pair of deflection electrodes 17a and 17b are disposed on the lower surface of the insulating substrate 8 so as to surround the toner passage hole 14 from both sides.

The control electrode 15 and deflection electrode 17a,
17b is 8 to 20 μm patterned on the insulating substrate 8;
It is composed of a Cu film having a thickness of about m. Each of the electrodes 15, 17a, 17b is provided on the surface of the toner passage control means 4.
Is coated with an insulating film 18 of 5 to 30 μm in order to prevent short circuit.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 again, the back electrode 6 is disposed so as to face the toner carrier 10 with the toner passage control means 4 interposed therebetween. The back electrode 6 functions as a counter electrode and forms an electric field between the back electrode 6 and the toner carrier 10. The back electrode 6 is made of a metal or resin in which a conductive filler is dispersed. 500 to 20 for back electrode 6
A DC voltage of about 00 V is applied.
A voltage of 0 V is applied. Further, the distance between the back electrode 6 and the toner carrier 10 is set to 150 to 1000 μm, and is set to 350 μm in the present embodiment.

The image receiving means 7 is composed of a recording paper, an image carrying belt or the like. The driving means (not shown) moves the toner carrying member 10 along a fixed path between the back electrode 6 and the toner passage control means 4. The sheet is transported in the same direction as the arrow a in the moving direction.

In the above configuration, the image forming operation will be described with reference to FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 4A, first, +150 V is applied to the left deflection electrode 17a and to the right deflection electrode 17b in the figure. The charged toner 3 is deflected to the left by applying -150 V, and a voltage of 250 V is applied to the control electrode 15 in this state, so that the toner 3 adsorbed on the toner carrier 10 flies. The toner 3 flying from the toner carrier 10 is pulled by the electric field of the back electrode 6, passes through the toner passage hole 14, deflects to the left and flies, and moves from the position facing the toner passage hole 14 on the image receiving unit 7. Is also provided on the left side at a position displaced by, for example, about 40 μm. Next, as shown in FIG. 4B, a voltage is applied to the control electrode 15 in the same manner as described above with both the left and right deflection electrodes 17a and 17b set to 0 V, thereby causing the The toner 3 is applied to a position facing the toner passage hole 14. Further, as shown in FIG. 4C, -150 V is applied to the left deflection electrode 17a and +150 V is applied to the right deflection electrode 17b to deflect the -charged toner 3 to the right. Electrode 1
A voltage is applied to 5 as described above. This allows
The toner 3 is applied to a position on the image receiving unit 7 that is displaced by, for example, about 40 μm to the right of a position facing the toner passage hole 14. In this way, by sequentially switching the voltage applied to the control electrode 15 and the deflection electrodes 17a and 17b, the left and right and central 3
The toner 3 is applied to the point.

When the image is not formed, the toner 3 is prevented from flying by setting the voltage applied to the control electrode 15 to -50V.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the toner passage control means 4 is provided on the fixing portion of the housing member 2 on the upper side (left side in the drawing) of the toner carrier moving direction with respect to the contact point with the toner carrier 10. 2b is fixed to the mounting means 20 of the housing member 2 via a tension spring 21 on the lower side in the same direction (right side in the figure). The fixing portion 2b is of a flat shape, and is provided so that the toner passage control means 4 is separated from the toner carrier 10 and extends substantially upward in the direction in which the toner carrier moves in the moving direction. In this case, the contact pressure between the toner carrier 10 and the toner passage control means 4 generated by the tension spring 21 is:
1.96 to 19.6 MPa (0.2 to ² gf / mm ² )
Is appropriate. This is to always maintain the distance between the toner carrier 10 and the toner passage control means 4 at the position of the toner passage hole 14 and always properly follow the eccentricity of the rotation axis of the toner carrier 10. This is because the toner carrier 10 and the toner passage control means 4 need to be in contact with each other in the same state, and the toner layer 3a on the toner carrier 10 must not be deformed by too strong contact pressure. This contact pressure slightly fluctuates depending on the material of the toner carrier 10 and the toner passage control means 4.

On the surface of the toner passage control means 4 on the side facing the toner carrier 10, a spacer 22 which comes into contact with the toner carrier 10 via the toner layer 3a on the surface is provided.
Are fixed by an adhesive layer 23. When the spacer 22 comes into contact with the toner carrier 10 in the contact area 22a, the distance between the toner carrier 10 and the toner passage control means 4 (head distance) is reduced. The thickness is regulated to be The spacer 22 is a sheet made of metal or conductive resin, and has a thickness of 5 to 5.
It is preferably 150 μm, and particularly preferably 5 to 20 μm. The adhesive layer 23 is made of a resin-based or rubber-based adhesive or a double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape, and has a thickness of preferably 2 to 120 μm, more preferably 2 to 5 μm.

As shown in FIG. 1, when the toner supply unit 5 is mounted on the housing member 2 and the distance between the toner carrier 10 and the back electrode 6 is regulated to a predetermined size, the toner carrier 10 The toner layer 3 a formed on the outer peripheral surface contacts the spacer 22. Further, the toner passage control means 4
Is located at the lower end of the housing member 2 and is
After being wound along the outer diameter portion of the bent portion 2a having a curvature smaller than the outer diameter portion (having a larger radius of curvature),
It is elastically held by the mounting means 20 of the housing member 2 via a tension spring 21 suspended at the downstream end. At this time, the tension spring 21 is displaced against the pressing force from the toner carrier 10 to the spacer 22. As a result, the toner passage control unit 4 comes into close contact with the toner carrier 10 via the spacer 22 over the entire width. The distance (head interval) between the toner layer 3a on the toner carrier 10 and the toner passage control means 4 is maintained by the spacers 22 with high accuracy in the range of 0 to 200 μm, in this embodiment, 10 μm. At this time, the tension of the toner passage control means 4 generated by the tension spring 21 is, as described above, an appropriate contact pressure between the toner carrier 10 and the toner passage control means 4 of 1.96 to 19.6 MPa.
(0.2 to ² gf / mm ² ), which is relatively small compared to the rigidity of the toner passage control means 4 itself.

Although the toner passage control means 4 is flat in a single state where no tension is applied by the tension spring 21, the toner passage control means 4 is mounted on the housing member 2 as described above, and the housing member 2 is bent. When wound around the portion 2a, the toner passage control means 4 has a bent portion 2a having a smaller curvature (having a larger radius of curvature) than the outer diameter portion of the toner carrier 10 in a winding range 4a in contact with the bent portion 2a. Have the same curvature. On the other hand, of the toner passage control means 4,
In the contact area 22a with the toner layer 3a, the toner carrier 10 has the same curvature as the toner carrier 10 due to the spacer means 22 formed in the toner passage control means 4.

When the tension by the tension spring 21 is not applied, the toner passing control means 4 is located between the contact area 22a and the winding area 4a and separated from the toner layer 3a. The range 4b has the same curvature as that of the toner carrier 10 at the end (the left end in FIG. 1) on the upper side in the moving direction of the toner carrier by the spacer means 22 on the toner passage control means 4, while the lower end has the same curvature. The portion (the right end in FIG. 1) has the same curvature as the bent portion 2a, and the intermediate separation range 4b between both ends has a curvature that continuously changes between the two different curvatures.

On the other hand, the toner passage control means 4 is
The tension spring 21 is attached to the toner
When the tension is applied, the curvature of the toner passage control means 4 in the separation range 4b is slightly smaller than the curvature in a single state where no tension is applied. However, since the tension applied to the toner passage control unit 4 is relatively small compared to the rigidity of the toner passage control unit 4 itself as described above,
Even in a state where tension is applied to the tension spring 21, the toner passage control means 4 has the continuously changing curvature along the toner carrier moving direction in the separation range 4b,
Further, it is disposed on the housing member 2 in a state of being separated from the toner layer 3 a on the toner carrier 10.

Therefore, the head interval between the toner layer 3a on the toner carrier 10 and the toner passage control means 4 is
The contact area 22a gradually increases as the contact area 22a moves away from the lower end of the toner carrier moving direction.
Since the toner passage control means 4 has a curvature close to that of the toner carrier 10 in the vicinity of the lower end, the contact area 22
a from the vicinity of the lower end of the toner carrier 10 and the image receiving means 7
In the range up to the vicinity of the position closest to the above, the rate of increase of the head interval is extremely small. During this time, the head interval is maintained by the thickness of the spacer means 22.

As described above, the fixing part 2b of the housing member 2 to which the toner passage control means 4 is fixed is substantially extended in the direction in which the toner passage control means 4 extends away from the toner carrier 10. Since it is arranged, no extra bending moment is generated in the toner passage control means 4, and the spacer means 22 can be brought into uniform contact with the toner layer 3a in the contact area 22a.

The same effect can be obtained in the toner passage control means 4 also in the vicinity of the toner passage hole array on the lower side in the toner carrier moving direction of the contact area 22a. That is, the winding range 4a in contact with the bent portion 2a of the housing member 2
Distance 4 between the contact area 22a and the toner layer 3a
b, the cross-sectional shape of the toner passage control means 4 is determined by the curvatures of the bent portion 2a and the contact area 22a, respectively.
Since the influence of the tension applied to the toner passage control means 4 by the tension spring 21 does not act as the bending moment applied to the toner passage control means 4 in the same separation range 4b, the head interval in the vicinity of the toner passage hole is set to a predetermined value. Dimension can be stably maintained.

The toner passage control means 4 extends substantially linearly from the row of toner passage holes to the position of the fixing portion 2b.
The positioning accuracy of the row of toner passage holes with respect to the toner carrier 10 and the housing member 2 can be improved when the camera is mounted on the housing member 2. Further, similarly, the fixing portion 2b
Since the toner passage control means 4 does not have an excessive bend to the position, the curvature radius changes due to a change in its own bending rigidity caused by a change in temperature caused by the toner passage control means 4 once positioned and fixed to the housing member 2. The position of the row of toner passage holes does not fluctuate due to a change in temperature.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 5 shows Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
(Note that the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, detailed description thereof will be omitted, and only different points will be described.) The mounting structure of the toner passage control unit 4 to the housing member 102 will be described. A configuration different from that of the first mode is adopted.

That is, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the toner passage control means 4 is attached to the mounting means 1 on the lower side in the toner carrier moving direction from the point of contact with the toner carrier 10.
19, the housing member 1 is fixed to the fixing portion 102b of the housing member 102, while the housing member 1 is
02 is fixed to the mounting means 120 via the movable mounting means 24 and the tension spring 21. The movable mounting means 24 is adhered and fixed to the toner passage control means 4 by an adhesive layer 25 over the entire recording length in the main scanning direction, and the adhesive layer 25 comprises the movable mounting means 24 and the toner passage control means 4.
It is made of, for example, a viscoelastic adhesive or a pressure-sensitive adhesive tape that allows relative movement between them. The movable mounting means 24 is provided in the housing member 1.
02 is held between the mounting surface 102c and the fitting claw 102d, and is slidable along the mounting surface 102c. Further, the movable mounting means 24 has sufficient bending rigidity in the main scanning direction, and converts the tension applied from the tension springs 21 attached at several points in the main scanning direction into a uniform distribution load in the main scanning direction as an adhesive layer. The pulling force is transmitted to the toner passage control means 4 via the reference numeral 25. With this,
No waviness or wrinkling of the toner passage control unit 4 occurs due to the variation in the tension applied in the main scanning direction of the toner passage control unit 4.

The bonding surface between the movable mounting means 24 and the toner passage control means 4, the mounting surface 102 c of the housing member 102, the emphasis by the tension spring 21, and the housing member 1
All of the mounting means 120 in 02 are substantially coplanar. Therefore, no couple occurs in the toner passage control unit 4 due to the tension of the tension spring 21. The mounting means 120 and the mounting surface 102c of the housing member 102 are connected to the toner carrier 10 by the toner passage control means 4.
It is disposed substantially on the extension in the direction in which the toner passage control unit 4 extends away from the toner supply direction, and thereby tension is applied to the toner passage control unit 4 in a direction parallel to the same direction.

In the above configuration, the tension spring 21 is disposed substantially on the extension in the direction in which the toner passage control means 4 is separated from the toner carrier 10 and extends upward in the toner carrier moving direction, and is parallel to the same direction. Since the tension is applied to the toner passage control means 4 in any direction, no extra bending moment is generated in the toner passage control means 4, and the spacer means 22 can uniformly contact the toner layer 3a in the contact area 22a. it can.

The same operation and effect can be obtained in the toner passage control means 4 also in the vicinity of the toner passage hole array on the lower side in the toner carrier moving direction of the contact area 22a. That is, the cross-sectional shape of the toner passage control means 4 in the separation range 4b between the winding range 4a in contact with the bent portion 102a of the housing member 102 and the contact range 22a with the toner layer 3a is the bent portion 102a and the contact range 22a. And the influence of the tension applied to the toner passage control means 4 by the tension spring 21 does not act as a bending moment of the toner passage control means 4 in a range between the bent portion 102a and the contact area 22a. In addition, the head interval in the vicinity of the toner passage hole array can be stably maintained at a predetermined size.

The movable mounting means 24 has sufficient bending stiffness in the main scanning direction, and applies a tension applied from the tension springs 21 mounted at several points in the main scanning direction to a uniform evenly distributed load in the main scanning direction. As a result, the tensile force is transmitted to the toner passage control unit 4 through the adhesive layer 25, so that the toner passage control unit 4 is not waved due to unevenness of the tension applied in the main scanning direction of the toner passage control unit 4. No wrinkles occur. That is, even if wrinkles are generated in the toner passage control means 4 by the fixing portion 119 on the lower side in the toner carrier moving direction, the toner passage control means 4
Here, the wrinkles are corrected here, and do not reach the toner passage hole array. On the other hand, on the upstream side in the toner carrier moving direction, there is no means for correcting wrinkles in a range up to contact with the toner carrier 10 because of the above configuration. In order to prevent the generation of the toner, the movable mounting means 24 must have sufficient bending rigidity, and the toner passage control means 4 must be provided over the entire surface in the main scanning direction.
It is necessary to adhere.

If the material of the movable mounting means 24 and the material of the toner passage control means 4, that is, the coefficient of linear expansion, are different, the amounts of expansion are different due to temperature changes, so that warpage occurs when both are completely fixed. In this embodiment, the movable mounting means 24 and the toner passage control means 4
Are connected via an adhesive layer 25 made of, for example, an adhesive or a pressure-sensitive adhesive tape having a viscoelastic property allowing the relative movement of the two, so that the movable mounting means 2
The difference in the amount of expansion of each member caused by the difference in the coefficient of linear expansion between the toner layer 4 and the toner passage control means 4 can be absorbed by the shearing deformation of the adhesive layer 25. Does not occur.

In the case where the toner passage control means 4 and the movable mounting means 24 are joined and fixed without using the adhesive layer 25 made of a viscoelastic adhesive or an adhesive tape as described above, the toner passage control means 4 is heated. Both are joined in a state where the movable mounting means 24 is cooled. According to this method and the joining structure, a residual strain can be given between the two after the two are joined. As described above, the movable mounting means 24 has sufficient bending rigidity in the main scanning direction, whereas the toner passing control means 4 Since the sheet-like insulating member 8 is a base material, the residual strain is exclusively tensile strain in the toner passage control unit 4, and a state in which the residual tensile stress always acts inside the toner passage control unit 4. With such a method and structure, generation of wrinkles on the toner passage control unit 4 can be prevented.

In this embodiment, the spacer 22 and the toner passage control means 4 are separate and independent components.
The spacer 22 may be formed integrally with the toner passage control unit 4 so that the toner passage control unit 4 directly contacts the toner layer.
It is also possible to directly contact the opening of the toner passage hole 14 of the toner passage control means 4 with the toner layer without using the function 2, and in any case, the present invention is easily implemented. The same effect as the embodiment can be obtained.

[0073]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the voltage is applied to the toner carrier which carries the toner and moves, and the voltage for forming the transfer electrostatic field which attracts the toner of the toner carrier. And a toner passage control means disposed between the toner carrier and the back electrode for controlling the passage of toner through a plurality of toner passage holes through which the toner passes, and the toner passage control means and the back electrode A fixing unit in which the toner passage control unit is fixed to the image forming apparatus main body is provided for an image forming apparatus including an image receiving unit to which toner passing through the toner passage hole is provided.
The toner passage control means is provided on a substantially extended portion of the extension direction in which the toner passage control means is separated from the toner carrier and extends to the side having no toner passage hole. According to the invention of claim 2, a spacer means for contacting the toner layer carried on the toner carrier and regulating the distance between the toner layer and the opening of the toner passage hole is provided in the same image forming apparatus, The fixing portion of the main body of the image forming apparatus to which the toner passage control unit is fixed is disposed on a substantially extension in the extending direction in which the toner passage control unit is separated from the toner carrier and extends to the side having no toner passage hole. . Further, in the third aspect of the present invention, the extending direction of the toner passage control means is parallel to a tangent line of the toner carrier at the end in the extending direction of the contact area between the toner carrier and the toner passage control means. According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, a tensile force is applied to the toner passage control means in a direction parallel to the extending direction. Further, according to the invention of claim 5, the toner passage control means is configured so as to be able to move in parallel with the extending direction at the end extending from the toner carrier to the side having no toner passage hole. According to these inventions, the toner passage control means can be brought into uniform contact with the toner layer in the contact area with the toner layer, and the head interval can be stably maintained at a predetermined size on the toner passage hole side of the contact area. Can be maintained.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the toner passage control means is joined to the toner carrier in a direction parallel to the toner carrier over a range not less than the toner passage hole array, and a tensile force is applied to the toner passage control means. Means were provided. Further, in the invention of claim 7, the attaching means applies the tensile force uniformly distributed in a direction parallel to the toner carrier to the toner passage control means. According to these inventions, the toner passage control unit does not wrinkle or wrinkle due to the variation in the tension applied in the main scanning direction of the toner passage control unit.

In the invention of claim 8, the mounting means is movable in parallel with the extending direction of the toner passage control means. According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the joint surface between the attaching means and the toner passage control means, the joint point between the elastic means and the attaching means, and the joint point between the elastic means and the main body of the image forming apparatus are arranged on substantially the same plane. . According to these inventions, a couple is not generated in the toner passage control unit by the tension applied to the toner passage control unit, and the spacer unit uniformly contacts the toner passage control unit with the toner layer in a contact area with the toner layer. In addition, the head interval can be stably maintained at a predetermined size on the toner passage hole side of the contact area.

According to the tenth and eleventh aspects of the present invention, the attachment means and the toner passage control means are joined by the joining means made of a viscoelastic adhesive or an adhesive tape which permits relative displacement, so that it is caused by a temperature change. Since the difference in the amount of expansion between the attachment means and the toner passage control means is absorbed by the shear deformation of the adhesive layer, no warpage occurs in both.

Further, in the twelfth aspect of the invention, the toner passage control means always exerts a residual tensile stress in a state of being joined to the mounting means. Further, in the invention of claim 13, the toner passage control means and the attachment means are joined in a state where the toner passage control means is heated or in a state where the attachment means is cooled. According to these inventions, since a residual tensile stress always acts inside the toner passage control means, it is possible to prevent the toner passage control means from bending, wrinkling and waving.

Thus, according to the present invention, the distance between the toner layer and the toner passage control means is kept fine and uniform over the entire row of all the toner passage holes, so that recording required under a constant applied voltage condition is achieved. While ensuring the density, it is possible to stably form a high-quality image without unevenness or stripes over the entire printing range.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view schematically showing a state in which a toner supply unit in an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention is set in a housing member.

FIG. 2 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1, showing a state in which a toner supply unit is set in a housing member.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view around a toner passage hole of a toner passage control unit.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a flying state of three toners in a toner passage hole.

FIG. 5 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 1, illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part of a conventional image forming apparatus.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view around a toner passage hole of a conventional toner passage control unit.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a conventional image forming apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Print head 2, 102 Housing member 2a, 102a Bent part 3 Toner 3a Toner layer 4 Toner passage control means 4a Winding range 4b Separation range 5 Toner supply unit 6 Back electrode 7 Image receiving means 8 Insulating base material 10 Toner carrier 14 Toner Passing hole 15 Control electrode 17a, 17b Deflection electrode 19, 119 Mounting means 20, 120 Mounting means 21 Tension spring 22 Spacer means 22a Contact area 23 Adhesive layer 24 Movable mounting means 25 Adhesive layer

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (71) Applicant 597063831 Owneds Brygga 13 421 57 Vestro Fround a Sweden (72) Inventor Takuya Kitahara 1006 Odakadoma, Kadoma, Osaka Pref. Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yasushi Tamai Taka 1006 Kadoma, Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Takeshi Ken Morishima 1006 Kadoma, Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Akira Kumon Akadoma Kadoma, Osaka Pref. 1006 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Kotaro Takada 1006 Okadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Pref. Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 2C162 AE25 AE31 AE47 AE74 AE84 CA02 CA12 CA24 2H029 DB04

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A toner carrier that carries charged toner and moves while forming a toner layer, and is disposed at a position opposite to a toner transport position of the toner carrier, and sucks toner from the toner carrier. A back electrode to which a voltage for forming a transfer electrostatic field is applied; and a toner passage hole array including a plurality of toner passage holes through which the toner passes and which is arranged between the toner carrier and the back electrode. A toner having a control electrode provided on at least a part of the periphery of each toner passage hole on an insulating member, and applying a voltage according to an image signal to the control electrode to control the passage of toner through the toner passage hole Passage control means, disposed between the toner passage control means and the back electrode,
An image receiving unit to which toner passing through the toner passage hole is applied, wherein the toner passage control unit is fixed to a fixing portion of the image forming apparatus main body, and the image forming apparatus main body is fixed. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the unit is disposed substantially on the extension in the extension direction in which the toner passage control unit is separated from the toner carrier and extends to the side without the toner passage hole. 2. A toner carrier that carries charged toner and moves while forming a toner layer, and is disposed at a position opposing a toner transport position of the toner carrier, and sucks toner from the toner carrier. A back electrode to which a voltage for forming a transfer electrostatic field is applied; and a toner passage hole array including a plurality of toner passage holes through which the toner passes and which is arranged between the toner carrier and the back electrode. A toner having a control electrode provided on at least a part of the periphery of each toner passage hole on an insulating member, and applying a voltage according to an image signal to the control electrode to control the passage of toner through the toner passage hole Passage control means, disposed between the toner passage control means and the back electrode,
An image receiving device to which the toner passing through the toner passage hole is applied, wherein the toner contacting the toner layer carried on the toner carrier and the toner layer and the opening of the toner passage hole Spacer means for regulating the distance, wherein the toner passage control means is fixed to a fixed portion of the image forming apparatus main body, and the toner passage control means is separated from the toner carrier by the fixed part of the image forming apparatus main body. An image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus is disposed substantially on an extension in an extending direction extending to a side having no toner passage hole. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the toner passage control means is separated from the toner carrier and extends to a side where there is no toner passage hole. An image forming apparatus which is parallel to a tangent of the toner carrier at an end in a direction of extension in a contact area with the means. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a tensile force is applied to the toner passage control unit in a direction parallel to the extending direction. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the end on the side where the toner passage control means is separated from the toner carrier and extends to the side without the toner passage hole is extended. An image forming apparatus configured to be movable in parallel with a direction. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said image forming apparatus is joined to said toner passage control means in a direction parallel to said toner carrier over a range not less than a row of toner passage holes. An image forming apparatus, comprising: an attaching means for applying a tensile force to the means. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the attaching means applies a tensile force uniformly distributed in a direction parallel to the toner carrier to the toner passage control means. Image forming apparatus. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the attachment unit is configured to be movable in parallel with an extending direction of the toner passage control unit. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the attaching means and the image forming apparatus main body are fixed via an elastic means for generating a tensile force, and the attaching means and the toner passage. An image forming apparatus, wherein a joint surface with the control means, a joint point between the elastic means and the mounting means, and a joint point between the elastic means and the image forming apparatus main body are arranged on substantially the same plane. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the attachment unit and the toner passage control unit are joined by a joining unit that allows relative displacement. apparatus. 11. An image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said joining means is made of a viscoelastic adhesive or an adhesive tape. 12. A toner carrier that carries charged toner and moves while forming a toner layer, and is disposed at a position opposing a toner transport position of the toner carrier, and sucks toner from the toner carrier. A back electrode to which a voltage for forming a transfer electrostatic field is applied; and a toner passage hole array including a plurality of toner passage holes through which the toner passes and which is arranged between the toner carrier and the back electrode. A toner having a control electrode provided on at least a part of the periphery of each toner passage hole on the insulating member, and applying a voltage corresponding to an image signal to the control electrode to control the passage of the toner through the toner passage hole Passage control means, disposed between the toner passage control means and the back electrode,
An image receiving device to which the toner passing through the toner passage hole is applied, the image forming device being joined to the toner passage control unit in a direction parallel to the toner carrier over a range equal to or greater than the toner passage hole array. An image forming apparatus, further comprising an attaching means for applying a tensile force to the toner passage control means, wherein the toner passage control means always exerts a residual tensile stress in a state of being joined to the attaching means. 13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the toner passage control unit and the attachment unit are joined in a state where the toner passage control unit is heated or a state where the attachment unit is cooled. Image forming device. 14. The method for manufacturing an image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein when the toner passage control unit and the attachment unit are joined and fixed, the toner passage control unit is heated or the attachment unit is cooled. A method for manufacturing an image forming apparatus, comprising joining the two.