JP2002131996A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device capable of preventing a surface staining caused on an image and an abnormal image such as toner scattering in initial image formation performed for the first time after the developer is supplied. SOLUTION: An image pattern for consuming toner is formed to forcibly consume toner before the first image formation after a developer supplied state is attained by dropping the developer 13 from a supply developer storing part 21 into a developer storing case 17 and the toner 13a from a supply toner storing part 22 into a toner hopper, respectively.

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 such as a copying machine, a facsimile, a printer and the like. More specifically, the present invention requires a toner density detecting means by taking in toner into a developer by movement of the developer. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus using a developing device capable of self-controlling the toner concentration without performing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a developing device which performs development using a two-component developer containing a toner and a carrier, the developer carried on a developer carrier is moved from a toner replenishing port of a toner accommodating section by a movement of the developer. There has been known a developing device which can take in toner into the toner and control the toner concentration by itself (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-197833). In the developing device having such a toner concentration self-control system, an appropriate amount of toner corresponding to the toner concentration can be taken in from the toner supply port by its own movement with respect to the developer carried on the developer carrying member. This eliminates the need for a toner density sensor and simplifies the toner supply device. Further, compared to the conventional two-component developing method, the number of magnetic carriers can be reduced, and the torque of the apparatus can be greatly reduced. From these facts, it is possible to simplify the means for detecting and adjusting the mixing ratio of the toner and the magnetic carrier, or to omit a stirring member such as a paddle / screw, thereby achieving a reduction in size and cost of the apparatus. There is.

FIG. 12 shows an example of a developing device having the above-described toner concentration self-control system. In this developing device,
A developing sleeve 14 as a developing carrier containing a group of fixed magnets as magnetic field generating means; a doctor 16 as a regulating member for regulating the amount of developer; A developer accommodating case 17 for accommodating the developer blocked by 16 and a toner hopper 19 as a toner accommodating section for accommodating the toner 13a are provided. In the developer accommodating case 17, a reverse roller 25 is provided as a developer peeling member for promoting exchange and mixing of the developer on the developing sleeve 14 and the developer in the developer accommodating case 17. . Further, the toner hopper 19 has a toner supply port 19a facing the developing sleeve 14 upstream of the doctor 16 in the developer conveying direction of the developing sleeve 14. Also, the toner hopper 19
Inside, a toner agitator 20 is provided as a toner delivery member that supplies toner toward the toner supply port. Further, a pre-doctor 17a is provided as a toner supply side regulating member that regulates the amount of the developer that is supplied from the toner hopper 19 and proceeds toward the developer accommodating case 17.

In this developing device, the toner in the developer is consumed during development. If the amount of toner taken in from the toner supply port 19a exceeds this consumption, the toner is taken in from the toner supply port 19a. The regulated amount of the developer by the predoctor 17a increases due to an increase in its own bulk. As a result, a developer pool is formed from the pre-doctor 17a to the housing below the developing sleeve 14, and the amount of toner taken into the developer on the developing sleeve 14 is reduced. When the amount regulated by the pre-doctor 17a further increases and the developer stagnates near the toner replenishing port, the incorporation of the toner into the developer is stopped, and the toner concentration reaches a stable toner concentration. When the toner is consumed by the development and the toner concentration of the developer decreases, the bulk of the developer decreases, the amount of toner taken into the developer from the toner supply port 19a gradually increases, and the toner concentration of the developer increases. Come to come.

[0005]

However, in the developing device having the above-described structure, immediately after the developer in which the toner and the carrier are mixed at a predetermined ratio is charged into the developer accommodating case 17, the developer is not charged. The image is retained only in the storage case 17 and is carried on the developing sleeve 14 by the rotation of the developing sleeve 14 at the time of initial driving for driving the apparatus for the first time thereafter. When the surface of the developing sleeve 14 moves one after another at a position in contact with and facing the developer in the developer accommodating case 17 by the rotation of the developing sleeve 14, and the entire surface of the developing sleeve 14 has passed through the inside of the developer accommodating case. Thus, the developer is dispersed all over the surface of the developing sleeve 14. For this reason, the developing sleeve 14 immediately after the developer is supplied
At the time of driving, since the developer pool is not formed, the amount of toner taken in increases, and when development is started in this state, the toner concentration in the image abnormally increases, and the formed image has abnormalities such as background contamination and toner scattering. There was a problem that an image was generated. Further, in an apparatus provided with the toner agitator 20, the toner is directly fed into the developing sleeve 14 in which the developer is not dispersed, so that the abnormal image becomes more prominent.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above background, and has as its object to prevent the occurrence of background contamination, toner scattering, etc., which occur in an image during the first image formation (hereinafter referred to as "initial image formation") after the developer is supplied. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing abnormal images.

[0007]

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus, comprising: an image carrier; a latent image forming means for forming a latent image on the image carrier; Developing means for developing a latent image on the body into a toner image, wherein the developing means carries a developer containing a toner and a magnetic carrier by a magnetic force generated by a magnetic field generating means and moves endlessly in a predetermined direction. A developer carrying member, a developer regulating member that regulates a layer thickness of the developer carried by the developer carrying member, and a toner accommodated therein, and the developer carrying member is disposed upstream of the regulating member in the predetermined direction. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a toner storage unit having a toner supply port facing a developer carrier; and a developing device that takes in toner into the developer from the toner supply port by movement of the developer carried on the developer carrier. In the above, the developer is supplied to the developing device. Before performing the first image forming, and is characterized in that to perform said image bearing member toner consumption image pattern formed for toner consumption.

Here, the following timing can be considered for forming an image for the first time after the developer is supplied to the developing device. For example, in a configuration having a developer accommodating portion for accommodating the developer scraped off by the developer regulating member, when a new developing unit is used, the developer is stored in a preset case in order to prevent the developer from leaking due to transportation. In the case of the developing device configured to be placed on the upper portion of the developer accommodating section, after removing the blocking member between the preset case and the developer accommodating section and introducing the developer into the developer accommodating section, and It is conceivable before the latent image formed on the image carrier is developed by the developer supplied to the surface of the developer carrier.

In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, an image pattern for toner consumption is formed on the image carrier prior to the initial image formation, and the toner is cleaned by the photoconductor cleaning device without transferring the image to the transfer paper. The toner is forcibly consumed by removing or transferring the image pattern for toner consumption to transfer paper. As a result, it is possible to prevent an initial image from being formed with a developer whose toner density has abnormally increased, and to prevent an abnormal increase in toner density occurring in an image due to the initial image formation.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the toner consuming image pattern is formed on the image carrier for the toner consuming after the initial driving of the developing device is started. It is characterized in that it is performed after a lapse of time.

Here, the term "after the start of the initial drive" means that the developing device is started up to a state where development can be performed, such as carrying the developer on a developer carrying member. There are various types of driving including rotary driving of the carrier.

In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the toner consumption pattern is formed after the toner is sufficiently supplied onto the developer carrying member by the initial driving of the developing device, and the toner consuming pattern is sufficiently formed on the developer carrying member. It is possible to prevent the toner from being excessively consumed by forming the toner consuming pattern before the proper toner is supplied. If the toner consumption pattern is formed while the toner on the developer carrier is insufficient, the supply of toner cannot keep up with the amount of toner consumed, and the image formed by the subsequent initial image formation will have an excessively low image density or will not be exposed to the carrier. Abnormal images, such as a white image due to the toner not adhering to the carrier adhesion portion and its surroundings in a halftone image due to direct adhesion to the body, and problems such as carrier adhesion, in which the carrier adheres directly to the transfer material surface, may occur. However, the present invention also prevents the occurrence of such abnormal images and carrier adhesion.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, further comprising a toner delivery member for delivering the toner in the toner container from the toner supply port toward the developer while stirring the toner. The method is characterized in that, after the feeding of the toner by the feeding member is started, the formation of the toner consumption image pattern on the image carrier for the toner consumption is started.

Here, the start of toner delivery by the toner delivery member means that, for example, when the toner delivery member is an agitator having a stirring blade such as a mylar, the agitator rotates and the tip of the mylar is brought into the toner supply port. When it reaches, toner is fed out while passing through the toner supply port.

In the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, the toner in the toner container is reliably sent out toward the toner replenishing port by the toner sending member, and the toner is consumed in a state in which the developer carrying member has a sufficient amount of toner. Pattern is formed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming apparatus of the first or second aspect.
Alternatively, in the image forming apparatus of 3, the toner sending member has a rotating shaft, and a sending member provided on the rotating shaft and sending the toner from the toner supply port toward the developer by rotation of the rotating shaft. The rotation speed of the toner delivery member is set to be lower than the rotation speed of the developer carrying member.

If the rotation speed of the toner delivery member is equal to or higher than the rotation speed of the developer carrier, the toner delivery member makes one rotation or more before the developer carrier makes one rotation. Regardless of the position on the rotating shaft, toner is always supplied from the toner supply port. And
An abnormal increase in toner density is more likely to occur.

In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the developer carrier completes one revolution before the toner delivery member makes one revolution, and a state in which the toner is dispersed over the entire surface of the developer carrier is obtained. To be able to In this way, the toner supply from the toner supply port, which always occurs when the rotation speed of the toner delivery member is equal to or higher than the rotation speed of the developer carrier, does not always occur.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising:
3. The image forming apparatus according to 3 or 4, further comprising an image carrier cleaning member for removing transfer residual toner on the surface of the image carrier, and transferring the toner consumption image pattern formed on the image carrier to a transfer material. Wherein the image pattern for toner consumption is constituted by a plurality of images in which a plurality of image portions are intermittently formed on the image carrier. Things.

In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, an image pattern for toner consumption is formed from a plurality of intermittent image portions, and the toner image is consumed by removing the image pattern for toner consumption by an image carrier cleaning member. . As for the image carrier cleaning member, it is more reliable to remove an image having a small area in a plurality of times than to continuously remove one image having a large area since the cleaning effect is restored when the image is interrupted, so that the image carrier cleaning member is more reliably removed. Can be.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the fifth aspect, the toner adhesion amount in one image portion of a post-formed image portion formed later of each of the plurality of image portions in the plurality of images is determined. In comparison, the amount of toner adhering in one image portion of the pre-formed image portion formed before the post-formed image portion is reduced.

Since the amount of charge of the developer immediately after introduction is low, the amount of charge of the toner constituting the toner consumption image pattern is also low, and the toner on the image carrier is provided close to the periphery of the image carrier. There is a problem that the member is easily scattered.

In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the toner adhesion amount of a pre-formed image portion formed at an early stage of a plurality of images is determined by the toner amount of a post-formed image portion formed after the charge amount of a developer is increased. The amount is smaller than the amount of adhesion, and scattering of toner due to insufficient charging is prevented.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, or sixth aspect, the image for toner consumption is adjusted according to the amount of toner in the toner container. It is characterized in that the pattern forming conditions are changed.

Although a predetermined amount of toner is stored in the toner storage section, a plurality of types of toner storage sections having different toner amounts in the toner storage section can be used in the same developing device. There are things. In this case, the amount of toner supplied to the developer at the time of initial image formation varies depending on the amount of toner contained in the toner containing section even in the same developing device, and the degree of abnormal increase in toner concentration varies. is there. The manner in which the toner density abnormally increases differs depending on various designs in the apparatus. When the amount of toner in the toner storage unit is large, the rate of increase is higher or lower than when the amount of toner is small. However, it has been found that the relationship between the amount of toner and the manner of abnormal rise is the same in the devices having the same design.

In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, an image pattern for consuming toner is formed such that the abnormally increased toner density can be returned to normal in accordance with the amount of toner in the toner container.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth or seventh aspect, the image forming apparatus is brought into contact with and opposed to the surface of the image carrier, and the image is formed by a transfer bias. A contact transfer member for forming a transfer nip portion for transferring a toner image on the carrier to a transfer target, wherein the toner consumption image pattern is transferred between the image carrier and the contact transfer member. When passing through the nip portion, the transfer bias is turned off.

In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, when the toner consuming image pattern is passed through the transfer nip while being carried on the surface of the image carrier, the transfer bias is turned off to form the toner pattern. Is prevented from being transferred and attached to the contact transfer member side by the transfer bias.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh or eighth aspect, the image forming apparatus is brought into contact with and opposed to the surface of the image carrier, and is provided with a transfer bias. A contact transfer member for forming a transfer nip portion for transferring the toner image on the image carrier to the transfer target body, wherein a contact transfer member cleaning means for cleaning the contact transfer member is provided. It is a feature.

In the image forming apparatus according to the ninth aspect, after the image pattern for toner consumption has passed through the transfer nip portion, the toner and the like adhered to the contact transfer member are removed by the contact transfer member cleaning means.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the ninth aspect, the cleaning by the contact transfer member cleaning unit is performed after the entire image pattern for toner consumption has passed through the transfer nip portion. It is characterized by doing.

In the image forming apparatus according to the tenth aspect, the cleaning of the contact transfer member is performed after all the toner consumption image patterns have passed through the transfer nip portion, and the toner and the like adhered by passing the toner consumption image patterns are surely removed. I do.

According to an image forming apparatus of the present invention, the contact transfer member cleaning means returns the toner adhered to the contact transfer member to the surface of the image carrier again. It is characterized by being constituted by a toner returning means.

In the image forming apparatus of the eleventh aspect, the toner adhered to the contact transfer member is returned to the surface of the image carrier by the toner return means, and the contact transfer member is more reliably cleaned.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming apparatus according to the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, or eleventh aspects.
In the image forming apparatus, in the moving direction of the surface of the image carrier, downstream of the position where the toner consumption image pattern is formed on the image carrier and upstream of the position where the toner consumption image pattern is removed from the image carrier. When there is a contact member in contact with the surface of the image carrier other than a transfer member provided for transferring a normal image from the surface of the image carrier to a transfer-receiving member, the contact member is removed except for the contact position. An image portion in the toner consumption image pattern is formed on the surface of the image carrier.

In the image forming apparatus according to the twelfth aspect, when there is a contact member (for example, a separation claw of a transfer paper) in contact with the surface of the image carrier other than the contact transfer member, the image carrier of the contact member is used. An image portion of the toner consumption image pattern is formed except for the surface contact position.

[0037]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to first to third embodiments in which the present invention is applied to an electrophotographic copying machine (hereinafter, referred to as a printer) as an image forming apparatus. [First Embodiment] First, the configuration and operation of the entire printer according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of the entire printer. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of the process cartridge 11 configured to be detachable from the printer main body. In FIG. 1, the peripheral surface of a photoconductor 1 as a latent image carrier is rotated positively or negatively by a charging device 2 at a predetermined peripheral speed (in this embodiment, the linear speed is 120 mm / sec). After being uniformly charged to a predetermined potential, a scanning exposure process based on image information is performed by an image exposure device 3 such as a slit exposure or a laser beam scanning exposure to form an electrostatic latent image. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor 1 is developed by the developing device 4 to become a toner image. The toner image formed on the photoreceptor 1 passes from a paper feed cassette 5 to a registration roller 6 and a conveyance guide plate 7 and is transferred between the photoreceptor 1 and a transfer roller 8 as a contact transfer member. The image is transferred by a transfer roller 8 onto a transfer material as a transfer object fed in synchronization with the rotation. The transfer material on which the toner image has been transferred in this manner is separated from the peripheral surface of the photoreceptor 1 and sent out to the image fixing device 9, where the toner image is fixed, and then as a copy. It is discharged outside the device. The surface of the photoreceptor 1 after image transfer is transferred to the transfer residual toner 13a by a cleaning blade 10a which is in contact with the rotation direction of the photoreceptor 1 of the cleaning device 10 from a counter direction.
Is removed and collected, and the surface thereof is cleaned to be neutralized by a static eliminator (not shown) and used for the next image formation.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the above-described components of the photosensitive member 1, the charging device 2, the developing device 4, and the cleaning device 10 are integrated into a process cartridge 11 in a printer main body. It is supported detachably.

Next, the developing device 4 will be described. FIG.
FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of the developing device 4 in an initial state. FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of the developing device 4 in an actual use state. The developing device 4 is provided on a side of the photoconductor 1 and has a casing 12 as a developing container having an opening formed toward the photoconductor 1, a part of which is exposed from the opening, and a toner 13 a and a magnetic material. Two-component developer containing a carrier (hereinafter referred to as “developer”)
A developing sleeve 14 made of a nonmagnetic material as a developer carrying member that carries the surface 13 is provided, and a magnet roller 15 made up of a group of fixed magnets as a magnetic field generating means fixedly arranged inside the developing sleeve 14.

Above the developing sleeve 14, the developer 13 carried and conveyed on the developing sleeve 14 is provided.
A doctor 16 as a developer regulating member for regulating the amount of
The advance to the developing position, which is a portion facing the photoconductor 1, is performed by the doctor 1
And a developer accommodating case 17 for accommodating the developer 13 blocked by 6. This developer storage case 17
Forms a developer accommodating portion 18 in which the developer 13, which is prevented from proceeding to the developing position which is a portion facing the photoconductor 1 by the doctor 16, stays. A front end portion of the developer storage case 17 facing the development sleeve 14 has a predactor 17 a that regulates the amount of the developer 13 that is going to progress toward the inside of the developer storage portion 18.
It has become. The pre-doctor 17 a
The distance from the developing sleeve 14 is set so as to regulate the increase of the developer 13 when the layer thickness of the developer 13 increases. The magnet roller 15 has the same magnetic pole between the main pole formed opposite to the developing position and the position opposite to the pre-doctor 17a so that the magnetic force of the magnetic field reaches the developer accommodating portion 18. The magnetic poles are formed as if there were two. Further, similarly to the general developing device 4, the magnet roller 15 is provided with a transport magnetic pole so that the developer 13 can be transported while being carried on the developing sleeve.

A part of the casing 12 forms a toner hopper 19 as a toner storage section for storing the toner 13a. The toner hopper 19 has a toner supply port 19 a adjacent to the upstream side of the developer accommodating case 17 in the developer transport direction on the developing sleeve 14 and facing the surface of the developing sleeve 14. The toner supply port 19a is connected to the pre-doctor 17a and the casing 1
2 is formed in a space between the projection 12a and a part of the bottom. The protruding portion 12a is formed with a predetermined length so as to be inclined downward from the toner hopper 19 side to the developing sleeve 14 side. Further, inside the toner hopper 19, a toner agitator 20 as a toner sending member for sending the toner 13a to the toner replenishing port 19a while stirring the toner 13a is provided. The toner 13a is a blade serving as a feed member which is provided on the rotary shaft 20a and which is provided on the rotary shaft 20a and which rotates the rotary shaft 20a clockwise in the drawing to send out the toner 13a from the toner supply port 19a to the developer side while stirring. Part 20b
It consists of

Above the developer storage case 17 and the toner hopper 19, a developer storage 21 for storing the developer 13 and the toner 13a in a sealed state in an initial state, An accommodating section 22 is provided. The charging developer storage unit 21 stores the developer 13 to be charged into the developer storage case 17, and the charging toner storage unit 22 stores the toner 13 a to be charged into the toner hopper 19. As the developer 13, a magnetic toner 13a having a volume average particle diameter of 7.5 μm and an average particle diameter of 50 μm
And a two-component developer 13 composed of a magnetic carrier composed of magnetite. As shown in FIG. 3A, in the initial state, the developer 13 is stored in the input developer storage unit 21, and the toner 13 a is stored in the input toner storage unit 22, and is sealed by the seal member 23. The developer 13 and the toner 13a are transferred to the casing 1 due to vibration and inclination during conveyance.
2 to prevent leakage from the opening. And FIG.
As shown in (b), when the seal member 23 is pulled out at the time of actual use, the developer 13 is filled with the developer container 2 for charging.
1, the toner 13 a is dropped into the developer hopper 19 from the charging toner storage unit 22 and is injected into the developer storage case 17. The developer 13 accommodated in the developer accommodating portion 21 contains the toner 13a in advance so as to have a predetermined toner concentration.

Further, in the developing device 4, in order to effectively circulate the developer 13 in the developer retaining portion, the developer retaining portion is co-rotated with the developing sleeve 14 by a variable driving means (not shown). Roller 25 as a cylindrical peeling member that is driven to rotate in the
4 and a certain gap is maintained. Then, at the opposing portion of the developing sleeve 14 and the reverse roller 25, the surfaces are moved so that their surfaces are opposite to each other. The reverse roller 25 is a magnetic roller having a diameter of 7 mm, and has a rotation speed during development of a linear speed of 260 mm / sec.
Is equivalent to The diameter of the developing sleeve 14 was 16 mm, and the linear velocity was set at 300 mm / sec. The reverse roller 25 may have a cylindrical shape or a cylindrical shape. As the reverse roller 25, for example, a magnetic member or the like in which an iron core is plated with nickel can be used.

In the developing device 4 having the above-described structure, the developer 13 on the developing sleeve 14 is conveyed with the rotation of the developing sleeve 14 in the counterclockwise direction in FIG.
The thickness is regulated by the doctor 16 and thinned. The thinned developer 13 is transported to a developing position facing the photoconductor 1 rotating in the direction of arrow B. At this development position, the toner 13a is supplied to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor 1, and the electrostatic latent image is visualized. The developer 13 on the developing sleeve 14 that has passed the developing position is further conveyed with the rotation of the developing sleeve 14 and the toner supply port 1
9a, the toner 13a sent out by the agitator 20 and staying in contact with the developer container 18 contacts the developer 13 in the developer container 18.
After taking in 3a, the process returns to the developer accommodating section 18. Then, the internal pressure of the developer 13 containing the new toner 13a increases in the regulating section by the doctor 16. The toner 13a is charged by the magnetic carrier in the developer 13 having the increased internal pressure. As described above, the toner 13 a in the developer 13 on the developing sleeve 14 can be charged by the internal pressure of the developer 13 in the developer accommodating portion 18, so that the developer 13 such as a paddle or a screw is charged or stirred. A complicated stirring and conveying mechanism is not required. Further, the developer 1 on the developing sleeve 14 is
Exchange and mixing of the developer 3 and the developer 13 in the developer accommodating portion are promoted.

On the other hand, a part of the developer 13, which is not supplied to the developing position and stopped by the doctor 16, is supplied to the toner hopper 19 by the internal pressure and gravity of the developer 13 in the developer container 18. It moves toward the mouth 19a. Developer 1 moved to near toner supply port 19a
3 is conveyed so as to circulate toward the doctor 16 as the developing sleeve 14 rotates.

In the developing device 4 having the above structure,
When the toner 13a replenished to the developer 13 increases and the toner concentration increases, the bulk of the developer 13 increases accordingly, so that the developer 13 stays in the toner replenishment port 19a and the toner replenishment port 19a Covers the opening. Therefore, the amount of toner taken into the developer 13 on the developing sleeve 14 is reduced. Due to this decrease in the amount of toner taken in, the toner density of the developer 13 is always kept below a certain density. Conversely, when the toner concentration of the developer 13 decreases, the bulk of the developer 13 decreases, so that the developer 13 does not block the toner supply port 19a. Is taken in, developer 1
The toner density of No. 3 is always maintained at a certain density or higher. Since the toner density can be controlled within a substantially constant range in this manner, a toner density sensor, an optical image density sensor for detecting the image density of a reference toner image formed on the photoconductor 1 in order to know the developing ability of the developer, A complicated toner density control mechanism using a toner replenishing member or the like becomes unnecessary.

FIG. 4 is a control block diagram of a main part of the printer having the above configuration. In this printer, the CPU 5
0 is sent to the drive control unit 51 and the high voltage control unit 53 of each device to control the power supply to each drive device 52 and ON / OFF of the bias, and to control the image forming unit 5
4 to control the applied bias value.

Next, an embodiment corresponding to the present invention will be described using the printer having the above configuration. <Embodiment 1> In the first embodiment, the developer 13 is dropped into the developer hopper 17 from the charging toner storage 22 and the toner 13a is dropped into the toner hopper. Before forming an image for the first time after the initial state (hereinafter referred to as an initial state), an image pattern for toner consumption is formed and toner 13 is forcibly formed.
a is consumed. The specific device configuration when forming the toner consumption image pattern is as follows. The developing gap (Gp) between the photosensitive member 1 and the developing sleeve 14 in the developing section is 0.4 mm,
16 gap (G
d) is also 0.4 mm, and the pre-doctor gap (Gpd) between the pre-doctor 17a and the developing sleeve 14 is 1.0 mm.
mm. The gap at the separation portion between the reverse roller 25 and the developing sleeve 14 is 0.3 m.
m.

The image pattern for toner consumption can be formed by applying the developing device 4 to negative-positive development and applying only the developing bias without charging the photosensitive member 1. After charging the photoconductor 1,
A latent image (hereinafter, referred to as a consumption pattern latent image S) that becomes a toner consumption image pattern (hereinafter, referred to as a consumption pattern T) may be formed by exposure, and the consumption pattern latent image S may be developed. In either case, the developing sleeve 14 and the toner 13a in the developer stagnation portion can be forcibly consumed.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing the timing of forming the toner consumption image pattern according to the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the timing of the driving of the developing device 4, the application of the developing bias, and the rotational driving of the developing roller is controlled by the CPU 50. First, after the developing device 4 is in the initial state, the driving of the developing device 4 is started (driving ON), and the rotation of the developing sleeve 14 is started in synchronization with this (developing sleeve 14 ON), whereby the developing device 4 is started. Start initial drive. Then, after a certain period of time has elapsed, the application of the developing bias is started (the developing bias is turned on).

When a certain period of time has elapsed after the initial drive of the developing device 4 has started, the developing roller rotates, so that the surface of the developing roller moves one after another at a position in contact with and facing the developer 13 in the developer stagnation section. The developer 13 is dispersed. Further, the incorporation of the toner 13a into the developer is also started, and the toner density increases. Then, after the toner density becomes high, the consumption pattern T is formed on the photoconductor 1, and the toner 13a is forcibly consumed.

In the developing device 4 having the self-toner density control mechanism, the toner 13a is directly fed into the surface of the developing sleeve 14 or the bulk of the developer 13 near the pre-doctor 17a is not increased at the time of initial driving immediately after the developer is supplied. Because of a sufficient amount, the toner supply amount is insufficiently regulated, and the toner density is abnormally increased, thereby causing a problem in an image to be formed. In this embodiment, when the developing device 4 in the initial state is used, the consumption pattern is formed before the normal image formation, and the toner is forcibly consumed, so that the abnormal increase in the toner density can be prevented. Like that.

Further, since the formation of the consumption pattern T is performed after a certain period of time has elapsed after the start of the initial driving, the toner consumption is performed before the developer 13 is dispersed on the developing sleeve 14, so that the toner density is reduced. Is not reduced too much.

<Embodiment 2> Next, another embodiment 2 using the printer of the embodiment 1 will be described. FIG. 6 is a timing chart of forming a toner consumption image pattern according to the second embodiment. The difference from the first embodiment is that the formation of the consumption pattern is started after the toner agitator 20 has rotated at least once. In this embodiment, the rotation speed of the agitator 20 is 20 rpm. At this time, the time t1 from when the rotation of the agitator 20 is started (the agitator 20 is turned on) to when the application of the developing bias is started (the developing bias is turned on) is set to 3 seconds or more.
The agitator 20 is rotated more than once.

By controlling the start timing of the application of the developing bias as described above, it is possible to form the consumption pattern T after the agitator 20 has made at least one rotation. Thus, after the toner 13a is reliably fed by the agitator 20, the toner 13a
Can be consumed, and the toner can be consumed while a sufficient amount of the toner 13a is carried on the developing sleeve 14. Accordingly, an abnormal image such as an excessively low image density or a white spot due to excessive consumption of the toner 13a,
Also, there is no possibility that the carrier adheres to the transfer material.

In the first and second embodiments, the rotation speed of the developing sleeve 14 is set to 330 rpm, and the rotation speed of the toner agitator 20 is set to be faster than 20 rpm. Thus, each rotation speed is set so that the developing sleeve 14 makes one or more rotations before the toner agitator 20 makes one rotation. As a result, the developer 13 can be dispersed throughout the developing sleeve 14 before the toner agitator 20 makes one rotation.
4 It is possible to make it difficult for the toner 13a to be directly supplied to the surface.

[Embodiment 2] Embodiment 2 will be described below. The basic configuration of this printer is the same as that of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. Differences from the first embodiment, and points that need special definition will be described. The potentials of the printer during normal image formation are as follows: the charging potential of the photosensitive member 1 by the charging device 2 −900 V; and the potential of the exposure portion of the latent image formed by the laser beam irradiated by the image exposure device 3 −15.
0 V and the developing bias is -700 V. The developing gap (Gp) between the photoconductor 1 and the developing sleeve 14 in the developing section is 0.35 mm, and the doctor 16 gap (Gd) between the doctor 16 and the developing sleeve 14 is.
34 mm, and the pre-doctor gap (Gpd) between the pre-doctor 17a and the developing sleeve 14 was 1.0 mm. Further, the gap at the peeling portion between the reverse roller 25 and the developing sleeve 14 was set to 0.4 mm.

Hereinafter, Examples 3 and 4 using the printer of Embodiment 2 will be described. <Embodiment 3> In Embodiment 3, the consumption pattern T is
It is composed of a plurality of intermittent image parts t1. FIG.
8 is a timing chart of forming a consumption pattern according to the third embodiment. Each potential at the time of forming the consumption pattern is
Unlike each potential at the time of normal image formation, the photosensitive member 1
The charging potential is set to −500 V, the exposure unit potential is set to −100 V, and the developing bias is set to −400 V. First, the main motor is turned on, driving of the agitator 20, the developing sleeve 14, the photoconductor 1 and the like is started, and the photoconductor 1 is charged for forming a consumption pattern. After a lapse of a predetermined time, 15 sets of the consumption pattern latent images S are formed on the photoreceptor 1 with one set of 2 seconds ON and 2 seconds OFF. Further, the developing bias is turned on, and the consumption pattern latent image S is developed. As a result, a consumption pattern T for toner consumption is formed on the photoreceptor 1 as a pattern in which 15 intermittent image portions t1 appear at equal intervals. In the consumption pattern T, each image portion t1 is sequentially removed by the cleaning blade 10a and collected in the cleaning device 10.

As in the third embodiment, since the image of the consumption pattern T is divided into a plurality of images, the toner 1 on the cleaning blade 10a generated when one large consumption pattern T is removed by the cleaning blade 10a.
Excessive deposition of 3a can be prevented, and the cleaning effect can be restored every time an image is interrupted. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the generation of the toner 13a that passes through the gap formed by the toner 13a deposited on the cleaning blade 10a, and it is possible to more reliably remove the toner 13a that forms the consumption pattern T.

By the way, at the time of the initial drive after the developer 13 is charged, the toner 13a in the developer is not sufficiently charged, and the charge amount increases with stirring. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a change in toner charge amount with respect to a developer stirring time due to rotation of the developing sleeve 14 in a configuration having a self-toner density control mechanism similar to the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the charge amount of the toner 13a is in an insufficient state at the time of the initial drive.
The toner 13a attached on the photosensitive member 1 peels off with the rotation of the photoconductor 1, and toner scattering occurs. This is the same when forming an image for toner consumption. When the toner is scattered, the transport guide plate 7 and the like provided on the upstream side of the transfer nip are contaminated by the scattered toner 13a, and contaminate the transfer paper guided by the transport guide plate during normal image formation. After the developing sleeve 14 has been driven for a certain period of time (after about 20 seconds have passed in FIG. 8), the charge amount is sufficient, and a large amount of toner 13a
Is carried out, there is no problem of toner scattering.

From the above, an embodiment for preventing toner scattering when forming the consumption pattern T will be described.

<Embodiment 4> Embodiment 4 is similar to Embodiment 3,
The consumption pattern T is constituted by a plurality of intermittent image parts t1. However, in the present embodiment, from the beginning of forming 15 sets of the consumption patterns T to 1 to 5 sets (hereinafter referred to as the first half of the consumption pattern T), the toner consumption amount in one image is set after the sixth set ( Hereinafter, it is referred to as the latter half of the consumption pattern T).

FIG. 9 is a timing chart of forming a consumption pattern according to the fourth embodiment. In this figure, the timing of forming the consumption pattern is the same as in the third embodiment,
The charging potential and the developing bias of the photosensitive member 1 are switched between the first half and the second half of the consumption pattern T. Specifically, in the first half of the consumption pattern T, the charging potential of the photoconductor 1 is -300 V and the developing bias is -200 V, and in the second half, the charging potential of the photoconductor 1 is -5.
00V and the developing bias is -400V. In addition, the exposure portion potential is -100 V for both.

When the charging potential and the developing bias of the photosensitive member 1 are switched as described above, the amount of toner adhering to the photosensitive member 1 in the image portion, that is, the pre-formed image portion, until 20 seconds after the start of the formation of the consumption pattern is small. After that, that is, in the post-formed image portion, the amount of toner adhering to the photoconductor 1 increases.
Therefore, until the charge amount of the toner 13a is sufficiently increased, the amount of toner adhered to the photoconductor 1 which causes toner scattering can be reduced, and toner scattering due to insufficient charging of the toner 13a can be prevented.

In the fourth embodiment, the amount of toner adhering to the photosensitive member 1 is reduced in all the consumption patterns T.
It is also conceivable to prevent toner scattering. In this case, in order to reduce the toner density to a desired density, it is necessary to increase the number of sets of the consumption pattern T, and the time loss of forming the consumption pattern increases, which is not practical.

In this printer, there are products of the same type as the developing device 4 but differing only in the capacity of the toner hopper. For example, there are a type having a toner capacity of 800 g and a printable number of 20,000 sheets (hereinafter referred to as A type), and a type having a toner capacity of 180 g and a printable number of 3000 sheets (hereinafter referred to as B type). These developing devices 4
However, it is known that the abnormal increase in the toner density at the time of the initial driving occurs, but the degree of the increase differs depending on the toner capacity. In the printer of the present embodiment, the increase rate is high for the A type and low for the B type. For this reason, the consumption pattern T in which an appropriate amount of toner is
If is applied to a B-type device as it is, an excessive decrease in toner density occurs in the B-type device.

Therefore, the conditions for forming the consumption pattern T in the A-type and B-type devices can be changed as follows. (A type)-Photoconductor 1 charging potential: -500V-Exposure portion potential: -100V-Development bias -400V-Consumption pattern: One set of 2 seconds ON / 2 seconds OFF
Execute 5 sets (B type) ・ Photoconductor 1 charging potential: -500V ・ Exposure portion potential: -100V ・ Developing bias -400V ・ Consumption pattern: 2 seconds ON / 2 seconds OFF
Set execution When the conditions for forming the consumption pattern T are set as described above,
The toner amount consumed in the consumption pattern T in the B type is represented by A
The toner density can be reduced as compared with the mold, and the toner density during normal image formation can always be stably and favorably maintained.

Here, in the above example, the conditions for forming the A-type and B-type consumption patterns were carried out by changing the number of sets of images constituting the consumption pattern T. A method is also conceivable in which the amount of toner consumed for each set is changed by changing the potential of the exposed portion. Specifically, the B-type developing bias is set to -400.
V to -200 V, or the exposure section potential
It may be changed from V to -300V.

[Embodiment 3] Embodiment 3 will be described below. The basic configuration of this printer is also the same as that of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. Only different points from the first embodiment will be described. Development gap (Gp) of this printer
0.4 mm and the doctor 16 gap (Gd) is 0.35
mm, and the predoctor gap (Gpd) was 1.0 mm. Further, the gap at the peeling portion between the reverse roller 25 and the developing sleeve 14 was set to 0.4 mm.

Hereinafter, a description will be given of a fifth embodiment performed using the printer according to the third embodiment. <Embodiment 5> In this embodiment, negative-positive development reversal development is performed. Therefore, the charging of the photoconductor 1 is always ON.
In this state, the charging potential of the photoconductor 1 is set to -1250 V, and the developing bias is set to -250 V. FIG. 10 is a timing chart of driving the device according to the fifth embodiment. The main motor is turned on (S1), and the drive of the agitator 20, the developing sleeve 14, the photoconductor 1 and the like is started, and the photoconductor 1 is started.
Then, charging for forming a consumption pattern is performed. At this time, the transfer bias application of the transfer roller 8 is turned off. After a time (189 msec) required for the head of the charged area on the surface of the photoreceptor 1 to reach the developing position, the developing bias is turned on, and the exposure by the polygon mirror is turned on one second after the main motor is turned on (S2). ). After a lapse of 1.5 seconds, five sets of the consumption pattern latent images S are formed on the photoreceptor 1 with one set of two seconds ON and two seconds OFF. The formed consumption pattern latent images S are sequentially developed at the developing position, the toner 13a is transferred onto the photoconductor 1, and is cleaned after passing through the transfer area. After the formation of the portion corresponding to the last image portion t1 of the consumption pattern latent image S is completed (S
3) The time required for the rear end of the image portion t1 to pass through the transfer area (318 msec) is a wait time for passing the consumption pattern, and the transfer bias is kept OFF. After a lapse of one second from S3, the output of the transfer bias is started with the negative polarity while the rotation of the photoconductor 1 is continued (S4), and the (-) charged toner 13a attached to the transfer roller 8 is applied to the photoconductor 1. It is transferred and collected by the cleaning device 10. After performing the negative polarity output for 6 seconds, the state is returned to the bias 0FF state, and the output of the transfer bias is started with the positive polarity this time (S5). After a lapse of time (371 msec) corresponding to 0.9 rotation of the transfer roller, the bias is turned off.
F. When the rear end of the surface area of the photosensitive drum that has passed the + polarity transfer bias application position has finished passing through the charging area (S6), the charging bias is turned off, and when the rear end has passed through the developing area (S7), development is performed. Turn off the bias. This OFF of the charging bias is performed when the device drive is stopped for 1200 m.
The charging bias is turned off before sec, and the charging bias is turned off 179 msec after the charging bias is turned off. In this embodiment, while the transfer bias is being output to the transfer roller 8 with a positive polarity, and the charging bias is
From the time when the FF is performed until the time when the developing bias is turned off, even if an image forming request is received, the interrupt is not accepted.

When the operation of the printer is controlled as described above, when the consumption pattern T passes through the transfer area, the transfer bias is turned off, so that the + or-included in the image pattern is charged. Either toner 13a can be prevented from electrostatically adhering to the transfer roller 8 side.
Further, even when the transfer bias is turned off, the toner 13 a slightly transfers to the transfer roller 8 due to the mechanical pressure contact between the photosensitive member 1 and the transfer roller 8. In the present embodiment, the toner 13a or the like attached to the transfer roller 8 is returned to the photosensitive member 1 side by sequentially applying a positive and a negative transfer bias as a toner returning unit, and the transfer roller 8 can be cleaned. .

In this embodiment, the consumption pattern T
After completely passing through the transfer nip, the + polarity and-
Cleaning of the transfer roller 8 is sequentially performed by the transfer bias of the polarity. Thus, the toner 13a and the like attached to the transfer roller 8 due to the passage of the consumption pattern can be reliably removed.

Further, in the above first to third embodiments,
It is generally known that a separation claw is brought into contact with the surface of the photoconductor 1 in order to easily separate the transfer paper from the surface of the photoconductor 1. As in the case of the separation claw, if there is a contact member on the surface of the photoconductor 1 downstream of the consumption pattern forming position and upstream of the cleaning unit as the consumption pattern removal position, the surface of the photoconductor carrying the consumption pattern T is When the toner 13a passes, the toner 13a may be transferred to the separation claw, and contaminate the surface of the photoconductor 1 and the transfer paper. In order to prevent such a problem, the image portion t1 of the consumption pattern T may be formed except for the position where the separation claw contacts the surface of the photoconductor 1.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of forming the image portion t1 of the consumption pattern T. Separation claws abut at two axial positions on the surface of the photoconductor 1. Contact position N of this separation claw
Are present in two bands in the circumferential direction due to the rotation of the photoconductor 1. Therefore, the image part t of the consumption pattern T
No. 1 is formed except for the two band-shaped regions that are the contact positions, and the two band-shaped regions are used as non-image portions t2.

As described above, if the image portion t1 is not formed at the contact position of the separation claw, it is possible to prevent the surface of the photoconductor 1 and the transfer paper from being stained.

In the first to third embodiments, the agitator 20 having two blades has been described as the toner sending member. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Any member may be used as long as it is a member to be sent out toward the agent 13.

[0077]

According to the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, it is possible to prevent an abnormal increase in toner density which occurs in an image at the time of initial image formation, so that an abnormal image such as background contamination or toner scattering can be prevented. Has an effect. In addition, a toner input section for inputting new toner is provided also in the upper part of the toner storage section, and a seal member between the toner input section and the toner storage section is synchronized with the input of the developer into the developing device. Even in a configuration in which the toner is removed and charged into the toner container, the same effect can be obtained by forming the toner consumption pattern after the developer is charged and after the toner is charged into the toner container. There is also an excellent effect.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus for forming a toner consumption pattern in order to prevent an abnormal increase in toner density occurring in an image at the time of initial image formation. Abnormal images such as omissions,
There is an excellent effect that defects such as carrier adhesion can be prevented.

In particular, according to the image forming apparatus of the third aspect,
Since the toner consumption pattern is formed in a state where sufficient toner is carried on the developer carrier, abnormal images such as excessively low image density and white spots, and problems such as carrier adhesion can be more reliably prevented. There is an excellent effect.

According to the image forming apparatus of the fourth aspect, since the toner supply by the toner delivery member does not always occur, the toner supply member can be disposed directly on the surface of the developer carrying member by arranging the delivery member on the rotating shaft. It is possible to prevent the toner from adhering, and there is an excellent effect that abnormal images can be more reliably prevented.

According to the image forming apparatus of the fifth aspect, since the toner consumption image pattern can be more reliably removed, it is possible to prevent the abnormal increase in the toner density due to the initial image formation and to prevent the image carrier from being cleaned poorly. There is an excellent effect that an abnormal image due to the above can be prevented.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, since toner scattering due to insufficient charging can be prevented, background contamination and toner scattering generated during initial image formation can be prevented without causing contamination of peripheral members such as toner scattering. There is an excellent effect that abnormal images such as the above can be prevented.

According to the image forming apparatus of the seventh aspect, even if the degree of abnormal increase in the toner density changes due to the difference in the amount of toner in the toner container, the toner density is made normal by forming the toner consumption image pattern. There is an excellent effect that you can.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, since the toner for forming the toner consumption image pattern can be prevented from adhering to the contact transfer member due to the transfer bias, the contamination of the contact transfer member can be reduced. Has an excellent effect.

According to the image forming apparatus of the ninth aspect, the toner and the like attached to the contact transfer member can be removed, so that the contact transfer member can be kept in a clean state and the transfer material such as transfer paper can be actually removed. When the image is transferred through the transfer nip, there is an excellent effect that dirt can be prevented from being attached to the back surface of the transfer material.

According to the image forming apparatus of the tenth aspect, since the toner and the like adhered by the passage of the toner consumption image pattern are reliably removed, the contact transfer member can be more reliably cleaned. effective.

According to the image forming apparatus of the eleventh aspect, there is an excellent effect that the contact transfer member can be more reliably brought into a clean state by the toner return means. Further, if the toner returned to the surface of the image carrier is processed together with the toner consumption image pattern, it is not necessary to provide a special device or member for processing the returned toner.

According to the image forming apparatus of the twelfth aspect, since the image portion of the image pattern for toner consumption is not formed at the contact position of the contact member on the surface of the image carrier, the toner of the image portion is transferred to the contact member. There is an excellent effect that contamination can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration of an entire printer according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a process cartridge configured to be detachable from a printer main body.

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a developing device in an initial state. FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of the developing device in an actual use state.

FIG. 4 is a control block diagram of a main part of the printer according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart of forming a toner consumption image pattern according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart of forming a toner consumption image pattern according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a timing chart of forming a consumption pattern according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a change in a toner charge amount with respect to a stirring time of a developer.

FIG. 9 is a timing chart of forming a consumption pattern according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a timing chart of driving the device according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of forming an image portion of a consumption pattern.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional developing device having a toner concentration self-control system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 photoconductor 2 charging device 3 image charging device 4 developing device 8 transfer roller 9 image fixing device 10 cleaning device 11 process cartridge 12 casing 12a projecting portion 13 developer 13a toner 14 developing sleeve 15 magnet roller 16 doctor 17 developer storage case 17a Predoctor 18 Developer storage unit 19 Toner hopper 19a Toner supply port 20 Toner agitator 20a Rotating shaft 20b Blade 21 Input developer storage unit 22 Input toner storage unit 23 Seal member 25 Reverse roller 50 CPU 51 Drive control unit 52 Drive unit 53 High-voltage control unit 54 Image forming unit N Contact position of separation claw T Consumption pattern t1 Image unit t2 Image unit S Consumption pattern latent image

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Toshio Koike 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Ricoh Co., Ltd. Ricoh Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hideo Yoshizawa 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo F-term in Ricoh Co., Ltd. (Reference) 2H027 DA38 DD02 EA06 EB01 EC03 EC09 EC15 EC18 ED08 ED24 ED27 EF06 HB02 HB05 HB13 2H032 AA05 BA19 BA23 BA30 CA12 2H034 BA05 2H077 AA12 AA20 AB03 AB13 AB14 AB15 AD22 BA02 BA03 DA04 DA24 DA42 DB02 DB14 EA03

Claims (12)

[Claims] An image carrier, a latent image forming means for forming a latent image on the image carrier, and a developing means for developing the latent image on the image carrier to form a toner image; As means, a developer carrying a developer containing a toner and a magnetic carrier by a magnetic force generated by a magnetic field generating means and moving endlessly in a predetermined direction; and a layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrying body. A developer container that contains toner therein and has a toner supply port facing the developer carrier upstream of the regulating member in the predetermined direction. In an image forming apparatus using a developing device that takes in toner into the developer from the toner replenishing port by the movement of the developer carried on a carrier, the toner consumption is reduced before the image formation is performed for the first time after the developer is supplied to the developing device. Toner on the image carrier An image forming apparatus for forming a cost image pattern. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the toner consumption image pattern is formed on the image carrier for toner consumption after a lapse of a predetermined time from the start of the initial driving of the developing device. An image forming apparatus comprising: 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a toner delivery member for delivering the toner in the toner storage section toward the developer from the toner supply port while stirring the toner. An image forming apparatus characterized in that after the start, formation of an image pattern for toner consumption on the image carrier for toner consumption is started. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said toner sending member is provided on said rotating shaft, and directs toner from a toner replenishing port to developer by rotation of said rotating shaft. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a feeding member for feeding the toner; and a rotating speed of the toner sending member being lower than a rotating speed of the developer carrier. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an image carrier cleaning member for removing transfer residual toner on the surface of the image carrier, wherein the toner formed on the image carrier is provided. The image carrying member cleaning member is removed without transferring the consumption image pattern to the transfer material, and the toner consumption image pattern is formed by intermittently forming a plurality of image portions on the image carrying member. An image forming apparatus comprising a plurality of images. 6. An image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said post-forming is performed in comparison with the toner adhesion amount in one image portion of a post-forming image portion formed later of each image portion in said plurality of images. Of the preformed image area formed before the image area
An image forming apparatus characterized in that the amount of toner adhered in one image portion is reduced. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the forming condition of the toner consuming image pattern is changed in accordance with the amount of toner in the toner storage section. Image forming apparatus. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the toner image on the image bearing member is transferred by contacting and opposing the surface of the image bearing member by a transfer bias. A contact transfer member for forming a transfer nip portion for transferring to the body, wherein when the toner consumption image pattern passes through a transfer nip portion between the image carrier and the contact transfer member, An image forming apparatus, wherein a transfer bias is turned off. 9. The method of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8.
And a contact transfer member that forms a transfer nip for transferring the toner image on the image carrier to a transfer target by a transfer bias by a transfer bias. And a contact transfer member cleaning means for cleaning the contact transfer member. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the cleaning by the contact transfer member cleaning means is executed after all the toner consumption image patterns have passed through the transfer nip portion. . 11. An image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said contact transfer member cleaning means is constituted by toner return means for returning the toner adhered to said contact transfer member to said image carrier surface again. Image forming apparatus. 12. The method of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,
In the image forming apparatus according to any one of 8, 9, 10 and 11, the toner consuming image from the image carrier is located downstream of the toner consuming image pattern forming position on the image carrier in the moving direction of the image carrier surface. On the upstream side of the pattern removal position,
When there is a contact member in contact with the surface of the image carrier other than a transfer member provided for transferring a normal image from the surface of the image carrier to the transfer target, the image excluding the contact position of the contact member is present. An image forming apparatus, wherein an image portion in the toner consumption image pattern is formed on a surface of a carrier.