JP2002225331A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an imaging apparatus in which charges can be injected with high efficiency even under a low voltage and an image can be formed with a high resolution and a high image quality by stabilizing the potential and size of an electrostatic latent image without requiring external power supply to a neutralization unit. SOLUTION: In the imaging apparatus for forming an electrostatic latent image on an image carrier 2 using a writing unit 3 provided with a plurality of writing electrodes 3b arranged along the axial direction of the image carrier in contact therewith, the image carrier 2 comprises a dielectric layer 2b formed on a conductive basic body 2c and a charge injection layer 2a formed on the dielectric layer and a neutralization member 7a is abutted against the charge injection layer 2a and earthed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for forming an electrostatic latent image on an image carrier by bringing a writing electrode into contact with the image carrier.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known an image forming apparatus which forms an electrostatic latent image on an image carrier using a large number of needle electrodes. In this multi-needle electrode system, an electrostatic latent image is formed on an image carrier by discharging from a needle electrode, and therefore, a needle electrode having the lowest discharge start voltage is used for a discharge portion, and this is an image. It is desirable that the tip is sharp in order to improve the resolution. Generally, the needle electrode and the image carrier are arranged in a non-contact manner with a small gap, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the image carrier by a discharge phenomenon.

[0003] However, variations in the discharge starting voltage due to variations in the gaps directly result in variations in the potential of the electrostatic latent image, leading to serious image defects such as stripe unevenness, image discontinuity, blurring, and dust. Therefore, in order to stably keep the gap constant, the needle electrode needs to have high precision and high rigidity, and the holding member for positioning and supporting the needle electrode also needs to have high precision and high rigidity.
Furthermore, unless the needle electrode is accurately positioned on the generatrix of the image carrier in the circumferential direction of the image carrier, the gap changes and uniform charging cannot be performed. In addition, spacers and the like are added to manage the gap in order to reliably change the gap due to the rotational fluctuation of the image carrier.However, in high-speed printing where the image carrier rotates at high speed, the gap can be kept constant by vibration or the like. However, as a result, the printing speed was kept low.

To solve these problems, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
In JP-A-45104, a needle electrode is brought into contact with an image carrier coated with an insulating inorganic glass, and further, a lubricating oil is applied to the image carrier, thereby causing abrasion damage of the needle electrode to the image carrier. We are making proposals to prevent

[0005]

However, in the method disclosed in JP-A-63-45104, wear of the needle electrode occurs, the discharge starting voltage fluctuates, and the size of the electrostatic latent image and the charging potential are reduced. There is a problem that it fluctuates. Further, since the configuration in which oil is applied to the image carrier is an essential requirement for reducing wear, toner and the like cannot be directly developed, and the image carrier can be used only as an intermediate image carrier.

As described above, the multi-needle electrode system has a problem that the image quality is deteriorated because the potential of the electrostatic latent image easily varies and the resolution of the electrostatic latent image also changes with time. A high-precision holding member and a positioning member for positioning and a gap with the carrier are required, which causes a problem that the device becomes complicated and large. In addition, since the contact pressure is high due to the needle electrode, there is a problem that the electrode and the image carrier are damaged in a short time, it is difficult to speed up printing, and the device is enlarged as it is used as an intermediate image carrier. There is a problem that.

In addition, since writing to the insulator is performed in the discharge mode, there is a problem that a high-voltage power supply is required and a problem that ozone is generated.

In addition, the discharge mode does not occur in the contact portion between the electrode and the image carrier, but in the surrounding minute gap, and the portion in contact with the electrode cannot be charged. For example, even if (voltage application time)> (length of electrode contact portion) / (moving speed of image carrier), a hollow portion always occurs immediately before the applied voltage is turned off.

In addition, since writing is performed with a high voltage, electrodes cannot be arranged close to each other to prevent leakage, and there is a problem that resolution is limited.

Further, since the surface of the image carrier is an insulator, the residual charge is large, and when a series of image forming processes is completed and rewriting is performed, it is necessary to remove the residual charge with a static eliminator. There is a problem that static elimination cannot be performed unless a discharge mode using a high-voltage static eliminator is used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and can perform charge injection with high efficiency even at a low voltage, stabilize the potential and size of an electrostatic latent image, and achieve high resolution and high image quality. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus that can form an image and that does not require external power supply to a static eliminator.

[0012]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising: a plurality of printers arranged in contact with an image carrier along an axial direction of the image carrier; In an image forming apparatus for forming an electrostatic latent image on an image carrier using a writing device having a built-in electrode, the image carrier includes a dielectric layer formed on a conductive base, and a dielectric layer formed on the conductive layer. And a charge injection layer formed on the image carrier, wherein the charge removal member is in contact with the charge injection layer, and the charge removal member is grounded. In an image forming apparatus for forming an electrostatic latent image on an image carrier using a writing device having a plurality of write electrodes arranged in contact with the carrier, the image carrier is formed on a conductive substrate. And a charge injection layer formed on the dielectric layer, and the width of the conductive substrate in the traveling direction is reduced. Greater than the width of the charge injection layer and a dielectric layer, the charge removing member, characterized in that is brought into contact with the charge injection layer and the conductive substrate.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a basic configuration of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 1 according to the present invention includes an image carrier 2 on which an electrostatic latent image is to be formed, and an image carrier 2 that contacts the image carrier 2 and electrostatically contacts the image carrier 2. A charging / writing device 3 for writing a latent image; and a developing device 4 for developing the electrostatic latent image on the image carrier 2 with the developer carried / conveyed by the developer carrier 4a
And a transfer device 6 for transferring the developer image on the image carrier 2 developed by the developing device 4 onto a transfer material 5 such as paper, and discharging the charges remaining on the image carrier 2 after the transfer. Or at least an image carrier uniform charge control device (hereinafter simply referred to as a charge control device) 7 that charges the image carrier 2 after transfer to make the image carrier 2 a uniform charge state. I have.

The image carrier 2 includes a drum-shaped conductive substrate 2c made of aluminum or the like, a dielectric layer 2b formed of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) formed on the outer periphery of the conductive substrate 2c, and a dielectric layer 2b formed on the outer periphery of the dielectric layer 2b. Charge injection layer 2 formed
a, and the conductive base 2c is grounded.

The charge injection layer 2a, which is a feature of the present invention, may be a composite conductive polymer material (a conductive material mixed and dispersed in an electrically insulating polymer material) or a conductive polymer material. (A polymer material having conductivity) is used.

Specific examples of the binder resin include polyester resin *, polycarbonate resin *, polystyrene resin *, fluororesin *, cellulose, vinyl chloride resin, polyurethane resin *, acrylic resin *, epoxy resin *, silicone resin *, Any one of alkyd resin *, melamine resin *, phenol resin *, polyamide resin *, and vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer resin, or two or more polymer alloys are used.

In particular, the resin marked with * is a resin for paint.
There is an advantage that it is easy to mix and disperse with a conductive material using a solvent, and that a charge injection layer can be formed only by applying a mixed dispersion and removing the solvent. In the case of a resin other than a resin for a paint, a conductive material is put in, melt-kneaded, mixed and dispersed. Therefore, heat and force are required, and a surfactant and a long-time kneading are required to uniformly disperse the foreign material in a resin having high viscosity even at a high temperature. However, since the bonds between the polymers are stronger than those for paints, the abrasion resistance is excellent. Therefore, the present invention is effective for the present invention in which the write electrode contacts.

Further, specific examples of the conductive material include:
Zinc oxide, tin oxide, antimony oxide, and titanium oxide are each doped with antimony, indium, or the like to make them conductive (**), or metal particles or metal fibers of copper, aluminum, nickel, stainless steel, or iron. The above **
The surface tension of the oxide of the mark is about 100 dyn / cm, the metal is about 1000 dyn / cm, and the binder resin is about 40 dy / cm.
The oxides marked with **, which have a surface tension of n / cm, have a higher compatibility with the resin and have the advantage of being easily dispersed uniformly.

Specific examples of the above conductive polymer material include polyacetylene, poly-p-phenylene, and poly-p
- AsF ₅ polyphenylene sulfide, polypyrrole, polythienylene, a single or each polyaniline, I _2, B
A material doped with F ₄ or the like is used.

The writing device 3 is an FPC (Flexible Print C).
(ircuit) or PET or the like, which has a high insulating property, is relatively soft and elastic, and has a flexible base material 3a, and is supported by the base material 3a and has a weak elastic restoring force due to the bending of the base material 3a. And a writing electrode 3b for writing an electrostatic latent image by being lightly pressed into contact with the writing electrode 3b. Note that the write electrode 3b
The pressing force is preferably 300 mm in width and a pressing force of 10 N or less, that is, a linear pressure of 0.33 N / mm or less, in order to stabilize contact and stabilize charge injection. It is desirable to reduce the linear pressure as much as possible.

In the image forming apparatus 1 configured as described above, after the charge control device 7 makes the image carrier 2 have a uniform charge state, the writing device 3 in contact with the image carrier 2 causes An electrostatic latent image is written on the image carrier 2 in a uniformly charged state. Then, the electrostatic latent image on the image carrier 2 is developed with the developer of the developing device 4, and the developer image is transferred to the transfer material 5 by the transfer device 6.

FIG. 2 is a view showing a basic process of image formation in the image forming apparatus 1 of the present invention. As a basic process of image formation in the image forming apparatus 1 of the present invention,
(1) Uniform charge removal-Contact charge writing-Regular development, (2) Uniform charge removal-Contact charge writing-Reversal development, (3) Uniform charge-Contact charge removal writing-Regular development, and (4) One There are four image forming processes, namely, charge removal, contact charge removal writing, and reversal development. Hereinafter, these image forming processes will be described. (1) Uniform charge removal-contact charging writing-regular development As an example of this image forming process, there is a process shown in FIG. This image forming process is performed by the charge control device 7.
The writing electrode 3b of the writing device 3 comes into contact with the charge injection layer 2a to charge the charge injection layer 2b.
a) of the charge injection layer 2a
The electrostatic latent image is written on the image. Static elimination roller 7
b is in contact with the charge injection layer 2a, the charge of the charge injection layer 2a is removed by the charge removing roller 7b, and the charge injection layer 2a is brought into a uniform charge state close to 0 V from which the charge has been removed. Next, the image portion on the charge injection layer 2a is (+) charged by the write electrode 3b of the writing device 3, and an electrostatic latent image is written on the charge injection layer 2a. Then, the (-) charged developer 8 transported by the developing roller 4a of the developing device 4 adheres to the (+) charged image portion of the charge injection layer 2a, and the electrostatic latent image is developed normally. (2) Uniform charge removal-contact charging writing-reversal development As an example of this image forming process, there is a process shown in FIG. In this image forming process, a charge removing roller 7b is used as the charge control device 7, as in the example shown in FIG. Further, the writing electrode 3b of the writing device 3 comes into contact with the charge injection layer 2a and (-) charges the non-image portion of the charge injection layer 2a. In the image forming process in this example, the charge injection layer 2 is
After the charge on the charge injection layer 2a is removed and the charge injection layer 2a is brought into a uniform charge state close to 0 V from which the charge has been removed, the non-image area on the charge injection layer 2a is written by the write electrode 3b of the writing device 3. Is charged (-), and an electrostatic latent image is written on the charge injection layer 2a. Then, the (−) charged developer 8 conveyed by the developing roller 4 a of the developing device 4 adheres to the (−) uncharged image portion near 0 V of the charge injection layer 2 a, and the electrostatic latent image is reversely developed. You. (3) Uniform charging-contact charge erasing writing-regular development As an example of this image forming process, there is a process shown in FIG. In this image forming process, a charging corona discharger 7 d is used as the charge control device 7. Although not shown, a bias voltage of (−) DC or a bias voltage obtained by superimposing AC on (−) DC is applied to the charging corona discharger 7 d as in the related art. Also,
The writing electrode 3b of the writing device 3 comes into contact with the charge injection layer 2a to remove the (-) charge in the non-image portion of the charge injection layer 2a. Further, a DC bias voltage of (+) is applied to the developing roller 4a, and the developing roller 4a conveys the developer 8 charged to (+) toward the charge injection layer 2a. . Then, the (+) charged developer 8 adheres to the (-) charged residual image portion of the charge injection layer 2a where the charge is not removed, and the electrostatic latent image is developed normally. (4) Uniform charging-contact charge removing writing-reversal development As an example of this image forming process, there is a process shown in FIG. In this image forming process, a charging corona discharger 7 d is used as the charge control device 7. Although not shown, a DC bias voltage of (+) or a bias voltage in which AC is superimposed on DC of (+) is applied to the charging corona discharger 7d as in the related art. The other configuration of the image forming process of this example is the same as the example shown in FIG. In the image forming process of this example, the charge injection layer 2a is (+) charged by the charging corona discharger 7d to be in a uniform charge state of a predetermined voltage, and then is charged by the writing electrode 3b of the writing device 3. The (+) charges in the image area on the charge injection layer 2a are removed, and the charge injection layer 2a is removed.
An electrostatic latent image is written thereon. Then, the (+) charged developer 8 transported by the developing roller 4a of the developing device 4 adheres to the (+) uncharged image portion of the dielectric 2b, and the electrostatic latent image is reversely developed.

FIG. 3A shows the write electrode 3b of the writing device 3.
FIG. 3B is a schematic view showing the function of the charge injection layer 2a due to the charge or charge elimination of the charge injection layer 2a.
It is a figure which shows the relationship with the surface potential of a.

As shown in FIG. 3A, when a voltage V is applied to the write electrode 3b, a direct voltage (−) is applied between the write electrode 3b and the charge injection layer 2a from a lower voltage to a higher voltage. Is injected. That is, the charge injection layer 2a is charged or discharged by charge injection. At this time, FIG.
As shown in (B), the surface potential of the charge injection layer 2a is proportional to the voltage V applied to the electrode 3b, and charges are injected as much as the voltage is applied.

FIG. 4 shows a comparative example of the present invention. FIG. 4 (A) is a schematic view showing a function when the charge injection layer 2a is eliminated in FIG. 3 (A), and FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a voltage applied to an electrode and a surface potential of a dielectric layer.

When the voltage V applied to the write electrode is increased, the electric charge moves to the dielectric layer by discharging from the periphery of the electrode to the surface of the dielectric layer through a gap at the discharge starting voltage _Vth . Since the dielectric layer is an insulator, charge injection does not occur even when the write electrode is in contact. If the electrode voltage is increased until the charge is injected, dielectric breakdown occurs and the dielectric layer is deteriorated. Therefore, there is an advantage that the power supply voltage can be reduced by the electrostatic writing by the charge injection described with reference to FIG.

Next, the features of the present invention will be described. In FIG. 1, the uniform charge control device 7 is a static eliminator,
Static elimination member 7a made of a conductive roller or a conductive brush
Is brought into contact with the charge injection layer 2a, and the charge removing member 7a is grounded. The charge remaining on the charge injection layer 2a after the transfer is removed through the charge removing member 7a.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing another embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the width of the conductive substrate 2c in the traveling direction is made larger than the width of the charge injection layer 2a and the dielectric layer 2b, and the charge removing member 7a is brought into contact with the charge injection layer 2a and the conductive substrate 2c. I have. Therefore, wiring for grounding the charge removing member 7a is not required.

FIG. 6 shows that a plurality of writing electrodes 3b are
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an array pattern when the pixels are arranged in the axial direction of FIG.

The simplest arrangement pattern of the plurality of writing electrodes 3b is such that a plurality of rectangular writing electrodes 3b are arranged in a line in the axial direction of the image carrier 2, as shown in FIG. . In this case, a predetermined number (eight in the illustrated example) of the plurality of write electrodes 3b is one driver that controls the drive by switching each of the write electrodes 3b to a predetermined voltage or a ground voltage. 11 are combined into one set, and a plurality of the sets are arranged in a line in the axial direction of the image carrier 2.

However, when the simple rectangular write electrodes 3b are simply arranged in a line in the axial direction of the image carrier 2, a gap is generated between adjacent write electrodes 3b. For this reason, the surface of the image carrier 2 facing this gap becomes a non-charged portion that is not charged or a non-static portion that is not charged. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG.
b are formed in a triangular shape, and are alternately arranged so that the directions of the write electrodes 3b of the adjacent triangular shapes are opposite. In this case, the plurality of write electrodes 3b are such that the ends of the triangles of the adjacent write electrodes 3b facing each other overlap in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the image carrier 2 (rotation direction of the image carrier). It is arranged to be. As a result, the non-charged portion or the charge removing portion is not formed, and the entire surface of the image carrier 2 can be charged. Note that, in addition to the triangle, the shape of the write electrode 3b may be such that a part of the adjacent write electrode 3b can be mutually imaged, such as a trapezoid, a parallelogram, or a shape in which concavities and convexities are provided on the opposite side of the adjacent write electrode 3b. Carrier 2
Any shape may be used as long as the shape overlaps in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of.

In the arrangement pattern of the write electrodes 3b in the example shown in FIG. 3C, the write electrodes 3b are formed in a circular shape and a plurality of circular write electrodes 3b are connected to the axis of the image carrier 2. They are arranged in two rows and in a staggered manner in a direction perpendicular to the direction. In this case, the write electrodes 3b adjacent to each other in the first and second columns are arranged so that some of them overlap each other in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the image carrier 2. Even with the arrangement pattern of the write electrodes 3b in this example, the non-charged portion or the charge removing portion as described above is not formed on the surface of the image carrier 2, and the entire surface of the image carrier 2 can be charged. In this example, the adjacent first-row electrode 3b and second-row electrode 3b
A plurality of sets in which a predetermined number b of electrodes 3b are connected to one driver 11 are arranged in the axial direction of the image carrier 2, and each driver 11 is arranged on the same side with respect to the electrode 3b.

Then, as shown in FIG.
1 are formed on the base material 3a and are electrically connected by a conductive pattern 9 made of, for example, a copper foil having a thin cross section with a rectangular cross section, and each driver 11 and each electrode 3b are similarly connected to the base material. They are electrically connected by a conductive pattern 9 formed on 3a. These conductive patterns 9 can be formed by a conventional thin film pattern forming method such as etching. Then, line data, a write timing signal, and a high-voltage power supply are supplied to each driver 11 from above in the figure.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a switching circuit for switching and connecting predetermined voltage V ₀ and ground voltage V ₁ to write electrode 3b. For example, write electrodes 3b arranged in four rows
Are the corresponding high-voltage switches (High Voltage
Switch; HVSW) 15, and these high-voltage switches 15 switch the corresponding electrodes 3 b between a predetermined voltage V ₀ and a ground voltage V ₁ . An image write control signal from a shift register (SR) 16 is input to each of the high voltage switches 15, and the shift register 16 receives an image signal stored in a buffer 17 and a clock 18. Are input. Then, the image write control signal from the shift register 16 is input to each high voltage switch 15 by the AND circuit 19 based on the write timing signal from the encoder 20. Each of the write electrodes 3 is controlled by each of the high voltage switches 15 and the AND circuit 19.
The above-described driver 11 for controlling the switching of the supply voltage to b is configured.

FIG. 9 shows each high voltage switch 1 of each electrode 3b.
5 respectively show the state when selectively switching control to a predetermined voltage V ₀ or the ground voltage V _1, FIG. (A) is a diagram showing the voltage state of each electrode, the voltage of FIG. (B) Fig. (A) FIG. 7C is a diagram showing a developer image when regular development is performed in the state, and FIG.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a developer image when reversal development is performed in the voltage state of FIG.

For example, as shown in FIG.
-1st, nth, n + 1th, n + 2th electrodes 3
It is assumed that b is in the voltage state shown in FIG. Therefore, when the electrostatic latent image is written on the image carrier 2 by each electrode in such a voltage state and the electrostatic latent image is developed by regular development, the developer 8 deposited on the V ₀ parts, the developer image is obtained as shown by hatching in FIG. (B). Also performs writing Similarly electrostatic latent image and developing the electrostatic latent image by reversal development, the developer 8 is deposited on the ground voltages V ₁ portion of the image carrier 2, FIG. (C) Thus, a developer image as shown by hatching is obtained.

According to the image forming apparatus 1 using the writing device 3 configured as described above, the writing electrode 3b is brought into contact with the image carrier 2 with a small pressing force due to the small elastic restoring force of the base material 3a. Therefore, the writing electrode 3b can be stably brought into contact with the image carrier 2. Therefore, the image carrier 2 can be more stably and highly accurately charged by the writing electrode 3b. Thereby, the writing of the electrostatic latent image can be performed more stably, so that a good image can be obtained reliably and with high accuracy.

Further, since the writing electrode 3b is merely brought into contact with the image carrier 2 with a small pressing force, damage of the image carrier 2 by the writing electrode 3b can be prevented, and the durability of the image carrier 2 can be prevented. Can be improved. Furthermore, since only the writing electrode 3b is used as the writing device 3 and a large laser light generating device or an LED lamp light generating device as in the related art is not provided, the size of the device can be further reduced. As a result, the number of parts can be further reduced, and a simpler and less expensive image forming apparatus can be obtained. Further, generation of ozone can be further suppressed by the writing electrode 3b.

Next, a specific example of the image forming apparatus of the present invention for writing an electrostatic latent image by bringing the electrode 3b into contact with the latent image carrier 2 will be described.

FIG. 10 schematically shows an example of an image forming apparatus using the writing device of the present invention. FIG. 10A shows an image forming apparatus provided with a cleaner, and FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a cleanerless image forming apparatus that is not provided.

The image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1A is a monochrome image forming apparatus, in which a substrate 3a of a writing device 3 extends from the upstream side to the downstream side in the rotation direction of the image carrier 2, A writing electrode 3b fixed to the tip of the base material 3a is provided. Further, a cleaning device 21 is provided downstream of the transfer device 6 in the rotation direction of the image carrier 2.
Although not shown, the writing device 3 and the cleaning device 21
And the above-described charge control device 7 may be provided. If the charge control device 7 is not provided, the latent image is formed by overwriting the previous latent image. However, the omission of the charge control device 7 reduces the number of components and the size of the device. Can be.

In the monochrome image forming apparatus 1 configured as described above, after the surface of the image carrier 2 is uniformly charged by the charge control device 7 in the same manner as described above, When the input electrode 3b charges or removes electricity from the image carrier 2, an electrostatic latent image is written on the surface of the image carrier 2.
The latent image on the image carrier 2 is developed by the developing roller 4a of the developing device 4 that is not in contact with the image carrier 2 and developed, and then the developer image on the image carrier 2 is transferred to the transfer device. 6, the image is transferred to the transfer material 5. The developer remaining on the image carrier 2 after the transfer is removed by the cleaning blade 21a of the cleaning device 21, and the surface of the cleaned image carrier 2 is again brought into a uniform charge state by the image carrier uniform charge controller 7. Is done. The image forming apparatus 1 of this example can have a smaller and simpler configuration by using the writing device 3 of the present invention.

The image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1B is a cleanerless image forming apparatus which does not include the cleaning device 21 in the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. In the image forming apparatus 1 of this example, the developing roller 4a of the developing device 4 is in contact with the image carrier 2, and performs the contact development.

In the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment thus configured, the charge control device 7 (not shown) reduces both the image carrier 2 and the residual developer remaining on the image carrier 2 after the previous transfer. After that, the surface of the image carrier 2 and the surface of the residual developer are charged or neutralized by the writing electrode 3b of the writing device 3, and the electrostatic latent is left on the image carrier 2 and the residual developer. An image is written. Then, these electrostatic latent images are developed by the developing device 4. At this time, by selecting the charging line of the writing electrode 3b to be charged to the polarity that the developer 8 originally has, the residual developer in the non-image portion on the image carrier 2 is removed by the writing electrode 3b. Since the developer is charged to the polarity, the developer moves toward the developing device 4, and the residual developer in the image area on the image carrier 2 remains on the image carrier 2 and is used as a developer image. By moving the residual developer in the non-image portion toward the developing device 4 in this manner, the surface of the image carrier 2 can be cleaned without providing the cleaning device 21. In particular, although not shown, a brush is provided downstream of the transfer device 6 in the rotation direction of the image carrier 2, and the residual developer on the image carrier 2 is scattered and leveled by the brush, so that the residual toner in the non-image portion is removed. The developer can be more effectively moved to the developing device 4 and removed.

Other image forming operations of the image forming apparatus 1 of this example are the same as those of the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. The image forming apparatus 1 of this example can also have a smaller and simpler configuration by using the writing device 3 of the present invention. Configuration.

FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically showing another example of an image forming apparatus using the writing device of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 1 of this example is an image forming apparatus that performs full-color development by superimposing four colors of black K, yellow Y, magenta M, and cyan C on an image carrier 2, and is an endless belt-shaped image. The carrier 2 is provided. The endless belt-shaped image carrier 2 is stretched between two rollers 22 and 23,
23, the roller on the driving side rotates clockwise in the figure.

Along the straight portion of the endless belt of the image carrier 2
And a writing device 3 for each color._K, 3 _Y, 3_M, 3_Cand
Developing device 4_K, 4_Y, 4_M, 4_CIs upstream of the image carrier 2 in the rotation direction.
Colors K, Y, M, and C are arranged in this order from the side. Rice cake
These developing devices 4_K, 4_Y, 4 _M, 4_CIs not shown
It is also possible to arrange them in the following order. Writing device for each color
3_K, 3_Y, 3_M, 3_CEach writing electrode 3b_K, 3b_Y, 3b_M, 3b_C
Is a flexible substrate 3a as described above._K, 3a_Y, 3
a_M, 3a_CIt is provided in. Although not shown, this
Also in the image forming apparatus 1 of the example, the endless bell of the image carrier 2 is used.
Writing device 3_K, 3 _Y, 3_M, 3_COn the opposite straight section
Is provided.

The image forming apparatus of this embodiment thus configured
In the device 1, first, the writing device 3 for black K_KElectrode
3b_KWrites a black K electrostatic latent image on the surface of the image carrier
And the black K electrostatic latent image is developed.
Place 4_KDeveloped on the surface of the latent image carrier 2
A developer image is formed. Next, the cyan C writing device 3
_CElectrode 3b_CAnd an electrostatic latent image of cyan C is formed on the image carrier 2._CTable
On the surface and over the black K developer image
When the electrostatic latent image of cyan C is_C
And a developer image of cyan C is formed on the surface of the image carrier 2.
It is formed. Similarly, the writing device 3 of magenta M_Mof
Electrode 3b_MCarrier 2 and black K and cyan
An electrostatic latent image of magenta M is written over each developer image of C.
After that, the electrostatic latent image of magenta M is_M
And the surface of the image carrier 2 and black K and shear
Magenta M developer image is formed on each developer image of
And a writing device 3 for cyan C_CElectrode 3b_CStatue by
Carrier 2 and each of black K, cyan C and magenta M
An electrostatic latent image of cyan C is written over the developer image.
After that, the electrostatic latent image of cyan C is_CDeveloped in
The surface of the image carrier 2 and black K, cyan C,
A cyan C developer image is formed on each developer M image.
These developer images are then transferred to a transfer device.
6, the developer images of the respective colors were color-matched to the transfer material 5.
A full-color developer image is formed. The development of each color
The order in which the agents are formed can be set in any order other than the order described above.
Can be specified.

As described above, the developer images of the respective colors are transferred to the image carrier 2.
Even in a full-color image forming apparatus in which the colors are superimposed on each other, a smaller and simpler configuration can be obtained by using the writing device 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 12 shows an image using the writing apparatus of the present invention.
It is a figure which shows the further another example of a forming apparatus typically. This example
Is an image forming apparatus 1 for each color._K, 1_C, 1
_M, 1 _YAre in this order from the upstream side in the moving direction of the transfer material 5.
Located in tandem. Image forming apparatus 1 for each color_K, 1
_C, 1_M, 1_YCan be set in any order.
Can be. Each image forming apparatus 1_K, 1_C, 1_M, 1_YIs it
Each of the image carriers 2_K, 2_C, 2_M, 2_Y, Writing device 3_K, 3_C,
3_M, 3_Y, Developing device 4_K, 4_C, 4_M, 4_YAnd transfer device 6
_K, 6_C, 6_M, 6_YIt has. Although not shown, each image
Image forming apparatus 1_K, 1_C, 1_M, 1_YAre the same as above
Of the writing device 3 for each color_K, 3_C, 3_M, 3_Y
Each image carrier 2_K, 2_C, 2_M, 2_YOn the upstream side in the rotation direction of
It may be provided.

In the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment thus configured, first, in the black K image forming apparatus 1 _K , the surface of the image carrier 2 _K is uniformly charged by the black K charge control device 7. After that, the electrode 3 of the writing device 3 _K
In b _K with an electrostatic latent image of black K is written on the surface of the image carrier 2 _K, black K electrostatic latent image of the black K is developed by the developing device 4 _K to the surface of the image carrier 2 _K Is formed. Black K on the image carrier 2 _K
In developer image transfer apparatus 6 _K, the transfer material has been supplied 5
And a black K developer image is formed on the transfer material 5. Then, in the image forming apparatus 1 _C of cyan C,
After the surface of the image carrier 2 _C is uniformly charged by the charge control device 7 for cyan C, an electrostatic latent image for cyan C is the surface of the image carrier 2 _C by electrodes 3b _C of the writing device 3 _C together with written, an electrostatic latent image of the cyan C is developer image cyan C is formed developed with the latent image carrier 2 _C surface of the developing device 4 _C. In this image bearing member 2 developer image cyan C on _C transfer device 6 _C, are transferred to overlap the transfer material 5 on which the developer image is formed of black K, which is supplied, cyan C to the transfer material 5 Is formed. Similarly, the electrodes 3b of the writing device 3 _M in the image forming apparatus 1 _M of magenta M _M
Writing of an electrostatic latent image of magenta _M on image carrier 2 _M by
Developing the electrostatic latent image developing device 4 _M, and the transfer device after 6 superposed transfer of the developer image of magenta M of _M to the transfer material 5 is performed, the writing device in the image forming apparatus 1 _Y for yellow Y 3 _Y electrodes 3b _Y writing of an electrostatic latent image of yellow Y of the image carrier 2 _Y by developing the electrostatic latent image developing device 4 _Y, and the transfer device 6 yellow Y of the _Y to the transfer material 5 Is transferred to form a full-color developer image in which the developer images of the respective colors are color-matched on the transfer material 5.

As described above, the image forming apparatuses 1 _K , 1 _C , and 1 of the respective colors are used.
_M, 1 _Y also in that a full color image forming apparatus arranged in tandem, by using the writing device 3 of the present invention can be a simple structure more and more compact.

FIG. 13 is a view schematically showing still another example of an image forming apparatus using the writing apparatus of the present invention. FIG.
In the image forming apparatus 1 in which the image forming apparatuses 1 _K , 1 _C , 1 _M , and 1 _Y of the respective colors are arranged in tandem, the image holding apparatuses 1 _K , 1 _C , 1 _M , and 1 _Y carry the images. The developer images of the respective colors formed on the bodies 2 _K , 2 _C , 2 _M , and 2 _Y are transferred to the transfer material 5 for each of the image forming apparatuses 1 _K , 1 _C , 1 _M , and 1 _Y. However, in the image forming apparatus 1 of this example, the image carriers 2 _K , 2 _C , 2 _M , and 2 _{Y of the} respective colors are provided.
After the developer images of each color formed on the intermediate transfer are once intermediately transferred,
The image is transferred to the transfer material 5. That is, in the image forming apparatus 1 of this example, the intermediate transfer device 24 is provided. The intermediate transfer device 24 includes an endless belt-shaped intermediate transfer body 25. The intermediate transfer body 25 is stretched between two rollers 26 and 27, and is driven in a counterclockwise direction in FIG. It is designed to rotate.

The linear portion of the intermediate transfer body 25
Along each image forming apparatus 1_K, 1_C, 1 _M, 1_YIs arranged
And one transfer device 6 is located at the position of the roller 27.
Is provided. Another configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 of this example is as follows.
This is the same as the image forming apparatus 1 of the example shown in FIG.

In the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment configured as described above, the image carriers 2 _K , 2 _C , 2 _M , and 2 _Y of the respective colors are provided on the image carriers 2 _K , 2 _C , 2 _M , and 2 _Y similarly to the image forming apparatus 1 of the example shown in FIG. The developer images of the respective colors are formed, and the developer images of the respective colors are color-matched in the same manner as when the developer images of these colors are transferred to the intermediate transfer body 25 on the transfer material 5 in the example shown in FIG. Overprinted. The developer image of each color intermediately transferred to the intermediate transfer body 25 is transferred to the transfer material 5 by the transfer device 6, and the transfer material 5
, A full-color developer image is formed. Other image forming operations of the image forming apparatus 1 of this example are the same as those of the image forming apparatus 1 of the example shown in FIG.

In the full-color image forming apparatus having the intermediate transfer device 24 and the image forming apparatuses 1 _K , 1 _C , 1 _M , and 1 _{Y of} the respective colors arranged in tandem as described above, the writing apparatus of the present invention is also used. By using 3, a more compact and simpler configuration can be achieved.

[0058]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, charge injection can be performed with high efficiency even at a low voltage, and the potential and size of an electrostatic latent image can be stabilized to achieve high resolution and high image quality. Can be formed, and power supply to the static eliminator becomes unnecessary.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a basic configuration of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a basic process of image formation in the image forming apparatus 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram showing a function of a charge injection layer by charging or discharging a writing electrode of a writing device, and FIG.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a relationship between an applied voltage to an electrode and a surface potential of a charge injection layer, and FIG. 4C is a diagram for explaining a writing time.

4A and 4B show a comparative example of the present invention, in which FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram showing a function when the charge injection layer is eliminated in FIG. 3A, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a relationship with a surface potential of a dielectric layer.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an array pattern of write electrodes of the write device according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a writing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a switching circuit for selectively connecting a predetermined voltage and a ground voltage to a write electrode.

FIG. 9 shows a state when each high voltage switch of each electrode is selectively switched to a predetermined voltage or a ground voltage. FIG. 9A shows a voltage state of each electrode, and FIG. FIG. 7A is a diagram showing a developer image when the normal development is performed in the voltage state shown in FIG. 7A, and FIG. 7C is a diagram showing a developer image when the reverse development is performed in the voltage state shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing another example of the image forming apparatus using the writing device of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically showing another example of the image forming apparatus using the writing device of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram schematically showing another example of the image forming apparatus using the writing device of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically showing another example of the image forming apparatus using the writing device of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2. Image carrier 2a Charge injection layer 2b Dielectric layer 2c Conductive substrate 3. Writing device 3b Writing electrode 7a Charge removing member

Claims (2)

[Claims] An image forming method for forming an electrostatic latent image on an image carrier using a writing device having a plurality of writing electrodes arranged in contact with the image carrier along an axial direction of the image carrier. In the device,
The image carrier, a dielectric layer formed on a conductive substrate,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a charge injection layer formed on the dielectric layer; a charge removing member in contact with the charge injection layer; and the charge removing member grounded. 2. An image forming method for forming an electrostatic latent image on an image carrier using a writing device having a plurality of writing electrodes arranged in contact with the image carrier along the axial direction of the image carrier. In the device,
The image carrier, a dielectric layer formed on a conductive substrate,
A charge injection layer formed on the dielectric layer, wherein the width of the conductive substrate in the traveling direction is larger than the width of the charge injection layer and the dielectric layer, and the discharging member is brought into contact with the charge injection layer and the conductive substrate. An image forming apparatus comprising: