JP2005292638A - Developing device, image forming apparatus, and image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

A developing device, an image forming apparatus, and an image forming system that appropriately prevent deterioration in image quality are provided.
A developer carrying member for carrying a liquid developer, a rotatable developer supply member for feeding the liquid developer to the developer carrying member, and a development for containing the liquid developer. A developing device for developing a latent image carried on the image carrier by a liquid developer carried on the developer carrier, wherein the developer supply member includes In the developing device immersed in the liquid developer accommodated in the developer container with the portion exposed, the developer device is provided so as to face the developer supply member and to contact the developer container. It has a sliding roller which slides with respect to the developer container by rotating in the same direction as the rotation direction of the developer supply member.
[Selection] Figure 7

Description

  The present invention relates to a developing device, an image forming apparatus, and an image forming system.

  As this type of image forming apparatus, for example, a photoconductor as an example of an image carrier for carrying a latent image and a latent image carried on the photoconductor by a liquid developer (hereinafter also simply referred to as a developer). 2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus having a developing device for developing an image is known. Such an image forming apparatus forms a latent image on a photoreceptor when an image signal or the like is transmitted from an external device such as a host computer. Then, the latent image formed and carried on the photosensitive member reaches the developing position as the photosensitive member rotates, and is developed by the developing device, so that a developer image is formed on the photosensitive member.

  In order to realize the above-described function of developing the latent image formed on the photosensitive member, the developing device described above includes a developing roller as an example of a developer carrying member for carrying the developer, and development. A developer supply roller as an example of a rotatable developer supply member for supplying the developer to the developing roller, and a developer container as an example of a developer container for containing the developer. ing.

The developer supply roller is immersed in the developer accommodated in the developer accommodating portion with a part thereof exposed, and the developer is supplied to the developer roller by rotating the developer supply roller. Is done. Further, the developer supplied to the developing roller is used for developing the latent image.
JP 7-219355 A

When the developer supply roller rotates while the developer supply roller is immersed in the developer accommodated in the developer accommodating portion with a part thereof exposed, the developer supply roller enters the developer. In some cases, air is taken in and bubbles are generated in the developer.
When the developer having the bubbles is supplied to the developing roller, and the latent image carried on the photosensitive member is developed by the supplied developer to form an image, the image quality may be deteriorated. .

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it realizes a developing device, an image forming apparatus, and an image forming system that appropriately prevent deterioration in image quality.

A main aspect of the present invention is a developer carrying member for carrying a liquid developer, a rotatable developer supply member for feeding the liquid developer to the developer carrying member, and a container for containing the liquid developer. A developer container, and developing the latent image carried on the image carrier by the liquid developer carried on the developer carrier, wherein the developer supply member comprises: In a developing device immersed in a liquid developer housed in the developer container in a partially exposed state, the developing device is provided to face the developer supply member and to contact the developer container. The developing device further comprises a sliding roller that slides relative to the developer container by rotating in the same direction as the rotation direction of the developer supply member.
Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

  At least the following will be made clear by the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

A developer carrying member for carrying the liquid developer, a rotatable developer supply member for feeding the liquid developer to the developer carrying member, and a developer containing member for containing the liquid developer; And a developing device that develops the latent image carried on the image carrier by the liquid developer carried on the developer carrier, and the developer supply member is partially exposed. In the developing device immersed in the liquid developer contained in the developer container, the developer supply member is provided so as to face the developer supply member and to contact the developer container. A developing device comprising a sliding roller that slides relative to the developer container by rotating in the same direction as the rotation direction of the member.
By having such a sliding roller in the developing device, it is possible to appropriately prevent deterioration in image quality.

The developer supply member may be a developer supply roller.
The sliding roller may be provided in the liquid developer, and may face the developer supply roller with the liquid developer interposed therebetween.
The sliding roller is provided such that the axial direction of the central axis thereof is along the axial direction of the central axis of the developer supply roller, and the central axis of the sliding roller is greater than the central axis of the developer supply roller. May also be positioned vertically downward.
The sliding roller may be provided on a side where the developer supply roller rotates and enters the liquid developer as viewed from a vertical plane passing through the central axis of the developer supply roller.
In this way, when the latent image carried on the image carrier is developed to form an image, it is less likely to be adversely affected by bubbles.

Further, the rotation of the developer supply roller may be started while the sliding roller is rotating.
In this way, the developer supply roller rotates and enters the liquid developer in a state where an appropriate liquid developer flow is generated, so that the liquid developer having bubbles is supported by the developer. It is more appropriately prevented from being supplied to the body.

The developer container has a protrusion on an inner wall thereof, and the sliding roller is provided so as to face the developer supply roller with the liquid developer interposed therebetween and to be in contact with the protrusion. The developer supply roller may be slid with respect to the protrusion by rotating in the same direction as the rotation direction of the developer supply roller.
In this way, the developer accommodating space of the developer accommodating body can be widened without changing the size of the sliding roller.

The developer container has a seal member on an inner wall thereof, and the sliding roller is provided to face the developer supply roller with the liquid developer interposed therebetween and to be in contact with the seal member. The developer supply roller may be slid relative to the seal member by rotating in the same direction as the rotation direction of the developer supply roller.
In this way, since the seal member specialized for preventing the passage of bubbles is located between the sliding roller and the inner wall of the developer container, the sliding roller and the developer container It is more appropriately prevented that the air bubbles that have reached during the period pass between them.

Further, a regulating member for regulating the amount of the liquid developer on the developer supply roller in contact with the surface of the developer supply roller may be provided.
In such a case, the above-described effect, that is, the effect of preventing the deterioration of the image quality is more effectively exhibited.

The liquid developer may be a non-volatile liquid developer that is non-volatile at normal temperature.
In such a case, the above-described effect, that is, the effect of preventing the deterioration of the image quality is more effectively exhibited.

Also, a developer carrying member for carrying the liquid developer, a rotatable developer supply member for feeding the liquid developer to the developer carrying member, and a developer containing for containing the liquid developer. A developing device for developing a latent image carried on the image carrier by a liquid developer carried on the developer carrier, wherein the developer supply member includes a part thereof In the developing device immersed in the liquid developer housed in the developer container in an exposed state, the developing device is provided so as to face the developer supply member and to be in contact with the developer container. A sliding roller that slides relative to the developer container by rotating in the same direction as the rotation direction of the developer supply member, the developer supply member is a developer supply roller, and the sliding roller is , Provided in liquid developer liquid, liquid Opposite to the developer supply roller across the image agent, the slide roller is provided such that the axial direction of the central axis thereof is along the axial direction of the central axis of the developer supply roller. A central axis is positioned vertically below the central axis of the developer supply roller, and the sliding roller is rotated by the developer supply roller as viewed from a vertical plane passing through the central axis of the developer supply roller. The developer supply roller starts rotating in a state where the sliding roller is rotating and is brought into contact with the surface of the developer supply roller. A developing device having a regulating member for regulating the amount of the liquid developer on the developer supply roller, wherein the liquid developer is a non-volatile liquid developer having a non-volatile property at room temperature is realized. Is possible.
In this way, the object of the present invention can be achieved more effectively because most of the effects described above can be achieved.

An image carrier for carrying a latent image; a developer carrier for carrying a liquid developer; and a rotatable developer supply member for supplying the liquid developer to the developer carrier. A developer container for containing a liquid developer, and developing the latent image carried on the image carrier by the liquid developer carried on the developer carrier. In the image forming apparatus, the developer supply member includes a developing device immersed in a liquid developer accommodated in the developer container with a part of the developer supply member exposed. A sliding roller is provided so as to face the member and to be in contact with the developer container, and slides relative to the developer container by rotating in the same direction as the rotation direction of the developer supply member. An image forming apparatus characterized by .
By having such a sliding roller in the image forming apparatus, it is possible to appropriately prevent deterioration in image quality.

A computer and an image forming apparatus connectable to the computer, the image carrier for carrying a latent image, the developer carrier for carrying a liquid developer, and the liquid developer A rotatable developer supply member for supplying the developer carrier, and a developer container for containing the liquid developer, and by the liquid developer carried on the developer carrier, A developing device for developing a latent image carried on the image carrier, wherein the developer supply member is immersed in a liquid developer contained in the developer container with a part thereof exposed. In the image forming system, the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus, and a rotation direction of the developer supply member provided to face the developer supply member and to be in contact with the developer container. Rotating in the same direction as Image forming system comprising also feasible to have a sliding roller which slides with respect to more said developer container.
By having such a sliding roller in the image forming system, it is possible to appropriately prevent deterioration in image quality.

=== Example of Overall Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus ===
Next, an outline of a laser beam printer (hereinafter also referred to as a printer) 10 as an example of the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating main components constituting the printer 10. In FIG. 1, the vertical direction is indicated by arrows. For example, the developing units 50Y, 50M, 50C, and 50K are arranged in the lower part of the printer 10, and the intermediate transfer member 70 is arranged in the upper part of the printer 10. Is arranged.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 10 according to the present embodiment includes four developing units 15Y, 15M, 15C, and 15K, an intermediate transfer member 70, a secondary transfer unit 80, and a fixing unit (not shown). The display unit includes a liquid crystal panel that serves as an informing means for the user, and a control unit 100 (FIG. 2) that controls these units and operates as a printer.

The developing units 15Y, 15M, 15C, and 15K have a function of developing a latent image with a yellow (Y) developer, a magenta (M) developer, a cyan (C) developer, and a black (K) developer, respectively. ing. Since the developing units 15Y, 15M, 15C, and 15K have the same configuration, the developing unit 15Y will be described below.
As shown in FIG. 1, the developing unit 15Y includes a charging unit 30Y, an exposure unit 40Y, a developing unit 50Y as an example of a developing device, and a primary transfer unit along the rotation direction of a photoconductor 20Y as an example of an image carrier. 60Y, a charge eliminating unit 73Y, and a photoreceptor cleaning unit 75Y.
The photoreceptor 20Y has a cylindrical base material and a photosensitive layer formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof, and is rotatable about a central axis. In the present embodiment, as shown by an arrow in FIG. Rotate clockwise.
The charging unit 30Y is a device for charging the photoconductor 20Y, and the exposure unit 40Y is a device for forming a latent image on the photoconductor 20Y charged by irradiating a laser. The exposure unit 40Y has a semiconductor laser, a polygon mirror, an F-θ lens, and the like, and charges the modulated laser based on an image signal input from a host computer (not shown) such as a personal computer or a word processor. Irradiation is performed on the photoconductor 20Y.
The developing unit 50Y is a device for developing the latent image formed on the photoreceptor 20Y using a yellow (Y) developer. Details of the developing unit 50Y will be described later.

The primary transfer unit 60Y is a device for transferring the yellow developer image formed on the photoreceptor 20Y to the intermediate transfer body 70. When the four color developers are sequentially transferred by the primary transfer units 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K, a full color developer image is formed on the intermediate transfer member 70.
The intermediate transfer member 70 is an endless belt stretched around a plurality of support rollers, and is driven to rotate while contacting the photoreceptors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K.
The secondary transfer unit 80 is a device for transferring a single color developer image or a full color developer image formed on the intermediate transfer body 70 to a medium such as paper, film, or cloth.
A fixing unit (not shown) is a device for fusing a single color developer image or a full color developer image transferred onto a medium onto a medium such as paper to form a permanent image.
The neutralization unit 73Y is a device that removes residual charges on the photoreceptor 20Y after the developer image is transferred onto the intermediate transfer body 70 by the primary transfer unit 60Y.
The photosensitive member cleaning unit 75Y has a rubber photosensitive member cleaning blade 76Y that is in contact with the surface of the photosensitive member 20Y. After the developer image is transferred onto the intermediate transfer member 70 by the primary transfer unit 60Y, the photosensitive member cleaning unit 75Y is photosensitive. This is a device for scraping and removing the developer remaining on the body 20Y by the photoreceptor cleaning blade 76Y.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 100 includes a main controller 101 and a unit controller 102. An image signal and a control signal are input to the main controller 101, and in response to a command based on the image signal and the control signal. A unit controller 102 controls each of the units and forms an image.

Next, the operation of the printer 10 configured as described above will be described with reference to other components.
First, when an image signal and a control signal from a host computer (not shown) are input to the main controller 101 of the printer 10 via the interface (I / F) 112, the unit controller 102 based on a command from the main controller 101. Under the control, the photoconductors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K, the developing rollers (described later) provided in the developing units 50Y, 50M, 50C, and 50K, the intermediate transfer body 70, and the like rotate. The photoconductors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K are sequentially charged by the charging units 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K at the charging positions while rotating.

The charged regions of the photoconductors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K reach the exposure position as the photoconductors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K rotate, and are exposed to yellow Y and magenta by the exposure units 40Y, 40M, 40C, and 40K. A latent image corresponding to the image information of M, cyan C, and black K is formed in the area.
The latent images formed on the photoreceptors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K reach the development position as the photoreceptors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K rotate, and are developed by the development units 50Y, 50M, 50C, and 50K. . As a result, developer images are formed on the photoreceptors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K.
The developer images formed on the photoconductors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K reach the primary transfer position as the photoconductors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K rotate, and are transferred by the primary transfer units 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K. Then, it is transferred to the intermediate transfer body 70. At this time, a primary transfer voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the developer is applied to the primary transfer units 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K. As a result, the four color developer images formed on the respective photoconductors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K are transferred to overlap with the intermediate transfer member 70, and a full color developer image is formed on the intermediate transfer member 70. Is done.

The full color developer image formed on the intermediate transfer member 70 reaches the secondary transfer position as the intermediate transfer member 70 rotates, and is transferred to the medium by the secondary transfer unit 80. The medium is transported from a paper feed tray (not shown) to the secondary transfer unit 80 via various rollers (the arrows in FIG. 1 indicate the transport direction of the medium). When performing the transfer operation, the secondary transfer unit 80 is pressed against the intermediate transfer body 70 and a secondary transfer voltage is applied.
The full color developer image transferred to the medium is heated and pressed by the fixing unit and fused to the medium.

  On the other hand, the photoreceptors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K are neutralized by the neutralization units 73Y, 73M, 73C, and 73K after passing the primary transfer position, and are further supported by the photoreceptor cleaning units 75Y, 75M, 75C, and 75K. The developer adhering to the surface is scraped off by the photoconductor cleaning blades 76Y, 76M, 76C, and 76K to prepare for charging to form the next latent image. The developer that has been scraped off is collected in a remaining developer collecting section provided in the photoreceptor cleaning units 75Y, 75M, 75C, and 75K.

=== Overview of Control Unit ===
Next, the configuration of the control unit 100 will be described with reference to FIG. The main controller 101 of the control unit 100 is connected to a host computer via an interface 112 and includes an image memory 113 for storing image signals input from the host computer. The unit controller 102 includes units (charging units 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K, exposure units 40Y, 40M, 40C, and 40K, developing units 50Y, 50M, 50C, and 50K, primary transfer units 60Y, 60M, and 60C, and the like. 60K, static elimination units 73Y, 73M, 73C, 73K, photoconductor cleaning units 75Y, 75M, 75C, 75K, secondary transfer unit 80, fixing unit, display unit), and signals from sensors included in these , Each unit is controlled based on a signal input from the main controller 101 while detecting the state of each unit.

=== Configuration Example of Development Unit ===
Next, a configuration example of the developing unit will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing main components of the developing unit. FIG. 4 is a conceptual perspective view showing the surface of the developer supply roller 550. 5A to 5C are cross-sectional views showing the shapes of grooves provided on the surface of the developer supply roller 550. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the trail regulation of the regulation blade 560. In FIG. 3, the vertical direction is indicated by arrows as in FIG. 1. For example, the developing roller 510 is above the developer supply roller 550.

  The printer 10 includes, as developing units, a black developing unit 50K containing black (K) developer, a magenta developing unit 50M containing magenta (M) developer, and a cyan developing unit 50C containing cyan (C) developer. , And a yellow developing unit 50Y containing a yellow (Y) developer is provided. Since each developing unit has the same configuration, the yellow developing unit 50Y will be described below.

  The yellow developing unit 50Y includes a developer container 530 as an example of a developer container, a developer supply roller 550 as an example of a developer supply member, a sliding roller 540, and a regulating blade as an example of a regulating member. 560, a developing roller 510 as an example of a developer carrier, and a developing roller cleaning unit 570.

  The developer storage unit 530 stores a developer D for developing the latent image formed on the photoconductor 20Y. The developer D accommodated in the developer accommodating portion 530 has a low concentration (about 1 to 2 wt%) and a low viscosity with Isopar (trademark: exon) as a carrier, which is generally used conventionally. It is not a volatile liquid developer having volatility, but a non-volatile liquid developer D having a high concentration and high viscosity and having non-volatility at room temperature. That is, the liquid developer D according to the present embodiment contains toner particles made of resin, pigment, and the like having an average particle size of about 0.1 to 5 μm in a non-volatile and insulating carrier liquid such as paraffin oil and silicone oil. It is a developer D having a high viscosity (about 100 to 10,000 mPa · s) dispersed in a high concentration (about 5 to 40 wt%).

  The developer supply roller 550 has a function of supplying the developer D to the developing roller 510. The developer supply roller 550 is formed by uniformly and spirally providing a groove 550b as an example of a concave portion as shown in FIG. 4 on the surface of a metallic roller such as iron and having a diameter thereof. About 25 mm. The developer supply roller 550 in the present embodiment includes a groove 550b having a trapezoidal cross section as shown in FIG. 5A as the groove, for example, a groove having an inverted triangular cross section as shown in FIG. 5B. Or a groove having a semicircular cross section as shown in FIG. 5C. As shown in FIG. 5A, the groove dimensions of the developer supply roller 550 in the present embodiment are a groove pitch of about 170 μm, a peak width of about 45 μm, a valley width of about 30 μm, and a groove depth of about 50 μm.

  Further, in order to appropriately transfer the developer D on the developer supply roller 550 to the development roller 510, the surface of the developer supply roller 550 is in pressure contact with a later-described elastic layer of the development roller 510. ing. Further, the developer supply roller 550 can rotate around its central axis 550 a, and the central axis 550 a is below the rotation central axis of the developing roller 510. Further, the developer supply roller 550 rotates in a direction (clockwise in FIG. 3) opposite to the rotation direction of the developing roller 510 (counterclockwise in FIG. 3).

  Further, the developer supply roller 550 is immersed in the developer D accommodated in the developer accommodating portion 530 with a part thereof being exposed. Therefore, when the developer supply roller 550 rotates in such a situation, the developer supply roller 550 enters the developer D on the right side in FIG. 3 when viewed from the vertical plane A passing through the central axis of the developer supply roller 550, and FIG. The developer supply roller 550 advances from the developer D on the middle left side.

The sliding roller 540 slides with respect to the side wall 530a of the developer accommodating portion 530 by rotating. The sliding roller 540 is a SUS roller and has a diameter of about 10 mm.
The sliding roller 540 has the developer supply roller 550 rotated so that the axial direction of the central axis 540a thereof is along the axial direction of the central axis 550a of the developer supply roller 550 and when viewed from the vertical plane A described above. And provided on the side entering the developer D (that is, the right side in FIG. 3 when viewed from the vertical plane A). Further, the central shaft 540a of the sliding roller 540 is positioned below the central shaft 550a of the developer supply roller 550 in the vertical direction, and the sliding roller 540 is provided in the developer D liquid. Further, the sliding roller 540 is opposed to the developer supply roller 550 with the developer D interposed therebetween, and is in contact with the side wall 530a of the developer accommodating portion 530. The sliding roller 540 is separated from the developer supply roller 550 with a width of about 1 mm.

Further, the sliding roller 540 is rotatable about its central shaft 540a, and rotates in the same direction (clockwise in FIG. 3) as the rotation direction of the developer supply roller 550 (clockwise in FIG. 3). The rotation speed of the sliding roller 540 is the same as the rotation speed of the developer supply roller 550 and the linear speed.
The sliding roller 540 has a function of supplying the developer D to the developer supply roller 550 by moving the developer D stored in the developer storage portion 530 toward the developer supply roller 550. At the same time, it has a function of stirring the developer D in order to maintain the developer D in an appropriate state.

  The regulating blade 560 is in contact with the surface of the developer supply roller 550 and regulates the amount of the developer D on the developer supply roller 550. That is, the regulation blade 560 plays a role of scraping off the excess developer on the developer supply roller 550 and measuring the developer D on the developer supply roller 550 supplied to the development roller 510. The restriction blade 560 is made of urethane rubber as an elastic body, and is supported by a restriction blade support member 562 made of metal such as iron. Further, the regulating blade 560 is provided on the side where the developer supply roller 550 rotates from the developer D when viewed from the vertical surface A (that is, the left side in FIG. 3 when viewed from the vertical surface A). Yes. The rubber hardness of the regulation blade 560 is about 62 degrees according to JIS-A, and the hardness (about 62 degrees) of the contact portion of the regulation blade 560 with the surface of the developer supply roller 550 is about the developing roller described later. This is lower than the hardness (about 85 degrees) of the pressure contact portion of the elastic body layer 510 to the surface of the developer supply roller 550.

  Further, the edge 560a of the regulating blade 560 is in contact with the surface of the developer supply roller 550, and so-called edge regulation is performed. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the regulating blade 560 is disposed so that the tip thereof faces the downstream side in the rotation direction of the developer supply roller 550, and performs so-called trail regulation. As shown in FIG. 6, in this embodiment, the trail angle is about 10 degrees.

  The developing roller 510 carries the developer D and conveys it to the developing position facing the photoconductor 20Y in order to develop the latent image carried on the photoconductor 20Y with the developer D. The developing roller 510 includes a conductive elastic layer on the outer peripheral portion of an inner core made of metal such as iron, and has a diameter of about 20 mm. The elastic body layer has a two-layer structure. As the inner layer, urethane rubber having a rubber hardness of about 30 degrees JIS-A and a thickness of about 5 mm is used, and as the surface layer (outer layer), the rubber hardness is JIS. A urethane rubber having a thickness of about 30 μm at about 85 ° A is provided. The developing roller 510 is in pressure contact with the developer supply roller 550 and the photoreceptor 20Y in a state where the surface layer is a pressure contact portion and is elastically deformed.

  Further, the developing roller 510 can rotate around its central axis, and the central axis is below the rotational central axis of the photoconductor 20Y. Further, the developing roller 510 rotates in a direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 3) opposite to the rotation direction of the photoreceptor 20Y (clockwise in FIG. 3). When developing the latent image formed on the photoconductor 20Y, an electric field is formed between the developing roller 510 and the photoconductor 20Y.

  The developing roller cleaning unit 570 has a rubber developing roller cleaning blade 571 in contact with the surface of the developing roller 510, and the developer D remaining on the developing roller 510 after development is performed at the developing position. Is scraped off by the developing roller cleaning blade 571 and removed.

  In the yellow developing unit 50Y configured as described above, the sliding roller 540 rotates around the central axis 540a, so that the developer D accommodated in the developer accommodating portion 530 is directed toward the developer supply roller 550. The developer D is supplied to the developer supply roller 550.

  The developer D reaches the contact position of the regulating blade 560 by the rotation of the developer supply roller 550. Then, when passing through the contact position, the excess amount of the developer D is scraped off by the regulating blade 560, and the amount of the developer D supplied to the developing roller 510 is measured. That is, since the developer supply roller 550 is provided with the groove 550b as described above, the regulating blade 560 that contacts the developer supply roller 550 causes the developer D on the developer supply roller 550 to enter the groove 550b. The retained developer D is left and scraped off. Further, since the dimension of the groove 550b is determined so that the developer amount of the developer D supplied to the developing roller 510 is an appropriate amount, the regulating blade 560 causes the developer D on the developer supply roller 550 to be removed. When scraped off, the developer D measured to an appropriate amount by the groove 550b remains in the groove 550b.

  The developer D held in the groove 550b of the developer supply roller 550 reaches the pressure contact position with the development roller 510 by further rotation of the developer supply roller 550. The developer D that has reached the pressure contact position is transferred from the developer supply roller 550 to the development roller 510 due to the pressure generated by the pressure contact between the developer supply roller 550 and the development roller 510, and is transferred onto the development roller 510. A thin film of developer D is formed.

  The developer D thin film formed on the developing roller 510 in this manner reaches the developing position (that is, the pressure contact position with the photoconductor 20Y) facing the photoconductor 20Y by the rotation of the developing roller 510, and the development The latent image formed on the photoconductor 20Y is subjected to development at a position under an electric field of a predetermined magnitude. The developer D on the developing roller 510 that has passed the developing position reaches the contact position of the developing roller cleaning blade 571 as the developing roller 510 further rotates. When passing through the contact position, the developer D attached to the surface of the developing roller 510 is scraped off by the developing roller cleaning blade 571, and the developer D thus scraped off is removed from the developing roller cleaning unit. It is collected in a residual developer collecting unit provided in 570.

  The rotation of the developer supply roller 550 starts with the sliding roller 540 rotating. That is, the printer 10 rotates the developer supply roller 550 after rotating the sliding roller 540.

=== About the action of the sliding roller against bubbles ===
As described above, the sliding roller 540 according to the present embodiment is provided to face the developer supply roller 550 and to be in contact with the developer storage unit 530, and in the same direction as the rotation direction of the developer supply roller 550. The developer slides relative to the developer accommodating portion 530 by rotating. This makes it possible to appropriately prevent image quality degradation.
That is, as described in the section of the problem to be solved by the invention, the developer supply roller 550 is immersed in the developer D accommodated in the developer accommodating portion 530 with a part thereof exposed. When the developer supply roller 550 rotates, air is taken in when the developer supply roller 550 enters the developer D, and the developer supply roller 550 of the developer D (particularly, the developer D of the developer D rotates). In some cases, air bubbles may be generated at the approaching portion.
When the developer D having bubbles is supplied to the developing roller 510 and the supplied developer D develops the latent images carried on the photoreceptors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K, an image is formed. The image quality may be deteriorated.

  An example is given and it demonstrates more concretely. When the bubbles generated in the developer D are present around the developer supply roller 550 (for example, attached to the developer supply roller 550), when the developer supply roller 550 rotates, the bubbles are regulated by the regulating blade 560. It will reach the contact position. The bubbles are accumulated at the contact position, in other words, between the regulation blade 560 and the developer supply roller 550, but occasionally pass through the regulation blade 560 to reach the pressure contact position with the development roller 510. It will be. The bubbles reaching the pressure contact position are transferred to the developing roller 510 together with the developer D, but the bubbles may burst during or after the transfer. As a result, the developing roller 510 The film thickness of the developer D film formed thereon is nonuniform. Therefore, in such a case, the latent image carried on the photoconductors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K is developed with the developer D having a non-uniform film thickness, thereby forming an image, and the image quality is deteriorated. Will occur.

Therefore, the sliding roller 540 that slides with respect to the developer storage unit 530 by rotating in the same direction as the rotation direction of the developer supply roller 550 is opposed to the developer supply roller 550 and the developer storage unit 530. Provided in contact with
In this way, the sliding roller 540 rotates in the same direction as the rotation direction of the developer supply roller 550 in a state of facing the developer supply roller 550, so that it occurs in the developer D and is generated in the developer supply roller 550. A bubble that adheres to the developer supply roller 550 and moves with the rotation of the developer supply roller 550, or a bubble that is positioned near the developer supply roller 550 and moves along the direction in which the developer supply roller 550 rotates, The developer D flows in a direction (indicated by an arrow X in FIG. 7) that prevents the movement of the developer D, and the bubbles can be moved in the direction of the arrow X by the action of the developer D flow. It becomes.

  Further, the rotation of the sliding roller 540 can cause the flow of the developer D in the direction along the direction in which the sliding roller 540 rotates (the direction indicated by the arrow Y in FIG. 7). There is a possibility that the bubbles move in the direction of arrow Y due to the action of the flow and reach between the sliding roller 540 and the developer accommodating portion 530. However, since the sliding roller 540 is provided in contact with the developer accommodating portion 530 and slides with respect to the developer accommodating portion 530, bubbles that reach between the sliding roller 540 and the developer accommodating portion 530 are generated. Passing between these is prevented.

That is, when air is taken in when the developer supply roller 550 enters the developer D, bubbles generated in the developer D are generated between the slide roller 540 and the developer supply roller 550 and between the slide roller 540 and the developer. Passing between the developer container 530 and the developer D having bubbles is appropriately prevented from being supplied to the developing roller 510.
Therefore, it is possible to form an image by developing the latent images carried on the photoconductors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K without being adversely affected by the above-described bubbles, and the image quality is appropriately deteriorated. Will be prevented.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the flow of the developer D generated by the rotation of the sliding roller 540.

=== Other Embodiments ===
Although the developing device and the like according to the present invention have been described above based on the above embodiment, the above embodiment is for facilitating understanding of the present invention and does not limit the present invention. . The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the gist thereof, and the present invention includes the equivalents thereof.

  In the above embodiment, an intermediate transfer type full-color laser beam printer has been described as an example of the image forming apparatus. However, the present invention is also applicable to a full-color laser beam printer other than the intermediate transfer type. Further, it is applicable not only to a full color laser printer but also to a monochrome laser beam printer. Further, it is applicable not only to a printer but also to various image forming apparatuses such as a copying machine and a facsimile.

  Further, the photosensitive member is not limited to a so-called photosensitive roller configured by providing a photosensitive layer on the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical base material, and is a so-called photosensitive belt configured by providing a photosensitive layer on the surface of a belt-shaped base material. It may be.

  Similarly, in the above-described embodiment, the developer carrier and the developer supply member are the developing roller 510 and the developer supply roller 550, respectively. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a belt-like development belt or a developer supply belt may be used.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the regulation blade 560 is arranged so that the tip thereof faces the downstream side in the rotation direction of the developer supply roller 550 and performs so-called trail regulation. For example, the tip of the developer supply roller is disposed so as to face the upstream side of the rotation direction of the developer supply roller, and so-called counter regulation may be performed.

  In the above embodiment, the sliding roller 540 is provided in the liquid of the developer D and faces the developer supply roller 550 with the developer D interposed therebetween. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is not a thing. For example, the sliding roller 540 may face the developer supply roller 550 without sandwiching the developer D (for example, face the developer supply roller 550 while being in contact with the developer supply roller 550). Good.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the sliding roller 540 is provided such that the axial direction of the central shaft 540 a is along the axial direction of the central shaft 550 a of the developer supply roller 550, and the central shaft 540 a of the sliding roller 540 is Although it is assumed that the developer supply roller 550 is positioned below the central axis 550a of the developer supply roller 550, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the center axis 540a of the sliding roller 540 may be positioned above the center axis 550a of the developer supply roller 550 in the vertical direction.

  In the above embodiment, the sliding roller 540 is provided on the side where the developer supply roller 550 rotates and enters the developer D when viewed from the vertical plane A passing through the central shaft 550a of the developer supply roller 550. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the sliding roller 540 is on the side where the developer supply roller 550 rotates and advances from the developer D when viewed from the vertical plane A passing through the central shaft 550 a of the developer supply roller 550. It may be provided.

When the sliding roller 540 is provided on the side where the developer supply roller 550 rotates and enters the developer D when viewed from the vertical plane A, the sliding roller 540 is provided on the side which advances from the developer D. Compared to the case, the bubbles that could not pass between the sliding roller 540 and the developer supply roller 550 and between the sliding roller 540 and the developer accommodating portion 530 moved upward, and the developer The phenomenon that the supply roller 550 disappears (that is, the bubbles return to the air above the liquid level) easily occurs on the liquid level of the developer D positioned on the side where the supply roller 550 enters the developer D.
Therefore, when the latent images carried on the photoconductors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K are developed to form an image, the above-described adverse effects due to the bubbles are further less likely to be received. In this respect, the above embodiment is more desirable.

  In the above embodiment, the sliding roller 540 is in contact with the side wall 530a of the developer accommodating portion 530 and is slid with respect to the side wall 530a by rotating. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, it may be in contact with the bottom portion 530 b of the developer accommodating portion 530, and may slide with respect to the bottom portion 530 b by rotating.

  In the above embodiment, the developer supply roller 550 starts rotating while the sliding roller 540 is rotating. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the rotation of the developer supply roller 550 may be started while the sliding roller 540 is not rotating.

  When rotation of the developer supply roller 550 starts while the sliding roller 540 is rotating, the developer supply roller 550 adheres to the developer supply roller 550 and tries to move as the developer supply roller 550 rotates. In a direction (direction indicated by an arrow X in FIG. 7) that prevents the movement of bubbles or bubbles that are located in the vicinity of the developer supply roller 550 and that move along the direction in which the developer supply roller 550 rotates. In the state where the flow of the developer D is generated, the developer supply roller 550 rotates and enters the developer D. Therefore, the developer D having bubbles may be supplied to the development roller 510. , More properly prevented. In this respect, the above embodiment is more desirable.

Further, in the above embodiment, the sliding roller 540 is provided so as to be in contact with the side wall 530a of the developer accommodating portion 530 and is slid with respect to the side wall 530a by rotating. As shown, the developer accommodating portion 530 has a protruding portion 530c on its inner wall, the sliding roller 540 faces the developer supply roller 550 with the developer D interposed therebetween, and the protruding portion 530c. It is good also as sliding with respect to the said protrusion part 530c by rotating in the same direction as the rotation direction of the developer supply roller 550.
In this way, the developer accommodating space of the developer accommodating portion 530 can be widened without changing the size of the sliding roller 540.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the developer accommodating portion 530 has a seal member 530 d on its inner wall, and the sliding roller 540 faces the developer supply roller 550 with the developer D interposed therebetween. In addition, the seal member 530d may be slid with respect to the seal member 530d by rotating in the same direction as the rotation direction of the developer supply roller 550.
In such a case, since the seal member 530d specialized for preventing the passage of bubbles is positioned between the sliding roller 540 and the inner wall of the developer accommodating portion 530, the sliding roller 540 and the developer It is more appropriately prevented that the air bubbles that have reached between the housing portion 530 pass through the space.
As the seal member 530d, a felt member (FIG. 10), a sheet material made of PET having a thickness of 200 μm (FIG. 11), or the like can be used. Further, the seal member 530d may be directly fixed to the inner wall of the developer accommodating portion 530 (FIG. 10), or may be fixed to a protruding portion 530e provided on the inner wall of the developer accommodating portion 530. (FIG. 11).

  In the above embodiment, the regulation blade 560 for regulating the amount of the developer D on the developer supply roller 550 is provided in contact with the surface of the developer supply roller 550. It is not limited to. For example, the restriction blade 560 may not be provided, or the restriction blade 560 may not contact the surface of the developer supply roller 550.

When a regulating blade 560 is provided in contact with the surface of the developer supply roller 550 to regulate the amount of the developer D on the developer supply roller 550, bubbles in the developer D are caused by the restriction blade 560. And the developer supply roller 550. When bubbles are accumulated in this way, the regulation blade 560 cannot appropriately regulate the amount of the developer D on the developer supply roller 550. Therefore, in such a case, the latent image carried on the photoconductors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K is developed with the developer D whose amount is inappropriately regulated, and an image is formed. Deterioration will occur.
Therefore, when the restriction blade 560 is provided, the above-described effect, that is, bubbles pass between the sliding roller 540 and the developer supply roller 550 and between the sliding roller 540 and the developer accommodating portion 530. Therefore, the above-described embodiment is more effective in that the effect that the image quality of the obtained image is prevented from being deteriorated is more effectively exhibited.

  In the above-described embodiment, the developer D is a non-volatile liquid developer that is non-volatile at room temperature, but is not limited thereto. For example, the developer may be a low-concentration (about 1 to 2 wt%) and low-viscosity volatile liquid developer using Isopar (trademark: Exon) as a carrier at room temperature.

The non-volatile liquid developer having non-volatility at normal temperature has a high viscosity in order to exhibit its non-volatility. When a high-viscosity liquid developer is used in the above-described developing device, air is easily taken in when the developer supply roller 550 rotates and enters the developer D due to the high viscosity. Therefore, bubbles are easily generated in the developer D. In addition, due to the high viscosity, the bubbles generated in the developer D move upward and disappear at the liquid level of the developer D (that is, the bubbles return to the air above the liquid level). , Are less likely to occur, and bubbles tend to stay in the developer D.
Therefore, the above-described effect, that is, the effect of appropriately preventing the developer D having bubbles from being supplied to the developing roller 510 and preventing the image quality of the obtained image from being deteriorated is more effectively exhibited. In this respect, the above embodiment is more effective.

  In the above embodiment, the groove 550b has been described as an example of the recess provided in the developer supply roller 550. For example, a hole having a shape as shown in FIG. 12A or FIG. A large number of supply rollers 550 may be provided. 12A and 12B show the shape of the hole provided on the developer supply roller 550. FIG.

  In the above embodiment, the number of members having the function of supplying the developer D to the developer supply roller 550 is only one (sliding roller 540). However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in addition to the sliding roller 540, a roller having a function of supplying the developer D to the developer supply roller 550 is advanced from the developer D when the developer supply roller 550 rotates when viewed from the vertical plane A. It is good also as providing in the side to do.

=== Configuration of Image Forming System etc. ===
Next, an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an external configuration of the image forming system. The image forming system 700 includes a computer 702, a display device 704, a printer 706, an input device 708, and a reading device 710. In this embodiment, the computer 702 is housed in a mini-tower type housing, but is not limited thereto. The display device 704 is generally a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), a plasma display, a liquid crystal display device, or the like, but is not limited thereto. As the printer 706, the printer described above is used. In this embodiment, the input device 708 uses a keyboard 708A and a mouse 708B, but is not limited thereto. In this embodiment, the reading device 710 uses a flexible disk drive device 710A and a CD-ROM drive device 710B. However, the reading device 710 is not limited to this. For example, an MO (Magneto Optical) disk drive device or a DVD (Digital Versatile) is used. Disk) etc. may be used.

  FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the image forming system shown in FIG. An internal memory 802 such as a RAM and an external memory such as a hard disk drive unit 804 are further provided in a housing in which the computer 702 is housed.

  In the above description, the example in which the printer 706 is connected to the computer 702, the display device 704, the input device 708, and the reading device 710 to configure the image forming system has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Absent. For example, the image forming system may include a computer 702 and a printer 706, and the image forming system may not include any of the display device 704, the input device 708, and the reading device 710.

  For example, the printer 706 may have a part of the functions or mechanisms of the computer 702, the display device 704, the input device 708, and the reading device 710. As an example, the printer 706 includes an image processing unit that performs image processing, a display unit that performs various displays, a recording medium attachment / detachment unit for attaching / detaching a recording medium that records image data captured by a digital camera or the like. It is good also as a structure to have.

  The image forming system realized in this way is a system superior to the conventional system as a whole system.

1 is a diagram illustrating main components constituting an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control unit of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 1. It is sectional drawing which showed the main components of the developing unit. 5 is a perspective conceptual diagram showing the surface of a developer supply roller 550. FIG. 5A to 5C are cross-sectional views showing the shapes of grooves provided on the surface of the developer supply roller 550. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating trail regulation of a regulation blade 560. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a flow of developer D generated by rotation of a sliding roller 540. FIG. It is sectional drawing which showed the main components of the developing unit which concerns on another example. It is sectional drawing which showed the main components of the developing unit which concerns on another example. It is sectional drawing which showed the main components of the developing unit which concerns on another example. It is sectional drawing which showed the main components of the developing unit which concerns on another example. 12A and 12B show the shape of the hole provided on the developer supply roller 550. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an external configuration of an image forming system. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image forming system shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

10 Laser beam printer 15Y, 15M, 15C, 15K Developing unit 20Y, 20M, 20C, 20K Photoconductor 30Y, 30M, 30C, 30K Charging unit 40Y, 40M, 40C, 40K Exposure unit 50Y, 50M, 50C, 50K Developing unit 60Y , 60M, 60C, 60K Primary transfer unit 70 Intermediate transfer member 73Y, 73M, 73C, 73K Static elimination unit 75Y, 75M, 75C, 75K Photoconductor cleaning unit 76Y, 76M, 76C, 76K Photoconductor cleaning blade 80 Secondary transfer unit 100 Control unit 101 Main controller 102 Unit controller 112 Interface 113 Image memory 510 Developing roller 530 Developer container 530a Side wall 530b Bottom 530c Protruding part 5 0d seal member 530e protrusion 540 sliding roller 540a central shaft 550 developer supply roller 550a central shaft 550b groove 560 regulating blade 560a edge 562 regulating blade support member 570 developing roller cleaning unit 571 developing roller cleaning blade 700 image forming system 702 computer 704 Display device 706 Printer 708 Input device 708A Keyboard 708B Mouse 710 Reading device 710A Flexible disk drive device 710B CD-ROM drive device 802 Internal memory 804 Hard disk drive unit D Developer

Claims (13)

A developer carrier for carrying a liquid developer;
A rotatable developer supply member for supplying a liquid developer to the developer carrier;
A developer container for containing a liquid developer,
A developing device for developing a latent image carried on an image carrier by a liquid developer carried on the developer carrier,
In the developing device in which the developer supply member is immersed in the liquid developer housed in the developer container with a part thereof exposed,
A slide that faces the developer supply member and is in contact with the developer container, and slides relative to the developer container by rotating in the same direction as the rotation direction of the developer supply member. A developing device having a moving roller. The developing device according to claim 1,
The developing device, wherein the developer supplying member is a developer supplying roller. The developing device according to claim 2,
The developing device, wherein the sliding roller is provided in a liquid developer and faces the developer supply roller with the liquid developer interposed therebetween. The developing device according to claim 3,
The sliding roller is provided such that the axial direction of the central axis thereof is along the axial direction of the central axis of the developer supply roller, and the central axis of the sliding roller is perpendicular to the central axis of the developer supply roller. A developing device, which is located below the direction. The developing device according to claim 4,
The developing device, wherein the sliding roller is provided on a side where the developer supply roller rotates and enters the liquid developer as viewed from a vertical plane passing through a central axis of the developer supply roller. . The developing device according to any one of claims 3 to 5,
The developing device, wherein the developer supply roller starts to rotate while the sliding roller is rotating. The developing device according to any one of claims 3 to 6,
The developer container has a protrusion on its inner wall,
The sliding roller is provided so as to face the developer supply roller with the liquid developer interposed therebetween and to be in contact with the protrusion, and rotates in the same direction as the rotation direction of the developer supply roller. A developing device that slides relative to a protruding portion. The developing device according to any one of claims 3 to 6,
The developer container has a seal member on its inner wall,
The sliding roller is provided so as to face the developer supply roller with the liquid developer interposed therebetween and to be in contact with the seal member, and rotates in the same direction as the rotation direction of the developer supply roller. A developing device that slides on a seal member. The developing device according to any one of claims 3 to 8,
A developing device comprising: a regulating member that abuts on a surface of the developer supply roller and regulates an amount of the liquid developer on the developer supply roller. The developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid developer is a non-volatile liquid developer that is non-volatile at room temperature. A developer carrier for carrying a liquid developer;
A rotatable developer supply member for supplying a liquid developer to the developer carrier;
A developer container for containing a liquid developer,
A developing device for developing a latent image carried on an image carrier by a liquid developer carried on the developer carrier,
In the developing device in which the developer supply member is immersed in the liquid developer housed in the developer container with a part thereof exposed,
A slide that faces the developer supply member and is in contact with the developer container, and slides relative to the developer container by rotating in the same direction as the rotation direction of the developer supply member. A moving roller,
The developer supply member is a developer supply roller,
The sliding roller is provided in the liquid developer, and faces the developer supply roller with the liquid developer interposed therebetween.
The sliding roller is provided such that the axial direction of the central axis thereof is along the axial direction of the central axis of the developer supply roller, and the central axis of the sliding roller is perpendicular to the central axis of the developer supply roller. Located in the lower direction,
The sliding roller is provided on the side where the developer supply roller rotates and enters the liquid developer when viewed from a vertical plane passing through the central axis of the developer supply roller,
With the sliding roller rotating, the developer supply roller starts to rotate,
A regulating member for contacting the surface of the developer supply roller to regulate the amount of liquid developer on the developer supply roller;
The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid developer is a non-volatile liquid developer that is non-volatile at room temperature. An image carrier for carrying a latent image;
A developer carrying member for carrying the liquid developer, a rotatable developer supply member for feeding the liquid developer to the developer carrying member, and a developer containing member for containing the liquid developer; And a developing device for developing the latent image carried on the image carrier by the liquid developer carried on the developer carrier, wherein the developer supply member is partially exposed. A developing device immersed in a liquid developer stored in the developer container,
In an image forming apparatus comprising:
A slide that faces the developer supply member and is in contact with the developer container, and slides relative to the developer container by rotating in the same direction as the rotation direction of the developer supply member. An image forming apparatus having a moving roller. Computer and
An image forming apparatus connectable to the computer, comprising: an image carrier for carrying a latent image; a developer carrier for carrying a liquid developer; and supplying a liquid developer to the developer carrier. A developer supply member capable of rotating, and a developer container for containing the liquid developer, and is carried on the image carrier by the liquid developer carried on the developer carrier. A developing device for developing the latent image, wherein the developer supplying member is immersed in a liquid developer contained in the developer containing body with a part thereof exposed. Provided image forming apparatus,
In an image forming system having
A slide that faces the developer supply member and is in contact with the developer container, and slides relative to the developer container by rotating in the same direction as the rotation direction of the developer supply member. An image forming system comprising a moving roller.

Images