JP2006259199A - Developing device, process cartridge and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem in which a toner stays or accumulates on the conveying face of a conveying member used for conveying toner, which results in conveyance failure and hindrance to an increase in an amount of conveyance. <P>SOLUTION: The skeleton conveyance member 1 is formed by layering three skeleton electrode members 11 across the direction of toner conveyance via insulation members 15, 15 disposed at both edges of the skeleton conveyance members 11. Each skeleton electrode member 11 has a plurality of lines 12 of electrodes disposed at prescribed intervals via spaces 13 such that the lines 12 of electrodes of the layers are spatially formed. Thus, the toner is conveyed via spaces 14 defined between the surface of the uppermost skeleton electrode 11 and each layer of the skeleton electrode members 11. Part of the skeleton conveyance member 1, which is opposite an image carrier 101, is a curved part 1N curved along the circumferential face of the image carrier 101, thus forming a development nip part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a developing device, a process cartridge, and an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to a developing device, a process cartridge, and an image forming apparatus that convey powder by a traveling wave electric field.

  As various image forming apparatuses such as printers, facsimiles, copying machines, plotters, printer / fax / copier multifunction machines, etc., the image carrier is charged to form an electrostatic latent image, and the electrostatic latent image is colored. And a toner image (including transfer material, paper, recording paper, intermediate transfer body, etc.) by developing a toner image (hereinafter referred to as “toner” or “toner particles”). An image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic process for transferring to (.) Is known.

In such an image forming apparatus, as described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, an electrostatic transport substrate that transports toner by a traveling wave electric field (also referred to as a phase shift electric field or a transport electric field) is provided. A developing device that develops by ejecting toner from the front end portion of the electric transport substrate toward the latent image on the image carrier, and hops the toner on the electrostatic transport substrate as described in Patent Document 3. There is known a developing device for developing a latent image on an image carrier.
JP 2003-098826 A JP 2002-240943 A JP 2003-043806 A

Further, as devices for electrostatically transporting toner, those described in Patent Documents 4 to 8 are known.
JP-A-8-149859 JP 2003-098826 A JP 2004-157259 A JP 2001-139144 A JP 2004-219768 A

  As described in Patent Documents 1 to 3 and the like, conventional toner conveying members used in such conventional developing devices that electrostatically convey toner are placed on members such as glass substrates, FPCs, and PCBs. A toner transport substrate (member) that generates a traveling wave electric field for transporting toner is formed by forming electrodes and laminating them.

  However, in the above-described conventional toner conveying member, if the surface material of the conveying member has a problem in charging or a combination of charging sequences with respect to toner charging, a Coulomb force acts between the toner and the surface of the conveying member, and adsorption However, there is a problem that fixing or toner charge deterioration occurs. In addition, the conveyance member is sensitive to the humidity of the environmental atmosphere. When the humidity exceeds 50%, there is a problem that the fixation due to the liquid cross-linking force increases and the toner is fixed to the surface of the conveyance member and cannot be conveyed.

  In addition, particularly when low-charged or uncharged toner is supplied to the surface of the conveying member, it cannot follow the electric field phase shift in the conveying electric field and stays on the surface of the conveying member. There is also a problem that the conveyance efficiency is remarkably lowered or the conveyance becomes impossible.

  Therefore, when such a transport member is used in the developing device of the image forming apparatus, if toner adheres to or adheres to the transport member, the toner accumulates without being transported and cannot be developed when used in the developing device. It will be accompanied by the problem. Further, since only the upper surface (2π) of the conveying member is conveyed, there is a limit in the amount of toner conveyance, and there is a problem that it becomes impossible to cope with high-speed development.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a developing device, a process cartridge, and an image forming apparatus capable of performing stable development with reduced toner retention and accumulation.

  In order to solve the above problems, a developing device according to the present invention is a toner transport member that transports toner by a transport electric field formed by applying a multiphase voltage to a plurality of electrodes arranged at predetermined intervals. A developing device that develops a latent image with a conveying surface of the toner conveying member opposed to an image carrier on which a latent image is formed. The skeleton transport members are arranged in a stacked manner, and the skeleton transport member has a configuration in which a curved portion is formed along the peripheral surface of the image carrier.

  A developing device according to the present invention includes a toner conveying member that conveys toner by a conveying electric field formed by applying a multiphase voltage to a plurality of electrodes arranged at predetermined intervals. In a developing device that develops a latent image with a conveying surface facing an image carrier on which a latent image is formed, a toner conveying member is a skeleton conveying member in which electrode lines constituting an electrode are spatially stacked in a skeleton structure. The voltage for concentrating the toner is applied to the electrode lines of the layers close to the image carrier among the electrode lines of each layer constituting the skeleton conveying member.

  Here, the pulse voltage applied to the electrode wire of the layer close to the image carrier among the electrode wires of each layer constituting the skeleton conveying member is more than the pulse voltage applied to the electrode wire of the other layer. A configuration with a high voltage value. Alternatively, the pulse voltage applied to the electrode wire on the layer close to the image carrier among the electrode wires of each layer constituting the skeleton conveying member is more toner than the pulse voltage applied to the electrode wire of the other layer. It is assumed that the time for attracting Or, the pulse voltage applied to the electrode wire of the layer near the image carrier among the electrode wires of each layer constituting the skeleton conveying member has a frequency higher than the pulse voltage applied to the electrode wire of the other layer. The configuration is high. Further, it is preferable that the skeleton transport member is formed with a curved portion that follows the peripheral surface of the image carrier.

  A developing device according to the present invention includes a toner conveying member that conveys toner by a conveying electric field formed by applying a multiphase voltage to a plurality of electrodes arranged at predetermined intervals. In a developing device that develops a latent image with a conveying surface facing an image carrier on which a latent image is formed, the toner conveying member is a skeleton conveying member in which electrode lines constituting electrodes are arranged in a skeleton structure in a spatial arrangement. The skeleton conveying member has a configuration in which a curved portion is formed along the peripheral surface of the image carrier.

  In each of the developing devices according to the present invention, it is preferable that a bias electrode member to which a bias voltage having the same polarity as the charging polarity of the toner is applied is disposed above and below the skeleton conveying member.

  A process cartridge according to the present invention includes an image carrier, a charging unit, a cleaning unit, and a developing device according to the present invention, and is configured to be detachable from the image forming apparatus main body. .

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes one or a plurality of developing devices according to the present invention or process cartridges according to the present invention.

  According to the developing device of the present invention, the toner conveying member is a skeleton conveying member in which electrode lines constituting the electrode are spatially stacked and arranged in a skeleton structure, and the skeleton conveying member is disposed on the peripheral surface of the image carrier. Since the curved portion is formed, the toner retention and accumulation can be reduced, the toner conveyance amount can be increased, and the developing nip portion can be widened to supply a sufficiently charged toner to the developing area. And stable development can be performed.

  According to the developing device of the present invention, the toner conveying member is a skeleton conveying member in which electrode wires constituting the electrode are spatially stacked and arranged in a skeleton structure, and among the electrode wires of each layer constituting the skeleton conveying member, Since the voltage for concentrating the toner is applied to the electrode line of the layer on the side close to the image bearing member, the retention and accumulation of toner can be reduced, and the toner conveyance amount can be increased. Even with a skeleton structure, a sufficiently charged toner can be sent to the development area, and stable development can be performed.

  According to the developing device of the present invention, the toner conveying member is a skeleton conveying member in which electrode wires constituting the electrode are arranged in a skeleton structure in a spatial arrangement, and the skeleton conveying member is disposed on the circumferential surface of the image carrier. Since the curved portion is formed, the toner retention and accumulation can be reduced, the toner conveyance amount can be increased, and the developing nip portion can be widened to supply a sufficiently charged toner to the developing area. And stable development can be performed.

  According to the process cartridge and the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, since the developing device according to the present invention is provided, it is possible to reduce toner stagnation and accumulation, increase the toner conveyance amount, and achieve stable development. Can be done.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, a first example of a skeleton transport member used in the developing device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 is an explanatory plan view of the skeleton conveying member, FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional explanatory view taken along the line AA of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is an explanatory side view of the skeleton conveying member.

  This skeleton conveying member 1 is formed by laminating three skeleton electrode members 11 at both ends in a direction crossing the toner conveying direction via insulating members 15 and 15. The skeleton electrode member 11 is formed by forming a plurality of electrode wires 12 with gaps 13 at predetermined intervals. Then, the skeleton electrode member 11 is laminated on both ends via insulating members 15 and 15 so that the electrode wires 12 of each layer are spatially laminated (via the space). That is, the skeleton transport member 1 has a skeleton structure in which the space 14 is interposed between the electrode wires 12 of the skeleton electrode members 11 of each layer. In this case, if the voltage applied to the electrode wire 12 is n-phase (here, three-phase), the three skeleton electrode members 11 are laminated by shifting the gap 13 by 1 / n in the transport direction. A phase-shifting electric field can be generated.

  Specifically, for example, the electrode wire 12 and the space 13 are formed by etching a thin plate (foil) such as SUS304, 303, 306, 316, Ni and its alloys, or a hypertensive alloy, or by electroforming. Alternately formed skeleton electrode members 11 can be produced. In this case, for example, using SUS304 having a thickness of 100 μm, the electrode line 12 was formed to have a line width of 100 μm, and the gap 13 was formed to have a width of 500 μm.

  Then, for example, a polyimide plate having a thickness of 100 μm is sandwiched between the both ends of the skeleton electrode member 11 on which the electrode wires 12 are formed in the shape of a slat or sag, and a skeleton electrode member 11 of the next layer is formed to a thickness of 500 μm. The gap 13 is joined at a position of 100 μm, and similarly, a polyimide plate with a thickness of 100 μm as an insulating member 15 is sandwiched, and the skeleton electrode member 11 of the next layer is joined at a position of 100 μm with a gap of 500 μm. Three layers of skeleton electrode members 11, 11, and 11 are joined.

  Accordingly, in a three-dimensional manner, when the lowermost skeleton electrode member 11 is the first layer in the figure, the reference electrode wire 12 of the first skeleton electrode member 11 is used as a reference. The electrode wire 12 of the skeleton electrode member 11 in the second layer is located at a position shifted by 200 μm in the transport direction and 100 μm in the height direction with respect to 12, and further 400 μm in height in the transport direction with respect to the reference electrode wire 12 The electrode line 12 of the skeleton electrode member 11 in the third layer is positioned at a position shifted by 300 μm in the direction.

  In the skeleton transport member 1 configured in this way, as shown in FIG. 4, the voltage application means 2 applies n-phase (here, three-phase) pulse voltages Va, Vb, Vc to each skeleton electrode member 11. As a result, a traveling wave electric field is formed, and the charged toner T is conveyed in the conveying direction. The principle of transporting charged toner by a traveling wave electric field will be described later.

  At this time, since the skeleton transport member 1 has a skeleton structure in which the electrode wires 12 are spatially stacked, the spaces 14 and 14 between the skeleton electrode members 11 also serve as toner transport spaces, and the surface of the uppermost skeleton electrode member 11. The toner is transported through the space 14 between the uppermost skeleton electrode member 11 and the space 14 between the lower skeleton electrode member 11. That is, while the conventional method is to convey only the upper surface (2π) of the conveying member, it can be conveyed by 4π including the interelectrode space (the lower surface of the electrode).

Therefore, a conventional substrate made of an insulating material such as a glass substrate, a resin substrate or a ceramic substrate, or a substrate made of a conductive material such as SUS, and an insulating film such as SiO ₂ formed thereon, a polyimide film, etc. Compared to the case where electrodes are formed on a substrate made of a material that can be deformed flexibly, the toner conveyance space (conveyance path) increases three times, and the toner conveyance amount per unit time increases. be able to.

  Further, the poorly charged toner can be separated from the gap between the electrode wires and selectively transport the properly charged toner. Furthermore, since the skeleton transport member 1 has a skeleton structure in which the electrode wires 12 are spatially arranged, there is no member to which toner adheres and adheres between the electrode wires 12, and the electrode wires 12 depend on the driving frequency. Depending on the applied voltage and width (length), a vibration of 0.1 μm or more (a vibration of about 50 μm was confirmed) occurred depending on the applied voltage and width (length). Even if a part of the toner adheres to the wire, it is peeled off by vibration, and the toner can be prevented from adhering and fixing.

  In the manufacturing example described above, the electrode wires 12 have a pitch of 200 μm and the distance between the wires is 100 μm. The electric field between lines when a driving voltage of 400 V was applied was 4 kV / mm. When the charged toner adheres, a higher electric field strength is required at a limit potential for isolating the charged toner. In particular, the adhesive strength becomes strong at high temperature and high humidity, and 6 kV / mm or more is required. In this case, by coating the surface of the electrode wire 12 with a water repellent material or an inorganic oxide film with little adsorbed water, the adhesion force of the toner can be reduced and the peeling electric field can be lowered.

  Further, the skeleton electrode member can be manufactured by an inexpensive conventional technique without applying an expensive semiconductor technique, and the cost can be reduced. Note that the electrode line pitch, the electrode line width, the gap between the upper and lower electrode lines of the skeleton electrode member are not limited to the above description, and the driving voltage for generating the phase shift electric field is not limited to the above example. It is not a thing.

Here, different examples of the structure of the electrode wire 12 that further reduces the adhesion of the toner to the electrode wire 12 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 are enlarged cross-sectional explanatory views of the main part of the electrode wire 12.
In the example shown in FIG. 5, the electrode wire 12 has a cross-sectional shape along the transport direction, and has a shape having tapered surfaces 12 a and 12 b facing at the upper and lower sides in the transport direction at least at the end facing the transport direction. In the example illustrated in FIG. 6, the electrode wire 12 has a cross-sectional shape along the transport direction, and has a shape having a tapered surface 12 a facing upward in the transport direction at least at an end facing the transport direction.

  By making the cross-sectional shape of the electrode wire 12 into such a shape, as shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. 6, the toner T that has been transported collides with the taper surfaces 12a and 12b and recoils to the upper side in the transport direction. Or it will face downward and it will become difficult to adhere and adhere to the electrode wire 12 compared with the case where the edge part of the electrode wire 12 is formed in the flat surface.

Next, another example of the skeleton electrode member 11 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is an explanatory plan view of the main part of the skeleton electrode member.
In the skeleton electrode member 11, a bridging portion 21, which is a linear reinforcing means, is formed integrally with the electrode wires 12 between the electrode wires 12 and 12 along the conveying direction.

  That is, when the electrode wire 12 has a straight shape, the skeleton electrode member 11 having a snowboard shape or a slender shape has a lack of mechanical strength, is greatly deformed or stretched, and may be bent or curled. When this skeleton electrode member 11 is adjusted to a spatially laminated configuration, a tension is required in the lateral direction. At this time, if a tension exceeding the fracture yield point of the material is applied, the skeleton electrode member 11 is easily extended.

  Therefore, one or a plurality of bridging portions 21 between the electrode wires 12 and 12 are linearly provided and fixed between the electrode wires 12 and 12 adjacent to each other, or provided in a staggered manner and fixed to the linear drops ( In the example of FIG. 7, the mechanical strength can be reinforced by using a mesh structure in plan view.

  In this case, when the width of the electrode wire 12 is a, when the above-described n-phase (three-phase) voltage is applied to generate a phase-shift electric field, a three-layer space laminated structure is formed. Although the gap 13 between 12 is about 5 × a, the line width of the bridge portion 21 described above is about a, and the pitch of the bridge portion 21 is preferably 10a to 100a, particularly preferably 30 × a to 60 ×. a is that the rigidity of the metal material is maintained, there is no bending, and a contact short circuit between the upper and lower electrode wires 12 due to vibration during electrostatic transport driving can be prevented.

  The line width a of the electrode line 12 is preferably 30 μm to 500 μm, particularly preferably 80 μm to 200 μm, although it depends on the configuration and the driving voltage. By making this range, the skeleton electrode member 11 is formed. If the thickness T of the metal material to be used is 100 to 300 m, the rigidity of the metal material can be maintained, there is no bending, and no contact short circuit between the upper and lower electrode lines 12 due to vibration during electrostatic transport driving does not occur.

Next, another example of the bridging portion 21 between the electrode wires 12 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is an explanatory plan view of the main part of the bridging portion of the skeleton electrode member.
That is, the planar shape of the bridging portion 21 is not limited to the linear shape described above, and may be a shape as shown in FIGS. In addition, (a) is an inclined line, (b) is an S-shaped curve, (c) is a forwardly arranged taper shape (taper direction is the same), (d) is an alternately arranged taper shape (taper direction is alternating) (E) an acute angle shape, and (f) is an example of a half moon shape.

  In other words, when the bridging portion 21 is provided, it is preferable that the upper and lower electrode wires 12 are superimposed as little as possible so as not to interfere with the force of the traveling wave electric field in the charged toner conveyance direction. Therefore, by providing an inclination, a curvature line, a taper, etc., the overlapping of the upper and lower electrode lines 12 can be reduced. Furthermore, by adopting these shapes, it is possible to give deflection to the electric field distribution and to give diffusion and concentration to the toner conveyance. As a result, for example, when used in a developing device, a toner distribution that becomes non-uniform by being partially consumed by development or the like can be corrected to a uniform distribution as much as possible by diffusion and concentration.

Next, another example of the skeleton transport member 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. 9 is an explanatory side view of the skeleton transport member, and FIG. 10 is an explanatory plan view illustrating different arrangement examples of the gap maintaining members of the skeleton transport member.
In the skeleton transport member 1, an insulating gap maintaining member 22 as a gap maintaining means is interposed between the electrode wires 12 and 12 of the upper and lower skeleton electrode members 11 and 11. The gap maintaining member 22 is bonded and fixed to one or both of the upper and lower electrode wires 12 and 12 by thermocompression bonding, using a peripheral surface of an insulating material 22a coated with a thermoplastic resin 22b.

  As the insulating material 22a, for example, an organic insulating material having high heat resistance, such as polyimide, liquid crystal plastic, urea resin, fluororesin having a glass transition point of 100 ° C. or higher, or a material in which glass fiber is mixed therein, or the like is used. Can be used. The thickness of the thermoplastic resin 22b is 0.5 to 3 μm. The entire gap maintaining member 22 can also be formed of a thermoplastic resin material. The diameter of the insulating material 22a of the gap maintaining member 22 is, for example, 50 μm to 300 μm, although it depends on the distance between the upper and lower electrode wires 12.

  The gap maintaining member 22 can be arranged as shown in FIG. FIG. 10A is an example of a linear arrangement, FIG. 10B is an example of a random arrangement, FIG. 10C is an example of an oblique arrangement, and FIG. 10D is an example of an oblique arrangement. is there. In particular, it is preferable to dispose the toner so that the toner is directed inward at both ends in the direction intersecting the transport direction of the transport region.

  Note that the cross-sectional shape of the gap maintaining member 22 is not limited to the circular shape described above, but may be triangular as shown in FIG. 11, or may be elliptical as shown in FIG. It can also be made into a polygonal shape.

  Thus, by interposing the gap maintaining member 22 between the electrode wires 12 and 12 of the upper and lower skeleton electrode members 11 and 11, the mechanical strength between the upper and lower electrode wires 12 is reinforced, and the electrode wire 12 at the time of driving is also provided. It is possible to prevent contact short-circuit between the upper and lower electrode wires 12 due to the vibration of.

Next, still another example of the skeleton transport member 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is an explanatory side view of the skeleton transport member.
The skeleton transport member 1 is configured by fixing both end portions in a direction intersecting the transport direction of the skeleton electrode member 11 with end fixing members 24 made of an insulating material.

  That is, when a space laminated structure of the electrode wires 12 is manufactured, the space between the electrode wires 12 is protected by the gap maintaining member 22 in the vertical direction, but for fixing both ends and the shape of the skeleton electrode member 11 In addition, end fixing members 24 made of a highly insulating material are provided at both ends of the skeleton electrode member 11 so as to secure a gap, insulate, and fix the shape. In this case, it is preferable to fix at both ends of the skeleton electrode member 11 in order to secure an area necessary for toner conveyance.

Next, still another example of the skeleton transport member 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is an explanatory side view of the skeleton transport member.
As described above, the skeleton transporting member 1 is positioned 1 / n at a time by setting the phase of the voltage for applying the electrode wire 12 to the three skeleton electrode substrates 11 in the toner transport direction as n phases (three phases in this example). In addition to being spatially stacked and shifted, the positions are also shifted in the direction intersecting the transport direction.

  That is, when the skeleton electrode substrate 11 is reinforced by providing the bridging portion 21 as described above, if the bridging portion 21 is in the same position in the upper and lower sides, there is a possibility that the traveling wave electric field may be distorted. By disposing the substrate 11 in a direction crossing the transport direction, the overlapping of the bridging portions 21 that bridge the electrode wires 12 is reduced, and the distortion of the traveling wave electric field is reduced. Thus, stable toner conveyance can be performed.

Next, a second example of the skeleton transport member will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16. 15 is an explanatory plan view of the skeleton conveying member, and FIG. 16 is an explanatory side view of the skeleton conveying member.
The skeleton transport member 51 has a plurality of electrode wires 52 arranged in a spatial manner with a gap 53 interposed therebetween, and both ends of each electrode wire 52 are fixed and held by an insulating electrode wire fixing member 55. In this example, three bus lines (an example in which the applied voltage is three-phase) 56 provided on the wire fixing member 55 and the electrode wire 52 are electrically connected.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 17, for example, a member 61 in which an electrode wire 52 is formed with a 100 μm line width and a gap 53 is formed with a 100 μm width on a conductive member such as SUS304 and both ends are cross-linked with a bridging portion 62 is manufactured. As shown in FIG. 18A, after fixing the electrode wire fixing member 55 to both ends of the member 61, the bridging portion 62 of the member 61 is cut as shown in FIG. A member in which a plurality of electrode wires 52 whose both ends are fixedly held by the electrode wire fixing member 55 is arranged through the gap 53 is formed. Then, as shown in FIGS. 18C and 24, the three bus lines (common electrode lines) 56 formed on the electrode wire fixing member 55 and the electrode wires 52 are sequentially electrically connected by wire bonding 57 or the like. To do.

  Note that the common electrode line and the individual electrode lines 52 can be formed using an FPC, an AFC connector, or the like as shown in FIGS. That is, three common electrode lines 66 of the FPC 65 are formed, and the contact hole 67 is formed by covering the other lines 66 with the insulating layer 68 and connected to the electrode line 52 via the anisotropic junction AFC 69. .

  In this way, in the skeleton transport member 51 in which a plurality of electrode lines 52 to which voltages of different phases are applied in a line are arranged in a spatial manner through the gap 53, for example, a drum-shaped image that forms a latent image The shape of the skeleton transport member can be arranged along the peripheral surface of the carrier, and the development area can be easily widened.

  Since the space (gap 53) is formed between the electrode wires 52, a low-charged toner or an uncharged toner falls from the gap and selectively conveys only normal charged toner, for example. It can be used for development. Further, similarly to the skeleton conveying member 1, it is possible to prevent toner from adhering to and sticking to the electrode wires.

Next, the principle of toner conveyance by the skeleton conveyance member 1 will be described.
By applying an n-phase pulse voltage to the plurality of electrode wires 12 of the skeleton transport member 1, a phase shift electric field (traveling wave electric field) is generated by the plurality of electrode wires 12, and charging on the skeleton transport member 1 is performed. The toner that has been subjected to repulsive force and / or suction force moves in the transport direction.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 22 with respect to the plurality of electrode wires 12 of the skeleton transport member 1, three phases of A phase, B phase, and C phase that change between the ground G (0 V) and the positive voltage + are shown. A pulse-like driving waveform (voltage) is applied at different timings.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 23, the negatively charged toner T is present on the skeleton transport member 1, and a plurality of spatially continuous electrode wires 12 (here, between the three layers of skeleton electrode members 11). Assuming that “G”, “G”, “+”, “G”, and “G” are respectively applied to the continuous electrode lines 12) ((a) in the figure), the negatively charged toner T is “+”. Located on electrode 102. At the next timing, “+”, “G”, “G”, “+”, and “G” are respectively applied to the plurality of electrodes 102 ((b) in the figure). Since the repulsive force acts between the electrode line 12 of “G” and the attraction force acts between the electrode line 12 on the right side and the “+” electrode line 12, the negatively charged toner T moves to the “+” electrode line 12 side. To do. Further, as shown in FIG. 5C, “G”, “+”, “G”, “G”, and “+” are applied to the plurality of electrode lines 12 at the next timing, respectively, so that they are negatively charged. Similarly, since the repulsive force and the attractive force act on the toner T, the negatively charged toner T further moves to the “+” electrode line 12 side.

Accordingly, a first embodiment of the developing device according to the present invention using the skeleton conveying member 1 described above will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 25 is a schematic explanatory diagram of the embodiment.
The developing device includes a skeleton conveying member 1 that conveys toner to a region facing the image carrier 101 on which a latent image is formed, and the latent image of the image carrier 101 is hopped on the skeleton conveying member 1. The toner is attached to the image and developed. On the rear end side of the skeleton transport member 1, a developer carrier 103 that supplies charged toner, for example, holds the charged toner with a magnetic brush, is disposed.

  The portion of the skeleton conveying member 1 that faces the image carrier 101 is a curved portion 1N that is curved along the peripheral surface of the image carrier 101, and is developed in a region where the curved portion 1N and the image carrier 101 face each other. A nip is formed. In this case, the insulating member 12 interposed between the skeleton electrodes 11 of the skeleton conveying member 1 is formed of, for example, a plastic organic resin material, so that heating deformation and cooling due to a temperature in the vicinity of the glass transition point (Tg) or the melting point (mp). Thus, the image carrier 101 can be bent with a curvature matching the curvature of the image carrier 101, and the development nip shape and the nip width can be ensured.

  In this developing apparatus, as described above, the toner is transported in the traveling direction of the phase-shifting electric field without adhering to the upper surface of the skeleton transporting member 1, the space 14 (hollow interior) between the skeleton electrode members 11 of each layer, and the lower surface. Since a large amount of toner can be conveyed, stable development can be performed at high speed.

  Moreover, in this case, the skeleton conveying member 1 has a curved developing portion 1N that is curved along the peripheral surface of the image carrier 101, so that a necessary developing nip portion is ensured. Sufficient toner can be supplied to the development area, and the development efficiency is improved.

  Next, voltage applying means 102 for applying a voltage to the electrode wire 12 of the skeleton transport member 1 of the developing device will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the electrode line 12 of the skeleton transport member 1 is opposite to the electrode line 12 in the transport area for transporting the toner to the image carrier 101 to face the latent image on the image carrier 101. It is assumed that a pulse voltage is applied separately to the electrode wire 12 in the (development region).

  The voltage applying means 102 generates and outputs a pulse signal generation circuit 201 that generates and outputs a pulse signal, and generates and outputs pulse voltages V11, V12, and V13, which are drive waveforms, by inputting the pulse signal from the pulse signal generation circuit 201. Waveform amplifiers 202a, 202b, and 202c, and waveform amplifiers 203a, 203b, and 203c that generate and output pulsed voltages V21, V22, and V23, which are drive waveforms, by inputting a pulse signal from the pulse signal generation circuit 201 are provided.

  The pulse signal generation circuit 201 receives, for example, logic level input pulses, and includes two sets of pulses that are phase-shifted by 120 °, and includes switching means such as transistors included in the waveform amplifiers 202a to 202c and 203a to 203c in the next stage. It generates and outputs a pulse signal having an output voltage of 10 to 15 V that can be driven to perform switching of 200 V.

  The waveform amplifiers 202a, 202b, and 202c apply three-phase driving waveforms (pulse-like voltages) V11, V12, and V13 to the electrode lines 12 in the transport region, and the waveform amplifiers 203a, 203b, and 203c Three-phase drive waveforms (pulse voltage) V21, V22, and V23 are applied to each of the electrodes 12.

  Here, for each electrode wire 12 in the transport region of the skeleton transport member 1, for example, as shown in FIG. 26, the application time ta of −200 V for each phase is about 30% which is 1/3 of the repetition period tf. Three-phase pulse voltages V11, V12, V13 set to (precisely 33%) are applied.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 27, for each electrode wire 12 in the development region of the skeleton transport member 1, the application time ta of −200 V) of each phase is set to about 67% which is 2/3 of the repetition period tf. The set three-phase pulse voltages V21, V22, V23 are applied.

  Here, with respect to each electrode line 12 of each skeleton electrode member 11 in the development region of the skeleton transport member 1, a pulse voltage having the same voltage value, duty, and frequency is shifted in phase as shown in FIG. However, since the electrode wires 12 of the skeleton electrode members 11 of the respective layers are spatially stacked, the toner conveyed by the electrode wires 12 of the skeleton electrode member 11 of the lower layer is a gap. 13, the toner can be transferred onto the electrode line 12 of the upper skeleton electrode member 11 through 13, and in this way, toner is collected on the skeleton electrode member 11 at the top (closest to the image carrier) in the development region. Thus, efficient development can be performed.

Such a pulse voltage will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, the pulsed voltage shown in FIG. 28 is such that the pulsed voltage V21 applied to the electrode line 12 of the uppermost skeleton electrode member 11 is −200 V, and is applied to the electrode lines 12 of the skeleton electrode members 11 and 11 of the lower two layers. By setting the applied pulsed voltages V21 and V23 to −300 V, the electric field strength of the lower layer is increased, and the toner is transferred to the uppermost skeleton electrode member 11 and concentrated.

  29, the pulse duty of the pulse voltage V21 applied to the electrode wire 12 of the uppermost skeleton electrode member 11 is 30%, and the electrodes of the lower two skeleton electrode members 11 and 11 are used. By setting the pulse duty of the pulse voltages V21 and V23 applied to the line 12 to 50%, the time for the lower layer to repel the toner becomes longer, and the toner is transferred to the uppermost skeleton electrode member 11 and concentrated. To do.

  Further, in the same manner as in FIG. 29, the pulse voltage shown in FIG. 30 is such that the pulse voltage V21 applied to the electrode wire 12 of the uppermost skeleton electrode member 11 is −200 V, and the skeleton electrode members 11 The pulse-like voltages V21 and V23 applied to the eleventh electrode wire 12 are set to −300V, and the frequency of the pulse-like voltage V21 applied to the electrode wire 12 of the uppermost skeleton electrode member 11 is set to the lower two skeleton electrode members. Concentration of toner on the uppermost skeleton electrode member 11 and the hopping height by making the frequency higher than the frequency of the pulse voltages V21 and V23 applied to the electrode wires 11 and 11 (here, examples of 6 kHz and 3 kHz). I try to make it high.

  This point will be further described. Generally, the pulse voltage applied to each electrode has the same voltage, drive region (duty, duty), and frequency. However, in the skeleton conveying member used in the present invention, the gap between the upper and lower sides of the skeleton electrode member and the inside are also the toner conveying area, and the toner conveying amount increases. On the other hand, the toner concentrates on the developing nip side with the image carrier. Disappear.

  Therefore, the pulse voltage applied to the electrode wire of the skeleton electrode member facing the image carrier is different from the pulse voltage applied to the electrode wire of the other skeleton electrode member, that is, the skeleton electrode facing the image carrier. By applying a pulse voltage that concentrates toner on the member, toner shortage in the development region is prevented.

  For example, the drive voltage is set larger than the pulse voltage applied to the electrode lines of the skeleton electrode members (layers) facing the image carrier compared to the pulse voltage applied to the electrode lines of the other skeleton electrode members (layers). (If the polarity is negative, the absolute value is reduced), so that the charged toner during conveyance is more concentrated and the amount of hopping increases, and the amount of toner contributing to development increases. The larger the electrostatic carrying voltage, the greater the concentration of flying charged toner and the rebound flying due to electric field reversal due to contact with the electrodes.

  As a specific example, a 100 μm thin plate of SUS304 has a 100 μm line width as an electrode wire 12 and a 500 μm gap is formed, and this SUS304 pattern part in the shape of a snowboard or sag (on the blind) is made of an insulating material such as a polyimide plate at both ends. A 100 μm gap is used to shift the 100 μm position of the 500 μm gap to form a two-layer structure, and the third layer is also sandwiched with a polyimide plate of 100 μm, and the 500 μm gap of the 300 μm gap is shifted to join.

  In order to generate a three-phase phase-shift electric field for the skeleton conveying member (here, the toner is described as being positively charged), the driving voltage of the skeleton electrode member facing the image carrier is used. If the other two-phase electrode is set to 400V, even if the charged toner adheres, the peeling electric field is exceeded, so the toner is transported without staying, but the drive voltage of the skeleton electrode member facing the image carrier is Since it is 500 V, the electric field attraction of the toner is large and the rebound flight is also large. This further increases the development efficiency because the toner concentrates on the image carrier side and hopping increases.

  Further, the pulse voltage applied to the electrode wire of the skeleton electrode member (layer) facing the image carrier is compared with the pulse voltage applied to the electrode wire of the other skeleton electrode member (layer). When the duty (time for attracting toner) is increased, the electrode line 12 on the image carrier side becomes hot (voltage application time), and the charged toner concentrates on the hot side.

  As a specific example, although the duty is usually 33%, a good transfer efficiency of 40 to 70% was obtained. Further, the conveyance efficiency is 55 to 60%. Therefore, assuming that the drive voltage of the electrode line of the skeleton electrode member facing the image carrier is 400 V and Duty 60%, and the drive voltage of the electrode line of the other two skeleton electrode members is 400 V and Duty 40%, the charged toner is transported efficiently. Are concentrated on the mesh electrode side facing the photoconductor on the image carrier side. Further, when the pulse voltage on the skeleton electrode member side facing the image carrier is set to a drive voltage of 500 V and a duty of 60%, and larger than the pulse voltage of the other skeleton electrode members (drive voltage of 400 V and a duty of 40%), the synergistic effect is obtained. More charged toner concentrates on the image carrier side, hopping increases, and development efficiency is further improved.

  Furthermore, if the pulse voltage on the skeleton electrode member side facing the image carrier is set to a drive voltage of 400 V and a drive frequency of 6 kHz, and larger than the pulse voltage of the other skeleton electrode members (drive voltage of 400 V, 3 kHz), The charged toner conveyed by the skeleton electrode member concentrates on the skeleton electrode member side facing the image carrier, and hopping is also frequency-dependent, so that the frequency of hopping increases. As a result, the toner density and the proximity to the vicinity of the image carrier are large, and non-contact development can be performed efficiently.

Next, a second embodiment of the developing device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 31 is a schematic explanatory diagram of the embodiment.
In this developing device, a bias voltage having the same polarity (here, negative polarity) as the charging polarity of the toner conveyed by the bias power source is applied above and below the skeleton electrode members 11, 11 above and below the skeleton conveying member 1. Bias applying members (bias electrode members) 121A and 121B having conductive plate shapes (both ends are bent obliquely toward the opposite sides) made of a metal member or the like are disposed.

  In other words, when the toner is transported, when the toner jumps and collides with the end face of the electrode wire 12 of the skeleton electrode member 11, the flight direction is bent, and the toner jumps out from the electric field region formed by the skeleton transport member 1. There is a fear. The toner hopping is concentrated at a height of 200 to 500 μm from the surface of the skeleton electrode member 11. When the toner by the hopping flies outside the conveying electric field, the skeleton conveying member 1 is not controlled in the cloud state as toner scattering, and environmental pollution occurs and the amount of conveying toner cannot be controlled.

  Therefore, by arranging bias electrode members 121A and 121B to which a bias voltage having the same polarity as the charging polarity of the toner is applied above and below the upper and lower skeleton electrode members 11 and 11, spatial electric field control is performed up to the range of the transport electric field. It is possible to repel the toner that is about to jump out of the electric field region formed by the skeleton conveying member 1 and return it to the skeleton conveying member 1 side, thereby preventing charging toner from being sealed and scattered due to hopping. In addition, the efficiency of toner conveyance amount can be improved.

  By adjusting the hopping height of the toner being conveyed in this way, the toner can be conveyed in a layered manner, and a large amount of charged toner can be concentrated on the skeleton electrode member side facing the image carrier, Since there is no bias electrode member 121A for hopping control at the opening of the bias electrode member 121A in the development nip, the frequency and height of hopping are restored, the amount of toner contributing to development is increased, and development efficiency is improved. .

Next, an example of the process cartridge according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
The process cartridge 401 is configured such that the image carrier 402 and the developing device 402 according to the present invention are integrated and detachable from the image forming apparatus main body.

  The developing device 402 includes a skeleton conveying member 1 that conveys toner to the image carrier 401 in a casing 412, and a developer carrier 413 that uses a magnetic brush that supplies charged toner to the skeleton conveying member 1. A paddle 415 for agitating the toner and the carrier is disposed in the accommodating portion 414 for accommodating the toner pumped up by the developer carrier 413.

  Above the skeleton transport member 1, the above-described bias electrode member 121A is provided in a part 121Aa before the image carrier 401 and a part 121Ab after the image carrier 401. A recovery roller 418 is provided for recovering toner that has been transported from the skeleton transport member 1 to the end without being subjected to development, and the recovered toner is sent again to the storage unit 414 to adjust the charge again. To be developed (recycled).

    As described above, since the developing device according to the present invention includes the skeleton transport member, it is possible to perform non-contact development by selective separation and hopping of the appropriately charged toner, and a sufficient toner transport amount. It is possible to ensure high-speed development, and it is a developing device with high robustness that prevents adhesion and fixation of toner even in a high-temperature and high-humidity atmosphere.

  In addition, although demonstrated by the example using the skeleton conveyance member 1, the skeleton conveyance member 51 can also be used.

Next, an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention including another process cartridge according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
The image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a charging unit, a developing unit according to the present invention as a developing unit, and an image forming unit including a cleaning unit, black (K), magenta (M), cyan (C), and yellow. (Y) process cartridges 501K, 501M, 501C, and 501Y (hereinafter simply referred to as “process cartridge 501” when not distinguished from each other; the same applies to others), optical writing devices 502K, 502M, Transfer rollers 503Bk, 503Bm, 503Bc, and 503By facing the transfer belt 503A and the process cartridges 501K, 501M, 501C, and 501Y with the conveyance belt 503A interposed therebetween, the fixing device 504, the transfer belt 503A A sheet feeding device 505 that accommodates the material 506. .

  Here, the optical writing devices 502K, 502M, 502C, and 502Y are for writing a latent image on the charged image carrier of the process cartridges 501K, 501M, 501C, and 501Y according to image information, and optical scanning using polygons. Various devices such as devices and LED arrays can be used.

  The conveyance belt 503A is stretched between the conveyance roller 511, the driven roller 512, and the tension rollers 513 and 514, and rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow by the rotation of the conveyance roller 511. Then, an adsorption roller 515 for adsorbing the transfer material 506 onto the conveyance belt 503A is arranged facing the conveyance roller 511, and a toner image is formed on the conveyance belt 503A at the exit side of the conveyance belt 503A. A P sensor 516 for detecting a pattern is arranged.

The transfer rollers 503Bk, 503Bm, 503Bc, and 503By have at least a core metal and a conductive elastic layer covering the core metal, and the conductive elastic layer is an elastic material such as polyurethane rubber or ethylene-propylene-diene polyethylene (EPDM). In addition, an elastic roller in which a conductivity imparting agent such as carbon black, zinc oxide or tin oxide is blended and dispersed to adjust the electric resistance value (volume resistivity) to a medium resistance of 10 ⁶ to 10 ¹⁰ Ω · cm.

  The fixing device 504 includes a heating roller 504a and a pressure roller 504b facing the heating roller 504a.

  In this image forming apparatus, in a normal image forming operation, the transfer material 506 such as a recording sheet supplied from the paper supply device 505 is a transfer material that is a transfer body when a predetermined voltage is applied to the suction roller 515. It is adsorbed to the conveyance belt 503A. The transfer material 506 moves together with the transfer material conveyance belt 503A while being carried on the transfer material conveyance belt 503A. During the movement, the toner images of the respective colors are sequentially transferred from the process cartridges 501K, 501M, 501C, and 501Y. A color toner image is formed thereon. When the transfer material 506 passes through the conveyance belt 503A and reaches the fixing device 504, the toner image on the transfer material 506 is heated while being sandwiched between the heating roller 504a and the pressure roller 504b to be fixed on the transfer material 506. As a result, a visible image is fixedly formed on the transfer material 506. Thereafter, the transfer material 506 on which the color image is formed is discharged to a paper discharge unit 507 at the top of the apparatus main body 510.

  In the mode in which the color misregistration and toner density of each color toner image are adjusted, a toner image having a predetermined pattern is directly formed on the transfer material conveying belt 503A from the image forming units 501K, 501M, 501C, and 501Y. The toner pattern is detected, and the write timing and development bias are changed based on the detection result, so that an optimum color image can be obtained. The toner pattern on the transfer material conveyance belt 503A is adjusted in the charging polarity by the bias applied to the suction roller 515, and then the process cartridges 501K, 501M, 501C, Collected at 501Y.

Next, the process cartridge 501 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 34 is an enlarged explanatory view of the process cartridge.
The process cartridge 501 includes an image carrier 521, a contact charging member 531, the above-described developing device 541 according to the present invention, and a cleaning device 551.

  The image carrier 521 is a negatively charged organic photoreceptor, and is provided so as to be rotated in the arrow direction (counterclockwise direction in the drawing) by a rotation driving mechanism (not shown). The contact charging member 531 is a flexible charging roller in which a foamed urethane layer of medium resistance in which a urethane resin, carbon black as conductive particles, a sulfurizing agent, a foaming agent, etc. are formulated in a roller shape is formed on a core metal. is there. The middle resistance layer formed on the core of the contact charging member (charging roller) 531 is not limited to the above urethane foam layer, but is urethane, ethylene-propylene-diene polyethylene (EPDM), butadiene acrylonitrile rubber. A rubber material obtained by dispersing a conductive material such as carbon black or metal oxide in order to adjust resistance in (NBR), silicone rubber, isoprene rubber, or the like, or a foamed material thereof can be used.

  The developing device 541 is a skeleton transporting member 1 (others) shown in FIG. 1 that constitutes electrostatic transporting means for transporting and hopping toner that is powder by a phase-shifting electric field to develop an electrostatic latent image on the image carrier 521. And a developer carrier 543 that holds the toner to be supplied to the skeleton conveying member 1 with a magnetic brush, a storage portion 544 that stores a developer composed of toner and a carrier, and a storage portion 544. A stirring screw 545 that stirs the developer inside to charge the toner and a layer thickness regulating member 546 that regulates the layer thickness of the developer on the developer carrying member 543 are provided.

  Further, a bias having a polarity opposite to that of the toner is applied above the skeleton conveying member 1, and the upper bias electrode members 547a and 547b for suppressing the scattering of the toner upward and the skeleton conveying member 1 are not used for development. A reverse conveyance member 548 that collects and conveys toner in the reverse direction, and an uncharged toner that is disposed on the end side of the reverse conveyance member 548 and drops from the skeleton conveyance member 1 and a toner that is sent from the reverse conveyance member 548 are guided downward. And a bias electrode 549 to which a bias voltage is applied.

  The cleaning device 551 includes a cleaning blade 552 that is brought into contact with the rotation direction of the image carrier 521 in the counter direction, a waste toner storage unit 553 that stores the cleaned toner particles as waste toner, and the like.

Next, the operation of the process cartridge 501 configured as described above will be described.
This image forming apparatus is a multifunction machine that can function as a copying machine and a printer. When the image forming apparatus functions as a copying machine, image information read from the scanner is subjected to various processes such as A / D conversion, MTF correction, and gradation processing. The image processing is performed and converted into write data. When functioning as a printer, image information in a format such as a page description language or a bitmap transferred from a computer or the like is subjected to image processing and converted into write data.

  Prior to image formation, the image carrier 521 starts to rotate in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 33, that is, in the counterclockwise direction so that the moving speed of the surface becomes a predetermined speed. The charging roller 531 is rotated with respect to the image carrier 521. At this time, a DC voltage of −100 V and an AC voltage of an amplitude of 1200 V and a frequency of 2 kHz are applied to the core of the charging roller 531 from the charging bias application power source, whereby the surface of the image carrier 521 is charged to about −100 V.

  The optical writing device 502 irradiates the charged image carrier 521 with a laser beam 502a in accordance with the writing data. That is, by changing the potential of the image portion by light irradiation, a difference from the potential of the non-image portion not irradiated with light is generated, and an electrostatic latent image is formed by this potential contrast.

  The electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier 521 by the optical writing device 502 is developed by the developing device 541 according to the present invention, and is visualized on the image carrier 521 as a toner image by adhering toner particles to the image portion. Is done.

  The transfer material 506 is conveyed from the paper feeding device 505 in synchronization with the timing at which the toner image formed on the image carrier 521 arrives at the transfer portion that is the opposite portion between the transfer roller 503B and the image carrier 521. The toner image on the image carrier 521 is transferred to the transfer material 506 by the voltage applied to the transfer roller 503B. The transfer material 506 to which the toner image has been transferred is fixed by the fixing device 504, and a color image is output on the transfer material 506.

  On the other hand, toner remaining on the image carrier 521 without being transferred (transfer residual toner) is cleaned by a cleaning device 551, and the surface of the image carrier 521 after cleaning is used for the next image formation.

  The process cartridges 501K, 501M, 501C, and 501Y for forming these black, magenta, cyan, and yellow toner images are detachable from the image forming apparatus main body 510. That is, as shown in FIG. 35, the process cartridges 501K, 501M, 501C, and 501Y are detachable from the open space when the transfer material conveyance belt 503A is opened and retracted from the apparatus main body 510. Exchange is possible.

It is a plane explanatory view showing an example of a skeleton transport member used in the developing device according to the present invention. It is an expanded sectional explanatory view which follows the AA line of FIG. It is side surface explanatory drawing of the skeleton conveyance member. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a toner transport operation by the skeleton transport member. It is an expanded section explanatory view showing an example of the section shape of the electrode line of the skeleton electrode member of the skeleton conveyance member. It is an expanded section explanatory view showing other examples of the section shape of the electrode line of the skeleton electrode member of the skeleton conveyance member. It is principal part plane explanatory drawing which shows the other example of the skeleton electrode member. It is principal part explanatory drawing which shows the example from which the planar shape of the bridge | crosslinking part of the skeleton electrode member differs. It is side surface explanatory drawing which shows the other example of the skeleton conveyance member. It is principal part plane explanatory drawing which shows the example from which a clearance gap maintenance member differs similarly. It is side surface explanatory drawing which shows the other example of the clearance gap maintenance member of the skeleton conveyance member. It is side surface explanatory drawing which shows the further another example of the clearance gap maintenance member. It is side surface explanatory drawing which shows another example of the skeleton conveyance member. It is side surface explanatory drawing which shows another example of the skeleton conveyance member. It is a plane explanatory view showing other examples of the skeleton conveyance member. It is a side explanatory view of the skeleton transport member, It is plane explanatory drawing of the electrode wire member with which it uses for description of the manufacturing process of the skeleton conveyance member. FIG. 23 is an explanatory plan view for explaining a process following FIG. 22 of the manufacturing process. It is principal part plane explanatory drawing used for description of the manufacturing process. It is principal part top explanatory drawing used for description of the modification of the skeleton conveyance member. It is front explanatory drawing of FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a drive waveform applied to an electrode line for explaining a principle of conveyance by a skeleton conveyance member of a toner conveyance device. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of toner conveyance. FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a developing device according to the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the voltage application means used for the developing device. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a voltage waveform applied to a transport region of the toner transport member. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a voltage waveform applied to a developing region of the toner conveying member. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of a voltage waveform applied to the developing region of the toner conveying member. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating still another example of a voltage waveform applied to the developing region of the toner conveying member. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing still another example of a voltage waveform applied to the developing region of the toner conveying member. It is a typical explanatory view showing another example of the developing device according to the present invention. It is typical explanatory drawing which shows an example of the process cartridge which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic block diagram which shows an example of the image forming apparatus which concerns on this invention provided with the other process cartridge based on this invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the process cartridge. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining attachment / detachment of the process cartridge to / from the image forming apparatus main body.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Skeleton conveyance member 2 ... Voltage application means 11 ... Skeleton electrode member 12 ... Electrode wire 13 ... Space | gap 14 ... Space 21 ... Bridging part 22 ... Gap maintenance member 52 ... Electrode wire 53 ... Gap 55 ... Electrode wire fixing member 101 ... Image Carrier 103 ... Developer carrier 102 ... Voltage applying means

401, 504K, 504M, 504C, 504Y ... Process cartridge 1N ... Curved part

Claims (11)

  A toner conveying member that conveys toner by a conveying electric field formed by applying a multiphase voltage to a plurality of electrodes arranged at predetermined intervals, and a latent image is formed on the conveying surface of the toner conveying member. In the developing device that develops the latent image to face the image carrier, the toner conveying member is a skeleton conveying member in which electrode wires constituting the electrode are spatially stacked and arranged in a skeleton structure. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the member is formed with a curved portion that follows the peripheral surface of the image carrier.   A toner conveying member that conveys toner by a conveying electric field formed by applying a multiphase voltage to a plurality of electrodes arranged at predetermined intervals, and a latent image is formed on the conveying surface of the toner conveying member. In the developing device that develops the latent image to face the image carrier, the toner conveying member is a skeleton conveying member in which electrode wires constituting the electrode are spatially stacked and arranged in a skeleton structure. A developing device, wherein a voltage for concentrating the toner is applied to an electrode line of a layer close to the image carrier among electrode lines of each layer constituting a member.   3. The developing device according to claim 2, wherein a pulse voltage applied to an electrode line on a layer closer to the image carrier among electrode lines of each layer constituting the skeleton transport member is an electrode line on another layer. A developing device characterized in that the voltage value is higher than the pulse voltage applied to.   4. The developing device according to claim 2, wherein a pulse voltage applied to an electrode line of a layer closer to the image carrier among the electrode lines of each layer constituting the skeleton transport member is applied to another layer. A developing device characterized in that the time for attracting toner is longer than the pulse voltage applied to the electrode wire.   5. The developing device according to claim 2, wherein a pulse voltage applied to an electrode line on a layer closer to the image carrier among the electrode lines of each layer constituting the skeleton transport member is different. A developing device characterized in that the frequency is higher than the pulse voltage applied to the electrode wire of the layer.   6. The developing device according to claim 2, wherein the skeleton transport member is formed with a curved portion that follows the peripheral surface of the image carrier.   A toner transport member that transports toner by a transport electric field formed by applying a multiphase voltage to a plurality of electrodes arranged at predetermined intervals, and a latent image is formed on the transport surface of the toner transport member. In the developing device for developing the latent image to face the image carrier, the toner conveying member is a skeleton conveying member in which electrode lines constituting the electrodes are arranged in a skeleton structure in a spatial arrangement, and the skeleton conveying member The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the member is formed with a curved portion that follows the peripheral surface of the image carrier.   8. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein a bias electrode member to which a bias voltage having the same polarity as the charging polarity of the toner is applied is disposed above and below the skeleton conveying member. A developing device.   A process cartridge comprising an image carrier, at least one of charging means, and cleaning means, and the developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the process cartridge is detachable from an image forming apparatus main body. .   An image forming apparatus that develops a toner by attaching toner to a latent image formed on an image carrier, comprising the developing device according to claim 1 or the process cartridge according to claim 9. An image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus for forming a color image, comprising a plurality of process cartridges according to claim 9.

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