JP2009103764A - Concentration detecting device and image-forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a concentration detecting device which improves the accuracy of the detection of concentration, and to provide an image-forming device. <P>SOLUTION: In the concentration detecting device, a first member 32 has a first flat surface 43a, part of which is a translucent part 43c having translucency, and a second member 33 has a second flat surface 47a part of which is a translucent part 47c having translucency, with the second member 33 arranged in parallel with the first flat surface 43a, to face the first flat surface 43a across the gap between the first flat surface 43a, and enabling a gap to make measurement of the concentration of particles in a solution. A moving mechanism 34 relatively moves the first and second flat surfaces 43a, 47a, in a direction which is parallel to the first and second flat surfaces 43a, 47a. A concentration-detecting part 35 has a light-emitting part 55 and a light-receiving part 56, which are provided facing each other, across the translucent part 43c of the first flat surface 43a, the gap, and the translucent part 47c of the second flat surface 47a, and detects the concentration of the solution according to the quantity of the light which passes through the gap. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a density detection apparatus and an image forming apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a solution concentration detection apparatus having a structure shown in Patent Document 1 is known. In this concentration detection apparatus, a slit capable of expanding and contracting is provided in a container for storing a solution, and a light projecting element and a light receiving element are arranged to face each other with the slit interposed therebetween. Then, the concentration of the solution is detected based on the amount of light reaching the light receiving element from the light projecting element in a state where the light receiving element is moved closer to the light projecting element and the slit is narrowed.

Moreover, in the concentration detection apparatus shown in Patent Document 2, a stirring roller is provided inside a case for storing a solution. The outer periphery of the stirring roller and the inner surface of the case are respectively formed on curved surfaces having different curvatures, and a small gap is provided between the outer periphery of the stirring roller and the inner surface of the case. Further, the surface of the agitation roller is a reflecting surface, and reflects light emitted from the photosensor through a transparent window member provided on the curved surface portion of the case. The photosensor receives light reflected from the surface of the stirring roller. In this concentration detection device, the stirring roller rotates about the central axis, so that the solution is guided to the gap between the stirring roller and the case. At this time, the photosensor detects the reflected light, so that the solution Concentration is detected.
JP 2005-315948 A JP 2006-220889 A

  However, in the concentration detection apparatus shown in Patent Document 1 described above, since the light receiving element moves so as to be close to the light projecting element and the slit can be changed, there is an error in the size of the slit. Is likely to occur. For this reason, an error is likely to occur in the optical path length between the light receiving element and the light projecting element, and it is difficult to accurately detect the density.

  Further, in the concentration detection apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 2, since a curved surface is interposed on the optical path length, there is a risk that the accuracy of concentration detection may be reduced due to unnecessary light scattering or stray light. Further, since the stirring roller is used as the reflecting surface, it is conceivable that the rotational fluctuation of the stirring roller affects the density detection result.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a density detection device and an image forming apparatus that can improve the accuracy of density detection.

  A concentration detection device according to a first aspect of the present invention is a concentration detection device that detects the concentration of a solution in which particles are dispersed in a liquid solvent, and includes a first member, a second member, a moving mechanism, a concentration detection unit, Is provided. The first member has a first flat surface, at least part of which is a translucent part having translucency. The second member has a second flat surface. The second flat surface is disposed so as to be able to face the first flat surface with a gap capable of measuring the particle concentration in the solution parallel to the first flat surface and with the first flat surface, with a gap being measurable. At least a part is a translucent part having translucency. The moving mechanism relatively moves the first flat surface and the second flat surface in a direction parallel to the first flat surface and the second flat surface. The density detector has a light transmitting part and a light receiving part that are provided so as to be able to face each other with the light transmitting part of the first flat surface, the gap, and the light transmitting part of the second flat surface in between, and the amount of light transmitted through the gap To detect the concentration of the solution.

  In this concentration detection device, the concentration of the solution is detected by the light from the light emitting unit being received by the light receiving unit through the light transmitting unit on the first flat surface, the gap, and the light transmitting unit on the second flat surface. The In this concentration detection apparatus, the first flat surface and the second flat surface move relative to each other, whereby a flow is generated in the solution in the gap, and the concentration deviation of the solution in the gap can be reduced. For this reason, it is possible to measure the concentration of the solution with a state in which the concentration deviation is reduced. Further, since the movement direction of the first flat surface and the second flat surface is a direction parallel to the first flat surface and the second flat surface, the distance between the first flat surface and the second flat surface, that is, There is little effect on the size of the gap. Further, since the first flat surface and the second flat surface are flat, unnecessary light scattering and stray light generation can be suppressed. Thereby, in this density | concentration detection apparatus, the precision of density | concentration detection can be improved.

  A concentration detection apparatus according to a second invention is the concentration detection apparatus according to the first invention, wherein the moving mechanism is formed by the first member and the second member about an axis perpendicular to the first flat surface and the second flat surface. Rotate at least one.

  In this concentration detection apparatus, the moving mechanism rotates at least one of the first member and the second member, so that the first flat surface and the second flat surface are parallel to the first flat surface and the second flat surface. It can be moved relative.

  A concentration detection apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is the concentration detection apparatus according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, and includes a first end surface including the first flat surface of the first member and a second flat surface of the second member. At least one of the first end surface and the second end surface facing the second end surface is such that the distance from the other end surface is larger than the gap when the first flat surface and the second flat surface are closest to each other. The formed end surface distance enlargement part is provided.

  In this concentration detection device, the distance between the first end surface and the second end surface is larger than the gap when the first flat surface and the second flat surface are closest to each other by the inter-surface distance expanding unit. The fluid easily flows between the first end surface and the second end surface. Thereby, the fluid can be easily flown into the gap between the first flat surface and the second flat surface.

  A concentration detection apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the concentration detection apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the first member further includes a first cleaning member. The first cleaning member contacts the light-transmitting portion of the second flat surface by the relative movement of the first flat surface and the second flat surface, and removes dirt on the light-transmitting portion of the second flat surface.

  In this concentration detection apparatus, the first cleaning member can remove the dirt on the light transmitting portion of the second flat surface. Thereby, the concentration can be stably detected.

  A concentration detection device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the concentration detection device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the second member further includes a second cleaning member. The second cleaning member contacts the light transmitting portion of the first flat surface by the relative movement of the first flat surface and the second flat surface, and removes dirt on the light transmitting portion of the first flat surface.

  In this concentration detection apparatus, the second cleaning member can remove the dirt on the light transmitting portion of the first flat surface. Thereby, the concentration can be stably detected.

  A concentration detection apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the concentration detection apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the first member further has a third flat surface. The third flat surface is disposed so as to face the second flat surface in parallel with the gap between the first flat surface and the second flat surface with a gap different from the gap between the first flat surface and the second flat surface. It is a translucent part with translucency.

  In this concentration detection apparatus, by selectively switching between a state in which the first flat surface and the second flat surface face each other and a state in which the third flat surface and the second flat surface face each other, the concentration detection of the solution is performed. The optical path length can be switched. For this reason, for example, an optical path length suitable for concentration detection can be selected according to the difference in translucency depending on the color or concentration of the solution.

  A concentration detection device according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is a concentration detection device that detects the concentration of a solution in which particles are dispersed in a liquid solvent, and includes a first member, a second member, a moving mechanism, a concentration detection unit, Is provided. The first member has a first flat surface, at least a part of which is a reflective surface that reflects light. The second member is arranged so as to be able to face the first flat surface in parallel to the first flat surface and with a gap capable of measuring the particle concentration in the solution between the first flat surface and the first flat surface. The portion has a second flat surface that is a translucent portion having translucency. The moving mechanism relatively moves the first flat surface and the second flat surface in a direction parallel to the first flat surface and the second flat surface. The concentration detection unit has a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit that are provided so as to face the reflecting surface of the first flat surface with a light transmitting unit and a gap of the second flat surface therebetween, and a solution depending on the amount of light transmitted through the gap The concentration of is detected.

  In this concentration detection apparatus, light from the light emitting unit is reflected by the reflecting surface of the first flat surface through the light transmitting unit and the gap of the second flat surface, and again passes through the light transmitting unit of the gap and the second flat surface. And received by the light receiving unit. Thereby, the concentration of the solution is detected. In this concentration detection apparatus, the first flat surface and the second flat surface move relative to each other, whereby a flow is generated in the solution in the gap, and the concentration deviation of the solution in the gap can be reduced. For this reason, it is possible to measure the concentration of the solution with a state in which the concentration deviation is reduced. Further, since the movement direction of the first flat surface and the second flat surface is a direction parallel to the first flat surface and the second flat surface, the distance between the first flat surface and the second flat surface, that is, There is little effect on the size of the gap. Further, since the first flat surface and the second flat surface are flat, unnecessary light scattering and stray light generation can be suppressed. Thereby, in this density | concentration detection apparatus, the precision of density | concentration detection can be improved.

  A concentration detection apparatus according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the concentration detection apparatus according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, in which the moving mechanism is formed between the first member and the second member around an axis perpendicular to the first flat surface and the second flat surface. Rotate at least one.

  In this concentration detection apparatus, the moving mechanism rotates at least one of the first member and the second member, so that the first flat surface and the second flat surface are parallel to the first flat surface and the second flat surface. It can be moved relative.

  A concentration detection apparatus according to a ninth aspect is the concentration detection apparatus according to the seventh aspect or the eighth aspect, comprising a first end surface including the first flat surface of the first member and a second flat surface of the second member. At least one of the first end surface and the second end surface facing the second end surface is such that the distance from the other end surface is larger than the gap when the first flat surface and the second flat surface are closest to each other. The formed end surface distance enlargement part is provided.

  In this concentration detection device, the distance between the first end surface and the second end surface is larger than the gap when the first flat surface and the second flat surface are closest to each other by the inter-surface distance expanding unit. The fluid easily flows between the first end surface and the second end surface. Thereby, the fluid can be easily flown into the gap between the first flat surface and the second flat surface.

  A concentration detection apparatus according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the concentration detection apparatus according to any one of the seventh to ninth aspects, wherein the first member further includes a first cleaning member. The first cleaning member contacts the light-transmitting portion of the second flat surface by the relative movement of the first flat surface and the second flat surface, and removes dirt on the light-transmitting portion of the second flat surface.

  In this concentration detection apparatus, the first cleaning member can remove the dirt on the light transmitting portion of the second flat surface. Thereby, the concentration can be stably detected.

  A concentration detection apparatus according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is the concentration detection apparatus according to any one of the seventh to tenth aspects of the present invention, wherein the second member further includes a second cleaning member. The second cleaning member contacts the reflective surface of the first flat surface by the relative movement of the first flat surface and the second flat surface, and removes dirt on the reflective surface.

  In this density detection apparatus, the dirt on the reflective surface of the first flat surface can be removed by the second cleaning member. Thereby, the concentration can be stably detected.

  A concentration detection apparatus according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is the concentration detection apparatus according to any one of the seventh to eleventh aspects of the present invention, wherein the first member further has a third flat surface. The third flat surface is disposed so as to face the second flat surface in parallel with the gap between the first flat surface and the second flat surface with a gap different from the gap between the first flat surface and the second flat surface. It is a reflective surface that reflects light.

  In this concentration detection apparatus, by selectively switching between a state in which the first flat surface and the second flat surface face each other and a state in which the third flat surface and the second flat surface face each other, the concentration detection of the solution is performed. The optical path length can be switched. For this reason, for example, an optical path length suitable for concentration detection can be selected according to the difference in translucency depending on the color or concentration of the solution.

  A concentration detection device according to a thirteenth invention is the concentration detection device according to any one of the seventh invention to the twelfth invention, wherein the second member further has a fourth flat surface. The fourth flat surface is disposed so as to face the first flat surface parallel to the first flat surface and with a gap different from the gap between the first flat surface and the second flat surface. It is a translucent part with translucency.

  In this concentration detection apparatus, the concentration of the solution is detected by selectively switching between a state in which the first flat surface and the second flat surface face each other and a state in which the first flat surface and the fourth flat surface face each other. The optical path length can be switched. For this reason, for example, an optical path length suitable for concentration detection can be selected according to the difference in translucency depending on the color or concentration of the solution.

  An image forming apparatus according to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention is an image forming unit that forms a toner image on an image forming object using a liquid developer in which toner particles are dispersed in a liquid solvent, and a density that detects the toner concentration of the liquid developer. A detecting device; and a density adjusting unit that adjusts the toner concentration of the liquid developer based on the toner concentration detected by the density detecting device. The concentration detection apparatus includes a first member, a second member, a moving mechanism, and a concentration detection unit. The first member has a first flat surface, at least part of which is a translucent part having translucency. The second member has a second flat surface. The second flat surface is arranged parallel to the first flat surface and facing the first flat surface with a gap capable of measuring the toner concentration in the liquid developer between the first flat surface and the first flat surface. At least a part of the light-transmitting part is a light-transmitting part. The moving mechanism relatively moves the first flat surface and the second flat surface in a direction parallel to the first flat surface and the second flat surface. The density detector has a light transmitting part and a light receiving part that are provided so as to be able to face each other with the light transmitting part of the first flat surface, the gap, and the light transmitting part of the second flat surface in between, and the amount of light transmitted through the gap Thus, the toner concentration of the liquid developer is detected.

  In this image forming apparatus, it is possible to improve the accuracy of detecting the toner concentration of the liquid developer.

  An image forming apparatus according to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention is an image forming unit that forms a toner image on an image forming object using a liquid developer in which toner particles are dispersed in a liquid solvent, and a density that detects the toner concentration of the liquid developer. A detecting device; and a density adjusting unit that adjusts the toner concentration of the liquid developer based on the toner concentration detected by the density detecting device. The concentration detection apparatus includes a first member, a second member, a moving mechanism, and a concentration detection unit. The first member has a first flat surface, at least a part of which is a reflective surface that reflects light. The second member is disposed in parallel to the first flat surface and facing the first flat surface with a gap capable of measuring the toner concentration in the liquid developer between the first flat surface and the first flat surface. It has the 2nd flat surface from which at least one part is a translucent part with translucency. The moving mechanism relatively moves the first flat surface and the second flat surface in a direction parallel to the first flat surface and the second flat surface. The concentration detection unit has a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit provided to be opposed to the reflecting surface of the first flat surface with the light transmitting unit and the gap of the second flat surface interposed therebetween, and the liquid is detected by the amount of light transmitted through the gap. The toner density of the developer is detected.

  In this image forming apparatus, it is possible to improve the accuracy of detecting the toner concentration of the liquid developer.

  In the present invention, errors in the optical path length between the light receiving unit and the light emitting unit, light scattering, and stray light generation can be suppressed, and the accuracy of density detection can be improved.

<First Embodiment>
〔Constitution〕
A concentration detection apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The concentration detection device 100 is a device that detects the concentration of a solution in which particles are dispersed in a liquid solvent. As shown in FIG. 1, the solution storage unit 31, the first member 32, the second member 33, and the like. , A moving mechanism 34 and a concentration detector 35 are provided. Although FIG. 1 is a side view of the concentration detection apparatus 100, a part of the configuration of the solution storage unit 31 and the like is shown as a cross-sectional view for easy understanding. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG.

  The solution storage unit 31 has an internal space S1 into which the solution flows. The supply port 36 communicates with the internal space S1 and supplies the solution to the internal space S1. An outlet 37 is provided. The supply port 36 is provided on the side wall of the solution storage unit 31, and the discharge port 37 is provided on the side wall opposite to the supply port 36. The solution storage unit 31 has a circular first opening 38 provided above the internal space S1 and communicating with the internal space S1, and a circular second opening provided below the internal space S1 and communicating with the internal space S1. 39 is provided.

  The first member 32 is a generally cylindrical member having a hollow inside. The first member 32 is inserted into the first opening 38 of the solution storage unit 31, and is supported rotatably with respect to the solution storage unit 31 by a support structure (not shown). The first member 32 and the inner wall surface of the solution storage unit 31 are sealed with an oil seal 41. A gear portion 42 that is rotationally driven by the moving mechanism 34 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of a portion of the first member 32 located outside the internal space S1 of the solution storage portion 31. The bottom surface of the first member 32, that is, the end surface 43 of the portion of the first member 32 located in the internal space S1 of the solution storage unit 31 (hereinafter referred to as “first end surface 43”) is a first flat surface 43a. And a first inclined surface 43b. The first flat surface 43a is perpendicular to the rotation axis X1 of the first member 32, and has a flat shape that occupies half of the first end surface 43, as shown in FIG. The first member 32 is provided with a through hole 44 a that extends from the internal space S <b> 2 of the first member 32 to the first end surface 43. The through hole 44 a is a light-transmitting light provided flush with the first end surface 43. It is blocked by the sex member 44b. The translucent member 44b is formed of a material that transmits the wavelength of light emitted from the light emitting unit 55 of the concentration detection unit 35 described later. For this reason, a part of the first flat surface 43a is a translucent portion 43c having translucency. The first inclined surface 43b occupies half of the first end surface 43 and is connected to the first flat surface 43a. The first inclined surface 43b is inclined such that the distance from the second end surface 47 of the opposing second member 33 increases as the distance from the first flat surface 43a increases.

  The second member 33 is a member having the same shape as the first member 32. That is, the second member 33 is a substantially cylindrical member having a hollow inside and is disposed coaxially with the first member 32. The 2nd member 33 is inserted in the 2nd opening 39 of the solution storage part 31, and is rotatably supported with respect to the solution storage part 31 by the support structure which is not shown in figure. The second member 33 and the inner wall surface of the solution storage unit 31 are sealed with an oil seal 45. A gear portion 46 that is rotationally driven by the moving mechanism 34 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the portion of the second member 33 located outside the internal space S1 of the solution storage portion 31. The upper surface of the second member 33, that is, the end surface 47 of the portion of the second member 33 located inside the internal space S <b> 1 of the solution storage unit 31 (hereinafter referred to as “second end surface 47”) is a second flat surface 47 a. And a second inclined surface 47b. The second flat surface 47 a is perpendicular to the rotation axis X <b> 2 of the second member 33 and has a flat shape that occupies half of the second end surface 47. The second flat surface 47a is arranged so as to be parallel to the first flat surface 43a and facing the first flat surface 43a with a minute gap through which a solution can flow. . For this reason, a thin layer of a solution is formed between the first flat surface 43a and the second flat surface 47a. The second member 33 is provided with a through hole 48 a that extends from the internal space S 3 of the second member 33 to the second end surface 47, and the through hole 48 a is provided flush with the second end surface 47. The light transmitting member 48b is plugged. The translucent member 48b is formed of a material that transmits the wavelength of light emitted from the light emitting unit 55 of the concentration detection unit 35 described later. Therefore, a part of the second flat surface 47a is a translucent part 47c having translucency. The translucent part 47c of the second member 33 is the same as the translucent part 43c of the first member 32 and the rotation axis X2 in a top view or a bottom view so that the translucent part 47c of the first member 32 can be opposed. It is arranged on the circumference. The second inclined surface 47b occupies half of the second end surface 47 and is connected to the second flat surface 47a. The second inclined surface 47b is inclined so that the distance from the first end surface 43 of the first member 32 facing the second inclined surface 47b increases as the distance from the second flat surface 47a increases. For this reason, the distance between the second inclined surface 47b and the first end surface 43, and the distance between the first inclined surface 43b and the second end surface 47 are the gaps between the first flat surface 43a and the second flat surface 47a. Is bigger than.

  The moving mechanism 34 rotates the first member 32 and the second member 33 around the rotation axes X1 and X2 perpendicular to the first flat surface 43a and the second flat surface 47a, so that the first flat surface 43a and the second flat surface 43a are rotated. The two flat surfaces 47a are relatively moved in a direction parallel to the first flat surface 43a and the second flat surface 47a. The moving mechanism 34 has a first motor 53 and a second motor 54. The first motor 53 has a first gear portion 53 a that meshes with the gear portion 42 of the first member 32, and rotates the first member 32. The second motor 54 has a second gear portion 54 a that meshes with the gear portion 46 of the second member 33, and rotates the second member 33 in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the first member 32.

  The density detector 35 is configured such that the translucent part 43c of the first flat surface 43a, the gap between the first flat surface 43a and the second flat surface 47a, and the translucent part 47c of the second flat surface 47a are spaced from each other. The light-emitting unit 55 and the light-receiving unit 56 are provided so as to be able to face each other, and the concentration of the solution is detected based on the amount of light transmitted through the gap between the first flat surface 43a and the second flat surface 47a. The light emitting unit 55 is disposed in the internal space S <b> 2 of the first member 32, and is fixedly provided separately from the first member 32. For this reason, even if the 1st member 32 rotates, the light emission part 55 is stationary, without rotating together. The light receiving unit 56 is disposed in the internal space S <b> 3 of the second member 33 and is fixedly provided separately from the second member 33. For this reason, even if the 2nd member 33 rotates, the light-receiving part 56 is stationary without rotating. In addition, the light receiving unit 56 is arranged so that the optical axis coincides with the light emitting unit 55. The light axes of the light emitting unit 55 and the light receiving unit 56 are parallel to the rotation axes X1 and X2 of the first member 32 and the second member 33, and the light transmitting units 43c and the second member 33 of the first member 32 are transparent. It arrange | positions on the same periphery regarding the optical part 47c and the rotating shaft X2.

[Density detection operation]
An operation of detecting the concentration of the solution by the concentration detection apparatus 100 described above will be described.

  Here, first, the first member 32 and the second member 33 are rotationally driven in the reverse direction by the moving mechanism 34. Thereby, the thin layer of the solution between the 1st flat surface 43a of the 1st member 32 and the 2nd flat surface 47a of the 2nd member 33 is stirred, and the density | concentration of the solution in a thin layer is equalize | homogenized.

  The output of the light receiving unit 56 is evaluated at the timing when the light transmitting unit 43c of the first member 32 and the light transmitting unit 47c of the second member 33 overlap on the optical axis of the light emitting unit 55 and the light receiving unit 56, and the concentration of the solution. Converted to The first member 32 and the second member 32 are arranged so that the light-transmitting portion 43c of the first member 32 and the light-transmitting portion 47c of the second member 33 described above can overlap on the optical axis of the light emitting portion 55 and the light receiving portion 56. The rotation of the member 33 is controlled.

〔Characteristic〕
In the concentration detection apparatus 100, the first flat surface 43a and the second flat surface 47a move relative to each other as described above, so that a shearing force is applied to the solution in the gap, thereby causing a stable flow in the solution. Arise. For this reason, the concentration of the solution in the gap can be made uniform, and the concentration can be measured in a state where the concentration is made uniform. In addition, the moving direction of the first flat surface 43a and the second flat surface 47a is parallel to the first flat surface 43a and the second flat surface 47a. The distance to the flat surface 47a does not change. Therefore, even if the first flat surface 43a and the second flat surface 47a are moved relative to each other, the thickness of the thin layer of the solution formed between the first flat surface 43a and the second flat surface 47a is stabilized. be able to. Further, since the first flat surface 43a and the second flat surface 47a are flat, unnecessary light scattering and stray light generation can be suppressed. Thereby, in this density | concentration detection apparatus 100, the precision of density | concentration detection can be improved.

  Moreover, since the 1st inclined surface 43b is provided in the 1st member 32, and the 2nd inclined surface 47b is provided in the 2nd member 33, if the 1st member 32 and the 2nd member 33 rotate, it will become a 1st end surface. The distance between 43 and the second end face 47 varies. Thereby, the flow of the solution to the gap between the first flat surface 43a and the second flat surface 47a can be promoted. Moreover, the solution in the solution storage unit 31 can be stirred by promoting the flow of the solution.

  Note that the first inclined surface 43b and the second inclined surface 47b are preferably colored in a color that hardly reflects light or roughened in order to prevent stray light from entering the light receiving unit 56.

  Further, in the above-described density detection operation, the light transmitting portion 43c of the first member 32 and the light transmitting portion 47c of the second member 33 are overlapped on the optical axes of the light emitting portion 55 and the light receiving portion 56 at the timing of the light receiving portion 56. Although the output is evaluated, after the first member 32 and the second member 33 are rotated, the light transmitting portion 43c of the first member 32 and the light transmitting portion 47c of the second member 33 are the light emitting portion 55 and the light receiving portion 56. The first member 32 and the second member 33 may be stopped in a state where they overlap on the optical axis, and the output of the light receiving unit 56 may be evaluated in this state.

Second Embodiment
A concentration detection apparatus 101 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. In the concentration detection apparatus 101, a part of the first flat surface 43a of the first member 32 is not a light transmitting portion but a reflecting surface 43d that reflects light. Further, the light emitting unit 55 and the light receiving unit 56 are both disposed in the internal space S <b> 3 of the second member 33. Therefore, the light emitted from the light emitting portion 55 passes through the light transmitting portion 47c of the second member 33, the gap between the first flat surface 43a and the second flat surface 47a, and the reflecting surface of the first flat surface 43a. The light is reflected by 43d and is received by the light receiving portion 56 again through the gap between the first flat surface 43a and the second flat surface 47a, the light transmitting portion 47c of the second member 33.

  About another structure, it is the same as that of the density | concentration detection apparatus 100 of 1st Embodiment.

  The density detection operation is the same as in the first embodiment, and the light transmitting portion 47 c of the second flat surface 47 a and the reflecting surface 43 d of the first member 32 are the optical axes of the light emitting portion 55 and the light receiving portion 56. At the timing of overlapping, the output of the light receiving unit 56 is evaluated and converted into the toner concentration of the solution.

  Such a concentration detection apparatus 101 can also provide the same effects as the concentration detection apparatus 100 of the first embodiment.

<Third Embodiment>
An image forming apparatus 1 according to a third embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a front view schematically showing a main configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 1 is, for example, a color printer, and is a so-called wet image forming apparatus that uses a liquid developer in which charged toner particles are dispersed in an electrically neutral liquid carrier (solvent). An image forming apparatus 1 discharges a sheet on which an image is formed, an image forming unit 2 that forms a toner image on a sheet as an image forming object based on image data, a sheet storage unit 3 that stores the sheet, A discharge unit 6, a sheet transport unit 7 for transporting sheets from the sheet storage unit 3 to the discharge unit 6, and a liquid developer circulating device 8 (see FIG. 6).

[Image forming unit 2]
The image forming unit 2 is of a so-called tandem type, and forms a toner image with the liquid developer described above. The image forming unit 2 includes an intermediate transfer belt 21, a cleaning unit 22 for the intermediate transfer belt 21, and an image forming unit corresponding to each of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (Bk). FY, FM, FC, and FB, a secondary transfer unit 23, and a fixing unit 24 are provided.

  The intermediate transfer belt 21 is an endless belt-like member having conductivity, and is circulated and driven clockwise in FIG.

  Four image forming units FY, FM, FC, and FB are arranged near the intermediate transfer belt 21 and arranged between the cleaning unit 22 and the secondary transfer unit 23 of the intermediate transfer belt 21. Note that the order of arrangement of the image forming units FY, FM, FC, and FB is not limited to this, but this arrangement is preferable in consideration of the influence of the color mixture on the completed image. The image forming units FY, FM, FC, and FB include a photosensitive drum 10, a charger 11, an exposure device 12, a developing device 9, a primary transfer roller 20, a cleaning device 26, a static elimination device 13, A carrier liquid removal roller 30. Hereinafter, the configuration of the image forming unit FY will be described. The image forming unit FM, except that the image forming unit FB located closest to the secondary transfer unit 23 is not provided with the carrier liquid removing roller 30. The configurations of FC and FB are the same.

  The photosensitive drum 10 is a cylindrical member, and can carry a toner image including toner charged on its surface (charged positively in this embodiment). The photosensitive drum 10 is a member that can rotate counterclockwise in FIG.

  The charger 11 is a device that can uniformly charge the surface of the photosensitive drum 10.

  The exposure device 12 has a light source such as an LED, and irradiates the charged surface of the photosensitive drum 10 with light corresponding to the image data according to the image data, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 10. Is possible.

  The developing device 9 is a device for supplying the liquid developer to the photosensitive drum 10, and includes a developing container 90, a developing roller 91, a supply roller 92, a support roller 93, a liquid developer supply member 94, A liquid developer removing member 96 and a liquid developer charging device 97 are provided.

  The developing container 90 is a member for receiving the liquid developer supplied from the liquid developer supply member 94 and dropped from the supply roller 92 and the support roller 93.

  The developing roller 91 is disposed so as to contact the photosensitive drum 10.

  The supply roller 92 is for supplying the liquid developer to the developing roller 91 and is in contact with the lower part of the developing roller 91. A doctor blade 921 is brought into contact with the supply roller 92. The doctor blade 921 regulates the layer thickness of the liquid developer carried on the supply roller 92 to be supplied to the development roller 91 to a predetermined value.

  The support roller 93 is a member for supporting the liquid developer together with the supply roller 92, and is disposed so as to contact the supply roller 92.

  The liquid developer supply member 94 is connected to a liquid developer circulation device 8 described later, and is a member for supplying the liquid developer to the contact portion between the supply roller 92 and the support roller 93.

  The liquid developer removing member 96 is a member for removing the liquid developer remaining on the developing roller 91 without being supplied to the photosensitive drum 10, and scrapes off the liquid developer on the developing roller 91.

  The liquid developer charging device 97 is a device for charging the toner in the liquid developer carried on the developing roller 91, and is disposed in the vicinity of the developing roller 91.

  The primary transfer roller 20 is in contact with the inner surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21 and is disposed between the photosensitive drum 10 and the carrier liquid removal roller 30. A voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner in the toner image (minus in this embodiment) is applied to the primary transfer roller 20 from a power source (not shown). That is, the primary transfer roller 20 applies a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner to the intermediate transfer belt 21 at a position in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 21. Since the intermediate transfer belt 21 has conductivity, the applied voltage attracts toner to the surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 21 and its periphery.

  The cleaning device 26 is a device for cleaning the toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 without being transferred from the photosensitive drum 10 to the sheet, and includes a residual toner conveying screw 261 and a cleaning blade 262. . The residual toner conveying screw 261 is a member for conveying the residual toner, which is scraped off by the cleaning blade 262 and stored in the cleaning device 26, to the outside of the cleaning device 26, and is disposed in the cleaning device 26. Yes. The cleaning blade 262 is in sliding contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 at the end, and scrapes off the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 10 as the photosensitive drum 10 rotates.

  The neutralization device 13 includes a light source. After the liquid developer is removed by the cleaning blade 262, the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 is neutralized with light from the light source to prepare for the next image formation.

  The carrier liquid removal roller 30 is a substantially cylindrical member that can rotate in the same direction as the photosensitive drum 10 around a rotational axis parallel to the rotational axis of the photosensitive drum 10. The carrier liquid removing roller 30 is disposed on the side where the secondary transfer unit 23 is disposed with respect to the position where the photosensitive drum 10 and the intermediate transfer belt 21 are in contact with each other. It is a member that removes liquid.

  The secondary transfer unit 23 is a portion that transfers the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 21 to a sheet, and is disposed opposite the first roller 27 and the first roller 27 that support the intermediate transfer belt 21. The second roller 28 is provided.

  The fixing unit 24 is a part that fixes the toner image on the paper, and is disposed above the secondary transfer unit 23. The fixing unit 24 includes a heating roller 51 and a pressure roller 52 disposed in pressure contact with the heating roller 51.

[Paper storage unit 3, discharge unit 6, paper transport unit 7]
The paper storage unit 3 is a part for storing a paper as an image forming target on which the toner image is fixed, and is disposed in the lower part of the image forming apparatus 1. The paper storage unit 3 has a paper feed cassette that stores paper.

  The discharge unit 6 is a portion from which the sheet on which the toner image is fixed by the fixing unit 24 is discharged, and is disposed at the top of the image forming apparatus 1.

  The paper transport unit 7 is a part that transports paper from the paper storage unit 3 to the secondary transfer unit 23, the fixing unit 24, and the discharge unit 6.

[Liquid developer circulation device 8]
FIG. 6 shows a schematic configuration of the liquid developer circulating device 8. The liquid developer circulating device 8 collects the liquid developer scraped from the surface of the developing roller 91 by the liquid developer removing member 96 after supplying the toner to the photosensitive drum 10 from the developing device 9 and reuses it. It is a device. Further, the liquid developer circulating device 8 functions as a concentration adjusting unit that adjusts the toner concentration of the collected liquid developer based on the toner concentration of the liquid developer detected by the concentration detecting device 100 described later. The liquid developer circulating device 8 is provided in each of the image forming units FY, FM, FC, and FB. The liquid developer circulation device 8 includes a developer recovery tank 83, a developer adjustment tank 84, a carrier liquid tank 86, a toner tank 85, a developer reserve tank 87, and a plurality of pumps P1 to P8. ing.

  The developer recovery tank 83 is a tank that is connected to the developing device 9 via the pipe 61 and stores the liquid developer scraped from the surface of the developing roller 91 by the liquid developer removing member 96. The pipe 61 connecting the developing device 9 and the developer recovery tank 83 is provided with a pump P1, and the liquid developer scraped from the surface of the developing roller 91 can be sent to the developer recovery tank 83 ( (See arrow A1). The developing container 90 of the developing device 9 and the developer recovery tank 83 are connected via a pipe 62. The pipe 62 is provided with a pump P5, and the liquid developer in the developing container 90 can be sent to the developer recovery tank 83 (see arrow A2).

  The developer adjustment tank 84 is connected to the developer recovery tank 83 through the pipe 63, and the concentration of the recovered liquid developer is adjusted in the developer adjustment tank 84. A pump P2 is connected to the pipe 63, and the liquid developer in the developer recovery tank 83 can be sent to the developer adjustment tank 84 (see arrow A3). The developer adjusting tank 84 is provided with the density detecting device 100 described in the above embodiment for detecting the toner density of the liquid developer.

  Here, the developer adjustment tank 84 is used as the solution storage unit 31 in the above embodiment. However, the concentration detection apparatus 100 having the solution storage unit 31 different from the developer adjustment tank 84 may be provided inside the developer adjustment tank 84. The concentration detection device provided here is not limited to the one according to the first embodiment described above, but may be the concentration detection device 101 according to the second embodiment or another embodiment described later. .

  The carrier liquid tank 86 stores a carrier liquid that is supplied into the developer adjustment tank 84 in order to lower the toner concentration when the toner concentration in the developer adjustment tank 84 is high. The pipe 64 connecting the carrier liquid tank 86 and the developer adjustment tank 84 is provided with a pump P3, and the carrier liquid in the carrier liquid tank 86 can be sent to the developer adjustment tank 84 (see arrow A4). ).

  The toner tank 85 is a liquid developer having a high toner concentration supplied to the developer adjustment tank 84 in order to increase the toner concentration in the developer adjustment tank 84 when the toner concentration in the developer adjustment tank 84 is low. Stored. The pipe 65 connecting the toner tank 85 and the developer adjustment tank 84 is provided with a pump P8, and a liquid developer having a high toner concentration in the toner tank 85 can be sent to the developer adjustment tank 84 ( (See arrow A5).

  The developer reserve tank 87 stores liquid developer to be replenished to the developing device 9. The developer reserve tank 87 is connected to the developer adjustment tank 84 through a pipe 66. The pipe 66 is provided with a pump P6, and the liquid developer in the developer adjustment tank 84 can be sent to the developer reserve tank 87 (see arrow A6). The developer reserve tank 87 is connected to the liquid developer supply member 94 via a pipe 67. The pipe 67 is provided with a pump P7, and the liquid developer in the developer reserve tank 87 can be sent to the liquid developer supply member 94 (see arrow A7). The liquid developer in the developer reserve tank 87 is supplied from the liquid developer supply member 94 to the developing device 9. Each of the pumps P1 to P7 has a function of flowing the developer only in one direction.

  In FIG. 6, the density detection device 100 is provided in the developer adjustment tank 84. However, the density detection device 100 is not limited to a liquid container such as the developer adjustment tank 84, and the liquid developer flow path is used. It may be arranged in the middle. Further, when the density detection device 100 is provided in the developer adjustment tank 84, the pipes 63, 64, 65 are joined at their ends and connected to the supply port 36 (see FIG. 1 and the like).

[Operation]
First, an image forming operation of the wet image forming apparatus 1 will be described.

  The image forming apparatus 1 that has received an image forming instruction from a personal computer (not shown) connected to the wet image forming apparatus 1 outputs toner images of each color corresponding to the image data that has received the creating instruction to the image forming unit FY. , FM, FC, and FB. Specifically, an electrostatic latent image based on image data is formed on the photosensitive drum 10, and toner is supplied to the electrostatic latent image from the developing device 9. The toner images formed by the image forming units FY, FM, FC, and FB in this way are transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 21 and are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 21 to form a color toner image.

  In synchronization with the formation of the color toner image, the paper stored in the paper storage unit 3 is taken out from the paper storage unit 3 one by one by a paper feeding device (not shown), and is transported along the paper transport unit 7. Then, the sheet is fed to the secondary transfer unit 23 in synchronism with the primary transfer to the intermediate transfer belt 21, and the color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 21 is secondarily transferred to the sheet by the secondary transfer unit 23. The sheet on which the color toner image has been transferred is further conveyed to the fixing unit 24 where the color toner image is fixed on the sheet by heat and pressure. Further, the sheet is discharged outside the wet image forming apparatus 1 by the discharge unit 6. The toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 21 after the secondary transfer is removed from the intermediate transfer belt 21 by the cleaning unit 22 of the intermediate transfer belt 21.

  Next, the operation of supplying the liquid developer to the developing device 9, that is, the operation of circulating the liquid developer will be described.

  The liquid developer remaining on the developing roller 91 without being supplied to the photosensitive drum 10 during the image forming operation is scraped off by the liquid developer removing member 96 and collected in the developer collecting tank 83 via the pipe 61. Then, the liquid developer recovered in the developer recovery tank 83 is supplied from the developer recovery tank 83 to the developer adjustment tank 84.

  At this time, the toner density is detected by the density detection device 100 in the developer adjustment tank 84. When the toner density is high, the carrier liquid is supplied from the carrier liquid tank 86, and when the toner density is low, the toner tank. From 85, a liquid developer having a high toner concentration is supplied. As a result, the toner concentration of the liquid developer in the developer adjustment tank 84 is adjusted.

  The liquid developer whose density has been adjusted in the developer adjustment tank 84 is supplied to the developer reserve tank 87. Then, the liquid developer stored in the developer reserve tank 87 is supplied to the developing device 9 via the liquid developer supply member 94.

〔Characteristic〕
In the image forming apparatus 1, the toner density of the liquid developer is detected by the density detector 100, so that the density can be accurately detected. Further, as described above, since the concentration detection apparatus 100 can stir the internal solution, it can also function as stirring the liquid developer inside the developer adjustment tank 84.

<Other embodiments>
(A)
As in the concentration detection device 102 illustrated in FIG. 7, the first member 32 and the second member 33 may be provided with cleaning members 71 and 72 for removing dirt from the light transmitting portions 43 c and 47 c.

  Here, the 1st end surface 43 of the 1st member 32 has the 1st recessed part 43e dented upward rather than the 1st flat surface 43a. And the 1st member 32 has the 1st cleaning member 71 which is attached to the 1st crevice 43e and consists of elastic materials. The first cleaning member 71 protrudes from the first recess 43e to the second member 33 side, that is, the lower side, and the tip thereof is located at a height at which the first cleaning member 71 can contact the second flat surface 47a of the second member 33.

  Similarly to the first end surface 43, the second end surface 47 of the second member 33 also has a second recess 47e that is recessed below the second flat surface 47a. The second member 33 includes a second cleaning member 72 that is attached to the second recess 47e and made of an elastic material. The second cleaning member 72 protrudes from the second recess 47 e to the first member 32 side, that is, upward, and the tip thereof is located at a height at which the second cleaning member 72 can contact the first flat surface 43 a of the first member 32.

  About another structure, it is the same as that of the density | concentration detection apparatus 100 of 1st Embodiment. In FIG. 7, only the configuration around the first cleaning member 71 and the second cleaning member 72 is shown and the others are omitted for easy understanding. Moreover, FIG.7 (b) is AA sectional drawing in Fig.7 (a).

  In the concentration detection device 102, when the first member 32 and the second member 33 rotate and the first flat surface 43a and the second flat surface 47a move relative to each other, the first cleaning member 71 passes through the second flat surface 47a. In contact with the light portion 47c, the light-transmitting portion 47c of the second flat surface 47a is removed. Further, the second cleaning member 72 comes into contact with the light transmitting portion 43c of the first flat surface 43a to remove the dirt on the light transmitting portion 47c of the second flat surface 47a. Thereby, the concentration can be stably detected.

  In addition, like the density | concentration detection apparatus 103 shown in FIG. 8, the 1st cleaning member 71 and the 2nd cleaning member 72 may be provided in the reflection type density | concentration detection apparatus similar to the density | concentration detection apparatus 101 of 2nd Embodiment. Here, the second cleaning member 72 comes into contact with the reflecting surface 43d of the second member 33 instead of the light transmitting portion 43c to remove the dirt on the reflecting surface 43d. The structure of the first end face 43 and the second end face 47 is the same as that of the above-described concentration detection device 102. Moreover, FIG.8 (b) is BB sectional drawing in Fig.8 (a).

(B)
As in the concentration detection device 104 illustrated in FIG. 9, the first member 32 may further include a third flat surface 43f, and the second member 33 may further include a fourth flat surface 47f.

  Here, the third flat surface 43f is parallel to the second flat surface 47a. The third flat surface 43f is located above the first flat surface 43a, and is larger than the gap between the first flat surface 43a and the second flat surface 47a with respect to the second flat surface 47a. Are arranged with a gap therebetween. A part of the third flat surface 43f is a light-transmitting light-transmitting portion 43g, similar to the light-transmitting portion 43c of the first flat surface 43a. In FIG. 9, only the first member 32, the second member 33, the light emitting unit 55, and the light receiving unit 56 are illustrated for ease of understanding, and others are omitted. Moreover, FIG.9 (b) is CC sectional drawing in Fig.9 (a).

  The fourth flat surface 47f is parallel to the first flat surface 43a. The fourth flat surface 47f is located below the second flat surface 47a, and is larger than the gap between the first flat surface 43a and the second flat surface 47a with respect to the first flat surface 43a. Are arranged with a gap therebetween. A part of the fourth flat surface 47f is a light-transmitting light-transmitting portion 47g similar to the light-transmitting portion 47c of the second flat surface 47a.

  In this concentration detection device 104, the state in which the first flat surface 43a and the second flat surface 47a face each other, and the state in which the third flat surface 43f and the second flat surface 47a face each other (or the first flat surface 43a and the first flat surface 43a). The optical path length for detecting the toner concentration of the liquid developer is selectively switched between the state in which the fourth flat surface 47f faces) and the state in which the third flat surface 43f and the fourth flat surface 47f face each other. Can be switched. In this case, a combination of flat surfaces having an optical path length suitable for density detection is selected according to the difference in translucency depending on the color and density of the liquid developer, and these flat surfaces are used as the light emitting unit 55 and the light receiving unit. It is preferable to set so that the density is detected at the timing of overlapping with the 56 optical axes. Thereby, the toner concentration can be detected with high accuracy. For example, for black, which is a color with low translucency, a combination of flat surfaces with relatively small gaps (for example, the first flat surface 43a and the second flat surface 47a) is selected, and yellow, which is a color with high translucency. Then, a combination of flat surfaces having relatively large gaps (for example, the third flat surface 43f and the fourth flat surface 47f) may be selected.

  In FIG. 9, both the third flat surface 43f and the fourth flat surface 47f are provided. However, only one of the third flat surface 43f and the fourth flat surface 47f may be provided. . Further, by making the difference in height between the first flat surface 43a and the third flat surface 43f and the difference in height between the second flat surface 47a and the fourth flat surface 47f different values, it is possible to further increase the number of steps. Alternatively, the concentration detection device 104 having an optical path length of may be used.

  Further, as in the density detection device 105 shown in FIG. 10, in the reflection type density detection device 101 of the second embodiment, the first member 32 further has a third flat surface 43f, and the second member 33 is the fourth. You may further have the flat surface 47f. Here, a part of the first flat surface 43a is not the light transmitting part 43c but a reflecting surface 43d that reflects light, and a part of the third flat surface 43f is not the light transmitting part 43g. The configuration is the same as that of the above-described concentration detection device 104 except that the reflection surface 43h reflects light. In addition, FIG.10 (b) is DD sectional drawing in Fig.10 (a).

(C)
In the above embodiment, the moving mechanism 34 rotates both the first member 32 and the second member 33, but one of the first member 32 and the second member 33 is fixed and the other is the moving mechanism 34. May be movable. For example, in the concentration detection apparatus 106 shown in FIG. 11, only the first member 32 is provided to rotate with respect to the solution storage unit 31. The first member 32 is inserted into the first opening 38 of the solution storage unit 31. Further, the first member 32 is provided with a shaft 49 protruding from the first end face 43 and is inserted into the second opening 39. A gear portion 49 a is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion of the shaft 49 and meshes with the first gear portion 53 a of the first motor 53. The second member 33 is a part of the solution storage unit 31 and is fixed to the solution storage unit 31. The second flat surface 47 a is provided on a part of the inner wall surface (bottom surface) of the solution storage unit 31.

  Note that only the second member 33 may be provided so as to rotate with respect to the solution storage unit 31, and the first member 32 may be fixedly provided with respect to the solution storage unit 31.

  Further, in the concentration detection device 106 of FIG. 11, the light emitting unit 55 is provided in the first member 32 and the light receiving unit 56 is provided in the solution storage unit 31, but as in the concentration detection device 107 of FIG. The first member 32 is provided with a reflective surface 43 d, and the light emitting unit 55 and the light receiving unit 56 may be provided on the second member 33 fixedly provided on the solution storage unit 31.

(D)
In the above-described embodiment, the first end surface 43 is formed as an end-to-end distance increasing portion formed so that the distance between the opposing end surfaces is larger than the gap between the first flat surface 43a and the second flat surface 47a. Is provided with a first inclined surface 43b, and the second end surface 47 is provided with a second inclined surface 47b. However, the inter-end-face distance expanding portion may have any shape as long as the distance from the opposing end face is larger than the gap between the first flat face 43a and the second flat face 47a. For example, FIG. A curved shape such as a curved surface 43i of the first member 32 shown in FIG. In addition, it is desirable that the end face distance enlargement portion has a shape suitable for stirring and flow of the liquid developer according to the space in which it is installed.

(E)
In the first embodiment, the light emitting unit 55 is provided on the first member 32 side and the light receiving unit 56 is provided on the second member 33 side. On the contrary, the light receiving unit 56 receives light on the first member 32 side. The part 56 may be provided, and the light emitting part 55 may be provided on the second member 33 side. The same applies to other embodiments.

  In the second embodiment, the first member 32 provided with the reflecting surface 43d is provided on the upper side, and the second member 33 provided with the light emitting unit 55 and the light receiving unit 56 is arranged on the lower side. The positions of the first member 32 and the second member 33 are not limited to this, and the first member 32 and the second member 33 may be provided in the opposite manner. The same applies to other embodiments.

(F)
In the first flat surface 43a and the second flat surface 47a, the range in which the light transmitting portions 43c and 47c and the reflective surface 43d are provided is not limited to the above, and the first flat surface 43a and the second flat surface 47a are wider. The range may be the light transmitting parts 43c and 47c and the reflecting surface 43d. The same applies to the other light transmitting parts 43g and 47g and the reflecting surface 43h.

(G)
In the above embodiment, the light emitting unit 55 and the light receiving unit 56 are provided separately from the first member 32 and the second member 33, and are configured not to rotate together with the first member 32 and the second member 33. However, it may be provided so as to rotate together with the first member 32 and the second member 33.

(H)
In the third embodiment, a color printer is exemplified as the image forming apparatus 1, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a multifunction peripheral (MFP, MFP) having a function as a copier or a facsimile machine. Multi Function Peripheral) or a copy function only may be used. Further, the image processing apparatus is not limited to the one capable of forming a color image, and may be an image processing apparatus capable of forming only a monochrome image. Further, it may be capable of forming an image on an image forming target other than paper.

  Further, the concentration detection apparatus according to the present invention can be widely applied not only to an image processing apparatus but also to an apparatus that needs to detect the concentration of a solution in which particles are dispersed in a liquid solvent.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention has the effect of suppressing the occurrence of an optical path length error between the light receiving unit and the light emitting unit, light scattering and stray light, and improving the accuracy of density detection. Useful as a device.

1 is a side cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a concentration detection apparatus according to a first embodiment. II-II sectional drawing in FIG. Side surface sectional drawing which shows the structure of the density | concentration detection apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. IV-IV sectional drawing in FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a liquid developer circulating device of an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment. The figure which shows the structure of the density | concentration detection apparatus which concerns on other embodiment. The figure which shows the structure of the density | concentration detection apparatus which concerns on other embodiment. The figure which shows the structure of the density | concentration detection apparatus which concerns on other embodiment. The figure which shows the structure of the density | concentration detection apparatus which concerns on other embodiment. The figure which shows the structure of the density | concentration detection apparatus which concerns on other embodiment. The figure which shows the structure of the density | concentration detection apparatus which concerns on other embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Image forming part 8 Liquid developer circulation apparatus (density adjustment part)
32 1st member 33 2nd member 34 Movement mechanism 35 Density detection part 43 Curved surface (distance expansion part between end faces)
43a 1st flat surface 43b 1st inclined surface (distance enlargement part between end surfaces)
43f 3rd flat surface 47a 2nd flat surface 47b 2nd inclined surface (distance expansion part between end surfaces)
47f 4th flat surface 55 Light emission part 56 Light reception part 71 1st cleaning member 72 2nd cleaning member 100-107 Density detection apparatus

Claims (15)

A concentration detector for detecting the concentration of a solution in which particles are dispersed in a liquid solvent,
A first member having a first flat surface, at least part of which is a translucent part having translucency;
Parallel to the first flat surface and arranged so as to be able to face the first flat surface with a gap capable of measuring the particle concentration in the solution between the first flat surface and at least a part thereof. A second member having a second flat surface which is a translucent part having translucency;
A moving mechanism for relatively moving the first flat surface and the second flat surface in a direction parallel to the first flat surface and the second flat surface;
A light-emitting part and a light-receiving part provided so as to be able to face each other with the light-transmitting part of the first flat surface, the gap, and the light-transmitting part of the second flat surface in between; A concentration detector for detecting the concentration of the solution;
A concentration detection apparatus comprising: The moving mechanism rotates at least one of the first member and the second member around an axis perpendicular to the first flat surface and the second flat surface;
The concentration detection apparatus according to claim 1. At least one of the first end surface including the first flat surface of the first member and the second end surface including the second flat surface of the second member and facing the first end surface, An end-to-end distance increasing portion formed so that the distance from the other end face is larger than the gap when the first flat face and the second flat face are closest to each other;
The concentration detection apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. The first member contacts the light-transmitting portion of the second flat surface by the relative movement of the first flat surface and the second flat surface, and stains the light-transmitting portion of the second flat surface. A first cleaning member to be removed;
The density | concentration detection apparatus in any one of Claim 1 to 3. The second member contacts the light transmitting portion of the first flat surface by the relative movement of the first flat surface and the second flat surface, and stains the light transmitting portion of the first flat surface. A second cleaning member to be removed;
The density | concentration detection apparatus in any one of Claim 1 to 4. The first member is arranged so as to be able to face at least one parallel to the second flat surface and with a gap different from the gap between the first flat surface and the second flat surface. The portion further has a third flat surface that is a translucent portion having translucency,
The concentration detection apparatus according to claim 1. A concentration detector for detecting the concentration of a solution in which particles are dispersed in a liquid solvent,
A first member having a first flat surface, at least part of which is a reflective surface that reflects light;
Parallel to the first flat surface and arranged so as to be able to face the first flat surface with a gap capable of measuring the particle concentration in the solution between the first flat surface and at least a part thereof. A second member having a second flat surface which is a translucent part having translucency;
A moving mechanism for relatively moving the first flat surface and the second flat surface in a direction parallel to the first flat surface and the second flat surface;
A light emitting portion and a light receiving portion provided so as to be opposed to the reflecting surface of the first flat surface with the light transmitting portion of the second flat surface and the gap therebetween, and the amount of the solution transmitted by the amount of light transmitted through the gap A concentration detector for detecting the concentration;
A concentration detection apparatus comprising: The moving mechanism rotates at least one of the first member and the second member around an axis perpendicular to the first flat surface and the second flat surface;
The concentration detection apparatus according to claim 7. At least one of the first end surface including the first flat surface of the first member and the second end surface including the second flat surface of the second member and facing the first end surface, An end-to-end distance increasing portion formed so that the distance from the other end face is larger than the gap when the first flat face and the second flat face are closest to each other;
The concentration detection apparatus according to claim 7 or 8. The first member contacts the light-transmitting portion of the second flat surface by the relative movement of the first flat surface and the second flat surface, and stains the light-transmitting portion of the second flat surface. A first cleaning member to be removed;
The density | concentration detection apparatus in any one of Claim 7 to 9. The second member includes a second cleaning member that contacts the reflective surface of the first flat surface by the relative movement of the first flat surface and the second flat surface to remove dirt on the reflective surface. In addition,
The density | concentration detection apparatus in any one of Claim 7 to 10. The first member is arranged so as to be able to face at least one parallel to the second flat surface and with a gap different from the gap between the first flat surface and the second flat surface. The portion further has a third flat surface that is a reflective surface that reflects light,
The concentration detection apparatus according to claim 7. The second member is arranged so as to be able to face at least one parallel to the first flat surface and with a gap different from the gap between the first flat surface and the second flat surface. The portion further has a fourth flat surface that is a translucent portion having translucency,
The density | concentration detection apparatus in any one of Claim 7 to 12. An image forming unit that forms a toner image on an image forming object with a liquid developer in which toner particles are dispersed in a liquid solvent;
Liquid developer between the first member having the first flat surface, at least a part of which is a light-transmitting part, and parallel to the first flat surface and the first flat surface A second member having a second flat surface that is disposed so as to be able to face the first flat surface with a gap capable of measuring the toner concentration therein, and at least a part of which is a translucent part having translucency. A moving mechanism that relatively moves the first flat surface and the second flat surface in a direction parallel to the first flat surface and the second flat surface, a light transmitting portion of the first flat surface, A density detector for detecting the toner concentration of the liquid developer based on the amount of light transmitted through the gap, having a light-emitting part and a light-receiving part provided so as to be able to face each other with a gap and a light-transmitting part of the second flat surface in between A concentration detection device comprising:
A density adjusting unit that adjusts the toner density of the liquid developer based on the toner density of the liquid developer detected by the density detection device;
An image forming apparatus comprising: An image forming unit that forms a toner image on an image forming object with a liquid developer in which toner particles are dispersed in a liquid solvent;
In the liquid developer between the first member having the first flat surface, at least a part of which is a reflecting surface that reflects light, and the first flat surface parallel to the first flat surface. A second member having a second flat surface that is disposed so as to be able to face the first flat surface across a gap capable of measuring toner concentration, and at least a part of which is a translucent part having translucency; A moving mechanism that relatively moves the first flat surface and the second flat surface in a direction parallel to the first flat surface and the second flat surface; and a translucent portion of the second flat surface and the gap. A density detector having a light emitting part and a light receiving part provided to be able to face the reflecting surface of the first flat surface with a gap therebetween, and detecting a toner concentration of the liquid developer by an amount of light transmitted through the gap; A concentration detecting device comprising:
A density adjusting unit that adjusts the toner density of the liquid developer based on the toner density of the liquid developer detected by the density detection device;
An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images