JP2009229674A - Image forming apparatus and developer supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a configuration in the vicinity of a developing position so as to form better images in a developer supply device for supplying a developer on an electrostatic latent image carrier by using a free traveling wave electric field and an image forming apparatus provided with it. <P>SOLUTION: The developer supply device (6) is provided so as to store a part for including a semi-cylindrical part (61a) of a developer carrier (61) inside and so as to expose the remaining part outside. The developer supply device (6) includes a sliding member (62a). The sliding member (62a) is provided so as to be slid on a part moved so as to be exposed from at least an opening part (61) outside on a developer carrying face (TCS) in the opening part (61) in which the above part of the developer carrier (61) penetrates. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a developer supply apparatus.

Many image forming apparatuses and developer supply apparatuses that can supply a developer (dry developer or dry toner) to an electrostatic latent image carrier (photosensitive drum or the like) using a traveling wave electric field have been conventionally known. (For example, JP-A-59-181371, JP-A-2003-15417, JP-A-2005-275127, JP-A-2007-310355, JP-A-2008-40043, JP-A-2008-52034 See publications, etc.).
JP 59-181371 A JP 2003-15417 A JP 2005-275127 A JP 2007-310355 A JP 2008-40043 A JP 2008-52034 A

  In this type of apparatus, the configuration around the development position, which is the position where the developer is supplied to the electrostatic latent image carrier by the developer supply apparatus, has a great influence on the formed image. The present invention has been made to cope with such a problem. That is, an object of the present invention is to provide a configuration around the development position so that a better image can be formed.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention includes an electrostatic latent image carrier and a developer supply device. The electrostatic latent image carrier has a latent image forming surface which is a surface on which an electrostatic latent image based on a potential distribution is formed. The developer supply device is configured to supply a charged developer to the latent image forming surface.

  The developer supply device includes a developer carrier and a plurality of transport electrodes.

  The developer carrier is formed in a columnar shape. The developer carrier has a cylindrical developer carrying surface on which the developer is carried. A part of the developer carrier is accommodated inside the developer supply device, and the remaining part is exposed to the outside of the developer supply device so as to face the electrostatic latent image carrier. Yes.

  The plurality of transport electrodes transport the charged developer in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the developer carrier by a traveling wave electric field so as to supply the developer to the developer carrying surface. , Arranged along the direction.

  The present invention is characterized in that the developer supply device further includes a sliding member. The sliding member slides at least at a portion of the developer carrying surface that moves so as to be exposed to the outside from the opening at the opening that accommodates the part of the developer carrying member. Is provided.

  Specifically, the sliding member slides on the developer carrying surface at the opening (1) with a portion moving from the opening to be exposed to the outside, and (2) It may be provided to slide with a portion that moves so as to enter the inside from the opening.

  The sliding member may be provided so as to slide with the developer carrying surface throughout the main scanning direction.

  The sliding member may be provided at an end portion of the thin plate-like developer transport substrate. A plurality of the transport electrodes are provided on the developer transport substrate. In this case, the sliding member may be constituted by the end portion of the developer transport substrate that is not provided with the transport electrode.

  A dummy electrode to which a predetermined bias voltage can be applied may be provided at the end of the developer transport substrate instead of the transport electrode. The dummy electrode can be formed wider than the transport electrode.

  The sliding member may be provided such that an inner surface facing the inside slides with the developer carrying surface.

  The sliding member may be composed of a conductive portion to which a predetermined bias voltage is applied.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention (embodiments that the applicant considers best at the time of filing of the present application) will be described with reference to the drawings.

  In addition, the description about the following embodiment is specific to the extent possible, merely an example of the embodiment of the present invention in order to satisfy the description requirement (description requirement / practicability requirement) of the specification required by law. It is only what is described in. Therefore, as will be described later, it is quite natural that the present invention is not limited to the specific configurations of the embodiments described below. Various modifications that can be made to the present embodiment are listed together at the end, as they would interfere with the understanding of the consistent description of the embodiment if inserted during the description of the embodiment. .

<Configuration of laser printer>
FIG. 1 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of a laser printer 1 which is an embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the laser printer 1 includes a paper transport mechanism 2, a photosensitive drum 3, a charger 4, a scanner unit 5, and a toner supply device 6.

  Sheet-like paper P is stored in a stacked state in a paper feed tray (not shown) provided in the laser printer 1. The paper transport mechanism 2 is configured to transport the paper P along a predetermined paper transport path PP. Specifically, the paper transport mechanism 2 includes a pair of registration rollers 21 and a transfer roller 22.

  The registration roller 21 is configured so that the paper P can be sent out between the photosensitive drum 3 and the transfer roller 22 at a predetermined timing. The transfer roller 22 is disposed so as to face the latent image forming surface LS, which is the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 3, at the transfer position TP with the paper P interposed therebetween. Further, the transfer roller 22 is configured to be rotationally driven in a direction (counterclockwise) indicated by an arrow in the drawing.

  The transfer roller 22 is connected to a bias power supply circuit (not shown). That is, a predetermined transfer bias voltage for transferring the toner (developer) adhered on the latent image forming surface LS to the paper P is applied between the transfer roller 22 and the photosensitive drum 3. Yes.

  The photosensitive drum 3 as an electrostatic latent image carrier of the present invention is formed in a cylindrical drum shape having a central axis C parallel to the main scanning direction (z-axis direction in the figure). As a center, it is configured to be rotationally driven in a direction (clockwise in FIG. 1) indicated by an arrow in the figure.

  A latent image forming surface LS is formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 3. The latent image forming surface LS is a cylindrical surface parallel to the central axis C (that is, parallel to the main scanning direction), and is configured so that an electrostatic latent image can be formed by a potential distribution. The photosensitive drum 3 is configured such that the latent image forming surface LS can move along the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the central axis C.

  The “sub-scanning direction” is an arbitrary direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction. In general, the sub-scanning direction may be a direction that intersects a vertical line. That is, the sub-scanning direction can be a direction along the front-rear direction of the laser printer 1 (direction perpendicular to the paper width direction and the height direction: the x-axis direction in the figure).

  The charger 4 is disposed so as to face the latent image forming surface LS. The charger 4 is a corotron type or scorotron type charger, and is configured so that the latent image forming surface LS can be uniformly positively charged.

  The scanner unit 5 is configured to generate a laser beam LB modulated based on image data. That is, the scanner unit 5 is configured to generate a laser beam LB having a predetermined wavelength band in which light emission ON / OFF is controlled depending on the presence or absence of pixels.

  The scanner unit 5 is configured to image (expose) the generated laser beam LB at the scan position SP on the latent image forming surface LS. Here, the scan position SP is provided at a position downstream of the charger 4 in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 3 (direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 1: clockwise in the drawing).

  Further, the scanner unit 5 moves (scans) the position at which the laser beam LB is formed on the latent image forming surface LS at a constant speed along the main scanning direction, thereby forming the latent image forming surface. An electrostatic latent image can be formed on the LS.

  The toner supply device 6 as the developer supply device of the present invention is disposed so as to face the photosensitive drum 3 at the development position DP.

<Configuration of Toner Supply Device of First Embodiment>
FIG. 2 is an enlarged side cross-sectional view of the main part of the configuration of the first embodiment of the toner supply device 6 shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the configuration around the development position DP in the toner supply device 6 of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

  An opening 6 a is formed at a position facing the photosensitive drum 3 in the toner supply device 6. The toner supply device 6 is provided with a cylindrical developing roller 61 as a developer carrying member of the present invention so as to penetrate through the opening 6a. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the toner supply device 6 accommodates the semi-cylindrical portion 61a, which is the lower portion of the developing roller 61 in the drawing, and exposes the remaining portion to the outside. It is provided so as to face the photosensitive drum 3.

  The developing roller 61 is a semiconductive roller member and has a cylindrical toner carrying surface TCS. The toner carrying surface TCS carries the toner T in a state of being positively charged with a predetermined charge amount in a thin layer. The developing roller 61 is applied with a predetermined developing bias voltage for setting the toner carrying surface TCS to a predetermined developing bias potential. Further, the developing roller 61 is driven to rotate in a direction (clockwise) indicated by an arrow in the drawing.

  Further, the toner supply device 6 includes a toner transport substrate 62 as a developer transport substrate of the present invention. The toner transport substrate 62 is a thin plate-like member, and includes an upstream end 62a and a downstream end 62b that constitute the sliding member of the present invention. The upstream end 62a and the downstream end 62b are formed in a cantilever shape in which the end on the opening 6a side is a free end and protrudes toward the opening 6a and can be bent in the vertical direction in the figure. Yes.

  The upstream end 62a is elastically pressed against a portion of the toner carrying surface TCS that is exposed to the outside from the opening 6a on the upstream side of the opening 6a in the toner transport direction TTD. It is provided to slide. Further, the upstream end portion 62a is provided such that a toner transport surface TTS that is an inner surface facing the inside of the toner supply device 6 slides on the toner carrying surface TCS. The upstream end 62a slides on the toner carrying surface TCS over the entire main scanning direction.

  The downstream end 62b is elastically pressed against a portion of the toner carrying surface TCS that moves so as to enter the inside from the opening 6a on the downstream side of the opening 6a in the toner transport direction TTD. It is provided to slide. Further, the downstream end 62b is provided such that the outer surface facing the outside of the toner supply device 6 slides on the toner carrying surface TCS. The downstream end 62b also slides with the toner carrying surface TCS over the entire main scanning direction.

  The toner transport substrate 62 includes a plurality of transport electrodes 63 on an insulating support layer. The plurality of transport electrodes 63 are arranged along the sub-scanning direction parallel to the toner transport direction TTD so that the charged toner T is transported in a toner transport direction TTD orthogonal to the central axis C by a traveling wave electric field. Has been.

  As described above, the toner supply device 6 can supply the toner T to the latent image forming surface LS via the developing roller 61 while transporting the toner T in the toner transport direction TTD by the toner transport substrate 62 therein. It is configured.

<Overview of laser printer operation>
Next, an outline of the operation of the laser printer 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to each drawing as appropriate.

<< Paper feeding action >>
The leading edge of the paper P stacked on a paper feed tray (not shown) is sent to the registration roller 21 along the paper transport path PP. The registration roller 21 corrects the skew of the paper P and adjusts the conveyance timing. Thereafter, the paper P is fed to the transfer position TP along the paper transport path PP.

<< Carrying of toner image on latent image forming surface >>
While the sheet P is being conveyed toward the transfer position TP as described above, an image (hereinafter, referred to as “toner T”) is formed on the latent image forming surface LS that is the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 3 as follows. (Referred to as “toner image”).

<<< Formation of electrostatic latent image >>>
First, the latent image forming surface LS of the photosensitive drum 3 is uniformly charged positively by the charger 4. The latent image forming surface LS charged by the charger 4 is a position facing (directly facing) the scanner unit 5 due to the rotation of the photosensitive drum 3 in the direction (clockwise) indicated by the arrow in the drawing. It moves along the sub-scanning direction to the scan position SP.

  At this scan position SP, a laser beam LB modulated based on image information (the ON / OFF state of light emission is controlled) is irradiated along the main scanning direction while irradiating the latent image forming surface LS. Is done. Depending on the modulation state of the laser beam LB (light emission ON / OFF state), a portion where the positive charge on the latent image forming surface LS disappears is generated. Thereby, an electrostatic latent image having a positive charge pattern (image-like distribution) is formed on the latent image forming surface LS.

  The electrostatic latent image formed on the latent image forming surface LS is developed at a position opposite to the developing roller 61 in the toner supply device 6 by the rotation of the photosensitive drum 3 in the direction indicated by the arrow (clockwise) in the drawing. Move towards DP.

<<< Conveyance and supply of charged toner >>>
A voltage is applied to the plurality of transport electrodes 63 on the toner transport substrate 62 in a traveling wave shape. As a result, a predetermined traveling-wave electric field is formed on the toner transport surface TTS. By this traveling wave electric field, the positively charged toner T is transported along the toner transport direction TTD on the toner transport surface TTS.

  The toner T conveyed on the toner conveyance surface TTS by the traveling wave electric field in this way includes a portion constituting the inner surface of the upstream end portion 62a of the toner conveyance substrate 62 on the toner conveyance surface TTS, and a developing roller. 61 reaches the portion where the toner carrying surface TCS slides. In this portion, the toner T is carried in a thin layer on the toner carrying surface TCS.

<<< Development of electrostatic latent image >>>
The positively charged toner T carried in a thin layer on the toner carrying surface TCS as described above is supplied to the developing position DP by the rotation of the developing roller 61 in the direction indicated by the arrow (clockwise) in the drawing. Is done.

  At the development position DP, the toner carrying surface TCS and the latent image forming surface LS face each other with a thin layer of toner T interposed therebetween. At this time, the toner T adheres to the portion on the latent image forming surface LS where the positive charge in the electrostatic latent image has disappeared. That is, the electrostatic latent image formed on the latent image forming surface LS is developed by the toner T. As a result, the toner image is carried on the latent image forming surface LS.

<< Transfer of toner image from latent image forming surface to paper >>
As described above, the toner image carried on the latent image forming surface LS of the photosensitive drum 3 is rotated by rotating the latent image forming surface LS in the direction indicated by the arrow (clockwise) in the drawing. It is conveyed toward the transfer position TP. At the transfer position TP, the toner image is transferred onto the paper P from the latent image forming surface LS.

<Operation / Effects of Configuration of First Embodiment>
In the present embodiment, the toner transport surface TTS at the upstream end 62a is in surface contact with the portion of the toner carrying surface TCS that moves so as to be exposed from the opening 6a to the outside with the thin layer of toner T interposed therebetween. To do. At this time, a certain amount of toner T accumulates between the toner transport surface TTS and the toner carrying surface TCS at the upstream end 62a. In this state, the toner T moves from the toner transport surface TTS to the toner carrying surface TCS, whereby a thin layer of toner T is formed on the toner carrying surface TCS.

  Therefore, according to such a configuration, the thin layer of the toner T on the toner carrying surface TCS is formed more uniformly. Thereby, the occurrence of uneven image density in the sub-scanning direction can be effectively suppressed.

  In the present embodiment, the semi-cylindrical portion 61a of the columnar developing roller 61 is accommodated in the opening 6a, and the toner transport substrate 62 constituting the upstream end of the opening 6a in the toner transport direction TTD. The upstream end 62a of the toner cartridge and the downstream end 62b of the toner transport substrate 62 constituting the downstream end of the opening 6a in the toner transport direction TTD slide on the toner carrying surface TCS.

  According to such a configuration, the leakage of the toner T to the outside of the toner supply device 6 at the opening 6a can be suppressed as much as possible. Thereby, the occurrence of contamination of the inside of the laser printer 1 and the paper P due to the leakage of the toner T can be effectively suppressed.

<Toner Supply Device of Second Embodiment>
FIG. 3 is an enlarged side cross-sectional view of a main part of the configuration of the second embodiment of the toner supply device 6 shown in FIG. Note that, in the following description of the second embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to configurations common to the first embodiment described above, and the first embodiment described above is within a technically consistent range. It is assumed that the description in the embodiment can be used (the same applies to the third embodiment and the modification described later).

  In the present embodiment, the transport electrode 63 is not provided in a portion that slides with the toner carrying surface TCS in the upstream end portion 62a, and a dummy electrode 64 is provided instead. The dummy electrode 64 is formed to be wider in the sub-scanning direction than the transport electrode 63. Unlike the transport electrode 63, the dummy electrode 64 is applied with a predetermined bias voltage. This bias voltage is set so that an electric field is formed so that the positively charged toner T smoothly transitions from the toner transport surface TTS to the toner carrying surface TCS.

  In such a configuration, charge-up of a portion that slides with the toner carrying surface TCS on the toner transport surface TTS is prevented. As a result, the occurrence of image disturbance due to the sticking of the toner T or the like in the portion can be suppressed as much as possible.

<Toner Supply Device of Third Embodiment>
FIG. 4 is an enlarged side sectional view of a main part of the configuration of the third embodiment of the toner supply device 6 shown in FIG.

In the present embodiment, the transport electrode 63 is not provided in a portion that slides with the toner carrying surface TCS in the upstream end portion 62a. A conductive portion 65 is provided in this portion. The conductive portion 65 corresponding to the conductive portion of the present invention is integrally formed of a conductive material (including a semiconductive material having a volume resistivity of about 10 ⁷ to 10 ¹⁰ Ω · cm). A predetermined bias voltage is applied to the conductive portion 65 in the same manner as the dummy electrode 64 (see FIG. 4) in the second embodiment described above.

  According to such a configuration, the same operations and effects as those of the second embodiment described above can be obtained.

<List of examples of modification>
Note that, as described above, the above-described embodiments are merely examples of typical embodiments of the present invention that the applicant has considered to be the best at the time of filing of the present application. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. Therefore, it goes without saying that various modifications can be made to the above-described embodiment within the scope not changing the essential part of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, some typical modifications will be exemplified. Needless to say, the modifications are not limited to those listed below. In addition, all or a part of the embodiments and modifications may be applied in combination with each other as appropriate within a technically consistent range.

  The present invention (especially those expressed functionally and functionally in the constituent elements constituting the means for solving the problems of the present invention) is based on the above-described embodiment and the description of the following modifications. Should not be interpreted as limited. Such a limited interpretation is unacceptable and improper for imitators, while improperly harming the applicant's interests (rushing to file under a prior application principle).

  (1) The application target of the present invention is not limited to a monochromatic laser printer. For example, the present invention can be suitably applied to a so-called electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a color laser printer or a monochromatic and color copying machine.

  (2) The shape of the photosensitive drum 3 may not be a drum shape as in the above-described embodiment. For example, a photosensitive belt configured as an endless belt can be used in place of the photosensitive drum 3.

  (3) The semi-cylindrical portion 61a accommodated in the toner supply device 6 may be “semi-cylindrical” according to social wisdom. For example, the central angle of the semi-cylindrical portion 61a may be less than 180 degrees (about 120 degrees), and conversely, the central angle may exceed 180 degrees.

  A part of the semi-cylindrical portion 61 a may be accommodated in the toner supply device 6. Alternatively, a part of the developing roller 61 including the semi-cylindrical portion 61 a and other portions may be accommodated in the toner supply device 6.

  (4) The contact state between the upstream end 62a and the developing roller 61 is not limited to surface contact. For example, the edge on the opening 6 a side of the upstream end 62 a may come into contact with the developing roller 61.

  (5) The developing roller 61 is not limited to a complete “columnar” shape as long as it is formed in a “columnar shape” for social custom.

  FIG. 5 is a side sectional view showing a configuration of a modified example of the developing roller 61 shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 5, the developing roller 61 includes a cylindrical developing sleeve 611 made of a thin plate-like conductive member (metal plate, carbon sheet, conductive synthetic resin film, etc.), and the developing sleeve 611. And a sleeve support roller 612 which is an elastic roller member (sponge roller or the like) accommodated in the inside of the roller.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 5, a portion of the developing sleeve 611 facing the photosensitive drum 3 is predetermined between the developing roller 611 and the sleeve support roller 612 so that it can be bent by being pressed against the photosensitive drum 3. It is preferable to provide a gap.

  According to such a configuration, the toner carrying surface TCS which is the surface of the developing sleeve 611 carrying the toner T and the latent image forming surface LS on which the electrostatic latent image is formed are pressed against each other with the thin layer of the toner T interposed therebetween. And sliding while in surface contact. Therefore, the electrostatic latent image on the latent image forming surface LS is developed while being elastically pressed by the toner transport surface TTS with the thin layer of the toner T interposed therebetween.

  Therefore, according to such a configuration, it is possible to suppress as much as possible the occurrence of the phenomenon that the edge of the image line portion can be “skinned” (so-called “edge thinning” or “edge thinning”).

  (6) The configurations of the portion that moves so as to enter the inside from the opening 6a and the portion that slides in the toner carrying surface TCS are not limited to those disclosed in the above-described embodiments and the like.

  For example, the transport electrode 63 may not be provided at the downstream end 62b. Alternatively, instead of the downstream end 62b, a sliding member separate from the toner transport substrate 62 may be provided.

  FIG. 6 is a side sectional view showing a configuration of a modified example of the downstream end 62b shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 6, a conductive surface layer 66 for preventing charge-up is provided on the surface facing (sliding) the developing roller 61 (toner carrying surface TCS) at the downstream end 62b. It may be done.

The conductive surface layer 66 is formed of a conductive coating layer (including a semiconductive property having a surface resistivity of about 10 ⁷ to 10 ¹⁰ Ω / sq). A predetermined bias voltage is applied to the conductive surface layer 66.

  (7) The configuration shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 (particularly, the configuration of the toner transport substrate 62 shown in FIGS. 2 to 5) is simplified for easy understanding of the features of the present invention. Is shown in the state. Therefore, as a matter of course, the present invention is not limited to the details of the configurations shown in the drawings.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 7, in order to prevent the discharge between the adjacent transport electrodes 63 and the discharge between the transport electrode 63 and the toner carrying surface TCS, the transport electrodes on the toner transport substrate 62 can be prevented. It is preferable that an insulating protective layer 67 is provided on the surface on which 63 is formed so as to cover the transport electrode 63. The protective layer 67 can be constituted by, for example, a synthetic resin coating layer. In this case, the surface of the protective layer 67 constitutes the toner transport surface TTS. That is, in this case, the toner transport substrate 62 is formed by forming a transport electrode 63 made of copper foil on an insulating support layer (for example, a base film made of an insulating synthetic resin), and then insulating It is configured by forming a protective layer 67 made of synthetic resin.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, it is preferable that a protective layer 67 is also provided on the dummy electrode 64 and the conductive portion 65 for the same reason as described above. In this case, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the dummy electrode 64 and the conductive portion 65 are formed on the surface of the base film before the protective layer 67 is provided, like the transport electrode 63. Can be formed.

  In addition, in order to suppress charge-up of the toner transport surface TTS when sliding with the toner carrying surface TCS, the material of the base film and the protective layer 67 described above can be appropriately selected.

  (8) In addition, although not mentioned one by one, appropriate modifications to the configurations shown in the above-described embodiments are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition, in each element constituting the means for solving the problems of the present invention, elements expressed functionally and functionally include the specific structures disclosed in the above-described embodiments and modifications, It includes any structure that can realize this action / function.

1 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of a laser printer which is an embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged side sectional view of a main part of the configuration of the first embodiment of the toner supply device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is an enlarged side sectional view of a main part of the configuration of the second embodiment of the toner supply device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is an enlarged side sectional view of a main part of the configuration of the third embodiment of the toner supply device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a side sectional view showing a configuration of a modified example of the developing roller shown in FIGS. 2 to 4. FIG. 6 is a side sectional view showing a configuration of a modified example of the downstream end portion shown in FIGS. 2 to 5. FIG. 6 is an enlarged side sectional view showing a configuration of a specific example of an upstream end shown in FIGS. 2 to 5. FIG. 6 is an enlarged side sectional view showing a configuration of a specific example of an upstream end shown in FIGS. 2 to 5. FIG. 6 is an enlarged side sectional view showing a configuration of a specific example of an upstream end shown in FIGS. 2 to 5.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Laser printer 2 ... Paper conveyance mechanism 3 ... Photosensitive drum 4 ... Charger 5 ... Scanner unit 6 ... Toner supply apparatus 6a ... Opening part 61 ... Developing roller 61a ... Semi-cylindrical part 611 ... Developing sleeve 612 ... Sleeve support roller 62 ... Toner transport substrate 62a ... Upstream end 62b ... Downstream end 63 ... Transport electrode 64 ... Dummy electrode 65 ... Conductive portion 66 ... Conductive surface layer C ... Center axis DP ... Development position LS ... Latent image forming surface P Paper PP ... Paper transport path T ... Toner TCS ... Toner carrying surface TTD ... Toner transport direction TTS ... Toner transport surface

Claims (10)

An electrostatic latent image carrier having a latent image forming surface which is a surface on which an electrostatic latent image by potential distribution is formed;
A cylindrical developer carrying member having a cylindrical developer carrying surface on which the developer is carried, and the charged developer are conveyed by a traveling wave electric field in a direction crossing the axial direction of the developer carrying member. A plurality of transport electrodes arranged along the direction so as to supply the developer to the developer carrying surface, and a part of the developer carrier is accommodated inside and the remaining part is accommodated A developing device configured to supply the charged developer to the latent image forming surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier by exposing the electrostatic latent image carrier to the outside so as to face the electrostatic latent image carrier. An agent supply device;
An image forming apparatus comprising:
The developer supply device includes:
A slide provided to slide at least a portion of the developer carrying surface that is exposed to the outside from the opening in the opening that accommodates the part of the developer carrying member. An image forming apparatus, further comprising a moving member. A developer supply device configured to supply a charged developer to a latent image forming surface on which an electrostatic latent image is formed by a potential distribution on a surface of an electrostatic latent image carrier. ,
The developer has a cylindrical developer-carrying surface on which the developer is carried, a part of which is accommodated in the developer supply device, and the remaining part faces the electrostatic latent image carrier. A cylindrical developer carrier exposed to the outside of the agent supply device;
The developer is arranged along the direction so as to supply the developer to the developer carrying surface by transporting the developer in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the developer carrying body by a traveling wave electric field. A plurality of transfer electrodes;
A slide provided to slide at least a portion of the developer carrying surface that is exposed to the outside from the opening in the opening that accommodates the part of the developer carrying member. A moving member;
A developer supply apparatus comprising: The developer supply device according to claim 2,
The developer is characterized in that the sliding member is provided so as to slide at a portion of the opening on the developer carrying surface that moves so as to enter the inside from the opening. Feeding device. The developer supply device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein
The developer supply device, wherein the sliding member is provided so as to slide with the developer carrying surface over the entire axial direction. The developer supply device according to any one of claims 2 to 4,
The plurality of transport electrodes are provided on a thin plate-shaped developer transport substrate,
The developer supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sliding member includes an end portion of the developer transport substrate. The developer supply device according to claim 5,
The developer supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sliding member is a portion of the end of the developer transport substrate that is not provided with the transport electrode. The developer supply device according to claim 6,
A developer supply apparatus, wherein a dummy electrode to which a predetermined bias voltage can be applied is provided at the end of the developer transport substrate in place of the transport electrode. The developer supply device according to claim 7,
The developer supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the dummy electrode is formed wider than the transport electrode. The developer supply device according to any one of claims 5 to 9,
The developer supply device according to claim 1, wherein the sliding member is provided such that an inner surface facing the inside slides with the developer carrying surface. A developer supply device according to any one of claims 2 to 9,
The developer supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sliding member includes a conductive portion to which a predetermined bias voltage is applied.

Images