JP2010191307A - Developing device and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To form a high-quality image by improving the fluidity of the liquid developer stored in a developer storage section. <P>SOLUTION: A developing device includes a developer carrier 36 for carrying a liquid developer that has toner and carrier liquid; a supply member 34 for supplying the liquid developer to the developer carrier 36; a restricting member 37 that restricts liquid developer, while being brought into contact with the supply member 34 and which has a ventilating section 374 formed therein; and the developer storage section 311 for storing the liquid developer supplied by the supply member 34. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrier with a liquid developer having a toner and a carrier liquid, and a developer image developed by the developing device is transferred to a recording material and fixed. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image.

  Various image forming apparatuses for developing and visualizing an electrostatic latent image using a high-viscosity liquid developer in which a toner composed of a solid component is dispersed in a liquid solvent as a carrier liquid have been proposed. The developer used in this image forming apparatus has solid components (toner particles) suspended in a highly viscous organic solvent (carrier liquid) having electrical insulation properties such as silicon oil, mineral oil, and edible oil. Is. These toner particles use very fine particles having a particle diameter of around 1 μm, and can achieve higher image quality than a conventional dry image forming apparatus using a particle diameter of 7 μm.

  In an image forming apparatus using such a liquid developer, first, the surface of a photoreceptor as an image carrier is uniformly charged. Next, the surface of the photoconductor is exposed by an exposure unit according to the input image data, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photoconductor. In order to develop the electrostatic latent image as a toner image, a developing device that applies a liquid developer onto the photoreceptor on which the electrostatic latent image is formed is used.

  In Patent Document 1, as such a developing device, a developer containing tank 401 that contains a liquid developer, and a predetermined amount of liquid developer D pumped up from the developer containing tank 401 are carried on the surface and rotated. A roller 404, a developing roller 402 that applies and develops the liquid developer D carried on the surface of the electrostatic latent image on the image carrier 1, and the liquid developer D from the surface of the application roller 404 to the surface of the developing roller 402. And an intermediate roller 405 for transporting the vehicle.

  In particular, since a predetermined amount of the liquid developer D is carried on the coating member 404, the surface of the coating roller 404 is formed with a concave portion 404a engraved with a uniform pattern, and is in contact with the surface of the coating roller 404. A doctor blade 409 is provided to remove excess liquid developer above.

  The liquid developer pumped up from the developer storage tank 401 by the application roller 404 is regulated by the doctor blade 409, and the liquid developer remaining in the pattern of the application roller 404 is applied to the intermediate roller 405. In this manner, the liquid developer to be supplied can be measured by shaping the pattern of the application roller 404 so as to have a desired amount of liquid developer.

JP 2003-98833 A

In the developing device described in Patent Document 1, the liquid developer in the developer storage tank 401 is pumped up by the recess 404 a formed in the application roller 404, and the amount of liquid is adjusted by the regulating blade 409. However, the liquid developer thus scraped off remains attached to the lower surface of the regulating blade 409. In particular, when the image forming apparatus is stopped after use,
The liquid developer remaining on the lower surface of the regulating blade 409 becomes a solid matter, and the liquid developer solidified every time it is used a plurality of times becomes a thick layer, and the fluidity of the liquid developer in the developer storage tank 401 is increased. Will be disturbed.

  Further, when the solidified liquid developer lump is peeled off from the regulating blade 409, the flow of the liquid developer is prevented in the developer storage tank, and the liquid developer is supplied uniformly over the axial direction of the coating member 404. become unable. Further, when the solidified liquid developer enters the concave portion 404 a of the application member 404 and is clogged, the liquid developer cannot be accurately measured by the application member 404 or formed on the developer carrier 402. As a result, streaks are formed on the film of the liquid developer, which hinders image formation.

  The present invention aims to form a high-quality image by improving the fluidity of the liquid developer stored in the developer storage section, and employs the following configuration. .

  The developing device of the present invention includes a developer carrying member that carries a liquid developer having toner and a carrier liquid, a supply member that supplies the liquid developer to the developer carrying member, and abutting the supply member. The liquid developer is regulated, and a regulating member in which a ventilation part is formed and a developer storage part for storing the liquid developer supplied by the supply member are provided.

  Furthermore, in the developing device of the present invention, the regulating member is formed with a plurality of the ventilation portions.

  Furthermore, in the developing device of the present invention, the regulating member has a blade that contacts the supply member.

  Furthermore, in the developing device of the present invention, the ventilation portion is formed in the blade.

  Furthermore, in the developing device of the present invention, the restriction member has a support portion that supports the blade.

  Furthermore, in the developing device of the present invention, the ventilation portion is formed in the support portion.

  Further, the developing device of the present invention is a developer carrier cleaning unit that cleans the developer carrier by contacting the developer carrier and collects the liquid developer supplied to the developer carrier. And a recovered developer storing portion for storing the liquid developer recovered by the developer carrying member cleaning portion, and between the developer storing portion and the recovered developer storing portion. And a wall portion in which two ventilation portions are formed.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a developer carrier that carries a liquid developer having toner and a carrier liquid, a supply member that supplies the liquid developer to the developer carrier, and abutting the supply member. And a developing member having a regulating member for regulating the liquid developer and having a ventilation part formed therein, a developer storing part for storing the liquid developer supplied by the supply member, and the developer carrier. And an image carrier developed with the liquid developer.

1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a main configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating main components of an image forming unit and a developing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state of liquid developer adhesion in the developing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a flow of the liquid developer in the developer container according to the embodiment of the invention. The perspective view of the regulating member concerning the embodiment of the present invention. The top view of the regulating member concerning the embodiment of the present invention. Sectional drawing of the control member which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and its periphery structure. The top view of the control member concerning other embodiments of the present invention. The side view of the control member which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. Sectional drawing of the control member which concerns on other embodiment of this invention, and its periphery structure. Sectional drawing of the developing device which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. Sectional drawing of the developer container which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. Sectional drawing of the developing device which concerns on other embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a main configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The four developing devices 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K are disposed below the image forming unit with respect to the image forming unit disposed at the center of the image forming apparatus. Arranged above the image forming unit. Hereinafter, the image forming unit and the developing devices 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K will be described. However, since the configurations of the respective colors are the same, the alphabetical suffixes indicating the colors are omitted. The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is capable of forming a full-color image using four colors of YMCK. However, the image forming apparatus is not limited to this embodiment. For example, the image forming apparatus employs an appropriate number of colors such as single color and two colors. Also good.

  The image forming unit includes an image carrier 10, a corona charger 11, an exposure unit 12, and the like. The exposure unit 12 includes a light source such as an LED or a semiconductor laser, and irradiates light based on an input image signal to form an electrostatic latent image on the charged image carrier 10.

  The developing device (developing unit) 30 generally includes a developer container 31 that stores the liquid developer of each color, a supply roller 34 that applies the liquid developer from the developer container 31 to the intermediate roller 35, and the like. The electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier 10 is developed with a developer.

  The intermediate transfer member 40 is configured by an endless belt or the like, is stretched around a driving roller 41 and a tension roller 42, and is rotationally driven by the driving roller 41 while being in contact with the image carrier 10 at the primary transfer unit 50 of each color. . An intermediate transfer body cleaning unit 46 that removes the developer of the intermediate transfer body 40 by contacting a blade is disposed at a position where the intermediate transfer body 40 is stretched by the tension roller 42.

  In the primary transfer portions 50 of the respective colors, the image carrier 10 and the primary transfer backup roller 51 are arranged to face each other with the intermediate transfer member 40 interposed therebetween, and the contact position with the image carrier 10 is set as a transfer position. Then, the developed toner images of the respective colors on the image carrier 10 are sequentially transferred onto the intermediate transfer member 40 to form a full-color toner image.

  In the secondary transfer unit 60, a secondary transfer roller 61 is disposed to face the driving roller 41 with the intermediate transfer body 40 interposed therebetween. Further, the secondary transfer roller 61 is provided with a secondary transfer roller cleaning unit 62 that removes the developer remaining on the secondary transfer roller 61 with a blade in contact therewith. At the transfer position on the secondary transfer roller 61, the single-color or multiple-color toner images formed on the intermediate transfer body 40 are transferred to a recording material such as paper, film, or cloth conveyed through the sheet material conveyance path L. Is done.

  Further, downstream of the sheet material conveyance path L, a fixing unit is provided that performs fixing by applying heat, pressure, or the like to a single color or a plurality of color toner images transferred to a recording material such as paper. .

  Next, an image forming unit and a developing device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating main components of the image forming unit and the developing device 30. Since the configurations of the image forming unit and the developing device for each color are the same, the description is based on the yellow (Y) image forming unit and the developing device, and the subscript alphabet is omitted in the description.

On the outer periphery of the image carrier 10, along the rotation direction thereof, the image carrier cleaning unit 14, the first corona charger 11, the second corona charger 11 ′, the exposure unit 12, the developing roller 36, and the first squeeze roller 13 and a second squeeze roller 13 'is provided. Each squeeze roller 13, 13 ′ is provided with a first squeeze roller cleaning unit 131 and a second squeeze roller cleaning unit 131 ′ in contact with each other as an attached configuration.

  A primary transfer backup roller 51 is disposed along the intermediate transfer body 40 at a position facing the image carrier 10 and presses the intermediate transfer body 40 toward the image carrier 10 to form a primary transfer portion. is doing.

  The image carrier 10 is a photosensitive drum made of a cylindrical member having an axial length (surface width) longer than that of the developing roller 36 and having a photosensitive layer formed on the outer peripheral surface. Rotate clockwise as shown. The photosensitive layer of the image carrier 10 is composed of an organic image carrier or an amorphous silicon image carrier.

The first and second corona chargers 11 and 11 ′ are arranged upstream of the nip portion between the image carrier 10 and the developing roller 36 in the rotation direction of the image carrier 10, and apply voltage from a power supply device (not shown). The image carrier 10 is corona-charged. In the present embodiment, the two corona chargers 11 and 11 ′ are used, but it is also possible to use one corona charger.

The exposure unit 12 irradiates the image carrier 10 charged by the first and second corona chargers 11 and 11 ′ with light on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the image carrier 10 from the corona charger 11,
An electrostatic latent image is formed on the image carrier 10.

  The developing device 30 includes a developing roller 36 ("developer carrier" in the present invention), an intermediate roller 35, a supply roller 34 ("supplying member" in the present invention), and a toner with a weight ratio of approximately 20%. The developer container 31 for storing the liquid developer dispersed to the extent and the toner compression corona generator 38 for performing a compaction action on the developer are mainly configured.

  The developing device 30 of the present embodiment is configured to use the intermediate roller 35, but the supply roller 34 may be applied to the developing roller 36 without using the intermediate roller 35.

  The liquid developer to be replenished to the developer storage unit 311 is volatile at room temperature at a low concentration (1 to 2 wt%) and low viscosity using Isopar (trademark: Exxon) as a carrier. Not a volatile liquid developer, but a solid having a mean particle diameter of 1 μm in which a colorant such as a pigment is dispersed in a non-volatile resin having a high concentration and high viscosity at room temperature, an organic solvent, silicon oil, mineral oil or A liquid developer having a high viscosity (about 30 to 10,000 mPa · s) added to a liquid solvent such as edible oil together with a dispersant and having a toner solid content concentration of about 20% is used.

  The surface of the developing roller 36 is brought into contact with the intermediate roller 35 and the image carrier 10, and a developing roller cleaning unit 361 and a toner compression corona generator 38 are disposed on the outer periphery thereof. The surface of the intermediate roller 35 is brought into contact with the developing roller 36 and the supply roller 34, and an intermediate roller cleaning unit 351 is disposed on the outer periphery thereof.

  A developer reservoir 311 is formed in the developer container 31. The developer container 31 is connected to a developer replenishing unit (not shown) that supplies a liquid developer to the developer storage unit 311. The developer replenishment unit replenishes the developer storage unit 311 with the liquid developer whose toner concentration is adjusted from the replenishment port 313 provided in the developer container 31. Further, a conveyance screw 33 is provided in the developer storage unit 311, and conveys the supplied liquid developer so as to spread over the entire axial direction of the supply roller 34 while stirring.

  In the developer container 31, a collected developer storage unit 312 for collecting a liquid developer that has not contributed to image formation is formed. In the collected developer storage unit 312, the liquid developer scraped by the intermediate roller cleaning unit 351, the developing roller cleaning unit 361, and the like is collected, and is collected and transported by the collection screw 32 disposed inside. . The recovered liquid developer is reused by being replenished to the developer storage unit 311 after the toner concentration is readjusted in a developer replenishing unit (not shown).

  The supply roller 34 (“supply member” in the present invention) has a function of supplying the liquid developer to the intermediate roller 35. The supply roller 34 is a metal roller having a concave pattern formed by a spiral groove or the like engraved finely and uniformly on the surface so as to easily carry the liquid developer.

  The restricting member 37 is an elastic body formed by coating an elastic body on the surface of a metal, an elastic body such as rubber, or a metal as a core material. In the present embodiment, the blade includes a blade made of metal or the like that comes into contact with the surface of the supply roller 34, and a support portion such as metal that supports the blade. The regulating member 37 regulates and adjusts the film thickness and amount of the liquid developer carried and conveyed by the supply roller 34 and adjusts the amount of liquid developer supplied to the intermediate roller 35.

  The developing roller 36 (“developer carrier” in the present invention) is a cylindrical member. In this embodiment, the developing roller 36 rotates counterclockwise around the rotation axis as shown in the figure, and the surface thereof is an intermediate roller. It rotates so as to move in the opposite direction to the surface of 35 and rotates so as to move in the same direction as the surface of the image carrier 10. In order to form an image, the developing roller 36 needs to rotate so that the surface thereof moves in the same direction as the surface of the image carrier 10. In the same direction, it may be configured to move in either direction.

  The developing roller 36 is provided with an elastic layer on the outer periphery of a metal core. The developing roller cleaning unit 361 (the “developer carrying member cleaning unit” in the present invention) that contacts the surface of the developing roller 36 is configured by providing an elastic layer such as rubber on a metal thin plate, and the developing roller 36 is an image. The liquid developer that is disposed on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the developing roller 36 from the developing nip portion in contact with the carrier 10 and scrapes off the developing roller 36 is removed by scraping.

  The intermediate roller 35 is a cylindrical member, and in the present embodiment, as shown in the figure, the intermediate roller 35 rotates counterclockwise around the rotation axis in the same manner as the developing roller 36 and counter-contacts the developing roller 36. . Similar to the developing roller 36, the intermediate roller 35 is configured by providing an elastic layer on the outer periphery of a metal core. An intermediate roller cleaning unit 351 is provided downstream of the contact position between the intermediate roller 35 and the developing roller 36, and the developer that has not been supplied to the developing roller 36 is scraped off to the collected developer storage unit 312.

  The toner compression corona generator 38 is an electric field applying means for increasing the charging bias on the surface of the developing roller 36, and the toner of the liquid developer conveyed by the developing roller 36 is positioned in the vicinity of the toner compression corona generator 38. Then, an electric field is applied, and charging and compression are performed. For the toner charging and compression, a compaction roller that is charged by contact may be used instead of corona discharge by applying electrolysis.

  The charged and compressed liquid developer carried on the developing roller 36 is developed corresponding to the electrostatic latent image on the image carrier 10 at the development nip where the developing roller 36 and the image carrier 10 abut. After passing through the developing nip portion, the developer that has not contributed to the development is scraped off by the developing roller cleaning unit 361 and dropped into the collected developer storage unit 312.

Two squeeze members are provided on the downstream side of the developing roller 36 and the upstream side of the primary transfer unit 50 for collecting excess developer of the toner image developed on the image carrier 10. Each squeeze member is covered with an elastic body, and the first and second squeeze rollers 13 and 13 'are made of an elastic roller that rotates in contact with the image carrier 10, and the squeeze rollers 13 and 13' are pressed and slid. The first and second squeeze roller cleaning units 131 and 131 ′ for cleaning the surface in contact with each other, and collecting excess carrier liquid from the developer developed on the image carrier 10;
It has the function of increasing the toner particle ratio in the visible image.

  In the present embodiment, two squeeze members are arranged before the primary transfer. However, the number of squeeze members is not limited to two, and an appropriate number can be arranged. Further, each squeeze member may be configured to be switched to abut or separate from the image carrier 10 depending on the state of the liquid developer.

  In the primary transfer unit 50, the image developed on the image carrier 10 is transferred to the intermediate transfer member 40 by the primary transfer backup roller 51. Here, by moving the image carrier 10 and the intermediate transfer member 40 at a constant speed, it is possible to reduce the driving load of rotation and movement, and to suppress the disturbance effect on the toner image of the image carrier 10. is there. After passing through the primary transfer unit 50, the surface of the image carrier 10 is cleaned by the image carrier cleaning unit 14 and again used for image formation after the corona charger 11.

  The developing device and the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention have been described above. Next, the liquid developer in the developer container 31 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. The flow will be described.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along a plane perpendicular to various rollers (between BB ′ shown in FIG. 4) in the developing device 30 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4A shows a cross-sectional view of the developer container 31 in the collected developer storage portion 312 (between AA ′ shown in FIG. 3). In addition, FIG.
FIG. 4 shows a top view of the developer container 31 of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the developer container 31, there are a developer storage unit 311 for storing the liquid developer supplied from the supply port 313, and a recovered developer storage unit 312 for recovering the liquid developer. The developer storage part 311 and the collected developer storage part 312 are partitioned by a wall part 314.

A conveyance screw 33 is disposed in a developer storage unit 311 that stores a liquid developer for use in development. As the transport screw 33 rotates, the liquid developer in the developer storage unit 311 is stirred and transported in the axial direction. In this embodiment, the conveyance direction of the conveyance screw 33 is different with the supply port 313 as a boundary. As shown by an arrow in FIG. 4B, the liquid developer in the developer storage unit 311 is It is conveyed in both the left and right directions with the supply port 313 as a boundary.

The liquid developer supplied from the replenishing port 313 to the developer storage unit 311 is transported in both the left and right directions by the transport screw 33, and then the first recovery port 315 and the second recovery port provided on the left and right sides of the wall 314. Overflow from 315 ′ to the collected developer storage unit 312 side. With such a configuration, the liquid level in the developer storage unit 311 can be maintained, and the liquid developer can be uniformly supplied to the supply roller 34. Note that the liquid level in the developer reservoir 311 can be maintained even in a configuration in which the liquid developer overflows not only at each recovery port but also across the entire wall portion 314.

  The overflowed liquid developer is conveyed in one direction by the collecting screw 32 disposed in the collected developer storage unit 312 and discharged from the discharge port 316 to the developer discharge path 72, and the toner is supplied by the developer supply unit. The concentration is adjusted and reused.

  A supply roller 34 is disposed above the conveying screw 33. As shown in the figure, the supply roller 34 is rotated clockwise to draw up the stored liquid developer, and further to the intermediate roller 35 that contacts the upper side. Apply.

  The supply roller 34 is provided with a restricting member 37 that restricts the supplied liquid developer to an appropriate amount. In the present embodiment, the restricting member 37 is positioned above the wall portion 314 and is arranged so that the tip of the blade 371 contacts the supply roller 34. For example, in a similar developer container 31, the supply roller 34 may be rotated counterclockwise and the restriction member 37 may be brought into contact from the right side.

  The liquid developer pumped up on the surface of the supply roller 34 passes through the regulating member 37 to be an appropriate amount and is supplied to the intermediate roller 35. On the other hand, the liquid developer whose passage is blocked by the regulating member 37 is attached to the lower side of the regulating member 37 as shown in the drawing. In particular, when the image forming apparatus is stopped while attached, solidification of the liquid developer proceeds, and the fluidity of the liquid developer in the developer storage unit 311 is hindered, which hinders image formation. .

  An object of the present invention is to suppress the decrease in fluidity of the liquid developer in the developer reservoir 311 due to the adhesion of the liquid developer at the lower position of the regulating member 37 and solidification. Is. The inventors have found that one of the causes of adhesion of the liquid developer at the lower position of the regulating member 37 is that the air flow at the lower position is lowered. In the case of the arrangement as shown in FIG. 3, the liquid developer is transported in a narrow space formed by the liquid developer in the developer reservoir 311, the supply roller 34, the regulating member 37, and the wall 314. When doing so, the liquid developer stagnates in the space due to insufficient inflow of air. Therefore, the present invention is characterized in that the air flow in the same space is improved to suppress a decrease in the fluidity of the liquid developer. In the present invention, in particular, the regulating member 37 has a ventilation portion 374. Is provided.

5 and 6 are views showing the restricting member 37 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the restricting member 37, and FIG. 6 is a top view of the restricting member 37. ing. The blade 371 is a member for restricting the liquid developer by coming into contact with the supply roller 34, and is formed by coating an elastic body on the surface of an elastic body such as metal or rubber, or a metal as a core material. This is a member having elasticity. The blade 371 is fixed by a plurality of screws 375 while being sandwiched between a metal support portion 373 and a holding portion 371. In this way, the metal support 373
By firmly fixing the blade 371, it is possible to suppress deformation in the longitudinal direction and form a uniform contact surface with the supply roller 34.

  In the present embodiment, a ventilation portion 374 is provided in the blade 371 in order to improve the air permeability under the regulating member 37. As shown in the figure, the blade 371 is provided with nine circular ventilation openings 374 along the longitudinal direction. The position, number, size, and shape of the ventilation portion 374 can be appropriately determined in consideration of the strength of the blade 371 and the inflow amount of air. Although improvement in the fluidity of the liquid developer has been confirmed even when the ventilation portion 374 is provided at one location, it is desirable to provide a plurality of ventilation portions. In addition, when a plurality of the vents 374 are provided, the size and shape of the ventilation portion 374 may be different for each position in consideration of the behavior of the liquid developer. Moreover, the ventilation part 374 is not limited to a form formed by holes, but may be a form formed by cutting out a part of the blade 371. In this case, the surface where the blade 371 contacts the supply roller 37 is excluded because of the function of the blade 371 regulating the liquid developer.

  In the configuration in which the liquid developer is replenished from the replenishing port 313 provided at the lower position of the developer container 31 as described with reference to FIG. And the liquid level of the developer reservoir 311 rises. Therefore, in the vicinity of the replenishing port 313, the inflow of air and the fluidity of the liquid developer are likely to be reduced. Taking this situation into consideration, the ventilation portion 374 is formed in the vicinity of the upper portion of the replenishing port 313 or is formed larger, thereby increasing the amount of inflow of air and improving the fluidity of the liquid developer more effectively. It becomes possible.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the regulating member 37 is provided in the developing device 30 when the ventilation portion 374 is provided in the blade 371. It is just a cross-sectional view at a position between CC 'in the top view of the regulating member 37 shown in FIG. The regulating member 37 abuts the tip of the blade 371 against the supply roller 34 to regulate the amount of liquid developer pumped up by the supply roller 34.

  The ventilation portion 374 provided in the blade 371 has a function of allowing air to flow from the upper side to the lower side of the blade 371 in the drawing. Thus, by forming the ventilation portion 374, air is taken into the space formed by the liquid developer in the developer storage portion 311, the supply roller 34, the regulating member 37, and the wall portion 314 from the outside. Accordingly, the fluidity of the liquid developer in the developer storage unit 311 can be improved.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the first embodiment, the ventilation portion 374 is provided in the blade 371 of the regulating member 37, whereas in the present embodiment, the blade 371 is different in that it is provided in the support portion 373. FIG. 8 is a top view of the restricting member 37, and FIG. 9 is a side view of the restricting member 37. The basic configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the restriction member 37 includes a blade 371 for restricting the liquid developer, a support part 373, a holding part 372, and a support part 373 and a holding part. 372 and a plurality of screws 375 fixed with the blade 371 sandwiched therebetween.

  In the present embodiment, the ventilation portion 374 is formed on the lower surface of the support portion 373. In the top view of FIG. 8, the grayed out portion transparently shows the position where the ventilation portion 374 is formed. FIG. 9 is a side view of the regulating member 37, and it can be seen that the blade 371 is sandwiched between the holding portion 372 and the support portion 373 and screwed. Further, four ventilation portions 374 are formed below the support portion 373 by cutting out a part thereof.

As in the case of providing the blade 371, the position, number, size, and shape of the ventilation portion 374 are appropriately determined in consideration of the strength, the inflow amount of air, and the like. In particular, it is possible to effectively improve the fluidity of the liquid developer by considering the vicinity of the replenishing port 313 where the inflow amount of air tends to decrease due to the rise of the liquid level. In the present embodiment, the ventilation portion 374 forms an opening by cutting out the support portion 373, but it may be formed by making a hole in the support portion 373.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the regulating member 37 is provided in the developing device 30 when the support portion 373 is provided with the ventilation portion 374. It is just a cross-sectional view at the position between D and D ′ of the regulating member 37 shown in FIGS. Air is introduced at a position below the regulating member 37 as indicated by an arrow by the ventilation portion 374 provided in the support portion 373. Thus, by forming the ventilation portion 374, air is taken into the space formed by the liquid developer in the developer storage portion 311, the supply roller 34, the regulating member 37, and the wall portion 314 from the outside. Accordingly, the fluidity of the liquid developer in the developer storage unit 311 can be improved.

  FIG. 11 shows a sectional view of the developing device 30 when the regulating member 37 is disposed. It is a cross-sectional view when cut along a plane parallel to each roller in the vicinity of the collected developer storage portion 312. The collection screw 32 disposed in the collected developer storage unit 312 conveys the liquid developer flowing in from the first collection port 315 and the like toward the discharge port 316 located on the left in the drawing.

  Behind the collection screw 32, a wall portion 314 for separating the collected developer storage portion 312 from the development storage portion 311 is formed. A regulating member 374 is disposed above the wall portion 314 in the same direction as the side view shown in FIG. As shown in the drawing, air is taken into the back of the wall portion 314 by the ventilation portion 374 provided in the support portion 373 of the regulating member 374.

  As described above, the configuration in which the ventilation member 374 is provided in the restriction member 37 using the two embodiments has been described. However, the present invention can adopt various forms as long as the ventilation member 374 is provided in the restriction member 37. It is. For example, the first embodiment and the second embodiment may be combined, and the ventilation portion 374 may be provided in both the blade 371 and the support portion 373. In addition, the location where the ventilation portion 374 is formed is also configured to penetrate through both the blade 371 and the support portion 373 or the configuration formed through the holding portion 372 so as to take in air. Various configurations can be considered.

  Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, the ventilation member 374 is provided in the restriction member 37 and the second ventilation portion 317 is provided in the wall portion 314, whereby the amount of air taken in is increased. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the developer container 31 in the collected developer storage unit 312. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the developing device 30 in the vicinity of the collected developer storage unit 312 in a plane parallel to each roller. It is a cross-sectional view.

  The wall portion 314 includes a first wall height portion having an upper surface height E and a second wall height portion F having an upper surface height lower than E. As shown in the figure, the second wall height portion is located on both sides of the first wall height portion, and the first recovery port 315 and the second recovery port 315 ′ are formed according to the relationship between the heights of the two. Yes.

In the present embodiment, ventilation portions 317 are provided at the four upper ends of the first wall height portion. It is formed so that the upper end of the first wall height portion is cut out in a rectangular shape, and the height thereof is lower than the height a of each recovery port 315, 315 ′, that is, the ventilation portion 317. The lower end in the vertical direction is a position higher than the height of the second wall height portion. According to such a positional relationship, the developer that does not flow out of the liquid developer from the second ventilation portion 317 or suppresses the outflow amount and is maintained by the first recovery port 315 and the second recovery port 315 ′. The liquid level in the reservoir 311 is not disturbed. Then, air can be taken in from the second ventilation portion 317 formed in the wall portion 314. The position, size, number, and shape of the second ventilation portion 317 can be determined as appropriate, and the second ventilation portion 317 is not limited to being formed by cutting out the wall portion 314 as in the present embodiment, and a hole is formed. It may be formed by drilling.

  FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the developing device 30 when the second ventilation portion 317 is formed in the wall portion 314. It is a cross-sectional view when cut along a plane parallel to each roller in the vicinity of the collected developer storage portion 312. The present embodiment is combined with the configuration in which the ventilation portion 374 is provided in the support portion 373 described in FIGS. The configuration in which the ventilation member 374 is provided in the restriction member 37 is not limited to the configuration in which the support portion 373 is provided, and an appropriate embodiment can be employed.

  In the present embodiment, in particular, the ventilation portion 374 formed in the restriction member 37 and the second ventilation portion 317 formed in the wall portion 314 are positioned to face each other, and the widths of both are made equal. It realizes a high opening and can take in enough air.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, not only the ventilation portion 374 is formed in the restriction member 37 but also the second ventilation portion 317 is formed in the wall portion 314, so that the opening area is increased and the air efficiently. Can be incorporated. In particular, since the liquid developer is regulated by contacting the supply roller 34, the size and number of the ventilation portions 374 are limited in the regulation member 37 that requires strength. Even so, the second ventilation portion 317 can supplement the inflow of air.

  Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and embodiments configured by appropriately combining the configurations of the respective embodiments also fall within the scope of the present invention. Is.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Image carrier, 11 ... 1st corona charger, 11 '... 2nd corona charger, 12 ... Exposure unit, 13 ... 1st squeeze roller, 131 ... 1st squeeze roller cleaning part, 13' ... 2nd squeeze Roller 131 ′ second squeeze roller cleaning unit 14 image carrier cleaning unit
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 30 ... Developing device (developing part) 31 ... Developer container, 311 ... Developer storage part, 312 ... Collected developer storage part, 313 ... Supply port, 314 ... Wall part, 315 ... First recovery port, 315 '... Second recovery port, 316 ... discharge port, 317 ... second vent,
33 ... Conveying screw, 34 ... Supply roller, 35 ... Intermediate roller, 351 ... Intermediate roller cleaning unit, 36 ... Developing roller, 361 ... Developing roller cleaning unit, 37 ... Regulating member, 371 ... Blade, 372 ... Holding unit, 373 ... Support part, 374 ... Ventilation part, 375 ... Screw, 38 ... Toner compression corona generator,
40 ... Intermediate transfer member, 41 ... Driving roller, 42 ... Tension roller, 46 ... Intermediate transfer member cleaning unit,
50 ... primary transfer part, 51 ... primary transfer backup roller,
60 ... secondary transfer unit 61 ... secondary transfer roller 62 ... secondary transfer roller cleaning unit 71 ... developer supply path 72 ... developer discharge path

Claims (8)

A developer carrying member carrying a liquid developer having toner and carrier liquid;
A supply member for supplying the liquid developer to the developer carrier;
A regulating member in contact with the supply member to regulate the liquid developer, and a ventilation portion formed;
A developer reservoir that stores the liquid developer supplied by the supply member;
A developing device comprising: The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the regulating member includes a plurality of the ventilation portions.   The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the regulating member includes a blade that contacts the supply member.   The developing device according to claim 3, wherein the ventilation portion is formed in the blade.   The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the restriction member includes a support portion that supports the blade.   The developing device according to claim 5, wherein the ventilation portion is formed in the support portion. A developer carrier cleaning unit that contacts the developer carrier to clean the developer carrier and collects the liquid developer supplied to the developer carrier;
A recovered developer storage section for storing the liquid developer recovered by the developer carrier cleaning section;
7. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a wall portion disposed between the developer storage portion and the recovered developer storage portion and having a second ventilation portion. The developing device described. A developer carrying member carrying a liquid developer having toner and a carrier liquid; a supply member for supplying the liquid developer to the developer carrying member; regulating the liquid developer by contacting the supply member; A developing member having a regulating member in which a part is formed, and a developer reservoir that stores the liquid developer supplied by the supply member;
An image carrier to be developed by the liquid developer supplied to the developer carrier;
An image forming apparatus comprising:

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