JP2011145509A - Developing device, image forming apparatus, and process cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a developing device which is capable to satisfactorily collect developer, then, prevent image unevenness, and which is free from developer deviation and will not cause image nonconformities, and to provide a process cartridge and an image forming apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: The developing device is configured to store the developer containing a carrier and a toner, and to develop a latent image formed on an image carrier. The developing device includes: a developer carrier (51); a developer regulating member (52); and a plurality of conveying members separately disposed in a plurality of developer conveyance paths in the device, configured to convey the developer in the longitudinal direction of the developer conveyance paths, and including a first conveyance member (53), which supplies the developer to the developer carrier and a second conveyance member (54) which collects the developer from the developer carrier. Communication openings for delivery of the developer are formed in the developer conveying paths, corresponding to both end portions of the first conveying member and the second conveying member so as to form the developer circulation conveying path, and a mechanism (80) for varying the cross section of the opening is provided. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a developing device, an image forming apparatus, and a process cartridge installed in an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic method such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, or a multifunction machine thereof.

  Conventionally, a developing device using a two-component developer composed of a toner and a carrier (including the case where an additive or the like is added) is arranged with two to three screws arranged horizontally, one of which is In general, the developer sleeve and the developer (feed screw) are made to face each other and the developer supply and recovery are simultaneously performed between the developer sleeve and the screw (supply screw). Along with the progress of colorization, it is special because of the demand for continuous solids, so-called solid images (images in which the entire page is completely filled) and halftone images (HT), and the tandem layout configuration to reduce the size. Screws are arranged above and below as described in Kaihei 05-333691 (Patent Document 1) and JP-A-11-167261 (Patent Document 2), and the cross-sectional configuration is used to supply and collect separately. A method of circulating and transporting the developer in one direction has been proposed. Here, the performance improvement refers to a reduction in the fluctuation in the density of the output image. As a supplementary explanation, in the conventional method, the supply of the developing agent and the recovery of the developed agent are used in one agent transport unit, so when an image with a large image area is output, the supply side agent transport The deviation of the toner density increases upstream and downstream of the path, resulting in large fluctuations in the page density. However, in one-way circulation transport, the recovery and supply of the agent are separated into separate agent transport sections. This indicates that the density fluctuation can be reduced compared to the conventional method.

  In the known inventions described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, since the doctor blade is disposed above the developing sleeve, in the one-way circulating conveyance of the developer, the developer blade is conveyed from the upper supply screw to the developing sleeve, and then downward. It is comprised so that it may be conveyed by the arrange | positioned collection | recovery screw. In the developing device having such a configuration, the forward development is performed when the transfer unit of the image forming apparatus is disposed below, and the reverse development is performed when the transfer unit is disposed above. There is a case.

  On the other hand, there is JP-A-2003-323043 (Patent Document 3) as a known document of an example in which the doctor blade is disposed below the developing sleeve and the developer is unidirectionally circulated. This means that the supply screw is arranged below and the recovery screw is arranged above, and the developer conveyed from below is separated from the developing sleeve on the upper part of the two-stage roller, thereby carrying the upward conveyance in the one-way circulation. As described in FIG. 1, a developing system is proposed in which the upper conveyance, which has been performed by increasing the screw portion agent pressure at the screw end portion transfer portion, is not performed, and stress applied to the developer can be reduced.

  However, in the configuration of the invention described in Patent Document 3, since the developer extends to a position higher than the tip of the partition wall (partition wall) separating the upper and lower screws, the accumulated developer flows into the supply screw below from the gap between the partition walls. Unidirectional circulation is not established, and the used redeposition agent is immediately transported to the development region, resulting in image density reduction and density unevenness images. In particular, the bulk of the developer in the collecting screw of the type that circulates the developer in one direction tends to gradually increase toward the downstream side of the screw conveyance, so that a defective image occurs in the conveyance downstream portion.

  For these, the inventors have repeatedly studied, developed a development device that can be realized, and invented a stable one-way circulation without leakage of the separated developer immediately after development in the prior art to the supply screw below, The configuration was proposed (Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-51568). On the other hand, in the storage of a developer, a developing device, a process cartridge including the developing device, a copying machine, and a printer, many easy-peel seal members have been proposed in order to prevent scratches on the photosensitive member during transportation (for example, special features). No. 2002-268353, JP-A-2002-372862, etc.).

  In addition, although the inventors have already proposed (Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-145329), the present invention is a conventional developing device in which the developer is supplied and collected by one screw. Although an invention of a one-way circulation developing device has been made, no invention (such as enclosing the developer with an easy peel seal member) that prevents the developer from coming into contact with the photoreceptor during transportation has not been made. This is for the following reason.

  For the type in which the two screws are horizontally arranged and the developer is supplied and collected in one, it is only necessary to seal between the developing roller and the screw for transferring the developer, that is, only one opening is provided. Is easy to do. In the case of the unidirectional circulation, it is necessary to seal between the developing roller and the two screws, and since it spans a plurality, it is difficult to actually arrange.

  In the type in which two screws are horizontally arranged and the developer is supplied and collected in one, there is a space above the developer roller and the screw that does not transfer the developer, and the agent case that stores the developer before use And a seal between the screw and the developer can be dropped by gravity when the seal is removed. In the case of unidirectional circulation, if a developer storage case is disposed above the developer recovery screw, it is very difficult to reduce the size of the image forming apparatus in the height direction. This is because, above the developing device, the transfer device is horizontally arranged across the plurality of developing devices and the photoconductor so as to be compact in layout.

  As a characteristic of the one-way circulation, a developer deviation occurs in the screw conveyance direction and in the agent transfer portion between the recovery screw and the supply screw. In general, the agent accumulates at the downstream side in the transport direction of the recovery screw and at the delivery portion of the agent, and the agent volume is low at the downstream side of the supply screw. For example, Q1 is the amount of developer that passes through the transfer portion from the supply screw to the recovery screw per unit time, Q2 is the amount of developer that is pumped from the supply screw by the developing roller, and Q2 is the supply amount from the recovery screw. If the amount of developer that passes through the transfer part per unit time is Q3, Q3 = Q2 + Q1 in the steady state. Ideally, Q1 = 0, that is, the developer amounts Q2 and Q3 pumped up by the developing roller may coincide with each other. However, in such a situation, the volume of the agent becomes extremely low on the downstream side of the collecting screw, and the pumping is poor. Occurs, the image becomes uneven, or the balance of the agent becomes extremely weak against changes in conditions such as toner density and linear velocity change. Therefore, in reality, Q1> 0 and the agent circulates in the developing device.

  To describe an example of the problem caused by the deviation of the developer, the low volume of the agent on the downstream side of the supply screw leads to poor pumping of the developing roller, resulting in unevenness of depletion on the image. In addition, poor delivery of the developer from the collection screw to the supply screw (agent accumulation) leads to an increase in the volume of the agent on the collection screw side, resulting in poor developer collection. Then, the developer having a low toner density after development that has not been separated is pumped up again to the development region, and image unevenness occurs.

  The deviation of the developer described above changes depending on the change in the bulk of the developer and the change in fluidity due to the change in the toner concentration of the developer. Further, when the linear velocity (screw rotational speed) changes, the screw conveying force also changes, and the developer deviation also changes accordingly. That is, there is a problem that the deviation of the developer changes in accordance with the change in the toner density and the linear velocity, resulting in a defective image.

  Accordingly, the present invention solves the problems of the conventional devices, can develop the developer well, has no image unevenness, has no developer deviation, and does not cause image defects. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and a process cartridge.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in claim 1 is a developing device that contains a developer having a carrier and a toner and develops a latent image formed on the image carrier, A developer carrier disposed opposite to the image carrier, a developer regulating member for regulating the amount of developer carried on the developer carrier, and a plurality of developer conveyance paths provided in the apparatus. A plurality of conveying members that are respectively disposed and convey the developer in the longitudinal direction of the developer conveying path, wherein the plurality of conveying members include a first conveying member that supplies the developer to the developer carrying member; In a developing device having a second conveying member for recovering the developer from the developer carrying member, the developer is circulated in the developer conveying path corresponding to both ends of the first conveying member and the second conveying member. Deliver developer in communication to form a transport path Forming a Nau opening, characterized in that the cross-sectional area of the opening provided with a mechanism for varying.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the developing device according to the first aspect, the mechanism for changing the cross-sectional area of the opening is a mechanism for generating a magnetic field. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the developing device according to the second aspect, the mechanism for generating a magnetic field is an electromagnet, and the intensity of the magnetic field generated by the electromagnet is variable. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the developing device according to the third aspect, the strength of the magnetic field generated according to the toner concentration and the linear velocity is variable.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the developing device according to the third or fourth aspect, the electromagnet is installed on the outer wall of the developer accommodating case so that the generated magnetic force lines are directed from the side surface of the opening to the center of the opening. In addition, a brush-shaped agent spike is formed on the inner wall of the case so that the developer narrows the opening by a magnetic field.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the developing device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the width of one opening for delivering the developer from the second transport member side to the first transport member side is: It is characterized by being provided longer in the longitudinal direction of the developer conveyance path than the width of the other opening across the width of the image area.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the developing device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the toner of the developer is a polyester prepolymer having at least a sensitive group containing a nitrogen atom, a polyester, a colorant, and a release agent. It is a toner obtained by subjecting a toner material liquid in which a mold material is dispersed in an organic solvent to at least one of crosslinking and extension reaction in an aqueous medium.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus comprising an image carrier that carries a latent image and a developing unit that develops the latent image carried on the image carrier, the developing unit is the first aspect. Or a developing device according to any one of 7 to 7.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the developing device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects and at least one of the photosensitive member, the charging unit, and the cleaning unit are integrally supported and attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus. It is a process cartridge that is freely attached. A tenth aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus including the process cartridge according to the ninth aspect.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the developer conveying path corresponding to both ends of the first conveying member and the second conveying member is provided with the developer conveying path. In order to form the opening for communicating the developer, a mechanism for changing the sectional area of the opening is provided, so the sectional area of the opening is changed by the mechanism for changing the sectional area of the opening. It is possible to adjust the amount of the developer passing through the opening for delivering the developer and to adjust the amount of the developer on the first conveying member side and the second conveying member side. Therefore, it is possible to provide a developing device that can recover a developer that could not be conventionally performed, has no image unevenness, and does not have a developer deviation and does not cause image defects.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the opening for delivering the developer, the developer is trapped by the magnetic field, and the opening is formed by the developer spike formed by the magnetic field and the developer attached to the side surface of the opening. By reducing the cross-sectional area, the amount of developer passing can be reduced, and the amount of the agent on the first conveying member side and the second conveying member side can be adjusted. According to the third aspect of the present invention, the opening for delivering the developer according to the use state of the apparatus by changing the strength of the magnetic field by the electromagnet and changing the amount of the developer trapped by the magnetic field. It becomes possible to adjust the amount of the agent that passes through.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the deviation of the developer in the developing device varies depending on the change in the developer's bulk and fluidity due to the toner concentration and the change in the developer conveyance speed due to the screw rotation speed (linear speed). Therefore, it becomes possible to respond flexibly to changes in the deviation of the developer. According to the invention described in claim 5, the developer forms a spike that rises toward the center from the side surface of the opening for delivery, so that the developer is less likely to pass through the opening and the amount of passage is efficiently increased. It becomes possible to adjust.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in the normal state of the agent bulk and the fluidity of the agent, the magnetic field is always generated with respect to the width across the width of the image area in one of the openings. The amount of the agent to be reduced is reduced by some factor, and when the agent is in a state where the agent accumulates in the vicinity of the opening, the magnetic field generated as described above is turned off to open the opening. By increasing the amount of the agent passing through the part, the agent accumulated in the vicinity of the opening can be reduced. According to the seventh aspect of the invention, the toner developer as described above can be used. According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus including the developing device as described above. According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the developing device as described above can be used as a process cartridge. According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus including the process cartridge as described above can be provided.

1 is an overall configuration diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is the developing device installed in the image forming apparatus same as the above, and is a schematic cross-sectional view cut at a delivery portion C in FIG. 2B. FIG. 2B is an overall perspective view of the developing device in FIG. 2A as viewed in the longitudinal direction (a state in which the upper wall of the developer storage case is removed). It is sectional drawing for demonstrating an effect | action of the electromagnet in the image development apparatus of FIG. 2A (The state which removed the upper wall of the developer storage case). (A) is the plane sectional view seen from the direction of arrow A of Drawing 2, and (B) is a front view of (A). It is sectional drawing which follows the line DD of FIG. 4 (A). It is a perspective view (state which removed the upper wall of the developer storage case) which shows the attachment state of the electromagnet of the opening side in the delivery part C of FIG. 2B. It is sectional drawing which follows the broken line E of FIG. It is a perspective view (state which removed the upper wall of the developer storage case) which shows the attachment state of the electromagnet of the opening side in the delivery part B of FIG. 2B. It is sectional drawing which follows the broken line F of FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of deviation of developer bulk in a developing device. 6 is a control flowchart of the developing device.

  Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention and a developing device installed in the apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Configuration and operation of image forming apparatus>
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. In the figure, 1 is an image forming apparatus composed of a tandem type color copier, 2 is a main body of the image forming apparatus, 3 is a document conveying unit for conveying a document to a document reading unit, and 4 is a document for reading image information of the document. A reading unit, 5 is a paper discharge tray on which output images are stacked, 7 is a paper feeding unit that accommodates a recording medium P such as transfer paper, 8 is a paper feeding roller, and 9 is a resist that adjusts the conveyance timing of the recording medium P. Rollers 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11BK are photosensitive drums as image carriers on which toner images of respective colors (yellow, magenta, cyan, and black) are formed. A developing device 14 for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the transfer drum 14 transfers the toner images formed on the photosensitive drums 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11BK on the recording medium P in an overlapping manner. Rollers (primary transfer bias rollers), showing the.

  Reference numeral 17 denotes an intermediate transfer belt onto which a plurality of color toner images are transferred, 18 denotes a secondary transfer bias roller for transferring the color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 17 onto the recording medium P, and 20 denotes a recording medium. A fixing device 28 for fixing an unfixed image on P, and a toner container for each color for supplying toner (toner particles) of each color (yellow, cyan, magenta, black) to the developing device 13.

  Next, an operation during normal color image formation in the image forming apparatus 1 will be described.

  First, the document is transported from the document table by the transport rollers of the document transport unit 3 and placed on the contact glass of the document reading unit 4. Then, the document reading unit 4 optically reads the image information of the document placed on the contact glass.

  Specifically, the document reading unit 4 scans an image of a document on the contact glass while irradiating light emitted from an illumination lamp. Then, the light reflected from the original is imaged on the color sensor via the mirror group and the lens. The color image information of the original is read for each RGB (red, green, blue) color separation light by a color sensor, and then converted into an electrical image signal. Further, based on the RGB color separation image signals, the image processing unit performs color conversion processing, color correction processing, spatial frequency correction processing, and the like to obtain color image information of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black.

  The image information of each color of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black is transmitted to a writing unit (not shown). Then, laser light based on the image information of each color is emitted from the writing unit toward the corresponding photosensitive drums 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11BK.

  On the other hand, the four photosensitive drums 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11BK are rotated clockwise in FIG. First, the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11BK are uniformly charged at a portion facing the charging unit (charging process). Thus, a charged potential is formed on the photosensitive drums 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11BK. Thereafter, the charged surfaces of the photosensitive drums 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11BK reach the irradiation positions of the respective laser beams.

  Specifically, in the writing unit, laser light corresponding to the image signal is emitted from four light sources corresponding to each color. Each laser beam passes through a different optical path for each color component of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black (exposure process).

  Laser light corresponding to the yellow component is irradiated on the surface of the first photosensitive drum 11Y from the left side of the drawing. At this time, the yellow component laser light is scanned in the rotation axis direction (main scanning direction) of the photosensitive drum 11Y by a polygon mirror that rotates at high speed. Thus, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the yellow component is formed on the photosensitive drum 11Y after being charged by the charging unit.

  Similarly, the laser beam corresponding to the magenta component is irradiated onto the surface of the second photosensitive drum 11M from the left side of the paper, and an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the magenta component is formed. The cyan component laser light is applied to the surface of the third photosensitive drum 11C from the left side of the paper, and an electrostatic latent image of the cyan component is formed. The black component laser beam is applied to the surface of the fourth photosensitive drum 11BK from the left side of the paper, and an electrostatic latent image of the black component is formed.

  Thereafter, the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11BK on which the electrostatic latent images of the respective colors are formed reach positions facing the developing device 13, respectively. Then, the respective color toners are supplied from the developing devices 13 onto the photosensitive drums 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11BK, and the latent images on the photosensitive drums 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11BK are developed (developing step).

  Thereafter, the surfaces of the photoconductive drums 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11BK after the development process reach the portions facing the intermediate transfer belt 17, respectively. Here, the photosensitive drums 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11BK are placed on the intermediate transfer belt 17 at the position of the transfer bias roller 14 installed so as to be in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 17 at each facing portion. The toner images of the respective colors formed on the toner image are sequentially superimposed and transferred (primary transfer process).

  The surfaces of the photosensitive drums 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11BK after the transfer process reach positions facing the cleaning unit. Then, untransferred toner remaining on the photosensitive drums 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11BK is collected by the cleaning unit (cleaning process).

  Thereafter, the surfaces of the photoconductive drums 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11BK pass through the static eliminating unit, and a series of image forming processes on the photoconductive drums 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11BK is completed.

  On the other hand, the intermediate transfer belt 17 on which the toners of the respective colors on the photosensitive drums 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11BK are transferred (carrying) are run counterclockwise in the drawing and are connected to the secondary transfer bias roller 18 and the like. Reach the opposite position. The color toner image carried on the intermediate transfer belt 17 is transferred onto the recording medium P at a position facing the secondary transfer bias roller 18 (secondary transfer step).

  Thereafter, the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 17 reaches the position of the intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit. Then, the untransferred toner attached on the intermediate transfer belt 17 is collected by the intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit, and a series of transfer processes in the intermediate transfer belt 17 is completed.

  Here, the recording medium P conveyed between the intermediate transfer belt 17 and the secondary transfer bias roller 18 (secondary transfer nip) is conveyed from the paper supply unit 7 via the registration roller 9 and the like. is there.

  Specifically, the recording medium P fed by the paper feeding roller 8 from the paper feeding unit 7 that stores the recording medium P is guided to the registration roller 9 after passing through the conveyance guide. The recording medium P that has reached the registration roller 9 is conveyed toward the secondary transfer nip at the same timing.

  Then, the recording medium P on which the full color image is transferred is guided to the fixing device 20 thereafter. In the fixing device 20, the color image is fixed on the recording medium P at the nip between the fixing roller and the pressure roller.

  Then, the recording medium P after the fixing step is discharged as an output image outside the apparatus main body 2 by the paper discharge roller and stacked on the paper discharge tray 5 to complete a series of image forming processes.

  In the above description, the photosensitive drums 11Y, 11M, 11C, 11BK and the developing devices 13 are configured to be detachable from the apparatus main body 2, respectively. And when each reaches the end of its life, it is replaced with a new one.

  In this embodiment, each of the photosensitive drums 11Y, 11M, 11C, 11BK and the developing devices 13 is a single unit, but these are integrated and detachably installed in the apparatus main body 2. It can also be a process cartridge. Further, the process cartridge is not limited to the photosensitive drums 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11BK, and may be integrated with the charging unit, the cleaning unit, and the like.

<Configuration and operation of developing device>
Next, the configuration of the developing device 13 installed in the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 3, the developing device 13 includes a developing sleeve 51 constituting a developing roller as a developer carrying member facing the photosensitive drum 11, and a developing sleeve 51 facing the developing sleeve 51 from below. A supply screw 53 for supplying the developer, a doctor blade 52 as a developer regulating member for regulating the supplied developer on the developing sleeve 51, and a collection screw 54 for collecting the developed developer facing the developing sleeve 51. Etc. The supply screw 53 and the recovery screw 54 are respectively separated by developer walls 58 (see FIG. 5) formed by separating walls 57 (see FIG. 5) as developer members in the developer accommodating portions formed in the developer accommodating case 50. 59. The developer conveyance path 58 is a conveyance path on the developer collection side where the collection screw 54 is arranged, and the developer conveyance path 59 is a conveyance path on the developer supply side where the supply screw 53 is arranged. These both conveying paths 58 and 59 communicate with each other at the opening described later at both ends to enable the developer to be circulated and conveyed. In the other intermediate part of the conveying path, the developer is mutually separated by a partition wall (partition wall) 57. You can't come and go. A two-component developer composed of a carrier and toner is accommodated in the developer transport paths 58 and 59 formed in the developer accommodating portion.

  The magnetic roller 55 included in the developing sleeve 51 has five magnetic poles P1 to P5. Then, the developing sleeve 51 rotates around the magnet roller 55 on which the five magnetic poles are formed, so that the developer moves on the developing sleeve 51 with the rotation. In FIG. 2A, broken line arrows indicate the flow of the developer. However, the flow directions of the developer in the transfer portions B and C shown in FIG. 2B are different, the transfer portion B is directed from the supply screw 53 to the recovery screw 54, and the transfer portion C is in the opposite direction. Note that the radial line segments attached to the developing sleeve 51 in FIG. 2A indicate the positions where the respective magnetic forces P1 to P5 peak.

  The developer conveying paths 58 and 59 communicate with each other through the opening portion 71 at the delivery portion B, and communicate with the opening portion 70 at the delivery portion C. FIG. 4 shows the arrangement position and the width when viewed from the plane of both openings 70 and 71. As shown in the figure, the opening 71 is outside the width of the image area W of the developing sleeve 51, and the opening 70 is provided across the width. The reason why the width of the opening 70 is longer than the width of the opening 71 across the image region width W in the longitudinal direction of the developer conveyance path is as follows. In other words, when the developer bulk and the fluidity of the developer are normal, the amount of the agent passing therethrough can be reduced by always generating a magnetic field for the width across the image area width W in the opening 70. If the deviation increases for some reason and the agent is accumulated in the vicinity of the opening 70, the agent that passes through the opening 70 by turning off the magnetic field generated as described above. This is because it is necessary to increase the amount of the liquid and reduce the amount of the agent accumulated near the opening 70.

  Next, a mechanism for generating a magnetic field will be described. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, an electromagnet 80 is disposed near the opening 70 of the transfer section C and attached to the outer wall on one end side of the case 50, and generates a magnetic field by control from a control means (not shown). It is possible to adjust the amount of the developer that passes through the opening 70 after being erased. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, an electromagnet 81 is attached to the outer wall on the other end side of the case 50 in the vicinity of the opening 71 of the transfer section B. From the control means, as in the case of the electromagnet 80. It is possible to adjust the amount of the developer passing through the opening 71 by generating a magnetic field or eliminating it by controlling it. In the present embodiment, the electromagnets 80 and 81 are attached to the outer wall of the case 50 where the developer passes through the openings 70 and 71 so that neither of the electromagnets 80 and 81 directly touch the developer. For example, the electromagnets 80 and 81 may be disposed in the case 50 in a state where the electromagnets 80 and 81 are sealed in a small case if conditions such as a marginal space in the case 50 are satisfied.

  By using the magnetic field generating mechanism by the electromagnets 80 and 81 as described above, the cross-sectional areas (opening areas) of the openings 70 and 71 are variable. That is, the magnetic field generation mechanism is an example of a mechanism that makes the cross-sectional area of the openings 70 and 71 variable. The variable cross-sectional area referred to here is attached to the inner wall of the cross-section of the openings 70 and 71. This means that the portion through which the agent can freely pass through the developer (carrier (magnetic material)) is varied, that is, the portion in the openings 70 and 71 where the agent can freely move is reduced. Specifically, by changing the magnetic field to be generated, by adjusting the amount of the agent attached to the walls of the openings 70 and 71, the portion through which the agent can freely pass is made variable.

  FIG. 10 shows an outline of the behavior of the developer when a magnetic field is actually generated. In the drawing, the gray colored portion indicates the developer, and the block arrow indicates the conveyance direction of the agent. The three drawings of the cross-sectional patterns shown in the lower and upper right sides show the amounts of the respective agents at the positions of the break lines along the developer transport paths 58 and 59 by the screws 53 and 54. As is clear from FIG. 10, the magnetic field generated by the electromagnets 80 and 81 attracts the developer to the inner wall of the case 50 near the openings 70 and 71 in the transfer portions B and C, and the developer moves from the inner wall toward the center. By forming the spiked shape, that is, the magnetic brush 62 (see FIG. 3), it becomes difficult for the developer to pass through the transfer portions B and C, and the amount of developer passing can be adjusted.

  An example of control by the control means will be described based on the control flowchart shown in FIG. First, when toner density information is input from a toner density sensor (not shown) attached to the developing device 13, it is determined whether the toner density is above the upper threshold or lower than the lower threshold. Next, when the line speed information is input from the output paper type of the print job, it is determined whether the line speed is the normal line speed mode or the half speed mode. The reason why the half-speed mode is considered is that an image forming apparatus (copy machine) that supports various types of paper may perform printing in the half-speed mode in which the speed is reduced from the normal speed when printing on thick paper. And the said control means changes the magnetic field applied to the opening parts 70 and 71 of the delivery parts B and C according to the combination of the toner density, the linear velocity, and the generated magnetic field shown in Table 1 below.

  As apparent from Table 1, the opening 70 generates a magnetic field in a normal state so that the influence of the opening 70 does not affect the image region width W. However, in a state where the toner concentration is high and in the half-speed mode, the agent easily accumulates on the opening 70 side, so the magnetic field of the opening 70 is turned off and the amount of the agent passing through the opening 70 is increased. Further, by generating a magnetic field in the opening 71, the amount of the agent delivered from the supply screw 53 to the recovery screw 54 is reduced, and as a result, the amount of the agent accumulated in the opening 70 is reduced. Further, in the case of the half speed mode, since the agent conveying force of the screw is lowered, the agent is easily depleted on the downstream side of the supply screw 53. Therefore, the magnetic field of the opening 70 is extinguished and the agent flowing into the supply screw 53 side is removed. By increasing the amount and generating a magnetic field in the opening 71, the agent is accumulated on the downstream side of the supply screw 53, so that the agent is hardly depleted. "Opening 71: Magnetic field generation (weak)" and "Opening 70: Partial release of magnetic field" in Table 1 are "half speed mode and high toner density" or "half speed mode and low toner density" It is a control that does not perform such extreme control, but takes between normal and the above.

  The operation of the developing device 13 will be described. When the developing device 13 is in a normal state (the normal state here refers to a state in which the toner density is not extremely high or low and the process linear velocity is a normal linear velocity), the opening 70. Thus, a magnetic field is generated so that the image area width W is not affected by the opening 70.

  In a state where the toner concentration is extremely high, the fluidity of the developer is deteriorated and the volume of the agent is increased, so that the agent is easily collected in the vicinity of the opening 70. In addition, the agent conveying force of the screw is reduced during driving in the half-speed mode, such as when outputting thick paper, so that the agent tends to accumulate in the vicinity of the opening 70.

  Therefore, in such a state where the toner concentration is extremely high and in the half-speed mode, the amount of the agent that can pass through the opening 70 is increased by erasing the magnetic field generated in the opening 70. The trouble of the image by the agent pool in the vicinity of the part 70 is prevented. Further, the opening portion 71 generates a magnetic field opposite to the opening portion 70, thereby reducing the agent passing through the opening portion 71, thereby limiting the agent passed from the supply screw 53 to the recovery screw 54. As a result, the accumulation of the agent in the opening 70 is prevented.

  By performing the control as described above, the toner concentration is extremely high and when the driving is performed in the half-speed mode, the accumulation of the agent in the opening 70 is prevented and the agent overflows from the collection screw 54, and the partition wall in FIG. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the collection failure of the developed agent due to the arrival of the agent up to 57, and as a result, it is possible to prevent image unevenness caused by the collection failure.

  On the other hand, when the toner concentration is extremely low, the agent bulk is reduced. Further, when the half-speed mode is driven, the agent conveying force is reduced, so that the agent is easily depleted on the downstream side of the supply screw 53. Therefore, when the toner concentration is extremely low and the half-speed mode is driven, the amount of the agent delivered from the collection screw 54 to the supply screw 53 is increased by erasing the magnetic field in the vicinity of the opening 70. In contrast, by generating a magnetic field in the opening 71, the agent is intentionally accumulated on the downstream side of the recovery screw 54, thereby preventing the agent from being depleted on the downstream side of the recovery screw 54.

  As is clear from the schematic diagram of the deviation of the agent bulk in the developing device 13 shown in FIG. 10, the agent bulk tends to be lower on the downstream side of the supply screw 53. By making it difficult to pass through, the agent accumulates on the downstream side of the supply screw 53.

  By performing the control as described above, it is possible to prevent the pumping failure to the developing region due to the exhaustion of the agent on the downstream side of the supply screw 53, and as a result, it is possible to prevent defective images such as image unevenness.

  Even in cases other than the extreme states described above (for example, when the toner density is extremely high but driving at a normal linear speed), the strength of the magnetic field generated at the opening 71 and the opening 70 is described above. By adjusting between the controlled state and the normal state, it is possible to slightly suppress the change in the agent deviation in the developing device 13 from the initial stage. As a result, it is possible to suppress image unevenness due to the above-described poor agent collection or poor pumping due to the agent deviation.

  As described above, by implementing the image forming apparatus provided with the developing device 13, the developer in the developing device 13 can obtain a good toner dispersion charge, and a uniform toner concentration and always a good uniform density. It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus in which an image is obtained and there are few defective images such as image unevenness with respect to changes in toner density and linear velocity.

  The above-described embodiment is merely a preferred example, and the present invention includes various other appropriate embodiments within the scope of the claims. That is, in implementation, it can be changed and modified to any desired configuration as appropriate. For example, in the present embodiment, the electromagnets 80 and 81 are used as a mechanism for generating a magnetic field, and the magnetic field strength is varied by changing the magnetic force generated by changing the current flowing through the electromagnet. For example, if there is enough space to install an electromagnet, the magnetic field strength can be increased by providing a plurality of patterns for the magnetic field generated by installing multiple magnets with different coil turns. The thickness may be varied. Of course, the attachment positions of the electromagnets 80 and 81 may be arbitrary positions other than those illustrated.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Apparatus main body 11Y, 11M, 11C, 11BK Photosensitive drum 13 Developing apparatus 17 Intermediate transfer belt 50 Developer accommodating case 51 Developing sleeve (developer carrier)
52 Doctor blade (developer regulating member)
53 Supply screw (first conveying member)
54 Recovery screw (second conveying member)
58, 59 Developer transport path 70, 71 Opening 80, 81 Electromagnet (magnetic field generation mechanism)

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 05-333691 JP-A-11-167261 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-323043

Claims (10)

A developing device for containing a developer having a carrier and a toner and developing a latent image formed on the image carrier, the developer carrier disposed to face the image carrier, and A developer regulating member that regulates the amount of developer carried on the developer carrying member and a plurality of developer carrying paths provided in the apparatus are respectively disposed, and the developer is carried in the longitudinal direction of the developer carrying path. A plurality of conveying members, the plurality of conveying members having a first conveying member that supplies the developer to the developer carrying member and a second conveying member that collects the developer from the developer carrying member. In the developing device
An opening for communicating developer to form a circulating conveyance path for the developer is formed in the developer conveyance path corresponding to both ends of the first conveyance member and the second conveyance member, A developing device provided with a mechanism for changing a cross-sectional area of an opening.   The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the mechanism for changing the cross-sectional area of the opening is a mechanism for generating a magnetic field.   3. The developing device according to claim 2, wherein the mechanism for generating a magnetic field is an electromagnet, and the strength of the magnetic field generated by the electromagnet is variable.   4. The developing device according to claim 3, wherein the strength of the magnetic field generated according to the toner concentration and the linear velocity is variable.   5. The developing device according to claim 3, wherein the electromagnet is installed on an outer wall of the developer housing case so that a generated magnetic force line is directed from a side surface of the opening toward the center of the opening, and the developer is opened by a magnetic field. A developing device characterized in that brush-shaped spikes are formed on the inner wall of the case so as to narrow the portion.   6. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the width of one opening for transferring the developer from the second conveying member side to the first conveying member side extends over the width of the image area. A developing device characterized by being provided longer in the longitudinal direction of the developer conveyance path than the width of the portion.   7. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein at least the polyester prepolymer having a sensitive group containing a nitrogen atom, polyester, a colorant, and a release agent are dispersed in an organic solvent. And a toner obtained by subjecting the toner material liquid to at least one of crosslinking and extension reaction in an aqueous medium.   8. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image carrier that carries a latent image; and a developing unit that develops the latent image carried on the image carrier, wherein the developing device according to claim 1 is used as the developing unit. An image forming apparatus comprising the image forming apparatus.   8. The developing device according to claim 1, and at least one of a photosensitive member, a charging unit, and a cleaning unit are integrally supported, and are detachably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus. Process cartridge.   An image forming apparatus comprising the process cartridge according to claim 9.

Images