JP2019139256A - Development device - Google Patents

Abstract

To realize a configuration in which it is possible to suppress, at a low cost, change in distribution of magnetic flux density near a regulatory blade 9 of a developer regulatory pole facing the regulatory blade 9 while suppressing influences on degree of freedom of design of other magnetic poles.SOLUTION: Assuming that a position on an outer circumference of a development sleeve at which magnetic flux density in a normal direction relative to the outer circumference of the development sleeve becomes maximum is a maximum value position, and the position on the outer circumference of the development sleeve corresponding to a center position of a range equal to a half value of distribution of magnetic flux density of a development regulatory pole is a half-value center position. In this case, the development regulatory pole is formed so that the maximum value position shifts by 3 degrees or more in a circumferential direction of the development sleeve relative to the half-value center position, and that the position on the outer circumference of the development sleeve opposed to the regulatory blade 9 is closer to a side where the half-value center position exists than the maximum value position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to a developing device that develops an electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrier such as a photosensitive drum using a developer containing toner and a carrier.

  In an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, or a multi-function machine having a plurality of functions among these using an electrophotographic system or an electrostatic recording system, an electrostatic formed on an image carrier such as a photosensitive drum. A developer is attached to the latent image to visualize it (develop). 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, development apparatuses used for such development use a two-component developer (hereinafter referred to as a developer) composed of non-magnetic particle toner and magnetic particle carrier.

  In such a developing device, the developer is carried on the surface of the developing sleeve having a magnet disposed inside, and the developer is transported by the rotation of the developing sleeve. The amount of the developer (layer thickness) is regulated by a regulating blade as a developer regulating member arranged in the vicinity of the developing sleeve, and the developer is conveyed to a developing area facing the photosensitive drum. Then, the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum is developed with toner in the developer.

  In the case of such a configuration, the amount of developer conveyed to the regulating blade changes due to the positional relationship between the magnetic flux density distribution of the magnet and the regulating blade being deviated. For this reason, the magnetic poles facing the regulating blade have a substantially symmetrical magnetic flux density distribution, and the position of the regulating blade is shifted from the peak position of the magnetic flux density distribution of the magnetic poles, and is within the range of the half width of the magnetic flux density. A configuration has been proposed (Patent Document 1).

  Patent Document 2 describes a configuration in which a guide member that guides the developer toward the developing sleeve is provided upstream of the regulating blade in the rotation direction of the developing sleeve.

JP 2003-140463 A JP2013-211853A

  Incidentally, the magnet has a predetermined tolerance with respect to a design reference position. For example, the peak position of the magnetic flux density of the magnetic pole facing the regulating blade is deviated within the range of intersection with the design reference position. If the peak position of the magnetic flux density deviates in this way, the magnetic flux density distribution in the vicinity of the regulating blade also changes, so that the developer conveyance amount changes and it becomes difficult to stably regulate the developer by the regulating blade.

  Here, when the distribution of the magnetic flux density is substantially symmetric as described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, it can be considered that such a tolerance can be accommodated by widening the half width. That is, by widening the half-value width, even if the peak position of the magnetic flux density is shifted, the change in the magnetic flux density distribution in the vicinity of the regulating blade can be suppressed and the developer transport amount can be stabilized.

  However, when the half width of the magnetic flux density distribution is increased, the width of the magnetic pole is increased. Since the magnet has a plurality of magnetic poles in the circumferential direction, when the width of one magnetic pole increases in this way, the degree of freedom in designing the other magnetic poles is reduced. For example, the radial direction of the magnet is limited by the relationship with the regulating blade, and therefore the width of the other magnetic pole in the circumferential direction is limited.

  On the other hand, in order to stabilize the developer transport amount, it is conceivable to reduce the tolerance of the magnet. However, if the tolerance of the magnet is reduced, the manufacturing cost increases. Note that the above-described problem can also occur in the configuration described in Patent Document 2 described above.

  In view of such circumstances, the present invention suppresses the influence on the degree of freedom of design of other magnetic poles, and the distribution of the magnetic flux density in the vicinity of the developer regulating member of the developer regulating electrode facing the developer regulating member. This invention was invented to realize a configuration that can suppress changes at low cost.

  The present invention relates to a developing container that contains a developer including toner and a carrier, a cylindrical developing sleeve that carries and rotates the developer in the developing container, and is disposed in the developing sleeve, and is arranged in the circumferential direction. A magnet having a plurality of magnetic poles, and a developer regulating member disposed opposite to the outer peripheral surface of the developing sleeve via a predetermined gap and regulating the layer thickness of the developer carried on the developing sleeve, The developer regulating pole disposed opposite to the developer regulating member among the plurality of magnetic poles is a maximum value position that is a position on the outer circumferential surface where the magnetic flux density in the normal direction relative to the outer circumferential surface of the developing sleeve is maximized. Is shifted by 3 degrees or more in the circumferential direction of the developing sleeve with respect to the half-value center position which is a position on the outer peripheral surface corresponding to the center position of the half-value range of the magnetic flux density distribution of the developer regulating pole. In addition, One position on the outer peripheral surface of said developer regulating member is opposed, in the developing device, wherein said that the half-value central position is formed such that the side where there than the maximum value position.

  In the case of the present invention, the maximum value position is shifted by 3 degrees or more with respect to the half-value center position, and the position on the outer peripheral surface of the developing sleeve facing the developer regulating member is the side where the half-value center position exists from the maximum value position. It is said. For this reason, the change in the magnetic flux density distribution in the vicinity of the developer regulating member can be suppressed at a low cost while suppressing the influence on the degree of freedom in designing the other magnetic poles.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the developing device according to the first embodiment. 1 is a schematic vertical sectional view of a developing device according to a first embodiment. The schematic diagram showing the direction of the magnetic force line of the magnetic pole vicinity which opposes the control blade which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The schematic diagram showing distribution of the magnetic flux density of the magnetic pole vicinity which opposes the control blade which concerns on 1st Embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a distribution of magnetic flux density in a normal direction with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the developing sleeve of the magnet according to the first embodiment. The figure showing distribution of the magnetic flux density of the normal line direction to the peripheral surface of the development sleeve of the magnet concerning comparative example 1. FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a developing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a distribution of magnetic flux density in a normal direction with respect to an outer peripheral surface of a developing sleeve of a magnet according to a second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a distribution of magnetic force in a normal direction with respect to an outer peripheral surface of a developing sleeve of a magnet according to a second embodiment. The figure showing distribution of the magnetic force of the normal line direction to the peripheral surface of the development sleeve of the magnet concerning comparative example 2. The figure showing distribution of the magnetic force of the normal line direction to the peripheral surface of the development sleeve of the magnet concerning comparative example 3.

<First Embodiment>
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. First, a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus having the developing device of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[Image forming apparatus]
The image forming apparatus 100 is an electrophotographic full-color printer that is provided corresponding to four colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black and has four image forming units Y, M, C, and K. The image forming apparatus 100 is a toner image according to an image signal from a document reading device (not shown) connected to the image forming apparatus main body or a host device such as a personal computer connected to the image forming apparatus main body so as to be communicable. (Image) is formed on the recording material P. Examples of the recording material include sheet materials such as paper, plastic film, and cloth. The outline of such an image forming process will be described. First, in each of the image forming units Y, M, C, and K, photosensitive drums (electrophotographic photosensitive members) 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K as image carriers are respectively provided. Each color toner image is formed. The toner images of the respective colors formed in this way are transferred onto the recording material P. The recording material to which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 25 and the toner image is fixed to the recording material. This will be described in detail below.

  The four image forming units Y, M, C, and K included in the image forming apparatus 100 have substantially the same configuration except that the development colors are different. Accordingly, in the following, unless there is a particular need for distinction, the subscripts Y, M, C, and K attached to the reference numerals to indicate that the element belongs to any one of the image forming units will be omitted, and a general description will be given. .

  In the image forming portion, a cylindrical photosensitive member, that is, a photosensitive drum 10 is disposed as an image carrier. The photosensitive drum 10 is rotationally driven in the arrow direction in the figure. Around the photosensitive drum 10, a charger 21 as a charging unit, a developing device 1 as a developing unit, a primary transfer charger 23 as a transfer unit, and a cleaning device 26 as a cleaning unit are arranged. A laser scanner (exposure device) 22 as an exposure unit is disposed above the photosensitive drum 10 in the drawing.

  Further, a recording material conveyance belt 24 is disposed to face the photosensitive drum 10 of each image forming unit. The recording material conveyance belt 24 is stretched by a plurality of rollers and moves around in the direction of the arrow in the figure. A fixing device 25 is disposed downstream of the recording material conveyance belt 24 in the recording material conveyance direction.

  A process for forming, for example, four full-color images by the image forming apparatus 100 configured as described above will be described. First, when the image forming operation starts, the surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 10 is uniformly charged by the charger 21. Next, the photosensitive drum 10 is exposed with a laser beam corresponding to an image signal emitted from the exposure device 22. As a result, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image signal is formed on the photosensitive drum 10. The electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 10 is visualized by toner stored in the developing device 1 and becomes a visible image. The toner in the developer consumed in the image formation is supplied from a hopper 20 as a toner supply tank.

  The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 10 is recorded on the recording material transport belt 24 by a transfer unit configured with the primary transfer charger 23 disposed with the recording material transport belt 24 interposed therebetween. Transferred to the material P. The toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 after transfer (transfer residual toner) is removed by the cleaning device 26.

  Such an operation is sequentially performed in each of the yellow, magenta, cyan, and black image forming units, and the four color toner images are superimposed on the recording material P conveyed by the recording material conveyance belt 24. Next, the recording material P is conveyed to a fixing device 25 as a fixing unit. Then, the toner on the recording material P is melted and mixed by being heated and pressurized by the fixing device 25, and is fixed on the recording material P as a full-color image. Thereafter, the recording material P is discharged out of the apparatus. This completes a series of image forming processes. Note that it is also possible to form a single color or a plurality of colors of a desired color using only a desired image forming unit.

[Developer]
Next, a detailed configuration of the developing device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. The developing device 1 includes a developing container 2 that stores a developer containing toner and a carrier, and a developing sleeve 8 that serves as a developer carrying member that carries and rotates and conveys the developer in the developing container. In the developing container 2, conveying screws 5 and 6 are arranged as developer conveying members that circulate the developing container while stirring and conveying the developer in the developing container. In the developing sleeve 8, a magnet 8a having a plurality of magnetic poles in the circumferential direction is disposed so as not to rotate.

  The developer is a two-component developer containing a nonmagnetic toner and a magnetic carrier. The toner includes a base material made of a binder resin having a colorant and an additive added to the base material. In this embodiment, a negatively chargeable polyester resin is used as the toner resin. The volume average particle diameter is preferably 4 μm or more and 10 μm or less. In this embodiment, a toner having a volume average particle diameter of 7 μm was used. If the toner particle size is too small, it will be difficult to rub against the carrier and it will be difficult to control the charge amount. If it is too large, a fine toner image cannot be formed.

  As the carrier, metals such as surface oxidized or unoxidized iron, nickel, cobalt, manganese, chromium, rare earth, and alloys thereof, or oxide ferrite can be used. A ferrite carrier having a diameter of 50 μm was used. If the particle size of the carrier is too small, there will be a problem that the carrier adheres to the latent image carrier during development. If it is too large, the carrier will disturb the toner image during development. In this embodiment, 300 g of developer is accommodated in the developer container, and the weight ratio of the toner and the carrier of the developer at the time of installation is 1: 9.

  Such a developer is carried on the surface of the developing sleeve 8 by the magnetic force of the magnet 8a included in the developing sleeve 8, and the developing sleeve 8 rotates to convey the developer in the developer conveying direction b. Then, a developer is supplied to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 10. The conveying screws 5 and 6 have spiral screw blades on the rotating shaft, and convey the developer in the axial direction by rotating.

  This will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. First, the inside of the developing container 2 is partitioned vertically into the developing chamber 3 and the stirring chamber 4 by a partition wall 7 whose substantially central portion extends in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface. It is accommodated in the stirring chamber 4.

  Conveying screws 5 and 6 are disposed in the developing chamber 3 and the stirring chamber 4, respectively. The conveying screw 5 is disposed along the axial direction of the developing sleeve 8 at the bottom of the developing chamber 3, and the developer in the developing chamber 3 is moved along the axial direction c by rotating a rotating shaft by a motor (not shown). The developer is supplied to the developing sleeve 8 while being conveyed. The conveying screw 6 is disposed at the bottom of the stirring chamber 4 along the axial direction of the developing sleeve 8 and conveys the developer in the stirring chamber 4 in the axial direction d opposite to the conveying screw 5. In this embodiment, the rotating shaft rotates at 900 rpm to circulate the developer.

  The developing chamber 3 and the stirring chamber 4 are communicated with each other through communication portions 71 and 72. In the communication portion 71, the developer collected from the developing sleeve 8 in the stirring chamber 4 and the developer conveyed from the developing chamber 3 are assembled in the developing chamber 3. In the communication portion 72, the developer that has passed through the developing chamber 3 without being supplied from the developing chamber 3 to the developing sleeve 8 is conveyed to the stirring chamber 4. As described above, the developer is circulated between the developing chamber 3 and the agitating chamber 4 through the communication portions 71 and 72 at both ends of the partition wall 7 by the conveyance by the rotation of the conveyance screws 5 and 6. Here, there are the following two paths as the path for stirring and transporting the developer. The first path is a path for conveying the developer in the order of the developing chamber 3 → the developing sleeve 8 → the stirring chamber 4 → the communication portion 71 → the developing chamber 3 (circulation path contributing to development). The second path is a path for transporting the developer in the order of the developing chamber 3 → the communicating portion 72 → the stirring chamber 4 → the communicating portion 71 → the developing chamber 3 (circulation path in the developing container that does not contribute to development).

  Next, the configuration in which the developer is conveyed by the developing sleeve 8 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The developing container 2 has an opening at a position corresponding to the developing area A facing the photosensitive drum 10, and the developing sleeve 8 is rotatably disposed in the opening so that a part of the developing sleeve 8 is exposed in the direction of the photosensitive drum 10. Yes. On the other hand, the magnet 8a included in the developing sleeve 8 is fixed to be non-rotating.

  The flow of the developer around the developing sleeve 8 will be described. First, as the developer is transported by the transport screw 5, the developer jumps up and is supplied to the developing sleeve 8. Since the developer is mixed with the magnetic carrier, the developer is constrained by the magnetic force generated by the magnet 8a in the developing sleeve 8, and as the developing sleeve 8 rotates, the developer on the developing sleeve 8 becomes the developer regulating member. It passes through the regulating blade 9 and is regulated to a predetermined amount. The developer regulated to a predetermined amount is conveyed to the development area A facing the photosensitive drum 10 and toner is supplied to the electrostatic latent image. The developer that has passed through the development area A is collected by the second conveying screw 6 in the developing container.

[Development sleeve]
Such a developing sleeve 8 is rotated by a motor (not shown) to convey the developer to the photosensitive drum 10. In the present embodiment, the developing sleeve 8 is formed of aluminum in a cylindrical shape, and has a diameter of 20 mm in the cross section at the drum facing portion. The surface property of the developing sleeve 8 and the developer transportability will be described. First, when the surface of the developing sleeve 8 is smooth such as a mirror surface, the friction between the developer and the developing sleeve surface is extremely small, so that even when the developing sleeve 8 rotates, the developer is hardly conveyed. By providing appropriate irregularities on the surface of the developing sleeve and creating a frictional force between the developing sleeve surface and the developer, the developer follows the rotation of the developing sleeve. In this embodiment, the surface of the developing sleeve 8 is blasted to provide irregularities with a surface roughness of about 15 μm.

  Blasting is a processing method in which particles such as abrasive powder and glass beads having a predetermined particle size distribution are sprayed at high pressure. Hereinafter, the blasted portion is referred to as a blast region, and the end portion that is not blasted is referred to as a non-blast region. Since the developing sleeve conveys the developer in the blast area, the blast area needs to be provided in a slightly wider range than the image formable area.

[magnet]
In the developing sleeve 8, a magnet 8 a that is a roller-shaped magnetic field generating means is fixedly disposed on the developing container 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the magnet 8a has a total of five poles including a plurality of magnetic poles N1, N2, N3, S1, and S2 in the circumferential direction. FIG. 2 shows the maximum value position of the magnetic flux density in the normal direction relative to the outer peripheral surface of the developing sleeve 8 of each pole. A developing magnetic pole N2 is disposed at a position facing the developing area A, and the developer forms a magnetic brush by the magnetic field of the N2 pole formed in the developing area A. The magnetic brush develops the electrostatic latent image as a toner image by electrostatic force while contacting the photosensitive drum 10 rotating in the direction of arrow a in the developing area A.

  The role of each magnetic pole of the magnet 8a and the developer flow will be described. First, as the developer is transported by the transport screw 5, the developer jumps up and is supplied to the developing sleeve 8. Since the magnetic carrier is mixed in the developer, the N1 pole (developer regulating pole) is formed. Restrained by force. Next, as the developing sleeve 8 rotates, the developer passes through a position facing the regulating blade 9 and the developer is regulated to a predetermined amount. The regulated developer passes through the S1 pole and is supplied to the N2 pole facing the photosensitive drum 10. The developer that has passed through the development area A and consumed toner with respect to the electrostatic latent image is taken into the developing container by the S2 pole, and is released from the magnetic restraint force by the magnetic pole between the N3 pole and the N1 pole. Then, it is recovered by the conveying screw 6.

[Regulating blade]
Here, the regulating blade 9 is disposed so as to face the outer peripheral surface of the developing sleeve 8 with a predetermined gap, and regulates the layer thickness of the developer carried on the developing sleeve 8. For this purpose, the regulating blade 9 is arranged upstream of the developing area A in the rotational direction of the developing sleeve 8. In the present embodiment, the regulating blade 9 is a plate-like member extending along the rotation axis direction (longitudinal direction) of the developing sleeve 8. Moreover, aluminum was used as the material of the regulating blade 9. The regulating blade 9 is arranged on the developing container side so that the tip of the blade faces the center of the sleeve upstream of the photosensitive drum 10 in the rotation direction of the developing sleeve 8. As the developing sleeve 8 rotates, the developer on the developing sleeve 8 passes between the tip of the regulating blade 9 and the developing sleeve 8 and is sent to the developing region A. Therefore, by adjusting the gap between the regulating blade 9 and the surface of the developing sleeve 8, the amount of developer carried on the developing sleeve 8 and conveyed to the developing region can be adjusted.

If the gap between the regulating blade 9 and the developing sleeve 8 is too narrow, it is not preferable because foreign substances in the developer and toner agglomerates are easily clogged. In addition, if the mass per unit area of the developer conveyed on the developing sleeve 8 is too large, the developer is clogged in the vicinity of the position facing the photosensitive drum 10 or the carrier adheres to the photosensitive drum 10. Problems arise. On the other hand, if the mass per unit area of the developer conveyed on the developing sleeve 8 is too small, a desired toner image cannot be developed, causing a problem that the image density is lowered. In this embodiment, the interval between the regulating blade 9 and the developing sleeve 8 is set to 400 μm so that the developer conveyance amount regulated by the regulating blade 9 is 30 mg / cm ² .

  In this embodiment, the diameter of the developing sleeve 8 is 20 mm, the diameter of the photosensitive drum 10 is 80 mm, and the distance between the closest areas of the developing sleeve 8 and the photosensitive drum 10 is set to 400 μm. With this configuration, the developer transported to the development area A is set so that development can be performed in a state where the developer is in contact with the photosensitive drum 10.

  With the above configuration, the developing sleeve 8 rotates in the direction of arrow b as shown in FIG. 2 during development, and conveys the developer regulated to an appropriate amount by the regulating blade 9 to the developing area A facing the photosensitive drum 10. . In the developing area, the developer forms a magnetic brush by the magnetic field of the magnet 8a, and supplies toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 10, thereby obtaining a toner image. At this time, a developing bias voltage in which a DC voltage and an AC voltage are superimposed is applied to the developing sleeve 8 from a power source (not shown). In this embodiment, a DC voltage of −500 V, a square wave peak-to-peak voltage Vpp of 1800 V, and a frequency f of 12 kHz are used. However, the DC voltage value and the AC voltage waveform are not limited to this. In the development area, the non-image area on the photosensitive drum 10 is charged to −600 V, and in the image area where the electrostatic latent image is formed, the electrostatic potential is increased by the laser so that the potential increases according to the density of the output image. A latent image is formed.

In the developing area A, the developing sleeve 8 moves in the forward direction and the moving direction of the photosensitive drum 10, the peripheral speed of the photosensitive drum 10 is 300 mm / s, and the peripheral speed of the developing sleeve 8 is 450 mm / s. The peripheral speed ratio between the developing sleeve 8 and the photosensitive drum 10 is usually set between 1 and 2 times. As the peripheral speed ratio increases, the toner supply amount increases. However, when the peripheral speed ratio is too large, problems such as toner scattering occur. The toner consumption at the maximum density is 0.5 mg / cm ² , and 0.31 g is used when the maximum amount of toner is consumed for the A4 size.

[Developer supply]
Next, replenishment of the developer to the developing container 2 will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, as the replenisher from the hopper 20 (see FIG. 1), approximately the same amount of consumed toner is replenished. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view in which the longitudinal direction for viewing the developer circulation path in the developer container is viewed horizontally. However, the hopper 20 is connected to the developing container 2 so that the path of the replenisher S can be understood. A hopper 20 that stores the replenisher S is disposed on the upper portion of the developing device 1. A hopper 20 constituting the replenishing means is connected to a replenishing port 30 of the developing device.

  The amount of toner substantially the same as that consumed by image formation passes through the supply port 30 from the hopper 20 and is supplied into the developing container 2. The replenishment agent is conveyed from the replenishment port 30 by the replenishment screw 30a in the direction of the arrow g and enters the developer circulation path. The replenishing port 30 is provided downstream from the developing chamber 3. This is to prevent the replenisher that has entered the circulation path from being supplied to the developing sleeve 8 before being stirred. Near the communicating portion 71 of the developing device 1 is provided a toner concentration sensor (not shown) that detects the magnetic permeability of the developer at a constant volume near the sensor surface and calculates the ratio of the toner and the carrier. The replenishment amount is adjusted so that the concentration is approximately 10% by weight.

  Here, as the image is formed, the toner in the developing container is subjected to a load, and its shape and surface properties change to change the toner characteristics. Such a change in toner characteristics depends on the time during which the toner is subjected to a load in the developing device, and thus becomes prominent when the image passing with less toner consumption is continued. In the case of a color image forming apparatus having a plurality of developing devices, there may be a developing device that does not consume toner. Usually, if the minimum toner consumption is determined for each predetermined number of sheets and the number of rotations of the developing sleeve so as to maintain the toner characteristics within a certain range and falls below that, the toner is out of the image forming area or between the image forming areas. Is developed and replaced with new toner. In the present embodiment, the minimum toner consumption is 1% of the total consumption when the entire maximum density image is output based on the A4 size standard and 100%. That is, when the average toner consumption for each predetermined number of sheets is less than 1% of the overall consumption, control is performed so that the average toner consumption is 1%. Therefore, the change in the toner characteristics becomes the maximum when the 1% toner consumption image is continuously fed. However, it is necessary to pass about 10,000 sheets until the average time that the toner in the developing device receives a load reaches a steady value (hereinafter, when 1% of toner is consumed). This can be calculated from the toner consumption amount and the toner amount in the developer.

  Next, the developer transportability by the developing sleeve 8 will be described. The developing sleeve 8 magnetically restrains the developer containing the carrier magnetized by the magnetic flux distribution formed by the enclosing magnet 8a, and the developer by the frictional force applied in the rotation direction by the rotation of the developing sleeve 8 having irregularities on the surface. Transport. Since the developer transported to the vicinity of the photosensitive drum 10 is determined by the amount of developer that can pass through the gap between the developing sleeve 8 and the regulating blade 9, the developer passes through the opposing portion of the regulating blade 9 in addition to the gap between the developing sleeve 8 and the regulating blade 9. The passing angle of the magnetic spike formed by the developing developer becomes important. The passing angle of the developer is determined by the magnetic flux distribution of the blade facing portion formed by the magnet. For this reason, it is desirable that the magnetic flux distribution formed be as small as possible in the vicinity of the blade, depending on the process capability of the magnet 8a (tolerance of a single magnet at the time of magnet manufacture) and mounting accuracy.

[Magnetic flux distribution formed by magnet and magnetic force related to carrier]
Next, the magnetic flux density and magnetic force created by the magnet 8a will be described. In the description of this embodiment, Br, Bθ, Fr, and Fθ are defined as follows.
Br: Magnetic flux density in the normal direction (vertical direction) to the outer peripheral surface (surface) of the developing sleeve 8 at a certain point Bθ: Magnetic flux density in the tangential direction to the outer peripheral surface of the developing sleeve 8 at a certain point Fr: Developing sleeve 8 at a certain point Magnetic force acting in the normal direction with respect to the outer peripheral surface (however, the suction direction (the direction toward the developing sleeve 8) is negative)
Fθ: Magnetic force acting in a tangential direction with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the developing sleeve 8 at a certain point (however, the rotating direction of the developing sleeve 8 is positive)

  Unless otherwise specified, Br, Bθ, Fr, and Fθ refer to the magnetic flux density or magnetic force at a certain point on the developing sleeve 8.

[Measurement method of magnetic force or magnetic flux density]
Here, a method for measuring magnetic force in the present embodiment will be described. The magnetic force described in the present embodiment can be calculated by a calculation method described below. The magnetic force acting on the carrier is obtained by the following equation (1). Here, μ ₀ is the vacuum magnetic permeability, μ is the carrier permeability, b is the carrier radius, and B is the magnetic flux density.

したがって、

Therefore,

  From this equation (2), if Br and Bθ are known, Fr and Fθ can be obtained. Here, the magnetic flux density Br is F. W. Using a magnetic field measuring instrument “MS-9902” (trade name) manufactured by BELL, the distance between the probe, which is a member of the measuring instrument, and the surface of the developing sleeve is set to about 100 μm.

Furthermore, Bθ can be obtained as follows. The vector potential A _Z (R, θ) at the measurement position of the magnetic flux density Br is obtained by using the measured magnetic flux density Br.

で求められる。境界条件をＡ_Ｚ（Ｒ，θ）とし、方程式
▽^２Ａ_Ｚ（Ｒ，θ）＝０
を解くことでＡ_Ｚ（ｒ，θ）を求める。そして、

Is required. The boundary condition is A _Z (R, θ), and the equation ▽ ² A _Z (R, θ) = 0
To obtain A _Z (r, θ). And

より、Ｂｒ、Ｂθを求めることができる。

Thus, Br and Bθ can be obtained.

  Fr and Fθ can be derived by applying the measured and calculated Br and Bθ to the equation (1). Further, according to the above formula, a magnetic flux density distribution that forms the Fr distribution required in this embodiment can be obtained.

[Stability of developer transport amount]
Next, the stability of the transport amount of the developer transported to the regulating blade 9 by the developing sleeve 8 will be described. In the vicinity of the regulating blade 9, the developer receives a force in the direction opposite to the conveying direction by the developing sleeve 8. For this reason, when the magnetic spike formed in the blade facing portion facing the regulating blade 9 of the developing sleeve 8 is inclined upstream from the normal direction to the outer peripheral surface of the developing sleeve 8, it is received in the vicinity of the blade facing portion. Magnetic ears are easily broken by force. Then, the amount of developer passing through the regulating blade 9 becomes unstable, and the variation in the transport amount increases.

  Therefore, in order to stabilize the amount of developer passing through the regulating blade 9, it is preferable to direct the direction of the magnetic spike formed in the vicinity of the blade facing portion downstream. For this purpose, the position where the lines of magnetic force extend in the direction normal to the outer peripheral surface of the developing sleeve 8 in the vicinity of the blade facing portion is defined as the upstream of the blade facing portion. That is, the position on the outer peripheral surface of the developing sleeve 8 where the magnetic flux density (Bθ) in the tangential direction with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the developing sleeve 8 becomes 0 is developed more than the position on the outer peripheral surface of the developing sleeve 8 that the regulating blade 9 faces. The sleeve 8 is shifted in the upstream in the rotation direction.

Here, since the carrier is supported by the magnetic force in the blade facing region, the N1 pole as the developer regulating pole is disposed to face the regulating blade 9, so the value of Br in the vicinity of the blade is not reversed. For this reason, the direction of the lines of magnetic force can be determined at the position of Bθ = 0 in the vicinity of the blade. As shown in FIG. 4, if the position of Bθ = 0 in the vicinity of the blade is upstream of the position facing the regulating blade 9, the lines of magnetic force (broken lines) are directed in the downstream direction. As a result of changing and studying the position of the magnetic pole facing the regulating blade 9, when the position of Bθ = 0 in the vicinity of the blade is upstream, the variation for each measurement of the transport amount was 1 mg / cm ² . When it was downstream, it was 2 mg / cm ² .

  As described above, when the distribution of the magnetic flux density of the developer regulating electrode facing the regulating blade is substantially symmetrical, in order to suppress the change in the distribution of the magnetic flux density at the blade facing portion due to the tolerance of the magnet, It is conceivable to increase the half width of the magnetic flux density distribution. As described above, the magnet tolerance includes the magnet process capability and the magnet mounting accuracy. The process capability of a magnet is a tolerance at the time of manufacturing a magnet as described above. For example, a magnet manufacturer manufactures a magnet with this tolerance. That is, when the tolerance (process capability) is 2 degrees, the magnet delivered from the magnet manufacturer has a tolerance of 2 degrees. On the other hand, the mounting accuracy is a tolerance when the magnet is attached to the developing device, and varies depending on the model, but has a tolerance of 1 degree, for example. Therefore, according to this example, the tolerance when the magnet is attached to the developing device is 3 degrees. For example, the peak position where the magnetic flux density of the developer regulating pole is maximum is shifted within a range of 3 degrees.

  Therefore, when dealing with such a tolerance with a half width, even if the peak position where the magnetic flux density is maximum is shifted from the design position by the intersection, the distribution of the magnetic flux density does not change as much as possible at the blade facing position. It is necessary to widen the half width. However, when the half-value width of the magnetic pole facing the blade is increased in this way, the design of other magnetic poles is restricted as described above. In particular, in the configuration of the vertical stirring type developing device in which the developing chamber and the stirring chamber are arranged vertically as in the present embodiment, the developer surface downstream of the stirring chamber becomes high. For this reason, if a magnetic force is generated in the vicinity of the partition partitioning the developing chamber and the stirring chamber due to restrictions on the design of the magnetic pole, the following problems occur. That is, the developer having a low toner concentration, which is carried and conveyed by the developing sleeve 8 and consumes the toner by the development, passes through the partition wall without being collected in the stirring chamber, and enters the reservoir portion where the developer is supplied to the developing sleeve 8. It becomes easy to reach. Then, it is conveyed again to the photosensitive drum 10 by the developing sleeve 8.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is preferable that no magnetic force is generated in the portion facing the partition, but if the half-value width is increased as described above, the magnetic force generated in the vicinity of the partition facing portion is likely to increase. In addition, since the magnet has other magnetic poles in the circumferential direction, if the width of one magnetic pole is increased, it may be necessary to cut the width of the other magnetic pole. From the above, it is desirable to make the width of the magnetic pole as small as possible.

[Developer regulation pole]
Therefore, in the present embodiment, the developer regulating pole (N1 pole) arranged to face the regulating blade 9 among the plurality of magnetic poles of the magnet 8a is formed as follows. First, the position on the outer peripheral surface of the developing sleeve 8 at which the magnetic flux density in the normal direction with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the developing sleeve 8 is maximized is defined as the maximum value position (peak position). Further, the position on the outer peripheral surface of the developing sleeve 8 corresponding to the center position of the range where the distribution of the magnetic flux density of the developer regulating pole becomes a half value is set as the half value center position. In this case, the developer regulating electrode is formed such that the maximum value position is shifted by 3 degrees or more in the circumferential direction of the developing sleeve 8 with respect to the half-value center position. Further, the developer regulating electrode is formed so that the position on the outer peripheral surface of the developing sleeve 8 facing the regulating blade 9 (blade facing position) is on the side where the half-value center position is present from the maximum value position.

  That is, in the magnetic flux density distribution in the normal direction with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the developing sleeve 8, the maximum value position of the developer regulating pole facing the regulating blade 9 is shifted from the half-value center position, and the magnetic flux density of the developer regulating pole is changed. The distribution is asymmetric. In the present embodiment, the magnetic pole position varies by 3 degrees as the tolerance of the magnet 8a, that is, the tolerance is 3 degrees. For this reason, the maximum value position of the developer regulating pole is shifted by 3 degrees or more with respect to the half-value center position. Thereby, even when the position of the magnetic pole fluctuates by 3 degrees, the change in the magnetic flux density distribution at the position facing the regulating blade 9 can be suppressed.

  In this embodiment, in addition to making the distribution of the magnetic flux density of the developer regulating pole asymmetric as described above, the regulating blade 9 is made to face the side where the distribution of the magnetic flux density becomes gentle. In other words, by shifting the maximum value position of the developer regulating pole from the half-value center position, the distribution of the magnetic flux density has a portion with a gentle slope and a steep portion as shown in FIG. . As is clear from FIG. 5, the gradient of the magnetic flux density distribution becomes gentler on the side where the half-value center position exists than the maximum value position, and the gradient becomes steeper on the opposite side. In the present embodiment, the regulation blade 9 is opposed to the gentler slope so that the regulation blade 9 faces the region where the gradient of the magnetic flux density distribution is gentle even if the magnetic pole position is shifted due to tolerance. To do. For this reason, even if the position of the magnetic pole is shifted, the change in the magnetic flux density is gentle, and the change in the developer transport amount can be suppressed.

  However, the full width at half maximum, which is the width of the range of the magnetic flux density distribution at the developer regulating electrode, is 70 degrees or less, preferably 60 degrees or less, and more preferably 50 degrees or less. This is because if the half-value width is larger than 70 degrees, the width of the developer regulating pole becomes too large, which affects the degree of freedom in designing other magnetic poles.

  In order to make the regulating blade 9 face the area where the gradient of the magnetic flux density distribution is gentler, it is preferable to shift the maximum value position of the developer regulating pole by 4 degrees or more with respect to the half-value center position. It is preferable to shift by 5 degrees or more. Further, when the tolerance is larger than 4 degrees or 5 degrees, it is preferable to increase the deviation amount of the maximum value position with respect to the half-value center position, for example, 8 degrees or more. However, the deviation of the maximum value position from the half-value center position is preferably 20 degrees or less.

  The developer regulating pole is formed such that the maximum value position is shifted downstream in the rotation direction of the developing sleeve 8 from the blade facing position and the half-value center position on the outer peripheral surface of the developing sleeve 8 facing the regulating blade 9. Preferably it is. This is because the deterioration of the developer can be suppressed when there is a region where the magnetic flux density distribution is gentler upstream than the blade facing position. That is, upstream of the blade facing position, before the developer is regulated by the regulating blade 9, a large amount of developer is carried on the developing sleeve 8. At this time, if there is a region where the change in magnetic flux density is abruptly upstream from the blade facing position, the magnetic force applied to the developer carried on the developing sleeve 8 increases. As a result, the load on the developer increases and the developer is likely to deteriorate. However, in order to stabilize the transportability of the developer passing through the regulating blade 9, it is sufficient that the change in magnetic flux density is moderate at the position facing the regulating blade 9, so the maximum value position is upstream of the blade facing position. It may be.

  Further, a magnetic pole with an asymmetric magnetic flux density distribution as in the present embodiment is affected by the adjacent magnetic poles. That is, when the adjacent magnetic poles are separated and the magnetic poles are small, the change in the magnetic flux density becomes slow, and when the adjacent poles are close and the magnetic force is large, the change becomes steep. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a magnetic pole having a small magnetic force is arranged upstream from the developer regulating pole, and a magnetic pole having a larger magnetic force than the upstream magnetic pole is arranged downstream from the upstream magnetic pole. It is preferable. The positional relationship between the magnetic poles is set at the maximum value position of the magnetic flux density.

  In the case of the present embodiment, as described above, the maximum value position is shifted by 3 degrees or more with respect to the half value center position, and the position on the outer peripheral surface of the developing sleeve facing the regulating blade 9 is the half value center from the maximum value position. The side where the position exists. For this reason, the change in the distribution of the magnetic flux density in the vicinity of the regulating blade 9 can be suppressed at a low cost while suppressing the influence on the degree of freedom in designing other magnetic poles.

  That is, by forming the maximum value position so as to deviate by 3 degrees or more from the half-value center position, the magnetic flux density distribution of the developer regulating pole becomes asymmetric. For this reason, the distribution of the magnetic flux density of the developer regulating electrode changes more slowly on the side where the half-value center position exists than the maximum value position. Since the regulation blade 9 faces the gradual side of this change, even if the positional relationship between the maximum position of the developer regulation pole and the regulation blade 9 is shifted due to tolerances, the magnetic flux in the vicinity of the material of the regulation blade 9 Changes in density distribution can be suppressed. As a result, even if the distribution of the magnetic flux density deviates with respect to the regulation blade 9 due to tolerance, it is possible to suppress a change in the amount of developer conveyed by the developing sleeve 8. Further, it is possible to suppress image defects caused by changes in the amount of developer conveyed.

  In addition, in order to cope with deviations such as tolerances, by making the magnetic flux density distribution asymmetric, the width of the developer regulating pole can be suppressed, and the influence on the degree of freedom of design of other magnetic poles can be suppressed. Further, since the maximum value position is 3 degrees or more with respect to the half-value center position, it is not necessary to reduce the tolerance more than necessary, and the cost can be reduced.

<Example 1>
As described above, in the present embodiment, the magnet 8a has an asymmetrical shape that changes gently upstream of the position of the maximum value of the magnetic flux density of the developer regulating pole and changes sharply downstream. The regulating blade 9 is arranged upstream of the maximum value position (Br peak position). As a result, the magnetic flux density distribution is gently changed upstream of the regulating blade 9 to reduce the change in the magnetic flux density distribution at the blade facing position, thereby suppressing the change in transportability due to the magnet process capability and mounting accuracy. However, the increase in extreme width is suppressed. In order to confirm such an effect, an experiment was performed under the following conditions.

  The tolerance of the process capability and attachment accuracy of the developer regulating electrode (blade counter electrode) in the magnet used in Example 1 was 3 degrees in total. For this reason, the maximum value of the blade facing pole is shifted by 3 degrees upstream and downstream with respect to the design reference position. Therefore, in Example 1, the maximum value position of the magnetic flux density of the blade facing pole in the vicinity of the outer peripheral surface of the developing sleeve 8 is set 8 degrees downstream of the half-value center position. Further, the blade facing position where the regulating blade 9 faces the developing sleeve 8 is arranged 4 degrees upstream of the maximum value position of the magnetic flux density.

FIG. 6 shows the distribution of Br on the outer peripheral surface (sleeve surface) of the developing sleeve 8 of the magnet 8a (mag 1) of Example 1 having such a configuration. The reference for the angle is that the horizontal position on the drum side is 0 degree, and the direction opposite to the sleeve rotation direction is the rotation direction. A vertical broken line in FIG. 6 indicates a position where the regulating blade 9 faces the outer peripheral surface of the developing sleeve 8 (blade facing position), which is 86 °. The dotted lines on both sides of this broken line indicate the range where the blade facing position is 3 degrees upstream and downstream. The maximum magnetic flux density of the blade counter pole (N1 pole) was 40 mT, and the half-value width of the magnetic flux density distribution was 60 degrees. The deviation between the maximum value position and the half-value center position was set to 8 degrees as described above. In Example 1, the change in the developer conveyance amount due to the tolerance of the magnet was 3 mg / cm ² .

On the other hand, as Comparative Example 1, a symmetrical magnet (mag 2) in which the maximum value position and the half-value center position of the magnetic flux density distribution were aligned was prepared. FIG. 7 shows the distribution of Br on the outer peripheral surface (sleeve surface) of the developing sleeve 8 of the magnet of Comparative Example 1, as in FIG. In Comparative Example 1, similarly to Example 1, the blade facing position where the regulating blade 9 faces the developing sleeve 8 is arranged 4 degrees upstream of the maximum value position of the magnetic flux density. In Comparative Example 1, the half-value width of the magnetic flux density distribution was 76 degrees, and the change in developer transport amount due to magnet tolerance was 3 mg / cm ² as in Example 1. Other conditions are the same as those in the first embodiment. Table 1 shows the result of comparison between Example 1 and Comparative Example 1.

As is clear from Table 1, in Example 1, the change in the developer conveyance amount due to the tolerance of the magnet is suppressed to 3 mg / cm ² which is the same as that in Comparative Example 1, and the half width is 16 degrees compared to Comparative Example 1. I was able to narrow it.

  That is, in Example 1, the maximum value position of the magnetic flux density of the blade facing pole was set 8 degrees downstream of the half-value center position, and the blade facing position was arranged 4 degrees upstream of the maximum value position of the magnetic flux density. For this reason, even when the maximum value position of the blade facing pole swings up and down by 4 degrees, the change in the magnetic flux distribution in the vicinity of the regulating blade 9 was gradual. As a result, even when the distribution of the magnetic flux density is changed due to tolerance, the change in the developer transport amount can be suppressed. Specifically, the magnetic pole may be shifted 3 degrees upstream and downstream due to the tolerance of the magnet, but the change in the magnetic flux distribution becomes slow in the range of 3 degrees upstream and downstream (vertical dotted line) of the blade facing position. Therefore, the change in the developer transport amount can be suppressed. At this time, the full width at half maximum of the blade counter electrode of Example 1 was 60 degrees.

  On the other hand, in Comparative Example 1, in order to make the change in the developer transport amount the same as in Example 1, it was necessary to set the full width at half maximum to 76 degrees. As described above, in Example 1, which is a specific example of the present embodiment, the half width can be reduced by 16 degrees compared to Comparative Example 1 in which the distribution of the magnetic flux density of the blade facing pole is symmetric. As a result, the width of the blade facing pole can be narrowed while stabilizing the developer transportability in the vicinity of the regulating blade 9, and the degree of freedom in designing other magnetic poles can be increased.

<Second Embodiment>
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Unlike the developing device 1 of the first embodiment described above, this embodiment is an example in which the present invention is applied to a developing device 1A including a guide member 11 that guides the developer in the developing container toward the developing sleeve 8. It is. Since other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment described above, descriptions and illustrations overlapping with those in the first embodiment are omitted or simplified, and the same reference numerals are given to the configurations similar to those in the first embodiment. In the following, description will be made centering on differences from the first embodiment.

  First, in a developing device using a two-component developer containing toner and carrier, the following problems may occur. That is, at the upstream in the rotation direction of the developing sleeve of the regulating blade, the boundary between the portion where the flow of developer is blocked by the regulating blade (non-moving layer) and the portion where the developer is conveyed following the rotation of the developing sleeve Causes a shear plane. In some cases, the developer is rubbed on the shearing surface to release the toner from the carrier, and the released toners are fixed to form a toner layer. When such a toner layer is generated, the developer conveyed to the portion facing the photosensitive drum by the developing sleeve is partially reduced due to the influence of the toner layer, and a sufficient amount of toner for developing cannot be supplied and output. The image density is lowered.

  With respect to such a problem, in the above-mentioned Patent Document 2, the total of the magnetic attractive force applied to the developer near the regulating blade is increased while the total of the developer conveying force along the developing sleeve is decreased. Yes. As a result, the developer in the vicinity of the regulating blade moves toward the center of the developing sleeve, and the generation of the toner layer can be suppressed.

  In the present embodiment, similarly to the configuration described in Patent Document 2, the developer conveyance failure due to the toner layer is suppressed, and the change in the conveyance amount due to the magnet tolerance is suppressed as in the first embodiment. . This will be specifically described below.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the partition wall 7A that partitions the developing chamber 3 and the stirring chamber 4 has a shape extending to the vicinity of the regulating blade 9, and develops the developer contained in the developing chamber 3 from above in the direction of gravity. A guide member 11 for guiding the sleeve 8 is provided. The guide member 11 is provided opposite to the regulating blade 9 on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the developing sleeve 8. A surface (guide surface) of the guide member 11 facing the regulation blade 9 also serves as a guide function for properly supplying the developer from the gap between the regulation blade 9 and the guide member 11 by driving the conveying screw 5.

  Further, the guide member 11 functions as a restricting portion that restricts the developer supply start position P <b> 1 from the developing chamber 3 to the developing sleeve 8 by being opposed to the developing sleeve 8 in the circumferential direction. The angle of the guide surface of the guide member 11 is set in the normal direction of the surface of the developing sleeve 8. The closest distance of the developing sleeve 8 of the guide member 11 is 1 mm. The supply start position P1 of the guide member 11 is set to a position that is 115 degrees in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the developing sleeve 8 from the horizontal position on the developing sleeve 8 and the photosensitive drum 10 side. The position P3 closest to the developing sleeve 8 of the partition wall 7A and upstream of the developing sleeve 8 in the rotation direction is 180 degrees from the horizontal position in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the developing sleeve 8 in this embodiment. The position is set.

  Next, the flow of the developer of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. First, the closest position P3 of the guide member 11 to the developing sleeve 8 is downstream of the repulsive region formed by the same polarity (N1 pole, N3 pole, see FIG. 2), and the developer is removed from the developing sleeve 8 by the repulsive force. In order to receive the force in the direction of leaving, it is removed in the repulsion area. Therefore, the developer does not pass through the gap between the developing sleeve 8 and the partition wall 7A. In other words, the supply of the developer to the regulation blade 9 passes through the path over the guide member 11 from the conveying screw 5, and the developer over the store is stored between the regulation blade 9 and the guide member 11. The

  In the present embodiment, the apex position P4 of the guide member 11 and the lower point position (closest position with the developing sleeve 8) P2 of the regulating blade 9 are such that the line connecting the positions is at an elevation angle of 30 ° with respect to the horizontal direction. It is set to become. That is, the apex position P4 of the guide member 11 is located on the upper side in the horizontal direction with respect to the closest position of the regulating blade 9 and the developing sleeve 8. This is because the developer sleeve 8 is stored in an amount capable of stably coating the developer in the space between the regulating blade 9 and the guide member 11. In addition, the length of the guide member 11 is 11 mm. In the present embodiment, the guide member 11 is formed integrally with the partition wall 7 </ b> A and uses the same material as that of the developing container 2.

  Further, a desirable range of the distance from the regulating blade 9 to the developer supply start position P1 of the guide member 11 (distance in the circumferential direction of the developing sleeve 8) is 2 mm or more and 8 mm or less, and is set to about 5 mm in this embodiment. ing. This is because if the distance from the regulating blade 9 to the guide member 11 is 2 mm or less, the conveyance path through which the developer is conveyed becomes narrow and may be clogged. On the other hand, when the interval is too wide, the contact distance between the developing sleeve 8 and the developer becomes long, so that the time for rubbing with the magnetic force becomes long and the developer is liable to be deteriorated, which is not preferable.

  Note that, as in the present embodiment, when the conveying screw 5 is substantially in the lateral direction with respect to the position of the regulating blade 9, the guide member 11 has a function of guiding the developer and a function of storing the developer. Along with this, it also has an effect of shielding developer pressing when the conveying screw 5 is driven. As the conveying screw 5 is driven, the developer is pressed and conveyed in the screw axial direction, but pressure is also applied in the radial direction of the screw. When the positional relationship between the regulating blade 9 and the conveying screw 5 is substantially lateral, a developer conveying force in a substantially vertical direction is applied to the surface of the regulating blade 9 by pressing in the radial direction, and the viewpoint of uneven conveyance performance It is not desirable. Therefore, it is preferable that the vertex position P4 (described in FIG. 8) of the guide member 11 is arranged high in order to shield the influence of the pressing of the conveying screw 5. It is preferable that the apex position P4 of the guide member 11 is positioned at least above the line connecting the lower limit position P2 of the regulating blade and the axis center of the conveying screw 5.

  In this embodiment, the Fr between the regulating blades 9 from the position of the guide member 11 is always in the attractive direction, and the Fr is steep and monotonously increased as the regulating blade 9 is approached. That is, in the plurality of magnetic poles of the magnet 8 b of this embodiment, the absolute value of the magnetic force Fr in the normal direction of the developing sleeve 8 is the position of the regulating blade 9 from the rear end of the guide member 11 with respect to the rotation direction of the developing sleeve 8. It is formed so as to increase monotonously toward. Here, monotonically increasing means that when Fr is measured in the circumferential direction of the developing sleeve 8 and Fr is sampled within a range of 2 degrees to 10 degrees with respect to the sleeve circumferential direction, the Fr monotonously increases. Point to.

  Further, Fr is configured to be substantially 0 or a positive region (repulsive force region) on the upstream side of the guide member 11 (upstream side of the position P3). In the repulsive force region, Fr may be a negative value as long as the absolute value is small enough that the developer is separated from the surface of the developing sleeve 8 by the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the developing sleeve 8. In this embodiment, the position of about 180 ° to 200 ° is a repulsive force region, and Fr is increased from the repulsive force region toward the downstream side in the rotation direction of the developing sleeve 8.

  Since Fr is a magnetic attractive force in the sleeve direction, if Fr is large, the developer that has passed over the guide member 11 is strongly drawn into the developing sleeve 8. Therefore, the Fr distribution between the guide member 11 and the regulating blade 9 is monotonously increased as the regulating blade 9 is approached. By doing so, the developer in the vicinity of the regulating blade 9 shown in FIG. 8 is drawn into the vicinity of the developing sleeve 8 with a stronger Fr than the other portions between the regulating blade 9 and the guide member 11. In order to make the developer in the vicinity of the regulating blade 9 flow in the vertical direction (parallel to the regulating blade and substantially parallel to the normal direction of the outer peripheral surface of the developing sleeve 8), it is preferable that Fr in the vicinity of the regulating blade is large. In the present embodiment, the maximum value of Fr between the guide member 11 and the regulating blade 9 is the portion facing the regulating blade 9. That is, the plurality of magnetic poles of the magnet 8b are opposed to the regulating blade 9 at the position where the absolute value of the magnetic force Fr is maximum in the region from the rear end of the guide member 11 to the position of the regulating blade 9 in the rotation direction of the developing sleeve. It is formed so that it will be a position to do.

  On the other hand, in order to weaken the developer staying force due to the rotation of the developing sleeve 8 in order to weaken the retention of the developer due to the collision with the regulating blade 9, the Fr between the regulating blade 9 and the guide member 11 is reduced. It is preferable that the sum of is smaller. Since the developer conveyance accompanying the rotation of the developing sleeve 8 is performed by the frictional force between the developer and the developing sleeve 8, the perpendicular drag = magnetic attraction force Fr and the developer conveying force are in a proportional relationship. Accordingly, in order to weaken the developer conveying force parallel to the developing sleeve 8 that collides with the regulating blade 9 and causes the immobile layer, it is desirable that the total Fr between the regulating blade 9 and the guide member 11 is small. become.

  The developer flow in the vicinity of the regulating blade 9 has a force in the vertical direction and a lateral direction (direction perpendicular to the regulating blade, substantially parallel to the tangential direction of the outer peripheral surface of the developing sleeve 8) of the developer in the vicinity of the regulating blade. Determined by the magnitude relationship. Therefore, in order to make the developer flow in the vicinity of the regulating blade in the vertical direction, the longitudinal force is increased by increasing Fr in the vicinity of the regulating blade, and the sum of Fr between the regulating blade and the conveyance guide is reduced. Therefore, it is necessary and sufficient to weaken the lateral force. In order to make the two events compatible, the Fr distribution between the regulating blade 9 and the guide member 11 is preferably a distribution in which Fr increases only in the vicinity of the regulating blade. In other words, it can be qualitatively desirable that the Fr distribution between the regulation blade 9 and the guide member 11 has a tendency to increase steeply and monotonously as the regulation blade 9 is approached.

  Here, a value obtained by integrating Fr from the regulating blade 9 to a position 2 mm upstream from the regulating blade 9 in the rotation direction of the developing sleeve 8 is defined as FrNear. Further, with respect to the rotation direction of the developing sleeve 8, the total Fr obtained by integrating Fr from the rear end of the guide member 11 to the regulating blade 9 is defined as FrAll. At this time, as described in Patent Document 2, quantitatively, when the ratio of FrNear to the integrated value FrAll is 60% or more, the occurrence of defective coating is eliminated. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the plurality of magnetic poles of the magnet 8b are formed so that FrNear with respect to FrAll is at least 60% or more.

  Note that the area 2 mm upstream from the regulating blade is an area where the developer is easily compressed and a non-moving layer is easily formed, and it is important that the flow of the developer in the vicinity is directed in the direction perpendicular to the sleeve.

  Here, in order to increase the ratio of FrNear to FrAll, Fr in the vicinity of the regulating blade 9 needs to be larger than the other area between the guide member 11. For this purpose, as can be seen from the above-described equation (1), it is necessary to increase the change in magnetic distribution in the vicinity of the regulating blade 9. If the ratio of FrNear to FrAll is increased by using a magnet whose distribution of magnetic flux density of the developer regulating pole (blade facing pole) opposed to the regulating blade 9 is substantially symmetric, the half width is narrowed. When the half width is narrowed, the change in the distribution of magnetic flux density in the vicinity of the regulating blade increases, and the change in the developer conveyance amount due to the tolerance of the magnet increases.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the developer regulating pole of the magnet 8b is asymmetrical in the magnetic flux density distribution as in the first embodiment. That is, in the present embodiment, the distribution of the magnetic flux density of the developer regulating pole is changed gently at the upstream of the rotation direction of the developing sleeve 8 at the maximum value position and abruptly at the downstream. Then, the regulating blade 9 is arranged upstream in the rotation direction of the developing sleeve at the maximum value position. As described above, the maximum value position is a position on the outer peripheral surface of the developing sleeve 8 where the magnetic flux density (Br) in the normal direction relative to the outer peripheral surface of the developing sleeve 8 is maximum. The blade facing position is a position on the outer peripheral surface of the developing sleeve 8 that the regulating blade 9 faces, and the half-value center position is the outer periphery of the developing sleeve 8 corresponding to the center position of the range where the distribution of magnetic flux density is half value. The position on the surface.

  In this manner, by rapidly decreasing the Br peak downstream of the regulating blade 9, it is possible to rapidly raise Fr in the vicinity of the regulating blade. Then, while increasing the ratio of FrNear to FrAll, the change in the distribution of magnetic flux density upstream of the regulating blade 9 is reduced to suppress the change in transportability due to the process capability and mounting accuracy of the magnet.

<Example 2>
In order to confirm the effect of this embodiment, the following experiment was conducted. The tolerance of the process capability and attachment accuracy of the developer regulating electrode (blade counter electrode) in the magnet used in Example 2 was 3 degrees in total. For this reason, the maximum value of the blade facing pole is shifted by 3 degrees upstream and downstream with respect to the design reference position. Therefore, in Example 2, the maximum value position of the magnetic flux density of the blade facing pole in the vicinity of the outer peripheral surface of the developing sleeve 8 was set 20 degrees downstream of the half-value center position. Further, the blade facing position where the regulating blade 9 faces the developing sleeve 8 is arranged 3 degrees upstream of the maximum value position of the magnetic flux density.

FIG. 9 shows the distribution of Br on the outer peripheral surface (sleeve surface) of the developing sleeve 8 of the magnet 8b (mag 3) of Example 2 having such a configuration. The reference for the angle is that the horizontal position on the drum side is 0 degree, and the direction opposite to the sleeve rotation direction is the rotation direction. A vertical broken line in FIG. 9 indicates a position where the regulating blade 9 faces the outer peripheral surface of the developing sleeve 8 (blade facing position), which is 86 °. The dotted lines on both sides of this broken line indicate the range where the blade facing position is 3 degrees upstream and downstream. A long broken line indicates a position where the guide member 11 faces the outer peripheral surface of the developing sleeve 8. The maximum magnetic flux density of the blade counter pole (developer regulating pole) was 40 mT, and the half-value width of the magnetic flux density distribution was 45 degrees. Further, the deviation between the maximum value position and the half-value center position was set to 20 degrees as described above. In Example 2, the change in the developer conveyance amount due to the tolerance of the magnet was 3 mg / cm ² .

  Further, by using the magnet 8b (mag 3) of Example 2 described above, the ratio of FrNear to FrAll was increased, and the change in the distribution of magnetic flux density downstream of the regulating blade was changed more steeply. FIG. 10 shows the distribution of the magnetic force (Fr) in the sleeve center direction applied to the carrier on the sleeve surface when the mug 3 is used. In Example 2, Fr near the regulating blade was relatively large, and the ratio of FrNear to FrAll was 65%.

On the other hand, as Comparative Example 2, the magnetic flux density distribution of the developer regulating electrode used in Example 1 is asymmetrical, and as Comparative Example 3, the magnetic flux density distribution of the developer regulating electrode used in Comparative Example 1 is used. A symmetric mag 2 was prepared. These mugs 2 and 3 were incorporated into a developing device as shown in FIG. At this time, the change in the developer conveyance amount due to the tolerance of the magnet was 3 mg / cm ² as in Example 2.

  FIG. 11 shows the distribution of the magnetic force (Fr) in the sleeve center direction applied to the carrier on the sleeve surface when the mug 1 is used and FIG. 12 shows the case where the mug 2 is used. In Comparative Example 2, the ratio of FrNear to FrAll was 55%, and in Comparative Example 3, the ratio of FrNear to FrAll was 50%. Other conditions are the same as in the second embodiment. Table 2 shows the result of comparison between Example 2 and Comparative Examples 2 and 3.

As is clear from Table 2, in Example 2, the change in developer transport amount due to the tolerance of the magnet is suppressed to 3 mg / cm ² which is equivalent to Comparative Examples 2 and 3, and half compared to Comparative Examples 2 and 3. The price range could be narrowed. That is, in Example 2, the maximum value position of the magnetic flux density of the blade facing pole was set 20 degrees downstream of the half-value center position, and the blade facing position was arranged 3 degrees upstream of the maximum value position of the magnetic flux density. For this reason, even when the maximum value of the blade facing pole swings 3 degrees upstream, the change in the magnetic flux distribution in the vicinity of the regulating blade was gradual. As a result, even when the distribution of the magnetic flux density is changed due to tolerance, the change in the developer transport amount can be suppressed. Further, in Example 2, since the ratio of FrNear to FrAll was 65%, the formation of the toner layer on the upstream side of the regulation blade was suppressed, and developer conveyance failure did not occur. That is, since the magnetic flux density distribution changes sharply downstream of the regulating blade, the magnetic force in the vicinity of the regulating blade is larger than that in other areas between the guide member 11 and, as a result, FrNear / FrAll can be increased. . For this reason, the conveyance failure of the developer could be prevented.

  On the other hand, in Comparative Examples 2 and 3, since the FrNear / FrAll was less than 60% and was small, the toner layer formation could not be sufficiently suppressed. In some cases, conveyance failure occurred. As described above, in Example 2, which is a specific example of the present embodiment, the half-value width can be reduced, the developer transportability in the vicinity of the regulating blade 9 can be stabilized, and the width of the blade facing pole can be reduced. Increased design freedom. Further, since FrNear / FrAll was 65%, it was possible to prevent a developer conveyance failure. However, since the configuration of Comparative Example 2 has an asymmetric distribution of magnetic flux density at the developer regulating electrode, the effect of the present invention can be obtained. In the present embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, by setting FrNear / FrAll to 60% or more, it is possible to provide an effect of suppressing the generation of a non-moving layer with a simple configuration. The non-moving layer can be dealt with by discharging the developer in the developing device to the photosensitive drum during non-image formation at a predetermined timing.

<Other embodiments>
In each of the above-described embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus is configured to transfer directly from the photosensitive drums 10 </ b> Y, 10 </ b> M, 10 </ b> C, and 10 </ b> K to the recording material P conveyed by the recording material conveyance belt 24. However, the present invention can be applied to other configurations. For example, the present invention can be applied to a configuration in which an intermediate transfer member such as an intermediate transfer belt is provided instead of the recording material conveyance belt 24. That is, in an image forming apparatus having a configuration in which the toner images of each color are primarily transferred from the photosensitive drums 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K to the intermediate transfer member, and then the composite toner images of each color are collectively transferred to the recording material P. The present invention is applicable. Further, the charging method, transfer method, cleaning method, and fixing method are not limited to the above methods.

  Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the example in which the present invention is applied to the vertical stirring type developing device in which the developing chamber is disposed above the developing container and the stirring chamber is disposed below is described. However, the present invention can be applied to other configurations as long as the magnet is arranged in the developing sleeve to carry and carry the developer and the layer thickness of the developer carried by the regulating blade is regulated. . For example, the present invention can be applied to a configuration in which the developing chamber and the stirring chamber described above are arranged in the horizontal direction. Further, as in the above-described embodiment, the present invention can be applied to a configuration other than a configuration in which a developing chamber for supplying a developer to the developing sleeve and a stirring chamber for collecting the developer from the developing sleeve are separately provided. For example, the present invention can also be applied to a configuration in which development is supplied to and recovered from the developing sleeve by the developing chamber and the developer is circulated between the developing chamber and the developing chamber.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1A ... developing apparatus / 2 ... developing container / 8 ... developing sleeve / 8a, 8b ... magnet / 9 ... regulating blade (developer regulating member) / 11 ... guide member

Claims (1)

A developer container containing a developer including toner and carrier;
A cylindrical developing sleeve that carries and rotates the developer in the developer container; and
A magnet disposed in the developing sleeve and having a plurality of magnetic poles in the circumferential direction;
A developer regulating member disposed opposite to the outer circumferential surface of the developing sleeve via a predetermined gap and regulating the layer thickness of the developer carried on the developing sleeve;
The developer regulating pole disposed opposite to the developer regulating member among the plurality of magnetic poles is a maximum value that is a position on the outer circumferential surface where the magnetic flux density in the normal direction with respect to the outer circumferential surface of the developing sleeve is maximized. The position deviates by 3 degrees or more in the circumferential direction of the developing sleeve with respect to the half-value center position that is a position on the outer peripheral surface corresponding to the center position of the range where the magnetic flux density distribution of the developer regulating pole is half value. In addition, the position on the outer peripheral surface where the developer restricting member faces is formed such that the half-value center position is located on the side where the half-value center position exists with respect to the maximum value position.
A developing device.

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