JP4629570B2 - Developing device, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a phenomenon device, a process cartridge, and an image forming apparatus used for a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a printer, and the like. More specifically, a developer carried on a developing sleeve is opposed to a photosensitive member and a developing sleeve with a gap. The present invention relates to a developing device that is transported to a developing region and develops an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member to form a toner image, a process cartridge having the developing device, and an image forming apparatus.

  The above-described developing device of the image forming apparatus transports the developer to a developing area facing the photoconductor, and develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor with the developer to form a toner image. It has. The developing roller includes, for example, a developing sleeve formed in a cylindrical shape, and a magnet roller that is provided inside the developing sleeve and forms a magnetic field so as to generate a spike of developer on the surface of the developing sleeve. I have.

  At the time of spike, the developer carrier spikes on the sleeve so as to follow the magnetic force lines generated by the magnet roller, and the toner adheres to the spiked carrier, and the developer described above adheres to the surface of the developer sleeve. Stand up.

  Of the image forming apparatuses described above, a developing apparatus including a plurality of developing rollers (for example, see Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2) may be used for an image forming apparatus that forms an image at high speed.

  A plurality of developing rollers of the developing devices shown in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 are arranged in parallel with the above-described photoconductor with a space therebetween, and sequentially convey the above-described developer from the developer supply unit. In the developing device described above, the developer is sequentially carried on the developing sleeves of a plurality of developing rollers, the developer is transported to the photosensitive member, and the electrostatic latent image on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive member is converted into the plurality of developing members. Development is performed sequentially with the developer carried on the sleeve. The developing device described above sequentially conveys the developer to the developing roller, develops the electrostatic latent image on the outer peripheral surface of one photoconductor a plurality of times, and then conveys it to the developer supply unit. Further, the developing device having the above-described configuration has a developer regulating member in the vicinity of the developing roller on the upstream side in the developer conveying direction, and the amount of developer supplied to the photosensitive member is determined in this portion. Yes.

In this way, the developing devices shown in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 use a plurality of developing rollers to improve the development efficiency, and to eliminate the whiteout phenomenon at the rear end of the image due to the scavenging effect, which is a disadvantage of one-stage development. It can be prevented, and high speed and high image quality are achieved.
JP 2002-268386 A JP 2004-163906 A

  Patent Document 1 described above describes the use of a developing sleeve subjected to sandblasting. A developing sleeve subjected to this type of sandblasting has very fine irregularities formed on the outer surface thereof, and the irregularities are gradually scraped by a developer or the like, and as a result, the number of printed sheets increases. In other words, the above-described unevenness is cut and flattened due to aging. Therefore, the developing sleeve subjected to the sandblasting process described above has a problem that the amount of developer transport is gradually reduced and the formed image is gradually thinned.

  In addition, in Patent Document 2 described above, the outer surface of the developing sleeve is roughened by using amorphous alumina particles or spherical glass beads, and the surface roughness of the outer surfaces of the developing sleeves of a plurality of developing rollers is used. Is described as different. Since the developing sleeve shown in Patent Document 2 forms random dents on the outer surface of the developing sleeve, if the developer carrier wears due to friction or the like, the developer carrier wears (aging) and develops. The pumping amount of the agent decreases and the image quality deteriorates.

  Further, in the developing sleeve having a V-groove formed on the outer surface, the V-groove is much larger than the unevenness formed by the sandblasting process described above. In other words, the V-groove of the developing sleeve is much larger (deeper) than the magnetic carrier of the developer, so that the developing sleeve formed with the V-groove is less likely to be worn and the developer is transported along with aging. The amount does not decrease. However, in the developing sleeve having the V groove formed on the outer surface, the developer conveyed in the V groove is larger than the developer conveyed in the portion where the V groove is not provided. Due to the unevenness of the transport amount, density unevenness is likely to occur.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above background, and includes a developing device that can suppress a decrease in the transport amount of the developer due to secular change and can prevent image unevenness, and the developing device. An object of the present invention is to provide a process cartridge and an image forming apparatus.

  The developing device according to claim 1, a photosensitive member on which an electrostatic latent image is formed on an outer peripheral surface, a plurality of developing rollers that are arranged in parallel with the photosensitive member and that conveys the developer in order. The developing rollers each include a magnet roller and a developing sleeve that encloses the magnet roller and that adsorbs the developer to the outer surface by the magnetic force of the magnet roller. In addition, the outer surface of the developing sleeve of the developing roller located at the most upstream of the developer transport direction among the plurality of developing rollers is inclined in a direction parallel to the axis of the developing sleeve or with respect to the axis. A concave groove extending linearly along the direction is provided, and at least a current of a developing roller located at the most downstream of the plurality of developing rollers in the developer conveying direction is provided. Dent of a number of oval shape is characterized in that provided at random on the outer surface of the sleeve.

  A developing device according to a second aspect is the developing device according to the first aspect, wherein the concave groove intersects an axis of a developing sleeve of a developing roller located at the most upstream in the developer conveying direction; A plurality of first concave grooves parallel to each other and a plurality of second concave grooves intersecting both the shaft core and the first concave grooves and parallel to each other are provided.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the developing device according to the first or second aspect, wherein the plurality of oval-shaped recesses are formed with recesses whose longitudinal direction is along the axial direction of the developing sleeve and whose longitudinal direction is the longitudinal direction. Including a dent along the circumferential direction of the developing sleeve, wherein the number of dents along the axial direction of the developing sleeve is greater than that along the circumferential direction of the developing sleeve.

  A developing roller according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the developing device according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the plurality of elliptical dents collide randomly with an outer surface of the developing sleeve. It is characterized by the fact that it is formed by a short wire rod.

  The developing device according to claim 5 is the developing device according to claim 4, wherein the linear member is positioned in a rotating magnetic field and collided with the outer surface of the developing sleeve by the rotating magnetic field. It is a feature.

  A developing device according to a sixth aspect is the developing device according to the fifth aspect, wherein the developing sleeve is accommodated in the accommodating tank together with the filament material, and a magnetic field generating unit applies the rotating magnetic field in the accommodating tank. It is characterized by being generated.

  The developing device according to claim 7 is the developing device according to claim 6, wherein the developing sleeve accommodated in the accommodating tank is collided with the filament material while being rotated about its axis. It is characterized by.

  The developing device according to claim 8 is the developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising interlocking rotating means for rotating the developing sleeves of the plurality of developing rollers at the same rotational speed. It is characterized by that.

  The developing device according to claim 9 is the developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the developer includes toner and a magnetic carrier, and the magnetic carrier The average particle size is 20 μm or more and 50 μm or less.

  The developing device according to claim 10 is the developing device according to claim 9, wherein the magnetic carrier includes a core material made of a magnetic material and a resin coat film covering the core material. The resin coat film contains a resin component obtained by crosslinking a thermoplastic resin and a melanin resin, and a charge control agent.

  A process cartridge according to an eleventh aspect of the invention is a process cartridge having at least a developing device, wherein the developing device includes the developing device according to any one of the first to tenth aspects.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 12 is an image forming apparatus having at least a charging device and a developing device, and the developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 10 is used as the developing device. It is characterized by having.

  According to the developing device of the first aspect, since the concave groove is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the developing sleeve of the developing roller on the upstream side in the developer transport direction, the development on the upstream developing roller is caused by secular change. The groove on the sleeve can be prevented from being worn, and the upstream developing roller can pump up the developer stably over a long period of time (preventing the amount of developer pumping up from decreasing over time) it can.).

  Further, since the oval dents are randomly arranged on the outer surface of the developing sleeve of the developing roller on the downstream side, the developer accumulates in the dents, so that the location where the developer accumulates randomly on the outer surface. Therefore, it is possible to prevent image unevenness from occurring. Furthermore, when an oval dent larger than the dent formed by conventional sandblasting is formed on the outer surface of the developing sleeve of the developing roller on the downstream side, the dent is less likely to wear due to secular change, Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the transport amount of the developer due to secular change.

  Therefore, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the transport amount of the developer due to secular change, and to obtain a high-quality image without unevenness without decreasing the image density over a long period of time.

  According to the developing device of the second aspect, the first groove and the second groove that the grooves provided in the developing sleeve of the upstream developing roller intersect each other and intersect the axis of the developing sleeve. Since it is provided, a groove is formed on the outer surface of the developing sleeve. Therefore, in addition to being able to draw up the developer stably over a long period of time, unevenness is less likely to occur. Therefore, a high-quality image without unevenness can be obtained more reliably.

  According to the developing device of the third aspect, the developer sleeve of the upstream developing roller has a recess whose longitudinal direction is along the axial direction more than a recess whose longitudinal direction is along the circumferential direction. Therefore, even if the developing sleeve rotates, it is difficult for the pumped developer to fall off from the outer surface of the developing sleeve, so that the developing sleeve on the downstream side is also connected to the upstream side. Similar to the developing sleeve, the oval-shaped dent has the same effect as the V-groove that has been used conventionally, and the amount of developer pumped up can be secured.

  According to the developing device of the fourth aspect, since the linear rod material is randomly collided with the outer surface to form an elliptical recess, the shaft core of the developing sleeve of the downstream developing roller is curved or the inner and outer diameters are increased. Can be prevented and the cross-sectional shape can be prevented from becoming an elliptical shape. In other words, the runout accuracy of the developing sleeve can be kept high.

  In addition, since random irregularities are formed on the developing sleeve as the object to be processed, it is possible to prevent unevenness in the amount of developer supplied to the photoreceptor, and to prevent unevenness in density in the formed image. it can.

  According to the developing device of claim 5, since the filament material is positioned in the rotating magnetic field and collides with the outer surface of the developing sleeve by the rotating magnetic field, the filament material is developed more randomly. The outer surface of the sleeve collides with the outer surface of the sleeve. Therefore, more uniform unevenness can be formed on the outer surface of the developing sleeve, and a more uniform image can be obtained.

  Further, by positioning the filament material in the rotating magnetic field, irregularities can be formed on the outer surface of the developing sleeve, so that it is possible to prevent an increase in the number of steps when forming irregularities on the outer surface of the developing sleeve. It is possible to prevent the process for forming irregularities on the outer surface of the sleeve from becoming complicated, and to prevent the cost for processing from rising.

  Further, by positioning the filament material in the rotating magnetic field, irregularities can be formed on the outer surface of the developing sleeve, so that the longitudinal direction of the filament material is in the radial direction of the rotating magnetic field and the center in the longitudinal direction. The outer periphery of the developing sleeve revolves while rotating around the center, and for this reason, the outer edges of both ends in the longitudinal direction of the filament material collide with the developing sleeve, and the unevenness formed on the outer surface of the developing sleeve In particular, the number of dents along the axial (longitudinal) direction of the developing sleeve increases, and the dent formed on the outer surface of the developing sleeve surely exhibits the same effect as the V-groove that has been used conventionally. The amount of developer pumped up can be secured.

  Further, since the linear material is randomly collided with the outer surface of the developing sleeve by the rotating magnetic field, the unevenness formed on the outer surface of the developing sleeve is more reliably randomized, and thus the image formed by the developing sleeve Unevenness can be prevented from occurring.

  In the developing device according to claim 6, since the developing sleeve of the developing roller on the downstream side is accommodated in the accommodating tank together with the filament material, the filament material reliably collides with the outer surface of the developing sleeve. A roughening treatment can be reliably performed on the outer surface of the developing sleeve.

  In the developing device according to claim 7, since the linear member collides with the outer surface of the developing sleeve rotating in the storage tank, the linear member collides with the outer surface of the developing sleeve even more randomly. While maintaining higher accuracy, the dents can be formed more uniformly, and an image with less unevenness can be obtained.

  In the developing device according to the eighth aspect, since the plurality of developing rollers rotate at the same speed, it is possible to prevent the frictional force applied to the developer between the developing rollers from being increased. It can be sequentially conveyed to the outer periphery of the developing roller.

  In the developing device according to the ninth aspect, since the developer having an average particle diameter of the magnetic carrier of 20 μm or more and 50 μm or less is used, an excellent image with excellent granularity and less unevenness can be obtained.

  The developing device according to claim 10 includes a developer having a magnetic carrier in which a surface of a core material is coated with a resin coat film in which a charge adjusting agent is contained in a resin component obtained by crosslinking a thermoplastic resin and a melamine resin. Used. Thus, the magnetic carrier which coat | covered the core material with the resin coat film | membrane which has elasticity is used. For this reason, since the resin coat film has elasticity, it absorbs an impact and prevents it from being scraped. For this reason, it is possible to achieve a longer life than conventional magnetic carriers. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a stabilization rule of the pumping amount of toner, that is, high image quality over a long period of time.

  Since the process cartridge according to the eleventh aspect includes the developing device according to any one of the first aspect to the tenth aspect, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the transport amount of the developer due to a secular change and to cause unevenness in the image. Can be prevented.

  Since the image forming apparatus according to the twelfth aspect includes the developing device according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the transport amount of the developer due to secular change, and Unevenness can be prevented from occurring.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the developing device according to the embodiment of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the developing roller of the developing device shown in FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the developing sleeve of one developing roller of the developing device shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the developing sleeve of the other developing roller of the developing device shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 101 includes an apparatus main body 102 (only part of which is shown in FIG. 1), a registration roller 103, a transfer member 104, a fixing device 105, a laser writing device (not shown), a process, and the like. And at least a cartridge 106.

  The apparatus main body 102 is formed in a box shape, for example, and is installed on a floor or the like. The apparatus main body 102 accommodates a registration roller 103, a transfer member 104, a fixing device 105, a laser writing device, and a process cartridge 106. The registration roller 103 feeds the recording paper 107 between the transfer member 104 and a photosensitive drum 108 described later. The transfer member 104 presses the recording paper 107 as a transfer material against the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 108 and sends the recording paper 107 toward the fixing device 105. The fixing device 105 fixes the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 108 or the like to the recording paper 107. The laser writing device irradiates the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 108 uniformly charged by a charging roller 109 described later with a laser beam 110 to form an electrostatic latent image.

  The process cartridge 106 is detachable from the apparatus main body 102. The process cartridge 106 includes a cartridge case 111, a charging roller 109 as a charging device, a photosensitive drum 108 as an image carrier, a cleaning blade 112 as a cleaning device, and a developing device 113. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 101 includes at least a charging roller 109, a photosensitive drum 108, a cleaning blade 112, and a developing device 113.

  The cartridge case 111 is detachable from the apparatus main body 102 and accommodates a charging roller 109, a photosensitive drum 108 as a photosensitive member, a cleaning blade 112, and a developing device 113. The charging roller 109 uniformly charges the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 108. The photosensitive drum 108 is formed in a columnar shape or a cylindrical shape that is rotatable around an axis. The photosensitive drum 108 transfers a toner image obtained by developing the electrostatic latent image formed and carried by the laser writing apparatus and developing the toner onto a recording paper 107 positioned between the transfer member 104. . The cleaning blade 112 removes the transfer residual toner remaining on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 108 after the toner image is transferred to the recording paper 107.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the developing device 113 includes a developer supply unit 114, a case 119, a regulating blade 116 as a regulating member, a plurality of developing rollers 115, and an interlocking rotating unit as an interlocking rotating unit. 120 (shown in FIG. 2). The developer supply unit 114 includes a storage tank 117 and a stirring screw 118 as a stirring member. The storage tank 117 is formed in a box shape having a length substantially equal to that of the photosensitive drum 108.

  The storage tank 117 stores the developer. The developer includes toner and a magnetic carrier (also called magnetic powder, whose cross section is shown in FIG. 8) 135. The toner is appropriately supplied into the storage tank 117 described above. The toner is spherical fine particles produced by an emulsion polymerization method or a suspension polymerization method. The toner may be obtained by pulverizing a lump composed of a synthetic resin in which various dyes or pigments are mixed and dispersed. The average particle diameter of the toner is 3 μm or more and 7 μm or less. The toner may be formed by pulverization or the like.

  The magnetic carrier 135 is accommodated in the storage tank 117. The average particle diameter of the magnetic carrier 135 is 20 μm or more and 50 μm or less. As shown in FIG. 8, the magnetic carrier 135 includes a core material 136, a resin coat film 137 covering the outer surface of the core material 136, and alumina particles 138 dispersed in the resin coat film 137. .

  The core 136 is made of ferrite as a magnetic material and is formed in a spherical shape. The resin coat film 137 covers the entire outer surface of the core material 136. The resin coat film 137 contains a resin component obtained by crosslinking a thermoplastic resin such as acrylic and a melamine resin, and a charge adjusting agent. This resin coat film 137 has elasticity and strong adhesive force. The alumina particles 138 are formed in a spherical shape whose outer diameter is larger than the thickness of the resin coat film 137. The alumina particles 138 are held with a strong adhesive force of the resin coat film 137. The alumina particles 138 protrude from the resin coat film 137 to the outer peripheral side of the magnetic carrier 135.

  The stirring screw 118 is housed in the housing tank 117. The longitudinal direction of the stirring screw 118 is parallel to the longitudinal directions of the storage tank 117, the developing roller 115, and the photosensitive drum 108. The agitating screw 118 is provided so as to be rotatable around an axis, and rotates around the axis to agitate the toner and the magnetic carrier 135 and convey the developer along the axis.

  According to the configuration described above, the developer supply unit 114 conveys the toner supplied into the storage tank 117 in the axial direction while stirring with the magnetic carrier 135. The developer supply unit 114 agitates the toner and the magnetic carrier 135 in the storage tank 117 and supplies the toner and the magnetic carrier 135 to the outer surface of one developing roller 115 described later while being conveyed in the axial direction.

  The case 119 is formed in a box shape, is attached to the storage tank 117 of the developer supply unit 114 described above, and covers the plurality of development rollers 115 and the like together with the storage tank 117. In addition, an opening is provided in a portion of the case 119 facing the photosensitive drum 108.

  The regulating blade 116 is attached in the vicinity of the opening of the case 119 near the photosensitive drum 108. The regulating blade 116 is attached to the case 119 described above with a space from the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132 of one developing roller 115. The regulating blade 116 removes the developer on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132 of the above-described one developing roller 115 exceeding the desired thickness into the storage tank 117 and feeds the developing sleeve 132 to the developing region 131. The developer on the outer surface is made to the desired thickness.

  Each of the developing rollers 115 is disposed at a distance from the photosensitive drum 108. The plurality of developing rollers 115 are arranged in parallel to each other. The axis of the developing roller 115 is parallel to the axis of the photosensitive drum 108 and the longitudinal direction of the storage tank 117. In the illustrated example, two developing rollers 115 are provided. These two developing rollers 115 are arranged in parallel along the vertical direction in the illustrated example.

  The space between each developing roller 115 and the photosensitive drum 108 has a developing area 131 where toner of developer is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 108 and the electrostatic latent image is developed to obtain a toner image. There is no. In the developing area 131, the developing roller 115 and the photosensitive drum 108 face each other.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the developing roller 115 includes a cored bar 134, a cylindrical magnet roller (also referred to as a magnet body) 133, and the above-described cylindrical developing sleeve 132. The cored bar 134 is arranged in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 108 and is fixed to the case 119 without rotating.

  The magnet roller 133 is made of a magnetic material, is formed in a cylindrical shape, and is attached with a plurality of fixed magnetic poles (not shown). The magnet roller 133 is fixed to the outer periphery of the core bar 134 without rotating around the axis.

  The fixed magnetic pole is a long and rod-shaped magnet, and is attached to the magnet roller 133. The fixed magnetic pole extends along the longitudinal direction of the magnet roller 133, that is, the developing roller 115, and is provided over the entire length of the magnet roller 133. The magnet roller 133 having the above-described configuration is accommodated (enclosed) in the developing sleeve 132.

  One fixed magnetic pole attached to the magnet roller 133 of one developing roller 115 (hereinafter denoted by reference numeral 115 a) positioned above in FIG. 2 is opposed to the agitating screw 118 described above. The one fixed magnetic pole serves as a pumping magnetic pole, generates a magnetic force on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132, that is, the developing roller 115a, and causes the developer in the storage tank 117 to flow into the developing sleeve 132 (hereinafter referred to as the developing roller 115a). Adsorbed on the outer surface of the reference numeral 132a).

  Another fixed magnetic pole attached to the magnet roller 133 of the developing roller 115a is opposed to the above-described photosensitive drum 108. The fixed magnetic pole forms a developing magnetic pole, and generates a magnetic force on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132a, that is, the developing roller 115a, thereby forming a magnetic field between the developing sleeve 132a and the photosensitive drum 108. The fixed magnetic pole forms a magnetic brush by the magnetic field, so that the developer toner adsorbed on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132a is delivered to the photosensitive drum 108.

  One fixed magnetic pole attached to the magnet roller 133 of the other developing roller 115 (hereinafter denoted by reference numeral 115 b) positioned at the lower side in FIG. 2 is opposed to the above-described photosensitive drum 108. The fixed magnetic pole forms a developing magnetic pole, and generates a magnetic force on the developing sleeve 132 (hereinafter denoted by reference numeral 132b) of the other developing roller 115b, that is, on the outer surface of the developing roller 115b. A magnetic field is formed between the drum 108 and the drum 108. This fixed magnetic pole forms a magnetic brush by the magnetic field, and after the toner is once supplied to the photosensitive drum 108 by one of the developing rollers 115a, the developer toner adsorbed on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132b is removed. It is delivered to the photosensitive drum 108.

  The magnet roller 133 of the developing rollers 115a and 115b described above is provided with at least one fixed magnetic pole in addition to the above-described pumping magnetic pole and developing magnetic pole. The at least one fixed magnetic pole generates a magnetic force on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132a, that is, the developing roller 115a, and conveys the developer before development toward the photosensitive drum 108, and at the same time, the developing sleeve 132b, that is, the developing roller 115b. Magnetic force is generated on the outer surface of the toner, and the developer once developed is conveyed toward the photosensitive drum 108, and the developer developed twice is conveyed from the photosensitive drum 108 into the storage tank 117.

  When the developer is adsorbed to the outer surfaces of the developing sleeves 132a and 132b, a plurality of the magnetic carriers 135 of the developer are overlapped along the magnetic force lines generated by the fixed magnetic poles, and the fixed magnetic poles described above are outside the developing sleeves 132a and 132b. Stand on the surface. In this way, a state in which a plurality of magnetic carriers 135 are erected on the outer surface of the developing sleeves 132a and 132b along the lines of magnetic force is called standing on the outer surfaces of the developing sleeves 132a and 132b. Then, the above-described toner is adsorbed to the magnetic carrier 135 that is raised. That is, the developing sleeves 132 a and 132 b attract the developer to the outer surface by the magnetic force of the magnet roller 133.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the developing sleeves 132a and 132b are formed in a cylindrical shape. The developing sleeves 132a and 132b include (accommodates) a magnet roller 133 and are provided so as to be rotatable around the axis. The developing sleeves 132a and 132b are rotated so that the inner peripheral surfaces thereof are sequentially opposed to the fixed magnetic poles. The developing sleeves 132a and 132b are made of a nonmagnetic material such as an aluminum alloy or stainless steel (SUS).

  Aluminum alloys are excellent in terms of workability and lightness. When an aluminum alloy is used, it is preferable to use A6063, A5056, and A3003. When using SUS, it is preferable to use SUS303, SUS304, and SUS316. The outer diameter of the developing sleeves 132a and 132b is preferably about 10 mm to 25 mm. The length of the developing sleeves 132a and 132b in the axis (axial center) direction is preferably about 300 mm to 350 mm.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a concave groove 140 is provided on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132 a of one developing roller 115 a located upstream in the developer transport direction, which will be described later. The concave groove 140 includes a plurality of first concave grooves 141 and a plurality of second concave grooves 142. Each of the concave grooves 141 and 142 extends linearly, and is formed in a concave shape from the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132a and has a V-shaped cross section. The plurality of first concave grooves 141 are arranged in parallel at intervals. The plurality of second concave grooves 142 are arranged in parallel at intervals. The second concave groove 142 intersects (inclines) the first concave groove 141. The concave grooves 141 and 142 intersect (inclinate) with respect to the axial center of the developing sleeve 132a. For this reason, the concave groove 140 formed on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132a has a ghost shape. Note that the direction inclined with respect to the axis of the developing sleeve 132a in this specification indicates that the angle formed with the axis is less than 90 degrees.

  The concave grooves 141 and 142 are preferably formed to have a depth of about 0.05 mm to 0.2 mm, respectively. It is desirable that about 50 to 100 concave grooves 140 are formed by combining the first concave grooves 141 and the second concave grooves 142. Thus, the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132a of the developing roller 115a located most upstream in the developer transport direction among the plurality of developing rollers 115a and 115b is inclined in the direction inclined with respect to the axis of the developing sleeve 132a. Concave grooves 141 and 142 extending linearly are provided.

  On the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132b of the other developing roller 115b located downstream in the developer transport direction, which will be described later, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, a number of recesses 139 having an elliptical planar shape are provided. Yes. A large number (a plurality) of the recesses 139 are randomly arranged on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132b. Of course, the recess 139 includes a recess 139 whose longitudinal direction is along the axial direction of the developing sleeve 132b and a recess 139 whose longitudinal direction is along the circumferential direction of the developing sleeve 132b.

  The number of depressions 139 whose longitudinal direction is along the axial direction of the developing sleeve 132b is greater than the number of depressions 139 whose longitudinal direction is along the circumferential direction of the developing sleeve 132b. Further, the length (major axis) in the longitudinal direction of the recess 139 is 0.05 mm or more and 0.3 mm or less, and the width (end diameter) in the width direction is 0.02 mm or more and 0.1 mm or less. It has become. 6 and 7, the left-right direction in the drawing is the axial direction of the developing sleeve 132. Thus, a large number of elliptical recesses 139 are randomly provided on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132b of the developing roller 115b located most downstream in the developer transport direction among the plurality of developing rollers 115a and 115b. .

  In the illustrated example, the above-described recess 139 is formed by subjecting the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132b to a roughening treatment by the surface treatment apparatus 1.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the surface treatment apparatus 1 includes a base 3, a fixed holding unit 4, an electromagnetic coil moving unit 5 as a moving means, a moving holding unit 6, a moving chuck unit 7, and a magnetic field generating unit. The electromagnetic coil 8, the storage tank 9, the collection | recovery part 10, the cooling part 11, the linear encoder 75 as a detection means, and the control apparatus 76 (shown in FIG. 10) as a control means are provided.

  The base 3 is formed in a flat plate shape and is installed on a factory floor or table. The upper surface of the base 3 is kept parallel to the horizontal direction. The planar shape of the base 3 is formed in a rectangular shape.

  The fixed holding portion 4 includes a plurality of support columns 12 erected from one end in the longitudinal direction of the base 3 (hereinafter, indicated by an arrow X), a holding base 13, a standing bracket 14, a cylindrical holding member 15, and a holding member. And a chuck 16.

  The holding base 13 is formed in a flat plate shape and is attached to the upper end of the support column 12. The standing bracket 14 is formed in a flat plate shape and stands from the holding base 13. The cylindrical holding member 15 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and is attached to the standing bracket 14 and the holding base 13. The cylindrical holding member 15 is disposed closer to the center of the base 3 than the upright bracket 14 in a state in which the axis is parallel to both the horizontal direction and the arrow X. The cylindrical holding member 15 accommodates flange members 51b, 51c, 51d (that is, one end portion 9a), which will be described later, attached to one end portion 9a, which will be described later, of the storage tank 9.

  The holding chuck 16 is disposed in the vicinity of the above-described cylindrical holding member 15, that is, the holding base 13, and is attached to the above-described base 3. The holding chuck 16 chucks the storage tank 9 in which the one end 9 a is stored in the cylindrical holding member 15, and holds the one end 9 a of the storage tank 9. The fixed holding portion 4 having the above-described configuration holds the one end portion 9 a of the storage tank 9.

  The electromagnetic coil moving unit 5 includes a pair of linear guides 17, an electromagnetic coil holding base 18, and an electromagnetic coil moving actuator 19. The linear guide 17 includes a rail 20 and a slider 21. The rail 20 is installed on the base 3. The rail 20 is formed in a straight line, and its longitudinal direction is arranged in parallel to the longitudinal direction of the base 3, that is, the arrow X. The slider 21 is supported by the rail 20 so as to be movable along the longitudinal direction of the rail 20, that is, along the arrow X. In the pair of linear guides 17, the rails 20 are arranged at intervals from each other along the width direction of the base 3 (hereinafter, indicated by an arrow Y). Of course, the arrow X and the arrow Y are orthogonal to each other and parallel to the horizontal direction.

  The electromagnetic coil holding base 18 is formed in a flat plate shape and is mounted on the slider 21 described above. The upper surface of the electromagnetic coil holding base 18 is arranged in parallel with the horizontal direction. The electromagnetic coil holding base 18 installs the electromagnetic coil 8 on the surface. The electromagnetic coil moving actuator 19 is attached to the base 3 and slides the electromagnetic coil holding base 18 along the arrow X. The above-described electromagnetic coil moving unit 5 slides the electromagnetic coil holding base 18, that is, the electromagnetic coil 8 along the arrow Y by the electromagnetic coil moving actuator 19. Moreover, the moving speed of the electromagnetic coil 8 by the electromagnetic coil moving part 5 can be changed between 0 mm / second and 300 mm / second. Furthermore, the moving range of the electromagnetic coil 8 of the electromagnetic coil moving part 5 is about 600 mm.

  The movable holding unit 6 includes a pair of linear guides 22, a holding base 23, a first actuator 24, a second actuator 25, a moving base 26, a bearing rotating unit 27, and a holding chuck 28. .

  The linear guide 22 includes a rail 29 and a slider 30. The rail 29 is installed on the base 3. The rail 29 is formed in a straight line, and its longitudinal direction is arranged in parallel with the arrow X, that is, the longitudinal direction of the base 3. The slider 30 is supported by the rail 29 so as to be movable along the longitudinal direction of the rail 29, that is, along the arrow X. In the pair of linear guides 22, rails 29 are arranged at intervals along the arrow Y, that is, the width direction of the base 3.

  The holding base 23 is formed in a flat plate shape and is mounted on the slider 30 described above. The upper surface of the holding base 23 is arranged in parallel with the horizontal direction. The first actuator 24 is attached to the base 3 and slides the holding base 23 described above along the arrow X.

  The second actuator 25 is attached to the holding base 23 and slides the moving base 26 along the arrow Y. The moving base 26 is formed in a flat plate shape, and its upper surface is arranged in parallel with the horizontal direction.

  The bearing rotating unit 27 includes a pair of bearings 31, a hollow holding member 32 as a core shaft, a driving motor 33 as a rotating means, and a chuck cylinder 34. The pair of bearings 31 are arranged on the moving base 26 while being spaced apart from each other along the arrow X. The hollow holding member 32 is made of a magnetic material, is formed in a cylindrical shape, and is supported by the above-described bearing 31 so as to be rotatable around the axis. The hollow holding member 32 has its axis arranged in parallel with the arrow X described above, that is, the axis of the cylindrical holding member 15 of the fixed holding unit 4. The hollow holding member 32 is shaped so as to protrude from the moving base 26 toward the fixed holding portion 4 so that the one end 32 a is located in the storage tank 9, and the other end 32 c is located on the moving base 26. Arranged in the state. As shown in FIG. 2, the hollow holding member 32 is passed through a cylindrical developing sleeve 132b. A pulley 35 is fixed to the other end portion 32 c of the hollow holding member 32 positioned on the moving base 26. The pulley 35 is disposed coaxially with the hollow holding member 32.

  The drive motor 33 is installed on the moving base 26, and a pulley 36 is attached to the output shaft thereof. The axis of the output shaft of the drive motor 33 is parallel to the arrow X. An endless timing belt 37 is wound around the pulleys 35 and 36 described above. The drive motor 33 rotates the hollow holding member 32 around the axis. The drive motor 33 rotates the hollow holding member 32 around the axis so that the developing sleeve 132b is centered on the axis of the hollow holding member 32 parallel to the longitudinal direction of the storage tank 9, that is, the axis of the developing sleeve 132b. Rotate as.

  The chuck cylinder 34 includes a cylinder body 38 installed on the moving base 26 and a chuck shaft 39 slidably provided on the cylinder body 38. The chuck shaft 39 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and its longitudinal direction is arranged in parallel with the arrow X. The chuck shaft 39 is accommodated in the hollow holding member 32 and is disposed coaxially with the hollow holding member 32. A plurality of pairs of chuck claws 40 are attached to the chuck shaft 39.

  The pair of chuck claws 40 are attached to the chuck shaft 39 so as to protrude from the outer peripheral surface of the chuck shaft 39 in the outer peripheral direction of the chuck shaft 39. Further, the chuck pawl 40 can protrude from the outer peripheral surface of the hollow holding member 32 toward the outer periphery of the hollow holding member 32. The chuck claws 40 are provided so that the amount of protrusion from the chuck shaft 39 and the hollow holding member 32 can be changed. The plurality of pairs of chuck claws 40 are arranged at intervals along the longitudinal direction of the chuck shaft 39, that is, the arrow X. When the chuck shaft 39 of the chuck cylinder 34 is reduced in the direction approaching the cylinder body 38, the amount of protrusion of the pair of chuck claws 40 from the chuck shaft 39 and the hollow holding member 32 increases.

  In the chuck cylinder 34 described above, when the chuck shaft 39 is reduced to the cylinder body 38, the chuck pawl 40 protrudes further toward the outer periphery of the chuck shaft 39, and the chuck pawl 40 is attached to the outer periphery of the hollow holding member 32. The chuck shaft 39, the hollow holding member 32, and the developing sleeve 132b are fixed by pressing against the inner peripheral surface of the developing sleeve 132b. At this time, of course, the chuck shaft 39, the hollow holding member 32, the developing sleeve 132b, and a cylindrical member 50 described later, that is, the storage tank 9, are coaxial.

  The chuck cylinder 34 and the chuck pawl 40 described above hold the developing sleeve 132 b so as to be coaxial with the hollow holding member 32 and the storage tank 9. That is, the chuck cylinder 34 and the chuck pawl 40 hold the developing sleeve 132 b at the center of the storage tank 9. The chuck cylinder 34, the chuck pawl 40, and the hollow holding member 32 described above constitute holding means described in the claims.

  The holding chuck 28 is installed on the moving base 26 described above. The holding chuck 28 chucks a later-described flange member 51 a attached to the other end 9 b of the storage tank 9 and holds the other end 9 b of the storage tank 9. The holding chuck 28 restricts the storage tank 9 from rotating about its axis.

  The movement holding unit 6 having the above-described configuration moves the holding chuck 28, the hollow holding member 32, and the like along the arrows X and Y orthogonal to each other by the actuators 24 and 25. That is, the movement holding unit 6 moves the storage tank 9 held by the holding chuck 28 along the arrows X and Y.

  The moving chuck unit 7 includes a holding base 41, a linear guide 42, and a holding chuck 43. The holding base 41 is fixed to an end portion of the linear guide 22 near the fixed holding portion 4 of the rail 29. The holding base 41 is formed in a flat plate shape, and its upper surface is arranged in parallel with the horizontal direction.

  The linear guide 42 includes a rail 44 and a slider 45. The rail 44 is installed on the holding base 41. The rail 44 is formed in a straight line, and its longitudinal direction is arranged in parallel with the arrow Y, that is, the width direction of the base 3. The slider 45 is supported by the rail 44 so as to be movable along the longitudinal direction of the rail 44, that is, along the arrow Y.

  The holding chuck 43 is installed on the slider 45. The holding chuck 43 is positioned between the holding chucks 16 and 28 described above. The holding chuck 43 holds the storage tank 9 by chucking a portion near the other end 9 b of the storage tank 9. The moving chuck portion 7 described above positions the storage tank 9 by the holding chuck 43 holding the storage tank 9. The movable chuck portion 7 holds the storage tank 9 in cooperation with the above-described holding chuck 28 when the storage tank 9 moves along the axis by holding the storage tank 9 by the holding chuck 43. Thus, the storage tank 9 is prevented from falling off the bearing rotating portion 27, that is, the surface treatment apparatus 1.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the electromagnetic coil 8 includes an outer skin 46 formed in a cylindrical shape and a plurality of coil portions 47 arranged in the outer skin 46, and is formed in an annular shape as a whole. The inner diameter of the electromagnetic coil 8 is larger than the outer diameter of the storage tank 9. That is, a space is formed between the inner peripheral surface of the electromagnetic coil 8 and the outer peripheral surface of the storage tank 9. Further, the total length of the electromagnetic coil 8 in the axial direction is sufficiently shorter than the total length of the storage tank 9 in the axial direction. The total length of the electromagnetic coil 8 in the axial direction is preferably 2/3 or less of the total length of the storage tank 9 in the axial direction. In the illustrated example, the inner diameter of the electromagnetic coil 8 is 90 mm, and the length of the electromagnetic coil 8 in the axial direction is 85 mm.

  The outer skin 46 is attached to the above-described electromagnetic coil holding base 18 with its axis, that is, the axis of the electromagnetic coil 8 itself, parallel to the arrow X. The electromagnetic coil 8 is disposed coaxially with the hollow holding member 32, the chuck shaft 39 and the storage tank 9. The plurality of coil portions 47 are arranged in parallel along the circumferential direction of the outer skin 46, that is, the electromagnetic coil 8. The coil unit 47 is applied by a three-phase AC power source 48 shown in FIG. The plurality of coil portions 47 are applied with power that is shifted from each other, and the plurality of coil portions 47 generate magnetic fields that are out of phase with each other. The electromagnetic coil 8 generates a magnetic field (rotating magnetic field) in the rotation direction around the axis of the electromagnetic coil 8 formed by synthesizing these magnetic fields inside.

  The electromagnetic coil 8 described above is applied from a three-phase AC power supply 48 to generate a rotating magnetic field, and is moved by the electromagnetic coil moving unit 5 along the longitudinal direction of its axis, that is, the storage tank 9. The electromagnetic coil 8 positions the wire material 65 housed in the housing tank 9 on the outer periphery of the developing sleeve 132b by the rotating magnetic field described above, and the wire material 65 is positioned on the axis of the housing tank 9 and the developing sleeve 132b. Rotate (move) around. And the electromagnetic coil 8 collides the filament 65 moved by the rotating magnetic field mentioned above with the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132b.

  Further, an inverter 49 as a magnetic field changing unit is provided between the three-phase AC power supply 48 and the electromagnetic coil 8. That is, the surface treatment apparatus 1 includes an inverter 49 as a magnetic field changing unit. The inverter 49 can freely change the frequency, current value, and voltage value of the power applied to the electromagnetic coil 8 by the three-phase AC power supply 48. The inverter 49 changes the frequency, current value, and voltage value of the power applied to the electromagnetic coil 8 to increase or decrease the power applied to the electromagnetic coil 8 by the three-phase AC power supply 48, thereby generating the electromagnetic coil 8. Change the strength of the rotating magnetic field.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the storage tank 9 includes a cylindrical member 50 having a single outer wall (the outer wall is made of a single wall), a plurality of flange members 51, a pair of shaving sealing holders 52, A pair of shavings sealing plates 53, a pair of positioning members 54, a partition member 55 as a plurality of partitioning means, and a pair of sealing plates 56 are provided.

  The cylindrical member 50 is formed in a cylindrical shape and constitutes an outer shell of the storage tank 9. For this reason, the storage tank 9 is formed in a cylindrical shape while the outer wall is formed in a single structure because the cylindrical member 50 is formed in a single structure. The outer diameter of the cylindrical member 50, that is, the storage tank 9, is desirably about 40 mm to 80 mm. Furthermore, the thickness of the cylindrical member 50 is desirably about 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm. The length of the cylindrical member 50 in the axial direction is preferably about 600 mm to 800 mm. The cylindrical member 50 is made of a nonmagnetic material.

  The cylindrical member 50 is provided with a plurality of abrasive grain supply holes 57. Of course, the abrasive grain supply hole 57 passes through the cylindrical member 50 and communicates with the inside and outside of the cylindrical member 50. A sealing cap 58 is attached to the abrasive grain supply hole 57. The abrasive grain supply hole 57 passes the wire material 65 inside, and takes the wire material 65 into and out of the cylindrical member 50, that is, the storage tank 9. The sealing cap 58 closes the abrasive grain supply hole 57 and restricts the filament material 65 from flowing out of the cylindrical member 50, that is, the housing tank 9.

  The plurality of flange members 51 are formed in an annular shape or a cylindrical shape. Most flange members 51 (three in the illustrated example) except for one of the plurality of flange members 51 are attached to one end portion 9a of the cylindrical member 50, and one flange member 51 (hereinafter denoted by reference numeral 51a). ) Is attached to the other end 9 b of the cylindrical member 50.

  One flange member 51 (hereinafter, denoted by reference numeral 51b) among the plurality of flange members 51 attached to the one end 9a of the cylindrical member 50 is formed in an annular shape and is fitted to the outer periphery of the cylindrical member 50. Yes. Another flange member 51 (hereinafter denoted by reference numeral 51c) is formed in an annular shape and is fitted to the outer periphery of the flange member 51b described above. The remaining flange member 51 (hereinafter denoted by reference numeral 51d) is integrally provided with an annular ring portion 59 and a cylindrical column portion 60. The ring part 59 is standing upright from the outer edge of the cylindrical part 60. The flange member 51d has a ring portion 59 fitted on the outer periphery of the flange member 51c.

  A driven shaft 73 is rotatably supported by a bearing 74 on the flange member 51d described above. The driven shaft 73 is formed in a columnar shape and is arranged coaxially with the cylindrical member 50 of the storage tank 9. The hollow holding member 32 is pressed against the end surface of the driven shaft 73. The driven shaft 73 rotates with the hollow holding member 32 and supports one end portion 32 a as a free end of the hollow holding member 32.

  One flange member 51 a described above is formed in an annular shape and is fitted to the outer periphery of the other end portion 9 b of the cylindrical member 50. The flange member 51a passes through the hollow holding member 32 inside. One end 9 a of the cylindrical member 50 forms one end of the storage tank 9, and the other end 9 b of the cylindrical member 50 forms the other end of the storage tank 9.

  Each of the pair of shavings sealing holders 52 is formed in an annular shape. One shaving sealing holder 52 is fitted to the inner circumference of one end 9 a of the cylindrical member 50, and the other shaving sealing holder 52 is fitted to the inner circumference of the other end 9 b of the cylindrical member 50. ing. The other shaving sealing holder 52 passes through the hollow holding member 32 inside.

  The pair of shavings sealing plates 53 are each formed in a mesh shape. One shaving sealing plate 53 is formed in a disc shape and is disposed on the inner periphery of the one end portion 9a of the cylindrical member 50, and is attached to the one shaving sealing holder 52 described above. . Furthermore, one shaving sealing plate 53 passes through the driven shaft 73 on the inner side. The other shaving sealing plate 53 is formed in an annular shape, and is disposed on the inner periphery of the other end 9b of the cylindrical member 50, and is attached to the other shaving sealing holder 52 described above. . The other shavings sealing plate 53 passes through the hollow holding member 32 inside. In the shaving sealing plate 53, the shaving material 65, which will be described later, collides with the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132b and is shaved off from the developing sleeve 132b. Regulate leaking.

  The pair of positioning members 54 are formed in a cylindrical shape. One positioning member 54 is fitted to the outer periphery of one end 32 a which is a free end of the hollow holding member 32. The other positioning member 54 is located in the cylindrical member 50 and is fitted to the outer periphery of the central portion 32b of the hollow holding member 32 near the other end portion 9b. The pair of positioning members 54 positions the developing sleeve 132b on the hollow holding member 32 with the developing sleeve 132b interposed therebetween. Note that the one end portion 32 a is an end portion of the hollow holding member 32 that is close to the fixed holding portion 4 and away from the moving holding portion 6. The central portion 32 b is on the side inside the storage tank 9 and away from the fixed holding portion of the hollow holding member 32, and forms an end near the moving holding portion 6.

  The partition member 55 includes a main body portion 61 formed in an annular shape and a mesh portion 62. The main body 61, that is, the partition member 55 is fitted to the inner periphery of the cylindrical member 50, is attached to the cylindrical member 50, and passes through the hollow holding member 32 inside. The main body 61, that is, the plurality of partition members 55 are arranged between the pair of shavings sealing plates 53. Further, the main body portion 61, that is, the plurality of partition members 55 are arranged in parallel along the axis P of the cylindrical member 50, that is, along the longitudinal direction with a space between each other. In the illustrated example, seven partition members 55 are provided.

  A through-hole 63 is provided in the main body 61. The mesh part 62 is attached to the main body part 61 so as to close the through hole 63. The mesh part 62 is formed in a mesh shape, allows gas and shavings to pass therethrough, and restricts passage of the wire material 65.

  The plurality of partition members 55 described above partition the space in the cylindrical member 50, that is, the storage tank 9, along the axial center of the cylindrical member 50, that is, the storage tank 9, that is, the axis P of the developing sleeve 132b. In addition, the shaft core P forms both the shaft core of the storage tank 9 and the shaft core of the hollow holding member 32, and the longitudinal direction of the storage tank 9. That is, the axis P and the longitudinal direction of the storage tank 9 are parallel to each other. Furthermore, both the main body portion 61 and the mesh portion 62 described above, that is, the partition member 55 are made of a nonmagnetic material.

  The pair of sealing plates 56 are formed in an annular shape. In addition, the sealing plate 56 is formed in a mesh shape, allows gas and shavings to pass, and restricts passage of the filament material 65. One sealing plate 56 is attached to the partition member 55 closest to the one end 9a, and the other sealing plate 56 is attached to the partition member 55 closest to the other end 9b. The sealing plate 56 passes the caps 64 to be described later attached to both ends of the developing sleeve 132b. The sealing plate 56 restricts the passage of the linear member 65 positioned between the partition members 55, and restricts the flow of the linear member 65 to the outside of the cylindrical member 50, that is, the storage tank 9.

  The storage tank 9 having the above-described configuration stores the linear member 65 made of a magnetic material between the plurality of partition members 55, and stores the developing sleeve 132 b attached to the hollow holding member 32 in the cylindrical member 50. . That is, the storage tank 9 stores both the developing sleeve 132b and the wire material 65. Further, the wire 65 collides with the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132b by rotating (moving) the outer periphery of the developing sleeve 132b by the rotating magnetic field described above. The linear member 65 collides with the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132b, scrapes a part of the developing sleeve 132b from the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132b, and roughens the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132b.

  The wire rod 65 is made of a magnetic material such as austenitic stainless steel or martensitic stainless steel. As shown in FIG. 11, the wire material 65 is formed in a short linear column shape. The wire rod 65 has an outer diameter of 0.5 mm or more and 1.2 mm or less. The wire 65 is formed such that L / D is 4 or more and 10 or less, where L is the total length and D is the outer diameter.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG.11 and FIG.12, the outer edge part 65a of the both ends of the wire rod 65 is chamfered in the cross-section circular arc shape over the perimeter. The radius of curvature R of the outer edge portion 65a is 0.05 mm or more and 0.2 mm or less.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the above-described wire rod 65 is rotated (rotated) around the center in the longitudinal direction by the above-described rotating magnetic field, and is rotated in the circumferential direction of the above-described storage tank 9 and the developing sleeve 132b ( Revolved).

  As shown in FIG. 10, the recovery unit 10 includes a gas inflow pipe 66, a gas discharge hole 67, a mesh member 68, a gas discharge duct 69, and a dust collector 70 (shown in FIG. 9). . The gas inflow pipe 66 is provided closer to the end of the cylindrical member 50, that is, the storage tank 9 (moving holding portion 6) than the other shaving sealing holder 52, and opens to the inside of the cylindrical member 50, that is, the storage tank 9. The gas inflow pipe 66 is supplied with pressurized gas or the like from a pressurized gas supply source (not shown). The gas inflow pipe 66 guides the pressurized gas into the cylindrical member 50, that is, the storage tank 9.

  The gas discharge hole 67 penetrates through the cylindrical member 50 and communicates the inside and outside of the storage tank 9, and is closer to the end of the cylindrical member 50, that is, the storage tank 9 than one shaving sealing holder 52 (moving and holding unit). (The side away from 6). The mesh member 68 is attached to the cylindrical member 50 so as to close the gas discharge hole 67. The mesh member 68 allows the shavings and gas to pass therethrough and restricts the passage of the filament material 65. The mesh member 68 restricts the filament material 65 from flowing out of the cylindrical member 50, that is, the outside of the housing tank 9.

  The gas exhaust duct 69 is a pipe and is attached in the vicinity of the gas exhaust hole 67. The gas discharge duct 69 surrounds the outer edge of the gas discharge hole 67. The gas discharge hole 67 and the gas discharge duct 69 guide the gas supplied from the gas inflow pipe 66 into the cylindrical member 50, that is, the storage tank 9, to the outside of the cylindrical member 50, that is, the storage tank 9.

  The dust collector 70 is connected to the gas discharge duct 69 and sucks the gas in the gas discharge duct 69. The dust collector 70 sucks the gas in the gas discharge duct 69 to suck the gas in the cylindrical member 50, that is, the storage tank 9 together with the above-described shavings. The dust collector 70 collects shavings. The recovery unit 10 described above supplies gas into the cylindrical member 50, that is, the storage tank 9 through the gas inflow pipe 66, and the gas and dust collector 70 pass the gas through the gas exhaust hole 67 and the gas exhaust duct 69 to remove the shavings into the cylindrical member. 50, that is, the outside of the storage tank 9. Then, the collection unit 10 collects shavings in the dust collector 70.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the cooling unit 11 includes a cooling fan 71 and a cooling duct 72. The cooling fan 71 supplies the pressurized gas to the cooling duct 72. The cooling duct 72 is a pipe. The cooling duct 72 guides the pressurized gas supplied from the cooling fan 71 to the electromagnetic coil 8. The cooling duct 72 blows the pressurized gas supplied from the cooling fan 71 to the electromagnetic coil 8. The cooling unit 11 cools the electromagnetic coil 8 by blowing a pressurized gas onto the electromagnetic coil 8.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the linear encoder 75 includes a main body 77 and a detector 78 that is movably provided on the main body 77. The main body 77 extends linearly and is attached to the base 3. The main body 77 is disposed between the pair of rails 20 in parallel with the rails 20. The overall length of the main body 77 is longer than the storage tank 9 described above. The main body 77 is disposed at a position where both end portions in the longitudinal direction protrude outward from the housing tank 9 described above along the longitudinal direction of the housing tank 9.

  The detector 78 is provided so as to be movable along the longitudinal direction of the main body 77, that is, the storage tank 9. The detector 78 is attached to the electromagnetic coil holding base 18. That is, the detector 78 is attached to the electromagnetic coil 8 via the electromagnetic coil holding base 18.

  The linear encoder 75 described above detects the position of the detector 78 with respect to the main body 77, that is, the storage tank 9, and outputs the detected result toward the control device 76. As described above, the linear encoder 75 detects the relative position of the electromagnetic coil 8 with respect to the storage tank 9, that is, the developing sleeve 132 b, and outputs the detection result toward the control device 76.

  The control device 76 is a computer including a known RAM, ROM, CPU, and the like. The control device 76 is connected to the electromagnetic coil moving unit 5, the movement holding unit 6, the moving chuck unit 7, the electromagnetic coil 8, the inverter 49, the recovery unit 10, the cooling unit 11, the linear encoder 75, and the like. These are controlled to control the entire surface treatment apparatus 1.

  The control device 76 stores the strength of the rotating magnetic field of the electromagnetic coil 8 according to the relative position of the electromagnetic coil 8 detected by the linear encoder 75 with respect to the developing sleeve 132b. That is, the control device 76 stores the power applied to the electromagnetic coil 8 by the inverter 49 according to the relative position of the electromagnetic coil 8 with respect to the developing sleeve 132b. Further, the control device 76 stores the power described above for each product number of the developing sleeve 132b.

  In the illustrated example, the control device 76 has a pattern in which the electric power applied by the inverter 49 to the electromagnetic coil 8 gradually increases as the electromagnetic coil 8 moves from the central portion in the longitudinal direction (axial direction) of the developing sleeve 132b toward both ends. Is stored in advance. Then, the control device 76 causes the inverter 49 to change the strength of the rotating magnetic field generated by the electromagnetic coil 8 in accordance with the previously stored power pattern. Thus, in the illustrated example, the control device 76 controls the inverter 49 so that the rotating magnetic field when processing both ends of the developing sleeve 132b is stronger than the rotating magnetic field when processing the central portion of the developing sleeve 132b. The strength of the magnetic field generated by the electromagnetic coil 8 is changed. As described above, the control device 76 determines the strength of the rotating magnetic field generated by the electromagnetic coil 8 in the inverter 49 based on the relative position of the electromagnetic coil 8 detected by the linear encoder 75 with respect to the storage tank 9, that is, the developing sleeve 132b. Change the size.

  Further, various input devices such as a keyboard and various display devices such as a display are connected to the control device 76.

  Next, a process of manufacturing the developing sleeve 132b by processing (roughening) the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132b using the surface processing apparatus 1 having the above-described configuration will be described below.

  First, the product number of the developing sleeve 132b and the like are input to the control device 76 from the input device. Then, cylindrical caps 64 are fitted to the outer circumferences at both ends in the longitudinal direction (axial direction) of the developing sleeve 132b. Then, the other positioning member 54 described above is fitted to the outer periphery of the hollow holding member 32. Then, the hollow holding member 32 is passed through the developing sleeve 132b having caps 64 attached to both ends. Thereafter, the one positioning member 54 described above is fitted to the outer periphery of the hollow holding member 32. Then, the chuck shaft 39 of the chuck cylinder 34 is reduced, and the developing sleeve 132 b is fixed to the hollow holding member 32. At this time, the hollow holding member 32 and the developing sleeve 132b are coaxial. In this way, the developing sleeve 132b is attached to the hollow holding member 32.

  The developing sleeve 132 b and the hollow holding member 32 are accommodated in the accommodating tank 9, and the filament material 65 is supplied into the cylindrical member 50 of the accommodating tank 9. In this way, the filament material 65 and the developing sleeve 132b are accommodated in the accommodating tank 9. Further, the storage tank 9 is chucked by the holding chucks 28 and 43. In this way, the developing sleeve 132 b and the storage tank 9 are attached to the movement holding unit 6. Then, the cylindrical member 50, the hollow holding member 32, the developing sleeve 132b, and the like of the storage tank 9 become coaxial.

  Of course, the above-described operation is performed while adjusting the position of the moving base 26 with the actuators 24 and 25. Furthermore, the above-described operation is, of course, performed while adjusting the position of the holding base 41. The holding chuck 16 causes the one end 9a of the storage tank 9 to be chucked, for example, so that the fixed holding section 4 holds the one end 9a of the storage tank 9.

  And while supplying gas in the storage tank 9 through the gas inflow pipe 66 of the collection | recovery part 10, while attracting | sucking the gas in the storage tank 9 with the dust collector 70, the gas pressurized by the cooling part 11 is made into the electromagnetic coil 8. Let spray.

  Then, the developing sleeve 132 b is rotated about the axis P together with the hollow holding member 32 by the driving motor 33. Thereafter, electric power from the three-phase AC power supply 48 is applied to the electromagnetic coil 8 to generate a rotating magnetic field in the electromagnetic coil 8. Then, the wire rod 65 located inside the electromagnetic coil 8 revolves (rotates or moves) around the axis P while rotating, and the wire rod 65 collides with the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132b. The outer surface of the developing sleeve 132b is roughened.

  And the electromagnetic coil moving part 5 moves the electromagnetic coil 8 along the axial core P suitably. Then, the wire rod 65 that has entered the inside of the electromagnetic coil 8 moves (spins and revolves) by the rotating magnetic field described above, and the wire rod 65 that has come out of the inside of the electromagnetic coil 8 stops. Moreover, since the partition member 55 partitions the space in the storage tank 9, the wire member 65 is restricted from moving beyond the partition member 55, and the wire member 65 that has come out from the inside of the electromagnetic coil 8 is described above. Will escape from the rotating magnetic field. Further, when the electromagnetic coil moving unit 5 reciprocates the electromagnetic coil 8 a predetermined number of times along the arrow X, the roughening of the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132b is completed.

  Further, the rotating magnetic field generated by the electromagnetic coil 8 becomes stronger as the electromagnetic coil 8 moves from the central portion of the developing sleeve 132b toward both ends. As the rotating magnetic field becomes stronger, the movement of the filament material 65 becomes more intense. Then, as the rotating magnetic field becomes stronger, the wire rod 65 collides with the object to be processed more vigorously, and the surface roughness of the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132b becomes rougher.

  When the above-described roughening of the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132b is finished, the application of electric power to the electromagnetic coil 8 is stopped and the driving motor 33 is stopped. Further, the recovery unit 10 and the cooling unit 11 are stopped. Then, the holding tank 16 of the holding chuck 16 of the fixed holding unit 4 is released from holding, and the holding chuck 43 of the moving chuck unit 7 and the holding chuck 28 of the moving holding unit 6 hold the holding tank 9 while holding the holding tank 9. The moving base 26 is separated from the fixed holding portion 4 along the arrow X by the actuator 24. Then, the storage tank 9 is separated from the fixed holding part 4. Then, the developing sleeve 132b whose outer surface has been roughened is taken out of the storage tank 9, and a new developing sleeve 132b is stored in the storage tank 9. In this way, the developing sleeve 132b (shown in FIG. 5) is obtained by roughening the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132b and gradually increasing the surface roughness of the outer surface from the center to both ends.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the wire 65 is rotated around the central portion in the longitudinal direction while the longitudinal direction is along the radial direction of the storage tank 9 and the developing sleeve 132 b by the rotating magnetic field described above. Then, the outer periphery of the developing sleeve 132b is revolved. For this reason, as shown by a solid line in FIG. 14, the outer edge portion 65a of the linear member 65 collides with the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132b. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a large number of substantially elliptical (oval) shaped recesses 139 are randomly formed on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132b. In addition, the substantially elliptical (ellipse) -shaped recess 139 formed on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132b has more in the longitudinal direction along the axial direction of the developing sleeve 132b than in the circumferential direction of the developing sleeve 132b.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the interlocking rotating unit 120 includes a motor 143 as a drive source, a pinion 144, a rotating gear 145, a first chain 146, and developing sleeves 132a and 132b of the developing rollers 115a and 115b. And a second chain 148 that is not shown and is fixed to the gear. The motor 143 is fixed to the cartridge case 111, the storage tank 117, the case 119, and the like.

  The pinion 144 is attached to the output shaft of the motor 143. The rotating gear 145 is rotatably supported by the cartridge case 111, the storage tank 117, the case 119, and the like. The first chain 146 is formed in an endless annular shape (ring shape), and is stretched over the pinion 144 and the rotating gear 145 so as to mesh with them. The first chain 146 circulates around the outer periphery of the pinion 144 and the rotating gear 145 by the driving force of the motor 143 to rotate the rotating gear 145.

  The gears are arranged coaxially with the developing sleeves 132a and 132b, respectively, and are fixed to the end portions of the developing sleeves 132a and 132b. The outer diameters of the gears are equal to each other. The second chain 148 is formed in an endless annular shape (ring shape), is spanned between the rotating gear 145 and the gear, and meshes with these. The second chain 148 circulates around the rotation gear 145 and the outer periphery of the gear by rotation of the rotation gear 145 by the driving force of the motor 143, and rotates the gears, that is, the developing sleeves 132a and 132b in the same direction. Rotate by number.

  The developing device 113 having the above-described configuration rotates the stirring screw 118 of the developer supply unit 114 to sufficiently stir the toner and the magnetic carrier 135, and the developing sleeves 132a, 115b of the developing rollers 115a, 115b by the interlocking rotating unit 120. 132b is rotated in the same direction at the same rotational speed. Then, the developing device 113 causes the stirred developer to adhere to the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132a of the one developing roller 115a by the fixed magnetic pole of the one developing roller 115a. Then, the developing device 113 rotates the developing sleeve 132a and conveys the attached developer toward the developing region 131 of one developing roller 115a.

  The developing device 113 attaches the developer toner having a desired thickness to the photosensitive drum 108 by the regulating blade 116. In this way, the developing device 113 carries the developer on one of the developing rollers 115a, conveys the developer to the developing area 131, develops the electrostatic latent image on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 108, and forms a toner image. Further, the developer once developed is transferred from the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132a of one developing roller 115a to the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132b of the other developing roller 115b. The magnet roller 133 of the other developing roller 115b attracts (carryes) the developer to the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132b, and conveys the developer once developed toward the developing region 131 of the other developing roller 115b. .

  Then, the developer toner attached to the developing sleeve 132b of the other developing roller 115b develops the electrostatic latent image on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 108 again to form a toner image. Thereafter, the other developing roller 115 b conveys the developer that has been developed a second time into the storage tank 117. The developed developer is sufficiently stirred again with another developer in the storage tank 117 and used for developing the electrostatic latent image on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 108. Thus, the developing device 113 sequentially conveys the developer onto the outer surfaces of the plurality of developing rollers 115a and 115b. The direction in which the developer is transported is referred to as the developer transport direction described in this specification.

  The image forming apparatus 101 having the above-described configuration forms an image on the recording paper 107 as described below. First, the image forming apparatus 101 rotates the photosensitive drum 108 and uniformly charges the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 108 by the charging roller 109. Laser light 110 is irradiated to the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductive drum 108 to form an electrostatic latent image on the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductive drum 108. When the electrostatic latent images are positioned in the order of the development areas 131 of the development rotors 115a and 115b, the developer attached to the outer peripheral surfaces of the development sleeves 132a and 132b of the development rollers 115a and 115b of the development device 113 is sequentially arranged on the photosensitive drum 108. Then, the electrostatic latent image is developed in order to form a toner image on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 108.

  In the image forming apparatus 101, the toner formed on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 108 is positioned between the transfer member 104 and the photosensitive drum 108 with the recording paper 107 conveyed by the registration rollers 103 and the like. The image is transferred to the recording paper 107. The image forming apparatus 101 fixes the toner image on the recording paper 107 with the fixing device 105. Thus, the image forming apparatus 101 forms an image on the recording paper 107.

  According to this embodiment, since the concave groove 140 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the developing sleeve 132a of the upstream developing roller 115a in the developer conveying direction, the developing sleeve of the upstream developing roller 115a due to secular change. It is possible to prevent the concave groove 140a of 132a from being worn, and the upstream developing roller 115a can stably draw up the developer over a long period of time (the amount of developer to be pumped is reduced due to secular change). Can be prevented).

  In addition, elliptical recesses 139 are randomly arranged on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132b of the downstream developing roller 115b. For this reason, since the developer accumulates in the recess 139, the places where the developer accumulates are randomly arranged on the outer surface. For this reason, the developing sleeve 132b of the developing roller 115b can pump up a stable amount of developer over a long period of time, and the developing sleeve 132b of the developing roller 115b prevents the image from becoming uneven. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the transport amount of the developer due to a secular change, and to obtain a high-quality image without unevenness without decreasing the image density over a long period of time.

  Furthermore, the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132b is an elliptical recess 139 (longer diameter is 0.05 mm or more and 0.3 mm or less, and the shorter diameter is 0.02 mm, which is much larger than the recess formed by conventional sandblasting. And 0.1 mm or less). For this reason, it becomes difficult for the dent 139 to be worn by secular change. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably suppress the decrease in the developer conveyance amount due to secular change.

  Since the concave groove 140 provided in the developing sleeve 132a of the upstream developing roller 115a includes the first concave groove 141 and the second concave groove 142 that intersect each other and intersect the axis of the developing sleeve 132a, A worm-like groove is formed on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132a. Therefore, in addition to being able to draw up the developer stably over a long period of time, unevenness is less likely to occur. Therefore, a high-quality image without unevenness can be obtained more reliably.

  Further, since the longitudinal direction has more recesses 139 along the axial direction of the developing sleeve 132b than the recesses 139 whose longitudinal direction extends along the circumferential direction of the developing sleeve 132b, the developer to be pumped is juxtaposed along the axial direction of the developing sleeve 132b. Will be allowed to. For this reason, even if the developing sleeve 132b rotates, it is difficult for the pumped developer to fall off from the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132b. Therefore, the oval-shaped recess 139 can achieve the same effect as the V-groove that has been conventionally used, and the amount of developer to be pumped can be ensured.

  Furthermore, since the linear member 65 is randomly collided with the outer surface to form the elliptical recess 139, the axial center of the developing sleeve 132b is curved, the inner and outer diameters are changed, and the cross-sectional shape is elliptical. Can be prevented. In other words, the deflection accuracy of the developing sleeve 132b can be kept high.

  Furthermore, random irregularities are formed on the developing sleeve 132b. Therefore, unevenness in the amount of developer supplied to the photosensitive drum 108 can be prevented, and unevenness in density can be prevented from occurring in the formed image.

  Since the linear material 65 positioned in the rotating magnetic field collides with the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132b, the linear material 65 collides with the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132b more randomly. Therefore, more uniform unevenness can be formed on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132b, and a more uniform image can be obtained.

  In addition, since the irregularities can be formed on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132b by positioning the linear member 65 in the rotating magnetic field, it is possible to prevent an increase in the number of steps when forming the irregularities on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132b. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the process for forming the unevenness on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132b from becoming complicated, and it is possible to prevent the cost for processing from rising.

  Further, by positioning the linear member 65 in the rotating magnetic field, irregularities can be formed on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132b, so that the longitudinal direction of the linear member 65 extends in the radial direction of the rotating magnetic field. The outer periphery of the developing sleeve 132b revolves while rotating around the center of the direction. For this reason, the outer edge portions of both ends in the longitudinal direction of the linear member 65 collide with the developing sleeve 132b, and the concaves and recesses 139 formed on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132b are formed into the shaft (longitudinal) of the developing sleeve 132b. ) More along the direction. For this reason, the dent 139 formed on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132b can reliably achieve the same effect as the V-groove that has been conventionally used, and can ensure the amount of developer to be pumped.

  Further, since the linear material 65 is randomly collided with the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132b by the rotating magnetic field, the unevenness formed on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132b is more reliably randomized. Therefore, unevenness can be prevented from occurring in the image formed by the developing sleeve 132b.

  Since the developing sleeve 132b is housed in the housing tank 9 together with the wire material 65, the developing sleeve 132b reliably collides with the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132b. Accordingly, it is possible to reliably perform the roughening process on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132b.

  Since the linear member 65 collides with the developing sleeve 132b rotating in the storage tank 9, the linear member 65 collides with the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132b even more randomly. Accordingly, the recesses 139 can be formed more uniformly while maintaining higher accuracy, and an image with less unevenness can be obtained.

  Since the developing sleeves 132a and 132b of the plurality of developing rollers 115a and 115b rotate at the same speed, it is possible to prevent an increase in the frictional force applied to the developer between the developing rollers 115a and 115b. It can be conveyed to the outer periphery of the developing rollers 115a and 115b. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the developer, in particular, the magnetic carrier 135 from being worn.

  According to the developing device 113 described above, since the developer having an average particle size of the magnetic carrier 135 of 20 μm or more and 50 μm or less is used, an excellent image with excellent granularity and little unevenness can be obtained. When the average particle size of the magnetic carrier 135 is less than 20 μm, the magnitude of the magnetization of each of the magnetic carriers 135 becomes small, so the magnetic binding force of the magnetic carrier 135 from the developing rollers 115a and 115b becomes weak, Since the magnetic carrier 135 is easily attracted to the photosensitive drum 108, it is not desirable. If the average particle diameter of the magnetic carrier 135 exceeds 50 μm, the electric field between the magnetic carrier 135 and the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 108 becomes sparse, and a uniform image cannot be obtained (the image quality deteriorates). Therefore, it is not desirable.

  Further, a developer having a magnetic carrier 135 in which the surface of the core material 136 is coated with a resin coating film 137 in which a charge adjusting agent is contained in a resin component obtained by crosslinking a thermoplastic resin and a melamine resin is used. As described above, since the magnetic carrier 135 in which the core material 136 is coated with the resin coating film 137 having elasticity is used, the resin coating film has elasticity, so that the shock is absorbed and the magnetic carrier 135 is shaved. To prevent that. For this reason, it is possible to achieve a longer life than conventional magnetic carriers.

  Further, alumina particles 138 larger than the thickness of the resin coat film 137 are dispersed in the resin coat film 137 described above. As described above, the developer having the magnetic carrier 135 provided with the alumina particles 138 protruding from the outer surface of the resin coat film 137 is used. For this reason, the alumina particles 138 can prevent the resin coating film 137 from colliding and can clean the spent material.

  Therefore, since the resin coating film 137 can be prevented from being scraped, the life can be further prolonged as compared with the conventional magnetic carrier. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a stabilization rule of the pumping amount of toner, that is, high image quality over a long period of time.

  Since the toner is selected to be based on the emulsion polymerization method or suspension polymerization method, since the sphericity of the toner is good, there is an effect that the density unevenness remaining on the image is visually improved.

  Further, since the developing device 113 is included, the process cartridge 106 and the image forming apparatus 101 that can obtain a high-quality image over a long period of time can be provided.

  Since the outer diameter D of the wire rod 65 is not less than 0.5 mm and not more than 1.2 mm, the unevenness formed on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132b as the object to be processed is less likely to be worn due to secular change. The sleeve 132b can prevent the developer pumping amount from decreasing due to aging. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the image from becoming thin due to aging.

  Therefore, a linear strip that can be subjected to a roughening process on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132b so that a decrease in the transport amount of the developer due to the secular change of the developing sleeve 132b can be suppressed, and unevenness of the image can be prevented. The material 65 and the surface treatment apparatus 1 can be provided.

  Further, since the ratio (L / D) of the total length L to the outer diameter D is 4 or more and 12 or less, the outer edge portions 65a at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the linear material 65 reliably collide with the developing sleeve 132b. The full length of the wire material 65 is sufficient to form unevenness having a sufficient depth (size) on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132b. Therefore, the unevenness can be reliably formed on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132b, and the amount of developer pumped up by the developing sleeve 132b can be made sufficient.

  Further, the outer edge portions 65a at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the linear member 65 are chamfered in a circular arc shape. Therefore, smooth irregularities can be formed on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132b as the object to be processed, and the secular change of the developer, that is, the magnetic carrier 135 of the developing sleeve 132b can be prevented.

  Since the curvature radius R of the cross-sectional shape of the outer edge portion 65a formed at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the wire rod 65 is not less than 0.05 mm and not more than 0.2 mm, the outside of the developing sleeve 132b as the processing object is outside. Smooth irregularities can be formed on the surface.

  Since the wire rod 65 is made of austenitic stainless steel or martensitic stainless steel, the wire rod 65 can be easily obtained, and the cost of the wire rod 65 can be reduced. .

  The control device 76 can change the strength of the rotating magnetic field generated by the electromagnetic coil 8 based on the relative position of the electromagnetic coil 8 with respect to the storage tank 9, that is, the developing sleeve 132b. For this reason, when the rotating magnetic field becomes strong, the movement of the linear member 65 becomes active, and the kinetic energy when the linear member 65 collides with the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132b increases, so the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132b. The surface roughness becomes rough.

  Thereby, the surface roughness of the outer surface at an arbitrary position in the longitudinal direction (axial direction) of the developing sleeve 132b can be arbitrarily changed. Therefore, when the developing sleeve 132b is used as the developing sleeve 132, the pumping amount at an arbitrary position of the developing sleeve 132b can be increased and the pumping amount at an arbitrary position can be reduced. Accordingly, the surface roughness of the developing sleeve 132b where the pumping amount is small can be increased to increase the pumping amount at the small position, and the image formed by the image forming apparatus 101 including the developing sleeve 132b is uneven. It can be prevented from occurring. Accordingly, it is possible to perform a roughening process on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132b so as to prevent the occurrence of image unevenness.

  Since the control device 76 changes the strength of the rotating magnetic field according to a predetermined pattern, it is possible to always perform the roughening process on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132b in a constant pattern.

  When the electromagnetic coil 8 moves, the developing sleeve 132b is processed, and at the same time, the wire 65 is suddenly pulled out from the rotating magnetic field. For this reason, the strength of the magnetic field acting on the wire rod 65 is suddenly changed (decreased), and the magnetic domains aligned in the wire rod 65 become uneven, so that the magnetization is weakened and the developing sleeve 132b is processed. At the same time, the effect of removing the residual magnetization of the wire rod 65 is achieved.

  As a result, a degaussing device or the like that removes the residual magnetization of the wire rod 65 that is separate from the surface treatment device 1 becomes unnecessary. Accordingly, it is possible to easily demagnetize the filament material 65, and it is possible to continuously process the developing sleeve 132b for a long time, and it is possible to improve the processing efficiency of the surface treatment. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the surface treatment apparatus 1 as a mass production apparatus on the premise of mass production of the developing sleeve 132b.

  Since the developing sleeve 132b is held at the center of the storage tank 9, the linear member 65 can collide with the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132b substantially uniformly. Therefore, the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132b can be processed uniformly.

  Since the electromagnetic coil 8 is shorter than the storage tank 9, it is possible to increase the rotating magnetic field and cause the electromagnetic coil 8 to be generated in the storage tank 9 as compared with the case where the electromagnetic coil 8 uses a surface treatment apparatus having a length substantially equal to that of the storage tank 9. Loss of rotating magnetic field can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to improve the processing efficiency of the developing sleeve 132b and further reduce power consumption.

  Moreover, since the electromagnetic coil 8 is shorter than the storage tank 9, both ends of the storage tank 9 can be supported. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the storage tank 9 from vibrating (moving) due to the movement of the wire rod 65 and the like, and the wire rod 65 can collide more uniformly with the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132b, and the developing sleeve 132b. The outer surface of can be processed even more uniformly.

  Since the storage tank 9 is cylindrical, the storage tank 9 does not hinder the circumferential behavior of the wire material 65 when a rotating magnetic field is applied to the wire material 65. Therefore, stable processing is possible.

  The partition member 55 partitions the space in the storage tank 9 in the longitudinal direction. For this reason, the partition member 55 limits the movable region (spinning / revolution region) of the wire rod 65 and enables more efficient processing.

  Moreover, since it can restrict | limit that the wire rod 65 moves beyond the partition member 55, the wire rod 65 and a rotating magnetic field can be moved relatively reliably, and this wire rod 65 can be reliably demagnetized. it can.

Since it is made of a non-magnetic material, the partition member 55 is not magnetized, and the partition member 55 interferes with the behavior of the wire rod 65, or shavings are magnetized and stick to the partition member 55. Absent. For this reason, it becomes possible to process stably.

  Since a plurality of partition members 55 are provided, the roughening range of the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132b can be divided. For this reason, the partition member 55 reliably limits the movable region (spinning / revolution region) of the wire rod 65, and enables more efficient processing.

  Moreover, since it can control that the wire 65 moves over the partition member 55, the demagnetization of the wire 65 can be performed reliably.

  Since the outer wall of the cylindrical member 50 of the storage tank 9 has a single structure, the distance from the electromagnetic coil 8 to the developing sleeve 132b can be shortened, and the rotating magnetic field generated by the electromagnetic coil 8 can be used more efficiently for processing. It becomes possible to do.

  The sealing plate 56 makes it possible to prevent the filament 65 from flowing out of the storage tank 9, improving workability and productivity during processing, and the effect is further enhanced by continuous processing. The processing apparatus 1 can produce (process) the developing sleeve 132b as a mass production apparatus on the premise of mass production.

  Next, the inventors of the present invention confirmed the effects of the developing device 113 of the above-described embodiment, and the results are shown in Table 1.

  In Table 1, the first initial image and the 100K image were formed, and the images were evaluated. In Table 1, “◯” indicates an excellent image, “Δ” indicates an acceptable image with some unevenness and the like, and “×” indicates an image having an unacceptable defect.

  Further, in Table 1, a decrease amount of the developer pumping amount when forming the 100K-th image with respect to the developer pumping amount when forming the first initial image was measured. “◯” in Table 1 indicates that there is no problem because the reduction amount is within 10%, and “x” indicates that the reduction amount is 20% or more and the influence on the image quality is large.

  Further, in Comparative Examples 1 and 2 and Invention Products 1 to 3 in Table 1, the outer diameter of the developing sleeves 132a and 132b was 20 mm, and the outer diameter of the photosensitive drum 108 was 60 mm.

(Comparative Example 1)
In Comparative Example 1, only one developing roller was provided, and a concave groove parallel to the axial direction was formed on the outer surface of the developing sleeve of the developing roller.

(Comparative Example 2)
In Comparative Example 1, only one developing roller was provided, and sandblasting was performed on the outer surface of the developing sleeve of the developing roller.

(Invention product 1)
In the product 1 of the present invention, two developing rollers 115a and 115b are provided, a concave groove parallel to the axial direction is formed on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132a of the developing roller 115a, and sandblasting is performed on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132b of the developing roller 115b. Processed.

(Invention product 2)
In the product 2 of the present invention, two developing rollers 115a and 115b are provided, a concave groove parallel to the axial direction is formed on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132a of the developing roller 115a, and the surface is formed on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132b of the developing roller 115b. The wire rod 65 was randomly collided using the processing apparatus 1.

(Invention product 3)
In the product 3 of the present invention, two developing rollers 115a and 115b are provided, and the first concave groove 141 and the second concave groove 142 are formed on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132a of the developing roller 115a, and the developing roller 115b is developed. The filament material 65 was randomly collided with the outer surface of the sleeve 132b using the surface treatment device 1.

  According to Table 1, it was clarified that in Comparative Example 1, unevenness occurs from the initial image. In Comparative Example 2, it was revealed that the developer pumping amount gradually decreased as the number of sheets fed (printed) increased.

  Further, it is clear that the products 1 and 2 of the present invention have almost no problem with the initial image and the 100Kth image, and the product 3 of the present invention has no problem with the initial image and the 100Kth image. . Further, it has been clarified that the products 1 to 3 of the present invention hardly reduce the pumping amount of the developer.

  As described above, it has been clarified that the products 1 to 3 of the present invention are extremely excellent and can withstand practical use with almost no decrease in the pumping amount of the developer. Furthermore, since the products 1 to 3 of the present invention do not cause unevenness in the test image, it has been clarified that the present invention products can endure extremely excellent practical use from the viewpoint of image unevenness.

  In the embodiment described above, in the image forming apparatus 101, the process cartridge 106 includes the cartridge case 111, the charging roller 109, the photosensitive drum 108, the cleaning blade 112, and the developing device 113. However, in the present invention, the process cartridge 106 only needs to include at least the developing device 113, and does not necessarily include the cartridge case 111, the charging roller 109, the photosensitive drum 108, and the cleaning blade 112.

  In the above-described embodiment, the image forming apparatus 101 includes the process cartridge 106 that is detachable from the apparatus main body 102. However, in the present invention, the image forming apparatus 101 only needs to include the developing device 113, and does not necessarily include the process cartridge 106.

  In the above-described embodiment, it is needless to say that the outer diameter of the developing sleeve 132, the size of the linear member 65, and the outer diameter of the cylindrical member 50 of the storage tank 9 may be appropriately changed. In addition, regarding the shape of both ends of the developing sleeve 132, the target surface roughness, processing time (processing conditions), the number of reciprocations of the electromagnetic coil 8, and the filaments are also set such as the radius of curvature of chamfering and the size of the chamfering shape. It is desirable to select an appropriate shape from the durability of the material 65 and the like. Moreover, the total amount of the wire rod 65 accommodated in the storage tank 9 is also appropriate from the target roughness of the rough surface, the processing time (processing conditions), the number of reciprocations of the electromagnetic coil 8, and the durability of the wire rod 65. It is desirable that the amount be determined in a proper amount.

  In the embodiment described above, two developing rollers 115a and 115b are provided. In the present invention, three or more developing rollers 115a and 115b may be provided. In short, in the present invention, the groove 140 is formed on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132a of the most upstream developing roller 115a in the developer transport direction among the plurality of developing rollers 115a and 115b, and the developing of the developing roller 115b on the most downstream side is formed. A random recess 139 may be formed on the outer surface of the sleeve 132b.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the first groove 141 and the second groove 142 are provided in the groove 140, and the groove 140 is formed in an ambiguous shape. However, in the present invention, if all the concave grooves 140 are formed in a straight line parallel to each other, all the concave grooves 140 may be parallel to the axis of the developing sleeve 132, and intersect (inclined) the axis. May be.

  In the above-described embodiment, the developing sleeve 132b is positioned together with the filament 65 in the rotating magnetic field, and the recesses 139 are randomly formed on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132b. However, in the present invention, the recesses 139 may be formed at random by sandblasting in which abrasive grains are sprayed with a pressurized gas. Furthermore, in the present invention, for example, spherical glass beads may be sprayed in addition to the filament material 65 to form the recesses 139 at random.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. That is, various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. That is, the holding unit, the rotating unit, and the magnetic field changing unit are not limited to the configurations and arrangements described in the embodiments, and may be various configurations and arrangements.

1 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a developing device of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a developing roller of the developing device shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a developing sleeve of one developing roller of the developing device shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a developing sleeve of the other developing roller of the developing device shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged outer surface of the developing sleeve shown in FIG. 5. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the outer surface of the image development sleeve shown by FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a magnetic carrier of a developer of the developing device shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a surface treatment apparatus that performs a roughening process on the outer surface of the developing sleeve illustrated in FIG. 5. It is sectional drawing which follows the II-II line | wire in FIG. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a wire rod used in the surface treatment apparatus shown in FIG. 9. It is sectional drawing which follows the XI-XI line in FIG. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a developing sleeve of the surface treatment apparatus illustrated in FIG. 9 and a linear member that revolves while rotating on the outer periphery of the developing sleeve. FIG. 14 is an explanatory view showing a state in which the wire material shown in FIG. 13 collides with the outer surface of the developing sleeve.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 9 Storage tank 65 Line material 101 Image forming apparatus 106 Process cartridge 108 Photosensitive drum (photosensitive body)
113 Developing devices 115, 115a, 115b Developing roller 120 Interlocking rotating part (interlocking rotating means)
132, 132a, 132b Developing sleeve 133 Magnet roller 135 Magnetic carrier 136 Core material 137 Resin coat film 139 Recess 140 Recess groove 141 First recess groove 142 Second recess groove

Claims (12)

In a developing device comprising: a photosensitive member on which an electrostatic latent image is formed on an outer peripheral surface; and a plurality of developing rollers that are arranged in parallel with the photosensitive member and are spaced apart from each other and sequentially convey the developer.
Each of the developing rollers includes a magnet roller and a developing sleeve that encloses the magnet roller and adsorbs the developer to the outer surface by the magnetic force of the magnet roller,
A direction parallel to the axis of the developing sleeve or a direction inclined with respect to the axis of the developing sleeve on the outer surface of the developing sleeve of the developing roller located at the most upstream of the developer conveying direction among the plurality of developing rollers A plurality of elliptical dents on the outer surface of the developing sleeve of the developing roller located at the most downstream side in the developer transport direction among the plurality of developing rollers. Is provided at random.   A plurality of first concave grooves intersecting and parallel to the axial center of the developing sleeve of the developing roller located at the most upstream in the developer conveying direction, and the axial core and the first concave groove The developing device according to claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of second concave grooves intersecting both of the first and second grooves and parallel to each other. The plurality of elliptical recesses include a recess whose longitudinal direction is along the axial direction of the developing sleeve, and a recess whose longitudinal direction is along the circumferential direction of the developing sleeve,
3. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the number of dents along the axial direction of the developing sleeve is greater than the number of dents along the circumferential direction of the developing sleeve.   4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of oval-shaped dents are formed by a short line-shaped wire material that randomly collides with an outer surface of the developing sleeve. 5. The developing device according to 1.   The developing device according to claim 4, wherein the linear member is positioned in a rotating magnetic field and collides with an outer surface of the developing sleeve by the rotating magnetic field.   The developing device according to claim 5, wherein the developing sleeve is accommodated in the accommodating tank together with the filament material, and a magnetic field generator generates the rotating magnetic field in the accommodating tank.   The developing device according to claim 6, wherein the linear member is collided while the developing sleeve accommodated in the accommodating tank is rotated about its axis.   The developing device according to claim 1, further comprising an interlocking rotating unit that rotates the developing sleeves of the plurality of developing rollers at the same rotational speed.   9. The developer according to claim 1, wherein the developer includes a toner and a magnetic carrier, and an average particle diameter of the magnetic carrier is 20 μm or more and 50 μm or less. The developing device according to item. The magnetic carrier includes a core material made of a magnetic material, and a resin coat film covering the core material,
The developing device according to claim 9, wherein the resin coat film contains a resin component obtained by crosslinking a thermoplastic resin and a melanin resin, and a charge adjusting agent.   A process cartridge having at least a developing device, wherein the developing device includes the developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.   An image forming apparatus having at least a charging device and a developing device, wherein the developing device includes the developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.