JP4669763B2 - Developing roller, developing device, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a developing roller, a phenomenon device, a process cartridge, and an image forming apparatus used in a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a printer, and the like, and more specifically, a developer carried on a developing sleeve is a gap between a photosensitive member and a developing sleeve. The developing roller and the developing device are configured to form a toner image by developing the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member. The present invention also relates to a process cartridge and an image forming apparatus having such a developing device.

In order to carry the developer on the developing sleeve of the developing roller of the image forming apparatus and reliably convey the developer to the photosensitive drum, sandblasting is performed on the outer surface of the developing sleeve (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Or V-grooves were formed on the outer surface.
Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-036534

  The development sleeve subjected to the sand blasting process described above has very fine irregularities formed on the outer surface thereof, and the irregularities are gradually scraped by a developer or the like. As the number of printed sheets increases, the sleeve is flattened by the above-described unevenness 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.

  Further, in the developing sleeve as a processing object in which the V-groove described above is formed on the outer surface, the V-groove is much larger than the unevenness formed by the sandblasting 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 can suppress a decrease in the transport amount of the developer due to secular change, and can also prevent development of image unevenness, a developing sleeve, a developing roller, a developing device, and It is an object of the present invention to provide a process cartridge and an image forming apparatus provided with the developing device.

The developing roller according to claim 1, a magnet roller, a developing sleeve for attracting the developer to the outer surface by the magnetic force of the magnet roller with the enclosing the magnet roller, the developing roller having the (i ) said recess of a number of oval shaped outer surface of the developing sleeve, et provided randomly is, and, (ii) the developing sleeve wherein a number of elliptical depressions, by the positioned and the rotating magnetic field in the rotating magnetic field And (c) the plurality of elliptical dents, the longitudinal direction of which is along the axial direction of the developing sleeve, and the longitudinal direction. A direction along the circumferential direction of the developing sleeve, and a longitudinal direction along the axial direction of the developing sleeve, the longitudinal direction of the developing sleeve. It is characterized by being more than the dent along the circumferential direction .

The developing roller according to claim 2 is the developing roller according to claim 1, wherein a major axis of the recess is 0.05 mm or more and 0.3 mm or less, and a minor axis of the recess is 0.02 mm or more. And 0.1 mm or less .

According to a third aspect of the present invention , in the developing roller according to the first or second aspect , the developing sleeve is accommodated in the accommodating tank together with the wire material, and a magnetic field generator is disposed in the accommodating tank. The rotating magnetic field is generated.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention , in the developing roller according to the third aspect , the linear member collides while the developing sleeve accommodated in the accommodating tank is rotated about its axis. It is characterized by.

5. The developing device according to claim 5 , wherein the developing roller includes a developing roller having a developing sleeve that adsorbs a developer on an outer surface, and the developing roller is any one of claims 1 to 4. The developing roller described in 1) is provided.

The developing device according to claim 6 is the developing device according to claim 5 , wherein the developer contains toner and a magnetic carrier, and an average particle diameter of the magnetic carrier is 20 μm or more and 35 μm. It is characterized by the following.

A process cartridge according to claim 7 is a process cartridge having at least a developing device, wherein the developing device includes the developing device according to claim 5 or 6 .

An image forming apparatus according to claim 8 is an image forming apparatus having at least a photoreceptor, a charging device, and a developing device, and has the developing device according to claim 5 or 6 as the developing device. It is characterized by.

  According to the developing roller of the first aspect, since the oval-shaped dent larger than the dent formed by the conventional sandblasting process is formed on the outer surface, the dent is less likely to be worn due to secular change. , It is possible to suppress a decrease in the transport amount of the developer due to secular change.

  In addition, since the oval-shaped dents formed on the outer surface of the developing sleeve are randomly arranged, the developer accumulates in the dents, so that the portions where the developer accumulates are randomly arranged on the outer surface. Therefore, it is possible to prevent image unevenness from occurring.

Dent long side direction along the axial direction, because the longitudinal direction is larger than the recess along the circumferential direction, along the developer to be drawn up in the axial direction becomes possible to parallel, in order that, even when the developing sleeve rotates, The developer drawn up is less likely to fall off from the outer surface of the developing sleeve, so that the oval dent has the same effect as the V-groove that has been used in the past to secure the amount of developer drawn up. Can do.

Since the wire strip material by impinging on the outer surface randomly formed depressions elliptical cross-sectional shape or the inner and outer diameters are changed or the axis is curved in the developing sleeve 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.

Since the interface member positioned within the rotating magnetic field impinging on the outer surface of the developing sleeve, it is possible to further collide randomly the line material on the outer surface of the developing sleeve, thus developing sleeve more uniform irregularities It is possible to form a more uniform image.

  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 roller according to the third aspect , since the developing sleeve is accommodated in the accommodating tank together with the linear member, the linear member reliably collides with the outer surface of the developing sleeve, and thus the outer surface of the developing sleeve A roughening treatment can be reliably performed.

In the developing roller according to claim 4 , since the linear material collides with the outer surface of the developing sleeve rotating in the storage tank, the linear material 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.

Since the developing device according to the fifth aspect includes the developing roller described above, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the transport amount of the developer due to secular change and to prevent occurrence of image unevenness.

In the developing device according to the sixth aspect , since the developer having an average particle size of the magnetic carrier of 20 μm or more and 35 μm or less is used, an excellent image with excellent granularity and little unevenness can be obtained.

Since the process cartridge according to the seventh aspect includes the developing device according to the fifth or sixth aspect, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the transport amount of the developer due to secular change and to prevent image unevenness from occurring. it can.

Since the image forming apparatus according to the eighth aspect includes the developing device according to the fifth or sixth aspect, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the transport amount of the developer due to secular change and to cause image unevenness. Can be prevented.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram viewed from the front of the configuration 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 taken along line III-III in FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a developing sleeve of the developing device shown in FIG.

  The image forming apparatus 101 prints an image of each color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), that is, a color image, on a recording sheet 107 (see FIG. 1). ) To form. The units corresponding to the colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are indicated by adding Y, M, C, and K at the end of the reference numerals.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 101 includes an apparatus main body 102, a paper feed unit 103, a registration roller pair 110, a transfer unit 104, a fixing unit 105, and a plurality of laser writing units 122Y, 122M, and 122C. , 122K and a plurality of process cartridges 106Y, 106M, 106C, 106K.

  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 includes a paper feed unit 103, a registration roller pair 110, a transfer unit 104, a fixing unit 105, a plurality of laser writing units 122Y, 122M, 122C, and 122K, and a plurality of process cartridges 106Y, 106M, and 106C. 106K.

  A plurality of paper feed units 103 are provided in the lower part of the apparatus main body 102. The paper feed unit 103 includes a paper feed cassette 123 that can accommodate the above-described recording paper 107 in a stacked manner and can be taken in and out of the apparatus main body 102, and a paper feed roller 124. The paper feed roller 124 is pressed against the uppermost recording paper 107 in the paper feed cassette 123. The paper feed roller 124 is used to transfer the above-described uppermost recording paper 107 between a transfer belt 129 (described later) of the transfer unit 104 and a photosensitive drum 108 of a developing device 113 (described later) of the process cartridges 106Y, 106M, 106C, and 106K. Send it in between.

  The registration roller pair 110 is provided in a conveyance path of the recording paper 107 conveyed from the paper supply unit 103 to the transfer unit 104, and includes a pair of rollers 110a and 110b. The registration roller pair 110 sandwiches the recording paper 107 between the pair of rollers 110a and 110b, and the transfer unit 104 and the process cartridges 106Y, 106M, 106C, and 106K at a timing at which the sandwiched recording paper 107 can be superimposed on the toner image. Send out in between.

  The transfer unit 104 is provided above the paper feed unit 103. The transfer unit 104 includes a driving roller 127, a driven roller 128, a conveyance belt 129, and transfer rollers 130Y, 130M, 130C, and 130K. The drive roller 127 is disposed on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording paper 107 and is driven to rotate by a motor or the like as a drive source. The driven roller 128 is rotatably supported by the apparatus main body 102 and is disposed on the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording paper 107. The conveyor belt 129 is formed in an endless annular shape and is stretched over both the driving roller 127 and the driven roller 128 described above. The conveyance belt 129 circulates (endless travel) around the driving roller 127 and the driven roller 128 described above in the counterclockwise direction in the drawing as the driving roller 127 is rotationally driven.

  The transfer rollers 130Y, 130M, 130C, and 130K sandwich the conveyance belt 129 and the recording paper 107 on the conveyance belt 129 between the photosensitive drums 108 of the process cartridges 106Y, 106M, 106C, and 106K, respectively. In the transfer unit 104, the transfer rollers 130Y, 130M, 130C, and 130K press the recording paper 107 fed from the paper supply unit 103 against the outer surface of the photosensitive drum 108 of each process cartridge 106Y, 106M, 106C, and 106K. The toner image on the photosensitive drum 108 is transferred to the recording paper 107. The transfer unit 104 sends the recording paper 107 onto which the toner image is transferred toward the fixing unit 105.

  The fixing unit 105 is provided downstream of the transfer unit 104 in the conveyance direction of the recording paper 107, and includes a pair of rollers 105a and 105b that sandwich the recording paper 107 therebetween. The fixing unit 105 presses and heats the recording paper 107 sent out from the transfer unit 104 between the pair of rollers 105a and 105b, thereby recording the toner image transferred from the photosensitive drum 108 onto the recording paper 107. Fix to paper 107.

  The laser writing units 122Y, 122M, 122C, and 122K are attached to the upper part of the apparatus main body 102, respectively. The laser writing units 122Y, 122M, 122C, and 122K correspond to one process cartridge 106Y, 106M, 106C, and 106K, respectively. The laser writing units 122Y, 122M, 122C, and 122K irradiate laser beams onto the outer surface of the photosensitive drum 108 that is uniformly charged by a later-described charging roller 109 of the process cartridges 106Y, 106M, 106C, and 106K. An electrostatic latent image is formed.

  The process cartridges 106Y, 106M, 106C, and 106K are provided between the transfer unit 104 and the laser writing units 122Y, 122M, 122C, and 122K, respectively. The process cartridges 106Y, 106M, 106C, and 106K are detachable from the apparatus main body 102. The process cartridges 106Y, 106M, 106C, and 106K are arranged in parallel along the conveyance direction of the recording paper 107.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the process cartridges 106Y, 106M, 106C, and 106K include a cartridge case 111, a charging roller 109 as a charging device, a photosensitive drum 108 as a photosensitive member (also referred to as an image carrier), and a cleaning. A cleaning blade 112 as an apparatus and a developing device 113 are provided. 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 detachably attached to the apparatus main body 102 and accommodates a charging roller 109, a photosensitive drum 108, a cleaning blade 112, and a developing device 113. The charging roller 109 uniformly charges the outer surface of the photosensitive drum 108. The photosensitive drum 108 is disposed with a gap from a developing roller 115 (to be described later) of the developing device 113. The photosensitive drum 108 is formed in a columnar shape or a cylindrical shape that is rotatable around an axis. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the outer surface of the photosensitive drum 108 by the corresponding laser writing units 122Y, 122M, 122C, and 122K. The photosensitive drum 108 is developed by adsorbing toner onto an electrostatic latent image formed on and carried on the outer surface, and the toner image thus obtained is transferred to a recording paper 107 positioned between the conveyance belt 129. To do. The cleaning blade 112 removes the transfer residual toner remaining on the outer surface of the photosensitive drum 108 after the toner image is transferred to the recording paper 107.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the developing device 113 includes at least a developer supplying unit 114, a case 125, a developing roller 115 as a developer carrier, and a regulating blade 116 as a regulating member.

  The developer supply unit 114 includes a storage tank 117 and a pair of stirring screws 118 as stirring members. The storage tank 117 is formed in a box shape having a length substantially equal to that of the photosensitive drum 108. Further, a partition wall 119 extending along the longitudinal direction of the storage tank 117 is provided in the storage tank 117. The partition wall 119 partitions the storage tank 117 into a first space 120 and a second space 121. Moreover, both ends of the first space 120 and the second space 121 communicate with each other.

  The storage tank 117 stores the developer 126 in both the first space 120 and the second space 121. The developer 126 includes toner and a magnetic carrier (also called magnetic powder, whose cross section is shown in FIG. 7) 135. The toner is appropriately supplied to one end portion of the first space 120 on the side away from the developing roller 115 in the first space 120 and the second space 121. 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 both the first space 120 and the second space 121. The average particle diameter of the magnetic carrier 135 is 20 μm or more and 50 μm or less. As shown in FIG. 7, 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 accommodated in each of the first space 120 and the second space 121. 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 126 along the axis.

  In the illustrated example, the agitation screw 118 in the first space 120 conveys the developer 126 from one end to the other end. The agitation screw 118 in the second space 121 conveys the developer 126 from the other end toward the one end.

  According to the above-described configuration, the developer supply unit 114 conveys the toner supplied to one end of the first space 120 to the other end while stirring with the magnetic carrier 135, and the second supply from the other end. It is conveyed to the other end of the space 121. The developer supply unit 114 agitates the toner and the magnetic carrier 135 in the second space 121 and supplies the toner and the magnetic carrier 135 to the outer surface of the developing roller 115 while transporting them in the axial direction.

  The case 125 is formed in a box shape, is attached to the storage tank 117 of the developer supply unit 114 described above, and covers the developing roller 115 and the like together with the storage tank 117. In addition, an opening 125 a is provided in a portion of the case 125 that faces the photosensitive drum 8.

  The developing roller 115 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and is provided between the second space 121 and the photosensitive drum 108 and in the vicinity of the opening 125a described above. The developing roller 115 is parallel to both the photosensitive drum 108 and the storage tank 117. The developing roller 115 is disposed at a distance from the photosensitive drum 108. A space between the developing roller 115 and the photosensitive drum 108 forms a developing region 131 in which the toner of the developer 126 is attracted to the photosensitive drum 108 and the electrostatic latent image is developed to obtain a toner image. 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 core metal 134 is arranged in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 108 in the longitudinal direction, and is fixed to the case 125 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 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 115, and causes the developer 126 in the second space 121 of the storage tank 117 to flow to the developing sleeve 132. Adsorb to the outer surface.

  The other fixed magnetic pole is opposed to the photosensitive drum 108 described above. The fixed magnetic pole forms a developing magnetic pole, and generates a magnetic force on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132, that is, the developing roller 115, thereby forming a magnetic field between the developing sleeve 132 and the photosensitive drum 108. The fixed magnetic pole forms a magnetic brush by the magnetic field, so that the toner of the developer 126 adsorbed on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132 is transferred to the photosensitive drum 108.

  At least one fixed magnetic pole is provided between the pumping magnetic pole and the developing magnetic pole. The at least one fixed magnetic pole generates a magnetic force on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132, that is, the developing roller 115, conveys the developer 126 before development toward the photosensitive drum 108, and develops the developed developer 126. Is conveyed from the photosensitive drum 108 into the storage tank 117.

  When the developer 126 adsorbs the developer 126 to the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132, a plurality of the magnetic carriers 135 of the developer 126 overlap each other along the lines of magnetic force generated by the fixed magnetic pole. To stand up. In this manner, a state in which a plurality of magnetic carriers 135 are erected on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132 along the lines of magnetic force is referred to as the magnetic carrier 135 rising on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132. Then, the above-described toner is adsorbed to the magnetic carrier 135 that is raised. That is, the developing sleeve 132 attracts the developer 126 to the outer surface by the magnetic force of the magnet roller 133.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the developing sleeve 132 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The developing sleeve 132 includes (accommodates) a magnet roller 133 and is provided so as to be rotatable around the axis. The developing sleeve 132 is rotated so that the inner peripheral surface thereof is sequentially opposed to the fixed magnetic pole. The developing sleeve 132 is made of a nonmagnetic material such as an aluminum alloy or stainless steel (SUS). As described above, the developing sleeve 132 is roughened on the outer surface by the surface treatment apparatus 1.

  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 sleeve 132 is desirably about 17 mm to 18 mm. The length of the developing sleeve 132 in the axis (axial core) direction is preferably about 300 mm to 350 mm. The surface roughness of the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132 is gradually increased (roughened) from the central portion in the axial direction of the developing sleeve 132 toward both ends.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132 is provided with a number of recesses 139 having an elliptical planar shape. A large number (a plurality) of the recesses 139 are randomly arranged on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132. Of course, the recess 139 includes a recess 139 whose longitudinal direction is along the axial direction of the developing sleeve 132 and a recess 139 whose longitudinal direction is along the circumferential direction of the developing sleeve 132. The number of the recesses 139 whose longitudinal direction is along the axial direction of the developing sleeve 132 is greater than the number of the recesses 139 whose longitudinal direction is along the circumferential direction of the developing sleeve 132. Furthermore, 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 ( minor axis) in the width direction is 0.02 mm or more and 0.1 mm or less. It has become. 5 and 6, the left-right direction in the drawings is the axial direction of the developing sleeve 132.

  The regulating blade 116 is provided at the end of the developing device 113 near the photosensitive drum 108. The regulating blade 116 is attached to the case 125 described above with a space from the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132. The regulating blade 116 scrapes the developer 126 on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132 exceeding the desired thickness into the storage tank 117, and the developer 126 on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132 conveyed to the developing region 131. To the desired thickness.

  In the developing device 113 configured as described above, the developer and the magnetic carrier 135 are sufficiently stirred by the developer supply unit 114, and the stirred developer 126 is adsorbed to the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132 by the fixed magnetic pole. Then, the developing device 113 conveys the developer 126 adsorbed by the plurality of fixed magnetic poles toward the developing region 131 as the developing sleeve 132 rotates. The developing device 113 causes the photosensitive drum 108 to adsorb the developer 126 having a desired thickness by the regulating blade 116. In this way, the developing device 113 carries the developer 126 on the developing roller 115, conveys it to the developing area 131, and develops the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 108 to form a toner image.

  Then, the developing device 113 causes the developed developer 126 to be released toward the storage tank 117. Further, the developed developer 126 stored in the storage tank 117 is sufficiently stirred again with the other developer 126 in the second space 121, and the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 108 is recovered. Used for development.

  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 surface of the photosensitive drum 108 by the charging roller 109. Laser light is irradiated on the outer surface of the photosensitive drum 108 to form an electrostatic latent image on the outer surface of the photosensitive drum 108. When the electrostatic latent image is positioned in the developing area 131, the developer 126 adsorbed on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132 of the developing device 113 is adsorbed on the outer surface of the photosensitive drum 108, and the electrostatic latent image is developed. Then, a toner image is formed on the outer surface of the photosensitive drum 108.

  In the image forming apparatus 101, the recording paper 107 conveyed by the paper supply roller 124 of the paper supply unit 103 is transferred to the photosensitive drum 108 of the process cartridges 106Y, 106M, 106C, and 106K and the conveyance belt 129 of the transfer unit 104. The toner image formed on the outer surface of the photosensitive drum 108 is transferred to the recording paper 107. The image forming apparatus 101 uses a fixing unit 105 to fix the toner image on the recording paper 107. Thus, the image forming apparatus 101 forms a color image on the recording paper 107.

  The developing sleeve 132 described above is subjected to a roughening process on the outer surface by the surface treatment apparatus 1 shown in FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 8, 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. 9) 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. The hollow holding member 32 is passed through a cylindrical developing sleeve 132 as shown in FIG. 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 132 is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the storage tank 9, that is, the axis of the hollow holding member 32, that is, the axis of the developing sleeve 132 is centered. 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 132 are fixed by pressing against the inner peripheral surface of the developing sleeve 132. At this time, of course, the chuck shaft 39, the hollow holding member 32, the developing sleeve 132, and the 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 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 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. 9, 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 supply 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. And the electromagnetic coil 8 produces | generates the magnetic field (rotating magnetic field) of the rotation direction around the axial center of this electromagnetic coil 8 formed by synthesize | combining 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 132 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 132. Rotate (move) around. Then, the electromagnetic coil 8 causes the linear material 65 moved by the above-described rotating magnetic field to collide with the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132.

  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. 9, the storage tank 9 has 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. As for the flange member 51d, the ring part 59 is fitted to 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. The shaving sealing plate 53 is formed on the outside of the cylindrical member 50, that is, the storage tank 9, when the wire 65 described later collides with the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132, and the shavings formed by scraping off the developing sleeve 132. 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 position the developing sleeve 132 on the hollow holding member 32 with the developing sleeve 132 interposed therebetween. The one end portion 32 a forms an end portion near the fixed holding portion 4 of the hollow holding member 32 and on the side 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 axis of the cylindrical member 50, that is, the storage tank 9, that is, the axis P of the developing sleeve 132. 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 a cap 64 (described later) attached to both ends of the developing sleeve 132 inside. 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 configured as described above stores the linear member 65 made of a magnetic material between the plurality of partition members 55, and stores the developing sleeve 132 attached to the hollow holding member 32 in the cylindrical member 50. . That is, the storage tank 9 stores both the developing sleeve 132 and the wire material 65. Further, the linear member 65 collides with the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132 by rotating (moving) the outer periphery of the developing sleeve 132 by the rotating magnetic field described above. The linear member 65 collides with the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132, scrapes a part of the developing sleeve 132 from the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132, and roughens the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132.

  The wire rod 65 is made of a magnetic material such as austenitic stainless steel or martensitic stainless steel. As shown in FIG. 10, 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.10 and FIG.11, the outer edge part 65a of the both ends of the linear material 65 is chamfered by 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. 12, the wire rod 65 rotates in the circumferential direction of the storage tank 9 and the developing sleeve 132 while being rotated (rotated) around the center in the longitudinal direction by the rotating magnetic field ( Revolved).

  As shown in FIG. 9, 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. 8). . 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. 8, 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. 9, 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, and outputs the detection result to 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 132. In other words, 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 132. Further, the control device 76 stores the power described above for each product number of the developing sleeve 132.

  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 132 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 132 is stronger than the rotating magnetic field when processing the central portion of the developing sleeve 132. 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 132. 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 132 by processing (roughening) the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132 using the surface processing apparatus 1 having the above-described configuration will be described below.

  First, the product number of the developing sleeve 132 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 132. 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 132 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 is fixed to the hollow holding member 32. At this time, the hollow holding member 32 and the developing sleeve 132 are coaxial. In this way, the developing sleeve 132 is attached to the hollow holding member 32.

  The developing sleeve 132 and the hollow holding member 32 are housed in the housing tank 9, and the filament material 65 is supplied into the cylindrical member 50 of the housing tank 9. Thus, the wire 65 and the developing sleeve 132 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 and the storage tank 9 are attached to the movable holding unit 6. Then, the cylindrical member 50, the hollow holding member 32, the developing sleeve 132, 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 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 material 65 located inside the electromagnetic coil 8 revolves (rotates or moves) around the axis P while rotating, and the wire material 65 collides with the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132, The outer surface of the developing sleeve 132 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 132 ends.

  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 132 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 132 becomes more rough.

  When the above-described roughening of the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132 is completed, 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 132 whose outer surface has been roughened is taken out of the storage tank 9, and a new developing sleeve 132 is stored in the storage tank 9. In this way, the developing sleeve 132 (shown in FIG. 4) is obtained in which the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132 is roughened so that the outer surface becomes gradually rougher from the center toward both ends.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 12, the wire 65 is rotated around the central portion in the longitudinal direction in a state where the longitudinal direction is along the radial direction of the housing 9 and the developing sleeve 132 by the rotating magnetic field described above, The outer periphery of the developing sleeve 132 is revolved. For this reason, as shown by a solid line in FIG. 13, the outer edge portion 65 a of the linear member 65 collides with the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a large number of substantially elliptical (oval) shaped recesses 139 are randomly formed on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132. In addition, the substantially elliptical (oval) shaped recess 139 formed on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132 has a longer longitudinal direction along the axial direction of the developing sleeve 132 than a circumferential direction of the developing sleeve 132.

  According to the present embodiment, an oval-shaped recess 139 (longer diameter is 0.05 mm or more and 0.3 mm or less, short diameter is much larger than the recess formed by conventional sandblasting on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132. Is 0.02 mm or more 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 suppress a decrease in the transport amount of the developer 126 due to aging.

  Further, the developing sleeve 132 is randomly arranged with oval dents 139 formed on the outer surface. For this reason, since the developer 126 accumulates in the recess 139, the places where the developer 126 accumulates are randomly arranged on the outer surface. Therefore, it is possible to prevent image unevenness.

  Further, since the number of the recesses 139 whose longitudinal direction is along the axial direction of the developing sleeve 132 is larger than the recesses 139 whose longitudinal direction is along the circumferential direction of the developing sleeve 132, the developer 129 to be pumped up is aligned along the axial direction of the developing sleeve 132. Will be installed. For this reason, even if the developing sleeve 132 rotates, the pumped developer 126 does not easily fall off from the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132. Therefore, the elliptical recess 139 has the same effect as the V-groove that has been used conventionally, and the pumping amount of the developer 126 can be secured.

  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 139 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 139 can be kept high.

  Further, random irregularities are formed on the developing sleeve 132. Accordingly, unevenness in the amount of the developer 126 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 member 65 positioned in the rotating magnetic field collides with the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132, the linear member 65 collides with the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132 more randomly. Therefore, more uniform unevenness can be formed on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132, and a more uniform image can be obtained.

  Further, since the irregularities can be formed on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132 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 132. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the process for forming the unevenness on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132 from becoming complicated, and it is possible to prevent the processing cost 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 132, 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 132 revolves while rotating around the center of the direction. For this reason, the outer edge portions at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the linear member 65 collide with the developing sleeve 132, and the concaves and recesses 139, which are formed on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132, become the shaft (longitudinal) of the developing sleeve 132. ) More along the direction. For this reason, the dent 139 formed on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132 can reliably achieve the same effect as the V-groove that has been conventionally used, and can ensure the pumping amount of the developer 126.

  Further, since the linear member 65 is randomly collided with the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132 by the rotating magnetic field, the unevenness formed on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132 becomes more reliably random. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the image formed by the developing sleeve 132 from becoming uneven.

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

  Since the line material 65 collides with the developing sleeve 132 rotating in the storage tank 9, the line material 65 collides with the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132 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.

  According to the image forming apparatus 101 described above, since the developer 126 having an average particle diameter of 20 μm or more and 35 μm or less of the magnetic carrier 135 is used, an excellent image with excellent granularity and little unevenness can be obtained. . If the average particle size of the magnetic carrier 135 is less than 20 μm, the magnitude of the magnetization of each magnetic carrier 135 becomes small, so the magnetic binding force of the magnetic carrier 135 from the developing roller 115 becomes weak, and the magnetic carrier 135 Since the carrier 135 is easily attracted to the photosensitive drum 108, it is not desirable. If the average particle size of the magnetic carrier 135 exceeds 35 μm, the electric field between the magnetic carrier 135 and the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 108 becomes sparse, so that a uniform image cannot be obtained (the image quality deteriorates). Therefore, it is not desirable.

  In addition, since the developing device 113 described above is included, it is possible to provide the process cartridges 106Y, 106M, 106C, and 106K and the image forming apparatus 101 that can obtain high-quality images over a long period of time.

  Further, since the distance between the developing sleeve 132 and the photosensitive drum 108 is 0.1 mm or more and 0.4 mm or less, the toner is reliably supplied to the photosensitive drum 108 from the developer 126 that stands on the developing sleeve 132. And high-quality images can be obtained. If the distance between the developing sleeve 132 and the photosensitive drum 108 is less than 0.1 mm, the electric field between the developing sleeve 132 and the photosensitive drum 108 becomes too strong, and the magnetic carrier 135 is formed on the photosensitive drum 108. It moves and is not desirable. If the distance between the developing sleeve 132 and the photosensitive drum 108 exceeds 0.4 mm, the electric field between the developing sleeve 132 and the photosensitive drum 108 becomes too weak, and the amount of toner that can be supplied to the photosensitive drum 108 is small. This decreases the development efficiency and increases the edge effect of the electric field at the edge of the image, making it impossible to obtain a uniform image.

  Further, a developer 126 having a magnetic carrier 135 in which the surface of the core 136 is coated with a resin coat 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. Thus, the developer 126 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.

  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 132 as the object to be processed becomes difficult to wear even with aging, and development The sleeve 132 can prevent the pumping amount of the developer 126 from being lowered due to aging. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the image from becoming thin due to aging.

  Therefore, a line capable of performing a roughening process on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132 so that a decrease in the transport amount of the developer 126 due to the aging of the developing sleeve 132 can be suppressed and unevenness of the image can be prevented. The strip 65 and the surface treatment apparatus 1 can be provided.

  Further, since the ratio (L / D) between the total length L and 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 132. The full length of the line material 65 is sufficient to form unevenness having a sufficient depth (size) on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132. Therefore, irregularities can be reliably formed on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132, and the amount of the developer 126 pumped up from the developing sleeve 132 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. For this reason, smooth unevenness can be formed on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132 as a processing object, and the secular change of the developer 126 of the developing sleeve 132, that is, the magnetic carrier 135 can be prevented.

  Since the radius of curvature 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 0.05 mm or more and 0.2 mm or less, the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132 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 132. For this reason, when the rotating magnetic field becomes strong, the movement of the wire member 65 becomes active, and the kinetic energy when the wire member 65 collides with the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132 increases. 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 132 can be arbitrarily changed. Therefore, when the developing sleeve 132 is used as the developing sleeve 132, the pumping amount at an arbitrary position of the developing sleeve 132 can be increased and the pumping amount at an arbitrary position can be reduced. Accordingly, it is possible to increase the surface roughness of the developing sleeve 132 where the pumping amount is small and increase the pumping amount of the developing sleeve 132, and the image formed by the image forming apparatus 101 including the developing sleeve 132 is uneven. It can be prevented from occurring. Therefore, the surface of the developing sleeve 132 can be roughened so that unevenness of the image can be prevented.

  Since the control device 76 changes the strength of the rotating magnetic field in accordance with a predetermined pattern, the roughening process can be performed on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132 in a constant pattern.

  Since the rotating magnetic field used when the control device 76 processes both ends is made stronger than the rotating magnetic field used when processing the central portion, the surface roughness of both end portions where the pumping amount of the developing sleeve 132 is small is increased. It can be made rougher than the surface roughness. Therefore, the surface roughness of both ends of the developing sleeve 132 with a small amount of pumping can be increased to increase the amount of pumping at both ends, and the image formed by the image forming apparatus 101 having the developing sleeve 132 can be formed. Unevenness can be reliably prevented. Therefore, it is possible to reliably perform the roughening process on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132 so that unevenness of the image can be prevented.

  As the electromagnetic coil 8 moves, the developing sleeve 132 is processed, and at the same time, the wire 65 is suddenly removed from the rotating magnetic field. For this reason, the strength of the magnetic field acting on the wire rod 65 is abruptly changed (decreased), and the magnetic domains aligned in the wire rod 65 become uneven so that the magnetization is weakened and the developing sleeve 132 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. Therefore, it is possible to easily demagnetize the wire material 65, and the developing sleeve 132 can be continuously processed for a long time, so that the processing efficiency of the surface treatment can be improved. 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 132.

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

  When the wire rod 65 moves (revolves) on the outer periphery of the developing sleeve 132, the wire rod 65 can be reliably collided with the outer surface of the object to be processed, and the developing sleeve 132 is reliably processed. be able to.

  Since the developing sleeve 132 is rotated, the linear member 65 can be uniformly collided with the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132, and the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132 can be processed more 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 132 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 132. 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 132 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 132 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 132 as a mass production apparatus on the premise of mass production.

  In the image forming apparatus 101 described above, the process cartridges 106Y, 106M, 106C, and 106K include a cartridge case 111, a charging roller 109, a photosensitive drum 108, a cleaning blade 112, and a developing device 113. However, in the present invention, the process cartridges 106Y, 106M, 106C, and 106K need only include at least the developing device 113, and do 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 cartridges 106Y, 106M, 106C, and 106K that are 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 cartridges 106Y, 106M, 106C, and 106K.

  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.

  Next, the inventors of the present invention, in the above-described filament material 65 of the present invention, changed the surface roughness of the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132 when the outer diameter D of the filament material 65 was changed. It was measured. The results are shown in FIG. The horizontal axis in FIG. 14 indicates the outer diameter D of the wire material 65, and the vertical axis in FIG. 14 indicates the surface roughness of the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132. Note that when the surface roughness of the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132 on the vertical axis is 8 μm or more, the developing sleeve 132 can convey a desired amount of the developer 126.

  According to FIG. 14, it has been clarified that a desired amount of developer 126 can be conveyed by setting the outer diameter D of the filament material 65 to 0.5 mm or more and 1.2 mm or less.

  Further, the inventors of the present invention have changed the surface roughness of the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132 when the above-mentioned L / D of the above-mentioned linear member 65 is changed in the above-described linear member 65 of the present invention. Was measured. The results are shown in FIG. The horizontal axis in FIG. 15 indicates L / D of the line material 65, and the vertical axis in FIG. 15 indicates the surface roughness of the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132.

  According to FIG. 15, it is clear that when the L / D of the filament material 65 is 4 or more and 10 or less, the pumping amount of the developer 126 can be secured and a desired amount of the developer 126 can be conveyed. It was. If the L / D of the wire rod 65 is less than 4, the rotational moment of rotation of the wire rod 65 is not sufficient, the energy when colliding with the outer surface is insufficient, and the depth of the dent is small. It seems to be because it becomes shallow. In addition, when L / D of the line material 65 exceeds 10, the center part of the axial direction of the line material 65 will collide with an outer surface as shown with a dashed-two dotted line in FIG. This is thought to be due to the shallow depth of.

  Further, the inventors of the present invention have described the surface of the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132 when the radius of curvature R of the cross section of the outer edge portion 65a of the linear member 65 is changed in the above-described linear member 65 of the present invention. The change in roughness was measured. The results are shown in FIG. The horizontal axis in FIG. 16 indicates the curvature radius R of the cross section of the outer edge portion 65a of the linear member 65, and the vertical axis in FIG. 16 indicates the surface roughness of the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132.

  According to FIG. 16, it is clear that a desired amount of developer 126 can be conveyed by setting the curvature radius R of the cross section of the outer edge portion 65 a of the linear member 65 to 0.05 mm or more and 0.2 mm or less. It was. Further, it has been clarified that when the radius of curvature R of the cross section of the outer edge portion 65a is less than 0.05 mm, the outer edge portion 65a is not suitable because of severe wear. Furthermore, by setting the curvature radius R of the cross-section of the outer edge portion 65a of the wire rod 65 to 0.10 mm or more and 0.2 mm or less, the wear of the outer edge portion 65a of the wire rod 65 is particularly suppressed, It has been clarified that it is possible to extend the life of the wire rod 65 and to transport a desired amount of the developer 126.

  Next, the inventors manufactured a plurality of developing sleeves 132 having different surface roughening methods, a test image of these developing sleeves 132 in an initial state, and a test after continuous use (after printing 10 sheets). The effect of the present invention was confirmed by forming an image. The results are shown in Table 1 below.

(Comparative Example 1)
In Comparative Example 1, sandblasting was performed on the outer surface of the developing sleeve (the result of Fourier analysis of the cross-sectional curve of the outer surface is shown in FIG. 25).

(Comparative Example 2)
In Comparative Example 2, a groove was formed on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132a (a cross section is shown in FIG. 20).

(Comparative Example 3)
In Comparative Example 3, glass beads were sprayed on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132b to form irregularities on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132b (the actual irregularities on the outer surface are enlarged and shown in FIG. Is shown in FIG. 24, and FIG. 26 shows the result of Fourier analysis performed on the cross-sectional curve).

(Invention product)
In the product of the present invention, the surface of the developing sleeve 132 was subjected to the roughening treatment by randomly colliding the linear member 65 having the above-described configuration with the above-described surface treatment apparatus 1 (the cross section is shown in FIG. 17). FIG. 5 shows an enlargement of actual irregularities on the outer surface, FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram thereof, and FIG. 27 shows the result of Fourier analysis performed on the cross-sectional curve).

  The horizontal axis in FIGS. 25 to 27 indicates the wavelength of the cross-sectional curve of the outer surface, that is, the wavelength of the unevenness formed on the outer surface. The vertical axis in FIGS. 25 to 27 indicates the absolute value of the amplitude of each wavelength of the cross-sectional curve of the outer surface. A solid line in FIGS. 25 to 27 indicates a value obtained by performing the Fourier analysis, and a one-dot chain line in FIGS. 25 to 27 indicates an average value of the values obtained by performing the Fourier analysis. Yes.

  Moreover, the evaluation criteria in Table 1 are ◯ for those that are very excellent and can withstand practical use, and △ for those that can withstand practical use but are inferior. Those markedly inferior to practical use are marked with x.

  According to FIGS. 5 and 6, there are about 40 recesses 139 whose longitudinal direction is along the axial direction of the developing sleeve 132, whereas there are about 22 recesses 139 whose longitudinal direction is along the circumferential direction of the developing sleeve 132. Became clear. As described above, the surface treatment apparatus 1 is used to roughen the surface of the cylindrical linear member 65, so that the development can be performed in the elliptical recess 139 formed on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132. It became clear that the number of the recesses 139 along the longitudinal direction in the axial direction of the sleeve 132 increased.

  In Comparative Example 1, it has been clarified that the pumping amount of the developer 126 gradually decreases as the number of fed (printed) sheets increases. Further, it has been clarified that the product of the present invention has a slight decrease in the pumping amount of the developer 126 even when the number of sheets fed (printed) is increased.

  For this reason, as shown in Table 1, it has been clarified that Comparative Example 1 has a remarkable decrease in the pumping amount of the developer 126 and is extremely inferior to practical use. In addition, it has been clarified that Comparative Example 1 does not cause unevenness in the test image because random irregularities are formed on the outer surface, and is extremely excellent in practical use from the viewpoint of unevenness.

  In Comparative Example 2, the V-groove is sufficiently deeper than the size of the magnetic carrier 135 of the developer 126, so that the V-groove is not easily worn even with aging. For this reason, it has been clarified that Comparative Example 2 is extremely excellent and can withstand practical use with almost no decrease in the pumping amount of the developer 126.

Further, test images were generated when the pumping amount of the developer 126 of Comparative Example 2 was 35 mg / cm ² and when it was 50 mg / cm ² . Images actually generated are shown in FIGS. 21A and 21B, and images schematically showing the images are shown in FIGS. 22A and 22B. 21 (a) and 22 (a) show a case where the pumping amount is 35 mg / cm ² , and FIGS. 21 (b) and 22 (b) show that the pumping amount is 50 mg / cm ² . Shows the case. Note that portions that appear whitish in FIG. 21 are indicated by parallel diagonal lines in FIG.

On the other hand, the actually generated images of the test images in the case where the pumping amount of the developer 126 of the present invention is 35 mg / cm ² and 50 mg / cm ² are shown in FIGS. FIGS. 19A and 19B schematically show the images. 18A and 19A show a case where the pumping amount is 35 mg / cm ² , and FIGS. 18B and 19B show a pumping amount of 50 mg / cm ² . Shows the case. Note that portions that appear whitish in FIG. 18 are indicated by parallel oblique lines in FIG.

  18, 19, 21, and 22, it is clear that the product of the present invention hardly generates unevenness in the generated image, whereas Comparative Example 2 generates extremely unevenness in the generated image. It became. This is because, as shown in FIG. 17, the product of the present invention has a narrow space between the unevenly formed developer 126 formed on the outer surface, and the unevenness on which the unevenness is gently formed. This is because the test images are less likely to be uneven since they are randomly formed on the surface. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 20, in Comparative Example 2, the developer 126 is mainly located in the V-groove formed on the outer surface, and the interval between the spiked developers 126 is wide. This is because the V-groove extends linearly in the axial direction.

  Furthermore, in Comparative Example 3 in which the enlarged outer surface is shown in FIGS. 23 and 24 and the result of Fourier analysis performed on the cross-sectional curve is shown in FIG. 26, the recesses 139a are substantially circular, so irregularities are generated in the irregularities. For this reason, it has been clarified that Comparative Example 3 tends to cause unevenness in the image and is inferior to practical use from the viewpoint of unevenness. Further, in Comparative Example 3, since the recesses 139a are large and the unevenness formed on the outer surface is gentle, it has been clarified that the pumping amount of the developer 126 is hardly reduced, and is extremely excellent and can be practically used. .

  In Comparative Example 1, it is clear from FIG. 25 that relatively small irregularities having a wavelength of about 0.01 mm to 0.1 mm are formed. In Comparative Example 3, it is clear from FIG. 26 that relatively large irregularities having a wavelength of about 0.1 mm to 1.0 mm are formed. On the other hand, in the product of the present invention, according to FIG. 27, relatively small unevenness having a wavelength of about 0.01 mm to 0.1 mm and relatively large unevenness having a wavelength of about 0.1 mm to 1.0 mm are evenly distributed. It became clear that it was formed. Therefore, it was revealed that the product of the present invention is less likely to cause unevenness in the image.

  As described above, it has been clarified that the product of the present invention is very excellent and can be practically used with almost no decrease in the pumping amount of the developer 126. Furthermore, it has been clarified that the product of the present invention does not cause unevenness in the test image, and is extremely excellent in terms of unevenness and can withstand practical use.

  In the above-described embodiment, the rotating magnetic field generated by the electromagnetic coil 8 is gradually strengthened as the control device 76 moves toward both ends of the developing sleeve 132. However, in the present invention, the rotating magnetic field generated by the electromagnetic coil 8 is gradually increased as the control device 76 moves toward the both ends of the developing sleeve 132, and the rotating magnetic field when the both ends of the developing sleeve 132 are processed. May be stronger than the rotating magnetic field when the central portion of the developing sleeve 132 is processed, and the strength of the rotating magnetic field may be constant.

  Further, in the present invention, when processing any part of the developing sleeve 132 without making the rotating magnetic field when processing both ends of the developing sleeve 132 stronger than the rotating magnetic field when processing the central portion of the developing sleeve 132. This rotating magnetic field may be made stronger than the rotating magnetic field when the other part of the developing sleeve 132 is processed.

  Further, the position of the electromagnetic coil 8 may be detected using various sensors without being limited to the linear encoder 75.

  Further, in the present invention, the control device 76 differentiates the position of the electromagnetic coil 8 detected by the linear encoder 75 with respect to time to obtain the moving speed of the electromagnetic coil 8, and increases the rotating magnetic field strength during the processing of the developing sleeve 132. The moving speed of the electromagnetic coil 8 may be changed without changing the length.

  In this case, the control device 76 stores the moving speed 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 132. In other words, the control device 76 stores the speed at which the electromagnetic coil moving unit 5 moves the electromagnetic coil 8 according to the relative position of the electromagnetic coil 8 with respect to the developing sleeve 132. Further, the control device 76 stores the moving speed described above for each product number of the developing sleeve 132.

  The control device 76 has a pattern in which the speed at which the electromagnetic coil moving unit 5 moves the electromagnetic coil 8 gradually decreases as the electromagnetic coil 8 moves from the central portion in the longitudinal direction (axial direction) of the developing sleeve 132 toward both ends. Pre-stored. And the control apparatus 76 makes the electromagnetic coil moving part 5 change the speed which the electromagnetic coil 8 moves according to the pattern of the moving speed mentioned above memorize | stored beforehand. As described above, the control device 76 causes the moving speed of the electromagnetic coil 8 when processing both ends of the developing sleeve 132 to be slower than the moving speed of the electromagnetic coil 8 when processing the central portion of the developing sleeve 132. Then, the moving speed of the electromagnetic coil 8 is changed by the electromagnetic coil moving unit 5. As described above, the control device 76 determines the speed at which the electromagnetic coil 8 moves to the electromagnetic coil moving unit 5 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 132. To change.

  Thus, when the control device 76 changes the speed at which the electromagnetic coil 8 of the electromagnetic coil moving unit 5 is moved, the inverter 49 described above may not be provided.

  When the control device 76 changes the speed at which the electromagnetic coil 8 of the electromagnetic coil moving unit 5 is moved, the number of times that the wire 65 collides with the developing sleeve 132 decreases as the moving speed of the electromagnetic coil 8 increases. The surface roughness of the outer surface 132 is reduced. On the other hand, when the moving speed of the electromagnetic coil 8 is slowed, the number of times the filament 65 collides with the developing sleeve 132 increases, and the surface roughness of the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132 increases. Thereby, the surface roughness of the outer surface at an arbitrary position in the longitudinal direction (axial direction) of the developing sleeve 132 can be arbitrarily changed.

  Further, since the control device 76 changes the moving speed of the electromagnetic coil 8 according to a predetermined pattern, the surface roughness of the developing sleeve 132 can be always formed in a constant pattern.

  Furthermore, since the moving speed when the control device 76 processes both ends is slower than the moving speed when processing the central portion, the surface roughness of the central portion where the pumping amount is large is obtained by reducing the surface roughness at both ends where the pumping amount is small. It can be made rougher than the roughness. Therefore, the surface roughness of both ends of the developing sleeve 132 with a small amount of pumping can be increased to increase the amount of pumping at both ends, and the image formed by the image forming apparatus 101 having the developing sleeve 132 can be formed. Unevenness can be reliably prevented. Therefore, it is possible to reliably perform the roughening process on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132 so that unevenness of the image can be prevented.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, as the control device 76 moves toward both ends of the developing sleeve 132, the moving speed of the electromagnetic coil 8 is gradually reduced as the developing device 132 moves toward the both ends. May be slower than the moving speed of the electromagnetic coil 8 when the central portion of the developing sleeve 132 is processed.

  Further, in the present invention, the developing sleeve 132 is not made slower than the moving speed of the electromagnetic coil 8 when processing the central portion of the developing sleeve 132 when the both ends of the developing sleeve 132 are processed. The moving speed of the electromagnetic coil 8 when processing any part of the above may be made stronger than the moving speed of the electromagnetic coil 8 when processing other parts of the developing sleeve 132.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, the outer diameter of the hollow holding member 32 located at both ends in the longitudinal direction (axial direction) of the developing sleeve 132 and the hollow holding member located at the center in the longitudinal direction (axial direction) of the developing sleeve 132. The outer diameter of 32 may be different. For example, the outer diameter of the hollow holding member 32 positioned at both ends in the longitudinal direction (axial direction) of the developing sleeve 132 is set to the outer diameter of the hollow holding member 32 positioned at the central portion in the longitudinal direction (axial direction) of the developing sleeve 132. You may form larger.

  In this case, the strength of the rotating magnetic field at both ends of the developing sleeve 132 becomes stronger than the strength of the rotating magnetic field at the central portion of the developing sleeve 132. Then, the surface roughness of both ends of the developing sleeve 132 where the amount of pumping is small can be increased to increase the amount of pumping at both ends, and the image formed by the image forming apparatus 101 provided with the developing sleeve 132 is uneven. Can be reliably prevented. Therefore, it is possible to reliably perform the roughening process on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132 so that unevenness of the image can be prevented.

  In the present invention, the outer diameter of the hollow holding member 32 that holds the developing sleeve 132 may be different between the both end portions and the central portion of the developing sleeve 132. That is, the outer diameter of both ends of the developing sleeve 132 of the hollow holding member 32 may be smaller than the outer diameter of the central portion of the developing sleeve 132. In short, in the present invention, the outer diameter of both ends of the developing sleeve 132 of the hollow holding member 32 may be different from the outer diameter of the central portion of the developing sleeve 132. By doing so, it is possible to reliably perform the roughening process on the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132 so as to prevent the occurrence of image unevenness.

  In the embodiment described above, the partition member 55 is provided. However, in the present invention, due to the mass of the wire rod 65 and the strength of the rotating magnetic field generated by the electromagnetic coil 8, the wire rod 65 is moved by the electromagnetic coil 8 without being attracted to the rotating magnetic field. If the material 65 escapes from the rotating magnetic field, the partition member 55 may not be provided. Furthermore, in the present invention, the sealing plate 56 may be provided at at least one end of the cylindrical member 50 of the storage tank 9. In the present invention, the outer surface of the developing sleeve 132 having various shapes other than a cylindrical shape such as a plate shape may be roughened.

  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 an explanatory diagram viewed from the front of a configuration of an image forming apparatus including a developing sleeve according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a process cartridge of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1. It is sectional drawing which follows the III-III line | wire in FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a developing sleeve of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged outer surface of the developing sleeve shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing an outer surface of the developing sleeve shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a magnetic carrier of a developer of the developing device shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a surface treatment apparatus that performs a roughening process on the outer surface of the developing sleeve shown in FIG. 4. It is sectional drawing which follows the II-II line | wire in FIG. It is a perspective view of the filament material used with the surface treatment apparatus shown by FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows the XI-XI line in FIG. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a developing sleeve of the surface treatment apparatus illustrated in FIG. 8 and a linear member that revolves while rotating on the outer periphery of the developing sleeve. FIG. 13 is an explanatory view showing a state in which the wire material shown in FIG. 12 collides with the outer surface of the developing sleeve. It is explanatory drawing which shows the change of the surface roughness of the outer surface of the image development sleeve at the time of changing the outer diameter of a filament material. It is explanatory drawing which shows the change of the surface roughness of the outer surface of the image development sleeve at the time of changing L / D of a wire rod. It is explanatory drawing which shows the change of the surface roughness of the outer surface of a developing sleeve when the curvature radius of the outer edge part of a wire rod is changed. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a developer is raised on the outer surface of the product of the present invention. (A) is explanatory drawing which shows an image in case the pumping amount of the developing agent of this invention is 35 mg / cm < ² >. (B) is an explanatory view showing an image when the developer pumping amount of the product of the present invention is 50 mg / cm ² . (A) is explanatory drawing which shows typically the image shown by Fig.18 (a). FIG. 18B is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the image shown in FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a developer spikes on the outer surface of Comparative Example 2. FIG. (A) is explanatory drawing which shows an image in case the pumping-up amount of the developer of the comparative example 2 is 35 mg / cm < ² >. (B) is an explanatory view showing an image when the developer pumping amount of Comparative Example 2 is 50 mg / cm ² . (A) is explanatory drawing which shows typically the image shown by Fig.21 (a). (B) is explanatory drawing which shows typically the image shown by FIG.21 (b). It is explanatory drawing which expands and shows the outer surface of the comparative example 3. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the outer surface of the comparative example 3 shown by FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the result of having performed the Fourier analysis to the outer surface cross-section curve of the comparative example 1. It is explanatory drawing which shows the result of having performed the Fourier analysis to the cross-sectional curve of the outer surface of the comparative example 3 shown by FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the result of having performed the Fourier analysis to the cross-sectional curve of the outer surface of this invention product.

Explanation of symbols

8 Electromagnetic coil (magnetic field generator)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 9 Storage tank 65 Line material 101 Image forming apparatus 106Y, 106M, 106C, 106K Process cartridge 113 Developing apparatus 115 Developing roller 132 Developing sleeve (processing object)
133 Magnet roller 135 Magnetic carrier 139 Recess

Claims (8)

In a developing roller comprising a magnet roller, and a developing sleeve that encloses the magnet roller and that adsorbs developer on the outer surface by the magnetic force of the magnet roller,
(B) said recess of a number of oval shape on the outer surface of the developing sleeve, et provided randomly is, and,
(B) the plurality of elliptical recesses are formed by short wire rods positioned in the rotating magnetic field and randomly collided with the outer surface of the developing sleeve by the rotating magnetic field;
(C) The multiple 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, and the longitudinal direction is the developing sleeve. The developing roller is characterized in that the dent along the axial direction is greater in the longitudinal direction than the dent along the circumferential direction of the developing sleeve .   The major axis of the dent is 0.05 mm or more and 0.3 mm or less, and the minor axis of the dent is 0.02 mm or more and 0.1 mm or less. Development roller. 3. The developing roller according to claim 1, wherein the developing sleeve is housed in a housing tank together with the filament material, and a magnetic field generator generates the rotating magnetic field in the housing tank. The developing roller according to claim 3, wherein the linear member is collided while the developing sleeve accommodated in the accommodating tank is rotated about its axis. In a developing device including a developing roller having a developing sleeve that adsorbs developer on the outer surface,
Examples developing roller, a developing apparatus comprising the developing roller according to any one of claims 1 to claim 4. 6. The developing device according to claim 5 , wherein the developer includes toner and a magnetic carrier, and the average particle diameter of the magnetic carrier is 20 μm or more and 35 μm or less. A process cartridge having at least a developing device, wherein the developing device includes the developing device according to claim 5 or 6 . An image forming apparatus having at least a photosensitive member, a charging device, and a developing device, wherein the developing device includes the developing device according to claim 5 or 6 .

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