JPH03192376A - Developing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To form a toner thin layer having uniform thickness with comparatively low pressing force by constituting a toner layer thickness regulating member of a soft plate-like high polymer substance. CONSTITUTION:The toner layer thickness regulating member 2b is constituted of the plate-like high polymer substance whose tip in contact with the surface of a toner carrier 2 is worked to be a cylindrical surface or a curved surface and whose rubber hardness is 30-100 deg., and the tip thereof abuts on the surface of the developing roller 2 with the pressing force of a spring 2d. Since the cross section of the tip of the member 2b is a circular arc or a curve, an inter mediate effect between an effect obtained at the time of press-contacting the surface of a belly and an effect obtained at the time of pressing a sharp edge is obtained and the desired toner thin layer is formed with the comparatively low pressing force, then toner particles are surely triboelectrified.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to a developing device that visualizes a latent image in an electrophotographic device or an electrostatic recording device, and more specifically relates to a developing device that visualizes a latent image in an electrophotographic device or an electrostatic recording device. The present invention relates to a developing device that forms a thin toner layer on a body surface and performs development using the thinned toner layer.

(Prior art) In a developing device that forms a thin layer of toner on the surface of a toner carrier (developing roller) to develop (visualize) a latent image, regulating the toner layer thickness determines the quality of the image. This is an extremely important point. The following two types of means are conventionally known as the toner layer thickness regulating means.

(2) Press the belly of the plate-shaped toner layer thickness regulating member against the surface of the toner carrier.

(2) Press the end of the plate-shaped toner layer thickness regulating member against the surface of the toner carrier.

The method or means of pressing the inner surface of the plate-shaped toner layer thickness regulating member in (1) above is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Publication No. 16736/1983, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 185866/1982, and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-7
This technique is disclosed in 8B49, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 61-138967, and U.S. Patent No. 4.521.098, in which the belly surface of a plate-shaped regulating member made of an elastic body is pressed against the surface of a toner carrier. This makes it possible to form a thin toner layer with a uniform thickness and at the same time reliably triboelectrically charge the toner particles, thereby making it possible to obtain a good visible image.

On the other hand, the method or means of pressing the end portion of the plate-shaped toner layer thickness regulating member (2) is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 51-36070, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 53-23838, and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 118-11859.
Publication No. 80-15088, Japanese Patent Publication No. 1982-15088
These known means for pressing this end are further classified into the following three types, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 95559, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 62-98H1, and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-113178.

(1) A method of pressing a tip machined into a cylindrical shape (Japanese Patent Publication No. 38070/1983).

(11) Method of pressing a sharp tip (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 53-23133831338 and others 11)
Method of pressing a flat tip
95559, etc.).

According to these methods, it is possible to form a desired toner thin layer with a relatively low pressing force, and therefore it is possible to avoid the various problems associated with the above-mentioned method (2) in which the bottom surface is pressed. However, these methods of pressing the ends also have the following problems.

When pressing the sharp tip of (11), the contact area between the toner carrier surface and the regulating member is extremely small and the pressure is concentrated, so the pressure setting for the entire regulating member must be strictly controlled. In addition, there are also disadvantages in that a slight defect in processing accuracy at the tip portion leads to non-uniformity of the toner layer, and that the thickness of the toner layer generally tends to become excessively thin.

In method (Iil), the end cross section of the plate-like regulating member is pressed against the toner carrier surface, so the problem related to method (if) does not occur under normal conditions, but if the regulating member is attached slightly Due to the fluctuation, the edge of the end cross section may come into contact with the surface of the toner carrier, causing the same problem as in the case (■).

On the other hand, in method (1), there are no sharp edges at the end of the regulating member, so even if the mounting condition of the regulating member changes slightly, problems such as those in (11) and < 1ti) will not occur. This makes manufacturing and assembly of the device extremely easy. In addition, by making the edges curved, it is possible to obtain an intermediate effect between the method of pressing the inner surface and the method of pressing the sharp edges, making it possible to thin the toner layer with relatively low pressure. Reliable charging of toner particles can be achieved.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) However, in these developing devices that press the bottom surface of the plate-shaped regulating member described in (2) above, the toner is formed between the regulating member and the toner carrier (developing roller) surface. Toner particles tend to stay in the wedge-shaped space, and subsequent toner particles try to push them out. Therefore, in order to form the desired toner thin layer, the regulating member must be pressed against the toner carrier surface with a relatively high pressure. There must be. As a result, problems such as toner sticking to the surface of the toner carrier or the regulating member and a large force required to drive the toner carrier have arisen.

On the other hand, among the methods (1) for pressing the end of the plate-shaped regulating member mentioned above, the most practical method (1) of pressing the tip processed into a cylindrical shape also has the following drawbacks. It was revealed. For example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 51-36070 discloses that a restricting member made of polytetrafluoroethylene or polyformaldehyde (trade name: Delrin), whose end surface is processed into a cylindrical shape, is suitable.

However, according to the inventor's additional tests, the processing accuracy of the regulating member, especially warping and waviness in the longitudinal direction, causes non-uniformity of the toner layer, and since the material is close to a rigid body, It has been found that there are drawbacks such as the inability to absorb defects in mounting or processing accuracy, which tends to cause non-uniformity of the toner layer, and the difficulty in processing to obtain a highly accurate cylindrical surface.

Further, after long-term use, toner tends to stick to the surface of the regulating member, resulting in non-uniformity of the toner layer.

The present invention has been made in response to the above-mentioned circumstances, and can regulate the toner layer thickness and triboelectrically charge toner particles with a relatively low pressing force, and does not require high processing precision or assembly precision.
An object of the present invention is to provide a developing device capable of forming and maintaining a good toner thin layer over a long period of time.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention provides a toner carrier (
A developing device that develops the latent image with a thin layer of toner, comprising: a developing roller) and a toner layer thickness regulating member that comes into contact with the surface of the toner carrier to form a thin toner layer on the surface of the toner carrier; The first invention provides the toner layer thickness regulating member with a rubber hardness of 8.
The second invention consists of a plate-shaped polymer body with an angle of 0 to 100 degrees and a rigid support member that supports the polymer body, and the main point is to reduce the thickness of the polymer body in the vicinity of the toner carrier. The gist of the invention is that a portion of the toner layer thickness regulating member that contacts the toner carrier surface has a convex portion, and a third invention provides that the portion of the toner layer thickness regulating member that contacts the toner carrier surface is polished. The main point is that .

(Function) In the case of the first invention, since the toner layer thickness regulating member is made of a flexible plate-like polymer, some processing accuracy defects are observed in this regulating member or the toner carrier (developing roller). Even in this case, it is flexibly deformed to absorb this, and a thin toner layer of uniform thickness can be formed with a relatively low pressing force. The toner layer thickness regulating member is not only flexible and has elasticity inside, but also has a plate shape and has pressed ends, so that it can be deformed more flexibly. Furthermore, since the end portion is pressed, the layer thickness can be controlled with lower pressure than when pressing the belly surface of the plate-like elastic body. Therefore, the driving force for the toner carrier can be small, and toner does not harden on the toner layer thickness regulating member even during long-term use. Furthermore, compared to pressing a sharp edge, the pressure is not concentrated in a small area, so even if the pressure, installation, and other condition settings vary slightly, the state of the toner layer will not change significantly. It disappears. For the same reason, the requirements for the machining accuracy of the edges are relatively relaxed. In the method of pressing the end flat surface, the edge of the end back surface may come into contact with the toner carrier due to slight fluctuations in various conditions, causing non-uniformity of the toner layer thickness, but in the case of the present invention, It is completely impossible for this kind of problem to occur.

Furthermore, if the toner layer thickness regulating member is composed of a flexible plate-like polymer and a rigid support member inserted and disposed inside the polymer, the plate-like polymer may deform more than necessary. This also prevents the toner layer from becoming non-uniform. Furthermore, when manufacturing the toner layer thickness regulating member, the rigid support member and the elastic polymer body can be easily integrally molded using a method such as insert molding.
Post-processing such as adhering the elastic polymer to the support member is no longer necessary, simplifying the manufacturing and assembly process.

As described above, whether the toner layer thickness regulating member is composed of a flexible plate-like polymer and a rigid support member inserted and disposed inside this polymer, or when it is supported by sandwiching the outside, Due to the thickness of the polymer, the rigid support member can reliably support the polymer, and the portion in contact with the surface of the toner carrier can be flexibly deformed, producing the above-mentioned functions and effects.

In the case of the second invention, since the toner layer thickness regulating member is provided with a small convex portion called a beat in the part that comes into pressure contact with the toner carrier surface, it deforms more flexibly and comes into pressure contact with the toner carrier surface, and also controls the toner layer thickness. Even if the mechanical precision of the parts is poor and the straightness is somewhat poor, the flexibility allows uniform pressure contact, and it quickly wears out during use to ensure reliable pressure contact, and forms a uniform toner layer by absorbing mechanical precision errors. .

In the case of the third invention, the straightness of the portion of the toner layer thickness regulating member that comes into pressure contact with the toner carrier surface can be set to a desired value, and the toner carrier has a good straightness, for example, the toner carrier surface has been polished. to form a uniform toner layer.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a main part of a developing device showing one embodiment of the present invention. This developing device includes a toner container 1 that stores a one-component toner 1a, and a toner supply roller 2 that supplies the -component toner 1a to a toner carrier (developing roller) 2.
a Toner layer thickness regulating member 2b that regulates the supplied toner to form a uniform toner layer on the surface of the developing roller 2; A latent image holding member (photosensitive drum) 3 on which an electrostatic latent image is visualized, a glue cover blade 2C1 for collecting the toner remaining after development into the toner container 1, stirring the toner 1a in the toner container 1; The toner layer thickness regulating member 2b is composed of a spring 2d that presses the toner layer thickness regulating member 2b against the developing roller 2 with a constant load.

In FIG. 1, numeral 4 is a charger that applies a required electrostatic charge to the photoreceptor drum 3 as a latent image holder, 5 is an exposure means for forming a required electrostatic latent image, and 6 is the aforementioned latent image. A transfer device 7 is a developing roller 2 and a toner supply roller 2, which transfers the electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor drum 3 as an image carrier, which is visualized by development, onto a support such as paper.
A is a DC power source that supplies the required current to a, and 8 is a protective resistor.

Next, the components of the developing device having the above configuration will be explained. 'The toner carrier (developing roller) 2 is made of metal such as aluminum or stainless steel, phenol resin, acrylic resin, urethane resin, fluororesin, polyamide resin, silicone resin, melamine resin, polystyrene resin, polyester resin, epoxy resin, etc. It is possible to use a material made of hard or soft resin, or a composite of these resins, and a material such as a magnetic roller having magnetic poles arranged inside may also be used. In this embodiment, a non-magnetic (or non-magnetized) developing roller 2 having elasticity and conductivity will be exemplified. In other words, by dispersing conductive carbon particles, metal particles, metal fibers, etc. in a conductive rubber layer (for example, urethane rubber, silicone rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, NBR, chloroprene rubber, butyl rubber, etc.) around the shaft,
(with a resistance value of Ω・1 or less), and those whose surfaces are coated with silicone resin, urethane resin, fluororesin, etc., or those with high resistance or insulating rubber rollers whose surfaces are coated with conductive resin. A covered one or a semiconductive rubber roller with microelectrodes electrically insulated from each other on the surface are preferable, but here we particularly use the surface of an EPDM rubber roller with a hardness of 30 degrees (JI SA type). A case will be described in which an elastic conductive roller is coated with a conductive urethane paint and adjusted so that the resistance value between the metal shaft and the surface of the coating film is 10<6 >[Omega]- or less. The outer diameter of the metal shaft is 8m, and the outer diameter of the rubber roller is 1.
8mm, thickness of conductive urethane paint is 20 to 200μ
It was set as l.

There are two methods for developing a latent image: a method in which the latent image surface and the surface of the developing roller 2 are brought into a non-contact state, and development is carried out by causing toner particles to fly by a developing electric field; There are also known methods for developing by forming a direct current electric field between the two, and developing by forming an alternating current electric field between the two. Although the apparatus of the present invention can be applied to either method, in this embodiment, a case will be described in which the developing roller 2 is brought into contact with the latent image surface.

The toner layer thickness regulating member 2b is made of rubber having a hardness of 30 degrees to 1 and has a cylindrical or curved surface (cylindrical or curved surface) at the tip that contacts the two surfaces of the toner carrier (developing roller).
It is made of a plate-like polymer having an angle of 00 degrees, and its tip is brought into contact with the surface of the developing roller 2 by the pressing force of the spring 2d. The fact that the cross-sectional tip of the toner layer thickness regulating member 2b is a circular arc or a curved line provides an intermediate effect between the effect when pressing the bottom surface and the effect when pressing a sharp edge, as described in the section of the function above. This makes it possible to form a desired toner thin layer with a relatively low pressing force, and to reliably triboelectrically charge toner particles. The radius of curvature of the cylindrical or curved surface at the tip is 0. ! Good results are obtained when the diameter is preferably between 0.5 am and 10 mm. In other words, when the angle is less than 0,1 m+s, the same problem as when pressing on a sharp edge occurs, and when it exceeds 20 fins, the problem that occurs when pressing on the ventral surface is slightly observed. Furthermore, the surface roughness of the tip surface has a large effect on the uniformity of the toner layer. Among the surface roughness indications specified in JIS standard B 0601, the ten-point average roughness Rz
As a result of investigating the correlation between surface roughness and image uniformity using the maximum height Rwax and the maximum height Rwax, it was found that the cylindrical surface of the end portion of the toner layer thickness regulating member 2b or the cylindrical surface of the end surface or the end surface of the toner layer thickness regulating member 2b contacts at least two surfaces of the developing roller. The surface roughness of the part is lOμ
■R2 or less and 30μmR*ax or less, preferably 5
It has been found that when the toner layer is less than μsRz and less than 10μ1 RIlaX, a toner layer with substantially uniform thickness is formed and a good image with uniform density can be obtained. When it exceeds 10 .mu.-Rz or 30 .mu.sRs+ax, significant thickness unevenness occurs in the toner layer, and streak-like density unevenness occurs in the image. In forming a uniform toner layer, the flexibility of the regulating member 2b is extremely important. JIS6301
100 as measured by a type A rubber hardness tester specified in
When a material with a higher degree of strength is used, it is difficult to form a uniform toner layer at a low pressure. This is because there is a practical limit to the processing accuracy of the developing roller 2 and the toner layer thickness regulating member 2b, and in order to absorb these inevitable precision defects, the toner layer thickness regulating member 2b is pressed against the surface of the developing roller 2 with strong pressure. This is due to what has to be done. On the other hand, if the hardness of the toner layer thickness regulating member 2b is less than 30 degrees, the tip may be turned over or deformed excessively due to contact with the surface of the developing roller 2 or the pressure of the toner aggregate, so that the toner layer is not formed properly. It tends to be uniform. Using materials within the range of 30 degrees to 100 degrees, preferably 50 degrees to 85 degrees, maintains a uniform thickness of the toner layer by a moderate deformation effect.

In relation to the problem of the above-mentioned protrusion, etc., the toner layer thickness regulating member 2b
There are appropriate values for the plate thickness and free length as an elastic plate. The plate thickness is preferably in the range of 0.5 am to 15 ram, and the free length, ie, the distance from the end of the support body to the free end of the toner layer thickness regulating member 2b, is preferably longer than the plate thickness. When the plate thickness is less than 0.5+s, it is difficult to manufacture accurately by molding, and when it exceeds 15+■, the free length must be set long in order to obtain sufficient flexibility as the toner layer thickness regulating member 2b. However, problems such as an increase in the size of the device arise.

In FIG. 1, the tip end shape of the toner layer thickness regulating member 2b is a cylindrical surface, but in addition, FIGS. 2 to 5v! J
A shape as shown in cross section is also conceivable. Figures 2 and 5
With the cross-sectional shape shown in the figure, the upstream side of the surface of the developing roller 2 and the toner layer thickness regulating member 2b form a space 9 that can hold a relatively large amount of toner. An effect similar to the toner supply effect obtained when the surface of the roller 2 is pressed, that is, an effect in which toner is quickly supplied to the surface of the roller 2 even when a large amount of toner is consumed can be obtained. With the cross-sectional shape shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the above-mentioned space 9 becomes small, so that the desired toner thin layer can be formed with relatively low suppression. In addition, this cross-sectional shape has the ability to eliminate foreign objects and toner lumps that try to enter under pressure, so foreign objects do not stay under pressure and a uniform thin layer of toner is always formed. . Furthermore, the position of the toner layer thickness regulating member 2b in pressure contact with the surface of the developing roller 2 can be selected from various options as shown in side view in FIG. Normally, it is sufficient to arrange the toner layer thickness regulating member 2b such that the tip thereof faces toward the central axis of the developing roller 2, as shown in 2b in FIG.
If it is arranged on the upstream side like 2b3, the foreign matter removal function can be made more effective, and if it is arranged on the downstream side like 2b3, the toner supply function can be made more effective. When the toner layer thickness regulating member 2b is supported by a guide member so as to be movable in the vertical direction in FIG. 6 and is pressed by a spring 2d, the developing roller 2
It can be said that it is advisable to arrange the toner layer thickness regulating member 2b at a position 2b2 where the direction in which the stress is applied and the moving direction of the toner layer thickness regulating member 2b substantially match. Even when the toner layer thickness regulating member 2 is disposed at a position such as 2b+ or 2b3, as shown from the side in FIG.
support 10a of b is movably supported by a guide 10b in a direction different from the direction of the toner layer thickness regulating member 2d;
If the spring 2d is configured to press the surface of the developing roller 2, the same effect as in the case where the developing roller 2 is disposed at the position shown in FIG. 6, 2b2 can be obtained. Further, in FIG. 1, the toner layer thickness regulating member 2b is supported from the outside by a rigid support member, but as shown in perspective in FIG. By inserting and arranging the support member 13 inside and performing so-called insert molding, it is possible to solve all problems of assembly precision when attaching the support member 13 and the toner layer thickness regulating member 2b. Thickness to of support member 13
is preferably a metal plate of 0.1+n to 3 sm, and the length β-j2 oz from the tip of the support member 13 to the tip of the toner layer thickness regulating member 2b, that is, the free length of the toner layer thickness regulating member 2b is lll1lI Or 1 (lsl@
s Preferably, if the thickness is equal to or greater than the thickness tl of the toner layer thickness regulating member 2b, the elasticity of the toner layer thickness regulating member 2b is utilized, and a more uniform toner layer can be formed.

In FIG. 8, a metal plate with a thickness to=1 mm is used as the support member 13, which is made of iron treated with anti-rust treatment (preferably, the surface is treated to make it easier for the toner layer thickness regulating member 2b to adhere), and the toner layer The thickness regulating member 2b was made of silicone with a hardness of 70 degrees. Also, β-101111% J2o -5
111% t1m= 3.31111% t2-2mm
, At-6mm, J22=4mm, and R-1,5+sm. The thickness of the supported portion of the toner layer thickness regulating member 2b supported by the support member 13 is preferably 0.5 to 4 mm, preferably 0.8 to 2 mm. The ones in the picture are 1 to 1, 8 a
m (note: ta and t4, not tl), and the toner layer thickness regulating member 2b is reliably supported by the support member 13.
be done. Further, the wall thickness near the contact area with the two surfaces of the toner carrier (developing roller) is approximately 0.7 to 61 degrees, and this should be changed depending on the hardness of the material, and the hardness is 60 degrees to 100 degrees.
1 ml of 0.7-3I is recommended.

In addition to regulating the toner layer thickness, the toner layer thickness regulating member 2b has the following functions:
A function of triboelectrically charging toner particles to a predetermined polarity is required. Therefore, as the material constituting the toner layer thickness regulating member 2b, it is necessary to select a high-quality material that is charged to a polarity opposite to that of the toner particles in the well-known tribo-latent order.

When toner particles are negatively charged, silicone rubber, formalin resin, PMMA, polyamide, melamine resin,
Polyurethane rubber, polyurethane sponge, etc. are used. When positively charging toner particles, fluororesin, polyethylene, AkuIJ () nitrile, natural rubber,
Epoxy resin, nitrile rubber, etc. are suitable. However, if a dye or the like is mixed into these materials to control the triboelectric charging properties, it is also possible to impart the opposite charging properties. Another characteristic required of the material constituting the toner layer thickness regulating member 2b is that toner does not adhere to the toner layer thickness regulating member 2b even after long-term use. Such toner adhesion causes non-uniformity of the toner layer and also causes insufficient charging of the toner.

According to detailed experiments by the present inventors, among the above materials,
It has been found that those containing silicone rubber or urethane rubber as the main component give the best results for this purpose. In particular, because of its releasability, silicone rubber did not cause any toner sticking even when used for an extremely long period of time (approximately 10,000 cycles of printing process). However, it is preferable that these rubbers do not contain additives such as migratory plasticizers, vulcanizing agents, and anti-aging agents, or even if they are mixed, the amount thereof is extremely small. That is, it is extremely important to select a material that does not contaminate the toner material, the developing roller 2, and even the photosensitive drum 3 due to the phenomenon of precipitation of contained substances called bleed or bloom.

When using silicone rubber, it is also necessary to pay attention to its wear resistance.

Generally, silicone rubber is inferior to other rubber materials in terms of wear resistance, so it is necessary to use one that has been improved by adding fillers or the like. According to experiments conducted by the present inventors, when the contact area between the toner layer thickness regulating member 2b and the surface of the developing roller 2 becomes five times or more compared to the initial state due to wear, the state of the toner layer, particularly the thickness of the toner layer, changes. This was not pleasant.

By using the toner layer thickness regulating member 2b described in detail above, a thin toner layer having an extremely uniform thickness can be formed over a long period of time.

Next, the second invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11.

Since the configuration and implementation operations are almost the same as in the above case, the features of the second invention will be described in detail. The toner layer thickness regulating member 2b shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 has a convex portion 11 called a beat in a portion that contacts the 2 surfaces of the toner carrier (developing roller). The material is the same as that of the toner layer thickness regulating part 2b.
It is molded simultaneously with the toner layer thickness regulating member 2b. The shape of the convex portion 11 may be triangular as shown in FIG. 9 or square (not shown), but preferably curved as shown in FIG. 10.

This is because a curved surface is less prone to chipping during molding and is easier to manufacture. Further, the shape is not limited to a triangle, but may be a square or the like. In this case, the accuracy of the mold becomes good and a highly accurate member can be manufactured. In the sky, the convex portion 11 is 0.05 to 0.
, 51 or so, preferably about 0,4 m to 0,4 m, and the distribution should be such that there are at least at least 4 or more objects in the vicinity that come into contact with the carrier. With such a configuration, the portion that contacts the surface of the developing roller 2 can have greater flexibility, and the surface of the developing roller 2 can be reliably and uniformly pressed as shown in FIG. 11. In particular, it is possible to prevent the toner layer from becoming non-uniform due to mechanical errors such as the straightness of the conventional toner layer thickness regulating member 2b. Furthermore, the convex portion 11 is easily worn out, and during use, the convex portion 11 is easily worn out.
It further absorbs mechanical errors such as the straightness of the surface and the mechanical errors mentioned above. In this way, a uniform toner layer can be formed both initially and during long-term use.

Next, an embodiment of the third invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 14.

Since the structure and operation of the developing device are almost the same as in the above case, the features of the third invention will be described in detail.

The toner layer thickness regulating member 2b of the third invention is characterized in that the portion in contact with the two surfaces of the toner carrier (developing roller) is polished by a polishing method as shown in FIGS. 12 to 14. There is. FIG. 12 shows a state in which the toner layer thickness regulating member 2b is polished by the polishing roller 12, and the positional relationship is the same as that with the developing roller 2 when the toner layer thickness regulating member 2b is disposed in the developing device. In the figure, the angle θ when contacting the polishing roller 12 is the same as the angle when contacting the developing roller 2, and the rotating direction of the polishing roller 12 is also set to be the same as the rotating direction of the developing roller 2. preferable. Further, it is preferable that the outer diameter of the polishing roller 12 is greater than or equal to the diameter of the developing roller 2. In other words, if the polishing roller 12 is smaller in diameter than the developing roller 2, the edge of the polished toner layer thickness regulating member 2b will hit the surface of the developing roller 2 when used as a developing device, making it difficult to form a uniform toner layer. turn into. Also, the developing roller 2
If a polishing roller 12 with a diameter of
When used as a developing device, the edges do not hit and a uniform toner layer can be formed, and even if the edges hit, the edges are not sharp, so the toner layer is uniform. Further, as shown in the figure, it is also possible to polish a plurality of toner layer thickness regulating members 2b, and in this case as well, the polishing roller 12 with a larger outer diameter can polish a larger number of members. 1 shows a state in which the toner layer thickness regulating member 2b is polished by the polishing belt 14, and in this case, the polished surface can be substantially flat.

Of course, it is not necessary to use the belt 14, and a method of polishing by reciprocating or rotating the W plate may be used. FIG. 14 shows a planar state (
Shown in a) and in lateral view (b).

FIG. 15 shows the state in which the developing device is operated and used.
It is preferable that the nip ν between the developing roller 2 and the toner layer thickness regulating member 2b and the grinding fffm substantially match.

When a material with a hardness of 60 to 100 degrees (JISA type) is used and the tip is R1-R3, the nip V is set to 0.3 to 2.
0-1, preferably 0.5 to 1.5 m-.

In this manner, by polishing the end surface (portion in contact with the surface of the developing roller 2) of the toner layer thickness regulating member 2b, a toner layer can be formed uniformly.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the developing device according to the present invention,
The toner layer thickness can be controlled and the toner particles can be triboelectrified with a relatively low pressing force. Moreover, the configuration of the developing device according to the present invention does not require a high level of assembly precision and can reliably form and maintain the toner layer, making it possible to form a developed image with the desired high quality on the container. , it can be said that it brings many practical advantages.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an example of the main part configuration of a developing device according to the present invention, and FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 5 are toner layer thickness regulating members included in the developing device according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining the relationship between the arrangement position and characteristics of the toner layer thickness regulating member in the developing device according to the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a side view showing different configuration examples of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of main parts showing another example of the support configuration of the toner layer thickness regulating member in the developing device according to the present invention; FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining the characteristics of the toner layer thickness regulating member in the developing device according to the present invention; 10 and 11 are side views, FIG. 12, FIG. 13, FIG. 14(a), and FIG. (b
) and FIG. 15 are schematic diagrams for explaining different polishing methods that can be applied to manufacturing the toner layer thickness regulating member included in the developing device according to the present invention. 1......Toner container 1a...-Component developer (toner) 1b...
... Stirrer 2 ...... Toner carrier (developing roller) 2a
...... Toner supply roller 2b ... Toner layer thickness regulating member 2C ... Recovery member 2d ... Spring 3 ...... Submerged 1 elephant holder (photosensitive drum) 4
......Charger 5...Exposure light (laser light) 6...
...Transfer device 7...DC power supply 8...Protection resistor 9...Space Oa...Support Ob... Guided... Convex portion 2... Polishing roller 3... Support member 4... ...Abrasive belt 15...Abrasive plate

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) comprising a toner carrier disposed close to the latent image carrier and a toner layer thickness regulating member whose tip abuts against the surface of the toner carrier to form a thin toner layer on the surface of the toner carrier; In the developing device that develops the latent image with a toner that has been converted to A developing device characterized in that the thickness of the polymer body other than the portion where the rigid support member is provided is set to be less than the thickness of the portion where the rigid support member is provided. (2) comprising a toner carrier disposed close to the latent image carrier, and a toner layer thickness regulating member whose tip abuts against the surface of the toner carrier to form a thin toner layer on the surface of the toner carrier; In the developing device that develops the latent image using the toner, the toner layer thickness regulating member is made of a plate-shaped polymer having a rubber hardness of 30 degrees to 100 degrees, and has fine convex portions in a portion that contacts the surface of the toner carrier. A developing device comprising: (3) comprising a toner carrier disposed close to the latent image carrier and a toner layer thickness regulating member whose tip abuts against the surface of the toner carrier to form a thin toner layer on the surface of the toner carrier; A developing device that develops the latent image using a toner that has been converted into a toner, wherein a portion of the layer thickness regulating member that comes into contact with a surface of the toner carrier is polished.