JPH04173265A - Image recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a toner image having a high image quality without fog by providing a rotatable non-magnetic hollow sleeve in a hopper and arranging a magnet which generates static magnetic field in the sleeve. CONSTITUTION:A second magnet 11 and a first magnet 16 generate magnetic force for sticking a toner 14 to a recording member 1, so that the toner 14 on a first sleeve 15 sticks on the recording member 1. A toner conveying force to be generated by rotation of the recording member 1 and a magnetic attraction force to be generated by the second magnet 11 make the toner 14 flow stably downstream of a hopper 6 from a clearance between a record electrode 5 and the recording member 1. A recording voltage corresponding to an image signal is applied to a plurality of record electrode 5b, an electric charge is supplied to the toner 14 selectively, an electrostatic attraction is generated at the charged toner to which the electric charge is supplied. A non-image toner 14b which sticks to the recording member 1 and becomes an image formation toner 14a is attracted by the magnetic force of the second magnet 11, moves to a scraper 8, and is retrieved by the hopper 6. The charged toner 14a is transferred on a recording paper 2 by a pressing force of a transfer roller 4 so that an image is formed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to magnetic 1-ners, such as conductive magnetic [~ners]
The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus that forms a toner image by directly injecting electric charges into 1-hener (hereinafter abbreviated as toner).

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, a cylindrical recording part and a recording electrode consisting of a plurality of recording electrode sides separated by micro dust πF are arranged on the member, and a magnetic 1 An image recording apparatus is known in which an image of the I-ner is formed by supplying the I-ner and applying a recording voltage to the recording electrode needle according to an image signal. Such an image recording apparatus is described in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 14050/1983.

Further, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-1.73766, toner is stored in an electromagnetic removal pole to remove the electric charge from the recording member.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

In the prior art described in Section 2, a 1-toner supply source and a magnetic field generating means are provided in the path for conveying conductive magnetic toner to the recording electrode, but it is necessary to prevent the 1-toner image from deteriorating at the recording electrode section. Therefore, both the 1-ner supply source and the magnetic field generating means are placed apart from the recording electrode, which poses a problem in miniaturizing the image recording apparatus.

Further, when forming an image by applying a recording voltage to the recording electrode needle in the recording area, the recording member is simultaneously rotated so that the recording portion moves away from the recording area. Due to this rotation, not only the i-toner (image-forming toner) that has adhered to the recording member by electrostatic force due to the application of recording voltage from the recording electrode needle, but also toner that does not form an image (non-image toner) flows out. do. In the above-mentioned prior art, in order to remove this non-image 1-ner, a non-image 1-ner removing means consisting of a sleeve and an alternating magnetic field is provided. When the alternating magnetic field acts on the recording area, the contact position between a portion of the toner into which charges are injected and the recording member changes, and the image becomes distorted. For this reason, in the above-mentioned prior art, the non-image toner removing means is arranged downstream in the recording direction with a gap from the recording area to prevent the alternating magnetic field from affecting the recording area.

In such a case, the charge moves from the charged image toner to the non-image toner in the second interval, and the non-image toner is charged and adheres to the recording member. As a result, fogging occurs and the outline of the image becomes unclear. Furthermore, when a force is applied to remove the non-image toner which is charged and has strong adhesion, part of the image 1 hener is also removed and the black density decreases.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image recording bag holder having a small toner supply section that can continuously and stably supply toner to a gap formed between a recording electrode and a recording member.

Another object of the present invention is to effectively remove non-image toner flowing out from the recording area and obtain high quality 1 to 2 images with clear image outlines, high black density, and no fogging. Our goal is to provide an image recording device that can be manufactured.

Furthermore, another object of the present invention is to obtain a stable static elimination effect,
To provide an image recording device capable of obtaining a high-quality toner image without fogging.

[Means to solve the problem]

-I- In order to achieve the object described above, a hopper on which a conductive magnetic 1-ner is deposited, a rotatable cylindrical or cylindrical recording member disposed opposite to the hopper, and a recording member of the hopper. In an image recording device comprising a recording electrode having a plurality of recording needles arranged in a direction of rotation, a rotatable hollow sleeve of non-magnetic material is provided in the hopper, and a static magnetic field is applied within the sleeve. It is equipped with a magnet that generates electricity.

[Effect]

The toner is attracted to the sleeve by the static magnetic field of the magnet in the hopper, and as the sleeve rotates, the toner is transported to the recording member side by inertia force, and the toner is aligned in the gap formed between the recording member and the recording electrode. .

As a result, it is possible to prevent variations in the amount of I-toner in the recording electrode section due to changes in the amount of deposited toner due to toner consumption or variations in the amount of deposited, so that the density of the toner image is determined only by the voltage applied to the recording electrode. High-quality images can be obtained.

〔Example〕

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view of the image recording apparatus of the present invention.

The configuration of the embodiment will be explained below. Conductive magnetic toner (hereinafter abbreviated as toner) 14 is deposited and stored in the hopper 6 , and the toner at the bottom is in contact with the recording member 1 .

The recording electrode 5 includes an electrode substrate 5c made of a non-magnetic insulator,
A recording electrode side 5b is formed of a plurality of non-magnetic or magnetic conductors arranged in a row in an out-of-plane direction in the figure on the tip side of the electrode substrate 5c.
and a protective member 5a made of an insulating non-magnetic material that protects the integrated circuit.
And the recording type W! It is composed of an integrated circuit (not shown) and the like that applies a recording voltage to each of the forceps 5b. Further, the recording electrode 5 is inclined toward the first stream side with its tip as a starting point.

1. The "ram-shaped recording member" has a base made of a non-magnetic conductor 1-a made of, for example, an aluminum alloy, and a surface made of an insulator 1b made of, for example, an anodic oxide film of aluminum or a coating film of a thermosetting resin. Recording electrode side 5b and approximately 2
It is installed with a gap of 0 to 300 μm.

The recording member] is rotated by a drive mechanism (not shown) in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure, which is perpendicular to the column direction of the recording electrode needles 5b.

The second sleeve 3 is made of a hollow non-magnetic material, is rotatably supported adjacent to the recording electrode 5 on the downstream side in the recording direction, and has a drive mechanism (not shown). rotates in the direction of arrow a shown in the figure.

Second magnet]-1 is a permanent magnet fixed to the main body of the recording apparatus within the second sleeve 3.

For example, a ferrite magnet YBM-2 manufactured by Ritsukinzoku Co., Ltd. with a saturation magnetic flux density of approximately 0.4 T (4000 Gauss)
It is a BD and supplies magnetic flux to the recording electrode needle 5b and the hopper 6.

The second magnet 11 may be an electromagnet as long as it generates a static magnetic field.

The scraper 8 has its negative side in contact with the sleeve 3, and the other side is fixed to the top of the recording electrode 5 by means not shown.

The rotating plate 7 is rotated in the direction of arrow e by a drive mechanism (not shown).

On the outer periphery of the recording member 1, there are provided a transfer roller 4 that presses the recording paper 2 onto the recording member 1, a cleaning blade 9 made of a flexible member that contacts the recording member 1 on one side, and a support that supports the cleaning blade 9. 10 are provided.

A screw 12 is installed inside the discharge toner receiver 13 and is rotated by a drive mechanism (not shown).

The toner hopper 6 deposits 1-toner 14. 1 to 14 are conveyed toward the recording member 1 by rotation of the second sleeve 6. By placing the same magnetic poles facing each other and close to the recording member 1, a second magnet] is created.

The first magnet 16 generates a magnetic force that causes the toner 14 to adhere to the recording section 1, so that the first sleeve i5
The toner 14 of j: , adheres to the recording member 1 . The toner conveying force generated by the rotation of the recording member 1 and the magnetic attraction force generated by the second magnet 11 stably transport the toner 14 from the gap between the recording electrode 5 and the recording member 1 to the downstream side of the hopper 6. Let it flow.

At this time, from the driving integrated circuit, a plurality of recording electrodes 5
A voltage corresponding to the image signal is applied to b, selectively charging the 1-ner 14 present in the gap, and an electrostatic force is generated on the charged 1-ner 14 into which the charge is injected. The image forming toner 14. adheres to the recording member 1. It becomes a.

Non-images 1 to 1 to which no charge is injected are the two forces,
That is, when the magnets 1 to 1 pass through the gap due to the conveying force and the magnetic attraction force, the magnetic attraction force that overcomes the gravitational field from the second magnet 11 causes the second magnet 11 to move as shown by the arrow Y.
fly towards.

The flying non-image toner 14b is attracted to the second sleeve 3 by the magnetism of the second magnet 1-1, is conveyed in the direction of arrow a by the rotation of the second sleeve 3, and is deposited on the scraper 8. It moves and is collected into the hopper 6. At this time,
The rotary blade 7 rotates in the direction of the arrow e and urges the non-images 1 to 1.4b to be conveyed to the scraper 8''2.

The charged toner that forms an image is transferred onto the recording paper 2 by the pressing force of the transfer roller 4 to form an image.

The non-transferred toner 1.4c remaining on the recording member 1 without being transferred is removed from the recording member 1 by the cleaning blade 9, falls and accumulates in the waste 1 hener receiver 13 due to gravity, and is further removed by the screw 12. By the rotation of , the floor plan is changed to 1 to 2 (not shown).

2 and 3 show the first embodiment of the embodiment shown in FIG. [Second magnet] Calculation results of magnetic flux distribution and magnetic force distribution by 6 and 11 are illustrated respectively. The circles in the figure indicate calculation points every 1 mm on the left and right sides under -I, and the direction of the line segment extending from there represents the direction of magnetic flux and magnetic force, respectively.
The length of the line segment indicates its size, and each time the diameter of the circle increases by one step, the size of each circle quadruples.

Here, the magnetic force is defined as the force exerted by the magnetic field on the toner particles when 1 to 1 particles are present in the space.If the magnetic force is larger than this value, the magnetic force increases, and if it is smaller, the magnetic force decreases.

This embodiment, which has the magnetic field distribution shown in FIG. 2 and the magnetic force distribution shown in FIG. 3, shows the following advantages of the image recording apparatus of the present invention.

The first sleeve 15 is made of a hollow non-magnetic material,
A drive mechanism (not shown) is located in the hopper 6 on the upstream side of the recording electrode 5 in the recording direction, is spaced from the recording electrode 5, is rotatably supported in close proximity to the recording member 1, and is not shown in the drawings. rotates in the direction of arrow C shown in FIG.

The first magnet 16 is relatively smaller than the second magnet [1], is disposed in the -th sleeve 16 facing the second magnet [1] with the same magnetic pole, and is a recording member. 1 and is fixed to the main body of the recording apparatus. Further, the magnet 16 of "th" is a permanent magnet, for example, Ferrai 1 to magnet YB M-28D manufactured by Hitachi Metals Co., Ltd. with a saturation magnetic flux density of about 0.4 T (4000 Gauss), and the recording electrode Magnetic flux is supplied to the needle 5b and the hopper 6. In addition,
The first magnet 16 may be an electromagnet as long as it forms a static magnetic field.

The toner 14 in the hopper 6 adheres to the first sleeve 151- by the magnetic force of the first magnet 16, as shown in FIG. Here, since the first magnet 16 forms a static magnetic field, the toner 14 is always attracted to the second sleeve 15-, regardless of whether or not the first sleeve 15 rotates. The sucked toner is conveyed to the recording member 1 side by rotation of the first sleeve ]-5. Near the upstream side of the recording electrode 5, the magnetic force of the second magnet 1 exceeds the magnetic force of the first magnet 16, so that the recording electrode 5 is attracted from the surface of the first sleeve 15 toward the tip. Near the negative side of the recording electrode 5, the 1-ner 1-4 is aligned with the recording member 1-1- by the magnetic force directed toward the recording member 1. In this case, regardless of the amount of toner 1 to 4 in the hopper 6, there is always a sufficient amount of toner 1.
4 can be supplied to the tip of the recording electrode 5, so that changes in the amount of toner 14 deposited in the hopper 6 due to toner consumption, or variations in the amount of toner deposited in the hopper 6 in the arrangement direction of the recording electrode needles 5b, etc. Because of the influence of the above, the density of the first to fourth images is determined only by being supplied to the tip of the recording electrode 5, so a high-quality image can be obtained.

Furthermore, in order to obtain high image quality, the magnetic flux density at the tip of the recording electrode 5 is increased, the binding force of the toner 14 aligned between the recording electrode needle 5b and the recording member 1 is increased, and the electrical contact between the recording electrode 5b and the recording member 1 is increased. need to be in good condition. For this, the second
It is necessary to make the magnetic force of the magnet 11 strong, but in this case, the amount of leakage from the gap formed by the recording electrode 5 will be excessive.
Disturbances occur in the toner image. The first magnet 16 placed in the hopper 6 has the effect of controlling the magnetic force with which the second magnet 11 pulls the toner 14 in the recording direction, so that even when the magnetic flux density is increased, the toner 14 does not move from the tip of the recording electrode 5. High-quality images can be obtained by optimizing the outflow of images.

Next, most of the non-image toner flowing out from the tip of the recording electrode 5 begins to fly from directly below the recording electrode 5 to the sleeve 3 due to the magnetic force shown in FIG. 3, and becomes stronger as the recording member rotates. Completely removed by magnetic force.

According to this embodiment, since the toners 1 to 14 can be supplied onto the recording member 1 in an always aligned manner, it is possible to reduce density unevenness of the toner image and to control the magnetic force at the tip of the recording electrode 5. 1 to 1 from the tip of the recording electrode 5
The outflow of 4 can be properly and stabilized, and a high-quality toner image can be obtained.

In addition, since non-image toner is immediately removed from the straight line of the recording electrode 5, there is no transfer of charge from the charge 1 to toner that forms the image, and the image has clear outlines, high black density, and no fogging. You can get one high-quality henna image.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the invention.

]. The difference from the first embodiment shown in the figure is that the second sleeve is an endless belt, and furthermore, static eliminating means made of conductive rubber and static eliminating voltage applying means for applying a voltage to the static eliminating means are provided.

The endless belt 31 is supported so that it can run, and runs in the direction of arrow a in the figure by the rotation of a drive roller 20 that is disposed within the belt 31 near the uppermost position with respect to the gravity direction of the belt 1 to the running system and extends in the width direction of the belt 31. do.

Pressure rollers 18 are arranged near both ends of the belt 31 in the width direction at positions facing the drive roller 20 with the belt 31 in between, and the belt 3]-
is pressed against the drive roller 20 to increase the driving force of the belt 31. The pressure roller] 8 is supported so as to extend and rotate in the width direction of the belt 31. It is connected to the plate shaft 71, and the blade 17 is fixed to the blade shaft 71. Pressure roller]-8
, the blade 17 is rotated in the direction of arrow f in the figure by the rotation of the drive roller 20. Inside the belt 31 is a tension mechanism 2.
1 to keep the tension of belt 3 constant. Further, a sheet-shaped rubber magnet 19 having a plurality of magnetic poles is arranged along the bells 1 to 31 from the downstream side of the magnet 11 in the traveling direction to the vicinity of the drive roller 2o.

The toner 14b attracted to the belt 311- by the second magnet 11 is conveyed by the running of the belt 31, moved to the guide 8 by the blade 17, and collected into the hopper 6. Rubber magnet 19 holds toner 1. on bells 1-31.
4. A magnetic force is applied to b to prevent the toner from falling from the belt 31.

Bells 1-31 are flexible polymeric materials with a thickness of 50 mm.
μrn~0, 1. Bore size of mm 1~. Polyethylene terephthalate 1~ etc., or thickness 0, 1. nw
n~1. It is preferable that the material is made of a rubber material of Om and has conductivity on its surface so as not to disturb the 1-ner image on the recording member 1 when the bell I- is charged, or the material itself is conductive.

According to this embodiment, there are fewer physical restrictions on the arrangement of the second magnet 11 than when a cylindrical member is used for the sleeve.
[Second magnet] 1 can be brought closer to the tip of the recording electrode 5, making it possible to increase the magnetic flux density at the tip of the recording electrode 5,
Recording electrode set 5b and recording section +! To make a high-quality toner image possible by improving the electrical connection between 1 and 1 to toner] 4.

On the other hand, the blade 9 disposed on the recording direction I-flow side of the hopper 6 has conductivity, and the blade 9, which is in uniform contact with the recording member 1, has a polarity opposite to that of the voltage applied to the recording electrode needle 5b. A static elimination voltage applying means 22 for applying a voltage is connected.

Blade 9 uses non-transfer 1 to ner 1.4-c as recording member]
The recording potential remaining on the recording member 1 is removed by removing it from above and applying a voltage to the recording member using the neutralizing voltage applying means 22.

According to this embodiment, there is no fog in the Gose 1 due to the recording potential remaining on the recording member, and a high-quality image can be obtained.

FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of the invention. Fourth
The difference from the embodiment shown in the figure is that a neutralizing roller 23 whose surface is made of conductive rubber and is rotatably supported is added.

The neutralizing roller 23 is disposed on the downstream side of the blade 9 in the recording direction and is rotatable toward the downstream side of the hopper 6 in the recording direction. A voltage having a polarity opposite to the voltage applied to the recording electrode side 5b from the static eliminating voltage applying means 22 is applied to the static eliminating roller 23, thereby removing the residual potential of the recording member 1 and preventing ghosting and fogging.

According to this embodiment, since the static elimination roller 23 also rotates in accordance with the rotation of the recording member 1, there is no wear of the static elimination rubber of the static elimination roller 2:3, and static elimination can be performed stably for a long period of time. Also,
On the downstream side of the static elimination roller 23 in the recording direction, the plate 9 transfers non-transfers 1 to 14. c To remove static electricity removal roller 23
The static eliminating effect does not become unstable due to the adhesion of Gose 1-9 to the image, and high-quality images without Gose 1-9 fogging can be obtained.

〔Effect of the invention〕

According to the present invention, since the first sleeve containing a built-in magnet is provided in the hopper in which conductive magnetic toner is deposited, the toner in the hopper is attracted to the sleeve surface by the static magnetic field formed by the magnet, and the toner is attracted to the sleeve surface by the static magnetic field formed by the magnet. As the sleeve rotates, the toner is transported by inertia to the gap formed between the recording electrode and the recording member, so that toner can be continuously and stably supplied to the recording electrode despite variations in the amount of toner deposited in the hopper. Therefore, it is possible to obtain high quality images.

Further, since the magnet in the first sleeve has a static magnetic field, there is no influence of the alternating magnetic field on the uncharged magnets 1 to 1, so that a small magnetic force is sufficient and the size of the first sleeve can be reduced. Furthermore, the second magnet provided in the second sleeve disposed downstream of the recording electrode allows the non-image toner to flow out onto the surface of the second sleeve effectively. It can be distinguished from Image 1 hender, which is applied by electric power, and has the effect of obtaining a high-quality toner image with clear image outlines, high black density, and no fogging.

In addition, by providing a static elimination mechanism made of conductive rubber downstream from the transfer section to eliminate static from the surface of the recording member, conductive magnetic toner remaining on the surface of the recording member without being transferred can be stably removed from the surface of the recording member. Therefore, it is possible to obtain high-quality 1 to 4 images without being affected by toner remaining on the surface of the recording member.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention, and is a sectional view of the device viewed from the side. 2 and 3 are diagrams showing the magnetic flux distribution and magnetic force distribution of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, respectively. FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of the invention viewed from the side, and FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the third embodiment of the invention viewed from the side. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...Recording member, 2-Recording paper, 3...Second sleeve, 5...Recording electrode, 5b-Recording electrode needle, 6...Hopper, -t! 1-9a...conducting electrode blade, 11 second magnet, ]4 electrocardiographic magnetic I-ner, 15 first sleeve, ]6...
First magnet, 19. Sheet rubber magnet, 31. Belt.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A hopper in which conductive magnetic toner is deposited, a rotatable cylindrical or cylindrical recording member disposed opposite to the hopper, and a downstream portion of the hopper in the rotational direction of the recording member. In an image recording device comprising a recording electrode having a plurality of recording needles provided in the hopper, a rotatable hollow first sleeve of non-magnetic material is provided in the hopper, and a static magnetic field is applied within the first sleeve. 1. An image recording device characterized in that a first magnet that generates is arranged. 2. A rotatable hollow second sleeve of non-magnetic material is provided downstream of the recording electrode in the rotational direction of the recording member, and a second magnet that generates a static magnetic field is provided in the second sleeve. An image recording device according to claim 1, characterized in that: 3. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second sleeve provided downstream of the recording electrode in the rotating direction of the recording member is constituted by an endless belt. 4. A static eliminating means made of conductive rubber is provided in contact with the recording member upstream of the hopper in the rotating direction of the recording member, and a voltage applying means for applying a voltage to the static eliminating means is provided. An image recording device according to claim 1.