JPH05188747A - Developing device - Google Patents

Developing device

Info

Publication number
JPH05188747A
JPH05188747A JP542792A JP542792A JPH05188747A JP H05188747 A JPH05188747 A JP H05188747A JP 542792 A JP542792 A JP 542792A JP 542792 A JP542792 A JP 542792A JP H05188747 A JPH05188747 A JP H05188747A
Authority
JP
Japan
Prior art keywords
developer
doctor
resistance
toner concentration
toner
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
JP542792A
Other languages
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
Kunio Ohashi
邦夫 大橋
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Sharp Corp
Original Assignee
Sharp Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Sharp Corp filed Critical Sharp Corp
Priority to JP542792A priority Critical patent/JPH05188747A/en
Publication of JPH05188747A publication Critical patent/JPH05188747A/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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  • Magnetic Brush Developing In Electrophotography (AREA)
  • Developing For Electrophotography (AREA)
  • Dry Development In Electrophotography (AREA)

Abstract

PURPOSE:To compensate the degradation of image quality based on the deterioration of a developer with a toner concentration by using a magnetic roller and a doctor, as counter electrodes, measuring a current flowing between the electrodes via the developer, and detecting a change in the resistance of the developer. CONSTITUTION:A developing tank 1 is provided with the magnetic roller 2, the doctor 3 regulating the napping of the developer on the magnetic roller 2, and a toner concentration detector 4 detecting the toner concentration of the developer, inside. A power source circuit 5 applying a bias voltage, a circuit 6 measuring the resistance of the developer by the current flowing via the developer, by using the doctor 3 as the counter electrode, and a control part 7 changing the reference value of the toner concentration, based on the signal of the detection from the circuit 6, are provided on the magnetic roller 2. At this time, a control part 7 executes control so as to set a toner concentration reference value high with the increase of the resistance of the developer. Therefore, the existing magnetic roller and doctor, and a developing bias voltage can be used, and the stable image quality can be obtained without increasing the number of parts.

Description

【発明の詳細な説明】Detailed Description of the Invention

【0001】[0001]

【産業上の利用分野】本発明は、感光体等に形成された
潜像を現像剤により可視化を行なう現像装置に関し、そ
の現像剤の抵抗に基づいて行うトナー濃度制御に関す
る。
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a developing device for visualizing a latent image formed on a photoconductor or the like with a developer, and to controlling toner density based on the resistance of the developer.

【0002】[0002]

【従来の技術】トナーとキヤリアからなる二成分現像剤
を用いた現像装置では、現像剤のトナー濃度による画質
への影響が大きい。すなわち、トナー濃度が低ければ、
画像濃度の低下となり、トナー濃度が高ければ非画像部
へのかぶりが生じやすくなる。
2. Description of the Related Art In a developing device using a two-component developer composed of toner and carrier, the toner concentration of the developer has a great influence on the image quality. That is, if the toner density is low,
The image density decreases, and if the toner density is high, fogging to the non-image area is likely to occur.

【0003】そこで、現像剤のトナー濃度を制御するた
めに、従来では現像剤の透磁率を測定したり、あるいは
体積変化を測定することによりトナー濃度を検出して、
これに基づいてトナー補給等の制御を行なつている。と
ころが、現像剤の物性を測定して、これに基づいたトナ
ー濃度の制御は行われていない。
Therefore, in order to control the toner concentration of the developer, conventionally, the toner concentration is detected by measuring the magnetic permeability of the developer or measuring the volume change,
Based on this, control such as toner replenishment is performed. However, the physical properties of the developer are not measured and the toner density is not controlled based on the measured physical properties.

【0004】[0004]

【発明が解決しようとする課題】現像剤のトナー濃度が
一定になるように制御が行われていても、現像剤の抵抗
値が変化すると、現像性能に変化が生じ、画像濃度の変
化を引き起こしていた。
Even if the toner concentration of the developer is controlled to be constant, if the resistance value of the developer changes, the developing performance changes, which causes a change in the image density. Was there.

【0005】すなわち、複写枚数の増加に伴つて、現像
剤中のキヤリアのコート材が機械的ストレスによつては
がれてしまつたり、あるいは温度ストレスによつてトナ
ーがキヤリア表面にこびりつくことにより、現像剤の抵
抗値を変化させたり、正常な摩擦帯電を阻害するように
なるためである。このため、画像濃度の低下や背景かぶ
りなどの画質劣化を引き起こしていた。
That is, as the number of copied sheets increases, the carrier coating material in the developer is peeled off due to mechanical stress, or the toner is stuck to the surface of the carrier due to temperature stress. This is because the resistance value of the agent is changed and normal frictional electrification is hindered. For this reason, deterioration of image quality such as a decrease in image density and background fog is caused.

【0006】本発明は、上記に鑑み、現像剤の抵抗変化
に基づいてトナー濃度を制御することにより画像濃度を
安定させる現像装置の提供を目的とする。
In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a developing device which stabilizes the image density by controlling the toner density based on the resistance change of the developer.

【0007】[0007]

【課題を解決するための手段】本発明による課題解決手
段は、図1の如く、現像槽1に、マグネツトローラ2
と、該マグネツトローラ2上の現像剤の穂立ちを規制す
るドクター3と、現像剤のトナー濃度を検出するトナー
濃度検出器4とが内装され、前記マグネツトローラ2に
バイアス電圧を印加する電源回路5と、マグネツトロー
ラ2とドクター3とを対向電極として、現像剤を介して
この間に流れる電流によつて現像剤の抵抗を測定する測
定回路6と、該測定回路6からの検出信号に基づいてト
ナー濃度基準値を変更する制御部7とが設けられたもの
である。
The means for solving the problems according to the present invention is, as shown in FIG.
A doctor 3 for regulating the rising of the developer on the magnet roller 2 and a toner concentration detector 4 for detecting the toner concentration of the developer are internally provided, and a bias voltage is applied to the magnet roller 2. A power supply circuit 5, a magnetism roller 2 and a doctor 3 as counter electrodes, a measuring circuit 6 for measuring the resistance of the developer by a current flowing through the developer, and a detection signal from the measuring circuit 6. And a control unit 7 for changing the toner density reference value based on the above.

【0008】[0008]

【作用】上記課題解決手段において、マグネツトローラ
2にバイアス電圧を印加すると、現像剤を介してドクタ
ー3に電流が流れる。この電流を測定することにより、
現像剤の抵抗変化を検知する。そして、現像剤の劣化に
よつて現像剤の抵抗が増加した場合、トナー濃度の基準
値を増加させ、トナー濃度を上昇させて画像濃度が低下
するのを防止する。
In the above means for solving the problem, when a bias voltage is applied to the magnet roller 2, a current flows through the doctor 3 through the developer. By measuring this current,
Detects the resistance change of the developer. Then, when the resistance of the developer increases due to the deterioration of the developer, the reference value of the toner density is increased, and the toner density is increased to prevent the image density from decreasing.

【0009】[0009]

【実施例】図1は本発明の一実施例を示す現像装置の構
成図であり、現像槽1に、マグネツトローラ2と、該マ
グネツトローラ2上の現像剤の穂立ちを規制するドクタ
ー3と、現像剤のトナー濃度を検出するトナー濃度検出
器4とが内装され、前記マグネツトローラ2にバイアス
電圧を印加する電源回路5と、マグネツトローラ2とド
クター3とを対向電極として、現像剤を介してこの間に
流れる電流によつて現像剤の抵抗を測定する測定回路6
と、該測定回路6からの検出信号に基づいてトナー濃度
基準値を変更する制御部7とが設けられている。
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a developing device showing an embodiment of the present invention. In a developing tank 1, a magnet roller 2 and a doctor for controlling the spike of the developer on the magnet roller 2 are regulated. 3 and a toner concentration detector 4 for detecting the toner concentration of the developer, a power supply circuit 5 for applying a bias voltage to the magnet roller 2, and the magnet roller 2 and the doctor 3 as opposed electrodes, Measuring circuit 6 for measuring the resistance of the developer by the current flowing through the developer during this period.
And a controller 7 for changing the toner density reference value based on the detection signal from the measuring circuit 6.

【0010】前記マグネツトローラ2は、感光体8に対
向して配され、円筒状の導電性非磁性体金属からなるス
リーブと、その内部に固定配置された複数個の磁石とか
らなり、スリーブはモータにより回転可能とされてい
る。
The magnet roller 2 is arranged so as to face the photoconductor 8 and is composed of a cylindrical sleeve made of a conductive non-magnetic metal and a plurality of magnets fixedly arranged inside the sleeve. Is rotatable by a motor.

【0011】前記ドクター3は、導電性非磁性体、例え
ばアルミニウムの押し出し成型品、SUS304ステン
レス鋼からなり、マグネツトローラ2の上方に、マグネ
ツトローラ2と0.5mmの間隔を有して現像槽1に固
定されている。
The doctor 3 is made of a conductive non-magnetic material, for example, an aluminum extrusion-molded product, SUS304 stainless steel. It is fixed to tank 1.

【0012】また、現像槽1にはトナーホツパー9が装
着され、トナー補給口10にトナー補給ローラ11が回
転自在に配されている。トナー補給ローラ11は、トナ
ー補給モータ12により回転駆動される。
A toner hopper 9 is mounted on the developing tank 1, and a toner replenishing roller 11 is rotatably arranged at a toner replenishing port 10. The toner supply roller 11 is rotationally driven by the toner supply motor 12.

【0013】トナー補給口10の下方に、トナーを撹拌
して安定した摩擦帯電を行なう撹拌ローラ13が配さ
れ、該撹拌ローラ13とマグネツトローラ2との間に、
現像剤をマグネツトローラ2に搬送する搬送ローラ14
が配され、各ローラ13,14は回転自在に現像槽1に
支持されている。
Below the toner supply port 10, a stirring roller 13 that stirs the toner to perform stable triboelectric charging is arranged, and between the stirring roller 13 and the magnet roller 2.
Conveying roller 14 for conveying the developer to the magnet roller 2.
The rollers 13 and 14 are rotatably supported by the developing tank 1.

【0014】前記電源回路5は、感光体8の非画像部へ
のトナー付着を防止するために、マグネツトローラ2の
スリーブに200V程度のバイアス電圧を印加するため
の電源を備え、定電圧制御がなされている。
The power supply circuit 5 is equipped with a power supply for applying a bias voltage of about 200 V to the sleeve of the magnet roller 2 in order to prevent toner from adhering to the non-image portion of the photoconductor 8, and constant voltage control is performed. Has been done.

【0015】前記測定回路6は、マグネツトローラ2に
接続された電源回路5とドクター3とを接続した回路
で、現像剤通過電流検出用の抵抗15および電流制限用
の抵抗16が介装されており、検出値を増幅器17によ
り増幅してCPU7のアナログポートへ出力している。
The measuring circuit 6 is a circuit in which a power source circuit 5 connected to the magnet roller 2 and a doctor 3 are connected, and a resistor 15 for detecting a developer passing current and a resistor 16 for limiting a current are interposed. The detected value is amplified by the amplifier 17 and output to the analog port of the CPU 7.

【0016】CPU7を有した制御部は、現像剤の抵抗
が増加するにつれてトナー濃度の基準値を増加させる機
能を備えており、増幅器17からの検出信号が入力され
ると、トナー濃度が変更された基準値になるようにトナ
ー補給モータ12を駆動するためのトナー補給モータ制
御回路18に駆動信号を出力する。。
The control unit having the CPU 7 has a function of increasing the reference value of the toner density as the resistance of the developer increases. When the detection signal from the amplifier 17 is input, the toner density is changed. The drive signal is output to the toner replenishment motor control circuit 18 for driving the toner replenishment motor 12 so that the reference value is obtained. .

【0017】上記の如く構成された現像装置において、
マグネツトローラ2にバイアス電圧を印加して、現像剤
を介してドクター3から測定回路6に流れる電流を検出
することにより、現像剤の抵抗測定を行つた結果が図2
である。
In the developing device configured as described above,
By applying a bias voltage to the magnet roller 2 and detecting the current flowing from the doctor 3 to the measuring circuit 6 through the developer, the resistance of the developer is measured.
Is.

【0018】図からわかるように印加電圧が100V以
上において再現性が失われ、かつ電流電圧の直線関係と
なる領域を外れていることが分かる。なお、ここで使用
した現像剤はフエライトにシリコン樹脂をコーテイング
した平均粒径80μmのキヤリアと、スチレンアクリル
樹脂からなる平均粒径10.5μmのトナーを重量%で
4%となるように撹拌混合した2成分現像剤である。
As can be seen from the figure, when the applied voltage is 100 V or more, the reproducibility is lost and the current voltage is out of the linear relationship. The developer used here was a carrier obtained by coating a ferrite with a silicone resin and having an average particle diameter of 80 μm, and a toner made of styrene acrylic resin and having an average particle diameter of 10.5 μm, which was mixed by stirring so as to be 4% by weight. It is a two-component developer.

【0019】この現像装置を用いて、通常の電子写真式
複写機に装着し寿命テストを行い、画像濃度と共に、現
像剤抵抗値の変化を示したのが図3である。図からコピ
ー枚数の増加とともに現像剤抵抗が増加し、これに伴つ
て画像濃度が低下しているのが分かる。これは、現像剤
中のキヤリアのコート材が剥がれることに伴つて、トナ
ーの摩擦帯電電荷が増加し画像濃度低下につながってい
るものと推測される。なお、このテストでは、トナー濃
度を4%となるように自動制御した。
Using this developing device, a life test was carried out by mounting the developing device on a normal electrophotographic copying machine, and FIG. 3 shows changes in the developer resistance value with the image density. From the figure, it can be seen that the developer resistance increases as the number of copies increases, and the image density decreases accordingly. It is presumed that this is because as the carrier coating material in the developer is peeled off, the triboelectric charge of the toner is increased and the image density is reduced. In this test, the toner density was automatically controlled to be 4%.

【0020】そこで、現像剤抵抗値を検出して、その出
力値にしたがつてトナー濃度の基準値を図4に示すよう
な関係で変化させる。すなわち、現像剤の抵抗が増加す
ると、トナー濃度の基準値を高く設定する。
Therefore, the resistance value of the developer is detected, and the reference value of the toner density is changed in accordance with the output value in the relationship as shown in FIG. That is, when the resistance of the developer increases, the reference value of the toner density is set high.

【0021】これに基づいて、トナー補給ローラ11を
駆動して、現像槽1へのトナーの補給量を調整する。こ
のように、現像剤の抵抗に応じてトナー濃度を変化させ
ながら寿命テストを行つた結果が図5である。この場
合、現像剤の劣化による画質の劣化を、トナー濃度によ
つて補うことができ、常時安定した画質を得ることがで
きる。
Based on this, the toner supply roller 11 is driven to adjust the amount of toner supplied to the developing tank 1. FIG. 5 shows the result of performing the life test while changing the toner concentration according to the resistance of the developer. In this case, the deterioration of the image quality due to the deterioration of the developer can be compensated by the toner concentration, and the stable image quality can be always obtained.

【0022】このように、現像剤抵抗測定に当たり印加
すべき電圧は、対向電極の位置関係やマグネツトローラ
2の磁力配置パターン、現像剤の物性(キヤリア粒径、
飽和磁化)等によつて適宜決定されるものであるが、略
100V以下とすることによつて安定した抵抗測定が行
えるようになつた。これによつて現像剤の繰り返し使用
に伴う劣化や環境条件の変化による抵抗変化を精度よく
検出し、この情報にしたがつて適切なトナー濃度制御を
行うことによつて、画質の変化を押さえ常に安定した複
写画像を提供することができる。
As described above, the voltage to be applied in measuring the resistance of the developer depends on the positional relationship of the counter electrodes, the magnetic force distribution pattern of the magnet roller 2, the physical properties of the developer (carrier particle size,
It can be appropriately determined according to (saturation magnetization) and the like, but stable resistance measurement can be performed by setting it to about 100 V or less. As a result, it is possible to accurately detect the change in resistance due to the deterioration caused by repeated use of the developer and the change in resistance due to changes in environmental conditions, and to perform appropriate toner density control according to this information to suppress changes in image quality. A stable copy image can be provided.

【0023】しかも、この方法によれば、新たな電極を
設ける必要も無く、既存のマグネツトローラ2とドクタ
ー3を用いることが可能であり、更には電源も既存の現
像バイアス電圧を利用することが可能である。ただし、
既存の現像バイアス電圧を使用する場合は、対向電極間
の電位差を100V程度とするために、電流制限用抵抗
6は、抵抗値106〜107Ωとすることが望ましい。
Further, according to this method, it is possible to use the existing magnet roller 2 and the doctor 3 without providing a new electrode, and the power source can also use the existing developing bias voltage. Is possible. However,
When the existing developing bias voltage is used, it is desirable that the current limiting resistor 6 has a resistance value of 10 6 to 10 7 Ω so that the potential difference between the opposing electrodes is about 100V.

【0024】また、マグネツトローラ2のスリーブ上の
現像剤は、ドクターにより均一な厚さに保たれているの
で、常に一定した測定を行えるという効果がある。
Further, since the developer on the sleeve of the magnet roller 2 is kept in a uniform thickness by the doctor, there is an effect that a constant measurement can be always performed.

【0025】なお、本発明は、上記実施例に限定される
ものではなく、本発明の範囲内で上記実施例に多くの修
正および変更を加え得ることは勿論である。
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and it goes without saying that many modifications and changes can be made to the above embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

【0026】[0026]

【発明の効果】以上の説明から明らかな通り、本発明に
よると、マグネツトローラとドクターとを対向電極とし
て、現像剤を介してこの間に流れる電流によつて現像剤
の抵抗を測定する測定回路を設け、測定回路からの検出
信号に基づいてトナー濃度基準値を変更するので、現像
剤の抵抗変化を画像の変化防止のための情報として利用
することができ、現像剤の劣化による画質の劣化をトナ
ー濃度によつて補うことができ、常時安定した画質を得
ることができる。
As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, the resistance of the developer is measured by the current flowing between the magnet roller and the doctor as opposed electrodes through the developer. Since the toner concentration reference value is changed based on the detection signal from the measurement circuit, the resistance change of the developer can be used as information for preventing the change of the image, and the deterioration of the image quality due to the deterioration of the developer can be used. Can be compensated for by the toner concentration, and stable image quality can always be obtained.

【0027】しかも、現像剤の抵抗測定のために、新た
な電極を設ける必要も無く、既存のマグネツトローラと
ドクターを用いることが可能であり、更には電源も既存
の現像バイアス電圧を利用することが可能であるので、
部品数を増加させずに安価に行うことができる。
Moreover, it is possible to use the existing magnet roller and doctor for measuring the resistance of the developer, and it is also possible to use the existing magnet roller and doctor, and the power source uses the existing developing bias voltage. Because it is possible
It can be performed inexpensively without increasing the number of parts.

【図面の簡単な説明】[Brief description of drawings]

【図1】本発明の一実施例を示す現像装置の構成図FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a developing device showing an embodiment of the present invention.

【図2】マグネツトローラへの印加電圧に対する現像剤
の抵抗測定値の関係を示す図
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a relationship between a resistance measurement value of a developer and a voltage applied to a magnet roller.

【図3】寿命テストによる現像剤の抵抗および画像濃度
の変化を示す図
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing changes in developer resistance and image density due to a life test.

【図4】現像剤の抵抗変化に対するトナー濃度の基準値
の変化を示す図
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a change in a reference value of toner density with respect to a change in resistance of a developer.

【図5】トナー濃度基準値を変化させたときの寿命テス
トによる画像濃度の変化を示す図
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a change in image density due to a life test when the toner density reference value is changed.

【符号の説明】[Explanation of symbols]

1 現像槽 2 マグネツトローラ 3 ドクター 4 トナー濃度検出器 5 電源回路 6 測定回路 7 制御部 1 Development Tank 2 Magneto Roller 3 Doctor 4 Toner Density Detector 5 Power Circuit 6 Measuring Circuit 7 Control Section

Claims (1)

【特許請求の範囲】[Claims] 【請求項1】 現像槽に、マグネツトローラと、該マグ
ネツトローラ上の現像剤の穂立ちを規制するドクター
と、現像剤のトナー濃度を検出するトナー濃度検出器と
が内装され、前記マグネツトローラにバイアス電圧を印
加する電源回路を備えた現像装置において、マグネツト
ローラとドクターとを対向電極として、現像剤を介して
この間に流れる電流によつて現像剤の抵抗を測定する測
定回路と、該測定回路からの検出信号に基づいてトナー
濃度基準値を変更する制御部とが設けられたことを特徴
とする現像装置。
1. The developing tank is internally provided with a magnet roller, a doctor for controlling the rising of the developer on the magnet roller, and a toner concentration detector for detecting the toner concentration of the developer. In a developing device equipped with a power supply circuit for applying a bias voltage to a net roller, a measuring circuit for measuring the resistance of the developer by a current flowing between the magnet roller and the doctor as opposed electrodes and a developer, And a controller for changing the toner concentration reference value based on a detection signal from the measuring circuit.
JP542792A 1992-01-16 1992-01-16 Developing device Pending JPH05188747A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP542792A JPH05188747A (en) 1992-01-16 1992-01-16 Developing device

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP542792A JPH05188747A (en) 1992-01-16 1992-01-16 Developing device

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
JPH05188747A true JPH05188747A (en) 1993-07-30

Family

ID=11610880

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
JP542792A Pending JPH05188747A (en) 1992-01-16 1992-01-16 Developing device

Country Status (1)

Country Link
JP (1) JPH05188747A (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6118953A (en) * 1998-09-18 2000-09-12 Eastman Kodak Company Electrostatographic apparatus and method with programmable toner concentration decline with the developer life
JP2010060999A (en) * 2008-09-05 2010-03-18 Canon Inc Image forming apparatus
JP2013214105A (en) * 2013-07-16 2013-10-17 Canon Inc Image forming apparatus

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6118953A (en) * 1998-09-18 2000-09-12 Eastman Kodak Company Electrostatographic apparatus and method with programmable toner concentration decline with the developer life
JP2010060999A (en) * 2008-09-05 2010-03-18 Canon Inc Image forming apparatus
JP2013214105A (en) * 2013-07-16 2013-10-17 Canon Inc Image forming apparatus

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