JPH05188758A - Developing device - Google Patents

Developing device

Info

Publication number
JPH05188758A
JPH05188758A JP4023237A JP2323792A JPH05188758A JP H05188758 A JPH05188758 A JP H05188758A JP 4023237 A JP4023237 A JP 4023237A JP 2323792 A JP2323792 A JP 2323792A JP H05188758 A JPH05188758 A JP H05188758A
Authority
JP
Japan
Prior art keywords
developer
toner
developing device
roller
casing
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
JP4023237A
Other languages
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
Takatsugu Fujishiro
宇貢 藤城
Hiroharu Suzuki
弘治 鈴木
Katsuhiro Aoki
勝弘 青木
Naotaka Iwata
尚貴 岩田
Yuichi Ueno
祐一 上野
Akira Sawada
彰 沢田
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.)
Ricoh Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Ricoh Co Ltd
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 Ricoh Co Ltd filed Critical Ricoh Co Ltd
Priority to JP4023237A priority Critical patent/JPH05188758A/en
Publication of JPH05188758A publication Critical patent/JPH05188758A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Abstract

PURPOSE:To feed a toner layer formed on a developer carrier in a state where the no-electrified toner is reduced and desired electrified amount is provided to the developer carrier and also to prevent the toner from leaking out of the device. CONSTITUTION:A feeding roll 2 pressurized contact with a developing roll 1, is composed of the roll where a large number of spongy rolls and fur brushes are implanted and revolved so that its surface at a part A coming into contact with the developing roll 1 is moved in the same direction as the surface of developing roll 1. Furthermore, inner peripheral surface of bottom wall of a casing 5 disposed below the developing roll 1 and the feeding roll 2, is formed so as to hold the specified spaces L1 and L2 from the surface of the opposed roll 1 and 2 and is also formed so that the space L2 between the feeding roll 2 and bottom wall inner surface of the casing is greater. Thus, toner current toward a toner storage part 6 is generated, in the vicinity of the bottom wall inner surface of the casing below the feeding roll 2.

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、複写機、ファクシミ
リ、プリンター等の画像形成装置に採用される現像装置
に係り、詳しくは、一成分系現像剤を用いた現像装置に
関するものである。BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a developing device used in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile and a printer, and more particularly to a developing device using a one-component developer.

【０００２】[0002]

【従来の技術】静電潜像を潜像担持体上に形成し、これ
を現像剤によって可視化する画像形成装置において、現
像装置の小型化、低コスト化、高信頼性等の点から一成
分系現像剤（以下、トナーという）を用いた現像装置が
有利である。またカラー化を行うには透明度が高いこと
から非磁性トナーを用いることが有利である。そして、
トナーに所定の電荷を与えて、潜像担持体との対向部で
ある現像領域に供給するために、潜像担持体との対向部
を表面が移動するように駆動される現像剤担持体と、こ
の現像剤担持体表面にトナーを供給する現像剤供給部材
を有する現像装置が知られている。例えば、特開昭６１
ー４２６７２号公報には、現像剤担持体としてのフロー
ト電極を有する中抵抗（109〜1011Ωcm）の現像ローラ
ーと、現像剤供給部材としての例えばポリウレタンから
なるスポンジローラーとを圧接させるように配置し、両
者の圧接部で互いの表面が逆方向に移動するようにそれ
ぞれ回転させるものが開示されている。この現像装置に
は、現像ローラー上のトナー付着量を所定量に規制する
ために所定の当接力で現像ローラーに圧接する現像剤層
形成部材としてのブレードも設けられている。この現像
装置において、スポンジローラーの回転で両者の圧接部
に搬送したトナーを、該圧接部で摩擦帯電して現像ロー
ラー表面に付着させる。そして、表面に付着したトナー
からなるトナー層の層厚をブレードで規制して現像ロー
ラー上に所定量のトナー層を形成する。そして、現像ロ
ーラーの回転でトナー層を潜像担持体としての感光体と
の接触部に搬送して感光体上の静電潜像を現像する。2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming apparatus in which an electrostatic latent image is formed on a latent image carrier and visualized by a developer, one component is used in view of downsizing, cost reduction and high reliability of the developing apparatus. A developing device using a system developer (hereinafter referred to as toner) is advantageous. In addition, it is advantageous to use a non-magnetic toner because it has high transparency for colorization. And
A developer carrier that is driven so that the surface of the toner moves toward the surface facing the latent image carrier so as to supply a predetermined charge to the toner and supply the toner to the developing area that faces the latent image carrier. There is known a developing device having a developer supplying member for supplying toner to the surface of the developer carrying member. For example, JP-A-61
No. 42672 discloses that a medium resistance (10 9 to 10 11 Ωcm) developing roller having a float electrode as a developer carrying member and a sponge roller made of, for example, polyurethane as a developer supplying member are brought into pressure contact with each other. It is disclosed that they are arranged and rotated so that the surfaces of each of them are moved in opposite directions at the pressure contact portions of both. This developing device is also provided with a blade as a developer layer forming member that presses against the developing roller with a predetermined contact force in order to regulate the toner adhesion amount on the developing roller to a predetermined amount. In this developing device, the toner conveyed to the pressure contact portion of both by the rotation of the sponge roller is frictionally charged at the pressure contact portion and adhered to the surface of the developing roller. Then, the layer thickness of the toner layer made of toner adhered to the surface is regulated by the blade to form a predetermined amount of toner layer on the developing roller. Then, by rotating the developing roller, the toner layer is conveyed to a contact portion with the photoconductor as a latent image carrier to develop the electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor.

【０００３】[0003]

【発明が解決しようとする課題】ここで、一成分現像方
式、例えば非磁性一成分現像方式での最適なトナー帯電
量とトナー付着量について説明する。トナー帯電量は平
均帯電量で５〜１０μc/gが望ましく、しかもトナー帯
電量分布がシャープ性及び解像度の低下や地汚れを生じ
させる比較的低帯電のトナーが少ない安定した分布であ
ることが望ましい。一方、現像ローラー上のトナー付着
量は、潜像担持体上で０．６〜１．０mg/cm2程度のトナ
ー付着量、転写紙上で０．５〜０．７mg/cm2程度のトナ
ー付着量が得られるものであることが望ましい。この潜
像担持体上及び転写紙上のトナー付着量は、現像ローラ
ー上のトナー付着量のみならず、現像領域における潜像
担持体と現像ローラーとの相対速度によっても左右され
る。The optimum toner charge amount and toner adhesion amount in the one-component developing system, for example, the non-magnetic one-component developing system will be described below. The toner charge amount is preferably 5 to 10 μc / g as an average charge amount, and the toner charge amount distribution is desired to be a stable distribution in which there are few relatively low-charged toners that cause sharpness and deterioration of resolution and scumming. .. On the other hand, the amount of toner deposited on the developing roller, image bearing member at 0.6~1.0mg / cm 2 about the toner adhesion amount, 0.5~0.7mg / cm 2 of about toner adhesion on paper transfer It is desirable that the amount can be obtained. The toner adhesion amount on the latent image carrier and the transfer sheet depends not only on the toner adhesion amount on the developing roller but also on the relative speed between the latent image carrier and the developing roller in the developing area.

【０００４】ところが、従来の現像装置によれば、現像
ローラー上のトナー層が１層と付着量が少ないために現
像領域に搬送されるトナーの帯電量は平均帯電量で５〜
１５μc/g程度であるが、現像ローラー上でのトナー付
着量は０．２〜０．８mg/cm2であり、上記の潜像担持体
上等での所望のトナー付着量を得るためには、現像ロー
ラーのスピードを潜像担持体のスピードの２〜４倍に設
定する必要がある。このように現像ローラー上でのトナ
ー付着量不足をカバーするために現像ローラーの回転を
高く設定する場合には、画像形成スピードの高速化が困
難であるばかりでなく、ベタ部を現像したときに画像の
後端部の濃度が高くなる“トナー後端より”という現象
も発生する。この現象は白黒画像では大きな問題はない
が、カラー画像ではトナーを透過して色を視覚するため
後端部で濃度が濃くなり、特に重ね画像の場合は色違い
になってしまうという不具合がある。また現像ローラー
を比較的高速で回転させるので、これに圧接しているブ
レードとの圧接面にトナー固着が発生しやすい。このト
ナー固着が生じた場合にはトナー層にすじ状のむらが生
じ、現像像における濃度むらを発生させるという不具合
もある。However, according to the conventional developing device, since the toner layer on the developing roller is one layer and the adhesion amount is small, the charge amount of the toner conveyed to the developing area is 5 to 5 on average.
Although it is about 15 μc / g, the toner adhesion amount on the developing roller is 0.2 to 0.8 mg / cm 2 , and in order to obtain the desired toner adhesion amount on the latent image carrier, etc. It is necessary to set the speed of the developing roller to 2 to 4 times the speed of the latent image carrier. In this way, when the rotation of the developing roller is set high in order to cover the insufficient toner adhesion amount on the developing roller, not only it is difficult to increase the image forming speed, but also when the solid portion is developed. There is also a phenomenon of "beyond the trailing edge of the toner" in which the density of the trailing edge of the image becomes high. This phenomenon is not a big problem in a black and white image, but in a color image there is a problem that the color is transmitted through the toner and the color is visualized, so that the density is high at the rear end portion, and in the case of a superimposed image, a color difference occurs. .. Further, since the developing roller is rotated at a relatively high speed, toner sticking is likely to occur on the pressure contact surface with the blade that is in pressure contact with the developing roller. When the toner adheres, streak-like unevenness occurs in the toner layer, resulting in uneven density in the developed image.

【０００５】このような“トナー後端より”という現象
を発生させずに、かつ、潜像担持体上等で所望のトナー
付着量を得るためには、現像ローラーのスピードを潜像
担持体のスピードに近づける、つまり、等速現像に近づ
けるとともに、現像ローラー上でのトナー付着量を従来
に比して多くすることが必要である。具体的には、潜像
担持体や転写紙上での充分なトナー付着量を、ほぼ等速
現像で確保するためには、現像ローラー上のトナー付着
量を、現像効率の良い接触現像法で少なくとも０．８mg
/cm2、現像効率の悪い非接触現像法で少なくとも１．０
mg/cm2にする必要がある。このような現像ローラー上の
トナー付着量を得るためには、２層以上のトナー層厚に
しなければならない。In order to obtain a desired toner adhesion amount on the latent image bearing member without causing such a phenomenon "from the rear end of the toner", the speed of the developing roller is set to that of the latent image bearing member. It is necessary to approach the speed, that is, to approach the constant-velocity development, and increase the toner adhesion amount on the developing roller as compared with the conventional one. Specifically, in order to secure a sufficient toner adhesion amount on the latent image carrier or the transfer paper at almost constant speed development, the toner adhesion amount on the developing roller is at least determined by a contact developing method with high development efficiency. 0.8 mg
/ cm 2 , at least 1.0 by non-contact development method with poor development efficiency
Must be mg / cm 2 . In order to obtain such toner adhesion amount on the developing roller, the toner layer thickness must be two or more layers.

【０００６】ここで、２層以上のトナー層厚にするため
だけであれば上記ブレードの当接圧を弱めに設定すば良
い。しかし、上記の従来例に係る現像装置においては、
現像ローラーとスポンジローラーの回転方向が両者の圧
接部で互いの表面が逆方向に移動するものであることか
ら、該圧接部を通過した現像ローラー表面部分にはトナ
ー収容部からの無帯電トナーもスポンジローラーで供給
される。このためブレード当接部に侵入してくる現像ロ
ーラー上のトナー層の上層部には帯電していないトナー
が多く含まれている。従ってブレード当接部を通過した
現像ローラー上のトナーの帯電量分布は１０μc/g以下
の範囲で、しかも無帯電トナーや逆帯電トナーを含んだ
ものになる。この無帯電トナー等は現像転移が悪く、地
肌汚れや解像度劣化の原因にもなる。Here, the contact pressure of the blade may be set to be weak only for the purpose of making the toner layer thickness of two or more layers. However, in the developing device according to the above conventional example,
Since the surface of the developing roller and the sponge roller move in opposite directions at the pressure contact portions of the developing roller and the sponge roller, the surface of the developing roller passing through the pressure contact portions also contains uncharged toner from the toner accommodating portion. Supplied with a sponge roller. Therefore, a large amount of uncharged toner is contained in the upper layer portion of the toner layer on the developing roller that enters the blade contact portion. Therefore, the distribution of the charge amount of the toner on the developing roller that has passed through the blade contact portion is in the range of 10 μc / g or less, and includes uncharged toner and reversely charged toner. This non-charged toner or the like has a poor development transfer, and causes background stains and resolution deterioration.

【０００７】このように、現像ローラー上のトナー層の
上層部のトナーも全て帯電し無帯電トナーがない帯電分
布の安定した平均帯電量５〜１０μc/gの二層以上の多
層のトナー層を現像ローラー上に形成することが、画像
形成スピードの高速化や“トナー後端より”防止のため
の等速現像を可能にする上での最大の課題になってい
る。As described above, all the toner in the upper layer of the toner layer on the developing roller is fully charged, and there is no uncharged toner. Forming on the developing roller is the most important issue in increasing the image forming speed and enabling constant speed development for preventing "from the trailing edge of the toner".

【０００８】一方、上述の一成分現像装置も含め、従来
の現像装置は例えば図６（ａ）に示すように、現像ロー
ラー１および供給ローラー２の下方の現像装置ケーシン
グ５の内面を略水平に形成されていた。このため、ケー
シング５と現像ローラー１および供給ローラー２との間
隔が大きく、現像装置内に収容されるトナーのうち、現
像ローラー１および供給ローラー２の下方に蓄積したト
ナーが現像ローラー１および供給ローラー２の搬送能力
を越え、残トナーが多量に発生してしまう。また、一旦
現像ローラー１に担持され装置外に搬送されたが現像ロ
ーラー１上に残留して再び装置内に戻ってきたトナー、
および供給ローラー２により搬送されたが現像ローラー
１に供給されなかったトナーは装置の使用にともない徐
々に現像ローラー１および供給ローラー２とケーシング
５の間に蓄積し、遂には現像ローラー１とケーシング５
の隙間Ｂ部に設けられたシール部材７ではシールしきれ
ず、装置へ漏れ出してしまう。On the other hand, in the conventional developing device including the above-described one-component developing device, for example, as shown in FIG. 6A, the inner surface of the developing device casing 5 below the developing roller 1 and the supply roller 2 is made substantially horizontal. Had been formed. Therefore, the distance between the casing 5 and the developing roller 1 and the supplying roller 2 is large, and among the toners stored in the developing device, the toner accumulated below the developing roller 1 and the supplying roller 2 is the developing roller 1 and the supplying roller 2. The transport capacity of 2 is exceeded, and a large amount of residual toner is generated. In addition, the toner once carried on the developing roller 1 and conveyed to the outside of the apparatus, but remaining on the developing roller 1 and returning to the inside of the apparatus again,
The toner conveyed by the supply roller 2 but not supplied to the developing roller 1 gradually accumulates between the developing roller 1 and the supplying roller 2 and the casing 5 as the apparatus is used, and finally, the developing roller 1 and the casing 5 are connected.
The seal member 7 provided in the gap B portion cannot completely seal and leaks to the device.

【０００９】このような装置外へのトナー漏出の不具合
を解決するために例えば特開昭６１−５５６７０号公報
では、図６（ｂ）に示すように、ケーシング５内面と現
像ローラー１および供給ローラー２との間に０．１〜５
mmの均一な間隔を形成した一成分現像装置が提案されて
いる。ところが、この構成においても帯電が行われた充
分な量のトナーを現像ローラー１に供給するために、供
給ローラー２の回転速度を速めた場合には、従来と同様
に現像ローラー１とケーシング５の間よりトナーが漏れ
出してしまった。In order to solve such a problem of toner leakage to the outside of the apparatus, for example, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 61-55670, as shown in FIG. 6B, the inner surface of the casing 5, the developing roller 1 and the supply roller. Between 0.1 and 5
A one-component developing device having uniform intervals of mm has been proposed. However, even in this configuration, when the rotation speed of the supply roller 2 is increased in order to supply the developing roller 1 with a sufficient amount of charged toner, the developing roller 1 and the casing 5 are rotated as in the conventional case. The toner has leaked from the gap.

【００１０】また、特開平１−２７６１７３号公報で
は、図６（ｃ）に示すように、現像装置内のトナー収容
部と供給ローラー２を仕切る隔壁８をその上端が供給ロ
ーラー２の上端よりも高くなるように形成し、これによ
り、アジテータ３によって隔壁８を超えて供給ローラー
２側に送りこんだトナーが、トナー収容部側に逆流して
ケーシング５内のトナーが無駄になるのを防止すること
が提案されている。この他にもこのような隔壁８の形状
等については様々な提案がなされている。ところが、い
ずれの提案においても、隔壁８の供給ローラー２側の面
が、略鉛直に形成されているため、供給ローラー２近傍
のトナー溜り７が、比較的小さく形成されるにすぎなか
った。従って、供給ローラー２近傍のトナー溜りが不充
分で、安定した画像濃度を得ることができない恐れがあ
った。Further, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 1-276173, as shown in FIG. 6 (c), the partition wall 8 for partitioning the toner accommodating portion in the developing device and the supply roller 2 has an upper end that is higher than an upper end of the supply roller 2. It is formed so as to be high, thereby preventing the toner sent by the agitator 3 beyond the partition wall 8 toward the supply roller 2 from flowing back toward the toner storage portion and wasting the toner in the casing 5. Is proposed. In addition to this, various proposals have been made regarding the shape of the partition wall 8 and the like. However, in each of the proposals, since the surface of the partition wall 8 on the side of the supply roller 2 is formed substantially vertically, the toner reservoir 7 near the supply roller 2 is formed to be relatively small. Therefore, there is a possibility that the toner accumulation in the vicinity of the supply roller 2 is insufficient and stable image density cannot be obtained.

【００１１】本発明は以上のような問題点に鑑みなされ
たものであり、その第１の目的は、無帯電トナーが少な
く、所望の帯電量をもつトナー層を現像剤担持体上に担
持して潜像担持体に供給できるとともに、使い切れずに
現像装置内の残る現像剤の量を減らし、かつ、現像剤供
給部材の回転速度を速めたときにも装置外にトナーが漏
れるを防止することができる現像装置を提供することで
ある。また第２の目的は、無帯電トナーが少なく、所望
の帯電量をもつトナー層を現像剤担持体上に担持して潜
像担持体に供給できるとともに、使い切れずに現像装置
内の残る現像剤の量を減らし、かつ、現像剤供給部材近
傍に充分なトナー溜りを形成することができる現像装置
を提供することである。The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a first object thereof is to carry a toner layer having a small amount of uncharged toner and a desired charge amount on a developer carrying member. Can be supplied to the latent image carrier by reducing the amount of developer remaining in the developing device without being used up, and preventing the toner from leaking out of the device even when the rotation speed of the developer supplying member is increased. To provide a developing device capable of A second object is that the amount of uncharged toner is small, a toner layer having a desired charge amount can be carried on a developer carrying member and supplied to the latent image carrying member, and the developer remaining in the developing device without being used up. It is an object of the present invention to provide a developing device capable of reducing the amount of toner and forming a sufficient toner pool near the developer supply member.

【００１２】[0012]

【課題を解決するための手段】第１の目的を達成するた
めに、請求項１の発明は、表面が移動するように駆動さ
れる現像剤担持体と、表面が現像剤担持体表面に接触し
て移動するように駆動される現像剤供給部材とを有し、
該現像剤供給部材で供給された現像剤担持体上の現像剤
により潜像担持体上の潜像を可視像化する現像装置にお
いて、該現像剤供給部材表面の移動方向を、現像装置ケ
ーシング下壁の内面上で該表面が現像剤担持体側へ移動
するように設定し、現像剤担持体表面の移動方向を現像
剤供給部材表面との接触部で同方向に移動するように設
定し、該現像剤供給部材下部表面と該現像装置ケーシン
グ下壁の内面との間隙が、現像剤担持体下部表面と該現
像措置ケーシング下壁の内面との間隙よりも大きくなる
ように、該現像剤ケーシング下壁の内面を形成したこと
を特徴とするものである。In order to achieve the first object, the invention of claim 1 provides a developer carrier which is driven so that the surface moves, and the surface contacts the surface of the developer carrier. And a developer supply member that is driven to move,
In a developing device for visualizing a latent image on a latent image carrier by the developer on the developer carrier supplied by the developer supplying member, the moving direction of the surface of the developer supplying member is defined as a developing device casing. The surface is set to move to the developer carrying member side on the inner surface of the lower wall, and the moving direction of the developer carrying member surface is set to move in the same direction at the contact portion with the developer supply member surface. The developer casing such that the gap between the lower surface of the developer supply member and the inner surface of the lower wall of the developing device casing is larger than the gap between the lower surface of the developer carrying member and the inner surface of the lower wall of the developing device casing. It is characterized in that the inner surface of the lower wall is formed.

【００１３】また、請求項２の発明は、前記の現像装置
において、該現像剤供給部材表面の移動方向を、現像装
置ケーシング下壁の内面上で該表面が現像剤担持体側へ
移動するように設定し、現像剤担持体表面の移動方向を
現像剤供給部材表面との接触部で同方向に移動するよう
に設定し、該現像剤供給部材下部表面と該現像装置ケー
シング下壁の内面との間隙が、該現像剤供給部材表面移
動方向下流側になるほど狭くなるように、該現像剤ケー
シング下壁の内面を形成したことを特徴とするものであ
る。According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the developing device, the surface of the developer supply member is moved in the moving direction on the inner surface of the lower wall of the developing device casing toward the developer carrying member. The developer carrier surface is set to move in the same direction at the contact portion with the surface of the developer supply member, and the lower surface of the developer supply member and the inner surface of the lower wall of the developing device casing are set. The inner surface of the lower wall of the developer casing is formed so that the gap becomes narrower toward the downstream side in the moving direction of the surface of the developer supply member.

【００１４】また、請求項３の発明は、前記の現像装置
において、該現像剤供給部材表面の移動方向を、現像装
置ケーシング下壁の内面上で該表面が現像剤担持体側へ
移動するように設定し、現像剤担持体表面の移動方向を
現像剤供給部材表面との接触部で同方向に移動するよう
に設定し、現像剤担持体及び該現像剤供給部材の下方に
位置する該現像装置ケーシング下壁の内面を、現像剤担
持体側の方が高くなるように、現像剤の安息角以上の角
度で傾斜させて形成したことを特徴とするものである。According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the developing device, the moving direction of the surface of the developer supply member is such that the surface moves toward the developer carrying member on the inner surface of the lower wall of the developing device casing. The developing device is set so that the moving direction of the surface of the developer carrying member moves in the same direction at the contact portion with the surface of the developer supplying member, and the developing device located below the developer carrying member and the developer supplying member. The inner surface of the lower wall of the casing is formed so as to be inclined at an angle equal to or greater than the repose angle of the developer so that the inner surface of the lower wall of the casing is higher on the developer carrying side.

【００１５】また、請求項４の発明は、請求項３の現像
装置において、上記現像剤供給部材下部表面と、上記の
傾斜するように形成された上記現像装置ケーシング下壁
の内面との間に、上記現像剤供給部材によって現像剤収
容部から現像剤担持体表面へ搬送される現像剤搬送経路
と、該内面上を流下する現像剤の帰還経路とを仕切る隔
壁部材を設けたことを特徴とするものである。According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in the developing device of the third aspect, between the lower surface of the developer supply member and the inner surface of the lower wall of the developing device casing which is formed so as to be inclined. A partition wall member for partitioning a developer transport path transported from the developer accommodating portion to the surface of the developer carrier by the developer supply member and a return path of the developer flowing down on the inner surface. To do.

【００１６】第２の目的を達成するために、請求項５の
発明は、表面が移動するように駆動される現像剤担持体
と、表面が現像剤担持体表面に接触して移動するように
駆動される現像剤供給部材と、装置内を現像剤担持体及
び該現像剤供給部材が配設された領域と現像剤収容部と
に区画する隔壁部材と、該現像剤収容部内の現像剤を該
隔壁部材の上端部を超えて該領域側に送りこむ現像剤送
り込み部材とを有し、該現像剤供給部材で供給された現
像剤担持体上の現像剤により潜像担持体上の潜像を可視
像化する現像装置において、該現像剤供給部材表面の移
動方向を、現像装置ケーシング下壁の内面上で該表面が
現像剤担持体側へ移動するように設定し、現像剤担持体
表面の移動方向を現像剤供給部材表面との接触部で同方
向に移動するように設定し、該現像剤供給部材の側部に
対向する該隔壁部材の側面を、該上端部側が該現像剤供
給部材から遠ざかるように、現像剤の安息角以上の角度
に傾斜させて形成したことを特徴とするものである。In order to achieve the second object, the invention of claim 5 is such that a developer carrying member is driven so that the surface moves, and the surface moves in contact with the surface of the developer carrying member. The driven developer supply member, the partition member for partitioning the inside of the apparatus into the developer carrier and the area where the developer supply member is disposed and the developer accommodating portion, and the developer in the developer accommodating portion A developer feeding member that feeds to the region side beyond the upper end of the partition member, and a latent image on the latent image carrier is formed by the developer on the developer carrier supplied by the developer supply member. In the developing device for visualizing, the moving direction of the surface of the developer supply member is set so that the surface moves toward the developer carrier on the inner surface of the lower wall of the developing device casing, The moving direction should be the same at the contact area with the surface of the developer supply member. And the side surface of the partition member facing the side portion of the developer supply member is formed to be inclined at an angle equal to or greater than the repose angle of the developer so that the upper end side is away from the developer supply member. It is characterized by.

【００１７】更に、現像剤担持体上の担持現像剤量を充
分確保するために、請求項６の発明は、請求項１、２、
３、４又は５の現像装置において、上記現像剤担持体と
して表面に接地された導電部と誘電部とが規則的又は不
規則に微小面積で分布したものを用い、現像剤供給部材
による現像剤担持体表面の摺擦で現像剤担持体表面近傍
に多数の微小電界を形成し、かつ、該接触部で摩擦帯電
した現像剤を該微小電界により現像剤担持体上に積層状
態で担持することを特徴とするものである。Further, in order to secure a sufficient amount of the carried developer on the developer carrying member, the invention of claim 6 provides the invention of claims 1, 2 and
In the developing device of No. 3, 4 or 5, the developer carrying member is one in which conductive parts and dielectric parts grounded on the surface are regularly or irregularly distributed in a minute area, and the developer is supplied by a developer supplying member. Forming a large number of minute electric fields in the vicinity of the surface of the developer carrier by rubbing the surface of the carrier, and carrying the developer frictionally charged at the contact portion in a laminated state on the developer carrier by the minute electric field. It is characterized by.

【００１８】[0018]

【作用】請求項１乃至６の現像装置においては、現像剤
供給部材表面の移動で現像剤を現像剤担持体表面との接
触部へ搬送して、該接触部で現像剤を摩擦帯電する。こ
のとき、現像剤供給部材表面と現像剤担持体表面との移
動方向は、両者の接触部で両表面が同方向に移動するも
のであるので、該接触部を通過した現像剤担持体表面に
現像剤供給部材によりトナー収容部からの無帯電現像剤
が直接供給されることはない。従って該接触部を通過し
た現像剤担持体表面上には該接触部における摩擦帯電で
充分に帯電した現像剤のみが現像剤担持体上に積層状態
で担持される。In the developing device according to the first to sixth aspects, the developer is conveyed to the contact portion with the surface of the developer carrying member by the movement of the surface of the developer supply member, and the developer is frictionally charged at the contact portion. At this time, the moving direction of the surface of the developer supply member and the surface of the developer carrier is such that both surfaces move in the same direction at the contact portions of both, so that the surface of the developer carrier passing through the contact portions The developer supplying member does not directly supply the uncharged developer from the toner containing portion. Therefore, on the surface of the developer carrying member which has passed through the contact portion, only the developer sufficiently charged by the triboelectric charging at the contact portion is carried in a laminated state on the developer carrying member.

【００１９】そして、請求項１の現像装置においては、
トナー収容部内の現像剤が、上記現像剤供給部材表面の
移動によって該現像剤供給部材と現像剤担持体との接触
部に搬送され、これにより、従来と同様に、該現像剤供
給部材下部表面と該現像装置ケーシング下壁の内面との
間隙のうち、該現像剤供給部材表面の近傍に、該現像剤
供給部材表面移動方向の現像剤の流れが生じる。また、
該現像剤供給部材下部表面と該現像装置ケーシング下壁
の内面との間隙が現像剤担持体下部表面と該現像装置ケ
ーシング下壁の内面との間隙よりも大きくなっているの
で、該現像剤供給部材下部表面と該現像装置ケーシング
下壁の内面との間隙のうち、該内面近傍には該現像剤供
給部材表面移動方向とは逆方向のトナー収容部側への現
像剤の流れも生じる。このトナー収容部側への現像剤の
流れが存在することにより、過剰な現像剤が、該現像剤
供給部材表面の移動によって現像剤担持体下部表面と該
現像剤装置ケーシング下壁内面との間隙に押し込まれる
ことがない。このため、従来とは異なり、現像剤担持体
下部表面と該現像装置ケーシング下壁との間隙内の現像
剤の圧力が過度に高まることはない。Further, in the developing device of claim 1,
The developer in the toner accommodating portion is conveyed to the contact portion between the developer supplying member and the developer carrying member by the movement of the surface of the developer supplying member, and as a result, the lower surface of the developer supplying member is formed as in the conventional case. The flow of the developer in the moving direction of the surface of the developer supply member is generated in the vicinity of the surface of the developer supply member in the gap between the inner surface of the developing device casing and the lower surface of the developing device casing. Also,
Since the gap between the lower surface of the developer supply member and the inner surface of the lower wall of the developing device casing is larger than the gap between the lower surface of the developer carrier and the inner surface of the lower wall of the developing device casing, the developer supply member In the vicinity of the inner surface of the gap between the lower surface of the member and the inner surface of the lower wall of the developing device casing, there is also a flow of the developer to the side of the toner accommodating portion opposite to the surface moving direction of the developer supply member. Due to the presence of the flow of the developer to the side of the toner accommodating portion, the excess developer causes a gap between the lower surface of the developer carrier and the inner surface of the lower wall of the developer device casing due to the movement of the surface of the developer supply member. Never be pushed into. Therefore, unlike the conventional case, the pressure of the developer in the gap between the lower surface of the developer carrier and the lower wall of the developing device casing does not excessively increase.

【００２０】また、請求項２の現像装置において、トナ
ー収容部内の現像剤が、上記現像剤供給部材表面の移動
によって該現像剤供給部材と現像剤担持体との接触部に
搬送され、これにより、従来と同様に、該現像剤供給部
材下部表面と該現像装置ケーシング下壁の内面との間隙
のうち、該現像剤供給部材表面の近傍に、該現像剤供給
部材表面移動方向の現像剤の流れが生じる。また、該現
像剤供給部材下部表面と該現像装置ケーシング下壁の内
面との間隙が、該現像剤供給部材表面移動方向下流側に
なるほど狭くなっているので、該現像剤供給部材下部表
面と該現像装置ケーシング下壁の内面との間隙のうち、
該内面近傍には該現像剤供給部材表面移動方向とは逆方
向のトナー収容部側への現像剤の流れも生じる。このト
ナー収容部側への現像剤の流れが存在することにより、
過剰な現像剤が、該現像剤供給部材表面の移動によって
現像剤担持体下部表面と該現像剤ケーシング下壁内面と
の間隙に押し込まれることがない。このため、従来とは
異なり、現像剤担持体下部表面と該現像装置ケーシング
下壁との間隙内の現像剤の圧力が過度に高まることはな
い。Further, in the developing device of claim 2, the developer in the toner containing portion is conveyed to the contact portion between the developer supplying member and the developer carrying member by the movement of the surface of the developer supplying member, and thereby , As in the conventional case, in the gap between the lower surface of the developer supply member and the inner surface of the lower wall of the developing device casing, near the surface of the developer supply member, the developer in the moving direction of the surface of the developer supply member Flow occurs. Further, since the gap between the lower surface of the developer supply member and the inner surface of the lower wall of the developing device casing becomes narrower toward the downstream side in the moving direction of the surface of the developer supply member, the lower surface of the developer supply member and Of the gap with the inner surface of the lower wall of the developing device casing,
In the vicinity of the inner surface, the flow of the developer toward the toner containing portion in the direction opposite to the moving direction of the surface of the developer supplying member also occurs. Due to the presence of the flow of the developer to the toner storage portion side,
Excessive developer is not pushed into the gap between the lower surface of the developer carrier and the inner surface of the lower wall of the developer casing due to the movement of the surface of the developer supply member. Therefore, unlike the conventional case, the pressure of the developer in the gap between the lower surface of the developer carrier and the lower wall of the developing device casing does not excessively increase.

【００２１】また、請求項３の現像装置においては、上
記現像剤供給部材表面の移動によって搬送された現像剤
のうち該現像剤供給部材と現像剤担持体との接触部に進
入できなかった現像剤、及び、上記静電潜像に付着せず
にそのまま現像剤担持体表面の移動によって搬送された
現像剤のうち該接触部に進入できなかった現像剤は、上
記現像装置ケーシング下壁の内面上に落下する。そし
て、該内面が、現像剤担持体側の方が高くなるように、
現像剤の安息角以上の角度で傾斜させて形成されている
ので、該内面上に落下した現像剤は、該内面と現像剤担
持体下部表面との間隙に留まることなく、該現像剤供給
部材の下方側、すなわち現像剤収容部側に該内面上を流
下する。Further, in the developing device according to the third aspect of the invention, of the developer conveyed by the movement of the surface of the developer supply member, the development which cannot enter the contact portion between the developer supply member and the developer carrier. Of the developer and the developer that has not adhered to the electrostatic latent image and is conveyed by the movement of the surface of the developer carrier as it is, the developer that cannot enter the contact portion is the inner surface of the lower wall of the casing of the developing device. Fall on top. And, so that the inner surface is higher on the side of the developer carrying member,
Since the developer is formed to be inclined at an angle equal to or greater than the repose angle of the developer, the developer dropped on the inner surface does not remain in the gap between the inner surface and the lower surface of the developer carrying member, and the developer supply member. On the inner surface toward the lower side, that is, the developer accommodating portion side.

【００２２】また、請求項４の現像装置においては、請
求項３の現像装置と同様にして、現像剤担持体下部表面
と上記現像装置ケーシング下壁内面との間隙に現像剤が
留まることがない。そして、上記隔壁部材で、上記現像
剤供給部材下部表面と上記の傾斜するように形成された
上記現像装置ケーシング下壁の内面との間を、上記現像
剤供給部材によって現像剤収容部から現像剤担持体表面
へ搬送される現像剤搬送経路と、該内面上を流下する現
像剤の帰還経路とに仕切り、これにより、該現像剤供給
部材や現像剤担持体表面の移動によって搬送された現像
剤のうち上記接触部に進入できずに該現像装置ケーシン
グ下壁の内面上に落下した現像剤が、該内面上をスムー
ズに流下できるようにする。Further, in the developing device of the fourth aspect, as in the developing device of the third aspect, the developer does not stay in the gap between the lower surface of the developer carrier and the inner surface of the lower wall of the developing device casing. .. Further, the partition wall member is provided between the lower surface of the developer supply member and the inner surface of the lower wall of the developing device casing formed so as to be inclined, from the developer accommodating portion to the developer by the developer supply member. The developer is conveyed to the surface of the carrier and is divided into a developer return path that flows down on the inner surface, whereby the developer conveyed by the movement of the developer supply member or the surface of the developer carrier. Of these, the developer that cannot enter the contact portion and falls onto the inner surface of the lower wall of the developing device casing can smoothly flow down on the inner surface.

【００２３】また、請求項５の現像装置においては、ト
ナー収容部内の現像剤が、上記現像剤送りこみ部材によ
って、装置内を現像剤担持体及び該現像剤供給部材が配
設された領域と現像剤収容部とに区画する隔壁部材の上
端部を超えて該領域側に送りこまれる。そして、該現像
剤供給部材の側部に対向する該隔壁部材の側面が、従来
のように鉛直に形成されているものとは異なり、該上端
部側が該現像剤供給部材から遠ざかるように傾斜させて
形成させているので、該現像剤供給部材の側部と該隔壁
部材の側面との間に従来に比して広い現像剤溜りが形成
される。また、該隔壁部材の側面の傾斜が現像剤の安息
角以上の角度であるので、該現像剤溜りの現像剤がスム
ーズに該現像剤供給部材表面に近傍に供給される。Further, in the developing device according to the fifth aspect, the developer in the toner accommodating portion is formed in the inside of the device by the developer feeding member as a region where the developer carrier and the developer supplying member are arranged. The developer is fed to the area side beyond the upper end of the partition member which is partitioned into the developer accommodating portion. The side surface of the partition member facing the side portion of the developer supplying member is inclined so that the upper end portion side is away from the developer supplying member, unlike the conventional one formed vertically. Since it is formed as described above, a wider developer pool is formed between the side portion of the developer supply member and the side surface of the partition member than in the conventional case. Further, since the inclination of the side surface of the partition member is an angle equal to or greater than the repose angle of the developer, the developer in the developer pool can be smoothly supplied to the surface of the developer supply member.

【００２４】更に、請求項６の現像装置においては、現
像剤担持体の導電部と誘電部とが規則的又は不規則に微
小面積で分布した表面が、現像剤供給部材で摩擦帯電さ
れ、これにより、現像剤担持体表面近傍に多数の微小電
界が形成される。そして、該接触部における摩擦帯電で
充分に帯電した現像剤が、該微小電界により、上記接触
部を通過した現像剤担持体表面上に積層状態で担持され
る。Further, in the developing device of claim 6, the surface of the developer carrying member, on which the conductive portion and the dielectric portion are regularly or irregularly distributed in a minute area, is triboelectrically charged by the developer supplying member. As a result, a large number of minute electric fields are formed near the surface of the developer carrier. Then, the developer, which has been sufficiently charged by the triboelectric charging at the contact portion, is carried in a laminated state on the surface of the developer carrier that has passed through the contact portion by the minute electric field.

【００２５】[0025]

【実施例】以下、本発明を電子写真複写機の現像装置に
適用した一実施例について説明する。図１（ａ）は本実
施例に係る現像装置の概要構成を示す正面図である。潜
像担持体としての感光体ドラム１０は例えば周速１２０
mm／Secで、矢印時計方向に回転駆動される。該感光体
ドラム１０の右側方に現像装置２が配設されている。感
光体ドラム１０の周囲には、電子写真プロセスを実施す
るために、周知の帯電装置、露光光学系、転写分離装
置、クリーニング装置、除電装置（いずれも不図示）が
配設されている。本実施例の現像装置は、感光体ドラム
１０表面に向けた開口を備えたケーシング５と、該開口
から一部が露出して所定の周速で矢印反時計方向に回転
駆動される現像ローラー１と、該現像ローラー１の右側
方部に圧接した状態で矢印時計方向に回転駆動される現
像剤供給部材としての供給ローラー２と、ケーシング５
内の右側方部に構成されたホッパー部６に収容されてい
る非磁性トナー（以下、トナーという）を該供給ローラ
ー５表面に供給するとともにホッパー部６内のトナーを
撹拌するアジテーター３と、現像ローラー１の回転で感
光体ドラム１０との対向部である現像領域に搬送される
現像ローラー１上のトナー層の厚みを均一にするトナー
層規制部材４とを有している。そして、上記現像ローラ
ー１及び上記供給ローラー２の下方のケーシング５内周
面は、後述するように、上記供給ローラー２の回転速度
を従来に比して早めに設定しても装置外にトナーが漏れ
ないように所定の形状に構成されている。なお、符号７
はケーシング５下壁の端縁部と現像ローラー１表面との
間隙を塞ぐシール部材であり、例えば、自由端部が現像
ローラー１表面に接触するようにケーシング５下壁に固
定された可撓性フィルムで構成される。DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a developing device of an electrophotographic copying machine will be described below. FIG. 1A is a front view showing a schematic configuration of the developing device according to this embodiment. The photosensitive drum 10 as a latent image carrier has a peripheral speed of 120, for example.
It is driven to rotate clockwise by the arrow at mm / Sec. A developing device 2 is arranged on the right side of the photosensitive drum 10. Around the photoconductor drum 10, a known charging device, an exposure optical system, a transfer separation device, a cleaning device, and a destaticizing device (none of which are shown) are arranged to carry out an electrophotographic process. The developing device of this embodiment includes a casing 5 having an opening facing the surface of the photoconductor drum 10, and a developing roller 1 that is partially exposed from the opening and is rotationally driven in the counterclockwise direction indicated by an arrow at a predetermined peripheral speed. A supply roller 2 as a developer supply member that is driven to rotate clockwise in the state of being pressed against the right side portion of the developing roller 1, and a casing 5.
An agitator 3 that stirs the toner in the hopper portion 6 while supplying the non-magnetic toner (hereinafter referred to as toner) housed in the hopper portion 6 formed on the right side of the inside to the surface of the supply roller 5. The toner layer regulating member 4 is provided to make the thickness of the toner layer on the developing roller 1 conveyed to the developing area, which is the portion facing the photosensitive drum 10, uniform when the roller 1 rotates. As described below, the inner peripheral surface of the casing 5 below the developing roller 1 and the supply roller 2 does not allow the toner to be ejected to the outside of the apparatus even if the rotation speed of the supply roller 2 is set faster than in the conventional case. It has a predetermined shape so as not to leak. Note that reference numeral 7
Is a sealing member that closes the gap between the edge of the lower wall of the casing 5 and the surface of the developing roller 1. For example, a flexible member fixed to the lower wall of the casing 5 so that the free end of the casing 5 contacts the surface of the developing roller 1. Composed of film.

【００２６】上記現像ローラー１は、図１（ａ）に示す
ように感光体ドラム１０表面と所定間隙をおいて配置し
て非接触現像を行うようにしても良いし、現像ローラー
１上のトナー層が感光体ドラム１０表面に接触するよう
に配置して接触現像を行うようにしても良い。いずれの
場合においても、前述の後端トナー寄りの現象を防止す
るためには、現像ローラー１の回転を、現像領域におけ
る表面移動方向が感光体ドラム１０と同方向で、かつ、
その周速が感光体ドラム１０の周速とほぼ等速、即ちこ
の例の場合には約１２０mm／secになるようにする。但
し、接触現像においては、まったくの等速現像である
と、感光体ドラム１０表面と現像ローラー１表面との間
に速度差がないために、感光体ドラム１０表面の電位に
拘らず物理的なトナー付着がおこる恐れがある。これを
防止するためには、現像ローラー１の周速の方が少し速
くなるように設定する。例えば周速比（感光体ドラム１
０周速：現像ローラー１周速）で１：１．０５〜１．１
が好ましい。この程度の速度比であれば前述した後端ト
ナー寄りは目だたない。また、現像ローラー１には適当
な現像バイアス電圧、例えば直流、交流、直流重畳の交
流、パルス電圧などを印加する。特に非接触現像の場合
には、飛翔条件の良い交番成分を有する電圧（交流、直
流重畳の交流、又は、パルス電圧など）を印加すること
が望ましい。The developing roller 1 may be arranged with a predetermined gap from the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 as shown in FIG. Contact development may be performed by disposing the layer so as to contact the surface of the photosensitive drum 10. In any case, in order to prevent the phenomenon of the trailing edge toner shift, the developing roller 1 is rotated such that the surface moving direction in the developing area is the same as that of the photosensitive drum 10, and
The peripheral speed is set to be substantially the same as the peripheral speed of the photosensitive drum 10, that is, about 120 mm / sec in this example. However, in the contact development, if the development is completely constant speed, there is no speed difference between the surface of the photoconductor drum 10 and the surface of the developing roller 1, so that the physical development is performed regardless of the potential of the surface of the photoconductor drum 10. Toner may adhere. In order to prevent this, the peripheral speed of the developing roller 1 is set to be slightly higher. For example, the peripheral speed ratio (photosensitive drum 1
(0 lap speed: 1 lap speed of developing roller): 1: 1.05 to 1.1
Is preferred. With such a speed ratio, the above-mentioned trailing edge toner deviation is not noticeable. Further, an appropriate developing bias voltage, for example, direct current, alternating current, alternating current of direct current superposition, pulse voltage or the like is applied to the developing roller 1. In particular, in the case of non-contact development, it is desirable to apply a voltage having an alternating component with good flight conditions (AC, AC with superimposed DC, or pulse voltage).

【００２７】そして、この例の現像ローラー１として
は、付着トナー量を増大させる等の目的で、図２（ｂ）
に示すように、表面に誘電体部４１と導電体部４２とが
微小面積で混在露出すように構成されている。なお、図
２（ａ）は現像ローラー１の全体形状を示す斜視図であ
り、図２（ｂ）はその周面の一部の拡大図である。この
誘電体部４１の大きさは、例えば径が５０〜２００μm
程度になるようにする。このような誘電体部４１がラン
ダムに、又はある規則に従って分散しているようにす
る。両部の面積比は誘電体部４１の面積は例えば４０〜
７０％の範囲になるようにするのが好ましい。そして、
この誘電体部４１の材料としては、上記供給ローラー２
による摩擦帯電で電荷が蓄積されない程度の抵抗値を有
するものを用いる。図示のような表層部を形成するに
は、例えば芯金ローラの表面をローレット加工して所定
の溝を形成した後、絶縁性の例えば樹脂をコートし、そ
の後に表面を切削加工して芯金部が導電体部４２とし
て、溝内の樹脂が誘電体部４１として、それぞれ表面に
露出するようにすることによって形成できる。このよう
な表面部構造を備えた現像ローラー１に代え、芯金ロー
ラ上に粒径が例えば５０乃至１００μｍの誘電体粒子を
分散させた導電性材料からなる表面層を形成した後、必
要に応じて該表面層を多少切削加工し、これにより、表
面に誘電体部４１と導電体部４２とが微小面積で混在露
出する表面構造を備えた現像ローラー１を用いても良
い。The developing roller 1 of this example is shown in FIG. 2B for the purpose of increasing the amount of adhered toner.
As shown in FIG. 7, the dielectric portion 41 and the conductor portion 42 are configured to be exposed in a mixed manner on the surface in a minute area. 2A is a perspective view showing the entire shape of the developing roller 1, and FIG. 2B is an enlarged view of a part of the peripheral surface thereof. The size of the dielectric portion 41 is, for example, 50 to 200 μm in diameter.
Try to be around. It is arranged that such dielectric portions 41 are dispersed randomly or according to a certain rule. The area ratio of the two parts is, for example, 40 to 40.
It is preferable to set it in the range of 70%. And
The material of the dielectric part 41 is the supply roller 2 described above.
A material having a resistance value such that the electric charge is not accumulated by the triboelectric charging due to is used. To form the surface layer portion shown in the figure, for example, the surface of the cored bar roller is knurled to form a predetermined groove, and then an insulating resin, for example, is coated, and then the surface is cut to form a cored bar. The resin can be formed by exposing the resin in the groove as the dielectric portion 41 on the surface. Instead of the developing roller 1 having such a surface structure, a surface layer made of a conductive material in which dielectric particles having a particle size of, for example, 50 to 100 μm are dispersed is formed on the cored bar roller, and then, if necessary. It is also possible to use the developing roller 1 having a surface structure in which the dielectric layer 41 and the conductor portion 42 are mixedly exposed in a minute area on the surface by cutting the surface layer to some extent.

【００２８】上記供給ローラー２は、表面近傍の内部に
トナーを保持できるように、スポンジ層を備えたロー
ラ、多数のファーブラシが植設されたローラ等の構造を
採用することが好ましい。また、少なくとも表面の材質
は、現像ローラー１と接触してトナーと現像ローラー１
に所望の摩擦帯電を与えることのできるように、摩擦帯
電系列上トナー材料と現像ローラー１材料との中間にあ
るものを採用する。また、このトナーや現像ローラー１
の微小な誘電体部４１の摩擦帯電におけるカウンターチ
ャージが蓄積されない程度の抵抗値、例えば１０6Ωcm
以下の抵抗値を有するものが好ましい。そして、供給ロ
ーラー２の回転は、表面が現像ローラー１との接触部Ａ
において現像ローラー１表面と同方向に移動する順方向
の回転にする。周速は例えば現像ローラー１の周速の約
１．２〜１．５倍に設定することが望ましい。また、供
給ローラー２の芯金にも上記現像ローラー１に印加する
のと同様の電圧を印加しても良い。The supply roller 2 preferably has a structure such as a roller having a sponge layer and a roller having a large number of fur brushes planted therein so that the toner can be retained inside the vicinity of the surface. Further, at least the material of the surface is in contact with the developing roller 1 and the toner and the developing roller 1
In order to give a desired triboelectrification to the toner, a material in the triboelectrification series between the toner material and the developing roller 1 material is adopted. Also, this toner and developing roller 1
Resistance value such that a counter charge is not accumulated in the triboelectric charge of the minute dielectric part 41 of, for example, 10 6 Ωcm
Those having the following resistance values are preferable. The surface of the supply roller 2 is rotated at the contact portion A with the developing roller 1.
In the above, the forward rotation is performed so as to move in the same direction as the surface of the developing roller 1. The peripheral speed is preferably set to about 1.2 to 1.5 times the peripheral speed of the developing roller 1, for example. Further, the same voltage as that applied to the developing roller 1 may be applied to the core metal of the supply roller 2.

【００２９】上記アジテーター３は、ホッパー部６内の
収容トナーを供給ローラー２表面に供給するとともに、
該収容トナーを撹拌するものでありる。The agitator 3 supplies the toner contained in the hopper 6 to the surface of the supply roller 2 and
The contained toner is agitated.

【００３０】上記トナー層規制部材４は、弾性材料から
なり、従来に比して低圧である例えば７g／cm程度の軽
い線圧で現像ローラー１に当接するように配置する。The toner layer regulating member 4 is made of an elastic material and is arranged so as to come into contact with the developing roller 1 at a low linear pressure of about 7 g / cm, which is lower than in the conventional case.

【００３１】以上の構成において、供給ローラー２表面
に、アジテータ６によってホッパー部６内の収容トナー
が供給される。供給ローラー２に供給されたトナーはス
ポンジやブラシの空隙及び表面に付着し、供給ローラー
２の時計方向の回転によって供給ローラー２と現像ロー
ラー１との接触部Ａに向けて搬送される。一方、供給ロ
ーラー２との接触部Ａには、現像ローラー１の矢印反時
計方向の回転により現像領域を通過した現像ローラー１
表面部分も侵入してくる。In the above structure, the toner contained in the hopper portion 6 is supplied to the surface of the supply roller 2 by the agitator 6. The toner supplied to the supply roller 2 adheres to the voids and the surface of the sponge or brush, and is conveyed toward the contact portion A between the supply roller 2 and the developing roller 1 by the clockwise rotation of the supply roller 2. On the other hand, at the contact portion A with the supply roller 2, the developing roller 1 which has passed through the developing area by the counterclockwise rotation of the developing roller 1
The surface part also comes in.

【００３２】この接触部Ａにおいて、供給ローラー２表
面と現像ローラー１表面とが相対速度差をもって移動す
るので、現像領域通過時に感光体ドラム１０表面に付着
せずに現像ローラー１表面に残留している非画像部の残
トナーは、供給ローラー２（例えばスポンジローラー）
により機械的、電気的に掻き取られ、また、現像ローラ
ー１上の電荷も供給ローラー２による摩擦帯電により一
定化され、これにより、現像ローラー１表面は初期化さ
れる。そして、現像ローラー１とトナーと供給ローラー
２の摩擦により現像ローラー１の誘電体部４１に所望の
トナー帯電極性と逆極性の帯電（正規現像（Ｐ／Ｐ）に
おいては感光体電荷と同極性の帯電であり、反転現像
（Ｎ／Ｐ）においては感光体電荷と逆極性の帯電であ
る）を与え、現像ローラー１上にマイクロフィールド
（微小閉電界）を作る。一方、供給ローラー２が現像ロ
ーラー１に対して順方向に回転しているため、供給ロー
ラー２に付着したトナーは現像ローラー１と供給ローラ
ー２間で摺察され、ほとんどが所望の極性（正規現像に
おいては感光体電荷と逆極性であり、反転現像において
は感光体電荷と同極性である）に帯電する。そして、供
給ローラー２上の帯電トナーは、現像ローラー１上のマ
イクロフィールドの電界により静電的に吸引されて現像
ローラー１表面に多層に付着する。これにより、現像ロ
ーラー１は充分に帯電したトナーを多層に担持した状態
でこの接触部Ａを出ていく。なお、本実施例において
は、供給ローラー２と現像ローラー１とを順回転させて
いることから、前述の従来例に係る現像装置と異なり、
供給ローラー２の回転によって接触部Ａを通過した現像
ローラー１上にホッパー部６からの無帯電トナーを供給
することがない。この点については後に詳述する。At the contact portion A, the surface of the supply roller 2 and the surface of the developing roller 1 move with a relative speed difference, so that they do not adhere to the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 when passing through the developing area and remain on the surface of the developing roller 1. The remaining toner in the non-image area is the supply roller 2 (for example, a sponge roller).
Is mechanically and electrically scraped off, and the electric charge on the developing roller 1 is also made constant by frictional charging by the supply roller 2, whereby the surface of the developing roller 1 is initialized. Then, due to the friction between the developing roller 1 and the toner and the supply roller 2, the dielectric portion 41 of the developing roller 1 is charged with a polarity opposite to the desired toner charging polarity (in the normal development (P / P), the polarity is the same as the photoconductor charge). It is charged, and in reverse development (N / P), it is charged with the opposite polarity to the photoconductor charge, and a microfield (micro closed electric field) is created on the developing roller 1. On the other hand, since the supply roller 2 is rotating in the forward direction with respect to the developing roller 1, the toner attached to the supply roller 2 is slid between the developing roller 1 and the supplying roller 2, and most of the toner has a desired polarity (regular developing). In the reverse development, it has the same polarity as the photoconductor charge, and in the reverse development, it has the same polarity). Then, the charged toner on the supply roller 2 is electrostatically attracted by the electric field of the microfield on the developing roller 1 and adheres to the surface of the developing roller 1 in multiple layers. As a result, the developing roller 1 exits the contact portion A in a state where the sufficiently charged toner is carried in multiple layers. In this embodiment, since the supply roller 2 and the developing roller 1 are rotated in the forward direction, unlike the developing device according to the above-mentioned conventional example,
The rotation of the supply roller 2 does not supply the uncharged toner from the hopper 6 onto the developing roller 1 that has passed the contact portion A. This point will be described in detail later.

【００３３】接触部Ａを通過した現像ローラー１上のト
ナー層は、現像ローラー１上に軽く当接しているトナー
層規制部材４で厚みが均一にされ、現像ローラー１の回
転で現像領域に搬送される。現像領域では、接触又は非
接触現像法で最適な現像バイアスが印加された現像ロー
ラー１の表面と感光体ドラム１０表面とがほぼ等速で移
動しながら現像が行われる。この現像領域では現像ロー
ラー１の導電体部４２が電極効果を発揮して現像ローラ
ー１上のトナーが感光体ドラム１０に付着し易い電界も
形成されている。The toner layer on the developing roller 1 that has passed through the contact portion A is made uniform in thickness by the toner layer regulating member 4 that is in light contact with the developing roller 1, and is conveyed to the developing area by the rotation of the developing roller 1. To be done. In the developing area, the development is performed while the surface of the developing roller 1 to which the optimum developing bias is applied by the contact or non-contact developing method and the surface of the photoconductor drum 10 move at substantially the same speed. In this developing area, an electric field is also formed in which the conductor portion 42 of the developing roller 1 exerts an electrode effect and the toner on the developing roller 1 easily adheres to the photosensitive drum 10.

【００３４】ここで、供給ローラー２と現像ローラー１
とが順回転することによる現像ローラー１担持トナー層
のトナー帯電分布の安定化について詳述する。本実施例
のように、供給ローラー２と現像ローラー１とが順回転
するの場合には、供給ローラー２に既に付着している帯
電トナーと新たにホッパー部６から供給された不帯電ト
ナーの両方が供給ローラー２によって現像ローラー１と
の接触部Ａに搬送され、この接触部Ａにおいて両ローラ
ー４，５の摩擦により全トナーが帯電されて現像ローラ
ー１上に付着する。供給ローラー２と現像ローラー１と
を順回転させていることから、供給ローラー２の回転に
よってこの接触部Ａを通過した現像ローラー１上にホッ
パー部６からの無帯電トナーが供給されることはない。
従って、接触部Ａを通過した現像ローラー１上のトナー
付着量は現像ローラー１の電界、供給ローラー２として
のスポンジローラの空隙率等で決定されるため比較的安
定している。一方、本実施例とは異なり、供給ローラー
２と現像ローラー１とが接触部Ａで互いの表面が逆方向
に移動するように回転する場合にも、供給ローラー２に
既に付着している帯電トナーと新たにホッパー部６から
供給された不帯電トナーの両方が供給ローラー２によっ
て現像ローラー１との接触部Ａに搬送される。特にホッ
パー部６から供給された新たなトナーが供給ローラー２
上に乗ったままの状態で比較的多量に現像ローラー１と
の接触部Ａまで搬送される。このため、この接触部Ａへ
侵入して両ローラー４，５の摩擦により充分帯電された
トナーが積極的に現像ローラー１表面に付着するのに加
え、上記のように供給ローラー２上に乗って搬送された
帯電の充分でないトナーも、現像ローラー１上の電界に
よる静電的な力（グラディエント力）やトナー凝集力等
によって接触部Ａ通過後の現像ローラー１上に付着す
る。しかも、このトナー凝集力等により物理的に付着す
るトナーの量は環境などで大きく変化する。特に、本実
施例の現像ローラー１のように表面にマイクロフィール
ドの電界を形成して多層にトナーを形成する場合には、
この無帯電トナーの付着量も大くなり、現像ローラー１
に担持されるトナーの帯電量分布が一層不安定なものに
なってしまう。Here, the supply roller 2 and the developing roller 1
The stabilization of the toner charge distribution of the toner layer carried on the developing roller 1 due to the forward rotation of and will be described in detail. When the supply roller 2 and the developing roller 1 rotate in the forward direction as in the present embodiment, both the charged toner already attached to the supply roller 2 and the uncharged toner newly supplied from the hopper unit 6 are supplied. Is conveyed to the contact portion A with the developing roller 1 by the supply roller 2, and at this contact portion A, all the toner is charged by the friction between the rollers 4 and 5 and adheres onto the developing roller 1. Since the supply roller 2 and the developing roller 1 are rotated in the forward direction, rotation of the supply roller 2 does not supply uncharged toner from the hopper 6 onto the developing roller 1 that has passed through the contact portion A. ..
Therefore, the toner adhesion amount on the developing roller 1 that has passed the contact portion A is relatively stable because it is determined by the electric field of the developing roller 1, the porosity of the sponge roller as the supply roller 2, and the like. On the other hand, unlike the present embodiment, even when the supply roller 2 and the developing roller 1 rotate at the contact portion A such that their surfaces move in opposite directions, the charged toner already attached to the supply roller 2 Then, both of the uncharged toner newly supplied from the hopper unit 6 are conveyed by the supply roller 2 to the contact portion A with the developing roller 1. In particular, new toner supplied from the hopper unit 6 is supplied to the supply roller 2
A relatively large amount is conveyed to the contact portion A with the developing roller 1 while being on the top. Therefore, in addition to the toner that has entered the contact portion A and is sufficiently charged by the friction between the rollers 4 and 5 to be positively attached to the surface of the developing roller 1, as well as riding on the supply roller 2 as described above. The conveyed toner that is not sufficiently charged adheres to the developing roller 1 after passing through the contact portion A due to an electrostatic force (gradient force) due to an electric field on the developing roller 1 or a toner cohesive force. Moreover, the amount of toner physically attached due to the toner cohesive force and the like greatly changes depending on the environment. In particular, when a microfield electric field is formed on the surface to form a multi-layer toner like the developing roller 1 of the present embodiment,
The amount of this uncharged toner attached also increases, and the developing roller 1
The charge amount distribution of the toner carried on the toner becomes more unstable.

【００３５】以上のように、供給ローラー２の回転方向
による現像ローラー１へのトナー供給作用の違いによっ
て、本実施例のように供給ローラー２と現像ローラー１
とを順回転させる場合には、これらを逆回転させる場合
に比して、現像ローラー１上のトナー層中の無帯電トナ
ーを激減させることができる。As described above, due to the difference in the toner supplying action to the developing roller 1 depending on the rotating direction of the supplying roller 2, the supplying roller 2 and the developing roller 1 are different from each other as in this embodiment.
When the and are rotated in the forward direction, the uncharged toner in the toner layer on the developing roller 1 can be drastically reduced as compared with the case of rotating them in the reverse direction.

【００３６】以上の構成によれば、供給ローラー２と現
像ローラー１とを順回転させ、これにより、供給ローラ
ー２の回転によって接触部Ａを通過した現像ローラー１
上にホッパー部６からの無帯電トナーを供給しないよう
にしているので、現像ローラー１へのトナーの付着量が
環境変動に左右されにくく、また無帯電トナーが少ない
トナーの帯電量分布を得ることができ、現像特性を安定
させることができる。従って、無帯電トナーが少なく所
望の帯電量をもつ多層のトナー層を現像ローラー１上に
安定して形成できるので、等速現像も可能になる。According to the above-mentioned structure, the supply roller 2 and the developing roller 1 are rotated in the forward direction, whereby the developing roller 1 which has passed the contact portion A by the rotation of the supply roller 2 is rotated.
Since the uncharged toner is not supplied from the hopper unit 6 to the upper part, the amount of toner adhered to the developing roller 1 is not easily affected by environmental changes, and the charge amount distribution of toner with less uncharged toner is obtained. Therefore, the developing characteristics can be stabilized. Therefore, since a multi-layered toner layer having a small amount of uncharged toner and a desired charge amount can be stably formed on the developing roller 1, constant speed development is also possible.

【００３７】また、供給ローラー２を順方向に回転させ
ることによって、充分に帯電したトナーのみを現像ロー
ラー１へ供給できるので、供給ローラー２を現像ローラ
ー１との接触部Ａで逆方向に移動するものと異なり、現
像ローラー１上のトナー層上層部の無帯電トナーを除去
する等のためにトナー層規制部材４の圧接力を比較的高
めに設定する必要がなく、トナー層規制部材４の現像ロ
ーラー１への圧接力を比較的低い圧接力に設定できる。Further, since the sufficiently charged toner can be supplied to the developing roller 1 by rotating the supplying roller 2 in the forward direction, the supplying roller 2 is moved in the reverse direction at the contact portion A with the developing roller 1. Unlike the above, it is not necessary to set the pressure contact force of the toner layer regulating member 4 to a relatively high value in order to remove the uncharged toner in the upper layer portion of the toner layer on the developing roller 1, and the development of the toner layer regulating member 4 is not required. The pressure contact force to the roller 1 can be set to a relatively low pressure contact force.

【００３８】また、現像ローラー１を現像領域において
感光体ドラム１０とほぼ等速度で移動するように回転し
ているので、“トナー後端より”が発生せず、カラー画
像でも後端部での濃度過多や重ね画像の色違いといった
不具合がない、良好な画像を得ることができる。Further, since the developing roller 1 is rotated so as to move at substantially the same speed as the photosensitive drum 10 in the developing area, "from the trailing edge of the toner" does not occur, and even in the color image, the trailing edge portion does not occur. It is possible to obtain a good image without problems such as excessive density and different colors of superimposed images.

【００３９】また、現像ローラー１上のトナー層に無帯
電トナーが含まれていないので、地肌汚れや解像度劣化
もない良好な画質を得ることができる。Further, since the toner layer on the developing roller 1 contains no uncharged toner, it is possible to obtain a good image quality without background stains and resolution deterioration.

【００４０】また、現像ローラー１として、表面に誘電
体部４１と導電体部４２とが微小面積で混在するように
構成されているものを用い、かつ、供給ローラー２でこ
の誘電体部４１を摩擦帯電して多数の微小電極を形成
し、これにより、現像ローラー１の表面に容易に充分に
帯電した多量のトナーを吸引できるようにしているの
で、現像ローラー１上に充分帯電した多層のトナー層を
容易に形成することができる。Further, as the developing roller 1, one having a structure in which the dielectric portion 41 and the conductor portion 42 are mixed in a minute area is used as the developing roller 1, and the dielectric portion 41 is formed by the supply roller 2. Since a large number of microelectrodes are formed by frictional charging so that a large amount of sufficiently charged toner can be easily attracted to the surface of the developing roller 1, a sufficiently charged multilayer toner on the developing roller 1 is formed. The layers can be easily formed.

【００４１】次に、本実施例における、上記現像ローラ
ー１及び上記供給ローラー２の下方のケーシング５下壁
の内周面の形状について説明する。本実施例のケーシン
グ５下壁の内周面（以下、ケーシング下壁内面という）
は、その拡大図である図１（ｂ）に示すように、現像ロ
ーラー１に対向する部分及び供給ローラー２に対向する
部分それぞれが、対向するローラー１，２の表面から一
定間隔Ｌ1，Ｌ2を保持するように、対向するローラー
１，２の表面と同一の曲率に形成されている。しかも、
現像ローラー１とケーシング下壁内面との間隔Ｌ1より
も供給ローラー２とケーシング下壁内面との間隔Ｌ2の
方が大きくなるよう形成されている。Next, the shape of the inner peripheral surface of the lower wall of the casing 5 below the developing roller 1 and the supplying roller 2 in this embodiment will be described. Inner peripheral surface of the lower wall of the casing 5 of the present embodiment (hereinafter referred to as inner surface of the lower casing wall)
As shown in an enlarged view of FIG. 1 (b), a portion facing the developing roller 1 and a portion facing the supply roller 2 are separated from the surfaces of the facing rollers 1 and 2 by a constant distance L 1 , L 2. It is formed to have the same curvature as the surfaces of the rollers 1 and 2 facing each other so as to hold 2 . Moreover,
Is formed so that the direction of the developing roller 1 and the distance between the feed roller 2 and the casing lower wall inner surface than the distance L 1 between the casing lower wall inner surface L 2 increases.

【００４２】このケーシング下壁内面形状において、現
像装置内でのトナーは、まず従来と同様に図中の矢印で
示したように供給ローラー２の回転で、供給ローラー２
とケーシング下壁内面との間を現像ローラー１側へと流
れる。現像ローラー１近傍まで流れ込んだトナーのうち
供給ローラー２と現像ローラー１との接触部Ａに進入し
たトナーは、前述のようにこの接触部Ａで摩擦帯電され
て現像ローラー１に静電的に担持される。ここで、回転
している現像ローラー１及び供給ローラー２の周辺トナ
ーの流れについて考えてみる。現像ローラー１及び供給
ローラー２の周辺トナーへの拘束力は各々の表面で最も
強く、表面から離れるにしたがい弱くなっている。この
ため回転している供給ローラー２の表面近傍では回転方
向に沿ってトナーが流れるが供給ローラー２の表面から
離れた位置では供給ローラー２の回転に拘束されず、現
像ローラー１へ供給されなかった余剰トナーは供給ロー
ラー２の回転に逆らいやすく、収容部６方向へと流れや
すくなる。現像ローラー１周辺のトナーについても同様
であり、表面に担持されたトナー以外は現像ローラの回
転に逆らって流れやすくなりＢ部から漏れ出しやすい。
しかし、本実施例においては供給ローラー２下方の間隔
Ｌ2の方が広く形成されているため、供給ローラー２と
ケーシング下壁内面との間のケーシング下壁内面近傍で
は、トナーが現像ローラー１及び供給ローラー２の回転
に逆らって流れやすく、図中矢印で示したようにトナー
が流れる。このため、現像ローラー１とケーシング下壁
内面との間隙に、供給ローラー２の回転でつぎつぎに過
剰なトナーが押し込まれることがない。In the shape of the inner surface of the lower wall of the casing, the toner in the developing device is first rotated by the rotation of the supply roller 2 as shown by the arrow in the figure, as in the conventional case.
And the inner surface of the lower wall of the casing flow toward the developing roller 1. Of the toner that has flowed into the vicinity of the developing roller 1, the toner that has entered the contact portion A between the supply roller 2 and the developing roller 1 is frictionally charged at the contact portion A as described above, and is electrostatically carried on the developing roller 1. To be done. Now, consider the flow of toner around the developing roller 1 and the supply roller 2 which are rotating. The binding force of the developing roller 1 and the supply roller 2 to the peripheral toner is strongest on each surface, and becomes weaker as the distance from the surface increases. For this reason, the toner flows along the rotation direction in the vicinity of the surface of the rotating supply roller 2, but is not constrained by the rotation of the supply roller 2 at a position away from the surface of the supply roller 2 and is not supplied to the developing roller 1. Excess toner tends to oppose the rotation of the supply roller 2 and easily flows toward the storage unit 6. The same applies to the toner around the developing roller 1. Other than the toner carried on the surface, the toner easily flows against the rotation of the developing roller and easily leaks from the portion B.
However, since the direction of spacing L 2 of the feed rollers 2 downward is wider in this embodiment, the casing lower wall near the inner surface between the supply roller 2 and the casing lower wall inner surface, the toner developing roller 1 and The toner easily flows against the rotation of the supply roller 2, and the toner flows as indicated by the arrow in the figure. Therefore, the excessive toner is not pushed into the gap between the developing roller 1 and the inner surface of the casing lower wall one after another by the rotation of the supply roller 2.

【００４３】以上のケーシング下壁内面形状によれば、
供給ローラー２とケーシング下壁内面との間のケーシン
グ下壁内面の近傍に、トナー収容部６側へのトナー流れ
が生じ、これにより、現像ローラー１に付着しなかった
過剰なトナーがトナー収容部６に返還されるので、現像
ローラー１とケーシング下壁内面との間隙内のトナー粉
圧が過度に高まってトナーがシール７によるシール部Ｃ
から漏れ出すこともない。According to the above inner shape of the casing lower wall,
In the vicinity of the inner surface of the casing lower wall between the supply roller 2 and the inner surface of the casing lower wall, a toner flow to the toner storage unit 6 side occurs, whereby excess toner that did not adhere to the developing roller 1 is removed from the toner storage unit. 6, the toner powder pressure in the gap between the developing roller 1 and the inner surface of the casing lower wall is excessively increased, and the toner is sealed by the seal portion C.
It never leaks out.

【００４４】また、供給ローラー２とケーシング下壁内
面との間のケーシング下壁内面の近傍に、トナー収容部
６側へのトナー流れが生じさせるには、図３（ａ）及び
（ｂ）に示すようなケーシング下壁内面の形状にしても
良い。この例では、図３（ａ）に示すように、供給ロー
ラー２下方の下壁内面を、供給ローラー２の回転方向上
流側の供給ローラー２とケーシング下壁内面との間隔Ｌ
3の方が回転方向下流側の間隔Ｌ4よりも狭くなるように
形成している。このためには例えば図３（ｂ）に示すよ
うに、供給ローラー２下方の下壁内面を、その断面が、
供給ローラの中心Ｃ1の位置からホッパー部６側へ水平
に移動した位置を中心Ｃ2する円弧状になるように形成
する。この例においては、現像装置内のトナーの流れ
は、まず図１（ａ）及び（ｂ）の例と同様に供給ローラ
ー２の回転により供給ローラー２とケーシング下壁内面
との間を現像ローラー１側へと流れる。そして、供給ロ
ーラー２とケーシング下壁内面との間隔が徐々に狭くな
っているために上述の実施例１と同様に供給ローラー２
表面近傍にあるトナー以外は供給ローラー２の回転に逆
らって流れやすいため、ある一定量以上のトナーは図中
の矢印に示したようにトナー収容部６の方向へと返還さ
れる。このため、シール部ｃからトナーが漏れ出すこと
がなく、また、過剰なトナーが接触部Ａに流れ込むこと
もない。3A and 3B, in order to cause the toner flow to the toner storage portion 6 side in the vicinity of the inner surface of the casing lower wall between the supply roller 2 and the inner surface of the casing lower wall, FIG. 3A and FIG. The shape of the inner surface of the lower wall of the casing as shown may be adopted. In this example, as shown in FIG. 3 (a), the inner surface of the lower wall below the supply roller 2 is defined by a gap L between the supply roller 2 on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the supply roller 2 and the inner surface of the lower wall of the casing.
3 is formed so as to be narrower than the distance L 4 on the downstream side in the rotation direction. For this purpose, for example, as shown in FIG. 3B, the inner surface of the lower wall below the supply roller 2 has a cross section of
It is formed so as to have an arc shape with a center C 2 at a position horizontally moved from the position C 1 of the supply roller toward the hopper portion 6. In this example, the flow of the toner in the developing device is such that, as in the example of FIGS. 1A and 1B, the developing roller 1 is rotated between the supplying roller 2 and the inner surface of the lower wall of the casing by the rotation of the supplying roller 2. Flowing to the side. Then, since the distance between the supply roller 2 and the inner surface of the lower wall of the casing is gradually narrowed, the supply roller 2 is similar to the first embodiment.
Except for the toner near the surface, the toner easily flows against the rotation of the supply roller 2, so a certain amount of toner or more is returned to the toner storage portion 6 as shown by the arrow in the figure. Therefore, the toner does not leak from the seal portion c, and the excess toner does not flow into the contact portion A.

【００４５】次にシール部Ｃからのトナー漏出を防止す
るための他の実施例に係る現像装置について説明する。
図４は、その概略構成を示す正面図である。この現像装
置も、上記実施例に係る現像装置と同様の、現像ローラ
ー１、供給ローラー２、アジテーター３、トナー層規制
部材４、シール部材７を備えている。 上記実施例と異
なる点は、アジテーター３による供給ローラー２への過
剰なトナー供給を防止するための隔壁８、アジテーター
３からのトナーの溜り部９を供給ローラー２表面近傍に
形成するとともに供給ローラー２とその下方のケーシン
グ下壁内面との間を仕切る隔壁部材１１、及び、該隔壁
部材１１のケーシング下壁内面との間でトナーをホッパ
ー部６側に搬送するトナー返還部材１０を設けた点、及
び、現像ローラー１及び供給ローラー２下方のケーシン
グ下壁内面を、現像ローラー１表面と対向する端部側が
高くなるように、トナーの安息角以上に傾斜させて形成
した点である。 ここで、トナーの安息角について説明
すると、トナーを水平面に少量づつ落下したとき、落下
したトナーにより山が形成されるが、その斜面がある一
定の角度に達すると、それ以上はトナーが斜面を流れ落
ちるようになる。安息角とはこのトナーが流れ落ちたと
きの斜面が水平面となす角度である。このため平面上に
トナーを置いたとき、この平面を安息角以上に傾ければ
トナーは全てその平面から滑り落ちる。Next, a developing device according to another embodiment for preventing toner leakage from the seal portion C will be described.
FIG. 4 is a front view showing the schematic configuration thereof. This developing device also includes the developing roller 1, the supply roller 2, the agitator 3, the toner layer regulating member 4, and the seal member 7, which are similar to those of the developing device according to the above-described embodiment. The difference from the above-described embodiment is that a partition 8 for preventing excessive toner supply to the supply roller 2 by the agitator 3 and a toner reservoir 9 from the agitator 3 are formed near the surface of the supply roller 2 and the supply roller 2 is provided. A partition wall member 11 for partitioning between the inner wall of the casing and the lower wall of the casing therebelow, and a toner return member 10 for transporting toner to the hopper portion 6 side between the partition wall 11 and the inner wall of the casing lower wall. In addition, the inner surface of the casing lower wall below the developing roller 1 and the supply roller 2 is formed so as to be inclined at a repose angle of toner or more so that the end side facing the surface of the developing roller 1 becomes higher. To explain the angle of repose of the toner, when the toner is dropped little by little on a horizontal surface, a mountain is formed by the dropped toner, but when the slope reaches a certain angle, the toner falls on the slope more than that. It will run down. The angle of repose is the angle formed by the slope when the toner flows down and the horizontal plane. Therefore, when the toner is placed on the flat surface, if the flat surface is tilted more than the angle of repose, all the toner will slide off the flat surface.

【００４６】以上の構成において、ケーシング５内のト
ナー収容部６に収容されているトナーはアジテータ３に
よって、隔壁部材８と供給ローラー２との間のトナー溜
り部９に供給される。このとき、隔壁８により過剰なト
ナー供給が規制されている。トナー溜り部９に送り込ま
れたトナーはトナー供給ローラー２へ搬送され、さらに
供給ローラー２により供給ローラー２と現像ローラー１
の接触部Ａに搬送される。搬送されたトナーは接触部Ａ
において、摩擦帯電される。ここで、現像ローラー１と
トナーと供給ローラー２の摩擦により現像ローラー１の
微小誘電体部１ａに更に帯電を与え、現像ローラー１上
に微小閉電界（マイクロフィールド）を作り、これによ
り、供給ローラー２上のトナーを、現像ローラの閉電界
に静電的に吸引させ、現像ローラー１上に多層に付着さ
せる。ここで、現像ローラー１と供給ローラー２が順回
転していることから、上記実施例と同様にして無帯電ト
ナーの無い所望の安定した帯電量を持つトナー層を形成
することができる。現像ローラー１に担持されたトナー
層は規制ブレード４により規制された後に現像領域に搬
送される。 （以下、余白） 一方、供給ローラー２でトナー溜り部９から排出された
トナーのうち現像ローラー１に担持されなかったトナ
ー、及び現像ローラー１に担持されて一旦装置外に出た
後に現像されずに装置内に戻ってきたトナーは、現像ロ
ーラー１及び供給ローラー２の下方の下壁内面上に落下
する。この下壁内面が水平面となす角θがトナーの安息
角以上になるように傾斜させて形成されている（例えば
４５゜±１５゜程度に傾斜させる）ので、ケーシング下
壁内面上に落下したトナーは、矢印のように斜面を滑り
落ち、さらにトナー返還部材１０によりトナー収容部６
に返還される。In the above structure, the toner contained in the toner containing portion 6 in the casing 5 is supplied to the toner reservoir 9 between the partition member 8 and the supply roller 2 by the agitator 3. At this time, the partition 8 controls the excessive toner supply. The toner sent to the toner reservoir 9 is conveyed to the toner supply roller 2, and further supplied by the supply roller 2 to the supply roller 2 and the developing roller 1.
Is conveyed to the contact portion A of. The transported toner is in the contact portion A.
At, it is triboelectrically charged. Here, the friction between the developing roller 1, the toner, and the supplying roller 2 further charges the minute dielectric portion 1a of the developing roller 1 to create a minute closed electric field (microfield) on the developing roller 1, and thereby, the supplying roller. The toner on 2 is electrostatically attracted to the closed electric field of the developing roller, and is attached in multiple layers on the developing roller 1. Here, since the developing roller 1 and the supply roller 2 are rotating in the forward direction, it is possible to form a toner layer having a desired stable charge amount without any uncharged toner in the same manner as in the above embodiment. The toner layer carried on the developing roller 1 is regulated by the regulating blade 4 and then conveyed to the developing area. On the other hand, on the other hand, among the toners discharged from the toner reservoir 9 by the supply roller 2, the toners not carried on the developing roller 1 and the toners carried on the developing roller 1 and once outside the apparatus are not developed. The toner returning to the inside of the apparatus drops onto the inner surface of the lower wall below the developing roller 1 and the supply roller 2. Since the angle θ formed by the inner surface of the lower wall with the horizontal plane is equal to or greater than the repose angle of the toner (for example, inclined by about 45 ° ± 15 °), the toner dropped on the inner surface of the lower wall of the casing. Slides down the slope as indicated by the arrow, and the toner return member 10 causes the toner container 6
Will be returned to.

【００４７】以上、本実施例によれば、供給ローラー２
でトナー溜り部９から排出されたトナーのうち現像ロー
ラー１に担持されなかったトナー、及び現像ローラー１
に担持されて一旦装置外に出た後に現像されずに装置内
に戻ってきたトナーが、現像ローラー１及び供給ローラ
ー２の下方の下壁内面上に落下し、さらに、ケーシング
下壁内面上を滑り落ちるので、ケーシング下壁端部のシ
ール部Ｃからトナー漏出するのを防止できる。As described above, according to this embodiment, the supply roller 2
Of the toner discharged from the toner reservoir 9 by the developing roller 1 and the developing roller 1
The toner, which has been carried by the toner and has once returned to the inside of the apparatus without being developed, drops onto the inner surface of the lower wall below the developing roller 1 and the supply roller 2, and further on the inner surface of the lower wall of the casing. Since it slides down, it is possible to prevent toner from leaking from the seal portion C at the end of the lower wall of the casing.

【００４８】次に、無帯電トナーが少なく、所望の帯電
量をもつトナー層を現像剤担持体上に担持して潜像担持
体に供給できるとともに、使い切れずに現像装置内の残
る現像剤の量を減らし、かつ、現像剤供給部材近傍に充
分なトナー溜りを形成することができる現像装置の実施
例について説明する。供給ローラー２へトナーを供給す
るためのトナー溜り部は、供給ローラー２と現像ローラ
ー１との接触部Ａに無帯電トナーが流れ込まず、かつ充
分な量のトナーを供給ローラー２近傍にためるものであ
ることが望ましい。これは、トナーホッパ部６内のトナ
ーが直接接触部Ａに流れこむと、上述のように供給ロー
ラー２の順回転により帯電したトナーのみが現像ローラ
ー１に付着しているのに帯電の充分でないトナーが付着
するからである。また、順回転をおこなう供給ローラー
２に充分なトナーを供給し、充分に帯電したトナーの安
定多層薄層が形成することが必要だからである。本実施
例においては、このようなトナー溜りを形成するため
に、トナー収容部６と供給ローラー２側の領域とを区画
する隔壁８の供給ローラー２側の側面形状に改良を加え
ている。図５は、その概略構成を示す正面図である。こ
の現像装置も、上記図１（ａ）に示す現像装置と同様
の、現像ローラー１、供給ローラー２、アジテーター
３、トナー層規制部材４、シール部材７を備えている。
上記実施例と異なる点は、アジテーター３と供給ローラ
ー２側との間に隔壁８を設け、かつ、その供給ローラー
２側の側面を上記のトナーの安息角以上に傾斜させて形
成した点である。Next, a toner layer having a small amount of uncharged toner and a desired charge amount can be carried on the developer carrying member and supplied to the latent image carrying member, and at the same time, the developer remaining in the developing device without being used up can be removed. An embodiment of a developing device capable of reducing the amount and forming a sufficient toner pool in the vicinity of the developer supply member will be described. The toner reservoir portion for supplying the toner to the supply roller 2 is one in which the uncharged toner does not flow into the contact portion A between the supply roller 2 and the developing roller 1 and a sufficient amount of toner is accumulated in the vicinity of the supply roller 2. Is desirable. This is because when the toner in the toner hopper portion 6 directly flows into the contact portion A, only the toner charged by the forward rotation of the supply roller 2 is attached to the developing roller 1 as described above, but the toner is not sufficiently charged. Is attached. Also, it is necessary to supply sufficient toner to the supply roller 2 that rotates in the forward direction to form a stable multi-layer thin layer of sufficiently charged toner. In this embodiment, in order to form such a toner pool, the side surface shape of the partition wall 8 that partitions the toner storage portion 6 and the area on the supply roller 2 side is improved. FIG. 5 is a front view showing the schematic configuration thereof. This developing device also includes the developing roller 1, the supply roller 2, the agitator 3, the toner layer regulating member 4, and the sealing member 7, which are similar to those of the developing device shown in FIG.
The difference from the above embodiment is that a partition wall 8 is provided between the agitator 3 and the supply roller 2 side, and the side surface of the supply roller 2 side is inclined at an angle of repose of the toner or more. ..

【００４９】以上の構成において、ケーシング５内のト
ナー収容部６に収容されているトナーはアジテータ３に
よって、隔壁８の上端部を超えて供給ローラー２と隔壁
８との間のトナー溜り部７に供給される。トナー溜り部
９に送り込まれたトナーはトナー供給ローラー２へ搬送
され、さらに供給ローラー２により供給ローラー２と現
像ローラー１の接触部Ａに搬送される。ここで、トナー
収容部７と供給ローラー２側の領域は隔壁８で区画さ
れ、これにより、アジテータ３ではね上げられたトナー
が供給ローラー２を超えて直接接触部Ａに供給されない
ようにしている。また、供給ローラー２の回転方向が現
像ローラー１と、接触部Ａで順方向に回転するように設
定されているので、上記の実施例と同様に、この接触部
Ａに無帯電トナーが流れ込まない。さらに、隔壁８の供
給ローラー２側の側面８ａが上端部がトナー収容部６側
に高くなるように傾斜させて形成されているので、トナ
ー溜り部７が比較的大きく、充分な量のトナーを供給ロ
ーラー２表面に供給する。接触部Ａに搬送されたトナー
はここで摩擦帯電される。現像ローラー１とトナーと供
給ローラー２の摩擦により現像ローラー１の微小誘電体
部１ａに更に帯電を与え、現像ローラー１上に微小閉電
界（マイクロフィールド）を作り、これにより、供給ロ
ーラー２上のトナーを、現像ローラの閉電界に静電的に
吸引させ、現像ローラー１上に多層に付着させる。ここ
で、現像ローラー１と供給ローラー２が順回転している
ことから、上記実施例と同様にして無帯電トナーの無い
所望の安定した帯電量を持つトナー層を形成することが
できる。現像ローラー１に担持されたトナー層は規制ブ
レード４により規制された後に現像領域に搬送される。In the above structure, the toner stored in the toner storage portion 6 inside the casing 5 is moved by the agitator 3 beyond the upper end portion of the partition wall 8 to the toner reservoir portion 7 between the supply roller 2 and the partition wall 8. Supplied. The toner sent to the toner reservoir 9 is conveyed to the toner supply roller 2 and further conveyed by the supply roller 2 to the contact portion A between the supply roller 2 and the developing roller 1. Here, the toner storage portion 7 and the area on the side of the supply roller 2 are partitioned by the partition wall 8, so that the toner repelled by the agitator 3 is prevented from being directly supplied to the contact portion A beyond the supply roller 2. Further, since the rotation direction of the supply roller 2 is set so as to rotate in the forward direction at the contact portion A with the developing roller 1, the uncharged toner does not flow into the contact portion A as in the above embodiment. .. Further, since the side surface 8a of the partition wall 8 on the side of the supply roller 2 is formed so as to be inclined so that the upper end portion thereof becomes higher toward the toner storage portion 6, the toner reservoir portion 7 is relatively large and a sufficient amount of toner is collected. Supply to the surface of the supply roller 2. The toner conveyed to the contact portion A is frictionally charged here. Friction between the developing roller 1, the toner, and the supplying roller 2 further charges the minute dielectric portion 1a of the developing roller 1 to create a minute closed electric field (microfield) on the developing roller 1, and thereby, the supplying roller 2 The toner is electrostatically attracted to the closed electric field of the developing roller and is adhered in multiple layers on the developing roller 1. Here, since the developing roller 1 and the supply roller 2 are rotating in the forward direction, it is possible to form a toner layer having a desired stable charge amount without any uncharged toner in the same manner as in the above embodiment. The toner layer carried on the developing roller 1 is regulated by the regulating blade 4 and then conveyed to the developing area.

【００５０】以上、本実施例によれば、隔壁８のうち、
トナー供給ローラ２側の斜面８ａが水平面となす角θは
現像装置内に収容されているトナーの安息角以上になる
よう構成されている。このため従来例である図６（ｃ）
のように隔壁８を鉛直に形成するものに比べ、トナー溜
り７が大きく形成でき、これにより、供給ローラー２が
常時十分な量のトナーに接することができる。また、角
θを安息角以上としているため、現像装置の使用にとも
ない装置内のトナー量が少なくなってきても隔壁の斜面
８ａにトナーが付着し、残トナーが増加することも防止
できる。As described above, according to this embodiment, among the partition walls 8,
The angle θ formed by the inclined surface 8a on the toner supply roller 2 side with the horizontal plane is configured to be equal to or greater than the repose angle of the toner contained in the developing device. Therefore, FIG. 6C, which is a conventional example.
As described above, the toner reservoir 7 can be formed to be larger than that in which the partition wall 8 is formed vertically, so that the supply roller 2 can always contact a sufficient amount of toner. Further, since the angle θ is equal to or greater than the angle of repose, even if the amount of toner in the apparatus decreases as the developing apparatus is used, it is possible to prevent the toner from adhering to the slope 8a of the partition wall and increasing the residual toner.

【００５１】なお、以上の各実施例は、非磁性一成分現
像装置の例であるが、本発明は、磁性トナーをもちいた
一成分現像装置等にも同様に適応できる。Although each of the above embodiments is an example of a non-magnetic one-component developing device, the present invention can be similarly applied to a one-component developing device using magnetic toner.

【００５２】[0052]

【発明の効果】請求項１乃至６の発明によれば、現像剤
供給部材表面と現像剤担持体表面とを、両者の接触部で
両表面が同方向に移動するようにして現像剤供給部材上
の現像剤を現像剤担持体表面に付着させ、これにより、
該接触部を通過した現像剤担持体表面にトナー収容部か
らの無帯電現像剤を現像剤供給部材表面の移動によって
は直接供給し、これにより、該接触部における摩擦帯電
で充分に帯電した現像剤のみが現像剤担持体表面上に積
層状態で担持されるので、無帯電トナーが少なく所望の
帯電量をもつ多層のトナー層を現像剤担持体上に形成し
て潜像担持体に供給することができる。従って、無帯電
トナー等が現像領域に搬送されないで、無帯電トナーが
少なく最適な帯電量をもつ現像剤を現像領域に搬送し
て、地肌汚れや解像度劣化等も生じない良好な現像像を
得ることができる。According to the invention of claims 1 to 6, the surface of the developer supplying member and the surface of the developer carrying member are moved in the same direction at their contact portions so that both surfaces move in the same direction. The developer above is attached to the surface of the developer carrier, whereby
The non-charged developer from the toner accommodating portion is directly supplied to the surface of the developer carrier that has passed through the contact portion by the movement of the surface of the developer supplying member, whereby the development is sufficiently charged by frictional charging at the contact portion. Since only the developer is carried on the surface of the developer carrier in a laminated state, there are few uncharged toners and a multi-layered toner layer having a desired charge amount is formed on the developer carrier and supplied to the latent image carrier. be able to. Therefore, the uncharged toner or the like is not conveyed to the developing area, and the developer having a small amount of the uncharged toner and the optimum charge amount is conveyed to the developing area to obtain a good developed image without causing background stains or resolution deterioration. be able to.

【００５３】更に、請求項１の発明によれば、現像剤供
給部材下部表面と該現像装置ケーシング下壁の内面との
間隙が現像剤担持体下部表面と該現像措置ケーシング下
壁の内面との間隙よりも大きくなっているので、該現像
剤供給部材下部表面と該現像装置ケーシング下壁の内面
との間隙のうち、該内面近傍には該現像剤供給部材表面
移動方向とは逆方向のトナー収容部側への現像剤の流れ
も生じ、これにより、過剰な現像剤が、該現像剤供給部
材表面の移動によって現像剤担持体下部表面と該現像剤
ケーシング下壁内面との間隙に押し込まれることがな
い。このため、従来とは異なり、現像剤担持体下部表面
と該現像措置ケーシング下壁との間隙内の現像剤の圧力
が過度に高まることはなく、現像剤担持体表面と該現像
措置ケーシング下壁との間隙からの現像剤の漏出を防止
することができる。従って、現像装置内の構成を複雑化
することなしに現像剤供給部材表面の移動速度を高めに
設定しても装置外にトナーが漏れ、紙詰まりの除去やメ
ンテナンス時に作業者の手を汚す等のことがない。ま
た、残トナーを減少させることができる。Further, according to the invention of claim 1, the gap between the lower surface of the developer supply member and the inner surface of the lower wall of the developing device casing is defined by the lower surface of the developer carrier and the inner surface of the lower wall of the developing device casing. Since the gap is larger than the gap, in the gap between the lower surface of the developer supply member and the inner surface of the lower wall of the developing device casing, toner in the direction opposite to the moving direction of the surface of the developer supply member is provided in the vicinity of the inner surface. The flow of the developer to the accommodation portion side also occurs, whereby excess developer is pushed into the gap between the lower surface of the developer carrier and the inner surface of the lower wall of the developer casing due to the movement of the surface of the developer supply member. Never. Therefore, unlike the prior art, the pressure of the developer in the gap between the lower surface of the developer carrying member and the lower wall of the developing device casing does not increase excessively, and the surface of the developer carrying member and the lower wall of the developing device casing do not rise. It is possible to prevent the developer from leaking from the gap between and. Therefore, even if the moving speed of the surface of the developer supply member is set to a high speed without complicating the internal structure of the developing device, the toner leaks to the outside of the device, clears paper jams, and contaminates the worker's hands during maintenance. There is no such thing. In addition, the residual toner can be reduced.

【００５４】また、請求項２の発明によれば、該現像剤
供給部材下部表面と該現像装置ケーシング下壁の内面と
の間隙が、該現像剤供給部材表面移動方向下流側になる
ほど狭くなっているので、該現像剤供給部材下部表面と
該現像装置ケーシング下壁の内面との間隙のうち、該内
面近傍には該現像剤供給部材表面移動方向とは逆方向の
トナー収容部側への現像剤の流れも生じ、これにより、
過剰な現像剤が、該現像剤供給部材表面の移動によって
現像剤担持体下部表面と該現像剤ケーシング下壁内面と
の間隙に押し込まれることがない。このため、従来とは
異なり、現像剤担持体表面と該現像措置ケーシング下壁
との間隙内の現像剤の圧力が過度に高まることはなく、
現像剤担持体表面と該現像措置ケーシング下壁との間隙
からの現像剤の漏出を防止することができる。従って、
現像装置内の構成を複雑化することなしに現像剤供給部
材表面の移動速度を高めに設定しても装置外にトナーが
漏れ、紙詰まりの除去やメンテナンス時に作業者の手を
汚す等のことがない。また、残トナーを減少させること
ができる。According to the second aspect of the invention, the gap between the lower surface of the developer supply member and the inner surface of the lower wall of the casing of the developing device becomes narrower toward the downstream side in the moving direction of the surface of the developer supply member. Therefore, in the gap between the lower surface of the developer supply member and the inner surface of the lower wall of the developing device casing, in the vicinity of the inner surface, the development to the toner containing portion side in the direction opposite to the surface moving direction of the developer supply member is performed. A flow of agent also occurs, which causes
Excessive developer is not pushed into the gap between the lower surface of the developer carrier and the inner surface of the lower wall of the developer casing due to the movement of the surface of the developer supply member. Therefore, unlike the prior art, the pressure of the developer in the gap between the surface of the developer carrier and the lower wall of the developing device casing does not increase excessively,
It is possible to prevent the developer from leaking through the gap between the surface of the developer carrier and the lower wall of the developing device casing. Therefore,
Even if the moving speed of the surface of the developer supply member is set high without complicating the internal structure of the developing device, toner leaks out of the device, clears paper jams, and soils the hands of workers during maintenance. There is no. In addition, the residual toner can be reduced.

【００５５】また、請求項３によれば、現像装置ケーシ
ング下壁の内面を、現像剤担持体側の方が高くなるよう
に、現像剤の安息角以上の角度で傾斜させて形成されて
いるので、この上に落下した、上記現像剤供給部材表面
の移動によって搬送された現像剤のうち該現像剤供給部
材と現像剤担持体との接触部に進入できなかった現像
剤、及び、上記静電潜像に付着せずにそのまま現像剤担
持体表面の移動によって搬送された現像剤のうち該接触
部に進入できなかった現像剤は、該内面と現像剤担持体
下部表面との間隙に留まることなく、該現像剤供給部材
の下方側、すなわち現像剤収容部側に該内面上を流下す
る。このため、現像剤担持体表面と該現像措置ケーシン
グ下壁との間隙に現像剤が溜って、現像剤担持体表面と
該現像措置ケーシング下壁との間隙からの漏出すること
を防止できる。従って、現像装置内の構成を複雑化する
ことなしに現像剤供給部材表面の移動速度を高めに設定
しても装置外にトナーが漏れ、紙詰まりの除去やメンテ
ナンス時に作業者の手を汚す等のことがない。また、残
トナーを減少させることができる。Further, according to claim 3, the inner surface of the lower wall of the developing device casing is formed so as to be inclined at an angle equal to or greater than the repose angle of the developer so that it is higher on the developer carrying side. Of the developer transported by the movement of the surface of the developer supply member, which has not been able to enter the contact portion between the developer supply member and the developer carrier, and the electrostatic charge. Of the developers carried by the movement of the surface of the developer carrier without adhering to the latent image, the developers that cannot enter the contact portion remain in the gap between the inner surface and the lower surface of the developer carrier. Instead, it flows down on the inner surface to the lower side of the developer supply member, that is, the developer containing portion side. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the developer from accumulating in the gap between the surface of the developer carrier and the lower wall of the developing device casing and leaking from the gap between the surface of the developer carrier and the lower wall of the developing device casing. Therefore, even if the moving speed of the surface of the developer supply member is set to a high speed without complicating the internal structure of the developing device, the toner leaks to the outside of the device, clears paper jams, and contaminates the worker's hands during maintenance. There is no such thing. In addition, the residual toner can be reduced.

【００５６】また、請求項４によれば、上記隔壁部材
で、該現像剤供給部材や現像剤担持体表面の移動によっ
て搬送された現像剤のうち上記接触部に進入できずに該
現像装置ケーシング下壁の内面上に落下した現像剤が、
該内面上をスムーズに流下できるようにするので、現像
剤担持体表面と該現像措置ケーシング下壁との間隙に現
像剤が溜るのを有効に防止することができる。According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the partition member prevents the developer conveyed by the movement of the developer supply member or the surface of the developer carrier from entering the contact portion, and the developing device casing. The developer dropped on the inner surface of the lower wall
Since it can flow down smoothly on the inner surface, it is possible to effectively prevent the developer from accumulating in the gap between the surface of the developer carrier and the lower wall of the developing device casing.

【００５７】また、請求項５によれば、装置内を顕像剤
担持体及び該現像剤供給部材が配設された領域と現像剤
収容部とに区画する隔壁部材の側面が、従来のように鉛
直に形成されているものとは異なり、該上端部側が該現
像剤供給部材から遠ざかるように傾斜させて形成させて
いるので、該現像剤供給部材の側部と該隔壁部材の側面
との間に従来に比して広い現像剤溜りが形成される。従
って、現像剤供給部材に充分な量の現像剤を供給するこ
とができる。また、該隔壁部材の側面の傾斜が現像剤の
安息角以上の角度であるので、該現像剤溜りの現像剤が
スムーズに該現像剤供給部材表面に近傍に供給されるの
で、残トナーを減少させることができる。According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the side surface of the partition wall member that divides the inside of the apparatus into the developer accommodating portion and the area where the developer carrier and the developer supply member are arranged is the same as in the conventional case. Unlike the one formed vertically in the above, since the upper end side is formed to be inclined so as to be away from the developer supply member, the side portion of the developer supply member and the side surface of the partition member are formed. In the meantime, a wider developer pool is formed than in the conventional case. Therefore, a sufficient amount of developer can be supplied to the developer supply member. Moreover, since the inclination of the side surface of the partition wall member is an angle equal to or greater than the repose angle of the developer, the developer in the developer pool is smoothly supplied to the vicinity of the surface of the developer supply member, so that the residual toner is reduced. Can be made

【００５８】また、請求項６の発明によれば、現像剤担
持体の接地された導電部と誘電部とが規則的又は不規則
に微小面積で分布した表面を現像剤供給部材で摩擦帯電
して現像剤担持体表面近傍に多数の微小電界を形成し、
これにより、該接触部における摩擦帯電で充分に帯電し
た現像剤のみが現像剤担持体表面近傍の微小電界により
該表面上に積層状態で担持されるので、無帯電トナーが
少なく所望の帯電量をもつ多層のトナー層を、確実に形
成することができる。Further, according to the invention of claim 6, the surface of the developer carrying member on which the grounded conductive portion and the dielectric portion are regularly or irregularly distributed in a minute area is triboelectrically charged by the developer supplying member. To form a large number of minute electric fields near the surface of the developer carrier,
As a result, only the developer sufficiently charged by frictional charging at the contact portion is carried in a laminated state on the surface by the minute electric field in the vicinity of the surface of the developer carrier, so that the amount of uncharged toner is small and a desired charge amount is obtained. It is possible to surely form a multi-layered toner layer.

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

【図１】（ａ）は実施例に係る現像装置の概略構成を示
す正面図、（ｂ）は同現像装置のケーシング下壁近傍の
拡大図。FIG. 1A is a front view showing a schematic configuration of a developing device according to an embodiment, and FIG. 1B is an enlarged view near a casing lower wall of the developing device.

【図２】（ａ）は同現像装置の現像ローラーの斜視図、
（ｂ）はその表面の一部を示す平面図。FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a developing roller of the developing device,
FIG. 6B is a plan view showing a part of the surface thereof.

【図３】（ａ）は他の実施例に係る現像装置の概略構成
を示す正面図、（ｂ）は同現像装置のケーシング下壁近
傍の拡大図。FIG. 3A is a front view showing a schematic configuration of a developing device according to another embodiment, and FIG. 3B is an enlarged view of the vicinity of a casing lower wall of the developing device.

【図４】更に他の実施例に係る現像装置の概略構成を示
す正面図。FIG. 4 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of a developing device according to still another embodiment.

【図５】更に他の実施例に係る現像装置の概略構成を示
す正面図。FIG. 5 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of a developing device according to still another embodiment.

【図６】（ａ）、（ｂ）、（ｃ）はそれぞれ従来例に係
る現像装置の概略構成を示す正面図。FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B, and FIG. 6C are front views showing a schematic configuration of a developing device according to a conventional example.

【符号の説明】[Explanation of symbols]

１ 現像ローラー ， １ａ 誘電
体部 １ｂ 導電体部 ， ２ 供給
ローラー ３ アジテーター ， ４ トナ
ー層規制部材 ５ ケーシング ， ７，９ ト
ナー溜り部 ８ 隔壁 ， １０ 感光
体ドラム Ａ 接触部DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Developing roller, 1a Dielectric part 1b Conductor part, 2 Supply roller 3 Agitator, 4 Toner layer regulating member 5 Casing, 7, 9 Toner reservoir part 8 Partition wall, 10 Photoconductor drum A Contact part

───────────────────────────────────────────────────── フロントページの続き (72)発明者 岩田 尚貴 東京都大田区中馬込１丁目３番６号 株式 会社リコー内 (72)発明者 上野 祐一 東京都大田区中馬込１丁目３番６号 株式 会社リコー内 (72)発明者 沢田 彰 東京都大田区中馬込１丁目３番６号 株式 会社リコー内 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Naoki Iwata 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Stock company Ricoh Company (72) Yuichi Ueno 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Share Inside Ricoh Company (72) Inventor Akira Sawada 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Ricoh Company, Ltd.

Claims (6)

【特許請求の範囲】[Claims] 【請求項１】表面が移動するように駆動される現像剤担
持体と、表面が現像剤担持体表面に接触して移動するよ
うに駆動される現像剤供給部材とを有し、該現像剤供給
部材で供給された現像剤担持体上の現像剤により潜像担
持体上の潜像を可視像化する現像装置において、 該現像剤供給部材表面の移動方向を、現像装置ケーシン
グ下壁の内面上で該表面が現像剤担持体側へ移動するよ
うに設定し、 現像剤担持体表面の移動方向を現像剤供給部材表面との
接触部で同方向に移動するように設定し、 該現像剤供給部材下部表面と該現像装置ケーシング下壁
の内面との間隙が、現像剤担持体下部表面と該現像装置
ケーシング下壁の内面との間隙よりも大きくなるよう
に、該現像装置ケーシング下壁の内面を形成したことを
特徴とする現像装置。1. A developer carrying member which is driven so that its surface moves, and a developer supplying member which is driven so that its surface comes into contact with the surface of the developer carrying member and moves. In a developing device that visualizes a latent image on a latent image carrier by a developer on the developer carrier supplied by a supply member, the moving direction of the surface of the developer supply member is set to the lower wall of the casing of the developing device. The surface of the developer is set to move toward the developer carrying member on the inner surface, and the moving direction of the surface of the developer carrying member is set to move in the same direction at the contact portion with the surface of the developer supplying member. The gap between the lower surface of the supply member and the inner surface of the lower wall of the developing device casing is larger than the gap between the lower surface of the developer carrier and the inner surface of the lower wall of the developing device casing. A developing device having an inner surface formed. 【請求項２】表面が移動するように駆動される現像剤担
持体と、表面が現像剤担持体表面に接触して移動するよ
うに駆動される現像剤供給部材とを有し、該現像剤供給
部材で供給された現像剤担持体上の現像剤により潜像担
持体上の潜像を可視像化する現像装置において、 該現像剤供給部材表面の移動方向を、現像装置ケーシン
グ下壁の内面上で該表面が現像剤担持体側へ移動するよ
うに設定し、 現像剤担持体表面の移動方向を現像剤供給部材表面との
接触部で同方向に移動するように設定し、 該現像剤供給部材下部表面と該現像装置ケーシング下壁
の内面との間隙が、該現像剤供給部材表面移動方向下流
側になるほど狭くなるように、該現像剤ケーシング下壁
の内面を形成したことを特徴とする現像装置。2. A developer carrying member which is driven so that its surface moves, and a developer supplying member which is driven so that its surface comes into contact with the surface of the developer carrying member and moves. In a developing device that visualizes a latent image on a latent image carrier by a developer on the developer carrier supplied by a supply member, the moving direction of the surface of the developer supply member is set to the lower wall of the casing of the developing device. The surface of the developer is set to move toward the developer carrying member on the inner surface, and the moving direction of the surface of the developer carrying member is set to move in the same direction at the contact portion with the surface of the developer supplying member. The inner surface of the developer casing lower wall is formed so that the gap between the lower surface of the supply member and the inner surface of the lower wall of the developing device casing becomes smaller toward the downstream side in the moving direction of the surface of the developer supply member. Developing device. 【請求項３】表面が移動するように駆動される現像剤担
持体と、表面が現像剤担持体表面に接触して移動するよ
うに駆動される現像剤供給部材とを有し、該現像剤供給
部材で供給された現像剤担持体上の現像剤により潜像担
持体上の潜像を可視像化する現像装置において、 該現像剤供給部材表面の移動方向を、現像装置ケーシン
グ下壁の内面上で該表面が現像剤担持体側へ移動するよ
うに設定し、 現像剤担持体表面の移動方向を現像剤供給部材表面との
接触部で同方向に移動するように設定し、 現像剤担持体及び該現像剤供給部材の下方に位置する該
現像装置ケーシング下壁の内面を、現像剤担持体側の方
が高くなるように、現像剤の安息角以上の角度で傾斜さ
せて形成したことを特徴とする現像装置。3. A developer carrying member driven so that its surface moves, and a developer supply member driven so that its surface comes into contact with the surface of the developer carrying member and moves. In a developing device that visualizes a latent image on a latent image carrier by a developer on the developer carrier supplied by a supply member, the moving direction of the surface of the developer supply member is set to the lower wall of the casing of the developing device. The inner surface is set so that the surface moves toward the developer carrier, and the moving direction of the surface of the developer carrier is set to move in the same direction at the contact portion with the surface of the developer supply member. The inner surface of the lower wall of the developing device casing located below the body and the developer supply member is formed to be inclined at an angle equal to or greater than the repose angle of the developer so that the developer carrying body side is higher. Characteristic developing device. 【請求項４】上記現像剤供給部材下部表面と、上記の傾
斜するように形成された上記現像装置ケーシング下壁の
内面との間に、上記現像剤供給部材によって現像剤収容
部から現像剤担持体表面へ搬送される現像剤搬送経路
と、該内面上を流下する現像剤の帰還経路とを仕切る隔
壁部材を設けたことを特徴とする請求項３の現像装置。4. A developer carrying member carries a developer from a developer accommodating portion between a lower surface of the developer supplying member and an inner surface of the inclined lower wall of the developing device casing. 4. The developing device according to claim 3, further comprising a partition wall member for partitioning a developer transport path transported to the body surface and a developer return path flowing down on the inner surface. 【請求項５】表面が移動するように駆動される現像剤担
持体と、表面が現像剤担持体表面に接触して移動するよ
うに駆動される現像剤供給部材と、装置内を現像剤担持
体及び該現像剤供給部材が配設された領域と現像剤収容
部とに区画する隔壁部材と、該現像剤収容部内の現像剤
を該隔壁部材の上端部を超えて該領域側に送りこむ現像
剤送り込み部材とを有し、該現像剤供給部材で供給され
た現像剤担持体上の現像剤により潜像担持体上の潜像を
可視像化する現像装置において、 該現像剤供給部材表面の移動方向を、現像装置ケーシン
グ下壁の内面上で該表面が現像剤担持体側へ移動するよ
うに設定し、 現像剤担持体表面の移動方向を現像剤供給部材表面との
接触部で同方向に移動するように設定し、 該現像剤供給部材の側部に対向する該隔壁部材の側面
を、該上端部側が該現像剤供給部材から遠ざかるよう
に、現像剤の安息角以上の角度に傾斜させて形成したこ
とを特徴とする現像装置。5. A developer carrying member whose surface is driven to move, a developer supplying member which is driven so that the surface comes into contact with the surface of the developer carrying member, and a developer carrying member in the apparatus. A partition member that divides the body and the area where the developer supply member is disposed and the developer accommodating portion, and a developer that sends the developer in the developer accommodating portion to the area side beyond the upper end portion of the partition member. A developer feeding member, wherein the latent image on the latent image bearing member is visualized by the developer on the developer bearing member supplied by the developer feeding member, the surface of the developer feeding member Is set so that the surface moves toward the developer carrier on the inner surface of the lower wall of the developing device casing, and the direction of movement of the developer carrier surface is the same direction at the contact portion with the developer supply member surface. Is set so as to move to the side facing the developer supply member. A side wall member, as the upper end portion side moves away from the developer supplying member, a developing device, characterized in that which is formed by inclined at an angle of more than the angle of repose of the developer. 【請求項６】上記現像剤担持体として表面に接地された
導電部と誘電部とが規則的又は不規則に微小面積で分布
したものを用い、現像剤供給部材による現像剤担持体表
面の摺擦で現像剤担持体表面近傍に多数の微小電界を形
成し、かつ、該接触部で摩擦帯電した現像剤を該微小電
界により現像剤担持体上に積層状態で担持することを特
徴とする請求項１、２、３、４又は５の現像装置。6. The developer carrying member, wherein conductive parts and dielectric parts grounded on the surface are regularly or irregularly distributed in a small area, and a developer supplying member slides the surface of the developer carrying member. A large number of minute electric fields are formed in the vicinity of the surface of the developer carrier by rubbing, and the developer frictionally charged at the contact portion is carried in a laminated state on the developer carrier by the minute electric field. Item 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 developing device.
JP4023237A 1992-01-12 1992-01-12 Developing device Withdrawn JPH05188758A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP4023237A JPH05188758A (en) 1992-01-12 1992-01-12 Developing device

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP4023237A JPH05188758A (en) 1992-01-12 1992-01-12 Developing device

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
JPH05188758A true JPH05188758A (en) 1993-07-30

Family

ID=12105007

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
JP4023237A Withdrawn JPH05188758A (en) 1992-01-12 1992-01-12 Developing device

Country Status (1)

Country Link
JP (1) JPH05188758A (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2010210876A (en) * 2009-03-10 2010-09-24 Konica Minolta Business Technologies Inc Developing device and image forming apparatus
JP2014119503A (en) * 2012-12-13 2014-06-30 Canon Inc Developing device, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2010210876A (en) * 2009-03-10 2010-09-24 Konica Minolta Business Technologies Inc Developing device and image forming apparatus
JP2014119503A (en) * 2012-12-13 2014-06-30 Canon Inc Developing device, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus

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