JPH0619284A - Developing method, developing device and electrophotographic device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To excellently develop a charge latent image and an electron latent image by removing the toner of a failure in electrification by means of a first developer holder, for selecting a normal toner grain, and controlling the potential by the electrification of the toner grain by means of a second developer holder and a conductive member, for obtaining the constant thickness layer of the toner grain having a very uniform potential by the electrification, on a photosensitive body. CONSTITUTION:The first developer holder 1 for sticking the developer and the second developer holder 2, are disposed between a developer container 14 and an image information forming body surface 7, and simultaneously, the conductive member 3 facing the second developer holder 2 via a gap, is provided. DC voltage, AC voltage, or DC, AC superimposed voltage are applied between the first developer holder 1 and the second developer holder 2, between the second developer holder 2 and the photosensitive body 7, and between the second developer holder 2 and the conductive member 3, respectively.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic device such as a charge latent image or an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of an image information forming body used in a field using an electrophotographic system such as a copying machine, a laser printer and a facsimile. The present invention relates to a developing method for visualizing a latent image, a developing device, and an electrophotographic apparatus including the device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the present invention, the term "development" means charged particles colored into an electronic latent image such as a conductive latent image formed on the surface of an image information forming member, a charge latent image on a photoconductive particle, or an electrostatic latent image. The process of attaching the developer to visualize the image as a visually recognizable image. First, a developing method using an electrostatic latent image formed on a photoconductor having a photoconductive layer will be described as an example.

Development is performed by charging toner particles, transporting charged toner to a developing area, adhering toner to an electrostatic latent image,
However, the development process differs depending on the type of developer. The electrophotographic method is roughly classified into a dry developing method and a wet developing method. Further, the dry developing method is classified into a method using a two-component developer and a method using a one-component developer. Development methods using a two-component developer include a magnetic brush development method using an iron powder carrier and a cascade development method using a glass-based or non-ferrous metal-based carrier, depending on the type of carrier that carries the toner.
On the other hand, the development method using a one-component developer includes a powder cloud method in which toner particles are sprayed, a contact development method in which toner particles are brought into direct contact with an electrostatic latent image for development, and toner particles are statically developed. Jumping development method that charges toner particles and fly toward the electrostatic latent image without directly contacting the electrostatic latent image surface, magnetic dry method that develops by contacting magnetic conductive toner with the electrostatic latent image surface, etc. There is.

The problems associated with the charging of the toner particles and the transport of the charged toner to the developing area will be mainly described below. In the one-component developing method, in the above-described toner particle charging process, since the charging amount rises slowly only by frictional charging of the toner particles and the toner particles alone, the regulating member is mechanically attached to the roller-shaped developer holder. A method of directly contacting and charging the toner particles by friction between the developer holding member and the regulating member, the toner particles or the friction between the regulating member and the toner particles is adopted, but there are the following problems.

(1) Change in particle size due to contact of toner particles with a regulating member (2) Aggregation due to contact of toner particles with a regulating member In addition, conveyance of charged toner to a developing region and electrostatic latent image formation In the process of toner adhesion, there is a method (one-component contact development method) in which the developer holder is brought into direct contact with the photoconductor to adhere the toner particles to the electrostatic latent image surface. There is a problem that it is easily attached to the image area.

On the other hand, a practical example of the one-component non-contact developing system, a jumping developing method in which charged toner particles fly toward the electrostatic latent image surface without directly contacting the toner particles with the electrostatic latent image surface ( JP-B-58-32375) limits the use of magnetic toner, but the above-mentioned problems are eliminated.

However, the jumping developing method is
It has features such as uniform charging with a magnetic regulation member and thinning of the toner layer on the developer holder using magnetic force, but it is premised on the use of magnetic toner. Therefore, there is a problem that it is difficult to color toner particles in colors such as cyan, magenta, and yellow, and it is particularly difficult to use this type of developing device in a color electrophotographic device.

Next, in the two-component developing method, since a developer in which toner particles and carrier particles are mixed is used, a large amount of toner particles are consumed as compared with carrier particles as the developing process progresses. Has a drawback that the image density fluctuates with the lapse of time and the image quality is deteriorated due to the deterioration of the carrier particles, resulting in the following problems.

(1) Maintenance work of replacing the developer must be performed.

(2) As in the case of the one-component contact developing system, the toner particles come into contact with the entire surface of the surface to be developed by the developer holder, so that the toner is likely to adhere to the non-image area.

[0011]

As a cause of the above-mentioned problems, in the one-component contact developing type developer, the particle size of the toner is changed, the charge amount of the toner particles is changed due to agglomeration, and the fog on the non-image area is caused. and so on. Further, in the two-component developing method, the presence of improperly charged toner in the developer due to a change in the amount of charge over time due to toner consumption causes a decrease in image density,
This causes uneven image density and deteriorates image quality.
In addition, in order to apply the one-component developing method using non-magnetic toner to a color electrophotographic apparatus, the friction amount of the non-magnetic toner and the toner particles alone is slow to increase the amount of charge when the toner is frictionally charged. It is necessary to increase the peripheral speed ratio between the body roller and the photoconductor to frequently cause triboelectrification.
There is a drawback that the image density tends to be low.

As a fundamental cause of the above-mentioned drawbacks, a toner having a normal charge amount existing on the developer holding member and a toner having an uncharged state mixed for some reason directly faces the developing roller as the developer holding member. It is conceivable that the photoconductor is developed.

The present invention is a developing device for an electrophotographic apparatus which can be applied to color, that is, a developing method aiming at a small-sized and highly reliable one-component developing system using a non-magnetic toner, a developing device, and these. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electrophotographic apparatus provided with.

[0014]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a developing method, a developing device, and an electrophotographic apparatus equipped with this device, which are characterized by the following configurations.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a conductive latent image formed on the surface of the image information forming body, a charge latent image on photoconductive particles, an electronic latent image such as an electrostatic latent image, or the like is colored and charged. A developing method in which a developer, which is a particle, is adhered to visualize as a visible image, a first developer holder to which the developer, which is the charged particle, is previously made into a thin layer and is adhered; A second developer holding body that faces both the agent holding body and the surface of the image information forming body on which the electronic latent image is formed, and a second developer holding body that faces the second developer holding body via a gap. A conductive member, a first voltage applying unit that applies a voltage between the first developer holding body and the second developer holding body, the second developer holding body, and the electronic latent image. A second voltage is applied to the surface of the image information forming body on which
Voltage applying means and third voltage applying means for applying a voltage between the second developer holder and the conductive member, wherein the first developer holder is the second developer. An area in which the distance from the developer holder changes, and the area is changed by the voltage applied by the first voltage applying means between the first developer holder and the second developer holder. An electric field is formed, and the second developer holding member has a region where the distance from the surface of the image information forming member on which the electronic latent image is formed changes.
An electric field is formed in the region by the voltage applied by the second voltage applying unit between the second developer holder and the surface of the image information forming body on which the electronic latent image is formed, and the conductive member is There is a region in which the distance from the second developer holding member changes, and the region is changed to the region by the voltage applied by the third voltage applying unit between the second developer holding member and the conductive member. This is a developing method characterized by forming an electric field.

In the second aspect of the present invention, the conductive latent image formed on the surface of the image information forming body, the charge latent image on the photoconductive particles, the electronic latent image such as the electrostatic latent image are colored. In a developing device for adhering a developer, which is a charged particle, to visualize it as a visible image, a first developer holding member to which the developer, which is a charged particle, is applied in a thin layer in advance, and the first developer holder. A second developer holding body facing both of the developer holding body and the surface of the image information forming body on which the electronic latent image is formed, and a space between the second developer holding body and the second developer holding body. The opposing conductive member and the first developer holding body have a region where the distance between the second developer holding body and the second developer holding body changes, and the first developer holding body and the second developer holding body are held. First voltage applying means for forming an electric field in a region between the body and the second developing device Holder has a region where the distance between the image information forming surface formed with the electron latent image is changed,
Second voltage applying means for forming an electric field in a region between the second developer holder and the surface of the image information forming body on which the electronic latent image is formed; and the second developer holder. And a third voltage applying means for forming an electric field in a region between the conductive member and the conductive member.

The third aspect of the present invention is to provide a conductive latent image formed on the surface of the image information forming body, a charge latent image on the photoconductive particles, an electronic latent image such as an electrostatic latent image, and a colored electrified charge. In an electrophotographic apparatus using a developing device for adhering a developer, which is a particle, to visualize it as a visible image, the developer that is the charged particle is applied in a thin layer in advance.
Second developer holding body, the first developer holding body, a second developer holding body facing both the surface of the image information forming body on which the electronic latent image is formed, and the second developing The first developer holding member has a region in which the distance between the conductive member facing the developer holding member via a gap and the second developer holding member changes, and the first developer A first voltage applying unit for applying an electric field to a region between a holding body and the second developer holding body, and the second developer holding body is the surface of the image information forming body on which the electronic latent image is formed. Second voltage applying means for forming an electric field in a region between the second developer holder and the surface of the image information forming body on which the electronic latent image is formed, And a third electrode for forming an electric field in a region between the second developer holder and the conductive member.
And an electric voltage applying unit.

[0018]

When the developing method and the developing device as described above are used for developing, when the toner particles having poor charging adhere to the second developer holding member in the step of charging the toner particles,
Only a certain amount of toner that is selected and rectified and is sufficiently charged is attached to the photoconductor. That is, regardless of whether it is a one-component non-magnetic toner, a one-component developer using a one-component magnetic toner, or a two-component developer, it adheres to the electrostatic latent image after development even when the developing device is used for a long time. The toner layer becomes uniform and the image density becomes stable.
Therefore, in the electrophotographic apparatus provided with this developing device, an image having a constant image density is always obtained, and good image quality is ensured with a long life.

[0019]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the developing device according to the present invention will be described. In FIG. 1, 1 is a first roller-shaped developer holder, 2 is a second roller-shaped developer holder, Three
Is a plate-shaped conductive member, 4 is a minute void area between the second roller-shaped developer holder 2 and the plate-shaped conductive member 3, 5 and 12 are regulating members for charging, and 6 is a first roller-shaped developer. A minute gap area in which the distance between the holding body 1 and the second roller-shaped developer holding body 2 is changed, and 7 is a surface layer of the photoconductor, which is an image information forming body, of organic type, amorphous silicon type, amorphous selenium type. , A photoconductor comprising a photoconductive layer of zinc oxide, cadmium sulfide, or the like, and 8 denotes a minute gap region between the second roller-shaped developer holding member 2 and the photoconductor 7 in which the distance between them changes. Show. Reference numeral 9 is a means for applying a voltage between the photoconductor 7 and the second roller-shaped developer holder 2 and 10 is a voltage between the second roller-shaped developer holder 2 and the plate-shaped conductive member. Is a means for applying a voltage, and 11 is a means for applying a voltage between the first roller-shaped developer holder 1 and the second roller-shaped developer holder 2. Reference numeral 13 is a one-component developer, and 14 is a developer container.

A second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In FIG. 2, 1 is a first roller-shaped developer holder, 2 is a second roller-shaped developer holder, and 3a is a roller. -Shaped conductive member, 4 is a minute gap area between the second roller-shaped developer holder 2 and the roller-shaped conductive member 3a, 5 and 12 are regulating members for charging, and 6 is a first roller-shaped developer holder. 1
And a second roller-shaped developer holder 2 have a minute gap area in which the distance between them changes, and 7 is a surface layer of a photoreceptor, which is an image information forming body, of organic type, amorphous silicon type, amorphous selenium type, oxidation A photoconductor 8 composed of a photoconductive layer such as a zinc-based or cadmium sulfide-based photoconductor, and 8 represents a minute gap region where the distance between the second roller-shaped developer holder 2 and the photoconductor 7 changes. Reference numeral 9 is a means for applying a voltage between the photosensitive member 7 and the second roller-shaped developer holding member 2.
Is a means for applying a voltage between the second roller-shaped developer holder 2 and the roller-shaped conductive member 3a; and 11 is the first roller-shaped developer holder 1 and the second roller-shaped developer holder. It is a means for applying a voltage between the body 2. Reference numeral 13 is a one-component developer, and 14 is a developer container.

Further, the third embodiment according to the present invention will be described. In FIG. 3, 1 is a first roller-shaped developer holder, 2a is a second belt-shaped developer holder,
3 is a plate-shaped conductive member, 4 is a second belt-shaped developer holder 2
a, a minute gap region between the plate-shaped conductive member 3, 5 and 12 are regulating members for charging, and 6 is the first roller-shaped developer holding member 1.
And a second belt-shaped developer holding member 2a, a minute gap region in which the distance is changed from each other. Reference numeral 7 denotes an organic-based, amorphous silicon-based, amorphous selenium-based, or oxidation-based surface layer of the photoconductor as an image information forming body. A photosensitive member 8 made of a photoconductive layer such as a zinc-based or cadmium sulfide-based material indicates a minute gap region between the second belt-shaped developer holding member 2a and the photosensitive member 7, in which the distance between them changes. Reference numeral 9 is a means for applying a voltage between the photoconductor 7 and the second belt-shaped developer holding body 2a, and 10 is between the second belt-shaped developer holding body 2a and the plate-shaped conductive member 3. Means for applying a voltage, 11 is a means for applying a voltage between the first roller-shaped developer holder 1 and the second belt-shaped developer holder 2a. 13 is 1
Component developer, 14 is a developer container.

A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In FIG. 4, 1 is a first roller-shaped developer holder, 2a is a second belt-shaped developer holder, and 3a is a roller-shaped conductive member. Members 4 are minute gap regions between the second belt-shaped developer holder 2a and the roller-shaped conductive member 3a, 5 and 12 are regulating members for charging, and 6 is a second belt-shaped developer holder 2a. A minute gap area in which the distance from the first roller-shaped developer holding member 1 changes with each other. Reference numeral 7 denotes an organic, amorphous silicon-based, amorphous selenium-based, zinc oxide surface layer of a photoreceptor as an image information forming body. , A photoconductor comprising a photoconductive layer of cadmium sulfide or the like, and 8 indicates a minute gap region between the second roller-shaped developer holding member 2a and the photoconductor 7 in which the mutual distance changes. 9 is the photoconductor 7 and the second
Means for applying a voltage between the belt-shaped developer holding member 2a and 10 is a means for applying a voltage between the second belt-shaped developer holding member 2a and the roller-shaped conductive member 3a. It is a means for applying a voltage between the first roller-shaped developer holder 1 and the second belt-shaped developer holder 2a. 1
Reference numeral 3 is a one-component developer, and 14 is a developer container.

Next, the first embodiment, the second embodiment,
Details of the third and fourth embodiments will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4.

1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4, the developer 13 supplied to the developer container 14 includes the first developer holder 1, the charge restricting member 5 (or 12), and the developer 13. And the charging control member 5 (or 12) or the developer 13 are charged by frictional charging, and the charging control member 5 forms a thin layer and is held by the first developer holding member 1. Here, the first developer holding body 1 and the second developer holding body 2 face each other with a minute gap 6 in between, and when a DC voltage is applied to the region 6 by the voltage applying means 11, Among the thinned toner particles of the charged particles on the developer holder 1, only the toner whose charging potential has risen sufficiently is selected, rectified, and moved to the second developer holder 2. However, those having a poor charging return to the toner container 14 and are again subjected to frictional charging in the developer container 14, and after being sufficiently charged by repeating the above steps, they are moved to the second developer holder 2. To do.

Here, the voltage applied to the region 6 is an alternating current,
Alternatively, when the voltage is a combination of direct current and alternating current, the toner reciprocates in the area 6, and a uniforming phenomenon occurs due to a collision motion in the thin toner layer. That is, the defective toner is removed from the second developer holding member 2, a toner layer having a uniform charging potential is formed, and the toner layer is shaped. Next, the second developer holding member 2 and the plate-shaped conductive member 3 are opposed to each other in the area 4, and the voltage application unit 10 applies to the area 4 a DC voltage, an AC voltage, or a DC / AC superimposed voltage. Is applied, the developer having a uniform toner layer formed by the same action as the region 6 is affected by the electric field formed in the region 4 between the second developer holder 2 and the plate-shaped conductive member 3. At the same time, the charging potential is made more uniform, and at the same time, the charging potential can be controlled by adjusting the voltage applying means. The applied voltage is adjusted according to the size of the gaps 4 and 6, the charge amount of the toner particles, and the like. The rotation directions of the rollers and the belt are independently determined and may be either forward or reverse.

Further, the second developer holder 2 and the surface layer 7 of the photoconductor, which is an image information forming body, are opposed to each other in a minute gap 8, and a DC voltage is applied to the area 8 by the voltage applying means 9. As a result, the second developer holding member 2
The toner layer moves to the surface of the photoconductor according to image information (presence or absence of electric charge, potential difference, etc.) such as an electrostatic latent image formed on the image information forming body, a toner image is formed, and development is performed. Also here, if the voltage applied to the region 8 is an alternating current, a direct current, or a voltage in which a direct current and an alternating current are superposed, a homogenization phenomenon occurs due to the same action as in the region 6. As described above, since only the toner particles having a very good charging potential are present on the second developer holding member 2, the toner image becomes uniform and stable, and an image having a constant quality can be obtained.

In FIG. 1 of the first embodiment and FIG. 3 of the third embodiment described above, the conductive member is the plate-shaped conductive member 3, whereas in the second embodiment shown in FIGS. In FIG. 4 of the embodiment, a roller-shaped conductive member 3a is used.

The third and fourth embodiments are
The difference from the first and second embodiments is that in the first and second embodiments, the second developer holding member 2 has a roller shape, whereas in the third and third embodiments, the third developer holding member 2 has a roller shape. In the embodiment and the fourth embodiment, the second developer holding member 2a has a belt shape.

Further, in the above-mentioned first, second, third, and fourth embodiments, the regulating member for charging, which is in contact with the first developer holding member 1, is provided. Reference numeral 5 is not limited to this embodiment, and may have a shape as shown in FIG. 9 and may be made of a material such as a rubber-like elastic body or resin.

The structure of the fifth embodiment of the developing device according to the present invention will be described. In FIG. 5, 1 is a first roller-shaped developer holder, and 2 is a second roller-shaped developer holder. Reference numeral 3 is a plate-shaped conductive member, 4 is a minute void region between the second roller-shaped developer holder 2 and the plate-shaped conductive member 3, 5a is a regulating member for thinning the toner layer, and 6a is a first roller. 7 is a region where the developer holding member 1 and the second roller-like developer holding member 2 are in contact with each other, and 7 is a surface layer of the photoreceptor, which is an image information forming member, of organic type, amorphous silicon type, amorphous selenium type, zinc oxide. , A photoconductor comprising a photoconductive layer of cadmium sulfide or the like, and 8 indicates a minute gap region where the distance between the second roller-shaped developer holder 2 and the photoconductor 7 changes. Reference numeral 9 is a means for applying a voltage between the photoconductor 7 and the second roller-shaped developer holder 2 and 10 is a portion between the second roller-shaped developer holder 2 and the plate-shaped conductive member 3. A means for applying a voltage, 11 is a means for applying a voltage between the first roller-shaped developer holding body 1 and the second roller-shaped developer holding body 2. Reference numeral 13 is a one-component developer, and 14 is a developer container.

The configuration of the sixth embodiment of the developing device according to the present invention will be described. In FIG. 6, 1 is a first roller-shaped developer holder, and 2 is a second roller-shaped developer. Holding member 3a is a roller-shaped conductive member, 4 is a minute gap region between the second roller-shaped developer holding member 2 and roller-shaped conductive member 3a, 5a is a regulating member for thinning the toner layer, and 6a is a first member. Area where the roller-shaped developer holder 1 and the second roller-shaped developer holder 2 come in contact with each other, and 7 is a surface layer of the photoreceptor, which is an image information forming body, of organic type, amorphous silicon type, amorphous selenium type, A photosensitive member 8 made of a photoconductive layer such as a zinc oxide-based or cadmium sulfide-based material, and 8 indicates a minute gap region between the second roller-shaped developer holding member 2 and the photosensitive member 7 in which the distance between them changes. 9 is a means for applying a voltage between the photoconductor 7 and the second roller-shaped developer holder 2;
10 is a means for applying a voltage between the second roller-shaped developer holder 2 and the roller-shaped conductive member 3a; 11 is the first roller-shaped developer holder 1 and the second roller-shaped developer. It is a means for applying a voltage between the holding body 2. Reference numeral 13 is a one-component developer, and 14 is a developer container.

Next, the operation of the fifth and sixth embodiments will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

In FIG. 5, the one-component developer 13 supplied to the developer container 14 is the triboelectric charge between the developers 13,
The first developer holding member 1 and the second developer holding member 2 are charged by the charge generated by the contact between the developer 13 and the roller in the area 6a, and are further formed into a thin layer by the charge restricting member 5a. Is held by the developer holder 1.
Here, the first developer holder 1 and the second developer holder 2 are in contact with each other in the area 6a, and when a DC voltage is applied to the area 6a by the voltage applying means 11, the first developer holder 1
Among the toner particles of the thinned charged particles on the developer holder 1, only the toner whose charging potential has risen sufficiently is selected, rectified and moved to the second developer holder 2. However, those having a poor charging return to the toner container 14 and are again subjected to frictional charging in the developer container 14, and after being sufficiently charged by repeating the above steps, they are moved to the second developer holder 2. To do.

If the voltage applied to the area 6a is an alternating current or a voltage in which direct current and alternating current are superposed, the area 6
At a, the toner reciprocates, and a uniforming phenomenon occurs due to the collision motion in the thin toner layer. That is, the first
In the developer holder 1, the defective toner is eliminated, a uniform toner layer having a constant charging potential is formed, and the toner layer is shaped. Next, the second developer holding member 2 and the plate-shaped conductive member 3 are opposed to each other in a region 4, and a DC voltage, an AC voltage, or a DC / AC superposed voltage is applied to the region 4 by the potential applying means 10. When applied, the developer having a uniform toner layer formed by the same action as the region 6a is affected by the electric field formed in the region 4 between the second developer holder 2 and the plate-shaped conductive member 3. At the same time that the charging potential is made more uniform, the charging potential can be controlled by adjusting the voltage applying means. The applied voltage is adjusted according to the size of the gap region 4, the charge amount of the toner particles, and the like.

Further, the second developer holder 2 and the surface layer 7 of the photoconductor, which is an image information forming body, are opposed to each other in a minute gap 8, and a DC voltage is applied to the area 8 by the voltage applying means 9. As a result, the second developer holding member 2
The toner layer moves to the surface of the photoconductor according to image information (presence or absence of electric charge, potential difference, etc.) such as an electrostatic latent image formed on the image information forming body, a toner image is formed, and development is performed. Also here, if the voltage applied to the region 8 is an alternating current, a direct current, or a voltage in which a direct current and an alternating current are superposed, a homogenization phenomenon occurs due to the same action as in the region 6. As described above, since only the toner particles having a very good charging potential are present on the second developer holding member 2, the toner image becomes uniform and stable, and an image having a constant quality can be obtained.

While the plate-shaped conductive member 3 is used in FIG. 5 of the fifth embodiment, the roller-shaped conductive member 3a is used in FIG. 6 of the sixth embodiment.

The configuration of the seventh embodiment of the developing device according to the present invention will be described. In FIG. 7, 1 is a first roller-shaped developer holder, and 2 is a second roller-shaped developer holder. 3 is a plate-shaped conductive member, 4 is a minute gap region between the second roller-shaped developer holding member 2 and the plate-shaped conductive member 3, 5b is a doctor blade, 6b is a first roller-shaped developer holding member 1. An area of a space where the distance between the second roller-shaped developer holder 2 and the second roller-shaped developer holder 2 changes, and 7 denotes an organic, amorphous silicon, amorphous selenium-based, zinc oxide surface layer of a photoreceptor as an image information forming body. , A photoconductor comprising a photoconductive layer of cadmium sulfide or the like, and 8 indicates a minute gap region where the distance between the second roller-shaped developer holder 2 and the photoconductor 7 changes. Reference numeral 9 is a means for applying a voltage between the photoconductor 7 and the second roller-shaped developer holder 2 and 10 is a portion between the second roller-shaped developer holder 2 and the plate-shaped conductive member 3. A means for applying a voltage, 11 is a means for applying a voltage between the first roller-shaped developer holding body 1 and the second roller-shaped developer holding body 2. 14 is a developer container, 15
Is a mixer and 16 is a two-component developer.

The structure of the eighth embodiment of the developing device according to the present invention will be described. In FIG. 8, 1 is a first roller-shaped developer holder, and 2 is a second roller-shaped developer. Holding member 3a is a roller-shaped conductive member, 4 is a minute gap region between the second roller-shaped developer holding member 2 and the roller-shaped conductive member 3a, 5b is a doctor blade, and 6b is a first roller-shaped developer holding member. A region of a gap in which the distance between the first and second roller-shaped developer holders 2 changes, 7 denotes an organic-based, amorphous silicon-based, or amorphous selenium-based surface layer of a photoreceptor as an image information forming body. A photoreceptor comprising a photoconductive layer of zinc oxide type, cadmium sulfide type, or the like, 8 is the second
2 shows a minute gap area in which the distance between the roller-shaped developer holder 2 and the photoconductor 7 changes. Reference numeral 9 is a means for applying a voltage between the photoconductor 7 and the second roller-shaped developer holder 2 and 10 is a portion between the second roller-shaped developer holder 2 and the roller-shaped conductive member 3a. Means for applying voltage, 1
Reference numeral 1 is a means for applying a voltage between the first roller-shaped developer holder 1 and the second roller-shaped developer holder 2.
Reference numeral 14 is a developer container, 15 is a mixer, and 16 is a two-component developer.

The operation of the seventh and eighth embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

In FIG. 7, the two-component developer 15 supplied to the developer container 14 is the triboelectric charge between the developers 15.
Further, the mixture is agitated in the developing container by the mixer 16 and sufficiently charged, and then the height of the spikes is adjusted by the doctor blade 5b to form a uniform layer.
Held in. Here, the first developer holding body 1 and the second developer holding body 2 are opposed to each other via the minute gap region 6b. At this time, when a DC voltage is applied to the area 6b by the voltage applying means 11, only the toner having a sufficiently raised charging potential is selected and rectified among the toner particles of the layered charged particles on the first developer holder 1. Then, it is moved to the second developer holder 2. However, those having a poor charging return to the toner container 14 and are again subjected to frictional charging in the developer container 14, and after being sufficiently charged by repeating the above steps, they are moved to the second developer holder 2. To do.

When the voltage applied to the region 6b is an alternating current or a voltage in which a direct current and an alternating current are superposed, the region 6 is
In b, the toner reciprocates, and a uniforming phenomenon occurs due to a collision motion in the thin toner layer. That is, the first
In the developer holder 1 of No. 3, defective toner is eliminated, a uniform toner layer having a constant charging potential is formed, and the toner layer is shaped, which results in consumption of toner in the two-component developer. The charging potential does not decrease due to a change in the carrier-to-toner capacity ratio over time.

Next, the second developer holder 2 and the plate-shaped conductive member 3 are opposed to each other in the area 4, and the potential applying means 10 is provided.
When a direct current, an alternating current, or a superimposed direct current and an alternating voltage is applied to the region 4 by the above, the developer having a uniform toner layer is formed by the same action as in the region 6b.
Under the influence of the electric field formed in the region 4 between the developer holder 2 and the plate-shaped conductive member 3, the charging potential is made more uniform, and at the same time, the charging potential is adjusted by adjusting the voltage applying means. It can also be controlled. The applied voltage is adjusted according to the size of the gap region 4, the charge amount of the toner particles, and the like.
The rotation direction of each roller is independently determined and may be either forward or reverse.

Further, the second developer holder 2 and the surface layer 7 of the photoconductor, which is an image information forming body, are opposed to each other in a minute gap 8, and a DC voltage is applied to the area 8 by the voltage applying means 9. As a result, the second developer holding member 2
The toner layer moves to the surface of the photoconductor according to image information (presence or absence of electric charge, potential difference, etc.) such as an electrostatic latent image formed on the image information forming body, a toner image is formed, and development is performed. Also here, if the voltage applied to the region 6b is an alternating current, a direct current, or a superimposed voltage of direct current and alternating current, a homogenization phenomenon occurs due to the same action as in the region 6b. As described above, since only the toner particles having a very good charging potential are present on the second developer holding member 2, the toner image becomes uniform and stable, and an image having a constant quality can be obtained.

While the plate-shaped conductive member 3 is used in FIG. 7 of the seventh embodiment, the roller-shaped conductive member 3a is used in FIG. 8 of the eighth embodiment. In addition, in the above seventh and eighth embodiments, the first
Regulating member 5 in contact with the developer holder 1 for charging
Is not limited to this embodiment, and has a shape as shown in FIG.
It may be made of a material such as rubber-like elastic material or resin.

[0045]

When the developing device described above is used for developing,
In the charging process of the toner particles, when the toner particles that are not properly charged adhere to the second developer holding member 2, only a certain amount of the toner, which has been selected and rectified and is sufficiently charged, adheres to the photosensitive member. . Further, the second for supplying and conveying toner
And a conductive member 3 provided separately from the developer holding member 2 of
When an alternating current, a direct current, or a voltage in which a direct current and an alternating current are superposed on each other is applied to the developer holder 2, the uniforming phenomenon occurs due to the collision motion in the thin toner layer. That is, even when the developing device is used for a long time, the state of the toner layer attached to the electrostatic latent image after development is always uniform, and the image density is stable. Therefore, in the electrophotographic apparatus provided with this developing device, an image having a constant image density is always obtained, and good image quality is ensured for a long life.

Further, since it suffices that a uniform toner layer is formed on the second developer holding member 2, the component and type of the developer supplied to the first developer holding member 1 are one-component developer, The developer is not limited to the two-component developer, and other developers such as a 1.5-component developer may be used. Since the developing device of the present invention can be shared by the developing parts of various electrophotographic devices, the developing device of the electrophotographic device In addition, cost reduction can be achieved by using common parts, and since a non-magnetic toner colored in the developer can be used, there is an effect that it can be applied to color.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a developing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a developing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a developing device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a developing device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a developing device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a developing device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a developing device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a developing device according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a view showing a regulating member for charging used in the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 first developer holder 2 second developer holder 3 conductive member 4 void area 5 regulating member 6 void area 6a contact area 6b contact area 7 photoconductor 8 void area 9 voltage applying means 10 Voltage applying means 11 Voltage applying means 12 Voltage applying means 13 Developer 14 Developer container

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A developer, which is colored charged particles, is attached to an electronic latent image such as a conductive latent image formed on the surface of an image information forming body, a charge latent image on photoconductive particles, or an electrostatic latent image. In the developing method for visualizing the image as a visible image, the first developer holding body to which the developer, which is the charged particle, is attached in advance in a thin layer, the first developer holding body, and the electronic latent image. A second developer holding body facing both surfaces of the image information forming body on which an image is formed; a conductive member facing the second developer holding body via a gap; First voltage applying means for applying a voltage between the developer holding member and the second developer holding member, and the surface of the image information forming body on which the second developer holding member and the electronic latent image are formed Second voltage applying means for applying a voltage between the second developer holding means and the second developer holding means. A third voltage applying unit that applies a voltage between a body and the conductive member, wherein the first developer holding body has a region in which a distance between the first developer holding body and the second developer holding body changes. An electric field is formed in the region by the voltage applied by the first voltage applying unit between the first developer holder and the second developer holder, and the second developer holder Has an area where the distance from the surface of the image information forming body on which the electronic latent image is formed changes, and the area between the second developer holder and the surface of the image information forming body on which the electronic latent image is formed is An electric field is formed in the region by the voltage applied by the second voltage applying unit, and the conductive member has a region whose distance from the second developer holding member changes, and the second developer holding unit The voltage applied by the third voltage applying means between the body and the conductive member is Developing method characterized by forming an electric field in said region. 2. A developer, which is colored charged particles, is adhered to a conductive latent image formed on the surface of an image information forming body, an electronic latent image such as a charge latent image on photoconductive particles, an electrostatic latent image or the like. In a developing device for visualizing a visible image as a visible image, a first developer holder having a thin layer of the developer, which is the charged particle, is attached in advance, the first developer holder, and the electronic latent image. A second developer holding body facing both surfaces of the image information forming body on which an image is formed; a conductive member facing the second developer holding body via a gap; The developer holder has a region where the distance from the second developer holder changes, and an electric field is formed in a region between the first developer holder and the second developer holder. And a second developer holding member for forming the electronic latent image. For forming an electric field in a region between the second developer holding member and the surface of the image information forming body on which the latent image has been formed. A developing device comprising: a second voltage applying unit; and a third voltage applying unit for forming an electric field in a region between the second developer holder and the conductive member. 3. A developer, which is colored charged particles, is adhered to an electronic latent image such as a conductive latent image formed on the surface of an image information forming body, a charge latent image on photoconductive particles, or an electrostatic latent image. An electrophotographic apparatus using a developing device for visualizing a visible image as a visible image, comprising: a first developer holding body to which the developer, which is the charged particles, is previously attached in a thin layer, and the first developer holding body. A second developer holding body that faces both the body and the surface of the image information forming body on which the electronic latent image is formed, and a conductive member that faces the second developer holding body with a gap. And the first developer holding body has a region in which the distance to the second developer holding body changes, and the first developer holding body has a region between the first developer holding body and the second developer holding body. Voltage applying means for forming an electric field in a region of the second developer, and the second developer holding means. Has a region where the distance from the surface of the image information forming body on which the electronic latent image is formed changes, and a region between the second developer holder and the surface of the image information forming body on which the electronic latent image is formed. Second voltage applying means for forming an electric field, and third voltage applying means for forming an electric field in a region between the second developer holder and the conductive member. Characteristic electrophotographic device. 4. The first, second and third voltage applying means,
4. The developing method, developing apparatus, and electrophotographic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the voltage is a direct current, an alternating current, or a voltage in which a direct current and an alternating current are superimposed. 5. The developer used in claims 1, 2 and 3 is a one-component developer using a non-magnetic / conductive or non-magnetic / insulating toner, or a non-magnetic / conductive toner. Alternatively, the developing method, the developing device, and the electrophotographic apparatus according to any one of claims 1, 2 and 3, wherein the developer is a two-component type developer using a non-magnetic / insulating toner.