JPH09277583A - Powder image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a quality image to be constantly obtained, if a toner container is detached by forming a toner supply unit with the toner container and a toner scatter control member and installing this toner supply unit to be detachable from a main body device. SOLUTION: A color printer feeds a recording paper fed by a paper feed cassette 1 into an area between a counter electrode 4 and a toner scatter control member 5 with the help of a transport roller 3, and prints the recording paper by sticking an electroconductive color toner scattered, under the control of the toner scatter control member 5, from four toner containers with a hole at the top arranged below the toner scatter control member 5. In this case, a toner supply unit 600 consisting of the toner containers and the toner scatter control member 5, formed integrally is constituted in such a manner that it is detachable from a main body device. That is, the position of the toner scatter control member 5 is matched to the surface of a toner layer by fixing the toner scatter control member 5 to the toner containers 6.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a toner container for accommodating a toner carrier for carrying toner, a counter electrode facing the toner carrier, and a toner carrier and the counter electrode. A toner flight control member having an independent or series of a plurality of minute openings and a plurality of control electrode sections for controlling the passage of toner through each of the minute openings; and an image on the control electrode section of the toner flight control member. A recording member located between the toner flight control member and the counter electrode by applying a voltage in accordance with a signal to transfer the toner from the toner carrier to the counter electrode side through the minute opening. The present invention relates to a powder image forming apparatus that forms an image by adhering it on top.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image recording method called direct toning or toner projection has been known as a powder image recording method. In this image recording method, a voltage is applied to an image electrode provided around a hole or a slit, and the charged toner is moved (flies) through the hole or the slit to directly form an image on a recording member such as paper. It is.

Many proposals have been made for the image recording system. For example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 44-26333 discloses an apparatus in which a back electrode, a recording medium, a control grid, a mesh electrode, and a fur brush for supplying toner to the mesh electrode are sequentially arranged. In this apparatus, an insulating toner is frictionally charged by rotation of a brush, accelerated by an electric field formed in a space between a mesh electrode and a back electrode, is directed toward the back electrode, and forms an image on paper through a control grid. When the value of the electric signal applied to the control grid is changed, the electric field between the mesh electrode and the control grid is reversed, the toner does not fly and a background portion (white) is formed, and the image density is changed by adjusting the electric signal. You can also do it.

Further, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 58-44456 and Japanese Patent Publication No. 6-47298 disclose a technique using a conductive toner. For example, JP-A-58-44
The technology disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 456 uses a conductive magnetic toner that eliminates the drawback of the insulating toner that requires triboelectric charging, and uses a back electrode, a recording member, and a control electrode and a base electrode sandwiching the insulating member. There is disclosed an apparatus in which toner carrying means as a toner carrying member are arranged in order.
An opening is formed through the control electrode and the base electrode sandwiching the insulating member so that the toner can pass therethrough. In this device, a magnet roller is used as the toner conveying means,
The toner carried by the magnetic force on the magnet roller is reciprocated (hereinafter referred to as cloud) between the magnet roller and the base electrode by applying a DC electric field between the base electrode and the magnet roller. And
When a predetermined voltage is applied to the signal electrode while a direct current electric field is applied between the base electrode and the back electrode, the clouded toner forms an image on the recording member through the openings. As described above, when the conductive toner is used, the electric charge can be easily injected by injecting the electric charge without applying the electric charge in advance, and the triboelectric charging is not required.

Further, in the technique disclosed in Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 6-47298, a conductive non-magnetic toner is used to control the counter electrode, the recording member, the minute opening and the toner flying in the minute opening. There is disclosed a device in which a toner flight control member having an electrode and a conductive roller as a toner carrier rotatably provided in a conductive case having a covered wire arranged at the bottom are sequentially arranged. In this apparatus, an AC voltage is applied to the covered wire by an AC power source to induce electric charges in the conductive roller, and the electrically conductive roller is caused to fly in a closed space to be in a cloud state. Then, the clouded toner is attached to the surface of the conductive roller. Toner is attached to the conductive roller by electrostatic attraction due to the electric charge of the toner in the cloud state.

[0006]

By the way, in these image forming apparatuses, when the toner in the toner container is consumed by image formation and the toner is replaced, the toner container containing the toner is removed, and the toner container is again removed. , It is necessary to attach it to the device body. In addition, the toner flight control member provided with the control electrode section for cleaning etc. is removed,
It may be attached to the apparatus body again after cleaning. However, in the image forming apparatus having the above-described configuration, when the distance between the uppermost layer of the toner on the toner carrier and the control electrode portion changes due to the attachment / detachment of the toner container or the toner flight control member, the toner is caused to fly. Therefore, the electric field applied to the toner changes. For this reason, even if the voltage application condition to the control electrode section is constant, the toner flying area becomes different on the surface of the toner layer, and as a result, the image changes, so that a constant image quality may not be obtained. It was

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a powder image forming apparatus capable of obtaining a constant image quality even if the toner container is detached. Is.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is a toner container for accommodating a toner carrier for carrying a toner, and a counter electrode facing the toner carrier. Between the toner carrier and the counter electrode,
A toner flight control member having a plurality of minute openings independent of one another or a series of and a plurality of control electrode sections controlling the passage of toner through each minute opening; and the control electrode section of the toner flight control member, A voltage is applied in accordance with an image signal, the toner from the toner carrier is passed through the minute opening and moved to the counter electrode side, and recording is performed between the toner flight control member and the counter electrode. In a powder image forming apparatus that forms an image by adhering onto a member, a toner supply unit having the toner container and the toner flight control member is formed, and the toner supply unit can be attached to and detached from the main body device. It is characterized by being configured in.

In the powder image forming apparatus of claim 1,
A toner supply unit that can be attached to and detached from the main unit,
A toner container and a toner flight control member are provided. Then, for example, when replenishing toner or cleaning the control electrode, the toner supply unit is removed from the main body device in a state where the toner container and the toner flying control member are fixed, and the toner replenishment or control electrode of the toner supply unit is kept in the above state. Since the toner supply unit is mounted again after cleaning, the distance between the toner on the toner carrier in the toner container and the control electrode portion does not change before and after the toner supply unit is attached and detached. Further, in the case of an image forming apparatus in which the toner container itself is replaced when the toner is consumed, the toner supply unit is replaced with a new toner supply unit.

Here, when a toner flight control member provided with the above-mentioned control electrode portion is used, for example, a film having an electrode pattern formed of copper foil or the like on at least one of films of polyimide or polyester of about several tens of μm, The toner flight control member has no rigidity and is easily bent.
For this reason, when the toner flight control member is fixed to the toner container directly or through another member, depending on the temperature and humidity conditions due to the difference in the coefficient of thermal expansion between the toner flight control member and the toner container or another member. The polyimide film may be warped or wrinkled.

Therefore, according to the invention of claim 2, in the powder image forming apparatus of claim 1, one end of the toner flying control member in at least one direction parallel to the counter electrode is fixed to the toner container, and The end is fixed to the toner container via an elastic body.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the powder image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, both ends of the toner flight control member in at least one direction parallel to the counter electrode are elastically bonded to the toner container. It is characterized by being fixed to.

In the powder image forming apparatus according to the second aspect and the third aspect, even if the temperature and humidity change and the toner flying control member or the toner container expands and contracts, both are fixed via the elastic body. Therefore, the elastic body contracts and expands to absorb the volume change of the toner flight control member or the toner container. Therefore, the distance between the control electrode portion and the toner carrier can be kept constant in the area direction.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the powder image forming apparatus according to the first, second or third aspect, the toner carrier is
A toner transport roller that transports the toner to a position facing the toner flight control member while rotating while carrying the toner is used, and when the toner supply unit is mounted on the main body device, a drive mechanism for the main body device is provided. It is characterized in that a drive connection mechanism for connecting with the toner transport roller is provided.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, in the powder image forming apparatus according to the fourth aspect, a coupling mechanism is used as the drive connection mechanism.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a powder image forming apparatus, wherein the drive connection mechanism allows the drive mechanism of the main body apparatus and the toner to be supplied to the toner supply unit while the toner supply unit is attached to the powder image forming apparatus. While being carried, it is connected to a toner conveyance roller that conveys the toner by rotating it to a position facing the toner flight control member.

The invention of claim 6 is the invention of claim 1, 2, 3, 4
Alternatively, in the powder image forming apparatus of No. 5, the toner supply unit is configured such that the control electrode portion is electrically connected to a predetermined member of the main body device when the toner supply unit is attached to the main body device. It is characterized by that.

In the powder image forming apparatus of claim 6,
Since the control electrode portion is electrically connected to a predetermined member of the main body device when the toner supply unit is attached to the main body device, the control electrode portion can be voltage-driven by the main body device.

The invention of claim 7 relates to claim 1, 2, 3,
In the powder image forming apparatus of 4, 5, or 6, a pressing member that presses at least one of the toner supply unit and the counter electrode toward the other when the toner supply unit is attached to the main body device, and a pressing member when the attachment is performed. It is characterized in that an alignment member for aligning the distance between the toner supply unit and the counter electrode is provided.

The invention according to claim 8 is the powder image forming apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the main body device is provided with the alignment member.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the powder image forming apparatus according to the seventh aspect, the toner supply unit is provided with the alignment member.

In the powder image forming apparatus according to claims 7 to 9, when the toner supply unit is attached to the main body apparatus,
At least one of the toner supply unit and the counter electrode is pressed toward the other by the pressing member, and at this time, the distance between the toner supply unit and the counter electrode is aligned by the alignment member. As a result, even if the toner supply unit is detached, the distance between the toner supply unit and the counter electrode is kept constant.

The invention of claim 10 is the invention of claims 1, 2, 3,
The powder image forming apparatus of 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 is characterized in that the toner supply unit is detachably attached to the main body apparatus by sliding.

In this powder image forming apparatus, the toner supply unit can be slid and removed easily.

[0025]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a color printer as a powder image recording apparatus will be described below. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an example of a color printer to which this embodiment is applicable. In the color printer shown in FIG. 1, a recording paper 10 as a recording member is fed from a paper feed cassette 1 by a calling roller 2 and is fed by a carrying roller 3 between a counter electrode 4 and a toner flying control member 5.
Then, while the toner is flying horizontally over the toner flight control member 5, the toner is jetted from four toner containers 6 which are arranged below the toner flight control member 5 and which have openings in the upper portion, under the control of the toner flight control member. The conductive color toner (hereinafter referred to as toner) adheres to the recording paper 10 and recording is performed.

A voltage is applied to the counter electrode 4 by a voltage applying means (not shown). Further, the four toner containers 6 contain toners of respective colors of Y, M, C and BK.

The toner 91 attached to the recording paper 10 is sent between a heat roller 71 and a pressure roller 72 as a fixing device 7 to fix the image. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of another example of the color printer. In this color printer, the color printer shown in FIG. 1 is supported by supporting rollers 41 and 42 and has a conveying belt 43 having a recording paper conveying function by rotating in a direction of an arrow, and an opening at an upper portion of a toner container during non-recording. And a shutter 102 for covering toner and preventing toner from scattering. The conveyor belt 43
Is for conveying the recording paper 10 between the counter electrode 4 and the toner flying control member 5 while the recording paper 10 is adsorbed on the surface. Therefore, the leading edge of the recording paper 10 does not float above the surface of the belt, and the accuracy of the position where the toner adheres does not decrease. As a result, it is possible to suppress color misregistration when color-printing by stacking different color toners.

FIG. 3 shows a recording for one color of the color printer of FIG. 1 or 2, which is provided with the counter electrode 4, the toner flying control member 5, and the toner carrier 6a provided in the toner container 6. It is explanatory drawing of a part. The toner flight control member 5 controls the flight of the toner 91 by applying an electric field to the toner 91 on the toner carrier 6a. In the toner flight control member 5, for example, a copper foil having a thickness of 25 μm is adhered to both surfaces of a polyimide film 52 having a thickness of 75 μm, which is an insulator, and an electrode pattern is exposed on each copper foil surface after exposure, and finally, a predetermined thickness. A hole 54 having a diameter of 120 μm, for example, can be formed at the position of using a YAG laser or the like. Then, the copper foil on the counter electrode 4 side is used as the image electrode 51 to which a signal voltage is applied according to the image signal, and the toner 91 does not fly on the copper foil on the toner container 6 side except for the portion immediately below the hole 54. The shield electrode 53 is used for this purpose. This shield electrode 53
Is such that the electric field applied to the toner 91 in a portion other than directly below the hole 54 does not fall below the flight start electric field and flying does not occur even if a voltage at the time of image recording is applied to the counter electrode 4 and the image electrode 51.
For example, like the toner container 6, it is grounded. Also, FIG.
In the example, the distance between the counter electrode 4 and the image electrode 51 is 200 μm.
m, the distance between the shield electrode 53 and the surface of the toner 91 layer is 1
00 μm. A constant voltage, for example, -400V is applied to the counter electrode 4. Further, a constant voltage, for example, −120 V is applied to the image electrodes, and based on the image signal, an IC driver (not shown) outputs a voltage of −6, for example.
A pulse signal voltage of 0V is applied. At this time, the voltage of -180V is applied to the image electrode by being superimposed on the voltage of -120V. This voltage causes toner 9
The electric field formed on the surface of the first layer acts on the electric charge of the toner 91 to generate an electrostatic force, and the electrostatic force acts between the toner 91 acting on the toner 91 or with the toner carrier 6a (van der Waals). When the sum of (force) and gravity is exceeded, the toner 91 leaves the toner 91 layer and flies along the electric force line indicated by the broken line, and adheres to the recording paper 10 to form an image. (Hereinafter, margin)

In this embodiment, the toner container 6 is used.
And the toner flight control member 5 are integrated to form a toner supply unit 600.
A configuration in which 0 can be attached to and detached from the main unit is adopted.
Hereinafter, this configuration will be described. FIG. 4 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of an example of the toner supply unit 600 according to this embodiment. Here, FIG. 4A shows a schematic configuration of a toner supply unit 600 that can be used in a monochrome printer that forms a monochrome image using monochrome toner. Further, FIG. 4B shows a schematic configuration of a toner supply unit 600 that can be used in a color printer having toner containers for four colors as shown in FIG. 1 or 2. These toner supply units 6
In 00, the toner flying control member 5 is fixed to the toner container 6 via the lid 602. The fixing method may be either adhesion or welding. The toner container 6 in FIG. 4A contains, for example, Bk toner. Further, the toner container 6 in FIG. 4B is internally divided into four toner storage portions, and the toners of the colors Y, M, C, and Bk are stored in the four toner storage portions. Further, a toner carrier 6a carrying a toner is provided in the toner container, and the toner layer surface is always kept at a predetermined height. In the example of FIG. 4B, the toner carrier 6 is provided in each of the four toner storage portions.
a is provided. The toner carrier 6a will be described later. The lid 602 is formed of, for example, plastic or the like, above the four toner storage portions in the example of FIG. 4A, above the toner container 6 in the example of FIG. Each has slits for flying. Further, if the lid 602 has a large contact area with the toner flight control member 5, it is difficult to form the contact surface flat during molding. Therefore, in the illustrated example, the protrusion 603 is formed on the lid 602. It is provided in the position where the toner flight control member is aligned with the toner layer surface. In this configuration, when the toner container 6 is attached to and detached from the printer body to replenish the toner, the toner supply unit 600 is removed while the toner flight control member 5 is fixed to the toner container 6, The toner may be replenished in this state and then mounted in that state. Therefore, the distance between the surface of the toner layer carried by the toner carrier 6a in the toner container 6 and the image electrode 51 or the shield electrode 53 provided on the toner flying control member does not change. Similarly, when the toner flying control member 5 is detached for cleaning the image electrode 51 and the shield electrode 53, the toner container 6 is fixed to the toner flying control member 5 and the toner supply unit 600 is fixed. It can be removed, cleaned and reattached. As a result, even when the voltage is applied to each electrode after the toner supply unit 600 is attached and detached to form an image, the image electrode 51 and the shield electrode 5 are also formed.
Since the electric field applied to the surface of the toner layer by 3 is equal to that before the desorption, the image quality of the image formed on the recording paper 10 does not change. Also, in the case of an image forming apparatus in which the toner container itself is replaced when the toner is consumed, by replacing the toner supply unit 600 with a new toner supply unit 600, the toner flying control member 5 and the toner may be replaced. There is no need for alignment with the container 6, good maintainability, and no change in image quality.

Here, as described above, when the toner flight control member 5 is a film such as a film of polyimide or polyester having a thickness of about several tens of μm and provided with an electrode pattern or holes made of copper foil or the like, The toner flight control member 5 has no rigidity and is easily bent. Therefore, the toner flying control member 5 and the toner container 6 or the lid 6
Due to the difference in the coefficient of thermal expansion from No. 02, the polyimide film may be bent or wrinkled depending on the temperature and humidity conditions. For example, if the base material of the toner flight control member 5 is a glass-filled polyimide resin and the material of the lid 602 and the toner container 6 is ABS resin, the thermal expansion coefficient of the former is 1.5 × 10 −5. However, the latter has a coefficient of thermal expansion of 6.
It is 5 × 10 −5 to 1.3 × −4, and the latter is larger. Therefore, the lid 602 changes due to changes in temperature and humidity conditions.
And the toner container 6 expands and contracts, and the toner flying control member 5
It is conceivable that distortion occurs in the toner flight control member 5 and the distance between the toner flight control member 5 and the surface of the toner layer becomes non-uniform within the surface of the toner flight control member.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, for example, one end of the toner flying control member 5 in the recording paper conveyance direction is fixed to the toner container 6, and the other end is made of an elastic body such as a spring 60.
It may be fixed to the toner container 6 via 4. According to this configuration, the toner flight control member 5 is always in tension by the biasing force of the spring 604. Therefore, even if there is a difference in the coefficient of thermal expansion between the toner flight control member 5 and the toner container 6 or the lid 602, the toner flight control member 5 is distorted due to a change in temperature and humidity conditions, and warps or wrinkles occur. There is no such thing. Therefore, the toner flight control member 5 is
Since the distance between the surface of the toner layer and the surface of the toner layer is always uniform within the surface of the toner flight control member 5, the toner can be favorably ejected during image formation and the image quality is improved. In the illustrated example, the toner flight control member 5 is fixed in the recording paper conveyance direction. However, even if the toner flight control member 5 is fixed in any direction within the surface, the toner flight control member 5 may be fixed in two or more directions. Good. Further, rubber or the like may be used instead of the spring 604.

Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, both ends of the toner flying control member 5 in the recording paper conveyance direction may be fixed to the toner container 6 via springs 604 as elastic bodies. Even in this case, even if there is a difference in the coefficient of thermal expansion between the toner flight control member 5 and the toner container 6 or the lid 602, the toner flight control member 5 is changed due to changes in temperature and humidity conditions.
There is no distortion and no wrinkling. Therefore, since the distance between the toner flight control member 5 and the surface of the toner layer is always uniform within the surface of the toner flight control member, the toner can be favorably ejected during image formation, and the image quality is improved. Further, since the toner flight control member 5 is given a tension by the urging force of the springs from both ends, the hole 54 for toner flight provided in the toner flight control member 5 is provided.
Since it is difficult to shift the position of, it is difficult to shift the position when forming an image. Also in this case, the toner flight control member 5 may be fixed in any direction within the surface of the toner flight control member 5 or may be fixed in two or more directions. Further, rubber or the like may be used instead of the spring 604.

Next, referring to FIG. 7, the toner carrier 6a is used.
Will be described. Here, FIG. 7A is an explanatory diagram of a toner supply unit 600 that can be used in a monochrome printer that forms a monochrome image using monochrome toner. Further, FIG. 7B is an explanatory diagram of a toner supply unit 600 that can be used in a color printer having toner containers for four colors. In this embodiment, the toner carrying roller 601 is used as the toner carrying member 6a carrying the toner. The toner conveying roller 601 is provided so that a part thereof is exposed from the slit above the toner container 6 facing the counter electrode 4. Then, at the time of image formation, the toner is carried in a thin layer and is rotated in the direction of the arrow, and the toner flies from the slit to form an image on the recording member. To carry the toner on the toner carrying roller 601, for example, the toner carrying roller 6 is used.
01 and the uppermost layer of the toner layers carried in a multi-layered manner on the bottom surface of the toner container are separated from each other, and a direct current electric field is applied between the toner conveying roller 601 and the bottom surface of the toner container 6 so that the uppermost layer is formed. The toner may be made to fly toward the toner carrying roller 601 and attached to the toner carrying roller 601. At this time, it is desirable that at least the surface of the toner conveying roller 601 is made of an insulating material. For example,
80 mm polyester resin on the surface of an aluminum rod with a diameter of 5 mm
What is coated with μm may be used. Further, at least the bottom surface of the toner container 6 and at least the surface of one of the inner walls are made of a conductive material.

Further, in this embodiment, when the toner supply unit 600 is mounted on the main body device, the drive on the main body side is transmitted to the toner conveying roller 601. Hereinafter, this configuration operation will be described.

In FIG. 7A, the toner carrying roller 6
A gear 601a is provided at one end on the inner side of 01 in the axial direction. When the toner supply unit 600 is attached to the main body device, the toner supply unit 6
Insert 00 from the front side to the back side. This time,
The drive gear 606 on the main body side meshes with the gear 601 a, and the drive on the main body side is transmitted to the toner conveying roller 601. Further, at least one of the drive gear 606 on the main body side and the gear 601a on the toner transport roller 601 side is
A shock absorbing mechanism that absorbs the shock during mounting is provided. For example, the drive gear 606 on the main body side is pushed out toward the front side by the urging force of a spring (not shown), and the gear 606 can be released to the back side only when the drive gear 606 does not mesh with the gear 601a during mounting. You can do it.

Further, in FIG. 7 (b), gears 601a are provided at one end of the four toner conveying rollers 601 on the inner side in the axial direction, respectively. A gear 605 is provided between the toner conveying rollers, and the gear 605 is located on both sides of the gear 601a.
The rotational drive is transmitted between the four toner transport rollers by meshing with the four toner transport rollers. Then, when the toner supply unit 600 is attached to the main body device, the toner supply unit 600 is inserted from the front side to the back side. At this time, the drive gear 606 on the main body side meshes with one of the gears 601a, and the drive on the main body side is transmitted to the toner supply unit.
The impact absorbing mechanism is provided on at least one of the drive gear 606 on the main body side and the gear 601a meshing with the gear 606. Here, the gear 60 on the main body side
6 are provided, and when the toner supply unit 600 is attached to the main body device, the main body side gear 60 is added to the above four gears 601a.
You may employ | adopt the structure which 6 meshes respectively. However, in this case, the shock absorbing mechanism is connected to the gear 601a.
Alternatively, since it is necessary to provide each of the drive gears 606 on the main body side, it is preferable that the gear 601a that meshes with the drive gear 606 of the main body is arranged at one position as in the configuration of FIG. 7B. According to the above configuration, since the toner carrying roller 601 can be driven by the main body device, it is not necessary to provide the toner supplying unit 600 with a driving device for driving the toner carrying roller 601, and the structure is simplified. Further, it is possible to reduce the cost.

Further, in the above-mentioned structure, the example in which the gear is used as the mechanism for transmitting the drive of the main body device to the toner conveying roller 601 is shown, but a coupling mechanism as shown in FIG. 8 may be used. In this case, a member 607 constituting the coupling mechanism, which is separable from each other in the attachment / detachment direction of the toner supply unit 600 with respect to the apparatus main body.
One of a and 607b is attached to the main body side, and the other is attached to one end on the back side of the toner conveying roller 601. In this case as well, similar to the above-described configuration, the impact absorbing mechanism is provided on at least one of the main body apparatus side and the toner conveying roller 601. With this configuration, the toner supply unit 600 can be easily attached to and detached from the main body device.

Next, the toner supply unit 6 will be described with reference to FIG.
The electric drive of 00 will be described. Here, FIG.
FIG. 6A is an explanatory diagram of a toner supply unit 600 that can be used in a monochromatic printer that forms a monochrome image using monochromatic toner. Further, FIG. 9B is an explanatory diagram of a toner supply unit 600 that can be used in a color printer having toner containers for four colors. In the present embodiment, each image electrode 51 of the toner flying control member 5
Also, a connector 608 is connected to the lead wire group from each electrode so that the main body device can drive each shield electrode 53 with a voltage. To connect the lead wire group and the connector, for example, as shown in FIG. 10A, a lead wire 609 is drawn out on the toner flying control member 5, and then the lead wire 609 is pulled out.
A portion of the connector 608 indicated by AA ′ as shown in
The connector 608 is fixed to the toner container 6 with the fixing pin 610 so as to match the portion indicated by AA ′ of the toner flight control member 5 in FIG. In this way, each lead wire 609 is connected to each terminal of the connector 608. Also,
The main body device is provided with a connector (not shown) that is connected to the connector 608 and supplies a voltage when the toner supply unit 600 is mounted. As a result, when the toner supply unit 600 is attached to the main body device, each electrode of the toner flight control member 5 is voltage-driven by the main body device. The toner flight control member 5 may be configured such that the lead wire group is directly connected to the main body side connector when the toner supply unit is attached without providing the connector 608. Since 5 has the property of being easily bent as described above, it is preferable to provide the connector 608 as described in the above configuration. According to the above configuration, each electrode of the toner flight control member 5 is voltage-driven by the main body device when the toner supply unit 600 is attached to the main body device. Therefore, the toner supply unit 600 drives the image electrode 51 and the shield electrode 53. There is no need to provide a power source to operate, and the structure is simple. Further, it is possible to reduce the cost.

Next, the structure for keeping the distance between the counter electrode 4 and the toner supply unit 600 constant will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 11A shows a front view of a toner supply unit 600 that can be used in a monochrome printer that forms a monochrome image using monochrome toner, and FIG. 11B shows the toner supply unit 600. A side view is shown. In this toner supply unit 600, a protrusion 611 for aligning the counter electrode is provided on the upper portion.
Are provided in several places. A hole is provided on the toner flight control member 5 in order to escape the protrusion 611.
Further, the toner supply unit 600 is provided on the main body side.
The toner supply unit 60 is provided below the portion where the toner is attached.
A spring as a pressing member for pushing up 0, fixing the spring on the upper part of the spring, and the toner supply unit 600.
There is provided a plate that also serves as a stopper for the spring when the is removed. Then, the plate pushes up the toner supply unit 600 by the urging force of the spring when the toner supply unit 600 is attached to the main body device. At this time, the protrusion 611 is pressed against the fixed counter electrode 4, and the distance between the counter electrode 4 and the toner supply unit 600 is kept constant. The plate also serves as an internal cover of the main body device when the toner supply unit 600 is removed. Here, the protrusion 611 is provided outside the portion through which the recording paper 10 and the conveyor belt pass so as not to interfere with the conveyance of the recording paper 10 and the conveyor belt.
By thus providing the alignment member for the counter electrode 4 and the toner supply unit 600, the distance between the counter electrode 4 and the surface of the toner layer is kept constant. Since the electric field applied to the surface of the toner layer by the voltage applied to the counter electrode is the same as before the desorption even when the image is formed by applying the voltage, the image quality of the image formed on the recording paper 10 does not change.

Further, in the toner supply unit 600 in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12 or 13, a groove 612 or a protrusion 613 as a slide portion is provided, and the toner supply unit 600 receiving portion on the main body side is provided. Also above groove 6
A protrusion (not shown) or a groove (not shown) for receiving 12 or the protrusion 613 is provided. Thus, the toner supply unit 600 can be slidably attached to and detached from the main body device. Here, in the groove on the main body device side corresponding to the protrusion 613 or the groove 612 corresponding to the protrusion on the main body device side, the toner supply unit 600 is located at the position of the counter electrode 4 and the toner supply unit 600. It is desirable to set the width to be wider than the width of the protrusion so that it can be moved up and down slightly for alignment. Further, the slide portion may be formed with a portion 614 that is tapered in the sliding direction so that the toner supply unit 600 can be easily attached when the toner supply unit 600 is attached. in this case,
It is desirable that the shape of the slide receiving portion on the main body device side also corresponds to the tapered portion. With the above configuration, the toner supply unit 600 can be easily attached to and detached from the main body device, and the maintainability is improved.

[0041]

According to the present invention, the distance between the control electrode portion and the toner on the toner carrier in the toner container before and after the detachment of the toner supply unit is such that the toner supply unit is detached. Since there is no change between before and after, the electric field applied to the surface of the toner layer by the control electrode portion is the same as that before detachment even when a voltage is applied to the control electrode after detaching and attaching the toner supply unit to form an image. Therefore, there is an excellent effect that a constant image quality can be obtained even if the toner supply unit is detached. Further, when the toner supply unit is replaced with a new toner supply unit, it is not necessary to align the control electrode portion and the surface of the toner layer, and therefore maintenance is good and the image quality does not change. It has an excellent effect.

According to the second and third aspects of the invention, even if the temperature and humidity change and the toner flying control member or the toner container expands and contracts, the elastic body contracts and expands to control the toner flying. Absorbs the volume change of the member or the toner container. Therefore, since the distance between the control electrode portion and the toner carrier can be kept constant in the area direction, there is an excellent effect that a constant image quality can be obtained regardless of the recording position.

According to the fourth and fifth aspects of the present invention, when the toner supply unit is attached to the powder image forming apparatus, the drive mechanism of the main body device is connected to the toner conveying roller by the drive connection mechanism. Since they are connected, it is not necessary to separately provide a driving device for driving the toner feeding roller in the toner supply unit. Therefore, there is an excellent effect that the structure is simplified and the cost can be reduced.

In particular, according to the invention of claim 5, since the coupling mechanism is used as the drive connection mechanism, there is an excellent effect that the toner supply unit can be easily detached from the main body device.

According to the sixth aspect of the invention, since the control electrode portion can be voltage-driven by the main body device while the toner supply unit is attached to the main body device, the control electrode portion is driven. There is no need to provide a separate power source. Therefore, there is an excellent effect that the structure is simplified and the cost can be reduced. (Hereinafter, margin)

According to the invention of claims 7 to 9, when the toner supply unit is mounted on the main body, the distance between the toner supply unit and the counter electrode is adjusted by the pressing member and the alignment member. Done. Therefore,
Even if the toner supply unit is detached, the distance between the toner supply unit and the counter electrode is kept constant. Accordingly, even when a voltage is applied to each electrode after the toner supply unit is attached and detached to form an image, the electric field applied to the toner layer surface by the voltage applied to the counter electrode is equal to that before the detachment.
Therefore, there is an excellent effect that a more uniform image quality can be obtained even if the toner supply unit is detached.

According to the tenth aspect of the invention, since the toner supply unit can be slid and easily detached, there is an excellent effect that the maintainability is improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating a schematic configuration of a color printer according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing another example of the printer.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a recording unit for one color of the printer.

FIG. 4A is a schematic configuration diagram of a toner supply unit that can be used in a monochrome printer that forms a monochrome image using monochrome toner. FIG. 3B is a schematic configuration diagram of a toner supply unit that can be used in the color printer of FIG. 1 or 2.

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram showing another example of the toner supply unit.

FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram showing still another example of the toner supply unit.

FIG. 7A is an explanatory diagram of a toner supply unit that can be used in a monochrome printer. FIG. 6B is an explanatory diagram of a toner supply unit that can be used in a color printer.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a coupling mechanism.

FIG. 9A is an explanatory diagram of a toner supply unit that can be used in a monochrome printer. FIG. 6B is an explanatory diagram of a toner supply unit that can be used in a color printer.

FIG. 10A is an explanatory diagram of a toner flight control member.
(B) is explanatory drawing of a connector.

FIG. 11A is a front view of a toner supply unit that can be used in a monochrome printer. (B) is a side view of the toner supply unit

FIG. 12A is a front view showing another example of the toner supply unit. FIG. 6B is a side view of the toner supply unit.

FIG. 13A is a front view showing still another example of the toner supply unit. FIG. 6B is a side view of the toner supply unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Paper Cassette 10 Recording Paper 2 Calling Roller 3 Conveying Roller Pair 4 Counter Electrode 5 Control Electrode 51 Image Electrode 52 Polyimide Film 53 Shield Electrode 54 Hole 6 Toner Container 6a Toner Carrier 600 Toner Supply Unit 601 Toner Conveying Roller 602 Lid 603 Protrusion Part 604 Spring 605 Gear 606 Drive gear 607a, b Members constituting coupling mechanism 608 Connector 609 Lead wire 610 Fixing pin 611 Projection part 612 Groove 613 Projection part

Front page continuation (72) Inventor Osamu Endo 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Ricoh Co., Ltd.

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A toner container for accommodating a toner carrier that carries toner, a counter electrode facing the toner carrier, and a plurality of independent or series of a plurality of members between the toner carrier and the counter electrode. A toner flight control member having a minute opening portion and a plurality of control electrode portions for controlling the passage of toner through each minute opening portion; and a voltage is applied to the control electrode portion of the toner flying control member according to an image signal. By applying the toner, the toner from the toner carrier is transferred to the counter electrode side through the minute opening, and adhered on the recording member located between the toner flight control member and the counter electrode. In a powder image forming apparatus for forming an image, a toner supply unit having the toner container and the toner flying control member is formed, and the toner supply unit can be attached to and detached from the main body apparatus. A powder image forming apparatus characterized in that it is configured to be functional. 2. The powder image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one end of said toner flight control member in at least one direction parallel to said counter electrode is fixed to said toner container, and the other end is provided with an elastic body. A powder image forming apparatus fixed to the toner container. 3. The powder image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein both ends of the toner flight control member in at least one direction parallel to the counter electrode are fixed to the toner container via elastic bodies. Powder image forming apparatus. 4. The powder image forming apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the toner is carried as the toner carrier while being rotated to convey the toner to a position facing the toner flight control member. A powder image forming apparatus characterized in that a drive connection mechanism is provided for connecting the drive mechanism of the main body device and the toner transport roller in a mounting state of the toner supply unit to the main body device by using a toner transport roller. . 5. The powder image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a coupling mechanism is used as the drive connecting mechanism. 6. The powder image forming apparatus according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein the control electrode portion is electrically connected to a predetermined member of the main body device when the toner supply unit is mounted on the main body device. A powder image forming apparatus, wherein the toner supply unit is configured to be electrically connected. 7. The powder image forming apparatus according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, wherein at least one of the toner supply unit and the counter electrode is attached when the toner supply unit is attached to a main body device. A powder image forming apparatus comprising: a pressing member that presses toward the other side; and an alignment member that aligns the distance between the toner supply unit and the counter electrode during the mounting. 8. The powder image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the alignment member is provided in the main body device. 9. The powder image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the toner supply unit is provided with the alignment member. 10. The method of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8.
Alternatively, in the powder image forming apparatus of Item 9, the toner image supply unit is detachably mounted on the main body device by sliding.