JPH10294163A - Ion generator and electrophotographic recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ion generator such that when it is applied to the charging device or transfer device of an electrophotographic recording device, a feeding structure to the ion generator does not project from both ends of a photoconductor. SOLUTION: Feeding patterns for a dielectric electrode 2 and an ion- generating electrode 4 which are formed on an insulating substrate 1 with a dielectric layer 3 between them are devised; i.e., feeding electrodes independently connected to the dielectric electrode 2 and the ion generating electrode 4 are provided on the back of the insulating substrate 1. Hence, a feeding structure for an ion generator does not project from both ends of a photoconductor, and miniaturization is achieved around the photoconductor.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an ion generator,
The present invention relates to an electrophotographic process device and an electrophotographic recording device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an electrophotographic recording apparatus such as a copying machine or a laser printer, a charging device or a transfer device is used as a charging device or a transfer device.
A corona charger mainly comprising a tungsten wire or the like is generally used. However, such a corona charger mainly composed of tungsten wire or the like ionizes oxygen molecules in the atmosphere to generate ozone (O ₃ ~). Will occur.

On the other hand, in recent years, an AC voltage has been applied between two electrodes formed on an insulating substrate with a dielectric layer interposed therebetween.
2. Description of the Related Art An ion generator that ionizes nearby air by a discharge between two electrodes has been developed. For example, JP-A-6-75457 and JP-A-8-82980 disclose the use of such an ion generator as a charging device in an electrophotographic recording apparatus. An example of such an ion generator will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional front view showing an example of a conventional ion generator. First, an induction electrode 102 serving as an ion generation electrode is formed on an insulating substrate 101 in a film form.
Covered in. On the dielectric layer 103, a pair of ion generating electrodes 104 serving as an induction electrode is formed in a film shape.
An induction electrode 102 is provided between these ion generating electrodes 104.
Is formed immediately above the gap G. The ion generator thus formed is used by being opposed to the photoconductor 105 of the electrophotographic recording apparatus at a predetermined interval. That is, when used as a charging device, when a high-frequency voltage is applied between the induction electrode 102 and the ion generation electrode 104 by the high-frequency power source 106, the induction electrode 10
A high density of positive and negative ions is generated near the gap G due to the discharge between the ion generating electrode 104 and the ion generating electrode 104. And
When a negative bias voltage is applied between the ion generating electrode 104 and the photoconductor 105 from the DC power supply 107, the negative ions of the generated positive and negative ions act on the photoconductor 105, thereby uniformly charging the photoconductor 105. Is done. In this case, the charging potential of the photoconductor 105 can be set by adjusting a bias voltage applied between the ion generating electrode 104 and the photoconductor 105. The amount of ozone generated when the photoconductor 105 is charged is reduced from several tenths to several tenths in comparison with a corona charger mainly comprising a tungsten wire or the like.

[0005] Here, an ion generator as exemplified in FIG. 9 is used as a charging device or a transfer device in an electrophotographic recording device. Contribute to downsizing. For example, when used as a charging device, the ion generating device is opposed to the photosensitive member at an interval of about 1 mm. In this case, as a holding structure of the ion generator, it is common to hold both ends in the longitudinal direction of the ion generator with a holding member. In this case, the holding members holding the both ends of the ion generator are provided on the photosensitive member. The advantages of the ion generator, which is protruded from both ends and is small, are lost. Also,
Since the ion generator itself has a certain degree of flexibility, in a structure that holds both ends of the ion generator, the facing distance between the photoconductor and the ion generator varies depending on the location, and uniform charging or the like cannot be performed. On the other hand, in a structure in which the back surface of the ion generator is attached to a steel body, the performance of the ion generator deteriorates due to the heat capacity of the steel body. In other words, performance degradation occurs such that the ion concentration generated due to the temperature decrease due to heat radiation decreases, and the temperature distribution due to heat radiation becomes non-uniform, so that the generated ion concentration distribution becomes non-uniform. For this reason, a holding structure of an ion generator having a structure as illustrated in FIG. 10 has been conventionally devised. FIG. 10 is a front view of the ion generator integrated with the holder. As shown in FIG. 10, the ion generator is held by a holder 109 with an ion generation surface 108 formed by a pattern of an induction electrode 102 and an ion generation electrode 104 facing the front side. The holder 109 has a structure in which both sides of the ion generator are inserted and held by a pair of holding grooves 110.
In addition, a heating pattern 1 is provided on the back side of the ion generator.
A heat radiation space 112 is formed between the holder 109 and the back surface of the ion generator including the heat generating pattern 111. The heat radiating space 112 prevents heat conduction from the ion generator to the holder 109 to maintain the efficiency of the ion generator.

[0006]

In an ion generator, power supply patterns for the induction electrode 102 and the ion generation electrode 104 are generally formed at both ends of the surface of the insulating substrate 101. For this reason, the connection of the high-frequency power supply 106 and the direct-current power supply 107 to the power supply pattern is inevitably made at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the ion generator, and the connection portion protrudes from both ends of the photoreceptor. Will be spoiled.

Further, a holder 10 as illustrated in FIG.
Although a holding structure of the ion generator according to No. 9 has been conventionally considered, it is difficult to actually hold the ion generator by such a holding structure. That is, the holder 1
When holding the ion generator in the holding groove 110 of 09,
If the fitting between the holding groove 110 and the ion generator is too loose, the dimensional accuracy will not be obtained. If the fitting is too tight, the insulating substrate 101 of the ion generator will be warped and the dimensional accuracy will not be obtained. Is improperly applied to a charging device which must maintain the value of about 1 mm. Moreover, since the ion generator expands due to heat generation during operation, rigid fitting with the holding groove 110 is more and more inappropriate in terms of dimensional accuracy. For this reason, it is actually difficult to realize an ion generator holding structure as illustrated in FIG. For this reason, it is inevitable to use a holding structure in which both ends in the longitudinal direction of the ion generator are held by a holding member. In this case, the holding member protrudes from both ends of the photoconductor and is small in size. The benefits are lost.

An object of the present invention is to provide an ion generator in which a power supply structure for an ion generator and a holding structure of the ion generator do not protrude from both ends of a photoreceptor when applied to a charging device or a transfer device of an electrophotographic recording apparatus. That is.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an ion generator capable of ensuring insulation from a photoreceptor when applied to a charging device or a transfer device of an electrophotographic recording apparatus.

Still another object of the present invention is to increase the durability of the holding structure of the ion generator.

[0011]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ion generating apparatus comprising: an insulating substrate having an insulating property; an induction electrode formed on the insulating substrate; a dielectric layer covering the insulating substrate and the induction electrode; An ion generating electrode formed on the dielectric layer and forming a gap with the induction electrode; a protective layer covering the ion generating electrode; provided on the back surface of the insulating substrate, independent of the induction electrode and the ion generating electrode, respectively. And a power supply electrode connected to the power supply electrode. Therefore, when a high-frequency voltage is applied between the induction electrode and the ion generation electrode, high-density positive and negative ions are generated near the gap due to the discharge between the induction electrode and the ion generation electrode. Therefore, when the ion generator of the present invention is used, for example, as a charging device for charging a photoconductor, a negative bias voltage is applied between the ion generating electrode and the photoconductor with the gap facing the photoconductor. As a result, the negative ions of the positive and negative ions generated near the gap act on the photoconductor, and the photoconductor is uniformly charged.

In the ion generator of the present invention, since the power supply electrode is provided on the back surface of the insulating substrate, the power supply structure for the power supply electrode does not protrude from both longitudinal ends of the ion generator. Therefore, when the present invention is applied to a charging device or a transfer device of an electrophotographic recording apparatus, the power supply structure does not protrude from both ends of the photoconductor, so that the size around the photoconductor can be reduced.

Further, the ion generator according to claim 2 is
An insulating substrate having an insulating property; a dielectric layer formed on the insulating substrate; a first group of electrodes electrically connected in parallel at a plurality of intervals on the dielectric layer; A second group of electrodes that are electrically connected to each other at a plurality of intervals and that are at least partially adjacent to the first group of electrodes; a protective layer that covers the electrodes; And a feed electrode independently connected to each group of electrodes. Therefore, when a high-frequency voltage is applied between the electrodes of the first group and the electrodes of the second group, high-density positive and negative ions are generated between the electrodes due to discharge between the electrodes. Therefore, when the ion generator of the present invention is used, for example, as a charging device for charging a photoconductor, a negative bias voltage is applied between the electrode and the photoconductor with the electrode facing the photoconductor. Then, by the application of such a bias voltage, the negative ions of the positive and negative ions generated in the electrode sense act on the photoconductor, and the photoconductor is uniformly charged.

In the ion generator of the present invention, since the power supply electrode is provided on the back surface of the insulating substrate, the power supply structure for the power supply electrode does not protrude from both ends in the longitudinal direction of the ion generator. Therefore, when the present invention is applied to a charging device or a transfer device of an electrophotographic recording apparatus, the power supply structure does not protrude from both ends of the photoconductor, so that the size around the photoconductor can be reduced.

Here, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, for example, alumina or the like is used as the "insulating substrate", and each part laminated on the insulating substrate is formed by, for example, screen printing. The “induction electrode” and the “ion generation electrode” or the “electrode” are, for example, silver-based (silver / palladium, silver / platinum, etc.) or copper-based thick film conductors. The “dielectric layer” is, for example, a glass insulating layer (lead borosilicate glass, lead borosilicate glass containing an alumina filler, or the like), and has a thickness of, for example, about 20 to 40 μm. As the “protective layer”, a glass type (lead borosilicate glass, silica, etc.) or a resin type (polyimide, epoxy, silicone) or the like is used, and its thickness is, for example, about 10 μm or less. Here, the connection between the electrode and the power supply electrode is easily made, for example, through a through-hole formed in advance on the insulating substrate.
In the case where the device further comprises an insulator layer covering the conductive wire pattern located on the surface of the insulating substrate other than the ion generating portion (claim 4), when applied to a charging device or a transfer device of an electrophotographic recording device, the photoconductor becomes Is reliably maintained. The term "ion generating portion" means a gap portion between the induction electrode and the ion generating electrode (claim 1) or a portion between the first group of electrodes and the second group of electrodes (claim 2). I do. The insulator layer is, for example, 10 to 60 μm
It is formed with the thickness of.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ion generator, comprising: an insulating substrate having an insulating property; an induction electrode formed on the insulating substrate; a dielectric layer covering the insulating substrate and the induction electrode; An ion generating electrode forming a gap with the induction electrode; a protective layer covering the ion generating electrode; a reference surface in surface contact with one side of the insulating substrate and two sides of the other surface of the insulating substrate. A holder that holds the insulating substrate using a plurality of holding claws that resiliently make point contact. Therefore, when a high-frequency voltage is applied between the induction electrode and the ion generation electrode, high-density positive and negative ions are generated near the gap due to the discharge between the induction electrode and the ion generation electrode. Therefore, when the ion generator of the present invention is used, for example, as a charging device for charging a photoconductor, a negative bias voltage is applied between the ion generating electrode and the photoconductor with the gap facing the photoconductor. As a result, the negative ions of the positive and negative ions generated near the gap act on the photoconductor, and the photoconductor is uniformly charged.

The insulating substrate is held by the plurality of holding claws while being aligned with the reference surface of the holder. In this case, since the holding claws have elasticity, even if there is some dimensional error or expansion of the insulating substrate due to heat generation, the insulating substrate is aligned with the reference surface and supported with high accuracy. For this reason, even when the present invention is applied to a charging device or a transfer device of an electrophotographic recording device, the facing distance of about 1 mm between the ion generating surface and the photosensitive member can be accurately maintained. Therefore, a holding structure having no protruding material from both ends in the longitudinal direction of the insulating substrate is realized, and the holding structure does not protrude from both ends of the photoconductor, so that the size around the photoconductor can be reduced.

[0018] The ion generator according to claim 5 is characterized in that:
An insulating substrate having an insulating property; a dielectric layer formed on the insulating substrate; a plurality of electrodes arranged side by side on the dielectric layer; a protective layer covering the electrodes; A holder that holds the insulating substrate using a plurality of holding claws that resiliently make point contact with both sides of the other side of the insulating substrate. Therefore, when a high-frequency voltage is applied between adjacent electrodes, high-density positive and negative ions are generated between the electrodes due to discharge between the electrodes. Therefore, when the ion generator of the present invention is used, for example, as a charging device for charging a photoconductor, a negative bias voltage is applied between the electrode and the photoconductor with the electrode facing the photoconductor. Then, by the application of such a bias voltage, the negative ions of the positive and negative ions generated in the electrode sense act on the photoconductor, and the photoconductor is uniformly charged.

The insulating substrate is held by the plurality of holding claws in a state where the insulating substrate is positioned on the reference surface of the holder. In this case, since the holding claws have elasticity, even if there is some dimensional error or expansion of the insulating substrate due to heat generation, the insulating substrate is aligned with the reference surface and supported with high accuracy. For this reason, even when the present invention is applied to a charging device or a transfer device of an electrophotographic recording device, the facing distance of about 1 mm between the ion generating surface and the photosensitive member can be accurately maintained. Therefore, a holding structure having no protruding material from both ends in the longitudinal direction of the insulating substrate is realized, and the holding structure does not protrude from both ends of the photoconductor, so that the size around the photoconductor can be reduced.

Here, in the invention according to claim 5 or 6, for example, alumina or the like is used as the "insulating substrate", and each part laminated on this insulating substrate is formed by, for example, screen printing. The “induction electrode” and the “ion generation electrode” or the “electrode” are, for example, silver-based (silver / palladium, silver / platinum, etc.) or copper-based thick film conductors. The “dielectric layer” is, for example, a glass insulating layer (lead borosilicate glass, lead borosilicate glass containing an alumina filler, or the like), and has a thickness of, for example, about 20 to 40 μm. As the “protective layer”, a glass type (lead borosilicate glass, silica, etc.) or a resin type (polyimide, epoxy, silicone) or the like is used, and its thickness is, for example, about 10 μm or less. The “holder” is made of, for example, a resin having excellent wear resistance. Thus, even if the insulating substrate is repeatedly slid and inserted between the reference surface of the holder and the holding claw, the holding claw does not deteriorate due to wear, and the holding strength of the insulating substrate due to the deterioration of the holding claw is reduced. Is prevented from decreasing. Such prevention of wear of the holding claws can also be realized by forming at least the tip of the holding claws with a wear-resistant member. When the holder is made of a peak material, PPS, liquid crystal polymer or the like, an ideal holder having excellent heat resistance as well as heat resistance and low heat capacity can be obtained.
The “holding claws” are formed, for example, every 30 mm, assuming that the length of the insulating substrate is, for example, 360 mm. The term "ion generating surface" means a surface on which an ion generating portion, which is a gap portion between the ion generating electrodes (claim 5) or a portion between the electrodes (claim 6), is formed. The gap between such a holder and the back surface of the insulating substrate is, for example, about 5 mm.

An electrophotographic recording apparatus according to an eighth aspect is an electrophotographic recording apparatus using the ion generator according to any one of the first to seventh aspects as a charging device for charging a photosensitive member. That is, the electrophotographic recording apparatus comprises: a photoreceptor; a charging device formed by the ion generator according to any one of claims 1 to 7 for uniformly charging the photoreceptor; An image exposing device that exposes the photoconductor to form an electrostatic latent image; a developing device that attaches toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor and develops the image; A transfer device for transferring to a transfer medium; and a fixing device for fixing a transferred image on the transfer medium.

The electrophotographic apparatus according to the ninth aspect is the first aspect of the invention.
An electrophotographic recording apparatus using the ion generator according to any one of the above items 7 as a transfer device for transferring a developed image formed on a photoconductor to a transfer medium. That is, the electrophotographic recording apparatus includes: a photosensitive member; a charging device for uniformly charging the photosensitive member; and an image exposing device for exposing the photosensitive member uniformly charged by the charging device to form an electrostatic latent image. A developing device for applying toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor to develop the image; and a developing device formed by the ion generator according to any one of claims 1 to 7 and formed on the photoconductor. A transfer device for transferring to a transfer medium; and a fixing device for fixing a transferred image on the transfer medium.

Therefore, according to the electrophotographic recording apparatus of the eighth or ninth aspect, the image recording is performed through the basic processes of electrophotography of charging, exposing, developing, and transferring the photosensitive member. At this time, in the invention according to claim 8,
An ion generator is arranged with a gap facing the photoconductor at the charging position of the photoconductor, and a high-frequency voltage is applied between the induction electrode and the ion generation electrode or between the electrodes. Accordingly, high-density positive and negative ions are generated in the vicinity of the gap due to discharge between the induction electrode and the ion generation electrode or between the electrodes.
Then, by applying a negative bias voltage between the ion generating electrode or the electrode and the photoconductor, negative ions of the positive and negative ions generated in the vicinity of the gap act on the photoconductor and the photoconductor is uniformly charged. You. In this case, the charging device is a first charging device.
8. The operation of the ion generator according to any one of 7 to 7 is achieved. In the ninth aspect of the present invention, the ion generator is disposed with the gap facing the photoconductor at the transfer position, and a high-frequency voltage is applied between the induction electrode and the ion generation electrode or between the electrodes. Accordingly, high-density positive and negative ions are generated in the vicinity of the gap due to discharge between the induction electrode and the ion generation electrode or between the electrodes. Then, by applying a positive bias voltage between the ion generating electrode or the electrode and the photoconductor, the developed image formed on the photoconductor through the developing process is transferred to the transfer medium at the transfer position. At this time, the transfer device has the function of the ion generator according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

[0024]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the ion generator according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG.
2 is a vertical sectional front view of the ion generator, FIG. 2 is a plan view thereof, FIG. 3 is a bottom view thereof, and FIG.
FIG. 5 is a front view of the ion generator held by the holder, and FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged plan view showing the ion generator.

First, an insulating substrate 1 having an insulating property is provided. On the insulating substrate 1, an induction electrode 2, a dielectric layer 3,
The ion generating electrode 4 and the protective layer 5 are sequentially laminated by screen printing. In this case, the dielectric layer 3
Covers the entire surface of the insulating substrate 1 together with the induction electrode 2, and the ion generating electrode 4 is formed on the dielectric layer 3
To form a gap G. The ion generating electrode 4 is protected by a protective layer 5 that covers the ion generating electrode 4 and the dielectric layer 3.

Here, the insulating substrate 1 is a flat rectangular member having a length of 360 mm and made of alumina. The induction electrode 2 and the ion generation electrode 4 are formed of, for example, a silver (silver / palladium, silver / platinum, etc.) conductor. The dielectric layer 3 is, for example, a glass insulating layer (such as a lead borosilicate glass or a lead borosilicate glass containing an alumina filler), and is formed to a thickness of about 20 to 40 μm. The protective layer 5 is formed of a glass (lead borosilicate glass, silica, etc.) or resin (polyimide, epoxy, silicone) material and is formed to a thickness of about 10 μm or less.

As shown in FIG. 2 to FIG.
The ion generating electrode 4 is connected to power supply electrodes 2 a and 4 a disposed on the lower surface of the insulating substrate 1 via through holes 6 formed in the insulating substrate 1. Also, the insulating substrate 1
A heating element 7 is formed in a film-like shape on the lower surface of the substrate 1. The power supply electrode 7a of the heating element 7 is also arranged on the lower surface of the insulating substrate 1. Then, on the upper surface of the insulating substrate 1, the induction electrode 2
An insulator layer 8 is provided to cover a conductive wire pattern of the induction electrode 2 and the ion generation electrode 4 located at a position other than the ion generation part IG formed by the ion generation part 4 and the ion generation part 4.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the insulating substrate 1 on which the upper layer and the induction electrodes 2 and 4 are laminated is formed.
Are held by the holder 9. The holder 9 is formed of a peak material having a length of 360 mm, which is the same length as the insulating substrate 1, and includes a reference surface 9 a that makes surface contact with both sides of the back surface of the insulating substrate 1, and an ion generating portion IG of the insulating substrate 1. A state in which a plurality of holding claws 9b that resiliently make point contact with both sides of the formed ion generating surface are provided, and a heat radiation space 9c that is a small gap of about 5 mm is formed between the holding claws 9b and the back surface of the insulating substrate 1. Hold the insulating substrate 1. Here, the holding claws 9b are planar triangular members formed at a height of about 2 mm (see FIG. 5) and at intervals of about 30 mm (see FIG. 6), and are insulated by a bulge having a diameter of about 1 mm at the tip. Substrate 1 with reference plane 9
a. Therefore, in order to attach the insulating substrate 1 to the holder 9, the insulating substrate 1 is inserted between the reference surface 9a and the holding claw 9b until both ends of the holder 9 and both ends of the insulating substrate 1 are aligned. . Thereby, the insulating substrate 1
Are held by the holder 9 in such a state that they are pressed against the reference surface 9a by the holding claws 9b. Even if the operation of inserting the insulating substrate 1 into the holder 9 is repeated at the time of manufacturing, maintenance, or the like, the holder 9 is formed of a peak material having excellent wear resistance. Wear is less likely to occur, and the holding force of the holding claws 9b of the insulating substrate 1 does not decrease. Moreover, since the peak material has excellent heat resistance, the holder 9 is not damaged by the heat generated during the operation of the insulating substrate 1, and the peak material has a small heat capacity, so that the ion generation efficiency is improved. The provision of the heat radiation space 9c also contributes to the improvement of the ion generation efficiency. Note that such characteristics of the holder 9 can be obtained similarly when PPS or a liquid crystal polymer is used as the material of the holder 9. Further, with respect to the prevention of abrasion of the holding claws 9b, the same effect can be obtained when a wear-resistant member is fixed to the tip of the holding claws 9b.

In such a configuration, when a high-frequency voltage is applied between the induction electrode 2 and the ion generation electrode 4, high-density positive and negative charges are generated near the gap G by the discharge between the induction electrode 2 and the ion generation electrode 4. Ions are generated. Therefore,
When the ion generator of the present embodiment is used, for example, as a charging device for charging a photoconductor (not shown), a negative bias voltage is applied between the ion generating electrode 4 and the photoconductor with the gap G facing the photoconductor. Is applied. Then, the negative ions of the positive and negative ions generated near the gap G act on the photoconductor, and the photoconductor is uniformly charged.

Next, in the ion generator of the present embodiment, the power supply structure for each of the power supply electrodes 2a, 4a and 7a and the holding structure for holding the insulating substrate 1 do not protrude from both ends in the longitudinal direction of the insulating substrate 1. That is, each power supply electrode 2
Since a, 4a, and 7a are formed on the back surface of the insulating substrate 1, the power supply structure for the power supply electrodes 2a, 4a, and 7a does not protrude from both ends in the longitudinal direction of the insulating substrate 1. Further, since the holder 9 is formed to have the same length as the insulating substrate 1, similarly, the holding structure of the insulating substrate 1 does not protrude from both ends in the longitudinal direction of the insulating substrate 1. Even if there is some dimensional error in each part or expansion of the insulating substrate 1 due to heat generation, etc., the insulating substrate 1 is aligned on the reference surface 9a and is accurately supported by the holding claws 9b.
Is accurately held by the holder 9. Therefore,
When the ion generating device of the present embodiment is applied to, for example, a charging device or a transfer device of an electrophotographic recording device, a power supply structure for the ion generating device or a holding structure of the ion generating device while maintaining a small gap with the photoconductor. Does not protrude from both ends of the photoconductor, and the size around the photoconductor can be reduced.

A second embodiment of the ion generator according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional front view of the ion generator. Portions that are the same as or correspond to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

In the ion generator of this embodiment, the electrodes are not divided into the induction electrode 2 and the ion generation electrode 4 as in the first embodiment, but are collectively used as the electrode 10. That is, the dielectric layer 3, the electrode 10, and the protective layer 5 are sequentially formed on the insulating substrate 1 having an insulating property at predetermined intervals by screen printing. And every other electrode 10 is a first group of electrodes 10a.
And an electrode 10b of a second group, and an AC high-frequency power supply ES is connected between the electrode 10a of the first group and the electrode 10b of the second group to apply a high-frequency voltage. . Here, since the material of each part is the same as that of the ion generator of the first embodiment, the description is omitted.

In the ion generator of the present embodiment, a power supply electrode (not shown) connected to the electrode 10 is provided on the back surface of the insulating substrate 1 and held by the holder 9.

In such a configuration, when a high frequency voltage is applied between the first group of electrodes 10a and the second group of electrodes 10b by the high frequency power supply ES, the first group of electrodes 10a and the second group of electrodes 10b Each electrode 10
A discharge phenomenon occurs in between, and this discharge phenomenon generates high-density positive and negative ions. Therefore, when the ion generator of the present embodiment is used, for example, as a charging device for charging a photoconductor (not shown), the electrode 10 is opposed to the photoconductor, and a negative bias voltage is applied between the electrode 10 and the photoconductor. Is applied. Then, the negative ions of the positive and negative ions generated near the electrode 10 act on the photoconductor, and the photoconductor is uniformly charged. At this time, the ion generator of the present embodiment also
Since 0 is formed in an endless pattern in which an end does not occur at the ion generation position, even if a disconnection occurs at one place or a plurality of places depending on the place, power supply as the whole pattern is not interrupted.

One embodiment of the electrophotographic recording apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a schematic side view showing the electrophotographic recording apparatus. The same parts as those described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

First, a paper feed path 13 is provided for connecting a paper feed device 12 for storing transfer paper 11 as a transfer medium and a discharge unit (not shown). The paper feed path 13 includes a fixing device 14. An image processing unit 15 is provided.

The image processing section 15 is mainly composed of a photosensitive member 16 having a photosensitive drum configuration. Around the photoconductor 16, a charging device 17, a developing device 18, a transfer device 1
9, a peeling device 20, and a cleaning device 21 are arranged in this order. An exposure position EX is defined between the charging device 17 and the developing device 18, and the image processing unit 15 supplies a laser beam (hereinafter, referred to as laser light) to the exposure position EX.
An image exposure device (not shown) for irradiating light is provided.

Here, the ion generator described in the first embodiment is used as the charging device 17, the transfer device 19, and the peeling device 20. That is, the charging device 17
In this embodiment, an ion generator is arranged so that the gap G faces the photoconductor 16, and a negative bias voltage is applied between the ion generating electrode 4 and the photoconductor 16. This allows
The negative ions of the positive and negative ions generated in the vicinity of the gap G act on the photoconductor 16 to uniformly charge the photoconductor 16.
In the transfer device 19, an ion generator is arranged with the gap G facing the photoconductor 16, and a positive bias voltage is applied between the ion generation electrode 4 and the photoconductor 16. Thus, the developed image formed on the photoconductor 16 through the developing process by the developing device 18 is transferred to the transfer paper 11 at the transfer position. Then, in the peeling device 20, the ion generator is disposed with the gap G facing the photoconductor 16, and the bias voltage between the ion generating electrode 4 and the photoconductor 16 is set to zero. Thereby, the charge of the transfer paper 11 is eliminated by the positive and negative ions generated in the gap G, and the transfer paper 11
Is separated from the photoconductor 16.

Next, a part of each part constituting the image processing unit 15 is unitized to form an electrophotographic processing apparatus 22. This electrophotographic process device 22 includes:
It comprises a photoreceptor 16, a charging device 17, a transfer device 19 and a peeling device 20.

In such a configuration, in the image processing section 15, the photosensitive member 16 is uniformly charged to a negative polarity by the charging of the charging device 17. Since the photoconductor 16 is uniformly charged at the exposure position EX, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photoconductor 16 by irradiating the exposure position EX with a light beam from an image exposure apparatus according to image information. It is formed. That is, in the photoconductor 16, a potential difference from the charged potential is generated in a portion irradiated with the light beam, and this portion becomes an electrostatic latent image. The developing device 18 visualizes the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor 16 by attaching toner having a potential difference to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member 16 at the exposure position EX. The transfer device 19 sucks the developed image on the photoconductor 16 by a potential difference,
The developed image is transferred to the transfer paper 11. Stripping device 20
Removes the transfer paper 11 after the transfer of the developed image from the photoconductor 16. The cleaning device 21 performs cleaning by, for example, scraping off toner remaining on the photoconductor 16 after the transfer process. The fixing device 14 is disposed downstream of the transfer device 19 in the paper passage path 13 and fixes unfixed toner adhering to the transfer paper 11 after passing through the transfer device 19 by a heating / pressing action. I do.

As described above, according to the electrophotographic recording apparatus of the present embodiment, charging, exposure, development,
Image recording is performed through a basic process of electrophotography called transfer. At this time, in the charging device 17, the transfer device 19, and the peeling device 20, the operation and effect of the ion generating device described in the first embodiment are exerted. In other words, the power supply structure for the ion generator and the holding structure of the ion generator do not protrude from both ends of the photoconductor 16 while maintaining the minute gap with the photoconductor 16.
The size around the photoconductor 16 can be reduced.

In implementation, the charging device 17,
As the transfer device 19 and the peeling device 20, the ion generator described in the second embodiment may be used.

[0043]

According to the first or second aspect of the present invention, the electrode (induction electrode, ion generation electrode, electrode) that contributes to the discharge for generating ions is provided with a through hole formed in, for example, an insulating substrate. Since the power supply electrode connected to the power supply electrode is provided on the back surface of the insulating substrate, a power supply structure for the power supply electrode can be provided without protruding from the longitudinal end of the insulating substrate. When the present invention is applied to a charging device or a transfer device of an apparatus, it is possible to eliminate the protrusion of the power supply structure from both ends of the photoconductor, thereby reducing the size around the photoconductor.

The fourth aspect of the present invention provides the first or second aspect.
In the ion generating apparatus described above, an insulating layer is provided to cover the conductive wire pattern located on the insulating substrate other than the ion generating section, so that when applied to a charging device or a transfer device of an electrophotographic recording device, the insulating property with the photoreceptor is improved. Can be reliably maintained.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the ion generator, wherein a plurality of holding surfaces which come into resilient point contact with both sides of the insulating substrate on the one side of the insulating substrate and two sides of the other side of the insulating substrate. A holder is provided to hold the insulating substrate in a non-contact state with the center of the back surface by means of claws, so that the insulating substrate can be positioned on the reference surface even if there is some dimensional error in each part or expansion of the insulating substrate due to heat generation. When the present invention is applied to a charging device or a transfer device of an electrophotographic recording apparatus, it is possible to maintain a small gap with the photoconductor. Therefore, it is possible to realize a holding structure of the insulating substrate having no protrusions from both ends in the longitudinal direction of the insulating substrate. And the size around the photoconductor can be reduced.

In the ion generator according to claim 5 or 6, since at least the tip of the holding claw is formed of a wear-resistant member, the insulating substrate is slid and inserted between the reference surface of the holder and the holding claw. Can be prevented from being deteriorated due to wear of the holding claws.
A decrease in holding strength of the insulating substrate due to deterioration of the holding claws can be prevented, and the insulating substrate can be held securely.

The ion generator according to any one of claims 1 to 7 is formed on a charging device for charging a photoreceptor in an electrophotographic recording device (claim 8) and on a photoreceptor in an electrophotographic recording device. It can be used in a transfer device (Claim 9) for transferring a developed image to a transfer medium, and the like.
These charging devices and transfer devices have the same effects as the ion generator of any one of claims 1 to 7.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional front view showing a first embodiment of an ion generator of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view thereof.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view thereof.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line AA ′ in FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the ion generator held by a holder.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged plan view showing a part thereof.

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional front view showing a second embodiment of the ion generator of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a side view showing an embodiment of the electrophotographic recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional front view showing an example of a conventional ion generator.

FIG. 10 is a front view of the ion generator held by the holder.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1: Insulating substrate 2: Induction electrode 3: Dielectric layer 4: Ion generation electrode 5: Protective layer 14: Fixing device 16: Photoconductor 17: Charging device 18: Developing device 19: Transfer device G: Gap

Claims (9)

[Claims] An insulating substrate having an insulating property; an induction electrode formed on the insulating substrate; a dielectric layer covering the insulating substrate and the induction electrode; a dielectric layer formed on the dielectric layer; An ion generating electrode for forming a gap between the electrode and the electrode; a protective layer covering the ion generating electrode; a protective layer provided on the back surface of the insulating substrate, and independently connected to the induction electrode and the ion generating electrode, respectively. A power supply electrode; and an ion generator. An insulating substrate having an insulating property; a dielectric layer formed on the insulating substrate; and a first group electrically connected to the dielectric layer at a plurality of intervals. A second group of electrodes which are electrically connected in parallel at a plurality of intervals on the dielectric layer and at least a part of which is close to the first group of electrodes; and a protection covering the electrodes. A power supply electrode provided on a back surface of the insulating substrate and independently connected to the electrodes of each group. 3. The ion generator according to claim 1, wherein the connection between the electrode and the power supply electrode is made through a through hole formed in the insulating substrate. 4. The ion generator according to claim 1, further comprising an insulator layer covering a conductive wire pattern located on the surface of the insulating substrate other than the ion generating portion. 5. An insulating substrate having an insulating property; an induction electrode formed on the insulating substrate; a dielectric layer covering the insulating substrate and the induction electrode; An ion generating electrode for forming a gap between the electrode and the electrode; a protective layer covering the ion generating electrode; a reference surface in surface contact with both sides of one surface of the insulating substrate; A holder for holding the insulating substrate using a plurality of holding claws that come into point contact with each other. 6. An insulating substrate having an insulating property; a dielectric layer formed on the insulating substrate; a plurality of electrodes arranged in parallel on the dielectric layer; a protective layer covering the electrodes; A holder that holds the insulating substrate using a reference surface that makes surface contact with both sides of the one surface side of the insulating substrate and a plurality of holding claws that resiliently make point contact with both sides of the other surface of the insulating substrate; An ion generator, comprising: 7. The ion generator according to claim 5, wherein at least a tip of the holding claw is formed of a wear-resistant member. 8. A photoconductor, a charging device formed by the ion generator according to claim 1, and configured to uniformly charge the photoconductor, wherein the charging device is uniformly charged by the charging device. An image exposure device that exposes a photoconductor to form an electrostatic latent image; a developing device that applies toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor to develop the image; and a developed image formed on the photoconductor A transfer device for transferring the image onto a transfer medium;
And a fixing device for fixing the transferred image on the transfer medium. 9. A photoreceptor; a charging device for uniformly charging the photoreceptor; an image exposing device for exposing the photoreceptor uniformly charged by the charging device to form an electrostatic latent image; A developing device for attaching toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor to develop the electrostatic latent image, and a developed image formed on the photoconductor by the ion generator according to claim 1. A transfer device for transferring the image onto a transfer medium;
And a fixing device for fixing the transferred image on the transfer medium.