JPH1152674A - Electrifying device, developing device, transfer device and image forming device - Google Patents

Electrifying device, developing device, transfer device and image forming device

Info

Publication number
JPH1152674A
JPH1152674A JP9211905A JP21190597A JPH1152674A JP H1152674 A JPH1152674 A JP H1152674A JP 9211905 A JP9211905 A JP 9211905A JP 21190597 A JP21190597 A JP 21190597A JP H1152674 A JPH1152674 A JP H1152674A
Authority
JP
Japan
Prior art keywords
charge
toner
image
electrode
charge control
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
JP9211905A
Other languages
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
Jun Abe
純 安部
Akihiko Noda
明彦 野田
Shota Oba
正太 大場
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Fujifilm Business Innovation Corp
Original Assignee
Fuji Xerox Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Fuji Xerox Co Ltd filed Critical Fuji Xerox Co Ltd
Priority to JP9211905A priority Critical patent/JPH1152674A/en
Publication of JPH1152674A publication Critical patent/JPH1152674A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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  • Electrostatic Charge, Transfer And Separation In Electrography (AREA)
  • Dry Development In Electrophotography (AREA)

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a small lowcost electrifying device having a steady electrifying performance, a developing device using the said electrifying device, a transfer device and arm image forming device. SOLUTION: An electrifying apparatus is equipped with an insulated substrate 11; a charge supplying member 12 formed on the substrate 11; a plurality of insulation layers 13 extending in a direction to intersect the moving direction B of a developer carrier; and an electrification control member 14 formed on the insulation layer 13. The electrification control member 14 is equipped with a plurality of electrification control electrodes 14a arranged in the moving direction B of the developer carrier; a feeding electrode 14b to relay the transmission of an electric voltage supplied to a plurality of electrodes 14a; and a short-circuit preventing electrode 14c which severally individually connects the feeding electrode 14b and a plurality of electrification control electrodes 14a and cuts off a feed course to the electrification control electrode in the case of the occurrence of a short-circuit.

Description

【発明の詳細な説明】DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

【０００１】[0001]

【発明の属する技術分野】本発明は、複写機やプリンタ
などの電子写真方式の画像形成装置、およびその画像形
成装置に用いられる帯電装置、現像装置、および転写装
置に関する。BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, and a charging device, a developing device, and a transfer device used in the image forming device.

【０００２】[0002]

【従来の技術】従来、電子写真方式の画像形成装置にお
いて、像担持体上に形成された静電潜像を現像剤で可視
化してトナー像を得る現像装置には、現像剤としてトナ
ーのみを用いる１成分現像方式およびトナーとキャリア
からなる現像剤を用いる２成分現像方式とがある。これ
らの現像装置は、像担持体と対向する位置に配備された
回転する現像剤担持体上にトナー層または２成分現像剤
による磁気ブラシ層を形成し、それを像担持体と対向す
る現像領域に搬送して現像剤担持体と像担持体との間に
印加された現像バイアス電圧により形成された現像電界
の作用により現像剤担持体上のトナーを像担持体上の静
電潜像に転移させる方式のものが多い。2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a developing device for obtaining a toner image by visualizing an electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrier with a developer uses only toner as a developer. There are a one-component developing method used and a two-component developing method using a developer composed of a toner and a carrier. In these developing devices, a toner layer or a magnetic brush layer of a two-component developer is formed on a rotating developer carrier provided at a position facing the image carrier, and the magnetic layer is formed in a developing area facing the image carrier. To transfer the toner on the developer carrier to the electrostatic latent image on the image carrier by the action of the developing electric field formed by the developing bias voltage applied between the developer carrier and the image carrier. There are many things to make it.

【０００３】このような方式の現像装置では、現像領域
において現像剤担持体上のトナーを像担持体上の静電潜
像に確実に転移させるために、トナーに所定の帯電量を
付与しておく必要がある。そのため、２成分現像方式の
現像装置では、摩擦帯電序列上で互いに隔たったトナー
とキャリアとを混合撹拌することによりトナーに電荷を
付与する帯電方法が採用されることが多い。しかし、こ
の帯電方法では、キャリアを長期間使用している間に、
トナーに外添された帯電制御剤が混合撹拌により遊離し
てキャリア表面を汚染し、トナーに電荷を付与すること
ができなくなることがあり、現像剤をしばしば交換しな
ければならないという問題がある。また、トナーとキャ
リアとの混合比を一定に保つためのトナー濃度コントロ
ール装置や現像剤撹拌装置が必要であり、さらに、磁性
キャリアを担持するために現像剤担持体の内部にマグネ
ットを配設する必要があるなど、現像装置の複雑化、大
型化を招くという問題もある。In such a developing device, in order to surely transfer the toner on the developer carrier to the electrostatic latent image on the image carrier in the developing area, a predetermined charge amount is applied to the toner. Need to be kept. Therefore, in a two-component developing type developing device, a charging method of applying a charge to the toner by mixing and stirring the toner and the carrier separated from each other on the triboelectric charging sequence is often adopted. However, in this charging method, while using the carrier for a long time,
The charge control agent externally added to the toner may be released by mixing and stirring to contaminate the surface of the carrier, making it impossible to apply a charge to the toner, and there is a problem that the developer must be frequently replaced. In addition, a toner concentration control device and a developer stirring device for maintaining a constant mixing ratio between the toner and the carrier are required, and further, a magnet is provided inside the developer carrier to carry the magnetic carrier. For example, there is a problem that the developing device becomes complicated and large.

【０００４】一方、１成分現像方式の現像装置には、上
記の２成分現像方式の欠点がなく現像装置をコンパクト
に構成できる利点がある。１成分現像方式の現像装置で
は、弾性部材からなるブレード状のトナー層形成部材を
現像剤担持体に圧接させて現像剤担持体上に薄いトナー
層を形成すると同時にトナー層形成部材とトナー層との
摩擦帯電によりトナー層に電荷を付与する方式が多く採
用されている。しかし、一般に、ブレード状のトナー層
形成部材は、トナー帯電能力が低いためトナー層中のす
べてのトナーを十分に帯電することが難しい。また、所
望の極性とは逆の極性に帯電したトナー、いわゆる逆極
性トナーが発生しやすく、その逆極性トナーにより画像
に地かぶりを発生するという欠点がある。これは、ブレ
ード状のトナー層形成部材による摩擦帯電においては、
トナーがブレードと接触する確率が低く、特に微小トナ
ーはブレードと接触せずに層形成部分を通過してしまい
相当量の未帯電トナーを発生するためである。そこで、
トナー層形成部材のトナーへの圧接力を増加することに
より摩擦帯電を促進することが考えられるが、トナー層
形成部材の圧接力を増加すると摩擦熱も増加するためト
ナー中のバインダー樹脂が溶融し、溶融後凝縮したトナ
ーがブレードに詰まって画像に白筋を発生させるという
問題を起こすことがある。On the other hand, a developing device of the one-component developing system has an advantage that the developing device does not have the drawbacks of the above-described two-component developing system and can be configured compactly. In a one-component developing type developing device, a blade-shaped toner layer forming member made of an elastic member is pressed against a developer carrier to form a thin toner layer on the developer carrier, and at the same time, the toner layer forming member and the toner layer are Many methods have been adopted in which a charge is imparted to the toner layer by frictional charging. However, in general, it is difficult for the blade-shaped toner layer forming member to sufficiently charge all the toner in the toner layer because the toner charging ability is low. In addition, a toner charged to a polarity opposite to a desired polarity, that is, a so-called reverse polarity toner is likely to be generated, and the reverse polarity toner has a disadvantage that an image is fogged. This is due to triboelectric charging by the blade-shaped toner layer forming member.
This is because the probability that the toner comes into contact with the blade is low, and particularly, the minute toner passes through the layer forming portion without contacting the blade, and generates a considerable amount of uncharged toner. Therefore,
It is conceivable that frictional electrification is promoted by increasing the pressing force of the toner layer forming member against the toner, but increasing the pressing force of the toner layer forming member increases the frictional heat, so that the binder resin in the toner melts. In some cases, the toner condensed after the melting is clogged by the blade to cause white streaks in an image.

【０００５】このような摩擦帯電方式における問題点を
解消するために、例えば、実開昭６３−１３８５６０号
公報には、現像剤担持体と対向する位置にコロナ放電器
を配設し、このコロナ放電器から発生したイオンをトナ
ー層に照射することによりトナーに直接電荷を付与する
現像装置が開示されている。しかし、コロナ放電器を用
いる現像装置は、使用中にコロトロンワイヤーに汚れが
付着しやすく、長期間にわたって均一な放電を得るのは
難しい。また、コロトロンワイヤー近傍の空気層を電離
させるために高電圧を印加する必要があり、コロトロン
ワイヤーの軸方向の放電安定性などを考慮すると５ｋＶ
以上の高電圧を必要とする。そのため、高電圧の電源回
路を設置する必要があり、また、放電器自体の絶縁性も
高めなければならず高コスト化が避けられない。さら
に、放電時に多量のオゾンを発生するという問題や、コ
ロトロンワイヤーからの火花放電を回避するためにコロ
トロン装置自体を大型化する必要があるなどの問題があ
る。In order to solve such a problem in the triboelectric charging system, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. 63-138560 discloses a method in which a corona discharger is provided at a position facing a developer carrier. There has been disclosed a developing device that directly applies a charge to toner by irradiating a toner layer with ions generated from a discharger. However, in a developing device using a corona discharger, dirt easily adheres to the corotron wire during use, and it is difficult to obtain uniform discharge over a long period of time. Further, it is necessary to apply a high voltage to ionize the air layer near the corotron wire, and considering the discharge stability in the axial direction of the corotron wire, it is 5 kV.
The above high voltage is required. Therefore, it is necessary to install a high-voltage power supply circuit, and the insulation of the discharger itself must be enhanced, which inevitably increases the cost. Further, there is a problem that a large amount of ozone is generated at the time of discharge and a problem that it is necessary to increase the size of the corotron device itself in order to avoid spark discharge from the corotron wire.

【０００６】上記公報のほかに、トナーに直接電荷を付
与する方式として次のような現像装置も用いられてい
る。図４は、従来の、トナーに直接電荷を付与する方式
の現像装置の一例を示す概要図である。図４に示す現像
装置６０は、静電潜像を担持して矢印Ａ方向に回転する
像担持体６１に現像領域Ｄにおいて近接もしくは接触す
るように配置された、矢印Ｂ方向に回転する現像剤担持
体６２と、現像剤担持体６２へトナーを供給する撹拌供
給部材６４と、現像剤担持体６２に圧接して現像剤担持
体６２上に薄いトナー層を形成するトナー層形成ブレー
ド６３と、現像剤担持体６２と近接もしくは接触するよ
うに配置された円筒状の電荷付与部材６５と、現像剤担
持体６２に現像バイアス電圧を印加する現像バイアス電
源６６ａと、電荷付与部材６５に帯電用電圧を印加する
帯電用電源６６ｂとを備えている。この現像装置６０で
は、電荷付与部材６５に帯電用電源６６ｂからの帯電用
電圧を印加して電荷付与部材６５と現像剤担持体６２と
の間隙で放電を起こさせ、放電により発生したイオンま
たは電子からなる電荷担体を現像剤担持体６２上のトナ
ー層に付着させることによりトナーを帯電させる。帯電
したトナーは現像領域Ｄにおいて像担持体６１上の静電
潜像に付着し像担持体６１上にトナー像が形成される。In addition to the above publication, the following developing device is also used as a system for directly applying a charge to toner. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a conventional developing device of a type in which electric charge is directly applied to toner. A developing device 60 shown in FIG. 4 is arranged so as to approach or contact an image carrier 61 which carries an electrostatic latent image and rotates in the direction of arrow A in the developing region D and rotates in the direction of arrow B. A carrier 62, a stirring / supplying member 64 for supplying toner to the developer carrier 62, a toner layer forming blade 63 that presses against the developer carrier 62 to form a thin toner layer on the developer carrier 62, A cylindrical charge applying member 65 arranged so as to be close to or in contact with the developer carrying member 62; a developing bias power source 66a for applying a developing bias voltage to the developer carrying member 62; And a charging power supply 66b for applying the voltage. In the developing device 60, a charging voltage from a charging power supply 66 b is applied to the charge applying member 65 to cause a discharge in a gap between the charge applying member 65 and the developer carrier 62, and ions or electrons generated by the discharge are generated. The toner is charged by adhering the charge carrier composed of to the toner layer on the developer carrying member 62. The charged toner adheres to the electrostatic latent image on the image carrier 61 in the developing area D, and a toner image is formed on the image carrier 61.

【０００７】図５は、従来の、トナーに直接電荷を付与
する方式の現像装置の他の一例を示す概要図である。図
５に示す現像装置７０は、静電潜像を担持して矢印Ａ方
向に回転する像担持体７１に現像領域Ｄにおいて近接も
しくは接触するように配置された、矢印Ｂ方向に回転す
る現像剤担持体７２と、現像剤担持体７２へトナーを供
給する撹拌供給部材７４と、現像剤担持体７２に圧接し
て現像剤担持体７２上に薄いトナー層を形成するトナー
層形成ブレード７３と、現像剤担持体７２に現像バイア
ス電圧を印加する現像バイアス電源７６ａと、トナー層
形成ブレード７３に帯電用電圧を印加する帯電用電源７
６ｂとを備えており、トナー層形成ブレード７３に帯電
用電源７６ｂからの帯電用電圧を印加し、トナー層形成
ブレード７３と現像剤担持体７２との間に摩擦帯電を起
こさせるとともにトナー層形成ブレード７３と現像剤担
持体７２との間隙で放電を起こさせ、放電により発生し
たイオンまたは電子からなる電荷担体を現像剤担持体７
２上のトナー層に付着させることによりトナーを帯電さ
せる。帯電したトナーは現像領域Ｄにおいて像担持体７
１上の静電潜像に付着し像担持体７１上にトナー像が形
成される。FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing another example of a conventional developing device of the type which directly applies a charge to toner. The developing device 70 shown in FIG. 5 is a developer that carries an electrostatic latent image and is arranged to approach or contact an image carrier 71 that rotates in the direction of arrow A in the developing region D and that rotates in the direction of arrow B. A carrier 72, a stirring / supplying member 74 for supplying toner to the developer carrier 72, a toner layer forming blade 73 for pressing the developer carrier 72 to form a thin toner layer on the developer carrier 72, A developing bias power source 76a for applying a developing bias voltage to the developer carrier 72; and a charging power source 7 for applying a charging voltage to the toner layer forming blade 73.
6b, a charging voltage from a charging power supply 76b is applied to the toner layer forming blade 73 to cause frictional charging between the toner layer forming blade 73 and the developer carrying member 72 and to form the toner layer. Discharge is caused in the gap between the blade 73 and the developer carrier 72, and the charge carriers composed of ions or electrons generated by the discharge are transferred to the developer carrier 7.
The toner is charged by adhering to the toner layer 2 above. The charged toner is transferred to the image carrier 7 in the developing area D.
The toner image adheres to the electrostatic latent image on the image carrier 1 and is formed on the image carrier 71.

【０００８】これら図４または図５に示す方式の現像装
置は、コロナ放電器ほどの高電圧を必要とせずまたオゾ
ンの発生も少ないという利点を有する。これらの方式に
類似した現像装置が、例えば特開昭５４−１７０３０号
公報、特開昭６２−２９１６７８号公報、特開昭６４−
６２６７５号公報などにも開示されている。しかしなが
ら、このような方式の現像装置にも、以下に示すような
問題がある。すなわち、図４または図５に示す方式の現
像装置では、通常、体積抵抗率の高いトナーが用いられ
るため電荷付与部材２５に印加される帯電用電圧が放電
電圧以下であると電荷誘導が十分に行われずトナーを所
望の極性に帯電することができない。帯電用電圧を上げ
ることにより電荷付与部材２５から放電を起こさせてト
ナーを帯電することも可能ではあるが、帯電用電圧を上
げて放電を起こさせると、トナーを所望の極性、例えば
マイナス極性に帯電するためにマイナス極性の電荷担
体、すなわち電子またはマイナスイオンをトナーに付着
させようとしても、放電領域には電離現象で発生したプ
ラスイオンも存在しているため、トナーには、マイナス
極性の電荷担体だけでなくプラス極性の電荷担体も付着
してしまう。そのため、帯電後のトナーにはプラス極性
に帯電した逆極性トナーが混入してしまう。ここで逆極
性とは、この例のようにトナーをマイナスに帯電したい
場合はプラス極性を指すが、トナーをプラスに帯電した
い場合はマイナス極性を指す。The developing devices of the type shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 5 do not require as high a voltage as a corona discharger, and have the advantage that they generate less ozone. Developing devices similar to these systems are disclosed in, for example, JP-A-54-17030, JP-A-62-291678, and JP-A-64-291678.
It is also disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent No. 62675. However, such a developing device also has the following problems. That is, in the developing device of the system shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 5, usually, a toner having a high volume resistivity is used. This is not performed, and the toner cannot be charged to a desired polarity. It is possible to charge the toner by causing a discharge from the charge applying member 25 by increasing the charging voltage.However, when the charging voltage is increased to cause the discharge, the toner has a desired polarity, for example, a negative polarity. Even if an attempt is made to attach negative charge carriers, that is, electrons or negative ions, to the toner in order to charge the toner, since the positive ions generated by the ionization phenomenon also exist in the discharge area, the toner has a negative polarity charge. Not only carriers but also positively charged carriers are attached. Therefore, the oppositely charged toner of positive polarity is mixed into the charged toner. Here, the reverse polarity indicates a positive polarity when the toner is to be charged negatively as in this example, but indicates a negative polarity when the toner is to be charged positively.

【０００９】ここで、文献「放電現象」（東京電機大学
出版、本多侃士著、６４ページ）の記載に基づき、互い
に平行に配置された２つの電極間に発生する電子とプラ
スイオンの電荷密度を計算してみると次のような結果が
得られる。図６は、２つの電極間の電荷密度を表すグラ
フ（ａ）とその一部拡大図（ｂ）である。Here, based on the description in the document "Discharge Phenomenon" (published by Tokyo Denki University, Kanji Honda, p. 64), the charge of electrons and positive ions generated between two electrodes arranged in parallel with each other. Calculating the density gives the following results: FIG. 6 is a graph (a) showing the charge density between two electrodes and a partially enlarged view (b) thereof.

【００１０】図６（ａ）の横軸は、陰極、すなわち電荷
付与部材の位置を原点とし、この原点から陽極、すなわ
ち現像剤担持体までの距離を現している。図６（ｂ）
は、図６（ａ）の陽極近傍の一部拡大図である。計算条
件は次のとおりである。 電極間距離 ：１００μｍ プラスイオンの移動度：１．３２（ｃｍ／ｓ）／（ｖ／ｃｍ） 電子の移動度 ：２．１１（ｃｍ／ｓ）／（ｖ／ｃｍ） 電離係数 ：１１４７回／ｃｍ 図６（ａ）および図６（ｂ）に示すように、プラスイオ
ンは陽極（現像剤担持体）の近傍にも存在しており、ト
ナーの大きさ（７μｍ〜１０μｍ）に相当する範囲内に
は、電子の数千倍のプラスイオンが存在していることが
わかる。つまり、放電によりトナーをマイナスに帯電し
ようとした場合には、これと同時にかなりの量のプラス
に帯電した逆極性トナーが発生するものと考えられる。The abscissa in FIG. 6 (a) indicates the distance from the origin to the anode, that is, the developer carrier, from the position of the cathode, that is, the position of the charge applying member. FIG. 6 (b)
FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged view near the anode in FIG. The calculation conditions are as follows. Distance between electrodes: 100 μm Mobility of positive ions: 1.32 (cm / s) / (v / cm) Mobility of electrons: 2.11 (cm / s) / (v / cm) Ionization coefficient: 1147 times / As shown in FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B, the positive ions are also present near the anode (developer carrier) and within a range corresponding to the size of the toner (7 μm to 10 μm). It can be seen that there are several thousand times more positive ions than electrons. That is, when the toner is to be negatively charged by the discharge, it is considered that a considerable amount of the oppositely charged toner is generated at the same time.

【００１１】また、文献「最近の電子写真現像システム
とトナー材料の開発・実用化」（日本科学情報株式会社
出版部、竹内学著、３０３ページ）の記載に基づき、ト
ナー粒子１個１個の極性と帯電量とを分布として計測し
てみると、上記の２つの電極間において発生する逆極性
トナーの比率はトナー全体の２０ｗｔ％にも達すること
が確認される。Further, based on the description in the document "Recent development and practical application of electrophotographic developing systems and toner materials" (published by Nippon Kagaku Kogyo Co., Ltd., Manabu Takeuchi, p. 303), each toner particle is described in detail. When the polarity and the charge amount are measured as a distribution, it is confirmed that the ratio of the opposite polarity toner generated between the two electrodes reaches as much as 20 wt% of the entire toner.

【００１２】このように、逆極性トナーが混在するトナ
ーが現像領域に搬送されて、静電潜像を現像すると、現
像により形成されたトナー像に地かぶりなどの画質劣化
が生じ良好な画像を得ることはできない。また、現像時
に逆極性トナーが現像剤担持体２２上から飛散して機内
のトナー汚染を招くという問題もある。そこで、このよ
うな逆極性トナーの発生を防止するために、現像装置の
帯電器として、電荷付与部材と現像剤担持体との間に、
電荷付与部材の電位と現像剤担持体の電位との中間的な
電位の帯電制御電圧を印加することにより電荷付与部材
と現像剤担持体との間の放電の電離領域を電荷付与部材
との間に制御する帯電制御部材を設けた帯電器を用いる
ことが考えられる。As described above, when the toner containing the opposite polarity toner is conveyed to the developing area and the electrostatic latent image is developed, the toner image formed by the development is deteriorated in image quality such as background fog, and a good image is formed. You can't get it. There is also a problem that the opposite polarity toner scatters from the developer carrier 22 during the development, causing toner contamination in the apparatus. Therefore, in order to prevent the generation of the opposite polarity toner, as a charger of the developing device, between the charge applying member and the developer carrier,
By applying a charge control voltage at an intermediate potential between the potential of the charge providing member and the potential of the developer carrying member, the ionization region of the discharge between the charge providing member and the developer carrying member is set between the charge providing member and the charge carrying member. It is conceivable to use a charger provided with a charge control member for controlling the charging.

【００１３】図７は、電荷付与部材と現像剤担持体との
間に帯電制御部材を設けた帯電器の概要図である。図７
に示すように、この帯電器１０は、絶縁性の基板１１
の、現像剤担持体に対向する側の表面に形成された電荷
付与部材１２、電荷付与部材１２の上に形成された、現
像剤担持体の移動方向Ｂに交わる方向に延びる絶縁層１
３および帯電制御部材１４を有している。基板１１、電
荷付与部材１２、絶縁層１３および帯電制御部材１４は
一体的に形成されている。帯電制御部材１４に、電荷付
与部材１２の電位と現像剤担持体の電位との中間的な電
位の帯電制御電圧が印加されることにより電荷付与部材
１２と現像剤担持体との間の放電の電離領域は電荷付与
部材１２と帯電制御部材１４との間に制御される。この
帯電器１０を用いた現像装置では、電荷付与部材１２と
帯電制御部材１４の間に放電を持続させることにより電
荷担体を発生させ、所望の極性の電荷担体のみを現像剤
担持体上の現像剤に付着させて現像剤を所望の極性に帯
電する。従って、この帯電器１０を画像形成装置の現像
装置として用いることにより逆極性トナーの発生が防止
され地かぶりなどによる画質劣化のない画像を得ること
のできる画像形成装置の実現が期待される。また、この
帯電器を画像形成装置の像担持体の一次帯電装置として
用いることにより帯電効率のよい画像形成装置の実現が
期待される。さらに、この帯電器を画像形成装置の転写
装置の帯電器として用いることにより転写効率のよい画
像形成装置の実現が期待される。FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a charger provided with a charge control member between a charge providing member and a developer carrier. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the charger 10 is provided with an insulating substrate 11.
A charge providing member 12 formed on the surface facing the developer carrying member, and an insulating layer 1 formed on the charge providing member 12 and extending in a direction intersecting the moving direction B of the developer carrying member.
3 and a charge control member 14. The substrate 11, the charge applying member 12, the insulating layer 13, and the charge control member 14 are integrally formed. When a charge control voltage having an intermediate potential between the potential of the charge applying member 12 and the potential of the developer carrying member is applied to the charge controlling member 14, the discharge between the charge providing member 12 and the developer carrying member is reduced. The ionization region is controlled between the charge application member 12 and the charge control member 14. In the developing device using the charger 10, a charge carrier is generated by maintaining a discharge between the charge providing member 12 and the charge control member 14, and only the charge carrier having a desired polarity is developed on the developer carrier. The developer is charged to a desired polarity by adhering to the developer. Therefore, by using the charger 10 as a developing device of an image forming apparatus, it is expected to realize an image forming apparatus capable of preventing generation of toner of opposite polarity and obtaining an image without image quality deterioration due to background fog or the like. Further, by using this charger as a primary charging device of an image carrier of an image forming apparatus, it is expected that an image forming apparatus having good charging efficiency can be realized. Further, by using this charger as a charger for a transfer device of an image forming apparatus, it is expected that an image forming apparatus with good transfer efficiency can be realized.

【００１４】[0014]

【発明が解決しようとする課題】しかし、上記の帯電器
では、電荷付与部材と帯電制御部材の間に放電を持続さ
せるためには両者の間に数１０μｍ程度の微小な間隙が
保たれている必要があり、帯電器各部の構成部材を極め
て高精度に製造する必要がある。図８は、電位付与部材
と現像剤担持体との間に帯電制御部材を設けた帯電器の
平面図（ａ）およびそのＡ−Ａ断面図（ｂ）である。However, in the above-described charger, a small gap of about several tens of μm is maintained between the charge applying member and the charge control member in order to maintain the discharge. It is necessary to manufacture the components of each part of the charger with extremely high precision. FIG. 8 is a plan view (a) of a charger provided with a charge control member between a potential applying member and a developer carrier, and a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG.

【００１５】図８（ａ）および図８（ｂ）には、セラミ
ックなどの絶縁性の基板１１と、基板１１上に形成され
た電荷付与部材１２と、電荷付与部材１２に電圧を供給
するための給電電極１２ａと、現像剤担持体の移動方向
に交わる方向に延びた複数の絶縁層１３と、絶縁層１３
上に形成された帯電制御部材１４とを備えた帯電器１０
が示されている。FIGS. 8A and 8B show an insulating substrate 11 such as a ceramic, a charge providing member 12 formed on the substrate 11, and a power supply member 12 for supplying a voltage to the charge providing member 12. Power supply electrode 12a, a plurality of insulating layers 13 extending in a direction intersecting the moving direction of the developer carrying member,
Charger 10 having charge control member 14 formed thereon
It is shown.

【００１６】前述のように電荷付与部材１２と帯電制御
部材１４の間には数１０μｍ程度の微小な間隙Ｇ（絶縁
層１３の層厚Ｇに相当する）が形成されるが、このよう
な微細な構造の部材を精度よく製造することは極めて難
しく、間隙Ｇにある程度のばらつきが生じるのは避けら
れない。通常、このような帯電器１０は、絶縁性の基板
１１上に電荷付与部材形成用の材料を塗布しそれを焼成
して電荷付与部材１２を形成し、その上に絶縁層形成用
の材料を塗布しそれを焼成して絶縁層１３を形成し、そ
の上に帯電制御部材形成用の材料を塗布しそれを焼成し
て帯電制御部材１４を形成することにより製造される
が、例えば、図８（ｂ）に円で囲まれた帯電制御部材１
４’のように、絶縁層１３の上に帯電制御部材を形成す
る際に材料が「だれて」、帯電制御部材１４’と電荷付
与部材１２との間隙が許容範囲以下となってしまうこと
がある。こうして電荷付与部材１２と帯電制御部材１
４’の間に短絡が発生することにより両者間の放電状態
を持続することができなくなり現像剤の帯電が行われ
ず、現像剤帯電不良による画像濃度低下や地かぶりが発
生することがある。As described above, a minute gap G (corresponding to the layer thickness G of the insulating layer 13) of about several tens μm is formed between the charge applying member 12 and the charge control member 14. It is extremely difficult to manufacture a member having a simple structure with high accuracy, and it is inevitable that the gap G has a certain degree of variation. Usually, such a charger 10 applies a material for forming a charge providing member on an insulating substrate 11 and sinters the material to form a charge providing member 12, on which a material for forming an insulating layer is applied. It is manufactured by applying and baking it to form an insulating layer 13, applying a material for forming a charge control member thereon, and baking it to form a charge control member 14. (B) Charging control member 1 surrounded by a circle
As in 4 ′, when the charge control member is formed on the insulating layer 13, the material may “drip” and the gap between the charge control member 14 ′ and the charge application member 12 may fall below the allowable range. is there. Thus, the charge applying member 12 and the charge control member 1
When a short circuit occurs during the period 4 ', the discharge state between the two cannot be maintained, the developer is not charged, and a decrease in image density or background fog due to poor charging of the developer may occur.

【００１７】製造後の帯電器について全数検査を行うこ
とにより上記の問題を回避することは不可能ではない
が、多大のコストを必要とする。また、一つの帯電器に
１個所でも許容範囲以下の間隙が存在していると検査不
合格となり製造歩留りを低下させ、ひいてはコストを上
昇させてしまう。また、電荷付与部材１２と帯電制御部
材１４の間の短絡は製造時や使用初期にのみ発生すると
は限らず、放電生成物の付着などに起因する経時的な原
因や、環境変化に伴う放電状態の変化など様々な原因に
より製造後に発生する可能性もあるので、製造時の全数
検査だけでは問題を完全に解決することはできない。It is not impossible to avoid the above-mentioned problem by performing a 100% inspection on the charger after the manufacture, but it requires a great deal of cost. In addition, if there is a gap smaller than the allowable range even in one place in one charger, the inspection is rejected, the production yield is reduced, and the cost is increased. In addition, the short circuit between the charge applying member 12 and the charge control member 14 does not always occur only at the time of manufacture or at the beginning of use, and causes a lapse of time due to adhesion of a discharge product or a discharge state caused by an environmental change. Since the problem may occur after manufacturing due to various causes such as a change in the size, it is not possible to completely solve the problem only by 100% inspection at the time of manufacturing.

【００１８】本発明は、上記の事情に鑑み、安定した帯
電性能を有する小型で低コストの帯電装置、およびその
帯電装置を適用した現像装置、転写装置、およびこれら
を用いた画像形成装置を提供することを目的とする。In view of the above circumstances, the present invention provides a small and low-cost charging device having stable charging performance, a developing device and a transfer device to which the charging device is applied, and an image forming apparatus using the same. The purpose is to do.

【００１９】[0019]

【課題を解決するための手段】上記の目的を達成する本
発明の帯電装置は、相対的に移動する被帯電体に対向し
て配置され、被帯電体に付与する電荷を発生する電荷付
与部材と、上記被帯電体と上記電荷付与部材との間に配
置され、被帯電体と電荷付与部材との間の電界内の放電
の電離領域を電荷付与部材との間に制御する帯電制御部
材と、上記電荷付与部材および上記帯電制御部材にそれ
ぞれ電圧を印加する電源を備えた帯電装置において、上
記帯電制御部材が、被帯電体の相対的な移動方向に交わ
る方向に延びる帯電制御電極であってその移動方向に配
列されてなる複数の帯電制御電極と、これら複数の帯電
制御電極に印加される電圧の伝達を中継する給電電極
と、給電電極と上記複数の帯電制御電極それぞれとを独
立に結ぶ、上記複数の帯電制御電極の中に短絡が発生し
た帯電制御電極が存在するときに帯電制御電極への給電
経路を切断するための短絡防止電極とを備えたことを特
徴とする。A charging apparatus according to the present invention for achieving the above object is arranged opposite to a relatively moving object to be charged, and is a charge applying member for generating an electric charge to be applied to the object to be charged. And a charge control member disposed between the member to be charged and the charge applying member, and controlling an ionization region of discharge in an electric field between the member to be charged and the charge applying member between the member and the charge applying member. A charging device including a power supply for applying a voltage to each of the charge applying member and the charge control member, wherein the charge control member is a charge control electrode extending in a direction intersecting a relative movement direction of the member to be charged. A plurality of charge control electrodes arranged in the moving direction; a power supply electrode for relaying transmission of a voltage applied to the plurality of charge control electrodes; and an independent connection between the power supply electrode and each of the plurality of charge control electrodes. , The above Short circuit in the charge control electrode is characterized in that a short-circuit preventing electrode for cutting the power supply path to the charging control electrode when there is a charge control electrode that has occurred.

【００２０】また、上記の目的を達成する本発明の現像
装置は、静電潜像を担持して所定の方向に移動する像担
持体に所定の現像領域において近接もしくは接触するよ
うに配置され、供給された現像剤を表面に担持して上記
現像領域に向けて搬送する現像剤担持体、上記現像剤担
持体の、現像剤搬送方向に関し上記現像領域よりも上流
側において、現像剤を担持する現像剤担持体に対向して
配置され、現像剤に付与する電荷を発生する電荷付与部
材、上記電荷付与部材と上記現像剤担持体との間に配置
され、上記電荷付与部材の電位と上記現像剤担持体の電
位との中間の電位が付与されることによって上記電荷付
与部材と上記現像剤担持体の間の電界内における放電の
電離領域を上記現像剤担持体との間に制御する帯電制御
部材、上記電荷付与部材および上記帯電制御部材にそれ
ぞれ電圧を印加する電源を備えた現像装置において、上
記帯電制御部材が、上記現像剤搬送方向に交わる方向に
延びる帯電制御電極であって現像剤搬送方向に配列され
てなる複数の帯電制御電極と、これら複数の帯電制御電
極に印加される電圧の伝達を中継する給電電極と、給電
電極と上記複数の帯電制御電極それぞれとを独立に結
ぶ、上記複数の帯電制御電極の中に短絡が発生した帯電
制御電極が存在するときに帯電制御電極への給電経路を
切断するための短絡防止電極とを備えたことを特徴とす
る。A developing device according to the present invention for achieving the above object is arranged so as to approach or contact an image carrier which carries an electrostatic latent image and moves in a predetermined direction in a predetermined developing area, A developer carrying member that carries the supplied developer on its surface and transports the developer toward the developing region; and the developer carrying member carries the developer on the upstream side of the developing region with respect to the developer transport direction. A charge applying member that is arranged to face the developer carrier and generates an electric charge to be applied to the developer, is arranged between the charge applying member and the developer carrier, and the potential of the charge applying member and the development Charge control that controls an ionization region of discharge in the electric field between the charge applying member and the developer carrier by applying an intermediate potential to the developer carrier to the developer carrier. Member, with charge In a developing device provided with a power source for applying a voltage to each of the member and the charge control member, the charge control member is a charge control electrode extending in a direction intersecting with the developer transport direction and is arranged in the developer transport direction. A plurality of charge control electrodes, a power supply electrode for relaying transmission of a voltage applied to the plurality of charge control electrodes, and the plurality of charge control electrodes independently connecting the power supply electrode and each of the plurality of charge control electrodes. And a short-circuit prevention electrode for cutting off a power supply path to the charge control electrode when a short-circuited charge control electrode exists.

【００２１】また、上記の目的を達成する本発明の転写
装置は、所定のトナー像保持体上に保持されたトナー像
を、所定の転写位置においてトナー像保持体に近接ない
し接触して移動する被転写体上に転写する転写装置にお
いて、上記被転写体の、上記トナー像保持体側を向いた
表面に対する裏面側において被転写体に近接して配置さ
れ、被転写体に付与する電荷を発生する電荷付与部材
と、上記被転写体と上記電荷付与部材との間に配置さ
れ、被転写体と電荷付与部材との間の電界内の放電の電
離領域を電荷付与部材との間に制御する、被転写体の移
動方向に交わる方向に延びる、その移動方向に配列され
た複数の帯電制御電極、これら複数の帯電制御電極に印
加される電圧の伝達を中継する給電電極、および給電電
極と上記複数の帯電制御電極それぞれとを独立に結ぶ、
上記複数の帯電制御電極の中に短絡が発生した帯電制御
電極が存在するときに帯電制御電極への給電経路を切断
するための短絡防止電極からなる帯電制御部材とを有す
る帯電器を備えたことを特徴とする。According to the transfer apparatus of the present invention, which achieves the above object, the toner image held on a predetermined toner image holder is moved at a predetermined transfer position by approaching or contacting the toner image holder. In a transfer device for transferring onto a transfer object, the transfer object is disposed close to the transfer object on the back surface side with respect to the surface facing the toner image holding member side, and generates a charge applied to the transfer object. Charge applying member, disposed between the transfer object and the charge applying member, to control the ionization region of the discharge in the electric field between the transfer object and the charge applying member between the charge applying member, A plurality of charging control electrodes extending in a direction intersecting the moving direction of the transfer target, arranged in the moving direction, a power supply electrode for relaying transmission of a voltage applied to the plurality of charge control electrodes, and the power supply electrode; Charging system Connecting the electrodes each independently,
A charge control member comprising a short-circuit prevention electrode for cutting a power supply path to the charge control electrode when a short-circuited charge control electrode is present among the plurality of charge control electrodes. It is characterized by.

【００２２】また、上記の目的を達成する本発明の第１
の画像形成装置は、所定の方向に移動しながら帯電され
露光を受けることにより静電潜像が形成される像担持体
に形成された静電潜像をトナーで現像してトナー像を
得、トナー像を、像担持体からなるトナー像保持体から
直接に、あるいは、像担持体上に形成されたトナー像が
一旦転写される中間転写体からなるトナー像保持体を経
由して、所定の記録媒体上に転写し、記録媒体上のトナ
ー像を記録媒体上に定着することにより、記録媒体上に
定着トナー像からなる画像を形成する画像形成装置にお
いて、上記像担持体に対向して配置され、像担持体に付
与する電荷を発生する電荷付与部材と、上記像担持体と
上記電荷付与部材との間に配置され、像担持体と電荷付
与部材との間の電界内の放電の電離領域を電荷付与部材
との間に制御する、像担持体の移動方向に交わる方向に
延びる、その移動方向に配列された複数の帯電制御電
極、これら複数の帯電制御電極に印加される電圧の伝達
を中継する給電電極、および給電電極と上記複数の帯電
制御電極それぞれとを独立に結ぶ、上記複数の帯電制御
電極の中に短絡が発生した帯電制御電極が存在するとき
に帯電制御電極への給電経路を切断するための短絡防止
電極からなる帯電制御部材とを有する帯電装置を備えた
ことを特徴とする。The first object of the present invention for achieving the above object is as follows.
The image forming apparatus is charged with exposure while moving in a predetermined direction, receives an exposure, and develops an electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed with toner to obtain a toner image. The toner image is directly transferred from a toner image carrier formed of an image carrier, or via a toner image carrier formed of an intermediate transfer member to which a toner image formed on the image carrier is once transferred. In an image forming apparatus that forms an image composed of a fixed toner image on a recording medium by transferring the toner image on the recording medium and fixing the toner image on the recording medium onto the recording medium, the image forming apparatus is disposed to face the image carrier. A charge application member for generating an electric charge to be applied to the image carrier, and an ionization of discharge in an electric field between the image carrier and the charge application member, disposed between the image carrier and the charge application member. Controlling the area between the charge applying member, A plurality of charging control electrodes extending in a direction intersecting the moving direction of the carrier, a plurality of charging control electrodes arranged in the moving direction, a power supply electrode for relaying transmission of a voltage applied to the plurality of charging control electrodes, and A charge control comprising a short-circuit preventing electrode for independently connecting each charge control electrode and cutting a power supply path to the charge control electrode when there is a short-circuited charge control electrode among the plurality of charge control electrodes. And a charging device having a member.

【００２３】また、上記の目的を達成する本発明の第２
の画像形成装置は、静電潜像が形成される像担持体に形
成された静電潜像をトナーで現像してトナー像を得、そ
のトナー像を、像担持体から直接に、あるいは、像担持
体上に形成されたトナー像が一旦転写される中間転写体
を経由して、所定の記録媒体上に転写し、記録媒体上の
トナー像を記録媒体上に定着することにより、記録媒体
上に定着トナー像からなる画像を形成する画像形成装置
において、上記像担持体上に形成された静電潜像をトナ
ーで現像する現像装置を備え、上記現像装置が、所定の
現像領域において上記像担持体に近接もしくは接触する
ように配置され、供給されたトナーを表面に担持して上
記現像領域に向けて搬送するトナー担持体、トナー担持
体に供給されたトナーを所定の厚さのトナー層に形成す
るトナー層形成部材、およびトナー層形成部材により形
成されたトナー層を担持して相対的に移動するトナー担
持体に対向して配置され、そのトナー層に付与する電荷
を発生する電荷付与部材と、上記トナー層と上記電荷付
与部材との間に配置され、そのトナー層と電荷付与部材
との間の電界内の放電の電離領域を電荷付与部材との間
に制御する、上記トナー担持体の相対的な移動方向に交
わる方向に延びる、その移動方向に配列された複数の帯
電制御電極、これら複数の帯電制御電極に印加される電
圧の伝達を中継する給電電極、および給電電極と上記複
数の帯電制御電極それぞれとを独立に結ぶ、上記複数の
帯電制御電極の中に短絡が発生した帯電制御電極が存在
するときに帯電制御電極への給電経路を切断するための
短絡防止電極からなる帯電制御部材とを有する帯電器を
具備するものであることを特徴とする。The second object of the present invention to achieve the above object is as follows.
The image forming apparatus of (1) develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier on which the electrostatic latent image is formed with toner to obtain a toner image, and the toner image is directly from the image carrier, or The toner image formed on the image carrier is transferred onto a predetermined recording medium via an intermediate transfer member to which the toner image is temporarily transferred, and the toner image on the recording medium is fixed on the recording medium, thereby forming the recording medium. An image forming apparatus for forming an image composed of a fixed toner image thereon, further comprising a developing device for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier with toner, wherein the developing device is provided in a predetermined developing area. A toner carrier that is arranged so as to be close to or in contact with the image carrier, carries the supplied toner on the surface thereof, and conveys the toner toward the development area; the toner supplied to the toner carrier has a predetermined thickness; Toner layer forming section formed on layer And a charge providing member that is arranged to face a relatively movable toner carrier that carries the toner layer formed by the toner layer forming member, and generates a charge to be applied to the toner layer; The relative movement direction of the toner carrier, which is disposed between the charge applying member and controls the discharge ionization region in the electric field between the toner layer and the charge applying member between the toner applying member and the charge applying member. A plurality of charge control electrodes arranged in the movement direction, a power supply electrode for relaying transmission of a voltage applied to the plurality of charge control electrodes, and a power supply electrode and each of the plurality of charge control electrodes. A charge control member comprising a short-circuit prevention electrode for cutting off a power supply path to the charge control electrode when there is a short-circuited charge control electrode among the plurality of charge control electrodes. And characterized in that having a charging device having a.

【００２４】また、上記の目的を達成する本発明の第３
の画像形成装置は、静電潜像が形成される像担持体に形
成された静電潜像をトナーで現像してトナー像を得、そ
のトナー像を、像担持体から直接に、あるいは、像担持
体上に形成されたトナー像が一旦転写される中間転写体
を経由して、所定の記録媒体上に転写し、記録媒体上の
トナー像を記録媒体上に定着することにより、記録媒体
上に定着トナー像からなる画像を形成する画像形成装置
において、上記像担持体もしくは上記中間転写体からな
るトナー像保持体上に保持されたトナー像を、所定の転
写位置においてトナー像保持体に近接ないし接触して移
動する上記中間転写体もしくは上記記録媒体からなる被
転写体上に転写する転写装置を備え、その転写装置が、
上記被転写体の、上記トナー像保持体側を向いた表面に
対する裏面側において被転写体に近接して配置され、被
転写体に付与する電荷を発生する電荷付与部材と、上記
被転写体と上記電荷付与部材との間に配置され、被転写
体と電荷付与部材との間の電界内の放電の電離領域を電
荷付与部材との間に制御する、被転写体の移動方向に交
わる方向に延びる、その移動方向に配列された複数の帯
電制御電極、これら複数の帯電制御電極に印加される電
圧の伝達を中継する給電電極、および給電電極と上記複
数の帯電制御電極それぞれとを独立に結ぶ、上記複数の
帯電制御電極の中に短絡が発生した帯電制御電極が存在
するときに帯電制御電極への給電経路を切断するための
短絡防止電極からなる帯電制御部材とを有する帯電器を
具備するものであることを特徴とする。The third object of the present invention to achieve the above object is as follows.
The image forming apparatus of (1) develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier on which the electrostatic latent image is formed with toner to obtain a toner image, and the toner image is directly from the image carrier, or The toner image formed on the image carrier is transferred onto a predetermined recording medium via an intermediate transfer member to which the toner image is temporarily transferred, and the toner image on the recording medium is fixed on the recording medium, thereby forming the recording medium. In an image forming apparatus for forming an image composed of a fixed toner image thereon, the toner image held on the toner carrier having the image carrier or the intermediate transfer member is transferred to the toner image carrier at a predetermined transfer position. Providing a transfer device for transferring on the intermediate transfer body or the transfer medium consisting of the recording medium that moves in proximity or contact, the transfer device,
A charge applying member that is arranged close to the transfer object on the back surface side of the surface facing the toner image holding member side of the transfer object and generates a charge to be applied to the transfer object; It is arranged between the charge applying member and controls the ionization region of the discharge in the electric field between the transfer object and the charge applying member between the charge applying member and extends in a direction intersecting the moving direction of the transfer object. A plurality of charging control electrodes arranged in the movement direction, a power supply electrode for relaying transmission of a voltage applied to the plurality of charging control electrodes, and independently connecting the power supply electrode and each of the plurality of charging control electrodes, A charger having a charge control member comprising a short-circuit prevention electrode for cutting off a power supply path to the charge control electrode when a short-circuited charge control electrode is present among the plurality of charge control electrodes. In It is characterized in.

【００２５】[0025]

【発明の実施の形態】以下、本発明の実施形態について
説明する。図１は、本発明の帯電装置および現像装置の
一実施形態を示す概略構成図である。この実施形態は、
本発明の帯電装置および現像装置を電子写真方式のカラ
ー画像形成装置に適用した場合の実施形態である。Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the charging device and the developing device of the present invention. This embodiment is
This is an embodiment in which the charging device and the developing device of the present invention are applied to an electrophotographic color image forming apparatus.

【００２６】図１には、静電潜像を担持して矢印Ａ方向
に移動する像担持体１に現像領域Ｄにおいて近接もしく
は接触するように配置され、供給された現像剤を表面に
担持して現像領域Ｄに向けて搬送する現像剤担持体１７
と、現像装置２０内に収納された現像剤を撹拌するとと
もに現像剤担持体１７に現像剤を供給する撹拌供給部材
２４と、現像剤担持体１７に供給された現像剤を薄層の
現像剤層に形成する現像剤層形成部材２３と、現像剤担
持体１７の、現像剤の搬送方向に関し現像領域Ｄよりも
上流側において、現像剤層形成部材２３により形成され
た現像剤層を担持する現像剤担持体１７に対向して配置
された帯電装置２１と、現像剤担持体１７に現像用の電
位を付与する現像用電源１９とを備えた現像装置２０が
示されている。FIG. 1 shows an image carrier 1 which carries an electrostatic latent image and moves in the direction of arrow A so as to be close to or in contact with an image carrier 1 in a development area D, and carries the supplied developer on the surface thereof. Developer carrier 17 conveyed toward developing area D
A stirring / supplying member 24 for stirring the developer contained in the developing device 20 and supplying the developer to the developer carrier 17, and supplying the developer supplied to the developer carrier 17 to a thin layer developer The developer layer forming member 23 formed on the layer and the developer carrier 17 support the developer layer formed by the developer layer forming member 23 on the upstream side of the developing region D in the developer transport direction. The developing device 20 includes a charging device 21 disposed to face the developer carrier 17 and a developing power supply 19 for applying a developing potential to the developer carrier 17.

【００２７】帯電装置２１は、矢印Ｂ方向に移動する現
像剤担持体１７に対向して配置されており、現像剤担持
体１７に付与する電荷を発生する電荷付与部材１２と、
現像剤担持体１７と電荷付与部材１２との間に配置され
現像剤担持体１７と電荷付与部材１２との間の電界内の
放電の電離領域を電荷付与部材１２との間に制御する帯
電制御部材１４と、電荷付与部材１２と帯電制御部材１
４との間を電気的に絶縁する絶縁層１３と、電荷付与部
材１２および帯電制御部材１４にそれぞれ電圧を印加す
る帯電用電源１５、帯電制御用電源１６とを備えてい
る。なお、電荷付与部材１２と帯電制御部材１４の間に
は絶縁層１３が形成されていてこれら電荷付与部材１
２、絶縁層１３および帯電制御部材１４は一体的に形成
されている。The charging device 21 is disposed to face the developer carrier 17 that moves in the direction of arrow B, and includes a charge application member 12 that generates electric charges to be applied to the developer carrier 17.
Charge control that is disposed between the developer carrier 17 and the charge applying member 12 and controls the ionization region of discharge in the electric field between the developer carrier 17 and the charge application member 12 between the developer carrier 17 and the charge application member 12. Member 14, charge applying member 12, and charge control member 1
And a charging power supply 15 for applying a voltage to the charge applying member 12 and the charging control member 14, respectively. Note that an insulating layer 13 is formed between the charge applying member 12 and the charge control
2. The insulating layer 13 and the charge control member 14 are integrally formed.

【００２８】なお、本実施形態における現像剤担持体１
７は、本発明の帯電装置にいう被帯電体に相当するもの
である。現像剤担持体１７は、アルミニウムまたはステ
ンレスの丸棒またはパイプを切削加工した後、外周面に
サンドブラスト、液体ホーニング、エメリー研磨などの
機械加工を施すか、あるいは化学腐食を施すことにより
表面粗さＲａを、 ０．１（μｍ）≦Ｒａ≦１．０（μｍ） 程度の凹凸を有する表面粗さに形成したものである。な
お、アルミニウムまたはステンレスの丸棒またはパイプ
を切削加工した後、外周面に導電粉を分散させた樹脂層
を被覆して形成したものを用いてもよい。本実施形態で
は、現像剤担持体１７として、直径２０ｍｍのアルミニ
ウムパイプを切削加工した後、外周面にサンドブラス
ト、陽極酸化処理を施したものが用いられている。この
現像剤担持体１７に現像用電源１９からトナーと同極性
の約−２００Ｖの直流電圧が印加され、これにより、現
像剤担持体１７と像担持体１との間に現像電界が形成さ
れ、トナーが像担持体１上の静電潜像に転移される。な
お、現像用電源１９から印加される電圧を、直流電圧と
交流電圧とを重畳した電圧とすることにより現像性能の
向上を図ることができる。The developer carrier 1 according to the present embodiment is
Reference numeral 7 corresponds to a charged body in the charging device of the present invention. The developer carrier 17 is formed by cutting a round bar or pipe made of aluminum or stainless steel and then subjecting the outer peripheral surface to machining such as sand blasting, liquid honing, or emery polishing, or chemical corrosion to obtain a surface roughness Ra. Is formed to have a surface roughness having irregularities of about 0.1 (μm) ≦ Ra ≦ 1.0 (μm). In addition, after cutting a round bar or pipe of aluminum or stainless steel, the outer peripheral surface may be coated with a resin layer in which conductive powder is dispersed. In the present embodiment, the developer carrier 17 is obtained by cutting an aluminum pipe having a diameter of 20 mm and then performing sandblasting and anodizing on the outer peripheral surface. A DC voltage of about -200 V having the same polarity as that of the toner is applied to the developer carrier 17 from the developing power supply 19, whereby a developing electric field is formed between the developer carrier 17 and the image carrier 1. The toner is transferred to an electrostatic latent image on the image carrier 1. The developing performance can be improved by setting the voltage applied from the developing power supply 19 to a voltage obtained by superimposing a DC voltage and an AC voltage.

【００２９】現像剤層形成部材２３は、厚さ０．０３ｍ
ｍ〜０．３ｍｍ程度のステンレス製の板バネに、導電性
粉を分散させたＳｉゴムやＥＰＤＭゴムからなる圧接部
材を加硫接着したものであり、現像剤担持体１７への接
触圧力は５ｇ／ｃｍ2 〜１００ｇ／ｃｍ2 程度に設定さ
れている。ゴムの硬度は２０度〜８０度程度のものを用
いることができるが、好ましくは３０度〜６０度が適し
ている。このような現像剤層形成部材２３で現像剤を圧
接することにより、現像剤担持体１７上に５μｍ〜３０
μｍ程度の薄層の現像剤層が形成される。The developer layer forming member 23 has a thickness of 0.03 m
A pressure contact member made of Si rubber or EPDM rubber in which conductive powder is dispersed is vulcanized and bonded to a stainless steel leaf spring of about m to 0.3 mm, and the contact pressure on the developer carrier 17 is 5 g. / Cm 2 １００100 g / cm 2 . Rubber having a hardness of about 20 to 80 degrees can be used, and preferably 30 to 60 degrees is suitable. By pressing the developer with such a developer layer forming member 23, 5 μm to 30 μm
A thin developer layer of about μm is formed.

【００３０】この現像装置２０に用いられている現像剤
は１成分系のトナーであり、スチレン樹脂、アクリル樹
脂若しくはポリエステル樹脂などの各種熱可塑性樹脂中
に顔料や含金属アゾ染料などの極性制御剤を分散し、粉
砕および分級により３〜２０μｍ（平均粒径７μｍ）の
大きさとしたものに電荷制御剤が添加され、負極性の電
荷が付与されている。電荷制御剤としては、疎水化処理
したシリカ、アルミナ、チタンなどの０．１μｍ以下の
微粒子を用いることができるが、疎水性シリカが最も望
ましい。また、これに流動性助剤を外添することにより
トナーの流動性を向上させるようにしてもい。なお、ト
ナーは粉砕分級方式で製造されたものに限られるもので
はなく、重合方式などで製造されたトナーを用いてもよ
い。The developer used in the developing device 20 is a one-component toner, and a polarity controlling agent such as a pigment or a metal-containing azo dye is contained in various thermoplastic resins such as styrene resin, acrylic resin or polyester resin. Is dispersed, and a charge control agent is added to a particle having a size of 3 to 20 μm (average particle size: 7 μm) by pulverization and classification, thereby imparting a negative charge. As the charge control agent, fine particles of 0.1 μm or less, such as silica, alumina, and titanium, which have been subjected to a hydrophobic treatment, can be used, and hydrophobic silica is most preferable. The fluidity of the toner may be improved by externally adding a fluidity aid thereto. The toner is not limited to the one manufactured by the pulverization and classification method, and may be a toner manufactured by a polymerization method or the like.

【００３１】なお、像担持体１としては、表面層をセレ
ン系感光体または有機感光体で形成したドラムが用いら
れ、像担持体１と現像剤担持体１７とは接触してもよい
し、あるいは１００μｍ〜６００μｍ程度の間隙を隔て
て対向させて配置してもよい。この現像装置２０では、
撹拌供給部材２４の回転によりハウジング２５内のトナ
ーが撹拌され、現像剤担持体１７に供給される。現像剤
担持体１７の表面付近のトナーは現像剤担持体１７の回
転により現像剤層形成部材２３との対向位置へ搬送さ
れ、現像剤層形成部材２３の押圧力により現像剤担持体
１７上に薄層のトナー層が形成される。トナー層は現像
剤担持体１７の回転により帯電装置２１との対向位置に
搬送され帯電される。As the image carrier 1, a drum whose surface layer is formed of a selenium-based photoconductor or an organic photoconductor is used, and the image carrier 1 and the developer carrier 17 may be in contact with each other. Alternatively, they may be arranged facing each other with a gap of about 100 μm to 600 μm. In this developing device 20,
The toner in the housing 25 is stirred by the rotation of the stirring and supplying member 24, and is supplied to the developer carrier 17. The toner near the surface of the developer carrier 17 is conveyed to a position facing the developer layer forming member 23 by the rotation of the developer carrier 17, and is transferred onto the developer carrier 17 by the pressing force of the developer layer forming member 23. A thin toner layer is formed. The toner layer is conveyed to a position facing the charging device 21 by the rotation of the developer carrier 17 and is charged.

【００３２】帯電装置２１は、電荷付与部材１２、絶縁
層１３および帯電制御部材１４からなる。電荷付与部材
１２は、無機材料、例えばガラスにカーボン粉などの導
電体を分散させ半導電性としたものを所望のパターンに
薄く塗布して形成することができる。または、イオン導
電体を含んだものもしくはゴムに導電性微粒子を配合し
たものを用いてもよく、材料および製法は特に限定され
ない。電荷付与部材１２の体積抵抗率は１０5 Ω・ｃｍ
〜１０10Ω・ｃｍ程度のものであればよいが、特に１０
7 Ω・ｃｍ〜１０8 Ω・ｃｍ程度であることが望まし
い。The charging device 21 includes a charge applying member 12, an insulating layer 13, and a charge control member 14. The charge applying member 12 can be formed by thinly applying an inorganic material, for example, a conductor such as carbon powder or the like to be semiconductive by dispersing the same in a desired pattern. Alternatively, a material containing an ion conductor or a compound of rubber and conductive fine particles may be used, and the material and manufacturing method are not particularly limited. The volume resistivity of the charge applying member 12 is 10 5 Ω · cm.
Any value of about 10 to about 10 10 Ω · cm may be used.
It is desirable to be about 7 Ω · cm to 10 8 Ω · cm.

【００３３】絶縁層１３は、電荷付与部材１２と帯電制
御部材１４とを電気的に絶縁するものであり、無機材
料、例えばガラスを所望のパターンに薄く塗布して形成
することができるが、材料および製法は特に限定されな
い。帯電制御部材１４は、現像剤担持体１７の移動方向
Ｂに交わる方向に延びる帯電制御電極であって移動方向
Ｂに配列されてなる複数の帯電制御電極と、これら複数
の帯電制御電極に印加される電圧の伝達を中継する給電
電極と、給電電極と複数の帯電制御電極それぞれとを独
立に結ぶ、複数の帯電制御電極の中に短絡が発生した帯
電制御電極が存在するときに帯電制御電極への給電経路
を切断するための短絡防止電極とを備えている。帯電制
御部材１４の主要部である帯電制御電極は、無機材料、
例えばガラスにカーボン粉などの導電体を分散させ半導
電性としたものを所望のパターンに薄く塗布して形成す
ることができるが、材料および製法は特に限定されな
い。帯電制御電極の体積抵抗率は１０1 〜１０5 Ω・ｃ
ｍ程度のものであればよいが、特に１０2 〜１０3 Ω・
ｃｍ程度であることが望ましい。帯電制御部材１４の詳
細構造については後述する。The insulating layer 13 electrically insulates the charge applying member 12 from the charge control member 14, and can be formed by applying a thin inorganic material, for example, glass in a desired pattern. The production method is not particularly limited. The charge control member 14 is a charge control electrode extending in a direction intersecting the movement direction B of the developer carrier 17, a plurality of charge control electrodes arranged in the movement direction B, and a plurality of charge control electrodes applied to the plurality of charge control electrodes. A power supply electrode that relays the transmission of a voltage, and independently connects the power supply electrode and each of the plurality of charge control electrodes to the charge control electrode when there is a short-circuited charge control electrode among the plurality of charge control electrodes. And a short-circuit prevention electrode for cutting the power supply path. The charge control electrode which is a main part of the charge control member 14 is made of an inorganic material,
For example, a conductive material such as carbon powder dispersed in glass and made semiconductive can be formed by applying a thin film in a desired pattern, but the material and manufacturing method are not particularly limited. The volume resistivity of the charge control electrode is 10 1 to 10 5 Ω · c
m, but in particular 10 2 to 10 3 Ω
cm. The detailed structure of the charge control member 14 will be described later.

【００３４】現像剤担持体１７上の現像剤を負極性に帯
電するために、電荷付与部材１２と帯電制御部材１４と
の間には放電を開始するように電界を形成し、帯電制御
部材１４と現像剤担持体１７との間には放電を生じない
程度に勾配の小さい電界であり、かつ負電荷を現像剤担
持体１７側に引き付ける方向の電界を形成する。そのた
め、現像剤担持体１７の電位と帯電制御部材１４の電位
との間、および帯電付与部材１２の電位と帯電制御部材
１４の電位との間には、以下の関係が保たれている。In order to charge the developer on the developer carrier 17 to a negative polarity, an electric field is formed between the charge applying member 12 and the charge control member 14 so as to start discharging. An electric field having a gradient small enough to cause no discharge between the developer carrier 17 and the developer carrier 17 is formed in a direction in which negative charges are attracted to the developer carrier 17 side. Therefore, the following relationship is maintained between the potential of the developer carrier 17 and the potential of the charge control member 14, and between the potential of the charge applying member 12 and the potential of the charge control member 14.

【００３５】 （帯電制御部材電位）−（電荷付与部材電位）＝１５０
０Ｖ （現像剤担持体電位）−（帯電制御部材電位）＝５００
Ｖ なお、これらの各部材の電位は電荷付与部材１２と現像
剤担持体１７との間隔、帯電制御部材１４の構造、厚さ
などによって適宜定められる。また、電荷付与部材１
２、帯電制御部材１４、および現像剤担持体１７が、そ
れぞれ間隙をおいて設けられているときにはそれらの間
隙の大きさも考慮して定められる。本実施形態では、現
像剤担持体１７には電源１９から−２００Ｖの電圧が印
加され、帯電制御部材１４には電源１６から−７００Ｖ
の電圧が印加され、電荷付与部材１２には電源１５から
−２２００Ｖの電圧が印加されている。(Charge control member potential) − (Charge applying member potential) = 150
0V (Developer carrier potential)-(Charge control member potential) = 500
V The potential of each of these members is appropriately determined by the distance between the charge applying member 12 and the developer carrier 17, the structure and thickness of the charge control member 14, and the like. In addition, the charge applying member 1
2. When the charge control member 14 and the developer carrier 17 are provided with a gap therebetween, they are determined in consideration of the size of the gap. In the present embodiment, a voltage of −200 V is applied to the developer carrier 17 from the power supply 19, and a voltage of −700 V is applied to the charging control member 14 from the power supply 16.
And a voltage of −2200 V is applied to the charge applying member 12 from the power supply 15.

【００３６】図２は、本発明の帯電装置の一実施形態を
示す平面図（ａ）およびそのＡ−Ａ断面図（ｂ）であ
る。図２（ａ）および図２（ｂ）には、絶縁性の基板１
１と、基板１１上に形成された電荷付与部材１２と、電
荷付与部材１２への給電電極１２ａと、現像剤担持体の
移動方向Ｂに交わる方向に延びた複数の絶縁層１３と、
絶縁層１３上に形成された帯電制御部材１４とを備えた
帯電器２１が示されている。FIG. 2 is a plan view (a) showing an embodiment of the charging device of the present invention, and a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. FIGS. 2A and 2B show an insulating substrate 1.
1, a charge providing member 12 formed on the substrate 11, a power supply electrode 12a to the charge providing member 12, and a plurality of insulating layers 13 extending in a direction intersecting the moving direction B of the developer carrier.
The charger 21 including the charge control member 14 formed on the insulating layer 13 is shown.

【００３７】帯電制御部材１４は、現像剤担持体の移動
方向Ｂに配列されてなる複数の帯電制御電極１４ａと、
これら複数の帯電制御電極１４ａに印加される電圧の伝
達を中継する給電電極１４ｂと、給電電極１４ｂと複数
の帯電制御電極１４ａそれぞれとを独立に結ぶ、複数の
帯電制御電極１４ａの中に短絡が発生した帯電制御電極
が存在するときに帯電制御電極への給電経路を切断する
ための短絡防止電極１４ｃとを備えている。The charge control member 14 includes a plurality of charge control electrodes 14a arranged in the moving direction B of the developer carrier,
A power supply electrode 14b that relays the transmission of the voltage applied to the plurality of charge control electrodes 14a, and a short circuit in the plurality of charge control electrodes 14a that independently connects the power supply electrode 14b and each of the plurality of charge control electrodes 14a. And a short-circuit prevention electrode 14c for cutting off a power supply path to the charge control electrode when the generated charge control electrode exists.

【００３８】短絡防止電極１４ｃは、現像剤を帯電する
ために帯電制御電極１４ａと電荷付与部材１２間で放電
が持続している状態で帯電制御電極１４ａに流入する電
流量では破壊されないような抵抗値に設定されており、
短絡防止電極１４ｃを流れる電流が所定の電流値を越え
たときに溶断されるヒューズの機能を有している。すな
わち、短絡防止電極１４ｃは、放電が持続している間の
帯電制御電極１４ａへの正常な流入電流は通すことはで
きるが、短絡が一旦発生して所定の電流値を越える電流
が流れたときに溶断するよう構成されている。The short-circuit prevention electrode 14c has a resistance that is not destroyed by the amount of current flowing into the charge control electrode 14a in a state where the discharge continues between the charge control electrode 14a and the charge applying member 12 to charge the developer. Value is set to
It has a fuse function that is blown when the current flowing through the short-circuit prevention electrode 14c exceeds a predetermined current value. That is, the short-circuit prevention electrode 14c can pass a normal inflow current to the charge control electrode 14a during the discharge is continued, but when a short-circuit occurs once and a current exceeding a predetermined current value flows. It is configured to be blown.

【００３９】この短絡防止電極１４ｃ用の材料として
は、合成樹脂や銀粉末などの導電性粉末を主成分とする
導電性ペーストが用いられ、過大な電流量による熱的変
化により樹脂が焼けて給電電極１４ｂからの給電経路が
切断されるものが用いられる。合成樹脂の種類は、正常
時の電流量に基づいて適切な材料が選ばれる。例えば、
ポリアミド、ポリアセタール、ポリカーボネート、ポリ
ブチレンテレフタレート、ポリエチレンテレフタレー
ト、ポリフェニレンサルファイド、ポリエーテルサルフ
ォン、ポリアリレート、ポリケトン系樹脂、ポリアミド
イミドなどを用いることができる。As a material for the short-circuit prevention electrode 14c, a conductive paste containing a conductive powder such as a synthetic resin or silver powder as a main component is used, and the resin is burned due to a thermal change due to an excessive amount of electric current to supply power. One in which the power supply path from the electrode 14b is cut off is used. As the type of the synthetic resin, an appropriate material is selected based on the amount of current in a normal state. For example,
Polyamide, polyacetal, polycarbonate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene terephthalate, polyphenylene sulfide, polyether sulfone, polyarylate, polyketone resin, polyamideimide, and the like can be used.

【００４０】すでに、図８を参照して説明したように、
電荷付与部材１２と帯電制御部材１４の間には数１０μ
ｍ程度の微小な間隙Ｇ（すなわち絶縁層１３の層厚）が
形成されているが、製造時のばらつきや使用後の経時変
化によりこの微小間隙Ｇが許容範囲以下となり短絡が発
生し、帯電器全体が帯電不能に陥ることがあるが、上記
のように、帯電制御部材１４に短絡防止電極１４ｃを備
えることにより、複数の帯電制御電極１４ａのうちの１
つの帯電制御電極に短絡が発生しても、その短絡が発生
した帯電制御電極への給電電極１４ｂからの給電経路は
切断されるが、残りの健全な帯電制御電極により放電を
持続することができるので、現像剤の帯電を支障なく継
続することができる。As already described with reference to FIG.
Several tens μm is provided between the charge applying member 12 and the charge control member 14.
Although a minute gap G of about m (that is, the layer thickness of the insulating layer 13) is formed, the minute gap G becomes less than an allowable range due to a variation in manufacturing and a change with time after use, and a short circuit occurs, and Although the whole may be unable to be charged, as described above, the provision of the short-circuit prevention electrode 14c on the charge control member 14 allows one of the plurality of charge control electrodes 14a to be charged.
Even if a short circuit occurs in one of the charge control electrodes, the power supply path from the power supply electrode 14b to the charge control electrode in which the short circuit has occurred is disconnected, but the discharge can be continued by the remaining healthy charge control electrodes. Therefore, the charging of the developer can be continued without any trouble.

【００４１】一旦給電経路が切断された帯電制御電極は
回路上フロート状態となり、電荷付与部材１２と健全な
帯電制御電極との間の放電により発生した電荷担体によ
りフロート状態の帯電制御電極に電荷が蓄積されフロー
ト状態の帯電制御電極と電荷付与部材１２との間の電位
差は放電開始電界以下になりこの部分での放電は停止す
る。そのため、短絡防止電極１４ｃにより給電電極１４
ｂからの給電経路が切断されてフロート状態となった帯
電制御電極において放電または短絡が発生することはな
い。The charging control electrode, once the power supply path is cut off, floats on the circuit, and charges are generated on the floating charging control electrode by the charge carriers generated by the discharge between the charge applying member 12 and the healthy charging control electrode. The potential difference between the accumulated and floated charge control electrode and the charge application member 12 becomes equal to or smaller than the discharge start electric field, and the discharge in this portion stops. Therefore, the power supply electrode 14 is
Discharge or short circuit does not occur in the charge control electrode in which the power supply path from b is disconnected and floated.

【００４２】次に、本実施形態の帯電装置を画像形成装
置の現像装置として用い、下記の条件下で印字テストを
行った場合のテスト結果を示す。 像担持体 ：負帯電有機感光体 プロセススピード：２００ｍｍ／ｓｅｃ 電荷付与部材 ：セラミック基盤の表面に、無機材料
に導電体を分散させ半導電にしたものを厚さ１００μｍ
に塗布したもの、体積抵抗率は１０8 Ω・ｃｍ 絶縁層 ：電荷付与部材の表面に厚さ２０μ
ｍ、幅１００μｍの無機材料の薄層を塗布したもの、体
積抵抗率は１０14Ω・ｃｍ 帯電制御電極 ：絶縁層の上に、無機材料に導電体を
分散させて体積抵抗率１０5 Ω・ｃｍ程度の半導電性と
したものを１０μｍの厚さで塗布したもの 短絡防止電極 ：低耐熱性の樹脂と導電性粉末を希釈
剤にて混合し帯電制御部材の端部と帯電制御電極への給
電電極との間に塗布し形成したもの 現像剤担持体 ：直径２０ｍｍのアルミニウムパイプ
に研磨処理を行ったもの。Next, test results when a printing test is performed under the following conditions using the charging device of the present embodiment as a developing device of an image forming apparatus are shown. Image carrier: Negatively charged organic photoreceptor Process speed: 200 mm / sec Charge applying member: A conductive material dispersed in an inorganic material on the surface of a ceramic substrate and made semiconductive to a thickness of 100 μm
Coated on a surface, the volume resistivity is 10 8 Ω · cm. Insulating layer: 20 μm thick on the surface of the charge applying member
m, a thin layer of an inorganic material having a width of 100 μm is applied, and the volume resistivity is 10 14 Ω · cm. Charging control electrode: On the insulating layer, a conductor is dispersed in the inorganic material to have a volume resistivity of 10 5 Ω · cm. A semi-conductive material with a thickness of about 10 cm and a thickness of 10 μm is applied. Short-circuit prevention electrode: A low heat-resistant resin and conductive powder are mixed with a diluent and applied to the end of the charge control member and the charge control electrode. What was formed by applying between the power supply electrode and the developer. Developer carrying member: An aluminum pipe having a diameter of 20 mm, which was polished.

【００４３】撹拌供給部材 ：半導電性スポンジ材料
からなる直径１０ｍｍのロール 現像剤層形成部材：厚さ０．１ｍｍのＳＵＳ３０３製の
板バネに１ｍｍ厚の導電性粉末を含んだＥＰＤＭゴムを
接着したもの、接着圧力は約３０ｇｆ／ｃｍ2、体積抵
抗率は１０5 Ω・ｃｍ、ゴム硬度は５０度 静電潜像電位 ：−１００Ｖ 背景部電位 ：−３５０Ｖ 上記の条件によるプリントテストの結果は、従来問題で
あった帯電制御部材の短絡による電荷付与部材と帯電制
御部材間の放電停止による現像剤の帯電不良が発生しな
いことが確認された。また、ストレステストとして人為
的に帯電制御部材で短絡を発生させて放電の持続性を確
認した結果、短絡発生前後における現像剤帯電量には変
化が見られないことが確認された。Stirring / supplying member: Roll of 10 mm in diameter made of semiconductive sponge material Developer layer forming member: A 1 mm thick EPDM rubber containing conductive powder was adhered to a 0.1 mm thick SUS303 leaf spring. The adhesive pressure is about 30 gf / cm 2 , the volume resistivity is 10 5 Ω · cm, and the rubber hardness is 50 degrees Electrostatic latent image potential: -100 V Background potential: -350 V The result of the print test under the above conditions is as follows: It was confirmed that there was no prior art problem of poor charging of the developer caused by stopping the discharge between the charge providing member and the charge control member due to the short circuit of the charge control member. Further, as a stress test, a short circuit was artificially generated in the charge control member to confirm the continuity of the discharge. As a result, it was confirmed that there was no change in the developer charge before and after the short circuit occurred.

【００４４】このように、複数の帯電制御電極のうちの
いずれかの帯電制御電極に短絡が発生しても、短絡が発
生した帯電制御電極のみの給電経路が切断され、残りの
健全な帯電制御電極と電荷付与部材との間で放電を持続
することが可能であり、継続して現像剤を帯電すること
ができる。次に、本発明の帯電装置および転写装置を画
像形成装置における一次帯電器および転写装置として用
いた場合の実施形態、および本発明の画像形成装置の実
施形態について説明する。As described above, even if a short circuit occurs in any one of the plurality of charge control electrodes, the power supply path of only the short-circuited charge control electrode is cut off, and the remaining sound charge control electrodes are soundly controlled. Discharge can be maintained between the electrode and the charge applying member, and the developer can be charged continuously. Next, an embodiment in which the charging device and the transfer device of the present invention are used as a primary charger and a transfer device in an image forming apparatus, and an embodiment of the image forming device of the present invention will be described.

【００４５】図３は、本発明の帯電装置および転写装置
の一実施形態、および本発明の画像形成装置の一実施形
態を示す図である。図３に示すように、この画像形成装
置には、矢印Ａ方向に移動する像担持体１と、像担持体
１表面を一様に帯電する帯電装置１０と、帯電装置１０
により一様に帯電された像担持体１表面を露光する露光
光２と、露光光より像担持体１表面に形成された静電潜
像を黒、イエロー、マゼンタ、シアンの各色のトナーで
現像して各色のトナー像を形成する現像装置２０ａ，２
０ｂ，２０ｃ，２０ｄと、現像装置２０ａ，２０ｂ，２
０ｃ，２０ｄにより形成されたトナー像を像担持体１か
ら記録媒体Ｐ上に転写するための転写装置３０と、記録
媒体Ｐ上に転写されたトナー像を記録媒体Ｐ上に定着す
る定着装置４０とが備えられている。FIG. 3 is a diagram showing one embodiment of the charging device and the transfer device of the present invention, and one embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus includes an image carrier 1 moving in the direction of arrow A, a charging device 10 for uniformly charging the surface of the image carrier 1, and a charging device 10.
Exposure light 2 for exposing the surface of the image carrier 1 uniformly charged by the above, and an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the image carrier 1 by the exposure light is developed with toner of each color of black, yellow, magenta and cyan Developing devices 20a, 2 for forming toner images of respective colors
0b, 20c, 20d and developing devices 20a, 20b, 2
A transfer device 30 for transferring the toner images formed by the recording media 0c and 20d from the image carrier 1 onto the recording medium P, and a fixing device 40 for fixing the toner images transferred onto the recording medium P onto the recording medium P And are provided.

【００４６】帯電装置１０は、像担持体１に対向して配
置され、像担持体１に付与する電荷を発生する電荷付与
部材１２と、像担持体１と電荷付与部材１２との間に配
置され、像担持体１と電荷付与部材１２との間の電界内
の放電の電離領域を電荷付与部材１２との間に制御する
帯電制御部材１４とを有しており、さらに、この帯電制
御部材１４は、図２を参照して説明した帯電装置２１に
おけると同様に複数の帯電制御電極、短絡防止電極およ
び給電電極から構成されている。従って、これら複数の
帯電制御電極のうちのいずれかの帯電制御電極に短絡が
発生しても、短絡が発生した帯電制御電極のみの給電経
路が切断され、残りの健全な帯電制御電極と電荷付与部
材との間で放電が持続されるので、帯電装置１０は継続
して像担持体１を一様に帯電することができる。The charging device 10 is disposed to face the image carrier 1 and generates a charge to be applied to the image carrier 1, and is disposed between the image carrier 1 and the charge application member 12. A charge control member 14 for controlling an ionization region of a discharge in an electric field between the image carrier 1 and the charge providing member 12 between the image bearing member 1 and the charge providing member 12. Reference numeral 14 includes a plurality of charge control electrodes, a short-circuit prevention electrode, and a power supply electrode as in the charging device 21 described with reference to FIG. Therefore, even if a short-circuit occurs in any one of the plurality of charge control electrodes, the power supply path of only the short-circuited charge control electrode is cut off, and the remaining healthy charge control electrodes and the charge application electrode are charged. Since the discharge is continued between the members, the charging device 10 can continuously charge the image carrier 1 uniformly.

【００４７】現像装置２０ａ，２０ｂ，２０ｃ，２０ｄ
は、図１を参照して説明した現像装置２０と同様の構成
を有しており、図１の帯電装置２１と同様の構成の帯電
装置２１ａ，２１ｂ，２１ｃ，２１ｄを備えている。各
帯電装置２１ａ，２１ｂ，２１ｃ，２１ｄは、現像剤担
持体１７ａ，１７ｂ，１７ｃ，１７ｄに対向して配置さ
れ、現像剤担持体１７ａ，１７ｂ，１７ｃ，１７ｄに付
与する電荷を発生する電荷付与部材１２と、放電の電離
領域を制御する帯電制御部材１４とをそれぞれ有してお
り、さらに、これらの各帯電制御部材１４は、図２を参
照して説明した帯電装置２１におけると同様に複数の帯
電制御電極、短絡防止電極および給電電極から構成され
ている。従って、それぞれの現像装置２０ａ，２０ｂ，
２０ｃ，２０ｄにおいて、複数の帯電制御電極のうちの
いずれかの帯電制御電極に短絡が発生しても、短絡が発
生した帯電制御電極のみの給電経路が切断され、残りの
健全な帯電制御電極と電荷付与部材との間で放電が持続
されるので、各帯電装置２１ａ，２１ｂ，２１ｃ，２１
ｄは継続して現像剤を帯電することができ、各現像装置
２０ａ，２０ｂ，２０ｃ，２０ｄは、継続して現像を行
うことができる。Developing devices 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d
Has a configuration similar to that of the developing device 20 described with reference to FIG. 1, and includes charging devices 21a, 21b, 21c, and 21d having the same configuration as the charging device 21 of FIG. Each of the charging devices 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d is arranged to face the developer carrying members 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d, and provides a charge for generating charges to be applied to the developer carrying members 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d. It has a member 12 and a charge control member 14 for controlling the ionization region of discharge, and each of these charge control members 14 has a plurality of charge control members as in the charging device 21 described with reference to FIG. , A short-circuit prevention electrode and a power supply electrode. Therefore, each of the developing devices 20a, 20b,
In 20c and 20d, even if a short-circuit occurs in any one of the plurality of charge control electrodes, the power supply path of only the short-circuited charge control electrode is cut off, and the remaining healthy charge control electrodes are disconnected from the remaining charge control electrodes. Since the discharge is continued between the charge applying member and each of the charging devices 21a, 21b, 21c, 21
d can continuously charge the developer, and each of the developing devices 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d can continuously perform development.

【００４８】転写装置３０は、記録媒体Ｐの、像担持体
１側を向いた表面に対する裏面側において記録媒体Ｐに
近接して配置され、記録媒体Ｐに付与する電荷を発生す
る電荷付与部材３２と、記録媒体Ｐと電荷付与部材３２
との間に配置され、記録媒体Ｐと電荷付与部材３２との
間の電界内の放電の電離領域を電荷付与部材３２との間
に制御する帯電制御部材３４とを有しており、さらに、
この帯電制御部材３４は、図２を参照して説明した帯電
装置２１におけると同様に複数の帯電制御電極、短絡防
止電極および給電電極から構成されている。従って、こ
れら複数の帯電制御電極のうちのいずれかの帯電制御電
極に短絡が発生しても、短絡が発生した帯電制御電極の
みの給電経路が切断され、残りの健全な帯電制御電極と
電荷付与部材との間で放電が持続されるので、転写装置
３０は、像担持体１上のトナー像の記録媒体Ｐへの転写
を続けることができる。The transfer device 30 is arranged near the recording medium P on the back surface side of the recording medium P with respect to the surface facing the image carrier 1 side, and is a charge applying member 32 for generating charges to be applied to the recording medium P. , Recording medium P and charge applying member 32
And a charge control member 34 for controlling an ionization region of discharge in an electric field between the recording medium P and the charge applying member 32 between the recording medium P and the charge applying member 32.
The charging control member 34 includes a plurality of charging control electrodes, a short-circuit prevention electrode, and a power supply electrode as in the charging device 21 described with reference to FIG. Therefore, even if a short-circuit occurs in any one of the plurality of charge control electrodes, the power supply path of only the short-circuited charge control electrode is cut off, and the remaining healthy charge control electrodes and the charge application electrode are charged. Since the discharge is maintained between the members, the transfer device 30 can continue transferring the toner image on the image carrier 1 to the recording medium P.

【００４９】なお、本実施形態における像担持体１は本
発明の転写装置にいうトナー像保持体および本発明の画
像形成装置にいうトナー像保持体に相当するものであ
り、本実施形態における記録媒体Ｐは本発明の転写装置
にいう被転写体に相当するものである。The image carrier 1 in this embodiment corresponds to the toner image carrier in the transfer device of the present invention and the toner image carrier in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. The medium P corresponds to the transfer target in the transfer device of the present invention.

【００５０】[0050]

【発明の効果】以上説明したように、本発明の帯電装置
によれば、帯電制御部材を、複数の帯電制御電極と、こ
れら複数の帯電制御電極に印加される電圧の伝達を中継
する給電電極と、給電電極と複数の帯電制御電極それぞ
れとを独立に結ぶ短絡防止電極とを有する構成としたた
め、複数の帯電制御電極のうちのいずれかの帯電制御電
極に短絡が発生しても、短絡防止電極により短絡が発生
した帯電制御電極への給電経路が切断されるのみで帯電
は継続される。従って、安定した帯電性能を有する小型
で低コストの帯電装置を得ることができる。As described above, according to the charging device of the present invention, the charging control member includes a plurality of charging control electrodes and a power supply electrode for relaying transmission of a voltage applied to the plurality of charging control electrodes. And a short-circuit prevention electrode that independently connects the power supply electrode and each of the plurality of charge control electrodes. Therefore, even if a short-circuit occurs in any one of the plurality of charge control electrodes, short-circuit prevention is prevented. The charging is continued only by cutting off the power supply path to the charging control electrode where the short circuit has occurred due to the electrode. Therefore, a small-sized and low-cost charging device having stable charging performance can be obtained.

【００５１】また、本発明の現像装置によれば、上記と
同様の理由で、安定した帯電性能を有する小型で低コス
トの帯電装置を備えた現像装置を構成することができ
る。また、本発明の転写装置によれば、上記と同様の理
由で、安定した帯電性能を有する小型で低コストの帯電
器を備えた転写装置を構成することができる。また、本
発明の画像形成装置によれば、上記と同様の理由で、安
定した帯電性能を有する小型で低コストの帯電装置、お
よびこの帯電装置を備えた現像装置および転写装置を備
えた画像形成装置を構成することができる。Further, according to the developing device of the present invention, for the same reason as described above, it is possible to construct a developing device having a small and low-cost charging device having stable charging performance. Further, according to the transfer device of the present invention, for the same reason as described above, a transfer device including a small and low-cost charger having stable charging performance can be configured. According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, for the same reason as described above, a small and low-cost charging apparatus having stable charging performance, and an image forming apparatus including the developing apparatus and the transfer apparatus having the charging apparatus The device can be configured.

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

【図１】本発明の帯電装置および現像装置の一実施形態
を示す概略構成図である。FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an embodiment of a charging device and a developing device of the present invention.

【図２】本発明の帯電装置の一実施形態を示す平面図
（ａ）およびそのＡ−Ａ断面図（ｂ）である。FIG. 2A is a plan view showing an embodiment of the charging device of the present invention, and FIG.

【図３】本発明の帯電装置および転写装置の一実施形
態、および本発明の画像形成装置の一実施形態を示す図
である。FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a charging device and a transfer device of the present invention, and an embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention.

【図４】従来の、トナーに直接電荷を付与する方式の現
像装置の一例を示す概要図である。FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a conventional developing device that directly applies a charge to toner.

【図５】従来の、トナーに直接電荷を付与する方式の現
像装置の他の一例を示す概要図である。FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of a conventional developing device that directly applies a charge to toner.

【図６】２つの電極間の電荷密度を表すグラフ（ａ）と
その一部拡大図（ｂ）である。6A is a graph showing a charge density between two electrodes, and FIG. 6B is a partially enlarged view thereof.

【図７】電荷付与部材と現像剤担持体との間に帯電制御
部材を設けた帯電器の概要図である。FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a charger provided with a charge control member between a charge providing member and a developer carrier.

【図８】電位付与部材と現像剤担持体との間に帯電制御
部材を設けた帯電器の平面図（ａ）およびそのＡ−Ａ断
面図（ｂ）である。8A is a plan view of a charger provided with a charge control member between a potential applying member and a developer carrier, and FIG.

【符号の説明】[Explanation of symbols]

１ 像担持体 ２ 露光光 １０ 帯電装置（帯電器） １１ 基板 １２ 電荷付与部材 １２ａ 給電電極 １３ 絶縁層 １４，１４’ 帯電制御部材 １４ａ 帯電制御電極 １４ｂ 給電電極 １４ｃ 短絡防止電極 １５ 帯電用電源 １６ 帯電制御用電源 １７，１７ａ，１７ｂ，１７ｃ，１７ｄ 現像剤担持
体 １９ 現像用電源 ２０，２０ａ，２０ｂ，２０ｃ，２０ｄ 現像装置 ２１，２１ａ，２１ｂ，２１ｃ，２１ｄ 帯電装置 ２３ 現像剤層形成部材 ２４ 撹拌供給部材 ２５ ハウジング ３０ 転写装置 ３２ 電荷付与部材 ３４ 帯電制御部材 ４０ 定着装置 ６０，７０ 現像装置 ６１，７１ 像担持体 ６２，７２ 現像剤担持体 ６３，７３ トナー層形成ブレード ６４，７４ 撹拌供給部材 ６５ 電荷付与部材 ６６ａ，７６ａ 現像バイアス電源 ６６ｂ，７６ｂ 帯電用電源
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image carrier 2 Exposure light 10 Charging device (charging device) 11 Substrate 12 Charging member 12a Power supply electrode 13 Insulating layer 14, 14 'Charging control member 14a Charging control electrode 14b Power supply electrode 14c Short circuit prevention electrode 15 Charging power supply 16 Charging Power supply for control 17, 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d Developer carrier 19 Power supply for development 20, 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d Developing device 21, 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d Charging device 23 Developer layer forming member 24 Stirring Supply member 25 Housing 30 Transfer device 32 Charge applying member 34 Charge control member 40 Fixing device 60, 70 Developing device 61, 71 Image carrier 62, 72 Developer carrier 63, 73 Toner layer forming blade 64, 74 Stirring supply member 65 Charge applying member 66a, 76a Developing bias power supply 66b, 76b For charging Power supply

Claims (7)

【特許請求の範囲】[Claims] 【請求項１】 相対的に移動する被帯電体に対向して配
置され、該被帯電体に付与する電荷を発生する電荷付与
部材と、 前記被帯電体と前記電荷付与部材との間に配置され、該
被帯電体と該電荷付与部材との間の電界内の放電の電離
領域を該電荷付与部材との間に制御する帯電制御部材
と、 前記電荷付与部材および前記帯電制御部材にそれぞれ電
圧を印加する電源を備えた帯電装置において、 前記帯電制御部材が、被帯電体の相対的な移動方向に交
わる方向に延びる帯電制御電極であって該移動方向に配
列されてなる複数の帯電制御電極と、これら複数の帯電
制御電極に印加される電圧の伝達を中継する給電電極
と、該給電電極と前記複数の帯電制御電極それぞれとを
独立に結ぶ、前記複数の帯電制御電極の中に短絡が発生
した帯電制御電極が存在するときに該帯電制御電極への
給電経路を切断するための短絡防止電極とを備えたこと
を特徴とする帯電装置。1. A charge providing member that is arranged to face a relatively moving member to be charged and generates a charge to be provided to the member to be charged, and is disposed between the member to be charged and the member to be charged. A charge control member for controlling an ionization region of discharge in an electric field between the member to be charged and the charge application member between the charge application member and a voltage applied to the charge application member and the charge control member. A plurality of charge control electrodes, wherein the charge control member is a charge control electrode extending in a direction intersecting the relative movement direction of the member to be charged, the charge control electrodes being arranged in the movement direction. And a power supply electrode for relaying transmission of a voltage applied to the plurality of charge control electrodes, and independently connecting the power supply electrode and each of the plurality of charge control electrodes, a short circuit occurs in the plurality of charge control electrodes. Generated charge control electrode And a short-circuit prevention electrode for cutting off a power supply path to the charge control electrode when a charge exists. 【請求項２】 前記短絡防止電極が、該短絡防止電極を
流れる電流が所定の電流値を越えたときに溶断されるヒ
ューズであることを特徴とする請求項１記載の帯電装
置。2. The charging device according to claim 1, wherein the short-circuit prevention electrode is a fuse that is blown when a current flowing through the short-circuit prevention electrode exceeds a predetermined current value. 【請求項３】 静電潜像を担持して所定の方向に移動す
る像担持体に所定の現像領域において近接もしくは接触
するように配置され、供給された現像剤を表面に担持し
て前記現像領域に向けて搬送する現像剤担持体、 前記現像剤担持体の、現像剤搬送方向に関し前記現像領
域よりも上流側において、現像剤を担持する現像剤担持
体に対向して配置され、該現像剤に付与する電荷を発生
する電荷付与部材、 前記電荷付与部材と前記現像剤担持体との間に配置さ
れ、前記電荷付与部材の電位と前記現像剤担持体の電位
との中間の電位が付与されることによって前記電荷付与
部材と前記現像剤担持体の間の電界内における放電の電
離領域を前記現像剤担持体との間に制御する帯電制御部
材、 前記電荷付与部材および前記帯電制御部材にそれぞれ電
圧を印加する電源を備えた現像装置において、 前記帯電制御部材が、前記現像剤搬送方向に交わる方向
に延びる帯電制御電極であって該現像剤搬送方向に配列
されてなる複数の帯電制御電極と、これら複数の帯電制
御電極に印加される電圧の伝達を中継する給電電極と、
該給電電極と前記複数の帯電制御電極それぞれとを独立
に結ぶ、前記複数の帯電制御電極の中に短絡が発生した
帯電制御電極が存在するときに該帯電制御電極への給電
経路を切断するための短絡防止電極とを備えたことを特
徴とする現像装置。3. An image bearing member, which carries an electrostatic latent image and moves in a predetermined direction, is arranged so as to be close to or in contact with a predetermined developing region, and carries the supplied developer on its surface to perform the developing. A developer carrying member that conveys the developer toward the region, the developer carrying member is disposed upstream of the developing region in the developer carrying direction with respect to the developer carrying region, and is disposed to face the developer carrying member that carries the developer; A charge applying member for generating an electric charge to be applied to the developer, disposed between the charge applying member and the developer carrier, and applying an intermediate potential between the potential of the charge applying member and the potential of the developer carrier. A charge control member that controls an ionization region of discharge in the electric field between the charge applying member and the developer carrier between the charge applying member and the developer carrier; Each voltage A charge control electrode, wherein the charge control member is a charge control electrode extending in a direction intersecting with the developer transport direction and a plurality of charge control electrodes arranged in the developer transport direction; A power supply electrode for relaying transmission of a voltage applied to the plurality of charge control electrodes,
The power supply electrode and the plurality of charge control electrodes are independently connected to each other. In order to cut off a power supply path to the charge control electrode when a short-circuited charge control electrode exists in the plurality of charge control electrodes. And a short-circuit prevention electrode. 【請求項４】 所定のトナー像保持体上に保持されたト
ナー像を、所定の転写位置において該トナー像保持体に
近接ないし接触して移動する被転写体上に転写する転写
装置において、 前記被転写体の、前記トナー像保持体側を向いた表面に
対する裏面側において該被転写体に近接して配置され、
該被転写体に付与する電荷を発生する電荷付与部材と、 前記被転写体と前記電荷付与部材との間に配置され、該
被転写体と該電荷付与部材との間の電界内の放電の電離
領域を該電荷付与部材との間に制御する、被転写体の移
動方向に交わる方向に延びる、該移動方向に配列された
複数の帯電制御電極、これら複数の帯電制御電極に印加
される電圧の伝達を中継する給電電極、および該給電電
極と前記複数の帯電制御電極それぞれとを独立に結ぶ、
前記複数の帯電制御電極の中に短絡が発生した帯電制御
電極が存在するときに該帯電制御電極への給電経路を切
断するための短絡防止電極からなる帯電制御部材とを有
する帯電器を備えたことを特徴とする転写装置。4. A transfer device for transferring a toner image held on a predetermined toner image holding member onto a transfer target that moves in proximity to or in contact with the toner image holding member at a predetermined transfer position, The transfer member is disposed close to the transfer member on the back surface side with respect to the surface facing the toner image holding member side,
A charge applying member for generating an electric charge to be applied to the transfer object; and a charge applying member disposed between the transfer object and the charge applying member, and a discharge in an electric field between the transfer object and the charge applying member. A plurality of charge control electrodes arranged in the direction of movement, which control the ionization region between the charge application member and the direction of movement of the transfer object, and which are applied to the plurality of charge control electrodes; A power supply electrode for relaying the transmission of the power supply electrode, and independently connecting the power supply electrode and each of the plurality of charge control electrodes,
A charging control member including a short-circuit prevention electrode for cutting a power supply path to the charging control electrode when a short-circuited charging control electrode is present among the plurality of charging control electrodes. A transfer device characterized by the above-mentioned. 【請求項５】 所定の方向に移動しながら帯電され露光
を受けることにより静電潜像が形成される像担持体に形
成された静電潜像をトナーで現像してトナー像を得、該
トナー像を、該像担持体からなるトナー像保持体から直
接に、あるいは、該像担持体上に形成されたトナー像が
一旦転写される中間転写体からなるトナー像保持体を経
由して、所定の記録媒体上に転写し、該記録媒体上のト
ナー像を該記録媒体上に定着することにより、該記録媒
体上に定着トナー像からなる画像を形成する画像形成装
置において、 前記像担持体に対向して配置され、該像担持体に付与す
る電荷を発生する電荷付与部材と、 前記像担持体と前記電荷付与部材との間に配置され、該
像担持体と該電荷付与部材との間の電界内の放電の電離
領域を該電荷付与部材との間に制御する、像担持体の移
動方向に交わる方向に延びる、該移動方向に配列された
複数の帯電制御電極、これら複数の帯電制御電極に印加
される電圧の伝達を中継する給電電極、および該給電電
極と前記複数の帯電制御電極それぞれとを独立に結ぶ、
前記複数の帯電制御電極の中に短絡が発生した帯電制御
電極が存在するときに該帯電制御電極への給電経路を切
断するための短絡防止電極からなる帯電制御部材とを有
する帯電装置を備えたことを特徴とする画像形成装置。5. An electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed by being charged and exposed while moving in a predetermined direction is developed with toner to obtain a toner image. The toner image is directly from the toner image holding member made of the image bearing member, or via the toner image holding member made of the intermediate transfer member to which the toner image formed on the image bearing member is once transferred. An image forming apparatus for forming an image composed of a fixed toner image on a recording medium by transferring the image on a predetermined recording medium and fixing the toner image on the recording medium onto the recording medium, A charge providing member that generates a charge to be provided to the image carrier, and a charge providing member that is disposed between the image carrier and the charge providing member; The ionizing region of the discharge in the electric field between the charge applying member and Controlling, extending in a direction intersecting the moving direction of the image carrier, a plurality of charging control electrodes arranged in the moving direction, a feeding electrode for relaying transmission of a voltage applied to the plurality of charging control electrodes, and Independently connecting the power supply electrode and each of the plurality of charge control electrodes,
And a charging control member including a short-circuit prevention electrode for cutting a power supply path to the charging control electrode when a short-circuited charging control electrode is present among the plurality of charging control electrodes. An image forming apparatus comprising: 【請求項６】 静電潜像が形成される像担持体に形成さ
れた静電潜像をトナーで現像してトナー像を得、該トナ
ー像を、該像担持体から直接に、あるいは、該像担持体
上に形成されたトナー像が一旦転写される中間転写体を
経由して、所定の記録媒体上に転写し、該記録媒体上の
トナー像を該記録媒体上に定着することにより、該記録
媒体上に定着トナー像からなる画像を形成する画像形成
装置において、 前記像担持体上に形成された制御をトナーで現像する現
像装置を備え、 該現像装置が、 所定の現像領域において前記像担持体に近接もしくは接
触するように配置され、供給されたトナーを表面に担持
して前記現像領域に向けて搬送するトナー担持体、 該トナー担持体に供給されたトナーを所定の厚さのトナ
ー層に形成するトナー層形成部材、および該トナー層形
成部材により形成されたトナー層を担持して相対的に移
動するトナー担持体に対向して配置され、該トナー層に
付与する電荷を発生する電荷付与部材と、前記トナー層
と前記電荷付与部材との間に配置され、該トナー層と該
電荷付与部材との間の電界内の放電の電離領域を該電荷
付与部材との間に制御する、前記トナー担持体の相対的
な移動方向に交わる方向に延びる、該移動方向に配列さ
れた複数の帯電制御電極、これら複数の帯電制御電極に
印加される電圧の伝達を中継する給電電極、および該給
電電極と前記複数の帯電制御電極それぞれとを独立に結
ぶ、前記複数の帯電制御電極の中に短絡が発生した帯電
制御電極が存在するときに該帯電制御電極への給電経路
を切断するための短絡防止電極からなる帯電制御部材と
を有する帯電器を具備するものであることを特徴とする
画像形成装置。6. An electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed is developed with toner to obtain a toner image, and the toner image is directly transferred from the image carrier or The toner image formed on the image carrier is transferred to a predetermined recording medium via an intermediate transfer body to which the toner image is temporarily transferred, and the toner image on the recording medium is fixed on the recording medium. An image forming apparatus for forming an image comprising a fixed toner image on the recording medium, comprising: a developing device for developing the control formed on the image carrier with toner; A toner carrier that is disposed so as to be close to or in contact with the image carrier, carries the supplied toner on the surface thereof, and transports the toner toward the development area; Layer formation on the toner layer A charge-applying member disposed to face a toner carrier that carries a toner layer formed by the toner-layer-forming member and relatively moves, and generates an electric charge to be applied to the toner layer; Relative to the toner carrier, disposed between the toner carrier and the charge applying member, and controlling an ionization region of discharge in an electric field between the toner layer and the charge applying member between the toner applying member and the charge applying member. A plurality of charge control electrodes arranged in the movement direction, a power supply electrode for relaying transmission of a voltage applied to the plurality of charge control electrodes, and the power supply electrode and the plurality of charge control electrodes. A charging control electrode for independently connecting each of the charging control electrodes, and a short-circuit preventing electrode for cutting off a power supply path to the charging control electrode when a short-circuited charging control electrode exists in the plurality of charging control electrodes; control An image forming apparatus comprising a charger having a member. 【請求項７】 静電潜像が形成される像担持体に形成さ
れた静電潜像をトナーで現像してトナー像を得、該トナ
ー像を、該像担持体から直接に、あるいは、該像担持体
上に形成されたトナー像が一旦転写される中間転写体を
経由して、所定の記録媒体上に転写し、該記録媒体上の
トナー像を該記録媒体上に定着することにより、該記録
媒体上に定着トナー像からなる画像を形成する画像形成
装置において、 前記像担持体もしくは前記中間転写体からなるトナー像
保持体上に保持されたトナー像を、所定の転写位置にお
いて該トナー像保持体に近接ないし接触して移動する、
前記中間転写体もしくは前記記録媒体からなる被転写体
上に転写する転写装置を備え、 該転写装置が、 前記被転写体の、前記トナー像保持体側を向いた表面に
対する裏面側において該被転写体に近接して配置され、
該被転写体に付与する電荷を発生する電荷付与部材と、 前記被転写体と前記電荷付与部材との間に配置され、該
被転写体と該電荷付与部材との間の電界内の放電の電離
領域を該電荷付与部材との間に制御する、被転写体の移
動方向に交わる方向に延びる、該移動方向に配列された
複数の帯電制御電極、これら複数の帯電制御電極に印加
される電圧の伝達を中継する給電電極、および該給電電
極と前記複数の帯電制御電極それぞれとを独立に結ぶ、
前記複数の帯電制御電極の中に短絡が発生した帯電制御
電極が存在するときに該帯電制御電極への給電経路を切
断するための短絡防止電極からなる帯電制御部材とを有
する帯電器を具備するものであることを特徴とする画像
形成装置。7. An electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed is developed with toner to obtain a toner image, and the toner image is transferred directly from the image carrier or The toner image formed on the image carrier is transferred to a predetermined recording medium via an intermediate transfer body to which the toner image is temporarily transferred, and the toner image on the recording medium is fixed on the recording medium. An image forming apparatus for forming an image formed of a fixed toner image on the recording medium, wherein the toner image held on the toner image holding member formed of the image carrier or the intermediate transfer member is transferred at a predetermined transfer position. Move in proximity to or in contact with the toner image carrier,
A transfer device for transferring the image on the intermediate transfer member or the transfer member formed of the recording medium, wherein the transfer device includes the transfer member on a back surface side of the transfer member on a surface facing the toner image holding member side. Placed in close proximity to
A charge applying member for generating an electric charge to be applied to the transfer object; and a charge applying member disposed between the transfer object and the charge applying member, and a discharge in an electric field between the transfer object and the charge applying member. A plurality of charge control electrodes arranged in the direction of movement, which control the ionization region between the charge application member and the direction of movement of the transfer object, and which are applied to the plurality of charge control electrodes; A power supply electrode for relaying the transmission of the power supply electrode, and independently connecting the power supply electrode and each of the plurality of charge control electrodes,
A charging control member including a short-circuit prevention electrode for cutting a power supply path to the charge control electrode when a short-circuited charge control electrode is present among the plurality of charge control electrodes. An image forming apparatus, comprising:
JP9211905A 1997-08-06 1997-08-06 Electrifying device, developing device, transfer device and image forming device Withdrawn JPH1152674A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP9211905A JPH1152674A (en) 1997-08-06 1997-08-06 Electrifying device, developing device, transfer device and image forming device

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP9211905A JPH1152674A (en) 1997-08-06 1997-08-06 Electrifying device, developing device, transfer device and image forming device

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
JPH1152674A true JPH1152674A (en) 1999-02-26

Family

ID=16613601

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
JP9211905A Withdrawn JPH1152674A (en) 1997-08-06 1997-08-06 Electrifying device, developing device, transfer device and image forming device

Country Status (1)

Country Link
JP (1) JPH1152674A (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2006350086A (en) * 2005-06-17 2006-12-28 Fuji Xerox Co Ltd Process cartridge and image forming apparatus

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2006350086A (en) * 2005-06-17 2006-12-28 Fuji Xerox Co Ltd Process cartridge and image forming apparatus
JP4720311B2 (en) * 2005-06-17 2011-07-13 富士ゼロックス株式会社 Process cartridge and image forming apparatus

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