JPS6117155A - Recording method using photoconductive toner - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To spray surely a uniform single layer by spraying photoconductive toner particles and carrier particles together to facilitate not only spraying in comparison with spraying of only toner particles but also adjusting the layer thickness. CONSTITUTION:Photoconductive toner particles A and carrier particles B are sprays onto a base body electrode 1, and at this time, both of them are preliminarily triboelectrified, and a tuft cutter 3 is used to adjust the tuft height position of a magnetic brush tufted by the magnetic force action of magnets 2. Photoconductive toner particles A in a light irradiated part 5 (corresponding to a light part of an original) are excited optically by exposure, and their electrostatic charge polarity is erased. A counter electrode 6 is allowed to face the base body electrode 1, and a bias voltage is impressed to electrostatically charge negatively the counter electrode 6. This bias voltage is an AC voltage V2 including the component of a DC voltage V1. Thus, all of positively electrostatically charged toner particles are flown out easily to the side of the counter electrode, and a corona electrifier 8 is used to electrostatically charge a paper with the negative polarity opposite to the positive polarity of electrostatic charge of photoconductive toner particles A form the rear side of the paper 7, and a positive image on the counter electrode 6 is transferred to the paper 7 to obtain the last image.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field] The present invention relates to a recording method using a photoconductive toner, and particularly to a method for forming a static image using a so-called two-component type photoconductive toner that constitutes a developer together with a carrier. Regarding a recording method preferably applied to an electrophotographic method, more specifically, it is a recording method using a photoconductive toner that can be easily distributed in a uniform single layer onto a base electrode and can also obtain images of high density and high quality. Regarding the method.

[Prior art] In general, copying methods using electrophotographic technology include the electrofax method, in which copies are made directly onto electrophotographic photosensitive paper containing a zinc oxide-resin dispersion system, or the copying method, in which copies are made directly on electrophotographic photosensitive paper such as selenium. One example is the xerographic method, in which a toner powder image is transferred onto plain paper to obtain a copy, but both methods require a development step using toner powder, and 1! Photocopying devices have become cumbersome and expensive.

In addition, in these methods, since the copying system is composed of independent members such as the photoreceptor and toner powder, the performance of one of the two members, for example, the charging characteristics due to optical fatigue of the photoreceptor, may be affected. The deterioration of the photoreceptor makes it difficult to obtain high-quality copies, and maintenance becomes difficult in order to maintain the desired performance of the photoreceptor and developer.

On the other hand, in order to overcome these drawbacks, a photoconductive toner has been developed in recent years that has the functions of both a photoreceptor and a developer.

Conventionally, the method of forming an image using such a photoconductive toner is to generally spread the toner onto a conductive support such as a metal plate, charge it and expose it to light, and further remove the toner if necessary. A method is adopted in which the image is removed and then fixed, or the image is transferred and then fixed.

A feature of the image forming method using such a photoconductive toner is that, unlike conventional electrophotographic methods, a toner dispersion step is required before exposure and development.

However, there are many unresolved techniques in this spraying process, especially how to uniformly spray particles in the micron scale.
The magnetic brush method described in the above publication has been proposed.

However, if we look at conventional dispersion methods, whether they are electrostatic force, magnetic force, or physical means, they are common in that only photoconductive toner is dispersed (4iP 1983-39).
No. 750 and No. 52-143834). In this way, with conventional dispersion means, it is not possible to completely form a uniform and single layer by dispersing micron-sized particles, even with the method described in JP-A-58-130357. , f& It is difficult to regulate the spray thickness, and an irregular thickness may be formed. Furthermore, the technique described in this publication requires the use of a specially constructed substrate to be sprayed.

Therefore, as a result of intensive research, the present inventor proposed a spraying technique that enables uniform single-layer spraying [March 30, 1980]
See the patent application filed on the same day. According to the previously proposed technique, it is possible to obtain a state in which the photoconductive toner is uniformly distributed in a single layer on the top layer of the magnetic brush formed by the carrier.

This previously proposed technology has made it possible to uniformly distribute toner in a single layer, which had traditionally been an important issue.However, in a single layer, the amount of toner itself is small because it is only for one layer. In the toner flying trap, there is a problem in that if there is any part of the toner that is not blown away, this will immediately lead to a decrease in image density. Therefore, when spraying in a single layer, it is extremely important to determine how to spray only the necessary and sufficient amount of toner in the unexposed areas.

[Purpose of the invention]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a recording method using a photoconductive toe that can easily and uniformly scatter toner in a single layer and can also fly only the necessary and sufficient amount of toner in unexposed areas. Another object of the present invention is to provide a high concentration of
It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording method using photoconductive toner that can obtain high-quality images.

[Structure of the invention]

A recording method using a photoconductive toner according to the present invention includes a recording method such as an electrophotographic method using a photoconductive toner.
The photoconductive toner is formed into a layer on a base electrode together with a carrier, image exposure is performed on the # layer, and an AC bias voltage containing a DC component is applied between the base electrode and the counter electrode to remove the electrical charge present on the layer. The present invention is characterized in that toner having different amounts is selectively moved toward the counter electrode by using the difference in the amount of charge of the toner.

Embodiments of the invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Note that this embodiment shows a case where the recording method according to the present invention is applied to an electrophotographic method.

First, photoconductive toner A and carrier B shown in FIG. 1 are spread onto a base electrode 1. As shown in FIG. At this time, the photoconductive toner A and the carrier B are triboelectrically charged in advance, and the photoconductive toner is electrostatically attached to the surface of the carrier B. In this embodiment, the photoconductive toner A is charged to Q, and the carrier B is charged to θ. The photoconductive toner A and carrier B after scattering are made to stand up by the magnetic force of the magnet 2 provided on the back electrode side, thereby forming a magnetic brush. Since the carrier B is a magnetic material, it exhibits a spike phenomenon due to the action of magnetic force, and the carrier B forms a magnetic brush as a whole. In addition, the structure may be such that the magnet 2 is not always provided and a magnetic force is applied during dispersion.

The height of the spiked magnetic brush is adjusted using a spike cutter 3, and a uniform spike as shown in FIG. 2 is formed. For convenience of explanation, the drawing shows a case where the height of the ears is adjusted in two layers, but this layer structure does not necessarily strictly represent the state of the layers.

The height of the layer may be adjusted to three or more layers or a single layer. The arrow in the illustration (Fig. 1) indicates the direction of relative movement of the ear cutter 3. For example, when the S cutter 3 is fixed, the ear cutter 3 will move relative to the ear cutter 3 by moving the base electrode 1 in the opposite direction. It is the same as moving in the direction of the arrow. The configuration of the ear cutter 3 is not particularly limited.

It is preferable that the structure is such that the gap with the base electrode 1 can be arbitrarily adjusted. In addition, as the ear cutter 3, for example,
An H-cut plate or the like can be used.

A magnetic brush is formed as described above, and the toner arranged in the uppermost layer of the magnetic brush appears as if it were uniformly dispersed in a single layer. Therefore, in this specification, the expression "uniform monolayer dispersion" refers to FIGS. 2 and 3.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, there are irregularities in the layer itself, except when a single layer is formed in a fairly orderly manner.

As shown in FIG. 2, the magnetic brush, which includes a layered state as a whole, is charged from above using a corona charger 4. As a result of this charging, among the photoconductive toner A that has been charged and adhered to the carrier B, that which has adhered to the relatively upper layer of the carrier B is uniformly charged.

Note that this charging is not necessarily required as long as the charging by the frictional charging or the like is sufficient and uniform.

Next, as shown in FIG. 3, for example, a positive original is exposed. It is desirable that the base electrode 1 be in an electrically conductive state during exposure, and if it is in a conductive state, the photoconductive toner A in the υ light irradiation area 5 (corresponding to the bright area of the original) is photoexcited by this exposure. For example, if the toner itself is a charge transfer medium, the charge moves to the base electrode and its charge polarity is erased. 2.Depending on the photoconductive toner A used, the charge polarity may be reversed, and even if such toner is used, there will be no difference.
No.

On the other hand, the photoconductive toner A in the light-impermeable portion corresponding to the dark portion of the original remains tinged with the maple property of ■.

Next, as shown in FIG.
~IIrIIT+, preferably 100 μm to 750 μm
The counter electrodes 6 are arranged opposite each other with an interval of .

A bias voltage is applied between the counter electrode 6 and the base electrode 1 to Q-charge the counter electrode 6. This bias voltage applies a DC voltage V□AC voltage v2 containing an acid component, and is a special feature of the present invention.

Details regarding the voltage application means can be found in Japanese Patent Application No. 58-2069.
Reference may be made to the specification of No. 93.

In this way, by simultaneously applying the DC voltage (1) and the AC voltage v2 during flight, the charged toner particles (2), which have different charging caps on the base electrode 1, are vibrated by the AC voltage.

Even if they are in an aggregated or clustered state, the aggregates are loosened and the clusters are collapsed.

Therefore, toner particles, even those with a small amount of charge, are given a sufficient probability of flying, and all of the strongly charged toner particles are in a state where it is easy to fly out to the opposite electrode, so that only the toner in the unexposed area is removed. Not only can a necessary and sufficient amount be ejected, but also a high-quality, high-density, high-quality positive image corresponding to the original (positive) image trap can be obtained by the next transfer.

Next, as shown in FIG. 5, a transfer material 1, for example, paper, is placed facing the counter electrode 6, and a corona charger 8 is used from the back side of the paper 7 to charge the photoconductive toner A with a charge of 0 and a polarity opposite to ○. Charging is performed, and the positive image on the counter electrode 6 is transferred to the paper T to obtain a final image, which is then fixed if necessary.

Note that in order to obtain a negative image on paper, the photoconductive toner A remaining on the base electrode 1 may be transferred to the paper.

As the photoconductive toner A used in the method of the present invention, any known photoconductive toner can be used without any particular limitation.
For example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 49-99034.

No. 53-79542, No. 53-82417.

No. 56-30138, No. 56-30140.

No. 56-30141, No. 56-30142.

Those described in No. 58-130357 and the like can be used.

In addition, the carrier may be either a conductive carrier or an incorrigible carrier. For example, iron powder or a material with a triiron tetroxide coating formed on the surface of iron powder as a core particle may be used, but is not particularly limited. .

Next, an apparatus for carrying out the method of the present invention will be explained based on FIG.

Although the device shown in the figure shows the case where the base electrode 1 and the counter electrode 6 are formed in a cylindrical shape and faced to each other, either or both may be formed into an endless belt shape and faced to each other.

In the figure, reference numeral 2 denotes a scatterer 9 provided on the outer periphery of the base electrode 1, and a stirrer 10 is provided inside the scatterer 9, in which photoconductive toner A and carrier B are triboelectrically charged. Photoconductive toner A is deposited on carrier B's sleeve. The sprinkler 9 may be a simple toner supply device, or a magnetic brush device may be used.

Since the magnet 2 is provided within the base electrode 1, the carrier B stands up and forms a magnetic brush within the sprinkler 9 as well. The magnet 2 can be arranged as shown in the figure (N and S poles are alternately changed. During dispersion or on the base electrode 1,
This has the effect of promoting rotation of toner A and carrier B. However, the direction of the N, 8 poles is not particularly limited.

This magnetic brush is moved in the direction of the arrow on the base electrode 1 with the height of the ears adjusted by the ear cutter 3.

The photoconductive toner A in the uppermost layer forms a uniform film at a predetermined height and is charged by, for example, a corona charger 4, and only the photoconductive toner A in the light irradiation area 5 does not lose its charge when exposed to light. The photoconductive toner A in the area that is not irradiated remains charged.
e is applied to the counter electrode 6. After flight, the photoconductive toner is transferred to paper T to obtain a final transferred image, which is then fixed if necessary.

The above-mentioned apparatus has the advantage that there is no need to take into account the adhesion of the photoconductive toner A to the base electrode 1 because the carrier B is always erected by the action of magnetic force.

That is, in the conventional means of directly dispersing only toner onto the base electrode, one important problem is how to make the toner adhere stably to the base electrode, and various problems remain to be solved. has been done.

For example, if a conductive metal roll is used as the base electrode, 8
, the force that acts on the adhesion between the toner and the base electrode is considered to be mainly an electric force (Coulomb force), so when that force is released (for example, the toner charge is erased by exposure), , the problem of toner falling off also occurs. Therefore, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 53-39750 discloses a technique for providing a conductive rubber member on the surface of a base electrode. This stabilizes the adhesion by applying van der Waals force, adhesive force, surface irregularities, etc. between the toner and the base electrode. However, it has the fatal drawback of being prone to manufacturing problems (cost and technical) and lack of durability in long-term use. In this regard, according to the embodiment of the present invention, since the carrier B always stands on the base electrode 1 due to magnetic force, there is an effect that the problem of toner falling off does not easily occur, and as a result, the base electrode 1 There is no need to particularly consider the material, etc., and a metal roll or the like can be used.

As an application example of the present invention, when a tree falls down, the exposure of the toner A on the base electrode 1 is not carried out at the position shown in FIG. Of course, it is also conceivable to expose at the front (point Q) (see the specification and drawings of Japanese Patent Application No. 5C+-ZOSZ9). In this case, the toner in the unexposed area is transferred to the paper 7, and the untransferred toner is scraped off by the cleaning section 11 and reused as necessary.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, it goes without saying that if toners of colors corresponding to each of the three primary colors are selected as the photoconductive toner and the three colors are scattered in a mosaic pattern, there is a possibility of colorization.

Although embodiments in which the method of the present invention is used in applications other than electrophotography have been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto, and can be applied to other recording methods other than electrophotography.

〔Effect of the invention〕

According to the present invention, since the photoconductive toner and the carrier are spread together, it is easier to spread the photoconductive toner and the carrier than when only the toner is spread, and the layer thickness can be easily adjusted, thereby ensuring uniform single layer spreading. I can do it.

In addition, since an AC voltage containing a DC component is applied as a bias voltage between the base electrode and the counter electrode when the toner is ejected, only the necessary and sufficient amount of toner in the unexposed areas can be ejected, resulting in high density and high image quality. You can get the image.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIGS. 1 to 5 are principle diagrams showing one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
The figure is a partially enlarged schematic sectional view showing an apparatus for carrying out the method of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a base electrode, 2 is a magnet, and 3 is a spike cutter. 4 is a corona charger, 5 is a light irradiation unit, 6 is a counter electrode, 7 is a transfer material, 8 is a corona charger, and 9 is a scatterer. Patent applicant Roku Konishi Photo Industry Co., Ltd. Agent Patent attorney Nobuaki Sakaguchi (and one other person) s 1. -Figure s6 figure

Claims (1)

[Claims] In a recording method such as an electrophotographic method using a photoconductive toner, the photoconductive toner is formed into a layer together with a carrier on a base electrode, the layer is imagewise exposed, and a direct current component is applied between the base electrode and the counter electrode. A photoconductive method characterized by applying an AC bias voltage containing an AC bias voltage to selectively move toners having different charge amounts existing on the layer toward a counter electrode using the difference in charge amounts of the toners. A recording method using toner.