JPS61267069A - Toner concentration controlling device - Google Patents

Toner concentration controlling device

Info

Publication number
JPS61267069A
JPS61267069A JP10896685A JP10896685A JPS61267069A JP S61267069 A JPS61267069 A JP S61267069A JP 10896685 A JP10896685 A JP 10896685A JP 10896685 A JP10896685 A JP 10896685A JP S61267069 A JPS61267069 A JP S61267069A
Authority
JP
Japan
Prior art keywords
developer
toner
image formation
toner concentration
voltage
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.)
Pending
Application number
JP10896685A
Other languages
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
Kenpachi Shiraki
白木　賢八
Manabu Hozumi
学 穂積
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.)
Sanyo Electric Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Sanyo Electric 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 Sanyo Electric Co Ltd filed Critical Sanyo Electric Co Ltd
Priority to JP10896685A priority Critical patent/JPS61267069A/en
Publication of JPS61267069A publication Critical patent/JPS61267069A/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/06—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing
    • G03G15/08—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing using a solid developer, e.g. powder developer
    • G03G15/0822—Arrangements for preparing, mixing, supplying or dispensing developer
    • G03G15/0848—Arrangements for testing or measuring developer properties or quality, e.g. charge, size, flowability
    • G03G15/0849—Detection or control means for the developer concentration
    • G03G15/0851—Detection or control means for the developer concentration the concentration being measured by electrical means

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Dry Development In Electrophotography (AREA)

Abstract

PURPOSE:To maintain toner concentration in a developer within a proper constant range by providing a reference developer which is not used for image formation in addition to a normal developer which is used for the image formation, making a toner concentration comparison between the two developers, and controlling the toner density of the developer for image formation according to the output of a comparing means. CONSTITUTION:The reference current of a concentration detection electrode 5 is converted into a voltage through a specific resistance circuit and then supplied as a reference voltage to the plus side of the comparator 6. The toner concentration of the developer for image formation, on the other hand, varies according to toner consumption for copying and the current appearing at the concentration detection electrode 4 varies in proportion to it. This current variation is made into voltage variation through a specific resistance circuit and the voltage variation is supplied as a comparison voltage to the minus side of the comparator 6. The comparator 6 compares the reference voltage based upon the reference developer 2 with the comparison voltage based upon the developer 1 for image formation and determines whether toner should be supplied to the developer 1 for the image formation according to the comparison output.

Description

【発明の詳細な説明】 （産業上の利用分野） この発明はトナー濃度制御装置に関し、特に、現像剤中
のトナー濃度を直接検出してそれを制御するトナー濃度
制御装置に関する。DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a toner concentration control device, and more particularly to a toner concentration control device that directly detects and controls the toner concentration in a developer.

（従来技術） 従来、トナー濃度の制御の仕方には、コピー濃度を検出
して制御する第１の方法と、現像剤中のトナー濃度を直
接検出して制御する第２の方法との２つがある。第１の
方法は感光体上の現像された可視像の濃度が薄くなった
ときに光反射率が変化することを利用して、その変化を
光学的に検知する。しかしながら、この方法の場合は、
受光体等の光反射率検知用の光学系がトナー飛散によっ
て汚れて、適正な濃度を検知し得ないという欠点を有し
ている。(Prior Art) Conventionally, there are two ways to control toner density: a first method of detecting and controlling the copy density, and a second method of directly detecting and controlling the toner density in the developer. be. The first method utilizes the fact that the light reflectance changes when the density of the developed visible image on the photoreceptor becomes thinner, and optically detects the change. However, with this method,
This method has a drawback in that the optical system for detecting the light reflectance of the photoreceptor or the like becomes dirty due to toner scattering, making it impossible to detect an appropriate density.

このような欠点は、第２の方法では生じない。Such drawbacks do not occur in the second method.

第２の方法には、具体的には現像機中にコイルを埋設し
、トナー消費に従って現像剤中の透磁率が変化するのを
利用して、その変化を磁気的に検知するものや、あるい
は、トナーの消費に従って現像剤の抵抗値が変化するこ
とを現像剤を流れる電流の変化として検知するもの等が
知られている。The second method involves embedding a coil in the developing machine and magnetically detecting the change in magnetic permeability in the developer as the toner is consumed; There are known devices that detect changes in the resistance value of the developer as the toner is consumed as changes in the current flowing through the developer.

（発明が解決しようとする問題点） ところが、第２の方法では、湿度その他の外部環境の影
響により、現像剤中のトナー濃度も不規則に変化するた
め、現像剤のトナー濃度を正確に検出することは困難で
あった。(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) However, in the second method, the toner concentration in the developer changes irregularly due to the influence of humidity and other external environments, so it is difficult to accurately detect the toner concentration in the developer. It was difficult to do so.

（問題点を解決するための手段） この発明は、簡単にいえば、画像形成に用いる通常の現
像剤とは別に、画像形成に用いない基準用の現像剤を設
け、さらに、２つの現像剤のトナー濃度を比較する手段
および比較手段の出力に応じて画像形成用現像剤のトナ
ー濃度を制御する手段を備える、トナー濃度制御装置で
ある。(Means for Solving the Problems) Simply put, the present invention provides a standard developer that is not used for image formation in addition to a normal developer used for image formation, and furthermore, two developers This toner density control device includes means for comparing the toner densities of the image forming developer and means for controlling the toner density of the image forming developer according to the output of the comparing means.

（作用） 比較手段が画像形成用現像剤のトナー濃度と基準用現像
剤のトナー濃度とを比較する。基準用現像剤のトナー濃
度は一定に保たれている。もし、画像形成用現像剤のト
ナー濃度が、基準用現像剤のそれより小さければ、制御
手段によって、たとえばトナーボックスのトナー供給ロ
ーラが駆動され、画像形成用現像剤中にトナーが補給さ
れる。(Function) The comparison means compares the toner concentration of the image forming developer and the toner concentration of the reference developer. The toner concentration of the reference developer is kept constant. If the toner concentration of the image-forming developer is lower than that of the reference developer, the control means drives, for example, a toner supply roller of a toner box, and toner is replenished into the image-forming developer.

（発明の効果） 画像形成に用いる現像剤と、画像形成に用いない基準用
の現像剤とは、同一条件の環境下に存在するため、両者
を同一条件で比較できる。したがって、この発明によれ
ば、外部環境の変動に影響されることなく、現像剤中の
トナー濃度を適正な一定範囲内に保つことができる。(Effects of the Invention) Since the developer used for image formation and the reference developer not used for image formation exist under the same environment, they can be compared under the same conditions. Therefore, according to the present invention, the toner concentration in the developer can be maintained within a certain appropriate range without being affected by changes in the external environment.

この発明の上述の目的、その他の目的、特徴および利点
は、図面を参照して行なう以下の実施例の詳細な説明か
ら一層明らかとなろう。The above objects, other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.

（実施例） 第１図は、この発明の一実施例を示す回路図である。ま
た、第２図は現像機の具体的構成を示す斜視図である。(Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. Further, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the specific structure of the developing machine.

特に第２図を参照して、現像剤を貯溜する横長の現像機
１０の内部は、仕切７によって２つの部分に仕切られて
いる。そして、図において右側の部分には、通常の画像
形成に用いる現像剤１　（第１図）が貯溜され、左側の
部分には画像形成に用いない予め定める基準トナー濃度
の基準用の現像剤２（第１図）が貯溜される。Particularly with reference to FIG. 2, the interior of the horizontally elongated developing machine 10 that stores developer is partitioned into two parts by a partition 7. As shown in FIG. In the right part of the figure, a developer 1 (Fig. 1) used for normal image formation is stored, and in the left part, a reference developer 2 with a predetermined standard toner concentration that is not used for image formation is stored. (Fig. 1) is stored.

現像機１０の内部には、その長さ方向に仕切られた両部
分を貫いてマグローラ８が設けられている。マグローラ
８の中心軸は電源電極３となっており、この電源電極３
には電源９から電圧が印加されている。また、現像機１
０の側壁付近には、仕切られた両部分のそれぞれに対応
して、濃度検出電極４および５が設けられている。この
濃度検出電極４には電源電極３から成る抵抗値を有する
画像形成用現像剤１を介して成る電流が流れる。A mag roller 8 is provided inside the developing machine 10, passing through both parts partitioned in the length direction. The central axis of the mag roller 8 is a power supply electrode 3, and this power supply electrode 3
A voltage is applied from a power supply 9 to . In addition, developing machine 1
Concentration detection electrodes 4 and 5 are provided near the side wall of 0, corresponding to each of the partitioned portions. A current flows through the density detection electrode 4 via the image forming developer 1 having a resistance value made up of the power supply electrode 3.

同様に、濃度検出電極５には、電源電極３から所定の抵
抗値を有する基準用の現像剤２を介して所定の電流が流
れる。このような各現像剤１，２の抵抗値は、該現像剤
のトナー濃度に関連する一定の比例式で求められること
が知られている。この実施例では、基準用現像剤２のト
ナー濃度は予め定める基準トナー濃度とされており、し
たがって濃度検出電極５に現れる電流が基準電流として
定められる。そして、この濃度検出電極５の基準電流は
、所定の抵抗回路を介して電圧に変換されてコンパレー
タ６の＋側に基準電圧として与えられる。Similarly, a predetermined current flows through the concentration detection electrode 5 from the power supply electrode 3 via the reference developer 2 having a predetermined resistance value. It is known that the resistance value of each of the developers 1 and 2 is determined by a certain proportional equation related to the toner concentration of the developer. In this embodiment, the toner concentration of the reference developer 2 is set to a predetermined reference toner density, and therefore the current appearing at the density detection electrode 5 is determined as the reference current. The reference current of the concentration detection electrode 5 is converted into a voltage via a predetermined resistance circuit and applied to the + side of the comparator 6 as a reference voltage.

一方、画像形成用現像剤のトナー濃度は、複写によるト
ナー消費に従って変動し、それゆえ濃度検出電極４に現
れる電流もそれに比例して変化する。そして、この電流
変化は、所定の抵抗回路を介して電圧変化としてコンパ
レータ６の一側に比較電圧として与えられる。On the other hand, the toner concentration of the image forming developer changes as the toner is consumed by copying, and therefore the current appearing at the density detection electrode 4 also changes in proportion to it. Then, this current change is applied as a voltage change to one side of the comparator 6 as a comparison voltage via a predetermined resistance circuit.

コンパレータ６では、基準用現像剤２に基づく基準電圧
と、画像形成用現像剤１に基づく比較電圧とを比較する
。そして、その比較出力により画像形成用現像剤１にト
ナーを供給するべきか否かが決定される。The comparator 6 compares a reference voltage based on the reference developer 2 and a comparison voltage based on the image forming developer 1. Then, based on the comparison output, it is determined whether or not toner should be supplied to the image forming developer 1.

すなわち、画像形成用現像剤１のトナー濃度が十分に濃
く、基準トナー濃度の基準用現像剤２よりも濃いときは
、濃度検出電極４によって検出される比較電圧は、濃度
検出電極５によって検出される基準電圧より低く、した
がってコンパレータ６の出力はハイレベルとなり、出力
端子ＯＵＴの出力がローレベルとなり、トナーは補給さ
れない。That is, when the toner density of the image forming developer 1 is sufficiently high and is higher than that of the reference developer 2 having the reference toner density, the comparison voltage detected by the density detection electrode 4 is not detected by the density detection electrode 5. Therefore, the output of the comparator 6 becomes a high level, the output of the output terminal OUT becomes a low level, and toner is not replenished.

逆に、画像形成用現像剤１中のトナーが消費され、基準
用現像剤２のトナー濃度よりもそのトナー濃度が薄くな
れば、濃度検出電極４によって検出される電圧が濃度検
出電極５によって検出された電圧より高くなって、コン
パレータ６の出力がローレベルに反転し、したがって出
力端子ＯＵＴからハイレベル信号が導出されて、たとえ
ばトナーホッパの下部に設けられたスポンジローラのよ
うなトナー供給ローラ（図示せず）が駆動され、画像形
成用現像剤１中にトナーが供給される。Conversely, when the toner in the image forming developer 1 is consumed and the toner concentration becomes lower than that of the reference developer 2, the voltage detected by the density detection electrode 4 is detected by the density detection electrode 5. The output voltage of the comparator 6 is inverted to low level, and therefore a high level signal is derived from the output terminal OUT. (not shown) is driven, and toner is supplied into the image forming developer 1.

この場合、画像形成用現像剤１のトナー濃度すなわちそ
の抵抗値の変化は、同一環境下にある基準用現像剤２と
の比較によって検出されているため、湿度などの外部環
境の変化に対し影響を受けることは極めて少ない。した
がって、この検出結果は周囲環境に影響されない正確な
ものとなる。In this case, changes in the toner concentration of the image forming developer 1, that is, its resistance value, are detected by comparison with the reference developer 2 in the same environment, so changes in the external environment such as humidity may affect the toner concentration. Very rarely do they receive it. Therefore, this detection result is accurate and unaffected by the surrounding environment.

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

第１図はこの発明の一実施例を示す回路図である。 第２図はこの実施例に用いられ得る現像機の一例を示す
斜視図である。 図において、１は画像形成用現像剤、２は基準用現像剤
、３は電源電極、４．５は濃度検出電極、６はコンパレ
ータ、７は現像機内の仕切を示す。 特許出願人　　三洋電機株式会社 代理人　弁理士　山　１）義　人 （ほか１名）FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a developing machine that can be used in this embodiment. In the figure, 1 is an image forming developer, 2 is a reference developer, 3 is a power supply electrode, 4.5 is a concentration detection electrode, 6 is a comparator, and 7 is a partition inside the developing machine. Patent applicant Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. agent Patent attorney Yama 1) Yoshito (and 1 other person)

Claims (1)

【特許請求の範囲】 １　現像機内に貯溜された画像形成に用いる画像形成用
現像剤のトナー濃度を制御するための装置であって、 前記画像形成用現像剤とは別に貯溜されて画像形成に用
いない基準用現像剤、 前記画像形成用現像剤のトナー濃度と、前記基準用現像
剤のトナー濃度とを比較する比較手段、および 前記比較手段の出力に基づいて前記画像形成用現像剤の
トナー濃度を制御する制御手段とを含む、トナー濃度制
御装置。 ２　前記現像機は仕切部材を有し、前記基準用現像剤は
、前記画像形成用現像剤と同じ現像機内であってかつ前
記仕切部材で仕切られて貯溜されている、特許請求の範
囲第１項記載のトナー濃度制御装置。[Scope of Claims] 1. A device for controlling the toner concentration of an image forming developer stored in a developing machine and used for image formation, the toner concentration being stored separately from the image forming developer and used for image formation. a reference developer that is not used, a comparison means for comparing the toner concentration of the image forming developer and the toner concentration of the reference developer, and a toner of the image forming developer based on the output of the comparing means. A toner density control device, comprising: a control means for controlling density. 2. The developing machine has a partition member, and the reference developer is stored in the same developing machine as the image forming developer and partitioned by the partition member. The toner density control device described in .
JP10896685A 1985-05-20 1985-05-20 Toner concentration controlling device Pending JPS61267069A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP10896685A JPS61267069A (en) 1985-05-20 1985-05-20 Toner concentration controlling device

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP10896685A JPS61267069A (en) 1985-05-20 1985-05-20 Toner concentration controlling device

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
JPS61267069A true JPS61267069A (en) 1986-11-26

Family

ID=14498175

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
JP10896685A Pending JPS61267069A (en) 1985-05-20 1985-05-20 Toner concentration controlling device

Country Status (1)

Country Link
JP (1) JPS61267069A (en)

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