JPS6193470A - Developing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the error in the sequence of charging developer components by providing engaging parts to the 1st and 2nd sealing members so that the 2nd sealing member is unsealed after the unsealing operation of the 1st sealing member. CONSTITUTION:Slender apertures 46, 47 are sealed respectively by the 1st and 2nd sealing members 48, 49. The terminal 48d on the sealed side of the 1st sealing member 48 is adhered to the free end 49c of the turnup part 49a of the 2nd sealing member. The member 48 is unsealed and magnetic particles 20 are first charged into a developer supply vessel 14 when the end part 48c of the 1st sealing member is pulled. The nonmagnetic developer is charged into the vessel 14 when the 2nd sealing end part 49c pulled out by the terminal end 48d of the 1st sealing member is further pulled.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] The present invention utilizes a conventionally known appropriate principle φ process for electrophotography, electrostatic recording, magnetic recording, etc. to form a latent image on the surface of a photoreceptor Φ dielectric material, magnetic material, etc. The present invention relates to a developing device that visualizes electrical latent images such as electrostatic latent images and magnetic latent images using a dry developer (toner).

More specifically, at the beginning of the use of the apparatus, first the first developer component and then the second developer component are added to the developer supply container for 11 minutes.
The object of the present invention is to strictly prevent the wrong order of charging first and second developer components into a developer supply container in a system that is initially charged and put into operation.

The present applicant has previously developed a developing device of the type described above, in which magnetic particles are first introduced into a developer supply container as the first developer component, and the rotational formation is carried out using a rotationally driven developer holding member. Magnetic adsorption layer (first layer) on the inner surface of the developer supply container
Then, a non-magnetic developer is introduced as a second developer component and stored (second layer) on the outside of the magnetic particle magnetic adsorption layer to form a layer of non-magnetic developer on the surface of the developer-holding member. He proposed a system in which a latent image was developed by coating a thin layer of non-magnetic developer and applying the thin coating layer of a non-magnetic developer to the surface of a latent image carrier.
No. 28).

For convenience, this developing device will be explained below as an example.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the structure of this type developing device.

In the figure, 14 is a developer supply container, and 12 is a developing sleeve as a developer holding member. The developing sleeve 12 is a non-magnetic sleeve made of aluminum or the like, and its right circumferential surface is inserted into the container 14 through a horizontally elongated opening formed in a part of the left side wall of the developer supply container 14 in the longitudinal direction of the container. It is horizontally installed with its left half circumferential surface exposed to the outside of the container so that it can freely rotate on a bearing, and is driven to rotate in the counterclockwise direction as indicated by the arrow.

The developer holding member 12 is not limited to the above-mentioned cylindrical body (sleeve), but may be in the form of an endless belt that is driven five times. The surface of the developing sleeve 12 exposed outside the container faces the surface of a latent image holder 11, such as a photoreceptor, which is driven to move in the direction of arrow a, with a small gap therebetween.

Reference numeral 13 denotes a fixed permanent magnet (magnet) as a fixed magnetic field generating means that is inserted into the developing sleeve 12 and held in the position and orientation shown in the figure. It is maintained in the same position and posture.

This magnet 13 is N8i17. It has a magnetic pole of S pole 18.

The magnet 13 may be an electromagnet instead of a permanent magnet.

23 is attached to the upper edge side of the opening of the developer supply container in which the developing sleeve 12 is disposed. This is a magnetic blade as a magnetic particle restraining member disposed along the second-class longitudinal direction, and is made by, for example, bending an iron plate into a crosswise shape.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the attitude and angle relationship of the magnetic blade 23 with respect to the developing sleeve 12. 19 is a point on the sleeve defined downstream of the magnetic pole 12 in the rotational direction of the sleeve and upstream in the rotational direction of the sleeve from the upper edge position of the container opening in which the sleeve 12 is disposed; is the normal to the sleeve 12 at the point 19 position. The magnetic blade 23 has its distal end located at a point 19 with a gap [d] between the surface of the sleeve 12 and the center edge of the blade relative to the normal n of the sleeve 12 at the point 19. It is arranged toward the downstream side in the direction of movement of the sleeve with an angle δ formed with the vertical direction. 0 is the angle formed by the vertical line m passing through the rotation center of the sleeve 12 and the normal line n, P is the line connecting the rotation center of the sleeve 12 and the center of the magnetic pole 17, and π is the normal line P and the sail surface line m (position angle of the magnetic pole 17). The gap distance d between the tip of the magnetic blade 23 and the surface of the developing sleeve 12 at the point 19 is 100 to 1000JL, preferably 200JL to 200JL.
500 IL, which in this example is 300 IL. If the distance d is smaller than 1OOIL, there is a drawback that magnetic particles, which will be described later, become clogged and are pushed out of the blade. Also 1
If it is larger than 000μ, a large amount of non-magnetic developer (described later) will leak out due to vibration, making it impossible to form a thin layer.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 27 denotes a magnetic particle circulation area limiting member whose five surfaces are in contact with the upper surface of the magnetic blade 23 and whose front end surface 27a is an undercut surface.

Reference numerals 20 and 24 designate magnetic particles as a first developer component and non-magnetic developer as a second developer component, which are sequentially charged and housed in the developer supply container 14.

The bottom plate of the developer supply container 14 extends below the developing sleeve 12, which is a developer holding member, to prevent the developer from leaking to the outside. Further, in order to further ensure prevention of leakage of the developer to the outside, the extended bottom plate 14b
A leaked developer collecting member 14d for receiving and restraining leaked developer is disposed on the upper surface of the developer, and a developer scattering prevention member 21 is disposed along the length of the distal end edge of the extended bottom plate 14b. This member 21
A voltage of the same polarity as the developer is applied to.

The magnetic particles 20 have a particle size of 30 to 200 l, preferably 70 l.
~150 IL. Each magnetic particle may be made of only a magnetic material, a combination of a magnetic material and a non-magnetic material, or a mixture of two or more types of magnetic particles. sleeve 1
The lower edge 14a of the opening of the container made of a magnetic material having a magnet 2 arranged thereon is also attracted and held by the magnetic field of the magnet 13 in the sleeve 12 on each part of the sleeve surface area up to the tip of the magnetic blade 23, which is a magnetic particle restraining member, as a magnetic adsorption layer. The sleeve surface area is completely covered. The non-magnetic developer 24 is put into the container 14 after the magnetic particles 20 are put therein, and a large amount of the non-magnetic developer 24 is stored on the outside of the magnetic particle magnetic adsorption layer as a first layer for the sleeve 12.

The first magnetic particles 20 preferably contain non-magnetic developer in an amount of about 2 to 70% (by weight) based on the magnetic particles, but may only contain magnetic particles. Furthermore, if the magnetic particles 20 are adsorbed and held as a magnetic adsorption layer on the -H sleeve surface area, they will not substantially flow toward 11 even if the device is vibrated or the device is tilted considerably. It remains completely covered. When the magnetic particles 20 and the non-magnetic developer 24 are sequentially charged and housed in the container 14 as described above, the magnetic particle magnetic adsorption layer portion near the sleeve surface corresponding to the magnetic pole 17 position of the magnet 13 is The strong magnetic field of the magnetic pole 17 forms a magnetic brush 20a of magnetic particles. In addition, even when the sleeve 12 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow, the magnetic particle magnetic adsorption portion near the tip of the magnetic blade 23, which is a magnetic particle restraining member, exerts a restraining force based on the magnetic force and the effect of the presence of the magnetic blade 23. Due to the balance between this and the conveying force in the moving direction of the sleeve 12, the sleeve 12 is restrained at the point 19 on the surface thereof, forming a stationary layer 20b that can move to some extent but is almost immobile. Also, when the sleeve 12 is rotated in the direction shown by the arrow, the magnetic pole 1
By appropriately selecting the arrangement position of the magnetic particles 7 and the fluidity and magnetic properties of the magnetic particles 20, the magnetic brush 20a can
It circulates in the direction of arrow C near , forming a circulating layer 20c. In the circulation layer 20c, as the sleeve 12 rotates, the magnetic particles relatively close to the sleeve 12 rise from the vicinity of the m-pole 17 onto the stationary layer 20b on the downstream side of the rotation of the sleeve. In other words, it receives a force that pushes it upward.

The upper limit of the circulation area of the pushed-up magnetic particles is determined by the magnetic particle circulation area limiting member 27 provided on the upper part of the magnetic blade 23.
3. Without climbing up, it falls due to gravity and returns to the vicinity of the magnetic pole 17.

In this case, magnetic particles that are located far from the sleeve surface and receive a small push-up force may fall before reaching the magnetic particle circulation area limiting member 27. In other words, in the circulation layer 20c, the magnetic brush 20a of magnetic particles is circulated as shown by the arrow C due to the magnetic force and frictional force due to gravity and magnetic poles, and the fluidity (viscosity) of the magnetic particles, and the magnetic brush 20a circulates during this W4 ring. The magnetic blade 23 sequentially takes in the non-magnetic developer 24 from the developer layer above the magnetic particle layer, returns it to the lower part of the developer supply container 14, and repeats this circulation as the sleeve 12 is rotated. It is not directly involved in this cycle.

The non-magnetic developer that is successively taken in and mixed into the magnetic particle magnetic adsorption layer on the surface of the sleeve 12 is charged by friction with the magnetic particles due to the flow of the magnetic particles, friction with the surface of the developing sleeve, etc. In this case, preferably, the surface of the magnetic particles is subjected to an insulating treatment such as oxidation or a resin that is at the same electrostatic level as the non-magnetic developer.
By reducing the amount of tripo imparted by the magnetic particles and allowing the developing sleeve 12 to receive the necessary charge, it is possible to prevent the effects of deterioration of the magnetic particles and to stabilize the developer layer -h on the developing sleeve 12.・：；? Since the electrified developer is non-magnetic, it is not restrained by the magnetic field of the magnetic pole 17, and while the sleeve surface rotates from the lower edge 14a of the container opening where the sleeve 12 is disposed to the tip of the magnetic blade 23, Due to the mirroring force, each part of the sleeve surface is coated uniformly and thinly. Even when the sleeve 12 is rotating, the magnetic particles in the magnetic particle stationary layer 20b near the tip of the magnetic blade 23 have a restraining force based on gravity, magnetic force, and the effect of the presence of the magnetic blade 23, as described above. The coating of the non-magnetic developer formed on the surface of the sleeve 12 does not pass through the gap d between the tip of the magnetic blade 23 and the sleeve 12 due to the balance with the conveyance force in the moving direction of the sleeve 12. As the sleeve 12 rotates, only one layer passes through the gap d and rotates toward the latent image carrier 11 to come close to face the surface of the latent image carrier 11. Reference numeral 24a indicates a thin coating layer of non-magnetic developer formed on the surface of the developing sleeve 12. Further, the close facing portion of the developing sleeve 12 on which the thin layer of the non-magnetic developer is formed and the latent image holder 11 is connected to the developing section 30.
It is called.

In the developing section 30, the non-magnetic developer layer 24a on the surface side of the developing sleeve 12 is applied to the surface of the latent image carrier 11 by the electric field of the developing bias applied between the latent image carrier 11 and the developing sleeve 12 by the bias voltage source 25. The latent images are selectively transferred and adhered in accordance with the latent image pattern, and the latent images are sequentially developed 24b (for this developing method, see, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 58-32375). The bias power source 25 may be an alternating current or a direct current, but it is preferably one in which alternating current and direct current are superimposed.

The surface of the developing sleeve that has passed through the developing section 30 and been consumed by selective development of the developer layer returns to the developer supply container 14 by the subsequent rotational drive of the sleeve, where it is once again formed into a magnetic particle magnetic adsorption layer. The cycle of contacting and being coated with the non-magnetic developer contained in the layer is repeated, and the surface of the latent image carrier 11 is continuously developed. As described above, the magnetic particle magnetic adsorption layer is provided with the magnetic particle circulation layer 2.
Due to 0c, the developer is sequentially taken in from the storage layer of non-magnetic developer 24 existing outside of the layer 0c, and is naturally replenished. In order to prevent the so-called ghost image phenomenon of the developing sleeve, the developer layer that has not been subjected to development is scraped off from the surface of the developing sleeve that has been rotated back into the container 14 with a -H scraper means (not shown). It is also preferable to bring the surface of the sleeve from which the developer layer has been scraped off into contact with the magnetic particle magnetic adsorption layer so that the developer is coated.

The non-magnetic developer 24 may be externally supplemented with silica particles to improve fluidity or abrasive particles for polishing the surface of the latent image carrier 1 or photoreceptor in a transfer-type image forming apparatus, for example. Good too. Alternatively, a non-magnetic developer 24 containing a small amount of magnetic particles may be used.

Thus, the developing device of the above example has a sufficient amount of charge on each part of the non-magnetic developer with respect to the surface of the developer holding member, and
Moreover, it is possible to form a stable coating over a long period of time as a uniform thin layer.

Therefore, this thin developer layer allows the WJ image on the surface of the latent image carrier to be developed clearly and with good resolution.

In addition, since magnetic developers can produce vivid colors, high-quality color copies (RRI) with excellent color reproducibility can be obtained.
color, multicolor, natural color) can be obtained. In addition, since the magnetic particle restraining member is tilted toward the downstream side in the moving direction of the developer holding member, the magnetic field in the tangential direction can be stronger than the magnetic field in the normal direction on the developer holding member, and the magnetic particle circulation area limiting member Combined with the stable circulation of magnetic particles,? It is possible to prevent blocking of the developer, fusion of the developer, leakage of the magnetic particles, etc. in the a-type particle restraining material. Therefore, a pressure fixing toner can also be used as the developer.

By the way, in an apparatus such as the above example in which the developer components are added to the developer supply container in a specific order, if the order of injection is incorrect, a good developing effect cannot be obtained. Regarding the above-mentioned example device, if the non-magnetic developer 24 is placed first in the developer supply container 14 and then the magnetic particles 20 are placed in the developer supply container 14 in the wrong order, in principle, the developing sleeve 12
Not only is it impossible to form a uniform thin layer of non-magnetic developer on each part of the surface, but the developer is also deposited in the gap between the developing sleeve 12 and the magnetic blade 23, and between the developing sleeve 12 and the opening of the container. From the gap between the lower edge 14a
Otherwise, it will leak out of the container and scatter.

The present invention has been devised to strictly prevent such mistakes in the order of loading.

FIG. 3 and ftIJ4 show the configuration of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Components common to those in the device shown in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals and repeated explanations will be omitted. In FIG. 3, 40 contains a storage chamber 41 for a first developer component and a second storage chamber 41 for storing a first developer component.
The first storage chamber 41 contains magnetic particles 20 (magnetic particles only, or a mixture of magnetic particles and non-magnetic developer), and the second storage chamber 41 contains two storage chambers 42 for developer components. A magnetic particle/developer storage container (hereinafter referred to as "magnetic particle/developer storage container") in which a non-magnetic developer 24 (the developer alone or a small amount of magnetic particles, other flow aids, abrasives, etc. are externally added) is contained in a container 42. storage container).

A flange 43 is provided around the lower part of the storage container 40 and extends outward, and a flange 14C is provided on the outer peripheral edge of the upper opening of the developer supply container 14 of the developing device.
Overlap both flages 43 and 14c with screws 4
4 etc., the storage container 40 is mounted on the developer supply container 14 by connecting it to the body.

A first storage chamber 41 in which the magnetic particles 20 are enclosed and stored in the storage container 40 is partitioned on the left side of the container 40.
A second spacer chamber 4 containing a non-magnetic developer 24;
The crosspiece 42 is small, but has enough capacity to accommodate the magnetic particles 20. When the storage container 40 is attached to the opening on two sides of the developer supply container 14 as described above, the first storage chamber 41 that accommodates 11 magnetic particles 20 is limited to the magnetic particle circulation area within the developer supply container 14. At a position approximately directly above the member 27, place 1+'? The relationship structure is such that

First and second elongated openings 46 and 47 are formed in the bottom plate 45 of the storage container 40 in the surface portions corresponding to the first storage chamber 41 and the second storage chamber 42 in the longitudinal direction of the chambers, respectively. They are normally sealed by first and second seal members 48 and 49, respectively. The first and second sealing members 48 @ 49 have a width larger than that of the first and second openings 46 and 47, a length more than twice the length of each opening, and have strong tensile strength and flexibility. FIG. 4 shows the seal members 48-49 in an unsealed state, which are elongated tape-like products (for example, tape-like cut products of synthetic resin sheets).

Figure 5 shows text and [
The procedure for applying the seal members 48 and 49 is shown below.

ni゛6) 4 'Jri1 sword, '-, also 4shif-uichi:
M: ii-copper, seven.

That is, the first opening 46 has a length of the seal member corresponding to the length of the first opening 046 from one end side of the first tape-shaped seal member 48 with respect to the entire length of the opening. The edge of the length of the seal member is attached to the lower surface of the bottom plate around the opening 46 by means such as heat sealing to create a sealed state, and the remaining length of the seal member 48a is the length of the seal member pasted above. Fold back toward the tip of the section. 48b indicates the folded portion.

On the other hand, the second opening 47 is also sealed with a second tape-shaped sealing member 49 in the same manner as the first opening 46. Furthermore, the sealed end 48d of the first sealing member 48 is glued to the free end 49c of the folded back gR49a of the second sealing member. In this state, storage container 4
0 into the developing device. When installed in the developing device, only the end 48c of the first sealing member is exposed outside the device, and when the user pulls the first sealing member end 48c, the first sealing member 48 is first opened. First, the magnetic particles 20 are put into the developer supply container 14.

The first sealing member 48 is sequentially peeled off from the folded portion 48b, and when the terminal end 48d is finally pulled out, the end 49c of the second sealing member hidden inside the developing device is simultaneously pulled out. The user further inserts the second seal end 49c pulled out by the terminal end 48d of the first seal member: As shown in FIG. Since the non-magnetic developer is supplied, there is no possibility that the non-magnetic developer will leak out of the developer container and scatter.

6 is a side view of a developing device showing another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing how the sealing member is applied. In FIG. The first sealing part Oj is made of a thin plate of synthetic resin or metal, and is inserted into the grooves 52 and 53 between the container 40 and the developing container 14 so that the handle part 50a protrudes to the outside of the developing device. .

51 is a second sealing member that covers the second opening 47;
It is made of the same material as the sealing member 50, and is inserted into the grooves 53 and 54 so that almost the entirety thereof is hidden inside the developing device. When the user first starts using the device, the user first pulls the handle 50a to open the first sealing member 50, and then inserts 2° of r magnetic particles into the developer supply container 14. When the first seal member 50 is pulled out, the protrusion 50b provided at the rear end engages with the second protrusion 51a of the second seal member 51, and the end 51b of the second seal member 51 is pulled out of the developing device. The user pulls out this second seal member end 51b.
the second seal member 51 is opened, and the non-magnetic developer 24 is poured into the container 14 from the storage chamber 42. In this way, magnetic particles and non-magnetic developer can be placed into the container 14 without any mistake in order, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 described above.

As described above, according to the present invention, with a simple configuration, it is possible to prevent the user from making a mistake in the order in which the two types of developer are added. Furthermore, since the second seal can be opened only after the first seal member has been completely pulled out, the non-magnetic developer can be introduced after the magnetic particles have reliably covered the developing sleeve. , scattering, and other problems can be prevented.

In addition, although an example using two types of developer, magnetic particles and non-magnetic developer, was described in the non-example, the present invention is not limited to the type of developer at all. In addition, a single-use type developing device in which a storage container 40 for magnetic particles and non-magnetic developer is integrated with a developer supply container 14 has been described as an example. It can also be applied to a separately replaceable replenishment cartridge.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figure 1 is a side view of essential parts of an example of a developing device, Figure 2 is an explanatory view of the orientation and angle of the developing sleeve and repellent giblade of the device, and Figure 3 is the state before magnetic particles and non-magnetic developer are introduced. A side view of the developing device, FIG. 4 is a side view of the developing device after loading,
Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the bottom plate of the storage container and the sealing member;
The figure is a side view of another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the storage container and sealing member. In the figure, 14 is a developer container. 20 is magnetic grain E, 24 is non-magnetic developer. 41 is a storage chamber for magnetic particles. 42 is a storage chamber for non-magnetic developer, 48 and 50 are first seal members, and 49 and 51 are second seal members. represents. Figure 4

Claims (1)

[Claims] A first developer storage section and a second developer storage section provided in parallel with the first developer storage section.
a developer storage section, and first and second seal members that cover the respective openings of the first and second storage sections, and after the first seal member is opened, the second seal member is opened. A developing device characterized in that engaging portions are provided on the first and second seal members for unsealing the members.