JPS62299875A - Developing device and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To supply toner onto a developing roller and to eliminate problems such as a toner history and fogging by providing a supply means for a developer contacting an endless developer carrier at relative speed and a means which scatters the developer on the supply means onto the developer carrier. CONSTITUTION:The developer 33 is scatted and stuck on the developing roller 39 with the restitutive force of a fur brush 40 when the tip of the fur brush 40 in a deformed state passes by a fixed plate 44 through the rotation of the fur brush 40. In such a case, a voltage from a 2nd high voltage power source 48 is applied between the developing roller 39 and fur brush 40 to adjust the thickness of the layer of the developer 33 charged electrostatically on the surface of the developing roller 39. Further, when a voltage is applied by a 2nd DC high voltage power source 48 between, for example, the developing roller 39 and fur brush 40 so that the side of the fur brush 40 is on a plus side, only the developer 33 which is charged positively is selected even if there are particles which are not charged or charged to the opposite polarity in the developer 33, and the selected developer 33 is used for development. Thus, an excellent image is obtained.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 3. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and its developing device, such as a detailed description of the present invention.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, developing methods using dry developers are broadly divided into two types: methods using two-component developers and methods using one-component developers.

The method using a two-component developer uses a mixed developer of carrier and toner/toner, which requires a toner concentration control device to keep the mixture ratio of toner and carrier constant, and periodic replacement due to carrier deterioration. It has the following disadvantages. Therefore, recently, in order to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks, a developing method using only a one-component developer without using a carrier has been proposed. This developing method is described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 54-43038.
No. 56-110963, U.S. Patent No. 4,083,326, JP-A-56-110963
There are those shown in Publication No. 2260, etc., and No. 16
The configuration is shown in FIGS. 17, 18, and 19.

In Figure 16 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 54-43038),
1 is a developing roller, 2 is a toner, 3 is a hopper, 4 is a blade, and 5 is a photoreceptor. The developing roller 1 is made of a metal material with an uneven surface, and is supplied with toner 2 from a hopper 3 . Next, when the developing roller 1 rotates in the direction of the arrow, the toner 2 is charged to a predetermined polarity by the blade 4 in sliding contact with the surface of the developing roller 1 and coated on the surface of the developing roller 1. Next, the charged toner 2 flies when it faces the electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 5 for page 11, and is developed.

In FIG. 17 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 58-110963), 6 is a photoreceptor, and 7 is a developing roller 3a made of a conductive urethane material that is in M contact with the photoreceptor 6.

8b is a conductive fur brush, and 8a is a developing roller 7.
It is tangent to m. Numeral 9 is a power source that applies voltage to the fur brush 8a18b and the developing roller 7, 10 is a voltage divider that adjusts the voltage of the power source 9, and 11 is a hopper that stores toner 12. From hopper 11 to fur brush 8b
The toner 12 supplied to the fur brushes 8b to 8a
The developing roller 7'' is coated from the fur brush 8n by the voltage of the power source 9, and then adheres to the electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 6 and is developed. If a predetermined development density is not obtained as a result of this development, adjustment is made using the voltage divider 10.

In FIG. 18 (U.S. Pat. No. 4,083,326), 13 is a developing roller in sliding contact with the photoreceptor, 14 is toner, 15 is a hopper, 16 is a blade, 17 is a sheet-like photoreceptor, 18. 19 is a conductive fur brush that slides into contact with the developing roller 13; 20 is a first power source that applies voltage to the hopper 15 and the conductive fur brush 18; and 21 is a voltage that is applied to the conductive fur brush 18 and the developing roller 7. Second to do
It is the power source. Further, the voltage applied by the second power supply 21 is
The voltage is set higher than the voltage applied by the first power source 20 and lower than the voltage of the electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 17.

The toner 14 is triboelectrically charged by the fur brush 18.
Due to the potential difference between the hopper 15 and the second power source 20.21, the photoconductor 1 is supplied from the hopper 15 to the developing roller 13 via the conductive fur brush 18, and then smoothed by the blade 16.
It adheres to the electrostatic latent image No. 7 and develops it. Next, the toner 14 on the developing roller 18 after development is scraped off by a conductive fur brush 19.

FIG. 19 shows (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 58-152260), 22 is a developing roller, 23 is a toner, 24 is an elastic scraping plate that easily scrapes off the toner 23 on the developing roller 22 after development, and 20 is the developer supply device,
Reference numeral 25 denotes a photoreceptor, and 26a and 26b represent charging devices, each of which is comprised of a conductive steel wire brush and scrapers 27a and 27h. The toner 23 whose amount is controlled by the developer supply device 20 is stored in the steel wire brushes of the charging devices 26a and 26b, and then the steel wire brush 26a
, 26b deforms the tips of the brushes that come into contact with the scrapers 27a and 27b, and then the scrapers 27a and 26b deform.
, 27b, the brush flies and adheres onto the developing roller 22 due to the returning force of the brush. Next, when the toner on the developing roller 22 faces the photoreceptor 25, it adheres to the electrostatic latent image and develops it. Next, the toner 23 on the developing roller 221- after development is scraped off by the scraping plate 24, and the scraped off toner 23 is collected by one steel wire brush 26b.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, all of these methods have problems in terms of toner supply to the developing roller, toner history, and fog, making it difficult to reproduce high-quality images, and furthermore, large-sized There was a problem of high cost and high cost.

That is, in the case shown in FIG. 16, the toner on the surface layer on the developing roller comes into contact with the blade and is triboelectrically charged, but the toner below the surface layer that does not come into contact with the blade is not triboelectrically charged. If toner is allowed to fly and develop in this state, the uncharged toner may scatter and contaminate the device, adhere to non-image areas and cause fog, or cause the toner on the developing roller after development. Since the toner was not scraped off, there were problems such as development history occurring on the developing roller.

Regarding the devices shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, since the developing roller slides or presses against the photoreceptor to perform development, there is a problem in that the photoreceptor may be scratched or fogged. Since the amount of toner supplied was small, a power source was required to apply voltage to the fur brush and the developing roller 7. Furthermore, the structure was a double navy blue because two fur brushes were used to supply toner and scrape off the toner.

15<-ji Regarding the device shown in FIG. 18, when the toner on the developing roller after development is scraped off with a scraping plate, the toner flies onto the photoreceptor in the direction of the arrow, causing toner spillage and fogging. Furthermore, the structure was complicated because toner supply and toner scraping were performed using a developer supply device that controlled the amount of toner, a charging device composed of two steel wire brushes and a scraper, and a scraping plate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a developing device which solves the conventional problems and can obtain high-quality images without problems such as toner supply to the developing roller, toner history, and fog with a simple and inexpensive configuration. shall be.

Means for Solving the Problems ゛The developing device of the present invention includes an endless developer carrier,
a supply means for supplying the developer in contact with the developer carrier at a relative speed; and a supply means for supplying the developer on the supply means upstream of the contact position with respect to the moving direction of the supply means to the developer carrier. The first one is equipped with a flight means for supplying flight to the top.

The developer on the supply means for supplying the working developer is made to fly and adhere to the developer carrier by the flying means, and then the developer is caused to fly by the electric field between the latent image carrier and the developer carrier to perform development. . Next, the developer on the developer carrier after development is scraped off by a supply means that supplies the developer that is in contact with the developer carrier at a relative speed. Therefore, it is possible to obtain high-quality images without problems with toner supply onto the developing roller, toner history, and fog with a simple and inexpensive configuration.

Embodiment FIGS. 1 to 15 show a developing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, which is an example used for developing an electrophotographic copying machine. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 28 denotes a latent image holding member such as electrostatic recording paper or a photosensitive drum. In this embodiment, the latent image holder 28 is a photosensitive drum having a photoconductor 29b made of zinc oxide, selenium, an organic photoconductive material, etc. supported on the surface of an aluminum base 29a. Reference numeral 30 denotes a charger which charges the photoconductor 29b of the photoconductor 29b by applying a negative corona in the case of zinc oxide and a positive corona in the case of Zinc oxide, using a first DC high voltage power supply 31. The entire surface is charged. Reference numeral 32 denotes an optical section that projects a patterned optical image onto the photosensitive drum 28 to form an electrostatic latent image. A developer 33 is a normal one-component insulating toner. Note that the developer 33 may be a magnetic toner or a non-magnetic toner.

Reference numeral 34 denotes a housing having an outlet portion 35 at one end and a replenishment opening 36 at the other end, and housing the developer 33.

37 is a lid of the replenishment opening 36 of the refill 34. 3
8 is a sheet-like elastic member made of, for example, a sheet-like polyethylene terephthalate or the like with a thickness of about 40 μm;
One end thereof is fixed to one side 37a of the lid 37. Further, when the lid 37 is removed, the elastic member 38 is in the restored state as shown in FIG. 2, and when the 1f 37 is attached, it is in the bent state as shown in FIG. Reference numeral 39 denotes a developing roller which is a developer carrier. For example, a metal roller made of stainless steel or aluminum or a roller whose surface is coated with resin is used. Preferably, as shown in FIG. The outer peripheral surfaces 39a and 39b of both ends are smooth, and the center surface 39c has a rough surface with fine irregularities. Further, the developing roller 89 is disposed at the outlet portion 35 with a certain gap from the photosensitive drum 28, and rotates counterclockwise, for example, as shown in FIG. 40 is a fur brush which is a cylindrical elastic body, a roller made of sponge, etc., and a layer of elastic material 42 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the core metal 41. In this embodiment, the cylindrical elastic body 40 is a fur brush, and the elastic material 42 is made of conductive fur using carbon-containing rayon fibers.

Further, the fur brush 40 is disposed within the developer 33 of the day break 34, makes sliding contact with the surface of the developing roller 39, and is rotated counterclockwise, for example, to scrape off the developer 33 on the developing roller 39 after development. . Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, the fibers of the fur brush 40 are formed into a spiral shape in a direction in which the developer 33 moves from the outer periphery at both ends of the fur brush 40 to the center when the fur brush 40 rotates.

Reference numeral 43 denotes a scraping plate that slides into sliding contact 19 with the fur brush 40 and returns the developer 33 in the fur brush 40 after the development into the transparent body 34. Furthermore, fur brush 40
The developer 33 is stirred, and the fur brush 40 and the developer 3 are stirred.
3. Frictional charging is performed by friction. A fixed plate 44 is a flying means, and is brought into contact with the outer periphery of the fur brush 40 on the upstream side of the contact position with respect to the moving direction of the fur brush 40, and as shown in FIG.
It is provided at the end 34 so as to deform the tip.

Therefore, when the fur brush 40 rotates and passes through the fixed plate 44, the developer 33 can be caused to fly and adhere onto the developing roller 89 by the return force of the fur brush 40. A partition plate 45 prevents uncharged developer 33 from reaching the vicinity of the developing roller 39 and fur brush 40, and also prevents the developer 33 from stagnation. Reference numeral 46 shown in FIG. 3 is a bearing for the developing roller 39, and reference numeral 47 is a bearing for the fur brush 40.

Reference numeral 48 denotes a second DC high-voltage power source serving as a voltage applying means, which applies a voltage between the developing roller 39 and the fur brush 40. A detection means 49 detects the current value of the second DC high voltage power supply 48 and detects the presence or absence of the developer 33.

A blade 50 is a layer thickness regulating means for regulating the layer thickness of the developer 33. In this embodiment, a rubber blade made of an elastic material of urethane rubber is used, but other rubber materials or polyethylene may be used as the blade material. It may be made of an elastic synthetic resin such as terephthalate, an elastic metal such as phosphor bronze or spring steel, or an elastic metal or synthetic resin coated with a fluororesin.

Further, the blade 50 is provided in pressure contact with the surface of the developing roller 39 on the first flow side of the developer 33 portion of the housing 34 in the rotational direction of the developing roller 39 and on the upstream side of the portion facing the photosensitive drum 28. be. Furthermore, the width of the blade 50 is
As shown in FIG. 3, outer circumferential surfaces 39a at both ends of the developing roller 39
, 39b. 51 and 52 are sealing materials for preventing leakage of the developer 83, such as felt,
It is made of elastic material such as sponge or rubber. Further, the sealing materials 51 and 52 are the outer circumferential surfaces 39a at both ends of the developing roller 39,
39b and both end surfaces of the blade 50, and is 21 easy. Note that the fur brush 40 may be insulative or conductive, but if a conductive material is used, the second DC high voltage power supply 48
Since the voltage applied to the fur brush 40 is low, the amount of toner supplied to the developing roller 39 can be adjusted, and the voltage applied to the fur brush 40 is low, making the device inexpensive and highly safe. Considering safety, it is preferable to use a conductive material with a specific resistance of about 1 dOΩcW1 or less.

The fur brush 40 may be made of not only conductive rayon fiber as in this embodiment, but also other conductive fibers, or a fur brush made by electrostatic flocking may be used to make the coating uniform. It is also effective to use

Furthermore, it goes without saying that the aforementioned effects of frictional charging, coating, etc. can be effectively performed even if a conductive sponge, conductive cloth, or soft wire brush is used as the elastic material '042 of the cylindrical elastic body 40. .

The operation of the developing device of the first embodiment configured as described above will be explained.

Here, in order to make the operation easier to understand, the photosensitive drum 28
The upper photoconductor 29b is made of zinc oxide, and the cylindrical 22Taj elastic body 40 is made of an elastic material 42 on an aluminum core 41.
About 3,600 rayon fibers containing carbon and having a specific resistance of about ICfΩcyt were implanted to form a fur brush, and the depth of the uneven portion on the surface of the developing roller 39 was H = 5 μmRm.
ax, the photosensitive drum 28 and the developing roller 39 are rotated at the same circumferential speed, and the gap therebetween is set to 0.15 mm, and the developer 38 is a normal positively charged non-magnetic component toner with an average particle size of 1 μm. The experiment was conducted using the following.

In FIG. 1, a first high-voltage DC power supply 81 is connected to the charger 3o.
A high voltage of about -6 kV is applied, and the entire surface of the photosensitive drum 28 is negatively charged to about -600 cm by a negative corona. Next, if a reflected image (pattern light image) of the document irradiated by a halogen lamp or the like is projected by the optical section 32 onto the negatively charged photosensitive drum 28, the portion corresponding to the non-image area of the document on the photosensitive drum 28 will be exposed to the reflected light. The charge is removed to a residual potential close to OV, forming a positive electrostatic latent image. During this time, the developer 33 in the housing 34 is supplied into the fur brush 23 40 by the rotation of the fur brush 40, and is positively charged by being agitated by the rotation. Next, as the fur brush 40 rotates, the tip of the fur brush 40 passes through the fixing plate 44 from the eight deformed states as shown in FIG. At this time, a voltage is applied between the developing roller 39 and the fur brush 40 by the second DC high voltage power source 48 to adjust the layer thickness of the charged developer 33 on the surface of the developing roller 39. The second DC high-voltage power supply 48 can apply a voltage of ±30V to approximately 250V to adjust the layer thickness. At this time, for example, if a voltage with the fur brush 40 side being positive is applied between the developing roller 89 and the fur brush 40 by the second DC high voltage power supply 48, the developer 33 is moved away from the fur brush 4o by the dark electric field. When transferred to the developing roller 39, the developer 33
For example, even if there is developer 33 that is uncharged or charged with the opposite sign, uncharged developer or charged developer is difficult to be transferred, and only normally charged developer 33 is sorted out and contributes to development. . Therefore, a good image can be obtained. In this developing state, there is a suitable amount of developer 33 in the fur brush 40, and therefore the contact resistance between the fur brush 40 and the developing roller 39 is high, so the current value of the detection means 49 is small. Next, the developing process is repeated, and the transparent body 34 is
When the developer 33 inside the fur brush 40 and the developer 33 inside the fur brush 40 are used up, the contact resistance described above decreases and the current value of the detection means 49 increases. Therefore, the presence or absence of the developer 33 in the transparent body 34 can be detected based on the current value of the detection means 49. Further, the elastic member 38 repeats the development process, and when the amount of the developer 38 in the cover body 34 decreases, it is displaced as shown in FIG. 6 by its own restoring force, and constantly transfers the developer 83 to the fur brush 4. bias in the direction of .

Therefore, even if the angle of inclination of the bottom surface of the holder 34 is made small, the developer 33 of the holder 34 can be supplied to the fur brush 40 without any problem until the end. Therefore, the amount of developer 33 in the body 34 can be increased, and the developer 33 can be supplied with a simple and inexpensive structure. In this embodiment, the elastic member 38 is provided on the lid 37 for 25 degrees, but the same effect can be obtained even if the elastic member 38 is provided on the bottom side of the cover body 34 as shown in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 7 and 3.

Here, the layer thickness of the developer 33 on the coated surface of the developing roller 39 is set to a predetermined thickness or more by adjusting the voltage of the second DC high voltage power supply 48. Subsequently, the rotation of the developing roller 89 removes the charged developer 3 on the surface of the developing roller 39.
3 is further charged positively by the blade 50 when it passes through the blade 50, and a part of it is scraped off to a predetermined layer thickness, that is, about 40 μm (the layer thickness at this time is 10-
(preferably about 70 μm). At this time, the developer 33 in contact with the blade 50 moves from the center of the developing roller 39 toward both ends, and moves from both ends of the fur brush 40 to the center due to the rotation of the spiral-shaped fur brush 40. do. Therefore, the developing roller 3
This has the effect that the developer 33 in the vicinity of both ends of the fur brush 40 and the fur brush 40 does not increase, and the height of the developer 33 in the housing 34 remains constant.

Furthermore, a sealing material 51 that is in contact with both end surfaces of the blade 50
．． 52 is in contact with the smooth surfaces of the outer circumferential surfaces 326 and eases 9a and 39b at both ends of the developing roller 39, so even when the developing roller 89 rotates, there is very little wear. Furthermore, the joint surfaces of the sealing materials 51 and 52 that come into contact with the blade 50 and the developing roller 39 are smooth surfaces, and no gaps are generated in the joint portions. Therefore, there is no leakage of the developer 33 due to the force pushed in the axial direction of the developing roller 39. In other words, the present developing device can uniformly charge the developer 33 on the developing roller 39 and make the layer thickness uniform.Furthermore, there is no scattering or leakage of the developer 33, and there is no fogging or density unevenness. It is possible to obtain high-quality images without any blemishes. Furthermore, since the circumferential speeds of the developing roller 39 and the photosensitive drum 28 are made to be the same, it is possible to eliminate edge effects when developing a latent image. In addition, in this developing device, the developer 33 in the fur brush 40 flies and adheres onto the developing roller 39 using the voltage of the fixing plate 44 and the second DC high voltage power supply 48.
Since the rise time to reach a predetermined layer thickness can be as fast as within 1see, no extra waiting time is required. In addition, since the developer 2 in the fur brush 40 is attached to the developing roller 39-F by the fixing plate 44, the developer 33 does not cohere.

Next, when the negatively charged electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 28 faces the positively charged developer 33 on the developing roller 39, the developer 83 is blown away by the electrostatic force of the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 28. The latent image can then be developed. After development, the developer 8 adhering to the surface of the developing roller 39
3 with the fur brush 40 and the developing roller 39
Clear your history. Therefore, high-quality images without boosting can be obtained. Furthermore, this developing device has a simple configuration and is compact because a single fur brush can supply developer to the developing roller and scrape off the developer on the developing roller after development. Since the structure is free from leakage and scattering, restrictions on the arrangement of the developing device can be expanded.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 9 shows a second embodiment of the invention, in which members having the same functions as in the first embodiment of the invention are given the same numbers. In FIG. 9, the layer thickness regulating member 50 is a rigid body made of metal such as stainless steel, coated with fluororesin, hard resin, ceramics, etc.
It is in contact with 9. The fur brush 40 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, both ends 40a, 4. Only the ob is partially grafted. Further, the peripheral speed of the fur brush 40 is set lower than the peripheral speed of the developing roller 39. Reference numeral 55 denotes a sheet-like swinging member, which is made of an elastic member such as resin, a plate spring, or a bum. In this embodiment, polyethylene terephthalate having a thickness of about 70 μm is used, and as shown in FIG. 40
a and 40b. The other end 55C is fixed to the inner surface of the cover 34. A second DC high voltage power supply 48 is connected between the developing roller 39 and the fur brush 40.
A voltage obtained by superimposing a positive DC voltage on the voltage is applied to the fur brush 40 side.

29 easy The other configurations are the same as the first embodiment.

Next, the operation of the second embodiment of the present invention will be explained.

By constructing the layer thickness regulating means 50 with a rigid body made of metal, for example, a smoother surface can be obtained compared to a pumice material, and by bringing this into contact with the developing roller 39, a uniform developer without streaks or unevenness can be obtained. 33 thin layers are formed.

Therefore, high quality images can be obtained. Furthermore, by making the circumferential speed of the fur brush 40 slower than the circumferential speed of the developing roller 39, the fur brush 40 during the developing process can absorb the developer 33.
After being bent in one direction at the load and the contact portion of the scraping plate 43, it is then bent in the opposite direction at the sliding contact portion with the developing roller 39. Therefore, the fur brush 40 is never bent in one direction. Therefore, the fibers of the fur brush 40 are prevented from collapsing, and the stirring action with the developer 33 is ensured, making it possible to obtain stable, high-quality images over a long period of time. Further, as the fur brush 40 rotates, the swinging member 55 uses its one end 55c as a fulcrum, and the other end 5530
A:-A, 55b are the outer peripheral surfaces 40a, 4 at both ends of the fur brush 40
It comes in contact with 0b and constantly vibrates due to its own restoring force. Therefore, even if the angle of inclination of the bottom surface of the housing body 34 is small, the developer 33 in the housing body 34 can be supplied to the fur brush 40 without any problem until the end.

Therefore, the amount of developer 33 in the body 34 can be increased, and the developer 33 can be supplied with a simple and inexpensive structure. Further, in the second DC high voltage power supply 48, by superimposing a DC voltage on the AC voltage, the surface of the developing roller 89 is coated with the developer 33 to a predetermined layer thickness or more, and the surface of the developing roller 39 after development is coated with the developer 33. The developer 33 adhering to the fur brush 40 is removed by the AC voltage.
and the developing roller 39, and the developing roller 3
This erases the history of the developer 33 and prevents the developer 33 from coagulating with each other and from causing a high adhesion of the developer to the developing roller 39.

Therefore, a high-quality image without ghosts can be obtained.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 12 shows a third embodiment of the present invention, in which parts having the same functions as in the 31st embodiment of the present invention are given the same numbers. In FIG. 12, the layer thickness regulating member 50
is a rigid body made of metal such as stainless steel, coated with fluororesin, hard resin, ceramics, etc., and is precisely separated from the surface of the developing roller 39 by a predetermined thickness of the developer 33. It is installation.

The cylindrical elastic body 40 uses a conductive sponge as the elastic material 42 and is formed into a cylindrical roller around an aluminum core 41. It is easily understood that even if a conductive sponge is used as the elastic material 1442 of the cylindrical elastic body 40, the effects of frictional charging, coating, etc. described in the first embodiment can be effectively performed. 5
A bias voltage applying means 4 applies a DC bias voltage between the photosensitive drum 28 and the developing roller 39.

Next, the operation of the third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

When the charged developer 33 on the cylindrical elastic body 40 rotates and comes to a position facing the developing roller 39, the electric field generated by the second DC high voltage power supply 48 causes the developer 33 to be placed on the developing roller 39, as in the first embodiment. is coated to a thickness greater than a predetermined thickness, and the layer thickness regulating means 50 regulates the thickness to a predetermined thickness.

Next, when facing the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 28, the bias voltage applying means 54 connects the photosensitive drum 28 and the developing roller 3.
A DC bias voltage is applied between the film and the film 9 for development.

By applying a bias voltage, the developer 88 is caused to fly due to the synergistic effect of the electrostatic force caused by the electrostatic latent image and the electric field caused by the DC bias, so that more effective development can be achieved. Incidentally, the developing device having this configuration can be well adapted to the case where the bias voltage is an AC voltage or a DC voltage superimposed with an AC voltage.
It is also possible to do this without using any bias application means.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 13 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention, in which parts having the same functions as in the third embodiment of the present invention are given the same numbers. In FIG. 18, the layer thickness regulating means 50 is a blade made of a rigid body or an elastic body, and in this embodiment, an elastic blade is used, and the material of this 38 ease is the same as that of the first embodiment. This blade 50
is brought into pressure contact with the surface of the developing roller 39 at a position downstream of the developer 33 portion of the photosensitive drum 34 and upstream of the portion facing the photosensitive drum 28 with respect to the rotating direction of the developing roller 39; The other end is fixed to the support member 34 so that the one end is pushed into the developing roller 39 side by the frictional force received at the pressure contact portion when the developing roller 39 rotates. Therefore, the aggregating acid of the developer 33 has the effect of preventing solidification. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the blade 50
The developing roller 89 and the pressure contact portion are shaped like a convex portion.

Therefore, the developing roller 89 and the blade 50 after regulating the layer thickness.
Since the facing distance is increased, the charged developer 33 on the developing roller 39 does not fly away to the blade 50. Therefore, more uniform coating can be achieved.

Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 14 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention, in which parts having the same functions as in the third embodiment of the present invention are given the same numbers. The layer thickness regulating means 50 at 34 in FIG. 14 is a blade made of a rigid body or an elastic body. In this embodiment, an elastic blade is used, and its material is the same as that of the first embodiment.

This blade 50 has one end attached to the surface of the developing roller 39 on the downstream side of the developer 83 portion of the photosensitive drum 34 and upstream of the portion facing the photosensitive drum 28 with respect to the rotating direction of the developing roller 39. and the other end is fixed to the body 34 at a position where the one end tends to escape from the surface of the developing roller 39 due to the frictional force received at the pressed portion when the developing roller 39 rotates, and furthermore, in this embodiment, the blade 5
0, the developing roller 39 and the pressure contact portion have a convex shape. Therefore, the developer 33 is partially scraped off by the blade 50.
Due to the force of the following developer 33, the developer changes its flow in the direction of the arrow along the wall surface of the convex portion of the blade 50 and falls toward the cylindrical elastic body 40. As a result, the developer 33 flows back at the opposing portion between the developing roller 39 and the blade 50 near the pressure contact portion. Therefore, more uniform coating can be achieved.

Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 15 shows a sixth embodiment of the present invention, in which parts having the same functions as in the third embodiment of the present invention are given the same numbers. The difference in FIG. 15 is that there is no scraping plate 43 and partition plate 45, and a fixed plate 44, which is a flying means, is provided so as to double as a partition plate.

Therefore, the fixing plate 44 has the effect of preventing uncharged developer 333 from reaching the vicinity of the developing roller 39 and the fur brush 40. Furthermore, 55 voltage application means are provided between the developing roller 33F3 and the fixed plate 44, and the layer thickness can be adjusted by varying the amount of flying of the charged developer 33 onto the surface of the developing roller 39. .

In the embodiment of the present invention, a layer thickness regulating member was provided to regulate the layer thickness of the developing roller l2 to a highly accurate layer thickness, but for general character images, problem-free development is possible even without providing a layer thickness regulating member. It is possible. Furthermore, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the six embodiments described above, and can be configured in many more configurations by combining the various elements, such as charging the developer, coating the developing roller, and controlling the layer thickness. . The present invention is also well suited to non-magnetic component developers and is suitable for use with latent image carriers.
1: Due to the contact structure, there is no image fogging, and non-magnetic component developer can be developed in flight using a DC electric field, and developers of multiple colors can be stacked and developed on the latent image carrier L. It has great practical effects, such as being advantageous for forming color images. Furthermore, the present invention has practical effects such as reducing running costs by using a developer with a uniform layer thickness on the developer carrier instead of an ink sheet used in a thermal printer. big.

As described in detail, in the present invention, the pair of supply means and flying means can supply the developer to the developer carrier and scrape off the developer on the developer carrier after development. Therefore, it is possible to obtain high-quality images without problems with toner supply onto the developing roller, toner history, and fog with a simple and inexpensive configuration.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 shows the developing bag 37 in the first embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a sectional side view of the lid portion in the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the principal part of the developing device in the first embodiment of the present invention. , FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a main part of a fur brush which is a cylindrical elastic body in the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part of a flying means part in the first embodiment of the present invention. The side view, FIG. 6, FIG. 7, and FIG. 3 are cross-sectional side views showing the operating state of the sheet-like elastic member that supplies the developer in the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional side view of the main parts of the developing device in the second embodiment, FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional side view of both ends of the fur brush, which is a cylindrical elastic body, in the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11 is the present invention. FIG. 12 is a side view of the main part of the fur brush part in the second embodiment of the invention, FIG. 12 is a sectional side view of the main part of the developing device in the third embodiment of the invention, and FIG. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional side view of a main part of a developing device in a fifth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 15 is a main part of a developing device in a sixth embodiment of the present invention. Partial side view,
16, 17, 18, and 19 are sectional side views of essential parts of a conventional developing device using a component developer. 28...Latent image holding member, 39...Developer carrying member, 44
. . . Flight means, 28. Latent image holder, 30. Charger, 32. Optical section, 33.
- Housing body, 35... Outlet part, 36... Refill opening, 87... Lid, 38... Sheet-like elastic member, 3
9...Developer carrier, 40...Cylindrical elastic body, 4
3... scraping board, 44... fixed plate (flight means),
45... Partition plate, 48... Voltage application means, 49.
...Detection means, 50...Layer thickness regulation means Name of attorney Toshio Tsuchinakao (1 person) Self 10 Figure d0α, 40 or 55 (L Figure 12, 5448 Figure 14 Figure 15 Engraving Figure 18 Figure 19 □ to □

Claims (42)

[Claims] (1) An endless developer carrier, a supplying means for supplying the developer that is in contact with the developer carrier at a relative speed, and a supplying means for supplying the developer that is in contact with the developer carrier at a relative speed, and a supplying means that supplies the developer at a position upstream of the contact position with respect to the moving direction of the supplying means. A developing device comprising a flying means for flying and supplying the developer on the supplying means onto a developer carrier. (2) Claim 1, further comprising layer thickness regulating means for regulating the developer on the developer carrier to a predetermined layer thickness on the downstream side of the contact position with respect to the moving direction of the developer carrier. The developing device described. (3) Claims 1 or 2, which are provided with voltage application means for applying a voltage between the developer carrier and the supply means for supplying developer to adjust the amount of flying developer supplied. The developing device described. (4) Claim 1, 2, or 3, further comprising a voltage applying means for applying a voltage between the developer carrier and the flying means to increase the amount of flying developer supplied. developing device. (5) The developing device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the voltage applying means is a voltage obtained by superimposing a DC voltage on an AC voltage. (6) A housing having an outlet at one end and storing a developer, a developer carrier provided at the outlet, one end of which is fixed within the housing, and the other end is used to carry out the development using its own restoring force. The developing device according to claim 1, further comprising a sheet-like elastic member that urges the developer toward the developer carrier. (7) The supplying means for supplying the developer is composed of a cylindrical elastic body, one end of which is brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical elastic body to deform the elastic body, and the elastic body is deformed as the elastic body rotates. 2. A developing device according to claim 1, comprising a flying means that flies and supplies developer using its own restoring force. (8) Consisting of a sheet-like elastic material whose one end is fixed inside the housing and the other end is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical elastic body, and which vibrates due to its own restoring force in conjunction with the rotation of the cylindrical elastic body. The developing device according to claim 7, further comprising a swinging member. (9) The cylindrical elastic body is brought into contact with the cylindrical elastic body upstream from the contact part between the cylindrical elastic body and the developer carrier in the rotational direction of the elastic body, and the uncharged developer reaches the opposing part. 8. The developing device according to claim 7, further comprising a partition plate that prevents the image from being exposed. (10) Claim 7, further comprising a scraping plate that comes into sliding contact with the cylindrical elastic body and scrapes off the developer on the elastic body.
Developing device described in Section 1. (11) The developing device according to claim 7, wherein the cylindrical elastic body is moved in a direction opposite to the developer carrier at a contact position between the developer carrier and the cylindrical elastic body. (12) The developing device according to claim 7, wherein the cylindrical elastic body is a fur brush. (13) The developing device according to claim 7, wherein the cylindrical elastic body is a roller made of sponge. (14) The developing device according to claim 12, wherein the fur brush is conductive. (15) The developing device according to claim 13, wherein the roller made of sponge is electrically conductive. (16) Claim 14 or 15, wherein the developer carrier and the cylindrical elastic body are formed of a conductive material, and a detection means for detecting the current value of the voltage application means provided between them is provided. Developing device described in Section 1. (17) The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the layer thickness regulating means is an elastic blade. (18) The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the layer thickness regulating means is a rigid blade. (19) One end of the blade is used as a fulcrum, and the other end is brought into pressure contact with the surface of the developer carrier, and the fulcrum acts to bite into the developer carrier side by the frictional force received at the pressure contact portion when the developer carrier moves. claim 1, wherein the pressure contact portion at the other end has a convex shape.
Developing device according to item 7 or item 18. (20) One end of the blade is used as a fulcrum, the other end is brought into pressure contact with the surface of the developer carrier, and the fulcrum is caused to escape from the surface of the developer carrier by the frictional force received at the pressure contact portion when the developer carrier moves. In addition to providing it at a position where it acts,
19. The developing device according to claim 17, wherein the pressure contact portion at the other end has a convex shape. (21) an endless developer carrier provided at a position facing the latent image holder having the electrostatic latent image; and a supply means for supplying the developer that is in contact with the developer carrier at a relative speed;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a flying means for flying and supplying the developer on the supplying means onto a developer carrier upstream of the contact position with respect to the moving direction of the supplying means. (22) The image forming apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the developer on the developer carrier and the latent image carrier are not in contact with each other. (23) The image forming apparatus according to claim 22, further comprising means for applying a DC electric field between the developer carrier and the latent image carrier. (24) Claim 21, further comprising layer thickness regulating means for regulating the developer on the developer carrier to a predetermined layer thickness downstream of the contact position with respect to the moving direction of the developer carrier.
The image forming apparatus described in . (25) Image formation according to claim 21, further comprising voltage application means for applying a voltage between the developer carrier and the supply means for supplying developer to adjust the amount of flying developer supplied. Device. (26) The image forming apparatus according to claim 21, further comprising a voltage applying means for applying a voltage between the developer carrier and the flying means to adjust the amount of the flying developer supplied. (27) The image forming apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the voltage applying means is a voltage obtained by superimposing a DC voltage on an AC voltage. (28) A housing having an outlet at one end and storing a developer, a developer carrier provided at the outlet, one end of which is fixed within the housing, and the other end is used to carry out the development using its own restoring force. 22. The image forming apparatus according to claim 21, further comprising a sheet-like elastic member that urges the developer toward the developer carrier. (29) The supplying means for supplying the developer is composed of a cylindrical elastic body, and one end of the supply means is brought into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical elastic body to deform the elastic body, and the elastic body is elasticized as the elastic body rotates. 22. The image forming apparatus according to claim 21, comprising a flying means that flies and supplies the developer using the body's own restoring force. (30) Consisting of a sheet-like elastic material whose one end is fixed inside the housing and the other end is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical elastic body, and which vibrates due to its own restoring force in conjunction with the rotation of the cylindrical elastic body. The image forming apparatus according to claim 29, further comprising a swinging member. (31) The cylindrical elastic body is brought into contact with the cylindrical elastic body upstream from the contact part between the cylindrical elastic body and the developer carrier in the rotational direction of the elastic body, and the uncharged developer reaches the opposing part. 31. The image forming apparatus according to claim 30, further comprising a partition plate that prevents the image from being exposed. (32) Claim 2, further comprising a scraping plate that comes into sliding contact with the cylindrical elastic body and scrapes off the developer on the elastic body.
The image forming apparatus according to item 9. (33) The image forming apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the cylindrical elastic body is moved in a direction opposite to the developer carrier at the contact position between the developer carrier and the cylindrical elastic body. (34) The image forming apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the cylindrical elastic body is a fur brush. (35) The image forming apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the cylindrical elastic body is a roller made of sponge. (36) The image forming apparatus according to claim 34, wherein the fur brush is conductive. (37) The image forming apparatus according to claim 35, wherein the roller made of sponge is electrically conductive. (38) An image according to claim 36, wherein the developer carrier and the cylindrical elastic body are formed of a conductive material, and a detection means for detecting the current value of a voltage application means provided between them is provided. Forming device. (39) The image forming apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the layer thickness regulating means is an elastic blade. (40) The image forming apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the layer thickness regulating means is a rigid blade. (41) One end of the blade is used as a fulcrum, the other end is brought into pressure contact with the surface of the developer carrier, and the fulcrum acts to bite into the developer carrier side by the frictional force received at the pressure contact portion when the developer carrier moves. Claim 3: the pressure contact portion of the other end has a convex shape.
The image forming apparatus according to item 9. (42) One end of the blade is used as a fulcrum, the other end is brought into pressure contact with the surface of the developer carrier, and the fulcrum is caused to escape from the surface of the developer carrier by the frictional force received at the pressure contact portion when the developer carrier moves. In addition to providing it at a position where it acts,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 39, wherein the pressure contact portion at the other end has a convex shape.