JP2001022161A - Electrifier and electrophotographic device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To solve the problem of generating a lot of ozone. SOLUTION: The present invention provides an electrode 2 between dielectrics 4 to 6;
In a charging device having an ion generating portion in a space formed between the electrodes 3, the adjacent electrodes 2 and 3 have portions having different shapes from each other.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a charging device for charging an object to be charged, and an electrophotographic apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A charging device used in an image forming apparatus includes a corona charging device, a roller charging device, a brush charging device, and a solid charging device. The corona charging device is a charging method most frequently used. However, the corona charger has a problem that it generates a very large amount of ozone.
For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-114192
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. H11-157556 describes a means for reducing the amount of generated ozone. In this means, the amount of ozone generated is reduced to 50% or less by performing discharge using a very fine wire of 40 to 50 microns.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-324556 discloses that a metal housing is disposed so as to surround three sides of a wire, a metal mesh electrode is disposed near an open portion thereof, and ozone generated from the wire is confined. It describes that the amount of released ozone is reduced by increasing the probability of collision of molecules.

[0004] Roller charging devices have been disclosed in
This charging system is disclosed in JP-A-91253 and is being actively studied in recent years. The brush charging device is disclosed in
No. 9837, and the like. The solid charging device has been described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 54-53537.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-94077 describes an apparatus in which a large number of discharge electrodes are juxtaposed at a small interval on an insulating member. JP-A-6-75457 discloses that
It is described that the distance between the charging device and the recording medium is set to 500 to 3000 μm to shorten the flight distance of ions, suppress the diffusion of ozone, and prevent adhesion of toner and the like.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-244350 describes a discharge device provided with a discharge electrode on a plate-like substrate, a creeping glow discharge means disposed on the outer periphery thereof, and a cover for covering the entire device. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 9-115646 describes that NOx is reduced by using a material having a specific work function as an electrode material of a flat-type solid discharge device.

JP-A-8-315958 discloses a method in which a discharge electrode and a counter electrode extending in parallel with each other are formed on an insulating substrate, and a sharp edge is formed on an edge of the discharge electrode on the side facing the counter electrode. The solid-state discharge device in which the electric field concentration portion is formed and the side of the counter electrode facing the discharge electrode is covered with an insulating film is described.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-95526 discloses a discharge electrode which is arranged to face a relatively moving object to be charged, and which generates an electric charge to be applied to the object to be charged; An ionization area control electrode that controls an ionization area of a discharge in an electric field between the object to be charged and the discharge electrode between the discharge electrode and the discharge object. However, there is described a charging device characterized in that a plurality of the charging devices are formed on a common substrate.

[0009] As an ozone adsorbent used in the charging device, there is an ozone adsorbent that oxidizes generated ozone by a catalytic function such as activated carbon or adsorbs it on the surface. Recent social trends include raising environmental awareness. UL standard, TUV
In a number of countries and regions, standards for regulating the amount of ozone generated for electrophotographic image forming apparatuses have been set by a plurality of organizations such as standards and BAM standards.

[0010]

The above corona charging device generates a very large amount of ozone. Further, those described in JP-A-9-114192 and JP-A-6-3
In the device described in Japanese Patent No. 24556, the amount of ozone can be reduced only by about 50% at most, and it is necessary to use an ozone adsorbent or the like in combination.

In the roller charging device described above, generation of ozone can be extremely reduced, and it is expected to be promising. However, the charging of the charged object is likely to be uneven. In addition, toner contamination on the roller surface and vibration due to the applied AC bias occur,
Moire is likely to occur in the image. Furthermore, it is a rotating body,
There are many members because cleaning of the roller surface is required. In addition, there is another problem that the photosensitive layer of the photoreceptor as an object to be charged is dielectrically damaged, and a pinhole is easily generated, and vibration noise, a charging roller mark (plasticizer), and permanent deformation of the roller are easily generated.

[0012] In the above brush charging device, streak-like uneven charging,
Environmental fluctuation, low temperature streamer discharge, white spots, photoreceptor wear,
Accumulation of the worn photoreceptor, removal of the brush, melting of the brush due to abnormal discharge to the photoreceptor flaw, and the like occur. Since the above-mentioned ozone adsorbent deteriorates with time, replacement and maintenance of the ozone filter are required.

Although the solid-state charging device has advantages such as downsizing of the device, it has a large discharge area and cannot reduce unpleasant substances such as ozone and NOx as expected.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a charging device and an electrophotographic device that can reduce ozone and can uniformly charge an object to be charged.

[0014]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a charging device in which a space formed by sandwiching an electrode between dielectrics is used as an ion generating portion. It has a part with a different shape. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a charging device having a space formed by sandwiching an electrode between dielectrics as an ion generating portion, wherein the electrode has an electrode at a predetermined angle with respect to a surface of the dielectric sandwiching the electrode. Things.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the charging device according to the first or second aspect, an electrode having a left-right symmetric shape is connected. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the charging device according to the second aspect, the electrodes having the same shape are connected. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the charging device according to the fourth aspect, the central portion of the cross section of the electrode has a concave shape.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the charging device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, three or more electrodes are connected in series. The invention according to claim 7 is a charging device in which a space formed by sandwiching electrodes between dielectrics is an ion generating unit, wherein adjacent electrodes have a step in the ion emission direction and have three electrodes. As described above, the electrode sandwiched between the electrodes via the dielectric material,
It is configured such that it is depressed in the ion emission direction as compared with the electrodes on both sides thereof.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the charging device according to the sixth aspect, adjacent electrodes have a step in the ion emission direction, and three or more electrodes are connected to each other via a dielectric. The electrode sandwiched between the electrodes is formed so as to be depressed in the ion emission direction as compared with the electrodes on both sides thereof. According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the charging device according to the third aspect, a pair of adjacent symmetric electrodes is formed, and the pair of electrodes is sandwiched between dielectrics. It is configured such that it is depressed in the ion emission direction as compared with the dielectric and the electrode on both sides of the whole of the pair of electrodes.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the charging device according to the ninth aspect, the electrodes on both sides are closed with respect to the pair of electrodes. An eleventh aspect of the present invention is the charging device according to the ninth or tenth aspect, wherein two or more forms having electrodes on both sides of the whole of the dielectric and the pair of electrodes are connected.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the method according to any one of the first to first aspects.
2. The charging device according to claim 1, further comprising a grid electrode between the ion generating unit and the charged object. According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the charging device according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects.

[0020]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A charging device according to an embodiment of the present invention
At least one pair of discharge electrodes is provided on the same plane on the substrate, and a dielectric wall is provided on the substrate near the discharge electrodes so that the periphery of the discharge electrode forms a substantially closed space. In the charging device of the present embodiment, the generated ozone is easily reduced to oxygen molecules before diffusing far from the charging device. For this reason,
The amount of ozone released to the surrounding environment can be reduced.

Although it is not clear why ozone is likely to become oxygen in the charging device of this embodiment, the present inventor considers as follows. By providing a wall near the discharge electrode, the direction in which ozone is diffused is regulated in one direction (ozone generation direction). Also, the presence of the wall reduces the amount of air surrounding the air passing through the charging device, more specifically the surface of the discharge electrode. from these things,
It is considered that the generated ozone hardly diffuses from the surface of the discharge electrode to the periphery, easily stays inside the wall of the discharge body, and easily maintains a high concentration state.

Ozone is more likely to be decomposed into oxygen as its molecular concentration is higher. Therefore, the decomposition is promoted, and the ozone concentration becomes very low when the molecules escape from between the dielectric walls and diffuse into the open space. It is thought that it has become. The main configuration of the present embodiment is to stack a discharge electrode and a dielectric, connect a discharge power supply and a bias power supply to the discharge electrode, generate a discharge, and charge an object to be charged. The dielectric material insulates between the electrodes and prevents diffusion of ozone generated by the discharge.

In the charging device of this embodiment, a pair of thin discharge electrodes is formed on an electrically insulating substrate, and insulating walls are provided around these discharge electrodes. This charging device can be formed by appropriately using known means such as patterning using a photoresist or etching and thin film formation using sputtering or the like, in addition to bonding the electrode and the dielectric. As a material of the electrode, a metal such as chromium, copper, tungsten, aluminum, titanium, gold, platinum, and indium, and a conductive material such as ITO and carbon can be used.

The thickness of the electrode is suitably from 10 μm to several mm. If the thickness of the electrode is smaller than this, a high-definition manufacturing process is required, the reliability of the device is reduced, and the manufacturing cost is increased. As the power source for discharging, a power source that outputs an alternating current, a direct current, or a superposition of these is used. The bias power supply is generally a direct current, and the polarity of the connection is determined according to the polarity of charging the object to be charged.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a charging device in which a space formed by sandwiching an electrode between dielectrics is used as an ion generating portion, and has a portion in which adjacent electrodes have different shapes. . For this reason, in this embodiment, compared with the discharge by the conventional corona wire or the discharge in the charging device in which electrodes of exactly the same shape are connected, a portion having a higher electric field intensity is formed and the discharge occurs at a low voltage, and ozone generation occurs. The amount is reduced.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in a charging device having a space formed by sandwiching an electrode between dielectrics as an ion generating portion, a predetermined angle with respect to a surface of the dielectric sandwiching the electrode is set. It has the electrodes that it does. For this reason, in this embodiment, compared with the charging device in which the electrode does not form a predetermined angle with respect to the dielectric surface sandwiching the electrode, a portion having a higher electric field intensity is formed, and discharge occurs at a low voltage. And the amount of ozone generated is reduced.

Here, the predetermined angle referred to in the second aspect of the present invention is defined as an angle formed by the dielectric surface and the electrode surface.
An angle between the dielectric surface and the electrode surface that is not perpendicular. The predetermined angle is suitably, for example, 10 degrees to 80 degrees, or 170 degrees to 100 degrees.

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention. This first embodiment is an embodiment of the invention according to claims 1 and 2. In the first embodiment, a pair of discharge electrodes 2 and 3 are provided on the same plane of an electrically insulating substrate 1,
Between the electrodes 2 and 3 on the substrate 1 and outside the electrodes 2 and 3 such that the dielectric walls 4 to 6 sandwich the electrodes 2 and 3 and form a substantially closed space around the electrodes 2 and 3. Is provided. The space formed between the dielectrics 4 to 6 with the electrodes 2 and 3 interposed therebetween serves as an ion generating unit.

The electrodes 2 and 3 are different in shape from each other. For example, the electrode 2 has a shape in which the surface on the side of the ion generator is oblique to the substrate 1, but the electrode 3 has a surface on the side of the ion generator in the substrate 1
It is a shape parallel to. The angle θ ₁ formed between the surface of the electrode 2 on the side of the ion generating section and the walls 4 and 5 is the above-mentioned predetermined angle, and is suitably from 10 degrees to 80 degrees.

As the discharge power supply 7, an AC power supply or a DC power supply is used, or an AC power supply and a DC power supply are used in combination.
The discharge power source 7 is connected between the electrodes 2 and 3, and has an AC voltage or a DC voltage as a discharge voltage between the electrodes 2 and 3.
Alternatively, a voltage obtained by superimposing an AC voltage and a DC voltage is applied.
The bias power supply 8 is connected between a charged object, for example, the conductive substrate 9a of the photoconductor 9 and one of the electrodes 2 and 3 in the electrophotographic apparatus.
A DC bias voltage is applied between the electrode and the electrode 3.

The photosensitive member 9 has a photosensitive layer 9b on a conductive substrate 9a.
In the charging device according to the first embodiment, an ion generating portion including a space formed between the walls 4 to 6 with the electrodes 2 and 3 interposed therebetween is disposed so as to face the photoconductor 9. When a discharge voltage is applied between the electrodes 2 and 3 from the discharge power source 7, a discharge occurs between the electrodes 2 and 3, and ions generated by the discharge are applied between the electrodes 2 and 3 between the walls 4 to 6. The radiation is radiated to the photoconductor 9 from an ion generating portion formed of a space formed between the photoconductors 9, and the photosensitive layer 9 b of the photoconductor 9 is charged.

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. This second embodiment is another embodiment of the first and second aspects of the present invention. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the angle θ ₂ formed between the surface of the electrode 2 on the side of the ion generating section and the walls 4 and 5 is an angle in the range from 170 degrees to 100 degrees. In the second example, the inclination angle of the surface on the side of the ion generating unit was changed.

A third embodiment of the present invention is the same as the first or second embodiment of the present invention, except that a left-right symmetric electrode is connected. Therefore, in this embodiment, a portion having a higher electric field intensity is formed, and a discharge is generated at a low voltage, thereby reducing the amount of ozone generated.

FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. This third embodiment is one embodiment of the invention according to claim 3. In the third embodiment, in the first embodiment, the electrodes 2 of _the plurality of sets of symmetrical shape in place of the electrodes 2 and 3,
3 ₁ , 2 ₂ , 3 ₂ are connected to each other and provided on the same plane of the electrically insulating substrate 1, and the dielectric walls 4 _{1 to} 6 ₁ , 4 ₂ , 6 ₂ are connected to the electrodes 2 ₁ , 2.
3 ₁ , 2 ₂ , 3 ₂ and electrodes 2 ₁ , 3 ₁ , 2 ₂ , 3
Electrodes 2 ₁ in the substrate 1 so as to form between schematic closed space around the _2, 3 _1, 2 _2, 3 ₂ during, and provided outside the electrode 2 _1, 3 _2. Dielectric 4 _{1-6 1,} 4 _2, 6 electrodes 2 ₁ between each of the _2, 3 _{1, 2} 2, 3 space formed ₂ interposed therebetween is the ion generating unit.

The electrodes 2 _1, 2 ₂ of the ion generating unit side surface and the wall 4
_The angle θ ₁ formed between ₁ , 5 ₁ , 4 ₂ , and 6 ₁ is the above-described predetermined angle, similarly to the electrode 2 of the first embodiment, and is suitably from 10 degrees to 80 degrees. The electrode 3 _1, 3 surface of the _second ion generation part and the wall 4 _1, 6 _1, 4 _2, 6 ₂ angle between theta ₂
Is the above-mentioned predetermined angle similarly to the electrode 2 of the second embodiment, and is suitably 170 to 100 degrees.

The electrodes 2 _1, 2 ₂ are connected to the common electrode 3 _1, 3 ₂ are connected in common. Electrode 2 from discharge power supply 7
_1, 3 between _1, 3 _1, 2 between _{2 electrodes,} the electrode ₂ 2, 3-discharge voltage between ₂ is applied, the electrodes 2 _1, 3 between _1, electrodes 3 _1, 2 between _2, electrodes 2 ₂ , 3 discharge occurs between _2, the ions generated by the discharge wall 4 _{1-6 1,} 4 _2, electrodes 2 ₁ between 6 ₂ each, 3 _1,
2 _2, 3 ₂ from the ion generation portion consisting of sandwiched therebetween a space formed with the radiation to the photosensitive member 9 by the photosensitive layer 9b of the drum 9 is charged.

The embodiment of the invention according to claim 4 is the same as the embodiment of the invention according to claim 2, except that electrodes of the same shape are connected. For this reason, in this embodiment, compared with the charging device in which the electrode does not form a predetermined angle with respect to the dielectric surface sandwiching the electrode, a portion having a higher electric field intensity is formed, and discharge occurs at a low voltage. Therefore, the amount of generated ozone is reduced. Furthermore, compared with the embodiment of the third aspect of the present invention, the uniformity of charging is improved, and the object to be charged can be uniformly charged.

FIG. 4 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. This fourth embodiment is one embodiment of the invention according to claim 4. In the fourth embodiment, in place of the electrodes 2 and 3 in the first embodiment, an electrode having the same shape, for example, a tip portion (portion on the ion emission side) has a triangular cross section (V-shaped in the ion emission direction). Electrodes 2 ₁ to 2 ₃
And been chosen provided on the same plane of the substrate 1 of electrically insulating, the electrode 2 with the wall ₄₁ to the _fourth dielectric sandwich the electrodes 2 ₁ to 2 _3
1 ~ ₂ of each and between the electrodes 2 ₁ electrodes 2 ₁ to 2 ₃ on the substrate 1 so as to form between schematic closed space around, 2 ₃ provided on the outside. Space the electrodes 2 _1, 2 ₃ is sandwiched therebetween formed between each of the dielectric ₄₁ to ₄ becomes the ion generating unit.

The electrodes 2 _1, 2 ₃ are connected in common. When the discharge voltage between each of the discharge power supply 7 from the electrode 2 ₁ to 2 ₃ is applied, a discharge occurs between the electrodes 2 ₁ to 2 _3, ions generated by the discharge is formed by a bias power supply which is photosensitive layer 9b of the drum 9 is charged radiated to the ion generator from the photoreceptor 9 made of a space formed across the electrodes 2 ₁ to 2 ₃ between each of the walls ₄₁ to ₄ by potential difference You.

FIG. 5 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention. This fifth embodiment is another embodiment of the invention according to claim 4. In the fifth embodiment, in the fourth embodiment,
The electrodes ₂₁ to ₂₄ of the shape to increase the electrode and the wall one by one is obtained by a similar shape as the electrode 2 of the second embodiment. Angle theta ₂ between the electrodes 21 _{to 24} of the ion generating portion side surface and the wall 4 _{1-4 5} is a predetermined angle as described above in the same manner as the electrode 2 of the second embodiment, from 170 degrees 100 degrees is appropriate.

The embodiment of the invention according to claim 5 is the same as the embodiment of the invention according to claim 4, except that the central part of the cross section of the electrode is provided.
(Surface in the ion radiation direction) is concave. Therefore, in this embodiment, discharge occurs at a lower voltage and the amount of ozone generated is further reduced as compared with the embodiment of the invention according to claim 4.

FIG. 6 shows a sixth embodiment of the present invention. This sixth embodiment is one embodiment of the invention according to claim 5. Sixth embodiment, in the fourth embodiment, in which the electrodes 2 ₁ to 2 ₃ shape the tip of the ion radiation direction is recessed into a V-shape. Incidentally, the tip recess of the electrode 2 ₁ to 2 ₃ can be a curved surface.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, three or more electrodes are connected. For this reason, in this embodiment, the discharge region is widened, and more uniform charging can be performed. The invention according to claim 6 applies at least one, preferably two or more of the inventions according to claims 1 to 5.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a charging device in which a space formed by sandwiching electrodes between dielectrics is used as an ion generating portion, wherein adjacent electrodes have a step in an ion emitting direction. In addition, three or more electrodes are connected, and the electrode sandwiched between the electrodes via a dielectric is formed in such a manner that it is depressed in the ion emission direction as compared with the electrodes on both sides thereof. is there. For this reason, in this embodiment, compared with the case where there is no step in the ion emission direction between adjacent electrodes, a portion having a higher electric field intensity is formed,
Discharge occurs at a low voltage, and the amount of ozone generated is reduced.

FIG. 7 shows a seventh embodiment of the present invention. This seventh embodiment is one embodiment of the invention according to claim 7. The seventh embodiment is described above in the fourth embodiment, the electrode 2 ₁ flatly form to 2 ₃ of the tip, the ion discharge direction than the electrodes 2 ₂ of the distal end portion to the tip portion of the electrode 2 _1, 2 ₃ Is provided with a step so as to be lower. FIG. 8 shows an eighth embodiment of the present invention. This eighth embodiment is another embodiment of the invention according to claim 7. In the eighth embodiment,
In the seventh embodiment, the electrode 2 ₂ and the wall 4 _2, 4 ₃ of the rear end portion ion emission direction from the substrate 1 is obtained by projecting the opposite direction. In the seventh embodiment and the eighth embodiment, portions 10 which gave a step to be lower with respect to the ion discharge direction than the electrodes 2 ₂ of the distal end portion to the tip portion of the electrode 2 _1, 2 ₃ is the electric field strength Is high.

An embodiment of the invention according to claim 8 is a charging device to which the invention according to claims 6 and 7 is applied.
In the embodiment of the invention according to the present invention, the adjacent electrodes have a step in the ion emission direction, and three or more electrodes are connected, and the electrodes are sandwiched between the electrodes via a dielectric. , Compared to the electrodes on both sides thereof, are configured to be depressed in the ion emission direction. Therefore, in this embodiment, a portion having a higher electric field strength is formed,
Discharge occurs at a low potential, and the amount of ozone generated is reduced.

FIG. 9 shows a ninth embodiment of the present invention. This ninth embodiment is an embodiment of the invention according to claim 8. Ninth embodiment, in the fifth embodiment, adjacent electrodes 2 ₁ to 2 ₄ to each other has a step with respect to the ion discharge direction, the electrodes 2 ₁ via the wall 4 _2, 4 ₃ dielectric, the electrodes 2 ₂ which is the form that is sandwiched between 2 _3, as compared with the electrode 2 _1, 2 ₃ on both sides, which is constituted by recessing to the ion discharge direction.

FIG. 10 shows a tenth embodiment of the present invention.
This tenth embodiment is another embodiment of the invention according to claim 8. Embodiment 10 In the ninth embodiment, and the electrodes ₂₁ to ₂₄ tip shape of the (ion portion of the release side) was triangular cross section (shape protruding in a V-shape to ion emission direction ) Ninth embodiment and first
0 In an embodiment, the electrodes 2 ₂ which is the form that is sandwiched between the electrodes 2 _1, 2 ₃ through a wall 4 _2, 4 ₃ dielectric,
As compared with the electrodes 2 ₁ and 2 ₃ on both sides, the portion 10 recessed in the ion emission direction is a portion having a high electric field intensity.

According to a ninth embodiment of the present invention, in the embodiment of the third aspect of the present invention, a pair of adjacent symmetric electrodes is provided, and each of the pair of electrodes is sandwiched between dielectrics. The pair of electrodes is configured so as to be depressed in the ion emission direction as compared to the electrodes on both sides of the whole of the dielectric and the pair of electrodes. Therefore, in this embodiment, a portion having a higher electric field strength is formed, and discharge is generated at a low potential, thereby reducing the amount of ozone generated.

FIG. 11 shows an eleventh embodiment of the present invention.
The eleventh embodiment is an embodiment according to the ninth aspect of the present invention. Eleventh embodiment, in the third embodiment, each to a pair of electrodes 3 _1, 2 ₂ adjacent symmetrical,
The pair of electrodes 3 ₁ , 2 ₂ is sandwiched between dielectrics 4 ₁ , 6 ₁ , 4 ₂ , and the pair of electrodes 3 ₁ , 2 ₂ is formed by the dielectrics 4 ₁ , 6 ₁ , 4 ₂ and the pair The electrode 3 ₁ , 2 ₂ is configured such that it is depressed in the ion emission direction as compared with the electrodes 2 ₁ , 3 ₂ on both sides of the whole. The pair of electrodes 3 _1, 2 _2, as compared to the dielectric 4 _1, 6 _1, 4 ₂ and a pair of electrodes 3 _1, 2 ₂ of the overall sides electrodes 2 _1, 3 _2, with respect to the ion discharge direction The recessed portion 10 is a portion where the electric field strength is high.

[0051] The electrode 2 _1, 2 face of _second ion generation part and the wall 4 _1, 5 _1, 4 _2, 6 ₁ angle theta ₁ with, the second
The predetermined angle is the same as the electrode 2 of the embodiment described above,
170 to 100 degrees is appropriate. The electrode 3 _1,
3 _second face of the ion generation part and the wall 4 _1, 6 _1, 4 _2, the angle theta ₁ with 6 ₂ is a predetermined angle as described above in the same manner as the electrode 2 of the first embodiment, 10 From 80 to 80 degrees is appropriate. In the ninth embodiment, at least four electrodes are required as in the eleventh embodiment.

The tenth embodiment of the present invention is the same as the ninth embodiment of the present invention, except that a pair of adjacent symmetrical electrodes and both sides of the whole of the dielectric material sandwiching the pair of electrodes are provided. The electrodes are closed with respect to the pair of electrodes. In this embodiment, a pair of electrodes having an adjacent symmetrical shape, and electrodes on both sides of the entire dielectric sandwiching the pair of electrodes are compared with a case where the electrodes are opened to the pair of electrodes. In this case, a pair of recessed electrodes is surrounded by the electrodes on both sides adjacent to the recessed portion, a portion having a stronger electric field strength is formed, and a discharge is generated at a low potential to reduce the amount of ozone generated.

FIG. 12 shows a twelfth embodiment of the present invention.
This twelfth embodiment is one embodiment of the invention according to claim 10. Twelfth embodiment, in the eleventh embodiment, the angle theta ₂ between the surface and the wall 4 _1, 6 ₁ of the electrodes 3 ₁ of the ion generating unit side, above as well as the electrode 2 of the second embodiment The predetermined angle is 170 ° to 100 °.

[0054] The surface and the wall ₆₁ of the electrode 2 and _second ion generation part, 4 ₂ angle theta ₁ with is a predetermined angle as described above in the same manner as the electrode 2 of the first embodiment, 10 From degree 80
The degree is appropriate. Surface of the electrode 2 _1, 3 ₂ of the ion generating unit side is flat. A pair of electrodes 3 ₁ of the adjacent symmetrical, 2 ₂ and, the pair of electrodes 3 _1, 2 ₂ dielectric 4 ₁ each sandwiching, 6 _1, 4 total on both sides of the electrode 2 _{1 2,} 3 ₂ ,
Closed to the pair of electrodes 3 ₁ and 2 ₂ (do not open outward)
Form.

FIG. 13 shows an electrode and a wall according to a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention. In the thirteenth embodiment, claim 10
It is another embodiment of the invention which concerns on. In the thirteenth embodiment, in the twelfth embodiment, the electrodes 2 _1, 3 ₁ of the angle theta ₁ between the surface and the wall 4 _{1-6 1} of the ion generation part includes an electrode 2 of the first embodiment Similarly, the above-mentioned predetermined angle is appropriate, and 10 to 80 degrees is appropriate. The electrode ₂ 2,
3 ₂ of the ion generating portion side surface and the wall _61, 4 _2, 6 ₂ angle theta ₂ with is the predetermined angle mentioned above in the same manner as the electrode 2 of the second embodiment, 100 from 170 degrees The degree is appropriate.

FIG. 14 shows an electrode and a wall according to a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention. This fourteenth embodiment is characterized in that
5 is another embodiment of the present invention. In the fourteenth embodiment, in the thirteenth embodiment, the electrode 2 _1, 3 ₂ are flat surfaces of the ion emission side.

An embodiment of the invention according to claim 11 is the embodiment of the invention according to claim 9 or the embodiment of the invention according to claim 10, wherein electrodes are provided on both sides of the whole of the dielectric and the pair of electrodes. It has a configuration in which two or more forms are connected. For this reason, in this embodiment, the discharge region is widened and uniform charging can be performed.

FIG. 15 shows a fifteenth embodiment of the present invention.
The fifteenth embodiment is an embodiment according to the eleventh aspect. Fifteenth embodiment, in the fourteenth embodiment, the electrodes 2 ₁ on the substrate 1, 3 _{1, 2} 2, 3 ₂ and the wall 4 _{1-6 1} of the dielectric, 4 _2, 6 ₂ two or more sets chosen , For example, electrode 2
₁ , 3 ₁ , 2 ₂ , 3 ₂ , 3 ₃ , 2 ₃ , 3 ₄ and dielectric walls 4 ₁ to 4
6 ₁ , 4 ₂ , 6 ₂ , 6 ₃ , 4 ₃ , 6 ₄ . As an embodiment of the invention according to claim 11, in the eleventh embodiment to the thirteenth embodiment, two or more forms having electrodes on both sides of the whole of the dielectric and the pair of electrodes are connected. It may be configured.

According to a twelfth embodiment of the present invention, in any one of the first to eleventh embodiments of the present invention, the ion generating portion and the photosensitive member 9 as a member to be charged are used. And a grid electrode between them. Therefore, in this embodiment, a desired charging potential can be obtained more reliably.

FIG. 16 shows a sixteenth embodiment of the present invention.
The sixteenth embodiment is an embodiment of the twelfth aspect of the present invention. The sixteenth embodiment is different from the seventh embodiment in that the grid electrode 1 is provided between the ion generator and the photoconductor 9.
1 is provided, in which by connecting the bias power supply 8a between the electrodes 2 ₂ and the grid electrode 11 is connected to a bias power source 8b between the base 9a of the grid electrode 11 and the photosensitive member 9.

[0061] The above first to sixth embodiments, in the eighth embodiment to the fifteenth embodiment, the grid electrode 11 is provided between the ion generating unit and the photosensitive member 9, the electrode 2 ₂ and the grid electrode A bias power supply 8b may be connected between the grid electrode 11 and the base 9a of the photoconductor 9 by connecting the bias power supply 8a to the bias power supply 8b.

A thirteenth embodiment of the present invention is an embodiment of an electrophotographic apparatus equipped with any one of the charging devices according to the first to twelfth embodiments of the present invention. is there. In this electrophotographic apparatus, a device other than the charging device is well-known, and for example, the photoconductor is the above-mentioned electrophotographic device.
The image forming apparatus is uniformly charged by the charging device according to any one of the embodiments of the present invention, and is exposed by an exposure unit to form an electrostatic latent image. The latent image is developed by the developing means to become a toner image. The toner image on the photoreceptor is transferred to a transfer material such as paper by a transfer means, or is transferred to an intermediate transfer body and then to a transfer material such as paper by a transfer means, and the toner image on the transfer material is fixed. It is fixed by the device. In this embodiment, it is possible to realize an electrophotographic apparatus that emits a small amount of ozone without using an ozone filter.

FIGS. 17 and 18 show the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, in the fifth embodiment, the electrodes 2 ₁ ,
The angle formed between the surface on the side of the ion generating section 2 ₂ and the walls 4 ₁ , 4 ₂ , 4 ₃ is the above-mentioned predetermined angle similarly to the electrode 2 of the second embodiment, and the discharge power source 7 is set to 50 Hz. An AC power supply is used. A DC power supply is used as the bias power supply 8, and the bias power supply 8 is provided below the drum-shaped photoreceptor 9 as a rotatable charged object.
Is installed.

Each of the power supplies 7 and 8 is so controlled that the charging potential of the photosensitive member 9 becomes -800 V when the photosensitive member 9 is rotated at a constant linear speed.
The linear velocity of the photoreceptor 9 was set to 100 mm / sec. The electrode material was tungsten. The dielectric material was PFA. The predetermined angles were 30 ° and 150 °, and the ozone odor around Example 1 was measured. However, as a result, there was no ozone odor as shown in FIG.

In Example 2 of the present invention, an experiment similar to Example 1 was performed in the above-described fifth embodiment. That is,
A 50-Hz AC power supply was used as the discharge power supply 7, a DC power supply was used as the bias power supply 8, and the charging device of Example 2 was installed under the drum-shaped photosensitive member 9 as a rotatable charged object.
The voltage of each of the power supplies 7 and 8 is set so that the charging potential of the photoconductor 9 becomes -800 V when the photoconductor 9 is rotated at a constant linear speed. The linear speed of the photoconductor 9: 100 mm / sec. : Tungsten-Dielectric material: PFA-Predetermined angle: 30 degrees, 150 degrees When the ozone odor around Example 2 was measured, the result was that there was no ozone odor as shown in FIG.

Example 3 of the present invention is a charging device similar to that of the above-described second embodiment. When an experiment similar to that of Example 1 was performed, as shown in FIG. There was no. Example 4 of the present invention is a charging device similar to that of the above-described eighth embodiment. When an experiment similar to that of Example 1 was performed, there was no ozone odor around Example 4 as shown in FIG. .

Example 5 of the present invention is a charging device similar to that of the above-described tenth embodiment, and an experiment similar to that of Example 1 was performed. As a result, as shown in FIG. There was no. Embodiment 6 of the present invention is directed to the first embodiment.
The charging device was the same as that of the first embodiment, and an experiment similar to that of the first embodiment was performed. As a result, as shown in FIG. 20, there was no ozone odor around the sixth embodiment.

Example 7 of the present invention is a charging device similar to that of the thirteenth embodiment, and an experiment similar to that of Example 1 was performed. As shown in FIG. There was no. Embodiment 8 of the present invention is directed to the first embodiment.
A charging device similar to that of the fifth embodiment was used, and an experiment similar to that of the first embodiment was performed. As a result, there was no ozone odor around the eighth embodiment as shown in FIG.

FIG. 19 shows Comparative Example 1. Comparative Example 1
Is a charging device having a conventional corona wire 12,
An experiment similar to that of Example 1 was performed by connecting a DC power supply 13 between the corona wire 12 and the base 9 a of the photoconductor 9.
As shown in FIG. 20, there was an ozone odor around Comparative Example 1.

[0070]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a portion having a high electric field intensity is formed by the above-described structure, discharge is generated at a low voltage, and the amount of ozone generated is reduced. According to the second aspect of the present invention, with the above configuration, a portion having a high electric field intensity is formed, and a discharge is generated at a low voltage, thereby reducing the amount of ozone generated. According to the third aspect of the present invention, with the above configuration, a portion having a higher electric field intensity is formed, and a discharge is generated at a low voltage to reduce the amount of ozone generated.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, a portion having a high electric field strength is formed by the above-described structure, and discharge is generated at a low voltage, and the amount of ozone generated is reduced. Furthermore, as compared with the invention according to claim 3, the uniformity of charging is improved, and the object to be charged can be uniformly charged. According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, with the above configuration, discharge occurs at a lower voltage and the amount of generated ozone is further reduced as compared with the fourth aspect of the present invention. In addition, uniformity of charging can be maintained.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, with the above configuration, the discharge region is widened, and more uniform charging can be performed. According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, a portion having a high electric field intensity is formed by the above configuration, and a discharge is generated at a low voltage to reduce the amount of ozone generated. According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, a portion having a higher electric field intensity is formed by the above configuration, and a discharge is generated at a low potential, thereby reducing the amount of ozone generated.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, a portion having a higher electric field intensity is formed by the above configuration, and a discharge is generated at a low potential, thereby reducing the amount of ozone generated. According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, with the above configuration, a portion having a higher electric field intensity is formed, and a discharge is generated at a low potential, thereby reducing the amount of ozone generated. According to the eleventh aspect, with the above configuration, the discharge region is widened, and uniform charging can be performed.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, a desired charging potential can be obtained more reliably by the above configuration. According to the thirteenth aspect, with the above configuration, it is possible to realize an electrophotographic apparatus that emits a small amount of ozone without using an ozone filter.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing a tenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing an eleventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing a twelfth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view showing an electrode and a wall according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view showing an electrode and a wall according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view showing a fifteenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a sectional view showing a sixteenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a sectional view showing Example 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a schematic view showing the first embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a sectional view showing Comparative Example 1.

FIG. 20 shows Examples 1 to 8 and Comparative Example 1 of the present invention.
It is a figure showing the experimental result of.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 substrate 2,3,2 ₂₁ to ₂₄ discharge electrode 4～6,4 _{1-4 5,} 5 _1, 5 _2, 6 _1, 6 ₂ dielectric wall 7 discharge power supply 8, 8a, 8b bias power supply 9 Photoconductor 11 Grid electrode

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Tomoaki Sugawara 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo, Ricoh Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Masaharu Tanaka 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo・ In Ricoh Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Kazuhiko Umemura 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo ・ F-term in Ricoh Co., Ltd. (reference) 2H003 AA18 BB11 CC01 EE03 EE08

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A charging device in which a space formed by sandwiching an electrode between dielectrics has an ion generating portion, wherein the charging device has portions in which adjacent electrodes have different shapes. 2. A charging device having a space formed by sandwiching an electrode between dielectrics as an ion generating portion, wherein the charging device has an electrode at a predetermined angle with respect to the surface of the dielectric sandwiching the electrode. Charging device. 3. The charging device according to claim 1, wherein
A charging device comprising a series of symmetric electrodes. 4. The charging device according to claim 2, wherein electrodes of the same shape are connected in series. 5. The charging device according to claim 4, wherein the center of the cross section of the electrode is concave. 6. A charging device according to claim 1, wherein three or more electrodes are connected in series. 7. A charging device using a space formed by sandwiching electrodes between dielectrics as an ion generating portion, wherein adjacent electrodes have a step in an ion emission direction, and three or more electrodes are connected, A charging device characterized in that an electrode sandwiched between electrodes via a dielectric is depressed in an ion emission direction as compared with electrodes on both sides thereof. 8. The charging device according to claim 6, wherein adjacent electrodes have a step in the direction of ion emission, three or more electrodes are connected, and are sandwiched between the electrodes via a dielectric. The charging device according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrodes described above are depressed in the ion emission direction as compared with the electrodes on both sides thereof. 9. The charging device according to claim 3, wherein a pair of adjacent symmetrical electrodes is paired, and each of said pair of electrodes is sandwiched between dielectrics. A charging device, wherein the charging device is configured to be depressed in the ion emission direction as compared with the electrodes on both sides of the whole of the pair of electrodes. 10. A charging device according to claim 9, wherein said electrodes on both sides are closed with respect to said pair of electrodes. 11. The charging device according to claim 9, wherein two or more forms having electrodes on both sides of the whole of said dielectric and said pair of electrodes are connected. 12. The charging device according to claim 1, further comprising a grid electrode between said ion generating portion and an object to be charged. 13. An electrophotographic apparatus comprising the charging device according to claim 1.