JP2005070184A - Developing device, regulating member, image forming apparatus, and image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

A developing device, a regulating member, an image forming apparatus, and an image forming system that appropriately prevent deterioration in image quality are provided.
A developer carrying member having an elastic portion and carrying a liquid developer;
A developer supply member having a recess on the surface, the surface being in pressure contact with the elastic portion of the developer carrier, and supplying the liquid developer held in the recess to the developer carrier; A regulating member that abuts on the surface of the developer supply member and regulates the amount of the liquid developer on the developer supply member, and is formed by the liquid developer carried on the developer carrier. In the developing device for developing the latent image carried on the image carrier, the restricting member is an elastic body.
[Selection] Figure 9

Description

  The present invention relates to a developing device, a regulating member, an image forming apparatus, and an image forming system.

  As this type of image forming apparatus, for example, a photoconductor as an example of an image carrier for carrying a latent image and a latent image carried on the photoconductor by a liquid developer (hereinafter also simply referred to as a developer). 2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus having a developing device for developing an image is known. Such an image forming apparatus forms a latent image on a photoreceptor when an image signal or the like is transmitted from an external device such as a host computer. Then, the latent image formed and carried on the photosensitive member reaches the developing position as the photosensitive member rotates, and is developed by the developing device, so that a developer image is formed on the photosensitive member.

  The above developing device is an example of a developer carrying member that has an elastic portion and carries a developer in order to realize the above-described function of developing a latent image formed on a photoreceptor. Developer as an example of a developer supplying member for supplying a developing roller and a developer having a concave portion on the surface thereof, the surface being in pressure contact with an elastic portion of the developing roller, and supplying the developer held in the concave portion to the developing roller A supply roller and a regulating blade as an example of a regulating member that abuts on the surface of the developer supply roller and regulates the amount of the developer on the developer supply roller.

In such a developing device, the amount of developer on the developer supply roller is regulated by a regulating blade, and the developer whose amount is regulated is transferred from the developer supply roller to the developing roller. The developer transferred to the developing roller is used for developing the latent image.
JP-A-9-185265

  As described above, the developer whose amount is regulated by the regulating blade is transferred from the developer supply roller to the developing roller, but the developer transferred to the developing roller has ribs (such as thick streaks). Pattern) may occur. When an image is formed by developing the latent image carried on the photosensitive member with the developer in which the rib is generated, the image quality is deteriorated.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to realize a developing device, a regulating member, an image forming apparatus, and an image forming system that appropriately prevent deterioration in image quality. is there.

  The main aspect of the present invention is a developer carrying body for carrying a liquid developer having an elastic portion, a concave portion on the surface, the surface being in pressure contact with the elastic portion of the developer carrying body, A developer supply member for supplying the liquid developer held in the recess to the developer carrier, and the amount of the liquid developer on the developer supply member in contact with the surface of the developer supply member A developing member that develops the latent image carried on the image carrier by the liquid developer carried on the developer carrier, wherein the regulating member is an elastic body. There is a developing device.

  Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a developing device, a regulating member, an image forming apparatus, and an image forming system that appropriately prevent deterioration in image quality.

  At least the following will be made clear by the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

A developer carrying body having an elastic part for carrying the liquid developer and a concave part on the surface, the surface being pressed against the elastic part of the developer carrying body and held in the concave part A developer supply member for supplying the liquid developer to the developer carrier, and a regulation for regulating the amount of the liquid developer on the developer supply member in contact with the surface of the developer supply member A developing device that develops a latent image carried on the image carrier with a liquid developer carried on the developer carrier, wherein the regulating member is an elastic body. Developing device.
Since the restricting member is an elastic body, it is possible to appropriately prevent deterioration in image quality.

The developer carrier and the developer supply member may be a development roller and a developer supply roller, respectively.
Further, the hardness of the restricting member on the surface of the developer supply roller may be lower than the hardness of the elastic portion on the surface of the developer supply roller. Good.
In such a case, the regulating member appropriately bites into the recess to prevent the occurrence of ribs, and the elastic part of the developing roller bites into the groove too much, so that an excessive amount of liquid developer is transferred to the developing roller. It becomes possible to suppress the demerits that have been made.

The rotation direction of the developing roller may be opposite to the rotation direction of the developer supply roller.
In this way, it is possible to prevent excessive rotational resistance from occurring at the pressure contact portions of both rollers.

The regulating member may be in contact with the surface of the developing roller at an edge portion thereof to regulate the amount of liquid developer on the developer supply roller.
In this way, the liquid developer on the developer supply roller can be scraped more appropriately.

The material of the developer supply roller may be metal.
In such a case, it is possible to more appropriately bite the restricting member and the elastic portion of the developing roller into the concave portion of the developer supply roller.

The material of the restricting member and the material of the elastic portion of the developing roller may both be rubber.
The liquid developer may be a non-volatile liquid developer that is non-volatile at normal temperature.
In such a case, the effect described above, that is, the effect of preventing the deterioration of the image quality by suppressing the generation of the ribs is more effectively exhibited.

  In addition, a developer carrying member for holding a liquid developer having an elastic portion and a concave portion on the surface, the surface is pressed against the elastic portion of the developer carrying member and held in the concave portion For regulating the amount of the liquid developer on the developer supply member by contacting the developer supply member for supplying the liquid developer to the developer carrying member and the surface of the developer supply member And a developing device that develops a latent image carried on the image carrier by a liquid developer carried on the developer carrier, wherein the regulation member is an elastic body, The developer carrying member and the developer supplying member are a developing roller and a developer supplying roller, respectively, and the hardness of the contact portion of the regulating member to the surface of the developer supplying roller is the elasticity. Lower than the hardness of the press-contact portion of the portion to the surface of the developer supply roller The rotation direction of the developing roller is opposite to the rotation direction of the developer supply roller, and the regulating member abuts on the surface of the development roller at an edge thereof, and is on the developer supply roller. The amount of the liquid developer is regulated, the material of the developer supply roller is metal, the material of the regulating member and the material of the elastic portion of the developing roller are both rubber, and the liquid developer is A developing device characterized by being a non-volatile liquid developer having non-volatility at room temperature can also be realized.

In addition, a developer carrying member for holding a liquid developer having an elastic portion and a concave portion on the surface, the surface is pressed against the elastic portion of the developer carrying member and held in the concave portion A developer supply member for supplying the liquid developer to the developer carrier, and the latent image carried on the image carrier by the liquid developer carried on the developer carrier. A regulating member provided in a developing device that develops, and abuts on the surface of the developer supply member to regulate the amount of liquid developer on the developer supply member, wherein the regulation member is an elastic body It is also possible to realize a regulating member characterized by
According to such a restricting member, it is possible to appropriately prevent deterioration in image quality.

In addition, the image carrier for carrying the latent image, the developer carrier for carrying the liquid developer with the elastic portion, and the surface having a recess, the surface of the developer carrier A developer supply member that presses against the elastic portion and supplies the liquid developer held in the recess to the developer carrier, and abuts against the surface of the developer supply member to supply the developer And a regulating member for regulating the amount of the liquid developer on the member, and developing the latent image carried on the image carrier by the liquid developer carried on the developer carrier Further, it is possible to realize an image forming apparatus in which the restriction member is an elastic body.
According to such an image forming apparatus, it is possible to appropriately prevent deterioration in image quality.

A computer and an image forming apparatus connectable to the computer, an image carrier for carrying a latent image, and a developer carrier for carrying a liquid developer having an elastic portion A developer supply member having a recess on the surface, the surface being in pressure contact with the elastic portion of the developer carrier, and supplying the liquid developer held in the recess to the developer carrier; And a regulating member that abuts on the surface of the developer supply member and regulates the amount of the liquid developer on the developer supply member, and is carried on the developer carrier. An image forming apparatus comprising: a developing device that develops a latent image carried on the image carrier, wherein the restricting member is an elastic body. Is also feasible.
The image forming system realized in this way is a system superior to the conventional system as a whole system.

=== Example of Overall Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus ===
Next, an outline of a laser beam printer (hereinafter also referred to as a printer) 10 as an example of the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating main components constituting the printer 10. In FIG. 1, the vertical direction is indicated by arrows. For example, the developing units 50Y, 50M, 50C, and 50K are arranged in the lower part of the printer 10, and the intermediate transfer member 70 is arranged in the upper part of the printer 10. Is arranged.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 10 according to the present embodiment includes four developing units 15Y, 15M, 15C, and 15K, an intermediate transfer member 70, a secondary transfer unit 80, and a fixing unit (not shown). The display unit includes a liquid crystal panel that serves as an informing means for the user, and a control unit 100 (FIG. 2) that controls these units and operates as a printer.

  The developing units 15Y, 15M, 15C, and 15K have a function of developing a latent image with a yellow (Y) developer, a magenta (M) developer, a cyan (C) developer, and a black (K) developer, respectively. ing. Since the developing units 15Y, 15M, 15C, and 15K have the same configuration, the developing unit 15Y will be described below.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the developing unit 15Y includes a charging unit 30Y, an exposure unit 40Y, a developing unit 50Y as an example of a developing device, and a primary transfer unit along the rotation direction of a photoconductor 20Y as an example of an image carrier. 60Y, a charge eliminating unit 73Y, and a photoreceptor cleaning unit 75Y.

  The photoreceptor 20Y has a cylindrical base material and a photosensitive layer formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof, and is rotatable about a central axis. In the present embodiment, as shown by an arrow in FIG. Rotate clockwise.

  The charging unit 30Y is a device for charging the photoconductor 20Y, and the exposure unit 40Y is a device for forming a latent image on the photoconductor 20Y charged by irradiating a laser. The exposure unit 40Y has a semiconductor laser, a polygon mirror, an F-θ lens, and the like, and charges the modulated laser based on an image signal input from a host computer (not shown) such as a personal computer or a word processor. Irradiation is performed on the photoconductor 20Y.

  The developing unit 50Y is a device for developing the latent image formed on the photoreceptor 20Y using a yellow (Y) developer. Details of the developing unit 50Y will be described later.

The primary transfer unit 60Y is a device for transferring the yellow developer image formed on the photoreceptor 20Y to the intermediate transfer body 70. When the four color developers are sequentially transferred by the primary transfer units 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K, a full color developer image is formed on the intermediate transfer member 70.
The intermediate transfer member 70 is an endless belt stretched around a plurality of support rollers, and is driven to rotate while contacting the photoreceptors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K.
The secondary transfer unit 80 is a device for transferring a single color developer image or a full color developer image formed on the intermediate transfer body 70 to a medium such as paper, film, or cloth.
A fixing unit (not shown) is a device for fusing a single color developer image or a full color developer image transferred onto a medium onto a medium such as paper to form a permanent image.
The neutralization unit 73Y is a device that removes residual charges on the photoreceptor 20Y after the developer image is transferred onto the intermediate transfer body 70 by the primary transfer unit 60Y.

  The photosensitive member cleaning unit 75Y has a rubber photosensitive member cleaning blade 76Y that is in contact with the surface of the photosensitive member 20Y. After the developer image is transferred onto the intermediate transfer member 70 by the primary transfer unit 60Y, the photosensitive member cleaning unit 75Y is photosensitive. This is a device for scraping and removing the developer remaining on the body 20Y by the photoreceptor cleaning blade 76Y.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 100 includes a main controller 101 and a unit controller 102. An image signal and a control signal are input to the main controller 101, and in response to a command based on the image signal and the control signal. A unit controller 102 controls each of the units and forms an image.

  Next, the operation of the printer 10 configured as described above will be described with reference to other components.

  First, when an image signal and a control signal from a host computer (not shown) are input to the main controller 101 of the printer 10 via the interface (I / F) 112, the unit controller 102 based on a command from the main controller 101. Under the control, the photoconductors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K, the developing rollers (described later) provided in the developing units 50Y, 50M, 50C, and 50K, the intermediate transfer body 70, and the like rotate. The photoconductors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K are sequentially charged by the charging units 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K at the charging positions while rotating.

  The charged regions of the photoconductors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K reach the exposure position as the photoconductors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K rotate, and are exposed to yellow Y and magenta by the exposure units 40Y, 40M, 40C, and 40K. A latent image corresponding to the image information of M, cyan C, and black K is formed in the area.

  The latent images formed on the photoreceptors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K reach the development position as the photoreceptors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K rotate, and are developed by the development units 50Y, 50M, 50C, and 50K. . As a result, developer images are formed on the photoreceptors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K.

  The developer images formed on the photoconductors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K reach the primary transfer position as the photoconductors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K rotate, and are transferred by the primary transfer units 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K. Then, it is transferred to the intermediate transfer body 70. At this time, a primary transfer voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the developer is applied to the primary transfer units 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K. As a result, the four color developer images formed on the respective photoconductors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K are transferred to overlap with the intermediate transfer member 70, and a full color developer image is formed on the intermediate transfer member 70. Is done.

The full color developer image formed on the intermediate transfer member 70 reaches the secondary transfer position as the intermediate transfer member 70 rotates, and is transferred to the medium by the secondary transfer unit 80. The medium is transported from a paper feed tray (not shown) to the secondary transfer unit 80 via various rollers (the arrows in FIG. 1 indicate the transport direction of the medium). When performing the transfer operation, the secondary transfer unit 80 is pressed against the intermediate transfer body 70 and a secondary transfer voltage is applied.
The full color developer image transferred to the medium is heated and pressed by the fixing unit and fused to the medium.

  On the other hand, the photoreceptors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K are neutralized by the neutralization units 73Y, 73M, 73C, and 73K after passing the primary transfer position, and are further supported by the photoreceptor cleaning units 75Y, 75M, 75C, and 75K. The developer adhering to the surface is scraped off by the photoconductor cleaning blades 76Y, 76M, 76C, and 76K to prepare for charging to form the next latent image. The developer that has been scraped off is collected in a remaining developer collecting section provided in the photoreceptor cleaning units 75Y, 75M, 75C, and 75K.

=== Overview of Control Unit ===
Next, the configuration of the control unit 100 will be described with reference to FIG. The main controller 101 of the control unit 100 is connected to a host computer via an interface 112 and includes an image memory 113 for storing image signals input from the host computer. The unit controller 102 includes units (charging units 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K, exposure units 40Y, 40M, 40C, and 40K, developing units 50Y, 50M, 50C, and 50K, primary transfer units 60Y, 60M, and 60C, and the like. 60K, static elimination units 73Y, 73M, 73C, 73K, photoconductor cleaning units 75Y, 75M, 75C, 75K, secondary transfer unit 80, fixing unit, display unit), and signals from sensors included in these , Each unit is controlled based on a signal input from the main controller 101 while detecting the state of each unit.

=== Configuration Example of Development Unit ===
Next, a configuration example of the developing unit will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing main components of the developing unit. FIG. 4 is a conceptual perspective view showing the surface of the developer supply roller 550. 5A to 5C are cross-sectional views showing the shapes of grooves provided on the surface of the developer supply roller 550. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the trail regulation of the regulation blade 560. In FIG. 3, the vertical direction is indicated by arrows as in FIG. 1. For example, the developing roller 510 is above the developer pumping roller 540.

  The printer 10 includes, as developing units, a black developing unit 50K containing black (K) developer, a magenta developing unit 50M containing magenta (M) developer, and a cyan developing unit 50C containing cyan (C) developer. , And a yellow developing unit 50Y containing a yellow (Y) developer is provided. Since each developing unit has the same configuration, the yellow developing unit 50Y will be described below.

  The yellow developing unit 50Y includes a developing roller 510 as an example of a developer carrier, a developer container 530, a developer scooping roller 540, a developer supply roller 550 as an example of a developer supply member, and a regulating member. As an example, a regulation blade 560 and a developing roller cleaning unit 570 are provided.

  The developer storage unit 530 stores a developer D for developing the latent image formed on the photoconductor 20Y. The developer D accommodated in the developer accommodating portion 530 has a low concentration (about 1 to 2 wt%) and a low viscosity with Isopar (trademark: exon) as a carrier, which is generally used conventionally. It is not a volatile liquid developer having volatility, but a non-volatile liquid developer D having a high concentration and high viscosity and having non-volatility at room temperature. That is, the liquid developer D according to the present embodiment has a high concentration of toner particles made of resin, pigment, and the like having an average particle diameter of about 0.1 to 5 μm in a non-volatile and insulating carrier liquid such as silicone oil ( Developer D having a high viscosity (about 100 to 10,000 mPa · s) dispersed in about 5 to 40 wt%.

  The developer pump-up roller 540 pumps up the developer D stored in the developer storage unit 530 and conveys it to the developer supply roller 550. The lower part of the developer pumping roller 540 is immersed in the developer D accommodated in the developer accommodating portion 530, and is separated from the developer supply roller 550 with a width of about 1 mm.

  Further, the developer scooping roller 540 can rotate around its central axis, and the central axis is below the rotational central axis of the developer supply roller 550. Further, the developer scooping roller 540 rotates in the same direction (clockwise in FIG. 3) as the rotation direction of the developer supply roller 550 (clockwise in FIG. 3). The developer pump-up roller 540 has a function of pumping up the developer D stored in the developer storage section 530 and transporting it to the developer supply roller 550, and developing the developer D in an appropriate state. It also has a function of stirring the agent D.

  The developer supply roller 550 supplies the developer D conveyed from the developer container 530 by the developer pumping roller 540 to the developing roller 510. This developer supply roller is formed by uniformly and spirally forming a groove 550a as an example of a recess as shown in FIG. 4 on the surface of a metallic roller such as iron, and having a diameter of about 25 mm. The developer supply roller 550 in the present embodiment includes a groove 550a having a trapezoidal cross section as shown in FIG. 5A as the groove, for example, a groove having an inverted triangular cross section as shown in FIG. 5B. Or a groove having a semicircular cross section as shown in FIG. 5C. As shown in FIG. 5A, the groove dimensions of the developer supply roller 550 in the present embodiment are a groove pitch of about 170 μm, a peak width of about 45 μm, a valley width of about 30 μm, and a groove depth of about 50 μm.

  Further, the developer supply roller 550 has a surface pressed against an elastic layer described later of the development roller 510 in order to appropriately transfer the developer D on the developer supply roller 550 to the development roller 510. ing. Further, the developer supply roller 550 can rotate around its central axis, and the central axis is below the rotation central axis of the developing roller 510. Further, the developer supply roller 550 rotates in a direction (clockwise in FIG. 3) opposite to the rotation direction of the developing roller 510 (counterclockwise in FIG. 3).

  The regulation blade 560 contacts the surface of the developer supply roller 550 and regulates the amount of the developer D on the developer supply roller. That is, the regulation blade 560 plays a role of scraping off the excess developer on the developer supply roller 550 and measuring the developer D on the developer supply roller 550 supplied to the development roller 510. The restriction blade 560 is made of urethane rubber as an elastic body, and is supported by a restriction blade support member 562 made of metal such as iron. The rubber hardness of the regulation blade 560 is about 62 degrees according to JIS-A, and the hardness (about 62 degrees) of the contact portion of the regulation blade 560 with the surface of the developer supply roller 550 is about the developing roller described later. This is lower than the hardness (about 85 degrees) of the pressure contact portion of the elastic body layer 510 to the surface of the developer supply roller 550.

  Further, the edge 560a of the regulating blade 560 is in contact with the surface of the developer supply roller 550, and so-called edge regulation is performed. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the regulating blade 560 is disposed so that the tip thereof faces the downstream side in the rotation direction of the developer supply roller 550, and performs so-called trail regulation. As shown in FIG. 6, in this embodiment, the trail angle is about 10 degrees.

  The developing roller 510 carries the developer D and conveys it to the developing position facing the photoconductor 20Y in order to develop the latent image carried on the photoconductor 20Y with the developer D. The developing roller 510 is provided with an elastic layer as an example of an elastic portion having conductivity on the outer peripheral portion of an inner core made of metal such as iron, and has a diameter of about 20 mm. The elastic body layer has a two-layer structure. As the inner layer, urethane rubber having a rubber hardness of about 30 degrees JIS-A and a thickness of about 5 mm is used, and as the surface layer (outer layer), the rubber hardness is JIS. A urethane rubber having a thickness of about 30 μm at about 85 ° A is provided. The developing roller 510 is in pressure contact with the developer supply roller 550 and the photoreceptor 20Y in a state where the surface layer is a pressure contact portion and is elastically deformed.

  Further, the developing roller 510 can rotate around its central axis, and the central axis is below the rotational central axis of the photoconductor 20Y. Further, the developing roller 510 rotates in a direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 3) opposite to the rotation direction of the photoreceptor 20Y (clockwise in FIG. 3). When developing the latent image formed on the photoconductor 20Y, an electric field is formed between the developing roller 510 and the photoconductor 20Y.

  The developing roller cleaning unit 570 has a rubber developing roller cleaning blade 571 in contact with the surface of the developing roller 510, and the developer D remaining on the developing roller 510 after development is performed at the developing position. Is scraped off by the developing roller cleaning blade 571 and removed.

  In the yellow developing unit 50Y configured as described above, the developer scooping roller 540 rotates around its central axis, thereby scooping up the developer D accommodated in the developer accommodating portion 530 and developing developer supply roller 550. Transport to.

  The developer D conveyed to the developer supply roller 550 reaches the contact position of the regulating blade 560 by the rotation of the developer supply roller 550. Then, when passing through the contact position, the excess amount of the developer D is scraped off by the regulating blade 560, and the amount of the developer D supplied to the developing roller 510 is measured. That is, since the developer supply roller 550 is provided with the groove 550a as described above, the regulating blade 560 that contacts the developer supply roller 550 causes the developer D on the developer supply roller 550 to enter the groove 550a. The retained developer D is left and scraped off. Further, since the dimension of the groove 550a is determined so that the developer amount of the developer D supplied to the developing roller 510 is an appropriate amount, the regulating blade 560 causes the developer D on the developer supply roller 550 to be removed. When scraped off, the developer D measured to an appropriate amount by the groove 550a remains in the groove 550a.

  The developer D held in the groove 550 a of the developer supply roller 550 reaches a pressure contact position with the development roller 510 by further rotation of the developer supply roller 550. The developer D that has reached the pressure contact position is transferred from the developer supply roller 550 to the development roller 510 due to the pressure generated by the pressure contact between the developer supply roller 550 and the development roller 510, and is transferred onto the development roller 510. A thin film of developer D is formed.

  The developer D thin film formed on the developing roller 510 in this manner reaches the developing position (that is, the pressure contact position with the photoconductor 20Y) facing the photoconductor 20Y by the rotation of the developing roller 510, and the development The latent image formed on the photoconductor 20Y is subjected to development at a position under an electric field of a predetermined magnitude. The developer D on the developing roller 510 that has passed the developing position reaches the contact position of the developing roller cleaning blade 571 as the developing roller 510 further rotates. When passing through the contact position, the developer D attached to the surface of the developing roller 510 is scraped off by the developing roller cleaning blade 571, and the developer D thus scraped off is removed from the developing roller cleaning unit. It is collected in a residual developer collecting unit provided in 570.

=== Mechanism of rib generation ===
As described in the section of the problem to be solved by the invention, when the developer D whose amount is regulated by the regulating blade 560 is transferred from the developer supply roller 550 to the developing roller 510, ribs (thick streaks) are formed. Or the like) may occur. Here, the mechanism of rib generation will be described with reference to FIGS. 7A to 7C and FIGS. 8A to 8C while comparing an example in which ribs are generated and an example in which ribs are not generated. FIGS. 7A to 7C and FIGS. 8A to 8C are conceptual diagrams showing a state in which the developer D held in the groove 550a is transferred to the developing roller 510, and FIGS. 7A to 7C are ribs. FIG. 8A to FIG. 8C are conceptual diagrams for explaining an example in which no rib is generated. 7A and 8A show the state before transfer, FIGS. 7B and 8B show the state during transfer, and FIGS. 7C and 8C show the state after transfer, respectively.

  As described above, the developer D on the developer supply roller 550 that has reached the contact position of the regulation blade 560 is scraped off leaving the developer D held in the groove 550a at the contact position, and is then transferred to the groove 550a. The held residual developer D is conveyed to a pressure contact position with the developing roller 510 and transferred to the developing roller 510.

  Attention is now directed to FIGS. 7A and 8A. 7A and 8A show the state of the developer D, the amount of which is regulated by the regulating blade 560 and held in the groove 550a before being supplied (transferred) to the developing roller 510. Is shown. As is apparent from the figure, the amount of the developer D held in the groove 550a is different in both figures. That is, in FIG. 7A, the amount of the developer D held in the groove 550a before being supplied (transferred) to the developing roller 510 is larger than the volume of the groove 550a holding the developer D. 8A, the amount of the developer D held in the groove 550a before being supplied (transferred) to the developing roller 510 is smaller than the volume of the groove 550a holding the developer D.

  Next, transfer of the developer D in the state shown in FIG. 7A to the developing roller 510 will be considered. As shown in FIG. 7B, when the developer D held in the groove 550a is transferred to the developing roller 510, the developing roller 510 is caused by pressure generated by the developer supply roller 550 and the developing roller 510 being in pressure contact with each other. It is elastically deformed by the above action and bites into the groove 550a. Then, the developer D held in the groove 550a is pushed out by the developing roller 510 digging into the groove 550a, and the pushed developer D is positioned between the grooves 550a on the surface of the developer supply roller 550 (for example, FIG. 7B to the position indicated by symbol X). Therefore, a phenomenon occurs in which the developer D held in the grooves 550a adjacent to each other is connected.

  In such a situation, when the pressure contact between the developing roller 510 and the developer supply roller 550 is released, as shown in FIG. 7C, the developer D held in the grooves 550a adjacent to each other is joined together, so that the developing roller In 510, a rib (a thick streaky pattern or the like, indicated by a symbol Y in FIG. 7C) is generated.

  On the other hand, considering the transfer of the developer D in the state shown in FIG. 8A to the developing roller 510, the developer D held in the groove 550a is transferred to the developing roller 510 as shown in FIG. 8B. The point that the developing roller 510 bites into the groove 550a is the same as the example of FIG. 7B. However, since the amount of the developer D held in the groove 550a before being supplied (transferred) to the developing roller 510 is smaller than the volume of the groove 550a holding the developer D, the phenomenon described above, that is, The phenomenon that the developer D held in the groove 550a is pushed out and the developer D held in the adjacent grooves 550a is connected to each other does not occur.

  Therefore, in this situation, when the pressure contact between the developing roller 510 and the developer supply roller 550 is released, as shown in FIG. 8C, no rib is generated, and the developer measured to an appropriate amount by the groove 550a. D is transferred to the developing roller 510.

  As is apparent from the above consideration, the presence or absence of the occurrence of ribs is regulated by the regulating blade 560 and is the developer D held in the groove 550a before being supplied (transferred) to the developing roller 510. Is related to the amount of developer D. That is, when the amount of the developer D is equal to or larger than the volume of the groove 550a holding the developer D, the occurrence of ribs becomes significant, and conversely, the amount of the developer D is When the volume of the groove 550a holding the developer D is less than the volume, the generation of ribs is suppressed.

=== Regulatory effect by elastic regulating blade ===
As described above, the regulating blade 560 according to the present embodiment is an elastic body. Then, by regulating the amount of developer on the developer supply roller 550 by the regulation blade 560 having such elasticity, it is possible to appropriately prevent the deterioration of the image quality.

  That is, as described in the section of the problem to be solved by the invention, the developer D whose amount is regulated by the regulating blade 560 is transferred from the developer supply roller 550 to the developing roller 510. Ribs may be generated in the developer D transferred to 510. When the latent image carried on the photoconductors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K is developed by the developer D in which the rib is generated to form an image, the image quality is deteriorated.

  Further, as described in the section of the rib generation mechanism, the amount of the rib is regulated by the regulating blade 560 and is the developer D held in the groove 550a and supplied (transferred) to the developing roller 510. When the amount of the developer D before the development is greater than the volume of the groove 550a holding the developer D, the occurrence becomes significant.

  Therefore, the amount of developer on the developer supply roller 550 is regulated by a regulation blade 560 having elasticity. In this way, as shown in FIG. 9, the restriction blade 560 can be elastically deformed and bite into the groove 550a to scrape off the developer D held in the groove 550a. By 560, it is easily realized that the amount of the developer D held in the regulated groove 550a is smaller than the volume of the groove 550a holding the developer D.

  Therefore, the generation of ribs is suppressed, and the above-described problem, that is, the case where an image is formed by developing the latent images carried on the photoconductors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K with the developer D that has generated ribs. In addition, it is possible to appropriately prevent the problem that the image quality is deteriorated.

  FIG. 9 is an enlarged conceptual diagram showing a state where the regulating blade 560 is in contact with the surface of the developer supply roller 550.

=== Other Embodiments ===
Although the developing device and the like according to the present invention have been described above based on the above embodiment, the above embodiment is for facilitating understanding of the present invention and does not limit the present invention. . The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the gist thereof, and the present invention includes the equivalents thereof.

  In the above embodiment, an intermediate transfer type full-color laser beam printer has been described as an example of the image forming apparatus. However, the present invention is also applicable to a full-color laser beam printer other than the intermediate transfer type. Further, it is applicable not only to a full color laser printer but also to a monochrome laser beam printer. Further, it is applicable not only to a printer but also to various image forming apparatuses such as a copying machine and a facsimile.

  Further, the photosensitive member is not limited to a so-called photosensitive roller configured by providing a photosensitive layer on the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical base material, and is a so-called photosensitive belt configured by providing a photosensitive layer on the surface of a belt-shaped base material. It may be.

  In the above embodiment, the groove 550a has been described as an example of the recess provided in the developer supply roller 550. For example, a recess having a shape shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B is provided as the developer supply. A large number of rollers 550 may be provided. 10A and 10B show the shape of a recess provided on the developer supply roller 550. FIG.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the regulation blade 560 is arranged so that the tip thereof faces the downstream side in the rotation direction of the developer supply roller 550 and performs so-called trail regulation. For example, the tip of the developer supply roller is disposed so as to face the upstream side of the rotation direction of the developer supply roller, and so-called counter regulation may be performed.

  In the above embodiment, the developer carrier and the developer supply member are the development roller 510 and the developer supply roller 550, respectively. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a belt-like development belt or developer supply belt may be used.

  In the above embodiment, the hardness (about 62 degrees) of the contact portion of the regulating blade 560 with the surface of the developer supply roller 550 (about 62 degrees) is the developer supply roller 550 of the elastic layer of the development roller 510. Although the hardness is lower than the hardness (about 85 degrees) of the pressure contact portion to the surface, it is not limited to this. For example, the hardness of the contact portion may be higher than the hardness of the pressure contact portion.

  When the hardness of the contact portion is higher than the hardness of the pressure contact portion, the regulating blade does not properly bite into the groove, and accordingly, the generation of ribs is promoted. In addition, the elastic layer of the developing roller is too much bite into the groove, and an excessive amount of developer is transferred to the developing roller. When the hardness of the contact portion is lower than the hardness of the pressure contact portion, it is more desirable in that it does not have the disadvantage.

  In the above embodiment, the rotation direction of the developing roller 510 is opposite to the rotation direction of the developer supply roller 550. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the rotation direction of the developing roller 510 may be the same as the rotation direction of the developer supply roller 550.

  When the rotation direction of the developing roller and the rotation direction of the developer supply roller are the same direction, the developing roller and the developer supply roller rotate in pressure contact with each other, so that excessive rotational resistance is generated in the pressure contact portion. In the case where the rotation direction of the developing roller 510 and the rotation direction of the developer supply roller 550 are opposite directions, it is more desirable because it does not have the disadvantage.

In the above embodiment, the regulating blade 560 abuts the surface of the developing roller 510 at the edge portion 560a to regulate the amount of the developer D on the developer supplying roller 550. It is not limited to. For example, the regulating blade may be in contact with the surface of the developing roller at the antinode.
However, the above embodiment is more preferable in that the developer D on the developer supply roller 550 can be scraped more appropriately.

In the above embodiment, the material of the developer supply roller 550 is metal. However, the material is not limited to this, and a material other than metal may be used.
However, when the material of the developer supply roller 550 is metal, the elastic blade layer of the regulating blade 560 and the development roller 510 bites into the groove 550a of the developer supply roller 550 more appropriately. The form is more desirable.

  In the above embodiment, the material of the regulating blade 560 and the material of the elastic body layer of the developing roller 510 are both rubber. However, the invention is not limited to this, and the material has elasticity. Any member can be used.

  In the above-described embodiment, the developer D is a non-volatile liquid developer that is non-volatile at normal temperature, but is not limited thereto. For example, the developer may be a low-concentration (about 1 to 2 wt%) and low-viscosity volatile liquid developer using Isopar (trademark: Exon) as a carrier at room temperature.

  The non-volatile liquid developer having non-volatility at normal temperature has a high viscosity in order to exhibit its non-volatility. When a high-viscosity liquid developer is used in the above-described developing device, the aforementioned ribs are likely to occur due to the high viscosity. Therefore, the above-described embodiment is more effective in that the above-described effect, that is, the effect of suppressing the generation of ribs and preventing the deterioration of image quality, is more effectively exhibited.

=== Configuration of Image Forming System etc. ===
Next, an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an external configuration of the image forming system. The image forming system 700 includes a computer 702, a display device 704, a printer 706, an input device 708, and a reading device 710. In this embodiment, the computer 702 is housed in a mini-tower type housing, but is not limited thereto. The display device 704 is generally a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), a plasma display, a liquid crystal display device, or the like, but is not limited thereto. As the printer 706, the printer described above is used. In this embodiment, the input device 708 uses a keyboard 708A and a mouse 708B, but is not limited thereto. In this embodiment, the reading device 710 uses a flexible disk drive device 710A and a CD-ROM drive device 710B. However, the reading device 710 is not limited to this. For example, an MO (Magneto Optical) disk drive device or a DVD (Digital Versatile) is used. Disk) etc. may be used.

  FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image forming system shown in FIG. An internal memory 802 such as a RAM and an external memory such as a hard disk drive unit 804 are further provided in a housing in which the computer 702 is housed.

  In the above description, the example in which the printer 706 is connected to the computer 702, the display device 704, the input device 708, and the reading device 710 to configure the image forming system has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Absent. For example, the image forming system may include a computer 702 and a printer 706, and the image forming system may not include any of the display device 704, the input device 708, and the reading device 710.

  For example, the printer 706 may have a part of the functions or mechanisms of the computer 702, the display device 704, the input device 708, and the reading device 710. As an example, the printer 706 includes an image processing unit that performs image processing, a display unit that performs various displays, a recording medium attachment / detachment unit for attaching / detaching a recording medium that records image data captured by a digital camera or the like. It is good also as a structure to have.

  The image forming system realized in this way is a system superior to the conventional system as a whole system.

1 is a diagram illustrating main components constituting an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control unit of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 1. It is sectional drawing which showed the main components of the developing unit. 5 is a perspective conceptual diagram showing the surface of a developer supply roller 550. FIG. 5A to 5C are cross-sectional views showing the shapes of grooves provided on the surface of the developer supply roller 550. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating trail regulation of a regulation blade 560. 7A to 7C are conceptual diagrams for explaining an example in which ribs are generated. 8A to 8C are conceptual diagrams for explaining an example in which no rib is generated. FIG. 6 is an enlarged conceptual diagram showing a state where a regulating blade 560 is in contact with the surface of a developer supply roller 550. 10A and 10B show the shape of the depression provided on the developer supply roller 550. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an external configuration of an image forming system. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image forming system shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

10 Laser beam printer 15Y, 15M, 15C, 15K Developing unit 20Y, 20M, 20C, 20K Photoconductor 30Y, 30M, 30C, 30K Charging unit 40Y, 40M, 40C, 40K Exposure unit 50Y, 50M, 50C, 50K Developing unit 60Y , 60M, 60C, 60K Primary transfer unit 70 Intermediate transfer member 73Y, 73M, 73C, 73K Static elimination unit 75Y, 75M, 75C, 75K Photoconductor cleaning unit 76Y, 76M, 76C, 76K Photoconductor cleaning blade 80 Secondary transfer unit 100 Control unit 101 Main controller 102 Unit controller 112 Interface 113 Image memory 120 CPU
510 developing roller 530 developer accommodating portion 540 developer pumping roller 550 developer supplying roller 550a groove 560 regulating blade 560a edge portion 562 regulating blade support member 570 developing roller cleaning blade 571 developing roller cleaning blade 700 image forming system 702 computer 704 display device 706 Printer 708 Input device 708A Keyboard 708B Mouse 710 Reading device 710A Flexible disk drive device 710B CD-ROM drive device 802 Internal memory 804 Hard disk drive unit D Developer

Claims (12)

A developer carrying member having an elastic part and carrying a liquid developer;
A developer supply member having a recess on the surface, the surface being in pressure contact with the elastic portion of the developer carrier, and supplying the liquid developer held in the recess to the developer carrier;
A regulating member that abuts on the surface of the developer supply member and regulates the amount of the liquid developer on the developer supply member;
In the developing device for developing the latent image carried on the image carrier by the liquid developer carried on the developer carrier,
The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the regulating member is an elastic body. The developing device according to claim 1,
The developing device, wherein the developer carrying member and the developer supplying member are a developing roller and a developer supplying roller, respectively. The developing device according to claim 2,
The hardness of the regulating member, the contact portion of the developer supply roller with the surface,
The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the hardness of the elastic portion is lower than a hardness of a press-contact portion to a surface of the developer supply roller. In the developing device according to claim 2 or 3,
The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the rotation direction of the developing roller is opposite to the rotation direction of the developer supply roller. The developing device according to any one of claims 2 to 4,
The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the regulating member abuts the surface of the developing roller at an edge portion thereof to regulate the amount of the liquid developer on the developer supply roller. The developing device according to any one of claims 2 to 5,
The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the developer supply roller is made of metal. The developing device according to any one of claims 2 to 6,
The developing device according to claim 1, wherein a material of the restricting member and a material of the elastic portion of the developing roller are both rubber. The developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid developer is a non-volatile liquid developer that is non-volatile at room temperature. A developer carrying member having an elastic part and carrying a liquid developer;
A developer supply member having a recess on the surface, the surface being in pressure contact with the elastic portion of the developer carrier, and supplying the liquid developer held in the recess to the developer carrier;
A regulating member that abuts on the surface of the developer supply member and regulates the amount of the liquid developer on the developer supply member;
In the developing device for developing the latent image carried on the image carrier by the liquid developer carried on the developer carrier,
The restriction member is an elastic body,
The developer carrier and the developer supply member are a development roller and a developer supply roller, respectively.
The hardness of the contact portion of the restricting member to the surface of the developer supply roller is lower than the hardness of the elastic portion of the pressure contact portion to the surface of the developer supply roller.
The rotation direction of the developing roller is opposite to the rotation direction of the developer supply roller,
The regulating member is in contact with the surface of the developing roller at an edge portion thereof, and regulates the amount of the liquid developer on the developer supplying roller,
The material of the developer supply roller is metal,
The material of the regulating member and the material of the elastic part of the developing roller are both rubber,
The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid developer is a non-volatile liquid developer that is non-volatile at room temperature. A developer carrying body having an elastic part for carrying the liquid developer and a concave part on the surface, the surface being pressed against the elastic part of the developer carrying body and held in the concave part A developer supply member for supplying a liquid developer to the developer carrier, and developing the latent image carried on the image carrier by the liquid developer carried on the developer carrier. Developing device,
A regulating member that is in contact with the surface of the developer supply member and regulates the amount of liquid developer on the developer supply member;
The regulating member is an elastic body. An image carrier for carrying a latent image;
A developer carrying body having an elastic part for carrying the liquid developer and a concave part on the surface, the surface being pressed against the elastic part of the developer carrying body and held in the concave part A developer supply member for supplying the liquid developer to the developer carrier, and a regulation for regulating the amount of the liquid developer on the developer supply member in contact with the surface of the developer supply member A developing device that develops a latent image carried on the image carrier with a liquid developer carried on the developer carrier;
In an image forming apparatus comprising:
The image forming apparatus, wherein the regulating member is an elastic body. A computer and an image forming apparatus connectable to the computer, an image carrier for carrying a latent image, a developer carrier having an elastic portion and carrying a liquid developer, and a surface A developer supply member for supplying a liquid developer held in the recess to the developer carrier, the surface of which is in pressure contact with the elastic portion of the developer carrier, A regulating member that abuts on the surface of the developer supply member and regulates the amount of the liquid developer on the developer supply member, and by the liquid developer carried on the developer carrier, An image forming apparatus comprising: a developing device that develops a latent image carried on the image carrier;
The image forming system, wherein the regulating member is an elastic body.

Images