Patent Application
20080050150
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the appended drawings.
In the following description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the “lengthwise direction” of the image forming apparatus and its structural components means the direction perpendicular to the direction in which recording medium is conveyed in the main assembly of the image forming apparatus. It is parallel to the axial line of the image bearing member, that is, a member to be charged. The “widthwise direction” of the image forming apparatus and its structural components is the direction parallel to the abovementioned recording medium conveyance direction.
The main assembly of the image forming apparatus in this embodiment has a photosensitive drum 1, which is an image bearing member in the form of a drum. The photosensitive drum 1 is the member to be charged by the charging means of the image forming apparatus. The photosensitive drum 1 is supported by the housing (which also serves as primary apparatus frame). As the photosensitive material for the photosensitive layer of the photosensitive drum 1, positively chargeable amorphous silicon is used. The photosensitive drum 1, that is, a positively chargeable photosensitive member whose photosensitive layer is formed of amorphous silicon, is made up of: a cylinder (electrically conductive supporting member) and three functional layers, that is, a negative charge transfer prevention layer, a photosensitive layer, and a surface protection layer, which were layered on the peripheral surface of the cylinder, in the listed order. The cylinder is formed of aluminum, and is 84 mm in external diameter.
As a copy start signal (print signal) is inputted into the image forming apparatus in this embodiment, the photosensitive drum 1 rotates in the direction indicated by an arrow mark, while being uniformly charged across its peripheral surface, in terms of its lengthwise direction, by a charging apparatus 2 to preset polarity and potential level.
Meanwhile, an original G on an original placement platen 13 is scanned with the beam of light emitted by a scanning unit 14 made up of an original illuminating lamp, a short focal point lens array, and a CCD sensor. As the original G is scanned, the portion of the scanning beam of light, which is reflected by the surface of the original G is focused on the CCD sensor by the lens array. The lens array has a light receiving portion, a transfer portion, an output portion, etc. As the reflected beam of light (optical signals) is focused on the CCD sensor, it is converted by the light receiving portion of the CCD sensor into signals in the form of electric charge, which are sequentially transferred to the output portion by the transfer portion in synchronism with clock pulses. Then, the signals in the form of electric charge are converted into to signals in the form of voltage, in the signal output portion. Then, the signals in the form of voltage are amplified, are reduced in impedance, and are outputted in the form of analog signals. The thus obtained analog signals are put through a preset image processing operation, being thereby converted into digital signals (picture signals), and then, are transferred to the printing portion (image forming portion). The printing portion forms, on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1, an electrostatic latent image which reflects the original, with the use of an exposing means 3 made up of LEDs, which are turned on (emit light) or off in response to the picture signals from the signal outputting portion.
After the formation of the electrostatic latent image on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1, the latent image is developed into a visible image, that is, an image formed of toner (developer), by a developing device 4 (developing means) which uses toner (developer). Meanwhile, a transfer medium P, that is, a recording medium, is conveyed from a sheet feeder cassette 5 to a transferring apparatus 8 (transferring means), by a sheet conveyance roller 6 and a pair of pickup rollers 7, in synchronism with the arrival of the image formed of toner (which hereafter will be referred to as toner image) at the transferring apparatus 8. Then, the toner image is electrostatically transferred onto the transfer medium P by the transferring apparatus 8. Then, the transfer medium P is electrostatically separated from the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1, and is conveyed to a fixing apparatus 9, which is made up of a fixation roller 9a and a pressure roller 9b, which are heated by their own heat sources. In the fixing apparatus 9, the transfer medium P is conveyed through the fixation nip, that is, the nip between the fixation roller 9a and pressure roller 9b, while remaining pinched by the two rollers 9a and 9b. While the transfer medium P is conveyed through the fixation nip, heat and pressure are applied to the transfer medium P and the unfixed toner image thereon, by the combination of the heated fixation roller 9a and heated pressure roller 9b. As a result, the unfixed toner image on the transfer medium P is thermally fixed to the transfer medium P. After the thermal fixation of the unfixed toner image to the transfer medium P, the transfer medium P is discharged into an external delivery tray 10 attached to the main assembly A of the image forming apparatus.
After the transfer of the unfixed toner image from the photosensitive drum 1, a cleaning member 11a, with which a cleaning means 11 is provided, comes into contact with the portion of the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1, on which the toner image was present before its transfer. As a result, the contaminants, such as the toner particles remaining on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1 after the transfer, are removed by the cleaning member 11a. Then, the cleaned portion of the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is exposed by a pre-exposing means 12 to rid the photosensitive drum 1 of the optical memory attributable to the exposing process to which the portion of the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1 was put through during the immediately preceding rotation of the photosensitive drum 1. Thus, the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is repeatedly usable for image formation.
The charging apparatus 2 in this embodiment is a charging apparatus of the magnetic brush type. It is made up of: a charging sleeve; a magnet disposed in the hollow of the charge sleeve; and electrically conductive magnetic particles held on the peripheral surface (circumferential surface) of the charging sleeve. It charges the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1 by placing the magnetic particles in contact with the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1.
The charging apparatus 2 in this embodiment has: a charging means housing 130 (container), which also functions as the primary frame for supporting the charging means; two stationary magnets 133 and 134 as magnetic field generating means; and first and second charging sleeves 131 and 132, as magnetic particle bearing members, which are cylindrical and electrically conductive. The photosensitive drum 1 rotates in the direction indicated by an arrow mark. Hereafter, of the two charging sleeves, the charging sleeve 131, which is on the downstream side in terms of the rotational direction of the photosensitive drum 1, will be referred to as the first charging sleeve. The charging sleeves 131 and 132 rotate in the direction indicated by an arrow mark. Thus, in the area in which their peripheral surfaces oppose the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1, the peripheral surfaces of the charging sleeves 131 and 132 move in the opposite direction from the moving direction of the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1. Further, the charging apparatus 2 has: electrically conductive magnetic particles 135, and a regulating blade 137 for regulating in thickness the magnetic particle layer. These members are long and narrow members which extend in the direction parallel to the lengthwise direction of the photosensitive drum 1.
The first charging sleeve 131 has a pair of sleeve flanges 141, which are attached to the lengthwise ends of the first charging sleeve 131, one for one. The second charging sleeve 131 has a pair of sleeve flanges 142, which are attached to the lengthwise ends of the second charging sleeve 132, one for one. The first charging sleeve 131 is rotatably supported by the lateral plates 130a and 130b of the charging means housing 130. More specifically, the first charging sleeve 131 is supported by the flange portions 141, with a pair of bearings 143 which are attached to the lateral plates 130a and 130b.
The magnets 133 and 134 are fitted in the charging sleeves 131 and 132, respectively, and are fitted around the metallic cores 145 and 146, respectively. Further, the magnet 133 is rotatably supported by the flanges 141, with the placement of a pair of bearings 147 between the lengthwise end portions of the magnets 133 and the flanges 141, one for one. The magnet 134 is rotatably supported by the flanges 142, with the placement of a pair of bearings 148 between the lengthwise end portions of the magnets 134 and the flanges 142, one for one. Further, the metallic cores 145 and 146 are solidly attached by their lengthwise end portions, to a pair of holding members 130c and 130d attached to the lateral plates 130a and 130b, respectively.
The magnets 133 and 134 are intricate in the positioning of their magnetic poles. Generally, if a magnet designed so that two magnetic poles which are the same in polarity are placed next to each other is placed in the charging sleeves 131 (132), the magnetic particles on the portion of the peripheral surface of the sleeve 131 (132) corresponding to the two magnetic poles tend to separate from the peripheral surface of the sleeve 131 (132). For the purpose of utilizing this tendency, the two magnets 133 and 134 are designed so that two magnetic poles which are the same in polarity are positioned at the top and bottom sides, and also, so that two of the three magnetic poles S of the magnet 133, which are next to each other, oppose two of the three magnetic poles N of the magnet 134, which are next to each other.
The magnetic particles 135 in the charging means housing 130 are magnetically held to the peripheral surface of the sleeve 131 and the peripheral surface of the sleeve 132, by the magnetic field (magnetic force). Thus, as the sleeves 131 and 132 rotate, the magnetic particles 135 on the peripheral surface of the sleeve 131 and the magnetic particles on the peripheral surface of the sleeve 132 transfer onto the peripheral surface of the sleeve 132 and the peripheral surface of the sleeve 131, respectively, without slipping through the gap between the two sleeves 131 and 132. That is, as the sleeves 131 and 132 rotate, the magnetic particles 135 on the peripheral surface of the sleeve 131 and the magnetic particles on the peripheral surface of the sleeve 132 are conveyed onto the peripheral surface of the sleeve 132 and the peripheral surface of the sleeve 131, respectively, by way of transfer bridge portions 135c and 135e between the sleeves 131 and 132.
The magnetic particles 135 are desired to be 10-100 μm in average particle diameter, 20-80 A·m2/kg in saturation magnetization, and 102-1010Ω·cm in electrical resistance. From the standpoint of enhancing the charging performance of the charging apparatus 2, the magnetic particles 135 are desired to be as small as possible in electrical resistance. However, in consideration of the fact that the photosensitive drum 1 may not be perfect as an electrical insulator (it may have pinholes or the like), the magnetic particles 135 are desired to be no less than 106Ω·cm in electrical resistance. The magnetic particles 135 used by the charging apparatus in this embodiment had been adjusted in electrical resistance by oxidizing or reducing the ferrite particle surface, and had been put through the coupling process. They were 25 μm in average particle diameter, 57 A·m2/kg in saturation magnetization, and 5×106 Ω·cm in electrical resistance. The value of the abovementioned electrical resistance of the magnetic particles 135 was obtained using the following method: 2 g of the magnetic particles for the charging apparatus were placed in a metallic cell, which is 2.28 cm2 in bottom area, and is packed by applying a load of 65 Pa (6.6 kg/cm2). Then, the electrical resistance was measured while applying 100V of voltage.
The regulating blade 137 is positioned so that a preset amount of gap (sleeve blade gap, which hereafter will be referred to as S-B gap) is provided between the regulating edge of the regulating blade 137 and the peripheral surface of the first charging sleeve 131. The regulating blade 137 is supported by its lengthwise ends, by the lateral plates 130a and 130b, with the presence of unshown supporting members between the regulating blade 137 and lateral plates 130a and 130b. The regulating blade 137 regulates in thickness the layer of the magnetic particles 135 on the sleeve 131; as the body of magnetic particles 135 on the peripheral surface of the sleeve 131 is conveyed through the S-B gap by the rotation of the sleeve 131, it is formed into a uniform layer of magnetic particles 135, the thickness of which corresponds to the S-B gap. That is, not only does the regulating blade regulate the amount by which the magnetic particles 135 in the charging means housing are conveyed therefrom, per unit area of the peripheral surface of the first charging sleeve 131, toward the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1 through the gap between the charging means housing and first charging sleeve 131, but also, it forms a uniform layer of the magnetic particles 135, which has a proper amount of magnetic particles per unit area of the peripheral surface of the charging sleeve 131. In this embodiment, the regulating blade 137 is formed of SUS, which is electrically conductive, and is floated in electrical terms.
The sleeves 131 and 132 are positioned so that a preset amount of gap is provided between the peripheral surface of the sleeve 131 and the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1, and between the peripheral surface of the sleeve 132 and the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1 (these gaps hereafter will be referred to as sleeve-drum gap, S-D gaps). In terms of the circumferential direction of the magnets 133 and 134, the magnets 133 and 134 are positioned so that their magnetic poles cause the body of magnetic particles 135 on the peripheral surface of the sleeve 131 and the body of magnetic particles 135 on the peripheral surface of the sleeve 132 to crest where the distance between the peripheral surface of the sleeve 131 and the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is smallest, and its adjacencies, and where the distance between the peripheral surface of the sleeve 131 and the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is smallest, respectively. Positioning the magnets 133 and 134 as described above stabilizes the state of contact between the two bodies of magnetic particles 135 and the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1.
Referring to
In terms of the lengthwise direction of the photosensitive drum 1, the image forming range of the photosensitive drum 1 is the portion of the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1, across which a toner image is formed, which coincides with the portion of the peripheral surface of the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1, across which a latent image is formed. The charging range of the charging sleeve is the range in which the magnetic particles on the charging sleeve actually charge the photosensitive drum. In other words, the charging range of the charging sleeve is the conductive portions 131b, that is, the portion of the charging sleeve 131 other than the insulated portions 131a, that is, the lengthwise end portions of the peripheral surface of the first charging sleeve 131. The image formation range of the photosensitive drum 1 is within the charging range of the charging sleeve 131. The magnetic particle bearing range of the charging sleeve 131 is the portion of the peripheral surface of the sleeve 131, across which the magnetic particles 135 are borne by the magnetic force of the magnet 133. The magnetic particle bearing range of the charging sleeve 131 is wide enough to include the charging range, and is roughly equal in length to the magnet 133. Further, each insulated portion 131a extends from the edge of the charging range to the corresponding lengthwise end of the charging sleeve 131 across the magnetic particle bearing range. That is, the insulated portion 131a extends outward from a point within the magnetic particle bearing range.
The magnetic particles 135 on the insulated portions 131a and 132a are insulated from the charging sleeves 131 and 132. Therefore, electric charge does not flow into the magnetic particles 135 on the insulated portions 131a and 132a of the charging sleeves 131 and 132, from the charging sleeves 131 and 132. That is, unlike the magnetic particles 135 in the charging range, the magnetic particles 135 on the insulated portions 131a and 132a do not directly receive electric charge from the sleeves 131 and 132. Therefore, the amount by which the magnetic particles 135 on the insulated portions 131a and 132a adhere to the lengthwise end portions of the photosensitive drum 1, which correspond to the insulated portions 131a and 132a is negligibly small. The reason therefor will be given later in Section (6): Measurement of Amount of Magnetic Particles Having Adhered to Lengthwise End Portions of Photosensitive Drum.
The cylinder gears G1 and G2 (
The design of the charging apparatus 2 in this embodiment is such that the charging apparatus 2 charges the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1 twice per photosensitive drum rotation, with the use of two charging sleeves 131 and 132. Next, the merits of this design will be described.
A photosensitive member based on amorphous silicon is manufactured by depositing silicon on the peripheral surface of an aluminum cylinder by plasmatizing silicon with the use of high frequency waves or microwaves. Therefore, it has a problem in that if the plasma is not uniform, it forms on the aluminum cylinder, an amorphous silicon film which is nonuniform in thickness and composition, in terms of the circumferential direction of the cylinder.
Further, compared to a photosensitive member based on organic photosensitive substance, a photosensitive member based on amorphous silicon is very large in the attenuation of potential, which occurs after it is charged, even in darkness. Moreover, it is large in the attenuation of the potential attributable to image formation exposure. Therefore, an image forming apparatus employing a photosensitive member based on amorphous silicon has to be provided with a pre-exposing means, that is, a means for exposing the entirety of the photosensitive substance which makes up the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1 before exposing the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1 for image formation. In other words, a photosensitive drum based on amorphous silicon is very large in the attenuation of potential which occurs between the charging of the photosensitive drum and the development of the latent image on the photosensitive drum; the potential attenuates roughly 100V-200V. This large amount of attenuation of potential and the abovementioned nonuniformity of the photosensitive layer (film) result in the nonuniformity in potential, in a range of roughly 10-20V, in terms of the circumferential direction of the photosensitive member.
The presence of nonuniformity in potential as large as the above described one results in the formation of an image which is nonuniform in density. Since a photosensitive member based on amorphous silicon is smaller in contrast than a photosensitive member based on organic photosensitive substance, the former is more susceptible to this problem than the latter.
For the problem described above, it is effective to charge a photosensitive drum two or more times before exposure. Thus, the abovementioned increase in the attenuation of potential in darkness, which is attributable to optical memory can be reduced by charging a photosensitive drum two or more times before exposure. That is, the first charging process substantially erases the optical memory. Therefore, after the second charging process, the amount of attenuation of potential is very small. In other words, charging a photosensitive drum based on amorphous silicon two or more times before exposure can substantially improve an image forming apparatus employing a photosensitive drum based on amorphous silicon, in terms of the anomaly in the potential of the photosensitive drum, and the formation of an image suffering from a ghost attributable to the anomaly in the potential of the photosensitive drum.
The conductive member 157 is attached to the inward surface of the charging means housing 130 so that the position of the conductive member 157 corresponds to the edge of the portion of the sleeve 131 (132), in the magnetic particle bearing range, and also, so that a preset amount of distance is provided between the conductive member 157 and sleeve 131 (132) to prevent the conductive member 157 from coming into contact with the peripheral surface (magnetic particle bearing surface) of the sleeve 131 (132). The conductive member 157 is not to be attached to the photosensitive drum 1; it is to be independent from the photosensitive drum 1. The conductive member 157 is in contact with an unshown grounded contact point, which is outside the charging apparatus 2. Therefore, even if electric charge moves to the conductive member 157, the conductive member 157 does not retain the electric charge. Further, even if the magnetic particles in the adjacencies of the conductive member 157 acquire electric charge, the acquired electric charge is discharged out of the charging apparatus 2 through the conductive member 157. The conductive member 157 is formed of magnetized iron, and magnetically confines the magnetic particles 135 in the adjacencies of the conductive member 157.
For the purpose of confirming that it is possible to reduce the amount by which the magnetic particles 135 adhere to the lengthwise end portions of the photosensitive drum 1, the amount of the magnetic particles 135 having adhered to the lengthwise ends of the photosensitive drum 1 in this embodiment was measured. As a charging apparatus with which the charging apparatus 2 in this embodiment is to be compared, a charging apparatus (which hereafter will be referred to as conventional charging apparatus), the conductive member (157) of which is not grounded and is not in contact with any of the structural components of the charging apparatus, was employed. The conventional charging apparatus is similar in structure to the charging apparatus 2 in this embodiment, except that the conductive member (157) of the conventional charging apparatus is not grounded. The photosensitive drum 1 is 84 mm in diameter, and rotates at a peripheral velocity of 276 mm/sec.
Both the charging apparatus 2 in this embodiment and conventional charging apparatus are 16 mm in the diameter of the first charging sleeves 131, and 22 mm in the diameter of the second charging sleeve 132. Both the first and second charging sleeves 131 and 132 are 86 mm/sec in peripheral velocity. They both have been blasted with Alundum #60.
The charging means housing 130 was filled with 100 g of magnetic particles 135. During the charging of the photosensitive drum 1, a charge bias made up of 600V of DC voltage, and AC voltage which was 300V in peak-to-peak voltage and 1 kHz in frequency, was applied to the charging sleeve 131 from a charge bias power source V1. To the sleeve 132, a charge bias made up of DC voltage which was 750V in magnitude, and AC voltage which was 300V in peak-to-peak voltage and 1 kHz in frequency, was applied to the sleeve 131 from the charge bias power source V2.
As described previously, the adhesion of the magnetic particles 135 to the photosensitive drum 1 occurs primarily across the portions of the photosensitive drum 1, which correspond to the lengthwise end portions of the charging sleeves 131 and 132; it hardly occurs across the portion of the photosensitive drum 1, which corresponds to the center portions of the charging sleeves 131 and 132, that is, the portions other than the lengthwise end portions. Therefore, by measuring the amount of magnetic particles 135 having adhered to the lengthwise end portions of the photosensitive drum 1, which correspond to the lengthwise end portions of the charging sleeves 131 and 132, it is possible to determine whether or not the amount by which the magnetic particles 135 adhere to the photosensitive drum 1 is within the range tolerable to the charging sleeves 131 and 132.
In actual tests, the image forming apparatus was idled for two minutes, and then, the amount of the magnetic particles 135 having adhered to the lengthwise end portions of the photosensitive drum 1 was measured with the use of the above described method. Incidentally, while idling the image forming apparatus, the same voltage as that applied to the charging apparatus 2 while actually forming an image, was applied to the charging apparatus 2, and no voltage was applied to the developing devices and transferring apparatus.
In the case of the conventional charging apparatus (comparative apparatus), that is, a charging apparatus having no conductive member 157, 23 mg of magnetic particles 135 were captured by the magnets 151 after the image forming apparatus was idled under the above described condition. In comparison, in the case of the charging apparatus 2 in this embodiment, 3 mg of magnetic particles 135 were captured by the magnets 151. It became evident from the results of these tests that the employment of the charging apparatus 2 in this embodiment substantially reduced the amount by which the magnetic particles 135 adhere to the lengthwise end portions of the photosensitive drum 1.
To analyze these results, in the case of the conventional charging apparatus, as a preset voltage is applied to the sleeve 131, electric charge flows into the regulating blade 137 through the magnetic particles 135 borne on the portions of the peripheral surface of the sleeve 131, which are in the charging range. Thus, the potential of the regulating blade 137 increases to a value which is close to that of the voltage applied to the sleeve 131. Further, electric charge flows into the magnetic particles 135 on the insulated portion 131a of the peripheral surface of the sleeve 131, from the lengthwise end portions of the regulating blade 137, the potential of which has increased to value of the voltage applied to the sleeve 131. Moreover, electric charge flows into the magnetic particles 135 on the sleeve 131, which are outside the charging range, from the magnetic particles 135 on the sleeve 131, which are in the adjacencies of the edges of the charging range, that is, the borderline between the charging range and insulated portion of the sleeve 131. Thus, even though the magnetic particles on the sleeve 131, which are outside the charging range of the sleeve 131, do not directly receive electric charge from the sleeves 131 and 132, they indirectly receive electric charge through the magnetic particles 135 on the sleeve 131, which are in the charging range of the 131 and adjacent to the border line between the charging range and insulated range of the sleeve 131. As the magnetic particles 135 on the sleeve 131, which are outside the charging range, acquire electric charge, they are subjected to mirror force. As a result, they move onto the photosensitive drum 1, and adhere to the photosensitive member 1.
In comparison, in the case of the charging apparatus 2 in this embodiment, the conductive member 157 is electrically in contact with the grounded contact point which is outside the charging means housing 130. Thus, the electric charge which the magnetic particles 135 in the adjacencies of the conductive member 157 have, moves into the conductive member 157, through which they escape out of the charging means housing 130. Therefore, the amount of mirror force to which the magnetic particles 135 are subjected is smaller, and therefore, the amount by which the magnetic particles 135 move onto the photosensitive drum 1 is smaller than in the case of the conventional charging apparatus. Further, since electric charge moves from the magnetic particles 135 to the conductive member 157, electric charge is likely to collect in the magnetic particles 135 in the adjacencies of the conductive member 157. Therefore, mirror force is likely to be generated between the magnetic particles 135 in the adjacencies of the conductive member 157, and the conductive member 157. In this embodiment, the portion of the surface of the conductive member 157, to which the magnetic particles 135 contact, is always in contact with the magnetic particles 135. Therefore, even if the magnetic particles 135 adhere to the conductive member 157 due to the occurrence of the mirror force, this adhesion of magnetic particles 135 to the conductive member 157 does not result in the adhesion of magnetic particles 135 to the photosensitive drum 1. That is, the phenomenon that as a member to be charged (that is, photosensitive drum) is rotated, the magnetic particles 135 adhere to the peripheral surface of the member to be charged, while the member is rotated, as described in Japanese Laid-open Patent Application 2006-163296 described previously, is unlikely to occur.
Also in the case of the charging apparatus 2 in this embodiment, the amount by which the magnetic particles 135 are adhered to the lengthwise end portions of the photosensitive drum 1 is substantially smaller than in the case of a conventional charging apparatus. Therefore, the charging apparatus 2 in this embodiment can prevent the problem that an image forming apparatus reduces in image quality due to the entrance of the magnetic particles 135 into the developing device. Further, the charging apparatus 2 in this embodiment can reduce the likeliness of an image being unsatisfactorily transferred in the transferring portion, and also, can reduce in severity the damages which the cleaner might cause to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1. Therefore, the employment of the charging apparatus 2 in this embodiment by an image forming apparatus can keep the performance of the image forming apparatus stable at a satisfactorily level for a long time.
Also in the case of the charging apparatus 2 in this embodiment, magnetized iron is used as the material for the conductive member 157. Therefore, the electric charge having accumulated in the magnetic particles 135 can be discharged out of the charging apparatus 2 by attracting the magnetic particles 135 in the adjacencies of the conductive member 157, to the conductive member 157 by the magnetic force which the conductive member 157 has. Therefore, in the case of the charging apparatus 2 in this embodiment, the magnetic particles 135 are far less likely to be affected by mirror force, being therefore substantially smaller in the amount by which they move onto the photosensitive drum 1, than in the case of a charging apparatus whose conductive member (157) is not a magnetic member.
Further, the conductive member 157 magnetically confines the magnetic particles 135 on the lengthwise end portions of the peripheral surface of the charging sleeves 131 and 132, which are unstable in the amount of force for retaining the magnetic particles 135. Therefore, the charging apparatus 2 in this embodiment is substantially smaller in the amount by which the magnetic particles 135 move onto the lengthwise end portions of the charging sleeves 131 and 132, which do not have the magnetic force large enough for reliably retaining the magnetic particles 135, being therefore substantially smaller in the amount by which the magnetic particles 135 leak out of the charging apparatus 2.
Incidentally, in the case of the charging apparatus 2 in this embodiment, the conductive member 157 is positioned so that its position falls within the insulated range of the peripheral surface of the charging sleeve 131. However, the design and positioning of the conductive member 157 do not need to be as described above. For example, the conductive member 157 may be shaped and positioned so that it straddles the borderline between the charging range and insulated range of the peripheral surface of the charging sleeve 131, because such an arrangement can also allow the electric charge to escape from the magnetic particles 135 on the insulated portion of the peripheral surface of the charging sleeve, and then, out of the charging apparatus 2. Therefore, the charging apparatus in this embodiment is smaller in the amount by which the magnetic particles 135 move onto the photosensitive drum 1 and adhere thereto than a conventional charging apparatus.
However, in the case of the charging apparatus 2 in this embodiment, the electric charge which the magnetic particles 135 on the charging range of the charging sleeve have is discharged out of the charging apparatus. Therefore, it is possible that it will become impossible to charge the portion of the photosensitive drum 1, which corresponds to the charging portion of the charging sleeve, to a preset potential level. Therefore, it is desired that the conductive member 157 is positioned so that its position falls within the range which correspond to the insulated portion of the peripheral surface of the charging sleeves, in terms of the lengthwise direction of the charging sleeves.
Further, in the case of the charging apparatus 2 in this embodiment, the conductive member 157 is positioned so that it straddles the borderline between the range which corresponds to the magnetic particle bearing portion of the peripheral surface of the charging sleeve, and the range which corresponds to the portion of the peripheral surface of the charging sleeve, across which no magnetic particles are borne. Therefore, the conductive member 157 magnetically confines the magnetic particles 135, which are on the portion of the peripheral surface of the charging sleeves 131 and 132, which are most unstable in the amount of the magnetic force from their internal magnets. In other words, the conductive member 157 compensates for the instability in the amount of magnetic force across the lengthwise end portions of the peripheral surfaces of the charging sleeves 131 and 132, reducing thereby the amount by which the magnetic particles 135 escape from the magnetic particles bearing portions of the peripheral surfaces of the charging sleeves 131 and 132, onto the portions of the peripheral surfaces of the charging sleeves 131 and 132, which are outside the magnetic particle bearing portion, and then, leak out of the charging apparatus 2.
Further, in this embodiment, the conductive member 157 is attached to the inward surface of the of the charging means housing 130 so that a preset amount of distance is provided between the conductive member 157 and sleeve 131 (132) to prevent the conductive member 157 from coming into contact with the peripheral surface (magnetic particle bearing surface) of the sleeve 131 (132). The smaller the distance between the conductive member 157 and sleeve 131 (132), the smaller the amount by which the magnetic particles 135 adhere to the photosensitive drum 1.
Also in the case of the charging apparatus 2 in this embodiment, the magnetic particles 135 are prevented from adhering to the photosensitive drum 1, with the employment of a very simple structural arrangement, that is, by attaching the conductive member 157 inside the charging means housing 130 and grounding the conductive member 157. In other words, this embodiment makes it possible to reduce the amount by which the magnetic particles 135 adhere to the photosensitive drum 1, without using a very costly method, such as drastically modifying the photosensitive drum 1.
Incidentally, in this embodiment, a charging apparatus having two charging sleeves was used as the charging apparatus 2. However, the present invention is also applicable to a charging apparatus, such as the one shown in
This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the conductive member 157 of the charging apparatus in this embodiment is different in material from that in the first embodiment. The material for the conductive member 157 of the charging apparatus 2 in this embodiment is nonmagnetic SUS.
The charging apparatus in this embodiment is the same in structure as the charging apparatus 2 in the first embodiment, except that the material of the conductive member 157 of the charging apparatus 2 in this embodiment is nonmagnetic SUS. Thus, the components, portions, etc., of the charging apparatus in this embodiment, which are the same as those in the first embodiment are given the same referential symbols as those given to the counterparts in the first embodiment, and will not be described. The arrangement regarding the referential symbols is also true with the third, fourth, and fifth embodiments.
For the purpose of confirming that the charging apparatus 2 in this embodiment is also substantially smaller in the amount by which the magnetic particles 135 adhere to the lengthwise end portions of the photosensitive drum 1 than a conventional charging apparatus, the amount of the magnetic particles 135 having adhered to the lengthwise portions of the photosensitive drum 1 was measured with the use of the same method as the one used to measure the amount of the magnetic particles 135 which adhered to the photosensitive drum 1 in the first embodiment.
In the case of the charging apparatus 2 in this embodiment, 5 mg of magnetic particles 135 were captured by the magnets 151. It is evident from this result that the employment of the charging apparatus 2 in this embodiment substantially reduces the amount by which the magnetic particles 135 adhere to the lengthwise end portions of the photosensitive drum 1, compared to 23 mg of the magnetic particles 135 captured when the comparative charging apparatus, that is, a conventional charging apparatus whose conductive member was not grounded was employed.
The material for the conductive member 157 of the charging apparatus 2 in this embodiment is nonmagnetic SUS. In other words, in this embodiment, the magnetic particles 135 on the portions of the peripheral surface of the charging sleeve, which are unstable in magnetic particle retention, are not confined by the magnetic force. Yet, the charging apparatus 2 in this embodiment is also substantially smaller in the amount by which the magnetic particles 135 are adhered to the lengthwise end portions of the photosensitive drum 1 than a conventional charging apparatus, because the electric charge which the magnetic particles 135 on the insulated portions of the peripheral surface of the charging sleeve is also released out of the charging apparatus 2.
Incidentally, in this embodiment, a charging apparatus having two charging sleeves was used as the charging apparatus 2. However, the present invention is also applicable to a charging apparatus, such as the one shown in
The charging apparatus 2 in this embodiment is different from the charging apparatus 2 in the first embodiment in that the charging apparatus in this embodiment does not have the same conductive member as the conductive member 157 attached to the inward surface of the charging means housing 130 in the first embodiment. Instead, the charging apparatus 2 in this embodiment is provided with a conductive member 159, which is positioned between the downstream side of the S-B gap, in terms of the rotational direction of the sleeve 131, and the S-D gap, that is, the gap between the sleeve 131 and photosensitive drum 1. The conductive member 159 is positioned so that it contacts the magnetic particles 135 which are on the lengthwise end, more specifically, insulated portion, of the peripheral surface of the charging sleeve 131. Otherwise, the charging apparatus 2 in this embodiment is the same in structure as the charging apparatus 2 in the first embodiment. The conductive member 159 is in the form of a piece of plate and is 0.5 mm in thickness. It is formed of nonmagnetic SUS. Further, the conductive member 159 is attached so that, in terms of the lengthwise direction of the sleeve 131, the entirety of its surface which opposes the sleeve 131 falls within the range of the insulated portion 131a of the peripheral surface of the charging sleeve 131. The conductive member 159 is electrically in contact with an unshown grounded contact point, which is outside the charging apparatus 2.
Also in the case of the charging apparatus 2 in this embodiment, for the purpose of confirming that the charging apparatus 2 in this embodiment is also substantially smaller in the amount by which the magnetic particles 135 adhere to the lengthwise end portions of the photosensitive drum 1 than a conventional charging apparatus, the amount of the magnetic particles 135 having adhered to the lengthwise portions of the photosensitive drum 1 was measured with the use of the same method as the one used to measure the amount of the magnetic particles 135 which adhered to the photosensitive drum 1 in the first embodiment.
In the case of the charging apparatus 2 in this embodiment, 4 mg of magnetic particles 135 were captured by the magnets 151. It is evident from this result that the employment of the charging apparatus 2 in this embodiment substantially reduces the amount by which the magnetic particles 135 adhere to the lengthwise end portions of the photosensitive drum 1, compared to 23 mg of the magnetic particles 135 captured when the comparative charging apparatus, that is, a conventional charging apparatus whose conductive member 157 was not grounded was employed. It is also evident from this result that even if a charging apparatus is structured, as is the charging apparatus in this embodiment, so that the electric charge of the magnetic particles 135 on the charging sleeve 131 is discharged after the magnetic particles 135 are moved past the regulating blade 137 by the rotation of the charging sleeve 131, the same effects as those obtained by the charging apparatus in the first embodiment can be obtained.
Incidentally, in this embodiment, a charging apparatus having two charging sleeves was used as the charging apparatus 2. However, the present invention is also applicable to a charging apparatus, such as the one shown in
Also in the case of the charging apparatus in this embodiment, the amount of the magnetic particles 135 having adhered to the lengthwise portions of the photosensitive drum 1 was measured with the use of the same method as the one used to measure the amount of magnetic particles 135 which adhered to the photosensitive drum 1 in the first embodiment, except that the value of the voltage applied to the power source V0 was set to 0V.
In the case of the charging apparatus in this embodiment, 3 mg of magnetic particles 135 were recovered by the magnets 151. It is evident from this result that the employment of the charging apparatus 2 in this embodiment substantially reduces the amount by which the magnetic particles 135 adhere to the lengthwise end portions of the photosensitive drum 1. It is also evident from this result that the charging apparatus in this embodiment offers the same effects as the charging apparatus 2 in the first embodiment.
Further, in the case of the charging apparatus in this embodiment, the amount of the magnetic particles 135 having adhered to the lengthwise ends of the photosensitive drum 1 was measured while increasing in steps the value of the voltage applied to the electric power source V0 from 0 to 800, with the use of the same method as the one used to measure the amount of the magnetic particles 135 which adhered to the photosensitive drum 1 in the first embodiment. From the results of this measurement, it was possible to confirm that as long as the value of the voltage applied to the electric power source V0 is no higher than 100, and also, that when the value of the voltage applied to the electric power source V0 was no less than 100, this embodiment was not as effective as when the voltage applied to the electric power source V0 was no higher than 100, although the amount of the magnetic particles 135 having adhered to the lengthwise ends of the photosensitive drum 1 never exceeded the amount of the magnetic particles 135 which adhered to the lengthwise ends of the photosensitive drum 1 when a charging apparatus whose conductive member 157 was electrically floated. Further, when the value of the voltage applied to the electric power source V0 was set to a value higher than 600, that is, the value of the charge voltage, the charging apparatus in this embodiment was not effective to reduce the amount by which the magnetic particles 135 adhere to the lengthwise ends of the photosensitive drum 1, below the amount of the magnetic particles 135 which adhered to the lengthwise ends of the photosensitive drum 1 when a charging apparatus, such as a conventional one, whose conductive member 157 was electrically floated was employed; instead, the amount of adhesion increased. In other words, as long as the voltage applied to the conductive member 157 is set so that its absolute value is no higher than the absolute value of the voltage applied to the charging sleeve, the charging apparatus in this embodiment can substantially reduce the amount of the magnetic particle adhesion. Moreover, it became evident that the effects were greater when the absolute value of the voltage applied to the conductive member 157 was no higher than 100.
Incidentally, even if the value of the voltage applied to the electric power source V0 is increased in the negative direction from 0, the electric charge having accumulated in the magnetic particles 135 escapes into the conductive member 157 as it does when the value of the voltage applied to the electric power source V0 is positive. Therefore, applying negative voltage to the power source V0 is also effective to reduce the amount by which the magnetic particles 135 adhere to the lengthwise ends of the photosensitive drum 1. However, when the absolute value of the voltage applied to the electric power source V0 was no less than 600, that is, the value of the charge voltage, the charging apparatus in this embodiment was not effective to reduce the amount by which the magnetic particles 135 adhere to the lengthwise ends of the photosensitive drum 1. The reason therefor seems to be that the electric charge having accumulated in the magnetic particles 135 was not allowed to escape into the conductive member 157, and instead, electric charge is supplied to the magnetic particles 135 from the conductive member 157.
Incidentally, in this embodiment, a charging apparatus having two charging sleeves was used as the charging apparatus 2. However, the present invention is also applicable to a charging apparatus, such as the one shown in
In this embodiment, the adhesion of the magnetic particles 135 to the lengthwise end portions of the photosensitive drum 1 is prevented by preventing electric charge from moving into the magnetic particles on the end portions of the charging sleeve 131 (132), instead of making the electric charge of the magnetic particles 135 on the end portions of the peripheral surfaces of the charging sleeve 131 (132) escape.
Referring to
Further, the regulating blade 137 is coated with PI (polyimide) across the entire range in terms of its lengthwise direction. This coated portion of the regulating blade 137 will be referred to as a PI portion (second insulated portion). Incidentally, the portion of the regulating blade 137, which is coated with PI, may be referred to as an insulated portion 137a. In this embodiment, a SUS blade coated with PI is used as the regulating blade 137. The thickness of the PI layer is roughly 10 μm. The insulated portion 137a keeps the magnetic particles 135 on the sleeve 131 electrically insulated from the regulating blade 137, across the entire range of the regulating blade 137 in terms of the lengthwise direction of the regulating blade 137. Incidentally, the insulating substance (PI) must be coated so that it covers at least the portions of the regulating blade, which correspond to the insulated portions (coated with resin) of the charging sleeve. The portions of the regulating blade, which correspond to the insulated portions of the charging sleeve, are the portions that coincide in position with the lengthwise end portions of the charging sleeve 131 and regulating blade 137. This insulated portion of the regulating blade 137 is for preventing electric charge from being injected into the magnetic particles on the insulated portion of the peripheral surface of the charging sleeve, from the regulating blade 137.
The regulating blade 137 is insulated across the entirety range in terms of its lengthwise direction. Therefore, it can prevent electric charge from flowing into the regulating blade 137. Therefore, it does not occur that the regulating blade 137 is charged to the same potential level as the sleeve 131. Therefore, it does not occur that electric charge flows into the magnetic particles 135 on the lengthwise end portions of the charging sleeve 131 from the regulating blade 137. Thus, the charging apparatus in this embodiment is substantially smaller in the amount by which the magnetic particles 135 on the insulated portions 131a of the charging sleeve 131 adhere to the lengthwise end portions of the photosensitive drum 1 than a conventional charging apparatus.
For the purpose of confirming that the charging apparatus 2 in this embodiment is also substantially smaller in the amount by which the magnetic particles 135 adhere to the lengthwise end portions of the photosensitive drum 1 than a conventional charging apparatus, the amount of the magnetic particles 135 having adhered to the lengthwise portions of the photosensitive drum 1 was measured with the use of the same method as the one used to measure the amount of the magnetic particles 135 which adhered to the photosensitive drum 1 in the first embodiment.
In the case of the charging apparatus in this embodiment, 15 mg of magnetic particles 135 were captured by the magnets 151. In the tests in which a charging apparatus, such as a conventional charging apparatus, whose regulating blade was not electrically insulated was employed, 23 mg of magnetic particles 135 was captured by the magnets 151. It is evident from this result that the employment of the charging apparatus 2 in this embodiment substantially reduces the amount by which the magnetic particles 135 adhere to the lengthwise end portions of the photosensitive drum 1.
Thus, the employment of the charging apparatus 2 in this embodiment can prevent the problem that an image forming apparatus reduces in image quality due to the entrance of the magnetic particles 135 into the developing apparatus. Further, it can prevent the problem that a toner image is unsatisfactorily transferred in the transfer portion, and also, can reduce the severity with which the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is damaged by the cleaner. In other words, the charging apparatus in this embodiment can keep an image forming apparatus of the magnetic brush type stable in performance for a long time.
In this embodiment, in order to electrically insulate the regulating blade 137 across the entire range in terms of its lengthwise direction, the surface of the regulating blade 137 was coated with PI. However, the same effects can be obtained by electrostatically coating the surface of the regulating blade 137 with powder of an insulating substance. Further, the same effects can also be obtained by forming the regulating blade 137 of an electrically insulative substance. In such a case, a hard substance, such as ceramic, is preferable as the material for the regulating blade 137, because whenever the photosensitive drum 1 is charged by the sleeves 131 and 132, there is friction between the regulating blade 137 and magnetic particles 135.
Incidentally, in this embodiment, a charging apparatus having two charging sleeves was used as the charging apparatus 2. However, the present invention is also applicable to a charging apparatus, such as the one shown in
The charging apparatus 2 in this embodiment is different in the insulated portions of the regulating blade 137 from the charging apparatus in the fifth embodiment.
The charging apparatus 2 in this embodiment is the same in structure as the charging apparatus in the fifth embodiment, except that the regulating blade 137 in this embodiment is coated with an insulative substance only across the lengthwise end portion (second insulated portions).
The charging apparatus 2 in this embodiment employs a SUS blade whose surface is coated with PI (polyimide) only across its lengthwise end portions, as the regulating blade 137. In terms of the lengthwise direction of the regulating blade 137, each of the lengthwise end portions 137b, which is the portion coated with PI, extends from a point within the range corresponding to the magnetic particle bearing portion of the sleeve 131 to the corresponding lengthwise end of the regulating blade 137.
Also in the case of the charging apparatus 2 in this embodiment, for the purpose of confirming that the charging apparatus 2 in this embodiment is substantially smaller in the amount by which the magnetic particles 135 adhere to the lengthwise end portions of the photosensitive drum 1 than a conventional charging apparatus, the amount of the magnetic particles 135 having adhered to the lengthwise portions of the photosensitive drum 1 was measured with the use of the same method as the one used to measure the amount of the magnetic particles 135 which adhered to the photosensitive drum 1 in the first embodiment.
In the case of the charging apparatus 2 in this embodiment, 17.5 mg of magnetic particles 135 were captured by the magnets 151. It is evident from this result that the employment of the charging apparatus 2 in this embodiment substantially reduces the amount by which magnetic particles 135 adhere to the lengthwise end portions of the photosensitive drum 1, compared to the employment of a conventional charging apparatus.
In the case of the charging apparatus 2 in this embodiment, electric charge flows into the regulating blade 137 through the magnetic particles 135 on the portion of the magnetic particle bearing portion of the peripheral surface of the sleeve 131, which is in the charging range. This electric charge increases the regulating blade 137 in potential. However, the lengthwise end portions 137b of the regulating blade 137 are insulated. Therefore, it does not occur that electric charge flows into the magnetic particles 135 through the lengthwise end portions 137b (insulated portions) of the regulating blade 137. Therefore, the charging apparatus 2 in this embodiment is substantially smaller in the amount by which the magnetic particles 135 adhere to the lengthwise end portions of the photosensitive drum 1 than a conventional charging apparatus.
Further, in this embodiment, only the lengthwise end portions of the regulating blade 137 are insulated; the portion of the regulating blade 137, which corresponds to the portion of the photosensitive drum 1, which is in the image formation range, is not insulated. Therefore, the surface of the regulating blade 137, which regulates the magnetic particles 135 on the portions of the sleeves 131 and 132, which are in the image formation range of the photosensitive drum 1, is more precisely finished. Therefore, the regulating blade 137 in this embodiment can more precisely regulate the amount by which magnetic particles 135 are borne on the sleeves 131 and 132 per unit area.
Incidentally, in this embodiment, a charging apparatus having two charging sleeves was used as the charging apparatus 2. However, the present invention is also applicable to a charging apparatus, such as the one shown in
In this embodiment, a charging apparatus is provided with the same conductive member as the conductive member 157 employed in the fifth embodiment. Further, the conductive member 157 is grounded. That is, the charging apparatus 2 in this embodiment has the conductive member 157 employed in the first embodiment, and the regulating blade 137 employed in the fifth embodiment.
The employment of the insulated regulating blade 137 can eliminate the problem that electric charge moves to the magnetic particles on the lengthwise end portions of the charging sleeve through the regulating blade. Further, the conductive member 157 is grounded. Therefore, even if electric charge moves to the magnetic particles on the lengthwise end portions of the charging sleeve, the electric charge escapes out of the apparatus through the conductive member. These effects prevent the adhesion of the magnetic particles to the lengthwise end portions of the photosensitive drum 1.
Also in the case of the charging apparatus 2 in this embodiment, for the purpose of confirming that the charging apparatus 2 in this embodiment is substantially smaller in the amount by which the magnetic particles 135 adhere to the lengthwise end portions of the photosensitive drum 1 than a conventional charging apparatus, the amount of the magnetic particles 135 having adhered to the lengthwise portions of the photosensitive drum 1 was measured with the use of the same method as the one used to measure the amount of the magnetic particles 135 which adhered to the photosensitive drum 1 in the first embodiment.
In the case of the charging apparatus 2 in this embodiment, 1.0 mg of magnetic particles 135 was captured by the magnets 151. It is evident from this result that the employment of the charging apparatus 2 in this embodiment substantially reduces the amount by which magnetic particles 135 adhere to the lengthwise end portions of the photosensitive drum 1, than the employment of a conventional charging apparatus. Further, the employment of both the conductive member 157 employed in the first embodiment and the regulating blade 137 employed in the fifth embodiment makes it possible to more effectively control the adhesion of the magnetic particles.
Incidentally, the regulating blade 137 in this embodiment may be replaced with a regulating blade, such as the one in the sixth embodiment, which is insulated only across its lengthwise end portions. The replacement does not affect the effectiveness of the charging apparatus in this embodiment.
While the invention has been described with reference to the structures disclosed herein, it is not confined to the details set forth, and this application is intended to cover such modifications or changes as may come within the purposes of the improvements or the scope of the following claims.
This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Applications Nos. 227657/2006 and 203240/2007 filed Aug. 24, 2006 and Aug. 3, 2007, respectively which are hereby incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006-227657 | Aug 2006 | JP | national |
| 2007-203240 | Aug 2007 | JP | national |
