Patent Grant
9423721
This application is based on and claims priority under 35 USC 119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-183458 filed Sep. 9, 2014, and Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-065270 filed Mar. 26, 2015.
The present invention relates to a developing device, a visible-image-forming device, and an image forming apparatus.
According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a developing device including a developer container that contains developer; a developer carrier provided in the developer container and that is rotatable while carrying the developer on a surface, the developer carrier facing an image carrier on which a latent image is to be formed; a first transporting member including a rotating shaft and a transporting blade supported by the rotating shaft, the first transporting member transporting the developer in the developer container while stirring the developer; and a second transporting member including a rotating shaft and a transporting blade supported by the rotating shaft, the second transporting member being provided side by side with the first transporting member, the second transporting member transporting the developer, while stirring the developer, in a direction opposite to a direction of transport by the first transporting member. The rotating shaft of the first transporting member is positioned in an area of projection defined by projecting the developer carrier from an upper side in a gravitational direction. Supposing that a first virtual tangent to an outer surface of the developer carrier extends in the gravitational direction on a side of the developer carrier opposite the image carrier and that a second virtual tangent to an outer edge of the transporting blade of the first transporting member extends in the gravitational direction on a side of the first transporting member opposite the image carrier, the second virtual tangent is farther from the image carrier in a horizontal direction than the first virtual tangent. Letting a distance in the horizontal direction between the first virtual tangent and the second virtual tangent be a first distance, and a distance in the horizontal direction between the first virtual tangent and an inner surface of the developer container on the side of the developer carrier opposite the image carrier be a second distance, the first distance is shorter than the second distance. A developer guiding member that guides the developer moving along the developer carrier is provided on a downstream side in a direction of rotation of the developer carrier with respect to a facing area where the developer carrier faces the image carrier. The developer guiding member faces the outer surface of the developer carrier with a gap interposed between the developer guiding member and the outer surface of the developer carrier. The developer guiding member includes an inclined portion that inclines from an upstream side in the direction of rotation of the developer carrier toward a downstream side in the direction of transport by the first transporting member.
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the following figures, wherein:
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the following exemplary embodiments.
For easy understanding, directions and sides to be mentioned hereinafter referring to the drawings are defined as follows: the anteroposterior direction corresponds to the X-axis direction, the horizontal direction corresponds to the Y-axis direction, and the vertical direction corresponds to the Z-axis direction. Furthermore, arrows X, −X, Y, −Y, Z, and −Z point toward the front side, the rear side, the right side, the left side, the upper side, and the lower side, respectively.
A circle with a dot illustrated in each of relevant drawings represents an arrow pointing toward the near side from the far side of the drawing, and a circle with a cross illustrated in each of relevant drawings represents an arrow pointing toward the far side from the near side of the drawing.
Elements that are negligible in the following description are not illustrated in the drawings, for easy understanding.
Referring to
The automatic feeder U3 includes a document tray TG1 as an exemplary medium holder that is provided at the top thereof. The document tray TG1 holds a stack of plural pages of document Gi to be copied. The automatic feeder U3 also includes a document output tray TG2 as an exemplary document output portion that is provided below the document tray TG1. Pairs of document transporting rollers U3b are provided between the document tray TG1 and the document output tray TG2 and along a document transport path U3a.
The scanner unit U2 according to the first exemplary embodiment includes a platen glass PG as an exemplary transparent document table that is provided on the upper surface thereof, and a reading optical system A provided below the platen glass PG. The reading optical system A according to the first exemplary embodiment is supported in such a manner as to be movable in the horizontal direction along the lower surface of the platen glass PG. The reading optical system A is normally stationary at an initial position illustrated in
An imaging device CCD as an exemplary imaging member is provided on the right side of the reading optical system A. The imaging device CCD is electrically connected to an image processing unit GS.
The image processing unit GS is electrically connected to a drawing circuit DL included in the printer unit U1. The drawing circuit DL is electrically connected to light-emitting-diode (LED) heads LHy, LHm, LHc, and LHk as exemplary latent-image-forming devices.
Photoconductor drums PRy, PRm, PRc, and PRk as exemplary image carriers are provided above the respective LED heads LHy, LHm, LHc, and LHk.
Charging rollers CRy, CRm, CRc, and CRk as exemplary charging devices are provided facing the respective photoconductor drums PRy, PRm, PRc, and PRk. A charging voltage is applied from a power supply circuit E to each of the charging rollers CRy, CRm, CRc, and CRk. The power supply circuit E is controlled by a controller C as an exemplary controller. The controller C performs control operations by transmitting and receiving signals to and from the image processing unit GS, the drawing circuit DL, and other associated elements.
The LED heads LHy, LHm, LHc, and LHk apply drawing beams to the surfaces of the photoconductor drums PRy, PRm, PRc, and PRk in drawing areas Q1y, Q1m, Q1c, and Q1k, respectively. The drawing areas Q1y, Q1m, Q1c, and Q1k are defined on the downstream side with respect to the charging rollers CRy, CRm, CRc, and CRk in a direction of rotation of the photoconductor drums PRy, PRm, PRc, and PRk, respectively.
Developing devices Gy, Gm, Gc, and Gk are provided facing the surfaces of the photoconductor drums PRy, PRm, PRc, and PRk in development areas Q2y, Q2m, Q2c, and Q2k, respectively. The development areas Q2y, Q2m, Q2c, and Q2k are defined on the downstream side with respect to the drawing areas Q1y, Q1m, Q1c, and Q1k in the direction of rotation of the photoconductor drums PRy, PRm, PRc, and PRk, respectively. Combinations of the photoconductor drums PRy, PRm, PRc, and PRk and the developing devices Gy, Gm, Gc, and Gk are regarded as process cartridges PRy+Gy, PRm+Gm, PRc+Gc, and PRk+Gk, respectively, as exemplary visible-image-forming devices.
First transfer areas Q3y, Q3m, Q3c, and Q3k are defined on the downstream side with respect to the development areas Q2y, Q2m, Q2c, and Q2k in the direction of rotation of the photoconductor drums PRy, PRm, PRc, and PRk, respectively. The photoconductor drums PRy, PRm, PRc, and PRk are in contact with an intermediate transfer belt B as an intermediate transfer body in the respective first transfer areas Q3y, Q3m, Q3c, and Q3k. First transfer rollers T1y, T1m, T1c, and T1k as exemplary first transfer devices are provided in the respective first transfer areas Q3y, Q3m, Q3c, and Q3k and across the intermediate transfer belt B from the respective photoconductor drums PRy, PRm, PRc, and PRk.
Drum cleaners CLy, CLm, CLc, and CLk as exemplary image-carrier-cleaning devices are provided on the downstream side with respect to the first transfer areas Q3y, Q3m, Q3c, and Q3k in the direction of rotation of the photoconductor drums PRy, PRm, PRc, and PRk, respectively.
A belt module BM as an exemplary intermediate transfer device is provided above the photoconductor drums PRy, PRm, PRc, and PRk. The belt module BM includes the intermediate transfer belt B. The intermediate transfer belt B is rotatably supported by a driving roller Rd as an exemplary driving member, a tension roller Rt as an exemplary stretching member, a walking roller Rw as an exemplary meandering correcting member, an idler roller Rf as an exemplary follower member, a backup roller T2a as an exemplary counter member provided in a second transfer area, and the first transfer rollers T1y, T1m, T1c, and T1k.
A second transfer roller T2b as an exemplary second transfer member is provided across the intermediate transfer belt B from the backup roller T2a. A combination of the backup roller T2a and the second transfer roller T2b is regarded as a second transfer device T2. An area where the second transfer roller T2b and the intermediate transfer belt B are in contact with each other is regarded as a second transfer area Q4.
A combination of the first transfer rollers T1y, T1m, T1c, and T1k, the intermediate transfer belt B, the second transfer device T2, and other associated elements is regarded as a transfer device T1+T2+B according to the first exemplary embodiment that transfers images formed on the photoconductor drums PRy, PRm, PRc, and PRk to a medium.
A belt cleaner CLb as an exemplary cleaning device for the intermediate transfer body is provided on the downstream side with respect to the second transfer area Q4 in a direction of rotation of the intermediate transfer belt B.
Cartridges Ky, Km, Kc, and Kk as exemplary developer containers are provided above the belt module BM. The cartridges Ky, Km, Kc, and Kk contain developers to be supplied to the developing devices Gy, Gm, Gc, and Gk, respectively. The cartridges Ky, Km, Kc, and Kk and the developing devices Gy, Gm, Gc, and Gk are connected to each other with developer supplying devices (not illustrated), respectively.
Sheet trays TR1 to TR3 as exemplary medium containers are provided at the bottom of the printer unit U1. The sheet trays TR1 to TR3 are each supported by guide rails GR as exemplary guide members in such a manner as to be detachable in the anteroposterior direction. The sheet trays TR1 to TR3 each contain sheets S as exemplary media.
A pickup roller Rp as an exemplary medium pickup member is provided on the upper left side of each of the sheet trays TR1 to TR3. A pair of separating rollers Rs as an exemplary separating member is provided on the left side of the pickup roller Rp.
A transport path SH along which each sheet S is transported extends upward on the left side of the sheet trays TR1 to TR3. Plural pairs of transporting rollers Ra as exemplary medium transporting members are provided along the transport path SH. A pair of registration rollers Rr as an exemplary feeding member is provided in a downstream portion of the transport path SH and on the upstream side with respect to the second transfer area Q4 in the direction of transport of the sheet S.
A fixing device F is provided above the second transfer area Q4. The fixing device F includes a heat roller Fh as an exemplary heating member, and a pressure roller Fp as an exemplary pressing member. An area where the heat roller Fh and the pressure roller Fp are in contact with each other is regarded as a fixing area Q5.
A pair of output rollers Rh as an exemplary medium transporting member is provided obliquely above the fixing device F. An output tray TRh as an exemplary medium output portion is provided on the right side of the pair of output rollers Rh.
Description of Image Forming Operation
Plural pages of document Gi held on the document tray TG1 sequentially pass through a document reading position on the platen glass PG and are sequentially outputted to the document output tray TG2.
If the document Gi is automatically transported and copied through the automatic feeder U3, the reading optical system A is stationary at the initial position and applies light to each of the pages of the document Gi that passes through the document reading position on the platen glass PG.
If the operator manually copies the document Gi by sequentially placing the plural pages of document Gi onto the platen glass PG, the reading optical system A moves in the horizontal direction while applying light to each of the pages of the document Gi that is placed on the platen glass PG, thereby scanning each of the pages of the document Gi.
Light reflected by the page of the document Gi travels through the reading optical system A and is focused on an imaging surface of the imaging device CCD. The imaging device CCD converts the light reflected by the page of the document Gi and focused on the imaging surface thereof into electrical signals for red R, green G, and blue B.
The image processing unit GS converts the electrical signals for R, G, and B inputted thereto from the imaging device CCD into pieces of image information for black K, yellow Y, magenta M, and cyan C and temporarily stores the pieces of image information. The image processing unit GS outputs the temporarily stored pieces of image information as pieces of image information for latent image formation to the drawing circuit DL at a predetermined timing.
If the image on the page of the document Gi is a monochrome image, only the piece of image information for black K is inputted to the drawing circuit DL.
The drawing circuit DL includes driving circuits (not illustrated) for the respective colors of Y, M, C, and K and outputs signals based on the pieces of image information inputted thereto to the LED heads LHy, LHm, LHc, and LHk for the respective colors at a predetermined timing.
The surfaces of the photoconductor drums PRy, PRm, PRc, and PRk are charged by the respective charging rollers CRy, CRm, CRc, and CRk. The LED heads LHy, LHm, LHc, and LHk form electrostatic latent images on the surfaces of the photoconductor drums PRy, PRm, PRc, and PRk in the drawing areas Q1y, Q1m, Q1c, and Q1k, respectively. The developing devices Gy, Gm, Gc, and Gk develop the electrostatic latent images on the surfaces of the photoconductor drums PRy, PRm, PRc, and PRk into toner images as exemplary visible images in the development areas Q2y, Q2m, Q2c, and Q2k, respectively. As the developers contained in the developing devices Gy, Gm, Gc, and Gk are consumed, fresh developers are supplied to the developing devices Gy, Gm, Gc, and Gk from the cartridges Ky, Km, Kc, and Kk, respectively, in accordance with the amounts of consumption.
The toner images on the surfaces of the photoconductor drums PRy, PRm, PRc, and PRk are transported to the respective first transfer areas Q3y, Q3m, Q3c, and Q3k. The power supply circuit E applies a first transfer voltage to each of the first transfer rollers T1y, T1m, T1c, and T1k at a predetermined timing. The first transfer voltage is of the opposite polarity to a toner contained in the developer. Hence, the first transfer voltage causes the toner images on the photoconductor drums PRy, PRm, PRc, and PRk to be sequentially transferred to the intermediate transfer belt B in the first transfer areas Q3y, Q3m, Q3c, and Q3k, respectively, such that the toner images are superposed one on top of another. If a monochrome image in the K-color is to be formed, only the toner image in the K-color is transferred from the photoconductor drum PRk for the K-color to the intermediate transfer belt B.
The toner images on the photoconductor drums PRy, PRm, PRc, and PRk are transferred for the first transfer to the intermediate transfer belt B as an exemplary intermediate transfer body by the respective first transfer rollers T1y, T1m, T1c, and T1k. Residual substances adhering to the surfaces of the photoconductor drums PRy, PRm, PRc, and PRk that have undergone the first transfer are removed by the respective drum cleaners CLy, CLm, CLc, and CLk. The surfaces of the photoconductor drums PRy, PRm, PRc, and PRk that have been thus cleaned are recharged by the respective charging rollers CRy, CRm, CRc, and CRk.
One of the sheets S contained in the sheet trays TR1 to TR3 is picked up by a corresponding one of the pickup rollers Rp at a predetermined timing of sheet feeding. If plural sheets S are picked up at a time by the pickup roller Rp, one of the sheets S is separated from the others by the pair of separating rollers Rs. The sheet S thus passed through the pair of separating rollers Rs is transported to the pair of registration rollers Rr by the plural pairs of transporting rollers Ra.
The pair of registration rollers Rr feeds the sheet S synchronously with the transport of the toner images on the intermediate transfer belt B to the second transfer area Q4.
When the sheet S thus fed from the pair of registration rollers Rr passes through the second transfer area Q4, a second transfer voltage is applied to the second transfer roller T2b, whereby the toner images on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt B are transferred to the sheet S.
Residual toner on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt B that has passed through the second transfer area Q4 is removed by the belt cleaner CLb.
The sheet S that has passed through the second transfer area Q4 then passes through the fixing area Q5, where the fixing device F applies heat and pressure to the toner images, thereby fixing the toner images.
The sheet S having the toner images fixed thereto is discharged to the output tray TRh by the pair of output rollers Rh.
Description of Developing Device
The developing devices Gy, Gm, Gc, and Gk according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention will now be described. The developing devices Gy, Gm, Gc, and Gk for the respective colors all have the same configuration. Therefore, the developing device Gy for the Y-color will be described in detail herein, and detailed description of the other developing devices Gm, Gc, and Gk is omitted.
Referring to
Referring to
The supply chamber 6 and the stirring chamber 7 are separated from each other by a partition wall 8 as an exemplary partition member. Referring to
The developing-roller chamber 4 houses a developing roller R0y as an exemplary developer carrier. The developing roller R0y is positioned such that an upper left portion of the outer surface thereof faces the photoconductor drum PRy. The developing roller R0y includes a magnet roller 11 as an exemplary magnet member. Referring to
A trimmer 13 as an exemplary layer-thickness-regulating member is provided in a lower part of the developing-roller chamber 4. The trimmer 13 according to the first exemplary embodiment has a round columnar shape extending in the anteroposterior direction. The trimmer 13 is unrotatably supported with a predetermined gap provided with respect to the developing sleeve 12.
The magnet roller 11 has a development magnetic pole S1 at a position corresponding to the development area Q2y, and a trimming magnetic pole N2 as an exemplary layer-thickness-regulating magnetic pole at a position facing the trimmer 13. The trimming magnetic pole N2 is of the opposite polarity to the development magnetic pole S1. The magnet roller 11 also has a transport magnetic pole N1 and a pick-off magnetic pole S2. The transport magnetic pole N1 is of the opposite polarity to the development magnetic pole S1 and is provided on the downstream side with respect to the development magnetic pole S1 in the direction of rotation of the developing sleeve 12. The pick-off magnetic pole S2 is an exemplary developer-release magnetic pole and is provided on the downstream side with respect to the transport magnetic pole N1 in the direction of rotation of the developing sleeve 12. The pick-off magnetic pole S2 is of the opposite polarity to the transport magnetic pole N1. The magnet roller 11 also has a pickup magnetic pole S3 as an exemplary developer-attracting magnetic pole. The pickup magnetic pole S3 is provided on the downstream side with respect to the pick-off magnetic pole S2 and on the upstream side with respect to the trimming magnetic pole N2 in the direction of rotation of the developing sleeve 12. The pickup magnetic pole S3 is of the same polarity as the pick-off magnetic pole S2 but is of the opposite polarity to the trimming magnetic pole N2.
Referring to
The stirring chamber 7 houses a stirring auger 17 as an exemplary second transporting member. As with the supply auger 16, the stirring auger 17 includes a rotating shaft 17a, a transporting blade 17b, and a gear G2.
The gear G1 included in the supply auger 16 is in mesh an intermediate gear G3, which is in mesh with the gear G0. The gear G2 of the stirring auger 17 is in mesh with the gear G1 of the supply auger 16.
Referring to
Function of Developing Device
In each of the developing devices Gy, Gm, Gc, and Gk configured as described above, when the image forming operation is started, the motor is activated and causes a corresponding one of the developing rollers R0y, R0m, R0c, and R0k to rotate. Accordingly, the augers 16 and 17 rotate. In the first exemplary embodiment, when the supply auger 16 rotates, the supply auger 16 transports the developer in the supply chamber 6 from the first port 8a toward the second port 8b, as illustrated by arrow Ya representing the direction of transport, while stirring the developer. The developer that has reached the second port 8b flows through the second port 8b into the stirring chamber 7. When the stirring auger 17 rotates, the stirring auger 17 transports the developer in the stirring chamber 7 from the second port 8b toward the first port 8a, as illustrated by arrow Yb, while stirring the developer. The developer that has reached the first port 8a flows through the first port 8a into the supply chamber 6. Thus, a combination of the supply chamber 6 and the stirring chamber 7 is regarded as a circulation chamber 6+7.
The developer in the supply chamber 6 is attracted to the developing sleeve 12 with the magnetic force exerted by the pickup magnetic pole S3. When the developer thus attracted to the developing sleeve 12 goes past the trimmer 13, only a predetermined amount of developer is allowed to pass through the gap between the trimmer 13 and the developing sleeve 12. The developer that has gone past the trimmer 13 is used for the development of the latent image on the photoconductor drum PRy, PRm, PRc, or PRk in the development area Q2y, Q2m, Q2c, or Q2k. Some of the developer that has not been used for the development is further transported while being kept attracted to the surface of the developing sleeve 12 by the effect of a magnetic field produced between the development magnetic pole S1 and the transport magnetic pole N1, a magnetic field produced between the transport magnetic pole N1 and the pick-off magnetic pole S2, and the like. In an area between the pick-off magnetic pole S2 and the pickup magnetic pole S3 that are of the same polarity, the magnetic force that attracts the developer to the developing sleeve 12 is reduced. Hence, the developer on the surface of the developing sleeve 12 is released from the developing sleeve 12 in the area between the pick-off magnetic pole S2 and the pickup magnetic pole S3 and returns to the circulation chamber 6+7. In the first exemplary embodiment, a position Q11 where the magnetic force that attracts the developer to the developing sleeve 12 is smallest is defined above a virtual horizontal line L0 passing through the center of rotation of the developing sleeve 12. Hence, the developer that has been released from the developing sleeve 12 tends to slide along the outer surface of the developing sleeve 12 and then falls off the developing sleeve 12.
Description of Individual Elements of Developing Device
Referring to
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
Hence, in the developing device Gy according to the first exemplary embodiment, the positions of the developing roller R0y and the supply auger 16 in the horizontal direction substantially coincide with each other. Accordingly, the developing device Gy according to the first exemplary embodiment has a smaller size than related-art developing devices.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring now to
Hence, the angle of inclination θ1 is more preferably 30 degrees or larger and smaller than or equal to the complementary angle of the angle of repose of the developer. If the angle of inclination θ1 is 30 degrees or larger, the amount of developer to be guided toward the downstream side in the direction of transport Ya tends to become larger than in a case where the angle of inclination θ1 is smaller than 30 degrees. Note that the angle of repose of the developer varies with the kind of the developer and conditions, such as the temperature and the humidity, of the environment in which the developer is used. In the first exemplary embodiment, a developer whose angle of repose is 35 degrees is employed, for example. Hence, in the first exemplary embodiment, the complementary angle of the angle of repose of the developer is 55 degrees, which is obtained by subtracting 35 degrees from the right angle. The fin 22 has a length λ1, which is set such that λ1·(sin θ1) is larger than the pitch P2 of the turns in the transporting blade 16b of the supply auger 16. That is, the length λ1 of the fin 22 according to the first exemplary embodiment satisfies a relationship of λ1>P2/(sin θ1).
Referring to
The guide member 31 according to the first exemplary embodiment has an inclined surface 32 that inclines toward the rotating shaft 16a of the supply auger 16 from an upper end 31a thereof toward the lower side. The upper end 31a of the guide member 31 is positioned on the lower side with respect to a lower end 33 of the developing roller R0y in the gravitational direction.
A lower end 31b of the guide member 31 in the gravitational direction is positioned on the upper side with respect to the rotating shaft 16a of the supply auger 16. That is, the lower end 31b of the guide member 31 is at a position higher than the rotating shaft 16a of the supply auger 16. In the first exemplary embodiment, the position of the lower end 31b is lower than an upper edge 16c of the transporting blade 16b of the supply auger 16.
In the first exemplary embodiment, the lower end 31b of the guide member 31, i.e., the lower end 31b of the inclined surface 32, is positioned nearer to the inner surface of the developer container V in the horizontal direction than the second virtual tangent L2.
In the first exemplary embodiment, an angle of inclination θ2 of the inclined surface 32 of the guide member 31 with respect to the horizontal direction is set to a value larger than or equal to the angle of repose of the developer and smaller than 90 degrees, more specifically, 35 degrees or larger and smaller than 90 degrees.
Function of Guiding-Fin Member
In the developing device Gy according to the first exemplary embodiment that is configured as described above, when the augers 16 and 17 rotate, the developer is transported and circulates in the circulation chamber 6+7. In the supply chamber 6, the supply auger 16 rotates, whereby the developer is transported in the direction of transport Ya. Some of the developer in the supply chamber 6 is attracted to the developing sleeve 12 with the magnetic force exerted by the pickup magnetic pole S3. The rest of the developer in the supply chamber 6 is further transported toward the downstream side in the direction of transport Ya. The developer attracted to the developing sleeve 12 is carried by the developing sleeve 12 that rotates. With the rotation of the developing sleeve 12, the developer passes through the development area Q2y, whereby the latent image on the photoconductor drum PRy is developed, and the toner contained in the developer is consumed. The resulting developer whose toner has been consumed is further carried with the rotation of the developing sleeve 12 toward the position Q11 where the magnetic force acting on the developing roller R0y is smallest. Since the magnetic force that attracts the developer to the developing sleeve 12 is reduced near the position Q11, the developer whose toner has been consumed is released from the developing sleeve 12.
The developer thus released from the developing sleeve 12 jumps, with a force of inertia, toward the guiding-fin member 21 provided on the right side of the position Q11 and above the supply chamber 6. The fins 22 of the guiding-fin member 21 each incline such that the lower end 22b thereof is positioned on the downstream side with respect to the upper end 22a in the direction of transport Ya. Hence, the developer that has entered the guiding-fin member 21 is guided along the fins 22 toward the downstream side in the direction of transport Ya while moving downward with the gravitational force or the like. Thus, the developer that has entered the guiding-fin member 21 passes through the guiding-fin member 21 while moving toward the downstream side in the direction of transport Ya with respect to the position of release. That is, in the first exemplary embodiment, the developer returns to the supply chamber 6 after being transported toward the downstream side in the direction of transport Ya. In the first exemplary embodiment, the guide member 31 is provided below the guiding-fin member 21. The guide member 31 receives the developer dropping from the guiding-fin member 21 and guides the dropped developer into the supply chamber 6. The developer that has returned to the supply chamber 6 is mixed with a mass of developer transported from the upstream side and the like, and the mixture is further transported in the direction of transport Ya.
The upper end 22a of each of the fins 22 of the guiding-fin member 21 according to the first exemplary embodiment is positioned in the area defined by the half-value width W. Hence, even if the position of the pick-off magnetic pole S2 is displaced because of any dimensional errors, the guiding-fin member 21 is positioned on the lateral side of the position Q11. Therefore, in the first exemplary embodiment, the developer that has been released from the developing sleeve 12 tends to enter the guiding-fin member 21, regardless of the dimensional errors of the associated elements. In the first exemplary embodiment, the gap H1 is provided between the guiding-fin member 21 and the developing sleeve 12. Hence, the wear of the developing sleeve 12 is suppressed more than in a case where the guiding-fin member 21 is in contact with the developing sleeve 12. Particularly, in the first exemplary embodiment, the gap H1 is larger than the gap H2. Hence, the guiding-fin member 21 according to the first exemplary embodiment is less likely to come into contact with the developer that is carried by the developing sleeve 12. Consequently, in the first exemplary embodiment, the scattering of the developer, i.e., the generation of developer cloud, is suppressed.
The developer that has been attracted to the developing sleeve 12 and whose toner has been consumed in the development area Q2y is released from the developing sleeve 12 and returns to the supply chamber 6. The developer that has returned to the supply chamber 6 is transported toward the downstream side in the direction of transport Ya by the supply auger 16. The developer that has been transported to the downstream side in the direction of transport Ya is attracted to the developing sleeve 12 again. Then, after the toner contained in the developer is consumed in the development area Q2y, the developer returns to the supply chamber 6. Thus, while the developer is transported from the upstream side to the downstream side of the supply chamber 6, the above cycle is repeated in which the developer is attracted to the developing sleeve 12, the toner of the developer is consumed in the development area Q2y, and the developer returns to the supply chamber 6. Hence, the consumption of toner from the developer in the supply chamber 6 increases toward the downstream side in the direction of transport Ya, resulting in a difference between the toner concentration of the developer on the upstream side and the toner concentration of the developer on the downstream side. If the difference in the toner concentration of the developer becomes large, the density of the developed image may become nonuniform, deteriorating the quality of the resulting image.
In the comparative case illustrated in
The guiding-fin member 21 according to the first exemplary embodiment includes the fins 22 each inclining at the angle of inclination θ1 and that are arranged side by side at the pitch P1 in the direction of transport Ya. Hence, the distribution of the amount of developer guided by the guiding-fin member 21 according to the first exemplary embodiment is more even than in related-art developing devices in which the angle of inclination of guiding members varies with the positions of the guiding members. Moreover, the distribution of the number of fins 22 according to the first exemplary embodiment in the direction of transport Ya is more even than in the related-art developing devices. Therefore, in the first exemplary embodiment, the developer that has been released from the developing sleeve 12 is more likely to be transported toward the downstream side in the direction of transport Ya, regardless of the position in the axial direction of the developing roller R0y, before returning to the supply chamber 6. Thus, the probability that the developer whose toner has been consumed may return concentratedly to a certain area is reduced in the first exemplary embodiment. Accordingly, in the first exemplary embodiment, the probability that the toner concentration of the developer on the downstream side may be reduced so much as to make a noticeable variation in the toner concentration is smaller than in the related-art developing devices.
Furthermore, in the first exemplary embodiment, the angle of inclination θ1 is set to 30 degrees, which is smaller than or equal to the complementary angle of the angle of repose of the developer. Hence, in the first exemplary embodiment, the developer that is guided in the direction of transport Ya is less likely to accumulate on the fins 22 and to clog between adjacent ones of the fins 22.
In the first exemplary embodiment, the pitch P1 of the fins 22 is smaller than the pitch P2 of the turns in the transporting blade 16b of the supply auger 16.
An amount of developer that corresponds to the size of the pitch P1 drops into the gap between adjacent ones of the fins 22 of the guiding-fin member 21. In the first exemplary embodiment, the lower end 22b of each of the fins 22 is positioned on the downstream side in the direction of transport Ya with respect to an area B1 into which the developer that has entered the guiding-fin member 21 drops. Hence, the developer that has entered the gap between adjacent ones of the fins 22 drops while being guided in the direction of transport Ya along one of the adjacent fins 22 and returns to a position of the supply chamber 6 that faces the lower end 22b of the fin 22.
Therefore, as the pitch P1 of the fins 22 becomes larger, a larger amount of developer enters the gap between adjacent ones of the fins 22 and the amount of developer guided by each fin 22 tends to increase. Moreover, as the pitch P1 becomes larger, positions of the supply chamber 6 to each of which the developer returns tend to become farther apart from one another. Hence, as the pitch P1 becomes larger, a larger amount of developer whose toner has been consumed tends to return to each of fewer positions of the supply chamber 6. Accordingly, it tends to take a long time for the toner concentration of the developer to be evened out, and the toner concentration of the developer is more likely to vary in the direction of transport Ya.
Particularly, in a case where the pitch P1 of the fins 22 is larger than the pitch P2 of the turns in the transporting blade 16b of the supply auger 16 as illustrated in
In contrast, according to the first exemplary embodiment illustrated in
Particularly, in the first exemplary embodiment in which the pitch P1 is smaller than the pitch P2, the developer is more likely to be distributed to each of the spaces 16b1 and 16b2 each defined by one turn of the transporting blade 16b of the supply auger 16. Therefore, in the first exemplary embodiment, the height of the mass of developer or the toner concentration of the developer is less likely to vary, and image quality is less likely to be deteriorated than in the case where the pitch P1 is larger than the pitch P2.
In the first exemplary embodiment, referring to
Experiments for demonstrating the effects produced by the first exemplary embodiment are conducted as follows.
The following experiments are conducted on several models of a printer called DocuCentre SC2020 of Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. that have been modified for the experiments.
In Experimental Example 1-1, modified developing devices Gy are used. Specifically, two developing devices Gy are prepared, with the amount of developer that is present around the augers 16 and 17 and the developing roller R0y, i.e., the amount of developer sump, being set to 135 g and 90 g, respectively. Each of the developing devices Gy includes the guiding-fin member 21. The length λ1 of each of the fins 22 of the guiding-fin member 21 is 25 mm. The pitch P1 of the fins 22 is 10 mm. The angle of inclination θ1 of each fin 22 is 40 degrees. Then, the difference in toner concentration ΔTC (%) in the supply chamber 6 is measured for each of the two developing devices Gy containing different amounts of developer. Specifically, an image with a density of 100%, i.e., a solid image, intended for size A3 is formed and is printed on twenty sheets S successively. Then, after the printing on the twenty sheets S is complete, the difference in toner concentration ΔTC (%) in each of the developing devices Gy is measured. More specifically, the toner concentration is measured at each of two predetermined positions of the supply chamber 6 that are space apart from each other in the direction of transport Ya, and the difference between the two measured values is taken as the difference in toner concentration ΔTC (%). In Experimental Example 1-1, the process speed is set to 126 mm/s. That is, the speed at which each sheet S passes through the second transfer area Q4 is set to 126 mm/s. Furthermore, the speed of rotation of the developing roller R0y, i.e., the speed of rotation of the developing sleeve 12, is set to 214.2 mm/s.
In Experimental Example 1-2, the process speed is set to 63 mm/s. That is, the speed at which each sheet S passes through the second transfer area Q4 is set to 63 mm/s, and the speed of rotation of the developing sleeve 12 is set to 107.1 mm/s. The other conditions and the measurement method are the same as those employed in Experimental Example 1-1.
In Comparative Example 1-1, the angle of inclination θ1 of each fin 22 is set to 0 degrees for each of three developing devices Gy that contain different amounts of developer of 135 g, 100 g, and 85 g, respectively. The other conditions and the measurement method are the same as those employed in Experimental Example 1-1.
In Comparative Example 1-2, the angle of inclination θ1 of each fin 22 is set to 0 degrees for each of three developing devices Gy that contain different amounts of developer of 135 g, 100 g, and 85 g, respectively. The other conditions and the measurement method are the same as those employed in Experimental Example 1-2.
Results of Experiments in Experimental Examples 1-1 and 1-2 and Comparative Examples 1-1 and 1-2
In the graphs illustrated in
In general, in each of the developing devices Gy, Gm, Gc, and Gk, as the amount of developer contained therein becomes larger, the influence of toner consumption tends to become smaller and the difference in toner concentration ΔTC (%) therefore tends to become smaller. This tendency is understood from the fact that the gradients of the approximate lines obtained in Experimental Examples 1-1 and 1-2 and Comparative Examples 1-1 and 1-2 graphed in
Furthermore,
In Experimental Example 2-1, a developing device Gy in which the amount of developer that is present around the augers 16 and 17 and the developing roller R0y is set to 180 g is used. The developing device Gy includes the guiding-fin member 21. The angle of inclination θ1 of each of the fins 22 is set to 50 degrees. In Experimental Example 2-1, the influence of the inclined fins 22 upon the length of transport of the developer in the direction of transport Ya is measured. Specifically, a solid image intended for size A3 is formed, whereby the developing device Gy is activated. In this image forming operation, an image of the developing sleeve 12 is taken with a video camera as an exemplary observation member from the side of the photoconductor drum PRy. In Experimental Example 2-1, another developer having a color different from the Y-color is added to a predetermined position of the developing sleeve 12. Then, after a predetermined period of time, any positions where the colors of the two developers are mixed on the developing sleeve 12 are observed on the image taken with the video camera. In other words, the length of transport of the developer in the axial direction of the developing roller R0y is measured on the basis of the position where the other developer has been added, the time elapsed, and any positions where the mixture of the two developers has appeared on the developing sleeve 12. In Experimental Example 2-1, the process speed is set to 126 mm/s. That is, the speed at which the sheet S passes through the second transfer area Q4 is set to 126 mm/s, and the speed of rotation of the developing sleeve 12 is set to 214.2 mm/s. The other conditions and the measurement method are the same as those employed in Experimental Example 1-1.
In Experimental Example 2-2, the process speed is set to 63 mm/s. That is, the speed at which the sheet S passes through the second transfer area Q4 is set to 63 mm/s, and the speed of rotation of the developing sleeve 12 is set to 107.1 mm/s. The other conditions and the measurement method are the same as those employed in Experimental Example 2-1.
In Comparative Example 2-1, the angle of inclination θ1 of each of the fins 22 included in the guiding-fin member 21 is set to 0 degrees. The other conditions and the measurement method are the same as those employed in Experimental Example 2-1.
In Comparative Example 2-2, the angle of inclination θ1 of the fin 22 is set to 0 degrees. The other conditions and the measurement method are the same as those employed in Experimental Example 2-2.
Results of Experiments in Experimental Examples 2-1 and 2-2 and Comparative Examples 2-1 and 2-2
Referring to
In each of Experimental Examples 2-1 and 2-2, the angle of inclination θ1 is 50 degrees. In Experimental Example 2-2 in which the process speed is 63 mm/s, the length of transport of the developer is about 12 mm. On the other hand, in Experimental Example 2-1 in which the process speed is 126 mm/s, the length of transport of the developer is about 16 mm, which is larger than 12 mm. This means that, if the angle of inclination θ1 is the same, the length of transport of the developer in the direction of transport Ya becomes larger by increasing the process speed.
According to the results of the experiments conducted in Experimental Examples 1, as the angle of inclination θ1 becomes larger and as the process speed becomes higher, the difference in toner concentration ΔTC (%) in the direction of transport Ya tends to become smaller. That is, the results of the experiments in Experimental Examples 1 and 2 show a tendency that the larger the amount of developer guided in the direction of transport Ya, the smaller the difference in toner concentration ΔTC (%) of the developer in the direction of transport Ya.
In Experimental Examples 2-1 and 2-2 and in Comparative Examples 2-1 and 2-2, the length of transport of the developer on the developing sleeve 12 is observed. Hence, the sum of the length by which the guiding-fin member 21 has guided the developer and the length by which the supply auger 16 has transported the developer is measured. Therefore, considering the result of the measurement in Comparative Example 2-2, the length by which the supply auger 16 transports the developer in Experimental Example 2-2 in which the process speed is 63 mm/s is estimated to be about 10 mm. Furthermore, considering the result of the measurement in Comparative Example 2-1, the length by which the supply auger 16 transports the developer in Experimental Example 2-1 in which the process speed is 126 mm/s is estimated to be about 11 mm.
A second exemplary embodiment of the present invention will now be described. Elements corresponding to those described in the first exemplary embodiment are denoted by the corresponding ones of the reference numerals used in the first exemplary embodiment, and detailed description thereof is omitted.
The second exemplary embodiment is basically the same as the first exemplary embodiment, except the following points.
Referring to
The gap H1′ (mm) according to the second exemplary embodiment is set to a value smaller than the thickness of a developer layer to be formed on the developing sleeve 12. Specifically, the gap H1′ is set to a value smaller than the gap H2 between the trimmer 13 and the outer surface of the developing sleeve 12. Particularly, in the second exemplary embodiment, letting the tight bulk density of the developer be P (g/mm3) and the preset amount of developer per unit area that is to be carried by the developing sleeve 12 be M (g/mm2), the gap H1′ is set to a value that satisfies the relationship of M/P>H1′. The term “tight bulk density” refers to the density of powder (the developer) that has been charged tightly into a container while being tapped. For reference, the density of powder that has been charged loosely into a container without being tapped is referred to as “loose bulk density.”
In the developing device Gy′ according to the second exemplary embodiment that is configured as described above, as the developing sleeve 12 rotates, the developer that has been attracted to the developing sleeve 12 from the supply chamber 6 is transported toward the downstream side in the direction of rotation of the developing sleeve 12. Specifically, the developer attracted to the developing sleeve 12 passes through the development area Q2y and is transported to the transport magnetic pole N1 and then to the pick-off magnetic pole S2. The guiding-fin member 21′ of the developing device Gy′ according to the second exemplary embodiment extends from a position on the upstream side with respect to the transport magnetic pole N1 to a position facing the pick-off magnetic pole S2. Hence, in the second exemplary embodiment, the developer that has passed through the development area Q2y and whose toner has been consumed enters the guiding-fin member 21′ from the left ends 22a′ of the fins 22′. Subsequently, the developer that has passed through the guiding-fin member 21′ is released from the developing sleeve 12 at the position Q11 and drops into the supply chamber 6. In this process, the developer that is dropping may be guided by the guide member 31, occasionally.
The guiding-fin member 21′ according to the second exemplary embodiment includes plural fins 22′ each incline from the upstream side thereof in the direction of rotation of the developing sleeve 12 toward the downstream side in the direction of transport Ya, i.e., the axial direction of the developing roller R0y. Therefore, the developer that has entered the guiding-fin member 21′ comes into contact with the fins 22′ while moving toward the downstream side in the direction of rotation of the developing sleeve 12. Then, the developer that tends to move toward the downstream side in the direction of rotation of the developing sleeve 12 is guided toward the downstream side in the direction of transport Ya along the fins 22′. Hence, the developer that has passed through the guiding-fin member 21′ tends to exit the guiding-fin member 21′ from a position on the downstream side in the direction of transport Ya with respect to the position of entry into the guiding-fin member 21′. Thus, in the second exemplary embodiment, the developer tends to be released from the developing sleeve 12, before returning to the supply chamber 6, at a position on the downstream side in the direction of transport Ya with respect to the position of attraction to the developing sleeve 12. Therefore, in the second exemplary embodiment, the developer whose toner has been consumed easily move toward the downstream side in the direction of transport Ya before returning to the supply chamber 6, as in the first exemplary embodiment. Consequently, in the developing device Gy′ according to the second exemplary embodiment that has a small size, the difference in toner concentration ΔTC (%) of the developer in the axial direction of the developing roller R0y tends to be suppressed, as in the first exemplary embodiment.
The guiding-fin member 21′ according to the second exemplary embodiment is configured to guide the developer on the developing sleeve 12 in the direction of transport Ya. In the first exemplary embodiment, the guiding-fin member 21 is provided on the lateral side of the developing roller R0y, and the developer that has been released from the developing sleeve 12 is introduced into and is guided by the guiding-fin member 21. In general, if the process speed is changed and the speed of rotation of the developing sleeve 12 is therefore changed, the centrifugal force that acts on the developer changes and the position and the speed of release of the developer from the developing sleeve 12 also change, accordingly. Consequently, the position from which the developer released from the developing sleeve 12 enters the guiding-fin member 21 and the amount of developer that enters the guiding-fin member 21 change. That is, in the first exemplary embodiment, the length by which the developer is guided in the direction of transport Ya and the amount of developer that is guided by the guiding-fin member 21 may change with the process speed. On the other hand, the guiding-fin member 21′ according to the second exemplary embodiment is held above the developing sleeve 12 and comes into contact with and guides the developer that is moving toward the downstream side in the direction of rotation of the developing sleeve 12. Hence, even if the process speed is changed, the amount of developer that enters the guiding-fin member 21′ is less likely to change. Moreover, the axial-direction position of entry of the developer into the guiding-fin member 21′ and the length of guiding of the developer in the direction of transport Ya are less likely to change. Hence, in the second exemplary embodiment, the length of guiding of the developer in the direction of transport Ya and the amount of developer to be guided are more stabilized for a wider range of process speed than in the case where the developer is guided after being released from the developing sleeve 12.
In the second exemplary embodiment, the gap H1′ between the guiding-fin member 21′ and the developing sleeve 12 is set on the basis of the tight bulk density P of the developer. The guiding-fin member 21′ according to the second exemplary embodiment needs to come into contact with the developer on the developing sleeve 12. Hence, in the second exemplary embodiment, the gap H1′ between the guiding-fin member 21′ and the developing sleeve 12 is set to a value smaller than the thickness of the developer layer to be formed on the developing sleeve 12. Particularly, the guiding-fin member 21′ according to the second exemplary embodiment is positioned such that the gap H1′ satisfies the relationship of M/P>H1′, where P denotes the tight bulk density of the developer, and M denotes the preset amount of developer per unit area of the developing sleeve 12. That is, the gap H1′ is set to a value smaller than M/P, which is the thickness of the developer layer based on a tight bulk density. In general, a centrifugal force and so forth act on the developing sleeve 12, and the developer that is present on the developing sleeve 12 has a larger thickness than the thickness based on the tight bulk density. Therefore, if the gap H1′ satisfies the relationship of M/P>H1′, the guiding-fin member 21′ assuredly comes into contact with the developer. Thus, in the second exemplary embodiment, the guiding-fin member 21′ assuredly comes into contact with the developer on the developing sleeve 12, and the developer is easily guided by the guiding-fin member 21′.
A third exemplary embodiment of the present invention will now be described. Elements corresponding to those described in the first exemplary embodiment are denoted by the corresponding ones of the reference numerals used in the first exemplary embodiment, and detailed description thereof is omitted.
The third exemplary embodiment is basically the same as the first exemplary embodiment, except the following points.
Referring to
A lower end 42a of the guiding wall 42 is positioned at a distance longer than the radius of the rotating shaft 16a from the center of rotation of the supply auger 16 in the horizontal direction.
Referring to
As illustrated in
The lowest end 47 of each of the fins 22 of the guiding-fin member 21″ according to the third exemplary embodiment is positioned above a top surface 48 of the mass of developer that is formed when the supply auger 16 is rotating.
Function of Guiding-Fin Member According to Third Exemplary Embodiment
In the developing device Gy according to the third exemplary embodiment that is configured as described above, the developer that has been released from the developing roller R0y is guided by the guiding-fin member 21″ toward the downstream side in the direction of transport Ya by the supply auger 16. In this process, as the speed of rotation of the developing roller R0y increases, the centrifugal force that acts on the developer increases. Accordingly, when the developing sleeve 12 rotates at a high speed, the developer is easily released from the developing sleeve 12.
If the sheet S is a cardboard, the sheet S is transported at a low speed so that, for example, the occurrence of defective fixing is suppressed. Correspondingly, the developing sleeve 12 rotates at a low speed. In such a case, the centrifugal force that acts on the developer is reduced. Consequently, the developer is less likely to be released from the developing sleeve 12, and the position of release of the developer is shifted toward the pickup magnetic pole S3.
That is, if the guiding wall 42 is not provided, the position from which the developer that has been released from the developing sleeve 12 drops off the developing sleeve 12 is shifted toward the position from which the developer is picked up. Such a situation tends to increase the amount of developer that is reattracted to the supply auger 16 after dropping off the developing sleeve 12 without being transported by a satisfactory length in the axial direction of the supply auger 16. Accordingly, the average length of transport of the developer tends to be insufficient.
In the third exemplary embodiment, however, since the guiding wall 42 is provided, the developer that has been released from a position nearer to the pickup magnetic pole S3 is also guided downward by the guiding wall 42. Therefore, the position from which the developer drops is satisfactorily far from the position of pickup of the developer. Accordingly, the developer is more easily transported in the axial direction of the supply auger 16 before being reattracted to the developing sleeve 12. Thus, in the third exemplary embodiment, the difference between the toner concentration of the developer on the upstream side and the toner concentration of the developer on the downstream side in the direction of transport Ya is smaller than in the first exemplary embodiment.
Particularly, in the third exemplary embodiment, the lower end 42a of the guiding wall 42 is positioned at a distance longer than the radius of the rotating shaft 16a from the center of rotation of the supply auger 16 in the horizontal direction. That is, the developer that has been guided by the guiding wall 42 drops onto the right side of the supply auger 16. The developer that has dropped onto the right side of the supply auger 16 moves along with the rotation of the supply auger 16 sequentially from the right side, to the lower side, to the left side, and to the upper side of the rotating shaft 16a. Hence, the developer tends to be transported by a long length in the direction of transport by the supply auger 16 before being reattracted to the developing sleeve 12.
In the third exemplary embodiment, each fin 22 of the guiding-fin member 21″ has the left end 46 that is at a higher position than the lowest end 47 thereof. Such a shape allows the guiding-fin member 21″ to extend up to a lower position than in the first exemplary embodiment where the lower end of the guiding-fin member 21 extends horizontally. Therefore, the length of guiding of the developer by the guiding-fin member 21″ is longer than in the first exemplary embodiment. Accordingly, the length of guiding of the developer toward the downstream side in the axial direction of the supply auger 16 is longer than in the first exemplary embodiment. Consequently, it becomes much easier to reduce the difference in toner concentration of the developer than in the case of the guiding-fin member 21 including the fins 22 that each do not have the lowest end 47 and the left end 46.
The lowest end 47 of the fin 22 of the guiding-fin member 21″ according to the third exemplary embodiment is positioned above the top surface 48 of the mass of developer that is formed when the supply auger 16 is rotating. If the lowest end 47 of the fin 22 of the guiding-fin member 21″ is positioned below the top surface 48 of the mass of developer, the guiding-fin member 21″ hinders the transport of the developer. In the third exemplary embodiment, however, the guiding-fin member 21″ is prevented from hindering the transport of the developer.
When the supply auger 16 is rotating, the top surface 48 of the mass of developer inclines as illustrated in
Experiments for demonstrating the effects of providing the guiding wall 42 according to the third exemplary embodiment are conducted in Experimental Examples 3 and in Comparative Examples 3.
Experimental Examples 3 are basically the same as Experimental Examples 2, except that the amount of developer sump in each of the developing devices Gy is 90 g.
In Experimental Example 3-1, the developing device Gy includes the guiding wall 42, the angle of inclination θ1 of the fin 22 is set to 50 degrees, and the process speed is set to 126 mm/s.
In Experimental Example 3-2, the developing device Gy includes the guiding wall 42, the angle of inclination θ1 of the fin 22 is set to 50 degrees, and the process speed is set to 63 mm/s.
Experimental Example 3-3 is based on the same conditions as Experimental Example 2-1. That is, the developing device Gy does not include the guiding wall 42, the angle of inclination θ1 of the fin 22 is set to 50 degrees, and the process speed is set to 126 mm/s.
Experimental Example 3-4 is based on the same conditions as Experimental Example 2-2. That is, the developing device Gy does not include the guiding wall 42, the angle of inclination θ1 of the fin 22 is set to 50 degrees, and the process speed is set to 63 mm/s.
Comparative Example 3-1 is based on the same conditions as Comparative Example 2-1. That is, the developing device Gy does not include the guiding wall 42, the angle of inclination θ1 of the fin 22 is set to 0 degrees, and the process speed is set to 126 mm/s.
Comparative Example 3-2 is based on the same conditions as Comparative Example 2-2. That is, the developing device Gy does not include the guiding wall 42, the angle of inclination θ1 of the fin 22 is set to 0 degrees, and the process speed is set to 63 mm/s.
The results of the experiments are illustrated in
Referring to
Modifications
While some exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described above in detail, the present invention is not limited to the above exemplary embodiments. Various modifications may be made to the above exemplary embodiments within the scope of the present invention that is defined by the appended claims. Exemplary modifications (H01) to (H010) of the present invention will now be described below.
Modification (H01)
While each of the above exemplary embodiments concerns a case where the image forming apparatus is a copier, the present invention is not limited to such a case. For example, the image forming apparatus may be a printer or a facsimile, or a multifunction machine having plural or all of the functions of the foregoing apparatuses.
Modification (H02)
While each of the above exemplary embodiments concerns a case where the copier U uses developers having four respective colors, the present invention is not limited to such a case. For example, the present invention is also applicable to a monochrome image forming apparatus or to a multicolor image forming apparatus using five or more colors or three or less colors.
Modification (H03)
While each of the first and second exemplary embodiments concerns a case where either the guiding-fin member 21 or the guiding-fin member 21′ is provided, the present invention is not limited to such a case. The developing device Gy or Gy′ may include both the guiding-fin member 21 and the guiding-fin member 21′. In that case, the guiding-fin member 21 and the guiding-fin member 21′ may be combined as an integral body, instead of being provided as separate members.
Modification (04)
In each of the above exemplary embodiment, the pitch P1 of the fins 22 or 22′ is desired to be smaller than the pitch P2 of the turns in the transporting blade 16b of the supply auger 16. However, the present invention is not limited to such a case. If the total amount of developer to be transported in the supply chamber 6 is satisfactorily larger than the amount of developer to be guided by the fins 22 or 22′, the pitch P1 may be larger than the pitch P2.
Modification (H05)
In each of the above exemplary embodiments, the angle of inclination θ1 is desired to be 20 degrees or about 20 degrees or larger and smaller than or equal to the complementary angle of the angle of repose of the developer. However, the present invention is not limited to such a case. For example, the angle of inclination θ1 may be larger than the complementary angle of the angle of repose of the developer if the developer is less likely to accumulate on the fins 22 and the movement of the developer in the guiding-fin member 21, 21′, or 21″ is less likely to be hindered, owing to a certain level of force of inertia that releases the developer from the developing sleeve 12 or a force of transporting the developer that is exerted by the developing sleeve 12.
Modification (H06)
In the first exemplary embodiment, the guiding-fin member 21 is desired to be provided such that the upper end 22a thereof is positioned in the area defined by the half-value width W of the distribution of the magnetic force exerted by the pick-off magnetic pole S2. Alternatively, the upper end 22a may be provided on the outside of the area defined by the half-value width W.
Modification (H07)
While the first exemplary embodiment concerns a case where the gap H1 provided between the guiding-fin member 21 and the outer surface of the developing sleeve 12 is larger than the gap H2 provided between the trimmer 13 and the outer surface of the developing sleeve 12, the present invention is not limited to such a case. The guiding-fin member 21 may be in contact with the developer on the developing sleeve 12.
Modification (H08)
While the third exemplary embodiment concerns a case where the guiding wall 42 is flat in the vertical direction, the present invention is not limited to such a case. For example, the guiding wall 42 may incline with respect to the vertical direction. Moreover, the guiding wall 42 is not limited to have a flat shape and may have a curved shape.
Modification (H09)
In the third exemplary embodiment, the lower end 42a of the guiding wall 42 is desired to be positioned at a distance longer than the radius of the rotating shaft 16a from the center of rotation of the supply auger 16 in the horizontal direction. Depending on the position of the pickup magnetic pole S3 and other factors, the position of the lower end 42a may be changed to a position exactly above the rotating shaft 16a, or the like position.
Modification (H010)
In the third exemplary embodiment, the lowest end 47 of each fin 22 of the guiding-fin member 21″ is desired to be positioned below the top surface 48′ of the mass of developer that is formed when the supply auger 16 is not rotating. However, the present invention is not limited to such a case. The lowest end 47 may be positioned above the top surface 48′.
The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention has been provided for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments and with the various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the following claims and their equivalents.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-183458 | Sep 2014 | JP | national |
| 2015-065270 | Mar 2015 | JP | national |
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8676098 | Hirokawa et al. | Mar 2014 | B2 |
| 20100098463 | Matsumoto | Apr 2010 | A1 |
| 20120195648 | Hirokawa | Aug 2012 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 2009-251197 | Oct 2009 | JP |
| 2012-159741 | Aug 2012 | JP |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20160070205 A1 | Mar 2016 | US |
