JP2004279903A - Electrification transporting device, developing device, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that advantages of electrostatic transportation decrease when toner is electrified by using a single-component developing device or two-component developing device to transport electrified toner by an electrostatic transporting means and a sufficient electrification quantity cannot be secured by frictional electrification of toner only for electrostatic transportation. <P>SOLUTION: The electrification transporting device is provided with: a charge injecting means 1 having charge injection electrodes 2 on which unelectrified particulates Ta are placed; and an electrostatic transportation substrate 11 being an electrostatic transporting means having a plurality of electrostatic transportation electrodes 12 which face the charge injection electrodes 2 of the charge injecting means 1 and move electrified particulates with an electrostatic force. The unelectrified particulates Ta are electrified by the charge injection electrode 2 and moved toward the electrostatic transportation substrate 11, which transport the electrified particulates Tb by the electrostatic force. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
[Industrial applications]
The present invention relates to a charge transport device, a developing device, a process cartridge, and an image forming device.
[0002]
[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-139144
[Patent Document 2] JP-A-2002-341656
[Patent Document 3] JP-A-2002-91159
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art As an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile, a latent image is formed on a latent image carrier using an electrophotographic process, and a developer (hereinafter, also referred to as “toner”) that is a fine particle powder is formed on the latent image. ) Is developed by developing the toner image into a visible image as a toner image, and the toner image is transferred to a transfer member (a recording medium or an intermediate transfer member) to form an image.
[0003]
In such an image forming apparatus, as a toner conveying apparatus for conveying the toner, an apparatus using a rotatable screw is generally used. For example, it is known that toner in a pipe is conveyed in the axial direction of the screw by rotating a screw provided along the inside of the pipe.
[0004]
However, in such a toner conveying device, a relatively large motor is used to rotate the screw in the pipe, so that there is a problem that the device area becomes large and the rotating noise is large. Further, when toner is clogged between the inner wall of the pipe and the screw, the toner is melted by frictional heat, which may cause an increase in torque or poor conveyance.
[0005]
On the other hand, other toner conveying devices include a device that conveys the toner together with the airflow by applying or entraining the airflow on the toner, a device that conveys the toner by helping the toner to slide down along the slope due to vibration, a device that conveys the toner, There are also known devices for transporting an image by an electric field.
[0006]
Among these, in an apparatus that transports the toner together with the air flow, the transport density of the minute particulate matter is reduced by air and becomes sparse, and this is a low-efficiency transport method. Further, in a device that transports toner that assists transportation by vibration, relatively large energy is required to cause the vibration, and there is a disadvantage that the transportation direction is limited to the direction of gravity.
[0007]
Therefore, the electrostatic transport device that transports the charged toner using the above-described electric field does not involve the wear or vibration of the mechanical part, so that it is possible to maintain a long-term stable image forming operation without noise. , Such a transport device
[Patent Document 1],
It is disclosed in Patent Document 2 and the like.
[0008]
However, in order to transport the toner using such an electrostatic transport device and to use the toner for development, the toner needs to be charged. As a method for charging the toner, use a method of frictional charging, which is currently used in general one-component development, and frictionally charges the toner between the developing roller and a doctor blade (or a replenishment roller) by rubbing the toner on the surface of the developing roller. Can be.
[0009]
However, for example, rather than transferring the frictionally charged toner on the developing roller to the electrostatic transport device and transporting the toner to the developing unit, and then performing the development, the developing roller is brought closer to the latent image on the image carrier as it is. It is absolutely advantageous to carry out the development with respect to the cost, size and reliability of the apparatus, and there is a problem that the advantage of using the electrostatic transport apparatus cannot be fully utilized.
[0010]
Therefore, as a conventional developing device using electrostatic transport,
As disclosed in Patent Document 3, toner is transported to the vicinity of a photoconductor using an electrostatic transport substrate having an electrostatic transport electrode array that generates an electric field, and the toner is transferred on the electrostatic transport substrate. There is one in which toner is charged by friction with a substrate surface by being transported, and toner is transferred to a photoreceptor from an opening of a developing device and developed.
[0011]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, as mentioned above
As disclosed in Patent Document 3, the amount of charge obtained by friction when toner is transferred on an electrostatic transfer substrate by an electric field (electrostatic force) is sufficient for electrostatic transfer and development. However, there is a problem that the toner cannot be conveyed and development cannot be performed in spite of the fact that the amount cannot be obtained, and despite the description in the document.
[0012]
By the way, the applicant
Patent Document 2 discloses ETH development. The ETH (Electrostatic Transport & Hopping) phenomenon refers to a phenomenon in which powder is given the energy of a phase-shift electric field, the energy is converted into mechanical energy, and the powder itself fluctuates dynamically. . The ETH phenomenon includes a movement (conveyance) of powder in a horizontal direction (meaning a direction along a conveying surface) and a movement (hopping) in a vertical direction (meaning a vertical direction of a conveying surface) due to electrostatic force. This is a phenomenon in which the powder jumps on the surface of the electrotransport substrate with a component in the traveling direction due to the phase-shift electric field. Development utilizing this ETH phenomenon is referred to as ETH development.
[0013]
This ETH development has the remarkable advantages of downsizing the developing device, preventing toner scattering, and improving image quality. However, since the ETH development conveys the charged toner by the electrostatic conveyance means, as described above, If the toner is charged using a simple one-component developing device or a two-component developing device, the merit of electrostatic conveyance is reduced.On the other hand, if the toner is friction-charged only by the electrostatic conveyance, a sufficient charge amount cannot be secured. Even the electrostatic transfer of the toner cannot be performed.
[0014]
Thus, the present inventors have conducted intensive studies on a technique for supplying charged fine particles to an electrostatic transport device, and have arrived at the present invention. The present invention provides a novel technique capable of performing charging and electrostatic transport of fine particles. An object of the present invention is to provide a charge transport device, a developing device, a process cartridge, and an image forming apparatus using the charge transport device.
[0015]
In order to solve the above-described problems, a charge transporting device according to the present invention includes a charge injection unit having a charge injection electrode on which uncharged fine particles are placed, and a charge injection device that faces the charge injection electrode of the charge injection unit and reduces the charged fine particles. An electrostatic transfer means having an electrostatic transfer electrode for moving by electric power, wherein the uncharged fine particles are charged and transferred to the electrostatic transfer means side. In this specification, the term “fine particles” includes all of those called “powder”, “particles”, “fine particles”, “powder”, “fine powder”, “fine powder”, and the like. Used.
[0016]
Here, in a state where the voltage waveform for electrostatic transport is not applied to the electrostatic transport electrode, the voltage for fine particle charging is applied to the charge injection electrode, and the voltage required for the charged fine particles to transfer to the electrostatic transport unit side. It is preferable that a means for applying a voltage waveform for electrostatic transfer to the electrostatic transfer electrode for a certain period of time without applying a voltage for charging fine particles to the charge injection electrode after the application for a certain time period is preferable.
[0017]
Further, in a state where the voltage waveform for electrostatic transport is not applied to the electrostatic transport electrode, a voltage for charging the fine particles is applied to the charge injection electrode, the charge amount of the fine particles is changed, and The voltage applied to the charge injection electrode is applied for a time longer than it can be separated from the other fine particles.After that, the fine particles cannot be charged, but the movement of the charged fine particles to the electrostatic transport electrode is continued. It is preferable to include a means for applying a voltage waveform for electrostatic transport to the electrostatic transport electrode for one cycle in a state where the voltage is reduced to a voltage that allows the voltage.
[0018]
Alternatively, the charge injection electrode is divided, and an electric field capable of charging the fine particles is formed on the surface of the divided charge injection electrode with respect to the divided charge injection electrode. It is preferable that the electrostatic transport electrode is provided with a means for applying a voltage for forming an electric field which does not prevent the voltage from being applied and applying a voltage waveform for electrostatic transport to the electrostatic transport electrode.
[0019]
Further, it is preferable to provide a conductive member having an opening between the charge injection electrode and the electrostatic transport electrode. In this case, the uncharged fine particles are provided on the surface of the charge injection electrode with respect to the charge injection electrode and the conductive member. A voltage is applied to form an electric field capable of charging the conductive member and the electrostatic transport electrode, and the movement of the charged fine particles to the electrostatic transport electrode is continued with respect to the conductive member and the electrostatic transport electrode. It is preferable to provide a means for applying a voltage for forming an unobstructed electric field.
[0020]
In addition, a dielectric member having a large number of openings between the charge injection electrode and the electrostatic transport electrode, and having a ring-shaped common electrode surrounding the openings on the charge injection electrode side and the electrostatic transport electrode side is provided. In this case, it is preferable that the voltage applied to the charge injection electrode and the ring-shaped common electrode on the charge injection electrode side of the dielectric member be charged while the voltage waveform for electrostatic transfer is applied to the electrostatic transfer electrode. A voltage for forming an electric field capable of charging the fine particles is applied to the surface of the injection electrode, and the fine particles charged toward the electrostatic transfer electrode are applied to the ring-shaped common electrode on the charge injection electrode side and the ring-shaped common electrode on the electrostatic transfer side. In addition to forming an electric field in a direction that prevents it from hitting the edge of the opening, the movement of the charged fine particles to the electrostatic transport electrode between the electrostatic transport electrode-side ring-shaped common electrode and the electrostatic transport electrode is continued. Charging on transport electrodes It is preferably provided with means for applying a voltage for forming an electric field which does not interfere with the transport of particles.
[0021]
Alternatively, it is preferable to provide a conductive rotating member between the charge injection electrode and the electrostatic transport electrode. In this case, the conductive rotary member is applied with a voltage waveform for electrostatic transport applied to the electrostatic transport electrode. For the member, the movement of the charged fine particles to the electrostatic transfer electrode is continued between the voltage applied to the electrostatic transfer electrode and the voltage that does not hinder the transfer of the charged fine particles on the electrostatic transfer electrode. Means for applying, to the charge injection electrode, a voltage capable of forming an electric field capable of charging fine particles on the surface thereof between the voltage applied to the conductive rotating member and the charged member. It is preferable to move the charged fine particles to the vicinity of the electrostatic transfer electrode with the rotation of the conductive rotating member, and to peel off the charged fine particles from the surface of the conductive rotating body by non-electrostatic means. .
[0022]
Further, the charge injection electrode is held at an angle, and the uncharged fine particles may slide down on the charge injection electrode by gravity. Alternatively, the charge injection electrode may be a rotating member having a fine hopper on its surface, and the uncharged fine particles may be held by the hopper and transported to a position facing the electrostatic transport electrode with rotation of the rotating member. it can. Further, the charge injection electrode is a rotating member having fine conductive short fibers embedded in its surface, and a position where the non-charged fine particles are held by the conductive short fibers and face the electrostatic transport electrode with the rotation of the rotating member. Can be transported to
[0023]
The charging and transporting device according to the present invention has an electrostatic transporting electrode for moving charged fine particles by electrostatic force, and the electrostatic transporting electrode includes a charging and transporting electrode formed of a semiconductor. In this configuration, uncharged fine particles are placed on the substrate, and the uncharged fine particles are charged and transported.
[0024]
Here, an electrostatic transport voltage applied to the electrostatic transport electrode by placing uncharged fine particles on the electrostatic transport electrode formed of a semiconductor is an electric field formed between the electrodes. It is preferable that a high electric field is formed by selectively concentrating only the negative or positive carriers to inject and charge the uncharged fine particles and to carry the electrostatic charge as it is.
[0025]
The charge transport device according to the present invention has an electrostatic transport electrode for moving charged fine particles by electrostatic force, and the electrostatic transport electrode is formed of a semiconductor and has a fine projection on its surface. An electrode is provided, and uncharged fine particles are placed on the charged transport electrode, and the uncharged fine particles are charged and transported.
[0026]
Here, an uncharged fine particle is placed on the charged carrier electrode, and an electric field generated by the electrostatic carrier voltage applied to the electrostatic carrier electrode selectively concentrates only the negative or positive carrier at the tip of the protrusion. In this case, it is preferable that a high electric field is formed so that the uncharged fine particles are charged by corona discharge generated by the high electric field and electrostatically transferred as it is.
[0027]
The charge transport device according to the present invention has an electrostatic transport electrode for moving charged fine particles by electrostatic force, and the electrostatic transport electrode includes a charge transport electrode having a field electron emission material on its surface. An uncharged fine particle is placed on the charged transfer electrode, and the uncharged fine particle is charged and transferred.
[0028]
Here, uncharged fine particles are placed on the charged transport electrode, and the electrostatic transport voltage applied to the electrostatic transport electrode is generated by the electric field generated between the adjacent electrostatic transport electrodes. It is preferable that electrons be emitted from the material, and the electrons or the negative ions combined with neutral molecules in the atmosphere be used to charge the uncharged fine particles and simultaneously carry them electrostatically as they are. Preferably, a carbon nanotube or a carbon nanocoil is used as the field electron emission material.
[0029]
In a charging and transporting device that performs charging and transport by these electrostatic transport electrodes, a process of charging uncharged fine particles and a process of transporting charged fine particles are temporally divided, and different voltages are applied in each process, It is preferable that both processes be performed alternately. In this case, a configuration may be employed in which a charging auxiliary electrode is provided opposite to the charging and transporting electrode, and a voltage for charging uncharged fine particles is applied between the charging and auxiliary electrode and the charging and transporting electrode. In this case, it is preferable that the material of the charged transport electrode included in the electrostatic transport electrode is different from that of the other electrodes. Further, the charging auxiliary electrode preferably has an opening through which fine particles can pass.
[0030]
Further, it is preferable that the charging / transporting device in which charging and transporting are performed by the electrostatic transporting electrode is configured to vibrate a member including the electrostatic transporting electrode in a process of charging the uncharged fine particles.
[0031]
The charging and transporting device according to the present invention has an electrostatic transporting electrode for moving charged fine particles by electrostatic force, and a charging auxiliary electrode facing at least a part of the electrostatic transporting electrode of the electrostatic transporting electrode. The auxiliary charging electrode is provided with a field electron emission material or a projection for corona discharge. Uncharged fine particles are placed on an electrostatic transport electrode facing the auxiliary charging electrode, and the uncharged fine particles are charged and transported. It is configured.
[0032]
A developing device according to the present invention is a developing device that develops a latent image on a latent image carrier by adhering a charged toner on the latent image carrier, the device including any one of the charge transport devices according to the present invention. It is.
[0033]
The process cartridge according to the present invention is configured such that the developing unit is a developing device according to the present invention in a process cartridge that includes at least a developing unit and is detachable from an image forming apparatus main body.
[0034]
An image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus including a developing device that develops a latent image on a latent image carrier by attaching a charged toner, and includes the developing device according to the present invention.
[0035]
An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a plurality of process cartridges according to the present invention in an image forming apparatus for forming a color image.
[0036]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, the basic configuration of the charging and conveying device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the apparatus.
The charge transport device includes a charge injection unit 1 having a charge injection electrode 2 on which uncharged fine particles Ta are placed, and a charge injection unit 2 facing the charge injection electrode 2 of the charge injection unit 1 for moving the charged fine particles by electrostatic force. An electrostatic transport substrate 11 which is an electrostatic transport unit having a plurality of electrostatic transport electrodes 12 is provided. The uncharged fine particles Ta are charged by the charge injection electrodes 2 (the charged fine particles are referred to as “charged fine particles Tb”). .) Transfer to the electrostatic transport substrate 11 side, and the electrostatic transport substrate 1 transports the charged fine particles Tb with electrostatic force.
[0037]
The charge transport device includes a drive circuit 3 for applying a voltage for charge injection to the charge injection electrode 2 and an n-phase (n is 3 or more) for electrostatic transfer to the electrostatic transfer electrode 12 of the electrostatic transfer substrate 11. And a drive circuit 13 for applying pulse-like drive voltages Va (a phase), Vb (b phase), and Vc (c phase).
[0038]
The electrostatic transfer substrate 11 includes a set of three electrodes (electrostatic transfer electrodes) 12 a, 12 b, and 12 c (collectively referred to as “electrostatic transfer electrodes 12”) on a base substrate (supporting substrate) 15. At predetermined intervals, repeatedly formed and arranged along the particle moving direction in a direction substantially orthogonal to the particle moving direction, and further provided on the surface thereof a surface protective layer 16 made of an insulating member formed of an inorganic or organic insulating material. The surface of the surface protective layer 16 is formed as a transport surface. In this case, the surface protective layer 16 is a surface layer that forms the transport surface. However, a surface layer having more excellent compatibility with powder can be separately formed on the surface protective layer 16.
[0039]
Here, as the supporting substrate 15, a substrate made of an insulating material such as a glass substrate, a resin substrate or a ceramics substrate, or a substrate made of a conductive material such as SUS is used. ₂ And a substrate made of a flexible and deformable material such as a polyimide film.
[0040]
In addition, as an electrode material of the electrostatic transport electrode 12, a conductive material such as Al, Ni—Cr or the like can be used, and the conductive material is patterned into a required electrode shape using a photolithography technique or the like. In addition, the width of the electrostatic transport electrode 12 in the direction in which the fine particles travel is from 1 to 20 times the average particle size of the powder to be moved, and the distance between the electrostatic transport electrodes 12 and 12 in the direction of the fine particles also moves. The average particle size of the body is 1 to 20 times.
[0041]
As the surface protection layer 16, for example, SiO 2 ₂ , TiO ₂ , TiO ₄ , SiON, BN, TiN, Ta ₂ O ₅ Etc. can be used. Further, an inorganic nitride compound, for example, SiN, Bn, W, or the like can be used. In particular, when the number of surface hydroxyl groups increases, the charge amount of the charged powder tends to decrease during transportation. Therefore, an inorganic nitride compound having a small number of surface hydroxyl groups (SiOH, silatol groups) is preferable.
[0042]
In this way, a potential difference is formed between the charge injection electrode carrying the uncharged fine particles (here, toner) and the electrostatic transport electrode facing the charge injection electrode, and the toner is charged to the electrostatic transport substrate. Since the transfer is performed, a special toner charging device and a device for supplying the charged toner to the electrostatic transport electrode are not required, and the device can be reduced in size and cost.
[0043]
Therefore, the charging and transport of the fine particles in the charging and transporting apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS.
The present inventors first conducted an experiment using a charge injection experiment apparatus as shown in FIG. 2 in order to inject electric charge into a high-resistance toner as fine particles. In this experimental apparatus, a ground electrode 21 which is two flat aluminum electrodes and a pulse applying electrode 22 for applying a pulse voltage are opposed to each other with a space of 1 mm by a bakelite spacer, and the electrode 21 carrying the toner T is grounded. A pulse voltage was applied to the other electrode 22 from a power supply (not shown).
[0044]
Here, the applied pulse voltage is generated by using HP 8116A (trade name) PULSE / FUNCTION GENEATOR to generate a square pulse of ± 0.6 to 2.0 V, 1.0 to 1000 msec, and Trek High -Amplified 1000 times with a Voltage Power Amplifier 10 / 10A and generated. The output waveform was observed each time using a digital oscilloscope 243IL (trade name) manufactured by Sony-Tektronix.
[0045]
Then, the charge is injected and charged, and the charge amount (q / d) distribution, specific charge (q / m) and particle size distribution of the toner T flying from the ground electrode 21 to the pulse applying electrode 22 and adhering to the surface thereof are measured. It was measured with E-spart (trade name) manufactured by Hosokawa Micron Corporation.
[0046]
The toner is composed of only a base resin and a pigment. Hydrophobic silica H-2000 (trade name, manufactured by Hoechst) is added to the toner base powder before addition of an external additive such as CCA or silica by Osterizer. It was prepared by adding 0.3 wt% to 3.0 wt% (this toner is hereinafter referred to as “prototype toner”).
[0047]
As a result of this measurement, FIG. 3 shows a change in the charge amount (specific charge q / m) of the prototype toner with respect to the height of the applied pulse (pulse width was set to 100 msec), and the width of the applied pulse (pulse height was -2). FIG. 4 shows a change in the charge amount (specific charge q / m) of the prototype toner with respect to 0.0 kV).
[0048]
From the results shown in FIG. 3, the average electric field between the two electrodes 21 and 22 is at least 1.2 × 10 ⁶ V / m, preferably 1.6 × 10 ⁶ It is understood that V / m or more is required. At -1000 V, it was confirmed that not only the specific charge was small, but also the amount of the flying toner itself was very small.
[0049]
Also, the results shown in FIG. 4 indicate that the charge injection itself is completed in a short time of 1 msec or less. If the pulse width of the applied pulse is shorter than this, the amount of the toner flying to the pulse applying electrode 22 is reduced, but not because the charge injection charging was not performed, but because the electric field disappears during the flight due to the charging. This is because he could not continue flying.
[0050]
The average landing speed of the charged and flying toner photographed by a high-speed camera was found to be about 1-2 m / sec. Therefore, even if the average flying speed is 1 m / sec, it takes 1 msec to cross the 1 mm interval between the electrodes 21 and 22. In fact, when the experiment was performed by lowering the pulse height to 0 V without dropping the charge into an electric field in which charge injection did not occur but flight continued, the minimum time required for charge injection was found to be 0.2 to 0.3 msec. confirmed.
[0051]
Thus, the conditions for charging the charge-injectable high-resistance toner by charge injection have been clarified, and an experiment for electrostatically transporting the charge-injected toner was performed using an experimental apparatus as shown in FIG.
[0052]
In this experimental apparatus, a rectangular charge injection electrode 23 was provided on the lower side, and an electrostatic carrier substrate 24 having an electrostatic carrier electrode 25 on the upper side was arranged. In the above-described charge injection experiment, the electrode 21 on which the lower uncharged toner was placed was grounded, and a negative pulse was applied to the upper electrode 22 to inject a positive charge into the toner. , A negative pulse was applied to the charge injection electrode 23 to inject a negative charge into the toner. It has been confirmed that, in the above-mentioned prototype toner, both positive and negative charges can be injected almost in the same manner, and that the charge can be injected even if a pulse voltage is applied to the electrode on which the toner is placed or to the opposite electrode. .
[0053]
Further, the distance between the electrode 23 and the electrostatic transfer substrate 24 was reduced from 1.0 mm in the above-described charge injection experiment to 0.2 mm. This is to reduce the height of the applied pulse to 1/5 in proportion to the gap.
[0054]
The electrostatic transport substrate 24 is configured by arranging a large number of electrostatic transport electrodes 25 each having a width of 30 μm in parallel with an interelectrode interval of 30 μm in a direction perpendicular to the paper on an insulating substrate (glass) 26. As shown in FIG. 6, a voltage waveform of 0 V, -100 V, and 0 V is applied to each electrode 25 by a drive circuit for every three electrodes, and the voltage is shifted right by one electrode every 333 μsec. Applied. Hereinafter, the voltage waveform shown in FIG. 6 is referred to as a “reference voltage waveform”.
[0055]
When this reference drive waveform is applied to the electrostatic transport electrode 25 of the electrostatic transport substrate 24, the negatively charged toner on the electrostatic transport substrate 24 is transported to the right. It has been separately confirmed by an experiment that the toner is conveyed without falling even if the electrostatic transfer electrode row faces downward.
[0056]
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, when a pulse voltage waveform of -400 V is applied to the charge injection electrode 23, the uncharged toner placed on the charge injection electrode 23 has a negative charge almost simultaneously with the application of the voltage. Is injected and charged, and the electric field formed between the charge injection electrode 23 and the electrostatic transport electrode 24 flies by receiving an electrostatic force acting on the negatively charged toner, and lands on the electrostatic transport substrate 24.
[0057]
However, even though the reference voltage waveform is applied to the 12 rows of the electrostatic transfer electrodes on the electrostatic transfer board 24, the charged toner that has landed on the electrostatic transfer board 24 is not transferred to the right on the electrostatic transfer board 24. Was.
[0058]
As described above, it was confirmed that a simple combination of the charge injection technique and the electrostatic transport technique could not constitute a charge transport apparatus for charging and electrostatic transport.
[0059]
Therefore, the present inventors conducted further intensive experiments, and in order to investigate the cause of the inability to electrostatically transport the charged toner, the electrostatic transport electrode when the voltage applied to the charge injection electrode was 0 V and -400 V by the differential method. The electric field near 25 was simulated. The results are shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.
[0060]
Here, FIG. 7 shows an electric field (vector) near the electrostatic transport electrode and 0 V applied to the charge injection electrode, and FIG. 8 shows an electric field (vector) near the electrostatic transport electrode and −400 V applied to the charge injection electrode. , Respectively. In each of the figures, the upper left and upper right rectangles represent the right half 15 μm and the left half 15 μm, respectively, of the electrostatic transport electrode 25, and the arrows indicate the electric field (vector) at each lattice point, and the direction indicates the direction of the electric field. Indicates the strength of the electric field.
[0061]
First, as shown in FIG. 7, when 0 V is applied to the charge injection electrode 23, 0 V is applied to the left electrostatic transport electrode 25 and -100 V is applied to the right electrostatic transport electrode 25. . Therefore, in the vicinity of (the left half of) the electrostatic transport electrode 25 to which -100 V is applied at the upper right, the electric field vector points obliquely to the upper right. Since the toner is negatively charged, it moves diagonally to the left under the force in the opposite direction, and is then conveyed leftward by the force in the left horizontal direction.
[0062]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8, when −400 V is applied, the electric field vector points to the lower right in the vicinity of the upper right electrostatic transport electrode 25 to which −100 V is applied. All were pressed to the upper left, and it was confirmed that they would not be transported.
[0063]
Thus, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of voltage waveforms applied to the charge injection electrode and the electrostatic transport electrode.
Here, as shown in FIG. 9, a charge injection voltage Vh applied from the drive circuit 3 to the charge injection electrode 2 and an electrostatic transfer voltage Va applied from the drive circuit 13 to the electrostatic transfer electrode 12. , Vb, and Vc are temporally divided and applied during time ta to tb and time tb to tc, which are different time regions. That is, in a state in which the electrostatic transfer voltages Va, Vb, and Vc are applied to the electrostatic transfer electrode 12, the charge injection voltage Vh is not applied to the charge injection electrode 2.
[0064]
As described above, when the charge injection into the toner and the transfer of the toner on the electrostatic transfer substrate were time-divided, it was confirmed that both the charge injection and the electrostatic transfer can be performed. Specifically, first, -400 V was applied to the charge injection electrode 2 with all the voltages applied to the 12 rows of the electrostatic transport electrodes 12 being 0 V (ground). Next, after the voltage applied to the charge injection electrode 2 is set to 0 V (ground), voltages of 0 V, -100 V, and 0 V are applied to the 12 rows of the electrostatic transport electrodes every three lines, and this is applied every 333 μsec. Were sequentially moved to the right one electrode at a time.
[0065]
Assuming that the width on which the uncharged toner Ta on the charge injection electrode 2 is placed is 10 mm and various combinations of the charge injection time and the electrostatic transfer time are examined, the charge injection time is set to 10 msec, the electrostatic transfer time is set to 100 msec, and this is alternated. It was confirmed that the toner charged to −6 μC / g can be moved to the right almost without break by repeating the above.
[0066]
As described above, in a state where the voltage for electrostatic transport is not applied to the electrostatic transport electrode, the voltage for charging the fine particles is applied to the charge injection electrode, and the voltage is higher than that required for the charged fine particles to transfer to the electrostatic transport electrode. After applying the time, a voltage waveform for electrostatic transport is applied to the electrostatic transport electrode for a certain period of time without applying a voltage for charging the particulates to the charge injection electrode, thereby charging the uncharged fine particles and transporting the charged fine particles. Can be compatible.
[0067]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of voltage waveforms applied to the charge injection electrode and the electrostatic transport electrode.
Here, as shown in FIG. 10, as the electrostatic transfer voltages Va, Vb, and Vc applied from the drive circuit 13 to the electrostatic transfer electrode 12, the time when all the voltages Va, Vb, and Vc become 0 V ( A time td) is provided as a voltage waveform, and the charge injection voltage Vh applied from the drive circuit 3 to the charge injection electrode 2 is a predetermined voltage at a time when all of the electrostatic transport voltages Va, Vb, and Vc become 0 V. A voltage waveform to which a potential was applied was used.
[0068]
That is, in the first embodiment, the applied voltage applied to the charge injection electrode 2 and the electrostatic transport electrode 12 must be switched at different times, and the circuit becomes complicated. Therefore, the voltage applied to the 12 rows of the electrostatic transport electrodes and the voltage applied to the charge injection electrodes 2 is switched at, for example, every 333 μsec in the time table shown in FIG. In this case, at time t1 (0 to 333 μsec), the voltage applied to the set of three electrostatic transfer electrodes 12 (12a, 12b, 12c) is 0V, that is, all the electrodes 12 are 0V, In addition, since the applied voltage of -400 V is applied to the charge injection electrode 2, only the charge injection and the flying of the charged toner to the electrostatic transfer substrate 11 are performed without performing the electrostatic transfer.
[0069]
At the next time points t2, t3, and t4 (334 μsec to 1333 μsec), the voltage of the electrode 12a of the electrostatic transport electrode 12 is 0V, 0V, -100V, the voltage of the electrode 12b is -100V, 0V, 0V, and the voltage of the electrode 12 Is changed to 0V, -100V, and 0V, while the voltage of the charge injection electrode 2 is maintained at the flying continuation voltage of -100V. The charged toner on the transfer board 11 is transferred.
[0070]
At this time, even if −100 V for flight continuation is applied to the charge injection electrode 2, the transport was performed at −100 V, unlike −400 V, and the electric field near the electrostatic transport electrode 12 was so disturbed. Because there was no. The simulation result at this time is shown in FIG. It can be seen that the influence is small as compared with FIG.
[0071]
Such a configuration is possible because the time required for injecting the electric charge of the used toner is within the time of the pulse width set for the electrostatic transport voltages Va, Vb, and Vc. If the charge injection is not completed within the time of this pulse width, the charging becomes insufficient. In the above-described example, in the prototype toner, the time required for charge injection is less than 0.3 msec, so that charge injection is completed even if the charge injection time is set to 334 μsec.
[0072]
As described above, in a state where the voltage for electrostatic transport is not applied to the electrostatic transport electrode, the voltage for charging the fine particles is applied to the charge injection electrode, the charge amount of the fine particles, The voltage applied to the charge injection electrode is applied for a time longer than it can be separated from the other fine particles, and then the voltage applied to the charge injection electrode can be used to continue the movement of the charged fine particles to the electrostatic transport electrode although the fine particles cannot be charged. In this state, a voltage waveform for electrostatic transport is applied to the electrostatic transport electrode for one cycle in a state where the voltage is lowered, so that the charging of the uncharged fine particles and the transport of the charged fine particles can be made compatible with a simple circuit.
[0073]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a schematic configuration of the charging and conveying device according to the embodiment.
Here, a divided charge injection electrode 2a obtained by dividing the charge injection electrode 2 into a plurality is provided in the charge injection means 1, and the divided charge injection electrode 2a is constantly charged by a drive circuit (in this case, a "drive power supply") 3A. The injection voltage Vha is applied, and the above-described reference drive voltages Va, Vb, and Vd are applied to the electrostatic transport electrode 12 from the drive circuit 13. Here, the electric charge injection voltage Vha forms an electric field capable of charging the fine particles on the surface of the divided charge injection electrode 2a, but does not prevent the charged fine particles from being transferred to the surface of the electrostatic transport electrode 12. Voltage is set.
[0074]
That is, although the circuit configuration is simplified by the second embodiment, the time during which no transfer is performed must be set to the electrostatic transfer voltage, so that the electrostatic transfer is not performed for 1/4 cycle. In other words, the speed of electrostatic transfer does not increase, and is not sufficient especially for high-speed processes.
[0075]
Therefore, after increasing the gap between the electrostatic transport substrate 11 and the charge injection electrode 2 from 0.2 mm to 1.0 mm, a plurality of charge injection electrodes 2 having a width L = 0.1 mm and an interval D = 0.4 mm are formed. It was divided into parallel electrodes 2a. In this state, -750 V (Vha) was constantly applied to the row of the charge injection electrodes 2a, and the reference voltage waveforms Va, Vb, and Vc were applied to the 12 rows of the electrostatic transfer electrodes. The transfer speed was maintained without impairing the charge injection. It was confirmed that it was improved.
[0076]
This embodiment has been established because, with this configuration, the lines of electric force are concentrated on the divided charge injection electrodes 2a, and the electric field at that point is an average electric field between the two electrodes, 0.75 × 10 ⁶ V / m more than twice, uniform electric field, 2.0 × 10 ⁶ In the same manner as in the case of V / m, the electric charge is injected. However, in the vicinity of the electrostatic transfer substrate 11, the electric field formed by the electrostatic transfer electrodes 12 is more than twice as large as the average electric field between the two electrodes. This is because the influence on the electrostatic conveyance is small.
[0077]
FIG. 13 shows a uniform electric field, 2.0 × 10 ⁶ The electric field near the charge injection electrode 2 in the case of V / m is shown by electric lines of force, and FIG. 14 shows the electric field near the divided charge injection electrode 2a in the third embodiment by lines of electric force. A comparison between the two shows that the densities of the lines of electric force entering the charge injection electrode are substantially equal.
[0078]
FIG. 15 shows an electric field vector near the electrostatic transfer electrode 12 in the case of the present embodiment. It can be seen that the effect is small as compared with FIG.
[0079]
In this manner, the charge injection electrode is divided, and an electric field capable of charging the fine particles is formed on the surface of the divided charge injection electrode in the divided charge injection electrode, but the charged fine particles are formed on the surface of the electrostatic transport electrode. Since a voltage that does not prevent transport is applied and a voltage waveform for electrostatic transport is applied to the electrostatic transport electrode, charging of uncharged fine particles and transport of charged fine particles can be performed without reducing the speed of electrostatic transport. Can be compatible.
[0080]
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a schematic configuration of the charging and conveying device according to the embodiment.
Here, a conductive member 5 having a high aperture ratio, for example, a metal screen is disposed between the charge injection electrode 2 and the electrostatic transport electrode 12. The driving power sources 3B and 33 apply voltages Vhb and Vl to the charge injection electrode 2 and the conductive member 5 to form electric fields on the surface of the charge injection electrode 2 that can charge uncharged fine particles. The voltage Vl applied to the conductive member 5 and the voltages Va, Vb, and Vc for electrostatic transfer applied to the electrostatic transfer electrode 12 are such that an electric field formed between the conductive member 5 and the electrostatic transfer electrode 12 is a charged fine particle. , The voltage is set to a voltage which does not hinder the electrostatic transfer of the charged fine particles on the electrostatic transfer electrode 12.
[0081]
That is, when the charge injection electrode 2 is divided as in the third embodiment, the area in which the charge can be injected is reduced, so that the amount of toner supplied to the electrostatic transfer substrate 11 is reduced. Therefore, the gap between the electrostatic transport substrate 11 and the single-piece charge injection electrode 2 was set to 1.0 mm, and a metal screen (conductive member 5) was disposed at an intermediate point between them. Then, while applying the reference voltage waveforms Va, Vb, and Vc to the 12 rows of the electrostatic transport electrodes, -100 V (= Vl) was always applied to the metal screen 5 and -1100 V (= Vhb) was applied to the charge injection electrodes 2. At this time, it was confirmed that the amount of toner supplied to the electrostatic transfer substrate 11 was large and the speed of electrostatic transfer was high.
[0082]
In the present embodiment, 2.0 × 10 2, which is sufficient to cause charge injection between the metal screen (conductive member 5) and the charge injection electrode 2, is performed. ⁶ An electric field of V / m is formed, while the electric field of the metal screen (conductive member 5) and the electrostatic transport electrode 12 is 0.2 × 10 ⁶ V / m or less, which is very low and does not hinder the transport electric field.
[0083]
FIG. 17 shows an electric field (indicated by lines of electric force) near the charge injection electrode 2, and FIG. 18 shows an electric field (vector) near the electrostatic transfer electrode 12. By comparing FIG. 17 with FIG. 13, it can be seen that a strong electric field required for charge injection is formed near the charge injection electrode 2. The metal screen has a square shape of 60 μm square, and -100 V is applied.
[0084]
Also, comparing FIG. 18 with FIG. 7, it can be seen that the electrostatic transport electric field is not disturbed at all near the electrostatic transport electrode 12.
[0085]
Thus, the conductive member having an opening is provided between the charge injection electrode and the electrostatic transport electrode, and the uncharged fine particles are applied to the surface of the charge injection electrode by applying the voltage to each of the charge injection electrode and the conductive member. To form an electric field capable of charging the conductive member and the voltage for electrostatic transfer applied to the electrostatic transfer electrode. Although it is set so as not to hinder the electrostatic transfer of the charged fine particles on the electrostatic transfer electrode, the supply speed of the electrostatic transfer without decreasing the supply amount of the charged fine particles to the electrostatic transfer electrode is set. The charging of the uncharged fine particles and the conveyance of the charged fine particles can both be achieved without dropping.
[0086]
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a schematic configuration of the charging and conveying device according to the embodiment.
Here, a large number of openings 6a are provided between the charge injection electrode 2 and the electrostatic transport electrode 12, and a ring-shaped common electrode 7a surrounding the openings 6a on the charge injection electrode side and the electrostatic transport electrode side, respectively. , 7b.
[0087]
Then, reference voltage waveforms Va, Vb, and Vc are applied from the drive circuit 13 to the 12 rows of the electrostatic transport electrodes. A voltage Vhb is applied to the charge injection electrode 2 by the drive power supply 3B, and a voltage Vla is applied to the ring-shaped common electrode 7a on the charge injection electrode side of the dielectric member 6 by the drive power supply 33A. The voltage Vlb is applied to the ring-shaped common electrode 7b on the side.
[0088]
Here, the voltage Vhb applied to the charge injection electrode 2 and the voltage Vla applied to the ring-shaped common electrode 7a on the charge injection electrode side of the dielectric member 6 form an electric field capable of charging fine particles on the surface of the charge injection electrode 2. Voltage is set. Also, the voltages Vla and Vlb applied to the ring-shaped common electrode 7a on the charge injection electrode side and the ring-shaped common electrode 7b on the electrostatic transport side prevent the fine particles traveling toward the electrostatic transport electrode 12 from hitting the edge of the opening 6a. It is set to a voltage that forms an electric field in the direction. Further, the voltage Vhb applied to the electrostatic transport electrode-side ring-shaped common electrode 7b and the reference voltage waveforms Va, Vb, Vc applied to the electrostatic transport electrode 12 keep the charged fine particles moving to the electrostatic transport electrode 12. Are set to voltages that form an electric field that does not hinder the transfer of the charged fine particles on the electrostatic transfer electrode 12.
[0089]
That is, according to the fourth embodiment, when the experiment of the repeated charge injection and the electrostatic transport was repeated, the toner was deposited on the metal screen (conductive member) 5 and a partial clogging occurred.
[0090]
Therefore, instead of a metal screen, a large number of holes 6a having a diameter of 0.1 mm are formed in a zigzag pattern, and an FPC (dielectric member 6) surrounded by upper and lower two ring-shaped common electrodes 7a and 7b is formed. When −200 V (= Vla) is applied to the common electrode 7 a on the charge injection electrode side and −100 V (= Vlb) is applied to the common electrode 7 b on the electrostatic transport electrode side, toner deposition hardly occurs, and as a result, It was confirmed that clogging was resolved.
[0091]
Here, the toner flying from the charge injection electrode 2 side did not adhere to the dielectric member 6 (FPC) because a strong electric field was formed only around the edge of the hole 6a in a direction to repel the toner. It is. Therefore, the flying toner passes through the center of the hole 6a and passes through the electrostatic transport substrate 11 side.
[0092]
As described above, a dielectric member having a large number of openings between the charge injection electrode and the electrostatic transport electrode, and having a ring-shaped common electrode surrounding the openings on the charge injection electrode side and the electrostatic transport electrode side, respectively. The voltage applied to the charge injection electrode and the voltage applied to the ring-shaped common electrode of the dielectric member on the side of the charge injection electrode are applied to the charge injection electrode in a state where a voltage waveform for electrostatic transfer is applied to the electrostatic transfer electrode. An electric field capable of charging the fine particles is formed on the surface, and the fine particles charged and directed toward the electrostatic transport electrode are opened by the voltage applied to the ring-shaped common electrode on the charge injection electrode side and the ring-shaped common electrode on the electrostatic transport side. And an electric field formed between the electrostatic transport electrode-side ring-shaped common electrode and the electrostatic transport voltage applied to the electrostatic transport electrode. Is an electrostatic transport electrode for charged particles The transfer of the charged toner on the electrostatic transport electrode is not hindered, so that the accumulation of the fine particles on the intermediate member does not occur, and the supply amount of the charged fine particles to the electrostatic transport electrode is not reduced. In addition, the charging of the uncharged toner and the transfer of the charged toner can be achieved at the same time without lowering the speed of the electrostatic transfer.
[0093]
Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the charging and conveying device according to the embodiment.
Here, an intermediate metal roller 34 which is a conductive rotating member is disposed between the charge injection electrode 2 and the electrostatic transport electrode 12, and furthermore, an intermediate metal roller 34 is provided in a region facing the electrostatic transport electrode 12 of the intermediate metal roller 34. An air nozzle 35 for jetting air as a means for peeling off the charged fine particles from the surface of the metal roller 34 by a non-static means is arranged. Note that the rotation direction of the intermediate metal roller 34 is set to a direction in which the region facing the electrostatic transfer electrode 12 is substantially the same as the electrostatic transfer direction. In addition, the direction of air ejection from the air nozzle 35 is also the same as the direction of electrostatic transport.
[0094]
Then, reference voltage waveforms Va, Vb, and Vc are applied from the drive circuit 13 to the 12 rows of the electrostatic transport electrodes. Further, a voltage Vhc is applied to the charge injection electrode 2 by the driving power supply 3C, and a voltage Vl is applied to the intermediate metal roller 34 by the driving power supply 33.
[0095]
Here, the voltage Vl and the voltage Vhc are obtained by applying the reference voltage waveforms Va, Vb, and Vc to the electrostatic transport electrode 12 and using the conductive rotating member (the intermediate metal roller 34) and the electrostatic transport electrode 12 to charge the charged fine particles. Is continued to the electrostatic transport electrode 12, but the transport of the charged fine particles on the electrostatic transport electrode 12 is not prevented, and the surface of the charge injection electrode 2 is moved between the charge injection electrode 2 and the conductive rotating member 24. The voltage is such that an electric field capable of charging the fine particles can be formed.
[0096]
That is, as in the fourth and fifth embodiments described above, accurately installing a screen, an FPC, or the like between the charge injection electrode and the electrostatic transfer substrate may increase the cost. It was hoped that it would be possible.
[0097]
Therefore, the gap between the charge injection electrode 2 and the electrostatic transport substrate 11 was widened to 12 mm, and an intermediate metal roller 34 having a diameter of 10 mm was arranged between them. At this time, the distance between the charge injection electrode 2 and the intermediate metal roller 34 was 1.0 mm, and the distance between the roller 34 and the electrostatic transfer substrate 11 was 1.0 mm. Then, −2.1 kV (= Vhc) is applied to the charge injection electrode 2, −100 V (= Vl) is applied to the roller 24, and reference voltage waveforms Va, Vb, and Vc are applied to the electrostatic transport electrode 12. The roller 34 was rotated at a peripheral speed of 100 mm / sec, and a 2 m / sec airflow was blown from a nozzle 35 directed between the roller 34 and the electrostatic transfer substrate 11.
[0098]
As a result, the charged toner that has been injected, flies to the roller 35, and rotates half way with the rotation thereof is blown off the surface of the roller 34 and travels in the air, and then a weak electric field formed between the roller 34 and the electrostatic transport electrode 12. And soft landing on the electrostatic transfer board 11 was confirmed.
[0099]
As described above, the conductive rotating member is provided between the charge injection electrode and the electrostatic transport electrode, and the electrostatic transport voltage is applied to the electrostatic transport electrode. With the voltage applied to the electrode, the movement of the charged fine particles to the electrostatic transport electrode is continued, but a voltage that does not hinder the transport of the charged toner on the electrostatic transport electrode is applied. A voltage capable of forming an electric field capable of charging the fine particles is applied to the surface of the conductive rotating member between the voltage applied to the conductive rotating member and the charged fine particles transferred to the conductive member. The charged fine particles are separated from the surface of the conductive rotating member by a non-electrostatic means by moving the charged fine particles from the surface of the conductive rotating member with the rotation of the charged fine particles. Without reducing the supply amount to the transfer electrode and the speed of electrostatic transfer It is possible to achieve both the transport of charged toner and the charging of uncharged toner without compromising.
[0100]
Note that, here, an air nozzle that ejects air as a means for peeling off the charged fine particles from the surface of the conductive rotating member by non-electrostatic means was used, but instead of this, as shown in FIG. It can also be scraped off with a blade 36. Further, an air nozzle and a blade can be used in combination.
[0101]
Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a main part of an embodiment in which the charge transport device according to the present invention is applied to a developing device of an image forming apparatus.
Here, the charge injection electrode 2 of the charge injection means is disposed at an inclination (for example, 45 °) below the toner hopper 41 for supplying the toner as the uncharged fine particles, and the electrostatic transport electrode facing the charge injection electrode 2 is disposed. The electrostatic transfer substrate 11 including the image transfer member 12 is arranged, and the electrostatic transfer substrate 11 is opposed to the developing unit 46 of the image carrier 42 such as an OPC drum rotating in the direction indicated by an arrow.
[0102]
A slit is provided at the bottom of the toner hopper 41, and is mechanically opened and closed by a shutter (not shown). Further, the electrostatic transfer board 11 is wound around the supporting members 43 to 45 (not rotating). The electrostatic transport substrate 11 uses a flexible substrate as a support substrate. By forming the electrostatic transport electrodes 12 on the whole, the toner not subjected to the development can be circulated again.
[0103]
Here, as the configuration of the charge injection (charging) and the electrostatic transport by the charge injection electrode 2 and the electrostatic transport substrate 11, any of the configurations of the above-described first to third embodiments can be used.
[0104]
With such a configuration, the uncharged toner falls from the bottom of the toner hopper 41 to the charge injection electrode 2 inclined at, for example, 45 degrees, and the uncharged toner cascades on the charge injection electrode 2 by its own weight. The charged toner injected with the electric charge during this cascade flies and lands on the electrostatic transport substrate 11, for example, at a distance of 1 mm, and is moved by the traveling wave electric field formed by the electrostatic transport electrode of the electrostatic transport substrate 11. 11 is conveyed while hopping toward the developing unit 46.
[0105]
Then, the charged toner moved to the developing unit 46 is transferred onto the image carrier 42 according to the electrostatic latent image on the image carrier 42 to develop the latent image (ETH development).
[0106]
As described above, by providing the charging and transporting device according to the present invention, a developing device that performs charging and transporting with a simple configuration to supply charged toner to the developing unit, and an image forming apparatus including the developing device are configured. be able to. In addition, the charge injection electrode is held obliquely, and the uncharged fine particles slide down due to gravity, so that the probability of contact between the uncharged fine particles and the charge injection electrode increases, and the charging efficiency is improved. And a power source for transporting the toner to a position facing the electrostatic transport electrode are not required.
[0107]
Next, an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic structural explanatory view of another embodiment in which the charging and conveying device according to the present invention is applied to a developing device of an image forming apparatus.
Here, a rotatable roller-shaped charge injection electrode (charge injection electrode roller) 52 is disposed in the toner hopper 51. A large number of fine hoppers (pockets) 52 a for pumping the uncharged toner Ta are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the charge injection electrode roller 52, and a charge injection voltage Vh is applied from a driving power supply 53.
[0108]
Specifically, in the toner hopper 51, about 1/3 of the charge injection electrode roller 52 having a diameter of 20 mm was buried, and a round pocket 52a having a depth of 0.2 mm was formed on the outer peripheral surface. Note that the charge injection electrode roller 52 is not limited to a roller member, but may be a cylindrical member. In other words, the charge injection electrode roller 52 may be a rotatable rotatable member. The charge injection electrode roller 52 may be a conductive rotating member entirely made of metal or the like, or may be a roller in which a conductive layer serving as a charge injection electrode is formed on the surface of an insulating roller.
[0109]
An electrostatic carrier substrate 11 having an opposing portion facing the charge injection electrode roller 52 is disposed, and a part of the electrostatic carrier substrate 11 is opposed to the developing portion 46 of the image carrier 42 rotating in the direction indicated by the arrow. Are placed. The non-image portion on the image carrier 42 is negatively charged.
[0110]
Here, as the configuration of the charge injection (charging) and the electrostatic transport by the charge injection electrode 2 and the electrostatic transport substrate 11, any of the configurations of the above-described first to third embodiments can be used.
[0111]
With this configuration, the uncharged toner Ta is stored in the toner hopper 51 placed below, and the uncharged toner Ta is loosely packed in the pocket 52a by rotating the charge injection electrode roller 52 in the direction of the arrow. It is pumped. Then, the pumped-up uncharged toner Ta is injected with electric charge at a point where the gap with the electrostatic transport substrate 11 approaches, flies to the electrostatic transport substrate 11 side, and after landing, the electrostatic transport electrode of the electrostatic transport substrate 11 Is transported while hopping toward the developing section 46 on the electrostatic transport substrate 11 by the traveling wave electric field formed by the above.
[0112]
Then, the charged toner moved to the developing unit 46 is transferred onto the image carrier 42 according to the electrostatic latent image on the image carrier 42 to develop the latent image (ETH development).
[0113]
As described above, by providing the charging and transporting device according to the present invention, a developing device that performs charging and transporting with a simple configuration to supply charged toner to the developing unit, and an image forming apparatus including the developing device are configured. be able to. In addition, the charge injection electrode is a rotating member having a fine hopper on its surface, and the uncharged fine particles are held by the fine hopper, and are transported to a position facing the electrostatic transport electrode with the rotation of the charge injection electrode. A fixed amount of uncharged fine particles can be transported to a position facing the electrostatic transport electrode.
[0114]
Next, a ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic structural explanatory view of still another embodiment in which the charging and conveying device according to the present invention is applied to a developing device of an image forming apparatus.
Here, a rotatable roller-shaped charge injection electrode (charge injection electrode roller) 62 is disposed in the toner hopper 51. Conductive short fibers 62 a for pumping up the uncharged toner Ta are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the charge injection electrode roller 62, and a charge injection voltage Vh is applied from a driving power supply 53.
[0115]
Specifically, about 1/3 of the charge injection electrode roller 62 having a diameter of 20 mm was buried in the toner hopper 51, and conductive short fibers 62a having a length of 2 mm were electrostatically implanted on the outer peripheral surface. The charge injection electrode roller 62 is not limited to a roller member, but may be a cylindrical member. In short, the charge injection electrode roller 62 may be a rotatable rotating member. Further, the charge injection electrode roller 62 may be a conductive rotating member entirely formed of metal or the like, or a conductive roller formed by forming a conductive layer on the surface of an insulating roller and implanting conductive short fibers in the conductive layer. But it's fine.
[0116]
Then, an electrostatic transport substrate 11 having an opposing portion facing the charge injection electrode roller 62 is disposed, and a part of the electrostatic transport substrate 11 is disposed opposing the developing portion 46 of the image carrier 42.
[0117]
Here, as the configuration of charge injection (charging) and electrostatic transport by the charge injection electrode 2 and the electrostatic transport substrate 11, any of the configurations of the first and second embodiments described above can be used. Further, if the implantation density of the conductive short fibers 62a is reduced and the electric field is concentrated at the tip, the configuration of the third embodiment can be used.
[0118]
With such a configuration, the uncharged toner Ta is stored in the toner hopper 51 placed below, and the charge injection electrode roller 62 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow, so that the surface of the conductive short fiber 62a or between the surfaces thereof is not charged. The charged toner Ta is held and pumped up. When the conductive short fiber 62a of the charge injection electrode roller 62 approaches the electrostatic transport substrate 11, the electric field between the conductive short fibers 62a stands upright in the direction of the electrostatic transport substrate 11, and the conductive short fiber 62a and the electrostatic transport substrate 11 Is minimized (for example, 1 mm), negative charges (electrons) are injected from the conductive short fibers 62a, and the negatively charged toner flies to the electrostatic transfer substrate 11 side. Is transported on the electrostatic transport substrate 11 while hopping toward the developing unit 46 by the traveling wave electric field formed by the electrostatic transport electrode.
[0119]
Then, the charged toner moved to the developing unit 46 is transferred onto the image carrier 42 according to the electrostatic latent image on the image carrier 42 to develop the latent image (ETH development).
[0120]
As described above, by providing the charging and transporting device according to the present invention, a developing device that performs charging and transporting with a simple configuration to supply charged toner to the developing unit, and an image forming apparatus including the developing device are configured. be able to. In addition, the charge injection electrode is a rotating member having fine conductive short fibers embedded in the surface thereof, and the non-charged fine particles are held by the conductive short fibers, and at a position facing the electrostatic transport electrode with the rotation of the rotating member. Since it is conveyed, more uncharged fine particles can be conveyed to a position facing the electrostatic conveyance electrode in a state where the fine particles are in contact with the conductive member of the charge injection electrode.
[0121]
Next, a tenth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram of a schematic configuration of the charging and conveying device according to the embodiment, and FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a charging process.
This charging and transporting device performs charging and transporting on electrostatic transporting means, and has a plurality of electrostatic transporting electrodes 102 for generating an electric field for moving charged fine particles by electrostatic force. An electrostatic transfer substrate 101 serving as a transfer unit is provided.
[0122]
At least some of the plurality of electrostatic transfer electrodes 102 of the electrostatic transfer substrate 101 are formed of an N-type semiconductor. Here, the electrostatic transport electrode 102 belonging to the charging region shown in FIG. 25 is an N-type semiconductor and is described as an electrostatic transport electrode 102N. In this example, the electrostatic transfer electrodes 102 other than the electrostatic transfer electrode 102N formed of an N-type semiconductor can also be formed of Al-Cu. However, all the electrostatic transport electrodes 102 can be formed of an N-type semiconductor. The N-type semiconductor was formed by doping Si with P (phosphorus). Further, a P-type semiconductor can be used instead of an N-type semiconductor (depending on the polarity to be charged).
[0123]
In addition, this charging / transporting device applies n-phase (n is an integer of 3 or more) pulse-like drive voltages Va (a-phase) and Vb (b) to the electrostatic transport electrodes 102 of the electrostatic transport substrate 101. And a drive circuit 103 for applying Vc (c phase).
[0124]
That is, in each of the embodiments, the charge injection electrode is provided separately from the electrostatic transfer substrate, and electrons are injected into the uncharged toner by the charge injection electrode. 2.0 × 10 between adjacent electrodes 12 ⁶ Since a strong electric field of V / m or more is formed, if there is no thin insulating protective layer 13 formed on the electrostatic transport electrode 12, charge injection can be performed during this period.
[0125]
However, in the case of the prototype toner, as described above, since both positive and negative charges can be injected, the positive and negative charges are injected from the electrodes that happen to come into contact, and eventually neither of them is charged.
[0126]
Therefore, at least a part of the material of the electrostatic transport electrode was changed from Al-Cu to an N-type semiconductor. When voltages that change to 0V, -100V, and 0V as reference voltage waveforms Va, Vb, and Vc are applied from the drive circuit 103 to the N-type semiconductor electrostatic transfer electrodes 102N, 0V is applied as shown in FIG. Electrons, which are majority carriers, move from inside and concentrate on the left edge of the electrode 102N to which -100V is applied, which is adjacent to the applied electrode 102N.
[0127]
As a result, a strong electric field is formed at the left edge, and negative charges are injected into the toner in contact with the left edge. Although not shown, the right edge of the electrode 102N to which -100 V is applied is also adjacent to the electrode 102N to which 0 V is applied, so that electrons, which are majority carriers, move from inside and concentrate, and similarly an electric field is formed. , Negative charge injection also occurs at the right edge.
[0128]
On the other hand, in the electrode 102N to which 0V is applied, which is adjacent to the electrode 102N to which -100V is applied, electrons which are majority carriers move to the opposite side, the electrode side to which 0V is applied, or the connected power supply. Thereafter, the positive charge is left uniformly. Therefore, the electric field on the electrode side to which -100 V is applied does not become very strong, and a positive charge is not injected into the toner in contact with this edge. FIG. 26 is a conceptual explanatory diagram, and does not accurately calculate the number of positive and negative charges, the number of lines of electric force (density), the position of the generation end point, and the like.
[0129]
According to an experiment, when the uncharged toner Ta was placed on the N-type semiconductor electrostatic transfer electrode 102N and the reference voltage waveforms Va, Vb, and Vc were applied, it was confirmed that the toner was transferred in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. When the charge distribution at this time was measured by the above-mentioned E-Spart, all were negatively charged. Also, at this time, it was confirmed that when a minute vibration was applied to the electrostatic transfer substrate 101, the transfer could be performed in a shorter time.
[0130]
As described above, the uncharged fine particles are placed on the electrostatic transport electrode formed of the N-type or P-type semiconductor, and the voltage for electrostatic transport applied to the electrostatic transport electrode is formed between the adjacent electrostatic transport electrodes. An electric field selectively concentrates only negative or positive majority carriers on the edge of the electric field, and charges the uncharged fine particles with the high electric field formed there, and simultaneously electrostatically transports the uncharged particles. A special device and circuit for performing the operation are not required, and the configuration is simplified.
[0131]
Next, an eleventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a conceptual explanatory view of a main part of the charging and conveying device according to the embodiment.
Here, the protrusion 102Na of the same N-type semiconductor is provided on the N-type electrostatic transfer electrode 102N of the tenth embodiment. Other configurations are the same as those of the embodiment.
[0132]
That is, when an N-type semiconductor is used, not only negative negative charge injection but also only negative corona can be selectively generated. A projection 102Na of the same N-type semiconductor having a height of several μm was formed on the surface of the electrostatic transport electrode 102N made of an N-type semiconductor, and a potential difference of 100 V was applied between the adjacent electrodes 102N, 102N, and -100 was applied. Generation of negative corona from the electrode 102N was confirmed in the dark.
[0133]
In this case, the positive corona was not generated at the electrode 102N to which 0V was applied, and the negative corona was generated only at the electrode 102N to which -100V was applied, as shown in FIG. Electrons are concentrated on the projection 102Na, and a strong electric field is formed around the projection 102Na. Corona discharge occurs there. On the projection 102Na of the electrode 102N to which 0 V is applied, positive charges cannot move and concentration of charges occurs. That is, as a result, no strong electric field was formed at the tip of the projection 102Na.
[0134]
As described above, the uncharged fine particles are placed on the electrostatic transport electrode formed of the N-type or P-type semiconductor and having minute projections on the surface, and the electrostatic transport voltages applied to the electrostatic transport electrode are adjacent to each other. In the electric field formed between the electrostatic transport electrodes, only the negative or positive majority carriers are selectively concentrated at the tip of the protrusion, and a high electric field is formed at the tip, and the tip is uncharged by corona discharge generated there Since the fine particles are electrostatically transferred as they are charged, a device and a circuit for charging the uncharged particles are not required.
[0135]
Next, a twelfth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a conceptual explanatory view of a main part of the charging and conveying device according to the embodiment.
In this charging and transporting apparatus, carbon nanotubes (CNT) 107 are implanted in at least some of the plurality of electrostatic transporting electrodes 102 of the electrostatic transporting substrate 101. Here, carbon nanotubes 107 are implanted in the electrostatic transport electrodes 102 belonging to the charged area shown in FIG. 25 and are described as electrostatic transport electrodes 102C. In this embodiment, unlike the tenth and eleventh embodiments, each of the plurality of electrostatic transfer electrodes 102 is formed of Al-Cu.
[0136]
Many books, documents, and papers have been published on the method of producing CNTs and the method of implanting CNTs on electrodes, and are disclosed in, for example, a special article of “Nikkei Science” August 2002 issue. Further, not only carbon nanotubes but also carbon nanocoils can be used. By using a carbon nanotube or a carbon nanocoil as a field electron emission material, electrons can be field-emitted at a low potential.
[0137]
With such a configuration, when the reference drive voltages Va, Vc, and Vb are applied to the electrostatic transport electrode 102, electric field electrons are emitted at the tip of the CNT 107 of the electrostatic transport electrode 102 as shown in FIG. be able to. The electrons 108 released into the atmosphere are immediately combined with neutral molecules in the atmosphere to become negative ions 109. The negative ions 109 move to the adjacent high-potential electrode 102C along the line of electric force. If there is uncharged toner Ta in the middle, the negative ions 109 adhere to the surface of the toner Ta and become negatively charged (charged toner Tb). It becomes.).
[0138]
As described above, the uncharged fine particles are placed on the electrostatic transport electrode having the field electron emission material on the surface, and the electrostatic transport voltage applied to the electrostatic transport electrode forms an electric field formed between the adjacent electrostatic transport electrodes. Then, electrons are emitted from the field electron emission material, and the electrons, or negative ions that are combined with neutral molecules in the atmosphere, charge the uncharged fine particles and simultaneously carry them electrostatically as they are. Devices and circuits for charging the particles are not required.
[0139]
In the tenth to twelfth embodiments, the selective negative charge injection by the N-type semiconductor electrode, the selective negative corona discharge by the protrusion of the N-type semiconductor electrode, and the field emission of the negative electron by the CNT are all used for electrostatic transport. (For example, 0V, -100V, 0V), but the present invention is not limited to this.
[0140]
As in the first or second embodiment in which the charge is injected by the charge injection electrode and flies to the electrostatic transport electrode, the charging process and the transport process are time-divided, and an optimal voltage is applied to each. The charging / transporting performance can be further improved. In this way, the process (time) of charging the uncharged fine particles and the process (time) of transporting the charged fine particles are temporally divided, and an optimum voltage is applied to each of the processes, and both processes are alternately performed. , It is possible to achieve both the highest charging efficiency and the highest transport efficiency.
[0141]
Next, a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a conceptual explanatory view of a main part of the charging and conveying device according to the embodiment.
This charging / transporting device includes an electrostatic transport substrate 201 having a large number of electrostatic transport electrodes 202 and a charge assisting device facing at least a part of the electrostatic transport electrodes 202 of the electrostatic transport electrodes 202 of the electrostatic transport substrate 201. And an electrode 204. The electrostatic transfer electrode 202 corresponding to the auxiliary charging electrode 204 is referred to as a charge transfer electrode 202T as a chargeable electrostatic transfer electrode.
[0142]
In this case, only the charge transfer electrode 202T in the charging area is made chargeable (the configuration as in the tenth to twelfth embodiments), and the electrostatic transfer electrode 202 in the other transfer area is thinly insulated from the flat metal electrode. If the structure is such that a protective layer is overlaid, it can be manufactured cheaply. Further, by forming the auxiliary charging electrode 204 into a screen shape instead of a plate shape, uncharged toner can be supplied by being dropped from above the auxiliary charging electrode 204.
[0143]
With such a configuration, an electric field necessary for charging is formed between the charge transfer electrode 202T and the charge transfer electrode 202T during the charging process (time), so that the uncharged toner located therebetween can be charged.
[0144]
In this way, in the process (time) of charging the uncharged fine particles, the charging auxiliary electrode is provided at a position facing the charging and transporting electrode separately from the charged and transporting electrode, and the charging auxiliary electrode and the charging and transporting electrode are charged. By applying a voltage that allows charging during this time, it is possible to achieve both the highest charging efficiency and the highest transport efficiency.
[0145]
In this case, the corona discharge projections or the CNTs for emitting field electrons of the eleventh or twelfth embodiment are formed on the auxiliary charging electrode 204 side, and the underlying charging and transporting electrode 202T is replaced with another electrostatic transporting electrode. The configuration may be the same as 202. In this manner, by providing a projection for corona discharge or a field electron emission material on the charging auxiliary electrode, the material and shape of the electrostatic transport electrode can be made the same in all regions, and the device Costs can be reduced.
[0146]
Further, similarly to the tenth embodiment, in the eleventh, twelfth, and thirteenth embodiments, the electrostatic transfer substrate is minutely vibrated particularly in the charging area and the charging process (time) to instantaneously quiet the uncharged toner. Floating from the surface of the electrotransport substrate has a great effect.
[0147]
Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the description has been made assuming that the toner injected with the electric charge and supplied to the electrostatic transport substrate side is used for developing the electrostatic latent image, but the toner is used instead. Or an image forming apparatus for directly forming an image, or a display using colored fine particles for display instead of toner. The charging and conveying device according to the present invention is not limited to the method of using the charged fine particles such as the toner that has been electrostatically conveyed.
[0148]
Next, a process cartridge according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of the process cartridge.
The process cartridge 301 includes a drum-shaped photosensitive member 311 serving as an image carrier in a case 302, a charging roller 312, a developing device 313 including a charge transport device 321 according to the present invention, and a cleaning device 314. And the like are integrally provided, and are configured to be detachable from the image forming apparatus main body. The process cartridge according to the present invention may be any one as long as the image carrier, the charging unit and the cleaning unit are integrated with the developing device according to the present invention. The case 302 has an opening 303 through which a writing laser beam is incident.
[0149]
By providing the developing device 313 in the detachable process cartridge 301, it is possible to improve maintenance and easily perform integral replacement with another device.
[0150]
Next, another embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory view of the image forming apparatus.
This image forming apparatus is a tandem type color image forming apparatus in which process cartridges 301Y, 301M, 301C and 301Bk of respective colors are juxtaposed along a transfer belt (image carrier) 351 extending horizontally. Although the process cartridges 301 have been described in the order of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, they are not specified in this order and may be arranged in any order.
[0151]
Normally, a color image forming apparatus has a plurality of image forming units, so that the apparatus becomes large. Further, when each unit such as a developing device, cleaning, charging, etc. breaks down individually or when the replacement time comes due to the end of its life, the device is complicated and it takes a lot of trouble to replace the unit.
[0152]
Therefore, by forming at least the components of the developing means integrally as a process cartridge 301, a small and highly durable color image forming apparatus which can be replaced by a user can be provided.
[0153]
Here, the developing toner on the image carrier 312 developed by the process cartridges 301Y, 301M, 301C, and 301Bk of each color is sequentially transferred to the transfer belt 351 to which a horizontally extending transfer voltage is applied.
[0154]
In this way, the images of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are formed, transferred in multiple on the transfer belt 351, and transferred collectively to the transfer material 353 by the transfer unit 352. Then, the multiple toner image on the transfer material 353 is fixed by a fixing device (not shown).
[0155]
Each of the image forming apparatuses described in the above embodiments includes the developing unit (device) including the charging / conveying device according to the present invention, so that the size and cost of the device can be reduced, and toner scattering can be prevented. And the image quality can be improved.
[0156]
In the above embodiment, the toner is described as an example of the fine particles, but the present invention can be similarly applied to an apparatus for charging and conveying fine particles other than the toner.
[0157]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to each of the charged transport devices according to the present invention, a novel charged transport device capable of charging uncharged fine particles and electrostatically transporting the charged fine particles is obtained.
[0158]
According to the developing device of the present invention, since the charging device is provided with the charging and conveying device for electrostatically conveying the uncharged toner, it can be charged, conveyed, and developed with a simple configuration, and is small and stable. High quality development can be performed.
[0159]
According to the process cartridge according to the present invention, since the configuration including the developing device according to the present invention is provided, a small process cartridge capable of performing stable high-quality development can be obtained.
[0160]
According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, since the image forming apparatus includes the developing device according to the present invention or includes a plurality of process cartridges, high-quality development can be performed and a high-quality image can be formed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram for explaining a basic configuration of a charging and conveying device according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a charge injection experiment.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a measurement result of an applied voltage and a specific charge in the same experiment.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a measurement result of a pulse width and a specific charge in the same experiment.
FIG. 5 is a schematic explanatory view for explaining charge injection and electrostatic transport of an insulating toner.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for describing a reference voltage waveform applied to an electrostatic transport electrode.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an electric field (vector) near the electrostatic transport electrode when 0 V is applied to the charge injection electrode.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an electric field (vector) in the vicinity of the electrostatic transport electrode when -400 V is applied to the charge injection electrode.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a voltage waveform for electrostatic transport and a voltage waveform for charge injection for explaining the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a voltage waveform for electrostatic transport and a voltage waveform for charge injection for explaining a second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an electric field (vector) near the electrostatic transport electrode when -100 V is applied to the charge injection electrode in the embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a schematic configuration diagram for explaining a third embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of electric lines of force when a charge injection electrode is not divided.
FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of lines of electric force when a charge injection electrode is divided.
FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of an electric field (vector) in the vicinity of the electrostatic transfer electrode in the same embodiment.
FIG. 16 is a schematic configuration diagram for explaining a fourth embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of an electric field (lines of electric force) near the charge injection electrode used for describing the embodiment;
FIG. 18 is an explanatory view of an electric field (vector) near the electrostatic transfer electrode.
FIG. 19 is a schematic configuration diagram for explaining a fifth embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 20 is a schematic configuration diagram for explaining a sixth embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 21 is a schematic configuration diagram for explaining another example of the embodiment.
FIG. 22 is a schematic configuration diagram of a main part of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention including a developing device according to the present invention including a charging and conveying device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram illustrating a main part of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention including a developing device according to the present invention including a charging and conveying device according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 24 is a schematic configuration diagram of a main part of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention including a developing device according to the present invention including a charging and conveying device according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 25 is a schematic configuration diagram of a charging and conveying device according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 26 is an enlarged explanatory view of a main part of the embodiment.
FIG. 27 is a schematic configuration diagram of main parts of a charging and conveying device according to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 28 is a schematic configuration diagram of a charging and conveying device according to a twelfth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 29 is a schematic configuration diagram of a charge transport device according to a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 30 is a schematic configuration diagram for explaining an example of a process cartridge according to the present invention.
FIG. 31 is a schematic configuration diagram for explaining an example of an image forming apparatus according to the invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Charge injection means, 2 ... Charge injection electrode, 2a ... Divided charge injection electrode, 3 ... Drive circuit for charge injection, 5 ... Conductive member, 7a, 7b ... Ring common electrode, 11 ... Electrostatic carrier substrate, 12 ... Electrostatic transport electrode, 13 ... Electrostatic transport drive circuit, 34 ... Rotating member, 52, 62 ... Rotating member, 101 ... Electrostatic transport substrate, 102 ... Electrostatic transport electrode, 204 ... Auxiliary electrode, 301 ... Process cartridge .

Claims (30)

Charge injection means having a charge injection electrode on which uncharged fine particles are placed, and electrostatic transfer means having an electrostatic transfer electrode for moving the charged fine particles by electrostatic force, facing the charge injection electrode of the charge injection means. Wherein the uncharged fine particles are charged and transferred to the electrostatic transfer means side. The charging / transporting device according to claim 1, wherein a voltage for charging fine particles is applied to the charge injection electrode in a state where a voltage waveform for electrostatic transfer is not applied to the electrostatic transfer electrode. After applying for a certain period of time longer than it takes to transfer to the electrostatic transport unit, a voltage waveform for electrostatic transport is applied to the electrostatic transport electrode in a state where a voltage for charging fine particles is not applied to the charge injection electrode. A charging and conveying device comprising a means for applying for a certain period of time. 2. The charging / transporting device according to claim 1, wherein the voltage for charging the fine particles with respect to the charge injection electrode and the charge amount of the fine particles are set such that a voltage waveform for electrostatic transfer is not applied to the electrostatic transfer electrode. The voltage is applied for a time longer than the fine particles can be separated from the charge injection electrode or other fine particles thereon, and then the voltage applied to the charge injection electrode is set to a value that does not allow the fine particles to be charged, but is charged. Means for applying a voltage waveform for electrostatic transport to the electrostatic transport electrode for one cycle in a state where the voltage is reduced to a voltage that enables the movement to the electrostatic transport electrode to be continued. Charge transfer device. 2. The charge transport device according to claim 1, wherein the charge injection electrode is divided, and an electric field capable of charging fine particles is formed on the surface of the divided charge injection electrode. Means for applying a voltage that forms an electric field that does not prevent the charged fine particles from being transported to the surface of the transport electrode, and that the electrostatic transport electrode includes a means for applying a voltage waveform for electrostatic transport. A charge transport device characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. The charge transfer device according to claim 1, wherein a conductive member having an opening is provided between the charge injection electrode and the electrostatic transfer electrode. 6. The charge transport device according to claim 5, wherein a voltage is applied to the charge injection electrode and the conductive member to form an electric field capable of charging uncharged fine particles on the surface of the charge injection electrode, And the electrostatic transport electrode, comprising means for applying a voltage for forming an electric field that continues to move the charged fine particles to the electrostatic transport electrode but does not hinder the transport of the charged fine particles on the electrostatic transport electrode. A charge transport device. The charge transport device according to claim 1, wherein the charge transport electrode has a plurality of openings between the charge injection electrode and the electrostatic transport electrode, and surrounds the openings on the charge injection electrode side and the electrostatic transport electrode side, respectively. A charging and conveying device comprising a dielectric member having a ring-shaped common electrode. 8. The charge transport device according to claim 7, wherein a voltage applied to the charge injection electrode and a voltage applied to the charge injection electrode side of the dielectric member in a state where a voltage waveform for electrostatic transport is applied to the electrostatic transport electrode. A voltage is applied to the ring-shaped common electrode to form an electric field capable of charging the fine particles on the surface of the charge injection electrode, and the ring-shaped common electrode on the charge injection electrode side and the ring-shaped common electrode on the electrostatic transfer side are charged. In addition, an electric field is formed in such a direction as to prevent fine particles heading toward the electrostatic transfer electrode from hitting the edge of the opening, and an electrostatic transfer electrode of the charged fine particles is formed between the electrostatic transfer electrode side ring-shaped common electrode and the electrostatic transfer electrode. And a means for applying a voltage for forming an electric field that does not hinder the transfer of the charged fine particles on the electrostatic transfer electrode. 2. The charge transfer device according to claim 1, wherein a conductive rotating member is provided between the charge injection electrode and the electrostatic transfer electrode. 10. The charging and transporting device according to claim 9, wherein a voltage waveform applied to the electrostatic transporting electrode is applied to the conductive rotating member while a voltage waveform for electrostatic transporting is applied to the electrostatic transporting electrode. In the meantime, the movement of the charged fine particles to the electrostatic transport electrode is continued, but a voltage that does not hinder the transport of the charged fine particles on the electrostatic transport electrode is applied, and the conductive rotating member is applied to the charge injection electrode. Means for applying a voltage capable of forming an electric field capable of charging the fine particles on the surface thereof between the applied voltage and the charged fine particles which have been charged and moved to the conductive member; The charged fine particles are peeled off from the surface of the conductive rotator by a non-electrostatic means. 11. The charge transport device according to claim 1, wherein the charge injection electrode is held at an angle, and non-charged fine particles slide down on the charge injection electrode by gravity. . 11. The charge transport device according to claim 1, wherein the charge injection electrode is a rotating member having a fine hopper on a surface thereof, and the uncharged fine particles are held by the hopper to rotate the rotating member. And a carrier that is transported to a position facing the electrostatic transport electrode. The charge transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the charge injection electrode is a rotating member having fine conductive short fibers embedded in a surface thereof, and the non-charged fine particles are formed of the conductive short fibers. A charging and conveying device which is conveyed to a position facing the electrostatic conveying electrode with the rotation of the rotating member. It has an electrostatic transport electrode for moving the charged fine particles by electrostatic force, the electrostatic transport electrode includes a charged transport electrode formed of a semiconductor, and the uncharged fine particles are placed on the charged transport electrode, A charging and conveying device for charging and conveying uncharged fine particles. 15. The electric charge transfer device according to claim 14, wherein an uncharged fine particle is placed on an electrostatic transfer electrode formed of a semiconductor, and an electrostatic transfer voltage applied to the electrostatic transfer electrode is formed between the electrodes. In the edge of the charged carrier electrode, by selectively concentrating only negative or positive carriers to form a high electric field, charge is injected into the uncharged fine particles and charged and electrostatically transferred as it is. Characteristic charge transfer device. It has an electrostatic transport electrode for moving the charged fine particles by electrostatic force, and the electrostatic transport electrode includes a charged transport electrode formed of a semiconductor and having fine projections on its surface. A charging and transporting device, wherein uncharged fine particles are placed, and the uncharged fine particles are charged and transported. In the charging and transporting device according to claim 16, an electric field that forms a voltage for electrostatic transport applied to the electrostatic transport electrode by placing uncharged fine particles on the charged transport electrode, at the tip of the protrusion, A charging / transporting apparatus characterized in that a high electric field is formed by selectively concentrating only negative or positive carriers, and uncharged fine particles are charged by corona discharge generated by the high electric field and electrostatically transferred as it is. It has an electrostatic carrier electrode for moving charged fine particles by electrostatic force, and the electrostatic carrier electrode includes a charged carrier electrode having a field electron emission material on its surface. A charging and transporting device that charges and transports uncharged fine particles while being placed thereon. 19. The charging and transporting device according to claim 18, wherein uncharged fine particles are placed on the charging and transporting electrode, and a voltage for electrostatic transporting applied to the electrostatic transporting electrode is formed between adjacent electrostatic transporting electrodes. In the electric field, electrons are emitted from the field electron emission material of the charged carrier electrode, and the uncharged fine particles are charged with the electrons or negative ions combined with neutral molecules in the atmosphere at the same time as the electrostatic carrier. And a charging / transporting device. 20. The charge transfer device according to claim 18, wherein a carbon nanotube or a carbon nanocoil is used as the field electron emission material. 21. The charging and conveying device according to claim 14, wherein a process of charging the uncharged fine particles and a process of conveying the charged fine particles are temporally divided, and different voltages are applied in each of the processes. The charging and transporting device alternately performs the charging. 22. The charging and transporting device according to claim 21, further comprising a charging auxiliary electrode facing the charging and transporting electrode, wherein a voltage for charging uncharged fine particles is applied between the charging and auxiliary electrode and the charging and transporting electrode. Charge transfer device. 23. The charge transfer device according to claim 22, wherein the charge transfer electrode included in the electrostatic transfer electrode and the other electrode are made of different materials. 24. The charge transport device according to claim 22, wherein the auxiliary charging electrode has an opening through which the fine particles can pass. 25. The charging and transporting device according to claim 14, wherein a member provided with the electrostatic transporting electrode is vibrated in a step of charging the uncharged fine particles. An electrostatic transport electrode for moving the charged fine particles by electrostatic force; and a charging auxiliary electrode facing at least a part of the electrostatic transport electrode of the electrostatic transport electrode. A charging / transporting device comprising a discharge material or a projection for corona discharge, wherein uncharged fine particles are placed on an electrostatic transfer electrode facing the charging auxiliary electrode, and the uncharged fine particles are charged and transferred. 27. A developing device for developing a latent image on a latent image carrier by adhering a charged toner on the latent image carrier, comprising a charging and conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 26. Developing device. 28. A process cartridge including at least a developing unit and detachably attached to a main body of the image forming apparatus, wherein the developing unit is the developing device according to claim 27. 28. An image forming apparatus including a developing device for developing a latent image on a latent image carrier by attaching charged toner, wherein the developing device is the developing device according to claim 27. . An image forming apparatus for forming a color image, comprising a plurality of the process cartridges according to claim 28.

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