JP2008276147A - Developing device, image forming apparatus, and image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve a developing device in which a contact member having rubber properties is appropriately used when a developer carrier is rotated, and to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming system. <P>SOLUTION: The developing device includes: the developer carrier which has recessed parts regularly disposed on the surface thereof and which can be rotated in a state that the developer is carried; and the contact member which is formed of a rubber elastic body, comes into contact with the surface of the developer carrier, and vibrates following the rotation of the developer carrier. A value obtained by dividing the surface moving speed of the developer carrier upon rotating by the pitch of the recessed part in the circumferential direction of the developer carrier is smaller than the number of vibrations of the contact member when the loss tangent of the contact member obtained by dividing the loss elastic modulus loss by the storage elastic modulus becomes the maximum. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

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

  Image forming apparatuses such as laser beam printers are already well known. Such an image forming apparatus has, for example, an image carrier that carries a latent image and a developing device that develops the latent image carried on the image carrier by a developer. Then, when an image signal or the like is transmitted from an external device such as a computer, the image forming apparatus develops the latent image carried on the image carrier with the developer in the developing device to form a developer image, The developer image is transferred to a medium, and finally an image is formed on the medium.

The above-described developing device includes a developer carrying member that can rotate while carrying the developer, and the developer carrying member develops the latent image carried on the image carrier by the developer. In some cases, the surface of the developer carrying member is provided with regularly arranged recesses in consideration of a sufficient amount of developer carried. The developing device is provided with an abutting member made of a rubber elastic body and abutting against the surface of the developer carrier. As the contact member, for example, there is a layer thickness regulating member that regulates the layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrying member.
JP 2006-259384 A

  By the way, it is known that the contact member made of a rubber elastic body exhibits rubber-like properties or glass-like properties depending on the temperature of the contact member. The contact member exhibits rubber-like properties at a temperature at which the contact member is generally used. For this reason, even when the contact member is provided in the developing device, the contact member is required to be used as a rubber-like property.

  Further, although the contact member may vibrate, it is known that the contact member exhibits rubber-like properties or glass-like properties depending on the magnitude of the frequency. That is, assuming that the value obtained by dividing the loss elastic modulus of the contact member by the storage elastic modulus is the loss tangent (tan δ), the frequency of the contact member is the frequency (hereinafter referred to as the frequency at which the loss tangent (tan δ) is maximized). , Also referred to as “loss tangent maximum frequency”), the contact member exhibits a glass-like property. On the other hand, when the frequency of the contact member is smaller than the maximum loss tangent frequency, the contact member exhibits rubber-like properties.

  As described above, the contact member is in contact with the surface of the developer carrier (this surface has a recess), and the developer carrier rubs the contact member during the rotation. The corresponding contact member is vibrated. When the frequency of the abutting member that vibrates with the rotation of the developer carrier is greater than the maximum loss tangent frequency, the corresponding member exhibits a glass-like property, so that the above request is met. It will not be possible.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the problems, and the object of the present invention is to provide a developing device in which the contact member is appropriately used in a rubber-like property when the developer carrying member rotates, An image forming apparatus and an image forming system are realized.

In order to solve the above problems, the main present invention is:
A developer carrying member that has regularly arranged recesses on its surface and is rotatable in a state carrying a developer;
A contact member made of a rubber elastic body and contacting the surface of the developer carrying member, wherein the contact member vibrates with rotation of the developer carrying member;
A developing device comprising:
The value obtained by dividing the moving speed of the surface when the developer carrying member rotates by the circumferential pitch of the developer carrying member of the concave portion,
The frequency of the contact member when the loss tangent of the contact member divided by the storage elastic modulus becomes the maximum,
The developing device is characterized by being smaller than the above.

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

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

A developer carrying member that has regularly arranged recesses on its surface and is rotatable in a state carrying a developer;
A contact member made of a rubber elastic body and contacting the surface of the developer carrying member, wherein the contact member vibrates with rotation of the developer carrying member;
A developing device comprising:
The value obtained by dividing the moving speed of the surface when the developer carrying member rotates by the circumferential pitch of the developer carrying member of the concave portion,
The frequency of the contact member when the loss tangent of the contact member divided by the storage elastic modulus becomes the maximum,
A developing device characterized by being smaller than the above. According to such a developing device, the contact member can be used in a rubber-like property when the developer carrying member rotates.

Also, such a developing device,
The contact member is
A layer thickness regulating member that abuts on the surface and regulates the layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrying member;
It is desirable that In such a case, it is possible to prevent the layer thickness regulating member from being used in a glassy nature and improperly regulating the layer thickness of the developer.

Also, such a developing device,
The contact member is
The longitudinal direction is along the axial direction of the developer carrying member, and the one end in the short direction is directed to the upstream side in the rotation direction of the developer carrying member,
Abut against the surface,
The contact portion of the contact member that contacts the surface is preferably separated from the one end in the short direction.

Also, such a developing device,
The concave portion is two types of spiral groove portions having different inclination angles with respect to the circumferential direction,
The two types of spiral grooves intersect each other to form a lattice shape,
The developer carrier has a square top surface surrounded by the two types of spiral grooves,
It is desirable that one of the two diagonal lines of the square top face be along the circumferential direction. In such a case, regular concave portions are easily formed on the surface of the developer carrying member.

Also, such a developing device,
The developing device is detachable from the image forming apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus has a set operating temperature range,
The frequency of the contact member when the loss tangent is maximized depends on the temperature,
The value obtained by dividing the moving speed of the surface when the developer carrier rotates by the pitch of the concave portion in the circumferential direction of the developer carrier is as follows:
It is desirable that the frequency is lower than the frequency of the corresponding contact member when the loss tangent becomes maximum at all temperatures within the use temperature range. In such a case, when the image forming apparatus executes image formation, the contact member is always used in a rubber-like nature.

Also, such a developing device,
The contact member is preferably made of a thermoplastic elastomer.

Also, such a developing device,
The value obtained by dividing the moving speed of the surface when the developer carrying member rotates by the circumferential pitch of the developer carrying member of the concave portion,
A frequency lower than the frequency of the contact member when the loss tangent is a maximum value, and the frequency at which the loss tangent is half of the maximum value at the frequency,
It is desirable to be smaller. In such a case, when the developer carrying member rotates, the contact member is more appropriately used due to the rubbery nature.

(A) an image carrier for carrying a latent image;
(B) a developing device for developing a latent image carried on the image carrier by a developer,
A developer carrying member that has regularly arranged recesses on its surface and is rotatable in a state carrying a developer;
A contact member made of a rubber elastic body and contacting the surface of the developer carrying member, wherein the contact member vibrates with rotation of the developer carrying member;
With
The value obtained by dividing the moving speed of the surface when the developer carrying member rotates by the circumferential pitch of the developer carrying member of the concave portion,
The frequency of the contact member when the loss tangent of the contact member divided by the storage elastic modulus becomes the maximum,
Smaller development device,
An image forming apparatus comprising (c). According to such an image forming apparatus, it is possible to use the contact member with rubbery properties when the developer carrying member rotates.

(A) a computer; and
(B) An image forming apparatus connectable to the computer,
(A) an image carrier for carrying a latent image;
(B) a developing device for developing a latent image carried on the image carrier by a developer,
A developer carrying member that has regularly arranged recesses on its surface and is rotatable in a state carrying a developer;
A contact member made of a rubber elastic body and contacting the surface of the developer carrying member, wherein the contact member vibrates with rotation of the developer carrying member;
With
The value obtained by dividing the moving speed of the surface when the developer carrying member rotates by the circumferential pitch of the developer carrying member of the concave portion,
The frequency of the contact member when the loss tangent of the contact member divided by the storage elastic modulus becomes the maximum,
Smaller development device,
An image forming apparatus having (c),
An image forming system comprising (C). According to such an image forming system, the contact member can be used in a rubber-like nature when the developer carrying member rotates.

=== Example of Overall Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus ===
Next, an outline of a laser beam printer (hereinafter also referred to as a printer) 10 as an example of the “image forming apparatus” will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating main components constituting the printer 10. In FIG. 1, the vertical direction is indicated by arrows. For example, the paper feed tray 92 is disposed at the lower part of the printer 10, and the fixing unit 90 is disposed at the upper part of the printer 10.

<< Configuration Example of Printer 10 >>
As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 10 according to the present embodiment includes a charging unit 30 and an exposure unit 40 along the rotation direction of the photoconductor 20 as an example of an “image carrier” for carrying a latent image. , YMCK development unit 50, primary transfer unit 60, intermediate transfer body 70, cleaning unit 75, secondary transfer unit 80, fixing unit 90, and a display unit 95 comprising a liquid crystal panel as a means for notifying the user, A control unit 100 that controls these units and controls the operation as a printer is provided.

  The photoreceptor 20 has a cylindrical conductive substrate and a photosensitive layer formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof, and is rotatable around a central axis. In the present embodiment, the photoreceptor 20 is indicated by an arrow in FIG. Rotate clockwise.

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

  The YMCK developing unit 50 converts the latent image formed on the photoconductor 20 into toner as an example of “developer” stored in the “developing device”, that is, black (K) stored in the black developing device 51. Development is performed using toner, magenta (M) toner stored in the magenta developing device 52, cyan (C) toner stored in the cyan developing device 53, and yellow (Y) toner stored in the yellow developing device 54. It is a device for.

  The YMCK developing unit 50 can move the positions of the four developing devices 51, 52, 53, 54 by rotating with the four developing devices 51, 52, 53, 54 mounted. Yes. That is, the YMCK developing unit 50 holds the four developing devices 51, 52, 53, 54 by four holding portions 55a, 55b, 55c, 55d, and the four developing devices 51, 52, 53, 54 is rotatable around the central axis 50a while maintaining the relative position thereof. Each time image formation for one page is completed, it is selectively opposed to the photoconductor 20, and is formed on the photoconductor 20 with the toner accommodated in each developing device 51, 52, 53, 54. The latent images are developed sequentially. Note that each of the four developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 described above is relative to a printer main body 10a (specifically, the holding portion of the YMCK developing unit 50) as an example of the “image forming apparatus main body”. It is removable. Details of each developing device will be described later.

  The primary transfer unit 60 is a device for transferring a single color toner image formed on the photoconductor 20 to the intermediate transfer body 70. When four color toners are sequentially transferred in a superimposed manner, the full color toner is transferred to the intermediate transfer body 70. An image is formed. This intermediate transfer body 70 is an endless belt in which a tin vapor deposition layer is provided on the surface of a PET film and a semiconductive paint is formed on the surface layer and laminated. The intermediate transfer body 70 is driven to rotate at substantially the same peripheral speed as the photoconductor 20. The secondary transfer unit 80 is a device for transferring a single color toner image or a full color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer body 70 to a medium such as paper, film, or cloth. The fixing unit 90 is a device for fusing a single-color toner image or a full-color toner image transferred onto a medium to form a permanent image.

  The cleaning unit 75 is provided between the primary transfer unit 60 and the charging unit 30 and has a rubber cleaning blade 76 that is in contact with the surface of the photoconductor 20. The cleaning unit 75 is disposed on the intermediate transfer body 70 by the primary transfer unit 60. After the toner image is transferred, the toner remaining on the photoreceptor 20 is scraped off and removed by the cleaning blade 76.

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

<< Operation Example of Printer 10 >>
Next, the operation of the printer 10 configured as described above will be described.
First, when an image signal and a control signal from a host computer (not shown) are input to the main controller 101 of the printer 10 via the interface (I / F) 112, the unit controller 102 based on a command from the main controller 101. The photosensitive member 20 and the intermediate transfer member 70 are rotated by the control.

  The photoconductor 20 is sequentially charged by the charging unit 30 at the charging position while rotating. The charged area of the photoconductor 20 reaches an exposure position as the photoconductor 20 rotates, and a latent image corresponding to image information of the first color, for example, yellow Y, is formed in the area by the exposure unit 40. . In the YMCK developing unit 50, a yellow developing device 54 that contains yellow (Y) toner is located at a developing position facing the photoconductor 20. The latent image formed on the photoconductor 20 reaches the development position as the photoconductor 20 rotates, and is developed with yellow toner by the yellow developing device 54. As a result, a yellow toner image is formed on the photoreceptor 20. The yellow toner image formed on the photoconductor 20 reaches the primary transfer position as the photoconductor 20 rotates, and is transferred to the intermediate transfer body 70 by the primary transfer unit 60. At this time, a primary transfer voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner T (negative polarity in the present embodiment) is applied to the primary transfer unit 60. During this time, the photosensitive member 20 and the intermediate transfer member 70 are in contact with each other, and the secondary transfer unit 80 is separated from the intermediate transfer member 70.

  The above processing is sequentially executed for each developing device for the second color, the third color, and the fourth color, so that four color toner images corresponding to the respective image signals are transferred to the intermediate transfer member 70. It is transcribed and superimposed. As a result, a full color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer member 70.

  The full color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer body 70 reaches the secondary transfer position as the intermediate transfer body 70 rotates, and is transferred to the medium by the secondary transfer unit 80. The medium is conveyed from the paper feed tray 92 to the secondary transfer unit 80 via the paper feed roller 94 and the registration roller 96. When performing the transfer operation, the secondary transfer unit 80 is pressed against the intermediate transfer body 70 and a secondary transfer voltage is applied.

  The full color toner image transferred to the medium is heated and pressed by the fixing unit 90 and fused to the medium. On the other hand, after the primary transfer position has passed, the photosensitive member 20 is scraped off by the cleaning blade 76 supported by the cleaning unit 75 and the toner T adhering to the surface thereof is charged to form the next latent image. Prepare for. The toner T thus scraped off is collected by a residual toner collecting unit provided in the cleaning unit 75.

=== Overview of Control Unit ===
Next, the configuration of the control unit 100 will be described with reference to FIG. The main controller 101 of the control unit 100 is electrically connected to a host computer via an interface 112 and includes an image memory 113 for storing an image signal input from the host computer. The unit controller 102 is electrically connected to each unit (charging unit 30, exposure unit 40, YMCK developing unit 50, primary transfer unit 60, cleaning unit 75, secondary transfer unit 80, fixing unit 90, display unit 95) of the apparatus main body. Each unit is controlled based on a signal input from the main controller 101 while detecting a state of each unit by receiving a signal from a sensor included in them.

=== About Development Device ===
Next, a configuration example and an operation example of the developing device will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of the developing device. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing main components of the developing device. FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the developing roller 510. FIG. 6 is a schematic front view of the developing roller 510. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a cross-sectional shape of the groove 512. FIG. 8 is an enlarged schematic view of FIG. 6 and shows the groove portion 512 and the top surface 515. Note that the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 4 represents a cross-section obtained by cutting the developing device along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction shown in FIG. 4, the vertical direction is indicated by arrows as in FIG. 1. For example, the central axis of the developing roller 510 is below the central axis of the photoconductor 20. Further, in FIG. 4, the yellow developing device 54 is shown in a state where the yellow developing device 54 is located at a developing position facing the photoconductor 20. 5 to 8, the scales of the groove portions 512 and the like are different from the actual ones for easy understanding of the drawings.

  The YMCK developing unit 50 includes a black developing device 51 containing black (K) toner, a magenta developing device 52 containing magenta (M) toner, a cyan developing device 53 containing cyan (C) toner, and a yellow ( Y) Although a yellow developing device 54 containing toner is provided, the configuration of each developing device is the same, so the yellow developing device 54 will be described below.

<< Configuration example of developing device >>
The yellow developing device 54 includes a developing roller 510, an upper seal 520, a toner container 530, a housing 540, a toner supply roller 550, a regulation blade 560, a holder 526, and the like as examples of a “developer carrier”.

  The developing roller 510 conveys the toner T to a facing position (developing position) facing the photoconductor 20 by rotating in a state where the toner T is carried. The developing roller 510 is a member made of an aluminum alloy, an iron alloy, or the like.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the developing roller 510 has a groove portion 512 as an example of a “concave portion” on the surface of the central portion 510 a in order to appropriately carry the toner T. In the present embodiment, as the groove portion 512, two types of spiral groove portions 512 having different winding directions, that is, a first groove portion 512a and a second groove portion 512b are provided. As shown in FIG. 6, the inclination angles of the first groove portion 512a and the second groove portion 512b with respect to the circumferential direction of the developing roller 510 are different from each other, and the longitudinal direction of the first groove portion 512a and the axial direction of the developing roller 510 are different. And the magnitude of the acute angle formed by the longitudinal direction of the second groove portion 512b and the axial direction are both about 45 degrees. As shown in FIG. 7, the width in the X direction of the first groove portion 512a and the width in the Y direction of the second groove portion 512b are about 42 μm, the depth of the groove portion 512 is about 7 μm, and the groove angle (in FIG. Is an angle of about 90 degrees.

  Further, the groove 512 includes a bottom surface 514 and a side surface 513. In this embodiment, the inclination angle of the side surface 513 is about 45 degrees (see FIG. 7).

  The two types of spiral grooves 512 configured as described above are regularly arranged on the surface of the central portion 510a of the developing roller 510 and intersect each other, as shown in FIGS. And has a lattice shape. Therefore, a large number of rhombus (square) top surfaces 515 surrounded on all sides by the groove portion 512 are formed on the mesh at the central portion 510a.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the size of the acute angle formed by the longitudinal direction of the first groove portion 512a and the axial direction, and the size of the acute angle formed by the longitudinal direction of the second groove portion 512b and the axial direction, Since both are approximately 45 degrees, the top surface 515 has a square planar shape, and one (the other) of the two diagonal lines of the top surface 515 is the circumferential direction of the developing roller 510. (Axial direction). The length of one side of the square top surface 515 is about 38 μm as shown in FIG.

  Further, the developing roller 510 is rotatable around the central axis, and as shown in FIG. 4, the developing roller 510 is rotated in a direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 4) opposite to the rotation direction of the photoreceptor 20 (clockwise in FIG. 4). Rotate. In the present embodiment, the moving speed V of the surface of the developing roller 510 when the developing roller 510 rotates (that is, the linear velocity of the developing roller 510 on the surface of the developing roller 510) is 320 mm / s. . The moving speed of the surface of the photoconductor 20 when the photoconductor 20 rotates (that is, the linear velocity of the photoconductor 20 on the surface of the photoconductor 20) is 200 mm / s. The peripheral speed ratio with respect to the photoconductor 20 is about 1.6.

  Further, a gap exists between the developing roller 510 and the photoconductor 20 in a state where the yellow developing device 54 faces the photoconductor 20. That is, the yellow developing device 54 develops the latent image formed on the photoconductor 20 in a non-contact state. In the printer 10 according to the present embodiment, a jumping development method is used, and an alternating electric field is generated between the developing roller 510 and the photoconductor 20 when the latent image formed on the photoconductor 20 is developed. It is formed.

  The housing 540 is manufactured by welding a plurality of integrally formed resin housing parts, that is, the upper housing part 542 and the lower housing part 544, and in order to accommodate the toner T therein. The toner container 530 is formed. The toner containing body 530 has two toner containing portions, that is, a first toner containing portion 530a and a second toner, by a partition wall 545 for dividing the toner T projected inwardly (in the vertical direction in FIG. 4) from the inner wall. It is divided into the accommodating portion 530b. As shown in FIG. 4, the housing 540 (that is, the first toner storage portion 530 a) has an opening 572 in the lower portion, and the developing roller 510 is provided so as to face the opening 572.

  The toner supply roller 550 is provided in the first toner storage portion 530a described above, supplies the toner T stored in the first toner storage portion 530a to the development roller 510, and remains on the development roller 510 after development. The toner T is peeled off from the developing roller 510. The toner supply roller 550 is made of polyurethane foam or the like, and is in contact with the developing roller 510 in an elastically deformed state. The toner supply roller 550 is disposed below the first toner storage portion 530a, and the toner T stored in the first toner storage portion 530a is transferred by the toner supply roller 550 below the first toner storage portion 530a. Supplied to the developing roller 510. The toner supply roller 550 is rotatable about a central axis, and the central axis is below the rotation central axis of the developing roller 510. Further, the toner supply roller 550 rotates in a direction (clockwise in FIG. 4) opposite to the rotation direction of the developing roller 510 (counterclockwise in FIG. 4).

  The upper seal 520 is in contact with the developing roller 510 along the axial direction thereof, allows the toner T remaining on the developing roller 510 after passing through the developing position to move into the housing 540, and the housing 540. The movement of the toner T inside the housing 540 is restricted. The upper seal 520 is a seal made of a polyethylene film or the like. The upper seal 520 is supported by an upper seal support sheet metal 522. On the opposite side of the upper seal 520 from the developing roller 510 side, an upper seal urging member 524 made of an elastic body such as malt plain is provided in a compressed state. The upper seal urging member 524 presses the upper seal 520 against the developing roller 510 by urging the upper seal 520 toward the developing roller 510 with the urging force. The contact position at which the upper seal 520 contacts the developing roller 510 is above the central axis of the developing roller 510.

  The regulating blade 560 is in contact with the surface of the developing roller 510 from one end to the other end in the axial direction of the developing roller 510 to regulate the layer thickness of the toner T carried on the developing roller 510. Charge is applied to the toner T carried on 510. As shown in FIG. 4, the regulation blade 560 includes a rubber part 562 as an example of the “contact member” and a rubber support part 564.

  The rubber portion 562 is a “layer thickness regulating member” that abuts on the surface of the developing roller 510 and regulates the layer thickness of the toner T carried on the developing roller 510. The rubber portion 562 has a longitudinal direction along the axial direction of the developing roller 510 (FIG. 6), and a “one end” in the short direction (the leading end 560a of the regulating blade 560) is the rotational direction of the developing roller 510. It arrange | positions so that it may face upstream (refer FIG. 4). That is, the rubber part 562 is in contact with a so-called counter. Further, the one end of the rubber part 562 (the tip 560a of the regulating blade 560) is not in contact with the developing roller 510, and the contact part 562a of the rubber part 562 that contacts the surface of the developing roller 510 is the short side. In a direction away from the tip 560a. That is, the rubber portion 562 is not in contact with the developing roller 510 at the edge, but is in contact with the antinode, and the flat surface of the rubber portion 562 is in contact with the developing roller 510, thereby regulating the layer thickness. To do. Note that the contact position where the rubber portion 562 contacts the developing roller 510 is below the central axis of the developing roller 510 and below the central axis of the toner supply roller 550. The rubber portion 562 also has a function of preventing the leakage of the toner T from the toner container 530 by contacting the developing roller 510 along the axial direction thereof.

  By the way, the rubber part 562 described above is composed of a “rubber elastic body”. Here, the rubber elastic body is defined as an elastic body having rubber elasticity. This rubber elastic body is classified into a rubber and a thermoplastic elastomer, and the rubber is an elastic body that is solidified from a fluidized state by heating (that is, an elastic body that exhibits thermosetting property). It is an elastic body that fluidizes from a solidified state (ie, an elastic body that exhibits thermoplasticity). In addition, examples of the rubber used as the rubber portion 562 include urethane rubber. And the rubber part 562 which concerns on this Embodiment consists of a thermoplastic elastomer from a viewpoint etc. which are easy to process by the thermoplasticity.

  The rubber support portion 564 includes a thin plate 564a and a thin plate support portion 564b, and supports the rubber portion 562 at one end portion 564d in the short direction (that is, the end portion on the thin plate 564a side). The thin plate 564a is made of phosphor bronze, stainless steel or the like and has a spring property. The thin plate 564a supports the rubber part 562 and presses the rubber part 562 against the developing roller 510 by the biasing force. The thin plate support portion 564b is a metal sheet metal disposed on the other end 564e in the short side direction of the rubber support portion 564, and the thin plate support portion 564b is a side of the thin plate 564a that supports the rubber portion 562. It is attached to the housing 540 in a state where the opposite end is supported. Further, a blade back member 570 made of malt plane or the like is provided on the side opposite to the developing roller 510 side of the thin plate supporting portion 564b.

<< Example of Development Device Operation >>
In the yellow developing device 54 configured as described above, the toner supply roller 550 supplies the toner T stored in the toner container 530 to the developing roller 510. The toner T supplied to the developing roller 510 reaches the contact position of the regulating blade 560 as the developing roller 510 rotates, and when the toner T passes through the contact position, the layer thickness is regulated and a negative charge is applied. Is imparted (negatively charged). The toner T on the developing roller 510 to which the layer thickness is regulated and to which a negative charge is applied is conveyed to a facing position (developing position) facing the photoconductor 20 by further rotation of the developing roller 510, and is moved to the facing position. Then, the latent image formed on the photoconductor 20 is developed. The toner T on the developing roller 510 that has passed the developing position by the rotation of the developing roller 510 passes through the upper seal 520 and is collected in the developing device without being scraped off by the upper seal 520. Further, the toner T still remaining on the developing roller 510 can be peeled off by the toner supply roller 550.

=== Relationship between Physical Properties of Rubber Portion 562 and Temperature ===
“Storage elastic modulus” and “loss elastic modulus” indicate dynamic viscoelasticity of a material such as the rubber portion 562 made of a rubber elastic body. The storage elastic modulus represents the elastic behavior of the material, and the loss elastic modulus represents the viscous behavior of the material. The magnitudes of these storage elastic modulus and loss elastic modulus vary depending on the temperature of the substance. And according to the fluctuation | variation of the magnitude | size of the storage elastic modulus (loss elastic modulus) of a substance, for example, this substance shows rubber-like property (physical property) or glass-like property. Specifically, when the storage elastic modulus or loss elastic modulus is large, the material exhibits glassy properties, and when the storage elastic modulus or loss elastic modulus is small, the material exhibits rubber-like properties. .

  This will be specifically described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a graph showing the storage elastic modulus and the like with respect to the temperature of the rubber part 562. 9 shows the storage elastic modulus (G ′ in FIG. 9) and the loss elastic modulus (G ″ in FIG. 9) of the rubber part 562 according to the present embodiment. As shown, the storage elastic modulus and the loss elastic modulus show a large value when the temperature of the rubber part 562 is low, and show a small value when the temperature of the rubber part 562 is high. Thus, when the storage elastic modulus (loss elastic modulus) is large, glassy properties are shown. Therefore, when the temperature of the rubber part 562 is low (for example, −40 ° C.), the rubber part 562 is glassy. On the other hand, when the storage elastic modulus (loss elastic modulus) is small, a rubber-like property is shown, so that when the temperature of the rubber part 562 is high (for example, 40 ° C.), the rubber part 562 is shown. Indicates rubbery properties.

  9 shows a loss tangent (tan δ in FIG. 9) obtained by dividing the loss elastic modulus G ″ by the storage elastic modulus G ′. The peak temperature T (FIG. 9) at which the loss tangent becomes the largest. , The property of the rubber part 562 changes at a boundary of around −35 ° C. That is, when the temperature is lower than the peak temperature T, the rubber part 562 exhibits a glass-like property, and from the peak temperature T In the case of a higher temperature, the rubber part 562 exhibits a rubber-like property, and the peak temperature T is also called a glass transition temperature.

  Incidentally, the graph shown in FIG. 9 is obtained by the following measurement. An ARES manufactured by TA Instruments is used as a measuring instrument for this measurement, and a torsion type tool is used as a jig for the measurement. And a temperature dependence measurement mode is selected as a measurement mode, and the temperature range of a measurement is -50 degreeC-60 degreeC (FIG. 9). In addition, the temperature increase rate from -50 degreeC to 60 degreeC is 5 degrees C / min. By measuring under such measurement conditions, the storage elastic modulus G ′, loss elastic modulus G ″, and loss tangent (tan δ) of the rubber part 562 are obtained.

  By the way, the use temperature range is set in the printer 10 according to the present embodiment. Specifically, the use temperature range is 10 ° C. to 35 ° C. The temperature of the rubber part 562 of the developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 mounted on the printer main body 10a is slightly higher (about 10 ° C.) than this use temperature range. For this reason, since the rubber part 562 is used at a temperature higher than the above-described peak temperature T (about −35 ° C.), the rubber part 562 exhibits a rubber-like property in relation to the temperature.

  As can be seen from the fact that the rubber part 562 exhibits a rubber-like property in relation to temperature, when the rubber part 562 is generally used, the rubber part 562 has a rubber-like property. It is required to be used.

=== Relationship between Physical Properties of Rubber Part 562 and Frequency ===
As described above, since the rubber portion 562 is in contact with the surface of the developing roller 510, the developing roller 510 rubs against the rubber portion 562 when rotating. For this reason, the rubber part 562 vibrates with the rotation of the developing roller 510. In particular, since the groove portion 512 is formed on the surface of the developing roller 510, the rubber portion 562 is likely to vibrate as the developing roller 510 rotates. It is known that the properties of the rubber part 562 differ depending on the frequency of the rubber part 562. That is, it is known that the rubber part 562 exhibits a rubbery property or a glassy property depending on the magnitude of the frequency. This will be described below.

  FIG. 10 is a graph showing the storage elastic modulus and the like with respect to the frequency (frequency) of the rubber part 562. In the following, for convenience, frequency is used instead of frequency. Further, the scale on the horizontal axis of the graph shown in FIG. 10 is logarithmic (the same applies to FIGS. 11 and 12 described later). FIG. 10 shows the storage elastic modulus (G ′ in FIG. 10) and the loss elastic modulus (G ″ in FIG. 10) of the rubber part 562, as in FIG. As shown, the storage elastic modulus and the loss elastic modulus show a small value when the frequency of the rubber portion 562 is small, and show a large value when the frequency of the rubber portion 562 is high. When the frequency of the portion 562 is small, the rubber portion 562 has a rubber-like property, and when the frequency of the rubber portion 562 is high, the rubber portion 562 has a glass-like property.

  10, the loss tangent (tan δ in FIG. 10) obtained by dividing the loss elastic modulus G ″ by the storage elastic modulus G ′ is shown as in FIG. The property of the rubber part 562 changes with the peak frequency f (about 100000 Hz in FIG. 10) as a boundary, that is, when the frequency is lower than the peak frequency f, the rubber part 562 exhibits a rubber-like property. In the case of a frequency higher than the peak frequency f, the rubber part 562 exhibits a glass-like property.

  Therefore, in order to meet the above-described requirement, that is, the requirement to use the rubber portion 562 that vibrates with the rotation of the developing roller 510 as a rubber-like property, the frequency (frequency) of the rubber portion 562 is set to the peak frequency f. It is necessary to make it lower.

Incidentally, the graph shown in FIG. 10 is obtained by the same measurement as the graph shown in FIG. That is, the above-described ARES is used as the measuring instrument, and the frequency-dependent measurement mode is selected as the measurement mode. And the range of the frequency applied to the rubber part 562 to be measured is 10 ⁻⁴ to 10 ¹⁴ (FIG. 10), and the applied strain of the frequency is 0.1% (constant). Further, the temperature of the rubber part 562 at the time of measurement is maintained at 20 ° C. Note that the graphs shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 described later are also obtained by the same measurement.

<< Effectiveness of Developing Devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 According to this Embodiment >>
In the developing devices 51, 52, 53, 54 according to the present embodiment, the moving speed of the surface of the developing roller 510 when the developing roller 510 rotates is determined in the circumferential direction of the developing roller 510 of the groove 512. The value divided by the pitch is smaller than the vibration frequency of the rubber part 562 when the loss tangent of the rubber part 562 divided by the storage elastic modulus becomes maximum (V / L1). <F). As a result, the rubber portion 562 that vibrates with the rotation of the developing roller 510 is appropriately used due to its rubber-like nature.

  Hereinafter, this matter will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. As described above, the surface of the developing roller 510 according to the present embodiment is provided with two types of spiral grooves 512 having different inclination angles with respect to the circumferential direction, and the two types of spiral grooves 512 are: They intersect each other to form a lattice shape. The developing roller 510 has a square top surface 515 surrounded by the two types of spiral grooves 512, and one of the two diagonal lines of the square top surface is along the circumferential direction. (FIG. 8). In such a developing roller 510, the circumferential pitch (width L1 shown in FIG. 8) of the grooves 512 is about 113 μm.

  Further, as described above, the moving speed V of the surface of the developing roller 510 when the developing roller 510 rotates is 320 mm / s. Accordingly, a value V / L1 obtained by dividing the moving speed V of the surface of the developing roller 510 when the developing rotor 510 rotates by the pitch L1 is about 2831 Hz. As shown in FIG. 10, since the peak frequency f of the rubber part 562 when the loss tangent (tan δ) of the rubber part 562 becomes maximum is about 100,000 Hz, in this embodiment, V / L1 < The relationship of f is satisfied.

  Next, how the rubber part 562 is used as a rubber-like property when the developing roller 510 rotates when the relationship of V / L1 <f is satisfied will be described. As described above, the rubber portion 562 abuts on the surface of the developing roller 510, and the groove portions 512 that are regularly arranged are formed on the surface. For this reason, when the developing roller 510 rotates, the regularly arranged grooves 512 rub against the rubber part 562, so that the rubber part 562 vibrates at a constant frequency. The magnitude of the vibration frequency of the rubber portion 562 is determined by the pitch L1 in the circumferential direction of the groove portion 512 and the moving speed V of the surface of the developing roller 510. That is, the vibration frequency of the rubber portion 562 when the developing roller 510 rotates is V / L1. For this reason, if this V / L1 is smaller than the peak frequency f of the rubber part 562 (V / L1 <f), the rubber part 562 is used as a rubber-like property.

  Therefore, in the developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 according to the present embodiment, when the relationship of V / L1 <f is satisfied, the frequency of the rubber portion 562 that vibrates with the rotation of the developing roller 510 is Since it becomes smaller than the peak frequency f (about 100000 Hz) of the rubber part 562, the rubber part 562 is used in a rubber-like property when the developing roller 510 rotates. As a result, the rubber portion 562 appropriately exhibits the function of regulating the layer thickness of the toner carried on the developing roller 510.

<Relationship Between Peak Frequency f and Temperature of Rubber Portion 562>
As described above, the use temperature range (that is, 10 ° C. to 35 ° C.) is set in the printer 10, and the temperature of the rubber portion 562 varies depending on the use temperature of the printer 10. The peak frequency f of the rubber part 562 when the loss tangent (tan δ) of the rubber part 562 is maximized differs depending on the temperature of the rubber part 562. This point will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 11 is a graph showing a loss tangent (tan δ) with respect to the frequency (frequency) of the rubber part 562. However, FIG. 10 shows the loss tangent (tan δ) of the rubber part 562 when the temperature of the rubber part 562 is 20 ° C., whereas FIG. 11 shows the temperature of the rubber part 562. The loss tangent (tan δ) of the rubber part 562 when the temperature is 10 ° C., 20 ° C., and 30 ° C. is shown. As can be seen from the graph of FIG. 11, the loss tangent (tan δ) tends to increase as the temperature of the rubber portion 562 increases. For this reason, the peak frequency f of the rubber part 562 when the loss tangent (tan δ) of the rubber part 562 becomes maximum also increases as the temperature of the rubber part 562 increases (higher). And since the value V / L1 mentioned above is about 2831 Hz, it is smaller than the peak frequency in 10 degreeC, 20 degreeC, and 30 degreeC.

  Accordingly, in the above embodiment, the above-described relationship of V / L1 <f is satisfied at all temperatures in the operating temperature range (10 ° C. to 35 ° C.) of the printer 10, so that the printer 10 image forming operation is performed. Accordingly, when the developing roller 510 rotates, the rubber part 562 is always used in a rubbery nature.

<Relationship Between Peak Frequency f and Material of Rubber Portion 562>
The rubber part 562 described above is T8175 (Example 1) manufactured by DIC. However, other than T8125 can be used as the rubber part 562, for example, T7350 (Example 2) made by Toyo Rubber or SS2 (Example 3) made by Bando Rubber can be used. The materials of these three substances are as follows. That is, T8175 of Example 1 is a thermoplastic elastomer, and its hardness (Shore A) is 78. T7350 of Example 2 is urethane rubber, and its hardness (JIS A) is 75. SS2 of Example 3 is urethane rubber, and its hardness (JIS A) is 78.

  FIG. 12 is a graph showing the loss tangent (tan δ) of the three substances described above. As can be seen from the graph of FIG. 12, the peak frequency f of T8175 of Example 1 is about 100,000 (Hz), the peak frequency f of T7350 of Example 2 is about 5000 (Hz), and Example 3 The peak frequency f of SS2 is about 4000 (Hz). For this reason, when the above three substances are used as the rubber part 562, the relationship V / L1 <f described above is satisfied. Therefore, the developing roller 510 rotates in the rubber part 562 made of the three substances. In some cases, it will be used with rubbery properties. In the above embodiment, T8175 of Example 1 having the highest peak frequency f among the three substances is used as the rubber part 562.

  FIG. 12 shows a loss tangent (tan δ) of 2017759 manufactured by Hokushin Kogyo that can be used for the cleaning blade 76 as a comparative example. The peak frequency f of this substance is about 300 (Hz). When this substance is used as the rubber part 652, the relationship of V / L1 <f is not satisfied, and the rubber is rotated when the developing roller 510 rotates. The portion 652 may be used due to its glassy nature.

  Incidentally, the loss tangent graph of T8175 of Example 1 shown in FIG. 12 is the same as the loss tangent graph of FIG. 10, and the temperature of T8175 when measuring T8175 is 20 ° C. And these temperatures at the time of measuring T7350 of Example 2, SS2 of Example 3, and 2017759 of a comparative example are also 20 degreeC.

<About the circumferential pitch L1 of the groove 512 and the moving speed V of the developing roller 510>
In the above embodiment, the circumferential pitch L1 of the grooves 512 is about 113 μm and the moving speed V of the surface of the developing roller 510 is 320 mm / s. However, the present invention is not limited to this. . The pitch L1 and the moving speed V may be any value as long as the relationship of V / L1 <f is satisfied. However, it is desirable that the size of the pitch L1 is about 85 μm to about 142 μm and the moving speed V is 100 mm / s to 480 mm / s.

=== Measures to maintain the relationship of V / L1 <f during operation of the developing device ===
As described above, the moving speed V of the developing roller 510 is 320 mm / s, the pitch L1 of the grooves 512 is about 113 μm, and the value V / L1 (about 2831 Hz) obtained by dividing the moving speed V by the pitch L1. ) Is smaller than the peak frequency f of the rubber portion 562.

  Incidentally, the value V / L1 may fluctuate during the operation of the developing device. For example, when a disturbance V acts on the developing devices 51, 52, 53, 54, etc. and the moving speed V of the developing roller 510 during rotation becomes higher than 320 mm / s, the value V / L1 also increases. (In other words, the frequency (frequency) of the rubber portion 562 that vibrates with the rotation of the developing roller 510 also increases). If the peak frequency f of the rubber portion 562 is close to 2831 Hz (frequency when the moving speed V is 320 mm / s), the value V / L1 fluctuates. In some cases, the peak frequency f may be higher (that is, the relationship of V / L1 <f is not maintained during the operation of the developing device, and the relationship of V / L1> f may be satisfied). And when value V / L1 is larger than the peak frequency f, as mentioned above, the problem that the rubber part 562 shows a glass-like property will generate | occur | produce.

  Therefore, as a measure for maintaining the relationship of V / L1 <f even if the moving speed V fluctuates during the operation of the developing device in order to solve such a problem, in this embodiment, the developing roller 510 is used. A value V / L1 obtained by dividing the moving speed V by the pitch L1 of the groove 512 is a frequency smaller than the peak frequency f at which the loss tangent (tan δ) is maximum, and the loss tangent at the frequency. Is smaller than the frequency (hereinafter also referred to as the frequency f2) that becomes half the maximum value (V / L1 <f2).

  This matter will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the loss tangent tan δ and the like of the rubber part 562 (T8175) of Example 1 described above, and the frequency f2 and the like are added to the graph shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 13, the maximum value of the loss tangent tan δ is about 0.58, and the frequency (peak frequency f) at this time is about 100,000 Hz. Therefore, half of the maximum value is 0.29, and the frequency f2 at this time is about 1000 Hz. In order to establish the relationship of V / L1 <f2 when the frequency f2 is about 1000 Hz, for example, the moving speed V is set to 100 mm / s, and the pitch L1 is set to 125 μm. In such a case, the value V / L1 is 800 Hz, and the relationship of V / L1 <f2 is established.

  Thus, when the relationship of V / L1 <f2 is established, for example, even if the magnitude of the value V / L1 fluctuates with the fluctuation of the magnitude of the moving speed V, the frequency f2 (about 1000 Hz) Is 1/100 times as large as the peak frequency f (about 100,000 Hz), the value V / L1 is unlikely to be larger than the peak frequency f. As a result, the relationship of V / L1 <f is maintained during operation of the developing device (while the developing roller 510 is rotating), and the rubber portion 562 is more rubbery when the developing roller 510 rotates. It will be used appropriately.

  In the above description, the value V / L1 is smaller than the frequency f2, but the loss tangent is a maximum value (about 0.58) and a minimum value (about 0.02 in FIG. 13). The frequency may be smaller than the frequency that becomes the intermediate value (about 0.28). However, in this embodiment, since the minimum value is close to 0, the intermediate value (about 0.28) and the half value (0.29) of the maximum value are substantially the same. . For this reason, the frequency at the intermediate value and the frequency f2 have substantially the same magnitude (the same applies to the rubber part 562 of Example 2 and Example 3 described later).

  Next, the relationship of V / L1 <f2 in the rubber part 562 (T7350) according to the second embodiment and the rubber part 562 (SS2) according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the loss tangent tan δ and the like of the rubber part 562 of Example 2, and FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the loss tangent tan δ and the like of the rubber part 562 of Example 3.

  In the rubber portion 562 of T7350 of the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, the maximum value of the loss tangent tan δ is about 0.76, and the peak frequency f is about 5000 Hz. Therefore, half of the maximum value is 0.38, and the frequency f2 is about 100 Hz. Therefore, in the case of the rubber part 562 of T7350, the rubber part 562 has a rubber-like property during the operation of the developing device by determining the moving speed V and the pitch L1 so that the value V / L1 is smaller than 100 Hz. Will continue to be used.

  In the rubber part 562 of SS2 of the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, the maximum value of the loss tangent tan δ is about 0.60 and the peak frequency f is about 4000 Hz. For this reason, half of the maximum value is 0.30, and the frequency f2 is about 60 Hz. Therefore, in the case of the rubber part 562 of SS2, by determining the moving speed V and the pitch L1 so that the value V / L1 becomes smaller than 60 Hz, the rubber part 562 has a rubber-like property during the operation of the developing device. Will continue to be used.

  By the way, as shown in FIGS. 13 to 15, the storage elastic modulus G ′ of the rubber portion 562 is lower when the frequency is lower than the frequency f2 than when the frequency is between the frequency f2 and the peak frequency f. Small fluctuation. Here, the storage elastic modulus G ′ represents the elastic behavior of the substance as described above, and the degree of vibration of the rubber portion 562 changes according to the size of the storage elastic modulus G ′. It is known. When the change in the storage elastic modulus G ′ of the rubber part 562 is small, the degree of vibration of the rubber part 562 is stabilized, so that the contact of the rubber part 562 with the developing roller 510 is also stable. The rubber part 562 appropriately exerts the function of regulating the layer thickness of the toner carried on the developing roller 510 (function of imparting electric charge to the toner).

=== Method for Manufacturing Developing Roller 510 ===
Here, a method for manufacturing the developing roller 510 will be described with reference to FIGS. 16A to 16E and FIG. FIGS. 16A to 16E are schematic diagrams showing the transition of the developing roller 510 in the manufacturing process of the developing roller 510. FIGS. FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the rolling process of the developing roller 510.

  First, as shown in FIG. 16A, a pipe material 600 as a base material of the developing roller 510 is prepared. The wall thickness of the pipe material 600 is 0.5 to 3 mm. Next, as shown in FIG. 16B, flange press-fit portions 602 are formed at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the pipe material 600. The flange press-fit portion 602 is made by cutting. Next, as shown in FIG. 16C, the flange 604 is press-fitted into the flange press-fitting portion 602. In order to ensure the fixing of the flange 604 to the pipe material 600, the flange 604 may be bonded or welded to the pipe material 600 after the flange 604 is press-fitted. Next, as shown in FIG. 16D, the centerless polishing is performed on the surface of the pipe member 600 into which the flange 604 is press-fitted. The centerless polishing is performed over the entire surface, and the 10-point average roughness Rz of the surface after the centerless polishing is 1.0 μm or less. Next, as shown in FIG. 16E, the pipe material 600 into which the flange 604 is press-fitted is subjected to a rolling process. In the present embodiment, so-called through-feed rolling (also called step rolling or through rolling) using two round dies 650 and 652 is performed.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 17, two round dies 650 and 652 arranged so as to sandwich the pipe material 600 as a work are placed on the pipe material 600 with a predetermined pressure (the direction of the pressure in FIG. The two round dies 650 and 652 are rotated in the same direction (refer to FIG. 17) while being pressed with a symbol P). In the through feed rolling, as the round dies 650 and 652 rotate, the pipe material 600 rotates in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the round dies 650 and 652 (see FIG. 17). Move in the direction shown. Protrusions 650 a and 652 a for forming grooves 680 are provided on the surfaces of the round dies 650 and 652, and the grooves 680 are formed in the pipe material 600 by deforming the pipe material 600 by the protrusions 650 a and 652 a. Is formed.

  Then, after the rolling process is finished, the surface of the central portion 510a is plated. In the present embodiment, electroless Ni—P plating is used as the plating, but is not limited to this, and for example, hard chrome plating or electroplating may be used.

=== Other Embodiments ===
The image forming apparatus and the like according to the present invention have been described above based on the above embodiment. However, the above embodiment of the present invention is for facilitating understanding of the present invention and limits the present invention. is not. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the gist thereof, and the present invention includes the equivalents thereof.

  In the above embodiment, an intermediate transfer type full color laser beam printer has been described as an example of the image forming apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to the intermediate transfer type, such as a full color laser beam printer, a monochrome laser beam printer, a copying machine, and a facsimile. The present invention can be applied to various image forming apparatuses.

  Also, the photosensitive member is not limited to a so-called photosensitive roller, which is configured by providing a photosensitive layer on the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical conductive substrate, and is configured by providing a photosensitive layer on the surface of a belt-shaped conductive substrate. A so-called photosensitive belt may be used.

In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the “contact member” is in contact with the surface of the developing roller 510 to regulate the layer thickness of the toner carried on the developing roller 510. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the contact member may be the upper seal 520 or the toner supply roller 550 as long as it is made of a rubber elastic body.
However, when the abutting member is the rubber portion 562, the relationship V / L1 <f described above is satisfied, so that the rubber portion 562 is used with a glass-like property, and the toner layer thickness is reduced. The embodiment described above is more desirable in that it can be prevented from being properly regulated, and as a result, the development by the developing roller 510 is appropriately executed.

  In the above embodiment, the rubber portion 562 has a longitudinal direction along the axial direction of the developing roller 510 and one end in the short direction (the tip 560 a of the regulating blade 560) of the developing roller 510. The surface is abutted so as to face the upstream side in the rotational direction (see FIG. 4). Then, the contact portion 562a of the rubber portion 562 that contacts the surface is separated from the one end in the short direction (that is, the rubber portion 562 contacts the developing roller 510 at the belly. ing). However, it is not limited to the above. For example, the contact portion 562a may be the one end, that is, the rubber portion 562 may be in contact with the developing roller 510 at the edge.

  In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the concave portions are two types of spiral groove portions 512 having different inclination angles with respect to the circumferential direction of the developing roller 510, and the two types of spiral groove portions 512. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the recess may not be a groove. Moreover, when a recessed part is a groove part, a groove part does not need to be helical. Further, only one type of groove may be provided as the recess.

  Further, in the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the developing roller 510 has a square top surface 515 surrounded by the two types of spiral grooves 512, and the square top surface 515 is Although one of the two diagonals that have is along the circumferential direction, it is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 18B, the top surface may be a rhombus that is not square. Further, the top surface is not a rhombus but may be a circle as shown in FIG. 18C, for example. Moreover, as shown to FIG. 18A, it is good also as not both of the two diagonal lines which a square top surface has along the said circumferential direction. 18A to 18C are diagrams showing variations on the surface shape of the developing roller 510. FIG.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the groove part 512 was provided with the bottom face 514 and the side surface 513, and the inclination angle of the side surface 513 was about 45 degree | times (refer FIG. 7), it is limited to this. For example, the inclination angle of the side surface 513 may be about 90 degrees.

In the above embodiment, the developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 can be attached to and detached from the printer main body 10a of the printer 10 (see FIG. 1). The vibration frequency of the rubber part 562 when the loss tangent (tan δ) becomes maximum varies depending on the temperature (see FIG. 11). A value V / L1 obtained by dividing the moving speed V of the surface when the developing roller 510 rotates by the circumferential pitch L1 of the groove 512 of the developing roller 510 is within the use temperature range (specifically, Is lower than the peak frequency f of the rubber part 562 when the loss tangent (tan δ) is maximized at all temperatures of 10 ° C. to 35 ° C., but is not limited thereto. Absent. For example, when the temperature is part of the operating temperature range, the above-described relationship of V / L1 <f may not be satisfied.
However, when the relationship of V / L1 <f is satisfied at all temperatures within the use temperature range, the rubber portion 562 is always rubber-like when the printer 10 performs image formation. The above embodiment is more preferable in that it is used.

  In the above embodiment, the rubber portion 562 is made of a thermoplastic elastomer, but is not limited to this. For example, the rubber part 562 may be made of urethane rubber.

In the above embodiment, the value V / L1 obtained by dividing the moving speed V of the surface when the developing roller 510 rotates by the circumferential pitch L1 of the developing roller 510 of the groove 512 is a loss tangent. A frequency f2 that is smaller than the peak frequency f (frequency) of the rubber portion 562 when tan δ reaches the maximum value, and at which the loss tangent tan δ is half of the maximum value (FIG. 13 to FIG. 13). However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the value V / L1 may be a magnitude between the peak frequency f1 and the frequency f2.
However, when the value V / L1 is smaller than the frequency f2, for example, even if the moving speed V of the developing roller 510 varies and the vibration frequency (frequency) of the rubber portion 562 changes, the vibration frequency (frequency). However, the rubber portion 562 is more suitable for the rubber-like property when the developing roller 510 rotates because the rubber portion 562 is difficult to show the glass-like property. The above embodiment is more preferable in that it is used for the above.

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

  FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing an external configuration of the image forming system. The image forming system 700 includes a computer 702, a display device 704, a printer 706, an input device 708, and a reading device 710. In this embodiment, the computer 702 is housed in a mini-tower type housing, but is not limited thereto. The display device 704 is generally a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), a plasma display, a liquid crystal display device, or the like, but is not limited thereto. As the printer 706, the printer described above is used. In this embodiment, the input device 708 uses a keyboard 708A and a mouse 708B, but is not limited thereto. In this embodiment, the reading device 710 uses a flexible disk drive device 710A and a CD-ROM drive device 710B. However, the reading device 710 is not limited to this. For example, an MO (Magneto Optical) disk drive device or a DVD (Digital Versatile) is used. Disk) etc. may be used.

  FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the image forming system shown in FIG. An internal memory 802 such as a RAM and an external memory such as a hard disk drive unit 804 are further provided in a housing in which the computer 702 is housed.

  In the above description, the example in which the printer 706 is connected to the computer 702, the display device 704, the input device 708, and the reading device 710 to configure the image forming system has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Absent. For example, the image forming system may include a computer 702 and a printer 706, and the image forming system may not include any of the display device 704, the input device 708, and the reading device 710. For example, the printer 706 may have a part of the functions or mechanisms of the computer 702, the display device 704, the input device 708, and the reading device 710. As an example, the printer 706 includes an image processing unit that performs image processing, a display unit that performs various displays, a recording medium attachment / detachment unit for attaching / detaching a recording medium that records image data captured by a digital camera or the like. It is good also as a structure to have.

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

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating main components constituting the printer. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control unit of the printer 10 in FIG. 1. It is a conceptual diagram of a developing device. It is sectional drawing which showed the main components of the image development apparatus. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a developing roller 510. FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of a developing roller 510. FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a cross-sectional shape of a groove part 512. It is an expansion schematic diagram of FIG. It is a graph which shows the storage elastic modulus etc. with respect to the temperature of the rubber part 562. It is a graph which shows the storage elastic modulus etc. with respect to the frequency (frequency) of the rubber part 562. It is a graph which shows the loss tangent (tan-delta) with respect to the frequency (frequency) of the rubber part 562. FIG. It is the graph which showed the loss tangent (tan-delta) of each substance. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a loss tangent tan δ and the like of a rubber part 562 of Example 1. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a loss tangent tan δ and the like of a rubber part 562 of Example 2. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a loss tangent tan δ and the like of a rubber part 562 of Example 3. FIGS. 16A to 16E are schematic diagrams showing the transition of the developing roller 510 in the manufacturing process of the developing roller 510. FIGS. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a rolling process of the developing roller 510. 18A to 18C are views showing variations on the surface shape of the developing roller 510. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an external configuration of an image forming system. FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the image forming system illustrated in FIG. 19.

Explanation of symbols

10 Printer, 10a Printer body, 20 Photoconductor, 30 Charging unit,
40 exposure unit, 50 YMCK development unit, 50a central axis,
51 black developing device, 52 magenta developing device, 53 cyan developing device,
54 Yellow developing device, 55a, 55b, 55c, 55d holding part,
60 primary transfer unit, 70 intermediate transfer member, 75 cleaning unit,
76 Cleaning blade, 80 Secondary transfer unit, 90 Fixing unit,
92 paper feed tray, 94 paper feed roller, 95 display unit, 96 registration roller,
100 control unit, 101 main controller,
102 unit controller, 112 interface, 113 image memory,
510 developing roller, 510a central portion, 510b shaft portion, 512 groove portion,
512a first groove portion, 512b second groove portion, 513 side surface, 514 bottom surface,
515 Top surface, 520 Top seal, 522 Top seal support sheet metal,
524 upper seal urging member, 530 toner container,
530a first toner container, 530b second toner container, 540 housing,
542 Upper housing part, 544 Lower housing part, 545 Partition wall,
550 toner supply roller, 560 regulating blade,
560a tip, 562 rubber part, 562a contact part, 564 rubber support part,
564a thin plate, 564b thin plate support, 564d one end in the short direction,
564e, the other end in the short direction, 570 blade backing member, 572 opening,
600 pipe material, 602 flange press-fit part,
604 flange, 650 round die, 650a convex, 652 round die,
652a convex portion, 680 groove, 700 image forming system, 702 computer,
704 display device, 706 printer, 708 input device, 708A keyboard,
708B mouse, 710 reader,
710A flexible disk drive device,
710B CD-ROM drive device,
802 internal memory, 804 hard disk drive unit,
T Toner

Claims (9)

A developer carrying member that has regularly arranged recesses on its surface and is rotatable in a state carrying a developer;
A contact member made of a rubber elastic body and contacting the surface of the developer carrying member, wherein the contact member vibrates with rotation of the developer carrying member;
A developing device comprising:
The value obtained by dividing the moving speed of the surface when the developer carrying member rotates by the circumferential pitch of the developer carrying member of the concave portion,
The frequency of the contact member when the loss tangent of the contact member divided by the storage elastic modulus becomes the maximum,
A developing device characterized by being smaller than the above. The developing device according to claim 1,
The contact member is
A layer thickness regulating member that abuts on the surface and regulates the layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrying member;
A developing device characterized by the above. The developing device according to claim 1 or 2,
The contact member is
The longitudinal direction is along the axial direction of the developer carrying member, and the one end in the short direction is directed to the upstream side in the rotation direction of the developer carrying member,
Abut against the surface,
The developing device according to claim 1, wherein a contact portion of the contact member that contacts the surface is separated from the one end in the lateral direction. The developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The concave portion is two types of spiral groove portions having different inclination angles with respect to the circumferential direction,
The two types of spiral grooves intersect each other to form a lattice shape,
The developer carrier has a square top surface surrounded by the two types of spiral grooves,
One of the two diagonal lines which the square top surface has is along the said circumferential direction, The developing device characterized by the above-mentioned. The developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The developing device is detachable from the image forming apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus has a set operating temperature range,
The frequency of the contact member when the loss tangent is maximized depends on the temperature,
The value obtained by dividing the moving speed of the surface when the developer carrier rotates by the pitch of the concave portion in the circumferential direction of the developer carrier is as follows:
The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the developing device has a frequency lower than a vibration frequency of the contact member when the loss tangent becomes maximum at all temperatures in the use temperature range. A developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the contact member is made of a thermoplastic elastomer. A developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The value obtained by dividing the moving speed of the surface when the developer carrying member rotates by the circumferential pitch of the developer carrying member of the concave portion,
A frequency lower than the frequency of the contact member when the loss tangent is a maximum value, and the frequency at which the loss tangent is half of the maximum value at the frequency,
A developing device characterized by being smaller than the above. (A) an image carrier for carrying a latent image;
(B) a developing device for developing a latent image carried on the image carrier by a developer,
A developer carrying member that has regularly arranged recesses on its surface and is rotatable in a state carrying a developer;
A contact member made of a rubber elastic body and contacting the surface of the developer carrying member, wherein the contact member vibrates with rotation of the developer carrying member;
With
The value obtained by dividing the moving speed of the surface when the developer carrying member rotates by the circumferential pitch of the developer carrying member of the concave portion,
The frequency of the contact member when the loss tangent of the contact member divided by the storage elastic modulus becomes the maximum,
Smaller development device,
An image forming apparatus comprising (c). (A) a computer, and
(B) An image forming apparatus connectable to the computer,
(A) an image carrier for carrying a latent image;
(B) a developing device for developing a latent image carried on the image carrier by a developer,
A developer carrying member that has regularly arranged recesses on its surface and is rotatable in a state carrying a developer;
A contact member made of a rubber elastic body and contacting the surface of the developer carrying member, wherein the contact member vibrates with rotation of the developer carrying member;
With
The value obtained by dividing the moving speed of the surface when the developer carrying member rotates by the circumferential pitch of the developer carrying member of the concave portion,
The frequency of the contact member when the loss tangent of the contact member divided by the storage elastic modulus becomes the maximum,
Smaller development device,
An image forming apparatus having (c),
An image forming system comprising (C).

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