Image forming apparatus employing work function relationships
US6819899B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 24, 2002 |
| Grant date | Nov 16, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 30, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G15/1605
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An image forming apparatus including a latent image carrier and a developing device for charging a toner into a negative polarity by triboelectric charging, wherein the work function of the toner is set to be larger than the work function of the surface of the latent image carrier. When the apparatus includes an intermediate transfer medium, the work function of the toner is set to be larger than the work function of the surface of the intermediate transfer medium. In another embodiment, the work function &PHgr;opc of the surface of the latent image carrier, the work function &PHgr;t of the toner, and the work function &PHgr;TM of the surface of the intermediate transfer medium are set to satisfy a relationship &PHgr;t>&PHgr;OPC>&PHgr;TM. These relationships help to reduce fog, and improve transfer efficiency which reduces the consumption of the toner.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.