Image forming apparatus employing work function relationships
US7027758B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 21, 2004 |
| Grant date | Apr 11, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 21, 2024 |
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 means 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 ΦOPC of the surface of the latent image carrier, the work function Φt of the toner, and the work function ΦTM of the surface of the intermediate transfer medium are set to satisfy a relationship Φt>ΦOPC>ΦTM. 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.