Patent ID: 8086149
Filing Date: 2011-12-27
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus comprising: an electrostatic latent image carrying body having a latent image forming surface formed in parallel with a predetermined main scanning direction and configured to be able to form an electrostatic latent image thereon by means of electric potential distribution, and configured such that the latent image forming surface can move along a sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction and a developer supply apparatus disposed in such a manner as to face the electrostatic latent image carrying body and configured to be able to supply a developer in a charged state to the latent image forming surface, wherein the developer supply apparatus comprises: a plurality of transport electrodes arrayed along the sub-scanning direction and configured such that the transport electrodes generates a traveling wave electric field, through application of traveling wave voltages thereto, to thereby transport the developer in a predetermined developer transport direction; a transport electrode support member configured to support the transport electrodes on its surface; and a transport electrode cover member formed in such a manner as to cover the surface of the transport electrode support member and the transport electrodes and having a developer transport surface which is in parallel with the main scanning direction and faces the latent image forming surface, wherein the transport electrode cover member is configured such that relative dielectric constant of the transport electrode cover member is higher in those areas which are located upstream of and downstream of, with respect to the developer transport direction, the counter area where the latent image forming surface and the developer transport surface face each other, than in the counter area.