Patent ID: 6622000
Filing Date: 2003-09-16
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
A developing apparatus supplying a developer to an image carrier, comprising:a developer carrier carrying a developer on its surface; a developer regulating member regulating a layer thickness of said developer; a charge amount control member controlling a charge amount of said developer; and an electric charge supplying apparatus provided downstream along a direction of movement of said developer carrier relative to said charge amount control member, for applying electric charges to the developer on the developer carrier, wherein (i) said charge amount control member is provided downstream along a direction of movement of said developer carrier relative to said developer regulating member, (ii) said charge amount control member is electrically insulated from said developer carrier, (iii) said charge amount control member and said developer carrier define a small gap containing a plasma state atmosphere, (iv) said charge amount control member controls an amount of charge of said developer by applying an AC voltage between said developer carrier and said charge amount control member in said small gap portion so as to maintain said plasma state atmosphere and to cause said developer to fly above said developer carrier in said small gap, and (v) the developer on said developer carrier is supplied with a prescribed amount of charges by said electric charge supplying apparatus after the charge amount of the developer has been controlled by providing the developer with charges generated by said AC voltage in said small gap.