Patent ID: 7672625
Filing Date: 2010-03-02
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A developing device for applying powder to a latent image carrying member to develop latent images on the latent image carrying member, comprising: a transport member disposed in opposition to the latent image carrying member, and having a plurality of transport electrodes for generating electric fields to transport powder; voltage supply means for applying n phase (where n is a positive integer equal to or greater than 2) voltage to the transport electrodes; and transport member surface potential determination means for determining the surface potential of the transport member, wherein the voltage supply means applies the n phase voltage to the transport electrodes so that the surface potential on the transport member is between the potential of the image portions and the potential of the non-image portions of the latent image carrying member, and when developing the powder for a second and subsequent colors, the voltage supply means applies the n phase voltage to the transport electrodes so that the surface potential on the transport member is between the potential of the image portions that has been reduced by the charge of the previously developed powder and the potential of the non-image portions of the latent image carrying member, and wherein latent image forming and developing are repeated to successively develop powder in different colors that are superimposed on the same latent image carrying member.