COLOR ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS

Abstract: The present invention provides a color electrophotographic apparatus having plural developing means (73, 76, 77) disposed in the vicinity of a photoconductor (69) and a toner forming means for forming images of plural different color toners on the photoconductor by repeating plural processes each comprising electric charging (70), light exposing (71) and developing (73, 76, 77); and therein, contamination of developer due to mixing of different color toner is prevented by disabling developing actions of the toner forming means during each period of resting the development; thereby a clear color copy is obtainable.

Description: The present invention relates to a color electrophotographic apparatus, as it is stated in the precharacterizing portion of claim 1. Such a color electrophotcgraphic apparatus is used for a color copier, a color printer or the like. In particular, a color picture is made by transferring a composite color image consisting of a plurality of different color toner images at the same time. In a color electrophotographic apparatus of this type, a plurality of toner images are formed on a photoconductor by a repetition of electric chargings, exposure of the image to light and developments for making a composite color toner image. A color picture is obtained by transferring such composite color toner image at the same time. A conventional color electrophotographic apparatus of this type, which is e.g. disclosed in Japanese published unexamined patent application Sho 60-95456, is described with reference to FIG.1 to FIG.5 FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of the conventional color electrophotographic apparatus using a conventional process. The conventional color electrophotographic apparatus comprises a photoconductor 1 which is made of selenium-tellurium (Se-Te) and rotates in clockwise direction, a corona charger 2 which electrically charges the photoconductor 1, a laser beam scanner 3, developing units 4, 5, 6 and 7, which contain yellow, magenta, cyan and black toners, respectively, an image receiving paper 8, an erasing lamp 9, a corona transfer device 10, a heating fusing device 11, a cleaning blade 12 and another erasing lamp 13 for resetting a surface potential of the photoconductor 1 to the previous state. FIG.2 shows the constitution of the developing units 4, 5, 6 or 7. The developing units comprise a two-component developer 14, which contains a mixture of a toner 20 having a positive charge and of a magnetic carrier, a toner carrier 15 which is made of aluminum, a magnet roller 16, a layer thickness control blade 17 for controlling the thickness of the developer, a scraper 18, a rotary fin 19 for stirring up the developer 14, a toner suppying roller 21 and an electric power source 22 for providing a potential, which is made by superposing a high voltage alternating potential on a D.C. potential. For setting up the developing units in a developable state, the toner carrier 15 is connected to the electric power source 22. For setting up the developing units in an undevelopable state, the toner carrier 15 is electrically floating or grounded, or a negative D.C. potential is applied to it. In the following a method for making a color picture by using the above-mentioned conventional apparatus is described. First, a negative latent image for the yellow toner having an of electrostatic charge (in which the surface potential of the photoconductor is decreased along the line-image by the image exposure) is formed by scanning with yellow image signals by the laser scanner 3, after the photoconducter 1 was electrically charged positive by the corona charger 2. A yellow toner image is formed on the photoconductor 1 by reverse development of the electrostatic latent image from negative to positive by the developing unit 4, which contains the yellow toner. In such a case, only the developing unit 4, which contains the yellow toner, is connected to the electric power source 22, and the other developing units 5, 6 and 7 are adjusted the undevelopable state, which is to be described later. After development by the yellow toner, the electrostatic latent yellow image is erased by irradiating all the photoconductor 1 by the erasing lamp 13. By repeating processes of electrically charging, image exposing, developing and photoerasing of electric charge similar to the above-mentioned yellow toner image forming method, further magenta, cyan and black toner images are formed on the photoconductor 1. After finishing the forming of all the toner images of the four colors, the electrostatic latent images are erased by the erasing lamp 9, and the toner images are electrostatically transferred on to plain paper 8 by the corona charger 2. The toner images transferred to the plain paper 8 are fixed by application of heat from the heating fusing device 11. After electrostatically transferring the toner images, the remaining toners on the photoconductor 1 are cleaned up by the cleaning blade 12, so that the photoconductor 1 is prepared for the forming of the next image. However, the above-mentioned conventional apparatus has, problems that the developing units are gradually contaminated by different color tones in proportion to number of copying operations, and the color purity of the color picture also gradually decreases. Investigating the cause for such phenomena resulted in that a part of toners of a color toner image on the photoconductor 1, on which another image corresponding to another color is exposed after recharging of the surface of the photoconductor 1, reversely flies to the toner carrier of the developing unit, when the toner image passes through the developing unit which is not involved in the development. FIG.3, FIG.4 and FIG.5 schematically show the above-mentioned toner behaviours. FIG.3 shows the case that the toner carrier 15 is grounded. The regions A and C on the surface of the photoconductor 1 are provided with a positive electrical charge The toner 23 on the photoconductor 1 is also charged positive. Accordingly, the toner 23 in the region C flies reversely to the toner carrier 15, by an electric repulsion force, which is effective by the positive electric charge on the photoconductor 1 induced by the electric field between the photoconductor 1 and the toner carrier 15. FIG.4 shows the case that a negative D.C. potential is applied to the toner carrier 15. In such case, the positive charged toners 25 on the toner carrier 15 is electrostatically strongly attached to the toner carrier 15, to which a negative potential, is applied. accordingly, the flying of toner from the toner carrier 15 to the photoconductor 1 is effectively prevented. But the intensity of the electric field on the region C between the photoconductor 1 and the toner carrier 15 is larger than that in the case shown in FIG.3. Accordingly, the toner 25 in the region C flies more than in the case shown in FIG.3. Furthermore, when the amount of the D.C. potential, which is applied to the toner carrier 15, becomes larger, the toner 25 the region D also flies reversely. FIG.5 shows the case that the toner carrier 15 is electrically floated. As shown in FIG.5, the toner carrier 15 is polarized by the positive electric charges on the photoconductor 1. Accordingly, a part of the toner 26, namely that in the region B of the toner carrier 15, flies to the Photoconductor 1. A part of the toner 26 in the region C of the photoconductor 1 reversely flies to the toner carrier 15. As mentioned above, in the conventional color electrophotographic apparatus a part of the toner of a color toner image on the photoconductor 1, on which another image corresponding to another color is exposed after recharging the photoconductor 1, reversely flies to a toner carrier of a developing unit, when the toner image on the photoconductor passes through the developing unit, which is not performing the development. Accordingly, it is impossible to prevent the contamination of the developing unit caused by the mixing of toners of different colors and to obtain clear color copies in a stable manner. EP-A-143 535 discloses a color electrophotographic apparatus, wherein the flying toner development is made by using a developing bias having a D.C. component and an A.C. component. The A.C. component voltage is relatively high. It is needed for flying of the toner, since the gap between the developing means and the photoconductor is wide, i.e. between 0,5 and 0,8 mm, in order to prevent reverse flying of the toner (Example 23). Alternatively, means for decreasing the A.C. electric field and increasing the D.C. electric field (Example 24) or means for increasing the A.C. frequency and the D.C. electric field (Example 25) are proposed. The object underlying the invention is to provide a color electrophotographic apparatus, by which clear color copies can be obtained in a stable manner and without contamination of the developing means by mixing of the different color toners. This object is solved by means of a color electrophotographic apparatus having the features of claim 1. Advantageous further developments are subject of the dependent claims. A color electrophotographic apparatus in accordance with the present invention comprises latent image forming means for forming a plurality of electrostatic latent images respectively corresponding to image signals of different colors on a surface of a photoconductor, developing means to which a uniform non-magnetic toner layer is attached, the surface of the toner layer being not in contact with the surface of the photoconductor, and the latent image being developed by flying of the toner from the developing means to the photoconductor under the influence of a D.C. electric field, wherein a plurality of the developing means are disposed in the vicinity of the photoconductor and respectively contain toners of different colors corresponding to the different color image signals, toner image forming means for forming a plurality of toner images of different colors on the surface of the photoconductor by electrically charging the surface of the photoconductor and of the toner images,by exposing the surface of the photoconductor to light which corresponds to the current image signals, and by developing the latent images by respective toners corresponding to the current image signals, and reverse flying preventing means for preventing reverse flying of the toner from the developed images to any one of the developing means, which is not, at that moment, performing the development, characterized in that the latent images are developed under the influence of solely a D.C. electric field and that the gap between the toner carrier and the photoconductur is less than 500 µm. In the color electrophotographic apparatus of the invention, the width of the gap between the developing means and the photoconductor is selected to be below 0,5 mm. Preferably, the gap width lies below 0,3 mm. A D.C. voltage is used for developing, and because of the narrow gap width the toner particles are easily flying in one direction. Therefore, in the apparatus of the invention, development can be fully performed by using only a D.C. electric field. However, since the developing gap is very narrow, the problem of reverse flying of toner is evoked. Namely, the toner easily flies from the photoconductor to the developer by electrostatic repulsion of the charged photoconductor, even though the biassing voltage of the developer is cut off. This means, the reversal flying phenomenon is a problem related to developments with a very narrow development gap and a D.C. electric field. Therefore, the reverse flying preventing means is additionally used. The advantages of the invention will becomce more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed disclosure of the invention, especially, when it is taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein: FIG. 1 is a schematical cross-sectional side view of a conventional color electrophotographic apparatus. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the developer of the conventional color electrophotographic apparatus. FIG.3 is a typical side view, which shows the behavior of the toners in the case that the toner carrier is electrically grounded. FIG.4 is a typical side view, which shows the behavior of the toners in the case that a D.C. potential is applied to the toner carrier. FIG.5 is a typical side view which shows the behavior of the toners in the case that the toner carrier is electrically floated. FIG.6 is a cross-sectional view of a developer of a color electrophotographic apparatus in accordance with the present invention. FIG.7 to FIG.14 are typical side views showing principles of the color electrophotographic apparatus in accordance with the present invention. FIG.15 is a cross-sectional side view showing an embodiment of the color electrophotographic apparatus in accordance with the present invention, which is applied to a color printer. FIG.16 is a cross-sectional side view showing another embodiment of the color electrophotographic apparatus in accordance with the present invention. FIG.17 is a cross-sectional side view showing still other embodiment of a color electrophotographic apparatus in accordance with the present invention. The photoconductor used in the color electrophotographic apparatus in accordance with the present invention can be an ordinary electrophotographic photoconductor, in which photocontuctive materials such as amorphous selenium, arsenic selenide, CdS, ZnO, amorphous silicon or organic photoconductive material are coated on an electrically conductive material. The developing means used in the present invention may apply any non-contact developing method, which has the effect of a counter electrode to a photoconductor and performs development without contacting the developing unit and the photoconductor. For example, according to an electric field flying type developing method a toner carrier, which holds toner forming a thin film thereon, is disposed without being in direct contact with the toner on the photoconductor, and the toner flies under the influence of the electric field between the toner carrier and the photoconductor. Especially, a D.C. electric field flying type developing method is suitable, because in such a method the toner flies in one-way direction. FIG.6 shows a preferred embodiment of a developing means, which is used in the D.C. electric field flying type developing method using a non-magnetic single component developer. The developing means comprises a toner container 27, containing non-magnetic toner 28, a toner carrier 29 which is made of a metal cylinder of e.g. aluminium or stainless steel, a fur brush roller 30 which is made of electrically conductive material such as resin fiber containing carbon or a metal wire, a rubber blade 31 and a D.C. power source 32. The toner carrier 29 faces to a photoconductor 33 with a fixed gap, in order to develop the latent image on the photoconductor 33. The gap is adjusted not to be in contact with the toner on the toner carrier 29 with the photoconductor 33. The gap between the toner carrier 29 and the photoconductor 33 is less than 500 µm and preferably in the range of 50-300 µm. In order to form a thin film layer of the toner on the surface of the toner carrier 29, the toner carrier 29 and the fur brush roller 30 are rotated in the respective directions marked by arrows in FIG.6. The toner 28 is charged by rubbing and it is electrostatically sticked to the toner carrier 29. Accordingly, a D.C. potential can be applied between the toner carrier 29 and the fur brush roller 30 in such a direction that the toner 28 is electrostatically attached to the toner carrier 29, or the fur brush roller 30 can be electrically floated or grounded. The thin film of the toner is formed by leveling the electrostatically sticked toner 28 on the toner carrier 29 by the rubber blade 31. On the other hand, in order to remove the toner 28 on the toner carrier 29, a D.C. potential is applied between the toner carrier 29 and the fur brush roller 30, so that the toner 28 is electrostatically attached to the fur brush roller 30. For example, in the case that the toner 28 is positively charged, it is only necessary to apply a negative potential to the fur brush roller 30. The toner used in the apparatus in accordance with the present invention, may be any insulative toner, which is usable in a conventional electrophotographic apparatus, and it can be used irrespective of its magnetic or non-magnetic characteristics. In color recording, a non-magnetic toner is especially suitable because it has superior transparency characteristics. A suitable toner for the electric field flying type developing method is a toner having the electric charge of 0.1-10 µC/g, more preferably 1-6 µC/g. A light source used in the apparatus in accordance with the present invention, can be any normal light source such as a light emitting diode array, a semiconductor laser, a combination of a liquid crystal switching device and a light source or a halogen lamp. FIG.7 to FIG.15 show the principle of a color electrophotographic apparatus in accordance with the present invention. In the following explanations,the developing from negative to positive is described, but is not restricted thereto. FIG. 7 shows the positive electric charge of a photoconductor 34 made by a corona charger 35. FIG.8 shows a process of forming a first negative electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor 34 by exposuring its surface to light. Hereupon, the potential corresponding to the contrast of the electrostatic latent image (which is the difference between the potentials of the image part and non-image part ) is suitably above 400 V. FIG.9 shows the process of forming a first toner image, which contains a step of having a first toner carrier 37 bearing a positively charged first toner 36 facing the photoconductor 34 without being in contact with the toner 36 on the photoconductor 34, and another step of reverse developing of the first electrostatic latent image by the flying of the toner 36 from the toner carrier 37 to the photoconductor 34, under the influence of a D.C. electric field, which is nearly equal to the potential of the non-image part of the latent image on the toner carrier 37. FIG.10 shows a state in that a second toner carrier 40 is electrically grounded, when the photoconductor 34 holding the first toner image of the first toner 36 passes before the second toner carrier 40, which bears a second toner 39 and is not involved in the developing of the first image. In this case, since the potentials of the toner carrier 40 and a part of the photoconductor 34, where the toner 36 is sticked are hardly different from each other, the reverse flying of the toner 36 from the photoconductor 34 to the toner carrier 40 may not occur. Hereupon, the toner carrier which is not involved in the development may be set in a state shown in FIG.13, which is to be described later. FIG.11 shows a positive recharging of the photoconductor 34 bearing the first toner 36 by the corona charger 35. FIG.12 shows a process of forming a second negative electrostatic latent image by exposuring a second image to light the photoconductor 34 passes through another developing unit, which is not involved in the development. Therefore, it is important to prevent the reverse flying of the toner 36 from the photoconductor 34 to a developing unit, which is at that moment, not performing the development. FIG.13 shows a means for preventing the reverse flying of the toner on the photoconductor. In FIG.13, toner on a toner carrier 41 which is not involved in the development, was previously erased, and a D.C. potential 42, which is nearly equal to the potential of the non-image part of the photoconductor 34 (regions A and C) is applied to the toner carrier 41. Hereupon, the toner 36 on the regions of the photoconductor 34 remains as it is without reverse flying, because the potentials of the image part of the photoconductor 34 (regions B and D) and of the toner carrier 41 are hardly different from each other. In this case, in order to erase the toner on the toner carrier 41, a D.C. electric field is provided between the toner carrier 41 and a fur brush roller (which is not shown in the figure), so as to electrostatically remove the toner to the fur brush roller a manner similar to the method described in FIG.6. FIG.14 shows another means for preventing the reverse flying of the toner on the photoconductor. After recharging a photoconductor 44, which bears a toner 43, a developed region 47 was formed before the forming of an image region 46, where a second electrostatic latent image is formed. When the photoconductor 44 passes before a toner carrier 48, which is, at the moment, not performing the development, the rotation of the toner carrier 48 is stopped and a D.C. potential 49, which is nearly equal to the potential of the non-image part of the photoconductor 44, is applied thereto. As a result, the toner 43, which faces the photoconductor 44, flies to the developed region 47, and the toner on the toner carrier 48 is removed. Accordingly, the image on the line image part 46 is not developed by the toner 43, and the toner 43 on the photoconductor 44 does not reversely fly, because the potentials of the part without the line image on the image part 46 and of the toner carrier 48 are hardly different from each other. FIG.15 shows still other means for preventing the reverse flying of the toner on the photoconductor. In the case that the second electrostatic latent image formed by recharging and exposur the image on a photoconductor 53 to light, which holds a toner 52, is developed by a toner carrier 54 (hereupon the developing gap 1₁ is 50--300 µm), a toner carrier 55 is displaced from the photoconductor 53 so as to widen the developing gap over 500 µm, more preferably 700 µm, and a D.C. potential 56 is applied thereto, which is needed for the development, when the photoconductor 53 passes before the toner carrier 55. Since the threshold gap which permits the toner on the toner carrier to fly to the photoconductor, is 500 µm, as is described in the explanation of FIG.6, the toner carrier 55 being positioned with a gap wider than the threshold gap does not develop the second electrostatic latent image. Since the intensity of the electric field between the photoconductor 53 and the toner carrier 55 becomes small, the toner 52 on the photoconductor 53 also may not reversely fly to the toner carrier 55. Hereupon, it is preferable to rotate the toner carrier 55 regardless, whether it is performing the development or not. If the rotation of the toner carrier 55 is stopped the charge of the toner on the surface of the toner carrier becomes insufficient for use in the next development and the picture image may be badly affected. FIG.16 schematically shows a color printer using a color electrophotographic apparatus in accordance with the present invention. The color printer comprises a photoconductor 57, which is made of vapor coated selenium-tellurium on an aluminium drum, a corona charger 58, a light emitting diode array 59 for emitting light of a wave length of 670 nm, a self-focusing rod lens array 60, developing units 61, 62 and 63, which respectively contain toners of yellow, magenta and cyanic color, their constitutions being the same as that of the developing means shown in FIG.6, an eraser lamp 64, a corona charger 65 for transferring, an AC detach charger 66 for peeling off plain paper 67 and a cleaning brush 68. Details of the developing units 61, 62 and 63 are described in the followings. The toner carriers, aluminium cylinders. The fur brush rollers, carbon-containing rayon fibers having a resistance of 10⁶Ωcm and being arranged on an aluminium drum, The yellow, magenta and cyan toners are non-magnetic toners, wherein the main components are resin and pigment. The average diameter of the toner particles is 10 µm, the of electric charge amounts 2-4 µC/g and the respective electric resistances are above 10¹⁴Ωcm. Next, a method for making a color picture is described. The photoconductor 57 is charged to +800 V by the corona charger 58 (having a corona voltage of 7 kV) being rotated in the arrow-marked direction. An electrostatic yellow latent image, in which the potential of the non-image part is +800 V and the potential of the image part is +80 V, is formed by scanning and exposing the surface of the photoconductor to light by the light emitting diode array 59. corresponding to the current yellow image signals. After that, the electrostatic latent image is developed by toner of yellow color, when the of photoconductor 57 passes before the three developing units 61, 62 and 63. The conditions of each developing unit in the above-mentioned case are described in the following. A potential of +750 V and of +1000 V D.C. is applied to the toner carrier resp. the fur brush roller of the developing unit 61 for the yellow color were respectively. Then, the thin layer (about 40 µm) of the toner of yellow color is formed on a roller of the developing unit 61. The toner flies from the toner carrier to the photoconductor in the region where these are closest to each other. The electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor is developed by the toner of yellow color. On the other hand, when the toner carriers of the developing units 62 and 63 for the magenta and cyanic, respectively, are grounded, there is no fog at all on the resultant picture of the toners of magenta or cyanic colors. After the development, the photoconductor 57 bearing the yellow image is irradiated by the eraser lamp 64, and the electrostatic latent image is photoelectrically erased. After that, the photoconductor 57 is electrically recharged on the toner image by the corona charger 58 (With a corona potential of +7 kV). The surface potential of the photoconductor 57 is +800 V irrespective of the existence or non-existence of the toner. Next, an electrostatic latent image of the magenta color, in which the surface potential of the non-image part is +800 V, the surface potential of the image part not on the yellow toner was +80 V and the potential image part on the yellow toner is +110 V, is formed by scanning and exposuring the surface of the photoconducter to light by the light emitting diode array 59, which corresponds to the current magenta image signals. After such an exposure, the electrostatic latent image is reversely developed by magenta color toner, of magenta color, when the photoconductor 57 passes before the three developing units 61, 62 and 63 under the following condition. When a D.C. potential of +750 V is applied to the toner carriers and a D.C. potential of +550 V is applied to the fur brush roller of the developing units 61 and 63, which contain the toners of the yellow and cyanic color, the toners on the toner carriers are removed. Furthermore, a D.C. potential of +750 V is applied to the magenta toner carrier of the developing unit 62 and a D.C. potential of +850 V is applied to the fur brush. As a result, a toner image composed of the yellow and magenta toners is formed on the surface of the photoconductor 57. The reverse flying of the yellow toner on the photoconductor 57 to the developing units 61 and 63 is not observed. The photoconductor 57 developed by the magenta toner is erased and recharged by the same method of forming the magenta toner image, and the surface of the photoconductor is exposed to light from the light emitting diode array 59, which corresponds to the current image signals. The surface potential of non-image part of the photoconductor 57 is +800 V regardless of the existence or non-existence of the toner, and the surface potential of the image part, where only the yellow or the magenta color toner is attached, is +110V and the suface potential is +120 V, where the yellow and the magenta color toners are overlapping. Next, the electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor 57 is reversely developed by the toner of cyanic color, when the photoconductor 57 passes before the developing units 61,62 and 63, provided that a D.C. potential of +750 V is applied to the toner carriers of the developing units 61 and 62, which contain toners of yellow and magenta color. A D.C. potential of +550 V is applied to the fur brushes of the developing units 61 and 62. A D.C. potential of +750 V is applied to the toner carrier of the developing unit 63 which contained the cyanic toner and a D.C. potential of +850 V is applied to the fur brush of the developing unit 63. After that, all the photoconductor 57 is irradiated by the erasing lamp 64, the toner image on the photoconductor 57 is transferred onto the plain paper 67 by the corona charger 65 (which the corona potential -5.5 kV), and the plain paper 67 is peeled off from the photoconductor by the AC detack charger 66. The toner image was transferred to the plain paper 67 is heated and fixed on the plain paper 67 by the heating fuser. After this transfer of the toner image, the toner remaining on the photoconductor 57 is cleaned up by the cleaning brush 68, and the photoconductor 57 is used for forming the next image. The contamination of each developing units by toners of the different colors was made after repeating the above-mentioned process 1000 times. The examination resulted in that any of these toners was not seen with the naked eye. Futhermore, comparison of the color copies made at the first time and at the 1000th time showed that both copies were clear enough and no difference of the picture qualities was distinguished. FIG.17 schematically shows a color printer used in another embodiment of the present invention. The color printer of this embodiment has three toner carriers 74, 78 and 79, rotation of which is freely controlled so that they rotate, when they are performing the development, or that they stop, when they are not performing the development. The surface potential of the photoconductor 69, which is made of amorphous selenium-tellurium formed on a cylindrical drum of 100 mm diameter and is rotated at a peripheral speed of 75 mm/s, is charged to +800 V by the corona charger 70 (wherein, the corona potential was +7 kV and the grid potential is +850 V). Then, the light emitting diode 71, emits light, wherein the output power is 7 µW and the wave length of the emitted light is 670 nm. The photoconductor 69 by passing before the rod lens array 72 is exposed to the emitted light. A solid area, which is to be developed and not involved in the image forming, is formed on the surface of the photoconductor 69 with a width of 10 mm width in relation to the rotational direction. After that the photoconductor 69 is exposed to light corresponding to the signal for the yellow color and the electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photoconductor 69. The electrostatic latent image was developed by the the yellow color toner, when the photoconductor 69 bearing the yellow toner 73 (charge quantity of the toner is +3 µC/g, the average particle diameter is 10 µm) passes beforethe toner carrier 74 (the diameter is 16 m; the peripheral speed is 75 mm/s; the thickness of the toner layer is 30 µm; and the developing gap to the photoconductor is 150µm). Then a D.C. potential 75 of +700 V is applied to the toner carrier 74. The thickness of the toner layer attached to the photoconductor 69 is about 10 µm. The photoconductor 69 holding the toner for the yellow color passes before the toner carriers 78 and 79, which respectively contain the toner 76 and the toner 77 for the magenta and cyanic colors and their rotation is stopped. Then D.C. potentials 80 and 81 of +180 V are applied to the toner carriers 78 and 79. Since the toners on the toner carriers containing the magenta and cyan toners were previously erased by the solid area on the photoconductor 69, the electrostatic latent image is not developed by these toners. When the electric charge on the photoconductor 69 has been completely erased by the erasing lamp 82, the surface of the photoconductor 69 is recharged by the corona charger 70. Regardless of the existance of the toner for the yellow color, the photoconductor 69 is charged to +800 V. Then, concerning the surface potentials of the photoconductor 69, on which the yellow toner is attached, the potential of the toner is about +50 V and that of the photoconductor itself is about +750 V. When a solid area of the electrostatic latent image part (having a width of 10 mm) was again formed on the photoconductor 69 by the light emitting diode 71, light corresponding to the magenta image signal is emitted onto the surface of the photoconductor 69. The surface potential of the part, where the toner of yellow color is attached, is decreased to about +80 V. Then the photoconductor 69 bearing the electrostatic magenta latent image is passed before the toner carrier 74 containing the toner of yellow color. Hereupon, rotation of the toner carrier 74 is kept stopped under the influence of the D.C. potential of +850 V. Therefore, the toner of yellow color 73 on the toner carrier 74 was previously removed by the solid area of the electrostatic latent image part. Therefore, the reversal flying of the toner from the non-image part of the photoconductor 69, where the yellow color toner was attached to the toner carrier 74, does not occur and the electrostatic magenta latent image is not developed by the toner 73 of yellow color. Furthermore, the electrostatic latent image is developed by the toner 76 of magenta color when the photoconductor 69 is passed before the toner carrier 78 (wherein the diameter is 16 mm, the peripheral speed is 75 mm/s, the thickness of the toner layer is 30 µm and the gap to the photoconductor is 150 µm) which holds the magenta toner 76, having a D.C. potential of +700 V applied thereto (the charge quantity of the toner is +3 µC/g and the average diameter of the particle is 10 µm). The photoconductor 69 was passed before the toner carrier 79. When the D.C. potential of +850 V was applied to the toner carrier 79 stopping the rotation, the toner 77 of cyanic color on a part of the toner carriage 79 facing to the photoconductor 69 had previously been erased by the solid area of electrostatic latent image. Therefore, the electrostatic latent image of magenta is not developed by the toner 77 of cyanic color. Furthermore, after recharging the photoconductor 69 with a potential of +800 V by the corona charger 70 and forming the solid area of the electrostatic latent image (its width being 10 mm) on the photoconductor 69 by the light emitting diode 71, the electrostatic cyanic latent image is formed on the photoconductor 69 by emitting the light signal corresponding to the cyan image. The electrostatic latent image is developed by the toner 77 of cyanic color. when the photoconductor 69 is passed before the toner carrier 79 (wherein the diameter is 16 mm, the peripheral speed is 75 mm/s, the thickness of the toner layer is 30 µm and the gap to the photoconductor is 150 µm) which holds the D.C. potential of +700 V (the charge quantity of the toner is +3 µC/g and the average diameter of the particles is 10 µm), applied to the toner 77 of cyanic color, potential of +850 V to the yellow and magenta toner carriers 74 and 78. The color toner image on the photoconductor 69 formed by the above-mentioned process is electrically completely erased by an erasing lamp 83, and transferred onto a paper 85 by a transfer charger 84. The paper 85 is peeled off from the photoconductor 69 by a detach charger 86, and the color toner image is fixed on the paper 85 by heating fuser. After transferring, the photoconductor 69 is electrically erased by a erasing charger 87. The remaining toner on the photoconductor 69 is cleaned up by a cleaning apparatus 88, and the photoconductor 69 is used for forming the next image . The obtained color picture is of high quality having a maximum density of 1.7 and having no color impurity. After repeating of the above-mentioned processes 3000 times, no toners of different color are mixed in a developer. A color copier of another embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.17 is constituted with developing units were movable in relation to the photoconductor 69. A color picture is formed on the same condition as mentioned above except the movement of the developing units. After charging the photoconductor 69 to +800 V and forming the electrostatic yellow latent image on the photoconductor 69 by light exposing it to the photoconductor 69 is passed before the toner carriers 74, 78 and 79. The electrostatic yellow latent image is developed by the toner 73 of yellow color on the same condition as in the case of the previously described embodiment. Then, a D.C. potential of + 700 V is applied to the toner carriers 78 and 79 of magenta and cyanic colors and they are arranged at a distance of 700 µm from the photoconductor 69, while keeping their rotation. As a result, neither the magenta nor cyanic toners are attached to the electrostatic latent image at all. When the toner carriers 78 and 79 are arranged at a distance of more than 500 µm, and they are electrically grounded or floated, a clear yellow toner image is obtained without fogging of the toners of different colors. The photoconductor 69 bearing the yellow toner image is recharged to +800 V by the corona charger 70 after blanket exposure by the erasing lamp 82. After forming the electrostatic magenta latent image, the photoconductor 69 is passed before the toner carrier 74. Then, a D.C. potential of +700 V is applied to the toner carrier, which is arranged at a distance of 700 µm from the photoconductor 69, while keeping its rotation. A magenta toner image is obtained by developing the photoconductor 69 by the magenta toner carrier 78 (the developing gap being 150 µm and applied potential being +700 V). Furthermore the photoconductor 69 is passed before the toner carrier 79 of cyanic color (the gap distance to the photoconductor being 700 µm and the applied potential being +700 V). The electrostatic cyanic latent image is formed by charging of +800 V and exposing the photoconductor 69 to light after complete electrical erasing by the erasing lamp 83. The photoconductor 69 is developed by the toner 77 of cyanic color, when it passes before the rotating toner carriers 74 and 78 of yellow and magenta (the gap distance to the photoconductor being 700 µm and the applied potential being +700 V) and the rotating toner carrier 79 of cyanic color (the gap distance being 150 µm and the applied potential being +700 V). A color picture is obtained by transferring and heat fixing in a manner similar to that of the previously described embodiment. As a result, a color picture having a maximum density of 1.7 and without any impurity of color is obtained. Even after repeating the above-mentioned processes 3000 times, toners of the different colors are not mixed in the color developing means.

Claims: A color electrophotographic apparatus comprising: latent impage forming means for forming a plurality of electrostatic latent images respectively corresponding to image signals of different colors on a surface of a photoconductor (33;34;44;57), developing means (37,40,41;45,48;54,55;61 to 63), to which a uniform non-magnetic toner layer (36,39,43) is attached, the surface of the toner layer being not in contact with the surface of the photoconductor, and the latent image being developed by flying of the toner from the developing means to the photoconductor under the influence of a DC electric field, wherein a plurality of the developing means (37,40,41; 45,48;54,55;61 to 63) are disposed in the vicinity of the photoconductor (33;34) and respectively contain toners of different colors corresponding to the different color image signals, toner image forming means (35) for forming a plurality of toner images of different colors on the surface of the photoconductor, by electrically charging the surface of the photoconductor and of the toner images, by exposing the surface of the photoconductor to light which corresponds to the current image signals, and by developing the latent images by respective toners corresponding to the current image signals, and reverse flying preventing means (38, 12; 49, 51) for preventing reverse flying of the toner from the developed images to any one of the developing means, which is not, at that moment, performing the development, characterized in that the latent images are developed under the influence of solely a D.C. electric field and that the gap between the toner carrier (29) and the photoconductor (33) is less than 500 µm. A color electrophotographic apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the reverse flying preventing means (38, 42; 49, 51) has a grounding means for selectively grounding a toner carrier (37, 41; 48, 45) of the developing means (37, 40, 41; 45, 48; 54, 55; 61 to 63). A color electrophotographic apparatus in accordance with claint 1 or 2, wherein the reverse flying preventing means (38, 42; 49, 51 ) has a means for applying to a toner carrier (37, 41 ; 48, 45) of the developing means (37, 40, 41; 45, 48; 54, 55; 61 to 63) a D.C. potential, which is equal to the potential of a non-image part of the latent image on the photoconductor (33; 34; 44; 57). A color electrophotographic apparatus in accordance with any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the reverse flying preventing means (49, 51 ) is arranged to apply the following steps; (1) forming a solid area of a region exposed to light on the photoconductor (57), (2) stopping the action of one toner carrier of the developing means (45, 48; 54, 55; 61 to 63), which is not, at that moment, performing the development, and (3) applying a potential substantially equal to that of a non-image part of the surface of the photoconductor (57) on the toner carrier for removing toners on the toner carrier on the said solid area of the region exposed to light. A color electrophotographic apparatus in accordance with any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the toner image forming means (35) is a means for reverse developing from negative to positive. A color electrophotographic apparatus in accordance with any of claims 1 to 5, wherein a first distance (l₁) between a toner carrier (55), which is not performing the development, and the photoconductor (54) is larger than a second distance (l₂) between another toner carrier (54), which performs the development, and the photoconductor. A color electrophotographic apparatus in accordance with claim 6, wherein the first distance (l₁) and the second distance (l₂) are respectively set as l₁ > 500 µm and 300 > l₂ > 50 µm.

Inventors: TAKASHIMA, YUJI, YAMAMOTO, HAJIME
Applicants: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
Application year: 1986
Main classification: G03G15
IPC codes: G03G15