| 摘要 |
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To control the thickness of a film of liquid developer on a latent image carrier so that it is constant and to keep satisfactory image-quality at all times by controlling the thickness of the film of the liquid developer on the surface of the latent image carrier according to the temperature of the latent image carrier or liquid developer. SOLUTION: The thickness of the film of the liquid developer on the photoreceptor drum 30Y, after a change in the viscosity of the liquid developer with the temperature of an environment and then the passage of a reverse roller 38Y varying with the change, is controlled so that the thickness is properly constant for obtaining a satisfactory image. That is, using a liquid-developer temperature sensor set in a liquid- developer container, the temperature of the liquid developer is detected. The result of the detection is converted into a digital signal by an AD converter and sent into the CPU of a main control part, and the temperature of the liquid developer is judged. In the case the temperature of the liquid developer is judged to be low, a heater provided on the lower part or side of the liquid-developer container or in the container is turned on via a driver circuit, thereby heating the liquid developer in the liquid- developer container and keeping the temperature of the liquid developer constant. |
