Electrostatic recording head, image recording apparatus, developing agent supplying device, display device and method of producing electrostatic recording head

An image recording apparatus comprising:

• a cylindrical recording member rotatable at a predetermined speed;
• an electrostatic recording head opposing said recording member along a generatrix of a cylindrical surface of said recording member;
• a developing agent supplying device disposed above a developing agent reservoir which is defined by said electrostatic recording head and said recording member at a trailing side of said electrostatic recording head as viewed in a direction of rotation of said recording member;
• a developing agent collecting device including a magnet which is disposed to oppose said surface of said recording member at a downstream side of said electrostatic recording head;
• a transfer device including a transfer roller which is pressed to said surface of said recording member at a leading side of said developing agent collecting device as viewed in said direction of rotation of said recording member;
• a recording paper supplying device for supplying a sheet of recording paper into a nip between said transfer roller and said recording member;
• and
• a fixing device for clamping said recording paper after it is discharged from said nip so as to fix developing agent transferred to said recording paper by said transfer device;
• wherein said electrostatic recording head comprises:
• a recording electrode having a plurality of linear electrodes arranged in a common plane at predetermined intervals;
• a magnet disposed at one side of said recording electrode;
• and
• a magnetic member disposed at a side of said recording electrode opposite to said magnet;
• said magnet being disposed such that magnetic lines of force pass through an end of said recording electrode towards a portion of said recording member opposed by said end of said recording electrode, said electrostatic recording head being arranged with said side at which said magnetic member is disposed being directed to said trailing side of said electrostatic recording head at an inclination of a predetermined angle towards said trailing side with respect to a line normal to said cylindrical surface of said recording member;
• and
• wherein said developing agent supplying device comprises:
• a hopper for storing a developing agent;
• and
• a developing agent supply rate control means provided in a bottom opening of said hopper;
• said bottom opening of said hopper having an elongated form and having a length substantially corresponding to a recording width, said developing agent supply rate control means including a cylindrical rotary member disposed to close said bottom opening of said hopper and having a slit extending in an axial direction of said rotary member.

A method of producing an electrostatic recording head comprising the steps of:

• preparing a recording electrode having an insulating substrate and a plurality of linear electrodes arrayed on one side of said insulating substrate at predetermined intervals;
• securing a non-magnetized permanent magnet member to the same side of said recording electrode as said insulating substrate;
• and
• magnetizing said permanent magnet member such that magnetic lines of force from said magnetized permanent magnet member run through an end of said recording electrode towards a portion of a recording member opposed by said end of said recording electrode.