Charging Brush Toner Transfer for Image Quality
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrophotographic image forming apparatuses face issues with toner particles being transferred onto the recording medium, leading to image quality deterioration and delayed start of image forming operations due to inefficient toner removal from the intermediate transfer belt.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a charging member and controller that halts the rotation of the image bearing member to transfer accumulated toner particles back onto the image bearing surface, preventing their transfer to the recording medium and allowing for immediate start of image forming operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cleaning member is provided to remove residual toner particles from the intermediate transfer belt, then toner removal efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The charging brush is designed to perform dual functions: during normal operation, it charges toner particles for transfer; during the halt period, it transfers accumulated toner back to the belt. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate cleaning components, reducing device complexity while maintaining effective toner removal
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own operational components (charging brush and controller) to perform the cleaning function. The charging brush serves itself by transferring accumulated toner back to the belt during the halt period, eliminating the need for external cleaning mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity
2Reliability
If the intermediate transfer belt is circulated to transport toner particles into the charging brush contact region, then toner removal is improved, but the start time of image forming operation is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The controller halts the intermediate transfer belt during a predetermined period before the next image forming operation to enable toner transfer from the charging brush back to the belt. This preliminary action ensures the belt is ready for immediate operation, eliminating delays while maintaining effective toner removal
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic halting of the intermediate transfer belt during predetermined periods to facilitate toner transfer. This periodic action allows the charging brush to clear accumulated toner without delaying the start of image forming operations, as the belt is halted only during these periodic intervals
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Prevents toner stains on the recording medium and enables timely initiation of image forming operations by effectively managing toner particle transfer and accumulation, enhancing image quality and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
when the power supply 184 is turned on, electric current flows from the power supply 184 to the scraper 178 through the scraper 178, the collecting roller 177, the cleaning brush 142, the intermediate transfer belt 130, and the charging brush 174. This results in that most of the toner particles on the intermediate transfer belt 177 are electrically charged into a negative polarity
Implementation Method 2
The negatively charged toner particles are then transported by the rotation of the belt 130 in the contact region of the cleaning brush 142 and the intermediate belt 130 where they are electrically attracted by the cleaning brush 142 and then removed from the intermediate transfer belt 177
Implementation Method 3
a controller for controlling an image forming operation in which the toner image is provided to a recording medium; and a transfer operation in which the rotation of the image bearing member is halted and then toner particles accumulated in the brush are transferred onto the image bearing surface at the charging region
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus performs an image forming operation and an untransferred toner particles transfer operation. In particular, the image forming apparatus has an image bearing member, the image bearing member having an endless image bearing surface and supported for rotation, a charging member made of a brush provided in contact with the image bearing surface to define a charging region, and a controller. The controller controls the image forming operation in which the toner image is provided to a recording medium and the transfer operation the transfer operation in which the rotation of the image bearing member is halted and then toner particles accumulated in the brush are transferred onto the image bearing surface at the charging region.