Cleaning Time Determination for Image Forming Device Toner Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current image forming devices waste time in the toner transfer process due to a fixed duration for biases supplied to the recovering member and transfer roller, leading to inefficient cleaning and potential toner residue on the photosensitive drums and recovering members.
Innovation Solution
An image forming device that calculates the developer use amount in multiple areas of the photosensitive drum and transfer belt, determining the cleaning time based on the maximum value to ensure an appropriate duration for transferring adhered substances, thereby optimizing the cleaning process and preventing residue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If a fixed duration for biases is supplied to the recovering member and transfer roller, then the cleaning process is simple to control, but time is wastefully consumed or toner remains on the recovering member and photosensitive drum
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the cleaning process duration variable rather than fixed. The control unit adjusts the cleaning time dynamically based on the developer use amount detected by the detection unit. When the developer use amount exceeds a threshold, the cleaning process is executed for a longer period; otherwise, it is executed for a shorter period or skipped entirely. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by optimizing time loss while maintaining simple control through automated detection and calculation.
2Productivity
If a constant time is used for the toner transfer process, then the control is simple, but either a long time is wastefully consumed or the toner remains on the recovering member and photosensitive drum
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using the detection unit to monitor the developer use amount and then adjusting the cleaning process parameters accordingly. The control unit receives feedback from the detection unit about the actual developer consumption, calculates the appropriate cleaning time based on this feedback, and executes the cleaning process with the optimized duration. This feedback mechanism ensures both high productivity (by avoiding unnecessary long cleaning times) and reliability (by ensuring sufficient cleaning time when needed).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the cleaning process duration parameter based on the developer use amount. Instead of using a constant time parameter, the system calculates a variable time parameter proportional to the detected developer consumption. This parameter change allows the system to adapt the cleaning time to actual needs, improving both productivity and reliability simultaneously.
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
This approach allows for a necessary and adequate cleaning time, reducing waste in the toner transfer process, shortening the time between image formation and cleaning, and preventing toner residue on the recovering member and photosensitive drum.
Implementation Method 1
a recovering bias is supplied to the recovering member. By the effect of the recovering bias, the toner remaining on the outer surface of the photosensitive drum is transferred to the recovering member
Implementation Method 2
a bias whose polarity is opposite to the recovering bias is supplied to the recovering member. By the effect of the bias supplied to the recovering member, the toner held on the recovering member is returned to the outer surface of the photosensitive drum
Implementation Method 3
a bias whose polarity is the same as that of a transfer bias is supplied to each transfer roller. By the effect of the bias supplied to each transfer roller, the toner returned to the outer surface of the photosensitive drum is transferred to the carrying belt
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming device, comprising: a recovering member that is provided for the at least one photosensitive body and recovers adhered substances adhered to the at least one photosensitive body; a belt cleaner that removes the adhered substances adhered to the transfer belt; a cleaning process execution unit that executes a cleaning process in which the adhered substances are transferred from the recovering member to the transfer belt via the at least one photosensitive body; a use amount calculation unit that divides a developer image for transferring to the sheet-like medium into a plurality of areas in a main scanning direction so as to calculate a developer use amount in each of the plurality of areas; and a cleaning time determination unit that determines a time for which the cleaning process is executed, based on a maximum value of the developer use amounts of the plurality of areas.