Developer Bearing Speed Control for Toner Leakage Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrophotographic image forming apparatuses face issues with toner leakage and unusual noise due to friction between the developing blade and development roller, particularly when the toner sealing member is unsealed, leading to increased manufacturing costs and user inconvenience.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a developer bearing member and a control unit that adjusts driving speeds to manage the unsealing of the toner sealing member, ensuring toner is supplied to the development chamber efficiently, thereby reducing frictional noise and eliminating the need for lubricant application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If lubricant is applied to the contact portion between the development roller and developing blade, then frictional force is reduced, but manufacturing cost increases due to additional material and application process
Solution Approach 1:
The development roller uses itself as the lubricant source by rotating to supply toner to the contact portion between the development roller and developing blade, eliminating the need for external lubricant application processes while reducing frictional force
Solution Approach 2:
Toner acts as an intermediary substance between the development roller and developing blade, providing lubrication function without requiring separate lubricant materials or application processes
2Ease of operation
If the toner sealing member is unsealed immediately upon cartridge attachment, then usability is improved, but toner leakage due to vibrations or impact during distribution cannot be prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The toner sealing member remains sealed during distribution and transport, and is automatically unsealed only after the cartridge is properly attached to the image forming apparatus, ensuring both protection during transit and convenience during use
Solution Approach 2:
The sealed state prevents toner leakage during distribution by creating a barrier against vibrations and impacts, while the sealing is removed only when needed for operation
3Loss of time
If the development roller rotates without toner at the contact portion, then the cartridge can be attached quickly, but frictional force causes the developing blade to vibrate and produce unusual noise
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary rotation of the development roller at a first speed to quickly supply toner to the contact portion before normal operation begins, preventing noise during the critical initial phase
Solution Approach 2:
The development roller rotates at different speeds depending on the operational phase: first speed during initial toner supply and second speed during normal operation, optimizing both quick startup and noise prevention
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
The solution effectively prevents toner leakage and unusual noise during initial rotation, reducing manufacturing costs and improving usability by ensuring proper toner supply and minimizing friction at the developing blade and roller contact points.
Implementation Method 1
the frictional force between the development roller and the developing blade vibrates the developing blade, which causes unusual noise due to blade squeaking
Implementation Method 2
lubricant is applied to a contact portion between the development roller and the developing blade at an initial (new) state. This may reduce frictional force applied to the contact portion at the initial state
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus is provided which can reduce occurrence of unusual noise. The image forming apparatus includes a driving motor configured to drive a developer bearing member and a control unit which can control the driving motor between a first driving speed and a second driving speed higher than the first driving speed. In a case where the first driving speed is equal to the driving speed of the image forming operation, the control unit controls the driving motor to drive at the second driving speed while an unsealing operation is being performed.