Developer Storing Member Prevents Blade Curling in Image Formers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses face issues with blade curling due to developer shortages on the photoreceptor surface, especially during low-density image formation, as the limited storage capacity of brushes cannot adequately supply developer, leading to insufficient lubrication and increased friction.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a storing member downstream from the transfer member and upstream from the blade, controlled by a unit to release stored developer after a predetermined time when image density drops below a certain value, ensuring continuous lubrication and preventing blade curling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a brush stores developer to prevent blade curling, then blade protection is improved, but the storage capacity is limited and cannot handle continuous low-density image formation
Solution Approach 1:
The brush stores developer in advance during high-density image formation or idle periods, preparing the lubricant before it is needed during low-density image formation. This preliminary storage ensures that when developer demand decreases, the brush has sufficient reserves to prevent blade curling.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the amount of developer stored in the brush based on image density parameters. During continuous low-density image formation, the control unit modifies the brush operation to release stored developer, thereby adapting the lubrication level to match the reduced developer supply from the developing device.
2Reliability
If developer is released immediately when image density drops, then blade lubrication is improved, but developer may be released too early causing waste or insufficient supply later
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors image density and adjusts the developer release timing from the brush accordingly. When image density drops below a threshold, the system delays release for a predetermined period, then releases stored developer. This feedback mechanism ensures developer is released at the optimal moment when it is actually needed, preventing both premature release and late intervention.
3Quantity of substance
If a brush is used to store developer, then developer availability is improved, but the brush structure adds complexity to the system
Solution Approach 1:
The brush serves multiple functions: it acts as a developer storage reservoir, a transfer mechanism for supplying developer to the photoreceptor, and a lubrication source for blade protection. By making the brush multi-functional, the system avoids adding separate components for each function, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining developer availability.
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 solution effectively reduces the risk of blade curling and maintains adequate developer levels on the photoreceptor surface, preventing abrasions and ensuring proper cleaning, even during low-density image formation by delaying developer release until necessary.
Implementation Method 1
the developer serves as a lubricant between the photoreceptor surface and the blade
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus having: an image supporting member; a developing device configured to supply a developer to the image supporting member to develop a latent image; a transfer member configured to transfer the developed image from the image supporting member to a transfer medium; a blade configured to remove the developer left on the image supporting member after transfer therefrom; a storing member located downstream from the transfer member and upstream from the blade, the storing member configured to temporarily store a part of the developer left after transfer therein; and a control unit. The storing member is controlled by the control unit to release the temporarily stored developer therefrom toward the image supporting member after a lapse of a predetermined time from when an image density of an image to be formed becomes lower than a predetermined value.