Developing Device Voltage Control for Vertical Streak Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses using fresh developing devices with minimal coating agent on the development roller often experience vertical streaks due to insufficient toner supply, leading to foreign substances entering the gaps between the regulation blade and development roller, which increases production costs and labor to maintain a clean environment.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a developing device that includes a voltage applying device to apply different voltages during an initial installing operation to urge the coating agent toward the regulation member, ensuring a sufficient toner supply and preventing foreign substances from entering the gaps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a fresh developing device with minimal coating agent is used, then the friction between development roller and regulation blade is reduced, but vertical streaks occur due to insufficient toner supply
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a preliminary coating of coating agent on the development roller before shipping, and performs an initial installing operation that applies voltage to urge the coating agent toward the regulation member. This preliminary action ensures sufficient toner supply is established before normal operation begins, preventing vertical streaks while maintaining low friction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the voltage parameter during the initial installing operation to a value different from normal operation, specifically applying a voltage that urges the coating agent toward the regulation member. This parameter change enables the coating agent to be properly positioned to prevent vertical streaks while maintaining the minimal coating approach.
2Quantity of substance
If a fresh developing device with minimal coating agent is used, then production costs are reduced, but foreign substances enter the gaps between regulation blade and development roller
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs a preliminary coating of the development roller with coating agent before shipping, and executes an initial installing operation that applies voltage to urge the coating agent toward the regulation member. This preliminary action creates a sufficient toner supply that prevents foreign substances from entering the gaps between the regulation blade and development roller during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies a different voltage parameter during the initial installing operation compared to normal operation. This voltage parameter is specifically set to urge the coating agent toward the regulation member, ensuring that the coating agent is properly positioned to block foreign substances from entering gaps, while maintaining minimal overall coating agent quantity.
3Force
If coating agent is applied to development roller before shipping, then friction is reduced and toner supply is improved, but control over coating agent application becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies voltage to the development roller and/or regulation member during the initial installing operation, which automatically urges the coating agent toward the regulation member without requiring complex external control mechanisms. This self-service approach simplifies the control system while achieving proper coating agent distribution and reducing friction.
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 prevents vertical streaks by ensuring a sufficient coating agent is collected in the toner capturing area, reducing the occurrence of defects and maintaining image quality, while also reducing the need for strict control over coating agent application and minimizing production costs.
Implementation Method 1
a voltage applying device capable of applying to the developer carrying member and the developer regulating member respective voltages different from each other... applies to at least one of the developer carrying member and the developer regulating member a voltage for the initial installing operation
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a detachably mountable developing device including a developer container, a developer carrying member, a feeding member, provided in contact with the developer carrying member, for supplying the developer to the developer carrying member, and a developer regulator; and a voltage device capable of applying to the developer carrying member and the developer regulator respective voltages different from each other. The image forming apparatus carries out, when a fresh developing device is mounted, an initial operation in which the developer carrying member is rotated. In the initial operation, the voltage device applies, to at least one of the developer carrying member and the developer regulator, a voltage for the initial operation which is different from the voltage for normal image forming operation, so as to urge a material applied to the developer carrying member in the fresh developing device toward the developer regulator from the developer carrying member.