Developing Device Film Member Oscillation for Toner Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In high-speed electro-photographic image forming apparatuses, the accumulation of toner particles around the developing roller and magnetic roller leads to image defects due to floating toner particles, which can adhere to the developing roller and cause issues during the image formation process.
Innovation Solution
A developing device with a flexible film member on the inner wall of the developing container that oscillates and reciprocates, aided by a link member drive mechanism, to effectively shake off accumulated toner particles and prevent them from adhering to the developing roller, thereby reducing image defects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a two-component developer containing magnetic carrier and toner is used with a magnetic roller and developing roller, then high-speed processing capability is improved, but floating toner particles accumulate around the trimming blade causing image defects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a vibration mechanism to the film member that contacts the developing roller. The vibration causes the film member to oscillate and shake off accumulated toner particles, preventing them from adhering to the developing roller and causing image defects. This mechanical vibration directly addresses the reliability issue while maintaining high-speed processing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The film member performs periodic reciprocating motion, moving back and forth along the developing roller surface. This periodic action continuously removes accumulated toner particles, ensuring consistent image quality during high-speed operation. The periodic movement creates repeated contact and separation cycles that effectively prevent toner adhesion.
2Productivity
If the rotation speed of the developing roller is increased for high-speed processing, then productivity is improved, but toner particles float and accumulate more readily causing image defects
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration mechanism applied to the film member creates oscillating motion that counteracts the centrifugal forces generated by high-speed rotation. This vibration actively shakes off floating toner particles before they can accumulate on the developing roller, allowing the system to maintain high rotation speeds without suffering from toner accumulation problems.
Solution Approach 2:
The film member acts as an intermediary between the developing roller and the toner particles. By introducing this intermediate element with vibration capability, the system can manage toner accumulation issues without directly modifying the developing roller's high-speed rotation, thus maintaining productivity while eliminating harmful effects.
3Reliability
If a vibration mechanism is added to remove toner particles, then image quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a thin film member instead of a complex rigid mechanical vibration system. The film's flexibility allows it to conform to the developing roller surface while the vibration mechanism can be integrated into the film's support structure. This approach achieves toner removal with minimal added complexity compared to traditional rigid mechanical systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The film member serves multiple functions: it contacts the developing roller surface, transmits vibration to remove toner particles, and maintains the developer mixture between the rollers. By combining these functions into a single component, the patent avoids the complexity of multiple separate mechanisms while achieving reliable image quality.
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 reduces toner accumulation on the developing device's inner surfaces, preventing image defects such as toner dropping and ensuring consistent image quality even at high rotation speeds without the need for additional toner removal members, resulting in a compact and efficient configuration.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member (43) coupled to one longitudinal end of the film member (40) to give tension to the film member (40)
Implementation Method 2
The link member drive mechanism makes the link member intermittently pull the film member to thereby cause reciprocation of the film member in a longitudinal direction
Implementation Method 3
The oscillation mechanism causes an upper end portion of the film member to oscillate in a direction orthogonal to the upper surface of the inner wall portion along with the reciprocation of the film member
Implementation Method 4
a magnetic roller which carries the developer and a developing roller which carries only the toner, in an opposing portion of the developing roller and the magnetic roller, a magnetic brush is formed on the magnetic roller, and by the magnetic brush, only the toner is caused to be carried on the developing roller
Implementation Method 5
in an opposing region (developing region) where the developing roller and the photosensitive drum face each other, toner particles are caused to jump to, and adhere to, an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum by an AC electric field
Data Source
AI summary
A developing device includes a developing roller, a toner supply roller, a casing, a film member, a biasing member, a link member, a link member drive mechanism, and an oscillation mechanism. The film member is disposed on an upper surface of an inner wall portion of the casing, with the biasing member coupled to one longitudinal end of the film member. The link member is coupled to the other longitudinal end of the film member. The link member drive mechanism drives the link member. The link member drive mechanism makes the link member intermittently pull the film member to thereby cause reciprocation of the film member in a longitudinal direction. The oscillation mechanism causes an upper end portion of the film member to oscillate in a direction orthogonal to the upper surface of the inner wall portion along with the reciprocation of the film member.