Developing Device Seal Member Cleaning via Electrostatic Latent Image
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electrophotographic image forming apparatuses, high-speed toner stirring leads to toner scattering and deposition around the developing device, causing toner drops and image malfunctions due to the complex structure and high-speed rotation of components like the magnetic roller and developing roller.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a developing device that includes a toner receiving support member and oscillation generation means, which forms an electrostatic latent image pattern with exposed and unexposed parts at a predetermined interval to clean toner from the seal member by rotating the image carrier, preventing toner leakage and deposition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high-speed rotation of magnetic roller and developing roller is used to support faster processing, then productivity is improved, but toner scattering and deposition around the developing device increases causing image malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes deposited toner from the developing device by forming an electrostatic latent image pattern on the image carrier surface and rotating the image carrier to bring the pattern into contact with the seal member, thereby transferring and removing toner deposits that would otherwise cause image malfunctions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the electrostatic latent image pattern as an intermediary medium to transfer toner from the seal member to the image carrier. The latent image pattern acts as a temporary carrier that facilitates toner removal without direct mechanical contact with the high-speed rotating components
2Productivity
If complex structure with multiple components is used to achieve color printing and faster processing, then productivity is improved, but toner scattering and deposition increases causing image malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the image carrier to perform self-cleaning by utilizing its own electrostatic latent image pattern to attract and transfer toner deposits from the seal member. The system uses its inherent electrostatic properties to automatically remove toner without requiring additional complex cleaning mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent discards deposited toner from the developing device by transferring it to the image carrier through electrostatic attraction. The toner is effectively discarded from the problematic location (seal member and developing device periphery) and recovered on the image carrier where it can be properly handled in the imaging process
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
Effectively reduces toner drops and maintains image quality by collecting toner adhered to the seal member, enhancing the cleaning efficiency and preventing image malfunctions during high-speed processing.
Implementation Method 1
forms an electrostatic latent image pattern having exposed parts and unexposed parts whose boundaries exist at a predetermined or less interval over the entire area in a width direction of an image forming area of the image carrier... drives the image carrier to rotate so that the electrostatic latent image pattern passes the seal member
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, an electrification device, an exposing device, developing device, and a control unit. The developing device includes a developing roller for supplying toner to the image carrier, a developing container for storing developer containing the toner, and a seal member for preventing leakage of the toner from a gap between the image carrier and the developing container. The control unit is capable of executing a seal member cleaning mode, in which it forms an electrostatic latent image pattern having exposed parts and unexposed parts whose boundaries exist at a predetermined or less interval over the entire area in a width direction of an image forming area of the image carrier when an image is not being formed, and drives the image carrier to rotate so that the electrostatic latent image pattern passes the seal member.