Developing Device Speed Control for Toner Adhesion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face issues with toner splatters and decreased toner charge when a large amount of toner is required, particularly with high toner density, leading to inefficiencies and product defects.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus incorporates a speed changing unit that reduces the drive rotational speed of developing devices and image formation operations in a high development mode, adjusting toner density and supply to prevent toner splatters and maintain productivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If high toner density is used to achieve large amount of toner adhesion, then toner adhesion amount is improved, but toner charge decreases causing toner splatters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the drive rotational speed of the developing device variable rather than fixed. The controller adjusts the drive rotational speed based on the toner adhesion amount requirement, specifically reducing speed in high development mode to prevent toner splatters while maintaining adequate mixing and charging performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameter (drive rotational speed) of the developing device to resolve the contradiction. By lowering the drive rotational speed when high toner adhesion is required, the system maintains toner charge stability and prevents splatters while still achieving the necessary toner transfer amount
2Object-affected harmful factors
If drive rotational speed of developing device is reduced to suppress toner splatters, then toner splatter occurrence is reduced, but image formation productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the drive rotational speed based on operational mode. In normal mode, the device operates at standard speed for high productivity. In high development mode, the speed is reduced only when necessary to suppress toner splatters, thereby optimizing the balance between quality and productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The controller periodically monitors and adjusts the drive rotational speed based on the selected mode and toner adhesion requirements. This periodic adjustment ensures that speed reduction is applied only during high development mode operations, maintaining high productivity during normal operations
3Quantity of substance
If toner density in developing device is increased, then toner adhesion capability is improved, but toner charge decreases leading to splatters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the drive rotational speed parameter in response to increased toner density conditions. When high toner density is used to achieve large toner adhesion, the controller reduces the drive rotational speed to maintain proper toner charging and prevent splatters
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes image forming units, supply devices, and a speed changing unit. The image forming units form toner images of different colors. Each of the image forming units includes a developing device containing toner of a corresponding one of the different colors. The supply devices supply toner to the developing devices. In a high development mode, the speed changing unit changes a drive rotational speed of the developing device or a speed of an image formation operation to a lower speed compared with a case of a normal mode. The normal mode is a mode in which a toner image is formed with a normal amount of toner adhesion. The high development mode is a mode in which at least one of the image forming units forms a toner image with a large amount of toner adhesion.