Developing Roller Voltage Control for Toner Exhaustion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrophotographic image forming apparatuses often produce vague images when toner is nearing exhaustion, leading to poor image quality due to inefficient toner supply during the printing process.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a detector that adjusts voltage supply modes based on remaining toner levels, ensuring efficient developer material distribution by modifying the developing bias voltage and voltage difference to prevent toner shortages and maintain image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If printing continues when toner is nearing exhaustion, then productivity is maintained, but image quality deteriorates due to vague images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the voltage supply mode adjustable based on toner remaining levels. The system transitions from a static voltage supply approach to a dynamic one where the controller switches between first mode (normal operation) and second mode (toner exhaustion prevention) based on real-time toner level detection, thereby maintaining image quality while extending printing capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the voltage parameter (developing bias voltage) based on toner remaining levels. When toner is充足, the system operates in first mode with standard voltage. When toner is nearing exhaustion, the system switches to second mode with adjusted voltage parameters to optimize toner supply efficiency, preventing vague images and extending usable printing capacity
2Productivity
If voltage is increased to supply more toner, then toner supply efficiency improves, but toner consumption increases unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by adjusting voltage only when necessary (when toner is nearing exhaustion). The system does not continuously apply high voltage to supply toner, but rather switches to the second mode with adjusted voltage parameters only when the detector signals low toner levels, thereby improving toner supply efficiency without causing unnecessary toner consumption during normal operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through the detector that continuously monitors toner remaining levels and provides information to the controller. The controller uses this feedback to intelligently switch between voltage supply modes, ensuring that voltage adjustments are made only when needed to maintain optimal toner supply efficiency while preventing excessive toner consumption
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 prevents vague images by optimizing toner supply, ensuring consistent image quality even when toner levels are low, and prevents unnecessary toner consumption, thereby extending the printing capacity before replenishment is needed.
Implementation Method 1
The voltage supply applies a first voltage to the developing member and a second voltage to the supplying member... The voltage controller performs voltage correction in which the voltage supply outputs the first voltage and the second voltage either in a first mode or in a second mode
Implementation Method 2
The detector generates a detection signal indicative of an amount of the developer material remaining in a developer material reservoir
Implementation Method 3
The exposing section illuminates a surface of a charged image bearing body to form dots that form an electrostatic latent image of a print job
Data Source
AI summary
A supplying roller supplies toner to a developing roller which develops an electrostatic latent image formed on a photoconductive drum. The controller controls a power supply to output a first voltage to the developing roller and a second voltage to the supplying roller. A detector generates a detection signal indicative of the remaining amount of toner. The voltage controller performs voltage correction according to the detection signal either in a first mode or a second mode. In the first mode, the first voltage has a smaller value when the detection signal falls below a reference value than when the detection signal is above the reference value. In the second mode, the first voltage has a smaller value when the detection signal falls below the reference value than when the detection signal is above the reference value (as in the first mode), and also the difference between the first and second voltages has a larger value when the detection signal falls below the reference value than when the detection signal is above the reference value.