Development Device Toner Scattering Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Toner scattering within image forming apparatuses leads to soiling and maintenance issues, with existing solutions requiring additional power sources, increasing costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a development device featuring a rotatable developing member and a magnet with multiple magnetic poles, along with a plate-like electrode, applies direct-current voltages to separate toner from the air discharge path, preventing scattering without the need for a dedicated power source.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If voltage is applied to a conductive member in the air discharge path to remove scattered toner, then toner scattering is effectively prevented, but a dedicated power source is required which increases costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the scattering prevention electrode function with the existing development voltage power source by applying development voltage to the plate-like electrode formed from the developer container wall. This eliminates the need for a dedicated power source while maintaining the function of preventing toner scattering through electrostatic attraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The development voltage power source is made multi-functional by also using it to drive the scattering prevention electrode. The same power source that drives the development sleeve now also prevents toner scattering, reducing overall system complexity and cost.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a conductive member is arranged opposite the development sleeve with voltage application, then charged toner is removed from discharging air, but device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the scattering prevention function from the conventional conductive member arrangement and integrates it into the existing developer container structure. The plate-like electrode is formed directly from the container wall material, eliminating the need for separate conductive components and reducing structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The scattering prevention electrode is implemented as a thin plate-like structure formed from the developer container wall itself. This thin-film approach reduces material usage and structural complexity while maintaining the electrostatic field necessary for toner capture.
3Ease of operation
If conventional development device structure is used, then development function is maintained, but toner scattering occurs causing soiling and maintenance issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by creating an electrostatic field in the air discharge path before toner can scatter. The plate-like electrode generates an electrostatic attraction that captures charged toner particles, preventing them from reaching the air discharge path and causing soiling or maintenance issues.
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 prevents toner scattering, reducing soiling and maintenance needs, while utilizing existing power sources to minimize costs and apparatus complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a plate-like electrode arranged downstream of the position where the electrostatic image formed onto the image bearing member is developed and upstream of the second magnetic pole with respect to a rotational direction of the rotatable developing member so as to face the outer circumferential surface of the rotatable developing member; applying a first direct-current voltage to the plate-like electrode so that an absolute value of the first direct-current voltage is greater than an absolute value of the second direct-current voltage
Implementation Method 2
a magnet fixedly arranged inside the rotatable developing member, including a plurality of magnetic poles, and configured to generate a magnetic field for separating the developer that has passed the position where the electrostatic image formed onto the image bearing member is developed from an outer circumferential surface of the rotatable developing member
Implementation Method 3
a rotatable developing member configured to carry and feed the developer toward a position where an electrostatic image formed onto the image bearing member is developed
Data Source
AI summary
A development device includes a power source capable of applying a second voltage higher than a first voltage to be applied to a developer bearing member, a scattering prevention electrode that is arranged opposite the developer bearing member and to which the second voltage is applied from the power source, and a step-down circuit. The step-down circuit steps down a voltage from the power source from the second voltage to the first voltage to apply the stepped-down voltage to the developer bearing member.