Development Roller Surface Treatment Using Magnetic Abrasives

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing development rollers face issues with uniform developer supply to photo conductive drums, leading to variations in image quality due to carrier attachment and surface wear, which affects the longevity and reliability of image forming apparatuses.

Innovation Solution

A development roller system with a magnetic roller and a surface treatment device using magnetic abrasive grains and a wire member to uniformly treat the development sleeve's surface, ensuring consistent developer supply and preventing image variations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If sand blast processing or roughing treatment is provided on the development sleeve surface, then developer supply is improved, but surface wear occurs affecting longevity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeveloper supply uniformityVSAvoidsurface durability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the surface treatment parameters by using magnetic abrasive grains with specific size ranges (5-20 μm) and controlling the magnetic field strength (0.01-0.1 T) to achieve optimal roughness (Ra 0.1-1.0 μm) that balances developer supply with surface durability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces conventional mechanical sand blast processing with a magnetic field-based surface treatment system where magnetic abrasive grains are suspended and moved by magnetic fields, eliminating the harsh mechanical impact while achieving effective surface roughening

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If the development sleeve rotates to feed developer, then developer supply is facilitated, but carrier attachment to the photo conductive drum occurs causing image variations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeveloper feeding efficiencyVSAvoidimage quality consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the surface roughness parameter of the development sleeve to a controlled range (Ra 0.1-1.0 μm) that optimizes developer adhesion while preventing carrier attachment, and adjusts the magnetic field strength (0.01-0.1 T) to control developer distribution uniformly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates localized surface characteristics with specific roughness patterns that differ in various regions of the development sleeve, allowing optimal developer supply at the contact point while preventing carrier attachment in other areas

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If conventional sand blast is used to roughen the surface, then developer conveyance is improved, but the process is complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface treatment effectivenessVSAvoidsurface treatment time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention substitutes mechanical sand blast equipment with a magnetic field-based system where magnetic abrasive grains are suspended in a fluid and moved by magnetic fields, dramatically reducing treatment time while achieving uniform surface roughness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a magnetic field as an intermediary to transfer energy and motion to the abrasive grains, enabling controlled surface treatment without direct mechanical contact and reducing processing time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 ensures uniform developer supply, reduces carrier attachment, and maintains high image quality over a long period by effectively managing surface wear and maintaining the developer's picked-up amount.

Implementation Method 1

a magnetic roller disposed in the development sleeve and in which a developer including a toner and a magnetic carrier is adsorbed to an outer surface of the development sleeve by a magnetic force of the magnet roller

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

a surface treatment device configured to treat the outer surface of the development sleeve

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic abrasive grains: Abrasion

Implementation Method 3

a wire member that roughens the outer surface of the development sleeve

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical roughening: Abrasion

Data Source

PatentUS8175501B2Development roller including a development sleeve, surface treatment device that treats an outer surface of the development sleeve and wire member that roughens the outer surface of the development sleeve

Publication Date: 2012.05.08 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

A development roller, including a development sleeve disposed near a photo conductive drum, a magnetic roller disposed in the development sleeve, and a supplying device configured to supply a developer including a toner and a magnetic carrier to the photo conductive drum uniformly, the development sleeve having an outer surface on which the developer including the toner and the magnetic carrier is adsorbed by a magnetic force of the magnetic roller.