Image Forming Apparatus Cleaning via Preliminary Particle Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing image forming apparatus in electrophotographic systems experiences image defects such as vertical black stripes due to the lack of externally added particles, which are not effectively supplied to the cleaning blade during the non-image-formation period, leading to faulty cleaning.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a developer bearing member with externally added particles that contacts the image bearing member and intermediate transfer member during the non-image-formation period, ensuring the cleaning blade receives the toner external additive and forms a blocking layer, preventing faulty cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the developing roller is separated from the photosensitive drum in the non-image-formation period, then the printing speed is maintained and continuous printing is enabled, but the externally added particles are not supplied to the cleaning blade, causing faulty cleaning and vertical black stripes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by bringing the developing roller into contact with the photosensitive drum before the cleaning operation in the non-image-formation period. This ensures that externally added particles are transferred to the photosensitive drum surface and subsequently to the cleaning blade, preparing the cleaning blade for effective cleaning before it operates. This preliminary particle supply prevents faulty cleaning and vertical black stripes while maintaining continuous printing capability.
2Reliability
If the developing roller is separated from the photosensitive drum during toner collection, then the toner charging performance is maintained, but the cleaning blade lacks externally added particles resulting in image defects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent sequences operations to perform preliminary particle transfer before cleaning. The developing roller contacts the photosensitive drum to supply externally added particles, then the cleaning blade cleans the surface. This preliminary action ensures particles are available on the cleaning blade for effective cleaning, preventing image defects while maintaining toner charging performance during separate collection operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuity of useful action by ensuring the cleaning blade continuously receives externally added particles through the developing roller contact, even when toner collection occurs separately. This continuous particle supply mechanism ensures the cleaning blade always has the necessary particles for effective cleaning, preventing image defects during continuous printing operations.
3Productivity
If the cleaning operation is performed when the developing roller and photosensitive drum are separated, then the printing speed is maintained, but vertical black stripes appear due to insufficient externally added particles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by sequencing the developing roller contact to occur before the cleaning operation, even in the non-image-formation period. This preliminary particle supply ensures the cleaning blade is adequately coated with externally added particles before cleaning begins, maintaining high cleaning quality and preventing vertical black stripes while preserving fast printing speed through efficient non-image-formation period utilization.
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
This configuration effectively prevents the occurrence of vertical black stripes by ensuring the cleaning blade is supplied with toner external additives, enhancing cleaning performance and maintaining image quality during continuous printing operations.
Implementation Method 1
a cleaning blade that is in contact with the photosensitive drum and removes the toner from the photosensitive drum
Implementation Method 2
an electrostatic latent image formed on a surface of the image bearing member
Implementation Method 3
a toner image is developed with developing means at an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum by an exposure device, and the toner image is primary transferred onto the intermediate transfer member
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an image forming apparatus in which an electrostatic latent image is developed using developer to which externally added particles have been added. In the image forming apparatus, a cleaning operation in which the developer borne by an intermediate transfer member is transferred to an image bearing member and removed from the surface of the image bearing member with a cleaning member can be executed in a non-image-formation period in which the development of the electrostatic latent image is not performed. The image bearing member is in contact with a developer bearing member and the intermediate transfer member at least within a period in which the cleaning operation is executed within the non-image-formation period.