Image Forming Apparatus Controller for Developer Material Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses discard deteriorated developer material unnecessarily, as they do not effectively control the amount based on environmental conditions, leading to potential soiling and poor print quality.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a process cartridge that includes a developing section, an image bearing body, and a controller to calculate the number of dots formed and rotations, determining when to form an electrostatic latent image pattern to control the amount of developer material discarded based on environmental conditions, ensuring only necessary amounts are removed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the conventional apparatus discards developer material in all environments, then the deteriorated developer material is removed, but unnecessary developer material is discarded leading to waste and potential soiling
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the discarding parameter from a fixed condition to a variable condition based on environmental parameters (temperature and humidity). The controller adjusts whether to discard developer material by comparing actual environmental conditions against predetermined thresholds, thereby optimizing the discarding decision to avoid unnecessary waste while maintaining print quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces feedback control by using environmental sensors to detect temperature and humidity conditions, then using this information to control the discarding operation. The system continuously monitors environmental parameters and adjusts the discarding behavior accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that prevents both unnecessary discarding and potential quality issues.
2Loss of substance
If the apparatus discards developer material based on environmental conditions, then unnecessary waste is reduced, but the device complexity increases due to additional sensors and control logic
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the controller multi-functional by enabling it to perform both normal printing operations and environmental-based discarding decisions. The same controller that manages the printing process also monitors environmental conditions and controls the discarding operation, eliminating the need for separate dedicated control systems and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters of the discarding system from fixed to variable based on environmental conditions. By using predetermined thresholds for temperature and humidity, the system simplifies the control logic to a straightforward comparison operation, avoiding complex algorithms while still achieving optimized discarding behavior.
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 approach allows for precise control of developer material discard, maintaining print quality by adjusting the amount discarded according to environmental conditions, preventing unnecessary waste and soiling.
Implementation Method 1
An exposing section irradiates a surface of an image bearing body with light to form dots for an electrostatic latent image on the image bearing body
Implementation Method 2
A developing section deposits a developer material to the electrostatic latent image
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a process including at least a developing section and an image bearing body. A calculating section calculates a number of the dots formed on the image bearing body. A rotation calculating section calculates a number of rotations of the image bearing body for forming the number of dots on the image bearing body in accordance with the print data. A controller makes a decision to determine whether the number of dots formed on the image bearing body is larger than a first reference when the number of rotations is larger than a second reference. If the answer is YES, then the controller forms a developer image formed of dots equivalent to a difference between the first reference and the number of dots. Then, the developer image is discarded.