Image Forming Apparatus Developer-Carrier Pausing to Limit Toner Scattering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face issues with image quality degradation due to prolonged stirring and development processes during successive printing of multiple copies, particularly when post-processing is involved, leading to toner deterioration and scattering.
Innovation Solution
The control portion of the image forming apparatus introduces a development driving suspension period where the developer carrying member is stopped after completing the development process for one copy and restarted before initiating the process for the next copy, maintaining suspension during this period to prevent unnecessary stirring and toner scattering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the developer carrying member continues to rotate and stir toner during post-processing periods, then the development process can be maintained, but toner deterioration and scattering occur leading to image quality degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The developer carrying member rotates periodically - rotating during development processes and stopping during post-processing periods. This periodic operation allows the system to maintain image quality during printing while preventing toner scattering and deterioration during post-processing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful stirring action is extracted and separated from the necessary development function. The developer carrying member is stopped during post-processing when stirring is not needed, removing the harmful effect of continuous toner agitation while preserving the beneficial development function during active printing.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the developer carrying member is stopped during post-processing, then toner scattering is reduced, but the development process cannot be maintained for continuous printing
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic rotation of the developer carrying member - rotating during development phases and stopping during post-processing phases. This allows continuous printing capability while preventing toner deterioration, as the member rotates during actual development operations and pauses only when post-processing occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The control portion anticipates post-processing operations and stops the developer carrying member in advance during post-processing periods. This preliminary stopping action prevents toner scattering before it can occur, while the member is restarted before the next development process begins to maintain printing productivity.
3Ease of operation
If the developer carrying member rotates continuously, then the development process is maintained, but unnecessary stirring causes toner scattering during post-processing
Solution Approach 1:
The developer carrying member operates periodically rather than continuously - rotating during development processes and stopping during post-processing periods. This periodic operation maintains development process continuity when needed while eliminating unnecessary stirring and toner scattering during post-processing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the rotation state of the developer carrying member based on operational requirements. The control portion changes the rotation status from active to stopped during post-processing and back to active during development processes, optimizing both image quality and operational efficiency.
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 reduces toner deterioration and scattering, thereby enhancing image quality and minimizing contamination, especially in scenarios involving post-processing for multiple copies.
Implementation Method 1
an electrostatic latent image is formed on an outer circumferential surface of the image carrying member
Implementation Method 2
performs a development process to form an image by supplying toner from the rotating developing carrier member to, and thereby developing, the electrostatic latent image
Data Source
AI summary
A control portion stops driving a developer carrying member at the end of a development process for a preceding image to be printed on the last sheet of a preceding copy and starts driving the developer carrying member when performing a development process for a subsequent image to be printed on the first sheet of the subsequent copy. Regardless of the length of a development driving suspension period after stopping driving the developer carrying member following the end of the development process for the preceding image until starting driving the developer carrying member to perform the development process for the subsequent image, the control portion maintains suspension of the driving of the developer carrying member during the development driving suspension period.