Image Forming Apparatus Toner Consumption Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming technologies face challenges in reducing toner consumption while maintaining image quality, particularly in low consumption modes, where the quality of solid black images and line widths can deteriorate due to varying toner cartridge durability and sensitivity changes, leading to inconsistent results across different usage levels and image areas.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus and cartridge system that employs a storing device to adjust image forming conditions based on the usage level of the image bearing member, allowing for two distinct image formation modes: one for standard operation and another for reduced toner consumption, using a controller to modify settings such as laser-on period modulation to optimize toner usage without compromising image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If the amount of toner consumption is decreased by changing developing contrast or laser light quantity, then toner consumption is reduced, but image quality deteriorates with narrow line width and poor solid black images
Solution Approach 1:
The image is divided into frame portion (concentrated pixel area) and inner portion, with different toner consumption strategies applied to each. The frame portion is printed at original density to maintain image quality, while the inner portion uses reduced toner consumption techniques, thereby resolving the contradiction between toner savings and image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
Different image processing treatments are applied to different regions of the image based on local characteristics. Concentrated pixel areas (frame portions) receive full-density printing to preserve line width and image quality, while non-concentrated areas receive halftone or dither processing to reduce toner consumption, achieving both quality preservation and toner savings.
2Loss of substance
If dither image processing is used to reduce toner consumption in concentrated pixel areas, then toner consumption decreases, but blank dot portions become conspicuous and image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between different image processing modes (original density, dither, halftone) based on the concentration of pixels in different image regions. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to reduce toner consumption where possible while maintaining image quality where necessary, resolving the contradiction between toner savings and visual quality.
3Loss of substance
If halftone image processing is used to reduce toner consumption, then toner coverage decreases, but image quality becomes sensitive to image bearing member durability changes
Solution Approach 1:
The image is segmented into concentrated pixel areas and non-concentrated areas, with frame portions printed at original density to maintain stability against durability changes, while inner portions use halftone processing for toner savings. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by applying different strategies to different regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the laser emission parameters (light quantity or on-period) on a one-dot-unit basis to create halftone images that reduce toner coverage. By controlling the laser parameters dynamically, the system achieves toner reduction while attempting to maintain image quality stability despite image bearing member degradation.
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 effectively reduces toner consumption while maintaining stable image quality across varying usage levels and image areas, ensuring consistent output by adapting to changes in the image bearing member's sensitivity and durability.
Implementation Method 1
a laser beam scanner 3 for scanning exposure of the uniformly charged surface of the rotating photosensitive image bearing member 1 by laser light L
Implementation Method 2
a contact charging device using a charge roller is used
Implementation Method 3
makes visible the electrostatic latent image as an image by supplying developer (hereinafter, referred to as 'toner') as a recording material by the use of a developing means
Implementation Method 4
The toner image formed on the photosensitive image bearing member 1 is successively transferred onto a recording material P
Implementation Method 5
the recording paper P holding the toner is sent to a fixing device 18 so as not to disturb the toner image, which image is then subjected to fixation under heat and pressure by the fixing device 18
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus operates in a first image formation mode for forming an image on an image bearing member by using developer under a first predetermined image forming condition and a second image formation mode for forming an image on an image bearing member by using developer under a second image forming condition which is different from the first predetermined image forming condition. The apparatus is set so that the amount of consumption of developer for forming an image in the second image formation mode is smaller than the amount of consumption used for forming an identical image in the first image formation mode. The apparatus includes a storing device for storing information for setting the second image forming condition corresponding to a plurality of levels of the amount of usage of the image bearing member, and a controller for changing the second image forming condition in the second image formation mode depending on the amount of usage of the image bearing member and information stored in the storing device.