Image Forming Apparatus Vertical Height Arrangement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current image forming apparatuses face challenges in efficiently arranging and managing toner supplies for different colors, particularly with special colors like clear and white, which require specific transfer orders and positions to optimize image quality, but existing systems lack flexibility in rearranging components without mixing colors or complicating the toner supply system.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus includes a configuration where at least one set of photoconductor drums, developing devices, and sub-hoppers are disposed at different heights, allowing for rearrangement of the developing devices and sub-hoppers in the rotation direction without changing the toner container arrangements or connections, and the toner supply paths are adjusted to facilitate the specific transfer order of special colors without color mixing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the arrangement of developing devices and sub-hoppers is changed to optimize special color transfer order, then image quality is improved, but the complexity of rearranging components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces vertical height as an additional dimension for arranging image bearers, developing devices, and sub-hoppers. By disposing at least one set of these components at a different height from other sets, the system enables rearrangement of toner transfer order without changing the horizontal layout or connections between components. This dimensional change resolves the contradiction by providing flexibility in transfer sequence while maintaining fixed connections.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the toner supply system is made more flexible to accommodate special colors, then adaptability is improved, but the complexity of the toner supply system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal arrangement where the same basic components (image bearers, developing devices, sub-hoppers, and conveyance paths) can serve multiple functions depending on their vertical positioning. The system can handle both standard color sequences and special color sequences using the same component types, achieving adaptability without adding new component types or complicating the supply system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
By utilizing vertical height differentiation, the system achieves flexible toner supply arrangements without modifying the horizontal connections or adding complex supply mechanisms. The different height disposal allows the same conveyance path structure to serve different transfer orders, enhancing adaptability while keeping the supply system relatively simple.
3Reliability
If multiple belt rotations are required to transfer special colors, then complete color transfer is achieved, but the time required for image formation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent arranges the image bearer, developing device, and sub-hopper at different heights to pre-position special color toner transfer components in the optimal sequence before the intermediate transfer belt rotates. This preliminary arrangement ensures that special colors are transferred in the correct order during a single belt rotation, eliminating the need for multiple rotations and reducing image formation time while maintaining complete color transfer.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an intermediate transferor, a plurality of image bearers, a plurality of developing devices, a plurality of developer containers, a plurality of conveyance paths, and a plurality of sub-hoppers. At least one set of an image bearer, a developing device, and a sub-hopper is disposed at a height different from other sets. The arrangement of the plurality of developing devices and the plurality of sub-hoppers in the rotation direction of the intermediate transferor is changed while satisfying the following. The arrangement of the plurality of developer containers is not changed and the connections between the plurality of developing devices and the plurality of sub-hoppers are not change, while the layout of the plurality of tubes as the plurality of conveyance paths is changed so that the connections between the plurality of tubes and the plurality of sub-hoppers are not changed.