Liquid Developer Coating Uniformity via Intermediate Roller Mediator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses using liquid developers with recessed coating rollers face issues of uneven film thickness due to transfer patterns, limiting the lower limit of coating amount and hence the resolution of images formed.
Innovation Solution
A developing device with a contact member that comes into contact with the intermediate roller to eliminate transfer patterns, adjusting the film thickness by controlling the rotary velocity ratio of rollers and using a bias applying section to form a potential difference, ensuring uniform liquid developer distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a coating roller with recessed portion is used to efficiently scoop up liquid developer, then development efficiency is improved, but transfer pattern appears causing uneven film thickness
Solution Approach 1:
An intermediate roller is introduced between the coating roller and the developing roller. The coating roller transfers liquid developer to the intermediate roller, which then transfers it to the developing roller. This intermediary component prevents direct contact between the coating roller's recessed portion and the developing roller, eliminating the transfer pattern while maintaining efficient developer pickup.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid developer transfer process is divided into two separate transfer stages: first from coating roller to intermediate roller, then from intermediate roller to developing roller. This segmentation allows each roller to perform its function optimally without the negative effects of direct contact, achieving both efficient pickup and uniform distribution.
2Manufacturing precision
If the lower limit of coating amount is restricted due to transfer pattern, then film thickness uniformity is maintained, but resolution of formed image cannot be improved
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate roller acts as a mediator that receives liquid developer from the coating roller and transfers it to the developing roller. This eliminates the transfer pattern caused by the coating roller's recessed portion, allowing the lower limit of coating amount to be reduced and enabling higher image resolution while maintaining film thickness uniformity.
3Productivity
If developing roller comes into direct contact with coating roller, then liquid developer is transferred efficiently, but abrasion and damage occur reducing roller life
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate roller serves as a mediator between the coating roller and the developing roller. It receives liquid developer from the coating roller and transfers it to the developing roller, eliminating direct contact between these two rollers. This prevents abrasion and damage to the developing roller surface, extending its operational life while maintaining efficient developer transfer through the intermediate roller.
Solution Approach 2:
The direct contact transfer path is segmented into two indirect transfer paths: coating roller to intermediate roller, and intermediate roller to developing roller. This segmentation protects the developing roller from mechanical stress and abrasion while maintaining the efficiency of liquid developer transfer through the intermediate roller.
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 solution allows for a lower limit of film thickness to be reduced, enabling higher resolution image formation by uniformly coating the liquid developer, thereby improving image quality and extending the life of the developing roller.
Implementation Method 1
a bias applying section that forms a potential difference between the intermediate roller and the contact member
Data Source
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AI summary
A developing device includes: a developer storage portion which stores a liquid developer including toner and carrier liquid; a first coating member which rotates and coats the liquid developer stored in the developer storage portion; a second coating member which comes into contact with the first coating member and rotates in a direction opposite to that of the first coating member; a developer supporting body which comes into contact with the second coating member and rotates in the same direction as that of the second coating member; and a contact member which comes into contact with the liquid developer coated on the second coating member by the first coating member.