Photosensitive Drum Cleaning With Cartridge-Based Rotation Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional image forming apparatuses fail to effectively remove foreign matter such as toner or paper dust from the photosensitive drum based on the use state of the drum cartridge and toner cartridge, leading to inconsistent adhesion and potential print quality issues.

Innovation Solution

The image forming apparatus incorporates a development roller to contact and remove foreign matter from the photosensitive drum, utilizing a controller to update drum and toner cartridge information and perform a rotation continuation operation based on cumulative print counts, ensuring appropriate removal of foreign matter.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If foreign matter removal is performed continuously regardless of use state, then photosensitive drum cleanliness is improved, but power consumption increases and device wear accelerates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephotosensitive drum cleanlinessVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic control of the photosensitive drum rotation by adjusting rotation continuation time based on actual use state parameters (number of printed sheets, number of drum rotations, number of development rotations). This dynamic adjustment ensures the drum rotates sufficiently to remove foreign matter while avoiding unnecessary continuous rotation, thereby reducing power consumption and device wear while maintaining print quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If foreign matter removal is performed based on cumulative print counts, then print quality consistency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprint quality consistencyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs feedback control mechanisms where the controller continuously monitors use state parameters (number of printed sheets, drum rotations, development rotations) stored in memory and adjusts the rotation continuation time accordingly. This feedback-based approach enables automatic adaptation to varying print conditions, ensuring consistent foreign matter removal and print quality without requiring complex manual intervention or oversight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-service by automatically tracking its own usage parameters and making decisions about when to continue drum rotation based on pre-stored reference values. The controller uses the accumulated print count data to autonomously determine the appropriate rotation continuation time, eliminating the need for external monitoring or complex control algorithms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If rotation continuation time is extended, then foreign matter removal effectiveness is improved, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforeign matter removal effectivenessVSAvoidprint job throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of rotation continuation time based on actual use state conditions. Instead of using a fixed extended rotation time, the system adjusts the duration dynamically according to the number of printed sheets, drum rotations, and development rotations. This parameter adaptation ensures sufficient foreign matter removal when needed while minimizing unnecessary rotation time, thereby maintaining productivity without sacrificing cleaning effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The solution effectively removes foreign matter from the photosensitive drum by adjusting the rotation continuation time based on cartridge usage, maintaining print quality and reducing power consumption.

Implementation Method 1

The development roller is configured to contact the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum and to supply toner contained in the toner housing to the photosensitive drum and to remove foreign matter on the photosensitive drum

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

When image formation is performed by an image forming apparatus, foreign matter such as toner or paper dust may adhere to the photosensitive drum

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS12449762B2Image forming apparatus having drum cartridge, toner cartridge and memory with stored information to determine drum rotation continuation operation

Publication Date: 2025.10.21 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

A memory of an image forming apparatus is configured to store drum cartridge information and toner cartridge information. The drum cartridge information includes at least a number of drum printed sheets or a number of drum rotations. The toner cartridge information includes at least a number of toner printed sheets, a number of development rotations, or a toner dot count. A controller updates the drum cartridge information and the toner cartridge information stored in the memory in association with execution of image formation. The controller performs a rotation continuation operation of continuing rotations of a photosensitive drum and a development roller until a rotation continuation time elapses after a last sheet in a print job passes the photosensitive drum. The rotation continuation time is determined based on the drum cartridge information and the toner cartridge information.