Separator Claw Control for Image Carrier Durability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses face durability issues with the contact/separation mechanism of separation claws due to frequent contact and separation, leading to abrasion and increased costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a separator that includes a separation claw which contacts and separates from the image carrier based on the post-transfer residual quantity, acquired by a post-transfer-residual-quantity acquirer, to control the contact/separation operation and reduce unnecessary contact, thereby improving durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the separation claw frequently contacts and separates from the image carrier to prevent separation defects, then the separation reliability is improved, but the durability of the contact/separation mechanism deteriorates due to abrasion of the cam member and other components
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the control parameter from fixed timing-based contact/separation to residual toner quantity-based control. The controller adjusts the contact timing of the separation claw based on the measured residual toner quantity, allowing the system to adapt to varying operational conditions and reduce unnecessary contact operations, thereby improving mechanism durability while maintaining separation reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a feedback control mechanism where the residual toner quantity is measured and used to adjust the separation claw's contact timing. This closed-loop control allows the system to respond to actual toner transfer conditions, preventing both separation defects and unnecessary contact operations that would cause wear.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the separation claw is controlled to contact only when necessary based on residual toner quantity, then the durability of the mechanism is improved, but the complexity of the control system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the existing controller perform multiple functions: it not only controls the basic operation of the image forming apparatus but also measures residual toner quantity and determines separation claw contact timing based on this measurement. This multi-functionality approach adds control capability without requiring a completely separate control system, thus limiting the increase in complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own existing resources (controller, sensors already present for other functions) to perform the additional task of monitoring residual toner and controlling separation timing. This self-service approach minimizes the need for external or additional dedicated components, keeping the overall system complexity manageable.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus provided with a transfer device includes a separator, a post-transfer-residual-quantity acquirer, and a controller. The transfer device transfers an image formed on an image carrier to a transfer medium. The separator is arranged at downstream side from a transfer device in a conveying direction, is provided with a separation claw which contacts with the image carrier and separates the transfer medium from the image carrier, and performs contact/separate operation of the separation claw with/from the image carrier. The post-transfer-residual-quantity acquirer acquires post-transfer residual quantity in a region determined on a basis of a position of the separation claw in an axial direction of the image carrier. The controller controls the contact/separate operation of the separation claw with/from the image carrier on a basis of the post-transfer residual quantity acquired by the post-transfer-residual-quantity acquirer.