Squeegee Speed Control for Hard Imaging Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional imaging devices experience unacceptable non-uniformities, such as flow streaks, when using marking agents with varying compositions, leading to suboptimal print quality.
Innovation Solution
A hard imaging device and method that utilize a photoconductor and a developer member with a squeegee member configured to move at a slower speed than the developer member during the application of the marking agent, creating a nip to develop latent images, allowing for the use of marking agents with different compositions while maintaining acceptable print quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the squeegee member moves at the same speed as the developer member, then the imaging device operates efficiently, but flow streaks and non-uniformities occur in the printed output
Solution Approach 1:
The squeegee member's rotational speed is made variable rather than fixed, allowing it to differ from the developer member's speed. This dynamic adjustment enables optimization of the marking agent application process to eliminate flow streaks while maintaining imaging efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotational speed parameter of the squeegee member is changed to be slower than that of the developer member. This parameter modification allows for better control of marking agent flow and distribution, preventing non-uniformities in the printed output.
2Manufacturing precision
If the squeegee member moves at a slower speed than the developer member, then flow streaks are reduced and print quality is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A feedback mechanism is implemented to monitor and control the relative speeds of the squeegee member and developer member. This feedback system ensures that the squeegee operates at the optimal slower speed to prevent flow streaks while managing the added complexity through automated control.
3Manufacturing precision
If the squeegee member moves at a slower speed than the developer member, then marking agent application is improved, but the productivity of the imaging device decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the squeegee member's speed to be slower than the developer member during critical marking agent application phases, while potentially operating at higher speeds during other phases, thereby balancing print quality with overall productivity.
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 reduces flow streaks and ensures acceptable print quality by varying the rotational speed of the squeegee member relative to the developer member, accommodating different marking agent compositions and preventing damage during imaging operations.
Implementation Method 1
the squeegee member is configured to move at a speed slower than a speed of the developer member during the provision of the marking agent upon the developer member
Implementation Method 2
transferring the marking agent from the developer member to a photoconductor to develop latent images formed upon the photoconductor
Data Source
AI summary
Hard imaging devices and hard imaging methods are described. According to one embodiment, a hard imaging device includes a photoconductor, a developer member configured to move to provide a marking agent upon the photoconductor to develop a latent image upon the photoconductor, and a squeegee member configured to form a nip with the developer member and to move to provide the marking agent upon the developer member, wherein the squeegee member is configured to move at a speed slower than a speed of the developer member during the provision of the marking agent upon the developer member using a squeegee member.