Swinging Developing Roller Nip Separation for Image Pollution
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electro-photographic image forming apparatuses face issues with image pollution and unnecessary consumption of developing agent due to the non-charging section on the image carrier, leading to increased waste and maintenance costs, as well as challenges in achieving uniform image quality.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a developing unit that swings at a predetermined angle and includes a nip separation unit controlled by a control unit to separate and contact the developing roller with the image carrier, preventing developing agent attachment to the non-charging section, thereby eliminating the need for waste developer chambers and reducing agent consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the developing member comes in contact with the image carrier during developing, then the electrostatic latent image can be developed, but the developing agent attaches to the non-charging section causing image pollution and unnecessary consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The developing member is designed to dynamically change its position relative to the image carrier, transitioning from a separated state during charging to a contacted state during developing. This dynamic positioning allows the developing agent to be supplied only to the charging section when needed, preventing attachment to the non-charging section and eliminating image pollution while maintaining developing efficiency.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If cleaning blades are installed to remove developing agent from the non-charging section, then image pollution can be reduced, but the device size increases due to waste developing agent chambers
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful effect of developing agent attachment to the non-charging section is eliminated by extracting the root cause - the continuous contact between the developing member and image carrier. By separating the developing member from the image carrier during charging, the attachment problem is prevented at its source, making cleaning blades and waste chambers unnecessary, thus avoiding the increase in device complexity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a zener diode is installed to heighten the electric potential of the non-charging section, then developing agent attachment can be prevented, but the material cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical method using zener diodes to prevent developing agent attachment is replaced with a mechanical positioning method. By controlling the physical position of the developing member to be separated from the image carrier during charging, the need for additional electrical components like zener diodes is eliminated, reducing material costs while achieving the same effect of preventing developing agent attachment.
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 minimizes developing agent consumption, reduces maintenance costs, and ensures uniform image quality by preventing agent attachment to the non-charging section, allowing for a more compact and efficient image forming apparatus design.
Implementation Method 1
a charging voltage is applied to a charging member 102, and the developing member 101 comes in contact with the image carrier 100 to be rotated
Implementation Method 2
a developing member supplying a developing agent to the image carrier and developing the electrostatic latent image as a developer image
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a main body; at least one developer including an image carrier unit having an image carrier and a charged body charging the image carrier, a developing unit installed to swing at a predetermined angle with respect to the image carrier unit and having a developing roller, and a pressing member pressing the developing unit so that the developing roller comes in contact with the image carrier, and separably installed in the main body; a nip separation unit installed in the main body on one side of the developer to swing the developing unit so that the developing unit is in a position that is separated from the image carrier; and a control unit controlling the developer and the nip separation unit according to a print command.