Dynamic Toner Agitation Control via Mark Data Comparison
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses face challenges in balancing toner agitation time to maintain image quality and throughput, where prolonged agitation is unnecessary but insufficient agitation leads to degraded image quality.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with an accommodating chamber, agitator, sensor, and processor that determines a non-agitation period, generates and reads mark data to assess toner stability, and adjusts image formation based on the difference between initial and subsequent mark data to optimize agitation time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the agitation time is extended to ensure stable toner charging, then image quality is improved, but printing throughput is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of agitation time based on detected toner charging stability. The system transitions from fixed agitation time to variable agitation time, where the agitation duration is extended only when toner stability falls below a threshold, and reduced when stability is sufficient, thereby optimizing both image quality and throughput
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback control by detecting toner charging stability through mark formation and reading, then using this detection result to adjust subsequent agitation time. The system continuously monitors toner state and adjusts agitation parameters based on the detected stability level, creating a closed-loop control system
2Productivity
If the agitation time is reduced to increase printing throughput, then productivity is improved, but image quality is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts agitation time based on real-time toner stability detection, allowing reduced agitation when stability is high (improving throughput) while extending agitation only when necessary to maintain image quality standards
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the agitation time parameter based on detected toner charging stability. When stability meets the threshold, a shorter agitation time is applied; when stability is insufficient, the agitation time is extended, thereby optimizing the parameter to balance throughput and quality
Data Source
AI summary
In an image forming apparatus, a processor is configured to: determine whether prescribed criterion is met, the prescribed criterion indicating that a non agitation period of time, during which the agitator has not agitated the toner, has passed a predetermined period of time; perform a mark data generating process in which mark data is generated by forming a mark and reading the formed mark when the prescribed criterion is met; perform another mark data generating process in which another mark data is generated by forming another mark and reading the formed another mark after performing the mark data generating process; determine whether a difference between the mark data and the another mark data is within a prescribed range; and determine an adjustment value on a basis of at least one of the mark data and the another mark data when the difference is within the prescribed range.