Image Forming Apparatus Toner Circulation Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

In image forming apparatuses, toner degradation occurs when forming images on continuous paper, as there is no space to discharge toner between images, leading to reduced image quality and inability to control toner density effectively.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus forms specific image patterns in side areas outside the image area on continuous paper to urge toner circulation and prevent degradation, using a controller to adjust the size and density of these patterns to maintain toner quality and image stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If images are formed continuously on continuous paper without discharge areas, then productivity is improved, but toner degradation occurs and image quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous image formation capabilityVSAvoidimage quality stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the continuous paper into functional zones: image formation areas and toner discharge areas (side areas). This segmentation allows simultaneous image formation and toner circulation, resolving the contradiction between continuous production and toner quality maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different areas of the paper are assigned different functions: the central image area for high-quality image formation and the side areas for toner discharge and circulation. This local differentiation enables both continuous production and toner quality control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Stability of the object's composition

If side areas are used for toner discharge patterns, then toner circulation is improved, but available image area is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetoner density uniformityVSAvoidusable image area

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses only partial areas (side margins) of the paper for toner discharge patterns, leaving the majority of the paper area available for images. This partial action maintains toner quality without significantly reducing usable image area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If toner discharge space is provided between images, then toner degradation is prevented, but productivity decreases due to space loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetoner qualityVSAvoidimage formation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using longitudinal space between images (one-dimensional approach), the patent utilizes the lateral dimension (side areas) of the paper for toner discharge. This dimensional shift allows simultaneous image formation and toner circulation without reducing production speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 approach effectively suppresses toner degradation and maintains image quality by ensuring adequate toner circulation and density control, even on continuous paper where space for toner discharge is limited.

Implementation Method 1

a latent image formed on a photoreceptor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoconductivity: Photoconductivity

Implementation Method 2

transferring to the continuous recording medium a toner image obtained by developing a latent image

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic transfer: Electrostatic Deposition

Data Source

PatentUS9274483B2Image forming apparatus, image forming method, and computer readable medium having image density adjustment control

Publication Date: 2016.03.01 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit and a controller. The image forming unit forms an image on a continuous recording medium by transferring to the continuous recording medium a toner image obtained by developing a latent image formed on a photoreceptor. The controller controls the image forming unit such that an image based on image information is formed in a specific image area on the continuous recording medium, and at the same time, a specific image pattern is formed in a specific side area outside the image area on the continuous recording medium.