Toner Container Detection and Replenishment Control

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing image forming apparatus experiences image defects due to excessive toner replenishment when the container is rotated to check its mounting status, leading to improper toner levels in the development device.

Innovation Solution

An image forming apparatus with a drive unit to rotate the toner container, an output unit to detect specific portions, and a controller to adjust toner replenishment based on detection signals, ensuring accurate toner replenishment and preventing excessive toner accumulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the container is rotated to check mounting status, then the mounting detection is improved, but excessive toner is discharged leading to image defects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting detection accuracyVSAvoidtoner amount in development device

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs a detection operation by rotating the container before actual image formation to check mounting status. The controller predicts the toner discharge amount during this detection operation and subtracts it from the total replenishment amount, ensuring that the predicted discharge is compensated for in advance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the detection operation to adjust the toner replenishment amount. The controller calculates the difference between the detected mounting status and the expected toner discharge, then modifies the replenishment amount accordingly to maintain proper toner levels in the development device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the container rotates during detection operation, then mounting status can be confirmed, but toner replenishment amount becomes inaccurate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting status confirmationVSAvoidtoner replenishment accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs a detection operation by rotating the container before actual image formation to check mounting status. The controller predicts the toner discharge amount during this detection operation and subtracts it from the total replenishment amount, ensuring that the predicted discharge is compensated for in advance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the detection operation to adjust the toner replenishment amount. The controller calculates the difference between the detected mounting status and the expected toner discharge, then modifies the replenishment amount accordingly to maintain proper toner levels in the development device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS9207614B2Image forming apparatus equipped with developer replenishment mechanism

Publication Date: 2015.12.08 CANON KK

AI summary

An image forming apparatus capable of reducing an image defect even when an container is rotated for checking. A development unit forms an image by developing an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive member. A drive unit rotates the container mounted to a mounting portion for replenishing the toner to the development unit. An output unit outputs a specified signal when detecting a predetermined portion of the container. A determination unit determines whether the container is mounted to the mounting portion according to the specified signal. A decision unit decides a toner replenishing amount based on image data. A controller controls the drive unit to execute a detecting operation that rotates the container when the determination unit does not determine that the container is mounted. A correction unit corrects the toner replenishing amount based on the output of the output unit when the detecting operation is executed.