Toner Container Switching with Shorter Initial Supply Time
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing toner supply devices sequentially switch toner containers, leading to inconsistent toner supply times that can exceed a prescribed maximum, affecting the efficiency and continuity of image formation.
Innovation Solution
A toner supply device that switches toner containers when the supplying time exceeds a prescribed maximum, with the first supply time being shorter than subsequent times, ensuring consistent and efficient toner distribution to developing devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If toner is supplied sequentially from multiple toner containers to developing devices, then the toner supply process can be completed, but the supplying time may exceed the prescribed maximum supplying time, affecting efficiency and continuity of image formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the toner supply process into multiple cycles, with each cycle supplying toner to a subset of developing devices. By dividing the overall supply task into smaller segments that can be completed within the maximum supplying time, the system avoids exceeding the time limit while maintaining efficient overall productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic toner supply cycles, where the supply process is repeated in discrete periods. Each period supplies toner to specific developing devices within the prescribed time limit, then switches to another set of devices in the next period, creating a rhythmic, efficient supply pattern that prevents time overflow.
2Device complexity
If the same maximum supplying time is used for all toner supply operations, then the control logic is simple, but it cannot accommodate the first supply operation which requires a shorter time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustment of the maximum supplying time parameter based on the supply cycle number. The first supply operation uses a shorter maximum time to ensure proper initial toner distribution, while subsequent operations use a longer maximum time for efficiency. This dynamic parameter adjustment maintains reliability without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the time parameter based on the supply cycle stage. By setting different maximum supplying time values for the first cycle versus subsequent cycles, the system optimizes performance for each stage while keeping the control logic manageable through clear conditional differentiation.
Data Source
AI summary
A toner supply device includes toner containers each containing toner used to form a latent image on a latent-image bearer, and circuitry to perform toner supply control to supply toner from the toner containers to developing devices. In the toner supply device, the toner supply control includes repeating toner supply in which one of the toner containers supplying the toner is switched to another one of the toner containers when a supplying time to supply the toner from one of the toner containers to corresponding one of the developing devices exceeds a prescribed maximum supplying time. In the toner supply device, the prescribed maximum supplying time, in the toner supply performed for a first time after the toner supply control starts, is shorter than the prescribed maximum supplying time in the toner supply performed for a second time.