Toner Replenishment Stirring Control for Uniform Image Forming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses with toner replenishing schemes lack efficient mechanisms for toner distribution and control during replenishment, leading to inconsistent toner supply and potential image quality issues.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus incorporates a stirring member with a rotation shaft and a sheet that stirs toner while rotating, controlled by a system that adjusts its rotation based on the toner's passage through an opening, ensuring uniform distribution and timely replenishment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a toner replenishing scheme is implemented without a stirring mechanism, then the structure remains simple, but toner distribution becomes inconsistent leading to image quality issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state and motion parameters of the stirring member by controlling its rotation speed and position to optimize toner distribution. The stirring member rotates at controlled speeds to achieve uniform toner mixing without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The stirring member is designed to automatically stir toner during the replenishment process without requiring external intervention. The system self-regulates the stirring action through the rotation mechanism, providing automatic toner distribution service
2Productivity
If toner replenishment occurs without controlling stirring member position, then the operation is simple, but toner accumulation occurs leading to supply inconsistency
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit monitors the rotation position of the stirring member and adjusts its operation accordingly. The system uses feedback from position detection to ensure the stirring member is in the correct position during replenishment, preventing toner accumulation and ensuring consistent supply
Solution Approach 2:
The stirring member is positioned and activated in advance before toner replenishment begins. This preliminary action ensures that toner is properly distributed and prevents accumulation issues before they occur during the replenishment process
3Stability of the object's composition
If the stirring member rotates continuously during replenishment, then toner mixing is thorough, but replenishment timing becomes uncoordinated
Solution Approach 1:
The stirring member operates with periodic rotation rather than continuous rotation. The control unit activates the stirring member at specific intervals and positions during the replenishment cycle, achieving thorough mixing while maintaining coordinated timing with the replenishment process
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 ensures consistent toner supply, improving image quality and efficiency by preventing toner accumulation and ensuring timely replenishment, thereby enhancing the performance of the image forming process.
Implementation Method 1
a stirring member that is provided in the accommodating chamber, the stirring member including a rotation shaft that rotates about a rotation axis and a sheet having a first end portion that is one end portion in a direction perpendicularly intersecting the rotation axis and is fixed to the rotation shaft and a second end portion that is the other end portion and is able to come into contact with an inner wall of the accommodating chamber, the stirring member being configured to stir the toner accommodated in the accommodating chamber while rotating
Data Source
AI summary
In an image forming apparatus that includes a replenishing port of toner and an introduction port that is able to communicate with the replenishing port, at least a part of the introduction port is located in a first quadrant or a second quadrant in a two-dimensional coordinate system configured of a first virtual line that extends in a horizontal direction and a second virtual line that and extends in a gravity direction, and a control portion controls a stirring member to stop rotating in a state where at least a part of a second end portion of a sheet is located in a quadrant that is different from a quadrant in which the introduction port is disposed in the coordinate system by a timing at which toner passes through the introduction port when the toner is replenished from a toner container to an accommodating chamber.