Toner Supply Timing Control for Image Quality Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, the delay in toner supply until the electrostatic latent image is completed can result in low-density toner images being transferred, leading to potential image quality deterioration.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a controller that initiates toner supply to the developing device based on a signal from a sheet sensor detecting the sheet, ensuring toner is supplied before the electrostatic latent image formation begins, thereby preventing disturbance and maintaining image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If toner supply is delayed until electrostatic latent image formation is completed, then disturbance of electrostatic latent image is prevented, but image quality deteriorates due to low-density toner images
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary toner supply before electrostatic latent image formation by detecting the sheet upstream and initiating toner supply in advance. This ensures sufficient toner is available in the developing device before the developing process begins, preventing low-density images while avoiding disturbance during latent image formation by completing supply beforehand
2Manufacturing precision
If toner supply is performed during electrostatic latent image formation, then image quality is maintained, but electrostatic latent image is disturbed
Solution Approach 1:
The system completes toner supply before electrostatic latent image formation starts by using upstream sheet detection to trigger early toner supply. This timing ensures the developing device has sufficient toner ready before the developing process begins, maintaining image quality while avoiding disturbance of the latent image
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sheet detection feedback from the sheet sensor to control toner supply timing. The detection signal triggers the toner supply mechanism to operate at the optimal moment - early enough to ensure sufficient toner availability but before latent image formation to avoid disturbance
Data Source
AI summary
A toner cartridge is mountable on a developing device including a developing roller. The developing device develops an electrostatic latent image formed on a photo conductor. The toner cartridge includes a housing in which toner is stored, and an auger rotatable and configured to supply the toner in the housing to the developing device. In a case where the developing device is installed on an image forming apparatus in a state in which the toner cartridge is mounted on the developing device, rotation of the auger is started before formation of the electrostatic latent image corresponding to a sheet is started, based on a signal indicating that the image forming apparatus detects the sheet.