Toner Transport Path Control for Leakage Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face issues with toner leakage during transportation and startup, as the toner supply device is activated immediately upon power-on, leading to unnecessary toner filling and potential leakage.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus includes a control unit that determines if the toner transport path has never been used and only starts filling it with toner after an image forming operation begins, and also includes a developer presence/absence determination device and replacement determination device to manage toner supply efficiently, preventing toner leakage and allowing for immediate printing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the toner supply device is activated immediately upon power-on, then the toner transport path is filled with toner in advance, but this causes unnecessary toner filling and potential toner leakage during transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by filling the toner transport path with toner before the image forming operation begins, but only after the device is installed and powered on. The control unit detects whether this is the first use of the device and activates the toner supply device accordingly. This resolves the contradiction by performing the filling action at the optimal moment - early enough to ensure readiness, but only after installation to prevent transportation leakage.
2Reliability
If the toner supply device is activated immediately upon power-on, then the toner transport path is filled with toner in advance, but this causes waiting time before printing can begin
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs the toner filling action as a preliminary step that occurs automatically when the device is first powered on after installation. By detecting the first-use state and executing the filling operation before printing requests are processed, the system ensures toner readiness without requiring users to wait manually. The contradiction is resolved by automating the preliminary action and integrating it into the startup sequence.
3Quantity of substance
If the toner transport path is filled with toner before use, then the developing unit has sufficient toner for operation, but this causes unnecessary toner consumption during installation and startup
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback control by using the presence/absence determination device to detect whether the toner transport path already contains sufficient toner before activating the toner supply device. The control unit receives feedback from this detection and decides whether to perform the filling operation. This resolves the contradiction by ensuring toner is only filled when actually needed, preventing waste during installation and startup.
4Productivity
If the toner supply device is activated immediately, then the image forming operation can proceed without interruption, but this causes toner to be transported and filled unnecessarily during transportation phase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the toner supply device activation conditional rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically determines whether to activate the toner supply device based on real-time detection of the device usage state. This resolves the contradiction by adapting the toner filling action to the actual operational context - filling only when the device is installed and ready for use, not during the transportation phase.
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 prevents toner leakage during transportation and startup, enabling immediate printing without waiting for the completion of a start-up operation, and improves toner supply efficiency by ensuring toner is only filled when needed.
Implementation Method 1
a transport member that is disposed inside the transport-path forming member and transports the developer from the developer container to the developing unit
Implementation Method 2
a developing unit that develops the electrostatic latent image on the image bearing member with the developer
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member that bears an electrostatic latent image; a developer container containing developer; a developing unit that develops the electrostatic latent image on the image bearing member with the developer; a tubular transport-path forming member that forms a transport path through which the developer is transported from the developer container to the developing unit; a transport member that is disposed inside the transport-path forming member and transports the developer from the developer container to the developing unit; and a control unit that performs control such that, when the transport-path forming member is used for the first time or when the developer container is replaced, an operation to fill the developer into the transport-path forming member is performed by driving the transport member after the image forming operation is started.