Variable Peripheral Velocity Ratio for Toner Supply Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Consecutive high-density printing in image forming apparatuses leads to toner supply shortages, causing image density non-uniformity and color variations due to accelerated toner consumption and unstable toner adhesion on the developing roller.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus adjusts the peripheral velocity ratio between the photosensitive drum and the developing roller to manage toner supply, ensuring a sufficient residual toner amount on the developing roller by varying the rotational speeds, thereby maintaining stable image density and color consistency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the peripheral velocity ratio is increased to increase toner supply amount, then high-density printing and tinge selection range are improved, but toner consumption is accelerated and toner supply shortage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the peripheral velocity ratio variable rather than fixed. The control unit adjusts the peripheral velocity ratio dynamically based on the number of consecutive high-density printing operations. When the number of operations exceeds a threshold, the system reduces the peripheral velocity ratio to prevent toner supply shortage, enabling adaptive response to changing operational conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by monitoring the number of consecutive high-density printing operations and using this information to adjust the peripheral velocity ratio. The control unit receives feedback about the printing operation count and modifies the developing roller's peripheral velocity accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that prevents toner depletion.
2Reliability
If the peripheral velocity ratio is increased to ensure sufficient residual toner, then toner supply stability is improved, but image density non-uniformity and color variations occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the peripheral velocity ratio based on the number of consecutive printing operations. In the initial phase, a higher peripheral velocity ratio is used to ensure sufficient residual toner. When the operation count exceeds a threshold, the system reduces the peripheral velocity ratio to maintain image density uniformity, preventing toner supply instability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of peripheral velocity ratio based on operational conditions. The control unit modifies this parameter dynamically - increasing it when residual toner is insufficient and decreasing it when image density uniformity becomes compromised. This parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between toner supply stability and image quality consistency.
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 approach reduces image density non-uniformity and color variations, enabling consistent high-density printing without toner shortages, as the increased peripheral velocity ratio ensures adequate toner supply and stable adhesion during consecutive high-density output.
Implementation Method 1
latent image forming means configured to form an electrostatic image on the image bearing member by forming a light-part potential and a dark-part potential on the image bearing member
Implementation Method 2
a developer bearing member configured to perform a development operation in which an electrostatic image formed on the image bearing member is developed with a developer
Data Source
AI summary
When, in a state where a developer borne by a developer bearing member is sandwiched by an opposing portion of an image bearing member and the developer bearing member, C denotes capacitance between the image bearing member and the developer bearing member, ΔV denotes a development contrast, Q/S denotes a charge amount per unit area of the developer borne by the developer bearing member, and Δv denotes a peripheral velocity ratio which is a ratio of a peripheral velocity of the developer bearing member to a peripheral velocity of the image bearing member, a first peripheral velocity ratio is set so that |Q/S×Δv|≤|C×ΔV| is satisfied, and a second peripheral velocity ratio which is larger than the first peripheral velocity ratio is set so that |Q/S×Δv|>|C×ΔV| is satisfied.