US3650196A - Device for automatically regulating the concentration of developing solution - Google Patents

Device for automatically regulating the concentration of developing solution Download PDF

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Publication number
US3650196A
US3650196A US3650196DA US3650196A US 3650196 A US3650196 A US 3650196A US 3650196D A US3650196D A US 3650196DA US 3650196 A US3650196 A US 3650196A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
developing solution
concentration
toner
concentration regulating
tank
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Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
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English (en)
Inventor
Kazuya Hosoe
Yoshimasa Kimura
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Canon Inc
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Canon Inc
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Publication date
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Publication of US3650196A publication Critical patent/US3650196A/en
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05D—SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES
    • G05D21/00—Control of chemical or physico-chemical variables, e.g. pH value
    • G05D21/02—Control of chemical or physico-chemical variables, e.g. pH value characterised by the use of electric means
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/06—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing
    • G03G15/10—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing using a liquid developer
    • G03G15/104—Preparing, mixing, transporting or dispensing developer
    • G03G15/105—Detection or control means for the toner concentration
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T137/00—Fluid handling
    • Y10T137/2496—Self-proportioning or correlating systems
    • Y10T137/2499—Mixture condition maintaining or sensing
    • Y10T137/2509—By optical or chemical property

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT A device for automatically regulating the concentration of a developing solution, consisting of toner dispersed in a carrier solution, maintains developing solution having a predetermined concentration in a wet type developing device.
  • the concentration of the solution is photoelectrically detected, and, when 'the concentration decreases to less than the predetermined valve concentrated toner from a container is supplied by negative pressure generated by the falling of developing solution then remaining in a concentration regulating device into a developing solution reservoir under the action of gravity.
  • concentration adjustment occurs in response to the interruption of the circulation of the solution and disconnection of the concentration regulating device from the surrounding atmosphere.
  • the present invention generally relates to electrophotographic devices and particularly to a wet type developing device used in electrophotographic devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to an automatic developing solution concentration regulating device for use with wet type developing devices.
  • the developing solution consisting of toner dispersed in a carrier solution
  • a photosensitive element for develop ing an electrostatic latent image formed thereupon.
  • the toner particles are attracted to and held upon the surface of the photosensitive element in correspondence with the pattern of the latent image by electrostatic force.
  • Such developed electrophotographic toner image is fused upon the photosensitive element by fixing means, such as a heater.
  • the developed image may be transferred to and fused upon a suitable recording element such as a paper sheet.
  • toner concentration is decreased as the developing operations are repeated and the concentration of the developing solution must be maintained at a predetermined value so as to enable the production of copies having high quality images without any irregular adhesion or attraction of the toner particles.
  • the developing solution consists of two components, the toner particles and a carrier solution. The toner particles will be consumed, as described above, so that the concentration of the developing solution, that is, the concentration of the toner particles therein, must be detected and toner supplied for maintaining a predetermined concentration during the developing operation.
  • the concentration of the developing solution is photoelectrically detected and toner concentrate is supplied or added to the developing solution from a concentrated toner storage container depending upon the detected concentration.
  • toner concentrate is added to the developing solution from an inverted concentrated toner storage container by opening and closing the toner supply opening thereof, thereby dropping the toner concentrate into the developing solution.
  • the primary object of the present invention is to provide an automatic developing solution concentration regulating device which can constantly supply developing solution having a predetermined concentration to a wet type developing device.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved automatic developing solution concentration regulating device which can detect the toner concentration and constantly maintain it at a predetermined value by supplying toner concentrate or the like depending upon detected concentration.
  • a further object of the present invention is to provide an improved automatic developing solution concentration regulating device which can positively circulate developing solution between a developing solution reservoir and a developing solution container (in a developing device) by use of a pump.
  • a still further object of the present invention is to provide an improved automatic developing solution concentration regulating device which can effect its whole operations automatically with a high degree of accuracy based upon static hydrodynamic principles.
  • FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of one embodiment of an automatic developing solution concentration regulating device in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of a developing solution concentration detecting device used therein.
  • a developing solution consisting of toner dispersed in a carrier solution
  • a developing solution circulating pump 3 is disposed securely in position within the developing solution reservoir 1 below the level of the developing solution therein.
  • an aperture or port 4 for the suction of the developing solution therein and two pipes or ducts 5 and 6 for supplying the developing solution extend upwardly from the upper portion of the circulation pump 3.
  • the pipe 5 is adapted to supply the developing solution into a developing solution tank '8 or the like disposed within a developing device 7, from which the developing solution may be returned to the reservoir l.
  • the pipe 6 communicates with a developing solution concentration regulating tank 9 so that the developing solution discharged from the circulation pump 3 is circulated through the pipe 6, the regulating tank 9, a discharge pipe 10 extending downwardly from the regulating tank 9 to the developing solution reservoir 1.
  • the lower open end of the discharge pipe 10 is slightly above the level of the developing solution in the solution reservoir 1 so that the level, that is the volume of the developing solution in the developing solution reservoir 1, may be determined depending upon the position of the lower open end of the discharge pipe 10.
  • a photoelectric transducer means 13 consisting of a light source 11, connected to a supply E by a switch S, and a photoconductor element 12.
  • the concentration of the developing solution rises above a predetermined value, the developing solution is circulated from the reservoir 1 through the circulation pump 3, the developing solution concentration regulating tank 9 and the discharge pipe 10 to the reservoir 1 again.
  • the head between the normal level of the solution within the concentration regulating tank 9 and the lower opening end of the discharge pipe 10 is designated by H
  • the head between the average height designated by the line A-B connecting the vertices of a siphon 20 intercommunicating the concentration regulating tank 9 and a toner storage tank 19 and the level of the toner solution within the toner storage tank 19 is designated by H
  • the head between the upper wall of the concentration regulating tank 9 and the above described line A-B is designated by H
  • the parts of the device of the present invention are so arranged that the following relation will be held:
  • the developing solution present in the concentration regulating tank 9 flows down into the developing solution reservoir 1 through the discharge pipe 10 by the action of gravity of head H so that a negative pressure is produced in the concentration regulating tank 9.
  • the toner concentrate within the toner storage tank 19 is forced into the concentration regulating tank 9 through the siphon 20, whose bottom end is disposed in closely. spaced apart relation with the bottom of the toner storage tank 19, which is hermetically closed except for a vent 21 in the cover thereof.
  • the toner solution is supplied into the concentration regulating tank 9 in the manner as described hereinabove, the pressure within the tank 9 is increased and the toner solution is mixed with the developing solution. Thereafter, the mixed developing solution flows into the reservoir 1.
  • the concentration of the developing solution may gradually approach a predetermined value.
  • the photoelectric means When the developing solution concentration reaches such predetermined value, the photoelectric means is deenergized and the electromagnet 14 is also deenergized thereby returning the valves 16 and 17 to their normal positions.
  • the flow of the toner solution from the toner storage tank 19 through the siphon 20 stops 4432 H
  • the photoconductor element 12 such as CdS
  • H has a 3. resistance, as is well known in the art. Therefore, in the transistorized balancing circuit, the potentials at the points A and B are substantially equal. Since the transistors Tr and Tr are temperature-responsive, that is their characteristics are easily susceptible to variations due to temperature change, a thermistor Th is interconnected, thereby compensating for the variation due to the temperature change. When the concentration of the developing solution drops below the predetermined level, the light from the light source 11 is incident upon the element 12 so that its resistance is decreased.
  • the photoelectric means 13 has been described as being disposed within the concentration regulating tank 9, but it is understood that it may be disposed within the developing solution reservoir 1 or the developing device 7 as desired.
  • the present invention is based upon static hydraulics principles, in which the concentration of the developing solution circulating between the developing device and the developing solution reservoir is photoelectrically detected so that when the concentration falls below a predetermined value, normal circulation of the developing solution is stopped and toner solution is supplied from a concentrated toner storage container into the concentration regulating tank under the influence of the negative pressure produced therein due to gravity flowdown of the developing solution remaining in the tank 9.
  • devices in accordance with the present invention are very simple in construction yet highly reliable in operation for supplying and constantly maintaining the concentration of the developing solution at a predetermined value because the toner concentrate may be supplied in exact quantity to maintain the concentration of the developing solution at the predetermined value. Therefore, better quality copies may be continually provided.
  • An automatic developing solution concentration regulating device comprising:
  • the automatic developing solution concentration regulating device claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for detecting the concentration of the developing solution is a photoelectric means providing electrical signals indicative of variations in intensity of light emitted from a light source due to the variations in concentration of the developing solution.
  • the automatic developing solution concentration regulating device claimed in claim 1 including means for concurrently actuating said means for interrupting the circulation of the developing solution through said concentration regulating means and said means for disconnecting the communication of said concentration regulating means with the surrounding atmosphere when the concentration of the developing solution decreases to less than said predetermined value.
  • the automatic developing solution concentration regulating device claimed in claim 2 including an electromagnet and means for energizing said electromagnet where said signals indicate a decrease of the concentration of the developing solution to below said predetermined value, said electromagnet concurrently actuating said means for interrupting the circulation of the developing solution through said concentration regulating means and said means for disconnecting the communication of said concentration regulating means with the surrounding atmosphere.
  • An automatic developing solution concentration regulating device comprising:
  • developing solution concentration regulating means in communication with the surrounding atmosphere; a toner concentrate storage container; means for circulating the developing solution between said developing solution reservoir and said developing device;
  • Apparatus for use in maintaining a predetermined concentration of toner in developing solution contained in a reservoir comprising:
  • a vessel containing concentrated toner having a first port communicating with ambient atmosphere and a second port;
  • a tank having a top wall disposed vertically above the level of toner in said vessel and including a first tank port and a second tank port, a bottom wall providing a third tank port disposed vertically below said toner level and a side wall including a fourth tank port;
  • toner supply means sealably connecting said vessel second port and said tank second port and extending into said vessel below said toner level;
  • developing solution circulating means comprising a pump disposed in said reservoir, a first valve in said tank, a first conduit extending from said pump to said first valve, and a second conduit extending from said first valve to said reservoir;
  • circuit means responsive to said detecting means for actuating said first and second valves to first positions to provide communication respectively between said first con duit and said tank and between said tank first port and ambient atmosphere when detected toner concentration is greater than said predetermined concentration and for actuating said first and second valves respectively to second positions to provide communication between said first conduit and said second conduit and to discontinue communication between said tank first port and ambient atmosphere when detected toner concentration is less than said predetermined concentration.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
  • Wet Developing In Electrophotography (AREA)
  • Photographic Processing Devices Using Wet Methods (AREA)
  • Developing Agents For Electrophotography (AREA)
US3650196D 1968-11-05 1969-10-23 Device for automatically regulating the concentration of developing solution Expired - Lifetime US3650196A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP8077968A JPS51453B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1968-11-05 1968-11-05

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3650196A true US3650196A (en) 1972-03-21

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US3650196D Expired - Lifetime US3650196A (en) 1968-11-05 1969-10-23 Device for automatically regulating the concentration of developing solution

Country Status (4)

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US (1) US3650196A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
JP (1) JPS51453B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
DE (1) DE1955684C3 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
GB (1) GB1293586A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3789794A (en) * 1971-12-27 1974-02-05 Savin Business Machines Corp Apparatus for developing electrostatic images
US3858229A (en) * 1972-04-19 1974-12-31 Agfa Gevaert Ag Apparatus for wet treatment of photosensitive material
DE2363757A1 (de) * 1973-12-21 1975-07-10 Hoechst Ag Verfahren und vorrichtung zur entwicklernachdosierung in lichtpausgeraeten
US3947856A (en) * 1973-02-17 1976-03-30 Agfa-Gevaert Ag Equipment for controlling the supply of fresh liquid in liquid treatment of photographic emulsion carriers
US4025938A (en) * 1974-05-17 1977-05-24 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Liquid developer reservoir for copying machine
US4068677A (en) * 1975-06-03 1978-01-17 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Process control circuit for metal-depositing baths
US4110029A (en) * 1973-09-27 1978-08-29 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Liquid developer for an electrostatic copying device
US4141646A (en) * 1975-12-27 1979-02-27 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Electrophotography apparatus with downtime control circuitry
US4634252A (en) * 1983-12-16 1987-01-06 Benson, S.A. Development installation and storage device for electrostatic printer using a liquid developer
US4660152A (en) * 1984-06-18 1987-04-21 Xerox Corporation System and method for monitoring and maintaining concentrate material in a fluid carrier
US5396316A (en) * 1993-10-20 1995-03-07 Hewlett-Packard Company User-replaceable liquid toner cartridge with integral pump and valve mechanisms
US5446516A (en) * 1994-02-23 1995-08-29 Fischer Industries, Inc. Replenisher system for x-ray film processor
US5489961A (en) * 1993-04-02 1996-02-06 Burbury; Robert L. Chemical developer sensing system for film processors
US6385421B1 (en) * 1999-09-21 2002-05-07 Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha Image forming apparatus including a returning mechanism for returning excessive developing liquid
US6389244B1 (en) * 1998-01-13 2002-05-14 Nec Corporation Toner density sensor, and ink jet head, developing unit and image forming apparatus in which toner density sensor is used
US20090028610A1 (en) * 2007-07-27 2009-01-29 Haim Belinkov Electrophotographic Printing

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3282177A (en) * 1964-02-24 1966-11-01 Harris Intertype Corp Electrophotographic apparatus
US3354802A (en) * 1964-07-22 1967-11-28 Savin Business Machines Corp Toner monitoring system for electrostatic copier
US3369524A (en) * 1964-08-28 1968-02-20 Lumoprint Zindler Kg Copying device for electro-photographic copying materials
US3381662A (en) * 1962-11-27 1968-05-07 Harris Intertype Corp Electrophotographic micro-copy printer
US3494328A (en) * 1966-09-01 1970-02-10 Addressograph Multigraph Liquid photoelectrostatic developer unit

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3381662A (en) * 1962-11-27 1968-05-07 Harris Intertype Corp Electrophotographic micro-copy printer
US3282177A (en) * 1964-02-24 1966-11-01 Harris Intertype Corp Electrophotographic apparatus
US3354802A (en) * 1964-07-22 1967-11-28 Savin Business Machines Corp Toner monitoring system for electrostatic copier
US3369524A (en) * 1964-08-28 1968-02-20 Lumoprint Zindler Kg Copying device for electro-photographic copying materials
US3494328A (en) * 1966-09-01 1970-02-10 Addressograph Multigraph Liquid photoelectrostatic developer unit

Cited By (19)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3789794A (en) * 1971-12-27 1974-02-05 Savin Business Machines Corp Apparatus for developing electrostatic images
US3858229A (en) * 1972-04-19 1974-12-31 Agfa Gevaert Ag Apparatus for wet treatment of photosensitive material
US3947856A (en) * 1973-02-17 1976-03-30 Agfa-Gevaert Ag Equipment for controlling the supply of fresh liquid in liquid treatment of photographic emulsion carriers
US4110029A (en) * 1973-09-27 1978-08-29 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Liquid developer for an electrostatic copying device
DE2363757A1 (de) * 1973-12-21 1975-07-10 Hoechst Ag Verfahren und vorrichtung zur entwicklernachdosierung in lichtpausgeraeten
US4023193A (en) * 1973-12-21 1977-05-10 Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft Process and apparatus for replenishing developer in photoprinting machines
US4025938A (en) * 1974-05-17 1977-05-24 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Liquid developer reservoir for copying machine
US4068677A (en) * 1975-06-03 1978-01-17 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Process control circuit for metal-depositing baths
US4141646A (en) * 1975-12-27 1979-02-27 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Electrophotography apparatus with downtime control circuitry
US4634252A (en) * 1983-12-16 1987-01-06 Benson, S.A. Development installation and storage device for electrostatic printer using a liquid developer
US4660152A (en) * 1984-06-18 1987-04-21 Xerox Corporation System and method for monitoring and maintaining concentrate material in a fluid carrier
US5489961A (en) * 1993-04-02 1996-02-06 Burbury; Robert L. Chemical developer sensing system for film processors
US5396316A (en) * 1993-10-20 1995-03-07 Hewlett-Packard Company User-replaceable liquid toner cartridge with integral pump and valve mechanisms
EP0650103B1 (en) * 1993-10-20 1997-08-20 Hewlett-Packard Company User-replaceable liquid toner cartridge with integral pump and valve mechanisms
US5446516A (en) * 1994-02-23 1995-08-29 Fischer Industries, Inc. Replenisher system for x-ray film processor
US6389244B1 (en) * 1998-01-13 2002-05-14 Nec Corporation Toner density sensor, and ink jet head, developing unit and image forming apparatus in which toner density sensor is used
US6385421B1 (en) * 1999-09-21 2002-05-07 Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha Image forming apparatus including a returning mechanism for returning excessive developing liquid
US20090028610A1 (en) * 2007-07-27 2009-01-29 Haim Belinkov Electrophotographic Printing
US7756449B2 (en) * 2007-07-27 2010-07-13 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Electrophotographic printing apparatus and methods in which carrier medium is extracted from unused ink

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE1955684A1 (de) 1970-05-21
GB1293586A (en) 1972-10-18
DE1955684C3 (de) 1979-05-23
JPS51453B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1976-01-08
DE1955684B2 (de) 1978-09-21

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