WO2019009901A1 - Cartouche de toner - Google Patents

Cartouche de toner Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2019009901A1
WO2019009901A1 PCT/US2017/040870 US2017040870W WO2019009901A1 WO 2019009901 A1 WO2019009901 A1 WO 2019009901A1 US 2017040870 W US2017040870 W US 2017040870W WO 2019009901 A1 WO2019009901 A1 WO 2019009901A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
housing
photoconductor
toner
light path
developer roller
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2017/040870
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Robin P. Yergenson
Dean Richtsmeier
Original Assignee
Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. filed Critical Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
Priority to PCT/US2017/040870 priority Critical patent/WO2019009901A1/fr
Publication of WO2019009901A1 publication Critical patent/WO2019009901A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G21/00—Arrangements not provided for by groups G03G13/00 - G03G19/00, e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge
    • G03G21/16—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements
    • G03G21/18—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements using a processing cartridge, whereby the process cartridge comprises at least two image processing means in a single unit
    • G03G21/1803—Arrangements or disposition of the complete process cartridge or parts thereof
    • G03G21/1817—Arrangements or disposition of the complete process cartridge or parts thereof having a submodular arrangement
    • G03G21/1825—Pivotable subunit connection
    • 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
    • G03G15/08—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing using a solid developer, e.g. powder developer
    • G03G15/0896—Arrangements or disposition of the complete developer unit or parts thereof not provided for by groups G03G15/08 - G03G15/0894

Definitions

  • the printing process in many laser printers involves forming a uniform surface charge on a photoconductor and then exposing the photoconductor to imaging light in select areas to define a latent electrostatic image on the photoconductor.
  • the latent image is developed by presenting toner to the charged photoconductor.
  • the toner adheres to the imaged areas of the photoconductor to form a developed image that is transferred to paper or another imaging substrate.
  • the toner supply is sometimes contained in a replaceable cartridge that also houses the photoconductor and other image development components of the printer.
  • FIGs. 1 and 2 are isometric exterior views showing one example of a toner cartridge viewed from the rear.
  • Fig. 3 is an isometric section view of the example cartridge of Figs. 1 and 2 taken along the line 3-3 in Fig. 1 .
  • Fig. 4 is an isometric section view detail of one of part of the housing in the example cartridge of Figs. 1 and 2.
  • Fig. 5 is an isometric section view of the example cartridge of Figs. 1 and 2 taken along the line 5-5 in Fig. 1 .
  • Fig. 6 is a top down exterior plan view of the example cartridge shown in Figs. 1 and 2.
  • FIGs. 7 and 8 illustrate one example of a developer alienation/de- alienation sequence to increase toner agitation compared to routine alienation, in a toner cartridge such as the one shown in Figs. 1 -6.
  • Fig. 7 is a section view showing a developer roller in a developing (engaged/de-alienated) position.
  • Fig. 8 is a section view showing developer roller in an alienated
  • Fig. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a printer implementing one example an alienation system to agitate toner in a toner cartridge.
  • the same part numbers designate the same or similar parts throughout the figures. The figures are not necessarily to scale.
  • a new toner cartridge has been developed to increase the toner supply capacity in some laser printers that have a vertical imaging light path, without also increasing the size of the printer. It has been discovered that the supply volume of the toner cartridge can be expanded into otherwise unoccupied space in the printer surrounding the imaging light path over the waste toner reservoir.
  • the periodic developer alienation sequence can be used to agitate toner in the expanded volume, thus allowing the toner to slide down into the original supply volume over the developer roller. Also, it may be possible to use other sources of agitation to move toner from the expanded volume into the original supply volume. While the amount of expanded volume will vary depending on the particular printer architecture, volumetric modeling suggests that increases of more than 50% are possible in some printer architectures compared to current toner supply volumes.
  • the new toner cartridge includes a housing, a photoconductor supported in the housing, and a developer roller supported in the housing near the photoconductor.
  • the housing encloses a toner supply reservoir and surrounds a vertical or near vertical imaging light path that extends down through the housing to the photoconductor.
  • the supply reservoir extends from side to side in a direction parallel to the long axis of
  • the developer roller is supported in the housing along the lower part of a front chamber of the supply reservoir.
  • the expanded volume resides in a rear chamber that intersects the upper part of the front chamber and extends rearward along and behind the light path.
  • the floor of the rear chamber slopes down along each side of the light path toward the front chamber.
  • the floor also slopes down from side to side from a peak at the middle part of the rear chamber behind the light path down toward each side.
  • toner behind the light path can move to the sides and then down to the front chamber.
  • a "printer” means any printing device including but not limited to “printers”, “copiers”, MFPs (multi-function printers), and AiOs (all-in-one printers).
  • FIGs. 1 -6 illustrate one example of a toner cartridge 10 with a housing 12 enclosing an inverted-L shaped toner supply reservoir 14.
  • Figs. 1 and 2 are isometric views showing the exterior of cartridge 10 viewed from the rear.
  • Figs. 3 and 5 are isometric sections taken along the lines 3-3 and 5-5 in Fig. 1 .
  • Fig. 4 is an isometric section detail showing part of housing 12.
  • Fig. 6 is a top down exterior plan view of cartridge 10.
  • cartridge 10 includes a photoconductor roller 16 on which the latent image is formed and the toner image is developed, a charging roller 18 to form a uniform surface charge on photoconductor 16, a developer roller 20 to present toner 21 to photoconductor 16, and a supply roller 22 to supply toner to developer roller 20. Unused or excess toner 23 removed from photoconductor roller 16 is collected in a "waste" reservoir 24 behind photoconductor roller 16. Toners 21 and 23 are shown in Fig. 3 and omitted from the other figures.
  • Cartridge 10 is configured for use in a printer with an "upright”, vertical or near vertical, imaging light path 26 to photoconductor roller 16.
  • "Upright” as used in this document means within 30° of vertical.
  • Photoconductor roller 16 and developer roller 20 are supported in housing 12 along a lower part 28 of supply reservoir 14.
  • Toner supply reservoir 14 includes a front, vertically oriented chamber 30 and a rear, horizontally oriented chamber 32 intersecting front chamber 30.
  • Directional terms used this document are taken with reference to the axis 34 of developer roller 20.
  • supply reservoir 14 extends from side to side in a direction parallel to axis 34 and from front to rear in a direction perpendicular to axis 34.
  • toner supply reservoir 14 completely surrounds light path 26.
  • Cartridge housing 12 forms an opening 38 surrounding light path 26 through which imaging light may pass unobstructed to photoconductor 16.
  • Rear chamber 32 includes side regions 40, 42 on each side of opening 38 and light path 26.
  • Rear chamber 32 also includes a rear region 44 behind opening 38 and light path 26 between side regions 40, 42.
  • Housing 12 forms a floor 46 under rear chamber 32.
  • Floor 46 slopes down from rear to front along each side 40, 42 of chamber 32.
  • Floor 46 also slopes down along rear region 44 from a raised part 48 down to sides 40, 42.
  • raised part 48 is configured as a peak at the center of rear region 44.
  • Other suitable raised configurations are possible.
  • floor 46 could be domed along rear region 44 to help move toner toward sides 40, 42.
  • slope of floor 46 may vary depending on the particular printer application for a cartridge 10, it is expected that a slope angle ⁇ of 5° to 15° along each side 40, 42 and a slope angle 0 of 5° to 15° along rear region 44 will be sufficient to allow toner to move from rear chamber 32 to front chamber 30 under the influence of gravity alone, or with the aid of periodic agitation, for example from the "alienation” and "de-alienation” of developer roller 20. Slope angles 0 and ⁇ are called out in Fig. 4 and are measured with respect to a horizontal plane. Also, it may be possible to use other sources of agitation to help move toner down floor 46.
  • vibration of housing 12 induced during printing may be sufficient to allow toner to move down floor 46 for slope angles 0 and ⁇ greater than 15°.
  • manually agitating toner cartridge 10 periodically may be sufficient to allow toner to move down floor 46 with slope angles 0 and ⁇ as low as 5°.
  • Developer “alienation” refers to the periodic disengaging of developer roller 20 from photoconductor 16 to reduce wear on the rollers.
  • the developer alienation sequence is characterized as having an alienation action in which the developer roller is disengaged from the
  • housing 12 also includes a handle 50 located immediately behind light path 26.
  • FIGs. 7-9 illustrate one example of a developer alienation system 52 (Fig. 9) adapted to increase toner agitation compared to routine alienation.
  • Fig. 7 is a section view showing developer roller 22 in a de-alienated, develop position to present toner to photoconductor 16 during printing.
  • Fig. 8 is a section view showing developer roller 22 in an alienated position, away from photoconductor 16 when the printer is idle.
  • housing 12 includes a rotatable part 12A that supports developer roller 22 and a stationary part 12B that supports photoconductor roller 16.
  • Cartridge 10 usually will include a leveling blade 51 to level toner presented to developer roller 22 by supply roller 24 and a cleaning blade 53 to clean excess toner from
  • Blades 51 and 53 are omitted from the section views of Figs. 3 and 5 to not obscure other features of cartridge 10.
  • Developer roller 22 rotates with housing part 12A on an axis 54, as best seen by comparing the position of roller 22 and housing part 12A in Figs. 7 and 8.
  • Housing part 12A is operatively connected to housing part 12B along axis 54 on pivot pins 55 or another suitable connection that allows part 12A to pivot with respect to part 12B.
  • Rotating housing part 12A faster from an alienated position in Fig. 8 to a develop position in Fig. 7 and with an abrupt stop at the develop position helps move toner down the sloped floor 46 in rear chamber 32. Faster rotation and more abrupt stopping urges toner more forcefully down the slopes toward front chamber 30.
  • rotating housing part 12A slower from a develop position in Fig. 7 to an alienated position in Fig. 8 and with a gentle stop, helps keep toner from moving rearward.
  • a damper 56 between housing parts 12A and 12B may be used to cushion housing 12A as it reaches the alienated position in Fig. 8.
  • Fig. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a printer 58 implementing an alienation system 52 to periodically engage and disengage the developer roller with the photoconductor and to agitate toner in the rear chamber of the toner supply reservoir.
  • printer 10 includes multiple toner cartridges 10 positioned over a paper or other print substrate 60 transported past cartridges 10 with a substrate transport mechanism 62. Cartridges 10 and transport mechanism operate at the direction of a printer controller 64.
  • Controller 64 in Fig. 9 represents the programming, processing and memory resources, and the electronic circuitry and components needed to control the operative elements of a printer 58.
  • controller 64 includes a processor 65 and a processor readable medium 66 with agitation instructions 68 to periodically rotate housing part 12A in each toner cartridge 10 for toner agitation, as describe above with reference to Figs. 7 and 8.
  • developer alienation system 52 includes a rotary actuator 70 to rotate cartridge housing 12A and thus developer roller 20 toward and away from photoconductor roller 16.
  • Actuator 70 may include, for example, a reversible, variable speed motor and a drive train connected between the motor and housing part 12A.
  • Agitation instructions 68 modify or supplement the usual developer alienation routine to more vigorously agitate toner in rear chamber 32, for example by rotating housing 12A faster and stopping it abruptly from the alienated position of Fig. 8 to the develop position of Fig. 7, compared to routine de-alienation, and by rotating housing 12A slower and stopping it gently from the develop position to the alienated position, compared to routine alienation.
  • the abruptness of the stop may be controlled, for example, with the motor or with a physical stop - a hard stop at

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Vision & Pattern Recognition (AREA)
  • Cleaning In Electrography (AREA)
  • Dry Development In Electrophotography (AREA)

Abstract

Selon un mode de représentation, l'invention concerne une cartouche de toner (10) qui comprend : un boîtier (12) ayant un premier composant mobile (12A) renfermant un réservoir d'alimentation en toner, puis un second composant fixe (12B) renfermant un réservoir de toner usagé (24) ; un rouleau photoconducteur (16) ancré dans la seconde partie du boîtier ; et un rouleau de développement (20) ancré dans la première partie du boîtier près du photoconducteur. Le réservoir d'alimentation en toner comporte une chambre avant (30) sur le rouleau de développement et une chambre arrière (32) sur le réservoir de toner usagé avec un fond (46) qui s'incline vers le bas en direction de la chambre avant. Le réservoir d'alimentation en toner encercle un trajet lumineux d'imagerie vertical (26) qui s'étend vers le bas à travers le boîtier jusqu'au photoconducteur.
PCT/US2017/040870 2017-07-06 2017-07-06 Cartouche de toner WO2019009901A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2017/040870 WO2019009901A1 (fr) 2017-07-06 2017-07-06 Cartouche de toner

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2017/040870 WO2019009901A1 (fr) 2017-07-06 2017-07-06 Cartouche de toner

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2019009901A1 true WO2019009901A1 (fr) 2019-01-10

Family

ID=59351144

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2017/040870 WO2019009901A1 (fr) 2017-07-06 2017-07-06 Cartouche de toner

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2019009901A1 (fr)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0501497A2 (fr) * 1991-03-01 1992-09-02 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Système de formation d'images et unité amovible, de traitement montée sur celui-ci
JP2009222858A (ja) * 2008-03-14 2009-10-01 Fuji Xerox Co Ltd トナー収容装置及び画像形成装置
WO2013028156A1 (fr) * 2011-08-19 2013-02-28 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Récipient de toner
EP2863271A1 (fr) * 2012-06-15 2015-04-22 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Cartouche, cartouche de traitement, et dispositif de production d'images électrophotographiques

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0501497A2 (fr) * 1991-03-01 1992-09-02 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Système de formation d'images et unité amovible, de traitement montée sur celui-ci
JP2009222858A (ja) * 2008-03-14 2009-10-01 Fuji Xerox Co Ltd トナー収容装置及び画像形成装置
WO2013028156A1 (fr) * 2011-08-19 2013-02-28 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Récipient de toner
EP2863271A1 (fr) * 2012-06-15 2015-04-22 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Cartouche, cartouche de traitement, et dispositif de production d'images électrophotographiques

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