Segmented resonator structure having a uniform response for electrophotographic imaging

Claim 2

In an imaging device having a non-rigid member with a charge retentive surface moving along an endless path, means for creating a latent image on the charge retentive surface, means for imagewise developing the latent image with toner, means for electrostatically transferring the developed toner image to a copy sheet, and a resonator for enhancing toner release from the charge retentive surface and producing relatively high frequency vibratory energy, and having a portion thereof adapted for contact across the flexible belt member, generally transverse to the direction of movement thereof, the resonator comprising: a horn member for applying the high frequency vibratory energy to the belt member, having a platform portion, a horn portion, and a contacting portion; vibratory energy producing means coupled to said horn platform, for generating the high frequency vibratory energy; support means for supporting the combination of said vibratory energy producing means and said horn member; said horn member divided into a plurality of horn segments across said belt member, each horn segment including horn portion and contacting portion in substantially non-contacting relationship with adjacent horn segments.

Claim 3

The device as defined in claim 1 where individual horn segments are separated from adjacent horn segments with slits in said horn member, extending from said contacting portion through said horn portion to said platform portion, said slits having an orientation generally perpendicular to said belt member, and parallel to said direction of movement.

Claim 4

The device as defined in claim 1, wherein said vibratory energy producing means includes a substantially continuous piezoelectric element having a direction of vibration generally perpendicular to said belt member.

Claim 5

The device as defined in claim 1, wherein said vibratory energy producing means includes a plurality of piezoelectric elements, said plurality corresponding in number to said plurality of horn segments, each piezoelectric element having a size and position across the belt corresponding to one of said horn segments, said piezoelectric elements having a direction of vibration generally perpendicular to said belt member.

Claim 6

The device as defined in claim 4, wherein said support member includes a plurality of supporting elements, said plurality corresponding in number to said plurality of horn segments, each support element having a size and position across the belt corresponding to one of said horn segments.

Claim 7

A resonator for uniformly applying vibratory energy to a moving flexible belt member, said device comprising: a horn member for applying the high frequency vibratory energy to the belt member, having a platform portion, a horn portion, and a contacting portion; said contacting portion adapted for contact across the flexible belt member, generally transverse to the direction of movement thereof; vibratory energy producing means coupled to said horn platform, for generating the high frequency vibratory energy; support means for supporting the combination of said vibratory energy producing means and said horn member; said horn member divided into a plurality of horn segments across said belt member, each horn segment including horn portion and contacting portion in substantially non-contacting relationship with adjacent horn segments.

Claim 8

A resonator for uniformly applying vibratory energy to a moving flexible belt member, said device comprising: a horn member for applying the high frequency vibratory energy to the belt member, having a platform portion, a horn portion, and a contacting portion; said contacting portion adapted for contact across the flexible belt member, generally transverse to the direction of movement thereof; vibratory energy producing means coupled to said horn platform, for generating the high frequency vibratory energy; support means for supporting the combination of said vibratory energy producing means and said horn member; said horn member divided into a plurality of horn segments across said belt member, each horn segment including horn portion and contacting portion in substantially non-contacting relationship with adjacent horn segments.

Claim 9

The device as defined in claim 6 where individual horn segments are separated from adjacent horn segments with slits in said horn member, extending from said contacting portion through said horn portion to said platform portion, said slits having an orientation generally perpendicular to said belt member, and parallel to said direction of movement.

Claim 10

The device as defined in claim 6, wherein said vibratory energy producing means includes a substantially continuous piezoelectric element having a direction of vibration generally perpendicular to said belt member.

Claim 11

The device as defined in claim 6, wherein said vibratory energy producing means includes a plurality of piezoelectric elements, said plurality corresponding in number to said plurality of horn segments, each piezoelectric element having a size and position across the belt corresponding to one of said horn segments, said piezoelectric elements having a direction of vibration generally perpendicular to said belt member.

Claim 12

The device as defined in claim 7, wherein said support member includes a plurality of supporting elements, said plurality corresponding in number to said plurality of horn segments, each support element having a size and position across the belt corresponding to one of said horn segments.

Claim 13

In an imaging device having a non-rigid member with a charge retentive surface, moving along an endless path, means for creating a latent image on the charge retentive surface, means for imagewise developing the latent image with toner, means for electrostatically transferring the developed toner image to a copy sheet, and a resonator for enhancing toner release from the charge retentive surface and producing relatively high frequency vibratory energy, and having a portion thereof adapted for contact across the flexible belt member, generally transverse to the direction of movement thereof, the resonator comprising: a power supply; a horn member for applying the high frequency vibratory energy to the belt member, having a platform portion, a horn portion, and a contacting portion, said horn member divided into a plurality of horn segments across said belt member, each horn segment including horn portion and contacting portion in substantially non-contacting relationship with adjacent horn segments, and separated from adjacent horn segments with slits in said horn member, extending from said contacting portion through said horn portion to said platform portion, said slits having an orientation generally perpendicular to said belt member, and parallel to said direction of movement; a plurality of piezoelectric elements each coupled to said horn platform, for generating the high frequency vibratory energy when driven by said power supply, each piezoelectric element having a size and position across the belt corresponding to at least one of said horn segments, said piezoelectric elements having a direction of vibration generally perpendicular to said belt member; a plurality of supporting elements, each support element having a size and position across the belt corresponding to at least one of said horn segments.

Claim 14

In an imaging device having a non-rigid member with a charge retentive surface, moving along an endless path, means for creating a latent image on the charge retentive surface, means for imagewise developing the latent image with toner, means for electrostatically transferring the developed toner image to a copy sheet, and a resonator for enhancing toner release from the charge retentive surface and producing relatively high frequency vibratory energy, and having a portion thereof adapted for contact across the flexible belt member, generally transverse to the direction of movement thereof, the resonator comprising: a power supply; a horn member for applying the high frequency vibratory energy to the belt member, having a platform portion, a horn portion, and a contacting portion, said horn member divided into a plurality of horn segments across said belt member, each horn segment including horn portion and contacting portion in substantially non-contacting relationship with adjacent horn segments, and separated from adjacent horn segments with slits in said horn member, extending from said contacting portion through said horn portion to said platform portion, said slits having an orientation generally perpendicular to said belt member, and parallel to said direction of movement; a plurality of piezoelectric elements each coupled to said horn platform, for generating the high frequency vibratory energy when driven by said power supply, each piezoelectric element having a size and position across the belt corresponding to at least one of said horn segments, said piezoelectric elements having a direction of vibration generally perpendicular to said belt member; a plurality of supporting elements, each support element having a size and position across the belt corresponding to at least one of said horn segments.

Claim 15

In an imaging device having a non-rigid member with a charge retentive surface moving along an endless path, means for creating a latent image on the charge retentive surface, means for imagewise developing the latent image with toner, means for electrostatically transferring the developed toner image to a copy sheet, and a resonator for enhancing toner release from the charge retentive surface and producing relatively high frequency vibratory energy, and having a portion thereof adapted for contact across the flexible belt member, generally transverse to the direction of movement thereof, the resonator comprising: a horn member for applying the high frequency vibratory energy to the belt member, having a platform portion, a horn portion, and a contacting portion; vibratory energy producing means coupled to said horn platform, for generating the high frequency vibratory energy; said horn member divided into a plurality of horn segments across said belt member, each horn segment including horn portion and contacting portion in substantially non-contacting relationship with adjacent horn segments.

Claim 16

In an imaging device having a non-rigid member with a charge retentive surface moving along an endless path, means for creating a latent image on the charge retentive surface, means for imagewise developing the latent image with toner, means for electrostatically transferring the developed toner image to a copy sheet, and a resonator for enhancing toner release from the charge retentive surface and producing relatively high frequency vibratory energy, and having a portion thereof adapted for contact across the flexible belt member, generally transverse to the direction of movement thereof, the resonator comprising: a horn member for applying the high frequency vibratory energy to the belt member, having a platform portion, a horn portion, and a contacting portion; vibratory energy producing means coupled to said horn platform, for generating the high frequency vibratory energy; said horn member divided into a plurality of horn segments across said belt member, each horn segment including horn portion and contacting portion in substantially non-contacting relationship with adjacent horn segments.

Claim 17

The device as defined in claim 12 where individual horn segments are separated from adjacent horn segments with slits in said horn member, extending from said contacting portion through said horn portion to said platform portion, said slits having an orientation generally perpendicular to said belt member, and parallel to said direction of movement.

Claim 18

The device as defined in claim 12, wherein said vibratory energy producing means includes a substantially continuous piezoelectric element having a direction of vibration generally perpendicular to said belt member.

Claim 19

The device as defined in claim 12, wherein said vibratory energy producing means includes a plurality of piezoelectric elements, said plurality corresponding in number to said plurality of horn segments, each piezoelectric element having a size and position across the belt corresponding to one of said horn segments, said piezoelectric elements having a direction of vibration generally perpendicular to said belt member.