US5329341A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optimized vibratory systems in electrophotographic devices
Assignee: Xerox Corp
•
Filing: 1993-08-06
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Granted: 1994-07-12
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Expires: 2013-08-06
Abstract
Abstract An electrophotographic device for reproducing an image on an imaging member includes: processing elements for forming a toner-developed latent image on a charge retentive surface of the imaging member; a transfer station for transferring toner from the imaging surface to a second surface of a receiving member; an arrangement for enhancing toner release from the imaging surface, including a resonator in contact with and applying vibratory energy to the imaging member at a location at which toner release is desired having a resonator resonant frequency f r ; a coupler for coupling the imaging member to the resonator; a driving signal source electrically coupled to the resonator, and producing a driving signal selected to drive the resonator at frequency f r ; the imaging member, coupler and receiving member together defining a system having a first and second belt resonant frequency (f b1 and f b2 , respectively) when excited by the toner release enhancer; and the belt resonant frequencies and the resonator resonant frequency selected so that f.sub.r =(.sup.f b1+.sup.f b2)/.sub.2
Inventors
- 👤 William J. Nowak
- 👤 David B. Montfort
- 👤 Ronald E. Stokes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 20:58
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/14; G03G15/16; G03G15/06; G03G15/08; G03G15/0806; G03G15/0813
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
An electrophotographic device for reproducing an image includes: means for forming a toner-developed latent image on a charge retentive surface of an imaging member; means for transferring toner from the charge retentive surface to a surface of a receiving member; means for enhancing toner release from the charge retentive surface, including a resonator in contact with and applying vibratory energy to the imaging member at a location at which toner release is desired; means for coupling the imaging member to the resonator; a driving signal source electrically coupled to said resonator, and producing a driving signal selected to drive the resonator at a frequency f r ; said imaging member and said coupling means together defining a system having a first and second belt resonant frequency (f b1 and f b2 , respectively) when excited by the resonator; and said resonator operating frequency selected so that f.sub.r ˜(f.sub.b1 +f.sub.b2)/.sub.2
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
149 words
An electrophotographic device for reproducing an image includes: means for forming a toner-developed latent image on a charge retentive surface of an imaging member; means for transferring toner from the charge retentive surface to a surface of a receiving member; means for enhancing toner release from the charge retentive surface, including a resonator in contact with and applying vibratory energy to the imaging member at a location at which toner release is desired; means for coupling the imaging member to the resonator; a driving signal source electrically coupled to said resonator, and producing a driving signal selected to drive the resonator at a frequency f r ; said imaging member and said coupling means together defining a system having a first and second belt resonant frequency (f b1 and f b2 , respectively) when excited by the resonator; and said resonator operating frequency selected so that f.sub.r ˜(f.sub.b1 +f.sub.b2)/.sub.2
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device as defined in claim 1, wherein said resonator comprises a piezoelectric element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device as defined in claim 1, wherein the resonator contacts the imaging member at a location closely adjacent from said toner transferring means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device as defined in claim 1, wherein a resonant frequency for the resonator is approximately f r .
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
158 words
An electrophotographic device for reproducing an image comprising: means for forming an toner-developed latent image on a charge retentive surface of an imaging member; means for transferring toner from the charge retentive surface to a surface of a receiving member; a resonator in contact with and applying vibratory energy to the imaging member at a location at which toner release from the charge retentive surface is desired; a driving signal source electrically coupled to said resonator, and producing a driving signal selected to drive the resonator at a frequency f r ; a vacuum box and associated vacuum source, substantially surrounding the resonator, and arranged to draw the imaging member into contact with the resonator; said imaging member and said vacuum box together defining a system having a first and second system resonant frequency (f b1 and f b2 , respectively) when excited by the resonator; and said resonator operating frequency selected so that f.sub.r ˜(.sup.f b1+.sup.f b2)/.sub.2
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
158 words
An electrophotographic device for reproducing an image comprising: means for forming an toner-developed latent image on a charge retentive surface of an imaging member; means for transferring toner from the charge retentive surface to a surface of a receiving member; a resonator in contact with and applying vibratory energy to the imaging member at a location at which toner release from the charge retentive surface is desired; a driving signal source electrically coupled to said resonator, and producing a driving signal selected to drive the resonator at a frequency f r ; a vacuum box and associated vacuum source, substantially surrounding the resonator, and arranged to draw the imaging member into contact with the resonator; said imaging member and said vacuum box together defining a system having a first and second system resonant frequency (f b1 and f b2 , respectively) when excited by the resonator; and said resonator operating frequency selected so that f.sub.r ˜(.sup.f b1+.sup.f b2)/.sub.2
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device as defined in claim 5, wherein said resonator comprises a piezoelectric element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device as defined in claim 5, wherein the resonator contacts the imaging member at a location closely adjacent from said toner transferring means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device as defined in claim 5, wherein a resonant frequency for the resonator is approximately f r .
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
175 words
An electrophotographic device for reproducing an image comprising: an imaging member having a charge retentive surface and moving in an endless loop; means for forming a toner-developed latent image on the charge retentive surface of the imaging member; means for transferring toner from the charge retentive surface to a surface of a receiving member; means for removing residual toner remaining on the charge retentive surface; a resonator in contact with and applying vibratory energy to the imaging member at the residual toner removing means; a driving signal source electrically coupled to said resonator, and producing a driving signal selected to drive the resonator at a frequency f r ; a vacuum box and associated vacuum source, substantially surrounding the resonator, and arranged to draw the imaging member into contact with the resonator; said imaging member and said vacuum box together defining a system having a first and second system resonant frequency (f b1 and f b2 , respectively) when excited by the resonator; and said resonator operating frequency selected so that f.sub.r ˜(.sup.f b1+.sup.f b2)/.sub.2
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
175 words
An electrophotographic device for reproducing an image comprising: an imaging member having a charge retentive surface and moving in an endless loop; means for forming a toner-developed latent image on the charge retentive surface of the imaging member; means for transferring toner from the charge retentive surface to a surface of a receiving member; means for removing residual toner remaining on the charge retentive surface; a resonator in contact with and applying vibratory energy to the imaging member at the residual toner removing means; a driving signal source electrically coupled to said resonator, and producing a driving signal selected to drive the resonator at a frequency f r ; a vacuum box and associated vacuum source, substantially surrounding the resonator, and arranged to draw the imaging member into contact with the resonator; said imaging member and said vacuum box together defining a system having a first and second system resonant frequency (f b1 and f b2 , respectively) when excited by the resonator; and said resonator operating frequency selected so that f.sub.r ˜(.sup.f b1+.sup.f b2)/.sub.2
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device as defined in claim 9, wherein a resonant frequency for the resonator is approximately f r .
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-07-11 | 1998-01-10 | 1998-07-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-07-11 | 2002-01-10 | 2002-07-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-07-11 | 2006-01-10 | 2006-07-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |