Optimized vibratory systems in electrophotographic devices

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.sub.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.sub.b1 and f.sub.b2, respectively) when excited by the resonator;
• and
• said resonator operating frequency selected so that
• f.sub.r .about.(.sup.f b1+.sup.f b2)/.sub.2

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.sub.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.sub.b1 and f.sub.b2, respectively) when excited by the resonator;
• and
• said resonator operating frequency selected so that
• f.sub.r .about.(.sup.f b1+.sup.f b2)/.sub.2