Apparatus and method to supply developer
AssigneeSamsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
InventorJong-hyun Park
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Embodiments of an image forming apparatus, developer supplying apparatus and methods thereof may control a developer conveying speed in accordance with image print conditions, environmental status and/or developer amount to substantially maintain a stable amount or supply amount of developer. The developer may include bi-component developer having toner and carrier.
Claims25
A developer supplying apparatus containing developer, comprising:
- a developer conveying member to convey a developer along a developer conveyance path by rotational movement;
- a first sensing member disposed along the conveyance path to detect an environmental status within the developer supplying apparatus and an amount of developer;
- a first setting unit to set a rotational speed of the developer conveying member according to the detected environmental status;
- and
- a control unit to perform a first control of rotational speed of the developer conveying member according to the rotational speed set by the first setting unit.
A method of supplying developer contained in a developer supply apparatus, comprising:
- detecting an environmental status along a developer conveyance path within the developer supplying apparatus;
- setting rotational speed of a developer conveying member according to the detected environmental status;
- and
- performing a first control of rotational speed of the developer conveying member according to the set rotational speed.
A developer supplying apparatus containing a developer, comprising:
- a developing conveying member to convey the developer along a conveyance path by rotational movement;
- a first sensing member disposed along the conveyance path to detect an environmental status within the developer supplying apparatus and an amount of developer,
- wherein, the rotational movement of the developing conveying member is varied to adjust an amount of the developer according to the detected environmental status surrounding the developer within the developer supplying apparatus.
An image forming apparatus, comprising:
- a printing unit to form an image on a printing medium, and
- a developer supplying apparatus to communicate with the printing unit, and having a developing conveying member to convey a developer contained in the developer supplying apparatus along a conveyance path by rotational movement;
- and
- a first sensing member disposed along the conveyance path to detect an environmental status within the developer supplying apparatus and an amount of developer,
- wherein the developer supplying apparatus adjusts the rotational movement to adjust an amount of the developer according to the detected environmental status surrounding the developer within the developer supplying apparatus.
A developer supplying apparatus containing developer comprising:
- a developer conveying member to convey the developer along a developer conveyance path by rotational movement;
- a first sensing member disposed along the conveyance path to detect an environmental status within the developer supplying apparatus and an amount of developer;
- and
- a control module to adjust a rotational speed of the developer conveying member according to the detected environmental status within the developer supplying apparatus and the detected amount of developer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.