Patent ID: 6219515
Filing Date: 2001-04-17
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
An apparatus for developing a latent image recorded on an imaging surface, comprising:a housing defining a chamber for storing a supply of developer material comprising toner;a donor member, spaced from the imaging surface, for transporting toner on the surface thereof to a region opposed from the imaging surface, said donor member includes an electrode array on the outer surface thereof, said array including a plurality of spaced apart electrodes extending substantial across the width of the surface of the donor member;a vibrating member, in contact with said donor member, for applying the high frequency vibratory energy to said donor member, said vibrating member comprises a first discrete vibrating member associated with a first region of said donor member and a second discrete vibrating member associated with a second region of said donor member, said first discrete vibrating member applies a first discrete level of high frequency vibratory energy to said first region of said donor member and said second discrete vibrating member applies a second discrete level of high frequency vibratory energy to said second region of said donor member;a multi-phase voltage source operatively coupled to said electrode array and said vibrating member, wherein the phase of said multi-phase voltage source being shifted with respect to each other such as to create an electrodynamic wave pattern for moving toner particles along said electrode array and driving said vibrating member.