Cleaning Member Backup Voltage Polarity Control for Electric Discharge Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face inefficiencies in cleaning mechanisms due to the risk of electric discharge between the cleaning member and the frame, which can lower cleaning efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a cleaning member that includes a backup member supplied with a voltage of the same polarity as the attached matter, a detector to monitor the electric quantity, and a controller to maintain a predetermined cleaning current, reducing the risk of electric discharge and enhancing cleaning efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high voltage is applied to the cleaning shaft and cleaning roller to enable electrical cleaning, then cleaning performance is improved, but electric discharge between the cleaning member and frame occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is electrically connected to the cleaning shaft through a conductor, making them equipotential. This eliminates the voltage difference between the cleaning shaft and frame, preventing electric discharge while maintaining the high voltage cleaning function. The cleaning roller is supplied with stepped-down voltage, further reducing discharge risk.
Solution Approach 2:
A conductor is introduced as an intermediary element between the cleaning shaft and frame. This conductor provides a controlled electrical path that prevents uncontrolled discharge, allowing the system to maintain high voltage for cleaning while ensuring safety through the mediating conductive connection.
2Power
If high voltage is supplied to the cleaning member, then cleaning capability is enhanced, but the risk of electric discharge increases
Solution Approach 1:
By electrically connecting the frame to the cleaning shaft, both components are maintained at the same high voltage potential. This eliminates potential difference and prevents discharge, allowing the cleaning shaft to operate at high voltage without the harmful discharge effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame is pre-connected to the cleaning shaft through a conductor before operation begins. This preparatory electrical connection cushions against the potential harmful effect of discharge by establishing a safe electrical path in advance, preventing unexpected discharge during high-voltage cleaning operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively prevents electric discharge and maintains a consistent cleaning current, ensuring improved cleaning performance by using a backup member with the same polarity voltage and a controller to regulate the cleaning current, thus enhancing the cleaning efficiency of the image forming apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a voltage supply unit configured to supply the backup member with a cleaning voltage having a polarity identical to a charge polarity of the attached matter
Implementation Method 2
a detector configured to detect an electric quantity of the cleaning member when the cleaning voltage is supplied to the backup member by the voltage supply unit
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus is provided, which includes an image forming unit configured to form an image on a recording medium, a cleaned body that is an intended body to be cleaned, a cleaning member configured to clean at least attached matter, which is generated in image formation by the image forming unit, on the cleaned body, a backup member disposed to face the cleaning member across the cleaned body, a voltage supply unit configured to supply the backup member with a cleaning voltage having a polarity identical to a charge polarity of the attached matter, in an operation of cleaning the cleaned body, a detector configured to detect an electric quantity of the cleaning member when the cleaning voltage is supplied to the backup member by the voltage supply unit, and a controller configured to control the detected electric quantity of the cleaning member to be a predetermined value.