Conductive Drum Image Forming Apparatus Without Charging Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses require charging devices and exposure devices, which increase costs, size, and ozone generation, and necessitate complex maintenance, whereas the described apparatus eliminates these components by using a conductive medium and charged particles to form images without them.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus utilizing a conductive drum with an applying device to form an invisible image with conductive liquid and a developing device to adhere charged particles, forming a visible image, thereby obviating the need for charging and exposure devices, and incorporating a drying device to manage residual conductive liquid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional image forming apparatuses use charging devices and exposure devices, then images can be formed on photoconductor drums, but the apparatus size increases, cost increases, and ozone is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the charging device and exposure device from the conventional image forming apparatus. Instead of using photoconductor drums that require charging and exposure, the invention uses a conductive drum that directly receives conductive liquid to form invisible images, which are then developed by charged particles. This removal of unnecessary components reduces apparatus size, cost, and ozone generation while maintaining image forming capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the drum from photoconductive material to conductive material. This parameter change allows the drum to function without charging and exposure steps, as the conductive liquid directly forms invisible images on the conductive surface. The invisible images are then made visible through electrostatic development with charged particles, eliminating the need for complex charging and exposure mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If conventional image forming apparatuses use photoconductor drums with photosensitive layers, then electrostatic latent images can be formed, but the apparatus requires complex maintenance and generates ozone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the photoconductor drum with photosensitive layer from the system and replaces it with a conductive drum. This extraction eliminates the need for charging devices that generate ozone and reduces maintenance complexity associated with photosensitive layer degradation and charging mechanism upkeep. The conductive drum simply receives conductive liquid without requiring electrical charging or light exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful ozone generation from charging devices into a beneficial simplification by eliminating the charging step entirely. The conductive liquid application method achieves image formation without electrical discharge, thereby eliminating ozone generation while maintaining effective image creation. The harmful photosensitive layer degradation is also converted into benefit by using a durable conductive surface.
3Device complexity
If conductive liquid is applied to form invisible images on conductive drums, then charging and exposure devices are eliminated, but residual conductive liquid must be managed to prevent afterimages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a drying device as an intermediary component between the developing device and the image transfer stage. This drying device removes residual conductive liquid from the conductive drum surface after invisible image formation and before charged particle development. By acting as an intermediary step, the drying device prevents residual liquid from causing afterimages or interfering with subsequent development, thereby maintaining image quality while preserving the simplified apparatus structure.
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 reduces apparatus size and cost, eliminates ozone generation, and simplifies maintenance by using a conductive medium and charged particles to form images, while ensuring efficient image transfer and minimizing afterimages.
Implementation Method 1
The applying device applies conductive liquid to a surface of the conductive medium to form an invisible image
Implementation Method 2
The developing device adheres charged particles to the invisible image formed on the surface of the conductive medium to form a visible image
Implementation Method 3
The insulating layer is laminated on a printing surface side relative to the conductive layer and is absorptive of conductive liquid
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a conductive medium, an applying device, and a developing device. The applying device applies conductive liquid to a surface of the conductive medium to form an invisible image. The developing device adheres charged particles to the invisible image formed on the surface of the conductive medium to form a visible image.