Conductive Guide Members for Static Elimination in Image Formers
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, the miniaturization of components leads to a shortened sheet conveyance path, resulting in inadequate static electricity elimination before the sheet reaches the transfer position, causing transfer defects, and the configuration for electrical conduction between the development unit and transfer unit is complex due to their separate mounting and different attachment directions.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus includes conductive first and second guide members that guide the paper sheet to the transfer nip area, with an elastic member connecting them to ensure reliable electrical conduction, even during attachment and detachment, using a plate spring elastic portion that is integrally provided with the second guide member and extends outside the sheet passing area to facilitate grounding and stabilize the sheet's surface potential.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the sheet conveyance path is shortened due to miniaturization, then the apparatus size is reduced, but static electricity elimination becomes insufficient causing transfer defects
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive guide members are positioned to eliminate static electricity from the sheet surface before the sheet reaches the transfer position. The guide members create a preliminary electrostatic discharge path that removes charged particles from the sheet, ensuring stable transfer even with the shortened conveyance path.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive guide members act as intermediary elements between the sheet and the transfer nip. These guide members with conductivity of 10^-6 to 10^-2 S/cm provide a controlled path for static electricity dissipation, mediating the interaction between the charged sheet and the transfer mechanism.
2Reliability
If conductive members are provided in both development unit and transfer unit, then static electricity elimination is improved, but the electrical connection configuration becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connection structures of the conductive guide member in the development unit and the conductive guide member in the transfer unit are merged into a single integrated grounding system. This consolidation simplifies the overall electrical connection configuration while maintaining effective static electricity elimination in both units.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive guide members are designed with dual functionality: they guide the sheet through the conveyance path and simultaneously serve as electrostatic discharge paths. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the electrical connection requirements.
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
This configuration provides reliable conduction between the conductive members of the development and transfer units, effectively preventing transfer defects by stabilizing the sheet's surface potential and simplifying the electrical connection process.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member that is provided between the first guide member and the second guide member, is placed outside a sheet passing area through which the paper sheet passes, and electrically connects the first guide member and the second guide member
Implementation Method 2
At least one of the first guide member and the second guide member is grounded... to stabilize the surface potential of the sheet
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an image forming apparatus including a transfer unit and a development unit. The transfer unit includes a first guide member being a conveyance guide that guides a paper sheet to a transfer nip portion. The first guide member is formed of a conductive metal or the like, and is electrically connected to a grounding current path. The development unit includes a second guide member being a conveyance guide that guides the paper sheet to the transfer nip portion. The second guide member is formed of a conductive metal or the like. The second guide member has an elastic portion that abuts against the first guide member. The elastic portion is elastically deformable in an attaching and detaching direction of the development unit and in an attaching and detaching direction of the transfer unit.