Field Effect Carbon Nanotube Charger Reducing Ozone
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electric charger devices using carbon nanotubes generate significant ozone and nitrogen oxide byproducts due to high voltage requirements, which can reduce image quality and increase device costs by necessitating additional filtration measures.
Innovation Solution
A field effect electric charger device with a carbon nanotube yarn or sheet as the electric charger element, where the element has a density of at least 0.4 g/cm3 and includes filaments of sp2 carbon molecules, reducing the need for high voltage and minimizing byproduct generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional corona discharge or field emission methods are used with carbon nanotubes, then electron discharge characteristics are improved, but discharge byproducts (ozone and nitrogen oxide) are generated in large amounts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the carbon nanotube electric charger element, specifically requiring a density of 0.4 g/cm³ or more and comprising filaments with sp2 carbon molecules. This parameter change enables excellent electron discharge characteristics while significantly reducing discharge byproduct generation, resolving the contradiction between reliability and harmful factors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite structure where carbon nanotubes are formed into filaments with specific sp2 carbon molecular bonding, creating a material that combines high electron discharge capability with low byproduct generation. This composite material approach allows simultaneous achievement of good discharge characteristics and reduced harmful emissions.
2Power
If high voltage (1 kV or higher) is applied to carbon nanotubes to achieve corona discharge, then electron discharge is achieved, but discharge byproducts are generated in large amounts
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the density parameter to 0.4 g/cm³ or more and specifying the molecular structure (sp2 carbon filaments), the patent enables the carbon nanotube element to achieve excellent electron discharge characteristics without requiring high voltage, thereby reducing discharge byproduct generation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If filters are added to image forming devices to prevent discharge byproduct spread, then harmful factor control is improved, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the source of discharge byproducts by using carbon nanotube electric charger elements with specific parameters (density ≥0.4 g/cm³, sp2 carbon filament structure). By removing the harmful factor at its source rather than adding filtration systems, the invention reduces device complexity and cost while maintaining harmful factor control.
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 reduces ozone generation to negligible levels, eliminating the need for ozone filters and enhancing the durability and efficiency of the electric charger device while maintaining excellent electron discharge characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
a lead electrode generating an electric field upon voltage application and causing the electric charger element to discharge
Implementation Method 2
causing the electric charger element to discharge
Implementation Method 3
Materials with a relatively great number of unpaired electrons, which are electrons that are relatively easily released from the molecules of the material, are capable of discharging electrons upon application of a low level of energy (for example, electric field or heat)
Data Source
AI summary
A field effect (FE) electric charger device that electrically charges a surface of a charge-target member, the FE electric charger device including: an electric charger element; a power source supplying the electric charger element with current; and a lead electrode generating an electric field upon voltage application and causing the electric charger element to discharge. In the FE electric charger device, the electric charger element has a density no smaller than 0.4 g/cm3, and includes a plurality of filaments each including a plurality of sp2 carbon molecules bonded together.