Grid Electrode Varying Thickness Curved Shape
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing grid electrodes for image forming apparatuses face challenges in uniformly charging the photoconductor drum due to uneven thickness distribution, leading to potential vibrations and suboptimal charging performance.
Innovation Solution
A grid electrode with a thin-plate shape and varying thicknesses, specifically thicker short-side outer frame portions and attachment frame portions, is designed to be curved and attached to the charging device, ensuring a consistent distance to the photoconductor drum and minimizing vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a grid electrode with uniform thickness is used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the electrode cannot maintain a uniform curved shape when bent, leading to vibrations and suboptimal charging performance
Solution Approach 1:
The grid electrode is designed with non-uniform thickness distribution where specific regions (such as the peripheral edges and/or central region) have different thicknesses than other areas. This local variation in thickness allows the electrode to maintain a uniform curved shape when bent, as the thicker regions provide structural support while thinner regions allow for proper curvature conforming to the photoconductor drum surface.
2Weight of moving object
If the grid electrode is made thinner to reduce weight, then the electrode is more flexible, but it becomes more prone to vibrations when curved
Solution Approach 1:
The grid electrode employs varying thickness distribution where thicker regions are strategically positioned to provide structural rigidity and vibration resistance, while thinner regions reduce overall weight and allow flexibility for curving. This local differentiation in thickness enables the electrode to achieve an optimal balance between weight reduction and vibration resistance when in use.
3Manufacturing precision
If the grid electrode has varying thickness to maintain uniform curved shape, then charging performance is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The grid electrode utilizes controlled variations in thickness as a design parameter to achieve uniform curved shape when bent. By carefully selecting and positioning regions with different thicknesses, the electrode can conform uniformly to the photoconductor drum surface, improving charging performance while the thickness variations are managed within manufacturable limits.
Data Source
AI summary
A grid electrode that is substantially thin-plate-shaped includes an opening section in which plural openings are formed and a frame section that surrounds the opening section. The grid electrode is curved along a short-side direction thereof and includes portions having different thicknesses, the portions being arranged in the short-side direction.