Grounding Unit for Image Forming Cassette Static Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Static electricity generated during the medium supplying operation in image forming devices can cause malfunctions and deteriorate image quality due to electric discharge, especially when the stack of printing media is small, leading to increased static electricity between the knock-up plate and the printing media.
Innovation Solution
A medium supplying apparatus with a ground unit that connects the knock-up plate and the separating unit to the main body, utilizing a first ground body with connecting wings and a ground member to discharge static electricity, and a second ground body with a coil spring to ensure effective grounding of the separating unit, preventing interference with device operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the stack of printing media is small, then the distance between the knock-up plate and the protecting plate is reduced, but a greater amount of static electricity is generated by electric discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the 'Blessing in disguise' principle by converting the harmful static electricity into a beneficial grounded state. The ground unit provides a discharge path that allows static electricity to be safely dissipated to the ground, transforming the harmful electric discharge into a controlled grounding process that prevents damage to the controller and maintains image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The ground unit acts as an intermediary element between the knock-up plate/protecting plate and the ground. This intermediary provides a controlled path for static electricity discharge, mediating the interaction between the printing media stack and the electrical components, thereby preventing direct harmful effects on the controller.
2Productivity
If the friction pad is used to separate printing media one by one, then the printing media can be conveyed effectively, but static electricity is generated between the pickup roller and the printing media due to friction electrification
Solution Approach 1:
The ground unit converts the harmful friction-generated static electricity into a beneficial grounded state. By providing a discharge path through the ground unit, the static electricity that naturally arises from friction between the pickup roller and printing media is safely dissipated, preventing image quality deterioration while maintaining effective medium supply.
Solution Approach 2:
The ground unit serves as an intermediary that manages the static electricity generated during the friction-based separation process. It provides a controlled discharge path that allows the necessary friction for effective medium separation to continue while safely managing the byproduct static electricity.
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 apparatus effectively reduces static electricity by discharging it to the main body, preventing malfunctions and maintaining image quality by ensuring that static electricity does not interfere with the controller or printing process.
Implementation Method 1
a ground unit to ground to the main body the knock-up plate and the separating unit
Implementation Method 2
a knock-up plate disposed to be movable up and down in the medium supplying cassette by at least one elastic member
Implementation Method 3
a friction pad 41 is used to separate the printing media one by one while facing the pickup roller 30
Implementation Method 4
static electricity is also generated between the pickup roller 30 and the printing media due to friction electrification
Data Source
AI summary
A medium supplying apparatus of an image forming device capable of removing static electricity generating in medium supplying operation by a ground. The medium supplying apparatus includes a medium supplying cassette mounted in a main body of the image forming device, a knock-up plate disposed to be movable up and down in the medium supplying cassette by at least one elastic member and to support printing media, a pickup roller to pick up the printing media loaded on the knock-up plate, a separating unit disposed on medium supplying cassette to separate the printing media one by one when the printing media are picked up, and a ground unit to ground the knock-up plate and the separating unit to the main body.