High-Voltage Power Source Eliminating Electromagnetic Transformers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional high-voltage power sources for image forming apparatuses, which use electromagnetic transformers, face challenges in reducing size, weight, and cost due to the large size and weight of transformers and higher manufacturing costs compared to other electronic components.

Innovation Solution

A high-voltage power source configuration that eliminates the use of electromagnetic transformers by employing a voltage resonance circuit with an inductor and capacitor, coupled with a multistage rectification circuit, allowing for variable voltage output control through frequency adjustment and current detection, enabling a compact, lightweight, and cost-effective design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an electromagnetic transformer is used to generate high voltage, then reliable high voltage output is achieved, but the size and weight of the power source increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehigh voltage output reliabilityVSAvoidpower source weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the electromagnetic transformer from the high voltage power source system. By eliminating this heavy component, the power source weight is significantly reduced while the high voltage generation function is replaced with a lighter alternative circuit configuration that uses switching elements and resonant circuits instead of transformer-based voltage transformation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the electromagnetic transformer (a mechanical/electromagnetic system with moving magnetic fields) with an electronic switching system using semiconductor switching elements and resonant circuits. This replacement transitions from a heavy electromagnetic field-based voltage transformation mechanism to a lighter solid-state electronic voltage multiplication approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If an electromagnetic transformer is used to generate high voltage, then stable voltage transformation is achieved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage transformation stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs inexpensive semiconductor switching elements and standard electronic components (capacitors, inductors, resistors) to replace the costly electromagnetic transformer. These cheaper components can be easily manufactured and replaced, reducing overall manufacturing costs while maintaining the voltage transformation function through electronic switching and resonant circuitry instead of expensive transformer assemblies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operating parameters and mechanism from electromagnetic induction (transformer operation) to electronic switching and resonant oscillation. By altering the fundamental operating principle from magnetic field-based transformation to electronic circuit-based voltage multiplication, the system achieves comparable voltage output stability using less expensive components with different operational characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Power

If the number of windings in the transformer is increased to output high voltage, then high voltage output capability is improved, but the transformer size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehigh voltage output capabilityVSAvoidtransformer volume
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the transformer entirely from the system, eliminating the need for multiple windings to achieve high voltage output. By extracting this component, the volume constraint is resolved as the high voltage generation is achieved through a compact electronic switching circuit configuration that does not require the bulky multi-winding transformer structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from achieving voltage transformation through spatial arrangement of transformer windings (three-dimensional winding structure) to achieving it through temporal switching sequences and resonant frequency control in electronic circuits. This dimensional shift from spatial to temporal operation enables high voltage output capability without increasing physical volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 results in a small-sized, lightweight, and cost-effective high-voltage power source capable of efficiently outputting high voltages, facilitating the reduction of size, weight, and manufacturing costs for image forming apparatuses while maintaining effective voltage control.

Implementation Method 1

a voltage resonance circuit including an inductor and a capacitor, with a switching element, generates a high voltage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVoltage resonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 2

a rectification circuit rectifies the generated high voltage to generate a unidirectional high voltage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRectification: Diode

Data Source

PatentEP2591545B1High-voltage power source
Publication Date: 2021.09.08 CANON KK
  • EP2591545B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2591545B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2591545B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A high-voltage power source includes a switching unit configured to be driven according to a frequency signal, a voltage resonance unit configured to generate a voltage according to driving of the switching unit, a rectification unit configured to rectify and amplify the voltage generated by the voltage resonance unit, a separation unit configured to separate an alternating current generated by the voltage resonance unit and a direct current generated by the rectification unit from each other, and a current detection unit configured to detect the current generated by the voltage resonance unit.