Image Carrier Contamination Avoidance in Electrophotographic Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face issues with contamination of the image carrier due to components seeping from the transfer member, leading to irregular images and reduced productivity, as existing solutions either reduce productivity or prolong the first print time.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus equipped with a control section that includes an avoidance judging section and a toner image formation mechanism to detect and manage toner attachment amounts on the image carrier, determining the necessity for avoiding specific regions to prevent contamination, using optical sensors to compare toner attachment amounts between pressed and adjacent regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a non-image region is constantly provided on an image carrier to limit an image region, then contamination is avoided, but productivity is reduced when a large number of images are formed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the non-image region dynamic by adjusting its size and position based on the actual contamination level detected by the toner attachment amount detection mechanism. Instead of a fixed non-image region, the system dynamically modifies the image formation region to maximize usable area while maintaining image quality standards.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by detecting toner attachment amounts in real-time and using this information to adjust the non-image region boundaries. The detection results feed back to the control section, which modifies image formation parameters to prevent contamination while maximizing productivity.
2Reliability
If a contaminated region is removed before image formation by rotating the photosensitive body, then image quality is improved, but first print time is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of toner attachment amounts before image formation begins. By detecting contamination levels in advance and preparing the appropriate non-image region configuration beforehand, the system avoids time-consuming rotation operations while still ensuring image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical rotation method with an optical detection and control system. Instead of physically rotating the photosensitive body to remove contaminated regions, the system uses optical sensors to detect contamination and electronically adjusts image formation parameters, eliminating the time loss associated with mechanical rotation.
3Reliability
If image formation is avoided for a preset number of sheets in the pressed region, then contamination is reduced, but the avoidance may not match actual contamination levels
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses real-time feedback from toner attachment amount detection to adjust image formation avoidance strategies. Instead of using a fixed preset number of sheets, the control section continuously monitors contamination levels and dynamically adjusts the non-image region configuration based on actual contamination conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter from a fixed sheet count to a dynamic detection-based threshold. The system monitors toner attachment amounts and adjusts image formation parameters accordingly, allowing the avoidance strategy to adapt to actual contamination levels rather than relying on predetermined sheet numbers.
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 solution allows for the minimum necessary avoidance of contaminated regions, preventing white spot images and reducing productivity and first print time issues, ensuring reliable and efficient image output.
Implementation Method 1
a detection device for detecting a toner attachment amount of the toner image formed on the image carrier
Data Source
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AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier (2), a transfer member (4) provided at a position at which the transfer member can be pressed against the image carrier, a detection device (6) for detecting a toner attachment amount of the toner image formed on the image carrier, an avoidance judging section (7) for judging whether or not avoidance of a pressed region (A) should be performed when a toner image for image formation is formed on the image carrier, the pressed region serving as a region located on the image carrier and being pressed against the transfer member from the end of a previous image forming operation to the start of a present image forming operation, and an avoidance continuation judging section for judging the necessity for continuation of the avoidance by being operated when it is judged as avoidance by the avoidance judging section.