Image Forming Apparatus with Electrostatic Particle Collection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses using toners with release agents of low melting temperature, the release agent is easily vaporized, leading to the generation of ultra-fine particles (UFPs) that are discharged outside, causing environmental concerns and requiring high-performance filters.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a particle charging unit near the nipping region to charge UFPs and a particle collecting unit of opposite polarity to attract and collect these particles, reducing their discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a belt fixing unit with low melting temperature release agent is used to enable fixing at low temperature, then energy consumption is reduced, but ultra-fine particles are generated and discharged outside the apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful ultra-fine particles generated by the low melting temperature release agent into a beneficial process by using a particle charging unit to charge these particles and a particle collecting unit to collect them. The particles that would otherwise be harmful emissions are transformed into a controlled collection process, eliminating the need for high-performance filters while maintaining the energy efficiency benefits of low temperature fixing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary system between the particle generation source and the external environment. The particle charging unit and particle collecting unit act as intermediaries that intercept the ultra-fine particles before they can be discharged outside the apparatus, allowing the low temperature fixing process to continue without harmful emissions.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If high-performance filters are used to prevent discharge of ultra-fine particles, then environmental sustainability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using complex filters to block particles, the patent converts the particle problem into a beneficial collection process. The particle charging unit and particle collecting unit work together to automatically collect ultra-fine particles at their source, eliminating the need for high-performance filters and reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the particle collection function from the exhaust system and places it at the source of particle generation. By taking out the particles from the general exhaust stream and intercepting them directly where they are generated, the system eliminates the need for complex filtration systems that would be required if particles were collected from the exhaust stream.
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 significantly reduces the amount of UFPs discharged outside the apparatus, potentially eliminating the need for high-performance filters and improving environmental sustainability.
Implementation Method 1
a particle charging unit that is disposed in the vicinity of the nipping region and upstream of the nipping region in the transport direction of the recording medium so as to face the toner-image-formed side of the recording medium and that charges particles
Implementation Method 2
a particle collecting unit that is disposed near the particle charging unit and that is charged to the opposite polarity to the charged particles
Implementation Method 3
a fixing unit that includes two members of which the outer surfaces are in contact with each other to form a nipping region and of which at least one member is a belt member and that allows the recording medium having the transferred toner image to pass through the nipping region to fix the toner image to the recording medium
Implementation Method 4
a toner having toner particles containing a release agent with a melting temperature ranging from 60° C. to 100° C.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an image holding member, a charging unit that charges the surface of the image holding member, an electrostatic latent image forming unit that forms an electrostatic latent image on the charged surface of the image holding member, a developing unit that includes a developer containing toner particles containing a release agent having a melting temperature ranging from 60° C. to 100° C. and that develops the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the image holding member with the developer to form a toner image, a transferring unit that transfers the toner image to a recording medium, a fixing unit that includes two members of which the outer surfaces are in contact with each other to form a nipping region and of which at least one member is a belt member and that allows the recording medium having the transferred toner image to pass through the nipping region to fix the toner image to the recording medium, a particle charging unit that is disposed in the vicinity of the nipping region and upstream of the nipping region in the transport direction of the recording medium so as to face the toner-image-formed side of the recording medium and that charges particles, and a particle collecting unit that is disposed near the particle charging unit and that is charged to the opposite polarity to the charged particles.