Image Forming Apparatus Transfer Current Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in preventing color shade change, ensuring density consistency, and controlling toner consumption, particularly due to inadequate adjustment of transfer currents between upstream and downstream transfer members, leading to variations in image density and toner consumption when environmental or material changes occur.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with multiple toner image forming sections and transfer members, where a density sensor measures toner image density on a transfer body, and a control section adjusts transfer currents based on measured densities to optimize transfer characteristics, minimizing back-transfer and maintaining image quality while controlling toner consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the transfer current in the downstream transfer member is increased to improve transfer efficiency, then the transfer rate increases, but the back-transfer amount increases causing density decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the transfer current based on the relationship between transfer current and back-transfer characteristics. The control section determines optimal transfer currents for each transfer member by analyzing density measurements, thereby changing the electrical parameter to balance transfer efficiency and back-transfer prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control by measuring the density of toner images on the transfer body and using this information to adjust transfer currents. The density sensor provides feedback to the control section, which then modifies the transfer current settings to maintain optimal image density while preventing excessive back-transfer.
2Manufacturing precision
If the transfer current is adjusted to control back-transfer, then back-transfer is reduced, but transfer efficiency may decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the transfer current parameter dynamically based on measured density values and pre-determined characteristics. By adjusting the electrical parameter within optimal ranges, the system achieves both effective back-transfer control and maintained transfer efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamics by making transfer currents adjustable and adaptable rather than fixed. The control section dynamically modifies transfer current settings based on real-time density measurements and characteristic data, allowing the system to optimize performance under varying conditions.
3Device complexity
If fixed transfer currents are used, then device complexity is reduced, but image density consistency deteriorates under varying conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback control to maintain image density consistency. The density sensor continuously monitors toner image density, and the control section adjusts transfer currents based on this feedback, ensuring stable image quality despite variations in environmental or material conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-determining the relationship between transfer currents and image density characteristics. This pre-characterization allows the control section to make informed adjustments without complex real-time calculations, balancing control simplicity with image consistency.
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 solution effectively prevents color shade change, ensures consistent image density, and optimizes toner consumption by dynamically adjusting transfer currents, thereby stabilizing image quality across varying conditions.
Implementation Method 1
transfer members (7Y, 7M, 7C, and 7K) to transfer toner images having been formed in the toner image forming sections (10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K) onto a moving intermediate transfer body (6)
Implementation Method 2
a density sensor (IDC) to measure a density of the toner image on the intermediate transfer body (6)
Data Source
AI summary
The image forming apparatus hasa first and a second transfer member which transfer toner images onto a transfer body; anda control section, which measures a first density of a first toner image formed on the transfer body, measures a second density of a second toner image formed on the transfer body anddetermines a transfer current for the first and the second transfer member based on the first and the second density.