Integrated Electric Charging Unit for Afterimage Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses face challenges in preventing afterimages due to residual electric charge on electrostatic latent image bearers, requiring additional electric charging units and ozone treatment systems, which increase complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a rotary electrostatic latent image bearer, a first electric charging unit, a developing device, a transfer device, and a second electric charging unit integrated in a single housing, where the second electric discharge wire is upstream of the first, and an electric charge removing device irradiates the bearer with light after a pre-electric charge removal process to prevent afterimages without additional units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate second electric charging unit is added to prevent afterimages, then afterimage prevention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the first electric charging unit (for uniform electrification) and the second electric charging unit (for pre-electric charge removal) into a single integrated electric charging unit. Both units share a common housing and discharge wire structure, reducing the total number of separate components while maintaining the dual-functionality needed for effective afterimage prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated electric charging unit performs multiple functions: it both uniformly electrifies the electrostatic latent image bearer for image formation and executes pre-electric charge removal to prevent afterimages. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated units while achieving both objectives.
2Reliability
If additional electric charging units are installed, then afterimage prevention is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the first and second electric charging units into a single integrated unit with shared housing and discharge wire components, the patent reduces the total component count, simplifies assembly procedures, and lowers manufacturing costs while maintaining effective afterimage prevention capability.
3Reliability
If separate electric charging units are used, then afterimage prevention is improved, but maintenance complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated electric charging unit consolidates both charging functions into a single maintainable component, reducing the number of separate units that require maintenance. This simplifies troubleshooting, repair procedures, and routine maintenance while preserving the dual-functionality for afterimage prevention.
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 effectively prevents afterimages by integrating the pre-electric charge removal process within the existing charging unit housing, reducing the need for separate units and ozone treatment systems, thus simplifying maintenance and reducing costs while maintaining image quality.
Implementation Method 1
a first electric charging unit having at least one first electric discharge wire to uniformly electrify a surface of the electrostatic latent image bearer
Implementation Method 2
a second electric charging unit having a second electric discharge wire to execute a pre-electric charge removal electric charging process by electrifying the surface of the electrostatic latent image bearer
Implementation Method 3
a first electric charge removing device to diselectrify the surface of the electrostatic latent image bearer by irradiating the surface of the electrostatic latent image bearer with electric charge removing light
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a first electric charging unit having an electric discharge wire to uniformly electrify a surface of the electrostatic latent image bearer, a second electric charging unit having a second electric discharge wire to execute a pre-electric charge removal electric charging process by electrifying the surface of the electrostatic latent image bearer subsequent to a transfer process to transfer a toner image, and a first electric charge removing device to diselectrify the surface of the electrostatic latent image bearer by irradiating it with electric charge removing light subsequent to the pre-electric charge removal electric charging process. The first electric charge removing device is disposed within an electric discharge region of the second electric discharge wire on a downstream side of an extreme upstream edge of the electric discharge region of the second electric discharge wire in a rotational direction of the electrostatic latent image bearer.