Integrated High-Voltage Power Supply for Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing high-voltage power supply devices in image forming apparatuses are bulky and costly due to the need for multiple independent power supplies for different voltages, and accurately detecting current is challenging when integrating these supplies.
Innovation Solution
A power supply device that integrates multiple high-voltage circuits with a common voltage generation circuit and current detection circuit, using diodes to separate current paths and ensure accurate current detection, reducing the number of components and board size while maintaining functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple independent high-voltage power supplies are provided for different voltages (charging voltage, developing voltage, transfer voltage, neutralizing voltage), then the reliability and functionality of the image forming apparatus is improved, but the device complexity, size, and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple independent high-voltage power supplies into a single integrated power supply device. The power supply unit includes a voltage generation circuit that can generate multiple different voltages (charging voltage, developing voltage, transfer voltage, neutralizing voltage) and applies them to respective components through separate application circuits. This merging approach reduces the number of components, decreases device size, and lowers cost while maintaining the functionality of providing different voltages to different components.
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply unit is designed with multi-functionality to generate and supply multiple types of voltages (positive high voltage, negative high voltage, alternating current high voltage) through a single device. The voltage generation circuit can operate in different modes to provide charging voltage, developing voltage, transfer voltage, and neutralizing voltage as needed, making the single power supply device universal for various functions that previously required separate dedicated power supplies.
2Reliability
If multiple independent high-voltage power supplies are provided for different voltages, then the functionality is improved, but the area of the circuit board increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple power supply functions into a single compact unit, reducing the overall circuit board area required. Instead of having separate power supply modules for charging, developing, transfer, and neutralizing voltages, all these functions are consolidated into one power supply device with shared voltage generation circuitry, thereby minimizing the space occupied on the circuit board.
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply device employs a nested structure where multiple voltage generation capabilities are contained within a single integrated unit. The voltage generation circuit is designed to produce different voltages in a hierarchical manner, with core generation components shared across multiple voltage output paths, allowing efficient space utilization on the circuit board.
3Device complexity
If a plurality of high-voltage power supplies are integrated with one another, then the device complexity and size are reduced, but current detection accuracy becomes difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power supply system into distinct functional modules within the integrated device: a voltage generation circuit for producing high voltages, multiple voltage application circuits for different components (charger, developer, transfer member, neutralizing member), and a current detection circuit. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently, with the current detection circuit specifically designed to accurately measure current flow through the voltage application circuits despite the integration of multiple functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a current detection circuit as an intermediary element that monitors and measures the current flow in the integrated power supply system. This detection circuit acts as a mediator between the voltage application circuits and the control system, enabling accurate current measurement for each voltage output path even though multiple voltage functions are integrated into a single device. The detection circuit ensures that current detection accuracy is maintained despite the complexity of the integrated architecture.
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 reduces the size and cost of the power supply device while ensuring accurate current detection and efficient operation of the image forming apparatus, integrating multiple high-voltage circuits into a single unit.
Implementation Method 1
a separation device connected between the first member and the second member and configured to separate a path for the current flowing into the first member and a path for current flowing into the second member from each other
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging forming apparatus includes a positive high-voltage circuit that generates voltage having a positive polarity, a negative high-voltage circuit connected in series with the positive high-voltage circuit and generates voltage having a negative polarity, a transfer roller to which the voltage generated by the positive high-voltage circuit or the negative high-voltage circuit is supplied, neutralizing pins to which the voltage generated by the negative high-voltage circuit is supplied, a current detection circuit that detects current flowing into the transfer roller, and a diode connected between the transfer roller and the neutralizing pins and that separates a path for the current flowing into the transfer roller and a path for current flowing into the neutralizing pins from each other.