Intermediate Transfer Member Residual Potential Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image-forming apparatuses with intermediate transfer members having surface layers face issues with uneven electrostatic charging, leading to residual images and irregularities in image density due to non-uniform toner transfer.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus is designed such that the intermediate transfer member's residual surface potential after secondary transfer voltage application is 1/20 or less of the primary transfer voltage, ensuring uniform toner transfer by controlling the moving distance and speed of the intermediate transfer member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If an intermediate transfer member with a surface layer is used to improve image quality, then toner release characteristics and surface properties are improved, but uneven electrostatic charging occurs leading to residual images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the residual surface potential to be 1/20 or less of the primary transfer voltage V1 at a specific time point (L/S seconds after secondary transfer voltage application). This quantitative parameter control resolves the contradiction by optimizing the electrostatic properties of the surface layer to prevent residual images while maintaining image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary anti-action by pre-controlling the residual potential characteristics of the surface layer before image formation occurs. By designing the surface layer to have specific residual potential properties (1/20 or less of V1 at L/S seconds), the system proactively prevents the generation of residual images rather than correcting them after formation.
2Productivity
If secondary transfer voltage is applied to transfer toner, then toner transfer is achieved, but the intermediate transfer member surface becomes electrostatically charged unevenly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrostatic parameter by controlling the residual surface potential to 1/20 or less of the primary transfer voltage V1 at time L/S seconds after secondary transfer. This parameter optimization allows effective toner transfer while maintaining uniform electrostatic charge distribution on the intermediate transfer member surface.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the residual potential of the intermediate transfer member is reduced to prevent transfer irregularity, then some improvement in image uniformity is achieved, but residual images cannot be sufficiently prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves sufficient residual image prevention by setting a specific quantitative threshold: the residual surface potential must be 1/20 or less of the primary transfer voltage V1 at time L/S seconds after secondary transfer voltage application. This precise parameter specification overcomes the insufficiency of conventional approaches that only required reducing residual potential to 1/2 or less.
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 approach effectively prevents image noises caused by residual images, even when using intermediate transfer members with surface layers, by maintaining a controlled residual potential, thus ensuring consistent image quality.
Implementation Method 1
the surface of the intermediate transfer member is electrified by application of the secondary transfer voltage in the secondary transfer process
Implementation Method 2
the toner is driven to transfer in an electric field formed by applying bias voltages, for example, to the transfer rollers
Data Source
AI summary
An image-forming apparatus, equipped with an intermediate transfer member 3 having a surface layer that holds a toner image primary-transferred from a latent image-supporting member temporarily on the surface layer and allows secondary transfer of the toner image held thereon to an image receiving medium,wherein, when the moving distance of the intermediate transfer member surface from the secondary transfer region 15 to the first primary-transfer region 16 is designated as L (mm) and the moving speed of the intermediate transfer member as S (mm/second), the residual surface potential of the intermediate transfer member L/S seconds after application of the secondary transfer voltage is 1/20 or less of the first primary transfer voltage V1.