Intermediate Transfer Unit With Selectable Resistors for Current Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses face challenges in maintaining consistent current values through primary transfer rollers, leading to potential image quality degradation due to variations in transfer voltage, especially in multi-color printing.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a resistor portion with multiple resistive elements in the power supply portion of the intermediate transfer unit, allowing for selective connection to adjust current values through primary transfer members to a predetermined target, ensuring uniformity and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single resistor value is used for all primary transfer members, then the device complexity is reduced, but the current values through primary transfer rollers become inconsistent leading to image quality degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply system is segmented into multiple independent power supply portions, with each portion dedicated to a specific primary transfer member. Each power supply portion contains a set of resistive elements with different resistance values, allowing individual current adjustment for each primary transfer member while maintaining overall system reliability and image quality consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
Each power supply portion is configured with locally optimized resistive elements selected according to the specific electrical characteristics of its corresponding primary transfer member. This local customization ensures that each primary transfer member receives the appropriate current value for optimal performance, addressing image quality consistency through localized parameter optimization.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed resistor values are used in power supply portions, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different current requirements of primary transfer members is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply system incorporates selectable resistive elements that can be dynamically configured for each primary transfer member based on measured current values. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to adjust to different electrical characteristics of primary transfer members while maintaining a relatively simple overall power supply structure through standardized modular portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables parameter changes in the electrical resistance of each power supply portion by selecting different resistive elements from the available set. This allows optimization of current values for each primary transfer member according to its specific requirements, enhancing adaptability without requiring complete redesign of the power supply structure.
3Manufacturing precision
If current values through primary transfer rollers are not controlled, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the transfer voltage variations cause image quality degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary measurement of current values through each primary transfer member during the manufacturing process. Based on these measurements, the appropriate resistive elements are selected and configured in each power supply portion before final assembly completion. This preliminary action ensures current value consistency is achieved without significantly complicating the overall manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The manufacturing process incorporates feedback through current value measurement of each primary transfer member. The measured current values feed into the selection process for resistive elements, creating a closed-loop system that automatically adjusts the power supply configuration to achieve target current values, thereby ensuring manufacturing precision without excessive complexity.
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 ensures consistent current values across primary transfer rollers, enhancing image quality by preventing deviations and improving the reliability of multi-color printing processes.
Implementation Method 1
The resistor portion includes a plurality of resistive elements having equal or different resistance values. The primary transfer member is connected to the power supply line via one or more previously selected resistive elements out of the plurality of resistive elements in the corresponding power supply portion.
Data Source
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AI summary
An intermediate transfer unit (2) includes an intermediate transfer belt (21), a plurality of primary transfer members (22), and a plurality of power supply portions (23) that feed a transfer voltage to the corresponding primary transfer members (22). The power supply portions (23) have a power supply line (20) connected to the source (200) of the transfer voltage and a resistor portion (230) arranged between the corresponding primary transfer member (22) and the power supply line (20). The resistor portion (230) includes a plurality of resistive elements (R). The primary transfer member (22) is connected to the power supply line (20) via one or more previously selected resistive elements (R) out of the plurality of resistive elements (R) in the corresponding power supply portion (23).