Integrated Light Source Support for Electrophotographic Charge Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrophotographic image forming apparatuses face issues with charge removal from image carriers due to positional displacement between light sources and light concentrating portions, leading to incomplete charge removal and potential exposure memory errors.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a light source supporting portion with the light concentrating portion ensures a predetermined positional relationship between the light source and light concentrating elements, preventing positional displacement and maintaining effective light concentration on the image carrier.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If separate mounting structures are used for light source and light concentrating portion, then ease of manufacture is improved, but positional precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The light source mounting portion and light concentrating portion are integrated into a single unit structure. This merging eliminates the need for separate mounting structures while ensuring precise positional relationship between the light source and light concentrating portion, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and positional precision.
2Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable mounting structure is used, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light source mounting portion is designed with predetermined positioning features that automatically establish the correct positional relationship during assembly. This preliminary positioning action eliminates the need for complex adjustable mechanisms while maintaining adaptability to different image carrier sizes through the integrated design.
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 enhances the accuracy of charge removal, reducing the likelihood of exposure memory errors and ensuring consistent image quality by maintaining the optimal positional relationship between the light source and light concentrating portion.
Implementation Method 1
a light concentrating portion configured to concentrate the light emitted from the light source on a surface of the image carrier
Implementation Method 2
a light source configured to emit light to be used for removing charge from the image carrier
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier and a charge removing portion. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the image carrier. The charge removing portion includes: a light source configured to emit light to be used for removing charge from the image carrier; a light concentrating portion configured to concentrate the light emitted from the light source on a surface of the image carrier; and a light source supporting portion formed integrally with the light concentrating portion and supporting the light source at a supporting position in which the light source and the light concentrating portion have a predetermined positional relationship.