Needle Electrode Stripping with Protective Cutouts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face issues with sheets being drawn towards image bearing members due to electrostatic forces, leading to paper jams, as conventional techniques like sawtooth electrodes are prone to deformation and insufficient electric field formation.
Innovation Solution
A transfer device comprising a transfer roller, a stripping electrode with needle electrodes, and a protective member with cutouts, which creates a concentrated electric field to strip the sheet from the image bearing member while protecting the electrodes from deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sawtooth electrode is used to strip the sheet, then the sheet can be stripped electrically, but the electrode is prone to deformation and may not form a sufficient electric field
Solution Approach 1:
A protective member is introduced as an intermediary component between the needle electrodes and the external environment. This protective member shields the needle electrodes from physical contact and deformation by sheets or users, while still allowing the electrodes to function effectively in forming the electric field for sheet stripping.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective member acts as a sacrificial or replaceable component that can be easily manufactured and replaced if damaged. This allows the expensive and precision-critical needle electrodes to be protected, while the simpler protective member can be disposed of or replaced without significant cost or complexity.
2Productivity
If the sheet is carried to the fixing device, then the toner image can be fixed, but the sheet may wrap around the image bearing member due to electrostatic force causing paper jams
Solution Approach 1:
The needle electrodes apply an anti-action force (electrical repulsion) to the sheet before the sheet reaches the fixing device. By creating a strong electric field that repels the electrostatically charged sheet, the system counteracts the harmful electrostatic attraction between the sheet and the image bearing member, preventing the sheet from wrapping around and causing jams.
3Strength
If the protective member covers the stripping electrode, then the electrode is protected from deformation, but the electric field formation may be interfered with
Solution Approach 1:
The protective member is designed with localized features such as cutouts, openings, or transparent sections at specific positions where the electric field needs to pass through. This allows the protective member to provide structural protection to the needle electrodes while maintaining local transparency or openness to allow the electric field to form effectively in the critical areas for sheet stripping.
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
Effectively strips the sheet from the image bearing member, preventing paper jams by maintaining a stable electric field and protecting the electrodes from damage.
Implementation Method 1
an electric field is formed on the opposite side of an image bearing member across a sheet to strip the sheet electrically
Implementation Method 2
the sheet will be drawn toward an image bearing member such as a photoreceptor or an intermediate transfer belt, etc. by the action of electrostatic force generated in the sheet
Data Source
AI summary
A transfer device includes a transfer roller, a stripping electrode, and a protective member. The transfer roller transfers a toner image formed on an image bearing member to a sheet in a transfer position. The stripping electrode is arranged downstream from the transfer position to which the sheet is to be carried. The stripping electrode includes a plurality of needle electrodes. The protective member is arranged on the transfer roller side with respect to the stripping electrode and overlaid on the stripping electrode. The protective member includes a cutout provided in a position facing at least one of the needle electrodes.