Neutralization Device for Tandem Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tandem image forming apparatuses face challenges in efficiently removing surface potential from photosensitive drums, leading to image memory issues due to insufficient neutralization, which complicates the design and increases manufacturing costs with the need for additional neutralization devices and complex wiring.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a neutralization device that performs both post-transfer and pre-transfer neutralization using light-emitting diodes, with post-transfer neutralization directly irradiating the photosensitive drum and pre-transfer neutralization using reflected light from the intermediate transfer belt, allowing for efficient surface potential removal without increasing the apparatus size or complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a neutralization device is added to perform pre-transfer neutralization, then image memory is suppressed, but the apparatus size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling a single neutralization device to perform both pre-transfer neutralization (irradiating the photosensitive drum before primary transfer) and post-transfer neutralization (irradiating the photosensitive drum after primary transfer). This allows one device to fulfill the roles that would traditionally require separate devices, thereby suppressing image memory without increasing apparatus size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the pre-transfer neutralization function and post-transfer neutralization function into a single neutralization device. By combining these functions and positioning the device to utilize reflected light from the intermediate transfer belt, the patent achieves effective neutralization at both stages without requiring separate devices, thus avoiding apparatus size increase.
2Reliability
If neutralization devices are added for both pre-transfer and post-transfer neutralization, then image memory is suppressed, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling a single neutralization device to perform both pre-transfer neutralization and post-transfer neutralization. This eliminates the need for separate devices for each function, thereby suppressing image memory without increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the intermediate transfer belt as an intermediary to reflect neutralization light onto the photosensitive drum during pre-transfer neutralization. This indirect lighting method allows the single neutralization device to effectively perform both pre-transfer and post-transfer neutralization functions without requiring additional complex wiring or multiple light sources.
3Reliability
If separate neutralization devices are provided for each photosensitive drum, then image memory is suppressed, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the pre-transfer neutralization function and post-transfer neutralization function into a single neutralization device. By combining these functions and utilizing the intermediate transfer belt's reflective surface, the patent reduces the number of required devices from four (one per photosensitive drum) to a single shared device, thereby suppressing image memory while reducing manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling a single neutralization device to serve multiple photosensitive drums through both direct irradiation (post-transfer) and reflected light irradiation (pre-transfer). This universal approach eliminates the need for dedicated neutralization devices for each drum, reducing component count and manufacturing cost while maintaining effective image memory suppression.
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 effectively suppresses image memory by ensuring thorough neutralization of the photosensitive drums, simplifies the device layout, reduces manufacturing costs, and minimizes wiring complexity, while maintaining image quality.
Implementation Method 1
a neutralization device located on the downstream side in the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt of the photosensitive drum and neutralizing the photosensitive drum using neutralization light
Implementation Method 2
irradiates the surface of the intermediate transfer belt with the neutralization light, and irradiates the photosensitive drum of one of the plurality of image forming units adjacent to the downstream side with reflected light of the neutralization light from the surface of the intermediate transfer belt
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus has an intermediate transfer belt and a plurality of image forming units located along the intermediate transfer belt. Each image forming unit has a photosensitive drum, a charger that charges the photosensitive drum, a developing device that forms a toner image by attaching toner to an electrostatic latent image formed by exposure after charging, a transfer device that transfers the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum to the intermediate transfer belt, a cleaning device that removes toner remaining on the photosensitive drum, and a neutralization device that neutralizes the photosensitive drum using neutralization light. The neutralization device of at least one of the image forming units irradiates the photosensitive drum with neutralization light, irradiates the intermediate transfer belt with neutralization light, and irradiates the photosensitive drum of the adjacent image forming unit with reflected light of neutralization light from the intermediate transfer belt.