Non-Contact Charge Elimination Cooling for Image Forming Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Non-contact charge eliminating devices in image forming systems are prone to operation failures due to temperature rise, which can lead to conveyance and stacking failures of sheets.
Innovation Solution
A charge eliminating apparatus with a non-contact charge eliminating device that includes an ion generation unit, a control unit, a surrounding member, a separating portion, and a fan to generate an air flow, which cools the control unit and prevents ion drift while maintaining effective charge elimination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a non-contact charge eliminating device is used to remove charges from sheets, then charge elimination effectiveness is improved, but the device is prone to operation failures due to temperature rise
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two distinct spaces: a first space housing the control unit and a second space housing the ion generation unit. This segmentation allows independent thermal management of each component, enabling the control unit to be cooled separately from the ion generation unit, thereby preventing temperature-related operation failures while maintaining charge elimination effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
A surrounding member is introduced as an intermediary structure that physically surrounds the control unit and separates it from the ion generation unit. This intermediary structure enables thermal isolation, allowing the control unit to be cooled by a fan without directly exposing the ion generation unit to the air flow, thus resolving the temperature contradiction
2Temperature
If the control unit is cooled by generating air flow, then temperature control is improved, but ion drift may occur affecting charge elimination precision
Solution Approach 1:
The internal space is segmented into a first space for the control unit and a second space for the ion generation unit. This segmentation allows the air flow generated by the fan to cool the control unit without directly reaching the ion generation unit, thereby preventing ion drift while maintaining effective temperature control of the control unit
Solution Approach 2:
The surrounding member acts as an intermediary barrier that allows thermal management of the control unit while protecting the ion generation unit from the cooling air flow. This intermediary structure ensures that the air flow does not cause ion drift, maintaining charge elimination precision while achieving the desired temperature control
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
The apparatus effectively maintains the non-contact charge eliminating device within a stable operating temperature range, ensuring reliable sheet discharge and preventing ion drift, thus enhancing the charge elimination process.
Implementation Method 1
a fan configured to generate an air flow in the first space
Implementation Method 2
an ion generation unit configured to generate ions
Data Source
AI summary
A charge eliminating apparatus includes a conveyance path configured to convey a sheet with an image formed thereon by an image forming apparatus, a non-contact charge eliminating device having an ion generation unit configured to generate ions and a control unit configured to control the ion generation unit, the non-contact charge eliminating device being configured to remove charges from the sheet conveyed in the conveyance path in a non-contact state, a surrounding member configured to surround the control unit, a separating portion configured to separate a first space where the control unit is surrounded by the surrounding member and a second space where the ion generation unit is disposed, and a fan configured to generate an air flow in the first space.