Image Forming Charge Elimination with a Non-Contact Ionizer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses using films as recording media face transfer defects due to charge accumulation, which are particularly noticeable when light-colored bases are used, and conventional charge elimination methods can exacerbate these issues by attaching deteriorated brush parts to the film, leading to further defects.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a non-contact ionizer positioned upstream of the transfer position to neutralize charges on the recording medium, using a predetermined distance from conductors to minimize interference and ensure efficient charge elimination across the entire surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a brush-shaped charge eliminating member is used to eliminate charges on the film, then charge elimination is performed before transfer, but deteriorated brush parts are cut and adhered to the film, causing more transfer defects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical brush-shaped charge eliminating member with a non-contact ionizer. The ionizer generates positive ions that neutralize negative charges on the film surface without physical contact, thereby eliminating the problem of deteriorated brush parts adhering to the film and causing transfer defects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces positive ions as an intermediary substance to eliminate negative charges on the film. Instead of direct mechanical contact, the positive ions act as a mediator that neutralizes the charge through electrostatic interaction, avoiding the harmful adhesion problem of brush parts.
2Reliability
If the ionizer is positioned close to the conductor for efficient charge elimination, then charge elimination effectiveness is improved, but ionic particles are interfered with by the conductor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the distance parameter between the ionizer and the conductor to a predetermined value. This distance is sufficient to avoid interference with ionic particle movement while maintaining effective charge elimination, representing an optimized parameter setting that balances both requirements.
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 non-contact ionizer effectively suppresses transfer defects, ensuring high-quality imaging on films and other media by uniformly neutralizing charges before transfer, even with large rolls and varying environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the charge eliminator is an ionizer and is arranged at a position which is away by a predetermined distance from a conductor for moving ionic particles generated at the time of charge elimination
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus forming an image on a recording medium, includes: a developing device that forms a toner image on an image carrier, a transfer device that transfers the toner image formed by the developing device to a recording medium at a transfer position, and a charge eliminator that is arranged upstream of the transfer position in a conveyance direction of the recording medium and eliminates charges of the recording medium in a non-contact manner, wherein the charge eliminator is an ionizer and is arranged at a position which is away by a predetermined distance from a conductor for moving ionic particles generated at the time of charge elimination.