Ozone Venting Control in Image Forming Units for Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electrophotographic image forming apparatuses, ozone generated by chargers is discharged outside through filters, wasting its sterilizing effect.
Innovation Solution
A ventilation mechanism that guides ozone to an ozone discharge port, allowing its controlled discharge after stopping developer supply, thereby utilizing its sterilizing effect.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If ozone is removed by a filter, then the harmful effect of ozone is reduced, but the sterilizing effect of ozone is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The gas discharge system is segmented into multiple independent discharge ports: a first gas discharge port without a filter that releases ozone-rich gas for sterilization, and a second gas discharge port with a filter that releases filtered gas for odor control. This segmentation allows the system to simultaneously achieve both sterilization and odor reduction by directing different gas streams through different pathways.
2Reliability
If ozone is discharged outside, then the sterilizing effect is utilized, but odors are generated
Solution Approach 1:
Different quality characteristics are applied to different discharge ports: the first gas discharge port is designed with high ozone concentration for sterilization function, while the second gas discharge port is designed with filtered gas for odor control function. This local differentiation of quality allows each port to optimize for its specific purpose without compromising the other.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If a filter is used to remove ozone, then odors are reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gas discharge system is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating both filtered and unfiltered discharge ports within a single system. The controller intelligently manages multiple discharge pathways, allowing the system to perform both sterilization and odor control functions simultaneously, thereby justifying the increased complexity through enhanced functional versatility.
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 utilizes ozone for sterilization while minimizing odor and ensuring safe discharge.
Implementation Method 1
Some chargers charge the photoconductor drums by a scorotron method or a corotron method. The scorotron type or corotron type charger generates ozone when charging the photoconductor drum.
Implementation Method 2
a ventilation mechanism that guides the ozone generated in the charger to a discharge port
Implementation Method 3
a ventilation mechanism that guides the ozone generated in the charger to a discharge port
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a photoconductor, a charger, a ventilation mechanism, an exposure device, a developing device, a transfer device, and a controller. The ventilation mechanism guides ozone generated in the charger to an ozone discharge port. The exposure device forms an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor charged by the charger. The transfer device transfers a toner image on the photoconductor developed by the developer supplied from the developing device to a medium. The controller allows the ventilation mechanism to discharge the ozone generated in the charger from the ozone discharge port after stopping supply of the developer from the developing device to the photoconductor in an operation mode in which the ozone is discharged.