Photoconductor Drum Abrasion Control via Variable Transfer Current
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electrophotographic image forming apparatuses, the uneven electric current supply to photoconductor drums leads to accelerated abrasion, particularly when high currents are used, resulting in reduced surface film thickness and increased wear.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus adjusts the electric current supplied from a second transfer member, with lower currents used in monochrome mode and higher currents in color mode, and also incorporates a voltage maintenance element to manage the surface potential of the intermediate transfer member, ensuring balanced wear and transfer efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high electric current is supplied from the second transfer member to the intermediate transfer belt, then the second transfer efficiency is improved, but the photoconductor drum is abraded more severely due to reduced surface film thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the electric current supplied from the second transfer member by changing operational parameters. Specifically, it supplies a first electric current in monochrome mode that is lower than the second electric current supplied in color mode, thereby optimizing the balance between transfer efficiency and drum durability for different operational scenarios
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of electric current based on operational mode. The current supply is made variable rather than fixed, allowing the system to adapt between monochrome and color modes to prevent excessive abrasion while maintaining adequate transfer performance
2Productivity
If the electric current supplied from the second transfer member is increased to maintain second transfer efficiency, then the transfer performance is improved, but the surface potential of the photoconductor drum becomes lower in absolute value causing more frequent discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electric current parameter based on operational mode. By supplying a lower first electric current in monochrome mode compared to the second electric current in color mode, it prevents excessive surface potential reduction and associated discharge issues while maintaining adequate transfer efficiency for each mode
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 approach effectively suppresses the acceleration of photoconductor drum abrasion while maintaining desired second transfer efficiency, even after repeated use, by optimizing the electric current distribution and surface potential management.
Implementation Method 1
a second transfer member that comes into contact with an outer circumferential surface of the intermediate transfer member and second-transfers the toner images from the intermediate transfer member to a transfer medium
Implementation Method 2
a voltage maintenance element connected to the plurality of contact members and the stretching member and maintaining a surface potential of the intermediate transfer member
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus that adjusts the electric current supplied from a second transfer member to suppress acceleration of abrasion of a photoconductor drum while maintaining the second transfer efficiency at a desired level.