Image Forming Apparatus Second Side Transfer Voltage Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, the secondary transfer voltage often results in inadequate image density on the second side of a recording material due to excessive low voltage, especially when a high-duty image is transferred first, leading to insufficient toner transfer and density loss.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus that includes a controller capable of adjusting the transfer voltage by detecting current and acquiring image density information, using a test chart with multiple test toner images transferred under different voltages to optimize the transfer voltage for the second side based on the densities of these test images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a preset recording material part voltage is used for transfer, then the transfer voltage can be determined based on environmental fluctuations and transfer member usage history, but the voltage may be higher or lower than the appropriate transfer voltage for specific recording materials, leading to insufficient transfer or other issues
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the transfer voltage parameter based on the type of recording material being used. By detecting the recording material type and adjusting the transfer voltage accordingly, the system achieves both adaptability to different materials and precise voltage control for each material type, resolving the contradiction between versatility and precision.
2Manufacturing precision
If a secondary transfer voltage is adjusted based on an adjusting chart with test patches, then the recording material part voltage can be optimized, but the transfer voltage becomes excessively low when a solid secondary color image is transferred on both sides, causing density lowering on the second side
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of the first-side image density before transferring to the second side. By detecting whether the first-side image is a high-duty image and predicting the potential density lowering issue, the system can take preliminary corrective action by adjusting the secondary transfer voltage before the problem occurs, ensuring reliable density consistency on both sides.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the first-side image density detection to adjust the secondary transfer voltage. By continuously monitoring the transfer process and adjusting voltage based on actual conditions, the system maintains optimal transfer performance and prevents density lowering on the second side.
3Productivity
If the secondary transfer voltage is lowered to optimize transfer for the second side based on adjusting chart densities, then transfer efficiency may improve, but the image density on the second side decreases due to excessive low voltage
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the secondary transfer voltage based on real-time detection of image conditions rather than using a fixed voltage from adjusting charts. By making the voltage dynamic and adaptive to actual transfer conditions, the system maintains both high transfer efficiency and proper image density on the second side.
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 image density lowering on the second side by optimizing the transfer voltage, ensuring proper toner transfer and maintaining image quality across both sides of the recording material.
Implementation Method 1
a power source configured to apply a transfer voltage, to the transfer member, for transferring the toner image from the image bearing member onto the recording material
Implementation Method 2
a current detecting portion configured to detect a current outputted from the power source
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, an image forming portion, transfer member, a power source, a current detecting portion, an acquiring portion, and a controller capable of executing an operation in an adjustment mode. In the operation in the adjustment mode, the controller selects test toner images for setting a transfer voltage for a second side of a recording material, on the basis of information on densities of the test toner images acquired by the acquiring portion, and then adjusts the transfer voltage for the second side of the recording material on the basis of a current detected by the current detecting portion when the selected test toner images are transferred onto the recording material.