Shared Current Detection for Multi-Charger Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multi-color image forming apparatuses, the contamination of chargers leads to a decrease in discharge amount, resulting in a shortage of charge for photosensitive elements, which deteriorates image quality, and existing solutions require additional components to control current to each charger.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a shared voltage applying circuit, a current detecting unit, and a control device that ensures the current sum to all chargers is maintained at or above a reference value, minimizing the number of components while preventing image quality deterioration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a current detecting unit is provided in each charger to control current, then image quality is maintained, but the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the current detection function from individual chargers into a single shared current detecting unit that measures the total current from the common voltage applying circuit. This consolidation maintains the ability to monitor charger performance and control current while reducing the number of components from multiple individual detectors to one shared unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared current detecting unit serves multiple chargers simultaneously, making a single component universal for monitoring the electrical state of all chargers connected to the common voltage applying circuit. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for dedicated detection units for each charger while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capability.
2Measurement precision
If multiple current detecting units are used for each charger, then current control precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple individual current measurement functions into a single shared measurement point at the common voltage applying circuit. By measuring the aggregate current and using control logic to distribute it appropriately among chargers, the system achieves effective current control without requiring multiple physical detection units, thus maintaining control precision while reducing component count.
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 configuration maintains adequate discharge current to photosensitive elements, preventing image quality deterioration while reducing the number of components, specifically by using a single current detecting unit and shared constant-voltage circuit, thus enhancing the apparatus's efficiency and miniaturization.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of chargers configured to charge the at least one photosensitive element... a voltage applying circuit commonly connected to the plurality of chargers and configured to apply a voltage to the plurality of chargers
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus, includes: at least one photosensitive element; a plurality of chargers configured to charge the at least one photosensitive element; a voltage applying circuit commonly connected to the plurality of chargers and configured to apply a voltage to the plurality of chargers; a current detecting unit configured to detect a current sum of current that flows to the plurality of chargers from the voltage applying circuit; and a control device configured to control the voltage applying circuit so that the current sum detected by the current detecting unit becomes equal to or larger than a reference value.