Static Eliminating Device Light Guide Uniform Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing static eliminating devices for image forming apparatuses face challenges in uniformly distributing static eliminating light along the axial direction of photosensitive drums, leading to issues like image failure due to surface electric potential differences and increased costs from complex light guide designs with multiple reflecting faces.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a static eliminating device with a light guide body formed in a bar shape and a light source at one end, featuring a plurality of reflection parts and an attachment part to adjust pre-transfer and post-transfer static eliminating light quantities using light shading parts, ensuring uniform light distribution without the need for multiple LEDs or complex metal molds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a light guide body with multiple reflecting faces is used to distribute static eliminating light uniformly, then light distribution uniformity is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide body is divided into multiple reflection parts (first reflection part, second reflection part, third reflection part) with different reflection angles. Each reflection part segments the light path to redirect light from the light source at one end to illuminate the entire axial direction of the photosensitive drum uniformly, eliminating the need for complex multi-face light guides.
Solution Approach 2:
Different reflection parts are assigned different reflection angles (first reflection angle, second reflection angle, third reflection angle) to optimize light distribution in different axial regions. This local differentiation of reflection properties ensures uniform light intensity across the entire photosensitive drum surface while maintaining a simple light guide structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple LEDs are used to achieve both pre-transfer and post-transfer static elimination, then functional versatility is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single light source is designed to perform both pre-transfer static elimination (irradiating the photosensitive drum before charging) and post-transfer static elimination (irradiating after transfer) functions. The light guide body directs light to different temporal stages of the imaging process, eliminating the need for separate LED arrays for each function and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide body is configured to irradiate the photosensitive drum at the upstream side (before charging) with static eliminating light to perform pre-transfer static elimination. This preliminary action prevents surface electric potential differences before the imaging process begins, while the same light source subsequently performs post-transfer static elimination.
3Reliability
If transfer current is increased to prevent transfer failure, then transfer reliability is improved, but image failure due to transfer memory increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of surface electric potential differences (which cause transfer memory) into a beneficial pre-transfer static elimination process. By irradiating the photosensitive drum before charging with controlled light intensity, the harmful electric potential differences are eliminated, allowing higher transfer current to be used without causing transfer memory image failures.
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 allows for effective adjustment of static eliminating light quantities, preventing image failures and reducing costs by simplifying the light guide design, while maintaining accurate light distribution and reducing thermal deformation impacts.
Implementation Method 1
The light guide body includes a first reflecting part and a second reflecting part (two reflecting faces) along the axial direction of the photosensitive drum
Implementation Method 2
a static eliminating light source (a static eliminating device) located between primarily transferring and cleaning with respect to the photosensitive drum to irradiate the photosensitive drum with static eliminating light, and thereby, to electrically discharge (to perform so-called post-transfer static elimination) the photosensitive drum
Data Source
AI summary
A static eliminating device includes a light guide body formed in a bar shape and attached to a drum frame, and a light source. The light source is arranged at one end side in a longitudinal direction of the light guide body. The light guide body includes a plurality of reflection parts and an attachment part. The plurality of reflection parts is arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction within a range at the other end side from a start position spaced a predetermined distance from one end in the longitudinal direction. The attachment part is arranged between one end in the longitudinal direction and the start position to act as a start point of thermal deformation in the longitudinal direction. The attachment part is composed of two protrusions to interpose an edge of a positioning hole provided in the drum frame at one end side in the longitudinal direction.