Static Eliminator Light Guide with Concave Curved Surface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional static eliminators in image forming apparatuses suffer from uneven light distribution, leading to excessive light emission at the end surface, causing unnecessary local static elimination and potential image quality degradation due to highly intense and directional light.

Innovation Solution

A static eliminator design featuring a rod-shaped light guide member with a concave curved surface on the light entrance end, which diffuses the light emitted from the LED source, reducing the intensity of light directed at the photosensitive drum and minimizing the formation of minute prisms, thereby reducing unnecessary local static elimination and extending the lifespan of the photosensitive drum.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a rod-shaped light guide member is used to guide light from the LED lamp, then the light can be emitted toward the photosensitive drum, but the amount of light emitted from the end surface becomes excessively large causing uneven light distribution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight distribution uniformityVSAvoidexcessive light intensity at end surface

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A concave curved surface is formed on the end surface of the light guide member. This curved structure diffuses the highly intense and directional light from the LED lamp, reducing the excessive light intensity concentrated at the end surface and achieving more uniform light distribution across the photosensitive drum surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Productivity

If highly intense and directional light from the LED lamp reaches the photosensitive drum without scattering, then the light emission efficiency is high, but unnecessary local static elimination occurs and image quality degrades

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestatic elimination efficiencyVSAvoidimage quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The concave curved surface on the light guide member's end surface scatters the highly directional light before it reaches the photosensitive drum. This prevents concentrated light spots that cause local static elimination, thereby maintaining static elimination efficiency while preventing image quality degradation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Ease of manufacture

If the light guide member structure is simplified without the concave curved surface, then the manufacturing is easier, but the light distribution becomes uneven causing image quality issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight guide member fabricationVSAvoidlight distribution uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The concave curved surface can be formed using conventional molding techniques during light guide member fabrication. This curvature modification is integrated into the manufacturing process, achieving uniform light distribution without significantly complicating the manufacturing process or requiring additional assembly steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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

The solution achieves more uniform light distribution, reducing image quality degradation and extending the operational period of the photosensitive drum by scattering the intense light, thus improving the overall performance and longevity of the image forming apparatus.

Implementation Method 1

a rod-shaped light guide member which is extended along the axial direction of a photosensitive drum... guides, along the axial direction of the image carrying member, the light which has entered the one end surface and emits the light toward the image carrying member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight guidance: Waveguide (optics)

Implementation Method 2

a reflection portion for reflecting the light from the LED lamp is formed... reflects the light which has entered the one end surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

a concave portion is formed that includes a concave curved surface which is formed in a shape of an arc... diffuses the light emitted from the LED source, reducing the intensity of light directed at the photosensitive drum

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight diffusion: Scattering

Data Source

PatentUS9944088B2Static eliminator performing static elimination with light and image forming apparatus including same

Publication Date: 2018.04.17 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

A static eliminator of the present disclosure includes a light source and a rod-shaped light guide member. The light guide member includes one end surface which light from the light source enters, and emits the light which has entered the one end surface toward an image carrying member. The light guide member includes a reflection portion which reflects light and a light emission surface which emits the light toward the image carrying member. In the one end surface, a concave portion is formed that includes a concave curved surface which is formed in the shape of an arc in a first direction along a direction of light emission extending from the reflection portion toward the image carrying member.