Transfer Power Supply Control for Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses fail to effectively prevent or reduce poor transfer by simply switching between constant current and constant voltage control using a single reference limiting value for the transfer member's power supply.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus that acquires the transfer resistance value and controls the power supply by performing specific current and voltage control processes based on multiple reference resistance values, adjusting the target current and voltage values to optimize transfer conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single reference limiting value is used to switch between constant current control and constant voltage control, then the control process is simple, but poor transfer cannot be effectively prevented or reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the resistance value range into multiple segments using three reference limiting values (first, second, and third reference limiting values). Each segment corresponds to a specific control mode: constant current control for low resistance, constant voltage control for medium resistance, and a combination mode for high resistance. This segmentation allows the system to select the most appropriate control mode for each resistance range, effectively preventing poor transfer while maintaining reasonable control complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control mode switching based on real-time resistance value detection. The controller continuously monitors the resistance value of the transfer member and dynamically adjusts the control mode according to the current resistance level. This dynamic adaptation ensures optimal transfer performance across varying resistance conditions, resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity by making the control process adaptive rather than static.
2Reliability
If multiple reference resistance values are used to perform different control processes, then poor transfer is prevented or reduced, but the control system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the resistance value range into multiple segments using three reference limiting values (first, second, and third reference limiting values). Each segment corresponds to a specific control mode: constant current control for low resistance, constant voltage control for medium resistance, and a combination mode for high resistance. This segmentation allows the system to select the most appropriate control mode for each resistance range, effectively preventing poor transfer while maintaining reasonable control complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameters (current value, voltage value, or both) based on the detected resistance value. When the resistance value falls within different ranges defined by the three reference limiting values, the controller adjusts the current value, voltage value, or both parameters accordingly. This parameter adaptation ensures optimal transfer performance across varying resistance conditions while using a unified control framework, thus managing system complexity.
3Reliability
If the target current value is reduced for high resistance values, then transfer safety is improved, but the transfer efficiency may decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control mode switching based on real-time resistance value detection. The controller continuously monitors the resistance value of the transfer member and dynamically adjusts the control mode according to the current resistance level. This dynamic adaptation ensures optimal transfer performance across varying resistance conditions, resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity by making the control process adaptive rather than static.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameters (current value, voltage value, or both) based on the detected resistance value. When the resistance value falls within different ranges defined by the three reference limiting values, the controller adjusts the current value, voltage value, or both parameters accordingly. This parameter adaptation ensures optimal transfer performance across varying resistance conditions while using a unified control framework, thus managing system complexity.
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 prevents or reduces poor transfer by dynamically adjusting the power supply to match changing resistance values, ensuring optimal transfer current and voltage levels, thereby improving image quality and reducing the risk of toner adhesion issues or splashes.
Implementation Method 1
a transfer resistance value, the transfer resistance value being a value of electric resistance between the image carrier and the transfer member
Implementation Method 2
a transfer resistance value, the transfer resistance value being a value of electric resistance between the image carrier and the transfer member
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus including an image carrier, a transfer member, an application circuit and a controller configured to acquire a transfer resistance value, the transfer resistance value being a value of electric resistance between the image carrier and the transfer member, determine whether the acquired transfer resistance value is less than or equal to a reference resistance value, and control the application circuit, in response to determining that the acquired transfer resistance value is less than or equal to the reference resistance value, to perform a current control process to cause a value of a transfer current passing through the transfer member becomes a target current value.