Transfer Voltage Control for Image Quality Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image formation apparatuses face challenges in maintaining image quality due to variations in medium thickness and resistance, which affect the transfer voltage and current flow, leading to potential gaps between the image carrier and the conveyor belt.
Innovation Solution
The image formation apparatus includes a voltage supply device that controls the transfer voltage to maintain a specific voltage ratio, regardless of medium size, by adjusting the voltage based on the medium's thickness, resistance, and width, thereby ensuring consistent image transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a flexible but relatively hard resin material conveyor belt is used to stably convey the medium, then the conveyor belt stability is improved, but the degree of deformation at the transfer portion becomes small, causing gaps between the image carrier and conveyor belt, which makes it difficult to control transfer voltage and deteriorates image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the conveyor belt deformable under load. The flexible resin material conveyor belt is designed to deform when a medium is placed on it, ensuring sufficient contact area between the image carrier and conveyor belt at the transfer portion. This dynamic deformation capability resolves the contradiction by allowing the belt to adapt its shape based on operational conditions rather than maintaining a fixed rigid form.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the conveyor belt by selecting a flexible resin material with specific properties. The belt's flexibility parameter is optimized to allow sufficient deformation at the transfer portion while maintaining stability during conveyance. This parameter adjustment enables the system to achieve both conveyor belt stability and adequate contact area for image transfer.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the medium width varies, then the current flow through the transfer portion changes, but maintaining consistent transfer voltage becomes difficult, leading to image quality deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by monitoring the current flowing through the transfer portion and adjusting the transfer voltage accordingly. The voltage supply device detects changes in current that result from varying medium widths and dynamically adjusts the transfer voltage to maintain appropriate transfer conditions. This feedback mechanism ensures consistent image quality across different medium widths.
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer voltage is made dynamic rather than fixed. The voltage supply device continuously adjusts the transfer voltage based on real-time conditions, particularly the medium width and resulting current flow. This dynamic voltage adjustment allows the system to adapt to varying medium dimensions while maintaining optimal transfer performance and image quality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the medium thickness varies, then the electrical resistance changes, affecting current flow and transfer voltage, but consistent image transfer becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback control to monitor current flow variations caused by different medium thicknesses and adjusts the transfer voltage accordingly. The voltage supply device detects changes in electrical resistance resulting from thickness variations and compensates by modifying the transfer voltage to maintain consistent transfer conditions and image quality across different medium thicknesses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adjusts the transfer voltage parameter in response to medium thickness variations. By changing the voltage parameter based on detected current flow changes, the system compensates for varying electrical resistance caused by different thicknesses, ensuring consistent image transfer performance across diverse medium specifications.
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 allows for the suppression of image quality deterioration during transfer processing, ensuring high-quality images across various medium sizes and types.
Implementation Method 1
the medium functions as an electrical resistance. However, the resistance value of the medium differs depending on a width (a length along a main scanning direction), a thickness, material, and the like of the medium
Implementation Method 2
A predetermined high voltage (hereinafter referred to a transfer voltage) is applied to a transfer member (e.g., a transfer roller) with the medium being sandwiched between the transfer member and the image carrier at the transfer portion, so that the developer image is transferred to the medium
Data Source
AI summary
An image formation apparatus may include a voltage supply device configured to control a transfer voltage such that a first ratio of a first transfer voltage to a second transfer voltage, is greater than a second ratio of a third transfer voltage to a fourth transfer voltage, where the first transfer voltage is the transfer voltage for a first medium having a first thickness, a first resistance, and a first width, the second transfer voltage is for a second medium having the first thickness and the first resistance, and a second width larger than the first width, the third transfer voltage is for a third medium having a second thickness larger than the first thickness, a second resistance smaller than the first resistance, and the first width, and the fourth transfer voltage is for a fourth medium having the second thickness, the second resistance, and the second width.