Image Forming Apparatus Transfer Voltage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses face difficulties in adjusting the secondary transfer voltage effectively, especially when there is electrical resistance unevenness on the surface of recording materials, particularly with the 'air feeding' method, which can lead to insufficient transfer voltage to portions of the material that have been blown by air.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a control unit that executes a setting mode by transferring test images with different test voltages to a recording material, using sensors to detect current and voltage values, and adjusts the transfer voltage based on these detections, particularly distinguishing between regions closer and farther from the blowing port to account for electrical resistance variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If air blowing is used to feed recording materials, then feeding efficiency is improved, but electrical resistance unevenness occurs on the recording material surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by measuring electrical resistance at different locations (first region and second region) of the recording material and adjusting the transfer voltage accordingly. The control unit sets different transfer voltages for different regions based on their respective electrical resistance values, ensuring each region receives appropriate voltage compensation for its specific conditions.
2Ease of operation
If conventional adjustment mode is used, then transfer voltage can be adjusted for uniform materials, but insufficient transfer voltage is applied to regions with higher electrical resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the transfer voltage parameter based on measured electrical resistance values. The control unit calculates appropriate transfer voltages by considering the electrical resistance values from both the first and second regions, and adjusts the transfer voltage to ensure sufficient transfer performance across all regions of the recording material.
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 accurate adjustment of the secondary transfer voltage, ensuring sufficient transfer voltage is applied across the recording material, even with uneven electrical resistance, thereby improving the image formation process.
Implementation Method 1
a blowing unit including a blowing port configured to blow air to recording materials contained in the container
Implementation Method 2
a sensor configured to detect a current value of a current flowing to the transfer member when a voltage has been applied from the application unit to the transfer member or a voltage value of a voltage which is applied from the application unit to the transfer member
Implementation Method 3
a transfer member configured to transfer a toner image from the image bearing member to a recording material at a transfer portion
Data Source
AI summary
In an image forming apparatus including a transfer member, a control unit, and a feeding unit including a blowing unit which blows air to leading edge portions of recording materials contained in a container, the control unit sets a transfer voltage for the transfer member during image formation based on detection results by a reading unit when a region to which at least one density acquisition image is to be transferred in a recording material on which a chart is formed is passing through a transfer portion, detection results when a predetermined region closer to the leading edge side than the region to which a plurality of density acquisition images is to be transferred in a conveyance direction of the recording material on which a chart is formed is passing through the transfer portion, and information about densities of the plurality of density acquisition images.