Image Forming Apparatus Transfer Voltage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in setting an appropriate transfer voltage, as the transfer current value changes significantly with different electric resistance values of recording materials, leading to potential image defects such as poor image density or white voids.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus adjusts the change width per level of the test voltage when outputting a chart with test images, varying the switching width based on the electric resistance value of the recording material, allowing for an appropriate transfer current range to be maintained irrespective of the recording material used.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the transfer voltage is switched with the same transfer voltage switching width regardless of recording material type, then the adjusting process is simple, but the transfer current value varies significantly leading to image defects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the transfer voltage switching width based on the electric resistance value of the recording material. When the electric resistance value exceeds a reference value, the switching width is increased to maintain appropriate transfer current values across different material types, thereby preventing image defects while keeping the adjusting process manageable.
2Manufacturing precision
If the transfer voltage switching width is increased for high electric resistance materials, then image quality consistency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by making the transfer voltage switching width adjustable based on the detected electric resistance value of the recording material. The system dynamically selects between a first switching width (for low resistance materials) and a second switching width (for high resistance materials), allowing the voltage control to adapt to different material properties without requiring a completely complex control system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the voltage switching width parameter according to the electric resistance value parameter of the recording material. This parameter adaptation allows the system to maintain optimal transfer current values across different material types, improving image quality consistency while managing device complexity through intelligent parameter selection.
3Device complexity
If a fixed transfer voltage is used for all recording materials, then the control system is simple, but image defects such as poor density or white voids occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a fixed transfer voltage approach to a dynamic voltage selection approach. The system detects the electric resistance value of the recording material and dynamically selects the appropriate transfer voltage switching width, ensuring reliable transfer quality across different material types while maintaining relatively simple control logic through predefined voltage levels.
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 enables the selection of an optimum transfer voltage set value, reducing the likelihood of image defects and ensuring consistent image quality across various recording materials with different electric resistance values.
Implementation Method 1
a toner image formed on an image bearing member such as a photosensitive member or an intermediary transfer member is transferred onto a recording material. This transfer of the toner image from the image bearing member onto the recording material is carried out in many cases by applying a transfer voltage to a transfer member
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, an image forming portion, a transfer member, an applying portion, and an executing portion configured to execute an output operation for forming and outputting a chart formed on a recording material on which a plurality of test images are transferred by applying a plurality of voltages to the transfer member by the applying portion. The executing portion changes a change width per level of the test voltage so that the change width is a first change width in a case that a material of the recording material on which the chart is formed is a first material and so that the change width is a second change width different from the first change width in a case that the material of the recording material is a second material different from the first material.