Transfer Voltage Control for Toner Charge Variation in Printers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses require a long operation time to determine optimal transfer voltages due to variations in transferring member resistance, leading to potential transfer failures.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus estimates the amount of static charge of toner using alternating-current voltage superposed on direct-current voltage, determines transfer voltage based on the estimated charge and previously stored resistance values, and adjusts transfer voltage settings to prevent transfer failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional transfer voltage determination methods are used, then transfer reliability is improved, but operation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary measurement of the transferring member's resistance value and stores it in memory. During transfer voltage determination, the control portion retrieves this pre-stored resistance value to quickly estimate the optimal transfer voltage without performing full measurement procedures again, thus reducing operation time while maintaining transfer reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The control portion copies the pre-stored resistance value from memory and uses it as the basis for estimating transfer voltage. This copying approach avoids repeating the resistance measurement process, significantly reducing the time required for transfer voltage determination while ensuring accurate voltage selection based on actual device characteristics
2Reliability
If transfer voltage is determined through measurement and calibration, then transfer failure is prevented, but setting operation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system establishes a feedback mechanism where the measured resistance value of the transferring member is stored and used to estimate transfer voltage. The control portion continuously references this stored data to determine optimal transfer voltage, creating a closed-loop system that prevents transfer failure while minimizing repeated measurements and calibration operations
Solution Approach 2:
The system serves itself by automatically retrieving and utilizing the pre-stored resistance value from memory during transfer voltage determination. This self-service approach eliminates the need for manual recalibration or repeated measurement procedures, reducing setting operation time while maintaining reliable transfer performance
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 reduces operation time for determining optimal transfer voltages and prevents transfer failures by accurately accounting for variations in transferring member resistance.
Implementation Method 1
a charging member that electrostatically charges the image carrying member
Implementation Method 2
exposes to light the image carrying member electrostatically charged by the charging device to form an electrostatic latent image
Implementation Method 3
a developer carrying member that is disposed opposite the image carrying member and that carries developer to attach toner to the electrostatic latent image
Implementation Method 4
The transferring member is disposed opposite the image carrying member and, with a predetermined transfer voltage applied to it, transfers the toner image formed on the image carrying member to a transfer destination member
Data Source
AI summary
A control portion can perform printing operation and to determine a transfer voltage for performing it, transfer voltage setting operation. When performing adjusting operation, the control portion estimates the amount of static charge of toner in a development device to determine the transfer voltage based on the estimated amount of static charge of the toner and the resistance value of a transferring member previously stored in a memory.