Fluid media charging apparatus

Abstract: An apparatus (20) for applying an electrical charge to a charge retentive surface (12) by transporting ions in a fluid media (24) and transferring the ions to the member to be charged across the fluid media/charge retentive surface interface. The fluid media is positioned in contact with a charge retentive surface for depositing ions onto the charge retentive surface. In one embodiment, the fluid media is a ferrofluid material wherein a magnet (29) is utilized to control the position of the fluid media, which, in turn, can be utilized to selectively control the activation of the charging process.

Description: The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for depositing a substantially uniform charge on an adjacent surface, and, more particularly, concerns an apparatus to charge an imaging member such as a photoreceptor or a dielectric charge receptor by ion transfer via ionic conduction through a fluid media. Several problems have historically been associated with corona generating devices. The most notable problem centers around the inability of such corona devices to provide a uniform charge density along the entire length of the corona generating electrode, resulting in a corresponding variation in the magnitude of charge deposited on associated portions of the adjacent surface to be charged. Other problems include the use of very high voltages (6000 - 8000 V) requiring the use of special insulation, maintenance of corotron wires, low charging efficiency, the need for erase lamps and lamp shields and the like, arcing caused by nonuniformities between the coronode and the surface being charged, vibration and sagging of corona generating wires, contamination of corona wires, and, in general, inconsistent charging performance due to the effects of humidity and airborne chemical contaminants on corona devices. More importantly, corona devices generate ozone, resulting in well-documented health and environmental hazards. Corona charging devices also generate oxides of nitrogen which eventually desorb from the corotron and oxidize various machine components, thereby adversely effecting the quality of the final output print. Various approaches and solutions to the problems inherent to the use of suspended wire corona generating charge devices have been proposed. For example, US-A-4,057,723 shows a dielectric coated coronode uniformly supported along its length on a conductive shield or on an insulating substrate. That patent shows a corona discharge electrode including a conductive wire coated with a relatively thick dielectric material, preferably glass or an inorganic dielectric, in contact with or spaced closely to a conductive shield electrode. US-A-4,353,970 discloses a bare wire coronode attached directly to the outside of a glass coated secondary electrode. US-A-4,562,447 discloses an ion modulating electrode that has a plurality of apertures capable of enhancing or blocking the passage of ion flow through the apertures. In addition, alternatives to corona generating charging systems have been developed. For example, roller charging systems have been disclosed and discussed in numerous articles of technical literature. JP-A-59061858 discloses an electrostatic charger using ferromagnetic metallic liquid as a medium for charge supply. The present invention also relates to a device for charging charge retentive members by ionic conduction through a liquid media, wherein corona generating devices are avoided, together with their known disadvantages. In accordance with the present invention, an apparatus for charging a member is disclosed, comprising a liquid media including a ferromagnetic liquid, means for storing the liquid media; means including an electromagnet, coupled to an electrical source via a switch for contacting the liquid media with the member to be charged at desired times; and means for applying an electrical bias to the liquid media, wherein the electrical bias transports ions through said liquid media to the member to be charged for transferring ions thereto. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, an electrostatographic printing machine is provided, including the claimed charging device. One advantageous effect of the present invention is the deposition of a relatively uniform charge on a charge retentive member through the use of a fluid media in contact therewith which transfers ions to the charge retentive member when an electrical charge is applied to the fluid media. Another advantage of ion transfer via a fluid media relative to a corotron is that ozone production is very greatly reduced. At voltages between -800 V and 800 V a corona is not visually observable in a completely darkened room with the process of the present invention and absolutely no odor of ozone is detectable with the process of the present invention. Since organic photoreceptors are usually charged to less than -800V, ion transfer charging is, for all practical purposes, ozoneless. Thus, the need for ozone management and filtration is mitigated such that the ionic charging device of the present invention presents a lower health hazard than a typical corotron generating charging device. Still another advantage of the processes of the present invention is that the complexity of the power supply can be diminished. Because it is not necessary to control the discharge of corona, only a DC voltage bias is applied to the fluid media. Thus, the power supply is simpler than typical charging systems which use an AC signal superimposed onto a DC signal. In addition, the voltages necessary to operate the present invention are lower than any other practical charging device. Yet another advantage is the high degree of charge uniformity provide by the present invention. It is believed that the potential distribution on the dielectric being charged adjusts itself during the charging process in such a way that the undercharged areas tend to become "filled in" with the additional ions, leading to a uniform deposition of ions on the dielectric layer. It has been shown that the variation in surface voltage is plus or minus 1-2 volts over a Mylar surface. The device has also been shown to be capable of uniformly charging a photoreceptor surface up to 20 inches per second. The present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of the fluid media charging device of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a view of an alternative embodiment of the fluid media charging device of the present invention; and FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of a cleaning device that might be useful in combination with the alternative embodiment of the fluid media charging device of FIG. 2. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an exemplary fluid media charging device 20 is illustrated. The primary components of the fluid media charging device 20 are a fluid reservoir 22 for placing the fluid media 24 in contact with a charge retentive or photoconductive surface 12 deposited on an electrically grounded conductive substrate 14 of the drum 10, and a DC voltage power supply 26 coupled to the fluid reservoir 22 for applying a DC voltage bias to the fluid media 24. The drum 10 is rotated by a motor (not shown) to advance the surface 12 in the direction of arrow 16 through various well known processing stations of, for example, a photocopier. In the embodiment of FIG 1, the fluid reservoir 22 comprises a simple beaker or other vessel for containing an ionically conductive fluid media 24. A conductor 28, such as a copper wire, is coupled to the DC voltage power supply and is contacted with the fluid media 24 in order to apply an ion producing bias voltage to the fluid media 24. Contact between the fluid media 24 and the conductor 28 may be facilitated by a conductive nipple 21 extending into reservoir 22 and capable of being coupled to conductor 28. Alternatively, the fluid reservoir 22 may include a container fabricated of brass, stainless steel or any other conductive material or conductive composite materials such as a carbon loaded polymer or plastic, wherein a conductor is merely placed in contact with the fluid reservoir (as shown in FIG. 2) in order to apply a voltage bias to the fluid media. The conductivity of this conductive fluid reservoir can be as low as about 2 nano-mho/cm. Thus, electrical contact can be made to the ionically conductive fluid either by immersing a wire or other electrical contact element into the fluid if the fluid reservoir 22 is made of an electrically insulating material (as shown in FIG. 1), or by applying a biasing'voltage directly to the fluid container if the fluid reservoir 22 is made of a conductive material (as shown in FIG. 2). Examples of ionically conductive liquid which may serve as the fluid media 24 include any liquid based material capable of conduction of ions, including simple tap water and even distilled deionized water (the conductivity thereof believed to be caused by the known dissolution of carbon dioxide in water). Components which can be added to the water to render it more ionically conductive include atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), lithium carbonate, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate and the like. The concentration ranges can vary from trace levels to saturation. Another example of an ionically conductive medium is a gel that is composed of 4 wt% acrylic acid neutralized with NaOH containing 96 wt% water. Numerous other suitable fluid compounds and materials may be used with the apparatus of the present invention. As indicated hereinabove, a voltage bias is applied to the fluid media in the fluid reservoir 22 via DC power supply 26. Typical voltages applied to the fluid media might range from about -4000V to about + 4000V, preferably between about ±400 to about ± 700, and more preferably ranging from about -600 to about -675 volts. The voltage that is applied to the imaging or charge retentive member is essentially equal to the voltage applied to the fluid media such that a voltage of 750 volts, for example, applied to the ionically conductive medium results in a voltage of about 750 volts or slightly less on the imaging member. The voltage applied to the fluid media 24 by the power source 26 can be of a positive polarity or a negative polarity wherein the polarity of the charge which is deposited is exclusively controlled by the polarity of the voltage which is applied: the application of a positive bias to the ionically conductive fluid medium 24 causes positive ions to transfer to the imaging member while application of a negative bias to the ionically conductive fluid medium 24 causes negative ions to transfer to the imaging member. Specific embodiments of the present invention are directed to a device for selectively placing the ionically conductive fluid medium in contact with the surface to be charged so as to enable the process of ion transfer through the fluid medium to charge, for example, a photoconductive imaging member, wherein ions are transported through the ionically conductive fluid medium to the surface of the imaging member as the imaging member is transported therepast, thereby enabling the transfer of ions to the member. The ionically conductive fluid may be contacted to the imaging member in several ways. The fluid itself may be directly contacted with the photoreceptor surface by merely filling the fluid reservoir 22 to its maximum capacity such that a meniscus is formed just above the upper perimeter of the reservoir 22, allowing the fluid media 24 to impinge upon the surface of the photoreceptor through an opening in the container reservoir. In this embodiment, selective contact between the the fluid media and the photoreceptor surface may be accomplished by selectively positioning the reservoir into and out of close proximity with the photoreceptor. Numerous alternative means for contacting the fluid media to the photoreceptor may also be contemplated. One such alternative will be discussed in greater detail with respect to FIG. 2, wherein the fluid media 24 includes a ferrofluid of the type which exhibits an internal magnetic moment which can be spontaneously organized in a common direction under the influence of magnetic fields such that the position of the ionic conductive fluid media can be controlled via magnetic fields. In this alternative embodiment, the fluid media 24 comprises a ferrofluid material which is located within a reservoir having a small opening or aperture 23, wherein the aperture 23 is positioned opposite the imaging member 10. Preferably aperture 23 is provided in the form of a small slit which serves to confine the area of contact between the fluid media and the photoreceptor, and also serves to minimize the evaporation of the fluid from the reservoir. A magnet 29 is provided in the vicinity of the reservoir for controlling the position of the ferrofluid. In the illustrated embodiment, an electromagnet coupled to an electrical or biasing source 27 via switch 25 is positioned external to the reservoir 22 positioned opposite the aperture 23, separated from the reservoir 22 by the imaging member 10. With switch 25 closed, the electromagnet 29 is activated so as to cause the ferrofluid to be attracted toward the top of the reservoir 22 where the fluid exits through the aperture 23 in the reservoir 22. As should be understood from the foregoing discussion, the application of a voltage to the ferrofluid causes ions to be transferred to the imaging surface. Various alternative embodiments may also be contemplated, including: an electromagnet positioned below the reservoir 22 and operating so as to repel the ferrofluid toward the imaging member 10 when activated; a permanent magnet which is selectively juxtapositioned adjacent to and away from the fluid reservoir by some mechanical mechanism for controlling the position of the ferrofluid; or a permanent magnet located within the reservoir and rotated for bringing the ferrofluid into and out of contact with the imaging member. In addition, the necessity for aperture 23 may be obviated via the exploitation of a well-known spiking phenomenon inherent to ferrofluids, wherein magnetic fields combine with surface instabilities in the ferrofluid to generate so called spicules which cause the ferrofluid to swell in predetermined areas. This phenomenon could be harnessed to create spicules which rise above the perimeter of the reservoir 22 and into contact with the imaging member 10. It is further noted that the ferrofluid-based embodiment described above may also benefit from a magnetic cleaner as shown in FIG. 3, comprising a rotatable magnet 30 positioned adjacent to the surface of the imaging member 10 for removing ferrofluid droplets which may become attached to the surface of the imaging member 10. In operation, the device of the present invention enables ionic conduction charging of a photoconductive imaging member, or any dielectric member placed in contact therewith, by placing a fluid media component in contact with the surface of the photoconductive imaging member and applying a voltage to the fluid media component such that ions are transferred across the fluid media/imaging member interface to the imaging member. The imaging member thus becomes charged by the flow of ions through the fluid media component rather than by the spraying of ions onto the photoreceptor through a gaseous media as occurs in a corotron or like corona generating device. In simplest terms, the fluid media, such as an ionic liquid, is biased by a voltage approximately equal to the surface potential desired on the photoreceptor, causing ions to be deposited at the point of contact between the ionic liquid and the photoreceptor until the electric field across is completely diminished. It is noted that the imaging member cannot be overcharged by the process disclosed in the present invention. The maximum voltage to which the imaging member can be charged is the voltage applied to the fluid media The charging of the imaging member is limited to this value since the electric field across the bulk of the fluid medium, which drives the ions to the fluid/insulator interface, drops to zero when the voltage on the imaging member reaches the voltage applied to the fluid. Conversely, the imaging member can be undercharged if insufficient time is allowed for contact between the imaging member and the ionically conductive medium. The degree of undercharging is usually not significant (25 - 50 V) and can be compensated for by the application of a higher voltage to the ionically conductive medium. Moreover, it is noted that despite this voltage drop, the charge on the photoreceptor is uniform. The circumferential rotating speed of the photoreceptor can range from very low values like anything greater than zero speed to high speeds such as, for example, about 100 inches per second and preferably from zero to about 20 inches per second. It will be understood that the present invention might also be used to eliminate the use of an erase lamp commonly utilized in a typical electrostatographic printing machine. Typically, an erase lamp is used to expose the photoreceptor after an imaging cycle for removing any residual charge thereon. The device of the present invention, however, could be used to accomplish the same result because the ionically conductive fluid medium is able to charge imaging members to any voltage including zero (0) volts. Thus, it is possible to ground the ionically conductive liquid and withdraw the image-wise residual charge remaining on the imaging member back into the ionic medium. Therefore, an erase lamp is not needed to photodischarge the residual charge. Moreover, since the charge applied by the present invention is non-cumulative, the erase function typically associated with electrostatographic processes may be completely eliminated as a new charge can be applied independent of any pre-existing residual charge on the imaging member. This will work as long as the imaging member does not trap charges internally

Claims: An apparatus (20) for charging a charge retentive member (12), comprising: a liquid media (24) including ferromagnetic liquid; means (22) for storing said liquid media; means including an electromagnet (29) coupled to an electrical source (27) via a switch (25), for contacting said liquid media with the member (12) to be charged at desired times; and means (26,28) for applying an electrical bias to said liquid media, wherein the electrical bias transports ions through said liquid media to the member to be charged for transferring ions thereto. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the liquid media includes an ionically conductive liquid. The apparatus claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein said means (22) for storing said liquid media is a nonconductive vessel with a conductive nipple (21) extending into said nonconductive vessel for coupling said electrical bias applying means to said liquid media. The apparatus claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said means (22) for storing said liquid media is a conductive vessel, said electrical bias applying means being coupled directly to said conductive vessel for applying the electrical bias to said liquid media. The apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the member (12) to be charged is a photoconductive imaging member. The apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein said means for applying an electrical bias to said liquid media is a DC voltage, power supply. An electrostatographic printing apparatus comprising the apparatus (20) as claimed in claims 1 to 6.

Inventors: ABKOWITZ MARTIN A, FACCI JOHN S, LEVY MICHAEL J, LEWIS RICHARD B, STOLKA MILAN, ZIOLO RONALD F, ABKOWITZ, MARTIN A., FACCI, JOHN S., LEVY, MICHAEL J., LEWIS, RICHARD B., STOLKA, MILAN, ZIOLO, RONALD F.
Applicants: XEROX CORP, XEROX CORPORATION
Application year: 1995
Main classification: G03G15
IPC codes: G03G15