Transfer Process Multiphysics Simulation in Electrophotography

The transfer process of color electrophotography involves various materials, including paper, rollers, toner, intermediate transfer belt, and sawlike static charge eliminator. Each component physically interacts with each other, creating electric fields, electric discharges, ion flows, electric conduction, and toner behavior. The authors have developed a numerical simulation method which considers electrical materials, geometric configuration, and physical phenomenon. The method the authors developed was used to calculate current characteristics, electric discharges, and toner scattering in a color electrophotographic system. The results showed good agreement with experiments. Furthermore, the calculation results showed removal of electricity by the static charge eliminator reduces toner scattering and separation discharges. (C) 2010 Society for Imaging Science and Technology. [DOI: 10.2352/J.ImagingSci.Technol.2010.54.3.030505]