Intermediate Transfer Belt Cleaning Device Space Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses require significant installation space for the belt cleaning device, which limits their compactness and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus incorporates a belt cleaning device positioned downstream of the driving roller and upstream of the driven roller, utilizing a cleaning blade with a leading edge oriented upstream in the rotation direction, and a counter roller to maintain belt stability and reduce space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the belt cleaning device is positioned with the cleaning blade abutting on the intermediate transfer belt downstream of the driven roller, then the installation space is reduced, but the cleaning effectiveness and belt stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning blade is positioned upstream of the top of the counter roller in the rotation direction, utilizing the space above the counter roller rather than downstream. This dimensional repositioning allows effective cleaning while reducing installation space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The counter roller serves as an intermediary element that the cleaning blade abuts on upstream of its top. This intermediary structure enables the cleaning function to be performed in a compact configuration while maintaining belt stability through the counter roller's support.
2Productivity
If the cleaning blade is positioned upstream of the top of the counter roller in the rotation direction, then space efficiency is improved, but the mechanical stability and blade positioning precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The counter roller provides a stable reference surface (copy of the belt surface) for the cleaning blade to abut on. This allows the blade to be positioned upstream with improved space efficiency while the counter roller maintains positioning stability through its rigid structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the positional parameter of the cleaning blade from downstream to upstream of the counter roller top, and adjusts the abutting geometry to achieve both space efficiency and stable blade positioning through the counter roller support structure.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
An image forming apparatus (100) of the present disclosure includes an intermediate transfer belt (8), a driving roller (11), a driven roller (10), a belt cleaning device (30), and a counter roller (40). Toner images formed on image carriers (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) are transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt (8). The driving and driven rollers (10, 11) rotatably stretch the intermediate transfer belt (8). The belt cleaning device (30) has a cleaning blade (32) that removes residual toner adhered to the intermediate transfer belt (8). The counter roller (40) is disposed facing the cleaning blade (32) with the intermediate transfer belt (8) interposed therebetween. The belt cleaning device (30) is disposed at a position that is downstream of the driving roller (11) in a rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt (8) but is upstream of the driven roller (10) in the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt (8). A leading end edge portion (32a) of the cleaning blade (32) is disposed upstream of a top (P40a) of the counter roller (40) in the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt (8).