Belt Conveying Apparatus Drive Force Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses with intermediate transfer belts face challenges in reducing size due to the need for a specific drive source for moving transfer members, which occupies space and hinders compact design.
Innovation Solution
A belt conveying apparatus that moves transfer members without a dedicated drive source, utilizing a drive unit to transmit force to a drive roller and a drive transmitting unit to move the separating unit, allowing the transfer members to switch between pressing and separated positions, thereby eliminating the need for additional space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a specific drive source is provided for moving transfer members, then the transfer members can be moved between pressing and separated positions, but the apparatus size increases due to the space required for the drive source
Solution Approach 1:
The drive source is designed to perform multiple functions: it drives both the drive roller for belt conveyance and the separating unit for moving transfer members. The drive force is branched from the same drive source through a drive transmitting unit, eliminating the need for a dedicated drive source and reducing apparatus size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the drive source for belt conveyance and the drive source for transfer member movement into a single integrated drive source. The drive transmitting unit acts as a mechanism to distribute the drive force to both the drive roller and the separating unit, merging two previously separate drive functions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a dedicated drive source is installed in the belt conveying apparatus, then transfer members can be moved independently, but the apparatus body size increases due to space requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The single drive source installed in the apparatus body is designed to provide drive force for multiple components: the drive roller for belt conveyance and the separating unit for transfer member movement. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for additional dedicated drive sources, maintaining independent transfer member control while minimizing apparatus body volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive transmitting unit acts as an intermediary mechanism that receives drive force from the single drive source and distributes it to both the drive roller and the separating unit. This intermediary mechanism enables independent control of transfer members without requiring a separate dedicated drive source.
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
Enables a reduction in apparatus size by eliminating the need for a specific drive source and optimizing space usage within the image forming apparatus, while maintaining functionality in both color and monochrome modes.
Implementation Method 1
a drive roller, which is one of the plurality of stretching members, configured to stretch the endless belt and convey the endless belt
Implementation Method 2
a drive transmitting unit configured to transmit the drive force branched and transmitted from the drive force to the separating unit
Implementation Method 3
the separating unit moves the transfer member by the drive force transmitted by the drive transmitting unit via the drive unit
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a small sized belt conveying apparatus provided with a separating unit configured to move a transfer member and an image forming apparatus provided with the belt transfer apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a drive unit configured to transmit a drive force from a drive source provided in an apparatus body, and a drive transmitting unit configured to transmit the drive force branched and transmitted from the drive unit. The separating unit is configured to move the transfer member by a drive force transmitted by the drive transmitting unit via the drive unit.