Belt Device With Elastic Inner Portion For Wear Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing belt devices in image forming apparatuses, such as printers, face issues with abnormal noise and wear due to the deterioration of lubricant caused by heat, leading to abrasion and reduced viscosity, which affects the quality of the images produced.
Innovation Solution
The belt device incorporates a rotatable endless belt with an inner portion having an elastic power of 55% or more, a secured member, and a pressure rotator with a porous elastic body, along with a lubricant interposed between the belt and the secured member to improve sliding performance and prevent wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the belt slides on the secured member with conventional lubricant, then initial sliding performance is acceptable, but the lubricant deteriorates due to heat causing increased wear and abnormal noise over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the lubricant by specifying precise proportions of silicone oil (10-50 cSt) and polyalphaolefin (20-100 cSt) in a total amount of 1-10 mass% relative to the belt weight. This parameter optimization ensures the lubricant maintains appropriate viscosity and film strength at elevated temperatures, preventing deterioration and maintaining wear resistance throughout the belt's service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite lubricant system combining two different base oils (silicone oil and polyalphaolefin) with complementary thermal and lubricating properties. Silicone oil provides high-temperature stability while polyalphaolefin contributes to load-bearing capacity and film formation. This composite approach creates a synergistic effect that prevents lubricant deterioration under heat exposure, resolving the contradiction between initial performance and long-term thermal stability.
2Reliability
If the belt material is made harder to reduce wear, then wear resistance improves, but the belt becomes more prone to cracking and loses elasticity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the hardness parameter of the belt to a specific range of 40-70 Shore A, balancing wear resistance with crack resistance. This parameter control prevents the belt from being too soft (which would increase wear) or too hard (which would cause cracking). The controlled hardness works synergistically with the lubricant composition to achieve durable wear protection without compromising the belt's elastic integrity.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional lubricant is used without specific composition control, then application is simple, but the lubricant viscosity decreases due to heat leading to increased friction and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies precise compositional parameters for the lubricant: total content of 1-10 mass% relative to belt weight, with silicone oil at 10-50 cSt viscosity and polyalphaolefin at 20-100 cSt viscosity. These controlled parameters ensure the lubricant maintains stable viscosity under thermal conditions, preventing the viscosity decrease that would otherwise lead to increased friction and wear. The simplicity of application is maintained through impregnation or coating methods, while the controlled composition guarantees long-term viscosity stability.
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 configuration enhances the wear resistance and durability of the belt, reducing abnormal noise and ensuring high-quality image production by maintaining the lubricant's effectiveness and preventing abrasion over a long period.
Implementation Method 1
The pressure rotator includes a porous elastic body and presses the secured member via the belt to form a nip between the belt and the pressure rotator
Implementation Method 2
The lubricant is interposed between the inner circumferential surface of the belt and the secured member
Implementation Method 3
The inner portion has an elastic power of 55% or more
Data Source
AI summary
A belt device includes a belt, a secured member, a pressure rotator, and lubricant. The belt is rotatable and has an endless shape. The belt includes an inner portion having an inner circumferential surface. The inner portion has an elastic power of 55% or more. The inner circumferential surface of the belt slides on the secured member. The pressure rotator includes a porous elastic body and presses the secured member via the belt to form a nip between the belt and the pressure rotator. The lubricant is interposed between the inner circumferential surface of the belt and the secured member.