Transport Belt Grooves and Cleaning Projections Intersection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses face challenges in suppressing abrasion deterioration while maintaining effective cleaning performance, particularly due to the lack of intersection between grooves and projections/recesses on the contact surface between transport members and cleaning members.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a transport member with grooves along the circumferential direction and a cleaning member with projections and recesses intersecting the grooves, ensuring repeated changes in contact pressure and reducing frictional resistance, along with a viscoelastic layer and specific surface roughness and aspect ratio to enhance durability and cleaning efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If grooves and projections/recesses do not intersect on the contact surface, then the structure is simpler and manufacturing is easier, but cleaning performance deteriorates and abrasion resistance is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The contact surface is segmented into multiple grooves extending in one direction and multiple projections/recesses extending in another direction, creating an intersecting pattern that divides the surface into numerous small contact zones. This segmentation increases the effective cleaning area and improves abrasion resistance without requiring complex three-dimensional structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The grooves and projections/recesses are arranged in asymmetric intersecting patterns rather than parallel or aligned configurations. This asymmetric arrangement ensures that the cleaning member engages with both the grooves and projections/recesses of the transport member, maximizing cleaning effectiveness and wear resistance through irregular contact points.
2Reliability
If grooves and projections/recesses do not intersect, then frictional resistance is lower, but toner slipping increases and cleaning effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The intersecting grooves and projections/recesses create dynamically varying contact pressure distribution during rotation. As the cleaning member rotates, different portions of the grooves and projections/recesses engage and disengage, creating a dynamic contact pattern that maintains consistent cleaning pressure and prevents toner slipping while reducing localized wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The surface topology parameters are changed by introducing intersecting grooves and projections/recesses with specific dimensional relationships. The grooves have a first width and the projections/recesses have a second width, with the intersection creating a third width that is different from the first and second widths. This parameter variation optimizes the mechanical interlocking between surfaces, preventing toner slipping and improving abrasion resistance.
3Reliability
If the contact surface is smooth, then manufacturing is easier, but cleaning performance is insufficient and durability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The grooves and projections/recesses are formed as preliminary surface features during the manufacturing process rather than being added as separate post-processing steps. This preliminary action integrates the durable surface structure into the base component fabrication, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while ensuring long-term durability and effective cleaning performance.
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 effectively prevents toner from slipping and reduces excessive friction, thereby improving cleaning performance and durability of the secondary transfer belt, compared to scenarios without intersecting grooves and projections/recesses, while maintaining optimal contact pressure and surface interaction.
Implementation Method 1
a viscoelastic layer and specific surface roughness and aspect ratio to enhance durability and cleaning efficiency
Implementation Method 2
reduces excessive friction, thereby improving cleaning performance and durability
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes: a transport member that moves in a circumferential direction, forms a transfer nip while transporting a medium between the transport member and an image carrier holding a toner image, and transfers the toner image to the medium, the transport member including a plurality of grooves along the circumferential direction; and a cleaning member that cleans a surface of the transport member, collects an adherent substance, and includes a plurality of projections and recesses extending in a direction intersecting the grooves on a contact surface with the transport member.