Intermediate Transfer Belt Holding Unit Vibration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses experience nonuniformity in image density due to vibrations propagated from the second-transfer position to the first-transfer positions, particularly in large-size apparatuses, leading to fluctuations in the position of images transferred by downstream toner-image-forming units.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a holding unit that holds the intermediate transfer belt from both sides between the downstreammost first-transfer unit and the second-transfer unit, featuring a first rotatable member contacting the outer peripheral surface and a second rotatable member contacting the inner peripheral surface, with different rotation speeds to enhance gripping force and reduce vibration propagation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an elastic member is pressed against only the inner peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt at a single position, then the structure is simple, but vibrations from the second-transfer position propagate to the first-transfer positions causing nonuniform image density
Solution Approach 1:
The holding unit is segmented into multiple pressing positions around the intermediate transfer belt's peripheral surface. Instead of a single pressing point, the elastic member applies pressure at multiple locations, which segments the vibration propagation paths and prevents vibrations from the second-transfer position from reaching the first-transfer positions, thereby ensuring uniform image density while maintaining structural manageability
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic member acts as an intermediary element between the intermediate transfer belt and the supporting structure. By positioning the elastic member at multiple pressing positions, it mediates the vibration transmission, absorbing and isolating vibrations before they can propagate to the transfer units, thus protecting the image forming process from vibration-induced nonuniformity
2Force
If the intermediate transfer belt is held with minimal support structure, then the device complexity is low, but the gripping force is insufficient to prevent vibration propagation
Solution Approach 1:
The holding unit changes the spatial distribution parameter of the gripping force by applying pressure at multiple peripheral positions rather than a single point. This parameter change in the distribution pattern of the elastic member's pressing points increases the overall gripping effectiveness and vibration suppression capability without requiring excessive force at any single location, thus achieving strong vibration isolation with moderate structural complexity
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
The holding unit effectively reduces the propagation of vibrations from the second-transfer unit to the first-transfer units, minimizing nonuniformity in image density by increasing the gripping force and stability of the transfer belt, thus ensuring consistent image transfer.
Implementation Method 1
a first rotatable member configured to rotate while being in contact with an outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer member, the outer peripheral surface receiving the toner images to be transferred from the image forming units; and a second rotatable member pressed against the first rotatable member with the intermediate transfer member in between, the second rotatable member being configured to rotate while being in contact with an inner peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer member
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes plural image forming units configured to form respective toner images in different colors; an endless-shaped intermediate transfer member that is to move in a peripheral direction of the intermediate transfer member and to which the toner images are to be sequentially transferred from the plural image forming units; plural first-transfer units provided across from the respective image forming units and configured to transfer the toner images formed by the image forming units to the intermediate transfer member; a second-transfer unit provided on a downstream side relative to the plural first-transfer units in a direction of movement of the intermediate transfer member and configured to transfer the toner images on the intermediate transfer member to a medium; and a holding unit provided, in the direction of movement of the intermediate transfer member, between a downstreammost one of the first-transfer units and the second-transfer unit, the holding unit being configured to hold the intermediate transfer member from both sides of the intermediate transfer member.