Intermediate Transfer Belt Load Applying Member Velocity Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses experience density unevenness and banding due to circumferential velocity fluctuations in the intermediate transfer belt, particularly when handling thick sheets, leading to suboptimal image quality.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating pressing rolls that apply a controlled load to the intermediate transfer belt to stabilize its circumferential velocity, reducing velocity fluctuations and subsequent density unevenness by contacting the belt at strategic positions, such as near the steering roll and downstream from the secondary transfer section.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the intermediate transfer belt is used to transfer toner images, then image forming capability is improved, but velocity fluctuations cause density unevenness and banding
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing roll applies a load to the intermediate transfer belt in advance, before the belt enters the secondary transfer section. This preliminary action stabilizes the belt's circumferential velocity and prevents velocity fluctuations that would otherwise cause density unevenness and banding in the transferred images.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing roll changes the physical state of the intermediate transfer belt by applying mechanical pressure, which stabilizes the belt's circumferential velocity parameter. This parameter change prevents velocity fluctuations and ensures uniform image density during the transfer process.
2Manufacturing precision
If pressing rolls are added to stabilize velocity, then image quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing roll is designed to perform multiple functions: it stabilizes the circumferential velocity of the intermediate transfer belt, prevents velocity fluctuations, and ensures uniform image density. By consolidating these functions into a single component, the design avoids adding multiple separate mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If load is applied to stabilize belt velocity, then velocity fluctuations are reduced, but additional components are required
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing roll is integrated into the existing transfer mechanism, combining the velocity stabilization function with the existing belt transport system. This merging approach allows load application for velocity stabilization without requiring completely separate additional components, thereby limiting the increase in device 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 controlled load application effectively suppresses velocity fluctuations, minimizing banding and density unevenness in the transferred images, ensuring improved image quality across various sheet types, including thick sheets.
Implementation Method 1
a load applying member that cooperates with one of the roll members placed inside the intermediate transfer belt, to nip the intermediate transfer belt to apply a load to the intermediate transfer belt, the load applying member contacting a non-image region of the intermediate transfer belt
Implementation Method 2
a transferring device that further transfers the toner image that has been transferred to the intermediate transfer belt, to a recording sheet
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes: an image carrier having an endless circumferential surface on which a latent image is formed due to an electrostatic potential difference; a developing device that attaches a toner to the image carrier to form a toner image; an endless intermediate transfer belt that is entrained around a plurality of roll members and moves circumferentially, and contacts the image carrier to transfer the toner image to the intermediate transfer belt; a transferring device that further transfers the toner image that has been transferred to the intermediate transfer belt, to a recording sheet; and a load applying member that cooperates with one of the roll members placed inside the intermediate transfer belt, to nip the intermediate transfer belt to apply a load to the intermediate transfer belt, the load applying member contacting a non-image region of the intermediate transfer belt.