Nonmagnetic Metal Belt Transmission With Differential Surface Roughness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive force transmission mechanisms for image forming apparatuses, such as printers and copying machines, face challenges in stabilizing the rotation of photosensitive drums due to the lack of sufficient strength and durability in the belts used, which are often made of nonmagnetic metal materials like SUS, requiring improvements in surface roughness and rigidity.
Innovation Solution
A drive force transmission mechanism featuring a nonmagnetic metal belt with an outer surface roughness of 0.1 µm or smaller and an inner surface roughness of 0.3 µm or smaller, combined with protruding parts on the pulleys, enhances the belt's tensile strength and prevents displacement, ensuring stable rotation of the photosensitive drum by maintaining high rigidity and durability through a manufacturing process involving spinning, low-temperature annealing, and film-polishing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the belt is made of nonmagnetic metal material to provide sufficient strength, then the tensile strength is improved, but the surface roughness increases and durability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different surface roughness values to different surfaces of the belt. The outer circumferential face has a surface roughness of Ra 0.1 µm or smaller (smoother), while the inner circumferential face has a surface roughness of Ra 0.3 µm or smaller (relatively smoother but can be different from outer face). This local differentiation optimizes both durability at the outer surface and overall belt performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of surface roughness by controlling the manufacturing process parameters. By specifying precise surface roughness values (Ra ≤ 0.1 µm for outer face, Ra ≤ 0.3 µm for inner face) and using low-temperature annealing (420°C or lower), the belt achieves optimal balance between strength and durability
2Reliability
If the belt surface roughness is reduced to improve durability, then the surface smoothness is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs surface finishing and low-temperature annealing during the manufacturing process before the belt is installed. The film polishing and controlled annealing are done in advance to achieve the desired surface roughness (Ra ≤ 0.1 µm for outer face, Ra ≤ 0.3 µm for inner face), preventing future degradation and eliminating the need for complex field maintenance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls manufacturing parameters including annealing temperature (420°C or lower) and surface roughness (Ra ≤ 0.1 µm for outer face, Ra ≤ 0.3 µm for inner face) to achieve the desired durability without requiring overly complex manufacturing equipment or processes
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 solution achieves stable and long-term rotation of the photosensitive drum by enhancing the belt's tensile strength and durability, preventing plastic deformation and displacement, while maintaining high rigidity and surface smoothness, thereby improving the overall performance and longevity of the drive force transmission mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a belt wound around both the pulleys. A rotational force of the drive pulley rotating by the motor is transmitted to the driven pulley through the belt
Implementation Method 2
a step for low temperature annealing the belt body at a temperature of 420 °C or lower
Data Source
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AI summary
A drive force transmission mechanism (31) includes a drive pulley (35), a driven pulley (37) and an endless belt (39) . The endless belt (39) is wound around the drive pulley (35) and the driven pulley (37) and transmits a rotation of the drive pulley (35) to the driven pulley (37) . At least one of the drive pulley (35) and the driven pulley (37) has a protruding part (41) protruding outwardly in a radial direction around an outer circumferential face of the drive pulley (35) or the driven pulley (37). The belt (39) is a nonmagnetic metal belt having an outer circumferential face and an inner circumferential face. The outer circumferential face has a surface roughness smaller than a surface roughness of the inner circumferential face.