Intermediate Transfer Belt Steering Control for Image Quality
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses face degradation in image quality due to excessive control of the inclination angle of the steering roller caused by positional displacement of the intermediate transfer belt during switching of operational states in rotary members.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a detecting unit to monitor the position of the intermediate transfer belt, a steering control unit to adjust the inclination angle of the steering roller, and a processing unit to update the inclination angle based on detection results and operational states, ensuring the belt remains within a predetermined range, thereby stabilizing the image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the steering operation is performed by controlling the inclination angle of the steering roller based on the position of the intermediate transfer belt, then the drifting of the intermediate transfer belt is corrected, but the image quality is degraded due to excessive control of the inclination angle when rotary members switch operational states
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the steering control adaptive to changing operational conditions. The control unit dynamically adjusts the inclination angle of the steering roller based on the detected operational state of rotary members, transitioning between different control modes (first control when contactless, second control when contacting). This dynamic adaptation prevents excessive control actions that would degrade image quality while maintaining effective drift correction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter (inclination angle of steering roller) based on the operational state of rotary members. When the operational state changes from non-contact to contact or vice versa, the control unit modifies the target inclination angle and control characteristics accordingly. This parameter change ensures appropriate steering action for each operational phase, preventing image quality degradation caused by excessive adjustment.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the inclination angle of the steering roller is controlled to correct the drifting of the intermediate transfer belt, then the belt position is stabilized, but the inclination angle is excessively controlled when rotary members switch operational states, causing image quality degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by continuously detecting the operational state of rotary members and using this information to adjust the steering roller control. The control unit receives feedback about whether rotary members are in contact or non-contact states with the intermediate transfer belt, and accordingly modifies the inclination angle control to maintain belt position stability without excessive adjustment that would harm image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by predicting operational state changes and preemptively adjusting the steering control parameters. When a rotary member is about to switch operational states (from non-contact to contact or vice versa), the control unit提前 modifies the inclination angle control strategy to prevent excessive correction actions, thereby maintaining image quality while ensuring smooth transition and continuous belt position stability.
3Measurement precision
If the steering operation continuously adjusts the inclination angle of the steering roller, then the intermediate transfer belt position is corrected, but the complexity of the control system increases due to the need to manage operational states and update values
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the steering control into distinct segments or modes corresponding to different operational states of rotary members. The control system is segmented into a first control mode (when rotary members are not in contact) and a second control mode (when rotary members are in contact). This segmentation simplifies the overall control logic by handling each state with dedicated control parameters and algorithms, making the system more manageable despite the need to respond to state changes.
Data Source
AI summary
An improved image forming apparatus is described which can inhibit the quality of printed images from being degraded. A control unit performs a steering operation to shift an intermediate transfer belt toward a target belt position by controlling the inclination angle of a steering roller. Also, a memory stores the inclination angle of the steering roller in association with the operational states of rotary members facing the intermediate transfer belt. The control unit updates the values stored in the memory with an update value. When the result of detecting the belt edges indicate that the intermediate transfer belt falls in a predetermined range around the target belt position during the steering operation, the control unit determines the update value on the basis of the steering duration time and the inclination angle of the steering roller.