Belt Unit Guided Member Insertion Direction Inversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in efficiently transferring toner images onto intermediate transfer belts due to suboptimal resistivity ranges of transfer rollers, leading to increased power consumption, image quality issues, and difficulties in self-discharging, while also requiring complex mechanisms for belt unit insertion and removal.
Innovation Solution
The design includes an image forming apparatus with a belt unit that features a rotating endless belt supported by multiple rollers, a supporting frame, and guided members that allow for parallel engagement and sliding motion, enabling easier insertion and removal of the belt unit along the lengthwise direction of the guide members, and optimizing the resistivity of transfer rollers to balance transfer efficiency and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the intermediate transfer unit is inserted using guided members disposed along outer surfaces of frame brackets perpendicular to roller shafts, then the belt unit can be properly guided into position, but the insertion and removal operation becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional insertion direction by allowing the belt unit to be inserted along the lengthwise direction of the guide members (parallel to roller shafts) instead of perpendicular to them. This is achieved by disposing guided members at both ends of the belt unit that engage with guide members extending in the lengthwise direction, enabling simple sliding insertion and removal operations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If guided members are disposed along outer surfaces of frame brackets perpendicular to roller shafts, then structural support is provided, but insertion direction is restricted to only perpendicular direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds another dimension to the insertion capability by providing guide members that extend in the lengthwise direction (parallel to roller shafts) in addition to the conventional perpendicular direction guides. This allows the belt unit to be inserted and removed along the lengthwise direction, providing directional flexibility without increasing structural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming mechanism for forming an image, at least one guide member arranged in parallel, and a belt unit to be inserted into and removed from the image forming apparatus. The belt unit includes a belt, at least two rotating supports, a supporting frame, a cover, and at least one guided member. The belt is formed in an endless belt shape and transfers the image formed by the image forming mechanism. The belt is looped over the rotating supports which are rotatably supported by the supporting frame. The cover covers an outer circumferential surface of the belt. The guided member is disposed on an outer surface of the cover, engages with the guide member, and is slidably moved along the guide member when the belt unit is inserted into and removed from the image forming apparatus.