Belt Unit Tilting Steering Roller for Lateral Shifting Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fixing devices in image forming apparatuses face challenges in effectively correcting lateral shifting of the fixing belt, especially when the diameter of the steering roller is reduced, leading to insufficient shifting correction performance and potential belt damage.

Innovation Solution

A belt unit with a support member that tilts in a direction intersecting the bisector of the wrapping angle and also elongates/contracts, enhancing the capability to correct lateral shifting by incorporating a component in the elongation and contraction direction, thereby improving shifting correction performance even with a smaller steering roller.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the steering roller diameter is reduced, then the device complexity and size are decreased, but the shifting correction performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesteering roller sizeVSAvoidshifting correction performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the movement direction of the steering roller from solely perpendicular to the bisector of the wrapping angle to a direction that includes a component along the bisector. This dimensional change in the tilt trajectory enables the smaller steering roller to effectively correct lateral shifting by utilizing both perpendicular and longitudinal movement components, thereby maintaining correction performance despite reduced roller diameter.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the movement parameters of the steering roller by defining a new tilt direction that combines perpendicular and longitudinal components. This parameter modification allows the reduced-size steering roller to achieve the necessary belt repositioning capability that would be insufficient with traditional perpendicular-only movement, thus resolving the contradiction between size reduction and performance maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of substance

If the steering roller diameter is reduced, then the manufacturing cost and material usage are decreased, but the belt tension distribution becomes uneven leading to potential belt damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial usageVSAvoidbelt damage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By introducing a longitudinal movement component to the steering roller's tilt direction, the invention distributes belt tension more evenly across the belt width. This dimensional change in movement trajectory prevents concentrated stress points that would occur with traditional perpendicular-only movement, thereby reducing belt damage risk even with a smaller, less material-intensive steering roller.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention modifies the movement parameters of the steering roller to include both perpendicular and longitudinal components. This parameter change optimizes the force distribution across the belt, preventing excessive localized tension that could damage the belt while using less material in the steering roller itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If the steering roller diameter is reduced, then the ease of operation and installation are improved, but the capability to correct lateral shifting becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation easeVSAvoidlateral shifting correction capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention enhances the lateral shifting correction capability of the smaller steering roller by adding a longitudinal movement component to its tilt direction. This dimensional enhancement allows the compact, easier-to-install roller to achieve effective belt repositioning that would be insufficient with traditional perpendicular-only movement, thus maintaining correction capability despite reduced size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

By changing the movement parameters of the steering roller to include both perpendicular and longitudinal components, the invention enables the smaller, more easily installed roller to achieve the necessary lateral shifting correction performance that would be inadequate with traditional movement patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20240094665A1Belt unit, fixing device, and image forming apparatus
Publication Date: 2024.03.21 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP
  • US20240094665A1 patent drawing
  • US20240094665A1 patent drawing
  • US20240094665A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A belt unit includes: a belt-shaped member being endless; and a support member that supports the belt-shaped member and rotates, the support member having a rotating shaft that tilts in: a tilt direction having a component in a first direction intersecting a bisector of a central angle of a wrapping range where the belt-shaped member is wrapped around the support member and a component in a second direction where the belt-shaped member elongates and contracts; and a direction where extent of shifting of the belt-shaped member to one side in the width direction of the belt-shaped member is reduced.