Compact Image Forming Apparatus via Asymmetric Transfer Belt Spacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses have a large horizontal dimension due to equal gaps between image forming bodies along linear portions of a transfer belt, which limits their compactness when forming images on a sheet transported in a circular path.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus is designed with first and second image forming bodies arranged along linear portions forming different angles with the horizontal direction, where the second image forming bodies are spaced closer than the first, reducing the horizontal dimension by optimizing the arrangement of photoconductor units and transfer rollers around a rotating transfer belt.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If equal gaps are maintained between image forming bodies along linear portions of the transfer belt, then uniform image quality is achieved, but the horizontal dimension of the apparatus becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by setting different gap distances between image forming bodies at different linear portions of the transfer belt. Specifically, the first linear portion has a first gap distance while the second linear portion has a second gap distance that is shorter than the first, allowing optimization of space in the horizontal direction while maintaining uniform image quality through localized adjustment of spacing parameters
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the spatial parameter (gap distance) between image forming bodies at different locations along the transfer belt. By varying the gap distance parameter from the first distance at the first linear portion to the second distance at the second linear portion, the apparatus achieves compact horizontal dimension while preserving image formation quality
2Length of moving object
If the apparatus is designed with compact horizontal dimension, then space efficiency is improved, but the arrangement of image forming bodies becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetry by arranging image forming bodies at different gap distances along different linear portions of the transfer belt. The first image forming bodies are spaced by a first distance while the second image forming bodies are spaced by a shorter second distance, creating an asymmetric arrangement that reduces horizontal dimension without requiring complex reconfiguration of the overall system architecture
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a formation target that is wound around rotating bodies including a driving roller and transported by the rotating bodies including the driving roller while forming a shape having linear portions each of which forms a different angle, which is an acute angle or an angle of zero degrees, with a horizontal direction when viewed in an axial direction of the driving roller, first image forming bodies that are arranged along one of the linear portions in such a manner as to be spaced apart from each other by a first distance and that form images onto the formation target, and second image forming bodies that are arranged along another one of the linear portions, the other linear portion forming the angle larger than the angle formed by the one linear portion, in such a manner as to be spaced apart from each other by a second distance shorter than the first distance and that form images onto the formation target.