Conical Flange Belt Unit for Oblique Movement Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image formation devices with endless belts face issues of oblique movement, which can lead to deterioration of printed images due to the belt climbing over flange surfaces, especially when a significant force is applied, and require larger flange surfaces to prevent this, resulting in a larger belt unit.
Innovation Solution
A belt unit with a conical flange surface at one axial end of the rollers, extending outward from the endless belt, prevents oblique movement by guiding the belt back to the axial center, allowing for effective prevention of climbing without the need for a large flange diameter, thus maintaining a compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large flange surface is used to prevent oblique movement, then the belt unit size increases, but the prevention of oblique movement is improved
Solution Approach 1:
The flange surface is designed with a conical shape instead of a flat surface. The conical surface allows the belt to be guided back to the axial center when oblique movement occurs, preventing the belt from climbing over the flange while maintaining a compact belt unit size.
2Reliability
If the flange surface extends outward, then oblique movement is prevented, but the belt unit becomes larger
Solution Approach 1:
The conical surface configuration allows the flange to extend outward in a controlled manner, creating a guiding effect that prevents belt climbing without requiring an excessively large flange diameter. The inclined surface guides the belt back to the axial center.
3Device complexity
If a conventional flat flange surface is used, then the structure is simple, but the belt may climb over the flange when a large force is applied
Solution Approach 1:
The conical surface provides a geometric solution that prevents belt climbing through its inclined geometry. When the belt moves obliquely, the conical surface guides it back to the axial center, and the outward extension of the flange creates a barrier that prevents climbing over, all while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing.
Data Source
AI summary
A belt unit is provided with an endless belt, a pair of rollers around which the endless belt is wound, and a regulating member having a flange surface provided at one axial end of at least one of the pair of rollers. The flange surface extends on an outer side with respect to an outer surface of the endless belt wound around the pair of rollers, the flange surface is configured to contact an end, in a width direction, of the endless belt to prevent the endless belt from moving obliquely, and the flange surface is formed with a conical surface which is configured such that a portion closer to a peripheral side of the conical surface is closer to an axial center of the at least one of the pair of rollers.