Dispersion Unit for Second Transfer Belt Toner Streaks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses often result in streak patterns on paper due to uncollected toner being transferred in a streak pattern along the rotational direction of the second transfer belt, particularly when using a belt with elasticity, leading to visible toner residue.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a dispersion unit, such as a foam roller or brush roller, that contacts the outer circumferential surface of the second transfer belt on the downstream side of the cleaning unit and upstream of the second transfer position to disperse uncollected toner, reducing its visibility on the paper.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a plate-like cleaning unit is used to clean the second transfer belt, then the toner image transfer quality is improved, but uncollected toner forms streak patterns on the paper
Solution Approach 1:
A dispersion unit is introduced as an intermediary component between the cleaning unit and the transfer position. This dispersion unit applies dispersion force to uncollected toner particles, scattering them before they can form streak patterns on the paper. The dispersion unit acts as a mediator that transforms the harmful concentrated toner residue into dispersed particles that do not create visible defects.
Solution Approach 2:
The dispersion unit performs preliminary action by dispersing uncollected toner particles before they reach the paper transfer position. By applying dispersion force in advance at the location where toner is still present on the second transfer belt, the system prevents the formation of harmful streak patterns before they can occur.
2Productivity
If the second transfer belt has elasticity to improve transfer performance, then the transfer efficiency is improved, but toner residue becomes more visible on the paper
Solution Approach 1:
The dispersion unit serves as an intermediary that addresses the harmful effect of elastic belt characteristics. The elastic belt naturally retains toner particles, but the dispersion unit applies dispersion force to these retained particles, preventing them from transferring as visible residue to the paper.
3Reliability
If a cleaning blade is used to remove toner from the image carrier, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but residual toner still adheres to the belt surface
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous useful action by combining the cleaning blade's removal function with the dispersion unit's continuous dispersion function. While the cleaning blade performs intermittent removal, the dispersion unit continuously acts on residual toner particles, ensuring that even small amounts of remaining toner are dispersed and do not create defects.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes: an intermediate transfer belt that carries a toner image first transferred and is rotated to transport the toner image to a second transfer position; a second transfer belt that is rotated to come into contact with the intermediate transfer belt and pass through the second transfer position of the intermediate transfer belt; a plate-like cleaning unit that comes into contact with an outer circumferential surface of the second transfer belt to clean the outer circumferential surface; and a dispersion unit that comes into contact with a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the second transfer belt to disperse toner which passes through the portion on a downstream side of the cleaning unit and on an upstream side of the second transfer position.