Photosensitive Drum Belt Separation Control for Wear Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, the constant contact between a photosensitive drum and an intermediate transfer belt leads to wear, and in low temperature environments, the rubber cleaning member can harden, causing stick-slip and abnormal sounds when the drum is started, especially at different peripheral speeds.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a mechanism to control the positional relationship between the image bearing member and the belt member, allowing for contacting and separating states, and using control means to manage these states based on peripheral speed, ensuring the apparatus can operate in multiple modes with different speeds and transitions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the photosensitive drum is constantly in contact with the intermediate transfer belt to enable image forming operation, then the image forming function is maintained, but the surface of the photosensitive drum wears due to contact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the intermediate transfer belt movable between contacting and separating states relative to the photosensitive drum. The belt can be dynamically adjusted to contact the drum during image forming operations and separate during cleaning or non-operational periods, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining image forming function and reducing drum wear.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the intermediate transfer belt is separated from the photosensitive drum during cleaning or non-operation to minimize abrasion, then the photosensitive drum wear is reduced, but in low temperature environments the cleaning member rubber hardens causing stick-slip and abnormal sounds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the peripheral speed of the photosensitive drum as a control parameter. By setting the drum to rotate at a predetermined peripheral speed during cleaning operations, the cleaning member maintains appropriate contact with the drum surface, preventing stick-slip phenomena and abnormal sounds while still allowing cleaning to occur. This speed parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between reducing drum wear through separation and maintaining cleaning effectiveness.
3Ease of operation
If the cleaning member contacts the photosensitive drum to clean its surface, then the drum surface is cleaned, but the rubber of the cleaning member hardens in low temperature causing stick-slip and abnormal sounds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter changes by controlling the peripheral speed of the photosensitive drum during cleaning operations. By maintaining a predetermined speed, the cleaning member rubber remains in optimal contact state with the drum, preventing hardening-induced stick-slip and abnormal sounds while ensuring effective cleaning.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the image forming apparatus operates in multiple modes with different peripheral speeds, then the versatility is improved, but the control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing peripheral speed as a controllable parameter to distinguish between different operational modes. The control unit adjusts the drum speed to predetermined values based on the operational mode (image forming vs. cleaning), providing versatility while keeping the control mechanism relatively simple through parameter-based differentiation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution reduces abnormal sounds and minimizes wear on the photosensitive drum by controlling the contact and separation of the belt member with the drum, particularly during start-up and shut-down, and at varying peripheral speeds, effectively addressing the stick-slip issue and maintaining operational silence.
Implementation Method 1
a cleaning member that is disposed so as to contact with the image bearing member and is configured to clean a surface of the image bearing member
Implementation Method 2
the toner image is melted and adhered (fixed) onto the recording material
Implementation Method 3
a toner image formed on a photosensitive drum (image bearing member) is transferred onto a recording material, such as paper, using electrostatic force
Implementation Method 4
the toner image is melted and adhered (fixed) onto the recording material by heat and pressure applied by a fixing unit
Implementation Method 5
the toner image is melted and adhered (fixed) onto the recording material by heat and pressure applied by a fixing unit
Data Source
AI summary
A positional relationship between a photosensitive drum and an intermediate transfer belt during a period from the start of the driving of the photosensitive drum to the start of image formation, or during a period of the end of the image formation to the stop of the driving of the photosensitive drum enters a separating state in a case where the image formation is executed when the process speed is a first speed, and enters a contacting state in a case where the image formation is executed when the process speed is a second speed.