Endless Belt Adhesion Prevention in Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses with transfer rollers having elastic layers, fluid substances can bleed and harden, increasing the starting torque of endless belts, especially when the apparatus is idle for extended periods in high-temperature environments, and can cause adhesion issues between the endless belt and drive rollers.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a timer-controlled mechanism to periodically rotate the endless belt and move the contact position of the transfer roller, ensuring it does not align with the drive roller during idle periods, thereby preventing adhesion and reducing starting torque.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a transfer roller with an elastic layer formed of rubber material is used to transfer toner images, then the toner image transfer function is improved, but fluid substances bleed from the elastic layer and harden over time, increasing the starting torque of the endless belt
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by autonomously rotating the endless belt at predetermined intervals during idle periods to prevent the bleed fluid from hardening and increasing starting torque. This proactive measure is taken before the torque increase problem occurs, maintaining ease of operation over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies periodic action by rotating the endless belt at predetermined intervals during idle periods. This periodic movement prevents the bleed fluid from remaining stationary and hardening, thereby controlling the starting torque increase while maintaining the transfer roller's toner transfer functionality.
2Reliability
If the endless belt is rotated to move the transfer roller contact position away from the drive roller, then adhesion between the endless belt and drive roller is reduced, but the apparatus complexity increases due to the need for timer control and rotation mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies self-service by using the existing drive roller to rotate the endless belt itself during idle periods, rather than introducing a separate rotation mechanism. The timer control unit simply triggers the existing drive mechanism, minimizing added complexity while achieving adhesion prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive roller serves multiple functions: it drives the endless belt during normal operation and also rotates the endless belt during idle periods to prevent adhesion. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
3Reliability
If the endless belt is rotated frequently to prevent adhesion, then the reliability of preventing adhesion is improved, but the energy consumption increases due to continuous rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic action by rotating the endless belt only at predetermined intervals during idle periods, rather than continuously. This timing-based approach maintains adhesion prevention reliability while minimizing energy consumption by keeping the belt stationary during active printing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial action by rotating the endless belt only during idle periods when no printing is occurring, rather than continuously. This partial usage maintains sufficient adhesion prevention reliability while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous rotation.
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 effectively prevents adhesion between the endless belt and drive rollers, extending the durability and reducing maintenance needs of the apparatus by ensuring the bleeding substances do not adhere to the drive rollers, thus maintaining operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
various fluid substances may bleed out from the elastic layer of the transfer roller and attach to the endless belt
Implementation Method 2
the bleed fluid substance may harden and become adhesive, and may increase the starting torque of the endless belt
Implementation Method 3
a drive roller including a surface layer formed of rubber material and configured to rotate and move the endless belt by being in contact with the inner surface of the endless belt
Data Source
AI summary
When a drive roller is at a stopped state, an execution portion executes a move mode in which a time from when a rotation of a drive roller has been stopped is measured, and based on the measured result, rotation of the drive roller is started and stopped. In the move mode, a portion of a secondary transfer belt having been at a first contact position in the stopped state is moved to a position other than the first contact position and the second contact position, and the rotation of the drive roller is stopped.