Gradient-Porosity Endless Belt for Rotational Bending Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endless belts used in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses face challenges in maintaining bending resistance during rotational driving, particularly due to uneven stress application on the inner and outer peripheral surfaces.
Innovation Solution
The endless belt is designed with a porous structure where the fraction of pores increases from the outer peripheral surface toward the inner peripheral surface, enhancing bending resistance by balancing stress application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the endless belt has a uniform structure throughout its thickness, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the bending resistance during rotational driving is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a non-uniform porous structure where the pore fraction varies through the thickness of the endless belt. Specifically, the pore fraction is set to be smaller in the outer peripheral surface region and larger in the inner peripheral surface region, optimizing the structural properties at different locations to enhance bending resistance during rotational driving while maintaining manufacturability.
2Strength
If the fraction of pores is increased to improve bending resistance, then the belt becomes more flexible, but the structural integrity and durability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the pore fraction as a structural parameter that varies through the thickness direction. By setting specific ranges for pore fraction at different locations (smaller at outer peripheral surface, larger at inner peripheral surface), the invention optimizes the balance between flexibility for bending resistance and sufficient density for structural integrity, preventing both excessive rigidity and excessive porosity.
Data Source
AI summary
An endless belt contains a resin and electrically conductive particles, in which the endless belt has pores inside, and the pores are present such that a fraction of the pores increases from an outer peripheral surface side toward an inner peripheral surface side.