Image Carrier Speed Control for Registration and Blade Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional color image forming apparatuses face issues with out-of-color-registration and excessive abrasion of the image-carrier cleaning blade, particularly in monochrome mode operations, due to differences in circumferential speeds between the image carrier and intermediate transfer member, leading to misalignment and premature wear of the cleaning blade.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus adjusts the circumferential speeds of the image carrier and intermediate transfer member to create a greater difference in monochrome mode compared to color mode, ensuring proper registration and reducing blade abrasion by maintaining a specific ratio of speeds to prevent cohesive mass transfer and extend blade durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the circumferential speed of the image carrier is set to be the same as that of the intermediate transfer member, then the registration between color images is simplified, but out-of-color-registration occurs due to slight speed deviation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the circumferential speed ratio between the image carrier and intermediate transfer member to a specific range (0.99-1.01) to resolve the registration issue. This quantitative parameter adjustment eliminates out-of-color-registration while maintaining operational simplicity.
2Manufacturing precision
If the circumferential speed difference between image carrier and intermediate transfer member is increased to prevent out-of-color-registration, then color registration improves, but the cleaning blade wears away prematurely
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by precisely controlling the circumferential speed ratio within the range of 0.99-1.01. This optimized parameter setting prevents out-of-color-registration while minimizing the speed difference that would cause cohesive mass transfer and cleaning blade abrasion, thereby extending blade lifetime.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the circumferential speed difference between image carrier and intermediate transfer member is minimized in monochrome mode, then the cleaning blade wear is reduced, but out-of-color-registration may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the circumferential speed ratio adjustable based on the operating mode. In color mode, the ratio is set to prevent out-of-color-registration, while in monochrome mode, it is adjusted to minimize cleaning blade wear. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between the two modes.
4Productivity
If cohesive mass is transferred from intermediate transfer member to image carrier, then the transfer process is continuous, but the cleaning blade experiences abrasive wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by optimizing the circumferential speed ratio to prevent cohesive mass transfer from the intermediate transfer member to the image carrier. This parameter adjustment eliminates the source of abrasive wear while maintaining continuous operation, as the speed control prevents mass transfer rather than interrupting the transfer process.
Data Source
AI summary
One of aspects of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus includes an intermediate transfer member rotating at a first circumferential speed, and an image carrier capable of having a plurality of toner images formed thereon in turn, each of the toner images having a color different from one another, for transferring the toner images onto the intermediate transfer member, the image carrier rotating at a second circumferential speed. At least one of the first and second circumferential speeds are adjustable in accordance with a driving mode selected from a group consisting of a monochrome mode and a color mode. Also, a first difference between the first and second circumferential speeds in the monochrome mode is greater than a second difference between the first and second circumferential speeds in the color mode.