Image Forming Apparatus Transfer Member Pressure Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges with transfer failures and damage to transfer members when dealing with sheets having level differences, leading to decreased productivity and image defects.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus that includes an image creator, a transferer, and a hardware processor. The processor acquires level difference information of the sheet and adjusts the pressure contact force of the transfer members based on this information to maintain a stable transfer process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the transfer member is separated when a seam is detected, then transfer member damage and transfer failure are avoided, but productivity decreases due to restart time loss
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer member pressure contact force is dynamically adjusted based on detected level difference information. When a seam or level difference is detected, the pressure contact force is reduced or eliminated temporarily, allowing the transfer member to pass over the irregularity without damage while maintaining continuous operation without full separation and restart
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure contact force parameter of the transfer member is changed in response to detected level differences. By modifying this physical parameter dynamically, the system adapts to sheet irregularities such as seams, preventing transfer member damage while avoiding complete separation and maintaining productivity
2Reliability
If the transfer member is separated to avoid transfer failure, then transfer reliability is improved, but transfer deviation occurs causing image position shift
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of complete separation, the transfer member pressure contact force is dynamically modulated. This dynamic adjustment allows the transfer member to navigate level differences without full separation, preventing both transfer failure and the impact-induced deviation that would cause image position shifts
Solution Approach 2:
The system detects level differences beforehand and preemptively adjusts the pressure contact force before the transfer member encounters the irregularity. This prior cushioning prevents impact and transfer deviation while maintaining continuous pressure contact, avoiding image position alignment issues
3Reliability
If the pressure contact force is reduced for sheets with level difference, then transfer member damage is suppressed, but transfer efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure contact force is applied periodically or intermittently based on detected level differences. When a seam is detected, the pressure is temporarily reduced or eliminated only during the brief moment the transfer member passes over the irregularity, then restored immediately afterward. This periodic adjustment protects the transfer member while minimizing impact on overall transfer efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than completely eliminating pressure contact for the entire sheet, the system applies partial pressure reduction only when and where needed (at detected level differences). This partial action provides sufficient protection against transfer member damage while maintaining normal pressure contact for the majority of the transfer process, preserving productivity
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an image forming apparatus including: an image creator that creates an image; a transferer that transfers the image created by the image creator onto a recording medium by causing the image and the recording medium to pass through a transfer nip formed by transfer members in a pressure contact state; and a hardware processor that acquires level difference information of a level difference in the recording medium, and changes a pressure contact force of the transfer members in the pressure contact state based on the acquired level difference information.