Loop Belt Splicing for Ozone and Crack Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Loop belts in image forming apparatuses face issues with meandering, material deterioration due to ozone and rotation load, leading to reduced bending capability and increased risk of cracking, especially when using charger-type electrifiers, which affects the precision and longevity of the imaging process.
Innovation Solution
The loop belt is formed by splicing belt members made of different materials in the width direction, with the center portion made of a material for electric resistance and ozone resistance, and the sides made of materials with superior bending crack resistance, to provide distinct characteristics for different locations and functions within the image forming apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a loop belt is made of a single material to ensure uniform properties, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the belt cannot simultaneously achieve both ozone resistance and bending crack resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The loop belt is constructed with different materials at different locations: the side portions use material with superior ozone resistance, while the center portion uses material with superior bending crack resistance. This local differentiation allows each region of the belt to have optimized properties for its specific functional requirements, resolving the contradiction between durability and material uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The loop belt employs a composite structure combining multiple materials with different properties. The side portions and center portion use different materials that are spliced together, creating a composite belt that achieves both ozone resistance (from side materials) and bending crack resistance (from center material), thereby improving overall reliability without requiring a single-material solution.
2Productivity
If the loop belt runs continuously to maintain productivity, then image formation speed is maintained, but the bending capability of the belt deteriorates due to continuous rotation and ozone exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The belt's center portion, which undergoes the most severe bending stress during continuous rotation, is made of material with superior bending crack resistance. This localized material optimization allows the belt to withstand continuous operation without deteriorating quickly, thereby extending service life while maintaining productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the harmful effect of continuous rotation and ozone exposure into a design opportunity by strategically placing ozone-resistant material at the sides (exposed to ozone) and bend-resistant material at the center (subject to bending). This transforms the deteriorating conditions into a rationale for the composite structure, allowing continuous operation without compromising belt life.
3Ease of manufacture
If charger-type electrifiers are used to electrify the photosensitive drum, then image formation cost is reduced, but more ozone is generated which accelerates loop belt deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The side portions of the loop belt, which are exposed to ozone generated by the charger-type electrifier, are made of material with superior ozone resistance. This localized material selection protects the belt from ozone damage while allowing the continued use of cost-effective charger-type electrifiers, thereby resolving the contradiction between manufacturing cost and belt durability.
4Manufacturing precision
If the loop belt is stretched tightly to prevent meandering and ensure positioning precision, then image formation precision is improved, but the belt becomes more susceptible to cracking under rotation load
Solution Approach 1:
The center portion of the loop belt, which is subjected to the highest tensile stress when stretched to prevent meandering, is made of material with superior bending crack resistance. This localized material optimization allows the belt to maintain the necessary tension for positioning precision while resisting cracking from the rotational load, thereby resolving the contradiction between precision and strength.
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 prevents deterioration and cracking of the loop belt, ensuring precise image formation and extending the life of the belt, thereby reducing consumable costs and maintaining image quality over time.
Implementation Method 1
both edges of the loop belt, which are parallel with its running direction, deteriorates heavily as well... the damage to the belt material by the ozone concentrates particularly on both edges of the loop belt
Implementation Method 2
a charger-type electrifier, however, generates more ozone than the roller-type or brush-type does when the charger-type electrifier electrifies the photosensitive drum
Data Source
AI summary
A loop belt of an image forming apparatus is formed by splicing belt members made of different materials in a width direction of the loop belt.