Reverse Crown Tension Roller for Belt Buckling Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Belt deviation and subsequent creasing in intermediate transfer belts during image forming processes lead to image defects due to uneven tension distribution caused by tilting support rollers, which existing solutions fail to adequately address.
Innovation Solution
A belt conveyance apparatus with a steering roller that tilts to correct belt deviation, combined with a reverse crown-shaped tension roller and auxiliary roller to distribute tension evenly and prevent buckling, ensuring proper belt alignment and tension distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the steering roller is tilted to correct belt deviation, then the belt alignment is improved, but the tension distribution becomes uneven causing belt buckling and creases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by giving different outer diameters to different portions of the support roller (crown shape or reverse crown shape). The roller has a larger outer diameter at the center portion and smaller outer diameters at the end portions, or vice versa. This creates localized tension adjustments that compensate for the uneven tension distribution caused by steering roller tilting, thereby preventing belt buckling and creases while maintaining belt alignment correction.
2Manufacturing precision
If the support roller is tilted to move the belt in the width direction, then the belt deviation is corrected, but the parallel relationship between rollers is destroyed causing stretched surface tension differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the outer diameter parameter of the support roller at different locations. By creating a crown-shaped or reverse crown-shaped roller with varying outer diameters, the system changes the geometric parameters to compensate for the tension distribution changes caused by roller tilting. This allows the roller arrangement to remain relatively simple while achieving the desired tension equalization effect.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the intermediate transfer belt is waved during travel, then the wave disappears at the steering roller portion, but the belt may buckle if wave height exceeds wave width
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by using the crown-shaped or reverse crown-shaped support roller to preemptively counteract the tension distribution changes that would otherwise cause belt buckling. The modified roller geometry creates compensating forces before the belt can buckle, preventing the formation of permanent creases that would degrade image quality. This proactive approach maintains belt surface smoothness without requiring complex active control systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A belt conveyance apparatus includes an endless belt conveyed while being supported by a plurality of support rollers in a tensioned state. The plurality of support rollers include a tension roller and a steering roller. The tension roller, which is disposed adjacent to and downstream of the steering roller in a conveyance direction of the endless belt, has a reverse crown shape in which end portions in a rotational axis direction each have an outer diameter larger than a middle portion.