Image Forming Apparatus Second-Transfer Member Gap Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses face challenges in transferring images onto thin recording media without adhesion to the intermediate transfer body, leading to potential discharge and image disturbance due to the close proximity of the transfer electric field.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a second-transfer member and a surface-positioning member that are controllably moved to increase the angle between the intermediate transfer body and the second-transfer member, and a tension adjustment mechanism to maintain optimal tension, ensuring the thin recording media passes through the transfer region without adhering to the intermediate transfer body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the transfer electric field is formed close to the recording medium to enable efficient image transfer, then transfer efficiency is improved, but adhesion of thin recording media to the intermediate transfer body occurs causing discharge and image disturbance
Solution Approach 1:
The second-transfer member is made movable in the transport direction of the intermediate transfer body, allowing dynamic adjustment of the gap between the transfer electric field and the recording medium. This enables optimization of transfer efficiency while preventing adhesion by adjusting the position based on the specific requirements of different recording media types
Solution Approach 2:
The physical parameters of the transfer system, specifically the gap distance between the intermediate transfer body and the recording medium, are changed by moving the second-transfer member. This parameter adjustment allows the system to maintain optimal transfer conditions while avoiding harmful adhesion effects on thin media
2Manufacturing precision
If the second-transfer member is positioned close to the intermediate transfer body to maintain tight control, then positioning precision is improved, but thin recording media cannot pass through without adhering
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a fixed positioning arrangement to a dynamic one where the second-transfer member can move along the transport direction. This allows the system to adjust the gap size in real-time to accommodate different media thicknesses while maintaining positioning control through the movable support mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The gap parameter between the second-transfer member and the intermediate transfer body is changed dynamically. By increasing this parameter when thin media are detected, the system prevents adhesion while maintaining sufficient positioning precision through controlled movement rather than fixed rigid positioning
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 configuration effectively prevents adhesion and discharge, maintaining image quality by maintaining a sufficient distance and tension, even with thin sheets, thereby ensuring reliable sheet passing performance.
Implementation Method 1
a first-transfer member that is disposed on a back surface of the intermediate transfer body facing the image carrier, that transfers the color component image carried by the image carrier to the intermediate transfer body by forming a transfer electric field in a first-transfer region between the first-transfer member and the image carrier
Implementation Method 2
a second-transfer member that is disposed so as to be in contact with a front surface of the intermediate transfer body and so as to face one of the span members disposed on the back surface of the intermediate transfer body, that transfers the color component image transferred by the first-transfer member to the intermediate transfer body to the recording medium by forming a transfer electric field in a second-transfer region between the second-transfer member and the span member
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier; an intermediate transfer body; a second-transfer member; a support mechanism that supports the second-transfer member in a second-transfer region; a surface-positioning member that is disposed upstream of the second-transfer member in a transport direction; a determination device that determines whether or not a recording medium is a thin medium; and a controller that, in a case where it is determined that the recording medium is a thin medium, controls the support mechanism so as to move the second-transfer member more upstream in the transport direction than in other cases and controls the position of the surface-positioning member so as to move the second-transfer member in a direction such that an angle between the intermediate transfer body and the second-transfer member on the upstream side becomes larger than in other cases.