Shaftless Transfer Roller Hollow Section Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing imaging apparatuses face challenges in maintaining consistent transfer quality and electrical resistance stability of the transfer roller, particularly when handling varying thicknesses of printing media, which can lead to separation errors and increased electrical resistance over time.
Innovation Solution
The use of a transfer roller with a hollow section and an ionic conductive agent, supported by a conductive device and a support member, allows for deformability and improved contact with the transfer belt, reducing curvature and pressure, and directing the bias current effectively to inhibit electrical resistance increase and separation errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a transfer roller with a shaft is used, then the transfer roller can be supported and rotated, but the electrical resistance increases over time and separation errors occur when handling varying thicknesses of printing media
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the shaft from the transfer roller structure, extracting the problematic conductive element that causes electrical resistance increase. The transfer roller is designed as a shaftless structure with a hollow section, eliminating the source of electrical resistance instability while maintaining rotational functionality through alternative support mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical structure of the transfer roller by introducing a hollow section that allows deformation. This structural parameter change enables the transfer roller to adapt to varying printing medium thicknesses, improving contact with the transfer belt and maintaining stable electrical resistance by preventing excessive curvature and pressure.
2Manufacturing precision
If the transfer roller is made rigid to maintain structural integrity, then the support is simplified, but the contact with the transfer belt is poor leading to separation errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces deformability into the transfer roller structure through the hollow section design. This allows the transfer roller to dynamically adjust its shape and contact pressure when handling varying thicknesses of printing media, improving transfer quality by maintaining optimal contact with the transfer belt while adapting to different media conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow section is strategically positioned to provide deformability in specific areas of the transfer roller while maintaining structural integrity in other regions. This local quality change allows the transfer roller to conform to the transfer belt surface where needed while preserving overall structural stability for support and rotation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the transfer roller is made deformable to handle varying thicknesses, then the contact with the transfer belt is improved, but the structural integrity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow section acts as a flexible structural element that allows the transfer roller to deform and adapt to varying printing medium thicknesses. This flexible structure maintains sufficient structural integrity for rotation and support while enabling the necessary deformability to handle different media thicknesses without compromising overall 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 configuration enhances transfer quality by reducing separation errors and maintaining stable electrical resistance over a large number of printed sheets, extending the life of the transfer roller and simplifying the apparatus design.
Implementation Method 1
An ionic conductive agent such as epichlorohydrin rubber is used for the transfer roller. The transfer belt is connected to a ground and the power supply roller is connected to a power source. A transfer current is supplied from the power source to a shaft of the transfer roller through the power supply roller.
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging system includes a transfer belt that is rotatable, a transfer roller that contacts the transfer belt, and a conductive device that contacts a surface of the transfer roller, to supply a bias to the transfer roller. The transfer roller has a hollow portion.