Swingable Toner Path Member for Belt Steering Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses using electrophotographic technology, belt offset issues occur due to inaccuracies in roller diameters and alignment, leading to color misregistration and toner collection inefficiencies, particularly with existing belt steering devices that require additional load for toner relaying, potentially causing steering malfunctions.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a detachable belt unit, a steering unit that inclines the belt to adjust its alignment, and a cleaning unit with a swingable path member for toner collection, ensuring efficient toner collection and alignment without additional load on the steering operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the deformation amount of the sealing member is increased to prevent gap production during steering operation, then the sealing effectiveness is improved, but the force required to compress the sealing member increases creating additional load on the steering operation
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member is designed with elastic deformation capability that dynamically adapts to the relative movement between the belt cleaner and toner collection container during steering operation. The elastic material allows the sealing surface to flex and maintain contact without requiring excessive compression force, resolving the contradiction between sealing effectiveness and steering load.
2Device complexity
If a belt steering device with a fixed path member is used for toner collection, then the structure is simple, but the belt offset control cannot be performed and toner may scatter during steering operation
Solution Approach 1:
The path member is designed to swing together with the belt cleaner during steering operation, maintaining a consistent relative position and preventing gaps that would cause toner scattering. This dynamic coupling preserves toner collection efficiency while keeping the overall structure relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The swingable path member acts as an intermediary element that bridges the moving belt cleaner and the stationary toner collection container, maintaining toner flow path continuity during steering operations without requiring complex active control mechanisms.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the path member is fixed to the main assembly when belt unit is not mounted, then the structure is stable, but the path member cannot follow the steering operation when belt unit is mounted
Solution Approach 1:
The path member is designed with a dual-state mechanism: fixed to the main assembly when the belt unit is not mounted for stability, and swingable when the belt unit is mounted to follow steering operations. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the path member to adapt to different operational states, resolving the contradiction between stability and adaptability.
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
The solution effectively prevents toner scattering and maintains proper alignment during steering operations, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of the image forming process by ensuring consistent toner collection and reducing the risk of steering malfunctions.
Implementation Method 1
a steering unit, supporting said endless belt, for swinging said endless belt to incline relative to said supporting roller by a force produced by movement of said endless belt in a widthwise direction which crosses with a moving direction of said endless belt
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes; a belt unit detachably mountable to a main assembly, said belt unit including a movable endless belt, a belt supporting roller, a steering unit for swinging the belt to incline relative to the supporting roller by a force produced by movement of the belt in a widthwise direction, and a cleaning unit, supported by the steering unit, for removing and collecting toner from the belt; a toner receiving unit, provided in the assembly, for receiving the toner collected by the cleaning unit; and a path member for guiding the toner collected by the cleaning unit to the toner receiving unit, the path member being supported by the assembly when the belt unit is not mounted, and the path member being supported by the cleaning swingably relative to the toner receiving unit when the belt unit is mounted.