Torque Adjusting Unit for Image Registration in Transfer Roller
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Solution Overview
Problem
Variations in transport load of a recording medium at the face-to-face section between an image bearing member and a transfer member can cause misregistration or distortion in the image transferred onto the recording medium, as the driving torque of the transfer member is typically uniform regardless of the recording medium's position.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a torque adjusting unit that changes the driving torque of the transfer member based on the position of the recording medium, ensuring that the driving torque is adjusted in accordance with the varying transport load to maintain consistent image transfer quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a uniform driving torque is applied to the transfer member regardless of recording medium position, then the device complexity is reduced, but misregistration and distortion occur due to varying transport load
Solution Approach 1:
The driving torque of the transfer member is made dynamic rather than static. The torque adjusting unit continuously adjusts the driving torque based on the position of the recording medium in the transport direction, allowing the system to adapt to varying transport loads and maintain precise image transfer throughout the entire transport path.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by detecting the position of the recording medium and using this information to adjust the driving torque accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures that the transfer member maintains appropriate contact pressure with the image bearing member at all positions, preventing misregistration and distortion.
2Reliability
If the transfer member maintains constant contact pressure with the image bearing member, then the device operation is simplified, but slippage occurs when transport load varies
Solution Approach 1:
The contact pressure between the transfer member and image bearing member is made dynamic. The torque adjusting unit modifies the driving torque in response to recording medium position, which automatically adjusts the contact pressure to match varying transport loads, preventing slippage while maintaining reliable image transfer.
3Manufacturing precision
If the driving torque is adjusted according to recording medium position, then slippage and misregistration are reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-adjustment of the driving torque based on the inherent position information of the recording medium. The torque adjusting unit automatically responds to position variations without requiring external intervention, maintaining precise image transfer while managing the added complexity through automated control.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes: an image bearing member that rotates and that retains an image to be transferred onto a recording medium; a first driving unit that rotationally drives the image bearing member; a transfer member that rotates while facing the image bearing member and that transfers the image retained by the image bearing member onto the recording medium passing through a face-to-face section where the image bearing member and the transfer member face each other; a second driving unit that rotationally drives the transfer member; and a torque adjusting unit that changes a driving torque applied to the transfer member by the second driving unit in accordance with a position of the recording medium passing through the face-to-face section.