Transfer Assembly Cam Mechanism for Shock Jitter Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses experience shock jitter and banding issues when handling thick recording media, such as thick paper, due to abrupt load increases at the transfer nip, leading to potential image failure and reduced transfer pressure.
Innovation Solution
A transfer assembly with a counter member, engagement/disengagement unit, pressure device, and recording medium feed device, where a cam is used to adjust the distance between the counter member and image carrying member, allowing for controlled rotation to maintain a consistent transfer pressure and prevent shock jitter by separating and re-engaging the counter member before and after the recording medium enters the transfer nip.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the transfer roller is separated from the photoconductor to prevent shock jitter when thick paper enters the transfer nip, then shock jitter is suppressed, but an abrupt load increase or vibration occurs when the separation is canceled due to the force of the pressure device
Solution Approach 1:
The cam is rotated in advance before thick paper enters the transfer nip to separate the transfer roller from the photoconductor, preventing shock jitter. The cam maintains this separated position during the critical entry phase, then controls the re-engagement timing to avoid abrupt load increases when the separation is canceled.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement/disengagement unit with the rotatable cam dynamically adjusts the distance between the transfer roller and photoconductor based on the type of recording medium. The system transitions between separated and engaged states smoothly, allowing the transfer roller to be forcibly moved away when needed and re-engaged controlledly when the cam rotation position changes.
2Force
If the shaft-to-shaft distance between the photoconductor and transfer roller is increased to prevent abrupt load increase, then shock jitter is suppressed, but effective transfer pressure cannot be set and transfer failure occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the shaft-to-shaft distance between photoconductor and transfer roller based on real-time conditions. When thick paper is detected, the cam rotates to increase the distance and prevent abrupt load increases. When standard paper is used or the critical phase passes, the cam returns to its original position, restoring effective transfer pressure and preventing transfer failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam mechanism preliminarily positions the transfer roller at an appropriate distance before the recording medium enters the transfer nip, preventing abrupt load increases in advance. This preliminary positioning is maintained only during the critical entry phase, allowing normal transfer pressure to be applied during the actual transfer process.
Data Source
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AI summary
A transfer assembly includes a counter member having a contact face, an engagement/disengagement unit to engage and disengage the image carrying face of image carrying member and the contact face of counter member using a cam, a pressure device to apply force to a transfer nip between the image carrying face and contact face, and a recording medium feed device to feed the recording medium to the transfer nip. When the cam is at a first rotation position, the image carrying face and contact face are separated, and when the cam is at a second rotation position, the image carrying face and contact face contact. Before the recording medium enters the transfer nip, the cam rotates from the first rotation position toward the second rotation position. After the recording medium enters the transfer nip, the cam is at the second rotation position to press the image carrying face with the contact face.