Transfer Belt Heating for Uniform Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses using the belt transfer method face challenges in maintaining uniform and quick temperature control of the transfer belt, especially under high humidity conditions, leading to transfer current leakage and reduced transfer and separation performance.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs two heaters with different outputs, where the first heater is positioned farther from the transfer belt and maintains a consistent temperature, while the second heater, positioned closer, adjusts output based on temperature and humidity changes to ensure rapid and uniform heating control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a heater is disposed at a distant position outside the transfer belt, then temperature uniformity is improved, but responsiveness to temperature changes becomes slow
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is divided into multiple heating regions with different heating capacities. The first heating region (first heater) is positioned to provide base heating for temperature uniformity, while the second heating region (second heater) is positioned closer to the transfer belt for rapid temperature response. This segmentation allows each region to specialize in different aspects of temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the heating system are assigned different heating characteristics. The first heater provides diffuse, uniform heating over a larger area, while the second heater provides concentrated, rapid heating in a specific region. This local differentiation of heating quality enables simultaneous achievement of temperature uniformity and responsiveness.
2Speed
If a heater is installed in the vicinity of the transfer belt, then responsiveness to temperature changes is improved, but temperature uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is divided into multiple heating regions with different heating capacities. The first heating region (first heater) is positioned to provide base heating for temperature uniformity, while the second heating region (second heater) is positioned closer to the transfer belt for rapid temperature response. This segmentation allows each region to specialize in different aspects of temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the heating system are assigned different heating characteristics. The first heater provides diffuse, uniform heating over a larger area, while the second heater provides concentrated, rapid heating in a specific region. This local differentiation of heating quality enables simultaneous achievement of temperature uniformity and responsiveness.
3Productivity
If the amount of voltage applied to the transfer belt increases, then transfer performance is improved, but discharge product accumulation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge products that accumulate on the transfer belt are not merely treated as harmful contaminants but are utilized as a functional layer. The control unit adjusts the voltage applied to the transfer belt based on the accumulated discharge products, converting this previously harmful accumulation into a beneficial element that enhances transfer performance through increased voltage application.
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 suppresses transfer current leakage and ensures good transfer and separation performance even in high humidity environments, with the ability to quickly respond to temperature and humidity variations.
Implementation Method 1
a first heater (181) and a second heater (182) Heat Solid
Implementation Method 2
the first heater (181) and the second heater (182) are disposed outside the transfer belt (5)
Implementation Method 3
A transfer voltage having an opposite polarity (transfer polarity) of that of the electrification polarity of toner is applied to the transfer belt to transfer the toner image on the photosensitive drum to the paper side by electrostatic attractive force
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
To provide an image forming apparatus (100) that is capable of quickly, appropriately, and uniformly controlling a transfer belt (5), does not have transfer current leakage even under a high humidity environment, and is capable of ensuring good transfer performance and separation performance. A photosensitive drum (41) that supports an image to be transferred to paper; the transfer belt (5) that is opposed to the photosensitive drum and forms a nip; and a first heater (181) and a second heater (182) that heat the transfer belt (5) are provided, and the first heater (181) has higher performance to uniformly heat an entire area of the transfer belt (5) than the second heater (182); and the second heater (182) has higher performance to respond to a temperature change of the transfer belt (5) in a case of output change than the first heater (181).