Intermediate Transfer Belt with Exposed Insulating Particles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Image defects occur in image forming apparatuses using intermediate transfer belts when insulating particles are exposed from the surface, leading to charging issues and inefficient transfer processes.

Innovation Solution

An image forming apparatus with an intermediate transfer member having a superficial layer with partially exposed insulating particles, where the secondary transfer member with protrusions contacts the intermediate transfer member, ensuring a conducting path to prevent charge-up and enhance transfer efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If insulating particles are exposed from the surface of the intermediate transfer belt to enhance transfer efficiency, then transfer efficiency is improved, but image defects occur during charging up

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransfer efficiencyVSAvoidcharging stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality by creating a differentiated surface structure where insulating particles are exposed in specific regions while maintaining a conductive adhesive layer in other regions. The protruding insulating particles enhance transfer efficiency in the transfer contact zone, while the conductive adhesive layer ensures proper charging characteristics in the charging zone, thus resolving the contradiction between transfer efficiency and charging stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite materials by combining insulating particles with a conductive adhesive layer in a single superficial layer structure. This composite configuration allows the insulating particles to provide transfer efficiency enhancement while the conductive adhesive matrix maintains overall electrical conductivity for proper charging, eliminating image defects while preserving transfer performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If more insulating particles are exposed from the surface, then transfer efficiency is enhanced, but charge-up problems worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransfer efficiencyVSAvoidcharge-up defects

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies parameter changes by carefully controlling the concentration, size distribution, and spatial arrangement of insulating particles in the superficial layer. By optimizing these parameters, the invention achieves sufficient transfer efficiency enhancement while maintaining adequate conductive pathways through the adhesive layer, thereby preventing charge-up defects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If the superficial layer has high insulation property, then transfer efficiency is improved, but charging performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransfer efficiencyVSAvoidcharging performance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 suppresses image defects caused by charge-up, improving the transfer efficiency by ensuring the protrusions of the secondary transfer member maintain contact with the conductive superficial layer of the intermediate transfer member, thereby stabilizing the electrostatic potential and preventing image distortions.

Implementation Method 1

a portion in which the protrusion brings into direct contact with the superficial layer is present in the contact region

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical Conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

stabilizing the electrostatic potential and preventing image distortions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatics: Electrostatics

Data Source

PatentUS9052644B2Image forming apparatus

Publication Date: 2015.06.09 CANON KK

AI summary

An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, an intermediate transfer member, and a secondary transfer member having a plurality of protrusions which come into contact with the intermediate transfer member. A superficial layer of the intermediate transfer member includes a superficial layer and a plurality of insulating particles buried in the superficial layer so as to be partially exposed from she superficial layer. In the case where the insulating particles are present in a contact region in which the protrusions are brought into contact with the intermediate transfer member, a portion in which the protrusions are brought into direct contact with the superficial layer is present in the contact region.