Intermediate Transfer Belt Light-Shielding Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses using electrophotographic technology, the interference between the base material layer and surface layer of the intermediate transfer belt leads to sensor noise during toner adhesion amount detection, making accurate detection challenging.
Innovation Solution
Introducing surface roughness to the outermost layer of the intermediate transfer belt to scatter incident and reflected light, reducing interference and enhancing detection accuracy while maintaining cleanability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If an intermediate transfer belt with a base material layer and surface layer is used, then transfer efficiency is improved, but sensor noise is generated due to light interference between layers
Solution Approach 1:
A light-shielding layer is introduced as an intermediary component between the base material layer and the surface layer. This layer contains a light-shielding agent that prevents light from penetrating through the surface layer, thereby eliminating the interference between reflected light beams from the two layers and preventing sensor noise while maintaining the transfer efficiency benefits of the layered structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The light-shielding function is extracted from the existing layers and implemented as a separate dedicated layer. By removing the light interference problem from the system through this specialized component, the detection accuracy is improved without compromising the transfer performance provided by the base material and surface layer structure.
2Ease of operation
If a surface layer is coated on the base material layer, then toner adhesion force is reduced, but light interference occurs between the two layers
Solution Approach 1:
The light-shielding layer serves as a mediator that blocks light transmission between the surface layer and base material layer. This intermediary layer contains light-shielding agents that absorb or reflect light, preventing the interference pattern from forming while allowing the surface layer to maintain its low toner adhesion force properties.
Solution Approach 2:
Different layers are assigned different functional qualities: the surface layer provides low toner adhesion force for easy transfer, while the light-shielding layer provides optical blocking properties. Each layer has a specialized local function that addresses a specific requirement without interfering with the other layer's performance.
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 introduction of surface roughness on the intermediate transfer belt effectively reduces sensor noise, enabling accurate toner adhesion amount detection and ensuring good cleanability, thus improving the overall image forming process.
Implementation Method 1
a light-shielding layer containing a light-shielding agent is disposed between the base material layer and the surface layer
Implementation Method 2
Introducing surface roughness to the outermost layer of the intermediate transfer belt to scatter incident and reflected light, reducing interference
Data Source
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AI summary
An intermediate transfer belt (image bearing member) includes a base material layer and a surface layer disposed on the base material layer and including an inorganic oxide containing an organic component. A ten-point average roughness of the surface layer is 69% or more of a wavelength of incident light emitted from a sensor for detecting an amount of toner adhering to the image bearing member and less than 20% of an average particle size of the toner.