Transfer Belt Steering Roller Meandering Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transfer belt units in image forming apparatuses, such as multi-function peripherals, suffer from meandering issues that lead to deteriorated image quality due to color drift, particularly in high-speed devices where existing correction methods are low in speed and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A transfer belt unit with a self-steering mechanism that includes detection rollers and a steering roller, where the rotation of the detection rollers is transmitted through a link unit to tilt the steering roller, correcting the transfer belt's direction and preventing meandering, thereby ensuring high-quality color images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spring-based steering roller mechanism is used to correct transfer belt meandering, then the device can correct belt direction, but the correction speed is low and reliability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the spring-based mechanical system with a direct mechanical linkage system consisting of detection rollers, link units, and steering rollers. This substitution eliminates the elastic delay inherent in spring mechanisms, providing immediate and reliable correction of transfer belt meandering at high speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces detection rollers as intermediary elements that directly contact the transfer belt to detect meandering. These detection rollers are mechanically linked to steering rollers through link units, creating a direct transmission path that quickly translates belt position deviations into corrective steering actions without the speed limitations of spring-based systems.
2Productivity
If the transfer belt travels at high speed, then productivity is improved, but meandering occurs causing color drift
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where detection rollers continuously monitor the transfer belt's position during high-speed travel. When meandering is detected, the mechanical linkage immediately actuates the steering roller to correct the belt's direction, providing real-time feedback control that maintains image quality despite high operating speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a dynamic correction system where the steering roller can actively adjust its position in response to detected meandering. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to maintain precise belt alignment during high-speed operation, preventing color drift while preserving productivity.
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 corrects meandering at high speeds, preventing color drift and ensuring high-quality color images by accurately transmitting the rotation of detection rollers to the steering roller, enhancing the reliability and speed of image correction.
Implementation Method 1
a first detection roller that rotates in contact with a first end in a width direction of the transfer belt, a second detection roller that rotates in contact with a second end opposed to the first end of the transfer belt
Implementation Method 2
a first transmitting portion that transmits the rotation of the first detection roller or the second detection roller, and a steering roller that tilts according to the rotation transmitted by the first transmitting portion
Data Source
AI summary
In the transfer belt unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, rotation of a rear-side detection roller or a front-side detection roller rotated in contact with ribs of a transfer belt is transmitted to a steering roller via a lead screw to tilt the steering roller and control meandering of the transfer belt.