Intermediate Transfer Body Coating Wear Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrophotographic image forming apparatuses with intermediate transfer bodies having silicon dioxide coating layers face degradation in secondary transfer characteristics when printing on uneven sheets, leading to increased toner consumption and printing issues like scumming and non-uniform density.
Innovation Solution
A multi-layer intermediate transfer body with a silicon dioxide coating layer that reduces toner forcible discharge volume based on use history information, such as printed sheets or coating layer thickness, to maintain stable secondary transfer characteristics while minimizing toner consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If toner is forcibly discharged at high volume to maintain secondary transfer characteristics, then secondary transfer characteristics are improved, but toner consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the toner discharge volume variable rather than fixed. The control unit adjusts the discharge volume based on real-time detection of coating layer thickness and use history information, allowing the system to adapt the toner consumption to the actual wear state of the intermediate transfer body, thereby maintaining secondary transfer characteristics while minimizing unnecessary toner waste
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control through a detection unit that continuously monitors the coating layer thickness and use history information. This feedback mechanism allows the control unit to adjust the toner discharge volume dynamically, creating a closed-loop control system that optimizes toner consumption while maintaining reliable secondary transfer characteristics
2Reliability
If high surface hardness is achieved using polyimide to improve secondary transfer characteristics, then secondary transfer characteristics are improved, but toner adhesion decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a multi-layer structure where the base layer (polyimide) provides high surface hardness for good secondary transfer characteristics, while the surface coating layer provides appropriate toner adhesion properties. This spatial differentiation of material properties allows both contradictory requirements to be satisfied simultaneously in different regions of the intermediate transfer body
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining polyimide base layer with a surface coating layer containing specific materials (such as silicon oxide, fluorine-containing compounds, or wax). This composite structure integrates the advantages of both materials: the polyimide provides mechanical strength and hardness, while the coating layer provides optimal toner adhesion and release characteristics
3Productivity
If continuous printing on uneven sheets is performed, then productivity is improved, but secondary transfer characteristics degrade
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by proactively adjusting the toner discharge volume based on detected coating layer thinning before secondary transfer characteristics significantly degrade. The control unit uses use history information and thickness detection to anticipate wear-related performance drops and compensates in advance by increasing toner discharge, thereby maintaining reliable transfer characteristics throughout continuous printing operations on uneven sheets
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 approach ensures stable secondary transfer characteristics with reduced toner consumption, even on uneven sheets, by adjusting the toner discharge volume according to the intermediate transfer body's use history, thereby preventing excessive toner usage and maintaining image quality.
Implementation Method 1
a secondary transfer member to execute a secondary transfer of the toner image transferred in the primary transfer by the primary transfer member from the intermediate transfer body to a transfer medium
Data Source
AI summary
An electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes: an electrostatic latent image retainer; an intermediate transfer body; a primary transfer member to transfer toner image retained by the electrostatic latent image retainer to an imaging region of the intermediate transfer body; a secondary transfer member to transfer the transferred toner image from the intermediate transfer body to a transfer medium; a toner forcible discharger to forcibly discharge toner into a non-imaging region of the intermediate transfer body; and a controller to control a volume of the toner to be forcibly discharged. The intermediate transfer body is a multi-layer belt including a base layer and an outermost coating layer. The coating layer contains silicon dioxide. The controller reduces the volume of the toner to be forcibly discharged based on use history information of the intermediate transfer body, compared to the volume at an initial stage of use.