Transfer Body Slope Surface for Image Shift Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large-sized image forming apparatuses face issues with the recording medium lifting from the transfer body, leading to image shifts due to the recording medium losing contact with the transfer body, especially when the leading end of the recording medium is held further inward than the transfer body's surface.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus incorporates a transfer body with a recessed portion and a slope surface on its outer circumference, which accommodates a gripping portion and conveys the recording medium in a way that the slope surface's distance from the rotational center increases towards the downstream side, preventing lifting by maintaining contact with the recording medium.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the leading end of the recording medium is held at a position further inward than the surface of the transfer body, then the recording medium can be gripped and conveyed, but the recording medium may be lifted and lose close contact with the transfer body
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies a curved surface (inclined surface) at the leading end of the transfer body instead of a flat surface. This curved structure guides the recording medium smoothly from the gripped position to the transfer position, preventing lifting and ensuring continuous contact throughout the conveyance process.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a spatial dimension by creating an inclined surface that extends in the radial direction from the rotational center. This dimensional change allows the surface to progressively engage the recording medium as it rotates, maintaining contact while the medium is being conveyed from the inward gripped position to the outer transfer position.
2Productivity
If the recording medium is lifted from the transfer body, then conveyance can proceed, but image transfer accuracy deteriorates due to contact loss
Solution Approach 1:
The inclined surface is positioned to engage the recording medium before the actual transfer occurs. This preliminary engagement ensures that the medium is already in contact with the transfer body and properly positioned, preventing any lifting that would compromise image transfer accuracy while still allowing conveyance to proceed.
Solution Approach 2:
The curved inclined surface provides continuous geometric guidance that maintains contact between the recording medium and transfer body throughout the conveyance motion, ensuring that image transfer accuracy is preserved while productivity is maintained through smooth conveyance.
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 the lifting of the recording medium, ensuring consistent image transfer and reducing image shift amounts within an acceptable range by maintaining contact between the recording medium and the transfer body.
Implementation Method 1
sandwich the recording medium conveyed by the conveyance unit between the transfer body and the holding body to transfer an image
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes: a holding body configured to hold a formed image; a conveyance unit configured to convey a recording medium with a leading end of the recording medium gripped by a gripping portion; and a transfer body including a recessed portion that accommodates the gripping portion and is provided along a direction substantially orthogonal to a rotational direction, configured to sandwich the recording medium conveyed by the conveyance unit between the transfer body and the holding body to transfer an image on the holding body to the recording medium conveyed by the conveyance unit, and including a slope surface provided at a leading end of a portion of an outer circumference not including a portion where the recessed portion is provided, the leading end being on a front end side in the rotational direction, a distance from the slope surface to a rotational center becoming larger toward a downstream side in the rotational direction.