Transfer Device Tension Relaxation Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing transfer devices in image forming apparatuses face issues with excessive tension in the intermediate transfer belt during retraction, leading to curling and potential damage, due to the constant urging force applied by tension rollers.
Innovation Solution
A relaxation mechanism is introduced, comprising a relaxing member attached to the tension applying roller's shaft, urged by an extension coil spring, which reduces the urging force and balances it with the compression coil spring's force, preventing excessive tension and curling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a tension applying roller with constant urging force is used, then the intermediate transfer belt maintains sufficient tension for image transfer, but excessive tension during retraction causes curling and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The tension applying roller is modified to have variable urging force instead of constant force. The urging force changes dynamically based on the position of the primary transfer roller - being stronger during image transfer and weaker during retraction. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by adapting the tension force to the operational phase, preventing belt damage during retraction while maintaining sufficient tension during image transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical parameter of urging force applied by the tension applying roller is changed from constant to variable. By adjusting the magnitude of the urging force according to operational conditions (contact position vs. separation position), the system achieves both reliable image transfer and prevents harmful effects during retraction, directly resolving the technical contradiction.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the tension applying roller is urged in a direction receding from the driving roller, then the intermediate transfer belt is kept taut, but the urging force cannot be relaxed during retraction
Solution Approach 1:
The static urging force system is transformed into a dynamic one that can adapt to different operational phases. The tension applying roller's urging force is adjusted based on whether the system is in image transfer mode or retraction mode, providing both stability during transfer and adaptability during retraction to prevent damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnitude parameter of the urging force is made variable rather than fixed. By changing the force parameter according to the operational state (contact or separation position of primary transfer roller), the system achieves both the stability needed for proper belt tension during transfer and the adaptability needed to relax tension during retraction.
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 mechanism effectively reduces the tension in the intermediate transfer belt during retraction, preventing curling and damage, while maintaining sufficient tension for image transfer, thus enhancing the operational reliability of the image forming apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a relaxing member that is attached to a shaft portion of the tension applying roller, is urged by an urging unit in a direction approaching the driving roller
Implementation Method 2
urged by an urging unit in a direction approaching the driving roller
Implementation Method 3
a tension applying roller on which the intermediate transfer belt is wound thereon together with a driving roller and which is urged in a direction receding from the driving roller
Implementation Method 4
which is urged in a direction receding from the driving roller
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a transfer device including a primary transfer roller that selectively takes a contact position where an intermediate transfer belt is brought into contact with an image holding member, and a separation position where the intermediate transfer belt is separated from the image holding member, a tension applying roller on which the intermediate transfer belt is wound thereon together with a driving roller and which is urged in a direction receding from the driving roller, and a relaxing member that is attached to a shaft portion of the tension applying roller, is urged by an urging unit in a direction approaching the driving roller, and relaxes an urging force of the tension applying roller in a direction receding from the driving roller when the primary transfer roller is at the separation position.