Asymmetric Transfer Jacket Edge for Load Fluctuation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, load fluctuations occur in transfer members due to repeated collisions and separations between the transfer roll and the transfer jacket, especially when the transfer roll passes through a recess portion of the transfer cylinder.
Innovation Solution
A transfer device is designed with a transfer member, a transfer cylinder having a recess portion, and a transfer roll that sandwiches the transfer member with the transfer jacket. The transfer jacket is wound around the transfer cylinder such that both end portions are outside the recess portion, and at least one end portion has an edge not parallel to the transfer roll's axis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If both end portions of the transfer jacket are parallel to the axis of the transfer roll, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but load fluctuation occurs in the transfer member during collision and separation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by making at least one end portion of the transfer jacket non-parallel to the axis of the transfer roll. Specifically, the first end portion is configured to be non-parallel to the axis, creating an asymmetric structure that prevents simultaneous collision and separation at both ends. This asymmetric design distributes the collision and separation events temporally, reducing load fluctuation on the transfer member while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through straightforward geometric modification.
2Ease of manufacture
If the transfer jacket is made symmetrical, then the structure is balanced and easy to process, but diagonal movement of the transfer member occurs during rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent deliberately introduces asymmetry in the transfer jacket's end portions to prevent diagonal movement. By configuring the first end portion to be non-parallel to the axis while the second end portion may be parallel or non-parallel, the patent creates an asymmetric structure that eliminates the diagonal movement tendency. This asymmetric design maintains processing ease by using simple geometric configurations rather than complex asymmetric forms.
3Reliability
If only one end portion is made non-parallel, then the structure is modified to reduce load fluctuation, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making only the first end portion non-parallel to the axis, while the second end portion can maintain a parallel configuration. This localized modification at the first end portion is sufficient to prevent simultaneous collision and separation events, reducing load fluctuation without requiring complex modifications throughout the entire transfer jacket. This approach minimizes processing complexity by applying the non-parallel configuration only where necessary.
Data Source
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AI summary
A transfer device includes: a transfer member that is formed in an endless band-like shape and to which a toner image is transferred; a transfer cylinder that includes a cylinder body having an outer peripheral surface at which a recess portion extending in an axial direction is formed and a transfer jacket that is wound around the outer peripheral surface such that both end portions of the transfer jacket are disposed outside the recess portion; and a transfer roll that extends in the axial direction, that transfers the toner image to a recording medium wound around the transfer cylinder while sandwiching the transfer member together with the transfer jacket, and that repeats collision and separation with respect to the transfer jacket as the transfer roll passes through the recess portion, in which at least one end portion out of both end portions of the transfer jacket includes an edge that is not parallel to an axis of the transfer roll.