Intermediary Transfer Member Cooling via Air Flow Inversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face issues with air cooling of intermediary transfer members, which can lead to scattering of transfer residual toner, improper fixing, and space oppression due to the need for additional components like heat-insulating ducts.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus design that includes an air blowing portion blowing air toward the outer peripheral surface of the intermediary transfer member in the moving direction, positioned between the transfer and cleaning portions, to cool the intermediary transfer member without interfering with the inside of the apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If air is blown toward the opposite direction to the movement direction of the intermediary transfer member along the surface, then the intermediary transfer member is cooled, but transfer residual toner is scraped off and scattered
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of blowing air toward the opposite direction to the movement direction of the intermediary transfer member, the invention blows air toward the same direction as the movement direction. This inversion of the air flow direction prevents toner scattering while still achieving cooling of the intermediary transfer member.
2Temperature
If air is blown along the surface of the intermediary transfer member toward the opposite direction to the movement direction, then the intermediary transfer member is cooled, but the cooled air flows into the fixing device causing improper fixing
Solution Approach 1:
The air flow direction is inverted to match the movement direction of the intermediary transfer member, which prevents the cooled air from flowing backward into the fixing device and causing improper fixing, while still maintaining effective cooling of the intermediary transfer member.
3Reliability
If a heat-insulating duct member is provided to prevent cooled air from reaching the fixing device, then improper fixing is prevented, but space is oppressed and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the need for heat-insulating duct members by changing the air flow direction. The simplified structure achieves the same reliability goal of preventing improper fixing without adding complex components, thereby reducing device complexity and cost.
4Temperature
If air is blown along the surface of the intermediary transfer member, then the intermediary transfer member is cooled, but the air flows into the recording material feeding passage affecting the attitude of the recording material
Solution Approach 1:
By inverting the air flow direction to match the movement direction of the intermediary transfer member, the cooled air flows in the same direction as the recording material feeding, preventing disruption to the recording material attitude while maintaining effective cooling.
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 design effectively cools the intermediary transfer member while preventing toner scattering and improper fixing, and reduces the complexity and cost of the cooling system by eliminating the need for additional components like heat-insulating ducts.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling structure by an air blowing means such as a fan blowing (sending) air toward the intermediary transfer member has been known
Implementation Method 2
the cleaning means contacts the photosensitive member or the intermediary transfer member, and therefore, frictional heat generates at a contact portion therebetween
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member, an intermediary transfer member, a transfer portion, a cleaning portion, and an air blowing portion. The air blowing portion blows the air toward an outer peripheral surface of the intermediary transfer member in a moving direction of the intermediary transfer member away from the transfer portion, at a position between the transfer portion and the cleaning portion with respect to a movement direction of the intermediary transfer member.