Intermediary Transfer Member Speed Control for Toner Image Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, when the recording material in the first accommodating portion runs out, there is a delay in feeding the recording material to the transfer device, leading to incomplete transfer of toner images from the intermediary transfer member to the recording material, resulting in reduced productivity due to the need for intermediary transfer member cleaning and downtime.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a movable intermediary transfer member, first and second accommodating portions, a detecting member for recording material presence, and a setting portion to increase the transfer member's speed during toner image removal operations, allowing for efficient switching between accommodating portions and resuming image formation without idle time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the accommodating portion is switched to the second accommodating portion after the number of sheets remaining in the first accommodating portion becomes 0, then the feeding of recording material is ensured, but the toner image formed on the intermediary transfer member cannot be transferred onto the recording material in time
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of recording material levels and initiates switching operations before the first accommodating portion is completely depleted. The detecting member monitors the remaining sheet count and triggers the switching sequence in advance, ensuring that the second accommodating portion is ready to supply recording material without causing transfer delays.
2Reliability
If the toner image forming interval is increased to allow switching of accommodating portions, then the feeding of recording material is in time, but productivity of image formation is remarkably lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The system detects the remaining recording material in advance and initiates the switching operation before the first accommodating portion is depleted. This preliminary detection and switching mechanism ensures that the second accommodating portion is ready to supply material without interrupting the toner image formation interval, thereby maintaining productivity while ensuring reliable material feeding.
3Reliability
If the intermediary transfer member cleaning device is used to remove toner images when recording material runs out, then the toner image transfer problem is solved, but the image formation must be interrupted and productivity is remarkably lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of recording material levels and automatically initiates the switching operation to the second accommodating portion before the first portion is depleted. This prevents the situation where toner image removal and cleaning would be necessary, allowing continuous image formation without interruptions, thereby maintaining high productivity while ensuring reliable toner image transfer.
4Reliability
If the accommodating portion is switched before the first accommodating portion is completely used, then the feeding of recording material is ensured, but the recording material in the first accommodating portion cannot be used up
Solution Approach 1:
The detecting member monitors the remaining recording material and triggers the switching operation at the optimal moment - just before the first accommodating portion is completely depleted. This timing ensures that all available recording material in the first portion is utilized, minimizing waste, while the second accommodating portion is ready to supply material to ensure feeding continuity.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes: an intermediary transfer member (belt); first and second accommodating portions; a detecting member; an executing portion for executing a removing operation for removing the toner image transferred on the belt by once interrupting a continuous job for continuously forming an image on the recording material fed from the first accommodating portion when discrimination that there is no recording material in the first accommodating portion is made on the basis of a detection result of the detecting member during the continuous job and then for executing a switching operation for resuming the continuous job by feeding the recording material from the second accommodating portion; and a setting portion for setting a moving speed of the belt during execution of the removing operation so as to be higher than a moving speed of the belt when the toner image is transferred onto the recording material.