Transfer Roller Guide Assembly Impact Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, the repeated impact of transfer rollers on image carrying bodies during movement can lead to physical deformation, such as abrasion or cracking, which deteriorates image quality and reduces the lifespan of these components.
Innovation Solution
A transfer unit with an intermediate transfer belt, an elastic member, and a guide assembly that reduces the impact force by controlling the movement speed and position of the transfer roller, using a cam-driven slider member and support guides to gradually move the roller into contact with the image carrying body, thereby minimizing the force of impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the transfer roller moves back into the pressing relation with the image carrying body, then the transfer roller can transfer images effectively, but the image carrying body is subjected to impact force causing physical deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The guide assembly is configured to reduce the movement speed of the transfer roller before it contacts the image carrying body, acting as a speed-reducing mechanism that cushions the impact beforehand. This allows the transfer roller to maintain effective pressing contact for image transfer while minimizing the harmful impact force that causes physical deformation of the image carrying body.
2Reliability
If the transfer roller is separated away from the image carrying body, then the wear and tear of the image carrying body is minimized, but the transfer roller cannot transfer images when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer roller is designed to be movable between a pressed state (for image transfer) and a separated state (for reducing wear). The guide assembly enables dynamic control of the transfer roller's movement speed, allowing it to approach the image carrying body gradually at reduced speed when returning to the pressed position, thus minimizing impact while maintaining the ability to transfer images when needed.
3Productivity
If the transfer roller moves quickly into position, then the image forming process is more efficient, but the image carrying body suffers from repeated impact and physical deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The guide assembly serves as a speed-reducing mechanism that activates before the transfer roller contacts the image carrying body. It reduces the movement speed of the transfer roller in advance, cushioning the impact before it occurs. This allows the system to maintain efficient image forming operations while preventing physical deformation of the image carrying body caused by high-speed impact.
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
The solution effectively reduces the force of impact on image carrying bodies, minimizing physical deformation and improving image quality while extending the lifespan of the components.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member which elastically biases the transfer roller toward the first position
Implementation Method 2
The guide assembly may be configured to guide the movement of the transfer roller in such a manner opposing the elastic force of the elastic member so as to cause the transfer roller to contact the image carrying body with a reduced force of impact
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a transfer unit and an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a main body frame on which one or more image carrying bodies are is supported and a transfer unit coupled to the main body frame. The transfer unit receives one or more images respectively from the one or more image carrying bodies, and may include, for example, an intermediate transfer belt for receiving thereon the one or more images, a transfer roller corresponding to an image carrying body and movable between a first position at which the transfer roller contacts the image carrying body and a second position at which the transfer roller is spaced apart from the image carrying body, an elastic member elastically biasing the transfer roller toward the first position and a guide structure that guides the movement of the transfer roller in a manner opposing the elastic force of the elastic member so as to reduce the speed at which the transfer roller moves from the second position to the first position and to thereby reduce the force of impact with which the transfer roller makes contact with the image carrying body.