Transfer Roller Identification Recess for Bearing Wear Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in easily identifying and distinguishing between different types of transfer rollers, which affects optimal operation and maintenance, particularly due to interference with conductive bearing portions and wear issues.
Innovation Solution
A transfer roller design featuring a recessed identification portion on the conductive shaft, covered by an elastically deformable semiconductive member, with the recessed step positioned on the inner side of the semiconductive member to avoid interference and facilitate easy identification, and a marking by material coating on the conductive shaft for visual recognition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a recessed identification portion is provided on the conductive shaft, then the transfer roller type can be easily identified, but it may interfere with the conductive bearing portion and cause wear
Solution Approach 1:
The identification portion is nested within the semiconductive member, which itself is nested on the conductive shaft. This nested structure allows the identification portion to be visible and accessible for identification purposes while being contained within the semiconductive member that prevents direct contact with the conductive bearing portion, thereby avoiding wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The semiconductive member acts as an intermediary between the identification portion on the conductive shaft and the conductive bearing portion. It provides a protective layer that allows the identification portion to be visible and accessible while preventing direct contact between the identification portion and the bearing, thus avoiding wear on the bearing.
2Ease of operation
If the identification portion is positioned on the outer side of the semiconductive member, then it is easily visible, but it interferes with the conductive bearing portion
Solution Approach 1:
The identification portion is nested within the semiconductive member rather than being on the outer surface. This allows the identification to be visible through or alongside the semiconductive member while maintaining the nested structure that prevents interference with the conductive bearing portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The semiconductive member serves as an intermediary structure that holds the identification portion while preventing it from directly interfering with the conductive bearing portion. The identification portion is positioned within the semiconductive member's structure, allowing visibility while blocking harmful interference.
3Reliability
If the elastic portion extends beyond the maximum sheet-passing area, then it provides adequate coverage, but it increases the device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic portion is designed with different axial extensions at different locations. It extends beyond the maximum sheet-passing area at the ends to provide adequate coverage and protection, while maintaining a more compact form in the central region where sheet passage occurs, thus balancing coverage requirements with device complexity.
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 enhances the identifiability of transfer rollers, reduces wear on conductive bearing portions, maintains conveyance performance, and ensures durability by preventing interference and promoting optimal operation of the image forming apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
an elastically deformable elastic portion provided to cover at least part of the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion
Implementation Method 2
When a transfer voltage is applied to the transfer roller from a transfer power supply, a current flows from the transfer roller to the photosensitive drum. As a result, a toner image borne by the photosensitive drum is electrostatically transferred to a transferring material conveyed to the transfer nip.
Data Source
AI summary
A transfer roller includes a shaft portion rotatable in an axial direction and an elastic portion covering an outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion, wherein an identification portion is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion. On one side in the axial direction, the identification portion includes a first end portion located on a center side of the shaft portion and a second end portion located on an end side of the shaft portion in the axial direction. In a direction from the center side to the end side, the first end portion is located on an outer side of an end portion of a maximum sheet-passing area of a transferring material, and the second end portion is located on an inner side of the maximum sheet-passing area and on an outer side of an end portion of the elastic portion.