Primary Transfer Roller Position Regulation for Image Forming Apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing offset type transfer devices in image forming apparatuses experience variations in non-contacting distance of the intermediate transfer belt due to positional changes of primary transfer rollers, leading to inconsistent toner transfer efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The transfer device incorporates rotatably supported primary transfer rollers with an abutting portion that regulates their position, ensuring a consistent center distance between the photosensitive drums and primary transfer rollers, and includes an abutted member with a defined abutted surface to manage positional deviations, thereby maintaining a stable non-contacting distance and toner transfer efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the position of primary transfer rollers is changed between contact and separation positions, then the intermediate transfer belt can be separated from photosensitive drums, but the non-contacting distance varies causing toner transfer efficiency to vary

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation of intermediate transfer belt from photosensitive drumsVSAvoidtoner transfer efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A movable member acts as an intermediary mechanism between the primary transfer roller and the intermediate transfer belt. This mediator controls the position of the primary transfer roller, enabling it to move between contact and separation positions while maintaining a constant non-contacting distance, thus resolving the contradiction between operational flexibility and transfer efficiency stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Length of stationary object

If the center distance between photosensitive drum and primary transfer roller is increased, then the intermediate transfer belt can be separated from photosensitive drums, but the non-contacting distance varies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecenter distance between photosensitive drum and primary transfer rollerVSAvoidnon-contacting distance consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The primary transfer roller is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing dynamic adjustment of its position. The movable member enables the primary transfer roller to change position while maintaining a constant non-contacting distance, resolving the contradiction between achieving sufficient center distance for belt separation and maintaining manufacturing precision for consistent non-contacting distance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If primary transfer rollers are made movable, then the intermediate transfer belt can be separated from photosensitive drums, but positional deviations occur affecting transfer consistency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to separate intermediate transfer beltVSAvoidpositional accuracy of primary transfer roller

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The movable member serves as a precision intermediary that controls the position of the primary transfer roller. It provides regulated movement while maintaining accurate positioning, enabling the system to achieve both adaptability for belt separation and manufacturing precision for consistent non-contacting distance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the positional parameter of the primary transfer roller in a controlled manner. By regulating the position through the movable member, the system maintains a constant non-contacting distance parameter while allowing the roller to move between contact and separation states, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS7751762B2Transfer device and image forming apparatus including the same

Publication Date: 2010.07.06 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

A transfer device including an intermediate transfer belt provided to extend in an arranged direction of a plurality of photosensitive drums, and primary transfer rollers each transferring a toner image formed on a corresponding one of the plurality of photosensitive drums to the intermediate transfer belt, each of the primary transfer rollers being moved between a position causing the intermediate transfer belt to be in contact with the photosensitive drums and a position causing the intermediate transfer belt to be separated from the photosensitive drums, each of the primary transfer rollers being rotatably supported by a movable member which includes an abutting portion which regulates a position of the primary transfer roller, the abutting portion abutting on an abutted member whose positional relationship with the photosensitive drum is defined such that the position of the abutted member causes the intermediate transfer belt to be in contact with the photosensitive drum.