Transfer Roller Vibration for Borderless Printing Toner Smear Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Toner smears on the back surface of sheets occur during borderless printing due to toner particles being transferred beyond the edges of the sheet, leading to poor image quality and increased calcium carbonate deposition on the second-transfer roller, which affects the cleaning efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A transfer device with a cleaning unit, an image carrier, a transfer member, and alternating voltage application to the second-transfer roller, which vibrates toner in the nip between the intermediate transfer belt and the second-transfer roller, reducing adhesion and facilitating mechanical removal by a cleaning blade.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If toner is applied to the entire region of the sheet for borderless printing, then image coverage is improved, but toner smears are left on the back surface of the sheet
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies vibration to the transfer member (second-transfer roller) to mechanically remove toner particles that have adhered to its surface. The vibration frequency and amplitude are controlled to effectively detach toner without affecting the transferred image on the sheet, thereby preventing back-surface smears while maintaining borderless printing capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes operational parameters of the transfer member including rotation speed, vibration frequency, and vibration amplitude to optimize toner transfer efficiency while minimizing toner adhesion to the roller surface. By dynamically adjusting these parameters, the system achieves complete image coverage without generating harmful toner smears
2Adaptability or versatility
If toner is transferred beyond the edges of the sheet, then borderless printing is achieved, but calcium carbonate deposition increases on the second-transfer roller
Solution Approach 1:
Vibration of the second-transfer roller prevents calcium carbonate particles from firmly adhering to the roller surface during borderless printing operations. The mechanical vibration continuously disrupts the deposition process, reducing the accumulation of calcium carbonate that would otherwise occur when toner is applied beyond sheet edges
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous vibration during the transfer operation to maintain consistent prevention of calcium carbonate deposition. This continuous action ensures that even during extended borderless printing sessions, the roller surface remains relatively clean, allowing sustained high-quality borderless printing without frequent maintenance
3Object-generated harmful factors
If cleaning is performed on the transfer member, then toner adhesion is reduced, but cleaning efficiency decreases when calcium carbonate deposits accumulate
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration mechanism serves a dual function: it prevents toner adhesion during transfer operations and maintains cleaning efficiency by preventing calcium carbonate buildup. By continuously vibrating the transfer member, the system eliminates the need for frequent intensive cleaning, thereby maintaining high cleaning efficiency over extended operation periods
Solution Approach 2:
The vibration mechanism allows the system to skip the accumulation phase of calcium carbonate deposition by continuously disrupting particle adhesion. This prevents the buildup that would otherwise require time-consuming cleaning operations, effectively rushing through the potential problem phase before it impacts cleaning efficiency
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 alternating voltage effectively reduces toner adhesion to the second-transfer roller, allowing for efficient removal and minimizing smears on the sheet surface, even with high print volumes, thereby improving image quality.
Implementation Method 1
an alternating voltage application unit that applies an alternating voltage to the second-transfer roller; the alternating voltage application unit vibrates toner in the nip between the intermediate transfer belt and the second-transfer roller
Implementation Method 2
a cleaning blade that removes toner from a surface of the second-transfer roller
Data Source
AI summary
A transfer device includes a transfer unit including an image carrier that carries a toner image to be transferred to a transfer surface of a recording medium, a transfer member disposed on a non-transfer-surface side of the recording medium, and an opposing member disposed opposite the transfer member with the image carrier therebetween; a cleaning unit that cleans a surface of the transfer member; a first application unit that applies a voltage, for transferring the toner image, to the opposing member; and a second application unit that applies an alternating voltage to the transfer member.