Transfer Unit Slider Mechanism for Compact Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional transfer units in image forming apparatuses increase in size due to the mechanism required to move the transfer belt and rollers toward and away from each other.
Innovation Solution
A transfer unit design that includes a seamless transfer belt, transfer rollers, a backup roller, and a slider mechanism with specific step ribs and bearing holders, allowing for the reciprocation of the sliders and bearing holders to support the rollers and backup roller, thereby reducing the overall size of the unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a mechanism is provided to move the transfer belt and transfer rollers toward and away from each other, then the transfer unit can perform image transfer operations, but the size of the image forming apparatus is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the backup roller with the transfer roller assembly, making the backup roller rotatably supported by the same bearing holders as the transfer roller. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate support mechanisms needed, thereby reducing the overall apparatus size while maintaining image transfer capability
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing holders are designed to serve multiple purposes: they support both the transfer roller and the backup roller, and they enable both rollers to reciprocate together. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate support structures, reducing the apparatus volume while preserving operational capability
Data Source
AI summary
A transfer unit includes a seamless transfer belt, a plurality of transfer rollers, a backup roller, a plurality of pairs of first bearing holders, a pair of second bearing holders and a pair of sliders. Each of the sliders is reciprocated such that each of the first bearing holders slides on the corresponding one of the first step ribs to be reciprocated in a direction toward and away from the transfer belt and the second bearing holder slides on the second step rib to be reciprocated in the direction toward and away from the transfer belt. The first step rib arranged most upstream in the direction of travel of the transfer belt and the second step rib are arranged side by side in the axial direction of the transfer roller, and overlap each other when viewed in the axial direction.