JP2004325782A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To stabilize the running property of an intermediate transfer body and to prevent the occurrence of transfer failure by improving the strength of an intermediate transfer body. <P>SOLUTION: In the case where at least an area where a toner image on a photoreceptor drum is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 5b or an area of the intermediate transfer belt 5b when the toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 5b is transferred to a transfer medium is flat, the length of the intermediate transfer belt 5b and the lengths of reinforcement tapes 53 and 54 are the same in the flat area. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic method, such as a copying machine, a printer, or a facsimile machine, having a function of forming an image on a recording medium such as a sheet.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an image forming apparatus of this type, there is an image forming apparatus that forms an image by using an electrophotographic technique in which a developer composed of fine powder is electrostatically controlled and attracted.
[0003]
For example, an electrostatic latent image is formed on a surface of a photosensitive drum or a photosensitive belt serving as an image carrier, and the electrostatic latent image on the image carrier is developed into a visible image by developing with a toner serving as a developer. The developed image is transferred onto a transfer material by a transfer device to carry the image, and the toner image on the transfer material is fixed on the transfer material by a fixing device using pressure, heat, or the like. An image is formed by sequentially performing each of these steps.
[0004]
In order to obtain a multi-color image (so-called color image) by further applying this technique, it is possible to use a multi-color developer. If a developer of yellow (Y), magenta (M) and cyan (C) color is used in principle, a full-color image can be obtained by mixing colors (in some cases, black (Bk) color in addition to the above three types) Developer).
[0005]
As a configuration of the color image forming apparatus, a developing device for accommodating the developer is provided for each color, the plurality of developing devices are arranged in a straight line or a curve, and an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the developer of each color is developed. There is something to make.
[0006]
Here, there are a direct transfer method and an intermediate transfer method as a method of superimposing a plurality of color images in a color image forming apparatus until a final image is obtained on a transfer material such as paper or a plastic sheet.
[0007]
The former direct transfer method is a case where a transfer material transfers a developed image on an image carrier adjacent to (or included in) the developing device in the next step. An electric bias is formed to attract the developer on the image carrier to the transfer material when the transfer material contacts or passes through the image carrier at a small gap, and the image is directly transferred from the image carrier to the transfer material. Let it. In a color image forming apparatus having a plurality of developing devices and a plurality of image carriers, a transfer material is moved to an image carrier corresponding to each color, and a developed image corresponding to each color is sequentially transferred to the transfer material.
[0008]
On the other hand, in the latter intermediate transfer method, there is a second image carrier that holds all the developed images of each color during the process of transferring the image from the image carrier to the transfer material. From the image carriers corresponding to each color, the second image carrier once holds all the developed images, and the second image carrier and the transfer material are downstream from the transfer position between the first and second image carriers. And an electric bias is formed at the contact point to transfer the image from the second image carrier to the transfer material. This second image carrier may be called an intermediate transfer member.
[0009]
Further, in the intermediate transfer method of the color image forming apparatus, a plurality of first image carriers are arbitrarily arranged, and the second image carrier transfers images from all the first image carriers. Some are arranged in.
[0010]
A plurality of developing devices each having a first image carrier (for example, including yellow, magenta, cyan, and black color toners) are arranged. The developed images of the respective image carriers are sequentially electrostatically transferred to an intermediate transfer body as a second image carrier. The full-color image formed by the four color toners is collectively electrostatically transferred (sometimes referred to as secondary transfer) from an intermediate transfer member to a transfer material such as paper. The transfer material carrying the image is conveyed to a fixing device using heat and pressure, and the toner on the transfer material is melted and fixed.
[0011]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Incidentally, the intermediate transfer member of the image forming apparatus includes a belt-film type and a roller type. All of these perform the transfer step (from the first image carrier to the second image carrier, or from the second image carrier to the transfer material) while rotating. The two shapes have different points in the arrangement inside the image forming apparatus.
[0012]
When the intermediate transfer member has a cylindrical roller shape, the first image carrier and the secondary transfer device must be arranged on the outer periphery of the intermediate transfer member. For example, as the size of the object arranged on the outer periphery increases, the size of the intermediate transfer member must be increased while maintaining the cylindrical shape. The volume occupied by the intermediate transfer member exponentially increases, and thus the image forming apparatus becomes larger.
[0013]
On the other hand, in the belt-like intermediate transfer member, the belt cross-sectional shape can be set by the arrangement of the stretching rollers. Therefore, there is an advantage that the degree of freedom in the arrangement in the image forming apparatus is increased. Thereby, the image carrier and the transfer device can be arranged in a straight line. Further, for example, if two tension rollers are used, the thickness equivalent to the roller diameter is occupied by the belt, and the belt occupied volume can be reduced. As a result, the space efficiency of the image forming apparatus can be increased, and the size of the apparatus can be reduced.
[0014]
However, when rotating a belt-like intermediate transfer member (hereinafter, referred to as a belt), a force is applied to the belt in a direction perpendicular to the running of the belt due to poor alignment between the stretching rollers (also referred to as “deviation force”). ) May occur. For this reason, the belt may move in a direction perpendicular to the traveling, and may come into contact with a support member (such as a wall or a side plate) of the tension roller.
[0015]
Therefore, a method for ensuring the running stability of the belt must be taken.
[0016]
As one of the methods, there is a method in which the running of the belt is regulated by a bead-shaped member as a regulating member adhered in the circumferential direction of the inner surface of the belt. The bead-shaped member is made of a flexible or elastic material such as rubber or plastic, and is bonded to the belt by an adhesive or a double-sided tape. A groove facing the bead-shaped member in the rotation direction is provided on the tension roller side of the belt. When the bead-shaped member is fitted into the opposing groove, the belt can stably run against a biasing force generated in the thrust direction of the belt.
[0017]
Here, a problem arises when the belt shift force is larger than the limit holding force of the bead-shaped member. If the bead-like member has a belt-approaching force greater than the holding force of trying to stay in the groove, the bead-like member comes off the groove in a manner to be pulled, and rides on the roller portion. Then, the belt is sandwiched between the tension roller and the roller or the cleaning member that is in contact with the tension roller together with the bead-shaped member. Or, the belt comes into contact with a wall or a side plate. As a result, belt running becomes unstable, image defects such as lateral displacement occur, and the belt may be broken.
[0018]
In order to increase the limit holding force of the bead-shaped member and to prevent the bead-shaped member from riding on the roller, there are the following methods.
[0019]
The mechanism at the time of riding is considered as follows. When a strong biasing force is generated on the belt, if the limit holding force of the bead-shaped member is larger than the force, the belt acts to prevent the belt from leaning in a direction perpendicular to the running direction. If the limit holding force is small, the bead-shaped member is deformed, or the intermediate transfer belt is bent near the joint portion of the member, and the bead-shaped member comes off the groove and runs on the roller.
[0020]
For the former cause of deformation of the bead-shaped member, an appropriate one such as hardness may be selected. Regarding the latter bending of the belt, the rigidity of the belt may be increased. However, the belt itself has a function of electrostatically adsorbing the developed image. If the film thickness is increased unnecessarily, the electric resistance value increases, and the electrostatic attraction force of the developer is weakened. As a result, an image defect occurs.
[0021]
In order to increase the belt rigidity, it is sufficient to provide the rigidity of the joint of the bead-shaped member and the vicinity thereof.
[0022]
Therefore, a reinforcing tape may be attached to the opposite side of the surface to which the bead-shaped member is coupled, over a wider area than the bead-shaped member projection surface. Thereby, the rigidity of the reinforcing tape can contribute to the belt rigidity. In addition, by using only the non-image portion of the intermediate transfer belt as in the related art without sticking to the image bearing portion, the image stability can be secured without increasing the electric resistance.
[0023]
However, conventionally, as shown in FIG. 9, when the reinforcing tape 63 is attached to the belt 6b, wrinkles may be generated on the belt 6b, and when the belt wrinkles are on the image transfer portion, However, there is a possibility that image transfer failure is caused by the unevenness.
[0024]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and aims to improve the strength of the intermediate transfer body, thereby stabilizing the running property of the intermediate transfer body, and preventing transfer defects. The purpose is.
[0025]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The inventor of the present invention considered that the cause of wrinkling of the belt was due to the fact that the reinforcing tape was adhered where the belt had a curvature such as a belt stretching roller.
[0026]
When the image on the image carrier is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt at a position where the image is not bent due to the curvature of the roller, the distance between the belt and the tape is different. That is, since the reinforcing tape is attached at the curvature portion, the reinforcing tape is attached longer by the thickness than the belt length.
[0027]
Therefore, the reinforcing tape is left in the circumferential direction at the belt flat portion, and the belt is wrinkled following the tape. If the belt wrinkles are present on the image transfer section, image transfer failure occurs due to the unevenness.
[0028]
Therefore, a reinforcing tape may be applied at a place where the belt becomes flat. Alternatively, since the belt is in a stable position in the vicinity of the tension roller, the belt may be stuck using a position away from the curvature of the tension roller.
[0029]
If the location where the auxiliary tape is attached is flat, the distance between the belt and the auxiliary tape is the same at the transfer point where there is no curvature. Therefore, no wrinkles occur due to the difference in the length of the belt / auxiliary tape. Also, since there is no excess tape, the "reinforcement" function of the tape is ensured.
[0030]
As a configuration of the present invention,
An image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed;
An endless belt-shaped intermediate transfer member to which a toner image obtained by developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier is transferred,
At least one end of the non-image area on the outer peripheral side of the intermediate transfer body, a reinforcing tape provided in the circumferential direction,
An image forming apparatus for transferring a toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer body to a transfer material,
At least one of a region where the toner image on the image carrier is transferred to the intermediate transfer member and a region of the intermediate transfer member when the toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer member is transferred to a transfer material Is a planar area,
In the planar region of the intermediate transfer body, the length of the intermediate transfer body and the length of the reinforcing tape are the same.
[0031]
Accordingly, the reinforcing tape can be applied to the belt (intermediate transfer member) without causing wrinkles, so that the running of the intermediate transfer belt of the image forming apparatus can be stabilized and the transfer image can be improved.
[0032]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be illustratively described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of the components described in this embodiment should be appropriately changed depending on the configuration of the apparatus to which the invention is applied and various conditions. It is not intended to limit the scope to the following embodiments.
[0033]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a color image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic method as one embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The color image forming apparatus A as an example is a laser beam printer capable of forming a full-color image of four colors.
[0034]
A color image forming apparatus A that forms an image through a process of fixing an image visualized by a developer (for example, a toner) to a transfer material by heat or the like is a drum-type electrophotographic type as a first image carrier. Photosensitive drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1BK are provided. The photosensitive drum 1 (in the case of Y, M, C, and BK, these symbols are omitted) is driven to rotate, for example, counterclockwise by driving means (not shown).
[0035]
A charging device 2 (2Y, 2M, 2C, 2BK) for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 blinks a light source (for example, a laser beam or an LED light) based on image information, and forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 1. An exposure device 3 (3Y, 3M, 3C, 3BK) for forming an image and a developing device 4 (4Y, 4M, 4C, 4BK) for attaching toner to an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 1 to develop the image are An intermediate transfer unit 5 and the like are provided for the drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1BK, respectively, as a second image carrier on which the toner image on the photosensitive drum 1 is transferred. The intermediate transfer unit 5 includes an intermediate transfer belt 5b as a belt-shaped intermediate transfer body, and the intermediate transfer belt 5b rotates clockwise. In the present embodiment, the intermediate transfer belt 5b is supported by three rollers 58 as rotating members, and is stretched and driven by these three rollers 58.
[0036]
The developing device 4 including the photosensitive drum 1 is fixedly arranged in parallel with the intermediate transfer unit 5. The developing device 4 for developing the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 1 has four developer accommodating sections accommodating four color toners. Each developer accommodating section is provided with a developer carrying roller 4a that carries a toner as a developer on the surface and faces the photosensitive drum 1 when the developer accommodating section faces the photosensitive drum 1. The electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 1 can be developed by the developer carrying roller 4a.
[0037]
The developed image on the photosensitive drum 1 is sequentially transferred and superimposed on each of the opposed intermediate transfer units 5 to form one full-color developed image electrostatically attracted onto the intermediate transfer belt 5b. In order to transfer toner from the photosensitive drum 1 to the intermediate transfer belt 5b, transfer means 5d (transfer means 5dY, 5dM, transfer means 5dC, and transfer means 5dBk) for generating an electric bias to the photosensitive drum 1 They are provided on the opposite sides of the photosensitive drum 1 with the transfer belt 5b therebetween.
[0038]
After forming one developed image on the intermediate transfer belt 5b, the intermediate transfer belt 5b further rotates to a position E where the developed image is transferred to the transfer material. The transfer material in the transfer material storage box 6 is supplied to the transfer place E at a predetermined timing by the feeding / conveying device 7. At the transfer location E, a transfer unit 5e that generates an electric bias to the intermediate transfer belt 5b is provided on the opposite side of the intermediate transfer belt 5b with respect to the transfer material.
[0039]
Thus, the toner image is transferred to the transfer material by using the electrostatic attraction force. Further, the transfer material is transported to the fixing device 8 in order to fix the toner image on the transfer material. In the fixing device 8, the toner on the transfer material is melted and fixed using heat, pressure and the like.
[0040]
The transfer material that has passed through the fixing device 8 is discharged to a discharge tray 10 by the transport unit 9. In the drawing, a curve 20 indicates a transfer path of the transfer material.
[0041]
FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the intermediate transfer belt 5b.
[0042]
As shown in FIG. 2, reinforcing tapes 53 and 54 for increasing the rigidity and strength of the intermediate transfer belt 5b are attached to the outer end of the intermediate transfer belt 5b. In particular, they are often attached to both ends to increase the tear strength at the ends. In addition, bead-shaped members 51 and 52 serving as regulating members are adhered inside the intermediate transfer belt 5b. The bead members 51 and 52 are made of a soft material such as rubber or plastic, and have flexibility or elasticity. It is attached to the intermediate transfer belt 5b with an adhesive or a double-sided tape.
[0043]
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. FIG. 3 shows a case where the reinforcing tapes 53 and 54 and the bead members 51 and 52 are attached to both ends of the intermediate transfer belt 5b, but may be attached to only one end of the belt.
[0044]
Further, a groove facing the bead-shaped members 51 and 52 in the rotation direction is provided on the tension roller 58 side of the intermediate transfer belt 5b. When the bead-shaped members 51 and 52 are fitted in the opposing grooves, the intermediate transfer belt 5b can run stably against the biasing force generated in the thrust direction of the intermediate transfer belt 5b.
[0045]
FIG. 4 shows an example in which one bead-shaped member 51 is used. In the case where the intermediate transfer belt 5b is located at both ends, the running property of the intermediate transfer belt 5b in the thrust direction is secured by using one side of the bead-shaped member.
[0046]
FIG. 4A shows an example in which a flange 55 in which the contact surface of the bead-shaped member 51 is tapered is used, and FIG. An example is shown. These may be effectively used depending on the material of the intermediate transfer belt 5b and the bead-shaped member 51.
[0047]
FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a positional relationship between the bead-shaped member 51 and the reinforcing tape 53. The bead-shaped member 51 is attached to the intermediate transfer belt 5b by a double-sided tape 57.
[0048]
(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a state where the reinforcing tape 53 is attached to the intermediate transfer belt 5b, and FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a state where the bead-shaped member 51 and the reinforcing tape 53 are attached.
[0049]
During the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 5b, the alignment of the tension roller 58 is lost, and the longitudinal contact of another roller or the like that comes into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 5b becomes perpendicular to the belt traveling direction (circumferential direction). Otherwise, a "deviation force" is generated in the thrust direction with respect to the intermediate transfer belt 5b.
[0050]
If the bead-shaped members (51, 52) can be stopped against the biasing force, the intermediate transfer belt 5b can rotate without moving.
[0051]
However, if the deviation force is greater than the capacity of the bead-shaped members (51, 52), buckling occurs at the root of the bead-shaped members (51, 52) of the intermediate transfer belt 5b, and the belt stress becomes abnormal. Become higher.
[0052]
For this reason, the belt is broken at the root portion, or the relative position between the bead-shaped member (51, 52) and the flange (55 or 56) beside the roller 58 is shifted, so that the bead-shaped member (51, 52) is moved to the flange (55). Or 56) or ride on the roller.
[0053]
When the intermediate transfer belt 5b rides on the roller unit, the intermediate transfer belt 5b is sandwiched together with the bead-shaped members (51, 52) between the tension roller 58 and the roller or cleaning member that is in contact with the tension roller 58. Alternatively, the intermediate transfer belt 5b comes into contact with a wall, a side plate, or the like.
[0054]
As a result, belt running becomes unstable in the intermediate transfer belt 5b, an image defect such as a lateral shift occurs, and the belt may be broken.
[0055]
Therefore, in order to increase the rigidity of the portion of the belt end where the bead-shaped members (51, 52) are stuck and the root portion thereof, a plastic reinforcing tape (53, 54) is attached to the bead-shaped member with the belt interposed therebetween. It is stuck on the opposite side of (51, 52).
[0056]
When the reinforcing tapes (53, 54) are applied to the intermediate transfer belt 5b, the tape is applied where (the transport direction of) the intermediate transfer belt 5b does not have a curvature. For this purpose, for example, it is preferable that the intermediate transfer belt 5b is attached by utilizing a position separated from the curvature of the stretching roller 58. The location where the intermediate transfer belt 5b (the transport direction of the intermediate transfer belt 5b) does not have a curvature is a region between the two rollers 58 and the belt is not in contact with the rollers 58, which is indicated by A in FIG. Area.
[0057]
Then, the intermediate transfer belt 5b and the reinforcing tape (53, 54) have the same length in the respective plane sections, and when the intermediate transfer belt 5b is transported in a plane, the intermediate transfer belt 5b and the reinforcing tape (53, 54). The respective transport distances are the same, and belt wrinkles due to the difference in the distance do not occur. If the distance in the transport direction (circumferential direction) between the intermediate transfer belt 5b and the reinforcing tapes (53, 54) is the same, the tension applied to the intermediate transfer belt 5b is also distributed to the reinforcing tapes (53, 54). Can be.
[0058]
This is because the area on the intermediate transfer belt where the developed image on the photosensitive drum is transferred is a planar area, or the area of the intermediate transfer belt when the developed image on the intermediate transfer belt is transferred to the transfer material. Is particularly effective when is a planar area.
[0059]
Further, in the plane section, the natural length of the reinforcing tape (53, 54) may be shorter than the natural length of the intermediate transfer belt 5b. Then, the tension applied to the intermediate transfer belt 5b is not applied directly to the belt itself, but to the reinforcing tapes (53, 54). When the intermediate transfer belt 5b is stretched by the rollers 58, no belt wrinkles occur, and the lengths of the intermediate transfer belt 5b and the reinforcing tapes (53, 54) in the plane sections are the same. Here, when the reinforcing tapes (53, 54) are attached to the intermediate transfer belt 5b, the length may be shorter than the natural length. In the range where the natural length of the reinforcing tapes (53, 54) is shorter than the natural length of the intermediate transfer belt 5b, wrinkles are generated on the intermediate transfer belt 5b while the intermediate transfer belt 5b is stretched by the rollers 58. This is the range in which the reinforcing tapes (53, 54) can be extended without any problem.
[0060]
As described above, if the length of the belt and the length of the reinforcing tape (53, 54) are equal or the length of the reinforcing tape (53, 54) is shorter at the portion where the intermediate transfer belt 5b has become flat, The strength as a “belt body” combining the transfer belt 5b and the reinforcing tapes (53, 54) is increased. Due to the increase in the strength, a force to stop the belt is generated against a "deviation force" generated in a direction (axial direction) perpendicular to the belt rotation traveling direction (circumferential direction), and the intermediate transfer belt 5b It is possible to realize stable running of the vehicle. In addition, since the belt end can be reinforced with tape, it is also effective against tearing and cracking from the end, preventing belt breakage at the root of the bead-shaped member and running of the bead-shaped member onto the roller. It is possible to do.
[0061]
Further, in the present embodiment, the length of each of the intermediate transfer belt 5b and the reinforcing tape (53, 54) in the plane section is the same, so that the intermediate transfer belt 5b and the reinforcing tape (53, 54) in the plane section. Since the respective transport distances are the same, belt wrinkles due to the difference in distance do not occur, transfer failure can be prevented, and a high-quality image can be obtained.
[0062]
In the present embodiment, the reinforcing tape (53, 54) is affixed to the image surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 5b, but may have a narrow width in the non-image carrying area on the image surface side. Therefore, image defects do not occur, and the width of the intermediate transfer belt 5b does not need to be too large. This makes it possible to achieve output stability of the image forming apparatus and downsizing of the apparatus main body.
[0063]
(Second embodiment)
FIG. 8 is a schematic view of an intermediate transfer belt 5b according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
[0064]
As shown in the first embodiment, the length of the intermediate transfer belt 5b and the length of the reinforcing tape (53, 54) are equal to each other or the reinforcing tape ( 53, 54), the strength as a “belt body” including the intermediate transfer belt 5b and the reinforcing tape (53, 54) is increased.
[0065]
However, if the belt speed further increases or the belt tension increases, the "developing force" will increase. To counter this, it is conceivable to attach a more rigid reinforcing tape. However, when the rigidity of the tape increases, the tape itself may buckle when bent by the tension roller 58 or the like. In addition, the workability of attaching the reinforcing tape is deteriorated, and the cost of the tape is increased.
[0066]
Therefore, the belt rigidity and the running property can be stabilized by applying the reinforcing tape having relatively low rigidity to the belt a plurality of times, two or more rounds, without cutting in the middle.
[0067]
FIG. 8 shows a part of the rotating belt, and shows a state in which the reinforcing tape 53 is applied for two rounds of the belt. In addition, it indicates the start and end of pasting, and they are overlapped.
[0068]
By doing so, there is a possibility that the workability of attaching the reinforcing tape is not deteriorated, and that there is no possibility that the cost of the tape is unnecessarily increased. At the same time, the rigidity of the place where the tape is applied can be increased.
[0069]
According to the present embodiment, the reinforcing tape (53, 54) is applied to the intermediate transfer belt 5b over a plurality of rounds, so that in addition to the effects of the above-described first embodiment, the location where the tape is applied is The rigidity can be increased. The workability of attaching the reinforcing tapes (53, 54) can be improved, and the cost can be reduced because an inexpensive reinforcing tape (53, 54) can be selected.
[0070]
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.
[0071]
(Embodiment 1)
An image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed (e.g., corresponding to photosensitive drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1BK);
An endless belt-shaped intermediate transfer member (e.g., corresponding to the intermediate transfer belt 5b) to which a toner image obtained by developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier is transferred;
A reinforcing tape (corresponding to, for example, the reinforcing tapes 53 and 54) provided in at least one end portion of the non-image area on the outer peripheral side of the intermediate transfer body in a circumferential direction;
An image forming apparatus for transferring a toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer body to a transfer material,
At least one of a region where the toner image on the image carrier is transferred to the intermediate transfer member and a region of the intermediate transfer member when the toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer member is transferred to a transfer material Is a planar area,
An image forming apparatus, wherein a length of the intermediate transfer body and a length of the reinforcing tape are the same in a planar area of the intermediate transfer body.
[0072]
(Embodiment 2)
An image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed (e.g., corresponding to photosensitive drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1BK);
An endless belt-shaped intermediate transfer member (e.g., corresponding to the intermediate transfer belt 5b) to which a toner image obtained by developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier is transferred;
A reinforcing tape (corresponding to, for example, the reinforcing tapes 53 and 54) provided in at least one end portion of the non-image area on the outer peripheral side of the intermediate transfer body in a circumferential direction;
An image forming apparatus for transferring a toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer body to a transfer material,
At least one of a region where the toner image on the image carrier is transferred to the intermediate transfer member and a region of the intermediate transfer member when the toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer member is transferred to a transfer material Is a planar area,
In the planar area of the intermediate transfer body, the natural length of the reinforcing tape corresponding to the planar area is shorter than the natural length of the intermediate transfer body corresponding to the planar area. An image forming apparatus comprising:
[0073]
(Embodiment 3)
The intermediate transfer member is driven to rotate by being supported by at least two rotating members (e.g., corresponding to the rollers 58).
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the planar area of the intermediate transfer body is an area between the two rotating members and not in contact with the rotating members. .
[0074]
(Embodiment 4)
The intermediate transfer member is provided on the inner peripheral side of the non-image area in the circumferential direction, and is engaged with a rotating member (e.g., corresponding to the roller 58) that rotates the intermediate transfer member, so that the axial direction of the intermediate transfer member Regulating member (e.g., equivalent to bead-shaped members 51 and 52) for regulating movement to
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the reinforcing tape and the regulating member have regions overlapping each other when projected onto the intermediate transfer member.
[0075]
(Embodiment 5)
The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a projection surface of the reinforcing tape on the intermediate transfer member includes a projection surface of the regulating member on the intermediate transfer member.
[0076]
(Embodiment 6)
The image forming apparatus according to any one of embodiments 1 to 5, wherein the reinforcing tape is continuously attached to the outer peripheral side of the intermediate transfer body two or more times.
[0077]
(Embodiment 7)
A plurality of the image carriers are provided,
The image forming apparatus according to any one of embodiments 1 to 6, wherein the intermediate transfer member simultaneously carries a plurality of toner images transferred from the plurality of image carriers.
[0078]
(Embodiment 8)
At least one end of a non-image area on an outer peripheral side of an endless belt-shaped intermediate transfer body onto which a toner image obtained by developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrier is transferred, and a reinforcing tape extending in a circumferential direction. In the method for manufacturing an image forming apparatus provided with
A method for manufacturing an image forming apparatus, comprising a step of attaching the reinforcing tape to a planar area of the intermediate transfer body.
[0079]
(Embodiment 9)
The intermediate transfer member is driven to rotate by being supported by at least two rotating members (e.g., corresponding to the rollers 58).
9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the planar area of the intermediate transfer body is an area between the two rotating members and not in contact with the rotating members. Method.
[0080]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the reinforcing tape can be applied without causing wrinkles on the intermediate transfer body, so that the running performance of the intermediate transfer body can be stabilized by improving the strength of the intermediate transfer body. It is possible to obtain a high-quality image by preventing transfer failure.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing a color image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing an intermediate transfer member according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a part of the cross section of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a use state of the bead-shaped member.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a positional relationship between a bead-shaped member and a reinforcing tape.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which a reinforcing tape is attached in the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state in which a reinforcing tape is attached in a plurality of rounds in the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a view showing a state in which a bead-shaped member and a reinforcing tape are attached in a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing a conventional technique, showing a state in which a reinforcing tape is attached.
[Explanation of symbols]
1. Photosensitive drum (image carrier)
5 Intermediate transfer unit 5b Intermediate transfer belt 51, 52 Bead-shaped member 53, 54 Reinforcement tape 55, 56 Flange 57 Double-sided tape 58 Roller

Claims (1)

An image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed;
An endless belt-shaped intermediate transfer member to which a toner image obtained by developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier is transferred,
At least one end of the non-image area on the outer peripheral side of the intermediate transfer body, a reinforcing tape provided in the circumferential direction,
An image forming apparatus for transferring a toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer body to a transfer material,
At least one of a region where the toner image on the image carrier is transferred to the intermediate transfer member and a region of the intermediate transfer member when the toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer member is transferred to a transfer material Is a planar area,
An image forming apparatus, wherein a length of the intermediate transfer body and a length of the reinforcing tape are the same in a planar area of the intermediate transfer body.

Images