U.S. patent application number 12/630437 was filed with the patent office on 2011-06-09 for simple itb steering rib applicator.
This patent application is currently assigned to XEROX CORPORATION. Invention is credited to SCOTT J. GRIFFIN, JONATHAN H. HERKO, DAVID W. MARTIN, DANTE M. PIETRANTONI, MICHAEL S. ROETKER.
Application Number | 20110135348 12/630437 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44082158 |
Filed Date | 2011-06-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110135348 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HERKO; JONATHAN H. ; et
al. |
June 9, 2011 |
SIMPLE ITB STEERING RIB APPLICATOR
Abstract
This invention provides a steering rib for an ITB. These
steering rib or ribs are applied to the ITB by placing the rib
around a cylindrical fixture. The rib is held in place by a vacuum
that is applied to the rib to hold it against the fixture until the
rib is adhered to the inside surface of an ITB. Once the rib or
ribbing is adhered to the ITB, a series of apertures directs
compressed air against the rib and the ITB to release them from the
fixture.
Inventors: |
HERKO; JONATHAN H.;
(WALWORTH, NY) ; MARTIN; DAVID W.; (WALWORTH,
NY) ; GRIFFIN; SCOTT J.; (FAIRPORT, NY) ;
ROETKER; MICHAEL S.; (WEBSTER, NY) ; PIETRANTONI;
DANTE M.; (ROCHESTER, NY) |
Assignee: |
XEROX CORPORATION
NORWALK
CT
|
Family ID: |
44082158 |
Appl. No.: |
12/630437 |
Filed: |
December 3, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
399/302 ; 29/428;
29/700 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 29/53 20150115;
Y10T 29/49826 20150115; Y10T 156/1702 20150115; B29C 66/5344
20130101; G03G 15/161 20130101; B29C 66/632 20130101; B29C 65/7847
20130101; B25B 11/005 20130101; G03G 15/1605 20130101; Y10T 156/10
20150115; B29C 66/61 20130101; B29C 65/7838 20130101; G03G
2215/00143 20130101; G03G 2215/00151 20130101; B29C 66/53241
20130101; G03G 15/162 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
399/302 ; 29/428;
29/700 |
International
Class: |
G03G 15/01 20060101
G03G015/01; B23P 11/00 20060101 B23P011/00; B23P 19/00 20060101
B23P019/00 |
Claims
1. An electrophotographic marking system, said system comprising an
intermediate transfer belt (ITB), said belt comprising on its inner
surface at least one steering rib, said steering rib configured to
guide and steer said ITB during a marking step, said ribs
configured to mate with an aligned notched roller or surface to
keep said belt aligned as it rotates and ensures minimum lateral
movement during image on image registration, said ribs provided on
said ITB by placing said ribs with an adhesive on its outer surface
around and on a cylindrical fixture, positioning said ITB on said
cylindrical fixture over said ribbing and thereby adhering said
ribs to an inside surface of said ITB.
2. The marking system of claim 1 wherein said steering rib has an
adhesive on its external side to facilitate attachment to said
inner surface of said belt.
3. The marking system of claim 1 wherein said steering rib is
composed of a material selected from the group consisting of
plastics, paper, and fiberglass.
4. The marking system of claim 1 wherein said steering rib
comprises a polyurethane material.
5. The marking system of claim 1 wherein said steering rib is
located on two edge portions of said belt.
6. The marking system of claim 1 wherein said steering rib is
located on one edge portion of said belt.
7. A method of applying a steering rib to an ITB of an
electrophotographic marking system, said method comprising:
providing a cylindrical ribbing application fixture, providing in
said fixture a base structure, above said base structure is
positioned a lower plenum, and above said lower plenum is
positioned an upper plenum, applying a vacuum to said lower plenum
to thereby hold a precut strip of said ribbing that is positioned
around said lower plenum, exposing to an inner surface of said ITB
an outer surface of said steering rib with an adhesive located on
said outer surface of said ribbing, applying compressed air to said
upper plenum, applying vacuum to said upper plenum, securing the
belt in place, removing said vacuum to said lower plenum forcing
said ribbing with said adhesive against an inner circumference of
said belt, removing said vacuum from said upper plenum, reapplying
compressed air to said upper plenum, and removing said belt with
said ribbing from said application fixture.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein said vacuum and said compressed
air are applied to said lower plenum via apertures in said lower
plenum.
9. The method of claim 7 wherein said vacuum and said compressed
air are applied to said upper plenum via apertures in said upper
plenum.
10. The method of claim 7 wherein said vacuum and said compressed
air are supplied to said fixture from a source external to said
fixture.
11. The method of claim 7 wherein said vacuum and said compressed
air are supplied to said fixture from a source internal to said
fixture.
12. The method of claim 7 wherein said ribbing is applied on one
inner side of said ITB.
13. The method of claim 7 wherein said ribbing is applied to two or
more inner locations on said ITB.
14. The method of claim 7 wherein said ribbing comprises a
polyurethane material.
15. The method of claim 7 wherein said lower plenum and said upper
plenum comprise a cylindrical or drum-like structure having a dome
positioned above for easy sliding of an ITB over said dome and
around said drum.
16. A cylindrical ribbing application fixture for applying a
ribbing to an ITB comprising: a base structure, above said base
structure is positioned a cylindrical lower plenum, positioned
above said lower plenum and contiguous therewith is a cylindrical
upper plenum, said lower plenum having a plurality of apertures
around its circumference, said apertures configured to apply a
vacuum to said ribbing to hold said ribbing in place around said
lower plenum and said apertures configured to apply said compressed
air to said ribbing to apply said ribbing to said ITB, said upper
plenum having a plurality of apertures around its circumference,
said apertures configured to apply compressed air against an inner
surface of said ITB to thereby aiding in the loading and release of
said ITB from said fixture after said ribbing is adhered to said
ITB and said apertures configured to apply vacuum to said ITB to
secure it in place during the ribbing application process.
17. The fixture of claim 16 wherein said vacuum and said compressed
air are supplied to said fixture from a source outside said
fixture.
18. The fixture of claim 16 wherein said vacuum and said compressed
air are supplied to said fixture from a source internal to said
fixture.
19. The fixture of claim 16 where said lower plenum is configured
to receive said ribbing around its circumference, and wherein said
apertures in said lower plenum are configured to supply a vacuum
that holds said ribbing against said lower plenum.
20. The fixture of claim 16 configured to apply said ribbing
against an inner surface of all sizes of ITB.
Description
[0001] This invention relates to an electrophotographic color
system and more specifically to an intermediate transfer belt used
in these systems.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In one electrophotographic color system, an array or series
of different color imaging stations are aligned above an endless
intermediate transfer belt (ITB). Each imaging station contains a
raster output scanner (ROS), photoreceptor drum, development
station, and cleaning station. The ROS emits an electronic beam
(laser) which impinges on the rotating photoconductive drum,
thereby causing that location on the drum to undergo a change in
electrical charge. As the drum continues to rotate past the
development station, toner particles of a color which is unique to
that imaging station will attach to the drum at the location
charged by the ROS. This colored image is then transferred from the
drum to an intermediate transfer belt (ITB) that is passing by, and
in contact with, that photoreceptor drum. As the intermediate belt
passes by the different imaging stations (each usually containing a
different color) it picks up subsequent color layers from the drums
to create a complete color image which is then transferred to
media.
[0003] Systems using intermediate transfer belt (ITB) architectures
in the lower cost markets have identified passive belt tracking as
a low cost alternative to active steering. Where as actively
steered systems require a closed-loop control system consisting of
multiple sensors, motors, and various other hardware and software
components, the passively steered systems work on mechanics alone.
One method for passive steering is through the use of belt steering
or guide ribs. These ribs are adhered to the belt's surface and
provide a mating surface with notched rollers, or the like, within
the belt module. This interface keeps the belt (ITB) aligned as it
rotates, preventing lateral movement, and in turn, ensuring proper
image-on-image and image-on-paper registration.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] This invention provides a method and device for aiding in
the application of one or more steering ribs to the inside
circumference of an intermediate transfer belt. The device consists
of a drum or cylinder onto which the self-adhesive ribbing material
placed and held via vacuum. The ITB is then slid over the cylinder
or drum and located with respect to the ribbing. At this point the
vacuum is removed and a puff of air is applied, transferring the
ribbing material to the transfer belt. The process would be
repeated to apply a rib on the other end or other ITB location if
desired. This cylindrical apparatus with vacuum and air apertures
greatly simplifies application of the steering rib and improves
quality and uniformity.
[0005] The sequence of operation of the method of this invention is
as follows: (1) Vacuum is applied to the lower plenum of the
cylindrical fixture. (2) A precut strip of pressure sensitive
adhesive coated urethane steering rib is placed over the lower
plenum. (3) Once in place, the scrim paper can be removed from the
outside surface of the ribs, exposing the adhesive on the outside
surface of the steering rib. (4) Compressed air is applied to the
upper plenum and the ITB belt is placed around the cylindrical
fixture and slid down until it engages completely with the base.
(5) Vacuum is applied to the upper plenum, securing the belt in
place. (6) Vacuum is removed from the lower plenum and compressed
air is applied, forcing the outside surface of the ribbing against
the inner circumference of the belt. (7) The belt is then removed;
the process can be repeated to apply ribbing to the opposite end of
the belt as necessary.
[0006] While polyurethane ribs are a preferred material, any
suitable material can be used for the steering rib such as other
plastics, papers, tapes, and the like. Also, external connections
to a source of vacuum and compressed air are located in the ribbing
application fixture, or sources of compressed air can be located
within the fixture if more convenient.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 illustrates a color imaging system using an
embodiment of an intermediate transfer belt of this invention.
[0008] FIG. 2 illustrates a domed ribbing application fixture with
an external connection to vacuum and compressed air used in the
present invention.
[0009] FIG. 3 illustrates a ribbing application fixture without a
dome and with an internal source of vacuum and compressed air that
can be used in the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a ribbing application
fixture of this invention with the intermediate transfer belt
positioned on it ready for the ribbing material to be applied.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the ribbing application
fixture of FIG. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS AND THE PREFERRED
EMBODIMENTS
[0012] In FIG. 1, a color imaging system 1 is illustrated having an
array of raster output scanners (ROS) 2 and their associated
photoreceptor drums 5 aligned above an endless intermediate
transfer belt 3. Each ROS emits a different image beam 4 on a
photoconductive drum 5 to charge the drum's surface where the image
for that color will be located. As the drum 5 rotates, the charged
regions pick up toner of the color for that particular imaging
station and transfer this color image to the surface of the belt 3
so that each colored image is deposited in relation to the previous
deposited image. At the end of the process, all six deposited
images (that are color developed at each station) are precisely
aligned to form the final color image which is eventually
transferred to media. The arrows 7 indicate the rotation direction
of drum 5 and belt 3. The steering ribs 8 of this invention are
shown on the inside surface of the ITB belt 3.
[0013] Rollers 19 of FIG. 1 mate with steering ribs 8 to move the
intermediate transfer belt 3 precisely around the structure of
system 1. Rollers 19 can have an abrasive surface or projections
that mate with the ribs 8 to ensure there is no belt 3 slippage and
precise movement of the belt for good image-to-image alignment.
[0014] This type of color system having an array of ROS units is
generally described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,418,286 and is incorporated
by reference into this disclosure.
[0015] The cylindrical fixture 9 of this invention consists
primarily of the following parts: The domed upper portion 10 of the
fixture 9 allows for quick and easy alignment of the belt 3 (shown
in FIG. 4) around the fixture 9. Below the dome 10 is an air plenum
11 which provides a constant cushion of air between the fixture 9
and belt 3 during the loading and unloading process. The air and
vacuum is provided by external air and vacuum intake 12. Beneath
the air plenum is a vacuum channel 13 into which the ribbing
material 8 is located. The channel 13 helps to locate the ribbing 8
while vacuum from channel 13 holds it in place. During the
application process, this chamber is subsequently pressurized in
order to force the ribbing material 8 along the internal
circumference of the belt 3. Finally, the base 14 provides a hard
stop to which the belt 3 and ribbing edges are aligned. The term
"cylindrical" fixture includes round and oval cylinders or any
other fixtures having round surfaces.
[0016] FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of an application fixture 9
without a dome 10 and without an external air and vacuum intake 12.
In this embodiment any suitable vacuum generating and compressed
air means 15 are located within the air plenum 11. A vacuum channel
13 having vacuum outlet 16 and compressed air outlets 17. (OK)
[0017] In FIG. 4 for clarity dotted lines are not shown or used but
rather the fixture 9 is shown in solid lines. FIG. 5 is a
perspective view of an embodiment of a fixture 9 of this invention.
The sequence of the operation of the application of the steering
ribs 8 is as follows: (1) Vacuum is applied to the lower plenum 13
(2) A precut strip of pressure sensitive adhesive coated urethane 8
(or other suitable material such as plastic tapes) is placed into
the channel 13. (3) Once in place, the scrim paper can be removed
from the external surface of rib 8 exposing the adhesive on the
outer surface of the ribbing 8, (4) Compressed air is applied to
the upper plenum 11 and the belt 3 is placed around the fixture and
slid down until it engages completely with the base 14. (5) Vacuum
is applied to the upper plenum 11 securing the belt in place. (6)
Vacuum is removed from the lower plenum 13 and compressed air is
applied, forcing the ribbing 8 against the inner circumference 18
of the belt 3, (7) The belt 3 is then removed while applying
compressed air to the upper plenum 11; the process can be repeated
to apply ribbing to the opposite end of the belt 3 as necessary. A
portion of the steering rib 8 is cut away to show the location of
lower plenum 13 and vacuum outlet aperture 16. The ribs 8 can be
placed on both ends of the belt 3 or on only one end or at any
location on the inner surface 18 of belt 3.
[0018] In summary, the present invention provides a novel
electrophotographic marking system, a method of applying a steering
rib to an ITB and a novel rib application fixture.
[0019] The electrophotographic marking system comprises an
intermediate transfer belt (ITB). Thus belt has on its inner
surface at least one steering rib, which is configured to guide and
steer the ITB during a marking step. The rib or ribs are configured
to mate with an aligned abraded or notched roller or surface to
keep the belt aligned as it rotates, thus ensures minimum lateral
movement during image-on-image registration. These ribs are
provided on the ITB by placing the ribs with an adhesive on its
outer surface around and on the circumference of a cylindrical
fixture and positioning the ITB on the cylindrical fixture over the
ribbing and thereby adhering the ribs to an inside surface of the
ITB. The steering rib has an adhesive on its external side to
facilitate attachment to the inner surface of the belt. The
steering rib is composed of a material selected from the group
consisting of plastics, paper, and fiberglass with an adhesive on
its outer surface. The steering rib, in a preferred embodiment,
comprises a polyurethane material. The steering rib is located on
two edge portions of the ITB. The steering rib in one embodiment is
located on one edge portion of said belt.
[0020] This invention also provides a method of applying a steering
rib to an ITB of an electrophotographic marking system. This method
comprises providing a cylindrical ribbing application fixture,
providing in the fixture a base structure, above the base structure
is positioned a lower plenum, and above the lower plenum is
positioned an upper plenum, then applying a vacuum to the lower
plenum to thereby hold in place a precut strip of the ribbing that
is positioned around the lower plenum, exposing to an inner surface
of the ITB to an outer surface of the steering rib with an adhesive
located on the outer surface of the ribbing, removing the vacuum
from the lower plenum and applying compressed air to release the
ribbing from the fixture, forcing the ribbing with adhesive against
an inner circumference of said belt, and removing the belt with the
ribbing from the application fixture.
[0021] In one embodiment the vacuum is applied to the lower plenum
via apertures in the lower plenum. The compressed air is applied to
the upper plenum via apertures in the upper plenum. The vacuum and
the compressed air are supplied to the fixture from a source
external to the fixture or in another embodiment the vacuum and the
compressed air are supplied to the fixture from a source internal
to the fixture. The ribbing in one embodiment is applied to one
inner side of the ITB. In another embodiment, the ribbing is
applied to two or more inner locations on the ITB. The ribbing in a
preferred embodiment comprises a polyurethane material. The lower
plenum and the upper plenum comprise a cylindrical or drum-like
structure having a dome in one embodiment positioned above the
upper plenum for easy sliding of an ITB over the dome and around
the drum. In a second embodiment, the dome is not used on the
fixture. Also provided herewith is a cylindrical ribbing
application fixture for applying a ribbing to an ITB comprising a
base structure. Above the base structure is positioned a
cylindrical lower plenum; positioned above the lower plenum and
contiguous therewith is a cylindrical upper plenum. The lower
plenum has a plurality of vacuum apertures around its
circumference, these apertures are configured to apply a vacuum to
the ribbing to hold the ribbing in place around the lower plenum
before the ribbing is adhered to the ITB. The upper plenum has a
plurality of air apertures around its circumference, which are
configured to apply compressed air against an inner surface of the
ITB to thereby release the ITB from the fixture after the ribbing
is adhered to the ITB.
[0022] In one embodiment the vacuum and the compressed air are
supplied to the fixture from a source outside the fixture. In
another embodiment the vacuum and the compressed air are supplied
to the fixture from a source internal to the fixture. The lower
plenum is configured to receive the ribbing around its
circumference and wherein the apertures in the lower plenum are
configured to supply a vacuum that holds the ribbing against the
lower plenum prior to the ribbing being adhered to the ITB.
Obviously, the fixture of this invention is configured to apply the
ribbing against an inner surface of all sizes of ITB.
[0023] It will be appreciated that variations of the
above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives
thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different
systems or applications. Also that various presently unforeseen or
unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or
improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in
the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following
claims.
* * * * *