Belt tracking system, multi-roller assembly and image forming apparatus employing same

摘要

A belt tracking system for controlling the lateral position of a movable belt entrained about a plurality of generally parallel rollers for moving in a trans-axial direction perpendicular to an axial direction in which the rollers extend parallel to each other includes a roller shaft, a slidable member, and a rotation restrictor. The roller shaft extends outward in the axial direction from an axial end of a specific one of the plurality of generally parallel rollers. The slidable member is slidably disposed around the roller shaft to move along the roller shaft as the belt moves laterally outward in the axial direction. The rotation restrictor is disposed adjacent to the slidable member to restrict rotation of the slidable member around the roller shaft.

主权项

1. A belt tracking system for controlling the lateral position of a movable belt entrained about a plurality of generally parallel rollers for moving in a trans-axial direction perpendicular to an axial direction in which the rollers extend parallel to each other, the system comprising:
a roller shaft extending outward in the axial direction from an axial end of a specific one of the plurality of generally parallel rollers; a stationary guide member fixed in position adjacent to the roller shaft to define a guide surface therealong, the stationary guide member being fixed relative to the movement of the roller shaft in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction; a slidable member slidably disposed around the roller shaft to move along the roller shaft as the belt moves laterally outward in the axial direction, the slidable member being slidable against the guide surface of the stationary guide member to cause the roller shaft to move in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction upon lateral displacement of the movable belt; and a rotation restrictor disposed adjacent to the slidable member to restrict rotation of the slidable member around the roller shaft.