Intermediate transfer member belt/roller configuration for single-pass color electrophotographic printer

Abstract

A single-pass color electrophotographic printer includes four imaging stations, yellow, cyan, magenta, and black, on a generally linear path. A toned image in each toner color is developed on an image bearing member or photoconductive drum. A plurality of electrically biased first transfer rollers associated with each imaging station is operative to transfer the developed images from the photoconductive drum to an intermediate transfer member (ITM) belt that travels sequentially past the imaging stations along the generally linear path in a first transfer operation. The image on the ITM belt is transferred to media at a second transfer operation at which the ITM belt passes through a nip between a backup roller and a further electrically biased transfer roller. A servo operation is used to set the voltages on the transfer rollers. Rollers at the second transfer are positioned to direct media downwardly out of the nip to a media transport belt and to a fuser assembly. A reverse roller is provided downstream of the second transfer operation to shift the path of the ITM belt away from the media guide plate and media transport belt. The ITM belt is formed of a resistive material having a uniform thickness and high tensile modulus.