An apparatus and method for an automatically pivoting return side idler trainer for returning a drifting conveyor belt back to a central position during operation. The trainer includes a non-collinear shaft having ends fixed to the conveyor structure while a non-collinear tube is pivotally mounted to the shaft. A tapered roller element is rotatably mounted to the tube on each side of the pivotal mounting. The shaft and tube include an offset angle that is determined by the taper angle of the tapered roller elements such that when the trainer is installed, the profile of the roller elements form a level surface along the trainer, parallel to the belt return side, regardless if the belt has a straight or cupped profile. A second embodiment uses a non-collinear shaft to which the tapered roller elements are rotatably mounted and whereby the shaft itself is pivotally mounted to an external conveyor structure.

An apparatus and method for an automatically pivoting return side idler trainer for returning a drifting conveyor belt back to a central position during operation. The trainer includes a non-collinear shaft having ends fixed to the conveyor structure while a non-collinear tube is pivotally mounted to the shaft. A tapered roller element is rotatably mounted to the tube on each side of the pivotal mounting. The shaft and tube include an offset angle that is determined by the taper angle of the tapered roller elements such that when the trainer is installed, the profile of the roller elements form a level surface along the trainer, parallel to the belt return side, regardless if the belt has a straight or cupped profile. A second embodiment uses a non-collinear shaft to which the tapered roller elements are rotatably mounted and whereby the shaft itself is pivotally mounted to an external conveyor structure.

A tracking apparatus and method for urging a mistracking conveyor belt towards a correct travel path are disclosed. The apparatus and method utilize downstream shifting of an end portion of an idler roller due to mistracking of the conveyor belt for steering the belt back toward its correct travel path and a reaction force from the belt due to the steering thereof for energizing a tilting action of the idler roller to raise the downstream end portion thereof. The idler roller is mounted to the conveyor structure via a frame assembly including a tilt device mounted internally within the idler roller. The roller is rotatably mounted to an inner tube, and the inner tube member is pivotally mounted to the tilt device, which in combination allow the idler roller to pivot, shift, and tilt to steer a mistracking conveyor belt in relative proportion to degree of mistracking of the belt.

A tracking apparatus and method for urging a mistracking conveyor belt towards a correct travel path are disclosed. The apparatus and method utilize downstream shifting of an end portion of an idler roller due to mistracking of the conveyor belt for steering the belt back toward its correct travel path and a reaction force from the belt due to the steering thereof for energizing a tilting action of the idler roller to raise the downstream end portion thereof. The idler roller is mounted to the conveyor structure via a frame assembly including a tilt device mounted internally within the idler roller. The roller is rotatably mounted to an inner tube, and the inner tube member is pivotally mounted to the tilt device, which in combination allow the idler roller to pivot, shift, and tilt to steer a mistracking conveyor belt in relative proportion to degree of mistracking of the belt.

Provided is an image forming apparatus including: an image bearing member which is configured to bear a toner image; an intermediate transfer belt; a transfer roller; a drive roller; a driven roller; a meandering prevention pulley; and a meandering prevention belt. The meandering prevention pulley is arranged to face an end surface of the driven roller in an axial direction of the driven roller. The meandering prevention belt is arranged on an outside in the axial direction relative to the meandering prevention pulley, and protrudes from an inner peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt. The meandering prevention pulley has a guide surface which faces the meandering prevention belt in the axial direction, and which is formed to have a surface roughness (Ra) of 0.5 m or more.

Provided is an image forming apparatus including: an image bearing member which is configured to bear a toner image; an intermediate transfer belt; a transfer roller; a drive roller; a driven roller; a meandering prevention pulley; and a meandering prevention belt. The meandering prevention pulley is arranged to face an end surface of the driven roller in an axial direction of the driven roller. The meandering prevention belt is arranged on an outside in the axial direction relative to the meandering prevention pulley, and protrudes from an inner peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt. The meandering prevention pulley has a guide surface which faces the meandering prevention belt in the axial direction, and which is formed to have a surface roughness (Ra) of 0.5 m or more.