Adjustable Drive Unit Gear Alignment in Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image formation failures in image forming apparatuses due to misalignment between the photoconductor gear and drive gear, caused by processing accuracy and assembly errors, result in vibration and banding issues.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable configuration for the relative position of the photoconductor positioning member and drive gear holding members allows for precise alignment of the photoconductor and drive gears, ensuring the correct distance is maintained to prevent vibration and image failures, using a drive unit with a layered structure and adjustable drive unit adjusters to fix the position accurately.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the photoconductor gear and drive gear are fixed in position, then the structure is simple, but processing accuracy and assembly errors cause misalignment and vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the drive gear holder movable relative to the photoconductor positioning member through an adjustment mechanism. This allows the system to transition from a fixed rigid structure to an adjustable dynamic structure, enabling precise alignment of the gears while maintaining structural simplicity. The adjustment mechanism permits position changes during assembly or maintenance to compensate for manufacturing tolerances.
2Reliability
If complex coupling mechanisms are used to ensure precise gear alignment, then image quality is maintained, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the alignment adjustment function from a complex coupling mechanism and implements it through a simple movable holder design. Instead of using elaborate coupling mechanisms to ensure precise gear alignment, the invention separates the positioning function into an independently adjustable drive gear holder that can be moved along the axial direction, achieving reliable image formation with minimal structural complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the distance between gear rotary shafts is not precisely controlled, then assembly is easier, but gear meshing is improper causing vibration and banding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling the drive gear holder to move along the axial direction of the second rotary shaft, allowing operators to easily adjust the distance between gear rotary shafts during assembly. This movable design accommodates variations in assembly precision while ensuring proper gear meshing, thereby eliminating vibration and banding without complicating the assembly process.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a body, an image carrier provided in the body and configured to form an image thereon, a first gear to transmit a rotation driving force to the image carrier, a first rotary shaft to which the image carrier and the first gear are attached, a second gear to mesh with the first gear and transmit the rotation driving force to the first gear, a second rotary shaft to which the second gear is attached, a drive source configured to drive to rotate the image carrier via the first gear and the second gear, a first holder to hold the first rotary shaft of the first gear, and a second holder to hold the second rotary shaft of the second gear, and a relative position between the first holder and the second holder therein is adjustable.