Axial Joint Nesting in Driven Pulley for Compact Image Formers
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a demand for further size reduction in image forming apparatuses, as existing technologies have limitations in minimizing their size while maintaining functionality.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus incorporates a driving force transmission system using a driven pulley and a driving pulley with an endless belt, where the driven pulley is supported by a second plate and features a cylindrical accommodating space that allows the joint to move axially, enabling efficient transmission and disconnection of driving force while minimizing the apparatus's size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a driving shaft is configured to retract toward the body to clear a path when the processing unit is detached, then the apparatus size is reduced, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The driving shaft is nested within the body structure, allowing it to retract into the body when the processing unit is detached. This nesting arrangement enables the driving shaft to occupy the same space as the body, reducing the overall apparatus volume without requiring additional external space for the shaft's retraction path.
Solution Approach 2:
The driving shaft is designed with dynamic retraction capability, transitioning from an extended state during processing unit attachment to a retracted state during detachment. This dynamic configuration allows the shaft to adapt its position based on operational requirements, optimizing space utilization while maintaining functionality.
2Reliability
If the driven pulley is supported by a second plate and features a cylindrical accommodating space, then the joint can move axially for efficient driving force transmission, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second plate serving as a support structure for the driven pulley simultaneously provides a cylindrical accommodating space for the joint's axial movement. This multi-functional design allows a single component to fulfill both support and guidance functions, reducing the need for separate structural elements and thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cylindrical accommodating space enables the joint to move axially (along the rotation axis dimension), adding a degree of freedom in the axial direction. This dimensional change allows the joint to engage and disengage from the driven pulley smoothly, improving driving force transmission reliability without requiring complex lateral adjustment mechanisms.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration allows for a more compact design by accommodating the joint within the pulley's structure, reducing the overall size of the apparatus and preventing defects due to straining forces, while maintaining effective transmission of driving force.
Implementation Method 1
an endless belt to transmit the driving force is strained around a driven pulley
Implementation Method 2
an endless belt to transmit the driving force is strained around a driven pulley
Data Source
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AI summary
An image forming apparatus including a drive source, a rotating body (25), a processing unit (7), and a joint (35) to switch transmission and disconnection of the driving force by moving along an axial direction, is provided. The joint is rotatable by the driving force transmitted from the rotating body in a coaxial position with respect to the rotating body and switches transmission and disconnection of the driving force by moving along the axial direction. The rotating body includes an input rotating body (25A), which is subject to the driving force input in the rotating body and rotatable by the driving force, and an output rotating body, which is arranged coaxially with respect to the input rotating body and rotatable integrally with the input roller to output the driving force. The rotating body provides accommodating space (25G), which accommodates at least a part of the joint when the joint is separated from the processing unit.