Detachable Belt Cleaning Unit Positioning Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, the differing useful lives of components, such as the cleaning roller and belt, lead to instability and reduced cleaning accuracy when the belt cleaning device is made replaceable, requiring precise positioning and potential backlash issues.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a detachable belt cleaning unit with a cleaning roller that can be rotationally driven by an input gear connected to an output gear, and a biasing mechanism to ensure contact pressure and stability, allowing for independent replacement of the cleaning roller and reducing backlash.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If the belt cleaning unit is made detachable for independent replacement, then ease of repair is improved, but positioning stability deteriorates due to clearance between the cleaning unit and support member
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the cleaning unit movable rather than fixed. The cleaning unit can be detached for replacement and reattached during operation, transforming from a static fixed structure to a dynamic removable structure. This resolves the contradiction by enabling independent replacement (improving ease of repair) while maintaining positioning stability through controlled movement and reattachment mechanisms.
2Ease of repair
If clearance is provided between the cleaning unit and support member for detachability, then ease of repair is improved, but positioning accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning the cleaning unit at a predetermined location before operation begins. The unit is advanced to the correct position using a positioning mechanism that ensures accurate alignment with the support member and belt, then fixed in place. This preliminary positioning action ensures high positioning accuracy is achieved before the detachable operation, resolving the contradiction between ease of repair and positioning accuracy.
3Reliability
If biasing force is applied to ensure contact pressure between terminals, then reliability of electrical connection is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional biasing mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the self-service principle by designing the biasing mechanism to automatically maintain contact pressure between the input terminal and output terminal without external intervention. The spring-loaded biasing mechanism self-regulates the contact force, ensuring reliable electrical connection while minimizing the need for complex adjustment mechanisms. This self-service approach improves reliability while keeping the added complexity to a minimum.
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 solution enables stable and accurate positioning of the belt cleaning unit, ensuring reliable cleaning performance and extending the useful life of the cleaning roller while maintaining the stability of the image forming apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing mechanism which applies a biasing force to elastically hold the cleaning unit between the opposite part and the output terminal
Data Source
AI summary
The belt cleaning unit receives a biasing force, receives a rotating force of an output gear connected to an input gear, and further receives a reaction force from a cleaning roller rotationally driven to be opposed to a transfer belt while in contact with it during a cleaning operation, thus the belt cleaning unit is pressed against a front wall of a front side support member.