Belt Drive Coupling With Sliding Pin for Shaft Misalignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive apparatuses for image forming apparatuses face challenges in accurately transmitting rotary drive power between shafts due to misalignment of central axes, as they lack effective mechanisms to ensure precise alignment and stable power transmission.
Innovation Solution
The drive apparatus incorporates a roller-side coupling with a pin and a cover member that functions as both a coupling and fall preventing mechanism, allowing for accurate drive power transmission even when the central axes of the shafts are not perfectly aligned by using a sliding configuration that absorbs misalignment forces and maintains rotation, while reducing the number of components needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a pin is attached to shafts for power transmission, then drive power can be transmitted between shafts, but accurate alignment of central axes between shafts becomes difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The pin is divided into two separate functional parts: a first pin for power transmission and a second pin (fall preventing member) for alignment and positioning. This segmentation allows each pin to be optimized for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between power transmission and alignment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The fall preventing member acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the two shafts. It provides a stable reference structure that facilitates accurate alignment of central axes while the first pin handles power transmission, thus resolving the alignment difficulty.
2Reliability
If a fall preventing member is added to restrict pin movement, then pin stability is improved, but the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fall preventing member is merged with the pin structure itself, forming an integrated component rather than a separate attachment. This combining approach maintains pin stability while minimizing the increase in component count, as the fall preventing features are incorporated into the pin's overall design.
Solution Approach 2:
The pin structure is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: power transmission through the first pin, fall prevention through the second pin, and structural support. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If the fall preventing member only restricts pin movement, then pin positioning is maintained, but it cannot contribute to drive transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The fall preventing member is designed with dual functionality: it restricts pin movement to maintain positioning accuracy while simultaneously being configured to transmit drive power. The member includes engagement features that allow it to participate in power transmission, thus eliminating the limitation of being purely a positioning component.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning and power transmission functions are merged into a single integrated fall preventing member structure. This member combines the positioning features with drive engagement features, allowing it to perform both functions without requiring separate components, thus resolving the contradiction between positioning precision and drive capability.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A drive apparatus, including: a first rotary member; a second rotary member, which is provided with an axle hole, and which receives drive power from the first rotary member or transmits drive power to the first rotary member; an axle member, which is inserted into the axle hole and engages with the first rotary member so as to transmit drive power between the first rotary member and the second rotary member; and a coupling member for coupling the first rotary member and the second rotary member; wherein the coupling member is provided with a sliding portion which is disposed between the first rotary member and the second rotary member in the radial direction and which slides over either one of the first rotary member and the second rotary member when the first rotary member and the second rotary member rotate integrally with each other via the axle member.