Belt Member Mechanism for Cover Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing member moving mechanisms in image forming apparatuses, such as printers, face challenges in efficiently coordinating the movement of components like the top cover member with the belt member, leading to complexity and increased component count for ensuring proper alignment and operation.
Innovation Solution
A member moving mechanism that incorporates a belt member connected to a moving member and a moved member, with a belt-member guide member and biasing springs, allowing the moving member to move in opposite directions while the moved member moves orthogonally, facilitating the opening and closing of the top cover and reducing slack in the belt member through coordinated spring forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a belt member is used to connect moving members in different directions with guide members, then the belt member can be disposed with higher degree of freedom and assembly is facilitated, but the mechanism complexity and component count increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the guide member and the belt member into an integrated structure where the guide member forms part of the belt member assembly. This merging reduces the number of separate components while maintaining the ability to guide the belt member through multiple directions, thus reducing mechanism complexity while preserving adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The belt member is designed to serve multiple functions: it connects moving members, transmits motion in different directions, and incorporates guiding functionality within its own structure. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate guide members, reducing component count while maintaining the degree of freedom required for complex motion paths.
2Reliability
If multiple components are added to ensure proper alignment and operation of the cover member, then operational reliability improves, but the component count and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the alignment and operation control functions into the existing belt member and guide member structure. The guide member's geometry inherently ensures proper alignment of the cover member during opening and closing operations, eliminating the need for additional alignment components while maintaining operational reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism is designed so that the belt member and guide member automatically ensure proper alignment and operation of the cover member through their inherent geometric constraints and motion paths. The system self-regulates alignment without requiring additional control components, reducing complexity while maintaining reliability.
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 simplifies the mechanism, reduces component count, and enhances user safety by utilizing the biasing forces for both opening assistance and damping, thereby reducing the burden on users and improving operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a first biasing member that biases the moved member in the second negative direction. When the openable-closable cover rotates in an opening direction, the moving member is caused to move in the first negative direction by the biasing force of the first biasing member
Data Source
AI summary
A member moving mechanism includes a moving member, a moved member, a belt member, an openable-closable cover that is rotatable about a rotation shaft with the openable-closable cover engaged with the moving member, and a first biasing member. The moving member moves in a first negative direction with a biasing force of the first biasing member when the openable-closable cover rotates in an opening direction, while the moving member moves in a first positive direction against the biasing force of the first biasing member when the openable-closable cover rotates in a closing direction. The moving member has a boss formed to abut a first-positive-direction side of the engaging piece projecting from the rotation shaft. A biasing force in the opening direction is applied to the openable-closable cover by the boss pressing the engaging piece in the first negative direction with the biasing force of the first biasing member.