Belt Unit Self-Standing Design for Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing belt rotating units in image forming apparatuses lack self-standing properties, leading to operational challenges during belt member exchange, requiring additional support and increasing the risk of damage to the belt and surrounding components, necessitating the use of dedicated jigs that are often underutilized.
Innovation Solution
A belt unit comprising a belt supporting unit with rollers, side units, and a cleaning unit that includes a connecting portion allowing the cleaning unit to be demounted and connected in a way that the belt supporting unit can stand independently, with one side unit directed downward and the other upward, facilitating the exchange of the belt member without external support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the belt rotating unit is designed in a thin plate-like shape, then the structure is compact and space-saving, but the unit lacks self-standing property and is liable to fall during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning unit is nested within or integrated with the belt rotating unit structure. When the cleaning unit is removed, the belt rotating unit can stand independently on its side members. The nested design allows the cleaning unit to provide stability when attached, while the belt rotating unit maintains its compact thin plate-like structure for space efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning unit acts as an intermediary that provides stability to the belt rotating unit during operation. When the cleaning unit is attached, it serves as a counterweight or support structure that prevents the thin plate-like belt rotating unit from falling, while allowing the unit to be separated for maintenance or replacement.
2Ease of operation
If the belt rotating unit is kept in a standing state for easy belt member exchange, then operativity is improved, but additional support or dedicated jigs are required to prevent falling
Solution Approach 1:
The belt rotating unit is designed to be self-supporting in the standing state through its side members that can rest on the casing or support surface. The unit serves itself by using its own structural components (side members) as support elements, eliminating the need for external dedicated jigs or complex support structures during belt member exchange operations.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a dedicated jig is prepared to hold the belt rotating unit during operation, then stability is improved, but preparation cost and storing space are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning unit serves multiple functions: it cleans the belt member during operation, provides stability to the thin plate-like belt rotating unit when attached, and can be removed for maintenance. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated jigs, as the cleaning unit itself becomes the stability-providing component when in place.
Solution Approach 2:
The stability function is extracted from the concept of a dedicated jig and integrated into the cleaning unit itself. By making the cleaning unit detachable and designing it to provide structural support when attached, the patent eliminates the need for separate stability-providing equipment, reducing both preparation cost and storing space requirements.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the belt rotating unit is supported by multiple operators during belt member exchange, then stability is improved, but operating cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The belt rotating unit with integrated cleaning unit is designed to be self-supporting during operation. The side members can rest on the casing or support surface, allowing a single operator to perform belt member exchange without needing additional personnel for stabilization. This self-service design improves operating efficiency by reducing labor requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A belt unit for use with an image forming apparatus includes a belt member, a belt supporting unit, and a cleaning unit. The cleaning unit includes attached portions engaged with attaching portions of the belt supporting unit to mount the cleaning unit in an attached position, a connecting portion connectable with a connected portion on the belt supporting unit, and a contact portion that contacts a horizontal surface when the cleaning unit is placed on the horizontal surface. When the belt supporting unit is in a standing state in which one of its side units is directed downward and a direction of rotation axis of supporting rollers is directed in a vertical direction, the cleaning unit is placed on the horizontal surface and the connected portion, and the connecting portion are connected, the cleaning unit maintains the belt supporting unit in the standing state.