Bridging Member Positioning for Image Forming Apparatus
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses face issues with positioning accuracy of the transfer belt unit relative to photoconductors and the paper feeding unit, leading to sheet skewing and jamming, as well as oblique image formation due to inadequate alignment.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a bridging member that extends between two frame units, allowing for precise positioning of photoconductors, the transfer belt unit, and the paper feeding unit, ensuring accurate alignment and preventing inclination, thereby maintaining sheet transport and image formation accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the paper feeding unit and transfer belt unit are positioned without adequate alignment references, then the device complexity is reduced, but the positioning accuracy deteriorates causing sheet skewing and jamming
Solution Approach 1:
The bridging member acts as an intermediary positioning reference between the first frame unit and the second frame unit. It provides a stable, precise reference surface that enables accurate positioning of the paper feeding unit and transfer belt unit without requiring direct complex alignment mechanisms between the frame units themselves.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning system is segmented into independent components: the first frame unit positions the photoconductors, the second frame unit provides additional support, and the bridging member connects them to establish a precise positioning reference. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific positioning function independently.
2Manufacturing precision
If the transfer belt unit is not securely positioned relative to photoconductors, then the ease of operation is improved, but the positioning accuracy deteriorates resulting in oblique image formation
Solution Approach 1:
The bridging member serves as an intermediary positioning element that the transfer belt unit contacts to establish its position. This provides a simple and secure positioning mechanism without requiring complex alignment procedures or multiple adjustment steps during assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The bridging member is pre-installed between the frame units to establish the positioning reference before the paper feeding unit and transfer belt unit are assembled. This preliminary positioning action ensures that subsequent assembly operations can proceed with accurate alignment already in place.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the paper feeding unit lacks stable positioning references, then the device complexity is reduced, but the stability of sheet transportation deteriorates causing skewing
Solution Approach 1:
The bridging member provides a stable intermediary reference surface that the paper feeding unit contacts for positioning. This reference is mechanically stable and provides consistent positioning throughout operation, ensuring stable sheet transport without requiring complex active adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning function is merged into the bridging member structure itself, which combines the support function for the frame units with the positioning reference function. This integration provides stable positioning without adding separate complex positioning mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an image forming apparatus including: a sheet feeding unit; photoconductors; a transfer belt unit; a first and second frame units; and a bridging member bridging the first and second frame units. Each of the photoconductors is held by the first and second frame units. The transfer belt unit is biased to the one end side in the width direction to abut on the first frame unit and the bridging member, to thereby be positioned with respect to the first frame unit and the bridging member. The sheet feeding unit abuts on at least two places, of the bridging member, in the width direction from a perpendicular direction, to thereby be positioned with respect to the bridging member.