Process Cartridge Coupling Structure for Reliable Drum Drive Engagement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrophotographic image forming apparatuses face challenges in efficiently transmitting rotational driving force to photosensitive drums within process cartridges, particularly in structures where the coupling member's movement is restricted, affecting the reliability and ease of mounting/dismounting.

Innovation Solution

A process cartridge design featuring a movable member with a driving force receiving portion and a connecting member that includes a shaft portion and a restricting/enlarged portion to securely transmit driving force, allowing for advanced and retracted positions to ensure consistent engagement and disengagement with the apparatus main assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the movable member is made movable between advanced and retracted positions to facilitate mounting and dismounting, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of driving force transmission may deteriorate due to potential disengagement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of mounting and dismountingVSAvoidreliability of driving force transmission

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling member is divided into a movable member and a fixed member, allowing the movable member to be independently positioned for mounting/dismounting operations while the fixed member maintains stable engagement for driving force transmission

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The movable member is pre-configured with a driving force receiving portion that automatically engages with the drive pin when advanced, ensuring reliable driving force transmission is established before operation begins

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 3:

The movable member acts as an intermediary between the user's mounting/dismounting action and the driving force transmission system, facilitating easy operation while maintaining transmission reliability through its controlled movement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the coupling member structure is simplified for easy mounting and dismounting, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirements may increase to ensure proper engagement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomplexity of coupling member structureVSAvoidprecision of engagement between coupling member and drive pin

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling member is segmented into movable and fixed portions with distinct functions, allowing each segment to be manufactured to specific precision requirements rather than requiring the entire assembly to meet high precision standards

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The driving force receiving portion of the movable member is designed with specific local geometric features that ensure precise engagement with the drive pin, concentrating precision requirements to critical areas rather than the entire component

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS10921749B2Drum unit, cartridge, and process cartridge having a coupling member with a movable member and portion for restricting movement of the movable member

Publication Date: 2021.02.16 CANON KK

AI summary

To provide a process cartridge, a drum unit capable of receiving a driving force from the main assembly, and an image forming apparatus including the process cartridge. A cartridge is provided with a movable member having a driving force receiving portion. The movable member moves between an advanced position and a retracted position.