Cartridge Movable Joint Rotational Alignment Compact Image Forming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses require a larger main body to accommodate axially advancing and retreating driving force transfer members, which increases the device's size and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A cartridge design that includes a rotatable joint member with engagement parts that align with the driving force transfer member's central axis, allowing for secure matching without axial movement, thereby reducing the main body's size by enabling engagement through rotational alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the driving force transfer member is axially advanced and retreated to connect and disconnect with the coupling, then the driving force can be transferred to the cartridge, but the main body must be axially enlarged which increases the device size
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the engagement dimension from axial movement to rotational movement. The driving force transfer member engages with the coupling through rotational alignment of engagement protrusions and recesses, eliminating the need for axial advancement and retreat. This dimensional change allows the main body to maintain a compact axial size while still achieving reliable driving force transfer to the cartridge.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of moving the driving force transfer member axially to achieve engagement, the invention inverts the approach by rotating the member to align engagement features. The engagement protrusions and recesses are configured to mate through rotational movement rather than axial displacement, thereby solving the contradiction between reliable force transfer and compact main body size.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the driving force transfer member is axially advanced and retreated for connection and disconnection, then the cartridge can be detachably mounted, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention simplifies the detachable mounting mechanism by changing from axial movement to rotational alignment. The engagement protrusions and recesses are designed to automatically align and mate when the cartridge is rotated into position, eliminating complex axial advancement and retreat mechanisms. This reduces structural complexity while maintaining full adaptability for detachable mounting.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement features are designed to self-align and self-lock through rotational movement. When the cartridge is rotated during mounting, the engagement protrusions and recesses automatically find their mating position and secure the connection without requiring additional actuation mechanisms. This self-service characteristic simplifies the overall structure while enabling reliable detachable mounting.
Data Source
AI summary
A cartridge includes: a rotational body; a joint member having a first joint-side engagement part configured to be engaged to a rotational body-side engagement part with a predetermined moving range in a rotational direction, and a press member, wherein the joint member has a second joint-side engagement part configured to be engaged with a transfer-side engagement part with central axes of the joint member and the driving force transfer member being substantially matched, and wherein when the second joint-side engagement part is contacted to the driving force transfer member at a position at which the central axes of the joint member and the driving force transfer member are not matched, the joint member is rotated within the predetermined range and the second joint-side engagement part is thus moved, so that the second joint-side engagement part is engaged with the transfer-side engagement part in the rotational direction.