Charging Roller Bearing Restriction for Axial Load Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in maintaining the contact and non-contact positions of charging rollers with photosensitive drums efficiently, particularly during transportation and maintenance, which can lead to mechanical stress and potential breakage of bearing members.
Innovation Solution
A charging device with a pair of bearing members that rotatably support the charging roller and are movable between a first position for contact with the image carrying member and a second position for separation, featuring a restricting portion to prevent axial movement and distribute load during transportation, thus reducing the risk of breakage and simplifying the structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If the charging roller is made movable between contact and non-contact positions with the photosensitive drum, then the ease of maintenance and replacement is improved, but the reliability of the bearing members deteriorates due to mechanical stress during movement
Solution Approach 1:
The charging roller is designed to be movable between contact and non-contact positions with the photosensitive drum through a rotating mechanism. The bearing members support this dynamic movement while the restricting portion prevents excessive axial displacement, allowing maintenance access while protecting against mechanical stress during operation
Solution Approach 2:
The restricting portion is provided in advance on the bearing members to prevent excessive axial movement of the charging roller. This preliminary protective structure prevents mechanical stress and potential breakage before they can occur during the charging operation
2Ease of operation
If the charging roller is retracted in the axial direction during maintenance, then the ease of operation is improved, but the strength of the bearing members deteriorates due to increased mechanical stress
Solution Approach 1:
The restricting portion is built into the bearing members before operation to prevent excessive axial movement of the charging roller during retraction. This preliminary protective structure distributes and limits mechanical stress, preventing breakage while allowing necessary retraction for maintenance access
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 solution effectively suppresses breakage of the bearing members by distributing the load during transportation and maintenance, reduces component count and costs, and maintains a compact design while ensuring consistent contact pressure for electrostatic charging.
Implementation Method 1
The charging member makes contact with an image carrying member to electrostatically charge the surface of the image carrying member
Data Source
AI summary
A charging device has a charging member, a pair of bearing members, and a frame. The charging member makes contact with an image carrying member to electrostatically charge the surface of the image carrying member. The bearing members rotatably support both end parts of the rotary shaft of the charging member. The frame supports the bearing members movably in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction. The bearing members are arranged selectively at a first position where they are arranged to keep the charging member in contact with the image carrying member or at a second position where they are arranged to keep the charging member apart from the image carrying member. In the bearing members, a restricting portion is formed which, at the second position, makes contact with the inner face of the frame to restrict the movement of the charging member in the axial direction.