Charging Roller Space Maintaining Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing image forming apparatuses face issues with image defects due to surface deformation of rollers, particularly the charging roller, caused by vibrations and shocks during transportation, which can lead to improper contact with the photoconductor, affecting image quality.
Innovation Solution
A developing device with a housing, a photoconductor, a charging roller, a holder, and a space maintaining member that includes an intervenient piece to maintain a space between the charging roller and the photoconductor, preventing direct contact until the device is mounted, thus protecting the rollers from damage and ensuring consistent pressure for image formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the charging roller is under pressure by a pressure member during storage and transportation, then the roller maintains contact with the photoconductor for proper image formation, but the roller surface becomes deformed due to vibrations and shocks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing a predetermined space between the charging roller and photoconductor before the device is mounted for use. This space is maintained during storage and transportation using a holder that positions the charging roller away from the photoconductor, preventing surface deformation while ensuring proper contact is established when the device is installed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the holder slidable along the photoconductor axis. The holder can be positioned in a first position during storage to maintain space between the rollers, and moved to a second position during operation to allow pressure contact. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction between maintaining roller shape and ensuring proper contact for image formation
2Strength
If the charging roller and photoconductor are kept in contact during storage, then proper pressure is maintained for image formation, but vibrations and shocks cause surface deformation of the rollers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning the holder to maintain a predetermined space between the charging roller and photoconductor during storage and transportation. This preliminary positioning prevents harmful contact and surface deformation while ensuring that when the device is mounted, the holder can be moved to allow proper pressure contact for image formation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements beforehand cushioning by using the holder to cushion or buffer the charging roller from direct contact with the photoconductor during storage and transportation. This preliminary protective measure prevents surface deformation caused by vibrations and shocks, while allowing proper contact when needed for operation
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 prevents deformation and damage to the charging roller and photoconductor during storage and transportation, ensuring improved image quality by maintaining a consistent pressure and spacing between the rollers, thereby reducing the likelihood of image defects.
Implementation Method 1
a space maintaining member separably installed to an outer surface of the housing and having an intervenient piece configured to be fitted between the holder and the housing so as to cause the photoconductor and the charging roller to be spaced apart from each other
Implementation Method 2
a pressure member to apply pressure to the holder toward the photoconductor
Data Source
AI summary
A developing device and an image forming apparatus having the same. The developing device includes a space maintaining member separably coupled to an outer surface of a housing thereof. The space maintaining member restricts movement of a holder used to support a charging roller which comes into contact with a photoconductor by pressure of a pressure member, providing use convenience and operation reliability.