Cleaning Unit Pivot Support via Integrated Frame Abutment Portions
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing structure for supporting the cleaning member in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses requires a large number of components and is costly, making it complex and difficult to assemble, as it relies on separate members like pins for pivotable support.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning unit with a rotatable photosensitive drum and a frame that supports both the drum and the cleaning member, utilizing an elastic member and a support member with frame abutment portions to pivot the cleaning member without separate pins, and an urging member to ensure contact with the drum, simplifying the structure and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cleaning member is supported in a pivotable manner through separate members like pins, then the cleaning member can be properly positioned and supported, but the number of components increases and the structure becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The frame abutment portions are directly formed on the support member itself, merging the support function and positioning function into a single integrated component. This eliminates the need for separate pins or support members, reducing component count while maintaining the pivotable support capability through the L-shaped abutment portions that abut against the frame.
Solution Approach 2:
The support member with frame abutment portions serves multiple functions: it supports the cleaning member, enables pivotable motion, positions the cleaning member relative to the frame, and eliminates the need for separate support components. The L-shaped abutment portions provide both structural support and rotational guidance simultaneously.
2Ease of operation
If separate members like pins are used to support the cleaning member, then the cleaning member can pivot properly, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The frame abutment portions are integrated directly into the support member structure, combining the support and pivot guidance functions into one component. This reduces the total number of parts that need to be manufactured, assembled, and inventoried, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while preserving full pivotability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the pivot guidance function from separate pins or support members and incorporates it directly into the support member design through the L-shaped frame abutment portions. This eliminates unnecessary components and simplifies the manufacturing process.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple separate components are used for cleaning member support, then the cleaning member can be properly positioned, but assembly becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The frame abutment portions are formed as an integral part of the support member, reducing the number of assembly steps. The cleaning member with integrated abutment portions can be directly positioned and secured to the frame without requiring separate assembly of pins or support members, thereby improving assembly efficiency while maintaining positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The L-shaped frame abutment portions are strategically segmented into two perpendicular surfaces that separately abut against different frame surfaces, providing precise positioning in multiple directions while remaining part of a single integrated component.
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 reduces manufacturing costs and simplifies assembly by eliminating the need for separate pins, while maintaining effective pivotable support for the cleaning member, enhancing the usability and efficiency of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a cleaning member (6) configured to remove toner from the photosensitive drum (1), wherein the cleaning member (6) includes: an elastic member (7) which abuts against the photosensitive drum (1)
Implementation Method 2
an urging member (29) configured to urge the cleaning member (6) in a direction in which the elastic member (7) is brought into contact with the photosensitive drum (1) by pivoting the cleaning member (6) about the frame abutment portions (8a) as pivot axes
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning unit including: frame abutment portions each including a first abutment portion and a second abutment portion; support portions each including a first support portion which abuts against the first abutment portion, and a second support portion which abuts against the second abutment portion so as to support a cleaning member in a pivotable manner about the frame abutment portions as a pivot axis; and an urging member configured to urge the cleaning member in a direction in which an elastic member is brought into contact with a photosensitive drum by pivoting the cleaning member.