Cleaning Unit Segmentation for Belt Contact Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, precisely positioning the collecting member of the cleaning unit relative to the endless belt is challenging due to its movable nature, affecting the accurate collection of developer.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a cleaning unit with a first housing for the collecting member and a second housing for the accommodating part, featuring opening and closing members that align and communicate when the drawing member moves, allowing precise positioning and replacement of the accommodating part while maintaining contact with the endless belt.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the collecting member is held by the movable drum holding member to enable replacement, then the ease of operation is improved, but the positioning precision relative to the endless belt deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning unit is divided into two separable parts: the first housing containing the collecting member that remains fixed to the apparatus main body, and the second housing containing the accommodating part that is mounted on the movable drawing member. This segmentation allows the collecting member to maintain precise positioning while the accommodating part can be easily replaced with the drawing member.
Solution Approach 2:
The first housing acts as an intermediary structure that bridges the stationary apparatus main body and the movable drawing member. It provides a stable mounting position for the collecting member while enabling communication with the movable second housing through opening and closing members, thus resolving the conflict between stability and mobility.
2Ease of operation
If the drawing member moves to separation position to enable replacement, then the ease of operation is improved, but the contact between collecting member and endless belt is lost
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the collecting member (in first housing) from the accommodating part (in second housing), the invention allows the collecting member to remain stationary and maintain contact with the endless belt while the accommodating part moves with the drawing member to the separation position for replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The opening and closing members dynamically adjust their state based on the position of the drawing member. When the drawing member is at the mounting position, the members are open to allow communication. When moved to the separation position, the members close to seal the first housing, maintaining structural integrity while allowing replacement.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus is configured to form an image by using photosensitive drums. The image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body, an endless belt, a drawing member which rotatably supports cartridges, and is movable to a mounting position at which the photosensitive drums oppose the endless belt and to a separation position at which the photosensitive drums are further spaced from the endless belt than at the mounting position, and a cleaning unit including a first housing having a collecting member which is configured to contact the endless belt to collect developer on the endless belt and a second housing having an accommodating part which is configured to accommodate the developer collected by the collecting member. The first housing is provided to the apparatus main body and the second housing is provided to the drawing member.