Coil Spring Rotational Force Transmission for Coupler Misalignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electro-photographic image forming devices, the transmission of rotational force from the main body to the cartridge unit is often hindered due to manufacturing and assembly tolerances, leading to improper force transmission and potential damage to the coupling structure.
Innovation Solution
A rotational force transmission structure using a coil spring that expands or contracts in the axial direction to align the rotational shafts of the driving and driven couplers, ensuring stable force transmission by converting rotational force into a perpendicular pressing force to maintain coaxial alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid coupling structure is used to transmit rotational force from the main body to the cartridge unit, then the structural strength is improved, but the transmission reliability deteriorates due to manufacturing and assembly tolerances causing misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a coil spring that changes its physical state (expands or contracts) in response to rotational force, converting the rotational motion into a perpendicular pressing motion. This parameter change allows the coupling structure to adapt to manufacturing and assembly tolerances while maintaining reliable force transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling structure transitions from a rigid static connection to a dynamic system where the coil spring can expand and contract. This dynamic behavior enables the structure to compensate for misalignment and maintain reliable rotational force transmission despite tolerances.
2Productivity
If the rotational shafts of driving and driven couplers are made coaxial, then the rotational force transmission efficiency is improved, but the manufacturing and assembly precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coil spring acts as an intermediary element between the driving and driven couplers. It receives the rotational force and converts it into a perpendicular pressing force, serving as a mediator that eliminates the need for precise coaxial alignment while maintaining efficient force transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The coil spring changes its dimensional parameters (expands or contracts) in response to the rotational force, converting the motion direction from rotational to perpendicular. This parameter change allows the shafts to be non-coaxial while still achieving efficient force transmission.
3Reliability
If a coil spring structure is used to align rotational shafts, then the transmission reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a coil spring that utilizes elastic deformation (parameter change) to achieve shaft alignment and reliable force transmission. This single component approach, while adding some complexity, provides a robust solution that handles tolerance variations effectively.
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
The coil spring-based structure ensures reliable and stable transmission of rotational force despite manufacturing and assembly deviations, preventing damage to the coupling components.
Implementation Method 1
A rotational force transmission structure using a coil spring that expands or contracts in the axial direction to align the rotational shafts of the driving and driven couplers, ensuring stable force transmission by converting rotational force into a perpendicular pressing force to maintain coaxial alignment.
Data Source
AI summary
A cartridge unit detachable from a main body of an image forming device includes: a rotation member; a driven coupler arranged at one end portion of the rotation member in an axial direction of the rotation member; and a coil spring arranged to be expandable and compressible in the axial direction, a first end portion of the coil spring being fixed onto the driven coupler, and the coil spring being wound in a first direction from the first end portion toward a second end portion. When a rotational force is transmitted to the second end portion of the coil spring in the first direction or in a second direction opposite to the first direction, a portion of the transmitted rotational force is converted into a force that decreases or increases a diameter of the coil spring, and the first end portion of the coil spring presses the driven coupler in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction.