Cover Detection Mechanism with Rotating Part and Tension Spring
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing mechanisms for opening and closing a cover on a housing, such as in an image forming apparatus, suffer from reduced operability due to variations in force application caused by cumulative tolerances between components, leading to inconsistent detection of the cover's state, which can result in either insufficient or excessive force being applied to the detection part.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a rotating part supported by a housing, a pushing portion that contacts the rotating part to rotate it, and a rotation applying part, specifically a tension coil spring, which applies a rotational force to the rotating part in a direction that turns on the detection part when the cover is closed, thereby reducing the cumulative tolerance and ensuring consistent force application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a compression spring or leaf spring is used to buffer excessive force from the pushing portion, then the detection part is protected from excessive force, but a reaction force is applied to the cover during opening/closing which reduces operability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the elastic body (compression spring or leaf spring) from the force transmission path between the pushing portion and the detection part. By extracting this buffering element, the reaction force that reduced operability is eliminated, while the detection part remains protected through direct force transmission only when needed for detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a rotating part as an intermediary mechanism between the pushing portion and the detection part. This rotating part converts linear pushing force into rotational motion, which then actuates the detection part. This intermediary mechanism eliminates the need for elastic buffering while maintaining reliable detection and improving operability.
2Ease of operation
If force from the pushing portion is directly transmitted to the detection part, then operability is maintained, but variations in force application due to cumulative tolerances cause inconsistent detection
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating part is designed to be preliminarily engaged with the pushing portion before force transmission occurs. This preliminary engagement ensures that the force transmission path is pre-established and geometrically constrained, eliminating the cumulative tolerance issues that would otherwise cause inconsistent force application to the detection part.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs curved or rotational surfaces in the rotating part that convert linear pushing motion into rotational motion. This curvature-based mechanism provides a more stable and consistent force transmission path compared to direct linear contact, reducing the impact of manufacturing tolerances on detection consistency.
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 configuration minimizes the variation in force applied to the detection part, enhancing the operability of the cover's opening and closing mechanism by reducing the need for additional buffering elements like compression coil springs, thus maintaining consistent detection and operation.
Implementation Method 1
a rotation applying part, specifically a tension coil spring, which applies a rotational force to the rotating part
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a housing, a cover that is opened and closed on the housing, a detection part that detects opening and closing of the cover using ON and OFF, a rotating part that is rotatably supported and turns on and off the detection part, a pushing portion that comes into contact with the rotating part to rotate the rotating part in a case where the cover is closed, and a rotation applying part that applies a rotational force to the rotating part rotated by the pushing portion in a direction in which the detection part is turned on in a case where the cover is closed.