Developing Cartridge Joint for Stable Drive Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional developing cartridges face challenges in efficiently transmitting driving force to the developing roller due to limitations in the design of the universal joint, which affects the stability and efficiency of the image forming process.
Innovation Solution
The developing cartridge incorporates a joint with a first and second protrusion that engages with a universal joint in the image forming apparatus, allowing for pivotal movement and stable rotation, enabling effective transmission of driving force through a combination of universal joints, including a Cardan joint configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional universal joint design is used to transmit driving force to the developing roller, then the structure is simple, but the transmission stability and efficiency deteriorate when rotational axes are not coincident
Solution Approach 1:
The joint is divided into two separate joints: a first joint in the developing cartridge that enables pivotal movement, and a second joint in the main body coupling that works in conjunction with the first. This segmentation allows each joint to handle specific aspects of the transmission challenge, improving overall stability without requiring a single complex universal joint structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The first joint is designed to be pivotally movable relative to the coupling gear, allowing dynamic adjustment of the transmission path. This dynamic capability enables the system to accommodate misalignment between rotational axes while maintaining stable force transmission, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and transmission reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the rotational axes of the driving force transmission and developing roller are not coincident, then adaptability is improved, but transmission efficiency and stability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotally movable first joint provides dynamic adaptability, allowing the transmission system to adjust to non-coincident rotational axes. This dynamic adjustment mechanism maintains efficient force transmission even when axis alignment is imperfect, simultaneously achieving adaptability and transmission efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the joint by allowing pivotal movement, which alters the effective transmission path and angle. This parameter change enables the system to accommodate varying axis alignments while maintaining optimal transmission efficiency through the modified force vector path.
3Device complexity
If a single joint structure is used in the developing cartridge, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to accommodate axis misalignment and maintain stable rotation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The joint function is segmented between the first joint (pivotal movement for adaptability) and the second joint (cooperative function for stability). This segmentation allows each component to be relatively simple while the combination achieves high rotation stability and axis misalignment accommodation.
Solution Approach 2:
The first joint acts as an intermediary element between the coupling gear and the developing roller, providing pivotal movement that mediates the transmission of force while accommodating axis misalignment. This intermediary function enables stable rotation without requiring a complex single-joint structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A developing cartridge includes: a developing roller rotatable about a first axis extending in a first direction; a developing roller gear rotatable together with the developing roller; a coupling gear rotatable about a second axis extending in the first direction; and a joint rotatable together with the coupling gear. The coupling gear is meshingly engaging with the developing roller gear. The joint is pivotally movable relative to the coupling gear about a third axis extending in a second direction. The joint includes: a first protrusion extending in a first radial direction; and a second protrusion extending in a second radial direction opposite to the first radial direction. The second protrusion is positioned away from and is aligned with the first protrusion in a diametrical direction including the first radial direction and the second radial direction. The second direction crosses the first radial direction and the second radial direction.