Developing Cartridge Receiving Member for Gear Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing developing cartridges experience uneven rotation of gears due to imprecise alignment between the axis of the driving input gear and the driven gear, leading to inefficient transmission of driving force to the developing roller.
Innovation Solution
A receiving member is introduced to directly support both the driving input gear and the developing roller gear, ensuring precise alignment and rotation, while also supporting the supply roller gear, thereby maintaining precise gear alignment and reducing the size of the cartridge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the driving input gear and driven gear are supported by separate members, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision of gear alignment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple support functions into a single receiving member that supports both the driving input gear and the driven gear. This receiving member includes a housing with bearing units positioned at precise locations, integrating what would otherwise be separate support structures. The merging of support functions into one component achieves precise gear alignment while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If a receiving member directly supports both gears, then the manufacturing precision of gear alignment is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving member serves multiple functions: it supports the driving input gear, supports the driven gear, provides precise positioning for both gears through integrated bearing units, and maintains the structural framework. This multi-functional design achieves precise gear alignment without proportionally increasing complexity, as one component performs what would otherwise require multiple separate components.
3Reliability
If separate bearing units are used for each gear, then the reliability of gear support is improved, but the volume of the cartridge increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple bearing units into a single receiving member structure, where bearing units for both the driving input gear and driven gear are positioned within the same housing. This merging approach maintains the reliability of individual bearing support while reducing the overall volume compared to separate bearing assemblies, as the integrated structure eliminates redundant housing and mounting components.
Data Source
AI summary
A developing cartridge is provided for use with an image forming apparatus and may include a housing, a developing roller rotatably provided in the housing, and a developing roller gear configured to rotate integrally with the developing roller. Further, the developing cartridge can include a driving input gear configured to receive an external driving force and apply the received driving force to the developing roller gear. The driving input gear can be meshed with the developing roller gear or an intermediate gear can be provided to mesh with the developing roller gear and the driving input gear. Such an intermediate gear can be configured to apply the received driving force to the developing roller gear. Also, the developing cartridge can include a receiving member which is disposed between the housing and the developing roller gear and between the housing and the driving input gear.