Developing Unit Gear Trains for Low-Torque-Fluctuation Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses experience torque fluctuations during clutch switching operations, leading to disturbances in the printing process when halting developing rollers that have completed toner image transfer, affecting the quality of the printed image.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a gear train system with independent clutch configurations for each developing roller, utilizing electromagnetic clutches and idle gears to manage power transmission states, ensuring smooth transitions and minimizing torque fluctuations by isolating the impact of clutch switching operations across the gear trains.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single motor drives multiple developing rollers with clutch switching, then productivity is improved by enabling selective halting of individual developing rollers, but torque fluctuation occurs during clutch switching that disturbs image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the power transmission system into separate gear trains for each developing roller (first gear train, second gear train, third gear train, fourth gear train). Each gear train independently transmits power from the motor to its corresponding developing roller through dedicated clutches. This segmentation isolates torque fluctuations generated during clutch switching in one gear train from affecting other developing rollers, thereby maintaining image quality while enabling selective halting of individual rollers for improved productivity.
2Loss of time
If clutches are switched to halt completed developing rollers, then loss of time is reduced by preventing unnecessary rotation, but disturbance to printing process occurs due to torque fluctuation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements separate gear trains and clutches for each developing roller, allowing independent control of power transmission to each roller. When a developing roller completes its toner image transfer, its dedicated clutch can be switched to disengage power transmission only to that specific roller without causing torque fluctuations to propagate to other rollers. This segmentation enables timely halting of completed rollers to reduce unnecessary rotation time while maintaining printing process stability through isolated power transmission paths.
3Adaptability or versatility
If independent clutch control is implemented for each developing roller, then adaptability is improved by allowing individual halting, but device complexity increases due to multiple clutches and gear trains
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs separate gear trains (first, second, third, and fourth gear trains) with dedicated clutches for each developing roller, providing independent control capability. This segmentation enables high adaptability where each roller can be individually halted or operated based on its specific operational status. While this does increase device complexity compared to a shared drive system, the modular structure allows for systematic control and maintenance, and the complexity is justified by the significant improvement in operational flexibility and image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a single motor that serves multiple functions by driving all four developing rollers through the separate gear train system. The motor can selectively power any combination of rollers based on operational needs, providing multi-functionality. This universal drive approach reduces the need for multiple motors while still achieving individual roller control, thereby mitigating some of the complexity increase associated with independent clutch control for each roller.
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 effectively reduces torque fluctuations, preventing disturbances in the printing process and ensuring consistent image quality by allowing individual halting of developing rollers during printing operations.
Implementation Method 1
a first clutch configured to switch power transmission status between a first engaging state where the first clutch engages transmission of a driving force to the first joint gear and a first disengaging state where the first clutch disengages the transmission of the driving force to the first joint gear
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes: a first gear train including a first clutch; a second gear train including a second clutch; a third gear train including a third clutch; a fourth gear train including a fourth clutch; a motor including an output shaft; an output gear rotatable with the output shaft; a fifth gear train connected to the first and second clutches; and a sixth gear train connected to the third and fourth clutches. The first clutch engages transmission of a driving force to a first developing unit, the second clutch engages transmission of a driving force to a second developing unit, the third clutch engages transmission of a driving force to a third developing unit, and the fourth clutch engages transmission of a driving force to a fourth developing unit. The fifth and sixth gear trains are connected to the output gear independently from each other.