Common Motor Developing Roller Cam Drive Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional image forming apparatuses require multiple motors for various components, making them bulky and energy-intensive, and struggle to selectively perform operations like bringing a developing roller into contact with and separating it from a photosensitive drum using a common motor.

Innovation Solution

An image forming apparatus with a common motor driving both the developing roller and a cam, utilizing a one-way clutch for power transmission in the normal rotating direction and disengagement in the reverse direction, and an electromagnetic clutch for controlling cam operations, allowing for selective contact and separation operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a common motor is used to drive both the developing roller and the cam, then the number of components is reduced and energy consumption is decreased, but it becomes difficult to selectively perform various combinations of operations of the developing roller and the cam

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of motorsVSAvoidselective operation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The power transmission path from the common motor is segmented into two independent paths: one path transmits power to the developing roller, and the other path transmits power to the cam. This segmentation allows each component to be controlled independently while using a single motor source.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Clutches are introduced as intermediary components between the motor and the driven components. The first clutch mediates power transmission to the developing roller, and the second clutch mediates power transmission to the cam, enabling selective engagement and disengagement of each component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If dedicated motors are provided for each component (photosensitive drum and cam), then each component can be driven independently with full operational flexibility, but the apparatus becomes larger and consumes more energy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent component controlVSAvoidnumber of motors

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Two previously separate motor functions are merged into a single common motor that drives both the developing roller and the cam. The motor is configured to rotate in both normal and reverse directions, and through the clutch mechanisms, it can independently control each component as if separate motors were used.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The common motor is designed to perform multiple functions: it can drive the developing roller in the normal direction, drive the cam in the normal direction, drive the cam in the reverse direction, and remain stationary while the cam rotates. This multi-functionality replaces what would traditionally require multiple dedicated motors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 reduces the number of components, enables efficient operation with a single motor for both the developing roller and cam, and allows for precise control of contact and separation operations, achieving downsizing and energy savings.

Implementation Method 1

a one-way clutch configured to: engage power transmission from the developing motor to the developing roller when the developing motor rotates in the normal rotating direction; and disengage power transmission from the developing motor to the developing roller when the developing motor rotates in the reverse rotating direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOne-way clutch mechanism:

Implementation Method 2

an electromagnetic clutch configured to engage and disengage power transmission from the developing motor to the cam

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic clutch: Electromagnet

Data Source

PatentUS11334022B2Image forming apparatus including common drive source for driving developing roller and cam that moves developing roller toward and away from photosensitive drum

Publication Date: 2022.05.17 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum, a developing roller, a cam, a developing motor, a first transmission mechanism, and a second transmission mechanism. The cam moves the developing roller between a contacting position where the developing roller is in contact with the photosensitive drum and a separated position where the developing roller is separated from the photosensitive drum. The developing motor drives both the developing roller and the cam, and is rotatable in a normal rotating direction and a reverse rotating direction. The first transmission mechanism engages power transmission from the developing motor to the developing roller when the developing motor rotates in the normal rotating direction, and disengages the power transmission when the developing motor rotates in the reverse rotating direction. The second transmission mechanism can engage power transmission from the developing motor to the cam, irrespective of the rotating direction of the developing motor.