Development Device Alignment for Reliable Toner Density Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in efficiently supporting and maintaining development devices, particularly in ensuring reliable electrical connections and proper positioning of density sensors during device installation and removal.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a slide member that reciprocates in the longitudinal direction, with a locating pin and hole system that ensures precise alignment and electrical connectivity of the density sensor, allowing for easy installation and removal of development devices while maintaining sensor functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If the development device is made removable for maintenance, then ease of repair is improved, but reliability of electrical connection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locating pin and locating hole are pre-configured with inclined surfaces that guide the assembly process. The inclined surface on the locating pin and the corresponding inclined surface on the locating hole work together to automatically align and secure the electrical connection during insertion, ensuring reliable connection without manual adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The locating pin acts as an intermediary element between the development device and the slide member. It provides both mechanical positioning and electrical connection functionality, mediating the interface between removable components to ensure both ease of maintenance and connection reliability.
2Ease of operation
If the slide member is moved to support position for installation, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision of density sensor deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically transitions between two states: during installation, the slide member is in the support position for ease of operation; during measurement, the slide member moves to the measurement position to ensure accurate density sensor reading. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction between operational ease and measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The slide member's movement is segmented into distinct phases: installation phase (support position) and measurement phase (measurement position). This segmentation allows each phase to optimize for its specific requirement without interfering with the other.
3Ease of manufacture
If the locating hole has a simple cylindrical shape, then ease of manufacture is improved, but manufacturing precision of alignment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locating hole has a simple cylindrical shape for most of its length to ease manufacturing, but includes a localized inclined surface at the opening end portion. This local modification provides the necessary alignment guidance without requiring the entire locating hole to be complex, thus maintaining ease of manufacture while improving alignment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The inclined surface on the locating hole is pre-formed during manufacturing to guide the locating pin into proper alignment during assembly. This preliminary geometric preparation ensures accurate alignment without requiring complex post-processing or adjustment mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a development device and a slide member. The slide member is capable of reciprocating in the longitudinal direction of the development device, and removably supports the development device. The development device and the slide member include a locating pin and a locating hole that are fitted together when the development device and the slide member approach each other. The locating hole includes an opening inclined portion. The locating pin includes: a tip inclined portion; and a locating inclined portion that is continuous in the circumferential direction of the tip inclined portion, is arranged opposite the opening inclined portion in the longitudinal direction of the development device and has a smaller inclination angle than the tip inclined portion.