Development Device Slide Alignment for Smooth Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face difficulties in smoothly fitting and removing development devices during maintenance or replacement, leading to inefficiencies in the process.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus incorporates a slide member that can reciprocate in the longitudinal direction, an approach/separation mechanism to move the slide member between support and separation positions, and a density sensor with a relay board for electrical connection, utilizing locating pins and holes with inclined portions for precise alignment and attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the development device is designed to be removably supported for maintenance or replacement, then the ease of operation is improved, but the difficulty of fitting and removing the development device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locating pin and locating hole are pre-configured with inclined portions that guide the engagement process. When the slide member moves in the longitudinal direction, the inclined portions automatically align and engage, eliminating the need for manual alignment during maintenance or replacement operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The inclined portions of the locating pin and locating hole act as intermediary elements that facilitate the connection between the slide member and development device. These inclined portions transform the complex fitting operation into a simple sliding motion, making the removable support system easier to operate.
2Ease of operation
If the locating hole and locating pin have inclined portions for alignment, then the ease of operation is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The inclined portions are pre-formed during manufacturing with predetermined angles. This preliminary configuration allows the components to self-align during operation, reducing the need for high-precision manual adjustment while maintaining manufacturability through standardized machining processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The inclined portions transform the engagement parameters from requiring precise perpendicular alignment to allowing angular approach. This parameter change in the engagement geometry enables easier operation while the specific inclination angles can be optimized within a reasonable manufacturing tolerance range.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
An image forming apparatus (1) includes a development device (40) and a slide member (82). The slide member (82) is capable of reciprocating in the longitudinal direction of the development device (40), and removably supports the development device (40). The development device (40) and the slide member (82) include a locating pin (822d) and a locating hole (55) that are fitted together when the development device (40) and the slide member (82) approach each other. The locating hole (55) includes an opening inclined portion (55a). The locating pin (822d) includes: a tip inclined portion (822da); and a locating inclined portion (822db) that is continuous in the circumferential direction of the tip inclined portion (822da), is arranged opposite the opening inclined portion (55a) in the longitudinal direction of the development device (40) and has a smaller inclination angle than the tip inclined portion (822da).