Drive Switching Assembly for Liquid Feed Pumps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses with multiple pumps face challenges in independent activation and bidirectional liquid feed, leading to increased size and cost due to the need for dedicated driving sources for each pump.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a drive switching assembly that includes a second driving source, cam, slider member, and switching gear to selectively transmit the driving force of a first driving source to multiple liquid feed pumps, allowing for independent operation and bidirectional feeding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If dedicated driving sources are provided for each pump, then independent activation of pumps is enabled, but the size and cost of the apparatus increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single driving source is designed to drive multiple pumps through a switching mechanism. The driving source can be selectively coupled to different pumps via the switching assembly, allowing one driving source to perform multiple functions that would traditionally require separate dedicated driving sources for each pump.
Solution Approach 2:
A switching assembly is introduced as an intermediary component between the driving source and the pumps. This switching assembly includes switching elements that can be selectively activated to couple the driving source to different pumps, enabling independent control without requiring dedicated driving sources for each pump.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple driving sources are provided for multiple pumps, then bidirectional liquid feed is achieved, but the apparatus size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The single driving source is designed with multi-functionality to handle bidirectional liquid feed operations. Through the switching assembly, the same driving source can be coupled to different pumps that perform feeding in different directions, eliminating the need for separate driving sources for each directional feed function.
3Reliability
If dedicated driving sources are used for each pump, then pump operation reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal driving source that can drive multiple pumps through selective switching. This reduces the total number of components that need to be manufactured, assembled, and quality-checked, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining reliable operation through proper switching control.
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
Enables efficient and flexible operation of multiple liquid feed pumps with a reduced number of driving sources, allowing for independent activation and bidirectional feeding without the constraints of dedicated driving sources, thus reducing the size and cost of the apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
The cam is rotated by the second driving source. The slider member is movable in a thrust direction with rotation of the cam.
Implementation Method 2
The switching gear receives the driving force of the first driving source and is movable with the slider member between positions to engage driving gears of the plurality of liquid feed pumps
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a recording head, head tanks, replaceable main tanks, liquid feed pumps, a first driving source, and a drive switching assembly. The feed pumps feed liquids from the main tanks to the head tanks and in reverse from the head tanks to the main tanks. The drive switching assembly selectively transmits a driving force of the first driving source to the feed pumps. The drive switching assembly includes a second driving source, a cam, a slider member, and a switching gear. The switching gear receives the driving force of the first driving source and is movable with the slider member between positions to engage driving gears of the feed pumps and a position to disengage from the driving gears. With movement of the switching gear, the driving force of the first driving source is selectively transmitted to the feed pumps.