Drive Transmission Device Noise Reduction via Inclined Engagement Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mechanical clutches in image forming apparatuses generate noticeable noise due to collision between the release member and the clutch lever, which is exacerbated by the need for steep cam surfaces to ensure reliable engagement, leading to increased noise levels as noise reduction becomes more stringent.
Innovation Solution
A drive transmission device with a driving-side engagement member and a driven-side engagement member, biased by a compression torsion spring, where the engagement members have inclined surfaces to ensure reliable contact while minimizing noise through the use of a gap between power applying and receiving portions, and a second biasing power that resists disengagement, allowing for smooth power transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cam surface gradient is increased to ensure reliable engagement between engagement members, then the engagement reliability is improved, but the collision noise between release member and clutch lever increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power receiving portion is preliminarily positioned close to the power applying portion before engagement occurs. This preliminary positioning ensures that when engagement happens, the members are already near each other, reducing the collision distance and noise while maintaining reliable engagement through the inclined surfaces
Solution Approach 2:
A cushioning member is introduced between the release member and clutch lever to absorb collision energy. This cushioning element reduces the impact noise during engagement by providing a compliant interface that dissipates the shock from the cam surface interaction
2Speed
If the cam surface is made steep to increase the moving amount of the driving-side engagement member, then the engagement speed is improved, but the collision between release member and clutch lever occurs more violently
Solution Approach 1:
The cushioning member acts as an intermediary between the release member and clutch lever. It mediates the collision by providing a compliant interface that reduces impact violence while still allowing the steep cam surface to achieve rapid engagement movement
3Ease of manufacture
If the engagement members are designed with simple structure to reduce cost, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the shape design becomes limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the engagement members, specifically designing inclined surfaces with optimized angles and the power receiving portion with specific positioning. This allows standard manufacturing processes to be used while achieving reliable engagement and noise reduction without limiting design flexibility
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
The solution effectively reduces noise generation during engagement and disengagement by ensuring reliable contact without the need for steep cam surfaces, enhancing the operational reliability and quietness of the drive transmission device.
Implementation Method 1
a compression torsion spring, wherein the driving-side engagement member and the driven-side engagement member engage with each other in a state in which the first rotating member is rotating
Data Source
AI summary
A drive transmission device includes: a first rotating member that rotates with driving power received from a driving source, a second rotating member that rotates with driving power from the first rotating member, and a driving-side engagement member and a driven-side engagement member for transmitting the driving power of the first rotating member to the second rotating member, wherein the driving-side engagement member and the driven-side engagement member engage with each other in a state in which the first rotating member is rotating whereby a power applying portion and a power receiving portion engage with each other while resisting against a second biasing power.