Drive Transmitting Mechanism for Copier Drum Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive transmitting mechanisms in image forming apparatuses, such as laser printers and digital copiers, face challenges in maintaining precise alignment between the driving and driven shafts due to de-centering and declination, leading to rotational speed changes and color misalignment in printed images, with existing solutions either being difficult to adjust or prone to deformation under load.
Innovation Solution
A drive transmitting mechanism featuring a pair of coupling members attached to the driving and driven shafts, allowing oscillation in one diametrical direction and sliding in another, to absorb de-centering and declination, ensuring smooth rotational speed transmission and facilitating easy coupling and decoupling for efficient drum handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the driving shaft is fitted in the drum to position the driving shaft, then the alignment between driving shaft and drum shaft is improved, but the ease of adjustment and repositioning deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is divided into two separate coupling members: a first coupling member attached to the driving shaft and a second coupling member attached to the drum shaft. This segmentation allows each coupling member to be independently positioned and adjusted, enabling precise alignment while maintaining ease of repositioning when drum replacement is needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling members act as intermediary elements between the driving shaft and the drum shaft. These intermediaries provide a flexible connection that accommodates alignment requirements while allowing for easy disconnection and reconnection, thus resolving the contradiction between precision alignment and adjustability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a coupling mechanism compensates for de-centering, then the alignment stability is improved, but the ability to compensate for declination deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling members are designed with oscillating capability, allowing them to dynamically adapt to both de-centering and declination conditions. The first coupling member oscillates in one diametrical direction while the second coupling member oscillates in another diametrical direction, providing dynamic compensation for both types of misalignment rather than being fixed for only one condition.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves from one-dimensional compensation (either de-centering or declination) to two-dimensional compensation by allowing coupling members to oscillate in different diametrical directions. This dimensional expansion enables simultaneous compensation for both de-centering and declination, resolving the contradiction between stability and adaptability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If one shaft responds to de-centering and declination through the coupling, then the alignment compensation is improved, but the load on the coupling deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The load compensation function is segmented between two coupling members rather than concentrated in one. The first coupling member handles de-centering in one diametrical direction while the second coupling member handles de-centering in another diametrical direction. This segmentation distributes the mechanical load, preventing excessive force on any single coupling member while maintaining comprehensive alignment compensation.
4Power
If the coupling structure is rigid for precise force transmission, then the power transmission efficiency is improved, but the ease of coupling and decoupling deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling members incorporate oscillating joints that provide dynamic connectivity. These joints maintain rigid force transmission when engaged but allow easy engagement and disengagement through controlled oscillation movements. The dynamic design enables the coupling to switch between rigid force transmission mode and easy coupling/decoupling mode, resolving the contradiction between power transmission efficiency and operational ease.
Data Source
AI summary
A drive transmitting mechanism configured to rotate the photosensitive drum of a color copier has a driving shaft, a driven shaft, and first and second coupling members. The first coupling member has a projection extending in a diametrical direction. The first coupling member is attached to the driving shaft, with amount of freedom to oscillate in a direction intersecting at right angles to the lengthwise direction of the projection. The second coupling member has a recess in which the projection is fitted. The second coupling member is attached to the driven shaft, with amount of freedom to oscillate in the lengthwise direction of the recess. The first and second coupling members oscillate in the diametrical direction and slide on the contacting surface in a diametrical direction intersecting at right angles to the diametrical direction, thus suppressing the rotational speed change of the driven shaft, which results from the de-centering and declination between the driving shaft and the driven shaft.