Driving Assembly Connector Axial Dynamics for Stable Force Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing driving assemblies in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses face issues with stability and ease of installation/detachment due to universal joint designs that are prone to disconnection and pivot damage, leading to unstable force transmission and installation challenges.
Innovation Solution
A driving assembly with a connector featuring a sleeve, guide rod, and engaging claws that axially reciprocate and rotate, ensuring stable force transmission and easy detachment by reducing intermediate mechanisms and avoiding interference with the driving shaft, utilizing a biasing device for axial movement control and limiting structures to prevent disconnection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a universal joint driving member is used to engage with the driving shaft, then the developing cartridge can be mounted and detached, but the driving member is prone to drop out and driving forces cannot be transmitted stably
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is designed to dynamically change its axial position: it moves axially inward when the developing cartridge is being mounted to avoid interference with the driving shaft, and moves axially outward under spring force to engage with the driving shaft for stable force transmission. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
A spring is pre-installed in the connector to provide outward force. This beforehand cushioning ensures that once the connector engages with the driving shaft, it is automatically pushed outward to maintain stable engagement and force transmission, preventing the dropping out issue.
2Reliability
If the connector moves axially to engage with the driving shaft, then stable force transmission is achieved, but the axial movement is limited by other members making detachment difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is segmented into movable and fixed parts, allowing the engaging portion to move axially independently. This segmentation enables the connector to move outward for stable engagement while the overall structure remains manageable for detachment when force is applied.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector's axial position is made dynamic rather than fixed. During mounting, it moves inward to clear the driving shaft; during operation, it moves outward to engage; during detachment, it can be pushed inward again. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between stable engagement and ease of detachment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a pivot and rebound-reset element are used in the driving assembly, then the structure can accommodate rotation, but the pivot is thin and prone to damage due to torque
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the vulnerable pivot component from the system. By using a solid connector body with integrated engaging claws instead of a pivot-based mechanism, the design maintains rotation accommodation capability while removing the weak point that was prone to torque-induced damage.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a thin pivot to accommodate rotation, the invention inverts the approach by using a robust connector body that directly engages with the driving shaft. The rotation accommodation is achieved through the connector's design rather than a delicate pivot joint, thereby strengthening the structure against torque.
4Ease of operation
If the engaging claw deflects to avoid interference with the driving shaft, then mounting and detaching is facilitated, but the deflection mechanism adds complexity to the connector structure
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the deflection capability directly into the engaging claw structure itself, rather than adding separate deflection mechanisms. The engaging claw is designed as a flexible element that can deflect as an integrated part of the connector, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining the ability to avoid interference during mounting and detachment.
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 enables convenient installation and detachment of the developing cartridge with stable force transmission, reducing the risk of connector disconnection and pivot damage, while maintaining robustness and operational ease.
Implementation Method 1
under the action of a spring or gas pressure, the connector moves outwards and engages with the driving shaft
Implementation Method 2
under the action of a spring or gas pressure, the connector moves outwards and engages with the driving shaft
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses a driving assembly. The driving assembly (10) is configured to be arranged on one end of a developing cartridge (100), the driving assembly (10) comprises a connector (2) configured to engage with a driving head (200) of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The connector (2) comprises a sleeve (3), a guide rod (22), and at least one engaging claw (21). The sleeve (3) has a protrusion portion (32) at its distal end relative to the developing cartridge (100), the protrusion portion (32) axially projects outwards and has a limiting groove (34) with an outwards opening; the engaging claw (21) is hinged at the second end of the guide rod (22); when the driving assembly (10) rotates upon receiving driving forces, a side surface of the limiting groove (34) contacts a side surface of the engaging claw (21). A developing cartridge (100) comprising the driving assembly is also provided.