Image Forming Apparatus Driving Force Switching Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in efficiently managing the driving force distribution and switching mechanisms across multiple image forming units, leading to inefficiencies in monochrome and color mode operations, which affects power consumption and component lifespan.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a driving unit with a motor mount section and a driving-force transmission section, featuring a driving-force switching mechanism that dynamically switches the driving force between transmission and shut-off based on mode requirements, utilizing a tooth lacking gear and cam mechanism to adjust the intermediate transfer belt's circulation path, ensuring optimal power distribution across photoconductors and developing devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a driving-force switching mechanism is implemented to dynamically switch driving force between transmission and shut-off based on mode requirements, then power consumption is reduced and component lifespan is extended, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic driving-force switching mechanism that adapts the driving force transmission state based on operational mode requirements. The switching mechanism transitions between transmitting driving force to all image forming units in color mode and selectively shutting off driving force to specific units in monochrome mode, thereby optimizing power consumption while managing device complexity through controlled adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The driving unit is segmented into multiple independent driving mechanisms, each capable of being controlled individually. This segmentation allows the system to selectively activate or deactivate specific driving forces for different image forming units based on whether color or monochrome operation is required, reducing unnecessary power consumption while maintaining functional capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the intermediate transfer belt circulation path is adjusted using a cam mechanism, then adaptability between monochrome and color modes is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cam mechanism provides dynamic adjustment of the intermediate transfer belt circulation path based on operational mode. In color mode, the cam mechanism configures the path to engage all image forming units, while in monochrome mode, it reconfigures the path to bypass specific units, thereby achieving mode adaptability through a single dynamic component rather than multiple fixed paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam mechanism serves multiple functions: it simultaneously controls the circulation path configuration for different operational modes and coordinates the driving force transmission to matching image forming units. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate control mechanisms for each mode, managing device complexity while improving adaptability.
3Productivity
If driving force is continuously transmitted to all image forming units, then productivity is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by transmitting driving force only to the necessary subset of image forming units based on operational mode. In monochrome mode, driving force is transmitted only to the active monochrome image forming unit while shutting off to color units, reducing power consumption. In color mode, driving force is transmitted to all units to maintain full productivity. This selective application of driving force optimizes the balance between productivity and power consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a driving unit and a circuit board. The driving unit includes a motor mount section to overlap a first image forming unit of plural image forming units in a rotation-axis direction of photoconductors, and has plural motors that drive the plural photoconductors and plural developing devices forming the image forming units, the intermediate transfer body, and the fixing device, in an assigned manner; and a driving-force transmission section to overlap the other image forming units in the rotation-axis direction, and has a driving-force transmission mechanism that transmits a driving force to the photoconductors and the developing devices forming the other image forming units. The circuit board has a circuit component that controls electric power for operating the driving unit, and is arranged to avoid overlapping the motor mount section and overlap the driving-force transmission section in the rotation-axis direction.