Image Forming Apparatus Drum Angular Displacement Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatus configurations require significant time for attachment work, particularly when switching between attaching one end and the other end of a sheet member to a drum member, and then attaching a second sheet member to another drum member.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus includes first and second drum members with cylindrical shapes, first and second sheet members that are replaceably wound around the drum members, and an angular displacement mechanism that angularly displaces the drum members in tandem to switch among specific attachment positions, reducing the time required for attachment work.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the position is switched to attach one end of a sheet member to a drum member, then the attachment work can be completed, but significant time is required for switching positions and completing multiple attachment steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the attachment of one end and the other end of the sheet member to the drum member into a single operational sequence. By providing a holding member that can simultaneously hold both ends of the sheet member, the system merges two separate attachment operations into one coordinated process, significantly reducing the time required for attachment work while maintaining manageable complexity through the unified approach.
2Productivity
If multiple sheet members are attached to multiple drum members sequentially, then complete component replacement is achieved, but the process becomes time-consuming due to repeated position switching
Solution Approach 1:
The holding member is designed to preliminarily hold both ends of the sheet member before the actual attachment to the drum member occurs. This preliminary positioning action prepares the sheet member in advance, allowing for faster and more efficient attachment operations. By pre-positioning both ends simultaneously, the system eliminates the need for repeated position switching during the attachment process, thereby improving component replacement efficiency while keeping the operation simple and straightforward.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes: first and second drum members that extend in one direction and have a cylindrical shape; first and second sheet members that are replaceably wound around outer peripheries of the first and second drum members, respectively, in a state where one end and the other end of each of the first and second sheet members are separated from each other in a circumferential direction, the first and second sheet members coming in contact with a medium on which an image is to be formed; and an angular displacement mechanism that angularly displaces the first and second drum members in tandem to switch among a first attachment position where the one end of the first sheet member is attached to the first drum member in a state where the first sheet member is removed, a second attachment position where the second sheet member is attached to the second drum member in a state where the second sheet member is removed, and a third attachment position where the other end of the first sheet member that is attached during the first attachment position is attached to the first drum member, in an order of the first attachment position, the second attachment position, and the third attachment position.