Photoreceptor Drum Bearing Structure for Precise Swing Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing photoreceptor drum unit structures face challenges in easy assembly, high precision, and durability during attachment and detachment, with issues such as forcible insertion of components, increased man-hours, and potential damage during assembly, while also requiring precise installation of the drum flange and coupling member.
Innovation Solution
A bearing member with a tube-shaped body and a holding section that includes a spherical body receiving section and swing groove, allowing for smooth swinging and attachment/detachment of the shaft member, and a manufacturing method using injection molding to integrate components without undercuts, facilitating precise assembly and reducing production costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the spherical section is forcibly inserted into the drum flange to enable swingable coupling member installation, then the coupling member can swing around the spherical section to facilitate disengagement, but assembly precision deteriorates and components may be damaged during forced assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming the spherical section and the groove structure in the drum flange during manufacturing. The groove is preliminarily shaped to guide the spherical section into place without forced insertion. This preliminary preparation of the receiving structure ensures that the coupling member can be installed smoothly while maintaining assembly precision and avoiding component damage.
2Ease of operation
If the spherical section is forcibly inserted to allow coupling member swinging, then disengagement becomes easier, but increased man-hours and production costs result from careful assembly requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The groove structure is preliminarily formed in the drum flange to guide the spherical section during assembly. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for forced insertion and careful manual alignment, thereby reducing assembly time and increasing production efficiency while still enabling easy disengagement through the swingable coupling member mechanism.
3Ease of manufacture
If the groove for the rotating force transmission pin is linked to the swing groove side wall, then installation of the pin is facilitated, but the shaft member may be carelessly removed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies inversion by designing the groove structure so that the rotating force transmission pin is retained through a locking mechanism at the bottom of the groove rather than through friction alone. The groove is shaped to guide the pin during installation, and the locking structure at the groove end prevents careless removal, thus achieving both ease of installation and reliable retention.
4Area of stationary object
If the process cartridge is disengaged to be pulled out in a direction different from the driving shaft axis, then attachment and detachment space is reduced, but the engagement between driving shaft and photoreceptor drum must be released every time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the coupling member swingable around the spherical section. This dynamic capability allows the coupling member to change its angle with respect to the photoreceptor drum axis, enabling the process cartridge to be pulled out in a direction different from the driving shaft axis while maintaining engagement. The swingable mechanism provides the necessary flexibility to accommodate the offset removal direction without requiring complete disengagement and re-engagement.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
There are provided a concave section (51c) in which one section is opened and a bottom section (51b) on a side opposite to the one section has a curved surface along the spherical body, the concave section receiving the spherical body therein, and at least two swing grooves (52) being grooves which are provided on a side surface of the concave section and into which end sections of the rotating force transmission pin are inserted. The swing groove at least includes a parallel part which is parallel to an axis of the bearing member and a curved part (52a) curved toward the axis, an undercut section is not provided in the concave section when the concave section is viewed from an opened side of the concave section in a direction of the axis of the bearing member, and a clearance between the two swing grooves in a direction which is orthogonal to the direction of the axis on the opened side of the concave section is formed to be shorter than a distance between both ends of the rotating force transmission pin in the direction which is orthogonal to the axis of the bearing member even when the shaft member is mounted on the bearing member in a posture inclined at the most.