Drum Cartridge Dual Guide System Abrasion Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electrophotographic image forming apparatuses, existing process cartridges face issues with guiding recording media to transfer positions without abrasion from rubbing, leading to discharge traces and wear at bent film parts.
Innovation Solution
A drum cartridge design incorporating a photosensitive drum and a dual-guide system comprising a flexible first guide member and a second guide member with a bent part, along with a straight film that supports the recording medium, ensuring reliable guidance and abrasion resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bent film is used to guide the sheet to the transfer position, then discharge traces are suppressed, but the bent part is worn due to repeated rubbing
Solution Approach 1:
The guide structure is divided into two separate components: a first guide member that guides the sheet from upstream to the transfer position, and a second guide member that supports the first guide member. This segmentation allows the first guide member to have a smooth surface for sheet guidance without bends, while the second guide member provides structural support, thereby eliminating wear at bent parts while maintaining discharge trace suppression.
Solution Approach 2:
The second guide member acts as an intermediary support structure that holds the first guide member in position. By introducing this intermediate component, the first guide member can maintain a straight configuration optimized for sheet guidance without bearing the mechanical stress of bending, thus preventing wear while ensuring reliable sheet guidance to the transfer position.
2Productivity
If the sheet conveyance speed is increased to make printing faster, then productivity is improved, but discharge traces are more likely to form when the rear end falls off the film member
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the guide into a first guide member for sheet guidance and a second guide member for support, the sheet can be conveyed at higher speeds with the rear end continuously supported by the first guide member's smooth surface, preventing discharge traces even during high-speed operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A drum cartridge including: a photosensitive drum; and a guide member configured to guide a recording medium towards the photosensitive drum and including, a first guide member having flexibility, extending towards the photosensitive drum, and having a guide surface configured to guide the recording medium, and a second guide member having flexibility, contacting a surface of the first guide member opposite to the guide surface, and supporting the first guide member, the second guide member including, a first part extending towards the photosensitive drum, and a second part bent continuously from a downstream end of the first part in a guide direction and extending towards a transfer position side, wherein, in the guide direction, a downstream end of the first guide member is arranged downstream of the downstream end of the first part.