Drum Cartridge Coupling Structure for Easier Tilted Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses require complex maintenance operations for toner replenishment and other processes, which can be cumbersome and require professional assistance.
Innovation Solution
A cartridge system is developed with a photosensitive drum and process means integrated into a detachable unit, featuring a coupling member that transmits driving force and includes movable pushing members to adjust the inclination angle of drive output members, facilitating easier mounting and dismounting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a coupling member is provided at a free end of the photosensitive drum to transmit driving force, then the photosensitive drum can be driven by the apparatus main assembly, but the mounting and dismounting operation becomes complex and difficult for users to perform independently
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling member is divided into two separate components: a first coupling member provided on the cartridge side and a second coupling member provided on the apparatus main assembly side. This segmentation allows each coupling member to be independently designed and positioned, simplifying the overall mounting structure while maintaining reliable driving force transmission between the cartridge and the main assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The first coupling member acts as an intermediary element that mediates the connection between the cartridge and the apparatus main assembly. By providing this intermediate coupling structure, the patent simplifies the mounting operation while ensuring reliable driving force transmission, as the coupling members can be easily engaged and disengaged by users without requiring complex operations.
2Ease of operation
If the coupling member is structured to advance and retract in the longitudinal direction to facilitate mounting, then the mounting operation becomes easier, but the structural complexity of the coupling member increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is segmented into multiple simple components (first coupling member, second coupling member, positioning member) rather than using a single complex advancing/retracting mechanism. Each component has a simple structure with a specific function, and their combination achieves the mounting facilitation without requiring any component to have complex internal structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling members are designed to be movable relative to each other during the mounting process, allowing easy engagement. The positioning member can move in the longitudinal direction to facilitate the coupling, but once mounted, the structure becomes stable. This dynamic design during mounting transitions to a static stable structure during operation, simplifying both mounting and maintaining reliability.
3Manufacturing precision
If a positioning member is provided to determine cartridge position, then the cartridge can be accurately positioned in the apparatus main assembly, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of providing a complex positioning system throughout the entire cartridge structure, the patent applies a simple positioning member only at the specific location where positioning is needed (the end of the photosensitive drum). This localized approach achieves accurate cartridge positioning without adding complexity to the entire cartridge structure, as the positioning function is concentrated in a single simple component.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus comprises a main assembly of the image forming apparatus, with the main assembly including a driving shaft. The image forming apparatus also includes a cartridge detachably mountable to the main assembly of the image forming apparatus, the cartridge including (i) a photosensitive drum and (ii) a coupling positioned adjacent to an end portion of the photosensitive drum, with the coupling being movable in an axial direction of the photosensitive drum. The coupling is engageable with the driving shaft by the coupling moving in the axial direction in a state in which the cartridge is tilted relative to the main assembly of the image forming apparatus.