Drum Unit Coupling Member Radial Sliding Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrophotographic image forming apparatuses face challenges in securely transmitting driving forces to rotatable members like photosensitive drums and developing rollers, leading to potential misalignment and reduced durability.
Innovation Solution
A drum unit with a coupling member that includes an engageable member, a holding member for radial slidable movement, and an urging member to ensure stable engagement with the main assembly's driving shaft, allowing for secure transmission of driving forces while preventing radial disengagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a coupling member is provided to transmit driving force to the photosensitive drum, then the photosensitive drum can be rotated, but radial disengagement and misalignment may occur reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling member is designed to be slidable in the radial direction, allowing dynamic adjustment of the engagement position. This enables the coupling member to maintain stable engagement with the drive pin while accommodating radial movements, thereby preventing disengagement and misalignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling member acts as an intermediary between the drive pin and the photosensitive drum. It transmits the driving force from the drive pin to the photosensitive drum while maintaining a stable connection, preventing direct contact issues between the drive pin and drum.
2Device complexity
If the coupling member is fixed radially, then structural simplicity is maintained, but misalignment and durability issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling member incorporates radial sliding capability, transforming from a fixed structure to a dynamic one. This allows the coupling member to adjust its radial position to maintain proper alignment with the drive pin, improving reliability without significantly increasing structural complexity.
3Ease of operation
If engagement between coupling member and drive pin is loose, then ease of assembly is improved, but driving force transmission becomes unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The radial sliding mechanism allows the coupling member to automatically adjust its position during assembly and operation. This ensures consistent engagement with the drive pin while maintaining ease of assembly, as the coupling member can self-align during the assembly process.
Data Source
AI summary
A drum unit includes a photosensitive drum in a coupling member. The coupling member includes an engageable member having a driving force receiving portion which is capable of entering a recess of a driving shaft to receive a driving force for rotating photosensitive drum. The coupling member includes a holding member configured to hold said engageable member so as to be slidable at least in a radial direction of said drum unit.