Drum Drive Coupling Structure for Secure Pivotable Cartridge Mounting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional structures for coupling members in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses restrict the pivotability of the coupling member due to the inner edge of the flange opening, preventing disengagement without limiting the inclinability of the coupling member.
Innovation Solution
A cartridge with a rotatable coupling member featuring a free end portion, a connecting portion accommodated in an accommodating portion, and a through-hole, allowing the coupling member to pivot relative to the rotational axis of the rotatable member, enabling disengagement from the main assembly side engaging portion without limiting pivotability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the coupling member is prevented from disengaging by the contact of the inner edge of the opening to the spherical portion, then the coupling member is secured to the flange, but the pivotability angle of the coupling member is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
A guide member is introduced as an intermediary component between the coupling member and the flange. The guide member includes a guide opening that guides the spherical portion during insertion, and a guide protrusion that contacts the coupling member to prevent disengagement. This mediator allows the coupling member to pivot freely during normal operation while preventing unwanted disengagement, thus resolving the contradiction between coupling security and pivotability.
2Reliability
If the inner edge of the opening contacts the spherical portion to prevent disengagement, then the coupling is secured, but the inclinability (pivotability) amount of the coupling member is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member serves as a mediator that separates the functions of guiding insertion and preventing disengagement. The guide opening accommodates the spherical portion during insertion, while the guide protrusion prevents disengagement by contacting the coupling member. This allows the coupling member to maintain full inclinability during operation while ensuring secure engagement, resolving the contradiction between engagement security and pivotability range.
Data Source
AI summary
With a structure in which a coupling member includes a sphere providing a center of inclination (pivoting), a rotational force transmitted member has an opening have a diameter smaller than that of the sphere, and the coupling member is prevented from disengaging from rotational force transmitted member by contact of inner edge of the opening to the sphere, the inner edge of the opening may limit an inclinable (pivotable) angle range of the coupling member. In a state that a pin that is a shaft portion is inserted in a hole that is a through-hole provided in a coupling member, opposite end portions of the pin are supported by a driving side flange, which is a rotational force transmitted member. The coupling member, the driving side flange, and the pin are connected in this manner, and the pin contacts the inside of the hole without limiting the inclinable angle range.