Dual Motor Transmission Mechanism for Compact Duplex Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of transmission mechanisms in existing electrophotographic image forming apparatuses with duplex printing functions leads to increased physical size, making it difficult to minimize the size of the apparatus.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus is designed with a dual motor and transmission mechanism system, where the second motor and transmission mechanism include a clutch mechanism to intermittently transmit drive force to the switchback and re-feeding rollers, allowing for compact design by avoiding overlap and reducing the number of gears, thus minimizing physical size and noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If transmission mechanisms for the fixing unit and ejection roller are disposed in the vicinity of the motor, then the drive force can be transmitted efficiently, but the structures of the transmission mechanisms increase in complexity and the physical size of the apparatus increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission mechanisms are divided into two separate systems: a first transmission mechanism for the fixing unit and a second transmission mechanism for the ejection roller and re-feeding roller. This segmentation allows each mechanism to be independently designed and disposed at different locations, reducing overall complexity while maintaining efficient drive force transmission to each component.
2Power
If transmission mechanisms for the fixing unit and ejection roller are disposed in the vicinity of the motor, then the drive force can be transmitted efficiently, but the physical size of the apparatus increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission mechanisms are disposed in different spatial dimensions and locations within the apparatus. The first transmission mechanism is positioned for the fixing unit while the second transmission mechanism is positioned for the ejection roller, utilizing three-dimensional space arrangement to avoid overlap and minimize the overall footprint of the apparatus.
3Productivity
If the second transmission mechanism continuously transmits drive force to the re-feeding roller, then the sheet can be continuously re-fed, but noise increases and precision control of the photosensitive drum rotation angle decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The second transmission mechanism is designed to intermittently transmit drive force to the re-feeding roller rather than continuously. The clutch mechanism engages and disengages periodically, allowing the re-feeding roller to rotate only when needed to feed sheets onto the photosensitive drum. This periodic action reduces noise from continuous operation while maintaining productivity by synchronizing re-feeding with the imaging cycle.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum, a fixing unit including a fixing roller, a sheet ejection tray, a switchback roller, a re-feeding roller, a first frame, a second frame, a first motor, a first transmission mechanism, a second motor, and a second transmission mechanism. The switchback roller is configured to rotate in a forward direction to convey a sheet to the tray and in a reverse direction to convey the sheet back toward the photosensitive drum. The first motor and the first transmission mechanism are disposed to the first frame. The first transmission mechanism is configured to transmit the drive force from the first motor to the fixing roller. The second motor and the second transmission mechanism are disposed to the second frame. The second transmission mechanism is includes a clutch mechanism configured to intermittently transmit the drive force from the second motor to the re-feeding roller.