Duplex Printer Drive Layout Using Overlapping Conveyance Input
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a desire to miniaturize printers capable of duplex printing, as existing technologies face challenges in optimizing the arrangement of components to reduce size without compromising functionality and maintainability.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus is designed with a drive source positioned between the transfer member and the fixing portion, overlapping the drive input portion with respect to certain directions to minimize spatial overlap and interference, allowing for a compact layout while maintaining efficient component integration and accessibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the drive source is positioned between the transfer member and the fixing portion with overlapping arrangement, then the printer size is reduced, but the component layout complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive source is positioned between the transfer member and the fixing portion in the sheet conveyance direction, with the drive input portion overlapping the drive source in the vertical direction. This three-dimensional overlapping arrangement utilizes the vertical dimension to reduce the horizontal footprint of the printer, thereby miniaturizing the overall device while maintaining functional separation between components.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive input portion is disposed to overlap the drive source, creating a nested spatial relationship where components are arranged in multiple layers. The drive source and drive input portion are positioned such that they occupy different vertical levels, allowing one component to be effectively 'nested' within the spatial envelope of another without physical interference, thus reducing the overall printer volume.
2Area of stationary object
If the drive source and drive input portion are arranged to overlap in vertical direction, then spatial efficiency is improved, but manufacturing and assembly difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive system is divided into separate components: the drive source (motor) and the drive input portion (transmission mechanism). This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and tested independently, then assembled in the overlapping configuration. The drive input portion acts as an interface that connects the drive source to the conveyance portion, simplifying the overall assembly process despite the compact three-dimensional arrangement.
3Ease of repair
If the drive source is positioned between transfer member and fixing portion, then component accessibility is improved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive source is extracted from the traditional position near the photosensitive drum and relocated to the position between the transfer member and the fixing portion. This extraction allows the drive source to be more easily accessed for maintenance and replacement, as it is positioned in a more accessible location within the printer structure, while the drive input portion serves as the connection interface to the conveyance system.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion including a photosensitive member that is rotatably supported about a rotation shaft extending in a first direction and a transfer member, a fixing portion, a reverse conveyance portion, a conveyance path, a conveyance portion, a drive source, and a drive input portion, the drive input portion being attached to the conveyance portion. The drive source is disposed between the transfer member and the fixing portion in a second direction parallel to a sheet conveyance direction in the conveyance portion. The drive input portion is disposed so as to overlap the drive source with respect to the first direction, so as to overlap the drive source with respect to a third direction orthogonal to both of the first direction and the second direction, and so as not to overlap the drive source with respect to the second direction.