Elastic Connecting Member for Detachable Separation Roller
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Solution Overview
Problem
The separation roller in image forming apparatuses experiences deteriorated separation performance due to wear, requiring frequent replacement, and existing attachment and detachment methods are cumbersome and prone to damage or mechanical stress.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a support shaft with a protrusion and a connecting member formed of elastic material, allowing for easy attachment and detachment of the separation roller by leveraging the elastic deformation to reduce the force required for removal and installation, thereby minimizing mechanical stress and facilitating replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a C-shaped joint is used to attach the separation roller to the swing support shaft, then the separation roller can be detachably connected, but a large force is required for attachment and detachment due to elastic deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the connecting member from elastic material to resin material with specific physical properties (density 1.05 g/cm³ or less, flexural modulus 300 MPa or more, impact strength 20 kJ/m² or more). This parameter change allows the member to be detachable while reducing the force required for attachment and detachment, eliminating the need for large elastic deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a resin connecting member that can be easily replaced when worn or damaged. This disposable approach with low-cost resin material allows frequent replacement without requiring complex attachment mechanisms or high-force connections, resolving the contradiction between detachability and force requirement.
2Ease of operation
If the opening unit of the joint is made slightly smaller than the swing support shaft diameter, then the joint can be attached and detached, but the joint must be elastically deformed which requires large force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the dimensional parameter relationship between the connecting member's opening unit and the swing support shaft. Instead of making the opening slightly smaller (requiring elastic deformation), the opening unit is designed to be larger than the shaft diameter, allowing friction-fit attachment without elastic deformation. This resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and mechanical stress.
Solution Approach 2:
The resin connecting member is designed as a replaceable component that can be easily attached and detached without suffering from cumulative mechanical stress. The low-cost resin material allows frequent replacement, eliminating the problem of stress accumulation that would occur with reusable elastic joints.
3Reliability
If the separation roller is frequently replaced due to wear, then separation performance is maintained, but maintenance time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters of the connecting member to resin with specific properties (low density, high flexural modulus, high impact strength). This material selection creates a connecting member that is both durable and easy to replace, reducing maintenance time while ensuring reliable separation performance through consistent material quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the separation roller assembly into replaceable components: the separation roller itself and the connecting member. This segmentation allows the connecting member to be replaced independently when worn, without replacing the entire separation roller assembly, thereby reducing maintenance time and complexity while maintaining separation performance.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables efficient and stress-free replacement of the separation roller, improving maintenance efficiency and reducing the risk of damage to the apparatus during attachment and detachment processes.
Implementation Method 1
The connecting member is formed of an elastic material, and an opening unit in a radial direction is made slightly smaller than an outer diameter of the swing support shaft, such that the joint can be attached and detached to and from the swing support shaft
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes a support shaft, a connecting member, and a detachable member. The support shaft extends in a first direction. The support shaft includes a protrusion. The protrusion protrudes in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The connecting member is formed of an elastic material. The connecting member interposes the protrusion therebetween. The connecting member is connected to the support shaft to surround an outer periphery of the support shaft. The detachable member is detachably connected to the support shaft via the connecting member.