Exposure Device Alignment via Abutting Support Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in maintaining precise alignment and stability between the photoconductor drum and the print head, leading to potential image quality deterioration due to misalignment and variations in abutting loads, which can result in inconsistent image formation.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a photoconductor unit with a bearing body and abutting portion supported by a support frame, along with an exposure device that includes a print head with urging bodies to maintain a predetermined distance and alignment, ensuring the photoconductor drum and print head are parallel, thus stabilizing the abutting portions and preventing misalignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the photoconductor drum and print head are maintained at a predetermined distance without abutting structures, then the risk of mechanical contact and wear is reduced, but alignment precision and stability deteriorate leading to image quality deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into separate components: a support frame, a bearing body with abutting portions, and an exposure device with its own abutting portions. This segmentation allows each component to be precisely manufactured and assembled to achieve high alignment precision while maintaining manageable structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Abutting portions are introduced as intermediary elements between the photoconductor drum support and the exposure device. These abutting portions provide precise positioning and alignment without requiring direct contact between the drum and print head, thus maintaining precision while reducing mechanical wear
2Stability of the object's composition
If abutting structures are introduced to improve alignment stability, then alignment precision is improved, but the number of parts and structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The abutting portions are integrated into the bearing body and exposure device structure rather than being separate components. This merging reduces the number of parts while maintaining alignment stability, as the abutting features become inherent to the structural design rather than additional elements
3Adaptability or versatility
If the exposure device is allowed to move freely to accommodate thermal expansion, then adaptability to environmental changes is improved, but alignment precision deteriorates due to position variations
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure provides localized rigid support at critical abutting points to maintain position precision, while other parts of the structure allow for thermal expansion. This local quality approach ensures that adaptability and precision coexist by being rigid where needed and flexible where not needed
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 configuration maintains high dimensional accuracy and stability between the exposure device and the photoconductor drum, preventing image quality deterioration by ensuring consistent abutting loads and alignment, thereby enhancing the precision and reliability of image formation.
Implementation Method 1
The urging body presses the exposure device toward the support frame, urges the abutting portion toward the bearing body and the shaft portion, and urges the bearing body toward the support frame
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a photoconductor, a bearing body, an abutting portion, a support frame, an exposure device, and an urging body. The photoconductor includes a shaft portion at an end portion. The bearing body is configured to receive the shaft portion. The abutting portion is coupled to the bearing body. The support frame is configured to support the abutting portion and the bearing body. The exposure device faces the photoconductor, abuts on the abutting portion, and includes a light source exposing the photoconductor to light. The urging body is configured to press the exposure device toward the support frame, urge the abutting portion toward the bearing body and the shaft portion, and urge the bearing body toward the support frame.