Exposure Member Swing Regulation for LED Head Gap Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, the integral spacer with the LED head can be attracted in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum, leading to inclination and variation in the gap between the LED head and the photosensitive drum, which deteriorates image quality due to changes in the focal position of light.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a swing regulating member that contacts the exposure member upstream of the contact position with the photosensitive member, and a positioning member downstream, along with a pressing member, to maintain the angle formed by the optical axis and the photosensitive drum's center axis, ensuring the gap remains consistent despite abrasion of the gap keeping and positioning members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the spacer is formed integral with the LED head, then the structure is simplified, but the LED head moves in the rotation direction due to friction attraction and becomes inclined, causing gap variation and image quality deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the positioning function into two separate members: a positioning member that prevents movement in the rotation direction, and a swing regulating member that prevents inclination. This segmentation allows each member to perform its specific function effectively, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and positioning precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The swing regulating member acts as an intermediary element that contacts the exposure member at a specific position to regulate swing motion. This intermediary component mediates between the positioning member and the exposure member, preventing direct friction attraction while maintaining positioning accuracy.
2Device complexity
If the spacer is formed integral with the LED head, then the assembly is simplified, but image quality deteriorates due to focal position changes from gap variation
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the positioning function into separate members (positioning member and swing regulating member), the invention maintains assembly simplicity while ensuring reliable gap consistency, thereby preserving image quality without compromising structural simplicity.
3Manufacturing precision
If a positioning member is disposed downstream to regulate LED head position, then movement in rotation direction is prevented, but the LED head may incline about the positioning member, causing gap variation
Solution Approach 1:
The swing regulating member serves as an intermediary that contacts the exposure member upstream of the positioning member. This intermediary prevents inclination about the positioning member by providing a second constraint point, thereby maintaining both position regulation and inclination stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds another dimension of control by introducing the swing regulating member that acts in a different location (upstream) than the positioning member (downstream). This dimensional addition prevents inclination while maintaining position regulation, resolving the stability issue.
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 effectively suppresses variations in the optical axis gap between the photosensitive member and the exposure member, enhancing image quality by maintaining the focal position stability.
Implementation Method 1
the spacer coming in slide-contact with the rotating photosensitive drum may be attracted in a rotation direction of the photosensitive drum due to the friction with the photosensitive drum
Implementation Method 2
a gap keeping member configured to come in contact with the photosensitive member to keep a gap between the exposure member and the photosensitive member
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus is provided, which includes: a photosensitive member; an exposure member; a gap keeping member; a positioning member and a swing regulating member. The swing regulating member is configured to come in contact with the exposure member at a contact position that is more upstream than the exposure member and that is more separated from the photosensitive member than a contact position between the positioning member and the exposure member.