Exposure Unit Positioning for Vibration Suppression in Image Forming Apparatus
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses experience image quality degradation due to vibrations causing the exposure unit to shift away from the photoconductive body, leading to inaccurate positioning and increased resistance when moving the exposure unit to the exposing position.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus incorporates a first pressing member with a point of action positioned closer to the photoconductive body than the first positioning member, supported by both the first and second positioning members, and a second pressing member to stabilize the exposure unit's position, reducing the effect of vibrations and resistance during movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the exposure unit is pressed toward the photoconductive body by a pressing member, then the exposure unit maintains contact with the photoconductive body, but vibrations cause the point of action to shift and the exposure unit to separate from the positioning member, degrading image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a second pressing member that acts in a direction orthogonal to the movement direction of the exposure unit, in addition to the first pressing member that acts in the movement direction. This dual-directional pressing mechanism stabilizes the exposure unit against vibrations from multiple directions, preventing separation from the positioning member while maintaining contact with the photoconductive body.
Solution Approach 2:
The second pressing member provides a counteracting force against the vibrational forces that tend to separate the exposure unit from the positioning member. By positioning the pressing portion of the second pressing member between the first positioning member and the photoconductive body, it creates a stabilizing counterbalance that prevents the exposure unit from shifting due to vibrations.
2Manufacturing precision
If the exposure unit is biased toward one direction for positioning, then positioning accuracy is improved, but resistance increases when moving the exposure unit to the exposing position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs two pressing members that can independently adjust the exposure unit's position. The first pressing member provides bias in the movement direction for positioning, while the second pressing member provides orthogonal support. This dynamic configuration allows the exposure unit to be positioned accurately while reducing overall movement resistance through balanced support forces.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a photoconductive body on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, an exposure unit which exposes the photoconductive body, a first pressing member which presses the exposure unit toward the photoconductive body, a first positioning member which makes a contact with the exposure unit, a second positioning member which is arranged at a side nearer to the photoconductive body than the first positioning member in an optical axial direction of light, and a second pressing member which presses the exposure unit toward the second positioning member. A point of action at which the first pressing member presses the exposure unit is positioned at a side nearer to the photoconductive body, than the first positioning member in the optical axial direction. It is possible to suppress a degradation of an image quality by suppressing an effect of vibrations with respect to the exposure unit.