Flapper Pressure Control Mechanism for Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, the flapper is often subjected to excessive pressure due to mechanical tolerances, which can lead to damage when it is forcibly urged against a contacting part, causing potential damage and increased risk of impact noise.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a pressure link and urging members to control the flapper's movement, allowing it to swing against an urging force, with a flapper switcher that moves between pressing and separated positions to manage pressure, thereby preventing excessive force on the flapper and reducing the risk of damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the flapper is subject to a predetermined amount of pressure by the contacting part, then the flapper can be restricted from moving beyond the second position, but due to mechanical tolerances the flapper may be subjected to greater pressure and damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a buffer member positioned between the flapper and the contacting part to cushion excessive pressure. When the flapper is subjected to greater than predetermined pressure due to mechanical tolerances, the buffer member absorbs the excess force, preventing direct transmission to the flapper and thereby avoiding damage while maintaining position control precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer member acts as an intermediary element between the flapper and the contacting part. It mediates the pressure interaction by allowing the flapper to be restricted from moving beyond the second position while simultaneously protecting the flapper from excessive pressure through its cushioning property.
2Reliability
If the flapper is forcibly urged against the contacting part due to mechanical tolerances, then the flapper may be damaged, but adding protection mechanisms increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer member is integrated into the existing switcher mechanism structure, providing protection against excessive pressure without requiring a completely new system. This approach protects the flapper while adding minimal complexity compared to redesigning the entire switcher mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer member is designed as a simple, inexpensive component that can be easily replaced if worn. This allows the system to maintain high reliability through a low-cost protective element rather than complex, expensive protection mechanisms.
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 ensures the flapper is protected from excessive pressure, reducing the likelihood of damage and minimizing impact noise, while maintaining accurate positional control and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a first urging member arranged between the pressure link and the flapper, the first urging member being configured to urge the flapper to swing with respect to the pressure link toward the first contact surface
Implementation Method 2
a second urging member arranged between the housing and the pressure link, the second urging member being configured to urge the pressure link to act on the flapper to tend toward staying in the first position
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus, having a housing, a flapper swingable relatively to the housing between a first position and a second position; a pressure link swingable relatively to the housing and the flapper, a first contact surface arranged on the housing, a first urging member to urge the flapper to swing relatively to the pressure link toward the first contact surface, a second urging member to urge the pressure link to act on the flapper to tend toward staying in the first position, and a flapper switcher having a pressure applier movable between a pressing position and a separated position, is provided. The flapper is swingable relatively to the pressure link against an urging force from the first urging member, after the pressure applier presses the pressure link to move the flapper from the first position to the second position and when the flapper contacts the first contact surface.