Flywheel Claw Mechanism for Stable Maintenance

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Solution Overview

Problem

In image forming apparatuses, particularly tandem-type color printers, the flywheel used to stabilize the rotation of driving rollers is prone to falling during maintenance due to its larger diameter and weight, which complicates the removal process and poses a risk of damage or injury.

Innovation Solution

A flywheel design that includes a protruding body with a claw mechanism that hooks onto the rotation shaft, preventing the flywheel body from falling and ensuring stability during removal and installation, allowing for secure attachment and detachment without manual holding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the flywheel is designed with a larger diameter and weight to stabilize rotation, then the rotation stabilization effect is improved, but the flywheel becomes prone to falling during maintenance and complicates the removal process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotation stabilizationVSAvoidmaintenance operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The flywheel is divided into two main segments: a rotation shaft and a flywheel body. The flywheel body can be detached from the rotation shaft, allowing the heavy flywheel body to be removed separately for maintenance while the rotation shaft remains in place. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by enabling easy maintenance operation while preserving the rotation stabilization function when assembled.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A protruding body with a claw mechanism acts as an intermediary between the flywheel body and rotation shaft. The claw hooks onto the rotation shaft to secure the flywheel body during operation, preventing it from falling. During maintenance, the claw can be disengaged to facilitate safe removal. This intermediary mechanism resolves the contradiction by providing both secure attachment for stabilization and easy detachment for maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the flywheel body is made heavier to improve rotational inertia, then the rotation stability is improved, but the risk of damage or injury during maintenance increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotation stabilityVSAvoiddamage or injury risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the flywheel into a rotation shaft and a detachable flywheel body, the heavy flywheel body can be removed for maintenance without requiring the entire assembly to be handled. The protruding body with claw mechanism ensures the heavy component remains secure during operation but can be safely detached when needed, reducing the risk of damage or injury during maintenance activities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protruding body with claw mechanism serves as a safety intermediary that prevents the heavy flywheel body from falling during operation. The claw securely engages with the rotation shaft, bearing the weight and preventing accidental drops that could cause damage or injury. During maintenance, the claw can be deliberately disengaged under controlled conditions, allowing safe removal of the heavy component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If the flywheel is designed as a single integrated component, then the structural simplicity is improved, but the removal and installation process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidremoval and installation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The flywheel is segmented into a rotation shaft and a flywheel body that can be independently assembled and disassembled. The protruding body with claw mechanism provides a simple engagement feature that allows the flywheel body to be quickly attached to and removed from the rotation shaft. This segmentation maintains relative structural simplicity while dramatically improving ease of repair by enabling quick removal and installation during maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Object-affected harmful factors

If manual holding is required to prevent the flywheel from falling, then the safety is improved, but the operational efficiency and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidoperational efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The protruding body with claw mechanism acts as a passive safety intermediary that automatically prevents the flywheel body from falling during operation. The claw securely engages with the rotation shaft, eliminating the need for manual holding to prevent falls. During maintenance, the claw can be deliberately disengaged to facilitate quick removal and installation, thereby improving operational efficiency while maintaining safety throughout the process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9829834B2Flywheel and image forming apparatus

Publication Date: 2017.11.28 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

A flywheel includes a rotation shaft, a flywheel body, and a protruding body. A first end of the rotation shaft is supported by a rotating body. The flywheel body is provided at a second end of the rotation shaft and rotates together with the rotation shaft. The protruding body protrudes from a surface at a rotating-body side of the flywheel body and extends in a circumferential direction of the rotation shaft.