Force-Converting Mechanism for Photoconductor Detachment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, rotary bodies such as photoconductors often get seized when attempting to remove them due to tilting during disengagement from supporting members, leading to operational issues and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a rotatable member that rotates around the rotation axis of the rotary body, converting its rotation into a force to facilitate detachment from the supporting member, preventing seizure and allowing for smooth removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the rotary body is manually pulled out for removal, then the detachment operation can be performed, but the rotary body may tilt and get seized with the supporting member, preventing successful removal
Solution Approach 1:
A rotating lever is introduced as an intermediary tool between the operator and the rotary body. The lever rotates about the rotation axis of the rotary body and converts rotational motion into a pushing force that acts on the rotary body to move it in the detachment direction. This intermediary mechanism eliminates the need for direct manual pulling that causes tilting and seizure, while ensuring reliable detachment through controlled force application.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the rotary body is supported by bearings engaged with projections on the rotation shaft, then stable support is achieved, but the engagement creates resistance to removal that can lead to seizure when tilting occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The solution introduces a dynamic rotating lever that changes the mode of interaction during removal. Instead of static manual pulling that causes tilting, the lever rotates dynamically about the rotation axis, converting rotational input into controlled linear pushing force. This dynamic mechanism maintains stability during operation while facilitating easy removal by eliminating tilting-induced seizure of the bearing-projection engagement.
3Productivity
If direct pulling force is applied to remove the rotary body, then removal can be attempted, but the force causes tilting that slides the projection and leads to seizure with the bearing
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating lever serves as a mechanical intermediary that transforms the removal operation. Instead of applying direct pulling force that causes tilting and seizure, the operator rotates the lever, which then pushes the rotary body in the detachment direction. This intermediary mechanism achieves rapid removal (high productivity) while preventing tilting-induced seizure (high reliability) through controlled force application along the rotation axis.
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
Enables the successful removal of rotary bodies without seizure, reducing the risk of damage and ensuring smooth operation by converting the rotation of the rotatable member into a force that disengages the rotary body from the supporting member.
Implementation Method 1
a force-converting mechanism that converts a rotation force generated by the rotation of the rotatable member into a force whereby the rotary body moves in the detachment direction
Data Source
AI summary
A bearing detachably and rotatably holds a photoconductor. A bearing holder firmly holds the bearing. A rotating lever is provided on a rotation axis of a photoconductor between the photoconductor and the bearing holder. The bearing holder and the rotating lever are provided with many protrusions at regular intervals. At a first relative position of the bearing holder and the rotating lever, the protrusions on the bearing holder are located in between the protrusions on the rotating lever. At a second relative position of the bearing holder and the rotating lever, the protrusions on the bearing holder ride on the protrusions on the rotating lever thereby pushing the photoconductor away from the bearing and detaching the photoconductor from the bearing.