Front-Pull Developing Section Mechanism for Compact Printer Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing image forming apparatuses face difficulties in replacing developing cartridges due to the requirement of a significant space for opening the top cover, which becomes challenging when a large number of LEDs or EL elements are used, making the operation cumbersome and space-consuming.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus incorporates a developing-section supporting member and a displacement mechanism that allows the developing sections to be pulled out from the front side, enabling easy replacement while maintaining the LED arrays' separation from the photosensitive drums, utilizing a cam mechanism to facilitate this operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the top cover is opened to replace developing cartridges, then the developing cartridges can be accessed, but a large space is required above the apparatus and the operation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the access direction from vertical (top cover opening) to horizontal (front opening). The developing section supporting member is pulled out in the pulling direction through the opening at the front side, allowing replacement operations to be performed from the front rather than requiring space above the apparatus.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent separates the developing section supporting member (holding developing cartridges) from the main apparatus body. This segmentation allows the developing sections to be independently pulled out and replaced through the front opening without affecting the entire apparatus structure.
2Volume of moving object
If LEDs are arranged close to photosensitive drums for compact design, then the apparatus size is reduced, but the LED arrays interfere with the photosensitive drums during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the distance between LED arrays and photosensitive drums dynamic rather than fixed. The displacement mechanism adjusts the position of LED arrays relative to photosensitive drums based on operational requirements, allowing close positioning when needed and separation when interference would occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The displacement mechanism acts as an intermediary between the LED arrays and photosensitive drums, controlling their relative positions. This intermediary system ensures that the LED arrays are positioned optimally for compact design while preventing interference with the photosensitive drums during operation.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus main body has an opening at a front side. A developing-section supporting member configured to hold developing sections and to be pulled in a pulling direction through the opening from an internal position inside the apparatus main body to an external position outside the apparatus main body at which the developing sections is configured to be mounted and dismounted. Exposing members emit light in an optical axis direction for forming a latent image on respective photosensitive members. The exposing members are provided at the developing-section supporting member. A displacement mechanism is configured to support the developing-section supporting member and to displace the developing-section supporting member between: an adjacent position at which the developing-section supporting member is adjacent to the photosensitive members; and a separated position at which the developing-section supporting member is separated from the photosensitive members.