Fuser Nip Shutter Link Mechanism for Compact Cartridge Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses with detachable cartridges, the operation of the cartridge can inadvertently affect the open/closed state of the shutter, necessitating a large movement range for the link, which is undesirable.
Innovation Solution
The link and shutter configuration allows the cartridge to separate before the shutter reaches the open position, ensuring the user's operation on the cartridge does not affect the shutter's state, and the link's movement range remains small.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the link is configured to be pressed by the cartridge until the shutter is completely opened, then the shutter can be reliably opened, but the link requires a large movement range which increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The link's movement is segmented into two distinct phases: (1) cartridge-contact phase where the link moves a limited distance to open the shutter, and (2) post-separation phase where the link continues moving independently to complete the opening motion. This segmentation allows the link to have a small movement range during cartridge attachment while still achieving complete shutter opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The shutter is preliminarily opened during the cartridge attachment process, and the remaining opening motion is completed after the cartridge and link separate. This preliminary action ensures the shutter is reliably opened without requiring the link to travel the full distance while in contact with the cartridge.
2Ease of operation
If the link has a large movement range to accommodate full shutter opening, then the shutter can be fully opened, but the cartridge operation affects the shutter state which reduces operational stability
Solution Approach 1:
The operational sequence is segmented so that the shutter opening action is completed in two stages: initial opening during cartridge attachment, and final positioning after separation. This ensures the shutter reaches its target state reliably without being influenced by subsequent cartridge operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The link acts as an intermediary that transfers the cartridge's attachment motion to the shutter, then continues its motion independently after separation. This intermediary mechanism decouples the cartridge operation from the final shutter position, ensuring stability.
3Device complexity
If the link movement range is reduced, then device complexity is reduced, but it becomes difficult to ensure complete shutter opening
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter opening process is divided into preliminary action (during cartridge-link contact) and completion action (after separation). The link moves a short distance preliminarily to initiate shutter opening, then continues moving independently to complete the full opening distance, achieving both compact design and complete shutter exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The link serves as a mediator that converts the limited cartridge attachment motion into initial shutter opening, then continues its motion independently to achieve the full opening distance. This allows the link to have a small movement range while still enabling complete shutter exposure.
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 maintains the shutter's operational stability by decoupling the cartridge's operation from the shutter's state, reducing the link's movement range and ensuring seamless cartridge attachment without interfering with the shutter's position.
Implementation Method 1
The fuser includes a heating rotor and a pressure rotor configured to form a nip therebetween
Implementation Method 2
The link is coupled to the shutter and is configured to move the shutter between the open position and the closed position
Data Source
AI summary
A shutter moves between a closed position at which the shutter covers a nip of a fuser and an open position at which the nip is exposed. A link contacts a cartridge. The link is coupled to the shutter and moves the shutter between the open position and the closed position. The link is movable between a first position at which the cartridge is not attached to an apparatus main body and a second position at which the cartridge is attached to the apparatus main body. When the cartridge being attached to the apparatus main body contacts the link, the shutter moves from the closed position toward the open position. Before the shutter reaches the open position, the link and the cartridge separate from each other. The link having separated from the cartridge moves further in a direction in which the shutter becomes the open position.