Gear System with Transmission Pathways for Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity and inefficiency of roller driving systems in image forming apparatuses, particularly when using an endless belt, lead to increased manufacturing costs and size due to the need for multiple motors to drive electrostatic latent image carriers and developer devices, as well as the requirement for a separate motor to drive the cleaning roller.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus where the cleaning roller and at least one developer device are driven by a common motor, utilizing a gear train system with one-way clutches to transmit and decouple driving force based on motor direction, simplifying the roller driving system and reducing the number of motors needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate motors are used to drive each electrostatic latent image carrier and developer device, then each component can be driven independently and reliably, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple driving functions into a single motor by using a common driving source for both the cleaning roller and developer devices. This merging approach reduces the total number of motors from multiple separate motors to one shared motor, thereby simplifying the overall driving system while maintaining the ability to independently control each component through directional rotation and gear train mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic control mechanisms including one-way clutches and directional gear trains that allow a single motor to dynamically switch between driving different components. The motor can rotate in different directions to engage different gear paths, enabling the cleaning roller and developer devices to be driven independently through a shared motor source, thus reducing system complexity while preserving independent controllability.
2Ease of operation
If a separate motor is used to drive the cleaning roller, then the cleaning function can be independently controlled, but the device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cleaning roller driving function with the developer device driving function by using a single common motor. This eliminates the need for a separate dedicated motor for the cleaning roller, thereby reducing the number of motors in the system while maintaining independent control capability through directional rotation and gear train engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The single motor is designed to perform multiple functions: it can drive both the cleaning roller and the developer devices by rotating in different directions and engaging different gear trains. This multi-functionality allows one motor to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate motors, simplifying the system while preserving independent control of each function.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple motors are used to drive the electrostatic latent image carriers and developer devices, then each component can be driven separately, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple driving functions into a single motor system, reducing the total number of motors required. This merging of driving functions directly reduces manufacturing costs by eliminating the need to purchase, install, and maintain multiple separate motors, while the gear train mechanisms preserve the ability to drive each component independently when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The single motor is designed with multi-functionality to drive different components (cleaning roller and developer devices) through directional rotation and gear train engagement. This universal driving capability allows the system to maintain adaptability and separate driving capability while using fewer motors, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple motors are used to drive the electrostatic latent image carriers and developer devices, then each component can be driven independently, but the apparatus size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple motor functions into a single motor unit, which naturally reduces the overall space required for housing multiple separate motors. This consolidation of driving components into one shared motor and its associated gear trains reduces the apparatus size while maintaining the capability to independently drive different components through directional control.
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 simplifies the roller driving system, reduces manufacturing costs, and minimizes the size of the apparatus by allowing shared motor operation for the cleaning roller and developer devices, while maintaining effective cleaning and image formation capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a first gear train, which is coupled to the cleaning roller to transmit driving force from the first motor to the cleaning roller for rotating the cleaning roller in a predetermined direction
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes electrostatic latent image carriers, developer devices, an endless belt, a cleaning roller, a first motor, a first gear train, being coupled to the cleaning roller to rotate in a predetermined direction when the first motor rotates in a first direction and decoupled from the cleaning roller when the first motor rotates in a second direction, a second gear train, being coupled to the cleaning roller to rotate in the predetermined direction when the first motor rotates in the second direction and decoupled from the cleaning roller when the first motor rotates in the first direction, and a third gear train, being coupled to at least one of the developer devices when the first motor rotates in the first direction and decoupled from the at least one of the developer devices when the first motor rotates in the second direction.