Image Carrier Positioning via Weight and Pressure Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image forming apparatuses using the electrophotographic process face challenges in accurately positioning multiple image carriers, leading to potential image displacement issues, which affects the operability and cost-effectiveness of these devices.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a position determining mechanism that includes a holding member with openings to sustain the weight of image carrier units vertically and grip them horizontally, combined with a pressure mechanism to fix the image carriers at specific positions, ensuring accurate positioning and enhanced operability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a complex positioning system is used to accurately position multiple image carriers, then positioning accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The image carrier unit itself serves the positioning function through its own weight. The holding member's opening is designed to receive the supporting member, and the weight of the image carrier unit automatically presses the supporting member against the holding member, eliminating the need for separate complex positioning mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary complex positioning components by utilizing the inherent weight of the image carrier unit. The positioning function is achieved simply through the gravitational force acting on the image carrier unit itself, rather than requiring additional active positioning systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Device complexity

If a simple positioning mechanism is used, then device complexity is reduced, but positioning accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidpositioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The image carrier unit performs the positioning function autonomously through its weight. The holding member's opening is configured to receive the supporting member, and the gravitational force on the image carrier unit automatically ensures accurate positioning without requiring complex external mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The supporting member acts as an intermediary element that transmits the weight of the image carrier unit to the holding member. This intermediary structure enables the simple weight-based mechanism to achieve reliable and accurate positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If manual positioning methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but operability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidoperability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The image carrier unit automatically performs positioning through its own weight without requiring manual intervention. The holding member's opening is designed to naturally receive and hold the supporting member, making the installation process simple and improving operability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The holding member's opening is pre-configured with the appropriate shape and size to receive the supporting member. This preliminary design ensures that when the image carrier unit is installed, it automatically achieves correct positioning through its weight, eliminating the need for manual adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 solution effectively addresses the challenge of image carrier positioning, enhancing the operability and reducing costs by ensuring precise and stable image formation in image forming apparatuses.

Implementation Method 1

The pressure mechanism presses the supporting member held through the opening of the holding member to fix the image carrier at a specific position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

The opening has a predetermined shape to sustain a weight of the image carrier unit through the supporting member in a vertical direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS7663658B2Image forming apparatus to carry out position determination of a rotating body

Publication Date: 2010.02.16 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of image carrier units and a position determining unit. The image carrier units form toner images in a sequential manner, and each of the plurality of image carrier units includes an image carrier and a supporting member to support the image carrier. The position determining unit includes a holding member having a plurality of openings for receiving the supporting members of the respective image carriers and a pressure mechanism. Each of the plurality of openings has a predetermined shape to sustain a weight of a corresponding one of the plurality of image carrier units through a corresponding one of the supporting members in a vertical direction and to grip the corresponding one of the supporting members in a horizontal direction. The pressure mechanism presses the supporting members held through the plurality of openings of the holding member to fix the image carriers at respective specific positions.