Image Formation Fixing Unit Gear Positioning for Easy Detachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image formation devices require large engagement grooves for fixing units, leading to reduced positioning accuracy and increased parts for securing and releasing mechanisms, which increases costs.
Innovation Solution
The fixing unit is positioned with high accuracy and ensured good attachability and detachability using a skeletal frame with columns and lateral beams, a driven gear, and a drive source to transmit force horizontally, simplifying the structure and reducing the number of parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a large engagement groove is used to ensure attachability and detachability of the fixing unit, then the attachability and detachability are improved, but the positioning accuracy of the fixing unit deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement structure is segmented into multiple small engagement protrusions distributed around the circumference of the fixing unit, rather than using a single large engagement groove. This segmentation allows each protrusion to provide precise positioning while collectively ensuring easy attachment and detachment
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple engagement protrusions are provided at different locations around the fixing unit circumference, with each protrusion having optimized local geometry. This allows precise positioning at each contact point while maintaining overall ease of operation through distributed engagement points
2Ease of operation
If a biasing mechanism and release mechanism are added to secure and release the fixing unit, then the attachability and detachability are improved, but the number of parts increases leading to increased costs
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement protrusions are designed to automatically engage with corresponding features on the image formation device body through elastic deformation or interference fit, eliminating the need for separate biasing mechanisms. The fixing unit secures itself through the geometric design of the engagement features
Solution Approach 2:
The complex biasing mechanism and release mechanism are completely removed from the design. Instead, simple engagement protrusions are used that provide both securing and releasing functions through their basic geometric form, extracting the essential function while eliminating unnecessary complexity
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 achieves accurate and efficient attachment and detachment of the fixing unit with fewer parts, reducing costs and improving operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a driven gear integrally-rotatably coupled to a far end portion in the inserting and withdrawing direction of the rotary fixing member or the rotary pressure member of the fixing unit; a driving gear provided in a far end portion in the inserting and withdrawing direction of the fixing unit housing part and configured to engage with the driven gear
Data Source
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AI summary
In an image formation device, a driven gear is coupled to a far end portion in a unit inserting and withdrawing direction of a rotary fixing member or a rotary pressure member of a fixing unit. A driving gear is provided in a far end portion of a fixing unit housing part and engages with the driven gear when the fixing unit is housed in the fixing unit housing part. The driving gear and the driven gear are formed so that a transmission force transmitted from the driving gear to the driven gear in a mutual engagement position has a component so directed as to horizontally press the fixing unit against columns making a pair. The fixing unit as housed in the fixing unit housing part is pressed by the transmission force against the columns and positioned in a direction orthogonal to the unit inserting and withdrawing direction.