Image Forming Apparatus Alignment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in accurately positioning multiple exposure units and image forming units, leading to potential misalignment and reduced image quality.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a chassis with fitting portions and a frame that includes elongated holes and dowels to precisely position and align exposure units and image forming units, using a combination of slots, dowels, and fastening holes to absorb dimensional errors and ensure accurate alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple exposure units are mounted on a chassis fixed to a frame, then the device can form multi-color images, but positioning accuracy between exposure units and image forming units deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus divides the positioning system into separate components: a chassis for mounting exposure units and a frame for mounting image forming units. These are positioned relative to each other through designated fitting portions rather than being rigidly fixed together, allowing independent positioning adjustment for each unit type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces fitting portions (including elongated holes and dowels) as intermediary elements between the chassis and frame. These intermediaries enable precise positioning and alignment of multiple exposure units and image forming units while absorbing dimensional errors, resolving the positioning accuracy issue in multi-color image forming.
2Stability of the object's composition
If exposure units are positioned on a fixed chassis, then structural stability is improved, but dimensional errors cause positioning inaccuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates elongated holes in the positioning structure that are designed to absorb dimensional errors before they affect the final positioning accuracy. This error absorption mechanism is built into the structure beforehand, allowing the chassis to remain stable while accommodating manufacturing tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning structure utilizes elongated holes with specific dimensional parameters that allow for error absorption. The geometry and orientation of these holes are carefully designed to accommodate dimensional variations while maintaining accurate positioning of exposure units relative to image forming units.
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 ensures accurate positioning of exposure units and image forming units, reducing position errors and maintaining stability, thereby enhancing image quality and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
an exposure unit including a rod-shaped so-called LED array in which light emitting diodes are aligned in the longitudinal direction is used for an exposure device for drawing an electrostatic latent image on a photoreceptor drum
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, in an image forming apparatus, a frame that supports a transfer belt conveying a toner image in a conveyance direction and image forming units aligned along the transfer belt is provided with a dowel hole between the image forming units in a direction parallel to the conveyance direction and is also provided with an elongated hole having a long axis in a direction parallel to the conveyance direction, a dowel between the exposure units of a chassis supporting exposure units in a direction parallel to the conveyance direction is fitted to the dowel hole, and another dowel is inserted into the elongated hole.