Image Forming Apparatus Guide Surface for Contact Collision Avoidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in conventional image forming apparatuses is the potential collision between main body side contacts and unit side contacts during the removal of a process unit, which can lead to mechanical stress and operational inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a guide surface with an inclination surface that displaces the position of unit side contacts upward to avoid collisions with main body side contacts when the process unit is pulled out, using a roller to guide the unit side contacts to an avoidance position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the process unit is pulled out from the fitting region, then the process unit can be removed for maintenance or replacement, but the unit side contacts may collide with the main body side contacts causing mechanical stress
Solution Approach 1:
The guide surface is designed with an inclination that preliminarily displaces the unit side contacts upward before the pulling-out operation is completed. This preliminary action prevents the contacts from colliding with the main body side contacts during the removal process, eliminating the need for complex collision avoidance mechanisms while maintaining reliable electrical connections.
2Reliability
If the unit side contacts are displaced to avoid collision, then contact reliability is improved, but additional structural complexity is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The guide surface serves multiple functions simultaneously: it guides the process unit during insertion and removal, provides mechanical support through the roller, and electrically isolates the unit side contacts from the main body side contacts during the pulling-out operation. By integrating these functions into a single component, the design avoids additional structural complexity while achieving reliable contact protection.
3Reliability
If the roller travels on the inclination surface, then the unit side contacts are displaced to avoidance position, but friction and mechanical resistance increase
Solution Approach 1:
The inclination surface is designed with a specific angle that optimizes the balance between contact displacement and pulling-out force. By carefully selecting the inclination parameter, the design achieves sufficient upward displacement of the unit side contacts to avoid collision with main body side contacts, while minimizing the additional friction and mechanical resistance that would increase the pulling-out force requirement.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a process unit that can be removed from a main body frame by being pulled out in a first direction, a plurality of main body side contacts that are arranged in the first direction and a plurality of unit side contacts, the main body frame includes a guide surface that extends in the first direction, the process unit includes a roller and the guide surface includes an inclination surface that is inclined toward a downstream side from an upstream side in a pulling-out direction. The roller travels on the inclination surface such that the position of the unit side contacts is displaced to an avoidance position where the unit side contacts do not collide with the main body side contacts.