Multi-pass Image Forming Apparatus Coupling Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multi-pass type image forming apparatuses require a large number of driving couplers, increasing manufacturing costs and space, making it difficult to reduce the size of the apparatus.
Innovation Solution
An improved assembly that allows simultaneous coupling and separation of driving couplings to and from the image-carrier and developing units using a guide unit and link mechanism, reducing the number of components and enabling compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple driving couplers are used to drive the image-carrier and four developing units independently, then the driving function is reliable, but the number of constituent elements increases and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple driving couplers into a single integrated driving coupler that can simultaneously drive the image-carrier and multiple developing units. This merging reduces the number of constituent elements while maintaining the driving function through a unified power transmission mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The single driving coupler is designed with multi-functionality to perform the driving task for multiple components (image-carrier and four developing units) simultaneously. This universal design allows one component to replace multiple specialized components, reducing overall system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple driving couplers are used to drive the image-carrier and developing units, then the driving coverage is complete, but the installation space expands and the apparatus size increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple driving couplers into one integrated unit, the patent reduces the total space required for installation. The unified structure occupies less area compared to multiple separate couplers, enabling compact apparatus design while maintaining complete driving coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested arrangement where the single driving coupler integrates multiple functional elements within its structure. This nesting allows the driving mechanism to cover multiple components without proportionally increasing the installation space, as elements are arranged in a compact, space-efficient manner.
3Manufacturing precision
If driving couplers are coupled to or separated from the image-carrier and developing units independently, then the assembly precision is maintained, but the assembly process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple coupling and separation operations into a single integrated action. The unified driving coupler allows all connections to be made or broken simultaneously through one movement, maintaining assembly precision while dramatically reducing the time required compared to independent operations for each component.
Solution Approach 2:
The design incorporates preliminary positioning features that ensure proper alignment and precision are established before the final coupling action. This preliminary preparation allows the simultaneous coupling of multiple components to occur quickly and accurately without compromising precision.
Data Source
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AI summary
A multi-pass type image forming apparatus allows driving-couplings to couple with and separate from an image-carrier and developing units simultaneously. The apparatus includes a main body, a cover to open or close the main body, an image-carrier unit including an image-carrier and first driven-coupling connected to the image-carrier, developing units including a developing roller and a second driven-coupling connected to the developing roller, first and second driving-couplings to transmit drive power to the first and second driven-couplings, a link unit to move in a first direction in linkage with opening/closing operations of the cover, and a guide unit to be rotatable about the first driving-coupling in linkage with the link unit, the guide unit being moved when rotated about the first driving-coupling so as to couple or separate the first and second driving-couplings to or from the first and second driven-couplings.