Image Forming Apparatus Cover Mechanism Force Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrophotographic image forming apparatuses require a large force for closing the cover due to the simultaneous timing of cartridge and exposure unit pressing, which affects usability.
Innovation Solution
The timing of cartridge pressing is shifted from the timing of exposure unit pressing to reduce the force required for pressing, utilizing a first moving member to position the cartridge and a second moving member to move the exposure member to its retracted position, with distinct reaction force peaks for each action.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the exposure unit is pressed against the cartridge using a spring at the same timing as cartridge pressing, then the cartridge is positioned in the image forming position, but a large force is required for closing the cover
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the pressing operation into two separate timing phases: cartridge pressing and exposure unit pressing. The cartridge is pressed first to position it in the image forming position, and then the exposure unit is pressed against the positioned cartridge. This segmentation of the pressing sequence reduces the peak force required during cover closing, as the spring force is applied progressively rather than simultaneously to both components.
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge is pressed and positioned in the image forming position before the exposure unit is pressed against it. This preliminary positioning of the cartridge ensures that when the exposure unit is subsequently pressed, the cartridge is already in the correct position, eliminating the need for simultaneous pressing and reducing the overall force requirement.
2Reliability
If the timing of cartridge pressing is the same as timing of exposure unit pressing, then both components are positioned correctly, but the maximum operation force increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the positioning process into two distinct timing phases: first positioning the cartridge in the image forming position, then positioning the exposure unit against the cartridge. This temporal segmentation ensures that the spring force is distributed across sequential operations rather than concentrated at a single moment, reducing the maximum operation force while maintaining positioning accuracy for both components.
3Reliability
If a spring is used to press the exposure unit against the cartridge, then the exposure unit is positioned in the exposure position, but the opening/closing force is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge is first pressed and positioned in the image forming position before the spring-actuated exposure unit is pressed against it. This preliminary action ensures that the exposure unit has a stable target to press against, allowing the spring force to be applied more efficiently and reducing the overall opening/closing force requirement while maintaining reliable exposure unit positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an image forming apparatus including: a first moving member pressed and moved by an openable/closable member when the openable/closable member is opened, and switching a cartridge from a state where the cartridge is positioned in an image forming position to a state where the positioning is released; and a second moving member pressed and moved by the openable/closable member when the openable/closable member is opened, and moving the exposure member from an exposure position to a retracted position, wherein when the positioning of the cartridge is released, a reaction force applied from the first moving member to the openable/closable member reaches a first peak, when the exposure member is moved to the retracted position, a reaction force applied from the second moving member to the openable/closable member reaches a second peak, and timing of the first peak is different from timing of the second peak.