Image Forming Apparatus Frame Restriction for Sheet Feeding
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing image forming apparatuses suffer from improper sheet feeding due to the deformation of the frame, which reduces the elastic force applied to the contact member, leading to inefficient sheet handling.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a frame with a restriction portion that restricts movement perpendicular to the width direction, supporting the roller and receiving elastic force, thereby minimizing frame deformation and ensuring consistent sheet feeding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the frame has small bending stiffness to reduce weight or simplify structure, then the frame becomes greatly deformed upon receipt of the elastic force, but this causes improper sheet feeding
Solution Approach 1:
The restriction portion is provided in advance on the drum unit to prevent the frame from moving in the perpendicular direction before the elastic force is applied. This preliminary constraint ensures that when the elastic force acts on the contact member through the roller, the frame cannot deform, thereby maintaining reliable sheet feeding without requiring high bending stiffness in the frame structure.
2Reliability
If the frame is made more rigid to prevent deformation, then sheet feeding reliability improves, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The restriction function is segmented from the frame structure and implemented as a separate restriction portion on the drum unit. This allows the frame to remain simple and lightweight while the restriction portion provides the necessary constraint to prevent deformation. The segmentation enables each component to have its own optimized structure without requiring the frame itself to be complex or rigid.
3Force
If the elastic force is increased to improve sheet feeding, then sheet handling improves, but the frame deformation increases due to the greater force
Solution Approach 1:
The restriction portion is positioned to constrain the frame in the perpendicular direction before the elastic force is fully applied. This preliminary action ensures that even when high elastic force is applied to improve sheet feeding, the frame cannot deform because the restriction portion prevents movement in the critical direction, thereby allowing high elastic force without compromising frame stability.
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 reduces the likelihood of frame deformation, thereby minimizing improper sheet feeding and ensuring reliable sheet handling by maintaining the elastic force applied to the contact member.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member configured to exert an elastic force to press the contact member toward the sheet
Implementation Method 2
a roller configured to contact the contact member and to rotate in contact with the sheet to apply a feeding force to the sheet
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a sheet receiving portion configured to receive a sheet, a drum unit including a photosensitive drum configured to carry a developer image to be transferred onto the sheet, a contact member configured to contact the sheet fed from the sheet receiving portion toward the photosensitive drum, a roller configured to contact the contact member, an elastic member configured to exert an elastic force to press the contact member toward the roller, and a frame supporting the roller, the frame receiving the elastic force from the elastic member via the roller and the contact member when the roller is in contact with the contact member. The drum unit includes a restriction portion configured to restrict the frame from moving in a direction perpendicular to the width direction, the restriction portion being disposed on a side of the frame opposite to the elastic member.