Image Reading Unit Counterweight for Rotary Developer Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing image forming apparatuses with rotary type developing devices and image reading units suffer from poor weight balance and instability due to the inclination of their centers of gravity, which worsens when the image reading unit rotates, leading to instability and difficulty in replacing components.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus is designed with supporting members that allow the image reading unit to move, shifting its center of gravity away from the rotary type developing device's center of gravity, ensuring that neither is inclined during rotation, thus maintaining balance and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the image reading unit is disposed above the image forming unit and made rotatable for component exchange and maintenance, then the ease of operation is improved, but the stability of the apparatus deteriorates due to center of gravity imbalance
Solution Approach 1:
A counterweight is provided on the image reading unit to offset the imbalance caused by the heavy manuscript base and rotating components. The counterweight is positioned to create a balancing moment that compensates for the shifting center of gravity during rotation, thereby maintaining apparatus stability while enabling easy component replacement
2Measurement precision
If the image reading unit is made heavy with a thick platen glass manuscript base, then the measurement precision is improved, but the stability of the apparatus deteriorates due to worsened weight balance
Solution Approach 1:
The counterweight compensates for the heavy manuscript base by providing an opposing moment that balances the overall center of gravity. This allows the thick platen glass to remain for high-quality image scanning while preventing the apparatus from becoming unstable due to the concentrated weight
3Productivity
If the rotary type developing device includes multiple developers with magnet rolls and toner cartridges, then the productivity is improved, but the stability of the apparatus deteriorates due to heavy weight and rearward center of gravity
Solution Approach 1:
The counterweight on the image reading unit balances the heavy rotary type developing device located in the image forming unit. By positioning the counterweight to create an opposing moment, the system maintains stability while accommodating multiple developers with magnet rolls and toner cartridges for high-productivity multi-color imaging
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a rotary type developing device having multiple developers provided so as to be rotatable; an image forming unit including the rotary type developing device disposed therein; an image reading unit disposed above the image forming unit; and supporting members for supporting the image reading unit movably. The center of gravity of the rotary type developing device is located toward one side with respect to the center position of the image forming unit, and the center of gravity of the image reading unit moves to the other side as the image reading unit supported by the supporting members is moved.