Interlocking Mechanism for Multi-Door Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing interlocking mechanisms for apparatuses with multiple doors are complex and costly, particularly when dealing with doors located remotely, as they require individual actuators and switches for each door, complicating the structure and increasing manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
An interlocking mechanism that uses a rotatable axial member, a plate-shaped stop member, and a torsion coil spring to link the operation of multiple doors, ensuring that the image forming part is only actuated when all doors are closed, utilizing a single actuator and switch to prevent unintentional operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If individual actuators and interlocking switches are provided for each door, then the reliability of the interlocking mechanism is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple door states into a single interlocking mechanism by using a common actuator and interlocking switch that respond to the composite state of multiple doors. The mechanism merges the control logic for different doors into one unified system, reducing the number of separate components while maintaining reliable interlocking functionality across all doors.
Solution Approach 2:
The single interlocking mechanism serves multiple functions by controlling the interlocking state for multiple different doors simultaneously. The actuator and interlocking switch are designed to detect and respond to the open/closed states of various doors, making the mechanism universal rather than door-specific, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
2Device complexity
If a single interlocking apparatus is used for multiple doors, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to handle doors located remote from each other deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism that translates the physical state of remote doors into a unified control signal. This intermediary system allows the single interlocking apparatus to sense and respond to door states regardless of their physical location, maintaining adaptability while reducing complexity.
3Ease of operation
If individual interlocking mechanisms are provided for each door, then the ease of operation is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple door operation controls into a single interlocking mechanism, reducing the total number of components that need to be manufactured and assembled. This consolidation maintains operational ease by providing unified control while significantly reducing manufacturing costs through economies of scale and fewer parts.
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 solution simplifies the structure and reduces costs by allowing a single interlocking mechanism to manage multiple doors without the need for separate actuators and switches, ensuring the image forming part is only actuated when all doors are closed, thereby maintaining safety and operational integrity.
Implementation Method 1
A torsion coil spring is configured to urge the stop member in one of rotating directions when the axial member is pressed toward the side door
Data Source
AI summary
An interlocking mechanism includes an axial member reciprocating in a width direction of arrangement of first and second front doors by linking with an opening/closing operation of a side door. A stop member is provided rotatably and fixed in the width direction to the axial member. A restriction member presses the axial member toward the side door and having a pressing/urging member that urges the stop member in one of rotating directions. A pressing claw presses the stop member in the other of the rotating directions in a state where the second front door and the side door are closed. A restriction claw abuts on the stop member when the first front door is closed in a state where at least one of the side door and the second front door is open. An interlock switch is actuated by an actuator being inserted into the interlock switch.