Joint Cam Openings for Compact Image Forming Coupling Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of downsizing an image forming apparatus while maintaining a movable range for a cam member and preventing interference with peripheral parts, and ensuring proper operation of body-side couplings without increasing the apparatus' volume.
Innovation Solution
A joint cam with strategically designed openings and slanting ribs that allow the cam member to move between positions without interfering with body-side couplings, while maintaining the apparatus' size and ensuring smooth operation of developing rollers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If the main body of the image forming apparatus is downsized, then the volume of the apparatus is reduced, but the cam member may interfere with peripheral parts such as rotatable members due to insufficient movable range
Solution Approach 1:
The cam member is divided into multiple functional zones: a first opening for engagement, a second opening for disengagement, and a third opening (collision prevention region) positioned between them. This segmentation allows the cam member to perform multiple functions within a compact space, preventing interference with peripheral parts while maintaining reliable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam member utilizes radial positioning of multiple openings around its circumference, transitioning from linear movement to circular/rotational positioning. This dimensional change allows the cam member to locate body-side couplings at different angular positions, enabling compact arrangement that prevents interference with peripheral rotatable members.
2Ease of operation
If the movable range for the cam member is reserved, then the cam member can operate between first and second positions, but the main body volume increases making downsizing difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple openings (first, second, and third openings) are merged into a single cam member structure, allowing it to perform engagement, disengagement, and collision prevention functions simultaneously. This integration enables the cam member to operate reliably with sufficient movable range while maintaining a compact main body volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam member is designed as a multi-functional component that can locate body-side couplings at different positions (engaged, disengaged, and intermediate positions) and prevent collisions with peripheral parts. This universality allows a single component to fulfill multiple operational requirements without increasing overall system volume.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the cam member moves between first and second positions, then the body-side coupling can be located at connecting and retracted positions, but the cam member may collide with body-side coupling causing irregular rotation or vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The third opening is positioned between the first and second openings to preemptively prevent collision between the cam member and body-side coupling. This preliminary anti-action design ensures that even if the cam member stops at an intermediate position, it will not collide with the coupling, eliminating harmful vibrations and irregular rotations.
Solution Approach 2:
The third opening acts as an intermediary zone or buffer region between the engagement position (first opening) and disengagement position (second opening). This intermediate structure mediates the movement of the cam member, providing a safe transition path that prevents direct contact and collision with the body-side coupling.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus, having a cartridge and a main body, is provided. The cartridge has a cartridge-side coupling to transmit a driving force to a drivable member in the cartridge. The cartridge is detachably attached to the main body. The main body includes a body-side coupling movable between a connecting position, at which the body-side coupling is connected with the cartridge-side coupling, and a separated position, at which the body-side coupling is separated from the cartridge-side coupling; a joint cam movable between a first position, at which the joint cam locates the body-side coupling at the connecting position, and a second position, at which the joint cam locates the body-side coupling at the separated position; and a rotator having a dent. The dent allows entry of an end portion of the joint cam there-into when the joint cam is located at the first position.