Latent Image Device Moving Mechanism Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses face challenges in precisely positioning the optical writing head due to variations in the restriction position caused by the rib's placement on the front cover, leading to difficulties in forming high-resolution latent images on the photosensitive member.
Innovation Solution
A moving device with a rotary member, biasing member, and restriction member is employed to move the latent image forming device between engaged and retracted positions, where the biasing member changes direction to prevent unintended movement from the retracted to engaged position, and the restriction member ensures precise positioning at the engaged position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the rib is disposed on the front cover to restrict rotation of the arm, then the writing head can be positioned at the engaged position, but the restriction position varies due to cover opening/closing movements, making it difficult to reliably position the writing head with precision
Solution Approach 1:
The restriction member is extracted from the movable front cover and repositioned to the fixed frame, separating the positioning function from the cover's opening/closing movements. This ensures the restriction position remains constant regardless of cover state, resolving the contradiction between reliability and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing member is configured to change its force direction in advance before the writing head reaches the engaged position. This preliminary directional change prevents unintended movement from the retracted to engaged position, ensuring precise positioning only occurs when intentionally activated.
2Ease of operation
If the compression spring is allowed to obtain its free length when the front cover is opened, then the writing head moves to the retracted position, but the writing head may unintentionally move from the retracted position to the engaged position upon replacement of the photosensitive member
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing member is configured to change its force direction in advance before the writing head reaches the engaged position. This preliminary directional change prevents unintended movement from the retracted to engaged position, ensuring precise positioning only occurs when intentionally activated.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing member applies a counteracting force in the opposite direction to prevent the writing head from moving unintentionally toward the engaged position during photosensitive member replacement, while still allowing easy operation through cover opening/closing.
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 ensures accurate positioning of the latent image forming device, preventing it from moving unintentionally to the engaged position during stress events like replacement, thus maintaining image quality and facilitating easy installation and removal of the process cartridge.
Implementation Method 1
a compression spring (243) disposed between the spring seat (242) and the frame (240)... the compression spring (243) causes the holder (233) to move in the direction of the arrow H
Implementation Method 2
The other end of the arm 251 is biased by a coil spring 249B in the direction indicated by an arrow D... the coil spring 249B and the compression spring 243 cause the arm 251 to rotate in the direction of arrow B
Data Source
AI summary
A moving device includes a rotary member rotatably supported by a frame of the image forming apparatus to move a latent image forming device between a first position at which the latent image forming device forms a latent image on a latent image bearing member and a second position at which the latent image forming device is separated from the latent image bearing member, a biasing member for biasing the rotary member, and a restriction member for restricting rotation of the rotary member in a state in which the latent image forming device is at the first position. A direction of the force of the biasing member is changed from a stopping direction in which rotation of the rotary member is stopped to a direction opposite the stopping direction while the rotary member is rotated to move the latent image forming device from the second position to the first position.