Light Emitting Device Retraction for Image Formation Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing electrophotographic image forming apparatuses face challenges in transportation reliability due to mechanical shocks causing contact between the lens and the drum, leading to potential image failure and displacement of the focal position during shipping, especially when cartridges are packed tightly.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a light emitting device support member that moves between exposure and retracted positions, and a separating member that regulates the distance between the light emitting devices and the photosensitive drum, preventing contact and maintaining the required distance even during mechanical shocks, thereby enhancing transportation reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the light emitting device is positioned close to the photosensitive drum for precise image formation, then image quality is improved, but mechanical shocks during transportation cause contact between the lens and drum, leading to image failure and focal position displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The light emitting device is made movable relative to the photosensitive drum through a support member that allows positioning at different distances. During operation, the device is positioned close to the drum for precise image formation. During transportation, the device can be retracted to a farther position to prevent contact, thus dynamically adapting to different operational states and resolving the contradiction between precision and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus is designed with a mechanism that allows the light emitting device to be preliminarily positioned at a safe distance before transportation begins. This preliminary positioning action prevents potential contact during shipping while maintaining the capability to move closer when needed for image formation, thus preventing damage before it can occur.
2Ease of operation
If the cartridge is removably mounted to allow user maintenance, then ease of operation is improved, but the structure becomes more complex requiring additional mounting and positioning mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is divided into separable components: a removable cartridge containing the photosensitive drum and a fixed main body containing the light emitting device. This segmentation allows the cartridge to be easily removed and reinstalled by users for maintenance, while the light emitting device remains in the main body. The segmentation simplifies the overall structure by eliminating the need for complex mounting mechanisms for the light emitting device itself.
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 ensures that the light emitting devices are securely positioned to prevent mechanical shocks from affecting the image forming process, maintaining image quality and reliability during transportation and operation.
Implementation Method 1
light emitting devices, which are provided in line in a longitudinal direction (rotation axis direction) of the drum, and which include multiple light emitting portions that illuminate in association with image information, for exposing the photosensitive drum
Data Source
AI summary
The image forming apparatus includes a separating member, which is provided between a light emitting device and a drum bearing portion, for supporting the light emitting device to a separated position when the cartridge is shipped while being packed together, the separating member being provided to a regulating member for regulating a supply of a developer at a shipping mode. With this structure, when the image forming apparatus is shipped while the cartridge is packed together, the light emitting device as an exposure apparatus and an electrophotographic photosensitive drum is separated from each other, whereby the reliability during the transportation while packing the cartridge together may be enhanced.