Lever Unit Noise Reduction in Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing image forming apparatus experiences collision noise due to excessive force when the cover unit is opened, causing the lever to collide with another portion of the engagement portion, leading to operational noise during the opening and closing of the side cover unit.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a lever unit with first and second extension portions that rotate between positions, utilizing an engagement portion with a protrusion to move the lever unit between positions while opening and closing, and includes a recess portion to prevent interference, thereby reducing noise by disengaging from the lever unit at a third position between the first and second positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the engagement portion engages with the lever unit to rotate the lever when the cover unit is closed, then the pressurization mechanism functions properly, but the lever may collide against another portion of the engagement portion due to excessive force when the cover unit is opened, generating collision noise
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement portion is divided into multiple functional regions: a first engagement portion for engaging the lever unit during closing, a second engagement portion for disengaging during opening, and a recess portion positioned between them. This segmentation allows the lever unit to be guided through distinct operational phases, preventing excessive force and collision noise while maintaining pressurization functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The recess portion acts as an intermediary space that the lever unit passes through between the first and second engagement portions. This intermediate region allows the lever to be released from engagement during opening, preventing direct collision between the lever and the engagement portion, thereby eliminating collision noise while preserving the pressurization mechanism's reliability.
2Ease of operation
If the lever unit is designed to rotate between first and second positions for pressurization, then the transfer unit can be pressurized against the intermediate transfer medium, but the lever may interfere with the engagement portion during opening causing operational noise
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement portion is segmented into a first engagement portion for the closing operation, a recess portion as an intermediate zone, and a second engagement portion for the opening operation. This segmentation ensures that during opening, the lever unit passes through the recess portion without colliding with the engagement portion, eliminating operational noise while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of designing the engagement portion to continuously engage the lever unit throughout the entire opening and closing cycle, the invention inverts the approach by creating a recess portion where the lever unit is deliberately allowed to disengage and pass through freely. This inversion prevents collision noise while maintaining smooth operational movement.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus including: a transfer component including a transfer roller configured to transfer an image; a holding mechanism supported by a cover, configured to hold the transfer component; a lever rotatably between a first position and a second position, configured to pressurize the transfer component to press the transfer roller against an image carrier when the lever is at the first position; and an engagement portion supported by the cover, configured to engage with the lever to move the lever to the first position while the cover is closed, to engage with the lever to move the lever to the second position while the cover is opened, and to disengage from the lever to be separated from a space through which the lever is capable of passing when the lever is positioned at a third position between the first position and the second position.