Light Guide Positioning for Electrophotographic Drum Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrophotographic image forming apparatuses face challenges in accurately attaching and positioning a light guiding member relative to the cartridge supporting member, especially when moving between inward and outward positions, leading to inconsistencies in image formation.
Innovation Solution
An electrophotographic image forming apparatus with a cartridge supporting member that moves between inward and outward positions, featuring a light guide member attached to the supporting member, an interrelating member for aligning the light source with the light guide, and a positioning member for precise alignment of the light source relative to the light guide, ensuring accurate light emission for pre-exposure of the photosensitive drum.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the light guiding member is attached to the cartridge supporting member that moves between inward and outward positions, then the apparatus achieves ease of maintenance and removable cartridge support, but the positioning accuracy between the light guiding member and light source deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is divided into separable modules: the light guiding member is attached to the movable cartridge supporting member, while the light source remains fixed in the main assembly. This segmentation allows the cartridge supporting member to be removed for maintenance without affecting the light source positioning, resolving the contradiction between ease of maintenance and positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
An interrelating member acts as an intermediary mechanism between the movable cartridge supporting member and the fixed light source. This intermediary ensures that when the cartridge supporting member moves to the inward position, the light guiding member is automatically positioned at a predetermined location relative to the light source, maintaining positioning accuracy while allowing movement for maintenance.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the cartridge supporting member moves between inward and outward positions for removable cartridge support, then the apparatus achieves adaptability for cartridge mounting and dismounting, but the stability of light guiding positioning deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static to a dynamic configuration: the cartridge supporting member with the attached light guiding member moves between outward (maintenance) and inward (operation) positions. The interrelating member ensures that during the dynamic movement, the light guiding member is automatically positioned at the correct location relative to the light source when in the inward position, maintaining positioning stability while enabling mounting adaptability.
3Ease of operation
If the light source is positioned relative to the moving cartridge supporting member, then the apparatus achieves ease of operation for maintenance, but the device complexity increases due to additional interrelating and positioning members
Solution Approach 1:
The interrelating member combines multiple functions: it connects the movable cartridge supporting member to the fixed light source, automatically positions the light guiding member at the predetermined location when the cartridge supporting member is in the inward position, and maintains the predetermined positional relationship. This merging of functions reduces the need for separate complex positioning mechanisms, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity.
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 enhances the accuracy of light guiding and light source positioning, resulting in improved image quality and ease of maintenance by ensuring consistent pre-exposure of the photosensitive drum, even during cartridge mounting and dismounting.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide member, provided on the cartridge supporting member, for guiding the light emitted from the light source along a longitudinal direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum
Implementation Method 2
a light source for emitting light
Data Source
AI summary
An electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a cartridge supporting member movable between an inside position inside the main assembly of the apparatus and an outside position outside the main assembly, a light source, a light guide member, on the cartridge supporting member, for guiding the light from the light source to electrically discharge charge remaining on a drum after a developed image on the drum is transferred onto recording material when the cartridge is in an image forming position, an interrelating member for moving the light source to an operating position where the light enters the light guide member in interrelation with movement of the cartridge supporting member from the outside to the inside positions, and a positioning member positioning the light source at the operating position.