Linear Movement Member for Developing Roller Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses face difficulties in smoothly detaching the developing cartridge due to the developing roller remaining pressed against the photosensitive drum, especially when power is cut off during or after an image forming operation.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a linear movement member that reciprocally moves between pressing and releasing positions, driven by a drive source and input members, ensures the developing agent carrier is released from the image carrier when the cover is opened, facilitating smooth detachment of the developing cartridge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the developing roller is kept pressed against the photosensitive drum during power cut-off or after image forming operation, then the developing cartridge cannot be smoothly detached from the apparatus body
Solution Approach 1:
The cover opening operation preliminarily triggers the developing roller separation before the cartridge detachment is completed. When the cover is opened, the cover opening detecting member detects this state and automatically moves the developing roller away from the photosensitive drum surface, preventing the roller from remaining pressed against the drum during cartridge removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The linear movement member acts as an intermediary mechanism between the cover opening action and the developing roller position control. It converts the cover opening motion into precise linear movement that separates the developing roller from the photosensitive drum, enabling smooth cartridge detachment while maintaining system reliability.
2Reliability
If a conventional lever and guide cam structure is used to press the developing roller against the photosensitive drum, then the structure becomes complex with multiple moving parts
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing mechanism transitions from a static lever-cam system to a dynamic linear movement system. The linear movement member can reciprocally move between a pressing position (where the developing roller contacts the photosensitive drum) and a releasing position (where the roller is separated), providing flexible pressure control with simpler construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex guide cam and lever mechanism is extracted and replaced with a simpler linear movement member. This extraction removes unnecessary intermediate components while retaining the essential function of pressing and releasing the developing roller against the photosensitive drum surface.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus that includes: an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed; a developing agent carrier which supplies developing agent to the image carrier; a linear movement member which reciprocally and substantially linearly moves between a pressing position for pressing the developing agent carrier against the image carrier and a releasing position for releasing pressure; a drive source; a cover which is provided on a body of the apparatus so as to be opened and closed; a first input member which inputs a driving force from the drive source to the linear movement member as a force for moving the linear movement member; and a second input member which inputs a force for moving the linear movement member in conjunction with an opening motion of the cover.