Link Mechanism for Simultaneous Shutter Control in Image Formation Apparatus
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing image formation apparatuses with multiple developing devices have poor operability due to separate control of shutters, making simultaneous opening or closing of these shutters cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A link mechanism is introduced to connect and coordinate the operation of developing device shutters, allowing all shutters to be opened or closed with a single operation, improving their operability and simplifying the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If shutters of developing devices are opened and closed separately, then each shutter can be independently controlled, but operability deteriorates and simultaneous opening/closing becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple shutters are merged into a single control unit that operates all shutters simultaneously. The link mechanism combines the opening/closing actions of individual shutters into one unified operation, allowing all developing device shutters to be controlled with a single action rather than separate controls for each shutter.
Solution Approach 2:
A link mechanism is introduced as an intermediary component that coordinates and synchronizes the operation of multiple shutters. This intermediary mechanism transmits the opening/closing action from one shutter to others, enabling simultaneous operation without requiring separate control inputs for each shutter.
2Loss of time
If separate control is used for each shutter, then independent control is achieved, but time consumption increases for simultaneous opening/closing operations
Solution Approach 1:
The control operations for multiple shutters are merged into a single action. By combining the opening/closing functions into one unified operation through the link mechanism, the time required to control all shutters is reduced from the sum of individual shutter operations to a single simultaneous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The link mechanism ensures continuous and simultaneous action across all shutters. Once the control is initiated, all shutters respond in continuous succession without interruption or delay, maintaining synchronized operation throughout the opening/closing process and eliminating idle time between individual shutter operations.
Data Source
AI summary
An image formation apparatus is provided, to which developing devices, each having an opening, and developer cartridges for respectively supplying a developing agent to the openings of the developing devices are mountable. The apparatus includes developing device shutters, each configured to open and close a respective one of the openings of the developing devices mounted to the apparatus; and a link mechanism configured to move the developing device shutters linked with each other.