Misaligned Axis Driving Force Transmission in Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses fail to satisfactorily transfer driving force when the center axis of a photosensitive drum is deviated from the center axis of a driving coupling, leading to inefficient power transmission.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a driving force transmitting member that is movably supported along the rotation axis, allowing it to engage with both the main body driving member and the photosensitive drum via unevenness, enabling connection and disconnection, and utilizing an Oldham coupling mechanism to transmit power even when the axes are misaligned.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the driving coupling is attached to the photosensitive drum with a fixed connection structure, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the driving force cannot be satisfactorily transmitted when the center axes are deviated
Solution Approach 1:
The driving coupling is designed with movable connecting units that can dynamically adjust their positions. The first connecting unit moves in the first diameter direction and the second connecting unit moves in the second diameter direction, allowing the driving coupling to adapt to axis deviation while maintaining reliable driving force transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The driving coupling acts as an intermediary component between the main body driving member and the photosensitive drum. It transmits driving force while accommodating misalignment through its movable connecting units, effectively mediating the connection between components with deviated axes.
2Reliability
If the driving coupling allows movable connection to accommodate axis deviation, then the driving force transmission is improved, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The driving coupling is segmented into multiple functional components: the main body, the first connecting unit with its movable structure, and the second connecting unit with its movable structure. This segmentation allows each part to be manufactured and assembled separately, simplifying the overall manufacturing process despite the complex movable functionality.
3Reliability
If the connecting units are fixed in position, then the manufacturing precision requirement is low, but the driving force transmission efficiency decreases when axes are misaligned
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting units are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to dynamically adjust their positions to accommodate axis deviation. This dynamic capability maintains high driving force transmission efficiency without requiring extremely precise manufacturing tolerances for the connecting units' initial positions.
4Ease of operation
If the driving coupling structure is simplified, then the ease of operation is improved, but the capability to handle axis deviation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The driving coupling automatically adjusts its configuration through the movable connecting units when axis deviation occurs during cartridge attachment. This self-adjusting capability maintains reliable driving force transmission without requiring complex manual adjustment mechanisms, thus preserving ease of operation.
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
Ensures effective power transmission from the main body driving member to the photosensitive drum, maintaining consistent operation even when the axes are deviated, thereby preventing color deviations and ensuring high image quality.
Implementation Method 1
a first connecting unit, by which the main body driving member engages with the driving force transmitting member in the rotation direction, is engaged with the main body driving member and the driving force transmitting member by an unevenness so as to be movable in a first diameter direction perpendicular to the rotation axis direction
Implementation Method 2
the driving force transmitting member is movably supported in the main body driving member along the rotation axis direction so as to switch a connection or disconnection of the driving force transmitting member and the passive member
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes: a main body; a moving member movable between an accommodation position and a separation position; a driving member rotatably provided in the main body; a passive member rotatably provided in the moving member and is opposed to the driving member in a rotation axis direction; and a driving force transmitting member provided between the driving member and the passive member. The driving force transmitting member is movably supported in the driving member along the rotation axis direction, a first connecting unit is engaged with the driving member and the driving force transmitting member by an unevenness so as to be movable in a first diameter direction, and a second connecting unit is engaged with the driving force transmitting member and the passive member by an unevenness so as to be movable in a second diameter direction.