Movable Belt Image Forming Apparatus Cartridge Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrophotographic image forming apparatuses require additional space for cartridge replacement, either by retracting exposing members or opening a top lid, leading to inefficient use of internal space and increased size.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a movable endless belt and cartridge supporting member that allows the cartridge to be removed without needing additional space on top, by retracting the belt and supporting member into a non-image-forming position, enabling cartridge replacement without altering the overall size of the main assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the exposing member is retracted to allow cartridge replacement, then cartridge accessibility is improved, but the apparatus size increases due to required additional space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the endless belt movable between a contacting position (for image formation) and a non-contacting position (for cartridge replacement). The belt supporting member moves the belt dynamically, allowing the cartridge supporting member to be exposed for replacement without requiring permanent additional space in the main assembly. This resolves the contradiction by making the space requirement temporary and dynamic rather than static.
2Ease of operation
If a top lid is opened to enable cartridge replacement, then cartridge accessibility is improved, but the apparatus complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the belt and cartridge supporting member from the main assembly by moving them to a non-contacting position where they can be accessed for replacement. Instead of opening a top lid that would require additional structural components, the belt is pulled out of the main assembly area, providing direct access to cartridges without adding lid mechanisms, hinges, or sealing structures.
3Productivity
If the belt is kept in contacting position for continuous image formation, then productivity is improved, but cartridge replacement becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between two states: the belt contacts the photosensitive member during image formation for high productivity, and the belt is moved to a non-contacting position for cartridge replacement. The controller manages this dynamic transition, ensuring that productivity is maintained during operation while ease of maintenance is enabled when needed.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the cartridge supporting member is fixed in position, then structural stability is improved, but space utilization efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge supporting member is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to be positioned inside the main assembly during image formation (efficient space utilization) and moved outside for cartridge replacement (maintained structural stability during operation). The member returns to its stable positioned state after replacement, maintaining both stability and space efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a cartridge including a photosensitive drum; an endless belt configured to transfer the toner image formed on the drum; an endless belt supporting member movable between a contacting position for contacting the belt to the drum and a non-contacting position retracted from the contacting position away from the drum; and a cartridge supporting member movable between an image forming position in which the drum contacts the belt taking the contacting position and a non-image-forming position in which the cartridge is movable from a inside to a outside of the main assembly. By movement of the belt from the contacting position to the non-contacting position, a space capable of accommodating at least a part of the cartridge supporting member taking the non-image-forming position and/or the cartridge supported by the cartridge supporting member taking the non-image-forming position is provided.