Movable Developer Members Impact Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing image forming apparatuses, such as tandem type color printers, face issues with impact noise due to undesirable collisions between engagement and disengagement members and other components during the movement of developing rollers from disengagement to engagement positions.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus is designed with a force imparting mechanism that includes a component with a force component opposite to the direction of movement, which abuts the translation member when developing members are moved from the disengagement to the engagement position, preventing the pressing of the translation member's forward movement and potential collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the translation member moves developing members from disengagement to engagement position, then the developing members are brought into contact with the image carrying members, but impact noise is generated due to collision between the translation member and other components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cushioning member that is positioned to contact the translation member before the translation member reaches its engagement position. This cushioning member absorbs the impact energy and prevents direct collision between the translation member and other components, thereby eliminating impact noise while ensuring accurate engagement positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The cushioning member acts as an intermediary element between the translation member and the fixed components. Instead of the translation member directly contacting and colliding with other components, the cushioning member mediates the interaction, providing a soft contact that prevents impact noise generation.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the developing members are disengaged from the image carrying members, then the wear of developing members is prevented, but the translating member may collide with other members causing impact noise
Solution Approach 1:
The cushioning member is pre-positioned to contact the translation member during its movement cycle, providing cushioning protection both when developing members are engaged and disengaged. This ensures that the translation member's movement is always cushioned, preventing impact noise regardless of the developing members' engagement state.
Solution Approach 2:
The cushioning member serves as a continuous intermediary during the translation member's movement, mediating the interaction between the translation member and fixed components throughout the entire movement cycle, including both engagement and disengagement phases.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body; a plurality of image carrying members; a plurality of developing members; a translation member that reciprocates in a straight line in a direction in which the image carrying members are aligned to move the developing members between an engagement position where the developing members are brought into contact with the image carrying members and a disengagement position where the developing members are disengaged from the image carrying members; and a force imparting mechanism, when at least one of the developing members is moved from the disengagement position to the engagement position by a movement of the translation member in a first direction, the force imparting mechanism imparting a force that includes a force component directed to a second direction opposite to the first direction into the translation member.