Movable Gear Lock Mechanism for Idling Torque Cutoff
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electromagnetic clutches in tandem type printers can generate idling torque over time, leading to undesired driving force transmission to image carrying bodies even when power is cut off, causing inefficiencies and potential toner agitation.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a transmission mechanism that includes a gear train, a clutch, and a lock member, allowing the clutch to switch between rotating and idling states, and restricting rotation of a movable gear to prevent idling torque-driven force transmission when not needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an electromagnetic clutch is used to switch between full-color recording and monochrome recording, then the recording mode switching capability is improved, but an idling torque is generated after prolonged use, causing undesired driving force transmission to image carrying bodies
Solution Approach 1:
A lock member is introduced as an intermediary element between the clutch and the movable gear. This lock member engages with a locking groove on the movable gear to prevent its rotation, thereby blocking the transmission path of the idling torque generated by the clutch to the image carrying bodies, while leaving the clutch's mode-switching function intact
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful idling torque transmission is extracted and isolated from the main power transmission system by using the lock member to disconnect the rotational movement of the movable gear from the clutch output, allowing the clutch to remain in the idling state without affecting the image carrying bodies
2Loss of energy
If the clutch is switched to the idling state to cut off power transmission, then energy consumption is reduced, but the idling torque still transmits undesired driving force to the image carrying bodies
Solution Approach 1:
The lock member serves as a mediator that allows the clutch to remain in the energy-efficient idling state while preventing the harmful idling torque from reaching the movable gear and image carrying bodies, thus simultaneously achieving energy savings and elimination of undesired driving force transmission
3Manufacturing precision
If a lock mechanism is added to restrict movable gear rotation, then the precision of cutting off driving force transmission is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lock mechanism is segmented into simple, discrete components: a lock member with a locking groove on the movable gear and an engaging protrusion on the stationary member. This segmentation allows for precise blocking of the movable gear rotation while keeping each component simple and the overall structure manageable
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
Effectively cuts off rotational driving force transmission due to idling torque, preventing unnecessary toner agitation and reducing operational noise, while ensuring efficient image formation.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnetic clutch might generate an idling torque after having been used over years and/or in some usage situations
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus including a transmission mechanism transmitting a driving force in a transmission direction from a driving source to an output unit, the transmission mechanism including a movable gear configured to move between a transmission position where, when the driving source generates the driving force in a first rotational direction, and a clutch is in a rotating state, the movable gear is allowed to rotate without contacting a lock member, and a restriction position where, when the driving source generates the driving force in a second rotational direction, the clutch is in an idling state, the movable gear is restricted from rotating by contact with the lock member.