Movable Member Lever Mechanism for Drum Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
In tandem image forming apparatuses, the separation of developing rollers from photosensitive drums can cause the photosensitive drum unit to deviate from its intended position, leading to misalignment of the image formed on the sheet.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a movable member with a supporting shaft, an input portion, an abutting portion, and an operating portion, which rotates to apply a force that moves the developing cartridge from a contact position to a separation position, using the drum unit as a fulcrum, thereby maintaining the drum unit's position relative to the apparatus body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the developing device is pressed upward by the intermediate member to separate the developing roller from the photosensitive drum, then the developing roller can be separated from the photosensitive drum, but the drum unit position with respect to the apparatus body deviates
Solution Approach 1:
A supporting shaft is introduced as an intermediary element between the movable member and the drum unit. The supporting shaft rotates with the movable member during separation operation, but its other end abuts against the drum unit to prevent the drum unit from moving. This intermediary component allows the developing roller to be separated while maintaining the drum unit's position relative to the apparatus body.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the developing roller is separated from the photosensitive drum, then wear of the developing roller is reduced, but the position of the drum unit deviates causing image misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting shaft serves as a mediator that enables the developing roller separation function while preventing drum unit displacement. By rotating the supporting shaft during separation, the system achieves developing roller separation for extended service life while the abutting portion maintains drum unit position for accurate image formation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the translation cam member moves linearly to separate the developing device, then the developing roller can be separated from all photosensitive drums, but friction between the developing roller and drum unit causes drum unit position deviation
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting shaft acts as a rotational intermediary that converts the linear movement of the translation cam into rotational movement of the movable member. This rotation occurs around the supporting shaft while the abutting portion prevents drum unit movement, enabling versatile separation of all developing rollers without causing drum unit position deviation through friction.
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
This solution prevents the photosensitive drum unit from deviating, ensuring accurate image formation by maintaining the drum unit's position during the separation of developing rollers, thus preventing image misalignment.
Implementation Method 1
a movable member which is rotatably supported by the supporting shaft, and provided at a position where the translation member abuts along a linear movement thereof... the movable member includes: a main body which extends in a direction orthogonal to the supporting shaft, and is rotatably supported by the supporting shaft at a first end portion of the main body in a longitudinal direction thereof; an input portion which is provided at a second end portion of the main body opposite to the first end portion, and to which a pressing force is input by the translation member with the linear movement of the translation member after abutting the input portion; an abutting portion which is provided at a middle portion between the first and second end portions of the main body, and abuts the tandem photosensitive drum unit while the movable member rotates about the supporting shaft by the input of the pressing force to the input portion
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a drum unit which holds plural photosensitive drums, a developing cartridge which is provided for each photosensitive drum, a translation member which is provided to be movable linearly, and a movable member for each developing cartridge. The movable member includes a main body rotatably supported by the supporting shaft at one end portion thereof, an input portion provided at the other end portion thereof and to which a pressing force is input by the translation member with the linear movement thereof; an abutting portion which is provided between the one and other end portions of the main body, and abuts the drum unit while the movable member rotates about the supporting shaft; and an operating portion which applies to the supporting shaft a force for moving the developing cartridge as the movable member is rotated with the middle portion as a fulcrum.