Movable Paper Dust Roller for Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
The operability of the drawer unit in conventional image forming apparatuses is compromised due to the placement of the paper-dust collecting unit near the opening, causing interference when the support member is pulled out, especially when the unit is large enough to store a sufficient amount of paper dust.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus design where the cleaning unit, including a paper dust roller, a removing member, and a storing section, is integrated onto a supporting member that can move relative to the main body, allowing the paper dust roller to be positioned independently of the supporting member, thus avoiding interference during withdrawal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the paper-dust collecting unit is formed large enough to store a sufficient amount of paper dust, then the storage capacity is improved, but the drawer unit cannot be pulled out due to interference with the main body
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning unit is divided into two independently movable parts: the supporting member (drawer unit) that holds photosensitive members, and the paper dust roller that is movable relative to the supporting member. This segmentation allows the paper dust roller to be positioned independently to avoid interference with the main body during drawer extraction, while the storing section on the supporting member maintains sufficient paper dust storage capacity.
2Ease of operation
If the paper dust roller is positioned independently of the supporting member, then the operability of the drawer unit is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The paper dust roller is designed to be movable relative to the supporting member, allowing dynamic positioning that adapts to different operational states. When the drawer unit is pulled out, the paper dust roller can be repositioned to avoid interference with the main body, while maintaining its cleaning function. This dynamic configuration resolves the contradiction by enabling independent positioning without requiring complex additional mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes: a main body having a pinch roller; a supporting member configured to support a plurality of cartridges; and a cleaning unit provided on the supporting member. The supporting member is movable, relative to the main body, between an internal position located inside the main body and an external position located outside the main body. The cleaning unit includes: a paper dust roller for removing paper dust from recording sheets; a paper dust removing member for removing the paper dust; and a storing section for string the paper dust. The paper dust roller is movable relative to the supporting member and positioning of the paper dust roller relative to the pinch roller is independent of positioning of the supporting member relative to the main body.