Non-Parallel Drum Support Geometry for Force Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional image forming apparatuses face challenges in stably supporting photosensitive drums, which can lead to instability and reduced durability due to uneven distribution of forces and pressure on the supporting members.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus employs a unique configuration where the supporting members for each photosensitive drum are designed with non-parallel straight lines connecting the supporting portions and the drum's rotational center, allowing for balanced distribution of forces and improved stability, with each drum having distinct inclinations for its supporting surfaces to match the direction of resultant forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional supporting members are used with parallel lines connecting supporting portions and drum rotational center, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the photosensitive drum becomes unstable and less durable due to uneven force distribution

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of photosensitive drum supportVSAvoidcomplexity of supporting member configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by configuring the supporting members with non-parallel lines connecting the supporting portions to the rotational center of the photosensitive drum. Specifically, the first and second supporting lines are configured to be non-parallel to each other, creating an asymmetric support structure that balances the resultant forces acting on the drum. This asymmetric arrangement ensures stable support while distributing forces evenly, preventing drum displacement and maintaining operational reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Reliability

If the supporting members use non-parallel lines to distribute forces evenly, then the stability and durability of the photosensitive drum is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedurability of photosensitive drum supportVSAvoidprecision of supporting member geometry
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the geometric parameters of the supporting members, specifically the angles and positions of the non-parallel lines. By carefully selecting the parameters of the first and second supporting lines, the design achieves balanced force distribution without requiring excessively high manufacturing precision. The parameter optimization allows for standard manufacturing tolerances while still achieving the desired stability and durability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Force

If the supporting members are designed with non-parallel configurations, then force distribution is improved and drum stability increases, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforce distribution on supporting membersVSAvoidcomplexity of supporting structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the extraction principle by isolating the force distribution function into the supporting member geometry itself, rather than requiring complex external mechanisms. The non-parallel configuration of the supporting lines inherently provides force balancing, extracting the complexity from the overall device and concentrating it only in the simple geometric arrangement of the supporting members. This allows for elegant force distribution without adding significant device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS9639053B2Image forming apparatus and cartridge group
Publication Date: 2017.05.02 CANON KK
  • US9639053B2 patent drawing
  • US9639053B2 patent drawing
  • US9639053B2 patent drawing

AI summary

In an image forming apparatus, when a line connecting a midpoint of a line segment connecting a first supporting portion and a second supporting portion and a rotational center of a first photosensitive drum as viewed from a first axial direction of the first photosensitive drum is referred to as a first straight line, and a line connecting a midpoint of a line segment connecting a third supporting portion and a fourth supporting portion and a rotational center of a second photosensitive drum as viewed from a second axial direction of the second photosensitive drum is referred to as a second straight line, the first straight line as viewed from the first axial direction and the second straight line as viewed from the second axial direction are not parallel to each other.