Oldham Coupling Structure for Deviation Angle Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Oldham's coupling mechanisms in image forming apparatuses face issues with absorbing deviation angles, leading to rotation non-uniformity, vibration, noise, and reduced lifespan due to restricted movement, which results in image defects like banding and increased operational force during jam clearance.
Innovation Solution
A drive transmission device with a driving-side coupling, a driven-side coupling, and an intermediary transmission member that allows for movement in specific directions, enabling the absorption of deviation angles and eccentricity, and is held by either coupling or a shaft member, ensuring stable drive transmission without additional components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the intermediary transmission member is held by both couplings to prevent disconnection, then connection reliability is improved, but deviation angle absorption is restricted causing rotation non-uniformity and vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The holding function is segmented and assigned exclusively to the driving-side coupling through the shaft member, releasing the driven-side coupling from holding responsibilities. This allows the intermediary transmission member to move freely relative to the driven-side coupling for deviation angle absorption while maintaining connection reliability through the dedicated holding structure at the driving side.
Solution Approach 2:
The shaft member acts as an intermediary holding structure between the driving-side coupling and the intermediary transmission member. This dedicated holding mechanism provides reliable connection while allowing the intermediary transmission member to rotate and absorb deviation angles without being constrained by the driven-side coupling.
2Reliability
If the intermediary transmission member is held by a shaft member to ensure stable transmission, then transmission stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The holding function is merged into the driving-side coupling assembly through the shaft member, which integrates the holding structure with the existing coupling components. This consolidation provides stable transmission without adding separate holding mechanisms, thereby avoiding excessive complexity increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The driving-side coupling is given multiple functions: it serves as both the driving interface and the holding structure through the shaft member. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate holding components on both sides, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining transmission stability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If deviation angles are permitted to be absorbed, then rotation uniformity is improved, but operational force during jam clearance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deviation angle absorption function is extracted and dedicated to the engagement between the intermediary transmission member and the driven-side coupling, separating this function from the holding function. This allows optimized design where the driven-side coupling geometry specifically facilitates deviation angle absorption without compromising jam clearance operational force.
Data Source
AI summary
A drive transmission device includes a driving-side coupling, a driven-side coupling, and an intermediary transmission member provided therebetween. The driving-side coupling and the intermediary transmission member engage with each other so as to be movable in a first direction. The driven-side coupling and the intermediary transmission member engage with each other so as to be movable in a second direction crossing the first direction. The intermediary transmission member is held by a holding-side coupling which is one of the driving and the driven-side couplings or by a shaft member engaging with the holding-side coupling. Engagement of the intermediary transmission member with a non-holding-side coupling which is the other coupling permits a deviation angle about an axis extending in the first direction and a deviation angle about an axis extending in the second direction.