Oldham Coupling for Image Forming Apparatus Drum Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The meshing of drum and cleaning gears in image forming apparatuses can cause uneven rotation speeds, leading to image defects like banding due to the transmission of driving force, which affects the stability of the photosensitive drum's rotation.
Innovation Solution
An Oldham coupling is used, comprising a driving side member, a driven side member, and an intermediate member with distinct joints that transmit driving force independently to the photosensitive drum and the cleaning roller, ensuring that the rotation of one member does not affect the other, thereby stabilizing the rotation speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If drum gear and cleaning gear are meshing to transmit driving force, then the cleaning roller can be rotated, but the rotation speed of the photosensitive drum becomes uneven causing banding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the driving force transmission into two independent paths: one through the drum gear to the photosensitive drum, and another through the cleaning gear to the cleaning roller. This segmentation allows each component to rotate independently without transmitting unevenness between them, thus maintaining stable rotation speed for the photosensitive drum while enabling proper cleaning roller operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediate member (Oldham coupling) between the drum gear and cleaning gear that acts as a mediator. This intermediate member includes a driving side member, driven side member, and intermediate component that transmits driving force independently to both the photosensitive drum and cleaning roller, preventing the meshing of drum gear and cleaning gear from causing rotation speed unevenness.
2Ease of operation
If drum gear and cleaning gear mesh to transmit driving force, then the cleaning function is enabled, but image quality deteriorates due to banding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the driving force transmission paths so that the photosensitive drum and cleaning roller are driven independently. By preventing the meshing between drum gear and cleaning gear, the system eliminates the source of banding while maintaining the cleaning function through the alternative transmission path via the intermediate member.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate member serves as a mediator that enables the cleaning function to operate independently from the photosensitive drum driving mechanism. This allows the cleaning roller to function properly without transmitting mechanical irregularities back to the photosensitive drum, thus preserving image quality.
3Power
If drum gear and cleaning gear are meshing, then driving force is transmitted to both components, but the complexity of the transmission system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate member as a mediator that simplifies the transmission system by providing a clear separation between the driving force transmission paths. This intermediate component with its driving side member, driven side member, and intermediate part offers an organized approach to transmitting power to both the photosensitive drum and cleaning roller independently, reducing the complexity compared to a meshing gear system.
Data Source
AI summary
A coupling which may include a driving side member, a driven side member, and an intermediate member interposed between the driving side member and the driven side member. The intermediate member may be configured to transmit a driving force from the driving side member to the driven side member. The driven side member may include a first driven side rotating body having a first engaging portion and a second driven side rotating body having a second engaging portion. Further, the second driven side rotating body may be configured to rotate relative to the first driven side rotating body about a common axis of rotation with the first driven side rotating body. Additionally, the second engaging portion may be disposed outside of the first engaging portion with respect to a radial direction of the first driven side rotating body.