Optical Print Head Positioning Mechanism for Drum Cartridge Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in safely exchanging photosensitive drum cartridges due to the risk of contact between the optical print head and the photosensitive drum, leading to potential damage during the reciprocation between exposure and retracted positions.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a moving mechanism that includes a projected portion on the optical print head to guide its movement, utilizing abutting and preventing portions to accurately position the optical print head and prevent further movement when the drum cartridge is dismounted, ensuring safe exchange and preventing damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the optical print head is moved to the exposure position close to the photosensitive drum surface, then the imaging function is achieved, but the risk of contact and damage between the optical print head and photosensitive drum increases during drum cartridge exchange
Solution Approach 1:
The optical print head is automatically retracted to a safe position before the drum cartridge is removed, and only moves to the exposure position after the drum cartridge is properly installed. This preliminary positioning action prevents contact damage during drum cartridge exchange while maintaining normal imaging function.
2Manufacturing precision
If projections are provided on the optical print head to form a gap with the photosensitive drum, then positioning is achieved, but the complexity of the device structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning function is divided into two parts: projections on the optical print head that engage with corresponding grooves on the drum cartridge frame. This segmentation allows precise positioning through simple geometric engagement rather than complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The drum cartridge frame acts as an intermediary element between the optical print head and the photosensitive drum. The projections on the optical print head engage with grooves on the drum cartridge frame, indirectly positioning the optical print head relative to the photosensitive drum without direct contact.
3Reliability
If the optical print head is retracted further from the photosensitive drum to allow drum cartridge exchange, then the safety of exchange is improved, but the imaging quality may deteriorate due to increased gap
Solution Approach 1:
The optical print head position is made dynamic rather than fixed. It automatically adjusts between two positions: retracted position during drum cartridge exchange and exposure position during imaging. This dynamic positioning ensures both exchange safety and imaging quality without compromise.
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
The solution enables safe and reliable exchange of photosensitive drum cartridges by preventing contact between the optical print head and the photosensitive drum, reducing the risk of damage and ensuring precise positioning during the movement between exposure and retracted positions.
Implementation Method 1
The optical print head includes an LED (light emitting diode), an organic EL (electro-luminescence) device or the like as an example of a light emitting element
Implementation Method 2
The optical print head includes an LED (light emitting diode), an organic EL (electro-luminescence) device or the like as an example of a light emitting element
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of light emitting elements for exposing a photosensitive drum to light
Implementation Method 4
The optical print head includes a plurality of lenses for focusing light beams, emitted from the plurality of light emitting elements, onto the photosensitive drum
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an optical print head, an optical print head moving mechanism, an abutting portion, a projected portion, an opposing portion, and a preventing portion provided on the projected portion so that in a state in which a drum cartridge is dismounted from a main assembly of the image forming apparatus, the preventing portion is contacted to the opposing portion by movement of the optical print head moved by the moving mechanism toward a side downstream of the exposure position with respect to the movement direction and prevents further movement of the optical print head in the movement direction and so that in a state in which the drum cartridge is mounted in the main assembly and the abutting portion contacts the drum cartridge, the preventing portion is in non-contact with the opposing portion.