Orthogonal Lock and Contact Mechanism for Compact Printer Casing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrophotographic printers require significant space for separating members, which overlap with fixing members, making the main casing less compact in the axial direction of photosensitive drums.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a lock member and a contact-separation member that align orthogonally to the axial direction, allowing for the restriction and movement of photosensitive drums while enabling compact casing design by avoiding overlap between the axes of these components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separating members are disposed on the inner sides of fixing members and rotatably supported on support parts, then the developing rollers can be separated from photosensitive drums, but the main casing becomes less compact in the axial direction due to overlap between separating members and fixing members
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spatial arrangement by moving the support part for the separating member from the inner side (overlapping region) to the outer side (non-overlapping region) of the fixing member in the axial direction. This dimensional repositioning eliminates the overlap between separating members and fixing members, allowing the main casing to be more compact in the axial direction while maintaining the separation function.
2Volume of moving object
If separating members are positioned to avoid overlap with fixing members, then the main casing can be more compact, but the mechanism for restricting photosensitive drum movement becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The lock member is designed to perform multiple functions: it restricts the photosensitive drum from moving in the axial direction during image formation, and simultaneously serves as a reference structure for positioning the contact-separation member. The contact-separation member is movably supported on the lock member, integrating the positioning and separation functions into a unified structure, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the lock member and contact-separation member into an integrated assembly where the contact-separation member is movably supported on the lock member. This combination eliminates the need for separate positioning mechanisms and support structures, simplifying the overall design while achieving both drum restriction and roller separation functions.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a main casing and a cartridge detachably mountable therein. The cartridge includes a photosensitive drum and a developing roller disposed to oppose each other. The main casing includes: a metal frame for supporting the cartridge; a lock member supported to the metal frame and movable about a first axis to allow or restrict movement of the photosensitive drum relative to the metal frame; and a contact-separation member supported to the metal frame and movable about a second axis to allow contact and separation of the developing roller relative to the photosensitive drum. The lock member and the contact-separation member are aligned in an orthogonal direction orthogonal to an axis of the photosensitive drum such that the first axis is not overlapped with the contact-separation member or the second axis is not overlapped with the lock member in an axial direction of the photosensitive drum.