Photoreceptor Housing Guide Sections for Insertion Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in efficiently guiding and inserting/removing photoreceptor housings without causing interference with the exit mechanism, which can lead to scratches on the photoreceptor surface.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus incorporates guide sections on both sides of the developing devices adjacent to the housing, which guide the housing during insertion/withdrawal, ensuring that the photoreceptor surface does not face the exit mechanism until the housing is properly positioned, thereby preventing interference and scratches.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If guide sections are provided to guide the housing during insertion/withdrawal, then the housing posture is stabilized and workability is improved, but the guide sections may interfere with the exit mechanism when the photoreceptor surface faces it

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworkability of insertion/withdrawalVSAvoidscratches on photoreceptor surface

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The guide sections are positioned to initiate guidance action before the photoreceptor surface reaches the exit mechanism. The upstream guide section starts guiding the housing at an earlier position in the insertion direction, ensuring proper alignment is established before the surface could potentially contact the exit mechanism, thus preventing scratches while maintaining guidance functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If guide sections are positioned to prevent interference with the exit mechanism, then scratches on the photoreceptor surface are prevented, but the guidance effectiveness may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescratches on photoreceptor surfaceVSAvoidguidance effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The guidance function is divided into multiple guide sections positioned at different locations along the insertion path. The first guide section provides initial guidance and positioning, while the second guide section continues the guidance function. This segmentation allows the system to maintain effective guidance throughout the insertion process while ensuring the photoreceptor surface does not contact the exit mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20170075296A1Image forming apparatus and installation or removal of housing including photoreceptors

Publication Date: 2017.03.16 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

Provided is an image forming apparatus including plural developing devices that are provided side by side in a direction that is defined by an image forming apparatus main body and respectively form insertion sections into or from which housings including photoreceptors are inserted or withdrawn in a longitudinal direction on one side in a direction in which the plural developing devices are arranged, an exit mechanism that is provided in the developing device, is disposed on an inlet side of the insertion section, and exits a developer on an inside of the developing device, and guide sections of at least two portions that are provided in at least one of the developing devices adjacent to the housing and guide the housing before a surface of the photoreceptor faces the exit mechanism in an insertion direction of the housing when the housing is inserted or withdrawn.