Pivoting Process Cartridge Mounting for LED Head Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing image-forming apparatuses face difficulties in easily mounting process cartridges from the side opposite to the exposing surface of an LED head supported by a casing, requiring deep insertion and potentially causing mounting challenges.
Innovation Solution
An image-forming apparatus with a supporting member that allows the process cartridge to be pivotally moved between an exposing position and a retracted position, facilitating easy mounting by supporting the cartridge from the side opposite to the exposing surface, using a pivot shaft and guide grooves to align the photosensitive drum with the LED head.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the LED head is supported by the casing and the process cartridge is inserted deep from above, then the exposing surface can face the photosensitive drum, but the mounting becomes difficult and may cause the cartridge to get stuck
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting member is configured to pivotally support the process cartridge, allowing it to move dynamically between a retracted position and an exposing position. This dynamic support mechanism enables easy mounting by allowing the cartridge to be inserted from a convenient direction while ensuring stable positioning when in use, resolving the contradiction between mounting ease and operational stability.
2Reliability
If the process cartridge is inserted deep into a position below the exposing surface, then the exposing function can be achieved, but the insertion depth requirement makes mounting difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring deep insertion along the vertical axis, the invention allows the process cartridge to be mounted by inserting it from a different direction (from the side of the second end) and then pivoting it into position. This dimensional change in the mounting approach eliminates the need for deep insertion while maintaining the exposing function.
3Ease of manufacture
If the top cover supports the LED head, then the structure is simple, but the process cartridge cannot be easily replaced when the top cover is opened
Solution Approach 1:
The LED head supporting function is extracted from the top cover and assigned to a dedicated supporting member that is part of the casing. This separation allows the top cover to be opened for cartridge replacement without affecting the LED head position, while maintaining overall structural simplicity through functional decomposition.
Data Source
AI summary
An image-forming apparatus includes: a process cartridge including a photosensitive drum having a photosensitive surface and a rotational axis; an exposing unit having a first end, a second end opposing the first end, and an exposing surface formed on the first end and oriented in a predetermined direction; and a supporting member on which the process cartridge is mountable from a side of the second end. The supporting member has a pivotal supporting portion configured to pivotably movably support the process cartridge between an exposing position where the photosensitive surface of the photosensitive drum faces the exposing surface and a retracted position where the photosensitive surface of the photosensitive drum is offset from the exposing surface, the exposing surface being configured to expose the photosensitive surface of the photosensitive drum to form an electrostatic latent image when the process cartridge is positioned at the exposing position.