Planetary Gear Mechanism Nesting for Direction Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional driving force transmission devices for image-forming apparatuses face challenges in miniaturization and noise reduction while switching rotation direction on the output side while maintaining unidirectional rotation on the input side.
Innovation Solution
A driving force transmission device comprising a first and second annular gear, inner gears, and a carrier, with an actuator that allows integral rotation between input, output, and rotational members, and an engagement mechanism with a biasing member to switch rotation direction without altering the input direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional planetary gear mechanism is used to switch rotation direction on the output side, then the rotation direction can be changed, but the device size increases and noise is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent places the planetary gear mechanism inside the hollow portion of the output member, nesting multiple functional components within each other. The sun gear is positioned inside the planetary gear carrier, and the entire planetary gear assembly is contained within the output member's hollow space, achieving miniaturization while maintaining rotation direction switching capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the hollow internal space of the output member (three-dimensional space) to accommodate the planetary gear mechanism, transitioning from a two-dimensional arrangement to a three-dimensional nested structure. This allows the gear mechanism to be integrated within the output member rather than occupying additional external space
2Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional planetary gear mechanism is used to switch rotation direction on the output side, then the rotation direction can be changed, but noise is generated during operation
Solution Approach 1:
By nesting the planetary gear mechanism within the hollow portion of the output member, the patent creates a compact integrated structure where the gear components are contained within a confined space. This nesting arrangement reduces the overall device size and minimizes noise generation by containing the mechanical operations within the output member's internal volume
3Adaptability or versatility
If the rotation direction on the output side is switched while the input side remains unidirectional, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the planetary gear mechanism to serve multiple functions: it can switch the rotation direction of the output member while the input member maintains unidirectional rotation, and it can be integrated within the hollow portion of the output member. The engagement member can selectively engage with different components (sun gear, planetary gear carrier, or output member) to achieve various operational modes, enhancing versatility without proportionally increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement member acts as an intermediary component that selectively connects or disconnects the input member, output member, and planetary gear mechanism. By controlling the engagement state of this intermediary element, the system can switch between different operational modes (unidirectional input with reversible output, or other configurations) without requiring complex control mechanisms
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 efficient miniaturization and noise reduction by allowing seamless switching of rotation direction on the output side while maintaining unidirectional input rotation, enhancing the performance of image-forming apparatuses.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member that biases the engagement portion to move from the disengaging position to the engaging position
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a driving force transmission device including: an actuator (22) that, in a case where one of a first annular gear (11), a second annular gear (14), and a carrier (16) is an input member, another one is an output member, and the remaining one is a rotational member, causes one of the input member and the output member to rotate integrally with the rotational member. When driving force is inputted from the drive source to the input member and input member is rotated unidirectionally, the rotation direction of the output member in the case where one of the input member and the output member rotates integrally with the rotational member is reversed with respect to that in a case where one of the input member and the output member does not rotate integrally with the rotational member.