Primary Transfer Roller Release Mechanism for Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses face complications and increased costs due to the complexity of raising and lowering primary transfer rollers, leading to potential damage when the transfer unit is detached from the apparatus main body.
Innovation Solution
A contact and separation mechanism using arm members, a link member, and a cam member to manually control the position of primary transfer rollers, allowing them to separate from photoreceptors during detachment, with a lock mechanism to maintain separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all primary transfer rollers are raised and lowered by driving control of the cam member to keep them separate from photoreceptors during detachment, then damage to primary transfer belt is prevented, but the contact and separation mechanism becomes complicated and incurs cost
Solution Approach 1:
The contact and separation mechanism is segmented into three distinct positions: color position (all rollers contact photoreceptors), monochrome position (only black roller contacts), and release position (all rollers separated). This segmentation allows the mechanism to achieve reliable protection while simplifying the control logic by defining discrete states rather than continuous control
Solution Approach 2:
A link member is introduced as an intermediary component that translates the rotational movement of the cam member into the reciprocating motion required to move primary transfer rollers between contact and separation positions. This intermediary mechanism simplifies the overall control structure by providing a mechanical advantage and reducing the complexity of direct actuation
2Device complexity
If primary transfer rollers are kept in contact with photoreceptors during detachment, then the mechanism remains simple, but the primary transfer belt comes into contact with photoreceptor and causes damages
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanism performs preliminary separation action by moving to the release position before detachment occurs. The cam member and link member are designed to automatically transition rollers to the separation position as a preliminary step in the detachment sequence, ensuring protection is established before any potential damage can occur
Solution Approach 2:
The contact and separation behavior is made local and selective through the monochrome position, where only the black primary transfer roller maintains contact with its photoreceptor while color rollers are separated. This local differentiation allows the system to optimize for both simplicity and protection by maintaining necessary contacts while avoiding harmful ones
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 effectively prevents damage to the primary transfer belt by ensuring it remains separate from photoreceptors during detachment, while simplifying the mechanism and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a cam member that presses and reciprocates the link member
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of arm members that each rotatably support a respective one of the primary transfer rollers
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a primary transfer unit 42 that is attachable and detachable. The primary transfer unit includes a contact and separation mechanism 62 that causes primary transfer rollers 60 to come into contact with and separate from photoreceptor drums 36. The contact and separation mechanism includes a plurality of arm members 76, a link member 78, a cam member 80, and a first grip 92. In the contact and separation mechanism, the cam member rotates by receiving a driving force from a drive source to cause the link member to reciprocate to a color position and a monochrome position, and the link member is moved to a release position by a user by using the first grip to cause all of the primary transfer rollers to separate from the photoreceptor drums.