Process Cartridge Pivoting Mechanism for Drum Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electro-photographic image forming apparatuses face challenges in accurately positioning photosensitive drums due to diagonal movement of the process frame, leading to inadequate pressing force application, which can result in malfunctioned positioning operations.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus incorporates a body casing with a moving member that pivots to engage and disengage process cartridges, allowing for precise movement between engaging and release positions, ensuring accurate alignment and pressure application on photosensitive drums.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the process frame is lifted upward while moved toward the deep side through interlocking operation at the opening side, then the process cartridges are positioned with respect to the transfer belt, but the positioning accuracy is degraded due to diagonal movement
Solution Approach 1:
The process frame is divided into multiple process cartridges (yellow, magenta, cyan, black) that can be independently positioned. Each process cartridge is equipped with its own positioning mechanism, allowing individual adjustment rather than moving the entire frame diagonally, thus improving positioning accuracy without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
A positioning member is introduced as an intermediary component between the process cartridges and the transfer belt. This positioning member facilitates accurate positioning by providing a reference surface and engagement points, eliminating the need for complex interlocking operations that cause diagonal movement.
2Ease of operation
If the process frame is lifted upward from the opening side first and then interlocked toward the deep side, then the operation sequence is simplified, but insufficient pressing force is applied to process cartridges at the deep side
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing mechanism is designed to be dynamically adjustable, allowing the pressing force to be applied uniformly to all process cartridges regardless of their position. The positioning member moves in coordination with the transfer belt, ensuring that process cartridges at the deep side receive adequate pressing force during the positioning operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex mechanical interlocking system that transmits lifting motion from the opening side to the deep side is replaced with a more direct positioning mechanism. The positioning member is directly actuated to engage with process cartridges, eliminating the force transmission losses that occur in long mechanical linkages.
3Productivity
If the process cartridges are moved diagonally upward during positioning, then the positioning operation is completed in one motion, but the pressing force cannot be applied accurately on the photosensitive drums
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning member is designed to counteract the diagonal movement tendency by providing a guiding surface that constrains the process cartridges to move in the correct direction. This preliminary constraint prevents positioning errors before they occur, maintaining both efficiency and accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The process cartridges are pre-positioned and pre-aligned before the final engagement with the transfer belt. The positioning member performs preliminary positioning adjustments, ensuring that when the pressing force is applied, the photosensitive drums are already in the correct position, thus maintaining both speed and accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a body casing, a plurality of process cartridges, and a moving member. Each process cartridge includes a photosensitive drum having a rotation axis extending in a first direction. The plurality of process cartridges is configured to move between an engaging position and a release position in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The photosensitive drum and the positioning member engage with each other in the engaging position, and are disengaged from each other releasing the engagement in the release position. The moving member in a pressing position is configured to exert pressure so that the process cartridges are moved to the engaging position. The moving member in the non-pressing position is configured to release the pressure so that the process cartridges are moved to the release position.