Rear Cover Transfer Roller Alignment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in efficiently guiding and positioning the second transfer member during the opening and closing of the rear cover, which can lead to increased operational complexity and potential jamming issues due to the misalignment of the second transfer roller with the positioning recessed portion.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a second transfer unit with a second turning support point positioned closer to the rear cover, featuring a positioning projecting portion that contacts a guide surface on the positioning recessed portion, allowing for smoother movement and alignment of the second transfer roller when the rear cover is opened and closed, thereby reducing the operational force required and preventing jamming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the second transfer member is positioned closer to the rear cover, then the alignment and guidance during opening/closing is improved, but the distance between the turning support point and the outer peripheral end increases
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning projecting portion acts as an intermediary element between the second transfer member and the positioning recessed portion. It provides a dedicated contact interface that guides the transfer member along the guide surface during opening and closing operations, ensuring reliable alignment without requiring the member to be positioned closer to the rear cover.
2Reliability
If the positioning projecting portion contacts the guide surface on the downstream side, then the guidance and prevention of jamming is improved, but the operational force required increases due to spring resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning projecting portion preliminarily engages with the guide surface on the downstream side before the rear cover completes its opening or closing motion. This preliminary engagement guides the second transfer member into proper alignment in advance, preventing jamming occurrences before they can happen during the main operational phase.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of positioning the guide surface on the upstream side where it would naturally encounter spring force, the guide surface is positioned on the downstream side. This inversion allows the positioning projecting portion to contact the guide surface after the spring force has been overcome, using the spring's recoil to assist in maintaining contact and guidance during the critical alignment phase.
3Ease of operation
If the second transfer member is guided to the operation position with the positioning projecting portion contacting the guide surface, then the operational smoothness is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning and guidance functions are extracted from the main second transfer member structure and implemented through a separate positioning projecting portion that interacts with the positioning recessed portion and guide surface. This extraction allows the guide surface to be integrated into the stationary housing rather than being part of the moving mechanism, reducing the complexity of the moving parts while maintaining smooth operation.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes: an open/close member provided to an image forming apparatus body so as to be openable and closable by turning about a turning support point; and a second transfer member attached to the open/close member to be positioned at an operation position with a positioning projecting portion contacting a positioning recessed portion of the image forming apparatus body. A distance between the turning support point and an outer peripheral end of the positioning projecting portion at a time when the open/close member is opened is shorter than the distance with the second transfer member at the operation position. The second transfer member is guided to the operation position, when the open/close member is closed, with the positioning projecting portion first contacting a guide surface of the positioning recessed portion. The guide surface is located on a downstream side along a turning direction of the open/close member.