Fixing Roll Annular Unit Gap Formation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rolls used in image forming apparatuses experience discharge issues over time due to gaps forming between the annular member and the elastic layer, leading to secondary failures such as ignition of the elastic material.
Innovation Solution
A roll design featuring an electrically-conductive shaft with an elastic layer and a non-electrically-conductive annular unit attached to its ends, where a fixing part on the shaft secures the annular unit's position, and a fixed part on the annular unit's inner surface prevents movement, ensuring continuous contact and reducing gap formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a non-electrically-conductive annular unit is attached to the end of the shaft without a fixing part, then the structure is simpler and easier to manufacture, but gaps form between the annular unit and the elastic layer over time due to movement, causing discharge issues
Solution Approach 1:
The annular unit is divided into two functional segments: a pressing part that contacts the elastic layer and a shaft mounting part that fits onto the shaft. This segmentation allows the pressing part to maintain constant pressure on the elastic layer while the shaft mounting part provides a secure attachment interface, preventing relative movement and gap formation without complicating the overall manufacturing process
Solution Approach 2:
The shaft is designed with a protruding part that extends beyond the elastic layer, and the annular unit is pre-configured with an inner circumferential surface that matches this protrusion. This preliminary design ensures that when assembled, the annular unit is automatically positioned and secured against the protruding part, preventing movement and gap formation before operation begins
2Ease of operation
If the annular unit is allowed to move freely on the shaft, then assembly is easier, but discharge occurs through gaps that form between the annular unit and elastic layer during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The protruding part of the shaft acts as an intermediary element between the annular unit and the elastic layer. This intermediary structure provides a mechanical interface that secures the annular unit in position while allowing it to maintain constant pressure on the elastic layer, preventing gap formation and discharge without complicating the assembly process
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic layer functions as a flexible element that can deform to accommodate the annular unit while maintaining continuous contact. The flexibility of this thin film layer allows the assembly to absorb minor dimensional variations and maintain pressure contact, preventing gap formation and discharge issues
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 suppresses discharge occurrence and secondary failures by maintaining contact between the annular member and the elastic layer, enhancing the reliability of the roll in image forming processes.
Implementation Method 1
a non-electrically-conductive annular unit that is attached to at least one of ends of the shaft that protrude from end surfaces of the elastic layer in a shaft direction while being in contact with the end surface of the elastic layer
Data Source
AI summary
A roll includes an electrically-conductive shaft; an elastic layer provided on the shaft; and a non-electrically-conductive annular unit that is attached to at least one of ends of the shaft that protrude from end surfaces of the elastic layer in a shaft direction while being in contact with the end surface of the elastic layer. A fixing part that fixes an attachment position of the annular unit in the shaft direction is provided on a part of the ends of the shaft to which the annular unit is attached, and a fixed part fixed by the fixing part of the shaft is provided on a part of an inner circumferential surface of the annular unit in the shaft direction.