Rotating Ring Coupling Device Axial Locking Wear Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coupling devices for rotating members like gears and rollers in image forming apparatuses face issues with wear of snap fit claws due to long-term use, leading to reduced locking functionality and potential detachment from the shaft, especially with increased durability and usage frequency.
Innovation Solution
A coupling device with a contacting portion on the rotating member and a rotatable restricting member on the shaft that restricts axial movement, reducing wear by allowing the snap fit claw to abut a rotatable ring member rather than a fixed groove, enabling easy demounting and preventing locking failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the snap fit claw abuts against the wall surface of the groove portion on the shaft, then the gear is prevented from coming off in the axial direction, but the snap fit claw may be worn due to long-term use
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the restricting member from a fixed groove on the shaft to a rotatable ring member that rotates together with the rotating member. This dynamic configuration ensures that the snap fit claw always contacts a fresh surface on the ring member, preventing wear accumulation and maintaining reliable locking function throughout the service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable ring member effectively recovers the contact surface for the snap fit claw by rotating to present a new, unworn surface. This allows the locking mechanism to maintain its function without the snap fit claw experiencing progressive wear, extending the overall service life of the coupling device.
2Ease of operation
If the rotating member is demountable from the shaft for replacement, then the roller can be replaced due to abrasion or adhesion, but the snap fit claw wear may cause locking function to deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable ring member dynamically rotates with the rotating member, ensuring the snap fit claw contacts a continuously renewed surface. This maintains reliable locking function throughout repeated use and replacement cycles, preventing wear-induced locking failures while preserving ease of operation.
3Productivity
If the frequency of usage is significantly increased to improve durability, then the mechanism is used more often, but the snap fit claw wear increases leading to locking function reduction
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable ring member recovers the contact surface for the snap fit claw by rotating to present fresh surfaces. This allows the mechanism to handle increased usage frequency without accumulating wear on the snap fit claw, maintaining reliable locking function even under intensive operational conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure provides a coupling device configured to couple a shaft and a rotating member supported on the shaft so as to be rotatable and demountable from the shaft including a contacting portion provided on a rotating member, and a restricting member provided on the shaft so as to be rotatable and configured to restrict a movement of the rotating member in the axial direction by coming into contact with the contacting portion.