Segmented Metal Frame for Photosensitive Drum Holder
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing image forming apparatuses have large and heavy metal frames that complicate the structure and restrict the degrees of freedom in the driving system and electrode arrangement due to their size and weight, as well as the need for drilling to mount gears and couplings.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus features a metal frame with a main body portion and extension portions that position the holder without overlapping the photosensitive drums, allowing for reduced size and weight, and includes positioning holes and surfaces to maintain positional accuracy, enabling more flexible gear and coupling arrangements and electrode placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If metal frames are provided to entirely cover the side surfaces of the holder, then positional accuracy of the holder is improved, but the metal frames become big in size and heavy in weight
Solution Approach 1:
The metal frame is divided into multiple separate components: a body portion and multiple extension portions. Each extension portion is positioned at a different location (front end, rear end, and side surfaces) to provide localized support and positioning functions. This segmentation allows the frame to achieve necessary positional accuracy without requiring a continuous, heavy coverage structure.
2Manufacturing precision
If metal frames entirely cover the side surfaces of the holder, then holder positioning is improved, but the structure becomes complicated due to drilling for gears and couplings
Solution Approach 1:
The metal frame is segmented into a body portion and multiple extension portions that can be separately formed and then assembled. This segmentation reduces the complexity of each individual component, making drilling and assembly operations simpler while maintaining the overall positioning function.
Solution Approach 2:
The extension portions extend in different spatial dimensions (front-rear direction and left-right direction) from the body portion. This three-dimensional arrangement allows the frame to achieve comprehensive holder positioning without requiring a complex two-dimensional planar structure, simplifying the overall design.
3Reliability
If metal frames entirely cover the side surfaces of the holder, then holder support is improved, but degrees of freedom in driving system structure and electrode arrangement are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the metal frame into a body portion and separate extension portions, the design provides flexibility in arranging driving system components and electrodes. The extension portions can be positioned to support the holder while leaving other areas accessible for component placement, thereby maintaining both reliability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The extension portions utilize three-dimensional space by extending in multiple directions from the body portion. This spatial arrangement provides holder support while creating open areas and access paths for the driving system and electrode arrangement, enhancing design flexibility without compromising support reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a main body including a metal frame, and a holder configured to hold a plurality of photosensitive drums arranged in an arrangement direction. The metal frame includes a main body portion, a first extension portion and a second extension portion. The main body portion extends in the arrangement direction and is disposed in a position not overlapping the photosensitive drums in an axial direction of the photosensitive drums, and further has a first end portion and a second end portion opposite to the first end portion in the arrangement direction. The first extension portion and the second extension portion extend from the first end portion and the second end portion of the main body portion, respectively, in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction and parallel to a side of the holder in a first dimension, the side of the holder being parallel to the arrangement direction in a second dimension.