Separating Mechanism Lever Accommodation for Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing transfer belt separating mechanism in image forming apparatuses prevents the cover from closing during factory shipment due to interference from the separating lever, necessitating separate conveyance of processing units or insertion of a damage-preventing component to avoid contact between the transfer belt and photoconductive drums.
Innovation Solution
A separating mechanism with a rotating shaft and a removably mounted lever that can be accommodated within the apparatus, allowing the transfer belt to be separated from photoconductive drums during shipment, ensuring the cover can be closed without interference, and allowing for easy reassembly and operation upon delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the separating lever is pulled down to separate the transfer belt from photoconductive drums, then the transfer belt is separated successfully, but the cover cannot be closed due to interference from the separating lever
Solution Approach 1:
The separating mechanism is divided into two independent parts: the separating lever that performs the separation function, and the cover that provides protection. The separating lever can be positioned in either a pulled-down state (for separation) or a folded state (for cover closing), allowing the cover to be closed independently of the separation state by folding the lever upward
Solution Approach 2:
The separating lever is designed to be movable between two positions: pulled down for separation and folded up for cover closing. This dynamic positioning allows the system to adapt to different operational states, enabling both transfer belt separation and cover closing to be achieved at different times without permanent interference
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the separating lever is in the separation releasing state during transportation, then the transfer belt contacts photoconductive drums causing damage, but adding damage-preventing components increases device complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The image forming apparatus is shipped with the separating lever in the pulled-down position, which preliminarily performs the separation action before transportation begins. This ensures the transfer belt is already separated from the photoconductive drums during shipping, preventing contact damage without requiring additional protective components during transit
Solution Approach 2:
The separating lever mechanism serves dual purposes: it performs the separation function during normal operation and simultaneously provides transportation protection by maintaining the separated state during shipping. The existing mechanism serves the additional function of preventing damage during transit, eliminating the need for separate damage-preventing components
3Ease of operation
If the separating lever is folded and accommodated at the specific position, then the cover can be closed, but the transfer belt remains in contact with photoconductive drums
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the cover closing function from the transfer belt separation function. The cover can be closed independently by folding the separating lever upward, while the transfer belt separation status is determined by the position of the separating shaft, which can be set to either contact or non-contact position regardless of the cover state
Solution Approach 2:
The separating shaft is preliminarily positioned in the non-contact position before the cover is closed. This preliminary action ensures that when the cover is closed with the separating lever folded away, the transfer belt is already separated from the photoconductive drums, preventing contact damage
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment includes: a separating mechanism configured to move a transfer belt between a first position in which the transfer belt contacts a photoconductor to a second position, a separating shaft configured to rotate to cause the separating mechanism to move from the first position to the second position. The image forming apparatus further includes a lever configured to be removably mounted on a first end of the separating shaft, and an accommodation section configured to accommodate the lever in a body of the image forming apparatus. A second end of the separating shaft prevents the accommodation of the lever in the accommodation section when the lever is removed and when the separating shaft is in the first rotation position.