Photosensitive Drum Shutter Coupler Mechanism for Compact Image Forming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses require a large space for the shutter mechanism due to its interlocking with the side door, making it difficult to manufacture small-sized devices and complicating the opening and closing process.
Innovation Solution
A photosensitive drum unit with a coupler that converts linear motion into rotational motion of the shutter, allowing for interlocking with the side door without the need for a large space, using a cylindrical-shaped coupler with a curved guide and an elastic body to control the shutter's opening and closing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional sliding member and wire mechanism is used to open/close the shutter interlockingly with the side door, then the shutter can be reliably opened and closed, but a relatively large space is required for the mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional sliding member and wire mechanism with a coupler mechanism that directly converts linear motion to rotational motion. The coupler includes a curved guide surface that works with a protrusion on the rotation axis, eliminating the need for separate sliding members and wires, thereby reducing the space required while maintaining reliable shutter operation
Solution Approach 2:
The coupler incorporates a curved guide surface that converts linear motion into rotational motion through its geometry. This curved surface allows the rotation axis to rotate smoothly as the coupler moves linearly, enabling compact design while ensuring reliable shutter opening and closing without requiring large spaces
2Ease of operation
If a gear system is used to open/close the shutter, then the shutter can be controlled precisely, but the structure becomes more complex and requires more space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of the gear system (converting linear motion to rotational motion) and implements it through a simplified coupler mechanism with a curved guide surface. This eliminates the need for multiple gears and their associated components, reducing structural complexity while maintaining precise shutter control
Solution Approach 2:
The coupler mechanism divides the shutter control function into distinct components: the coupler body with the curved guide, the rotation axis with the protrusion, and the elastic body. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, achieving precise control with simpler overall structure
3Volume of moving object
If the shutter mechanism is made compact to reduce device size, then the image forming apparatus becomes smaller, but the opening and closing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the coupler, curved guide surface, and rotation axis into an integrated mechanism that achieves both compact size and simple operation. The coupler's curved guide surface is directly formed as part of the coupler body, eliminating the need for separate guide components and reducing overall complexity while maintaining small device dimensions
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
Enables the shutter to be opened and closed interlockingly with the side door in a narrow space, simplifying the mechanism and allowing for a smaller image forming apparatus with smooth operation.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic body inserted into the main body and mounted at a protrusion extended from the rotation axis
Data Source
AI summary
A photosensitive drum unit includes a photosensitive drum, a shutter having a rotation axis shaft which opens and closes to selectively enable access to the photosensitive drum, and a coupler, wherein a linear motion thereof causes a rotational motion of the shutter about the rotation axis shaft. The coupler is coupled to a rotation axis shaft of the shutter and is capable of changing a straight line motion to a rotational motion in a narrow space. In an image forming apparatus equipped with the photosensitive drum unit of the invention, a pressing unit mounted at a support frame of the photosensitive drum unit is pressably engageable with the coupler.