Single Motor Belt Drive Transmission for Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses require multiple motors to drive belt units, increasing costs and complexity, while existing solutions have not effectively addressed the challenge of using a single motor to reliably transmit driving force between transmission gears.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus employs a single motor to drive both belt units through a novel gear transmission system, including a one-way clutch and inter-axis restricting member, ensuring reliable drive transmission and reducing motor count.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single motor is used to drive both belt units, then cost and device complexity are reduced, but reliability of driving force transmission deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A one-way clutch is introduced as an intermediary component between the motor and the two belt units. The one-way clutch selectively transmits driving force to either the first or second belt unit based on operational requirements, enabling reliable single-motor control of both belts without direct mechanical coupling that would compromise reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches the driving force transmission path using the one-way clutch mechanism. Depending on which belt unit requires operation, the clutch engages or disengages to direct power flow appropriately, allowing a single motor to adaptively control both belts in different operational states.
2Reliability
If multiple motors are used to drive each belt unit, then reliability of driving force transmission is improved, but cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The single motor is designed to perform multiple functions by selectively driving either the first or second belt unit through the one-way clutch mechanism. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate motors while maintaining operational reliability through intelligent power distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The driving functions of what would traditionally require two separate motors are merged into a single motor system. The one-way clutch enables this merger by providing selective engagement paths, allowing one motor to control both belt units without compromising the reliability that would otherwise require dual motors.
Data Source
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AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a fixing device and a cooling device provided on a side downstream of the fixing device with respect to a sheet feeding direction. The cooling device includes a first unit including a first belt and a first roller, a second unit including a second belt for forming a nip in cooperation with the first belt, a heat sink and a second roller, and a driving motor for rotating the first roller and the second roller. The second unit is movable between a contact position where the first belt and the second belt are in contact with each other so as to form the nip and a separated position where the first belt and the second belt are in separation from each other so as to release the nip.