Single Motor Drives Developing Roller and Fuser Nipping Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses typically require multiple motors to drive various components, such as the developing roller, moving mechanism, and nipping-force adjuster, which increases complexity and costs.
Innovation Solution
A single motor is used to drive the rotation of the developing roller, its contacting/separating movements, and the adjustment of nipping force in the fuser, through a driving-force transmitter that distributes power to the moving mechanism and nipping-force adjuster.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple motors are used to drive the developing roller, moving mechanism, and nipping-force adjuster, then each component can be driven independently and reliably, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple driving functions into a single motor system. The one motor drives the developing roller rotation, moving mechanism, and nipping-force adjuster through integrated driving mechanisms, reducing the total number of motors from multiple to one while maintaining all necessary driving capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The single motor is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously or sequentially. It provides rotational driving force to the developing roller, drives the moving mechanism for contact/separation control, and adjusts the nipping force in the fuser, making one motor universal for multiple driving needs
2Device complexity
If a single motor drives multiple components, then the device complexity and cost are reduced, but the reliability of independent control may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the driving functions by using different transmission mechanisms (cam mechanisms, gears, belts) to distribute the single motor's output to different components. Each component receives dedicated driving force through its own transmission path, ensuring independent control while using a single motor source
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary transmission mechanisms between the single motor and the driven components. These intermediaries (such as cams, gears, and belts) act as mediators that convert and direct the motor's rotational force to specific components at appropriate times, enabling independent control without requiring multiple motors
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus, having a photosensitive drum, a developing roller movable between a contacting position, in which the developing roller contacts the photosensitive drum, and a separated position, in which the developing roller is separated from the photosensitive drum, a moving mechanism to move the developing roller between the contacting position and the separated position, a fuser including a heating member and a pressing member to nip a sheet at a position between the heating member and the pressing member, a nipping-force adjuster to switch a nipping force in the fuser between a first nipping force and a second nipping force being greater than the first nipping force, a motor, and a driving-force transmitter to transmit a driving force from the motor to the developing roller, is provided. The driving-force transmitter transmits the driving force further to the moving mechanism and the nipping-force adjuster.