Single-Motor Drive Device for Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive devices in image forming apparatuses generate noise due to gear meshing and require multiple motors, leading to increased costs and potential rotation unevenness issues.
Innovation Solution
A drive device with electromagnetic clutches and a belt transmission system that allows for single-motor operation, reducing gear meshing noise and using a drive switching mechanism to manage load variations, thereby minimizing vibration and rotation unevenness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple motors are used to drive different rotary bodies, then each rotary body can be driven independently, but the cost increases and the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple drive functions into a single motor by using a common rotary shaft that supports multiple drive transmission members (input gear, distribution gear, transmission gear). The single motor drives the rotary shaft, which then distributes power to multiple rotary bodies through gear mechanisms, eliminating the need for multiple separate motors while maintaining independent drive capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotary shaft serves multiple functions: it supports the drive transmission cutting device for input, carries the distribution gear for power splitting, and provides mounting for multiple drive transmission members. This multi-functional design allows one motor to control multiple rotary bodies independently through the universal rotary shaft structure.
2Power
If gear meshing is used to transmit driving force, then power transmission is efficient, but noise is generated due to gear meshing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a belt as an intermediary transmission element between the motor and the gear system. The belt transmits power from the motor to the rotary shaft, reducing direct gear meshing noise while the gear mechanisms continue to provide efficient power distribution to multiple rotary bodies. This intermediary approach separates the noise-generating gear meshing from the power source.
3Device complexity
If a single motor is used to drive multiple rotary bodies, then costs are reduced, but rotation unevenness may occur due to load variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs electromagnetic clutches that can dynamically engage and disengage to control power distribution to different rotary bodies. This dynamic control allows the system to adjust load distribution in real-time, compensating for load variations and maintaining uniform rotation speeds across multiple rotary bodies even when using a single motor.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive switching device monitors the operational state of multiple rotary bodies and adjusts the engagement of electromagnetic clutches accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that power is distributed evenly to maintain consistent rotation speeds, preventing rotation unevenness caused by varying loads on different rotary bodies.
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
The solution reduces noise levels and costs by enabling single-motor operation while maintaining efficient drive transmission, preventing rotation unevenness and fixing nonuniformity in the image forming apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a drive switching device configured to switch between a transmission state in which a driving force applied by the drive source is transmitted and a halting state in which transmission of the driving force of the drive source is halted
Implementation Method 2
A drive device with electromagnetic clutches and a belt transmission system that allows for single-motor operation, reducing gear meshing noise and using a drive switching mechanism to manage load variations, thereby minimizing vibration and rotation unevenness
Data Source
AI summary
A drive device, which is included in an image forming apparatus, includes a drive source, a drive switching device configured to switch between a transmission state and a halting state, a first rotary body having a rotary shaft, a first drive transmission passage through which a driving force is transmitted to the first rotary body, a second rotary body, a second drive transmission passage through which the driving force is transmitted to the second rotary body, a drive transmission body rotatably mounted on the rotary shaft of the first rotary body, and an input drive transmission body mounted on the rotary shaft of the first rotary body and configured to input the driving force to the rotary shaft of the first rotary body, the input drive transmission body configured to rotate together with the drive transmission body as a single unit.