Spacer Bolt Fixing Member for Stable Conveyance Unit Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in securely attaching and detaching components during transportation, particularly the conveyance unit to the swinging body, which can lead to instability and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
The use of a fixing member, comprising a bolt and a nut member with a spacer, allows for secure attachment and detachment of the conveyance unit to the swinging body by threading the bolt through a series of holes in the support plate, preventing damage and ensuring proper alignment during movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the conveyance unit is made detachable for ease of operation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to potential instability and damage during transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing member incorporates a swingable body that can dynamically transition between a locked state (during transportation) and an unlocked state (during operation). The swingable body rotates about a rotation axis to engage or disengage from the conveyance unit, allowing the system to adapt its stability characteristics based on operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing member is divided into distinct functional segments: a bolt for threading into the conveyance unit, a swingable body for engagement control, and a rotation body for actuation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while working together to achieve both secure fixation and easy release.
2Reliability
If the conveyance unit is securely fixed during transportation, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to additional fixing steps
Solution Approach 1:
The swingable body provides dynamic engagement control where a single rotational motion about the rotation axis simultaneously controls both the locking and unlocking states. This eliminates the need for multiple fixing steps while maintaining secure transportation fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic body automatically engages with the conveyance unit when the swingable body is in the locked position, providing self-fixing functionality. The system uses its own elastic deformation to maintain the locked state without requiring additional fastening operations.
3Device complexity
If a simple bolt connection is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the strength deteriorates due to insufficient securing during movement
Solution Approach 1:
The swingable body with rotation capability adds dynamic locking strength to the otherwise simple bolt connection. The rotation body enables the swingable body to actively engage and disengage, transforming a passive bolt into an active securing mechanism that provides sufficient holding force during transportation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges a bolt connection with a swingable latch mechanism into a single integrated fixing member. This combination maintains the simplicity of the bolt while adding the securing strength of a positive latch engagement, achieving both low complexity and high strength.
Data Source
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AI summary
A fixing member (200) includes a bolt member (210) and a spacer (220) annular in shape. The bolt member includes a base portion (211), a protruding portion (212) protruding from the base portion, and a threaded portion (213) at a tip of the protruding portion. The spacer is attached to the protruding portion in a slidable manner between the base portion and the threaded portion. A first member is sandwiched between the base portion and the spacer. A second member different from the first member is sandwiched between the spacer and a nut member threadedly engaged with the threaded portion.