Spacing Member Cover Prevents Roller Stress in Process Cartridges
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Solution Overview
Problem
During transportation of image forming apparatuses, the photosensitive member and developing roller can be damaged due to vibration, and existing spacing members may inadvertently allow driving force to be applied to the developing roller if not removed, causing unnecessary stress on the developer.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a spacing member that includes a first cover part between the driving input part and the driving input member, preventing engagement and thus avoiding stress on the developer, and additional features like maintaining parts and roller spacing to prevent wear and rattling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a detachable spacing member is provided to space the photosensitive member and developing roller during transportation, then the components are protected from damage, but the user may forget to remove it before use causing unnecessary stress on developer
Solution Approach 1:
The spacing member is divided into two functional parts: a maintaining part that spaces the photosensitive member and developing roller, and a cover part that covers the driving input part. This segmentation allows the spacing function to be separated from the driving prevention function, enabling the cover part to block the driving input mechanism while the maintaining part provides the necessary spacing during transportation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover part acts as an intermediary element between the driving input member and the driving input part. When the spacing member is accidentally left in place during operation, the cover part prevents the driving force from being transmitted to the developing roller, thereby protecting the developer from unnecessary stress while still allowing the spacing function to operate.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the spacing member is made to maintain position during transportation, then components are protected from vibration damage, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The spacing member is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: the maintaining part provides positional stability and spacing between components during transportation, while the cover part prevents accidental driving input. This multi-functionality allows a single component to achieve both protection and prevention without requiring additional separate mechanisms, thereby minimizing structural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus may include: a process cartridge, an apparatus body and a spacing member. The process cartridge may be detachably mountable to the apparatus body and include a photosensitive unit having a photosensitive member, a developing unit having a developing roller, and a driving input part into which a driving force from the apparatus body is configured to be inputted. The apparatus body may include a driving input member which is configured to input the driving force. Additionally or alternatively, the spacing member may be attached to the process cartridge and configured to space the photosensitive member and the developing roller. The spacing member may include a first cover part which is located between the driving input part and the driving input member and covers at least a portion of the driving input part.