Supporting Member Handle for Controlled Disengagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrophotographic image forming apparatuses face challenges in improving the operativity of the supporting member when it is disengaged from the apparatus main assembly, particularly in preventing unintentional disengagement during cartridge exchange and jammed paper clearance.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a supporting member with a handle portion and a movable portion to be prevented, which allows the supporting member to be disengaged from the main assembly by touching the handle portion, ensuring controlled disengagement and preventing accidental release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the supporting member is made disengageable from the main assembly, then the operativity of cartridge exchange and jam clearance is improved, but the risk of unintentional disengagement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by providing a preventing portion that proactively prevents unintentional disengagement before it can occur. The preventing portion is positioned to block accidental release of the supporting member during normal operation, while still allowing intentional disengagement through the handle portion when needed for cartridge exchange or jam clearance.
2Ease of operation
If the supporting member is disengaged from the main assembly, then access for jam clearance is improved, but the drum surface may be exposed to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing a protecting portion that is positioned to cover and protect the drum surface before disengagement occurs. This protecting portion prevents direct exposure of the drum surface to potential damage during the disengagement process, while still enabling the supporting member to be pulled out for jam clearance when necessary.
3Device complexity
If the supporting member structure is simplified, then the device complexity is reduced, but the control over disengagement may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the supporting member into distinct functional portions: a handle portion for intentional disengagement, a preventing portion for blocking accidental release, and a protecting portion for shielding the drum surface. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function independently, maintaining structural simplicity while providing comprehensive control over the disengagement process.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main assembly, with the main assembly including a preventing portion. The apparatus also includes a supporting member for supporting a plurality of electrophotographic photosensitive members, with the supporting member being movable between an inside position inside the main assembly, and an outside position outside the main assembly in a state in which the supporting member is supported by the main assembly and being disengageable from the main assembly at the outside position. A handle portion is provided to the supporting member, to be touched for disengaging the supporting member from the main assembly, with the handle portion being provided upstream of the plurality of electrophotographic photosensitive members with respect to a movement direction in which the supporting member is moved from the inside position to the outside position.