Swingable Cleaning Unit for Transfer Belt Position Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing image forming apparatuses with swinging belt cleaning devices face issues such as breakage of the cleaning member, toner leakage, and improper cleaning due to changes in the relative positional relationship between the intermediary transfer belt and the cleaning member during mounting and dismounting, which affects space savings and maintenance efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus incorporates a swinging mechanism that supports the cleaning unit to be swingable about a parallel axis to the rotational axis of the main body unit, maintaining the relative positional relationship between the opposing roller and the cleaning unit, and includes a blade for cleaning the belt, ensuring stable contact and operation during mounting and dismounting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the belt cleaning device is swung relative to the belt unit to save space during mounting and dismounting, then space saving is achieved, but the relative positional relationship between the intermediary transfer belt and the cleaning member changes causing breakage and improper cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning unit is separated from the main body unit and mounted on a swingable bearing member that can rotate independently. This segmentation allows the cleaning unit to swing outward during mounting/dismounting for space saving, while maintaining its operational position relative to the belt during image forming, thus resolving the contradiction between space saving and positional stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing member is designed to be swingable about a rotation axis, enabling dynamic adjustment of the cleaning unit's position. During mounting and dismounting, the cleaning unit swings to a retracted position; during image forming, it returns to its operational position, achieving both space saving and reliable cleaning performance.
2Ease of operation
If a clearance is taken to swing the belt cleaning device, then mounting and dismounting is facilitated, but the relative positional relationship between the cleaning member and the intermediary transfer belt cannot be maintained causing breakage and improper cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing member acts as an intermediary mechanism between the main body unit and the cleaning unit. It provides a controlled swing motion that facilitates easy mounting and dismounting operations while maintaining precise relative positioning during operational mode, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and positioning precision.
3Ease of manufacture
If the cleaning member contacts the rotating intermediary transfer belt for cleaning, then cleaning function is achieved, but the cleaning member is prone to breakage when relative position changes occur
Solution Approach 1:
The swingable bearing member provides a cushioning mechanism that absorbs positional changes during mounting and dismounting. By allowing controlled swing motion, it prevents sudden shocks and stress on the cleaning member, thereby protecting it from breakage while maintaining effective contact during normal cleaning operations.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion, a belt unit including a cleaning unit and an opposing roller, and a swinging mechanism. The swinging mechanism includes a swingable member which is provided in a position different from a rotation center of the opposing roller while holding the opposing roller and the cleaning unit without changing a relative positional relationship between the opposing roller and the cleaning unit and which is swingable about a swing axis.