Swingable Developing Unit Inward Wall Restricting Movement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing developing units in image forming apparatuses face challenges in suppressing impact during transportation without increasing their size, as they require additional components to restrict movement, which can lead to increased size and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A developing device with a swingably supported unit featuring an inwardly extending wall portion that contacts a restricting member when moved opposite to the urging force, utilizing a developing frame with a projection to overlap with the developer carrying member, allowing for restricted movement and reduced impact during transportation without upsizing the unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an urging portion is added to restrict the movement of the developing unit during transportation, then the impact on the developing unit is alleviated, but the developing unit increases in size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the movement restricting function with the existing urging member by adding an inwardly extending wall portion to it. This wall portion contacts a restricting member on the photosensitive drum when the developing unit moves in the opposite direction to the urging force, thereby restricting movement without requiring a separate urging portion. This integration resolves the contradiction by achieving impact suppression while avoiding additional size increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The urging member is designed to serve multiple functions: it urges the developing unit toward the photosensitive drum during normal operation and simultaneously restricts backward movement through its inwardly extending wall portion during transportation. This multi-functionality allows the same component to address both operational requirements and transportation protection, eliminating the need for separate components that would increase size.
2Reliability
If a restricting member is added to limit the movement of the developing unit, then the impact during transportation is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the movement restricting function with the existing urging member structure by incorporating an inwardly extending wall portion. This wall portion works in conjunction with a restricting member on the photosensitive drum to limit backward movement during transportation. By integrating these functions into existing components rather than adding entirely new elements, the solution reduces device complexity while still achieving impact suppression.
3Reliability
If the developing unit is made more rigid to prevent movement during transportation, then the impact is suppressed, but the ease of operation for mounting and dismounting deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a swingable connection between the developing unit and the photosensitive drum, allowing the developing unit to move dynamically during mounting and dismounting operations. The inwardly extending wall portion of the urging member contacts a restricting member on the photosensitive drum to limit excessive backward movement during transportation, while the swingable connection maintains operational flexibility. This dynamic design resolves the contradiction by providing both impact suppression and ease of operation.
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
Effectively suppresses impact during transportation by stabilizing the developing unit's movement, preventing component breakage and maintaining image quality without increasing the unit's size or complexity.
Implementation Method 1
an urging force of an urging member configured to urge the developing unit in a first direction toward the image bearing member
Data Source
AI summary
A developing device includes a developing unit, swingably supported, for supplying a developer to an image bearing member, and including an inwardly extending wall portion. In an attitude during use, when against an urging force of an urging member configured to urge the developing unit in a first direction toward the image bearing member, the developing unit is moved in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the inwardly extending wall portion is contactable to a restricting member for restricting an amount of movement of the developing unit in the second direction.