Swingable Intermediate Coupling for Shaft Misalignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power transmission devices for image forming apparatuses face challenges in easy assembly and installation due to misalignment and declination of shaft centers, leading to deformation and vibration issues during image formation.
Innovation Solution
A two-stage spline coupling system with crowned teeth and a tubular intermediate transmission member that can swing to absorb axial deviations, held by a retaining coupling with a stopper assembly, facilitates easy engagement and disengagement, reducing assembly complexity and improving alignment accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a conventional power transmission device is used, then the structure is simple, but misalignment and declination of shaft centers cause deformation and vibration issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate transmission member with a swingable structure that acts as a mediator between the drive coupling and driven coupling. This intermediate member can swing to absorb axial deviations and misalignments, thereby improving alignment accuracy without significantly increasing overall assembly complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate transmission member is designed with a swingable connection that allows dynamic adjustment to accommodate shaft center misalignment and declination. This dynamic capability enables the system to adapt to manufacturing tolerances and reduce vibration while maintaining a relatively simple structural configuration.
2Ease of operation
If the driven coupling is detachably attachable, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of power transmission is worsened due to potential misalignment during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The swingable intermediate transmission member serves as a buffer that compensates for misalignment during the detachable engagement process. This allows the driven coupling to be easily attached and detached while the intermediate member ensures reliable power transmission by absorbing assembly variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The swingable structure of the intermediate transmission member is designed in advance to cushion and absorb potential misalignment issues before they affect power transmission reliability. This pre-built compensation mechanism ensures that even with variable assembly conditions, the power transmission remains reliable.
3Device complexity
If the intermediate transmission member is held by one coupling, then the device complexity is reduced, but the stability of the intermediate member is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate transmission member is held by one coupling through a swingable connection that provides dynamic stability. While the structure remains relatively simple with single-point holding, the swingable capability allows the intermediate member to maintain stability by adapting its position to absorb misalignments and reduce vibrations during operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A power transmission device includes a drive coupling, a driven coupling, and an intermediate transmission member. The drive coupling receives power from a drive source and rotates. The driven coupling is disposed coaxially on a first rotary shaft of the drive coupling and detachably attachable relative to the main body of the image forming apparatus. The intermediate transmission member meshes with the drive coupling and the driven coupling and is held by one of the drive coupling and the driven coupling in a state in which the driven coupling is disengaged from the main body. One of the drive coupling and the driven coupling, whichever holds the intermediate transmission member, constitutes a retaining coupling including an attachment member attached to one of a drive-side device and a driven-side device, and a stopper assembly facing the intermediate transmission member in an axial direction of the first rotary shaft.