Swingable Member Mechanism for Cartridge Installation Stress Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses employing electrophotographic processes face issues where the cartridge exerts force on the rotating member of the main body during installation or removal, causing unintended rotation and potential mechanical stress.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a swingable member with contact surfaces that pivotally move between contact and retracted positions, supported by a rotating cam and shaft, allowing the cartridge to be installed and removed without directly contacting the rotating cam, thereby preventing unnecessary rotation and stress on the mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the cartridge is directly connected to the rotating member for installation and removal, then the operation is simple, but the cartridge may exert force on the rotating member causing unintended rotation and mechanical stress
Solution Approach 1:
A swingable member is introduced as an intermediary between the cartridge and the rotating member. This swingable member includes a first contact surface that contacts the rotating member and a second contact surface that contacts the cartridge. When the cartridge is installed or removed, the swingable member pivots about a supporting member, allowing the cartridge to be moved without directly contacting and potentially rotating the rotating member, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability
2Adaptability or versatility
If the cartridge is removably installed in the main body, then the adaptability is improved, but mechanical stress and wear on the rotating mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The swingable member serves as a mediator that decouples the mechanical interaction between the removable cartridge and the rotating member. By allowing the swingable member to pivot independently, the direct mechanical stress and wear that would otherwise be transmitted to the rotating mechanism during cartridge installation and removal is eliminated, while maintaining the adaptability of removable cartridge installation
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical connection is segmented into separate functional elements: the swingable member handles the installation/removal motion, while the rotating member handles only its intended rotation function. This segmentation prevents the coupling of unrelated mechanical stresses, reducing wear on the rotating mechanism while preserving cartridge removability
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a cartridge and a main body into which the cartridge is removably installed. The cartridge includes a first unit and a second unit that is movably connected to the first unit. The main body includes a rotating member, a supporting member disposed at a position away from the rotating member, and a swingable member that is pivotally movable about the supporting member and configured to be moved by the rotating member. The swingable member is movable between a first position at which the swingable member is in contact with the second unit and a second position at which the swingable member is retracted from the first position. Installation and removal of the cartridge into and from the main body is enabled in a state where the swingable member is at the first position and is supported by the rotating member.