Tandem Image Forming Apparatus Movable Drum Unit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in efficiently replacing photosensitive drums and developing devices due to exposure risks and contact issues with the transfer belt unit, requiring careful handling to avoid damage.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus includes a main casing with a movable belt unit and photosensitive member unit, allowing for orthogonal arrangement of photosensitive members and developing devices, enabling easy separation and replacement by pivoting the units away from the developing device unit, thus reducing the risk of damage and improving operational safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the photosensitive drum is mounted from the upper portion and placed on the transfer belt, then the developing device can be accessed for replacement, but the photosensitive drum becomes exposed and requires careful handling to avoid damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility of developing deviceVSAvoidexposure risk to photosensitive drum

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the image forming apparatus into separable units: the photosensitive drum unit and the developing device unit can be independently accessed and replaced. The photosensitive drum remains mounted on the transfer belt while the developing device can be removed from its holder, allowing maintenance operations without exposing the photosensitive drum surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The transfer belt acts as an intermediary component that supports the photosensitive drum while allowing the developing device to be independently accessed. The developing device holder can be removed from the photosensitive drum without detaching the drum from the transfer belt, providing a protective intermediate structure during maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the developing device is replaced by removing it from the holder, then the photosensitive drum remains protected, but the transfer belt unit must be pivotally moved which adds operational complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of photosensitive drumVSAvoidpivotal movement mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the developing device into a removable holder that can be detached from the photosensitive drum. The holder can be removed independently without requiring pivotal movement of the entire transfer belt unit, simplifying the replacement operation while maintaining protection of the photosensitive drum.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If the photosensitive drum and developing device are individually detachable, then replacement flexibility is improved, but the structural complexity of the apparatus increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereplacement flexibilityVSAvoidindividual mounting structures

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the mounting function into the photosensitive drum unit itself, which remains fixed on the transfer belt. The developing device uses a separate removable holder that interfaces with the drum without requiring complex individual mounting structures for each component, reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining replacement flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This configuration enhances the operability and safety of replacing photosensitive drums and developing devices by allowing for controlled separation from the transfer belt unit, simplifying the process and reducing the risk of damage, while maintaining the structural integrity of the apparatus.

Implementation Method 1

Electrostatic latent images are formable on each photosensitive member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic charging: Electrostatics

Implementation Method 2

Each developing device includes a developing member that supplies toner to corresponding photosensitive member to develop the electrostatic latent images formed thereon

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic attraction: Electrostatics

Implementation Method 3

provide toner images which are transferred onto the endless belt by corresponding transfer member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic transfer: Electrostatics

Data Source

PatentUS9405216B2Tandem type image forming apparatus

Publication Date: 2016.08.02 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

To facilitate replacing photosensitive drums and/or developing devices in an image forming apparatus, a photosensitive member unit including a plurality of photosensitive members is loaded in a main casing. A developing device unit including a plurality of developing devices is also loaded in the main casing. Both an intermediate transfer belt and the photosensitive member unit are configured to be movable toward and away from the developing device unit. Further, when the photosensitive member unit is separated from the developing device unit, the intermediate transfer belt and the plurality of photosensitive members are also separated from each other.