Transfer Member Segmentation for Stable Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in ensuring reliable separation and stable rotation of transfer members during transport, leading to potential deformation and adhesion issues with photosensitive members, and instability in transfer member rotation due to constant urging forces.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a separating mechanism that includes a transfer unit, engaging unit, and regulating member, allowing for assured pressure contact and stable rotation of the transfer member by separating and re-engaging the transfer member from the image carrying member using a combination of bearing portions, engaging portions, and a regulating mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the transfer member is separated from the image carrying member during transport, then deformation and adhesion of the photosensitive member are prevented, but the transfer member may become unstable in rotation due to constant urging forces from helical gears
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer member is divided into two independent parts: a cylindrical body portion and two disk-shaped weight portions at the axial ends. This segmentation allows the weight portions to be positioned away from the urging force of the helical gears, preventing the constant urging force from affecting the rotation stability of the main body, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and rotation stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The disk-shaped weight portions are strategically placed at the axial ends of the transfer member, which are locations not subjected to the urging force from the helical gears. This local placement ensures that the weight portions provide rotational stability without being affected by the gears, while the main body remains separable for reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If helical gears are used to separate the transfer member, then the apparatus is transportable, but it is difficult to assuredly bring the transfer member into contact with the photosensitive member
Solution Approach 1:
The separating mechanism uses a locking member with locking portions that engage with groove portions on the transfer member. This segmented locking design provides positive engagement that assuredly brings the transfer member into contact with the photosensitive member, overcoming the unreliability of helical gear-based separation while maintaining transportability.
3Force
If the transfer member is constantly urged toward the inner side by helical gears, then the transfer member remains in pressure contact with the image carrying member, but the rotation of the transfer member becomes unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer member is segmented into a body portion and axial end weight portions. The urging force from the helical gears acts only on the body portion, while the weight portions at the axial ends remain unaffected, allowing stable rotation of the main body during pressure contact without the destabilizing influence of constant urging on the entire member.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an image carrying member; a transfer unit that includes a transfer member, first and second separating portions configured to separate ends of the transfer member that are on one side and on another side, respectively, from the image carrying member; an engaging unit that includes first and second engaging portions configured to engage with the first and second separating portions, respectively, the engaging unit being configured to separate the transfer member from the image carrying member when the first engaging portion engages with the first separating portion and the second engaging portion engages with the second separating portion; and a regulating member configured to regulate a movement of the engaging unit. The engaging unit is moved by the regulating member from the one side toward the other side or from the other side toward the one side.