Transfer Roll Positioning in Image Forming Apparatus

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in accurately positioning and securely closing the rear cover, which affects the precision of the transfer roll's alignment with the photoconductor, leading to potential transfer failures and image quality deterioration.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a transfer positioning portion that positions the transfer roll from both the upper and rear sides, using a transfer slider and coil springs to ensure accurate alignment and secure closure without relying on springs for pressing the transfer roll onto the photoconductor, thus reducing the rear cover's rigidity and cost while maintaining precision.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If springs are used to press the transfer roll onto the photoconductor, then the transfer roll can be secured, but the rear cover's rigidity decreases and cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransfer roll securingVSAvoidrear cover rigidity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the springs from the system entirely, extracting the problematic element that caused the contradiction. Instead of using springs to press the transfer roll onto the photoconductor, the invention uses a positioning portion that mechanically locates the transfer roll from the rear side, eliminating the need for elastic pressing elements and their associated drawbacks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a positioning portion as an intermediary element between the rear cover and the transfer roll. This positioning portion mediates the connection by providing a fixed rear-side location for the transfer roll, ensuring proper alignment and contact with the photoconductor without requiring springs, thus maintaining rigidity while ensuring reliable transfer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If springs are used to press the transfer roll onto the photoconductor, then the transfer roll can be secured, but the rear cover's cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransfer roll securingVSAvoidrear cover cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces expensive springs with a simpler, cheaper positioning portion that can be integrated into the rear cover structure. This positioning portion uses basic mechanical features rather than elastic components, reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining the necessary functional reliability for transfer roll securing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Manufacturing precision

If the rear cover's rigidity is increased to maintain precision, then positioning accuracy improves, but the size and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransfer roll alignmentVSAvoidrear cover size

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent approaches the positioning problem from another dimension by adding rear-side positioning in addition to upper-side positioning. Instead of increasing the rigidity or size of the cover, the invention introduces a new dimensional approach by locating the transfer roll from the rear, achieving precise alignment without enlarging the cover structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the positioning function into two independent parts: upper-side positioning and rear-side positioning. This segmentation allows each positioning mechanism to work independently and effectively, achieving precise transfer roll alignment through coordinated action of both positioning portions without requiring an oversized or overly rigid cover.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS8478165B2Image forming apparatus having an openable member

Publication Date: 2013.07.02 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming apparatus body; an openable member that is supported movably between an opening position and a closing position; a positioning portion that is provided in the image forming apparatus body; a positioned portion that is supported on the openable member and that is brought into contact with the positioning portion to be positioned when the openable member is in the closing position; a rotary member that is supported on the image forming apparatus body; and an opposed member that is supported on the openable member. When the openable member moves to the closing position, the opposed member moves in a direction crossing an opening/closing direction of the openable member and then moves in a reverse direction to the moving direction. And the opposed member is opposed to the rotary member rotatably when the openable member is in the closing position.