Transfer Roller Pivot Structure for Accurate Replacement Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in maintaining positioning accuracy for transfer rollers during replacement, which can affect the quality of the transferred images.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a pivoting member with a shaft supporting portion that rotates between two positions, allowing the shaft supporting portion to enter a recess in the apparatus body, ensuring precise positioning of the transfer roller without impairing the ease of replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If the transfer roller is made detachable for easy replacement, then ease of repair is improved, but positioning accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pivoting member is designed to rotate between a first position (during replacement) and a second position (during operation). This dynamic reconfiguration allows the shaft supporting portion to engage with the recess only when needed for positioning, while allowing free movement during replacement operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivoting member is segmented into functional portions: a shaft supporting portion for positioning, a pivoting portion for movement, and a fixing portion for engagement with the holding member. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function independently, enabling both easy replacement and accurate positioning.
2Manufacturing precision
If the shaft supporting portion is made wide for stable positioning, then positioning accuracy is improved, but ease of replacement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The width of the shaft supporting portion is dynamically changed through rotation. When viewed from the first position, the shaft supporting portion presents a smaller width profile that facilitates insertion into the recess. When rotated to the second position, it presents a wider effective contact surface for stable positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The design transitions from a static width to a dynamic dimensional change by rotating the pivoting member around the rotation axis. This rotational movement changes the projected width of the shaft supporting portion in the direction orthogonal to the first direction, enabling both easy insertion and stable positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body including an image bearing member, and a detachable unit detachably attached to the apparatus body. The detachable unit includes a transfer roller including a roller shaft and a pivoting member including a shaft supporting portion. The apparatus body includes a holding member configured to hold the pivoting member and including a recess. In a case where the detachable unit is attached to the apparatus body, the shaft supporting portion is allowed to enter the recess by moving the pivoting member in the first direction. The holding member is configured to hold the shaft supporting portion in a state in which the pivoting member attached to the apparatus body is pivoted to the second position and an outer peripheral surface of the shaft supporting portion comes into pressure contact with an inner surface of the recess.