Secondary Transfer Unit Cam Locking Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges with incomplete locking of openable and closable transfer units due to high pressure requirements, leading to increased costs and usability issues with detection sensors, and space constraints with synchronization-based locking mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus incorporates a secondary transfer unit with a first engagement portion and a regulation member, allowing the transfer unit to be openable and closable, where the opposing member contacts the regulation member during closure and moves away during opening, utilizing a cam mechanism to ensure secure locking without requiring extensive user intervention or additional space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If detection sensors are provided on all locking portions to detect incomplete locking, then locking reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking system uses the secondary transfer roller's own high pressure as the locking force, and the reaction force from this pressure automatically drives the opposing member to engage with the regulation member, creating a self-locking mechanism that does not require external sensors or additional locking actuators

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The opposing member acts as an intermediary that translates the reaction force from the secondary transfer roller into the locking action, mediating between the high-pressure transfer process and the locking mechanism without requiring direct sensor intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If separate leading guides are used to lock rolling members in synchronization, then locking reliability is improved, but the space required increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoidspace required

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The opposing member integrates multiple functions: it guides the rolling member, provides the locking surface, and regulates the locking timing, eliminating the need for separate leading guides and reducing the overall space required for the locking mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The opposing member serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it acts as a guide, a locking surface, and a synchronization mechanism, making the locking system more compact by consolidating functions that would otherwise require separate components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Manufacturing precision

If high pressure is applied by the secondary transfer roller, then image quality is improved, but incomplete locking occurs due to reaction force

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidlocking reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The reaction force from the high-pressure secondary transfer roller, which previously caused incomplete locking, is now utilized as the driving force for the locking mechanism. The opposing member is positioned to be driven by this reaction force, converting the harmful effect into a beneficial self-locking action

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of trying to counteract the reaction force from the high-pressure roller, the design inverts the approach by using the reaction force itself to drive the locking action, making the locking mechanism work in the same direction as the transfer pressure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 reduces incomplete locking issues, minimizes user operation, and conserves space, providing a cost-effective and user-friendly solution for maintaining the integrity of the transfer process.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing a cam mechanism to ensure secure locking

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCam mechanism: Cam

Data Source

PatentUS8971762B2Image forming apparatus

Publication Date: 2015.03.03 CANON KK

AI summary

An image forming apparatus includes a bearing member provided to a secondary transfer unit, with the bearing member being configured to engage with a main body unit of the apparatus, a hooking-receiving member rotatably provided in the main body unit of the apparatus and opposed to the bearing member, and a rotation regulation member provided to the main body unit of the apparatus to regulate rotation of the hooking-receiving member. The hooking-receiving member contacts the rotation regulation member when the secondary transfer unit is closed with respect to the main body unit of the apparatus and-rotates in a direction away from the rotation regulation member when the secondary transfer unit is opened with respect to the main body unit of the apparatus.