Image-Forming Unit Locating Mechanism with Spring-Biased Hook Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses face challenges in securely locating units such as cover members, where the locating members can shift or drop off, making disassembly difficult and potentially leading to unit misalignment and operational issues.
Innovation Solution
A unit locating mechanism featuring a locating member with a cylindrical portion, hook portion, and torsion coil spring, which engages with a boss portion to retain the unit in a specific position, using a torsion coil spring to bias the locating member and prevent displacement without fixed attachment, ensuring reliable unit positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the locating member is fixed so as not to be shifted, then the unit is reliably located, but it becomes difficult to disassemble the locating member and the area around it
Solution Approach 1:
The locating member is divided into a main body portion and a movable restricting portion. The restricting portion can move independently relative to the main body, allowing it to engage with the unit for secure location while enabling separate access to the main body for disassembly and maintenance purposes.
2Ease of repair
If the locating member is made movable to facilitate disassembly, then the locating member can be easily removed, but the unit may shift or drop off from its positioned state
Solution Approach 1:
The restricting portion is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically engage with and restrict the unit's movement when needed, while also being capable of disengaging to facilitate maintenance. The movable nature enables transition between securing and accessible states.
3Ease of repair
If the locating member structure is simplified for easy disassembly, then maintenance becomes easier, but the ability to restrict unit movement may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The locating member is divided into a main body portion and a movable restricting portion. The restricting portion can move independently relative to the main body, allowing it to engage with the unit for secure location while enabling separate access to the main body for disassembly and maintenance purposes.
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
The mechanism securely retains units in place, preventing misalignment and facilitating easy disassembly, thereby maintaining operational stability and ease of maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a torsion coil spring that includes a winding spring portion which is arranged on the cylindrical portion, a first arm portion which extends from one end of the winding spring portion and a second arm portion which extends from the other end of the winding spring portion
Implementation Method 2
the torsion coil spring biases the locating member in a direction which causes the hook portion to engage with the boss portion
Data Source
AI summary
A unit locating mechanism includes a first unit, a second unit and a locating member. The locating member includes a cylindrical portion, a hook portion and a portion to be restricted. The second unit includes a unit-side portion, a support shaft and a restriction portion. The restriction portion overlaps, in a state where the hook portion engages with a boss portion, the portion to be restricted from outside in a predetermined direction. The unit locating mechanism includes a torsion coil spring. A first arm portion engages with the locating member, and a second arm portion engages with the unit-side portion such that the torsion coil spring biases the locating member in a direction which causes the hook portion to engage with the boss portion.