Vibration Absorbing Member for Developing Unit in Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing image forming apparatuses face issues with toner spilling during transportation due to vibrations, leading to increased delivery costs and efficiency losses, as the developing unit needs to be separately packaged and reassembled, complicating the setup process.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a vibration-absorbing member between the developing unit and the photosensitive unit, which maintains the specified gap between the developing roller and the photosensitive drum, preventing toner spillage during transportation and simplifying the setup process by allowing the developing unit to be delivered mounted within the apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the developing unit is delivered mounted in the body of the image forming apparatus without separate packaging, then delivery efficiency increases and setup time decreases, but toner spills out during transportation due to vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by providing a vibration absorbing member that is pre-installed in the image forming apparatus to counteract vibration effects during transportation. The vibration absorbing member is positioned to absorb vibrations before they can cause toner spillage, allowing the developing unit to remain mounted during delivery without risk of toner leakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The vibration absorbing member acts as an intermediary between the developing unit and the external vibration environment. It mediates the transmission of vibrations by absorbing them, thereby protecting the toner in the developing unit from spillage while allowing the unit to remain mounted during transportation.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the developing unit is packaged separately from the body of the image forming apparatus, then toner spillage during transportation is prevented, but delivery cost increases and delivery efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of separately packaging the developing unit, the patent installs a vibration absorbing member beforehand in the image forming apparatus. This allows the developing unit to remain mounted during transportation while still preventing toner spillage through the vibration absorption capability of the member.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the vibration protection function into the overall apparatus structure rather than requiring separate packaging. The vibration absorbing member is integrated into the image forming apparatus, combining the protection function with the existing structure and eliminating the need for separate packaging of the developing unit.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the developing unit is packaged separately, then toner spillage is prevented, but packaging material and labor increase delivery cost
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration absorbing member is installed beforehand in the image forming apparatus during manufacturing, eliminating the need for separate packaging materials and labor. This beforehand protection measure reduces packaging costs while still preventing toner spillage during transportation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the vibration protection function from the packaging process and integrates it into the apparatus itself. By taking out the protection function and embedding it in the form of a vibration absorbing member, the need for separate packaging is eliminated, reducing both material and labor costs.
4Loss of time
If the developing unit is delivered mounted, then setup time decreases, but vibration during transportation causes toner to spill out
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration absorbing member is installed beforehand to protect against vibration-induced toner spillage during transportation. This allows the developing unit to remain mounted throughout delivery and setup, eliminating the need for unpacking and reassembly while preventing toner spillage through the cushioning effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The vibration absorbing member is installed in advance during apparatus manufacturing, before transportation and delivery. This preliminary protective measure ensures that the developing unit can remain mounted during transportation without risk of toner spillage, enabling immediate use upon delivery without setup time loss.
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 vibration-absorbing member effectively prevents toner spillage during transportation, reducing delivery costs and setup time by allowing the developing unit to remain mounted, enhancing delivery efficiency and minimizing packaging requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a vibration absorbing member provided in contact with the developer storage container so as to absorb vibration of the developer storage container, which is caused by external force
Data Source
AI summary
A developing unit is pivotally supported by a pivot pin so as to be swingable, and a forcing lever forces a developing roller towards a photosensitive drum so that an outer circumferential surface of a DS roller makes contact with an outer circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum. This maintains, at a specified value, a developing gap between the photosensitive drum and the developing roller. A sympathetic vibration prevention member in which an elastic member is provided on an upper surface of the base member is inserted between a lower portion of a housing of the developing unit and a guide rail provided under the lower portion. This prevents the developing unit from vibrating in sympathetic with vibration during the transportation of the image forming apparatus, which prevents the toner from spilling out.