Air Inlet Positional Shift for Image Forming Apparatus Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, there is a gap between air outlets and inlets, leading to inefficient air introduction, resulting in suboptimal airflow direction changes and potential separation vortices that reduce air flow efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus is designed with air outlets and inlets positioned such that the second-side end of the inlets is shifted towards the downstream side relative to the outlets, and the inlets have larger dimensions than the outlets, with a protruding downstream wall and slanted surfaces to guide airflow effectively, preventing separation vortices and ensuring efficient air introduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If air outlets and air inlets are disposed with a gap between them, then the structural design is simplified and easier to manufacture, but the air flow efficiency is reduced due to ineffective air introduction
Solution Approach 1:
The air inlet is designed with an asymmetric structure where the second-side end is positionally shifted toward the second side relative to the second-side end of the air outlet. This dimensional offset creates an overlapping configuration that guides airflow effectively across the gap without requiring complex structural modifications, thus maintaining manufacturing simplicity while improving air flow efficiency
2Productivity
If air outlets and air inlets are positioned directly opposite each other, then air flow efficiency is maximized, but the device complexity increases due to precise positioning requirements
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring direct opposite positioning, the invention introduces a positional offset in the extending direction between the air outlet and air inlet. This dimensional shift allows the components to be disposed apart while still achieving efficient air introduction, thereby reducing positioning precision requirements and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The air inlet is designed with an asymmetric structure where the second-side end is positionally shifted relative to the air outlet. This asymmetric configuration optimizes airflow guidance without requiring symmetric or precisely aligned positioning, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining air flow efficiency
3Device complexity
If air flows through a gap between outlets and inlets, then the structural design is simpler, but separation vortices occur that reduce air flow efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The positional shift of the air inlet's second-side end toward the second side creates an optimized airflow path that reduces abrupt direction changes. This dimensional adjustment allows the air flow to transition more smoothly across the gap, minimizing separation vortices while keeping the structural design simple
Solution Approach 2:
The invention modifies the positional parameters of the air inlet relative to the air outlet, specifically shifting the second-side end position. This parameter change optimizes the airflow characteristics and reduces vortex formation without requiring complex structural modifications
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 ensures efficient air introduction from outlets to inlets, reducing airflow disturbances and enhancing the overall efficiency of air flow through the image forming unit.
Implementation Method 1
an air blower configured to blow air and generate an airflow
Implementation Method 2
a main duct configured to form airflow path of the air blown by the air blower such that the air flows through the main duct from a first side to a second side in an extending direction of the airflow path
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of air outlets formed to open in a direction intersecting the extending direction and discretely disposed along the extending direction
Implementation Method 4
each air inlet formed such that a second-side end thereof in the extending direction is positionally shifted toward the second side in the extending direction, relative to a second-side end of a corresponding one of the plurality of air outlets in the extending direction
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus including a main duct forming an airflow path of air blown by an air blower such that the air flows through the main duct from a first side to a second side in an extending direction of the airflow path, the main duct including a plurality of air outlets opening in a direction intersecting the extending direction and discretely disposed along the extending direction, and an image forming unit including a plurality of air inlets disposed apart from the plurality of air outlets such that the air flowing out from the plurality of air outlets is introduced into the plurality of air inlets, each air inlet formed such that a second-side end thereof in the extending direction is positionally shifted toward the second side in the extending direction, relative to a second-side end of a corresponding air outlet in the extending direction.