Airflow Path Alignment in Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
In compact image forming apparatus designs, the existing airflow paths often interfere with each other, reducing the effectiveness of cooling, ozone elimination, and toner recovery due to opposite air flow directions, making it difficult to maintain a compact and efficient configuration.
Innovation Solution
The airflow paths in the image forming apparatus are aligned in the same direction, ensuring that air flows through the ozone, cooling, and toner passages all move in parallel to the photoreceptor's axial direction, preventing interference and allowing for effective ozone elimination, cooling of the development apparatus, and toner recovery without compromising the compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If air flow paths are arranged close to each other in compact configuration, then the apparatus size is reduced, but air streams flowing in opposite directions interfere with each other, reducing cooling and ozone elimination effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by making all air flow paths (ozone elimination path, cooling path, and scattered toner recovery path) flow in the same direction rather than opposite directions. This inversion eliminates interference between air streams while maintaining compact configuration, as the airflow paths are arranged parallel to each other in the axial direction of the photoreceptor.
2Reliability
If air flow paths are separated to avoid interference, then cooling and ozone elimination effectiveness is improved, but the apparatus becomes less compact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple air flow paths (ozone elimination, cooling, and scattered toner recovery) into a unified configuration where all paths flow in the same direction. The paths are positioned adjacently in the axial direction of the photoreceptor, combining their functions without requiring separate spatial zones, thus achieving both effectiveness and compactness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent arranges air flow paths in the axial direction of the photoreceptor (one dimension) rather than using multiple opposite directions in radial or lateral dimensions. This dimensional arrangement allows multiple paths to coexist in close proximity without interference, enabling compact configuration while maintaining effectiveness.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple air flow paths are arranged around the development apparatus, then cooling and ozone elimination functions are provided, but serious interference occurs among flow paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent assigns specific local positions to different air flow paths around the development apparatus, with each path (ozone elimination, cooling, scattered toner recovery) positioned at a distinct location but all flowing in the same axial direction. This local differentiation allows multiple functions to coexist without interference.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus for forming an image including: a photoreceptor; a charging apparatus for charging the photoreceptor; and exposure apparatus for exposing an image onto the charged photoreceptor and forming an electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor; a development apparatus for developing the electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor; and a plural kinds of air flow paths for discharging air out of the apparatus by ventilating the air in an axial direction of the photoreceptor; wherein air flow directions in the plural kinds of air flow paths are made to be one and the same direction.