Combined Belt Unit and Sheet Guide for Laser Printer Maintenance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image forming apparatuses face difficulties in efficiently and safely attaching or detaching the belt unit due to its compact design, which can lead to operator contact and damage during maintenance.

Innovation Solution

Combining the belt unit with a guide member into a single unit that functions as both a guide and grip portion, allowing for easy attachment and detachment from the body casing, thereby improving maintenance efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the belt unit is made compact for efficient maintenance, then the attachment and detachment process becomes easier, but the operator may come into contact with the belt causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment and detachment processVSAvoidoperator contact with belt

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A guide member is introduced as an intermediary component between the operator and the belt. The guide member extends along the belt's extension direction and serves as a protective barrier, preventing direct operator contact with the belt while still allowing the belt unit to be easily attached and detached through the guide member's opening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If the belt unit structure is simplified, then maintenance becomes easier, but the attachment and detachment mechanism becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebelt unit structureVSAvoidattachment and detachment mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The belt unit is segmented into distinct functional components: the belt itself, the guide member, and the support rollers. This segmentation allows the guide member to be designed as a separate, easily attachable component that simplifies the overall assembly while maintaining easy attachment and detachment capabilities through its integrated design with the belt unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If the guide member is separated from the belt unit, then the belt unit can be easily attached and detached, but the guide member cannot function as a grip portion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment and detachmentVSAvoidguide member functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The guide member is merged with the belt unit as an integrated assembly. The guide member is positioned to extend along the belt's extension direction and is configured to serve dual purposes: guiding the belt and providing a grip portion for attachment and detachment operations. This merging ensures that the guide member remains functional while enabling easy maintenance procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS8126361B2Image forming apparatus with combined belt unit and sheet guide member

Publication Date: 2012.02.28 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

A laser printer has an opening formed at its front surface side and a front cover for opening and closing the opening. A belt unit is attachably and detachably provided with respect to a body casing via the opening in a state where the front cover is opened. A guide member for guiding a sheet of paper is provided at the front of the belt unit. The belt unit is combined with the guide member, which is provided to be attachable and detachable with respect to the body casing.