Board Holding Member Attachment Mechanism for Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing configurations for attaching boards in electrographic image forming apparatuses are complex, increasing manufacturing costs and complicating the attachment process due to the use of hinge members and multiple fixation points.
Innovation Solution
A board holding member is attached to the apparatus main body with an engaging part that snaps into place and a supporting part that allows rotation around a side edge as a fulcrum, enabling easy opening and closing without a hinge member, simplifying the attachment process and reducing manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a hinge member is used to attach the board holding member to the electrical part, then the board holding member can be opened and closed, but the structure becomes complicated and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the hinge member from the attachment mechanism. Instead of using a hinge, the board holding member is directly attached to the electrical part with fixing members, eliminating the complex hinge structure while maintaining the ability to open and close for maintenance access
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment mechanism is segmented into separate components: the board holding member, the electrical part, and simple fixing members. This segmentation allows for easy assembly and disassembly without requiring a complex integrated hinge mechanism
2Reliability
If a hinge member and multiple fixation points are used, then the board holding member can be securely attached, but the attachment work becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the hinge member from the attachment system, replacing it with direct fixing members that secure the board holding member to the electrical part. This simplifies the attachment process while maintaining secure fixation through proper positioning and fastening
Solution Approach 2:
The board holding member is designed to be self-aligning with the electrical part, allowing for straightforward attachment without complex alignment procedures. The fixing members are positioned to naturally guide the attachment process, reducing the skill and time required for assembly
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body and a board holding member. The apparatus main body includes an image forming part. The board holding member is attached to the apparatus main body and configured to have a surface to which a board is fixed. The apparatus main body includes an engaging part and a supporting part. The engaging part is configured to engage with a side edge part of the board holding member. The supporting part is configured to support a part closer to an inside than the side edge part of the board holding member. The board holding member is rotated around the side edge part as a fulcrum so as to be opened and closed with respect to the apparatus main body.