Cleaning Member for Image Forming Apparatus Handle

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional image forming apparatuses face issues with deposits such as toner and paper dust adhering to user's hands during the replacement of image forming sections and other components, leading to contamination and increased maintenance costs.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates uneven parts with convex and concave surfaces and sliding cleaning pads that guide deposits away from the user's contact points, allowing for easy removal and replacement of components without adhering to hands, and reduces manufacturing costs by efficient cleaning mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the handle is arranged in the main body for easy access during component replacement, then ease of operation is improved, but deposits such as toner and paper dust adhere to the handle, causing contamination to user's hands

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of component replacementVSAvoiddeposit adhesion to handle

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A cleaning member is introduced as an intermediary component between the handle and the deposits. The cleaning member is arranged to contact the handle and remove deposits, thereby mediating the interaction between the handle and contaminants while allowing the handle to remain in its convenient position for operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning function is extracted as a separate component (cleaning member) from the handle structure. This allows the handle to maintain its operational convenience while the cleaning member independently addresses the deposit removal function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If the knob is positioned on the outside through the opening for easy gripping, then ease of operation is improved, but deposits are difficult to adhere to the knob, requiring frequent cleaning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of grippingVSAvoidcleaning maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning member serves as an intermediary that contacts both the knob and the deposits, facilitating easy removal of deposits from the knob without requiring the user to directly clean the knob during operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the attaching/detaching section is periodically exchanged by the user, then adaptability is improved, but deposits adhere to the section during handling, causing contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent exchange capabilityVSAvoiddeposit contamination during handling

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning member is positioned to contact the attaching/detaching section during the exchange process, acting as a mediator that removes deposits from the section surface while the user handles the component for replacement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning member is pre-positioned in the main body to automatically clean the attaching/detaching section during the exchange process, performing the cleaning action before the user completes the handling operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20190094737A1Image forming apparatus having a main body, attaching/detaching section, uneven part, and cleaning member

Publication Date: 2019.03.28 KK TOSHIBA

AI summary

In accordance with an embodiment, an image forming apparatus comprises a main body, an attaching/detaching section, an uneven part, and a cleaning member. A conveyance path is formed inside the main body. The attaching/detaching section housed in the main body is detachably drawn out with respect to the main body along the conveyance path. The uneven part has a convex part and a concave part and is arranged in the attaching/detaching section. The cleaning member arranged in the main body is slidable with the convex part in a direction in which the attaching/detaching section moves along the conveyance path.