Connector Orientation for Image Forming Apparatus Downsizing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in downsizing image forming apparatuses lies in the difficulty of reducing the width of connector joint portions due to the thickness and number of conducting wires, which are determined by the magnitude of electric current and number of signals, hindering the miniaturization of internal units like optical scanners and sensors.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves configuring the connector on the unit board such that its longitudinal direction intersects the widthwise direction of the board, allowing the connector to be longer than the board, thereby preventing an increase in size and enabling downsizing by routing the flexible cable in a direction that intersects the width of the cable, thus reducing the overall width of the unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the width of the connector joint portion is reduced to downsize the internal unit, then the downsizing of the image forming apparatus is achieved, but the electrical connection reliability deteriorates due to the thickness and number of conducting wires
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is configured to extend in the width direction of the unit board rather than the longitudinal direction, changing the spatial dimension of the connector arrangement. This allows the connector to be positioned at the end of the unit board in the width direction, enabling the flexible cable to route through the longitudinal direction without increasing the overall unit width, thus maintaining electrical connection reliability while achieving downsizing.
2Reliability
If the number of conducting wires is increased to maintain signal quality, then the electrical connection reliability is improved, but the width of the connector joint portion increases, hindering downsizing
Solution Approach 1:
By reorienting the connector to extend in the width direction rather than the longitudinal direction, the patent allows multiple conducting wires to be arranged in the longitudinal direction (depth) of the unit board instead of across its width. This dimensional reorganization enables sufficient wire capacity for maintaining signal quality while keeping the connector joint width compact, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and downsizing.
3Reliability
If the connector is made longer to accommodate all wiring, then the electrical connection is maintained, but the width of the unit board increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is oriented to extend in the width direction of the unit board, utilizing the width dimension for connector length rather than the longitudinal dimension. This allows the connector to be longer in the width direction while the flexible cable routes through the longitudinal direction, effectively decoupling the connector length from the unit board width and enabling compact design without compromising electrical connection.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a unit configured to perform image forming operation, a unit board in the unit, a wiring configured to be connected to the unit board, and a control board configured to be connected to the unit board with the wiring and control the unit. The unit board includes a connector to which the wiring is to be connected. A length of the connector in a longitudinal direction of the connector is longer than a length of the unit board in a widthwise direction of the unit board, and the longitudinal direction of the connector intersects the widthwise direction of the unit board.