Image Forming Apparatus Cooling Airflow Direction Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses face challenges in achieving sufficient cooling efficiency for imaging sections, particularly in color products with spatial constraints, leading to temperature differences that cause image defects and reduced productivity due to low air flow velocity and volume, as well as inefficient heat dissipation from elongated elements.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a rotatable image bearing member and an air blow device that generates air flow from both ends towards the center, utilizing a changing member to regulate and direct the air flow between adjacent image forming units, ensuring uniform cooling and reducing temperature differences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If cooling air is supplied from one end of the imaging section, then the air flow path can be formed, but the air flow velocity and volume are reduced on the downstream side, resulting in insufficient cooling efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging section is divided into multiple segments (first imaging section and second imaging section) with independent cooling air supply paths. Each section receives cooling air from its own end, preventing the downstream velocity reduction problem that occurs in single-path cooling systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system transitions from a single-direction linear flow to a multi-directional flow pattern by supplying air from both ends of the imaging section. This dimensional change in flow configuration allows simultaneous cooling of multiple sections without velocity loss.
2Temperature
If multiple fans are used to increase air flow volume for better cooling, then cooling performance improves, but the device size, power consumption, and sound increase
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging section is segmented into multiple independent cooling zones, each with its own air supply path. This allows a single fan to effectively cool multiple sections by distributing air through separate channels, reducing the need for additional fans while maintaining cooling performance.
Solution Approach 2:
A single fan is designed to perform multiple cooling functions by supplying air to different imaging sections through separate paths. The fan system achieves multi-section cooling capability without requiring proportional increases in fan quantity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If imaging sections are arranged side by side in color products, then color image formation is enabled, but spatial constraints prevent sufficient cooling air flow path formation
Solution Approach 1:
The color imaging system is divided into multiple independent imaging sections (first and second imaging sections), each with dedicated cooling air supply paths. This segmentation allows compact side-by-side arrangement while maintaining adequate cooling for each section.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system utilizes three-dimensional space by forming air flow paths that extend in multiple directions from the fan, allowing effective cooling of densely arranged imaging sections without requiring increased spatial footprint.
4Temperature
If air flow path is formed through the laser scanner and drive section, then cooling is provided, but these areas become closed spaces with strong constraints on air flow path formation
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging section is segmented to create independent cooling zones that bypass the closed spaces of the laser scanner and drive section. Each imaging section has its own air supply path that does not require passing through these constrained areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging section acts as an intermediary space that receives cooling air directly from the fan through dedicated paths, avoiding the need to route air through the closed spaces of the laser scanner and drive section. This intermediary configuration enables cooling without violating spatial constraints.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration significantly enhances cooling efficiency, reduces color misregistration, and allows for a marked cooling effect with a smaller air flow volume, potentially reducing the number of fans needed, contributing to size, power, and sound reductions.
Implementation Method 1
an air blow device adapted to generate air flow to cool the plurality of image forming units
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of image forming units which are provided side by side at least in a horizontal direction, each of which includes a rotatable image bearing member and an image forming section adapted to form a toner image on the image bearing member, and an air blow device configured to generate an air flow to cool the plurality of image forming units. In addition, a belt is placed above the plurality of image forming units, and a changing member is disposed in a space below the belt and between two image forming units located next to each other among the plurality of image forming units and configured to change flowing direction of the air flow generated by the air blow device. The changing member directs the air flow to flow along a rotation axis direction of the image bearing member from both ends of an upper area of the space toward a center of the upper area of the space, and then flow from the center of the upper area of the space to below the space.