Cooling Device Leakage Management via Channel Member

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in efficiently cooling heat-generating components like development devices, which can lead to reduced performance and increased maintenance due to heat-related issues.

Innovation Solution

A cooling device comprising a radiator, a tank, a circulation pipe, and a storage pool is integrated into the image forming apparatus. This device uses a cooling medium to absorb heat from the development devices, which is then dissipated through the radiator and circulated back to the tank. The storage pool collects any leaking cooling medium, preventing contamination and facilitating reuse.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If cooling medium is circulated through the tank and radiator to cool heat-generating components, then heat dissipation performance is improved, but cooling medium leakage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat dissipation performanceVSAvoidcooling medium leakage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connector acts as an intermediary component between the tank and circulation pipe, providing a sealed connection interface that mediates the fluid flow while preventing leakage. The channel member serves as a mediator to guide any potential leakage away from critical areas to the storage pool, converting a potential failure mode into a controlled pathway.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The storage pool is provided beforehand as a contingency measure to collect and contain any cooling medium that may leak from the connector. This pre-prepared receptacle cushions the potential harmful effect of leakage by containing it within the system rather than allowing it to escape to the environment or cause damage to other components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If cooling medium leakage occurs, then cooling system reliability deteriorates, but environmental contamination can be prevented through storage pool

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling system reliabilityVSAvoidenvironmental contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The potential harm of cooling medium leakage is converted into a benefit by directing the leaked medium through the channel member into the storage pool. Instead of allowing uncontrolled leakage to cause environmental contamination, the system captures and contains the leaked medium, transforming a harmful failure mode into a controlled containment scenario where the leakage is contained and can be managed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Ease of manufacture

If connector design is simplified for ease of assembly, then manufacturing efficiency is improved, but leakage resistance may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly efficiencyVSAvoidleakage resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system is segmented into distinct functional components: the connector for joining the circulation pipe to the tank, and the channel member for guiding leakage. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the connector for ease of assembly and the channel member for leakage management - while working together as an integrated system that addresses both assembly efficiency and leakage resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

The cooling device effectively manages heat dissipation within the image forming apparatus, enhancing the performance and reliability of the development devices while minimizing maintenance needs through efficient cooling medium management.

Implementation Method 1

a radiator that dissipates heat of cooling medium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat dissipation: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 2

a radiator that dissipates heat of cooling medium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

uses a cooling medium to absorb heat from the development devices

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat absorption: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS12242225B2Cooling device and image forming apparatus

Publication Date: 2025.03.04 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

A cooling device includes a radiator, a tank, a circulation pipe, and a storage pool. The radiator dissipates heat of cooling medium. The tank stores the cooling medium. The circulation pipe allows the cooling medium to be conveyed from the radiator to the tank. The storage pool stores the cooling medium that has leaked from the tank. The tank includes a connector and a channel member. The connector connects the circulation pipe and the tank so that the circulation pipe communicates with an inside of the tank. The channel member guides the cooling medium leaking from the connector to the storage pool.