Coupling Unit Air Duct Structure for Fanless Printer Heat Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in efficiently dissipating heat without the installation of fans, particularly in scenarios with space limitations, leading to poor heat dissipation performance due to the use of small fans with low wind power and single exhaust openings.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus incorporates a coupling unit with a top surface, bottom surface, first and second walls, and air duct openings that connect internal and external spaces, allowing for efficient heat dissipation through natural convection without the need for fans, while maintaining structural rigidity and minimizing size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If fans are installed in the coupling unit to discharge heat, then heat dissipation performance is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the fan component from the coupling unit, eliminating the need for mechanical ventilation. Instead, it utilizes the coupling unit's structural openings and the natural buoyancy of hot air to achieve heat dissipation, thereby simplifying the device while maintaining thermal management effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs natural convection where hot air automatically rises and exits through the openings in the coupling unit without requiring external mechanical assistance. The heat dissipation process serves itself through the inherent physical property of hot air rising, eliminating the need for fans or other active cooling components
2Volume of stationary object
If small fans with low wind power are used due to space limitations, then space requirements are reduced, but heat dissipation performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling unit is designed with multiple discrete openings distributed across its structure rather than relying on a single exhaust point. This segmentation of the exhaust function across multiple locations enhances overall heat dissipation capacity while maintaining a compact form factor, as each opening contributes to the total ventilation effect
3Device complexity
If a single exhaust opening is provided in the coupling unit, then device complexity is reduced, but heat dissipation performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust function is segmented into multiple openings distributed on different surfaces of the coupling unit (front surface, rear surface, and side surfaces). This segmentation allows hot air to escape from multiple locations simultaneously, significantly improving heat dissipation performance while maintaining structural simplicity
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 design effectively dissipates heat and moisture vapor, reducing the risk of condensation and mechanical issues, and enhances the durability and reliability of the apparatus by improving heat dissipation performance with a simpler structure.
Implementation Method 1
a first air duct opening that connects the internal space and an external space. The second wall comprises a second air duct opening that connects the internal space and the external space
Data Source
AI summary
A coupling unit couples a main body unit and a reader unit and supports the reader unit. The coupling unit includes a top surface that supports the reader unit, a bottom surface supported by the main body unit, a first wall that extends from the bottom surface toward the top surface; a second wall that extends from the bottom surface toward the top surface, and a first opening provided on the bottom surface and that connects an internal space between the first wall and the second wall, and the main body unit. The first wall includes a first air duct opening that connects the internal space and an external space. The second wall includes a second air duct opening that connects the internal space and an external space.