Image Forming Door Alignment Using Interlocking Fitting Portions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Relative positional deviation between doors in an image forming apparatus, particularly when multiple doors are arranged, degrades the appearance quality and operational efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Integrally fitting a first door with a first fitting portion and a second door with a second fitting portion to regulate their relative position, using positioning shafts and holes to ensure alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple doors are arranged in the image forming apparatus, then accessibility and functionality are improved, but relative positional deviation between doors occurs degrading appearance quality
Solution Approach 1:
A positioning member is introduced as an intermediary component between adjacent doors. This positioning member includes a positioning protrusion that fits into a positioning groove, serving as a mediator to maintain the correct relative position between doors. The positioning member compensates for cumulative attachment errors and ensures consistent spacing and alignment between multiple doors, thereby resolving the appearance quality issue while maintaining the functionality of multiple accessible doors.
2Ease of operation
If doors are attached with hinge portions, then operability is improved, but positional deviation during attachment or clearance occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning member is pre-installed on the apparatus body before door attachment. The positioning protrusion and groove are预先 configured to guide the door into the correct position during attachment. This preliminary action ensures that even with variations in hinge attachment or clearance, the door automatically aligns to the predetermined position, maintaining manufacturing precision while preserving ease of operation.
3Productivity
If multiple doors are arranged to access the inside, then maintenance efficiency is improved, but relative positional deviation degrades appearance quality
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning member acts as a mediator that coordinates the positions of multiple doors independently. Each door can be opened for maintenance access without affecting the relative positioning of other doors, as the positioning member ensures each door maintains its designated position. This allows multiple doors to function independently for efficient maintenance while preventing appearance quality degradation from positional deviation.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a first door configured to pivot about a first pivot shaft in a left-right direction, an inside thereof being accessible in a state where the first door is open, and a second door configured to pivot about a second pivot shaft in the left-right direction, the inside thereof being accessible in a state where the second door is open. The first door includes a first fitting portion configured to pivot integrally with the first door. The second door includes a second fitting portion configured to pivot integrally with the second door and to be fitted into the first fitting portion. In a state where the first door is closed, the first fitting portion and the second fitting portion are fitted to each other to regulate a position of the first door relative to the second door in the left-right direction.