Image Forming Apparatus Drive Control Board Layout for Easier Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
In existing image forming apparatuses, the configuration of drive units and control boards results in bundles of wires traversing maintenance target units, necessitating access to non-maintenance-target units during maintenance, which deteriorates workability.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus includes a drive unit with a drive control board on its back surface, connected via first and second cables to connectors on the drive control board, allowing for the separation of electrical connections at the unit inlet and outlet, eliminating the need to access non-maintenance-target units during maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If the control board is disposed on a back surface side of the image forming apparatus to improve maintainability, then the drive unit can be detachably attached together with the control board, but bundles of wires from non-maintenance-target units pass on the maintenance target unit, necessitating access to non-maintenance-target units during maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The control board is segmented from the drive unit by disposing it on the back surface side of the image forming apparatus rather than integrated within the drive unit. This allows the drive unit to be detached for maintenance without requiring removal of wire bundles that connect to non-maintenance-target units, thus resolving the contradiction between maintainability and workability during maintenance.
2Productivity
If the drive unit is made detachable to improve maintenance efficiency, then maintenance operations can be performed more quickly, but wire bundles must be removed and reconnected, increasing maintenance complexity
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the control board placement to the back surface side, the patent eliminates the need to handle wire bundles during drive unit maintenance. The drive unit can be detached and reattached without disconnecting or reconnecting wires, thus improving maintenance efficiency while reducing maintenance complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control board is extracted from the drive unit assembly and placed separately on the back surface side. This extraction allows the drive unit to be maintained independently without involving the control board or associated wire bundles, thereby improving maintenance efficiency and reducing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a drive unit, a drive control board, a first unit, a second unit, a first cable, and a second cable. The drive unit is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus. The drive control board is disposed on a back surface side of the drive unit and controls the drive unit. The first cable is electrically connect the first unit and the drive control board. The second cable is electrically connect the second unit and the drive control board. The drive control board includes a first connector to which the first cable is connected, a second connector to which the second cable is connected, and a wiring electrically connect the first connector and the second connector.