Image Forming Apparatus Drum Support Overlap
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Solution Overview
Problem
The miniaturization of image forming apparatuses is hindered by the need to maintain the depth of the sheet output tray while reducing the vertical dimension of the casing, as the space under the tray becomes wasted with the use of a smaller LED head instead of a scanner.
Innovation Solution
The casing is designed with a lower profile by positioning the upper wall closer to the bottom of the sheet output tray, and the drum supporting member is configured to be movable, allowing it to overlap the sheet output tray portion, thus reducing the vertical dimension without shallowing the tray.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the upper wall is positioned closer to the bottom of the sheet output tray to reduce the vertical dimension, then the apparatus can be miniaturized, but the sheet output tray becomes shallower
Solution Approach 1:
The drum supporting member is positioned to overlap the sheet output tray portion when viewed in the axial direction of the photoconductor drums, utilizing the lateral space within the casing rather than the vertical space. This dimensional repositioning allows the upper wall to be moved closer to the tray bottom, reducing the vertical dimension while preserving the tray depth through efficient three-dimensional space utilization.
2Volume of stationary object
If the space under the sheet output tray portion is reduced by repositioning components, then the apparatus can be miniaturized, but the drum supporting member may interfere with other components
Solution Approach 1:
The drum supporting member is nested within the casing structure, with part of it disposed in the spaces formed inside the casing at both sides of the sheet output tray portion. This nesting arrangement allows the drum supporting member to occupy otherwise wasted lateral space without interfering with the tray's functionality or other components, thereby reducing the required internal volume while maintaining reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
In an image forming apparatus, a drum supporting member has a pair of opposed sidewalls facing in an axial direction of a plurality of photoconductor drums, and supports the plurality of photoconductor drums at insides of the sidewalls. A sheet output tray portion is formed in an upper wall of a casing of the apparatus as a downwardly recessed portion to receive a recording sheet with an image formed thereon. Part of the drum supporting member is disposed in spaces formed inside the casing at both sides of the sheet output tray portion facing in the axial direction of the plurality of photoconductor drums. The part of the drum supporting member overlaps the sheet output tray portion as viewed in the axial direction.