Dual-cover mechanism for compact image forming apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in downsizing while maintaining effective maintenance access, as they require significant space for opening and closing covers, which compromises working properties and increases vertical size.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a dual-cover mechanism where a first cover pivots to open an opening in the apparatus main body, and a second cover moves in sync to maintain the open position, allowing for compact operation and improved maintenance access without increasing the vertical size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single openable and closable cover is used to cover the entire side of the apparatus, then the cover structure is simple, but a wide space is required for opening and closing the cover
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is divided into a first cover and a second cover that operate independently. The first cover is pivotally provided in the apparatus main body, while the second cover is pivotally provided on the first cover. This segmentation allows each cover to move through a smaller arc, reducing the overall space required for opening and closing operations while maintaining adequate access to internal components.
2Length of stationary object
If the apparatus is downsized by reducing the space for opening and closing the cover, then the vertical size is reduced, but the working property for maintenance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The divided cover structure allows the first cover to pivot on the apparatus main body and the second cover to pivot on the first cover. This creates a compact folding mechanism that reduces the vertical space required when the cover is opened, while still providing adequate access to internal components for maintenance operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The dual-cover mechanism transforms the opening motion from a single-plane rotation to a two-stage folding motion. The first cover rotates relative to the apparatus main body, and the second cover rotates relative to the first cover, creating a compact configuration that reduces vertical dimension while maintaining access capability.
3Ease of operation
If the openable and closable cover is greatly separated upwardly from the apparatus main body to improve maintenance working property, then the working property is improved, but the vertical size of the apparatus becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the cover into two independently pivotal covers, the system achieves a compact folded state that minimizes vertical dimension when closed, while still allowing adequate separation for maintenance when opened. The two-stage pivot mechanism distributes the opening motion across two joints, reducing the peak vertical separation required compared to a single large cover.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus has an apparatus main body provided with an image forming portion for forming an image, an opening formed in the apparatus main body, an openable and closable cover for opening and closing the opening, and provided with a first cover pivotably provided in the apparatus main body, and a second cover pivotably provided on the first cover, and an image reading device provided above the opening for reading the image of an original, and when the first cover is pivotably moved in a direction to open the opening relative to the apparatus main body, the second cover is pivotably moved to the opening side relative to the first cover, and when the openable and closable cover has opened the opening, the openable and closable cover maintains a state in which it has opened the opening.