Electric Board Arrangement in Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
In commercial image forming apparatuses, the existing board arrangement methods, such as those described in JP 2007-316268 A, may not provide a suitable configuration for the larger and more numerous electric boards required for high-speed toner image formation, leading to inefficiencies in assembly and maintenance due to increased complexity and size.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus incorporates a support frame with a detachable electric unit that includes a first and second electric board, held by a bridged board holding portion between supporting portions, allowing for a more efficient and compact arrangement of high-voltage developing board units in multiple layers, reducing the time required for assembly and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If board arrangement as in JP 2007-316268 A is adopted, then the size of the image forming apparatus is reduced and workability at assembly or maintenance is improved, but a suitable board arrangement is not necessarily implemented for commercial printing apparatuses with larger and more numerous electric boards
Solution Approach 1:
The electric boards are segmented into multiple layers, with the fourth electric board arranged in a second layer above the first electric board in the first layer. This layered segmentation allows the apparatus to accommodate larger and more numerous electric boards required for commercial printing while maintaining compact overall dimensions and improving assembly workability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-layer board arrangement to a multi-layer three-dimensional arrangement. The fourth electric board is positioned in a second layer above the first electric board, utilizing the vertical dimension to increase board capacity without expanding the horizontal footprint, thus adapting to commercial printing requirements while maintaining compact size.
2Productivity
If larger and more numerous electric boards are used for commercial printing, then the image forming capability is improved, but the apparatus size and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electric boards are arranged in a nested-like layered structure where the fourth electric board is positioned in a second layer above the first electric board. This nesting approach allows multiple large boards to be accommodated within a compact vertical space, increasing image forming capability without proportionally increasing apparatus size or assembly complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
By utilizing the vertical dimension to arrange electric boards in multiple layers, the patent increases the number and size of boards that can be accommodated for enhanced image forming capability, while keeping the horizontal apparatus footprint compact and assembly complexity manageable through standardized layered mounting.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of photosensitive members, a support frame configured to support the plurality of photosensitive members, and an electric unit including a first electric board and a second electric board, and fixed to the support frame. The electric unit includes a first supporting portion extending in an arrangement direction of the plurality of photosensitive members, a second supporting portion extending in the arrangement direction, and a board holding portion configured to hold the first electric board and the second electric board and bridged between the first supporting portion and the second supporting portion. The first electric board is positioned in the image forming apparatus more inward than at least one of the first supporting portion or the second supporting portion in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction and a vertical direction.