Exposing Device Thermal Expansion Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing exposing devices in image forming apparatuses face challenges in maintaining the relative positions between the reflection mirror and the image carrier invariant during temperature changes, leading to issues with image quality due to heat stress and deformation.
Innovation Solution
The exposing device incorporates a unit main body with a polygonal rotating mirror and a reflection mirror, where the polygonal rotating mirror is supported to allow free expansion in the plane direction, and the reflection mirror is fixed at specific attachment points on almost the same line as the reflection points, ensuring the relative positions remain invariant despite temperature changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the unit main body is fixed rigidly at all four edges to ensure structural stability, then the rigidity and structural stability are improved, but the ability to respond to temperature changes deteriorates, causing heat stress and deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The unit main body is divided into multiple attachment supporting portions (first, second, third, fourth) positioned at each edge. These portions are segmented such that three provide fixing functionality while one provides expansion functionality, allowing the structure to both maintain stability and respond to thermal changes.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the unit main body are given different functional qualities: three attachment supporting portions have fixing characteristics (providing rigidity), while one attachment supporting portion has expansion characteristics (allowing thermal response). This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between overall stability and localized adaptability.
2Manufacturing precision
If the unit main body is made fully rigid to maintain precise relative positions between optical components, then the positioning accuracy is improved, but the ability to accommodate thermal expansion deteriorates, leading to heat stress
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment supporting portions transition from a fully static, rigid configuration to a dynamic configuration where one portion can move or expand in response to temperature changes. This dynamic element allows the structure to adapt its rigidity based on thermal conditions, maintaining positioning accuracy while accommodating expansion.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal expansion, which was previously a harmful factor causing stress and deformation, is converted into a beneficial feature by providing a dedicated expansion path. The harmful thermal energy is now utilized to drive the controlled movement of the fourth attachment supporting portion, preventing stress accumulation.
3Stability of the object's composition
If all edges of the unit main body are fixed to ensure homogeneous rigidity, then the structural uniformity is improved, but the relative positions between reflection mirror and image carrier deteriorate due to thermal deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The symmetric configuration of four identical fixed edges is replaced with an asymmetric configuration where three edges have fixing characteristics and one edge has expansion characteristics. This asymmetric design maintains overall structural uniformity while creating a specific direction for thermal accommodation, preserving relative position accuracy.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration maintains consistent relative positions between the reflection mirror and the image carrier, ensuring accurate image formation and enhancing the reliability of the image forming apparatus by preventing displacement and maintaining image quality.
Implementation Method 1
a polygonal rotating mirror that scans and deflects the scanning light
Implementation Method 2
a reflection mirror that reflects the scanning light that has been scanned and deflected at plural reflection points
Implementation Method 3
allows free expansion of the unit main body in a plane direction including the scanning direction
Data Source
AI summary
An exposing device includes a light source that emits scanning light, a polygonal rotating mirror that scans and deflects the scanning light in a specific scanning direction, a reflection mirror that reflects the scanning light that has been scanned and deflected at plural reflection points aligned in a specific direction for the scanning light to go incident on the image carrier, and a unit main body in which the polygonal rotating mirror and the reflection mirror are disposed at a specific interval. The unit main body has two attachment fixing portions on almost a same line linking the reflection points and fixed to the apparatus main body. An attachment support is supported on the apparatus main body and allows free expansion of the unit main body in a plane direction including the scanning direction of the polygonal rotating mirror on a side where the polygonal rotating mirror is installed.