Exposure Device Thermal Deformation Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing exposure devices in image forming apparatuses face thermal deformation issues due to heat generated by light emitting elements, which can lead to quality degradation of output images.
Innovation Solution
A substrate with light emitting elements and a heating element is mounted within a housing with a suppression member that extends in the same direction, fitted in a through hole to suppress thermal deformation, and a weight is fixed to enhance stability, using a resin material for the housing and a metal plate for the suppression member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If light emitting elements are mounted on the substrate to perform exposure operations, then image formation capability is improved, but heat is generated causing thermal deformation of the housing
Solution Approach 1:
A suppression member made of heat-conductive material is introduced as an intermediary between the heat source (light emitting elements) and the housing. This suppression member acts as a thermal mediator that conducts heat away from the housing structure, preventing thermal deformation while allowing the light emitting elements to continue their exposure operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal parameters of the system are changed by introducing a heat-conductive suppression member that alters the heat distribution pattern. This changes the thermal conductivity parameter in the housing structure, enabling heat to be conducted away from critical areas to prevent dimensional instability.
2Ease of manufacture
If the housing is made of resin material to reduce weight and complexity, then manufacturing ease is improved, but thermal resistance increases leading to greater thermal deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The housing structure is enhanced by combining resin material with a heat-conductive suppression member. This creates a composite structure where the resin provides manufacturing ease and weight benefits, while the heat-conductive suppression member compensates for the thermal resistance of the resin, maintaining temperature stability.
3Productivity
If the exposure device operates continuously to improve productivity, then output increases, but heat accumulation worsens thermal deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The heat-conductive suppression member serves as a continuous thermal intermediary that enables sustained heat dissipation during continuous exposure operations. This intermediary structure allows the system to maintain operational continuity by continuously conducting heat away from the housing, preventing heat accumulation and thermal deformation.
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
The suppression member effectively reduces thermal deformation of the housing, preventing curvature and maintaining the exposure device's dimensions, thus enhancing image quality by stabilizing the structure and preventing substrate damage.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element that is mounted on the other surface of the main body and generates heat in accordance with a light emitting operation of the light emitting elements
Implementation Method 2
a suppression member that extends in the one direction, is fitted in the through hole, and suppresses thermal deformation of the housing
Data Source
AI summary
An exposure device includes: a substrate that includes a plate-shaped main body that extends in one direction, a plurality of light emitting elements that are mounted on one surface of the main body, and a heating element that is mounted on the other surface of the main body generates heat in accordance with a light emitting operation of the light emitting elements; a housing that includes resin and that extends in the one direction, has a frame shape in which a through hole is formed, and to an inside of the through hole of which the substrate is fixed so that a thickness direction of the substrate is a penetrating direction of the through hole; and a suppression member that extends in the one direction, is fitted in the through hole, and suppresses thermal deformation of the housing.