Exposure Head Duct Structure to Cool LEDs Without Toner Scattering
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing image forming apparatuses face issues with heat dissipation from the exposure head, which is positioned close to the developing device, leading to scattering of toner due to airflow used for cooling the exposure head.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a fan to generate airflow for cooling the exposure portion, which is guided through a duct to the substrate supporting the light emitting elements, effectively isolating the airflow from the developing device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If airflow is generated to cool the exposure head, then the exposure head is cooled effectively, but the toner in the developing device is scattered
Solution Approach 1:
The airflow path is segmented into a dedicated cooling channel that separates the cooling function from the developing device area. The duct structure divides the airflow so that only the exposure head receives cooling airflow, while the developing device area remains isolated from scattered toner.
Solution Approach 2:
The duct acts as an intermediary structure that mediates between the cooling requirement of the exposure head and the need to protect the developing device from toner scattering. It provides a controlled pathway for airflow that satisfies cooling needs without creating harmful effects in adjacent areas.
2Device complexity
If the exposure head is disposed close to the developing device, then the image forming process is compact, but heat from the exposure head affects the toner
Solution Approach 1:
The internal space is segmented into distinct airflow zones using the duct structure. This allows the exposure head to be positioned close to the developing device for compactness while creating a physical airflow separation that prevents heat and toner scattering from affecting each other negatively.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful airflow path is extracted and redirected through the duct structure. The cooling airflow is taken out from the general developing device area and channeled specifically to the exposure head, removing the harmful effect of toner scattering while maintaining the compact arrangement.
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 design prevents toner scattering while efficiently cooling the exposure head, maintaining the integrity of the image forming process.
Implementation Method 1
a fan that generates an airflow for cooling the exposure portion
Implementation Method 2
a duct that communicates with the fan and communicates with the support portion to guide the airflow generated by the fan to the substrate
Implementation Method 3
The exposure head includes a light emitting diode (LED) as a light emitting element
Implementation Method 4
organic electro luminescence (EL) may be included as light emitting elements
Implementation Method 5
a lens that condenses light emitted from the plurality of light emitting elements
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes: a rotatable photoconductor; an exposure portion including a substrate on which a plurality of chips each including a plurality of light emitting portions that emit light for exposing the photoconductor is mounted, and a support portion configured to support the substrate; a fan configured to generate an airflow for cooling the exposure portion; and a duct configured to communicate with the fan and to communicate with the support portion to guide the airflow generated by the fan to the substrate.