Exposure Head FFC Contact Point Side Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing LED exposure heads in image forming apparatuses are difficult to maintain due to the complex process of exchanging flexible flat cables (FFCs), which can lead to broken contact points and increased operational complexity.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus is designed with a specific configuration that includes a substrate with elongated shape, multiple light emitting elements arranged longitudinally, a connector on the opposite surface, and a flexible flat cable connected to the connector. This configuration supports the exposure head in a manner that simplifies the exchange of FFCs by positioning the contact point on the side, reducing the risk of broken contacts during maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the FFC is connected to the LED exposure head with the contact point on the front surface, then the electrical connection is established, but the contact point is prone to breaking during FFC exchange operations
Solution Approach 1:
The contact point is moved from the front surface (original position) to the side surface (new position) of the LED exposure head. This spatial repositioning in a different dimension allows the FFC to be connected from the side rather than the front, reducing the risk of contact point breaking during exchange operations while maintaining electrical connectivity
2Reliability
If the FFC exchange process requires detaching and reattaching the cable inside the apparatus, then electrical connection is maintained, but the operation becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The FFC connection point is extracted from the internal front surface location and repositioned to the external side surface of the LED exposure head. This allows the FFC to be connected or disconnected from the side of the apparatus, enabling maintenance personnel to perform FFC exchange operations without needing to detach and reattach cables deep inside the apparatus, thereby reducing maintenance time and operational complexity
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 described configuration simplifies the maintenance process of the LED exposure head by reducing the complexity of FFC exchange and minimizing the risk of contact point damage, thereby improving operational efficiency and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
multiple light emitting elements mounted on one surface of the substrate, the multiple light emitting elements being arranged in longitudinal directions of the substrate
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an image forming apparatus including: a flexible flat cable configured to electrically connect a connector with a control circuit board; and an exposure support member configured to support the exposure head in a posture where the light emitting elements are disposed on an upper side and the connector is disposed on a lower side of the image forming apparatus in upward and downward directions of the image forming apparatus. The flexible flat cable has a contact point that is provided on one surface and is the electrically connected to the connector of the exposure head. The flexible flat cable is connected to the exposure head held by the exposure support member in the posture such that the contact point is disposed on a surface of a right side in leftward and rightward directions of the image forming apparatus.