Fixing Unit Removable Through Rear Opening With Tray Interlock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Compact image forming devices, such as laser printers, face challenges in reducing size while maintaining the ability to easily replace the fixing unit, which is crucial for maintaining functionality due to the potential failure of components like halogen lamps.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a fixing unit with a heating roller and pressure roller, where the unit cover does not cover the entire pressure roller, allowing for compactness and easy replacement by utilizing support members and an urging member to maintain contact, and a sheet discharge tray that prevents removal when the tray member is in place, allowing for secure insertion and removal of the fixing unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If a space is secured for removing the fixing unit, then the fixing unit can be easily replaced, but the device height increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing unit is segmented from other components and designed as a removable module. The rear side wall is divided into a removable portion and a fixed portion, allowing the fixing unit to be extracted through the opening without removing the entire device housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing unit is extracted as a separate removable component from the main device body. An opening is created in the rear side wall through which the fixing unit can be taken out for replacement, eliminating the need for complex disassembly procedures.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the unit cover covers the entire pressure roller, then the structure is more complete, but the device becomes less compact and harder to disassemble
Solution Approach 1:
The unit cover is segmented to cover only part of the pressure roller rather than the entire roller. This partial coverage maintains structural integrity where needed while creating open access points that simplify disassembly and reducing overall device 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
This solution enables the creation of more compact image forming devices while facilitating easy replacement of the fixing unit, reducing device height and maintaining operational efficiency by ensuring the fixing unit can be replaced without complex disassembly.
Implementation Method 1
The heating roller heat-fixes a toner image that has been transferred onto a recording medium
Implementation Method 2
The pressure roller is disposed in contact with the heating roller and presses the recording medium against the heating roller
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing unit is disposed at a position closer to a rear side wall than to a front side wall of a casing. A top wall is formed with a depressed portion depressed toward inside the casing. The depressed portion serves as a sheet discharge tray for receiving a recording medium that has passed through the fixing unit. The sheet discharge tray includes a tray member detachably disposed at the top wall. The rear side wall is formed with an opening through which the fixing unit is removed. When the tray member is disposed at the top wall, the tray member is positioned above and adjacent to the fixing unit and overlaps the fixing unit when viewed through the opening, thereby preventing the fixing unit from being removed from the casing. The fixing unit is removable through the opening when the tray member is detached from the top wall.