Flat Cable Grounding for Image Formers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in suppressing radiation noise from flexible flat cables used in image reading mechanisms, which affects the flexibility and cost of the cables, and can lead to vibration propagation affecting image quality due to inadequate grounding.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a non-conductive casing, a reciprocating carriage, a flat cable, a conductive plate, and an elastic member that connects the conductive plate to a ground member, absorbing vibrations and suppressing radiation noise by using an elastic member with a substantial inductance component.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a flexible flat cable is used to transmit power and signals to the movable carriage, then the carriage can be supplied with power and synchronization signals, but the cable easily emits electromagnetic waves and receives incident electromagnetic waves causing EMI
Solution Approach 1:
A grounded conductive plate is introduced as an intermediary component between the flexible flat cable and the surrounding environment. This conductive plate acts as a shield that intercepts electromagnetic waves before they can interact with the cable, while the grounding connection provides a safe path for electromagnetic energy dissipation, thereby reducing EMI without affecting signal transmission functionality
2Object-generated harmful factors
If metal films are provided on both sides of the flexible flat cable to suppress radiation noise, then electromagnetic wave emission is reduced, but the flexibility of the cable is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding function is extracted from the flexible flat cable itself and relocated to a separate grounded conductive plate positioned near the cable. This separation allows the cable to maintain its original flexible structure without metal films, while the conductive plate provides the necessary EMI shielding through its grounding connection to the chassis
3Reliability
If the image reading portion and image forming portion are firmly coupled to maintain stable ground potential, then grounding is improved, but vibration from one portion propagates to the other affecting image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The grounding connection between the image reading portion and image forming portion is made dynamic rather than rigid. An elastic member with inductance is used to create a flexible electrical connection that maintains ground potential stability while allowing mechanical vibration isolation. This dynamic connection adapts to relative movements between the two portions while preserving the grounding function
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 effectively suppresses radiation noise generated by the flat cable, maintaining flexibility and reducing costs by using a simple and stable grounding system that absorbs vibrations, thereby improving image reading and forming quality.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member that electrically connects the conductive plate and the ground member, and has a substantial inductance component that absorbs vibration generated in the image forming portion or the image reading portion
Implementation Method 2
the elastic member with a substantial inductance component that absorbs vibration generated in the image forming portion or the image reading portion
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A flat cable (301) is disposed along a direction of reciprocating movement of a carriage (122), and is configured to input a synchronization signal to a board mounted on the carriage (122). A conductive plate (311) is supported by a casing (331) such that, when portions of the flat cable (301) face each other as a result of the flat cable (301) being bent according to the reciprocating movement of the carriage(122), the conductive plate (311) is interposed between the facing portions of the flat cable (301). An elastic member (312) is configured to electrically connect the conductive plate (311) and a ground member (321), and has a substantial inductance component that absorbs vibration generated in an image forming portion (140) or an image reading portion (120).