Flat Cable Routing in Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing image forming apparatus design results in a larger trajectory for the flat cable connecting the drum supporting member and the control circuit board, leading to potential interference with other parts during the pull-out operation due to increased distance caused by the intermediate transfer belt.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a belt between the drum supporting member and the control circuit board, with guide members and a separation mechanism to allow rectilinear movement of the drum supporting member, and partial support of the flat cable by guide members to minimize cable trajectory and prevent interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the drum supporting member and control circuit board are directly connected by a flat cable with the intermediate transfer belt disposed between them, then the belt can be positioned between the drum supporting member and control circuit board, but the distance between the drum supporting member and control circuit board increases, causing the flat cable trajectory to become larger and potentially interfere with other parts
Solution Approach 1:
A cable guide member is introduced as an intermediary component between the drum supporting member and control circuit board. This guide member has a cable guide portion that the flat cable passes through, effectively routing the cable along a controlled path that avoids interference with other parts while accommodating the increased distance caused by the belt positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable guide member extends in the vertical direction (upward-and-downward direction) to provide a three-dimensional cable routing solution. By utilizing the vertical dimension, the cable can be guided above or below the belt assembly, creating a path that avoids horizontal interference with other components while maintaining the necessary electrical connection.
2Ease of operation
If the drum supporting member is pulled out from the main body by lowering it to move photoconductor drums away from the intermediate transfer belt, then the drums can be separated from the belt, but the U-shaped folded flat cable must be pulled upward-and-downward first and then moved front-and-rear to unfold and straighten
Solution Approach 1:
The cable guide member acts as a mediator that decouples the cable movement from the drum supporting member movement. The guide member remains stationary or moves independently, allowing the flat cable to be guided through a fixed path while the drum supporting member is pulled out, thereby simplifying the overall movement sequence and reducing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable management system is segmented into distinct functional components: the flat cable itself, the cable guide member with its guide portion, and the drum supporting member. This segmentation allows each component to move or function independently, simplifying the overall system operation and reducing the complexity of coordinated movement sequences.
3Ease of operation
If the flat cable is supported by guide members during drum supporting member movement, then the cable trajectory is reduced and interference with other parts is prevented, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The cable guide member is designed to perform multiple functions: it guides the flat cable along the correct path, provides structural support for the cable routing, and may serve as part of the overall drum supporting member assembly structure. By making the guide member multi-functional, the additional structural complexity is justified by the multiple benefits it provides.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable guide member is integrated with or combined with existing structural components of the drum supporting member or main body assembly. Rather than being a completely separate additional component, the guide member is merged with the existing structure, thereby reducing the overall device complexity while still providing the necessary cable guidance function.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes: a plurality of photoconductor drums; a plurality of exposure members; a drum supporting member having a pair of side walls disposed opposite to each other in an axial direction of the photoconductor drum and configured to support the photoconductor drums and the exposure members between the side walls; a belt disposed below and opposite to the photoconductor drums; a pair of guide members configured to support the drum supporting member while allowing rectilinear movement of the drum supporting member; a separation mechanism configured to support the guide members together with the drum supporting member such that the photoconductor drums are movable in an upward-and-downward direction; and a main body circuit board provided in the main body and connected to the exposure members via a flat cable. The flat cable is partly supported at its retained portion by at least one of the guide members.