Image-Forming Apparatus Hinge for Heavy Exterior Covers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large doors on image forming apparatuses, particularly those used in commercial printing machines, are heavy and difficult to operate, making assembly challenging.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a hinge mechanism that couples an exterior cover to the main body frame, allowing the cover to pivot and featuring a restriction member that can be attached or detached, facilitating easy assembly and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If a large door is used as the exterior cover, then the cover area is increased, but the door weight increases making it difficult to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge mechanism is divided into multiple components: first shaft supporting member, second shaft supporting member, shaft member, and restriction member. This segmentation allows the large door to be supported by a distributed hinge system rather than a single heavy hinge, reducing the operational weight burden while maintaining large cover area for visibility
2Strength
If a heavy door is used, then the exterior cover provides sufficient structural support, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge mechanism incorporates a restriction member that can be attached or detached, allowing the door to transition between a locked stable state (when restriction member is attached) and a freely movable state (when restriction member is detached). This dynamic design provides structural support when needed while enabling easy operation when the restriction is removed
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge is segmented into support members and a restriction member, allowing the structural support function to be separated from the operation restriction function. The support members provide continuous structural support, while the detachable restriction member can be removed to facilitate easy operation
3Ease of operation
If a complex hinge mechanism is used, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge mechanism is segmented into four distinct components that can be manufactured separately using standard manufacturing processes, then assembled. This modular segmentation reduces overall complexity by allowing each component to be optimized independently while maintaining simplicity in the overall assembly
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 hinge mechanism simplifies the assembly and operation of large exterior covers, enhancing usability and reducing the effort required to open and close the cover.
Implementation Method 1
The exterior cover is configured to open and close by pivoting around the shaft member
Data Source
AI summary
An exterior cover is pivotably coupled with a main body frame by an upper hinge. The upper hinge includes a shaft member, a first shaft supporting member fixed to the back side of a frame of the exterior cover, a second shaft supporting member fixed to the main body frame, and a restriction member. Coupling the first shaft supporting member and the second shaft supporting member with each other enables holding the exterior cover in a state of being temporarily stationary relative to the main body frame. When the exterior cover is in a free state, the shaft member, the first shaft supporting member, and the second shaft supporting member are exposed upward. Since the restriction member is attached from above, it is possible to, while maintaining the exterior cover in the free state, attach the restriction member to the first shaft supporting member and the second shaft supporting member.