High-Voltage Board Layout for Easier Printer Interior Maintenance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The high-voltage circuit board in image forming apparatuses is often longer than half the length of the main body, making it difficult to perform maintenance without first removing the board, which obstructs access to the interior.
Innovation Solution
The board is designed with a length equal to or less than half the housing's length in the orthogonal direction, allowing for easy removal and maintenance by positioning it between the cover and other components, thus exposing at least half of the interior when the cover is removed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the high-voltage circuit board is made long to accommodate high-voltage units, then the high-voltage unit can be properly housed, but maintenance work inside the main body becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit board is divided into a first circuit board and a second circuit board that are coupled together. The first circuit board has a first length in the first direction, and the second circuit board has a second length in the first direction that is less than the first length. This segmentation allows the board to be broken down into manageable sections for easier maintenance while still accommodating the high-voltage unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The high-voltage circuit board is extracted from the main body by making it removable. The board is coupled to the main body through a cover that can be removed, allowing the board to be taken out for maintenance without disassembling the entire apparatus. This extraction principle enables easy removal and reinstallation of the board.
2Reliability
If the high-voltage circuit board covers most of the interior when the cover is removed, then the high-voltage unit is protected, but access to internal components for maintenance is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit board is designed with dynamic positioning capability through the removable cover mechanism. The board can be positioned to cover the high-voltage unit when installed, providing protection. When maintenance is needed, the cover is removed and the board can be taken out, allowing full access to internal components. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction between protection and accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover is designed to be removably coupled to the main body, allowing preliminary removal before maintenance work begins. This preliminary action of removing the cover and board provides unobstructed access to internal components, eliminating the need to work around the board during maintenance.
3Ease of manufacture
If the board length exceeds half the main body length, then electronic components can be properly mounted, but one-handed handling and replacement becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit board is segmented into two separate boards coupled together. The second circuit board has a length in the first direction that is less than the first length, making it suitable for one-handed handling. The coupling mechanism allows the boards to work together as a unit for manufacturing purposes while the shorter second board enables easy manual manipulation for replacement and maintenance.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a conveyor to convey a recording medium, an image forming engine to form an image on the recording medium, a board, and a housing. The board has first and second surfaces and includes electronic components on at least one of the surfaces. The housing includes a frame supporting the conveyor, the image forming engine, and the board, and a cover removably attached to the frame and covering the conveyor, the image forming engine, and the board in a first direction orthogonal to an up-down direction and the first surface. The board is disposed, in the first direction, between the cover, and the conveyor and the image forming engine. A length of the board in a second direction orthogonal to the up-down direction and the first direction is equal to or less than half a length of the housing in the second direction.