Housing Cover Labyrinth Gap for Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in effectively suppressing noise due to sound escaping through gaps between openable covers, which interferes with the operation and design, as the gaps are necessary for opening and closing the covers but can allow noise to escape.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a labyrinthine structure with multiple bending portions in the gaps between the openable and adjacent covers, which deflects sound multiple times before it can escape, thereby reducing noise transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If gaps are provided between openable cover and adjacent cover to enable opening and closing operation, then ease of operation is improved, but noise transmission increases as sound escapes through the gaps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a labyrinthine structure with multiple bending portions (curved paths) within the gap between the openable cover and adjacent cover. This curved configuration causes sound waves to undergo multiple reflections and diffractions as they attempt to pass through the gap, significantly reducing noise transmission while preserving the necessary opening and closing operation of the cover.
2Adaptability or versatility
If gaps are maintained between covers for functional operation, then device functionality is preserved, but sound insulation performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The labyrinthine structure with multiple bending portions creates a curved, complex path that sound waves must traverse. This curved configuration increases the effective path length and causes multiple reflections, thereby improving sound insulation performance while maintaining the gap necessary for cover operation functionality.
3Ease of manufacture
If simple gap structure is used between covers, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but noise suppression capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a labyrinthine structure with multiple bending portions that can be formed through standard manufacturing processes such as bending, folding, or molding. This curved labyrinthine design provides effective noise suppression capability while remaining compatible with conventional manufacturing methods, thus not significantly increasing manufacturing 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 configuration effectively suppresses noise by ensuring sound undergoes diffraction multiple times within the labyrinthine gaps, preventing it from escaping and maintaining the functionality of the openable covers.
Implementation Method 1
This configuration effectively suppresses noise by ensuring sound undergoes diffraction multiple times within the labyrinthine gaps, preventing it from escaping
Data Source
AI summary
A housing includes at least one openable cover and at least one adjacent cover. The at least one openable cover swings on a hinge to separate an interior of the housing from an exterior of the housing. The at least one openable cover has a first side edge on a side of the hinge. The at least one adjacent cover is adjacent to the at least one openable cover. The at least one adjacent cover has a second side edge neighboring the first side edge of the at least one openable cover across a gap. One of the at least one openable cover and the at least one adjacent cover includes at least one projection projecting into the gap and another one of the at least one openable cover and the at least one adjacent cover includes a recess that accommodates the at least one projection in the gap.