Image Forming Unit Covers With Integrated Airflow Ducts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in maintaining efficient airflow and cooling while preventing user access to internal components, particularly during maintenance, which can complicate maintenance operations and reduce operability.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a resin-made internal cover unit with integrated ducts for airflow distribution and removable small covers for easy access to maintenance parts, allowing airflow to be directed to image forming units without enlarging the device and simplifying maintenance by enabling parts to be inserted and extracted without removing the entire cover unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a resin-made internal cover unit with integrated ducts is used, then airflow distribution efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple airflow ducts directly into the internal cover unit structure, merging the cover and duct systems into a single component. This integration improves airflow distribution efficiency while avoiding the need for separate duct installations, thereby managing device complexity through unified design rather than multiple separate parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The internal cover unit serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural coverage for the image forming units, distributes airflow to multiple units through integrated ducts, and enables easy access to maintenance parts through removable small covers. This multi-functionality improves productivity while the modular design keeps complexity manageable.
2Ease of operation
If removable small covers are provided for accessing maintenance parts, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The internal cover unit is segmented into a main body and multiple removable small covers that can be independently accessed. This segmentation allows users to open only the specific small cover needed for maintenance without removing the entire internal cover unit, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The small covers are designed to be removably attached, providing dynamic access to maintenance parts. This dynamic design allows the cover system to adapt between a closed protective state and an open accessible state, improving operational ease while the simple attachment mechanism keeps complexity low.
3Ease of repair
If the entire internal cover unit is removed for maintenance, then ease of repair is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The internal cover unit is divided into a permanent main body and removable small covers. This segmentation enables maintenance personnel to access specific components by removing only the necessary small cover rather than the entire internal cover unit, maintaining productivity while improving ease of repair for specific components.
Solution Approach 2:
The small covers are extracted as separate removable elements from the internal cover unit structure. This extraction allows selective removal of only the portion needed for maintenance, avoiding the need to remove the entire internal cover unit and its integrated duct system, thereby maintaining productivity while facilitating easier repair access.
4Productivity
If ducts are integrated into the internal cover unit, then airflow efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ducts are merged with the internal cover unit to form a single integrated component. This merging improves airflow efficiency by ensuring proper duct positioning and sealing while the integration allows the ducts to be manufactured as part of the cover unit mold, actually simplifying the manufacturing process compared to assembling separate duct components.
Solution Approach 2:
The internal cover unit is made of resin material that can be molded to include integrated duct structures. This use of moldable resin material allows complex duct geometries to be formed during the molding process itself, improving airflow efficiency while keeping manufacturing relatively simple through conventional plastic molding techniques.
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 design maintains efficient airflow and cooling while reducing the burden of maintenance operations by allowing easy access to components like charging devices and development units, enhancing operational efficiency and user safety.
Implementation Method 1
The fan absorbs outside air, and the ducts guide air absorbed from outside by the fan to, for example, an image forming unit including a charging device and a development device. Air is blown to the image forming unit in order to collect discharge products, such as ozone, generated through the charging by the charging device. Further, air is blown to the image forming unit in order to prevent an increase in temperature of the development device due to a toner agitation operation in the development device.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes first, second, and third covers, first and second ducts, and a plurality of image forming units, including first and second image forming units. The second cover is between the first cover and the plurality of image forming units to cover the plurality of image forming units. The first duct is disposed on the second cover to guide air absorbed from outside of the image forming apparatus through an air intake to the first image forming unit. The second duct is disposed on the second cover to guide air absorbed from the outside of the image forming apparatus through the air intake to the second image forming unit. The third cover is attachable to and detachable from the second cover to cover an opening of the second cover. At least part of the first image forming unit is insertable and extractable through the opening.