Image Forming Apparatus Temporary Placement Part with Protective Cover

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In small office settings, image forming apparatuses face challenges with the detachment of image forming units due to limited space, leading to potential user contact with sensitive components like photosensitive drums and developing rollers, resulting in image degradation or damage, and existing storage solutions fail to prevent dust adhesion and light exposure.

Innovation Solution

An image forming apparatus with a temporarily placement part deployed on the lateral side of the body housing, featuring an upper cover that encloses the image forming unit, side covers, and a loading part with air blowing/sucking functionality to prevent dust adhesion and user contact, allowing for safe and efficient maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a storage container is provided on the upper surface of the body housing, then the image forming unit can be stored, but dust adhesion and light exposure cannot be prevented

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedust adhesion and light exposure protectionVSAvoidstorage container structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The temporarily placement part is integrated within the body housing structure, with the upper cover nesting over the image forming unit to provide protection. This nested configuration allows the placement part to be housed within the existing apparatus footprint while providing enclosed protection against dust and light.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The upper cover acts as a protective shell that can be opened and closed to enclose the image forming unit. This shell structure provides physical barrier protection against dust adhesion and light exposure while maintaining accessibility for maintenance operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a storage recess with lid is provided on the upper surface, then the image forming unit can be stored, but the size of the image forming apparatus becomes large

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection during storageVSAvoidapparatus footprint

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of expanding the apparatus footprint horizontally with a separate storage recess, the solution utilizes the vertical dimension by integrating the temporarily placement part within the existing body housing structure. The upper cover extends vertically to provide protection, maintaining a compact horizontal footprint while achieving protective functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If the image forming unit is detached and placed on a temporary surface, then maintenance can be performed, but user contact with sensitive components occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance accessibilityVSAvoiduser contact with sensitive components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The upper cover serves as an intermediary protective barrier between the user and the sensitive components of the image forming unit. When the unit is placed on the temporarily placement part, the upper cover can be positioned to enclose the sensitive components, allowing users to perform maintenance operations without direct contact with the photosensitive drum or developing roller.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If the storage container is engaged with the body housing, then the image forming unit can be stored, but the lid cannot be closed to prevent dust adhesion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedust adhesion preventionVSAvoidlid closing mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The upper cover is designed as a dynamic component that can be opened and closed based on operational needs. When the image forming unit is placed on the temporarily placement part, the upper cover can be closed to provide protective enclosure, and opened when maintenance operations require access. This dynamic capability allows dust prevention when needed while maintaining operational accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12099324B2Image forming apparatus

Publication Date: 2024.09.24 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a body housing and a temporarily placement part. The image forming forms an image. The image forming unit is attached to and detached from the body housing. The temporarily placement part is deployed outside the body housing, and the image forming unit can be temporarily placed on the temporarily placement part. The temporarily placement part includes an upper cover which coves an upper portion of the image forming unit placed on the temporarily placement part.