Image Forming Apparatus Cable Guide Overlapping Drive Gears
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses face an issue of increased size due to the need for a hollow member to guide cables around a tightly arranged drive gear train, which is not feasible in compact designs.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus is designed with a first and second main body side plate interposing an image forming unit, a drive gear train disposed opposite to the image forming unit, and a cable guide overlapping with a part of a rotary gear to efficiently route cables without increasing the apparatus size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a hollow member is disposed to guide cables around the drive gear train, then cables can be routed without interference, but the apparatus size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cable guide is positioned to overlap with the rotary gear in the rotational axis direction, utilizing the third dimension (depth) to route cables through the gear train area without physical interference. This dimensional approach allows cable routing without increasing the external footprint of the apparatus.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable guide is nested within the space between the drive side plate and main body side plate, utilizing the existing internal volume of the apparatus. The cable guide overlaps with the rotary gear projection, effectively nesting the cable routing path within the existing structural envelope rather than adding external volume.
2Volume of stationary object
If the drive gear train is tightly arranged with no extra space, then compactness is achieved, but providing a hollow member for cable guidance increases size
Solution Approach 1:
The cable guide serves multiple functions: it provides cable routing protection, utilizes the existing space between plates, and overlaps with the rotary gear projection to avoid interference. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate cable management components that would increase complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The space between the drive side plate and main body side plate, which would otherwise be empty or wasted space, is utilized to house the cable guide. The existing structural envelope serves the dual purpose of housing both the drive gear train and the cable guide, making the structure self-sufficient.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a first main body side plate, a second main body side plate, a drive side plate, a drive gear train disposed between the drive side plate and the first main body side plate, and a cable guide disposed between the first main body side plate and the drive side plate. The drive gear train includes a rotary gear, and the cable guide overlaps with a part of the rotary gear when viewed in a rotational axis direction of the rotary gear.