Image-Forming Door Damper With Contractable Resistance Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges with opening/closing doors that pivot at high speeds, potentially causing damage due to collision with the apparatus body, and damper units that require larger spaces when extended, increasing the size of the apparatus.
Innovation Solution
A damper unit with a contractable and extendable second member that applies resistance force to the door, allowing it to pivot smoothly without excessive force, and minimizing the space required for the damper mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the length of the rack members is increased to enlarge the range of resistance application, then the resistance force can be applied over more extended areas, but the size of the apparatus is increased due to larger spaces required for housing the rack members
Solution Approach 1:
The rack member is designed to be movable relative to the door, transitioning between a retracted position (when the door is closed) and an extended position (when the door is open). This dynamic configuration allows the rack member to provide an extended range of resistance application during door opening while maintaining a compact form when not in use, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability and apparatus size
Solution Approach 2:
The movable rack member can be housed within or alongside the door structure when retracted, effectively nesting the resistance application mechanism within the existing apparatus footprint. This nesting approach enables the rack member to extend beyond the door when needed for resistance application, but remain contained within the apparatus boundaries when the door is closed, thus maintaining compact apparatus size while providing extended resistance range
2Speed
If the opening/closing doors are pivoted at a high speed to improve operation efficiency, then the door opening/closing speed is increased, but the opening/closing doors may collide with the apparatus bodies with substantial forces causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The damper unit applies resistance force to the door during its movement, creating a counteracting force that opposes the door's momentum before collision can occur. This preliminary anti-action slows down the door's pivoting speed progressively, preventing high-speed collision with the apparatus body while still allowing efficient door operation
Solution Approach 2:
The damper unit acts as a cushioning mechanism that absorbs and dissipates the kinetic energy of the moving door before it can collide with the apparatus body. By providing resistance force throughout the door's movement range, the damper cushions the door's motion and prevents harmful impact forces, thereby protecting the apparatus from collision damage
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
The damper unit ensures safe and controlled pivoting of the opening/closing door, preventing damage while maintaining a compact apparatus size by optimizing the range of resistance application.
Implementation Method 1
a contact member that receives the resistance force by coming into contact with the body support member
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus including an apparatus body, a door, and a resistance applying portion. The resistance applying portion includes a body support member, and a contact member. The contact member includes a first member supported by the door, and a second member supported by the first member. The second member is configured to be brought into the contracted position in a state where the door is in the closed position. The second member is configured to be brought into the extended position by the door having moved from the closed position to a first intermediate position located between the closed position and the opening position. In response to the door moving from the first intermediate position to the opening position, the second member is configured to apply the resistance force to the door by coming into contact with the body support member in the extended position.