Image Forming Apparatus Exhaust Duct Filter Case Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses require back access for filter replacement, imposing operational burdens and risking particle leakage due to complex sealing needs across multiple filters with different functions.
Innovation Solution
An exhaust duct system with partitioned air ducts and a drawable filter case allows for easy filter maintenance and replacement without securing workspace on the back side, using filters that can be taken out and resealed without tools, ensuring secure sealing and reduced operational burden.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple filters with different functions are arranged in the exhaust duct, then fine particle removal efficiency is improved, but sealing complexity increases and particle leakage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust duct is divided into multiple air ducts (first air duct, second air duct, etc.) that are partitioned by partition members. Each air duct contains a dedicated filter (first filter, second filter) that can be independently replaced. This segmentation allows each filter to handle specific particle types while maintaining simple sealing at each partition interface, resolving the contradiction between removal efficiency and sealing complexity.
2Reliability
If filters are arranged on the back surface side of the apparatus, then exhaust function is improved, but maintenance accessibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The filter case is designed to be drawable in a direction perpendicular to the exhaust direction (front-to-back direction when viewing from the front surface). This dimensional change in accessibility allows operators to replace filters from the front surface side rather than requiring back surface access, while the exhaust function remains effective through the partitioned air ducts.
3Ease of operation
If filter case is made drawable perpendicular to exhaust direction, then maintenance ease is improved, but sealing reliability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The filter case is divided into multiple compartments corresponding to different air ducts, with partition members creating separate sealing zones. Each filter is housed in its own compartment with dedicated sealing interfaces. This segmentation allows the filter case to be drawn out perpendicular to the exhaust direction for easy maintenance while maintaining reliable sealing at each partition boundary, preventing particle leakage.
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
Facilitates efficient air exhaust, improved filter maintenance, and reduced operator burden by allowing filter replacement and cleaning without back access, enhancing maintainability and sealing integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a first filter and a second filter provided in the first air duct and the second air duct, respectively, configured to remove a fine particle included in the air
Data Source
AI summary
An exhaust duct provided on a back surface side of an image forming apparatus, and including a plurality of air ducts through which air inside the apparatus is exhausted toward outside the apparatus, a plurality of filters provided in the plurality of air ducts, respectively, and which removes a fine particle included in the air exhausted through the air ducts, and a filter case that houses the plurality of filters in a manner that the filters are able to be taken out from the filter case are included, and the filter case is provided in a drawable manner to one of side surface sides in a right and left direction or to an upper surface side in an up and down direction of the image forming apparatus, from a front surface side to a back surface side of the image forming apparatus, with respect to the image forming apparatus.