Image Forming Device Frame Bottom Plate Rigidity

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in achieving sufficient rigidity of the bottom and installing portions while maintaining low manufacturing costs, as conventional solutions either increase material costs or reduce rigidity.

Innovation Solution

A frame structure is developed with a plate-like member that is plastically deformed to form recessed-shape portions and installing portions, enhancing rigidity at a lower cost by connecting these portions diagonally and using a reinforcing plate fixed on the bottom plate portion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the bottom is formed by superposing two metal plates in a box shape, then the rigidity of the bottom is enhanced, but the weight and material cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverigidity of the bottomVSAvoidweight of the structure
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The bottom plate is segmented into multiple regions by forming recessed portions that divide the plate into several sections. This segmentation creates a rigid structure without requiring multiple separate plates, thus maintaining rigidity while reducing weight and material usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a two-plate box structure (three-dimensional assembly) to a single-plate structure with recessed portions (two-dimensional deformation). By plastically deforming a single plate to create recessed areas, the structure achieves rigidity through geometric configuration rather than through stacking multiple plates, thereby reducing weight while maintaining structural strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Strength

If the bottom is formed by superposing two metal plates in a box shape, then the rigidity of the bottom is enhanced, but the material cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverigidity of the bottomVSAvoidmaterial cost
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The bottom plate is segmented into multiple regions by forming recessed portions that divide the plate into several sections. This segmentation creates a rigid structure without requiring multiple separate plates, thus maintaining rigidity while reducing material usage and associated costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the functions of multiple plates into a single plate by plastically deforming it to create recessed portions. This consolidation reduces the total quantity of material required while achieving the same rigidity enhancement, thereby reducing material cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Strength

If intermediary members are connected in a diagonal line shape and then connected to the base body, then the rigidity is enhanced, but the processing steps and number of parts increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverigidity of the structureVSAvoidnumber of parts
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bottom plate is segmented into multiple regions by forming recessed portions that divide the plate into several sections. This segmentation creates a rigid structure without requiring multiple separate plates, thus maintaining rigidity while reducing weight and material usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Strength

If intermediary members are connected in a diagonal line shape and then connected to the base body, then the rigidity is enhanced, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverigidity of the structureVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The bottom plate is segmented into multiple regions by forming recessed portions that divide the plate into several sections. This segmentation creates a rigid structure without requiring multiple separate plates, thus maintaining rigidity while reducing material usage and associated costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a two-plate box structure (three-dimensional assembly) to a single-plate structure with recessed portions (two-dimensional deformation). By plastically deforming a single plate to create recessed areas, the structure achieves rigidity through geometric configuration rather than through stacking multiple plates, thereby reducing material cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

5Stability of the object's composition

If the installing portion is formed with enhanced rigidity, then the stability on uneven surfaces is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability on uneven surfacesVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bottom plate is segmented into multiple regions by forming recessed portions that divide the plate into several sections. This segmentation creates a rigid structure without requiring multiple separate plates, thus maintaining rigidity while reducing weight and material usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 configuration stabilizes the apparatus on uneven surfaces, suppresses deformation, and enhances rigidity while reducing material and processing costs, achieving performance comparable to box-shaped two-plate constructions.

Implementation Method 1

a plate-like member is plastically deformed to form a recessed-shape portion or an installing portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlastic deformation: Plasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3217225B1Structure for image forming device
Publication Date: 2021.10.06 CANON KK
  • EP3217225B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3217225B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3217225B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A frame of an image forming apparatus includes a bottom plate provided at a bottom of the frame; first to third installing portions, provided at least three places of the bottom plate, for installing the image forming apparatus; a first recessed portion, where the first installing portion is provided, extended from the first installing portion toward an inside of the bottom plate in a planar direction of the bottom plate; a second recessed portion, where the second installing portion is provided, extended from the second installing portion toward the inside of the bottom plate in the planar direction of the bottom plate and connecting with the first recessed portion; a third recessed portion, where the third installing portion is provided, extended from the third installing portion toward the inside of the bottom plate in the planar direction of the bottom plate and connecting with the first recessed portion and the second recessed portion; and a reinforcing member, provided in a region where the first recessed portion, the second recessed portion and the third recessed portion connecting with each other, for reinforcing the bottom plate by being fastened at bottom plate portions sandwiched between respective recessed portions, the reinforcing member being smaller in area than the bottom plate.