Image Forming Apparatus Motor Board Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses are large due to the need for stacking gear mechanisms and control boards vertically, which increases the overall size of the device.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus is designed with a first casing for the image forming unit and a second casing for the image reading unit, where the driver and control board compartments are positioned on opposite sides, allowing for a more compact layout by separating the motor compartment and board compartment to optimize spatial efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the gear mechanism and control board are disposed vertically stacked, then the driving and control functions are integrated, but the overall size of the image forming apparatus increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a vertical stacking arrangement to a horizontal side-by-side arrangement of the gear mechanism and control board. The gear mechanism is positioned in a first casing while the control board is placed in a second casing adjacent to it in the horizontal direction, thereby resolving the contradiction by changing the spatial dimension from vertical to horizontal to reduce overall apparatus length.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the internal structure into separate casings: a first casing for the gear mechanism and a second casing for the control board. This segmentation allows each component to be housed independently, enabling optimized spatial arrangement and reducing the need for vertical stacking, thus decreasing the overall apparatus length while maintaining functional integration.
2Device complexity
If the control board is accommodated within the same casing as the gear mechanism, then the structure is simplified, but the spatial arrangement becomes constrained and may increase overall size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the housing into two distinct casings: a first casing for the gear mechanism and a second casing for the control board. This segmentation provides dedicated spaces for each component, allowing for optimized spatial arrangement that reduces the overall apparatus length while maintaining structural organization and simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of accommodating both components in a single vertical stack, the patent extends the layout horizontally by placing the control board in a second casing adjacent to the first casing. This dimensional change from vertical to horizontal arrangement reduces the overall length of the apparatus while keeping the structure simple and organized.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus is provided that includes a first casing disposed on a first side in a first direction, and a second casing disposed on a second side in the first direction, the second casing containing an image reading unit, a driver driving the image reading unit, and a driver compartment configured to accommodate the driver and disposed at an end portion of the second casing on a third side in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the first casing containing an image forming unit, a control board electrically connected with the driver and the image reading unit and configured to control the image reading unit, and a board compartment configured to accommodate at least a part of the control board and disposed at an end portion of the first casing on a fourth side opposite to the third side in the second direction.