Integrated Air Duct Cooling Device for Compact Image Formers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cooling devices for image forming apparatuses are bulky and inflexible, often requiring separate air ducts that occupy space and limit the compactness of the apparatus, and may not provide sufficient air volume for effective cooling, especially in limited spaces.
Innovation Solution
The cooling device integrates an air blower, a first support frame with a groove portion, and a second support frame with a groove portion, forming an air duct that guides air from the blower to a discharge port, allowing for a compact design that ensures sufficient air volume and flexibility in air flow management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a conventional cooling device with separate air ducts is used, then air flow guidance is achieved, but the apparatus becomes bulky and space is occupied
Solution Approach 1:
The air duct is merged with the support frame structure. The support frame includes a groove portion that forms part of the air duct pathway, integrating the air guiding function into the structural support element. This eliminates the need for separate air duct components while maintaining effective air flow guidance to cooling targets.
Solution Approach 2:
The support frame serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the air blower and simultaneously acts as an air duct through its groove portion. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components and decreases the volume occupied by the cooling device while maintaining air flow guidance capability.
2Volume of moving object
If a compact cooling device design is implemented, then space is saved, but air volume for effective cooling may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The air duct utilizes the vertical dimension by extending from the blowing port upward through the groove portion of the support frame to the discharge port. This three-dimensional air pathway configuration allows sufficient air volume flow within a compact horizontal footprint, effectively using vertical space to maintain cooling performance while keeping the device compact.
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 enables efficient cooling of heat-generating components within the image forming apparatus, reducing the risk of image defects and maintaining optimal operating temperatures while allowing for a more compact and flexible design.
Implementation Method 1
an air blower, a first support frame, and a second support frame... forming an air duct configured to guide air blown from the air blower
Implementation Method 2
the air duct is formed by a groove portion... to form an air duct configured to guide air blown from the air blower, to the discharge port
Implementation Method 3
a cooling device for sending air to the interior of the image forming apparatus to cool the interior... to cool the object
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling device includes an air blower, a first support frame, and a second support frame. The first support frame supports the air blower and has a first groove portion extending from a blowing port of the air blower to a predetermined discharge port. The second support frame supports a driving portion for transmitting a driving force to a portion to be driven of an image forming apparatus, and is configured such that the first support frame is connectable thereto. The second support frame has a second groove portion. The second groove portion is engaged with the first groove portion, in a state where the first support frame is connected to the second support frame, to form an air duct configured to guide air blown from the air blower, to the discharge port.