Laser Scanning Unit Cooling via Sheet Guide Air Passage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses face issues with temperature increases due to motor heat in laser scanning units, leading to decreased toner flowability and charge, resulting in image defects, which existing cooling mechanisms struggle to address effectively while also inhibiting compact design due to space requirements for air ducts and reinforcing ribs.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a sheet guide mechanism with reinforcing ribs that form an air passage below the laser scanning unit, utilizing an air blower to direct air through this passage for cooling, effectively cools the unit while reinforcing the conveyance path, eliminating the need for a separate air duct and allowing for a more compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If an air duct is provided around the laser scanning unit for cooling, then the temperature increase is reduced, but the device complexity and space occupation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the air duct with the upper guide member of the sheet conveyance path, creating a unified structure that serves both cooling and sheet guidance functions. The air duct is formed as an integral part of the upper guide member, eliminating the need for separate cooling components and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The upper guide member is designed to perform multiple functions: it guides the sheet conveyance path and simultaneously serves as an air duct for cooling the laser scanning unit. This multi-functional design reduces the number of components needed and simplifies the overall structure while maintaining effective cooling.
2Strength
If reinforcing ribs are added to the sheet guide mechanism, then the structural strength is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcing ribs are integrated into the upper guide member structure, combining the sheet guidance function with structural reinforcement. The ribs extend from the air duct portion of the upper guide member, providing necessary strength without requiring separate reinforcement components.
3Temperature
If a separate air duct is provided for cooling, then the cooling effectiveness is improved, but the apparatus occupies more space
Solution Approach 1:
The air duct is merged with the upper guide member, eliminating the need for separate cooling ducts and reducing the overall apparatus volume. The cooling air passage is formed within the existing sheet guide structure, optimizing space utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The upper guide member serves dual purposes as both a sheet guidance component and a cooling air duct, eliminating redundant structures and reducing the total volume required for the apparatus while maintaining effective cooling capability.
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 solution effectively cools the laser scanning unit and power supply control board, preventing temperature increases and image defects, while enabling a more compact apparatus design by integrating cooling and reinforcement within the sheet guide mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
an air blower, configured to send air to a space between the plurality of adjacent reinforcing ribs
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a laser scanning unit, an upper guide member, a plurality of reinforcing ribs, and an air blower. The upper guide member is provided below the laser scanning unit and forms an upper guide surface of a sheet conveyance path extending in a direction along a bottom surface of the laser scanning unit. The plurality of reinforcing ribs are provided on an upper surface of the upper guide member and extend in a predetermined direction. The air blower is configured to send air to a space between the plurality of adjacent reinforcing ribs.