LED Exposure Device Cooling Duct Sealing for Toner Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electrophotographic image forming apparatuses, the leakage of airflow from gaps between the air blowing port and introduction port of the LED exposure device leads to toner scattering and reduced cooling efficiency, causing image defects due to the proximity of the LED exposure device and the developing device, which is sensitive to heat.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a duct system with sealing members to prevent airflow leakage by supporting the charging and developing portions, ensuring airflow is directed efficiently to the exposure portion, and maintaining cooling effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the LED exposure device is disposed close to the photoconductor surface, then exposure efficiency is improved, but heat dissipation becomes more difficult and cooling requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into distinct components: a fan for generating airflow, a duct for directing airflow, and a cooling unit with introduction and blowing ports. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, with the duct acting as a dedicated pathway to deliver cooling air directly to the LED exposure device while separating the cooling function from the exposure function.
Solution Approach 2:
The duct serves as an intermediary element between the fan and the LED exposure device. It transmits the generated airflow from the fan to the exposure device, ensuring that the cooling air reaches the target location efficiently. The duct mediates the transfer of thermal energy removal capability from the cooling system to the heat-generating exposure device.
2Productivity
If the airflow rate for cooling is increased, then cooling efficiency is improved, but airflow leakage from gaps increases, causing toner scattering
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful airflow leakage is extracted and eliminated by providing a sealed connection between the duct and the cooling unit. The sealing member removes the gap that would otherwise allow airflow to escape, ensuring that all generated airflow is directed through the intended pathway to the LED exposure device and not leaked into the developing device area where it would cause toner scattering.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing structure creates a closed pathway that copies the ideal airflow pattern, ensuring all air follows the intended route from the duct through the cooling unit and back, preventing any deviation or leakage that would cause toner scattering while maintaining the high airflow rate needed for effective cooling.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the gap between air blowing port and introduction port is reduced, then airflow leakage is minimized, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of relying on precise mechanical gaps that would require high manufacturing precision, the invention introduces a sealing member (such as a seal or gasket) that can be easily manufactured and installed. This sealing component provides a reliable barrier against airflow leakage without demanding tight tolerances on the duct and cooling unit manufacturing, thereby reducing overall manufacturing precision requirements while effectively preventing toner scattering.
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
The duct system effectively seals gaps, preventing toner scattering and maintaining airflow rate, thereby enhancing cooling efficiency and reducing image defects.
Implementation Method 1
a fan that generates an airflow for cooling the exposure portion
Implementation Method 2
a space between the duct portion and the charging support portion and a space between the duct portion and the developing support portion are sealed by a sealing member
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of chips each including a plurality of light emitting portions that emits light for exposing the photoconductor
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes: a photoconductor; a charging portion that charges a surface of the photoconductor; an exposure portion including a substrate including a plurality of light emitting portions for exposing the photoconductor; a developing portion that develops a latent image formed on the surface of the photoconductor with toner; a fan that generates an airflow for cooling the exposure portion; and a duct that communicates with the fan and communicates with the support portion, the duct guiding the airflow generated by the fan to the substrate; in which a part of the duct is formed by a charging support portion that supports the charging portion, a developing support portion that supports the development, and a duct portion, and a space between the duct portion and the charging support portion and a space between the duct portion and the developing support portion are sealed by a sealing member.