Light Exposer Ventilation Layout for Compact Image Forming Systems
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming systems face challenges in cooling the light exposer with reduced layout space, as they require separate ventilation pipes for cooling and ozone/exhaust, increasing space and cost.
Innovation Solution
An image forming system with a first ventilation pipe between the charger and light exposer, allowing air passage and integrating cooling with ozone and toner cloud exhaust, reducing the need for exclusive cooling pipes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a separate ventilation pipe exclusively for cooling the light exposer is provided, then the light exposer can be cooled effectively, but the layout space and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cooling function with the existing ozone and toner cloud exhaust ventilation system. The ventilation pipe that originally served to exhaust ozone and toner clouds from the charging and exposing units is also used to cool the light exposer by allowing air flow through its wall surface, thereby eliminating the need for a separate exclusive cooling pipe and reducing layout space.
Solution Approach 2:
The ventilation pipe is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it exhausts ozone generated by the charger, removes toner clouds from the exposing unit, and cools the light exposer through integrated cooling passages in its wall structure. This multi-functional design reduces the total number of components and saves space.
2Temperature
If a separate ventilation pipe exclusively for cooling the light exposer is provided, then the cooling function is dedicated and reliable, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cooling function into the existing ventilation pipe structure by forming cooling passages within the pipe wall. This integration reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall ventilation system while maintaining effective cooling performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The ventilation pipe is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously performs exhaust functions (ozone and toner cloud removal) and cooling functions. This universal design reduces system complexity and component count while achieving multiple objectives with a single integrated structure.
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 system effectively cools the light exposer while minimizing layout space and cost by integrating ventilation and exhaust functions within the existing structure.
Implementation Method 1
configured to expose the image carrier by transmitting light through a plurality of lenses arranged in an axial direction of the image carrier to form a latent image on the image carrier, the light being emitted from a plurality of light emitting elements
Implementation Method 2
The charger charges the surface of the photoconductor using corona discharge
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming system includes: a rotatable image carrier; a charger that is disposed to be opposed to the image carrier, and configured to charge a surface of the image carrier; a light exposer that is disposed to be opposed to the image carrier downstream of the charger in a rotational direction of the image carrier, and configured to expose the image carrier by transmitting light through multiple lenses arranged in an axial direction of the image carrier to form a latent image on the image carrier, the light being emitted from multiple light emitting elements; and a first ventilation pipe that is provided between the charger and the light exposer to construct part of an in-pipe wall surface at a lateral surface of the light exposer, and configured to allow air to pass through the first ventilation pipe, the lateral surface closer to the charger.