Light Guide Device Positioning Mechanism for Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light guide devices in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses face challenges in accurately positioning the light source substrate relative to the light guide body, leading to variations in the intensity of the charge removing light irradiated onto the photoconductor drum, which affects image quality and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A light guide device with a housing main body, side member, light guide body, light source substrate, and positioning portion, where the positioning portion includes an abutting member and an elastic member to precisely position the light element on the light source substrate relative to the light incident surface of the light guide body, ensuring accurate alignment and consistent light emission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a conventional light guide device is used without a positioning portion, then the structure is simpler and easier to manufacture, but the positioning accuracy of the light element relative to the light guide body deteriorates, leading to variations in light intensity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a positioning portion as an intermediary component between the light source substrate and the light guide body. This positioning portion includes positioning protrusions and positioning grooves that act as mediators to achieve precise alignment and positioning of the light element relative to the light guide body, thereby resolving the positioning accuracy issue without requiring direct complex integration of the light source and light guide
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the light guide device into separate functional modules: the light source substrate, the light guide body, and the positioning portion. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and positioned independently, with the positioning portion serving as a dedicated alignment mechanism that simplifies the overall assembly process while ensuring precise positioning
2Reliability
If the light source substrate is not firmly positioned, then the assembly process is faster and easier, but the stability of light emission and image quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning portion is designed to automatically align and secure the light source substrate to the light guide body through the engagement of positioning protrusions and positioning grooves. This self-aligning mechanism eliminates the need for complex external positioning tools or multiple adjustment steps, thereby maintaining high assembly speed while ensuring reliable and stable positioning of the light element
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning protrusions and grooves are pre-formed during the manufacturing process, allowing the components to self-position upon assembly. This preliminary preparation of positioning features enables quick assembly while ensuring that the light element is accurately positioned from the first assembly attempt, thus maintaining both productivity and reliability
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 enhances the positioning accuracy of the light element, stabilizes the intensity of the charge removing light, and improves the assembly accuracy of the light guide device components, resulting in improved image quality and reduced image memory issues in electrophotographic processes.
Implementation Method 1
The elastic member is held by the side member and configured to press the light source substrate toward the light guide body to position the light element to the reference position
Implementation Method 2
The light source substrate is held by the side member and includes a light element that emits the light toward the light incident surface
Implementation Method 3
a light guide body configured to guide light from a light source
Data Source
AI summary
A light guide device includes: a housing main body; a side member attached to a side portion in the housing main body; a light guide body supported by the housing main body and including a light incident surface to which light enters; a light source substrate held by the side member and including a light element that emits the light toward the light incident surface; and a positioning portion configured to position the light element to a reference position with respect to the light incident surface. The positioning portion includes: an abutting member provided in the housing main body and configured to abut on a mounting surface in the light source substrate on which the light element is mounted; and an elastic member held by the side member and configured to press the light source substrate toward the light guide body to position the light element to the reference position.