Light-Shielding Film Guide for Image Formation Unit Groove
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional printers face issues with irreversible deformation of light-shielding films when attaching or detaching image formation units, leading to potential damage and peeling, which can result in unnecessary exposure of photosensitive drums and decreased print quality.
Innovation Solution
An image formation unit with a flexible light-shielding member that includes a guide to facilitate bending during attachment and return to the original shape during detachment, preventing excessive force on the film and ensuring proper closure of the groove.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the exposure device applies force to the light-shielding film from a direction parallel to the upper surface during attachment, then the image formation unit can be attached to the printer housing, but irreversible deformation of the light-shielding film occurs leading to breakage, peeling, or inability to close the groove
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the direction of force application from parallel to the film surface (horizontal) to perpendicular to the film surface (vertical). The exposure device pushes the light-shielding film downward along the vertical direction, causing it to bend and retract into the groove rather than applying shear stress parallel to the surface. This dimensional change in force direction eliminates irreversible deformation while maintaining attachment functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The light-shielding film is designed as a flexible thin film that can elastically deform during attachment and detachment. The film's flexibility allows it to bend when pushed downward by the exposure device and to return to its original flat state when the force is removed, enabling reliable closing of the groove without permanent deformation or damage.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the light-shielding film is made flexible to allow bending during attachment, then the film can accommodate the exposure device movement, but the film may undergo irreversible deformation leading to peeling and breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by changing the dimension of force application from horizontal (parallel to film) to vertical (perpendicular to film). This allows the flexible film to bend in the vertical direction without experiencing shear stress that would cause peeling or breakage. The film's flexibility is utilized effectively while maintaining its structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The groove structure serves as a cushioning element that receives and accommodates the light-shielding film during bending. The groove provides a predetermined path and space for the film to retract into, preventing excessive stress concentration that would lead to breakage or peeling while allowing necessary flexibility.
3Productivity
If the light-shielding film is deformed to open the groove for exposure device access, then the exposure light can reach the photosensitive drum, but the film may not return to its original shape causing unnecessary exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The light-shielding film's flexibility enables it to deform elastically during attachment and detachment cycles. When pushed downward by the exposure device, the film bends and retracts into the groove to allow exposure. When the force is removed, the film's elastic properties cause it to return to its original flat shape, reliably closing the groove to prevent unnecessary exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the force application direction to vertical, the film deforms in a direction that allows easy elastic recovery. The vertical pushing motion causes the film to bend downward into the groove, and the removal of force allows the film to spring back to its original position without residual deformation, ensuring stable shape retention.
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
Prevents degradation in print quality by ensuring the light-shielding film reliably closes the groove, preventing unnecessary exposure of the photosensitive drum and maintaining the film's integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a light-shielding member with flexibility, including a first side extending substantially in the main scanning direction and a second side opposite the first side
Implementation Method 2
an exposure device such as a light emitting diode (LED) head having a lens array and light emitting elements such as LEDs
Data Source
AI summary
A housing for an electrostatic latent image carrier is formed with a groove in which a light emitting section of the exposure device is positioned at the usage position. The groove extends in an insertion direction of the light emitting section of the exposure device to the groove. A flexible light-shielding member includes one side fixed to a peripheral part of the groove. The light-shielding member covers the groove when the exposure device is detached from the housing. When the exposure device is attached to the housing, the light-shielding member is bent by the exposure device into the groove. A guide is provided at the upstream end portion of the light-shielding member in the insertion direction. The guide guides the light-shielding member from the closing state to the bent state upon inserting the light emitting section of the exposure device into the groove.