Modular Duct Layout for Cooling Multiple Printer Heat Sources
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in efficiently cooling multiple heat sources due to complex duct configurations, leading to high pressure loss and reduced fan efficiency, which complicates air intake and exhaust, affecting image quality and maintainability.
Innovation Solution
A duct unit with an airflow generation system, featuring an intake port and exhaust port aligned on the same straight line but with shifted centers, and held by different positioning mechanisms to allow for multiple postures, enabling efficient air intake and exhaust from heat sources while minimizing space and maintaining fan efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a duct is configured to take in air and exhaust heat at two locations for each heat source while avoiding members that cause heat retention, then the duct can cool multiple heat sources, but the shape becomes complicated, pressure loss increases, and fan efficiency is lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The duct is divided into multiple independent duct units, each with a single intake port and single exhaust port. Each duct unit is independently configured to serve specific heat sources, avoiding the need for a single complex duct to navigate around multiple members. This segmentation simplifies the overall duct configuration while maintaining the ability to cool multiple heat sources efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement by providing multiple holding portions that enable the duct unit to be installed in various postures (different orientations and positions). This allows duct units to be strategically placed in different dimensions within the housing to optimally serve multiple heat sources without requiring complex in-plane routing.
2Temperature
If a complex duct configuration is used to avoid heat-retaining members, then multiple heat sources can be cooled, but the pressure loss in the air path increases and fan efficiency is lowered
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the cooling system into multiple simple duct units with straight airflow paths (intake port and exhaust port on the same straight line), the patent minimizes airflow resistance and pressure loss compared to a single complex duct with multiple bends and obstacles. Each duct unit provides a direct airflow path that reduces energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of configuring a single complex duct to avoid members, the patent inverts the approach by using multiple simple duct units that are positioned to naturally avoid members. This reversal of the design strategy simplifies each individual duct while achieving the same heat exhaust goal.
3Volume of moving object
If a compact duct configuration is used to save space, then the duct unit can be disposed in limited space, but it becomes difficult to efficiently suck air from multiple heat sources
Solution Approach 1:
The duct unit is designed with multiple holding portions that enable dynamic installation in various postures and positions within the housing. This flexibility allows the compact duct unit to be adaptively positioned to efficiently serve multiple heat sources in different locations, maximizing air intake efficiency while maintaining a compact form factor.
Solution Approach 2:
The duct unit is designed as a universal component that can be installed in multiple postures and positions to serve different heat sources. The same compact duct unit design can be replicated and positioned throughout the housing to cool multiple heat sources, achieving both space savings and comprehensive cooling coverage.
4Temperature
If a complicated duct shape is used to avoid members, then heat exhaust from multiple locations is possible, but the fan becomes huge and maintainability is deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into multiple identical, simple duct units that can be independently installed, removed, and maintained. Each duct unit has a simple structure with straight airflow paths, making them easier to manufacture, install, and maintain compared to a single complex duct. If one duct unit needs maintenance, it can be independently accessed and serviced.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of designing one large complex duct that is difficult to maintain, the patent inverts to multiple small simple ducts that are easier to maintain. The modular approach allows for simpler individual components that can be more easily accessed, inspected, and repaired.
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 allows for efficient air intake and exhaust from multiple heat sources, reducing heat retention and improving image quality by simplifying the duct layout and maintaining fan efficiency, thus enhancing the overall performance and maintainability of the image forming apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a duct unit includes an airflow generation unit configured to generate an airflow, a duct through which the airflow generated by the airflow generation unit flows
Data Source
AI summary
A duct unit is disposed inside a housing of an image forming apparatus and used. The duct unit includes an airflow generation unit, a duct, and a first holding portion and a second holding portion. The duct has a shape in which a center of an intake port and a center of an exhaust port are shifted from each other. The first holding portion and the second holding portion are provided at different positions with respect to the duct so as to be able to hold the duct unit with respect to the housing in a first posture and a second posture.