Motor Layout in Image Forming Units for Compact Printer Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for determining a motor mounting location that achieves more size reduction of an image forming apparatus.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus is configured with a motor disposed inside the housing, positioned to overlap a wall surface at the end of a stacking unit, and is integrated with a gear train that transmits driving force to various components, utilizing space efficiently to minimize size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the motor is mounted on the side plate of the housing, then the image forming apparatus can be driven, but the apparatus size becomes larger
Solution Approach 1:
The motor is nested within the housing by positioning it to overlap the stacking unit in the width direction. The motor is disposed inside the housing at a position that overlaps the wall surface as viewed in the width direction, allowing the motor to be housed within the existing structure rather than mounted externally on the side plate.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor mounting position is changed from the side plate (external mounting) to an internal position overlapping the stacking unit. This spatial repositioning in the width direction allows the motor to be integrated within the housing boundaries, reducing the overall apparatus volume.
2Volume of moving object
If the motor is disposed inside the housing overlapping the stacking unit, then the apparatus size is reduced, but the motor mounting space is constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The wall surface of the stacking unit is designed to extend upward beyond the stacking unit at the end in the width direction. This creates a localized extended area that serves as a mounting surface for the motor, providing sufficient mounting space without increasing the overall apparatus volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The stacking unit is segmented with an extended wall surface portion that is separated from the main stacking unit body. This extended wall surface creates a distinct mounting zone for the motor, allowing the motor to be mounted in a constrained space while maintaining the functionality of the stacking unit.
3Volume of moving object
If the motor is positioned to overlap the wall surface in the width direction, then space efficiency is improved, but the motor accessibility for maintenance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The extended wall surface serves multiple functions: it provides the mounting surface for the motor, maintains the structural integrity of the stacking unit, and defines the boundary of the motor mounting space. This multi-functional design achieves space efficiency while accommodating the motor within the housing.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a housing configured to accommodate an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording material, a discharge unit configured to discharge the recording material to the outside of the housing, and a motor disposed inside of the housing and configured to drive the image forming unit. The housing includes a stacking unit on which the recording material discharged by the discharge unit is stacked and a wall surface provided at an end of the stacking unit in a width direction that is perpendicular to a vertical direction and a discharge direction of the discharge unit, and the wall surface extends upward beyond the stacking unit. The motor is disposed at a position that overlaps the wall surface as viewed in the width direction.