Movable Connector Support for Image Forming Apparatus Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
It is difficult to position the connectors of an apparatus main body and an external unit at positions where they can fit with each other when the apparatus main body and the external unit are attached.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus is designed with a first and second casing that are attachable and detachable, featuring a first connector unit with a movable support portion and a second connector unit with a fixed support portion, allowing for a larger movable range of the first support portion relative to the first casing and the second support portion relative to the second casing, facilitating easy alignment and connection of the connectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the connectors are fixed at specific positions on the apparatus main body and external unit, then the electrical connection is stable, but it becomes difficult to align the connectors when attaching the external unit
Solution Approach 1:
The support portion of the connector is designed to be movable relative to the casing, allowing dynamic adjustment during attachment. This enables the connector to adapt to minor misalignments while maintaining stable electrical connection once connected.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable support portion changes the positional parameter of the connector during attachment. By allowing a range of motion, the system can compensate for manufacturing tolerances and assembly variations, making alignment easier while ensuring reliable connection.
2Ease of operation
If the connector position is made adjustable to facilitate alignment, then the ease of attachment improves, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the entire connector assembly movable, only the support portion is designed to move relative to the casing. This selective mobility provides alignment flexibility while keeping the rest of the connector structure simple and rigid for stable electrical connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector system is divided into fixed components (terminal portion, casing) and movable components (support portion). This segmentation allows the movable support portion to handle alignment while the fixed parts maintain structural simplicity and connection stability.
3Reliability
If the movable range of the support portion is increased to accommodate misalignment, then the tolerance to manufacturing errors improves, but the connector may become unstable during connection
Solution Approach 1:
The support portion is designed with controlled movability, allowing adjustment within a specific range to accommodate misalignment. The mobility is limited to what is necessary for alignment, preventing excessive movement that could cause instability during the connected state.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable range of the support portion is optimized to provide sufficient tolerance for manufacturing errors while maintaining connector stability. The range is carefully controlled to allow alignment without enabling harmful movements once connected.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, that includes a first casing and a second casing that are attachable to and detachable from each other, a first connector unit including a first terminal portion and a first support portion, and a second connector unit including a second support portion and a second terminal portion electrically connected with the first terminal portion by being engaged with the first terminal portion. The first support portion is movable relative to the first casing. The first terminal portion is fixed to the first support portion. The second support portion is fixed to the second casing. The second terminal portion is movable relative to the second support portion. A movable range of the first support portion relative to the first casing is larger than a movable range of the second terminal portion relative to the second support portion.