Movable Partition Member for Dust Control in Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses face issues with dust or dirt adhering to the seal glass of the exposure device, which can block laser light and degrade image quality due to external dust entering through cooling air pathways.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a partition member that can change states to either project towards the image forming unit or retract, blocking airflow to prevent dust from reaching the seal glass, while allowing for the dismounting of the image forming unit and maintaining airflow for cooling purposes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If cooling air is allowed to flow in the image forming apparatus, then heat generated in the fixing device can be prevented from transferring to the toner casing, but dust or dirt flowing from the outside may adhere to the seal glass of the exposure device and degrade image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The internal space is divided into a dust-proof space (housing containing the seal glass and laser light source) and a non-dust-proof space (image forming unit area), with the partition wall creating a physical separation that allows cooling air to flow through designated paths without carrying dust to the seal glass
Solution Approach 2:
The partition wall acts as an intermediary structure that guides cooling air through specific pathways, separating the cooling function from the dust-proof function, allowing heat dissipation while preventing dust contamination of the optical components
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a partition wall is disposed to restrict cooling air path between the photosensitive drum and the exposure device, then dust adhesion to seal glass is prevented, but cooling efficiency may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The partition wall is designed to be movable between a first position (projecting toward the image forming unit) and a second position (retracted), allowing dynamic adjustment of the cooling air path to optimize both dust prevention and cooling efficiency under different operating conditions
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the partition member projects toward the image forming unit, then cooling air path is controlled to prevent dust, but the image forming unit dismounting operation may be obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The partition wall's movable design enables it to adapt its position based on operational requirements - projecting during normal operation to control airflow, and retracting during maintenance operations to allow easy access and dismounting of the image forming unit
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 dust and toner adhesion on the seal glass, ensuring high-quality image formation by controlling airflow and maintaining effective cooling of critical components.
Implementation Method 1
a light transmissive member which is disposed in the housing at such a position as to cover the opening of the housing for transmitting the laser light
Implementation Method 2
The airflow generator generates an airflow in the inner space
Implementation Method 3
The cooling air path guides the airflow between the exposure device and the image forming unit in the inner space
Data Source
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AI summary
An image forming apparatus has a casing, an opening/closing cover, an exposure device, an image forming unit, an airflow generator, a cooling air path, and a partition member. The partition member is disposed between the exposure device and the image forming unit, and is configured to change a state thereof between a first state and a second state. The first state is such that the partition member constitutes part of the cooling air path when the opening/closing cover is in a closed state. The second state is such that the image forming unit is allowed to be dismounted from an inner space of the casing, while passing between the exposure device and the image forming unit when the opening/closing cover is in an opened state.