Nested Base for Exposure Device Substrate Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses face challenges in reducing size and simplifying the mounting operation of substrates to supporting members, often requiring clamps that increase size and complexity.
Innovation Solution
An exposure device with a substrate and focusing lens, supported by a base with engaging portions that securely attach to a supporting member without the need for clamps, allowing for reduced size and simplified mounting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If clamps are used to force the substrate against the contact surfaces, then the substrate is securely mounted, but the size of the exposure device increases and the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The base is inserted into the lens array holder with engaging portions that fit into corresponding grooves, creating a nested structure where the base is contained within the holder. This eliminates the need for external clamps and reduces the overall device size while maintaining secure mounting of the substrate.
Solution Approach 2:
The base serves dual functions: it forces the substrate against the contact surfaces and simultaneously mounts to the lens array holder through engagement of its portions with grooves in the holder. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate clamping mechanisms, reducing structural complexity and size.
2Reliability
If clamps are used to force the substrate against the contact surfaces, then the substrate is securely mounted, but the mounting operation becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The base is designed to be simply inserted into the lens array holder, with engaging portions that automatically engage with grooves during insertion. This nested design simplifies the mounting operation to a single insertion action, eliminating the need for complex clamp operations while ensuring secure substrate mounting.
3Force
If clamps protrude outwardly from the lens array holder, then the substrate is forced against the contact surfaces, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The base is inserted into the lens array holder rather than having clamps protrude outward. The engaging portions of the base fit into grooves within the holder, creating a compact nested structure that maintains the substrate forcing capability while reducing the overall dimensions of the lens array holder and exposure device.
Solution Approach 2:
The base combines the substrate forcing function with the mounting function, eliminating the need for separate protruding clamps. The base forces the substrate against the contact surfaces while being contained within the lens array holder, reducing the external dimensions of the device.
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
The solution enables a compact design and streamlined mounting process for the exposure device, eliminating the need for clamps and enhancing operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A surface of a photosensitive drum is uniformly charged by a charging roller. The surface of the photosensitive drum is exposed by an LED (Light Emitting Diode) head as an exposure device
Implementation Method 2
a rod lens array that focuses the light on the surface of the photosensitive drum
Data Source
AI summary
An exposure device includes a substrate on which a light emitting element array is provided, a focusing lens that focuses light emitted by the light emitting element array, a supporting member that supports the substrate and the focusing lens. The supporting member has a contact surface. A base is provided for forcing the substrate against the contact surface of the supporting member. The base has a first engaging portion that engages a second engaging portion formed on an inner wall of the supporting member. The base is mounted to the supporting member by the engagement of the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion.