Optical Deflector Cover Airflow for Driver IC Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical deflectors in image forming apparatuses face challenges in efficiently cooling electronic components like driver ICs during the rotation of polygonal mirrors, leading to potential temperature-related malfunctions and mis-color registration issues due to inadequate airflow management.
Innovation Solution
The optical deflector design incorporates a cover member with strategically positioned openings to facilitate airflow through the device, ensuring efficient cooling of the driver IC by utilizing the airflow generated from the polygonal mirror's rotation, while also reducing the device's height and maintaining airflow stability to prevent temperature-related malfunctions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the polygonal mirror rotates at high speed to improve scanning efficiency, then productivity increases, but the electronic component generates excessive heat leading to temperature-related malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a pneumatic cooling system where air is introduced into the cover cavity through an air introduction hole and flows along the substrate surface toward the air discharge hole. This airflow removes heat from the electronic component (driver IC) mounted on the substrate, enabling the polygonal mirror to rotate at high speeds without causing temperature-related malfunctions. The pneumatic cooling mechanism directly addresses the heat generation issue while maintaining high scanning efficiency.
2Temperature
If air suction holes and air discharge holes are provided on the cover to cool the electronic component, then temperature control improves, but the device height increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent provides air suction holes and air discharge holes only in specific regions of the cover - the air suction holes are positioned above the polygonal mirror and the air discharge holes are positioned above the electronic component. This localized placement of cooling openings enables effective heat removal while minimizing the overall device height, as openings are not required across the entire cover surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the planar dimension of the cover surface to position air suction and discharge holes in specific locations, rather than increasing height through additional cooling components. The airflow path is arranged to move horizontally across the substrate surface from the air introduction hole through the air discharge hole, enabling cooling without vertical space expansion.
3Reliability
If the cover is designed to cover both the polygonal mirror and electronic component, then protection improves, but airflow stability for cooling deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is functionally segmented into different regions: a first region with air suction holes positioned above the polygonal mirror for drawing air into the cavity, and a second region with air discharge holes positioned above the electronic component for releasing cooled air. This segmentation maintains component protection while establishing stable airflow patterns that ensure consistent cooling of the electronic component during polygonal mirror rotation.
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 design effectively cools the driver IC, preventing temperature-related malfunctions and enabling stable optical scanning, while reducing the overall height of the optical scanning device and maintaining accurate electrostatic latent image formation.
Implementation Method 1
upon rotation of the polygonal mirror, air located outside the cover is sucked inside the cover through the air suction hole and then discharged outside the cover through the air discharge hole. By such an airflow flowing from the air suction hole toward the air discharge hole, the electronic component such as a driver IC undergoing heat generation along with the rotation of the polygonal mirror is cooled.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an optical deflector including a polygonal mirror and a drive motor each mounted on a substrate, a cover member covering the polygonal mirror and the drive motor, and an electronic component. The cover member includes: a first cover portion defining a first space in which the polygonal mirror is installed, wherein the first cover portion is formed with a first opening opened in opposed relation to an outer peripheral surface of the polygonal mirror; and a second cover portion defining a second space which is communicated with the first space and in which the drive motor is installed, wherein the second cover portion is formed with a second opening opened in opposed relation to a motor body of the drive motor. When viewed in the first direction, the electronic component is disposed such that it falls within an open region of the second opening.