Optical Deflector Noise and Heat Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses face challenges in suppressing noise and temperature rise due to the rotation of optical deflectors, particularly the polygon scanner, as heat generated by the bearing is trapped within a sealed space, leading to potential deformation of optical components and shifts in sound absorption frequencies.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a sound absorption unit with a Helmholtz resonator positioned opposite the exposed bearing, which absorbs sound and allows external air cooling to prevent temperature rises, while a labyrinthine structure and different casing materials attenuate vibrations and sound transmission, maintaining effective sound absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the optical deflector casing provides a sealed space for the optical deflector, then the optical components are protected from external contaminants, but heat generated by the bearing is trapped leading to temperature rise and potential deformation of optical components
Solution Approach 1:
The optical deflector casing is divided into two separate spaces: a sealed space containing the optical deflector and optical beam path, and an external space containing the bearing. This segmentation allows the sealed space to protect optical components while the external space enables heat dissipation from the bearing, resolving the contradiction between protection and temperature control.
2Device complexity
If the bearing is completely enclosed within the sealed space, then the optical deflector assembly is compact, but noise from the bearing cannot be effectively absorbed and temperature rises
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing is positioned in an external space separate from the sealed optical space, reducing noise transmission to the optical components while maintaining compact overall assembly. The sound absorption unit is strategically placed to absorb bearing noise without compromising the sealed nature of the optical compartment.
Solution Approach 2:
A sound absorption unit is introduced as an intermediary element between the bearing and the optical components. This mediator absorbs noise generated by the bearing while allowing the bearing to remain in a position that maintains compact assembly, thus resolving the contradiction between compactness and noise control.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the sound absorption unit is placed close to the bearing, then noise absorption is maximized, but the unit may be affected by temperature rise reducing its effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The sound absorption unit is positioned to have different thermal characteristics in different regions: the portion facing the bearing is designed to withstand higher temperatures, while the portion facing the optical space remains in a cooler environment. This local quality differentiation allows effective noise absorption without compromising the unit's performance due to temperature rise.
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 configuration effectively suppresses noise generation and temperature rises near the optical deflector, ensuring accurate beam paths and improved image formation by isolating heat and sound absorption frequencies, thereby maintaining desired sound absorption effects.
Implementation Method 1
a sound absorption unit with a Helmholtz resonator positioned opposite the exposed bearing
Implementation Method 2
allows external air cooling to prevent temperature rises
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a light source, an optical deflector, an optical deflector casing, a bearing, and a sound absorption unit. The optical deflector reflects and deflects an optical beam emitted from the light source, having a rotational reflection member disposed on a rotation shaft to perform optical scanning. The optical deflector casing seals a space in which the optical deflector. The bearing rotatably supports the rotation shaft of the rotational reflection member with respect to the optical deflector casing, and includes at least portion exposed to an external space outside the sealed space of the optical deflector casing. The sound absorption unit is disposed opposite the exposed portion of the bearing with the external space therebetween.