Optical Print Head Wall Portion for Sealing Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical print heads in electrophotographic systems face challenges in preventing foreign matter, such as toner, from entering the space around the LED array and lens array, leading to reduced light quantity and insufficient sealability.
Innovation Solution
A configuration that includes a substrate with light emitting elements, a lens for condensing light on a photoreceptor, and a holding member with a moving mechanism, featuring a wall portion between the substrate end and attachment portion to apply a sealing material, which contacts the substrate and wall portion to prevent foreign matter entry and seal the gaps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sealing material is applied to the gap between the substrate and the holder to prevent foreign matter entry, then the sealability is improved, but the sealing material may flow into the LED array mounted on the substrate
Solution Approach 1:
A wall portion is introduced as an intermediary structure between the substrate end and the holder. This wall portion acts as a physical barrier that prevents the sealing material from flowing into the LED array while still allowing the sealing material to effectively seal the gap between the substrate and holder, thus resolving the contradiction between sealability and preventing material inflow
Solution Approach 2:
The space around the LED array is segmented by introducing a wall portion that divides the gap into separate regions. This segmentation creates a controlled path for the sealing material that prevents it from reaching the LED array while maintaining effective sealing at the substrate-holder interface
2Reliability
If shielding plates are disposed at both end portions of the base in the longitudinal direction without a gap, then foreign matter entry is prevented, but it is difficult to dispose the shielding plates without a gap between the base and the holder
Solution Approach 1:
The wall portion is merged with the holder structure, forming an integrated component. This merging eliminates the need for separate shielding plates and their complex disposal, while still achieving effective prevention of foreign matter entry through the wall portion's positioning between the substrate and holder
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 reduces foreign matter entry and prevents the sealing material from flowing into the LED array, enhancing sealability and maintaining light quantity, while also reducing the use of sealing material and manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a lens configured to condense light emitted from the light emitting elements on a photoreceptor
Data Source
AI summary
An optical print head includes a substrate on which a plurality of light emitting elements is mounted; a lens configured to condense light emitted from the light emitting elements on a photoreceptor; a holding member configured to hold the substrate and the lens; and an attachment portion configured to be provided on the holding member, provided outside an end portion of the substrate in a longitudinal direction of the substrate, and provided with a moving mechanism that moves the holding member to an exposure position at which the photoreceptor is exposed and a separation position at which the holding member is separated from the photoreceptor with respect to the exposure position. A wall portion is provided between the end portion of the substrate and the attachment portion in the longitudinal direction, and a sealing material is applied so as to be in contact with the substrate and the wall portion.