Optical Sensor Fixing Portion Asymmetry Prevents Misassembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing image forming apparatuses face issues with incorrect orientation of the optical sensor during assembly, leading to malfunction and erroneous detection due to the lack of clear positioning mechanisms, which results in reduced productivity and increased rework.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus incorporates a fixing portion with specific screw holes and a support structure that includes an extension portion and a through-hole configuration, where the connector is offset to prevent incorrect orientation by interfering with the connector when the optical sensor is placed incorrectly, ensuring proper alignment and fixing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the circuit board is fixed with two screws at both end portions, then the fixing is simple, but misassembling in incorrect orientation may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is positioned asymmetrically on the circuit board, offset from the center between the two positioning holes toward one of the holes. This asymmetric positioning creates an interference relationship with the extension portion of the fixing portion, allowing the system to maintain simple two-screw fixing while preventing misassembling in incorrect orientation. When the circuit board is correctly oriented, the connector aligns with the through-hole without interference. When incorrectly oriented, the connector interferes with the extension portion, blocking incorrect assembly.
2Device complexity
If the connector is positioned at the center between positioning holes, then the layout is symmetric, but incorrect orientation cannot be prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is deliberately positioned asymmetrically, offset from the center between the two positioning holes. This breaks the symmetry that would otherwise allow misassembling, creating an interference relationship with the extension portion that prevents incorrect orientation while maintaining a relatively simple overall layout.
3Reliability
If the connector is offset from center toward one positioning hole, then incorrect orientation is prevented, but the layout becomes asymmetric
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is positioned asymmetrically on the circuit board, offset from the center between the two positioning holes toward one of the holes. This asymmetric positioning creates an interference relationship with the extension portion of the fixing portion, allowing the system to maintain simple two-screw fixing while preventing misassembling in incorrect orientation.
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 solution effectively prevents incorrect orientation of the optical sensor, thereby preventing malfunctions and erroneous detections, reducing rework time, and enhancing assembly productivity by ensuring accurate sensor placement.
Implementation Method 1
The light receiving element is configured to receive reflected light from the intermediate transfer belt, and the color misregistration detection pattern and the density detection pattern
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a fixing portion and an optical sensor having first and second positioning holes and a connector. The fixing portion includes first and second screw holes, a through-hole, and an extension portion. If the optical sensor is placed on the fixing portion in a first orientation where the first positioning hole is aligned with the first screw hole and the second positioning hole is aligned with the second screw hole, the connector is inserted into the through-hole without interfering with the extension portion so that screws fix the optical sensor. If the optical sensor is placed on the fixing portion in a second orientation where the first positioning hole is aligned with the second screw hole and the second positioning hole is aligned with the first screw hole, the connector interferes with the extension portion so that the connector is not inserted into the through-hole.