Optical Sensor Housing Structure for Fast Substrate Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly and replacement of substrates in optical detecting apparatus and image forming apparatuses are inefficient due to the need for manual alignment and potential detachment during fastening, leading to reduced working efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The optical detecting apparatus and image forming apparatus incorporate a housing with an attachable portion that protrudes away from the substrate, featuring emitted-light and receiving-light guiding paths, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly of the substrate and housing without the need for manual alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the substrate and housing are bound to the fixture member by common fastening members, then the assembly is secure, but the working efficiency of assembly and replacement is reduced due to the need for manual alignment and potential detachment
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into a first housing portion and a second housing portion that can be separately assembled and disassembled from the substrate. This segmentation allows the substrate to be independently replaced without removing the entire housing assembly, improving maintenance efficiency while maintaining secure assembly through the fastening members that connect the housing portions to the substrate.
Solution Approach 2:
Positioning protrusions are provided on the housing portions that align with positioning recesses on the substrate before fastening. This preliminary positioning action ensures correct alignment is automatically achieved during assembly, eliminating the need for manual alignment operations and improving assembly efficiency while maintaining reliable positioning.
2Ease of repair
If the substrate is replaced by detaching fastening members, then component replacement is possible, but the substrate or housing may accidentally fall off during the process
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into two separable portions that can be independently removed from the substrate. This allows maintenance personnel to access and replace the substrate by removing only the necessary housing portion, improving ease of repair. The segmented design also allows the replaced substrate to be held securely during the replacement process, preventing accidental drops.
Solution Approach 2:
Positioning protrusions and recesses are designed to maintain alignment between the housing portion and substrate even during the disassembly process. This preliminary positioning structure ensures that components remain properly aligned and supported throughout the replacement operation, preventing accidental misalignment or dropping before the new component is secured.
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 enhances the efficiency of assembly and replacement processes by simplifying the alignment and detachment of components, improving overall working efficiency and reducing the risk of accidental component loss.
Implementation Method 1
a light emitter and a first light receiver are arranged on a substrate
Implementation Method 2
a sensor unit in an optical detecting apparatus to correct density and color misalignment of the toners
Data Source
AI summary
An optical detecting apparatus includes a substrate having a surface, on which a light emitter and a first light receiver are arranged, and a housing. The housing has a fixture surface, onto which the surface of the substrate is fixed, and an attachable surface on a side opposite to the fixture surface. The housing includes an emitted-light guiding path formed through the housing between the fixture surface and the attachable surface for light emitted from the light emitter to pass there-through and a first receiving-light guiding path formed through the housing between the fixture surface and the attachable surface for light to be received by the first light receiver to pass there-through. The housing includes an attachable portion formed on the attachable surface. The attachable portion protrudes in a direction to extend away from the substrate.