Power Switching Unit for Image Formers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses consume unnecessary power and generate noise as they simultaneously supply power to both the cassette and multipurpose tray, even when only one is in use.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a power switching unit that connects the power train to either the cassette feeder or the tray feeder based on the position of the multipurpose tray, ensuring power is only transmitted when needed, thereby preventing simultaneous feeding and reducing power consumption and noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If power is simultaneously supplied to both the cassette and multipurpose tray, then both feeders are ready to operate, but power is unnecessarily consumed and noise is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The power transmission system is made dynamic through the power switching unit, which automatically connects or disconnects power to the cassette feeder or multipurpose tray feeder based on the real-time operational state. When one feeder is active, power is dynamically switched away from the other, transforming a static always-on system into a dynamic conditional-power system that adapts to actual needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The unnecessary power supply to the idle feeder is extracted or removed from the system through the power switching unit, which physically disconnects power transmission to the non-operational feeder. This extraction eliminates wasted energy and noise while maintaining the capability to quickly restore power if needed.
2Reliability
If power is simultaneously supplied to both the cassette and multipurpose tray, then both feeders are ready to operate, but noise is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically controls power transmission to feeders based on operational requirements. The power switching unit responds to the operational state of one feeder by automatically adjusting power supply to the other, creating a dynamic noise-reduction mechanism that maintains reliability while minimizing acoustic disturbance.
Solution Approach 2:
Noise generation from the idle feeder is eliminated by extracting its power supply through the power switching unit. When one feeder is operational, power transmission to the other is physically removed, thereby removing the source of unnecessary noise while preserving the ability to quickly react if operational needs change.
3Use of energy by moving object
If a power switching unit is added to selectively transmit power, then power consumption and noise are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power switching unit serves as an intermediary component between the power source and the two feeders. This mediator intelligently directs power flow based on operational state, adding minimal complexity while achieving significant energy and noise reduction. The intermediary automatically makes decisions without requiring complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The power switching unit operates autonomously based on the operational state of the feeders, essentially self-managing the power distribution without requiring external complex control. The system self-regulates power supply by detecting which feeder is active and automatically switching power away from the idle one, reducing complexity through self-service operation.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a tray feeder to feed a printing medium placed on a tray of the image forming apparatus to an image former of the image forming apparatus, the tray moveable to be in a first position and a second position, a cassette feeder to feed a printing medium placed in a cassette of the image forming apparatus to the image former, a power train to transmit power generated from a driving motor, and a power switching unit to switch the power transmitted from the power train.