Protective Member Operation Information Presentation for Laser Printer Drums

Solution Overview

Problem

In tandem type color laser printers, presenting operation information without increasing the number of components or cost is challenging due to limited space within the main body casing and image forming unit, which can lead to erroneous user operations during drum or cartridge replacement.

Innovation Solution

An image forming apparatus with a photosensitive unit and a protective member featuring a covering plate with operation information and support parts that separate to protect the photosensitive members, allowing for wide-area information presentation without additional components, and a storing part for efficient management of the protective member.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If operation information is presented inside the main body casing or image forming unit, then user guidance is improved, but the available space for information presentation is insufficient due to various components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation information presentationVSAvoidavailable space

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The protective member is merged with the covering plate that includes the operation information written thereon. This combines the protective function and information presentation function into a single component, eliminating the need for separate information display components and utilizing the existing covering plate space for information presentation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The covering plate serves multiple functions: it protects the photosensitive members, provides a surface for writing operation information, and acts as a support structure. This multi-functionality allows the same component to fulfill both protective and informational roles without requiring additional dedicated components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Loss of information

If a separate member is arranged for operation information, then information presentation area is improved, but the number of components increases leading to higher cost and larger apparatus

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation information presentation areaVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective member is merged with the covering plate that includes the operation information written thereon. This combines the protective function and information presentation function into a single component, eliminating the need for separate information display components and utilizing the existing covering plate space for information presentation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The covering plate serves multiple functions: it protects the photosensitive members, provides a surface for writing operation information, and acts as a support structure. This multi-functionality allows the same component to fulfill both protective and informational roles without requiring additional dedicated components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the covering plate is attached directly to the photosensitive members, then protection is improved, but the photosensitive members cannot be properly exposed to light

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of photosensitive membersVSAvoidlight exposure to photosensitive members

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective member is segmented into a covering plate and support parts. The support parts are positioned to separate the covering plate from the photosensitive members, creating gaps that allow light to reach the photosensitive members while the covering plate remains in position for protection and information display.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support parts act as intermediaries between the covering plate and the photosensitive members. These support parts maintain the necessary separation distance to allow light exposure while still providing structural support for the covering plate, enabling both protection and functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8019253B2Image forming apparatus

Publication Date: 2011.09.13 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a casing, a photosensitive unit removably mountable in the casing, and a protective member. The photosensitive unit includes a plurality of photosensitive members. The protective member is removably attached to the photosensitive unit and includes: a covering plate which opposes the plurality of photosensitive members to cover the plurality of photosensitive members when protecting the photosensitive members; a written part arranged on the covering plate, and including operation information related to the image forming apparatus written thereon; and a support part which supports the photosensitive unit so that the photosensitive members and the covering plate are separated by an interval when protecting the photosensitive members.