Printer Tray Liquid Barrier via Feed Path Through Holes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laser printers are vulnerable to electrical shorts and malfunction when liquids spill onto the image forming apparatus, potentially wetting the process cartridge and fixing unit.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a tray member with a communication opening between the image forming unit and the fixing unit, featuring a first feed path forming member with through holes that guide liquids away from these critical components, ensuring they remain dry even if liquid spills on the upper portion of the printer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the process cartridge and fixing unit are disposed in the main body, then image forming function is achieved, but vulnerability to liquid damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The main body is divided into multiple chambers by partition walls, creating separate feed paths for different media. The first feed path forms a liquid barrier between the ejection portion and the image forming units, segmenting the internal space to prevent liquid penetration while maintaining functional integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The first feed path forming member acts as an intermediary structure that provides both media transport function and liquid barrier function. It includes through holes for media passage while maintaining structural continuity that blocks liquid infiltration, serving as a mediator between the ejection portion and image forming units.
2Reliability
If a tray member with communication opening is added, then liquid protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first feed path forming member performs multiple functions: it forms the feed path for transferring members, provides structural support, and acts as a liquid barrier through its partition wall configuration. The partition wall with controlled openings serves both as a structural element and a protective barrier, reducing the need for additional separate protective components.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective barrier function is merged with the feed path structure itself. The partition wall forming the first feed path is integrated with the main body structure, combining the functions of media transport and liquid protection into a single structural element rather than adding separate protective barriers.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a main body, an image forming unit, a fixing unit, a first feed path forming member, and an ejection portion. The first feed path forming member is disposed between the image forming unit and the fixing unit in the main body and forms a first feed path in which a transferring member is fed. The ejection portion includes a tray member disposed at an upper end portion of the main body and including a communication opening that provides communication between an inside and an outside of the main body. The communication opening is disposed between the image forming unit and the fixing unit in a plan view. The first feed path forming member includes a first through hole. The first through hole is open toward the communication opening and the communication opening is open toward the first through hole.