Resin Frame Duct for Image Forming Apparatus Heat Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional metal frames in image forming apparatuses are costly and limit compactness and lightness, while resin frames require complex dies for molding, especially for large sizes, and lack effective heat transmission suppression between the fixing unit and image forming units.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a resin frame comprising a main frame and a separate fixing unit attachment frame, featuring a duct for air flow between units, simplifying the die structure and reducing heat transmission through shared resin material and duct design, including a box-like duct portion and rib for enhanced strength and heat dissipation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a resin frame is adopted for cost reduction, compactness and lightness, then production cost is reduced and weight is decreased, but a complicated die is needed for molding large-size frames
Solution Approach 1:
The resin frame is divided into a main frame and a separate fixing unit attachment frame. The main frame can be molded with a simpler die, while the fixing unit attachment frame is molded separately and then assembled to the main frame. This segmentation allows avoiding the need for a single complex large-size die, thereby reducing die preparation time and cost while maintaining the advantages of resin frames.
2Ease of manufacture
If a resin frame is adopted for cost reduction, compactness and lightness, then production cost is reduced and weight is decreased, but heat transmission from the fixing unit to the image forming unit is not suppressed
Solution Approach 1:
A duct is introduced as an intermediary structure between the fixing unit and the image forming unit. The duct allows air to flow through the space between these units, creating a thermal barrier that suppresses heat transmission from the fixing unit to the image forming unit. This mediator structure effectively blocks heat transfer while maintaining the resin frame's cost and weight advantages.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a duct is provided to suppress heat transmission, then heat transmission from fixing unit to image forming unit is reduced, but the die structure becomes more complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The duct structure is merged with the fixing unit attachment frame, forming an integrated component. By combining these two elements into a single molded part, the die structure remains relatively simple while still achieving the heat transmission suppression function. The duct portion is formed as an integral part of the attachment frame, eliminating the need for separate complex molding operations.
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
The solution simplifies the die structure for resin frames, reduces heat transmission, and enhances the strength of the fixing unit attachment frame, allowing for cost reduction and improved performance across various models and process speeds.
Implementation Method 1
a duct for allowing air to flow between the image forming unit and the fixing unit
Implementation Method 2
heat transmission from the fixing unit to the image forming unit can be suppressed
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus provided with a resin frame made of a resin, an image forming unit and a fixing unit includes a duct for allowing air to flow between the image forming unit and the fixing unit. The resin frame includes a main frame to which the image forming unit is attached, and a fixing unit attachment frame that is separate from the main frame and to which the fixing unit is attached, and the fixing unit attachment frame has a duct portion that constitutes at least one part of the duct.