Optical Scanner Housing Dustproof Structure for Wire Harness Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in preventing dust from entering the optical scanning unit, particularly through the wiring path of the wire harness, which is not adequately addressed by existing dustproof structures.
Innovation Solution
A dustproof structure is implemented for the wiring path of the wire harness using a protruding inner frame portion and a protruding outer frame portion that surround the connector opening, with a recessed inner frame portion and a groove-shaped wiring portion to minimize air passage, without the use of elastic members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a gap between main housing and cover portion is sealed with an elastic member, then dust-proofing is improved, but device complexity and vibration transmission increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the elastic member from the dustproof structure, extracting the problematic component that caused vibration transmission. Instead, it uses a dustproof portion formed by the cover portion itself, which eliminates the need for additional sealing elements while maintaining dust-proofing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover portion is designed to serve multiple functions: it closes the opening of the main housing, provides structural support, and forms the dustproof portion itself. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate elastic sealing members while maintaining both structural integrity and dust-proofing capabilities.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a dustproof structure with elastic members is used, then dust entry is prevented, but vibration transmission to optical components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the elastic member that transmitted vibrations to the optical scanning unit. By forming the dustproof portion directly from the cover portion using rigid structures (protruding and recessed portions), it prevents dust entry without the vibration transmission issue caused by elastic materials.
3Ease of operation
If wire harness is routed through the optical scanning unit housing, then electrical connection is achieved, but dust entry paths are created
Solution Approach 1:
The dustproof portion acts as an intermediary structure that allows the wire harness to pass through while preventing dust entry. The groove-shaped dustproof portion guides the wire harness through a controlled path, and the covering portion seals around it, creating a barrier against dust while maintaining electrical connectivity.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple separate components are used for dustproofing, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple dustproofing functions into a single integrated cover portion structure. The protruding and recessed portions are formed as part of the same molded component, eliminating the need for multiple separate sealing elements and simplifying manufacturing while maintaining effective dust sealing.
Data Source
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AI summary
A cover portion (102) closes a first opening (101a) of a main box portion (101). A second opening (503) is formed in a unit housing (50) of the optical scanning unit (5) to externally expose a connector (520) mounted on an electronic board (52). The unit housing (50) has a protruding inner frame portion (501) and a wiring portion (504). The protruding inner frame portion (501) protrudes from an outer surface of the unit housing (50) and surrounds the second opening (503). The cover portion (102) has a protruding outer frame portion (103) that protrudes from an inner surface of the cover portion (102) and surrounds the protruding inner frame portion (501). A top portion of the protruding inner frame portion (501) is formed along an inner-side portion of the protruding outer frame portion (103) on an inner surface of the cover portion (102). A top portion of the protruding outer frame portion (103) is formed along an outer-side portion of the protruding inner frame portion (501) on the outer surface of the unit housing (50).