Scanner Unit Vibration Rigidity via Integrated Tubular Support
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrophotographic image forming apparatuses face challenges in reducing vibration-induced blur and banding due to the complexity and cost of configurations aimed at improving vibration rigidity, which often require numerous components like elastic members and plate springs.
Innovation Solution
A simplified configuration for the scanner unit is achieved by using a tubular body with a support portion along the rotation axis of a photosensitive member, fixed side plates, and springs to securely mount the exposure device, enhancing vibration rigidity while reducing the number of components and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a hollow elastic member and a plate spring are used for the coupling portion between the main body frame and the scanner unit to reduce vibration propagation, then the vibration rigidity is improved, but the number of components increases and the configuration becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the coupling portion between the main body frame and scanner unit into a unified rigid structure, eliminating the need for separate hollow elastic members and plate springs. The coupling portion is formed as an integrated part of the main body frame that directly connects to the scanner unit, combining multiple functional elements into a single structural component that maintains vibration resistance while reducing complexity.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a hollow elastic member and a plate spring are used for the coupling portion between the main body frame and the scanner unit to reduce vibration propagation, then the vibration rigidity is improved, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling portion is designed as an integrated rigid structure formed as part of the main body frame, eliminating the need for separate expensive elastic members and plate springs. This integration reduces the total number of parts requiring manufacturing, assembly, and quality control, thereby lowering overall production costs while maintaining the necessary vibration resistance through the rigid connected structure.
3Manufacturing precision
If the scanner unit is made rigid to prevent vibration-induced image defects, then the image quality is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves the necessary rigidity for preventing vibration-induced image defects by integrating the scanner unit coupling into the main body frame as a unified rigid structure. This eliminates the need for multiple separate rigidifying components such as elastic members and plate springs, maintaining image quality through structural rigidity while avoiding the complexity of assembling multiple specialized components.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus to form an image on a recording material includes a photosensitive member, an exposure device to form a latent image on the photosensitive member, a tubular body defining a space in which at least a part of the exposure device is contained, and a support portion that supports the exposure device and is provided along a rotation axis direction of the photosensitive member in the space of the tubular body. The image forming apparatus further includes, in the rotation axis direction, a first side plate fixed to one end portion of the tubular body, and a second side plate fixed to another end portion of the tubular body. One support portion end portion in the rotation axis direction is fixed to the first side plate, and another support portion end portion in the rotation axis direction is fixed to the second side plate.