Scanning Optical Device Vibration Isolation in Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing image forming apparatuses face a challenge in maintaining the accuracy of laser light emergence due to vibrations from operational components, which leads to poor image quality, as the scanning optical device's accuracy is compromised by the partition wall used to prevent toner adhesion.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a scanning optical device with a polygon motor unit and an emergence unit positioned on either side of a partition wall, with a gap between them, and includes an atmospheric pressure control unit to maintain higher pressure on one side, and an elastic member to seal the gap, along with an adjustment unit to optimize the position of the scanning optical device relative to the photosensitive drum.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a partition wall is disposed between the photosensitive drum and scanning optical device to prevent toner adhesion, then the scanning optical device is protected from toner staining, but the gap between them becomes large, causing the apparatus to become large
Solution Approach 1:
The scanning optical device is configured to project part of its structure to the side where the photosensitive drum is disposed from the partition wall. This spatial reconfiguration allows the device to maintain protective separation while reducing the overall gap distance, effectively solving the contradiction between protection and compactness through dimensional optimization
2Volume of moving object
If the scanning optical device projects to reduce the gap and miniaturize the apparatus, then the apparatus size is reduced, but vibration from operational components propagates through the partition wall, causing shifts in laser light rays and decreasing emergence accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
An elastic member is introduced as an intermediary element between the partition wall and the scanning optical device. This elastic member serves as a vibration-damping mediator that absorbs mechanical vibrations from the polygon motor unit, preventing them from propagating to the emergence unit and compromising laser light accuracy, while still allowing the compact projected configuration
3Volume of moving object
If the emergence unit abuts the partition wall to minimize space, then the apparatus is miniaturized, but vibration propagates through the partition wall to the emergence unit, causing shifts in laser light rays and poor image formation
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic member is positioned between the partition wall and the emergence unit to act as a vibration-isolating intermediary. This prevents vibration propagation from the polygon motor unit through the partition wall to the emergence unit, thereby maintaining accurate laser light emergence and high-quality image formation while preserving the miniaturized apparatus configuration
4Manufacturing precision
If a gap is provided between the partition wall and scanning optical device to reduce vibration propagation, then laser light emergence accuracy is improved, but the space to dispose the photosensitive drum and scanning optical device becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic member is strategically positioned only at the critical interface between the partition wall and scanning optical device components. This localized vibration isolation provides the necessary acoustic/structural quality to block vibration propagation while maintaining a minimized overall gap, thus resolving the contradiction between precision and compactness through targeted local modification
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
This configuration enhances the accuracy of laser light emergence by reducing vibration propagation and preventing toner adhesion, leading to improved image formation and miniaturization of the apparatus while maintaining design flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member which substantially seals the gap between the partition wall and the scanning optical device
Implementation Method 2
an atmospheric pressure control unit which makes atmospheric pressure in a space on the second side higher than atmospheric pressure in a space on the first side
Implementation Method 3
a polygon mirror which performs the scanning on the photosensitive drum with the laser light emitted from a light source
Implementation Method 4
an emergence unit from which the laser light emerges so that the photosensitive drum is irradiated with the laser light
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a scanning optical device which performs scanning on a photosensitive drum with laser light. The scanning optical device includes a polygon motor unit, an emergence unit and a projecting unit. The polygon motor unit includes a polygon mirror which performs the scanning on the photosensitive drum with the laser light emitted from a light source. The laser light emerges from the emergence unit so that the photosensitive drum is irradiated with the laser light. The projecting unit projects to a first side where the photosensitive drum is disposed from a partition wall. The polygon motor unit is disposed in the projecting unit. The emergence unit is disposed on a second side separated from the first side by the partition wall. A gap is provided between the partition wall and the scanning optical device.