Image Forming Apparatus With Segmented Pillar Unit Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
The limited space within the frame body of industrial image forming apparatuses, such as ink jet printers, leads to interference between units and pillars, making maintenance difficult, and enlarging the apparatus to accommodate units results in increased size.
Innovation Solution
The frame body is designed with first and second pillars that allow units to be detached by moving along a direction crossing the vertical axis, with the second pillar having a discontinuous section for unit passage, and reinforced by an attachable and detachable member to maintain structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the frame body is enlarged to increase the space for providing units, then the units can be disposed without interference with pillars, but the size of the image forming apparatus becomes larger
Solution Approach 1:
The second pillar is divided into two separate portions (lower pillar portion and upper pillar portion) with a gap between them. This segmentation allows the unit to pass through the pillar region during detachment without requiring lateral space expansion, while the pillar portions maintain structural support. The unit can be removed by moving it along the first direction through the gap created by the segmented pillar structure.
2Area of stationary object
If the units are disposed on the back side of the pillar of the frame body, then the space utilization is improved, but the units interfere with the pillar making maintenance difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The second pillar is segmented into lower and upper portions with a gap that allows the unit to pass through during maintenance operations. This enables the unit to be detached by moving it along the first direction without interference from the pillar, while still utilizing the back side space for unit placement. The segmented structure creates a passage route that facilitates easy unit removal and installation.
3Ease of operation
If the second pillar is made discontinuous to allow unit passage, then unit detachment is enabled, but the structural strength of the frame body may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The second pillar is divided into lower and upper portions that remain connected to the frame body at different heights, providing distributed structural support. The gap between portions is positioned to allow unit passage while the portions extend sufficiently to maintain frame rigidity.
Solution Approach 2:
The discontinuity is localized only in the second pillar where unit passage is required, while the first pillar remains continuous and other structural elements maintain full integrity. This localized modification minimizes the impact on overall structural strength while enabling unit detachability.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an image forming apparatus including a unit detachable from a frame body. The frame body has first and second pillars distanced from each other in a second direction. When the unit moves, a lower end of a passing portion of the unit passing a position of the second pillar passes at a first height, and an upper end of the passing portion passes at a second height. The second pillar includes a lower and an upper pillar portions. An upper end of the lower pillar portion of the second pillar is at a third height lower than the first height. A lower end of the upper pillar portion of the second pillar is at a fourth height higher than the second height. The first pillar includes a continuous portion between the first and the second heights.