Sensor Cooling Duct for Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heat generated in the fixing portion of image forming apparatuses can cause sensors to malfunction, and existing solutions that blow air to cool the sensors may be insufficient due to air intake interference from external objects or walls.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a duct system that directs airflow from an air intake port on the upper surface to air blowing ports near the sensors, using an airflow generation portion to ensure effective cooling without interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If air is blown to the sensor to cool it, then the sensor temperature is reduced, but the airflow may be interfered by external objects or walls
Solution Approach 1:
A duct is introduced as an intermediary component to guide the airflow from the air intake port to the sensor. The duct ensures that the cooling airflow reaches the sensor effectively while being protected from interference by external objects or walls, thus resolving the contradiction between reducing sensor temperature and maintaining cooling reliability.
2Reliability
If a duct is introduced to guide airflow, then the cooling effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The duct system is segmented into distinct components: an air intake port, a duct body, and air blowing ports. This segmentation allows for modular design and easier manufacturing while maintaining the functionality of guiding airflow effectively to the sensor, thus balancing cooling effectiveness with device complexity.
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 effectively suppresses sensor malfunctions caused by heat from the fixing portion by ensuring uninterrupted airflow to the sensors, enhancing their operational reliability.
Implementation Method 1
The airflow generation portion generates airflow that moves in the duct from the air intake port to the air blowing port
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a transfer portion, a fixing portion, a sensor, a duct, and an airflow generation portion. The transfer portion transfers a toner image to a sheet. The fixing portion fixes the toner image transferred to the sheet by the transfer portion on the sheet. The sensor senses the sheet on a downstream side of the transfer portion in a conveyance direction of the sheet and an upstream side of the fixing portion in the conveyance direction. The duct extends from an air intake port to an air blowing port. The air intake port is open on an upper surface of the image forming apparatus. The air blowing port is open toward the sensor. The airflow generation portion generates airflow that moves in the duct from the air intake port to the air blowing port.