Sensor Placement for Accurate Ambient Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Image forming apparatuses struggle to accurately detect ambient temperature and humidity when installed adjacent to a wall surface due to insufficient air intake through the vent, affecting sensor accuracy.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus includes a housing with a vent on its side surface and a sensor positioned between the drawer and the side wall, allowing for accurate detection of ambient temperature and humidity by ensuring sufficient air intake through the vent, even when installed near a wall.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the sensor is arranged on the side surface of the housing, then the structure is simple, but the sensor cannot accurately detect ambient temperature and humidity when installed adjacent to a wall surface due to insufficient air intake

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor arrangement structureVSAvoidambient temperature and humidity detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor arrangement is moved from a two-dimensional surface mounting on the side wall to a three-dimensional position within the housing interior, specifically between the drawer and the second side wall. This spatial repositioning allows the sensor to access ambient air through the vent while being protected from wall proximity effects, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The vent on the second side wall serves as an intermediary element that introduces ambient air into the housing interior where the sensor is located. This intermediary structure enables the sensor to detect accurate ambient conditions even when the apparatus is installed close to a wall, as the vent ensures sufficient air intake path without requiring the sensor to be directly exposed on the outer surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the apparatus is installed adjacent to a wall surface, then space utilization is improved, but air intake through the vent becomes insufficient affecting sensor accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation flexibilityVSAvoidambient temperature and humidity detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

By positioning the sensor inside the housing rather than on the external surface, the system gains adaptability to various installation environments including wall-adjacent placements. The internal sensor position combined with the vent structure creates a three-dimensional air intake path that maintains measurement accuracy regardless of the apparatus's proximity to walls, enabling flexible installation without compromising detection precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If the vent is positioned on the side surface, then air intake is facilitated, but the sensor still cannot detect accurate ambient conditions when close to a wall

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair intake efficiencyVSAvoidambient condition detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The vent acts as an intermediary air intake structure that bridges the external environment and the internal sensor location. By positioning the sensor between the drawer and the second side wall rather than directly on the side surface, the vent effectively delivers ambient air to the sensor even when the apparatus is installed close to a wall, maintaining both air intake efficiency and detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 enables precise detection of ambient conditions, maintaining print quality by ensuring the sensors can effectively measure temperature and humidity, even when the apparatus is installed in close proximity to a wall.

Implementation Method 1

The sensor is configured to detect at least temperature or humidity of ambient air taken in through the vent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature detection:

Implementation Method 2

The sensor is configured to detect at least temperature or humidity of ambient air taken in through the vent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHumidity detection:

Data Source

PatentUS11467533B2Image forming apparatus

Publication Date: 2022.10.11 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

An image forming apparatus includes a housing, a drawer, an operation panel, and a sensor. The housing includes a first side wall having a first opening, and a second side wall having a vent and extending in a direction crossing the first side wall. The drawer supports a cartridge. The drawer is movable through the first opening between an inner position at which the drawer is accommodated in the housing and an outer position at which a part of the drawer is exposed to outside the housing. At least part of the operation panel protrudes from an outer surface of the second side wall. The sensor is arranged in the housing between the drawer and the second side wall. The sensor is configured to detect at least temperature or humidity of ambient air taken in through the vent.