Sensor Unit Duct Guide Portion Airflow Direction Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor units with more exhaust openings than intake openings face challenges in providing desirable airflow direction and quantity, leading to ineffective prevention of soiling on sensors, particularly in image forming apparatuses.
Innovation Solution
A sensor unit design featuring a duct system with a suction portion, multiple branch ducts, and guide portions that direct airflow to sensors, ensuring airflow aligns with the rotational direction of the intermediary transfer belt, and using rectifier plates to optimize airflow distribution across the detection surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple branch duct portions are provided to feed air to multiple sensors, then the number of exhaust openings exceeds the number of intake openings, but the airflow direction and quantity become difficult to control
Solution Approach 1:
The duct is segmented into multiple branch duct portions, each independently configured to direct airflow to specific sensors. This segmentation allows precise control of airflow direction and quantity to each sensor despite having multiple exhaust openings exceeding intake openings.
Solution Approach 2:
Each branch duct portion is designed with specific local characteristics (direction, angle, positioning) tailored to its target sensor's requirements. This local optimization ensures that each sensor receives airflow in the desirable direction and quantity needed for effective soiling prevention.
2Quantity of substance
If exhaust openings are positioned farther from the intake opening, then more sensors can be covered, but the airflow amount and direction become insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The branch duct portions are pre-configured with optimized geometry, angles, and positions before operation to ensure that airflow reaches distant sensors with sufficient quantity and proper direction. This preliminary design ensures effective soiling prevention even for sensors located far from the intake opening.
3Use of energy by moving object
If air is inducted from an external fan, then airflow can be generated, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The duct system is designed to utilize airflow already present in the image forming apparatus's main assembly, eliminating the need for external fans. The duct structure itself is optimized to efficiently distribute this existing airflow to multiple sensors through its branch portions.
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 design effectively prevents toner and contaminants from adhering to sensors, maintaining their accuracy and performance by ensuring a consistent and directed airflow, even with a greater number of exhaust openings than intake openings.
Implementation Method 1
a suction portion having a suction opening configured to take the air in
Implementation Method 2
said duct further including a guide portion provided in said second path portion and extended crossing with an extension of one of inner walls of said first path portion, said guide portion being capable of branching the air in said second path portion toward said discharge opening
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor unit includes a plurality of sensors configured to detect a toner image carried on an image bearing member, a duct including a suction portion, and a plurality of branch duct portions. The branch duct portions each includes a discharging portion having a discharge opening. At least one of the branch duct portions includes a first path for discharging air in a direction, and a second path connected with the first path at a downstream position to discharge the air in the direction. The sensor unit further includes a guide portion provided in the second path and extended crossing with an extension of one of inner walls of the first path, the guide portion being capable of branching the air in the second path toward the discharge opening.