Shared Cartridge Cooling Duct for Compact Image-Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses face challenges in reducing size and cost due to the need for multiple air passages and ducts for cooling multiple color cartridges, leading to poor air flow and increased space requirements.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a duct system that guides air from a fan to a predetermined cartridge, utilizing a first direction discharge towards the top surface and a second direction along the rotational axis, with air collisions above the top surface to enhance cooling efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If independent air passages are provided for each of the four color cartridges, then cooling effect is ensured, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the air passage functions by providing a single common air passage that serves all four color cartridges instead of four separate air passages. The duct includes a main passage and multiple branch passages that distribute cooling air to each cartridge, reducing structural complexity while maintaining effective cooling for all cartridges.
Solution Approach 2:
The duct is segmented into a main passage and multiple branch passages, where the main passage distributes air to different regions and branch passages deliver air to specific cartridges. This segmentation allows efficient air distribution to multiple cartridges through a single integrated structure.
2Volume of moving object
If the duct cross-sectional area is reduced to minimize size, then apparatus size is reduced, but air flow performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the duct cross-sectional shape by making the width greater than the height, creating a horizontally elongated passage. This dimensional optimization allows sufficient air flow capacity while minimizing the vertical space occupied by the duct, effectively reducing apparatus size without compromising air flow performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The duct cross-section is designed with non-uniform dimensions, where the width is specifically made larger than the height to optimize air flow characteristics. This local quality adjustment ensures adequate air flow speed and cooling efficiency while minimizing the overall duct volume and apparatus footprint.
3Temperature
If four separate ducts are provided for each cartridge, then each cartridge can be cooled independently, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines four separate duct requirements into a single integrated duct structure with a main passage and branch passages. This merging reduces the total number of duct components from four to one, significantly reducing manufacturing cost, assembly complexity, and material usage while still providing independent cooling capability to each cartridge through the branch passage configuration.
4Device complexity
If a single air passage is shared among multiple cartridges, then device complexity is reduced, but cooling effectiveness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The single air passage is segmented into a main passage and multiple branch passages, where the main passage handles bulk air flow and branch passages deliver air to specific cartridges. This segmentation maintains cooling effectiveness by providing dedicated air delivery paths to each cartridge while keeping the overall structure simple and integrated.
Solution Approach 2:
The duct design provides excessive cooling capacity by directing air flow to the cartridge closest to the fixing device (yellow cartridge) through a dedicated branch passage, while also serving other cartridges. This partial focus on the most critical cooling location ensures effective temperature control without requiring fully independent ducts for all cartridges.
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 cools multiple cartridges while reducing the overall size and cost of the apparatus by optimizing air flow and minimizing the need for additional ducts.
Implementation Method 1
the temperature of the cartridge must be prevented from rising too high by blowing air on the cartridge
Implementation Method 2
the air discharged from the first part and the air discharged from the second part collide with each other above the top surface
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of cartridges, a fixing device, a fan and a duct. The duct guides air supplied from the fan to a predetermined cartridge closest to the fixing device of the plurality of cartridges. At one end side of the predetermined cartridge in the rotational axis direction, the duct includes a first part for discharging the air supplied from the fan in a first direction toward downward from upward to a top surface of the cartridge, and a second part for discharging the air supplied from the fan, above the top surface in a second direction along a rotational axis direction of a photosensitive member. The air discharged from the first part and the air discharged from the second part collide with each other above the top surface.