Single Front Cover Structure for Cleaner Image Forming Equipment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses have multiple coverings that create numerous dividing lines in the up-down direction, which can make the exterior appear cluttered and complex.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a single front opening/closing covering that spans the entire left-right direction of the medium storage part, reducing the number of dividing lines and incorporating a heavier side opening/closing covering to minimize vibration during operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple coverings are used to cover the medium storage part, then the coverage and protection are improved, but the number of dividing lines in the up-down direction increases making the exterior cluttered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate coverings into a single integrated front opening/closing covering that covers the entire medium storage part from one end to the other end in the left-right direction. This merging eliminates the dividing lines between multiple coverings, reducing exterior complexity while maintaining complete coverage and protection of the medium storage part.
2Device complexity
If a single front opening/closing covering is used, then the exterior complexity is reduced, but the weight and potential vibration may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an opening/closing support member that enables the heavy front opening/closing covering to move smoothly between open and closed positions. This dynamic support mechanism compensates for the increased weight by providing mechanical assistance, reducing the effort required to operate the covering while maintaining the aesthetic benefit of a single-piece design.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the front opening/closing covering is made heavier, then the vibration during operation is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The opening/closing support member acts as an intermediary between the heavy front opening/closing covering and the user. It provides mechanical support and assistance during the opening and closing operations, enabling the heavy covering to be operated easily despite its weight, while the heavy construction continues to effectively reduce vibration during normal operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body having an image forming part that forms an image on a recording medium and a medium storage part in which a recording medium to be supplied to the image forming part is stored; and a front opening/closing covering that is an openable and closable covering that covers at least a part of the image forming part and a part of the medium storage part on a front face of the apparatus body, wherein the front opening/closing covering is constituted by a single opening/closing covering that covers at least a range from one end to the other end in a left-right direction of the part of the medium storage part in a left-right direction of the apparatus body.