Sound Absorbing Material in Image Forming Discharge Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in reducing noise due to increased operating sounds, particularly in downsized designs where space for traditional sound absorbing units like Helmholtz resonators is limited, leading to restricted sound absorption capabilities.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a sound absorbing material covering through-holes in the discharge space components of the image forming apparatus, such as the in-body discharge cover and tray, to effectively reduce noise without increasing the apparatus's size by using a thinner sound absorbing sheet and strategically placing sound absorbing holes to maximize sound absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a Helmholtz resonator is used for sound absorption, then sound reduction is improved, but the apparatus size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a sound absorbing material with porous structure (foam material, glass wool, or mineral cotton) filled into the discharge space to absorb sound waves. The porous structure allows sound energy to be converted into thermal energy through friction, achieving sound reduction without requiring the bulky cavity structure of a Helmholtz resonator.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the sound absorption function from the traditional Helmholtz resonator structure and applies it directly to the discharge space by filling sound absorbing material. This removes the need for separate resonator components and integrates sound absorption into the existing discharge space structure, thereby reducing overall apparatus size.
2Volume of moving object
If the cavity portion size is reduced for downsizing, then apparatus size is reduced, but the number of sound absorbing holes is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional approach of using discrete holes with a continuous porous sound absorbing material. The porous structure provides numerous small pores throughout the material volume, effectively increasing the sound absorption surface area without requiring large individual holes or extensive cavity space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite sound absorbing materials (foam materials, glass wool, or mineral cotton) that combine multiple properties: porosity for sound absorption, flexibility for easy installation in tight spaces, and durability for long-term performance. These composite materials achieve effective sound absorption in compact forms.
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 significantly reduces noise output from the image forming apparatus while maintaining a compact design, converting sound energy into thermal energy through the sound absorbing material, thus achieving effective sound reduction without the need for larger sound absorbing units.
Implementation Method 1
converting sound energy into thermal energy through the sound absorbing material
Implementation Method 2
The sound absorbing material is formed of a porous material such as a foam material, glass wool, or mineral cotton
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion, a discharge port configured to discharge a recording medium on which the image is formed by the image forming portion, a wall portion in which the discharge port is provided, a bottom portion on which the recording medium is to be stacked, an upper portion opposed to the bottom portion, a side portion provided along a discharge direction of the recording medium, a discharge space defined by at least the wall portion, the bottom portion, the upper portion, and the side portion, and accommodating the recording medium discharged from the discharge port a plurality of through-holes provided in any portion or portions of at least the wall portion, the bottom portion, the upper portion, and the side portion, and a sound absorbing material covering the plurality of through-holes on a side opposite to the discharge space.