Sub-Board DC-DC Backup for Image Forming Power Supply Failures
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Solution Overview
Problem
The replacement of a DC-DC converter on the main board of an image forming apparatus is cumbersome and prone to causing malfunctions due to the need to disconnect and reconnect numerous harnesses, posing high operational difficulties.
Innovation Solution
An image forming system with a sub board equipped with a sub DC-DC converter that can be connected to the main board via connectors, allowing the system to automatically switch between the main and sub DC-DC converters for voltage supply, ensuring continuous operation without replacing the main board.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the main board is replaced when the DC-DC converter fails, then the system can be restored to work, but the operational difficulty increases due to the need to disconnect and reconnect numerous harnesses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the DC-DC converter function into two separate boards: the main board and the sub board. The sub board can be independently installed or removed without affecting the main board, allowing the DC-DC converter to be replaced as a separate component rather than replacing the entire main board. This segmentation reduces the complexity of maintenance operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The DC-DC converter is extracted from the main board and placed on a separate sub board. This extraction allows the converter to be replaced independently without disconnecting harnesses from the main board, thereby reducing operational difficulty during maintenance while ensuring system restoration.
2Reliability
If the main board is replaced when the DC-DC converter fails, then the system can be restored to work, but the risk of causing other malfunctions increases due to harness disconnection and connection
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the DC-DC converter into a separate sub board, the patent isolates the converter from the main board. This isolation ensures that replacing the converter does not require disconnecting or reconnecting harnesses to the main board, thereby eliminating the risk of causing other malfunctions during the replacement process.
Solution Approach 2:
The DC-DC converter is extracted from the main board assembly and placed on a separate sub board. This extraction allows the converter to be replaced without touching the harnesses connected to the main board, thereby preventing any potential side effect malfunctions that could arise from improper connection during replacement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a sub board with sub DC-DC converter is added, then the system can switch between main and sub converters, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sub board is designed with multi-functionality: it contains a sub DC-DC converter for voltage conversion, a sub connector for electrical connection to the main board, and a switch for selecting between main and sub converters. This integration of multiple functions into a single sub board reduces the overall system complexity compared to having separate components for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the DC-DC conversion function and the switching control function into the sub board. The sub board combines the sub DC-DC converter, sub connector, and switch into a single integrated unit, which simplifies the system structure by reducing the number of separate components needed for voltage conversion and switching operations.
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
Enables voltage supply to the image forming apparatus without replacing the main board, simplifying maintenance and reducing the risk of malfunctions during converter replacement.
Implementation Method 1
an AC-DC converter configured to convert an alternating-current (AC) voltage from a power supply into a direct-current (DC) voltage
Implementation Method 2
a main DC-DC converter configured to convert the DC voltage from the AC-DC converter into a first DC voltage for driving the circuit element
Implementation Method 3
a sub DC-DC converter configured to convert the DC voltage from the AC-DC converter into a second DC voltage for driving the circuit element
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming system includes an image forming apparatus including an AC-DC converter and a main board, and a sub board having a sub connector connectable with a main connector of the main board. When the sub board is not connected with the main board, a main DC-DC converter on the main board converts a DC voltage from the AC-DC converter into a first DC voltage and output the first DC voltage to a circuit element for image formation. When the sub board is connected with the main board, the AC-DC converter outputs the DC voltage to a sub DC-DC converter on the sub board via the main connector and the sub connector, and the sub DC-DC converter converts the DC voltage from the AC-DC converter into a second DC voltage and output the second DC voltage to the circuit element via the sub connector and the main connector.