Tapered Support Member Impact Absorption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional image forming apparatuses face issues with the support members breaking due to excessive impact forces when the cover member is opened to its maximum angle, leading to potential damage and reduced durability.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates flexible support members with wavelike portions and tapered structures that absorb and distribute the impact force, preventing breakage and ensuring long-term functionality by allowing the support members to maintain an impact absorption function.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the cover member is opened to its maximum angle, then the user can access the paper conveyance path for jam removal, but the support member experiences excessive impact force that causes breakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to paper conveyance pathVSAvoidsupport member durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The support member incorporates a wavelike portion that functions as a pre-designed cushioning structure. When the cover member opens to its maximum angle, the wavelike portion deforms to absorb impact force, preventing breakage of the support member while still allowing full access to the paper conveyance path for jam removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Strength

If the support member is made more rigid to prevent breakage, then durability improves, but the ability to absorb impact force decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport member durabilityVSAvoidimpact absorption function

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support member features non-uniform structural properties through the wavelike portion, which has reduced rigidity compared to other sections. This localized softness allows the support member to absorb impact forces effectively while maintaining overall structural integrity and durability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The wavelike portion changes the physical parameters of the support member by introducing geometric features that increase flexibility and impact absorption capability. The wave-shaped geometry allows controlled deformation under impact loads, enabling the support member to withstand repeated opening/closing cycles without breaking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If the support member structure is simplified, then manufacturing becomes easier, but the impact absorption capability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport member fabricationVSAvoidimpact absorption function

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support member incorporates a wavelike (curved) portion instead of a straight structure. This curved geometry is formed through standard molding processes and provides effective impact absorption while remaining compatible with conventional manufacturing methods, thus not significantly increasing manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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

The solution effectively attenuates the impact force on the support members, preventing breakage and ensuring reliable operation by distributing the stress and maintaining the impact absorption function, thus enhancing the durability and longevity of the image forming apparatus.

Implementation Method 1

flexible support members with wavelike portions and tapered structures that absorb and distribute the impact force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

tapered structures that absorb and distribute the impact force, preventing breakage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectStress distribution:

Data Source

PatentEP3032345B1Image forming apparatus

Publication Date: 2020.01.22 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC

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AI summary

The one end portion and the other end portion of the support member (30) have tapered portions (33), respectively, and thickness of each tapered portion is gradually reduced toward a center side from an end side of the support member (30) in a longitudinal direction.