Ventilation Duct Structural Frame Integration for Toner Adhesion
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, the temperature increase in powder conveyance units leads to toner adhesion, which is not effectively addressed by existing cooling methods, resulting in inefficiencies and potential maintenance issues.
Innovation Solution
A ventilation duct system comprising multiple interconnected ducts and a fan is used to actively cool the powder conveyance units by guiding outside air through the system to exhaust ports, with a structural frame integrated into the ducts to reduce size and cost, and a temperature sensor to control the cooling process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a ventilation duct system with multiple interconnected ducts is used to cool the powder conveyance units, then the cooling efficiency is improved, but the device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple ducts into an integrated ventilation duct system where ducts are connected to each other to form a unified cooling network. This merging approach improves cooling efficiency by creating a more comprehensive air flow path while managing the complexity through systematic integration rather than separate independent components
Solution Approach 2:
The ventilation duct system is designed to serve multiple cooling zones within the image forming apparatus through a single integrated structure. The interconnected ducts distribute cooled air to different powder conveyance units, allowing one system to perform multiple cooling functions simultaneously, thereby improving temperature control without proportionally increasing device complexity
2Ease of manufacture
If the structural frame is integrated into the ducts to reduce size and cost, then the manufacturing cost and device size are reduced, but the structural integrity and cooling effectiveness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the structural frame with the duct system, where the frame itself serves as part of the duct structure. This integration eliminates the need for separate structural supports and duct components, reducing manufacturing cost and device size while maintaining structural integrity through the unified design that is engineered to bear both structural and functional loads
3Device complexity
If existing cooling methods are used for powder conveyance units, then the device structure remains simple, but toner adhesion occurs due to insufficient cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a ventilation duct system as an intermediary cooling mechanism between the heat source (powder conveyance units) and the external environment. This intermediary structure channels cooled air directly to the powder conveyance units, effectively preventing toner adhesion by maintaining appropriate temperature levels without requiring overly complex cooling technologies
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 prevents toner adhesion by maintaining optimal temperatures in the powder conveyance units, enhancing cooling efficiency and reducing maintenance needs while minimizing the apparatus's size and cost.
Implementation Method 1
air is taken in from outside of the image forming apparatus to inside of the image forming apparatus by a fan, and the taken-in air flows through a duct and is blown from an exhaust port toward a powder conveyance unit
Implementation Method 2
the ventilation duct is configured to guide air sucked from outside of the body through an intake of the body to an exhaust port to blow the air to the object to be cooled
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a body, an object to be cooled, a unit, a structural frame, and a ventilation duct. The unit is disposed detachably from the body of the apparatus. The structural frame constitutes a part of the body or the unit. The ventilation duct includes a plurality of ducts connected to each other. The ventilation duct is configured to guide air sucked from outside of the body through an intake of the body to an exhaust port to blow the air to the object to be cooled. The structural frame includes a part of at least one of the plurality of ducts.