Vertical Wiring Unit Mounting in Separable Image Forming Frames

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Solution Overview

Problem

The assembly of wiring within image forming apparatuses is labor-intensive due to the need to maneuver around struts and stays, complicating the mounting of electrical components disposed on both the front and rear sides of the apparatus.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus is designed with separable structures and engagement grooves that allow wiring units to be mounted vertically between stacked frames, reducing the need to maneuver around internal components, thereby simplifying the wiring process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If wiring units are mounted within pre-assembled apparatus bodies, then assemblability and replaceability of electrical components are improved, but labor requirements increase due to maneuvering around struts and stays

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveassemblabilityVSAvoidworkability of wiring operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus body is divided into multiple separable frames stacked vertically. Each frame can be independently handled, and the wiring unit can be mounted on a specific frame without needing to maneuver around the entire assembled structure. This segmentation allows the wiring operation to be performed on a smaller, more manageable portion of the apparatus.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The wiring unit is designed to extend in the vertical direction between stacked frames rather than horizontally within a single frame. This dimensional change allows the wiring to be routed along the vertical axis where there is more space, avoiding the need to maneuver around struts and stays in the horizontal plane.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Area of stationary object

If electrical components are disposed on both front and rear sides of the apparatus, then spatial utilization is improved, but wiring complexity increases due to the need to route wiring through the apparatus body

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespatial utilizationVSAvoidwiring complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus is segmented into multiple frames with designated mounting areas. Electrical components on the front side can be connected to components on the rear side through the vertical stacking arrangement, where wiring can be routed along the frame boundaries rather than through the interior of the apparatus body.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of routing wiring horizontally through the interior of the apparatus body to connect front and rear components, the wiring is routed vertically along the stacked frames. This dimensional change provides a clearer path for wiring that avoids the complexity of maneuvering through the apparatus interior.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP4706975A1Image forming apparatus and method for manufacturing image forming apparatus
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 CANON KK
  • EP4706975A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4706975A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4706975A1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

An image forming apparatus configured to form an image on a recording material, the image forming apparatus includes a first casing including a first frame, a second casing including a second frame (121), the second casing being connected to the first casing and configured to be separable in a vertical direction from the first casing, and a wiring unit (203) including wiring (201) connected to an electrical component. The second frame (121) includes a mounting portion (1231, 1241) to which the wiring unit (203) is mounted. The mounting portion (1231, 1241) is provided with at least one opening on a side facing the first frame. The opening is at least partially covered by a part of the first frame in a state in which the first casing and the second casing are connected to each other.