Wire Bundle Routing in Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses face challenges in maintaining compact size due to the increased number of electrical members and wire bundles required for power supply and signal transmission, leading to upsizing of the apparatus.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a relay unit to route wire bundles from electrical members positioned near the front surface to those near the rear surface, utilizing a rotation space within the housing to effectively manage the wire bundle routing without increasing the apparatus's size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If electrical members are connected with wire bundles in a space-saving manner, then the apparatus size is reduced, but the ease of operation for replacement and maintenance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The wire bundle is divided into multiple segments: a first wire bundle connecting the first electrical member to the relay unit, and a second wire bundle connecting the second electrical member to the relay unit. This segmentation allows independent access and replacement of electrical members without affecting the entire wire bundle routing, thereby improving maintenance ease while maintaining compact apparatus size.
Solution Approach 2:
A relay unit is introduced as an intermediary component between the first electrical member (disposed at the front surface) and the second electrical member (disposed at the rear surface). The relay unit serves as a connection point that enables flexible wire bundle routing through the rotation space, allowing compact apparatus design while facilitating easier access and maintenance of electrical members at different locations.
2Ease of repair
If electrical members are disposed in positions close to the front surface for easy access, then the ease of repair is improved, but the device complexity increases due to longer wire bundle routing
Solution Approach 1:
The wire bundles are routed through the rotation space, utilizing the vertical/dimensional space within the housing rather than only horizontal routing. The first wire bundle extends from the front surface toward the rear, and the second wire bundle extends from the rear surface toward the front, both utilizing the rotation space. This dimensional approach reduces wire bundle complexity while enabling easy access to electrical members at the front surface for repair purposes.
Data Source
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AI summary
An image forming apparatus can include an image forming unit, a conveyance unit, a housing, a first electrical member, a second electrical member, and a wire bundle, wherein a rotation space is left below a pre-image forming conveyance unit in the housing to enable the conveyance unit to be moved. The wire bundle can be routed from the rear to the front of the housing in a space below the conveyance unit in a separated position. A size of the space left in the housing can be changed according to the rotation space of the conveyance unit. The space in the housing, which includes a part of the rotation space preset in the housing for rotation of the conveyance unit, can be effectively used as a space for routing the wire bundle. Thus, the wire bundle is disposed without an increase in a size of the apparatus.