Wireless Antenna Support Structure for Impact-Resistant Printers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses with wireless communication substrates are vulnerable to external forces during transportation, leading to potential malfunctions due to direct transmission of impact to the wireless communication substrate when it is supported on an outer casing cover.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a support member with a housing support portion and an antenna support portion to securely position the wireless communication substrate and antenna, providing additional protection while maintaining good communication performance by positioning the substrate near the outside with minimal obstructions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the wireless communication substrate is disposed near the outside of the image forming apparatus to secure good communication performance, then wireless communication performance is improved, but the substrate becomes vulnerable to external forces during transportation
Solution Approach 1:
A support member is introduced as an intermediary component between the wireless communication substrate and the outer casing cover. This support member includes a housing support portion that contacts the outer casing cover and an antenna support portion that holds the wireless communication substrate, thereby mediating the transmission of external forces and protecting the substrate while maintaining its near-outer-position for good communication performance
2Device complexity
If the wireless communication substrate is directly supported on the outer casing cover, then the structure is simple, but impact forces are transmitted directly to the substrate causing malfunction risk
Solution Approach 1:
The support member integrates two functions: the housing support portion that supports the outer casing cover and the antenna support portion that holds the wireless communication substrate. By merging these support functions into a single component, the structure remains relatively simple while providing indirect support that protects the substrate from direct impact transmission
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes the following: an image forming portion; a first metal side plate and a second metal side plate provided opposite each other with respect to the image forming portion; an antenna for communicating with external equipment; a housing including a top cover that is provided above the first metal side plate and the second metal side plate in a vertical direction, and a side cover that is provided on an outer side opposite to an inner side where the image forming portion is provided with respect to the first metal side plate, wherein the image forming apparatus further includes a support member provided on the first metal side plate, the support member including a housing support portion that supports at least one of the top cover and the side cover, and an antenna support portion that supports the antenna.