Electrophotography – Internal machine environment – Forced air circulation
Reexamination Certificate
2000-11-20
2002-07-09
Chen, Sophia S. (Department: 2852)
Electrophotography
Internal machine environment
Forced air circulation
C399S107000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06418282
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to fluid flow passages provided in a mechanical or electromechanical apparatus.
2. Description of Related Art
Many different devices, for example, computers, photocopiers, facsimile machines, telephones, printers, multifunction devices, and the like, circulate air or other ambient fluids or gases to vary the operating temperature of components in those devices and/or to remove contaminants. Typically, one or more individual fluid passages are found in such devices to bring the ambient fluids/gases to, and away from, various device components. The ambient fluid/gas provides cooling or provides heating to prevent condensation, and/or removes contaminants, such as moisture or toner particles. Often there are flow directing devices or structures, such as louvers or vanes, pipes or ducts associated with these fluid/gas passages, and blowers or compressors or accumulator tanks which may be connected to each individual fluid/gas passage for fluid transport.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Problems associated with such fluid/gas passages include finding room to fit the fluid/gas passages in the device without making access to the fluid/gas passages for servicing or repair difficult, and avoiding damaging the fluid/gas passages just in fitting the fluid/gas passages into the device. Also, in many such devices, since access to components is readily available to both users and technicians, safety concerns arise in case a fluid/gas passage breaks, or electrical components are accidentally contacted in the course of servicing or repair of the fluid/gas passages.
The invention is directed to a device which enables the movement of a fluid, especially air, throughout an electronic device, such as, for example, an image forming or similar device, using structural members of the device having one or more integral plenum chambers or fluid/gas passages. The structural member, which may be constructed in many ways, is cost effective, and will improve reliability throughout the electronic device, as well as reduce servicing costs. In one exemplary embodiment the structural member may be made using a blow molding process in which “tack-offs” are formed to define integral plenum chambers. In another exemplary embodiment, the structural member may be made using a thermoforming process in which ribs are formed in one structural member portion and the ribbed structural member is joined with another structural member portion, such as, for example, by any appropriate known of later developed joining technology, including, for example, adhesive joining, ultrasonic welding, and/or mechanical fastening, such as, for example, by using screws. In another exemplary embodiment, the structural member is made up of two or more portions using an injection molding process, and the structural member portions are joined together, such as, for example, by any appropriate known or later developed joining technology, including for example, adhesive joining, ultrasonic welding, and/or mechanical fastening, such as, for example, by using screws. The structural member may be used in the form of an inner or outer cover for a device such as a personal computer, photocopier, facsimile machine, printer, telephone or multifunction device. The integral construction increases the strength of the cover and provides a compact, efficient device for circulating air or other ambient fluids or gases for cooling, heating, cleaning, or the like, throughout an electronic device. A multifunction device is considered to be an electronic device which performs several different functions, such as photocopiers, printers, facsimile devices, voice telecommunication devices, and the like.
This invention provides one or more robust plenum fluid/gas passages integrated in structural members such as, for example, a cover of an image forming device, a computer, a printer, a facsimile machine, a multifunction device.
In various exemplary embodiments, the integrated plenum fluid/gas passages provide an ambient fluid, usually air, to and from the components of the device. In various exemplary embodiments the integrated plenum fluid/gas passages are typically used to cool components of the device or to remove contaminants from the device.
In various exemplary embodiments of the device, the structural member may also be employed as a safety barrier and may have other elements integrated into the structural member, such as, for example, a toner cover.
In one exemplary embodiment of the integrated fluid/gas passages of the invention, an exterior cover of an image forming device includes an integrally formed air supply/exhaust plenum duct.
In another exemplary embodiment of this invention, a multi-functional inner panel of an image forming device has an integrally formed air supply/exhaust plenum duct.
In another exemplary embodiment of this invention, an inner safety panel of an image forming device includes both toner dispenser bottle covers and an air supply/exhaust plenum duct formed in the inner safety panel.
These and other features and advantages of this invention are described in or are present from the following detailed description of various devices that incorporate various exemplary embodiments of the integrated fluid/gas passages according to this invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5424806 (1995-06-01), Siegel
patent: 5634176 (1997-05-01), Ayash et al.
Alexander, Jr. Robert H.
Ayash Karl B.
Hollar Thomas C.
Kaufman Randall E.
Koch Donald C.
Chen Sophia S.
Ngo Hoang
Oliff & Berridg,e PLC
Xerox Corporation
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