Adjustable Nip Discharging Unit for Curl Prevention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing discharging units for image forming apparatuses struggle to accommodate varying thicknesses of printing media, leading to curling issues that can cause misalignment and jamming, as they fail to effectively adjust to different media thicknesses.
Innovation Solution
A discharging unit with adjustable nip size, featuring at least one elastic roller and a curl preventing roller, supported by a movable member with an elastic bias, and a power transmission system with gears or a belt-pulley, allowing for adjustment to accommodate different thicknesses and reduce curling by applying pressure in the opposite direction of the curl.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed nip structure is used between rollers, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different printing medium thicknesses deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the nip size adjustable rather than fixed. The supporting member is configured to move relative to the roller axis, allowing the nip distance to be dynamically changed. This enables the discharging unit to adapt to different printing medium thicknesses while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If heat and pressure are applied during image formation, then the image quality is improved, but the curling of the printing medium worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by configuring the discharging unit to apply a counter-curling force to the printing medium immediately upon discharge. The adjustable nip structure provides a controlled pressing action that counteracts the curling tendency caused by thermal deformation during image formation, preventing misalignment and jamming while maintaining image quality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the nip size is made adjustable to accommodate different thicknesses, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by designing the supporting member to be movable relative to the roller axis, enabling dynamic adjustment of the nip size. This allows the system to adapt to different printing medium thicknesses without requiring a complex multi-component adjustment mechanism, thus improving adaptability while controlling device complexity.
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 reduces curling and enhances the rectilinear property of printing media, preventing misalignment and jamming by accommodating various thicknesses and applying counter-curl pressure, ensuring smooth discharge and improved stacking alignment.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member configured to apply a bias against the supporting member towards the elastic roller
Data Source
AI summary
A discharging unit for discharging a printing medium from an image forming apparatus includes an elastic roller and a curl preventing roller to oppose each other in a pressing relationship forming a nip therebetween to reduce curling of a print medium passing through the nip. At least one of the elastic roller and the curl preventing roller is allowed to move towards or away from the other roller so that the nip can be adjusted to accommodate different thicknesses of varying types of printing medium.