Conveyance Belt Guide Motion at Joints to Prevent Paper Jams

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conveyance devices with conveyance belts having joints face challenges in maintaining a consistent distance between the conveyance belt surface and the guide, leading to potential paper jams or conveyance failures due to the non-uniform shape of the belt at the joint.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a conveyance device that includes a conveyance belt with a joint, a guide, and a rotator. The rotator contacts the conveyance surface, and the guide displaces perpendicular to the conveyance surface in conjunction with the rotator's displacement at the joint, allowing for a reduced distance between the belt surface and the guide.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the distance between the leading end of the guide and the surface of the conveyance belt is reduced to prevent sheet entry, then paper jam is prevented, but the sheet cannot be satisfactorily transferred between the guide and the conveyance belt

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevent paper jamVSAvoidsheet transfer
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The guide's movable design allows it to adjust its position dynamically. During normal operation when the joint is not present, the guide maintains a small distance to prevent sheet entry. When the joint approaches, the guide moves upward to accommodate the joint's protrusion, ensuring smooth sheet transfer without interference

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of repair

If the conveyance belt is made as an endless belt with a joint to facilitate replacement and maintenance, then component maintenance becomes easier, but the shape of the conveyance belt becomes non-uniform at the joint portion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebelt replacementVSAvoidbelt uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The joint portion is extracted as a separate, identifiable feature of the conveyance belt. By recognizing the joint as a distinct element with different shape characteristics, the system can specifically address it through the movable guide mechanism, allowing the belt to maintain its endless structure for easy replacement while accommodating the non-uniform joint shape

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4342679B1Conveyance device, drying device, image forming apparatus, and liquid discharge apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.04.16 RICOH CO LTD
  • EP4342679B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4342679B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP4342679B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A conveyance device (10) includes a conveyance member (18, 19), a guide (29), and a rotator (40A, 40B). The conveyance member (18, 19) has a conveyance surface with a joint, the conveyance member (18, 19) to convey an object to be conveyed, with the object on the conveyance surface. The guide (29) approaches the conveyance surface and guides the object from or to the conveyance member. The rotator (40A, 40B) contacts the conveyance surface (18a). The guide (29) displaces in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance surface, in conjunction with displacement of the rotator when the rotator contacts the joint.