Belt-Type Sheet Conveying Device for Rigid Media
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet conveying devices in image forming apparatuses face challenges in reliably conveying highly rigid sheets like cardboard recording paper or envelopes due to high resistance and frequent paper jams, especially when using curved conveying paths with small curvature radii, which can cause bending issues and conveyance failures.
Innovation Solution
A sheet conveying device with a belt-type conveying unit that includes a conveyor belt and rotary pulleys, where the conveyor belt is disposed along the outer side of the conveying path, providing a propelling force to guide the sheet and reduce resistance by actively engaging the leading edge, and a regulation member to prevent belt deviation during paper jams, ensuring stable sheet conveyance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a curved conveying path with small curvature radius is used to reduce space, then the device size is reduced, but highly rigid sheets experience high resistance and paper jams
Solution Approach 1:
The conveying path is divided into multiple sections with different curvature radii. The first section has a smaller curvature radius to save space, while the second section has a larger curvature radius to reduce resistance for highly rigid sheets. This segmentation allows the device to maintain compact size while ensuring reliable conveyance of rigid sheets through the gentler second section.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the conveying path are given different local properties - specifically different curvature radii. The first section uses small curvature radius for compactness, while the second section uses large curvature radius to reduce resistance. This local differentiation allows each section to optimize for its specific function while solving the overall contradiction.
2Reliability
If guide members are added to reduce resistance for highly rigid sheets, then conveyance reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second conveying section serves multiple functions: it acts as both a conveying path and a resistance-reducing mechanism for highly rigid sheets. By designing this section with larger curvature radius, it simultaneously guides sheets and reduces bending resistance, eliminating the need for separate complex guiding members while improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveying system uses sections with different curvature radii to dynamically adapt to different sheet types. The transition from small to large curvature radius sections creates varying resistance levels that automatically accommodate rigid sheets without requiring active control or complex guiding mechanisms, thus maintaining simplicity while improving reliability.
3Volume of moving object
If the conveying path bends sharply to save space, then the device remains compact, but sheet bending and conveyance failure occur
Solution Approach 1:
The conveying path is segmented into a first section with small curvature radius for compactness and a second section with large curvature radius for sheet stability. This segmentation allows the path to bend sharply in the first section without causing sheet failure, as the second section provides a gentler transition that preserves sheet structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the conveying path have different local curvature properties. The first section accepts sharp bends for space savings, while the second section provides gentle curvature to maintain sheet stability. This local quality differentiation ensures that space efficiency and sheet integrity are both achieved in different locations.
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 conveyance resistance and prevents paper jams, enabling reliable conveyance of highly rigid sheets without the need for complex guiding members, maintaining a compact and cost-effective device configuration.
Implementation Method 1
the conveyor belt is disposed along the outer side of the conveying path, providing a propelling force to guide the sheet and reduce resistance by actively engaging the leading edge
Implementation Method 2
A sheet conveying device with a belt-type conveying unit that includes a conveyor belt and rotary pulleys
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet conveying device, that can be included in an image forming apparatus, includes a first conveying unit to convey a sheet in a first sheet conveying direction, a second conveying unit including a sheet holding section to hold and transfer the sheet in a second sheet conveying direction, a sheet conveying path provided between the first conveying unit and the second conveying unit, a belt-type sheet conveying unit including a belt and first and second rotary belt holding members, a shaft holding member to hold the first and second rotary belt holding members to be spaced at a given constant interval, and a regulation member to regulate a movement of the belt in the sheet width direction.