Bend Applier Wrinkle Generation for Sheet Feeding Reliability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses with a pickup-less structure often experience issues such as creases on sheets with small rigidity due to wave formation in the sheet separation nip region, and misfeeds caused by curled sheets or slip during sheet conveyance.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus incorporates a bend applier with an elastic leading end to generate wrinkles on the sheet in the sheet conveying direction before it enters the sheet separation nip region, and includes a curl correcting body to address curled sheets, thereby preventing creases and misfeeds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a pickup-less structure is used to reduce cost, then device complexity is reduced, but sheet feeding reliability deteriorates due to multifeed and misfeed issues
Solution Approach 1:
The bend applier performs preliminary action by bending the sheet in the sheet conveying direction before the sheet enters the sheet separation nip region. This preliminary bending prevents wave formation and ensures stable sheet conveyance through the separation nip, thereby improving sheet feeding reliability without adding a pickup roller.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state of the sheet by applying bending force to create wrinkles extending in the sheet conveying direction. This parameter change (from flat to bent) increases friction between the sheet and sheet feed roller, preventing slip and multifeed, thereby improving reliability while maintaining the simple pickup-less structure.
2Productivity
If sheets with small rigidity are conveyed through the sheet separation nip region, then sheet feeding is achieved, but creases are generated on the sheets
Solution Approach 1:
The bend applier performs preliminary bending of the sheet before it reaches the sheet separation nip region. This preliminary action controls the sheet's physical state, preventing wave formation that would otherwise cause creases when the sheet passes through the separation nip, thereby enabling sheet feeding without crease damage.
3Device complexity
If sheets are conveyed without bend control, then device complexity is reduced, but misfeed occurs due to slip during conveyance
Solution Approach 1:
The bend applier applies preliminary bending to the sheet before conveyance through the sheet separation nip region. This preliminary action creates friction between the sheet and rollers, preventing slip during conveyance and ensuring accurate sheet delivery, thereby improving conveyance accuracy without significantly increasing system 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 prevents creases on sheets with small rigidity and reduces misfeed occurrences by ensuring proper sheet alignment and reducing slip during conveyance, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of the image forming process.
Implementation Method 1
The bend applier has a leading end of an elastic material to contact the recording medium
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a sheet container accommodating a recording medium therein, a sheet separating feeder including a sheet feeding body and a sheet separating body, an image forming part, and a bend applier. The sheet feeding body feeds the recording medium along with a surface movement thereof while the recording medium contacting the surface thereof. The sheet separating body forms a sheet separation nip region with the sheet feeding body and sandwiches the recording medium in the sheet separation nip region. The sheet separating feeder separates and feeds the recording medium contacting the sheet feeding body. The image forming part forms an image on the recording medium. The bend applier having a leading end of an elastic material contacts and bends the recording medium before the sheet separation nip region and generates a wrinkle extending on the recording medium in a sheet conveying direction.