Continuous Form Paper Displacement Guide for Image Holding Unit Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses risk damaging the image holding unit when continuous form paper is displaced during image forming operation stoppage, as it may come into contact with the surface of the image holding unit without proper protection.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a displacement unit that moves the continuous form paper closer to the image holding unit and a contact portion that contacts the paper from the downstream side, preventing direct contact with the image holding unit, and utilizing a guide unit with contact rolls to manage the paper's displacement and prevent contact with the intermediate transfer belt.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the continuous form paper is displaced closer to the image holding unit when the transfer unit separates, then the paper can be properly positioned and guided, but the paper may come into contact with the image holding unit surface causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
A contact portion is introduced as an intermediary element between the continuous form paper and the image holding unit. This contact portion receives the paper from the displacement unit and guides it, preventing direct contact between the paper and the image holding unit surface, thus avoiding surface damage while maintaining proper paper positioning
Solution Approach 2:
The contact portion is positioned to contact the continuous form paper before the paper reaches the image holding unit. This preliminary action of contacting and guiding the paper prevents potential damage by ensuring the paper is properly positioned and controlled before it could possibly contact the image holding unit surface
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes: a transfer unit that faces an image holding unit and is configured to come into contact with and separate from the image holding unit with a continuous form paper continuous in a transport direction interposed between the transfer unit and the image holding unit and to transfer an image held by the image holding unit onto the continuous form paper; a displacement unit that displaces the continuous form paper to a position closer to the image holding unit when the transfer unit separates from the image holding unit; and a contact portion that contacts the continuous form paper from a downstream side in a displacement direction before the continuous form paper displaced by the displacement unit contacts the image holding unit.