Sheet Conveyance Apparatus Illumination for Jam Visibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

In image forming apparatuses, sheet jams often occur in dark areas, making it difficult for users to visually locate and remove jammed sheets due to backlighting from existing illumination setups, which can lead to incomplete or delayed jam removal.

Innovation Solution

A sheet conveyance apparatus with a light source and reflection unit is positioned to irradiate the conveyance path from a side to a back direction when the opening/closing member is open, providing improved visibility by reflecting light onto the path without backlighting, allowing for easier jam removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a lamp is disposed on the back side of the lower conveyance unit to illuminate the conveyance path, then the user can view the jammed sheet, but the backlighting causes the conveyance path on the back side to become dark and difficult to view

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveillumination of conveyance pathVSAvoidvisibility of conveyance path

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of placing the light source on the back side of the conveyance unit (conventional approach), the patent inverts the arrangement by positioning the light source on the front side of the conveyance unit. This inversion allows light to travel from front to back through the conveyance path, illuminating the entire path including the back side without creating backlighting effects that would make the path difficult to view.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the dimensional approach to illumination by using a reflection unit that redirects light at different angles. The reflection unit reflects light from the front-side light source toward the back side of the conveyance path, creating illumination from a different spatial dimension and ensuring the entire conveyance path is visible without backlighting issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Illumination intensity

If an illumination device is disposed on the back side of the door to illuminate the conveyance path, then the user can view the jammed sheet, but the backlighting causes the conveyance path on the back side to become dark

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveillumination of conveyance pathVSAvoidvisibility of conveyance path

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the inversion principle by positioning the illumination device on the front side of the door rather than the back side. This allows light to illuminate the conveyance path from front to back, eliminating the backlighting problem that occurs when the light source is on the back side.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a reflection unit as an intermediary element that mediates the light path. The reflection unit is positioned to reflect light from the front-side illumination device toward the back side of the conveyance path, ensuring proper illumination without direct backlighting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the processing device is disposed adjacent to the side surface of the image forming apparatus, then the image forming system is complete, but the processing device blocks external light when the door is opened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage forming system completenessVSAvoidvisibility of conveyance path

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a reflection unit as an intermediary to redirect light around the processing device. Since the processing device blocks external light when the door is opened, the reflection unit captures light from the illumination device and redirects it into the conveyance path area that would otherwise be in shadow, ensuring adequate illumination despite the processing device's presence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This configuration enhances visibility during sheet jam removal processes, enabling users to promptly and effectively address jams, reducing downtime and improving operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a reflection unit configured to reflect light from the light source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS12173886B2Sheet conveyance apparatus, image forming apparatus, and image forming system

Publication Date: 2024.12.24 CANON KK

AI summary

A sheet conveyance apparatus includes an apparatus body including a first guide configured to form a conveyance path along which a sheet to be conveyed is guided, an opening/closing member including a second guide disposed opposite the first guide and configured to form the conveyance path, the opening/closing member being openable and closable with respect to the apparatus body around a rotation axis, a light source configured to emit light, and a reflection unit configured to reflect light from the light source. The light source and the reflection unit are disposed such that, in an open state where the opening/closing member is open to expose the conveyance path, the first guide is irradiated, in a direction from a side farther from the rotation axis to a side closer to the rotation axis, with the light reflected by the reflection unit.