Conveyance Guide Linkage for Printer Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses require complex operations to open and close intersecting conveyance guides for maintenance, increasing the number of steps and potential exposure of internal mechanisms during jam removal.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus incorporates a first guide member that rotates around a pivot parallel to the conveyance roller's axis and a second guide member that rotates around a pivot intersecting with the first, allowing the first guide member to open in conjunction with the second, reducing the number of operation steps needed to access both guide members for maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple guide members are opened separately for maintenance, then all internal mechanisms can be accessed, but the number of operation steps increases and internal mechanisms are exposed for longer periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the opening operations of multiple guide members into a single coordinated action. When one guide member is opened, the other guide members automatically open in conjunction, allowing all internal mechanisms to be accessed simultaneously through a single operation rather than multiple separate operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide members are pre-configured with linkage mechanisms that prepare them to open simultaneously. The mechanical connection between guide members is established in advance, so that when one is opened, the others automatically follow without requiring additional manual intervention.
2Ease of operation
If guide members are opened separately, then precise control over each guide is possible, but the complexity of operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control of multiple guide members into a unified operation system. By linking the guide members together, a single opening action controls all guide members simultaneously, reducing operational complexity while maintaining the ability to access all internal mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If guide members are opened independently, then selective access to specific regions is possible, but the number of operation steps increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the opening operations of multiple guide members into a single coordinated action. When one guide member is opened, the other guide members automatically open in conjunction, allowing all internal mechanisms to be accessed simultaneously through a single operation rather than multiple separate operations.
Data Source
AI summary
In an image forming apparatus, a conveyance section forms a conveyance path and conveys a sheet in a conveyance direction. The conveyance section includes a conveyance roller for rotating around a roller shaft extending in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction, and a guide member. The guide member includes a first guide member for rotating around a first axial line to open/close with respect to a first partial region of the conveyance path, and a second guide member for rotating around a second axial line to open/close with respect to a second partial region different from the first partial region. The first axial line extends in a direction parallel to a longitudinal direction of the roller shaft. The second axial line extends in a direction intersecting with the longitudinal direction. The first guide member opens in conjunction with an opening action of the second guide member.