Conveyance Guide Member Segmentation for Jam Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, the limited space and small rotation range of the feeding guide portion make it difficult to recover jammed sheets, especially with the miniaturization of the apparatus, which complicates the usability of jam recovery in the sheet feeding portion.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a detachable conveyance guide member with supporting portions that allow for easy attachment and detachment, creating a wider access space for jammed sheet recovery by guiding the conveyance guide member out of the apparatus body, facilitating the extraction and reinstallation of the sheet feeding cassette and conveyance guide member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the feeding guide portion is rotated downward to enable jam recovery, then access to the conveyance path is improved, but the work space is narrowed near the pivot portion making it difficult to perform jammed sheet recovery
Solution Approach 1:
The feeding guide portion is divided into multiple segments that can be detached and removed separately. The guide member is split into a first guide member and a second guide member that can be independently handled, allowing the work space to be fully opened when the first guide member is removed for jam recovery.
Solution Approach 2:
The feeding guide portion is extracted from the apparatus body by allowing the sheet feeding cassette to be removed from the supporting portion. This complete extraction provides sufficient work space for easy jammed sheet recovery without the space constraints of a pivoting mechanism.
2Volume of moving object
If the apparatus is miniaturized to reduce size, then compactness is improved, but the space for mounting the sheet feeding cassette in the height direction is narrowed making it difficult to stretch a hand into the space
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting portion is designed with movable and detachable characteristics, allowing the sheet feeding cassette to be dynamically removed when jam recovery is needed. This dynamic configuration enables easy access to the conveyance path in a compact apparatus without requiring large fixed spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The feeding guide portion is segmented into detachable components that can be completely removed from the apparatus body. This segmentation allows the conveyance path to be fully accessible for jam recovery even when the apparatus is miniaturized, as the guide members can be taken out to create sufficient work space.
3Device complexity
If the feeding guide portion is fixed to maintain structural simplicity, then device complexity is reduced, but jam recovery becomes difficult when the cassette cannot be extracted
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting portion is designed with movable and detachable characteristics, allowing the sheet feeding cassette to be easily removed when jam recovery is needed. This dynamic configuration provides simple structural operation for maintenance while enabling complete access to the conveyance path.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting portion serves multiple functions: it supports the sheet feeding cassette during normal operation and allows complete removal of the cassette and guide members for jam recovery. This multi-functionality maintains structural simplicity while providing easy access for maintenance operations.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus capable of easily performing jammed sheet recovery in a sheet feeding portion is provided. Upper guide grooves that guide attachment and detachment of a conveyance guide member and lower guide grooves that guide attachment and detachment of a sheet feeding cassette are formed in supporting plates that are provided in attachment and detachment directions in an apparatus body to face each other. When jamming occurs, a space near the sheet feeding portion is secured by extracting the conveyance guide member from the apparatus body.