Conveyance Roller Bushing for Skew Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional support mechanisms for conveyance rollers in image forming apparatuses fail to position the rollers with high precision, leading to skewing and vibration issues during sheet conveyance.
Innovation Solution
A sheet conveying device with a pair of bearing portions on the guide surface, featuring a concave groove and a bush member that supports the shaft of the second conveyance roller, allowing precise positioning and reducing backlash, thereby minimizing skewing and vibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a conventional support mechanism is used for the conveyance roller, then the structure is simple, but the positioning precision is poor leading to skewing and vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The support mechanism is divided into separate functional components: a support member with a groove portion and a bush member. The groove portion provides positional constraint while the bush member provides rotational support, allowing each component to be optimized for its specific function and improving overall positioning precision without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The bush member acts as an intermediary element between the shaft and the support member. It fits into the groove portion and provides precise positioning while reducing friction and wear, thereby improving positioning precision without requiring a complex direct connection structure
2Manufacturing precision
If the conveyance roller is loosely supported, then the structure is simple, but skewing occurs during sheet conveyance
Solution Approach 1:
The support mechanism provides localized precision support at critical positions. The groove portion is specifically shaped to constrain the shaft's position, and the bush member is positioned to provide rotational support exactly where needed, ensuring conveyance precision without requiring complex support throughout the entire structure
Solution Approach 2:
The groove portion extends in the sheet conveyance direction, providing constraint not just in the radial direction but also in the axial direction. This multi-dimensional constraint prevents skewing during conveyance without requiring additional complex support structures
3Reliability
If a precise positioning mechanism is implemented, then skewing is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning and support functions are merged into a single integrated mechanism. The groove portion and bush member work together as a unified support structure that provides both precise positioning and reliable rotational support, improving conveyance reliability without requiring multiple separate mechanisms
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 enables precise positioning of the conveyance rollers, reducing skewing and vibration, and enhancing the conveyance efficiency of print sheets.
Implementation Method 1
The bush member is attached to the concave groove portion so as to be slidable in the groove depth direction and support the shaft
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet conveying device includes a first conveyance roller, a sheet conveyance path, a second conveyance roller, and a pair of bearing portions. The first conveyance roller is provided in an apparatus main body. The sheet conveyance path has a guide surface that guides a sheet member in a sheet conveyance direction. The second conveyance roller is rotatably attached to the guide surface via a shaft and abuts on the first conveyance roller by a predetermined pressing force. The bearing portions are provided on the guide surface and support the shaft. Each bearing portion includes a concave groove portion and a bush member. The concave groove portion is formed on the guide surface such that a groove depth direction is perpendicular to the guide surface. The bush member is attached to the concave groove portion so as to be slidable in the groove depth direction and support the shaft.