Conveying Device Tension Control for Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in maintaining consistent tension force during medium conveyance due to varying types and shapes of media, leading to insufficient or excessive tension, which can cause skew and instability in the winding process.
Innovation Solution
A conveying device with a sheet conveyor and winder, controlled by circuitry that intermittently conveys the medium, applies tension, and loosens it by predetermined amounts based on the medium's width and outer winding diameter, ensuring a consistent tension force and preventing skew.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If constant tension is applied to the medium during conveyance, then the medium can be conveyed stably, but skew and instability occur during winding due to insufficient or excessive tension force
Solution Approach 1:
The winding motor is controlled to rotate in a periodic cycle consisting of three operations: (1) rotating in the normal direction to apply tension force, (2) stopping to maintain the applied tension, and (3) rotating in the reverse direction to release excess tension. This periodic action pattern allows the medium to be conveyed stably while preventing skew and instability during winding by dynamically adjusting tension throughout the conveyance cycle
2Ease of operation
If fixed tension control is used during medium conveyance, then the system is simple to operate, but the tension force becomes insufficient or excessive depending on the type of medium
Solution Approach 1:
The tension control system transitions from a fixed static value to a dynamic control mechanism that adjusts tension based on the conveyance state. The winding motor's rotational speed and direction are dynamically modified during the three-operation cycle, enabling the system to adapt to different medium types (such as flexible vs. rigid materials) while maintaining ease of operation through automated control
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the tension parameter dynamically during conveyance by varying the winding motor's rotational speed and direction. During the normal rotation operation, tension is applied; during the reverse rotation operation, tension is released. This parameter change allows the same system to handle different medium types appropriately without complex manual adjustment
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 solution enhances stable conveyance quality by maintaining appropriate tension and slack, preventing shock and skew, and ensuring consistent tension force across different media types, thereby improving the accuracy and reliability of the image forming process.
Implementation Method 1
a second operation to rotate the winding motor in a normal direction by a predetermined torque according to an outer winding diameter of the medium wound around the winding roller, while the sheet conveyor is stopped, to apply a predetermined tension force to the medium between the sheet conveyor and the sheet winder
Implementation Method 2
a third operation to rotate the winding motor in a reverse direction opposite the normal direction to loosen the medium by a predetermined slack amount while the predetermined tension force is applied to the medium
Data Source
AI summary
A conveying device includes a sheet conveyor configured to convey a medium in a conveyance direction of the medium, a sheet winder including a winding roller and a winding motor, and circuitry to control the sheet conveyor and the sheet winder. The circuitry is configured to convey the medium intermittently while repeating: causing the sheet conveyor and the sheet winder to convey the loosened medium by a predetermined conveyance amount; rotating the winding motor in a normal direction by a predetermined torque according to an outer winding diameter of the medium to apply a predetermined tension force to the medium; and rotating the winding motor in a reverse direction to loosen the medium by a predetermined slack amount. The circuitry is configured to determine the predetermined tension force according to the width of the medium intersecting with the conveyance direction of the medium.