Conveying Roller Lock Mechanism Prevents Plastic Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveying rollers in sheet feed devices are prone to breakage due to continuous compression force from coil springs, leading to plastic deformation and malfunction.
Innovation Solution
A conveying roller unit with a lock mechanism comprising a first unit, a second unit, and an urging member, where the second unit is locked to the first unit via engagement sections and an urging member, preventing detachment and plastic deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a coil spring is used to lock the conveying roller, then the locking mechanism can be compact and simple, but the continuous pressing force causes plastic deformation and breakage of the locking protruding part
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful elastic deformation function from the locking mechanism by removing the coil spring, keeping only the essential locking function through the locking protruding part and groove structure, thereby eliminating the cause of plastic deformation while maintaining the compact design
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using elastic deformation to achieve locking (coil spring compressing the locking protruding part), the patent inverts the approach by using rigid geometric engagement (locking protruding part fitting into the locking groove) with positioning holes to maintain stability, transforming the locking mechanism from elastic to rigid
2Ease of manufacture
If the locking protruding part is elastically deformed to lock the conveying roller, then the mounting structure can be simple, but the plastic deformation leads to malfunction and breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the elastic deformation mechanism entirely, extracting only the essential geometric locking function through the positioning holes and locking groove, thereby maintaining manufacturing simplicity while eliminating strength degradation from repeated elastic deformation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the locking approach from elastic deformation to rigid geometric constraint, where the locking protruding part is constrained by positioning holes rather than relying on elastic recovery, thus preserving strength while achieving secure mounting
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 stabilizes the rotation of the conveying roller unit, preventing breakage by maintaining engagement between the units without relying on elastically deformed lock members, thus enhancing durability.
Implementation Method 1
an urging member disposed inside the holder section so as to press the second unit in the direction that the rod section moves out of the holder section
Data Source
AI summary
A conveying roller unit comprises a first unit, a second unit, and a lock mechanism. The first unit comprises: a roller section; and a hollow cylindrical holder section. The second unit can be removably mounted to the first unit, and comprises: a second connection section; a rod section inserted into the holder section. The lock mechanism includes: a first engagement section provided on the inner circumferential surface of the holder section; a second engagement section provided on the outer circumferential surface of the rod section; and a urging member for pressing the second unit in the direction in which the rod section comes out of the holder section. The urging member maintains the first engagement section and the second engagement section in an engaged state and restricts the position of the second unit relative to the first unit in both the circumferential direction and the rotation axis direction.