Conveyor Device Movable Rollers Jam Release Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image recording apparatuses, performing a jam process to remove a jammed recording sheet often requires significant force, which can lead to sheet tearing, making the process difficult and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A conveyor device with movable rollers that can be operated to release the nip and incline the jammed sheet, allowing for easy removal by moving a release rod from a first position to a second position, thereby reducing the force needed to extract the sheet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a recording sheet is jammed and a jam process is performed by drawing it out, then the jammed sheet can be removed, but a great force is required and the sheet may be torn
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor device employs movable rollers that can dynamically change their position between a nip state (holding the sheet) and a released state. When a jam occurs, the movable rollers are positioned to release the nip, allowing the jammed sheet to be easily inclined and removed without requiring great force, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and force requirement
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor system is divided into multiple independent roller units (first conveyor unit with first and second rollers, second conveyor unit with third and fourth rollers). This segmentation allows individual rollers to be moved independently to release the nip at specific locations, enabling easy removal of jammed sheets without affecting the entire conveyor system
2Ease of operation
If the movable member moves to release the nip, then the jammed sheet can be easily removed, but the conveyor function is temporarily interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The movable rollers can dynamically switch between conveyor mode (nip engaged) and jam release mode (nip released). After removing a jammed sheet, the rollers are returned to their original positions to resume normal conveyor operation, minimizing interruption time and maintaining productivity
Data Source
AI summary
A conveyor device may include first and second conveyor units, and a movable member. The first conveyor unit includes a first roller that contacts an upper surface of a sheet and a second roller that contacts a lower surface of the sheet. The second conveyor unit includes a third roller that contacts the lower surface of the sheet and a fourth roller that contacts the upper surface of the sheet. The first and second rollers and the third and fourth rollers nip and convey the sheet along a conveyance path. When the movable member is located in a first position, the first roller contacts the second roller and the third roller contacts the fourth roller. When the movable member moves to the second position, the first roller is moved away from the second roller and the third roller is moved away from the fourth roller.