Conveyor Device Spur Roller Mechanism for Compact Tray Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor devices for image forming apparatuses require a large number of elastic shafts to differentiate between sheet and tray conveyance, leading to a bulky device design.
Innovation Solution
A conveyor device with a rotating shaft and spur roller system that uses a single elastic shaft to selectively position the spur roller, reducing the number of elastic shafts needed by employing a mechanism where the spur roller moves between contact and non-contact positions based on the rotating shaft's position, allowing for efficient conveyance of both sheets and trays in the same path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple elastic shafts are used to differentiate between sheet and tray conveyance, then the conveyance function is reliable, but the device size increases and compactness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of multiple elastic shafts into a single elastic shaft by integrating the spur roller movement mechanism with the rotating shaft system. The single elastic shaft supports both the spur roller and the following roller, eliminating the need for separate elastic shafts for each roller while maintaining reliable conveyance of both sheets and trays.
Solution Approach 2:
The single elastic shaft serves multiple functions: it supports the spur roller, supports the following roller, and enables both sheet and tray conveyance through the coordinated movement of these rollers. This multi-functional design reduces the number of components while maintaining comprehensive conveyance capability.
2Productivity
If the spur roller is always in contact with the conveyor roller, then sheet conveyance is effective, but tray conveyance is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The spur roller is designed to be movable between a contacting position (for sheet conveyance) and a separated position (for tray conveyance) through the rotating shaft mechanism. This dynamic positioning allows the system to adapt its configuration based on whether a sheet or tray is being conveyed, ensuring effective operation for both types of media.
Solution Approach 2:
The system preliminarily positions the spur roller in the contacting position for sheet conveyance, and the rotating shaft can rotate to move it to the separated position when tray conveyance is required. This preliminary configuration and easy repositioning ensure optimal performance for the current conveyance task.
3Productivity
If the following roller is positioned close to the conveyor roller, then tray conveyance is effective, but sheet conveyance may be interfered with
Solution Approach 1:
The following roller is positioned at a distance substantially the same as the tray thickness from the conveyor roller, and can be moved by the rotating shaft mechanism. This dynamic positioning allows the following roller to be in the optimal position for tray conveyance while not interfering with sheet conveyance when the spur roller is in the contacting position.
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 reduces the number of elastic shafts required, enhancing the compactness and efficiency of the conveyor device while maintaining effective conveyance of both sheets and trays, thereby improving the overall design and functionality of the image forming apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
The spur and the following roller are supported by respective elastic shafts that are elastically deformable in their diameter direction
Data Source
AI summary
A conveyor device includes a drive roller that conveys a tray or a sheet through a conveying path, a rotating shaft that rotates between a first position and a second position, a spur roller that moves between a fourth position, in which the spur roller approaches the drive roller, and a fifth position, in which the spur roller separates from the drive roller at a distance greater than a thickness of the tray, an elastic shaft that supports the spur roller and urges the spur roller toward the drive roller, a first contacting portion that contacts one surface of the tray passing through the conveying path when the rotating shaft is in the second position; and a second contacting portion that deforms the elastic shaft and that moves the spur roller to the fifth position when the rotating shaft rotates from the first position to the second position.