Exterior Cover Relief for Duplex Unit Jam Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses with a duplex unit mounted require additional steps for jam clearance, increasing the time and reducing usability compared to models without the duplex unit.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus features a mounting relief portion on the exterior cover that allows for opening without contacting the duplex unit's protrusion, enabling easy jam clearance by releasing nip pressure and providing a dedicated space for accessing jammed sheets without moving the duplex unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the duplex unit is mounted on the image forming apparatus, then two-side printing capability is improved, but the number of steps for jam clearance increases and usability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The exterior cover is segmented into multiple sections: a main body portion and a separate access portion that can be opened independently. This allows users to access jammed sheets without removing the entire duplex unit, thus maintaining two-side printing capability while simplifying jam clearance operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The access portion is extracted from the main exterior cover structure, allowing it to be opened separately. This extracted portion provides direct access to the sheet conveying path where jams occur, enabling users to clear jams without removing the duplex unit from the image forming apparatus.
2Ease of operation
If the exterior cover is opened to clear jams, then access to jammed sheets is improved, but contact with the duplex unit protrusion occurs when the duplex unit is mounted
Solution Approach 1:
The exterior cover is divided into a main body portion and a separate access portion. The access portion can be opened independently without moving the main body portion, allowing users to access jammed sheets without the cover contacting the duplex unit protrusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The access portion is designed to move in a different dimensional plane or direction compared to the main exterior cover. This allows the access portion to open without interfering with the duplex unit mounted on the apparatus, as it opens in a direction that avoids the protrusion.
Data Source
AI summary
A mounting relief portion for mounting a duplex unit on an image forming apparatus main body is provided in an exterior cover pivotally movably provided on the image forming apparatus main body, and capable of opening and closing a sheet conveying path for conveying a sheet fixed by a fixing device, and this mounting relief portion is shaped so as not to contact with a protrusion of the duplex unit mounted on the image forming apparatus main body when the exterior cover is opened.