Curved Conveyor Path Member Deformation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image recording apparatuses, rotatable path components are more prone to deformation when subjected to urging forces from thicker sheets, leading to potential jamming issues during sheet conveyance.
Innovation Solution
A conveyer device with a first path member that is movable between two positions, supported by a body with specific supporting parts to prevent deformation, ensuring correct sheet conveyance along a curved path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a path component is made rotatable to enable exposure for sheet removal, then ease of operation is improved, but the path component becomes more prone to deformation under urging forces from sheets
Solution Approach 1:
The path component is divided into multiple sections: a rotatable first path member for exposure operations, and a fixed second path member for stable sheet guidance. This segmentation allows the rotatable portion to be isolated and supported separately, preventing deformation while maintaining operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the conveyer system have different support characteristics. The first path member has dedicated support structures (first and second supporting parts) at specific locations to prevent deformation, while the second path member remains fixed. This local differentiation of support quality resolves the contradiction between rotatability and deformation resistance.
2Ease of operation
If the path component is rotatable to expose the conveyer path for jammed sheet removal, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability of correct sheet conveyance deteriorates due to potential deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyer path is segmented into a rotatable first path member and a fixed second path member. The fixed second path member ensures reliable sheet guidance, while the rotatable first path member enables easy sheet removal when needed. This segmentation maintains reliability while improving operational ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The first path member has enhanced local support at specific positions (widthwise end and widthwise inner-side position) to prevent deformation during normal operation, ensuring reliability. The same rotatable structure allows exposure for sheet removal when needed, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.
3Strength
If the first path member is supported at multiple positions, then resistance to deformation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Support structures are placed at two critical local positions on the first path member: the widthwise end and the widthwise inner-side position. This targeted local support prevents deformation with minimal additional complexity, as the supports are positioned only where needed to counteract the specific deformation forces.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making the entire path component fixed to prevent deformation, the invention makes the first path member rotatable but provides strategic support at key positions. This inverted approach maintains rotatability for ease of operation while preventing deformation through localized support, avoiding the complexity of a completely fixed structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A conveyer device, including a body; a first path member forming a part of conveyer path with a curve; and a second path member arranged on an inner side of the curve of the conveyer path and forming a part of the conveyer path, is provided. The first path member is movable between a first position forming the conveyer path in conjunction with the second path member and a second position separated farther from second path member than the first position. The body includes a first supporting part supporting the first path member at a widthwise end of the first path member and the second supporting part supporting the first path member at a widthwise inner-side position along the widthwise direction with respect to the first supporting part. The second supporting part supports the first path member from a side opposite from the conveyer path.