Cutter Positioning in Image Forming Apparatus to Prevent Sheet Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses face issues where the sheet-formed medium is deformed or damaged when the tray with a rolled-sheet storage is removed due to nipping by registration rollers, and the rewinding process is time-consuming and inefficient due to the cutter's position downstream from the image forming device.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus is designed with a cutter positioned between the feeder roller and the intermediate roller pair in the conveyer path, allowing the sheet to be cut before being nipped, preventing deformation and reducing the distance and time required for rewinding by shortening the length of sheet to be rewound.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the cutter is located downstream from the image forming device, then the sheet can be cut after image formation, but the sheet-formed medium remains nipped by the registration roller and registration pressure roller during tray removal, causing deformation or damage
Solution Approach 1:
The cutter is repositioned upstream of the registration roller pair to perform the cutting action before the sheet enters the nipping zone. This preliminary cutting ensures that when the tray is removed, no loose-ended sheet remains to be nipped and deformed by the registration rollers, thus preventing damage while maintaining operational efficiency
2Productivity
If the cutter is positioned downstream from the image forming device, then image formation can proceed continuously, but the distance the sheet must travel for rewinding increases, extending the rewinding time
Solution Approach 1:
By positioning the cutter upstream of the registration roller pair, the sheet is cut before it travels through the image forming device and conveyer path. This reduces the length of sheet that needs to be rewound into the rolled-sheet storage, thereby shortening the rewinding time and improving operational efficiency
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 configuration prevents deformation and damage to the sheet-formed medium during tray removal and reduces the time and amount of sheet to be rewound, enhancing operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an intermediate roller pair including a registration roller and a registration pressure roller, which may be located at a position upstream from the image forming device in the conveyer path
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus, having a housing, a tray detachably attachable to the housing and having a storage to store a sheet-formed medium, an image forming device to form an image on the sheet-formed medium, a conveyer assembly to convey the sheet-formed medium from the storage along a conveyer path, and a cutter to cut the sheet-formed medium at a predetermined position in the conveyer path, is provided. The conveyer assembly includes a feeder roller to feed the sheet-formed medium from the storage to the conveyer path, and an intermediate roller pair arranged in the conveyer path between the feeder roller and the image forming device. The intermediate roller pair is supported by the housing and is configured to nip the sheet-formed medium. The predetermined position is located in the conveyer path between the feeder roller and the intermediate roller pair.