Decurling Device with Dynamic Urge for Variable Media
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing decurling devices struggle to effectively decurl media of varying thicknesses without compromising transportability in image forming apparatuses, leading to instability in image transfer operations due to curling issues.
Innovation Solution
A decurling device is positioned downstream of the fixing device, equipped with a bending unit having a guiding surface that bends the medium in a decurling direction, assisted by rotating members and an urging unit, allowing for adjustable urging force based on medium thickness to maintain transportability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a decurling device applies strong urging force to decurl thick media, then decurling effectiveness is improved, but medium transportability deteriorates due to retraction or interference with transporting rollers
Solution Approach 1:
The urging unit is designed to dynamically adjust its urging force based on medium thickness. For thick media, it provides strong urging force to achieve effective decurling, while for thin media, it automatically reduces the urging force to maintain smooth transportability and prevent retraction or interference with transporting rollers.
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes the physical parameter of urging force according to the thickness of the medium. This parameter adjustment allows the same decurling device to effectively handle both thick and thin media without compromising transportability, resolving the contradiction between decurling effectiveness and ease of operation.
2Device complexity
If a decurling device uses a fixed guiding surface, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different medium thicknesses deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding surface is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position and angle based on medium thickness. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the simple guiding surface structure to adapt to various medium thicknesses, resolving the contradiction between device complexity and adaptability.
3Reliability
If the urging unit applies continuous strong force, then decurling performance is improved, but medium transportability worsens due to retraction
Solution Approach 1:
The urging unit transitions from continuous strong force to dynamic adjustable force. It applies strong urging force only when needed for thick media requiring decurling, and reduces or suspends force for thin media to prevent retraction and maintain transport stability, resolving the contradiction between decurling performance and transport stability.
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
The solution effectively decurls media of different thicknesses, ensuring stable image transfer by preventing curling and maintaining smooth transport, even for thick media, without causing retraction or interference with the transporting rollers.
Implementation Method 1
a single or a plurality of rotating members provided on a part of the guiding surface of the bending unit and rotating by coming into contact with the medium that is in contact with the guiding surface
Data Source
AI summary
A decurling device is provided on a downstream side with respect to a fixing device in a medium transporting direction and straightens a curl formed in a medium transported to the decurling device. The decurling device includes a bending unit extending across the medium transporting direction and having a guiding surface that guides a leading end of the medium, the leading end coming into contact with the guiding surface, the bending unit bending the medium in a decurling direction by using the guiding surface; an urging unit that urges the bending unit toward the medium; and a single or plural rotating members provided on a part of the guiding surface of the bending unit and rotating by coming into contact with the medium that is in contact with the guiding surface.