Decurling Unit Level Adjustment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional decurling devices in image forming apparatuses face challenges in effectively decurling sheets with images, particularly due to curling caused by water absorption of water-based inks, leading to inconsistent sheet handling and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
A decurling device comprising a first and second frame, a decurling unit with a housing, paired support rollers, an endless belt, and a decurling roller, along with a level adjustment mechanism to adjust the inclination of the decurling unit, ensuring proper alignment and tension of the belt to prevent zigzagging and ensure effective decurling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the decurling unit is fixed without level adjustment capability, then the device structure is simple, but the endless belt may zigzag and decurling effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The decurling unit is designed with adjustable inclination angle relative to the vertical direction, allowing dynamic adaptation to different operating conditions. The level adjustment mechanism enables the decurling unit to be tilted at different angles, transforming a static structure into a dynamic one that can optimize belt alignment and prevent zigzagging, thereby improving decurling effectiveness without excessive complexity.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the endless belt is stretched tightly to prevent zigzagging, then belt alignment improves, but the risk of belt damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the inclination angle parameter of the decurling unit to optimize belt tension distribution. By tilting the decurling unit at an appropriate angle, the belt experiences more uniform tension across its width, maintaining alignment stability while reducing localized stress concentrations that could lead to belt damage.
3Reliability
If the decurling roller press-contacts the endless belt with high force, then decurling effectiveness improves, but sheet deformation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The decurling roller is designed with a curved surface that matches the natural curvature of the curled sheet. This curved geometry allows the roller to apply pressure in a distributed manner following the sheet's curvature, effectively decurling the sheet while minimizing localized deformation and damage to the printed image.
Data Source
AI summary
A decurling device includes a first frame, a second frame, a decurling unit that decurls a sheet, and a level adjustment mechanism that is capable of adjusting an inclination of the decurling unit. The decurling unit includes a housing provided with a first support part and a second support part supported by the first frame and a third support part and a fourth support part supported by the second frame, paired support rollers, an endless belt, and a decurling roller. The level adjustment mechanism adjusts, in the vertical direction, a position of one of the first support part, the second support part, the third support part, and the fourth support part in the housing to adjust the inclination of the decurling unit in the vertical direction such that the paired support rollers extend in the first direction.