Diagonal Sheet Discharge for Compact Image-Forming Device Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image-forming devices face challenges in maintaining stability of paper conveyance and support when compact designs reduce the distance between paper support and reading units, leading to potential operational instability.
Innovation Solution
The design includes an image-forming device with an image-forming unit, sheet discharge unit, sheet support unit, and reading unit, where the sheet discharge unit discharges sheets diagonally upward to contact the underside surface of the reading unit, which may feature a guide rib or follow roller, and a charge removing unit to ensure stable paper conveyance and support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the distance between the paper support unit and the reading unit is reduced to manufacture a compact device, then the device height is reduced, but the stability of operations for conveying and supporting paper is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet discharge unit discharges paper diagonally upward rather than horizontally, changing the discharge direction to utilize vertical space. This allows the reading unit to be positioned above the sheet support unit, reducing the horizontal distance between units while maintaining adequate paper conveyance path length, thus resolving the contradiction between compactness and stability
Solution Approach 2:
The sheet support unit acts as an intermediary between the sheet discharge unit and the reading unit. It receives paper discharged diagonally upward and provides a stable support surface, ensuring proper paper positioning before it reaches the reading unit, thereby maintaining conveyance stability in the compact configuration
Data Source
AI summary
An image-forming device includes: an image-forming unit; a sheet discharge unit; a sheet support unit; and a reading unit. The image-forming unit forms images on a recording sheet. The sheet discharge unit discharges, in a sheet discharging direction, a recording sheet formed with an image by the image-forming unit. The sheet support unit is disposed above the image-forming unit, and supports sheet discharged from the sheet discharge unit. The reading unit is disposed above the sheet support unit, with an underside surface of the reading unit opposing a top surface of the sheet support unit. The sheet discharge unit is configured to discharge the sheet diagonally upwardly so that sheet discharged by the sheet discharge unit contacts the underside surface of the reading unit.