Discharge Device Stiffening Roller Segmented Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing discharge devices in image forming apparatuses face issues with the assembly of stiffening rollers, which can lead to material jams and scratches due to the difference in outside diameters between stiffening and discharge rollers, causing a wave shape in the recording material and potential misalignment during assembly.
Innovation Solution
A discharge device configuration where the stiffening roller is formed by joining at least two divided components with stepped portions that protrude more radially on the upstream side, preventing misalignment and ensuring proper assembly by locking projections and hooks, and follower rollers are pressed against the discharge rollers to enhance loading characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the stiffening roller is made by joining divided components, then the assembly flexibility and manufacturing ease are improved, but the alignment precision and reliability deteriorate due to potential misalignment and gaps between components
Solution Approach 1:
The stiffening roller is divided into multiple components that can be assembled together, allowing for easier manufacturing and flexibility in assembly while maintaining the necessary structural integrity through proper joining mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
Protrusions are formed on the upstream side of the boundary portions between divided components to preliminarily align and guide the components during assembly, preventing misalignment before the joining process occurs
Solution Approach 3:
The protrusions act as intermediary elements between the divided components, providing a mediating structure that ensures proper alignment and eliminates gaps during the assembly process
2Productivity
If the stiffening roller has a larger outside diameter than the discharge roller, then the loading characteristics of the recording material are enhanced, but the reliability deteriorates due to potential material jams and scratches from circumferential speed differences
Solution Approach 1:
The stiffening roller is designed to rotate independently from the discharge roller, allowing each roller to operate at its optimal speed without being constrained by the other, thus maintaining both the loading characteristics and material handling reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The discharge device is segmented into functionally independent rollers (discharge roller and stiffening roller) that can rotate separately, enabling each to optimize its performance without compromising the other
3Device complexity
If the stiffening roller is integrally attached to the driving shaft, then the structural simplicity is improved, but the assembly characteristics and reliability deteriorate due to inability to prevent misalignment and gaps
Solution Approach 1:
The stiffening roller is segmented into multiple components rather than being a single integral piece, allowing for more reliable assembly while maintaining reasonable structural simplicity through the use of joining mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
Protrusions are pre-formed on the upstream boundaries of divided components to guide alignment during assembly, preventing misalignment and gaps before the components are joined together
Data Source
AI summary
A discharge device which discharges a sheet includes: a driving shaft which is driven to rotate by a driving source; a plurality of driving rotating members which is provided on the driving shaft; a rotating member which is provided on the driving shaft, has a larger outside diameter than an outside diameter of the driving rotating member, is formed by joining at least two divided components, and includes stepped portions that protrude, to a larger extent, in a radial direction in boundary portions of the at least two components on upstream sides of a rotation direction of the rotating member than on downstream sides thereof; and follower rotating members which are pressed against the driving rotating members.