Discharge Roller Unit Nip Pressure Adjustment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses require cumbersome operations to reduce sheet curl, as they necessitate independent operation of the lever for the nip-pressure adjuster and the operation member for the roller moving mechanism.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a movable discharge-roller unit and an arm mechanism that adjusts the nip position and press-contact pressure of the heating and presser rollers in conjunction, allowing for simplified operation to reduce sheet curl by shifting the nip position and press-contact state together.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the lever of the nip-pressure adjuster and the operation member of the roller moving mechanism are operated independently, then the sheet curl can be reduced, but the operation becomes cumbersome and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the nip-pressure adjuster lever and the roller moving mechanism operation member into a single integrated operation member. This allows both the discharge roller pair position and the heater-presser contact pressure to be adjusted simultaneously through one operation, eliminating the need for separate adjustments and reducing operational complexity while maintaining sheet curl reduction effectiveness
2Manufacturing precision
If separate adjustment mechanisms are provided for nip position and press-contact pressure, then precise control is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the adjustment functions of both the discharge roller pair position and the heater-presser contact pressure into a single mechanism. The operation member is designed to simultaneously control both parameters, reducing the number of independent adjustment mechanisms while maintaining precise control over nip position and press-contact pressure through coupled movement
Data Source
AI summary
An electrophotographic image forming apparatus, including: a fixing device including a heater and a presser; a discharge-roller unit including a first frame and a discharge roller pair; and an arm supporting the heater or the presser, wherein, when the first frame is located at a first position, a nip position of the discharge roller pair is located at a first nip position and the arm supports the heater or the presser at a first press-contact position such that the heater and the presser are held in pressing contact at a predetermined pressure, and wherein, when the first frame is located at a second position, the nip position is located at a second nip position shifted from the first nip position and the arm supports the heater or the presser at a second press-contact position such that the heater and the presser are held in pressing contact at a lower pressure.