Divided Sheet Guide With Flexible Film for Wrinkle Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses experience wrinkles and noise during sheet conveyance when the conveyance guide is positioned at the projection side of the sheet loop, as the loop can be deformed, leading to sheet damage if not addressed.
Innovation Solution
A sheet conveying apparatus with a guide portion comprising a first guide and a second guide, where the second guide is divided into multiple guides in the axial direction of the resist roller pair, and a flexible film covers the space between these guides to minimize the gap and prevent deformation of the sheet loop.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the conveyance guide is disposed at the projection side of the loop of the sheet, then the guide space is reduced, but the sheet loop may be deformed causing wrinkles
Solution Approach 1:
The second guide is divided into multiple divided guides in the axial direction of the resist roller pair. This segmentation allows the guide structure to adapt to the loop deformation while maintaining guidance function, preventing wrinkles by accommodating the curved portion of the sheet without creating harmful gaps.
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible film is disposed to cover at least a portion of the space between the plurality of divided guides. The flexible film can deform with the sheet loop while maintaining continuous coverage, preventing the loop from entering harmful spaces and eliminating wrinkles during conveyance.
2Measurement precision
If the conveyance guide is divided into two portions by a retreat portion, then the sensor can detect the sheet, but a gap is caused at the conveyance guide
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible film covers the space between the divided guides, including the area where the sensor is located. This maintains guide continuity and prevents loop deformation while allowing the sensor to function through or alongside the film structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible film acts as an intermediary element that bridges the gap created by the divided guides. It maintains the guide function while allowing sensor insertion, preventing the loop from entering the gap space and causing wrinkles.
Data Source
AI summary
The present sheet conveying apparatus includes: a resist roller pair that corrects skew of a sheet conveyed from a sheet supplying unit; and a guide portion disposed at an upstream side relative to the resist roller pair in a sheet conveying direction, the guide portion including a first guide and a second guide disposed opposite to the first guide with a sheet conveying path therebetween, the second guide being located at a projection side of a curved portion formed in the sheet when a tip of the sheet is conveyed to a nip portion of the resist roller pair that is stopped, the second guide being divided into a plurality of divided guides in an axial direction of the resist roller pair, a flexible film being disposed to cover at least a portion of a space between the plurality of divided guides.