Drive Coupling Mechanism for Image Forming Device Paper Jam Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming devices, paper jams in the re-carrying unit are difficult to remove due to the drive roller's load on the jammed sheet, which can cause damage when the roller is coupled to a driving source that cannot rotate freely.
Innovation Solution
A drive coupling mechanism that switches between a coupled state and a cut-off state based on the attachment or detachment of the sheet cassette, allowing the driving force to be transmitted only when the cassette is attached, thus enabling easy removal of jammed paper by disconnecting the drive rollers when the cassette is removed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the drive roller is coupled to the driving source to provide driving force for re-carrying the sheet, then the re-carrying function is achieved, but the jammed sheet cannot be removed easily and may be damaged due to the load applied by the drive roller
Solution Approach 1:
The drive coupling mechanism dynamically switches between coupled and uncoupled states based on operational needs. When the sheet cassette is attached, the transmission path is coupled to transmit driving force. When the sheet cassette is detached, the transmission path is uncoupled to allow free rotation of the drive roller, enabling easy paper removal without load.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive coupling mechanism segments the transmission path into controllable sections that can be independently coupled or uncoupled. This allows the drive roller to be disconnected from the driving source when needed, separating the driving function from the removal function to resolve the contradiction.
2Productivity
If the drive roller is coupled to the driving source to apply load for carrying the sheet, then the carrying function is achieved, but the sheet of paper jammed in the re-carrying unit cannot be removed easily
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the coupling state of the drive roller based on the operational phase. During normal carrying operations, the drive roller is coupled to provide necessary driving force. During paper removal operations, the drive roller is uncoupled to allow free rotation, making it easy to remove jammed paper without resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive coupling mechanism is designed to automatically uncouple the transmission path when the sheet cassette is detached, preparing the drive roller for free rotation before the user attempts to remove jammed paper. This preliminary action prevents the drive roller from applying load during paper removal.
3Power
If the transmission path is always coupled to the driving source, then continuous driving force is available, but the drive roller cannot rotate freely when paper needs to be removed
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission path's coupling state is dynamically controlled based on the presence of the sheet cassette. When the cassette is attached, the transmission path is coupled to provide continuous driving force. When the cassette is detached, the transmission path is uncoupled, allowing the drive roller to rotate freely without resistance from the driving source.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive coupling mechanism acts as an intermediary between the driving source and the drive roller. It selectively transmits or blocks the driving force based on the coupling state, mediating between the need for continuous power and the need for free rotation during paper removal.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming device, comprising: a device main body; a sheet cassette detachably attachable to a cassette accommodation space; an image formation unit; a re-carrying unit configured to re-carry the reversed sheet-like medium to the image formation unit and is exposed to the cassette accommodation space when the sheet cassette is detached; and a driving source supplying a driving force to the re-carrying unit, and wherein: the re-carrying unit comprises a driving roller and a pinch roller; a drive coupling mechanism having a transmission path transmitting the driving force to the driving roller is provided; the drive coupling mechanism comprises an acting part that brings the transmission path to a coupled state by moving in accordance with an attaching motion of the sheet cassette and brings the transmission path to a cut off state by moving in accordance with a detaching motion of the sheet cassette.