Single Driving Roller Sheet Transfer Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing image forming apparatus design becomes complicated and costly due to the need for additional paper transfer rollers when the transfer passage length between the paper fixing and discharging rollers exceeds the paper length, leading to increased dimensions and manufacturing costs.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus incorporates a single driving roller and two driven rollers to selectively transfer sheets into three different transfer passages, allowing for forward and reverse rotations to manage paper discharge without the need for additional rollers, thus simplifying the mechanism and reducing complexity and cost.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If additional paper transfer rollers are provided in an intermediate position to handle longer transfer passages, then the paper transfer function is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepaper transfer functionVSAvoidapparatus construction

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The single driving roller is designed to perform multiple functions by rotating in both forward and reverse directions, enabling it to transfer papers to different passages (first transfer passage, second transfer passage, and third transfer passage) without requiring separate rollers for each function, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining versatility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the functions of multiple paper transfer rollers into a single driving roller that can operate in both forward and reverse directions, combining what would traditionally require separate components into one multi-functional element, thereby simplifying the overall apparatus construction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If additional paper transfer rollers are provided in an intermediate position, then the paper transfer capability is improved, but the apparatus dimensions increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepaper transfer capabilityVSAvoidapparatus dimensions

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The single driving roller performs multiple transfer functions through bidirectional rotation, eliminating the need for additional rollers that would increase apparatus dimensions, thus maintaining compact size while preserving paper transfer capability to multiple passages

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If additional paper transfer rollers are provided in an intermediate position, then the paper transfer function is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepaper transfer functionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple paper transfer functions into a single driving roller mechanism, reducing the total number of components that need to be manufactured, assembled, and maintained, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while preserving the paper transfer function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution enables efficient selective transfer of sheets to multiple passages using a single driving roller mechanism, preventing apparatus complexity, dimension increase, and cost escalation, while maintaining compactness and reducing the risk of toner deposition issues.

Implementation Method 1

a driving roller that is provided on a downstream side of the image forming unit and rotates in forward and reverse directions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

a first driven roller that is driven to rotate and forms a first nip portion in cooperation with the driving roller; a second driven roller that is driven to rotate and forms a second nip portion in cooperation with the driving roller

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS7398048B2Image forming apparatus

Publication Date: 2008.07.08 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

An image forming apparatus including: a first driven roller that forms a first nip portion with a driving roller; a second driven roller that forms a second nip portion with the driving roller at a downstream side of the first nip portion; a first transfer passage into which the sheet passed through the first nip portion and sent from the second nip portion is transferred by a forward rotation of the driving roller; a second transfer passage into which the sheet passed through the first nip portion is transferred by the forward rotation of the driving roller without passing through the second nip portion; and a third transfer passage into which the sheet is transferred by a reverse rotation of the driving roller after a rear end of the sheet has passed through the first nip portion by the forward rotation of the driving roller.