Dual Guide System for Image Forming Apparatus Transfer Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electrophotographic image forming apparatuses, the existing guide configurations can cause disturbances in toner images due to improper handling of recording media, leading to curled states and electric discharges, resulting in abnormal images during the transfer process.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a dual guide system, comprising a first guide and a second guide, where the second guide is inclined and positioned upstream from the first guide, helps to smoothly guide the recording medium, reducing vibrations and electric discharges by moderating the movement of the recording medium's leading and trailing ends, thereby stabilizing the transfer process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single guide is used to guide the recording medium, then the device complexity is low, but the recording medium may become curled and cause electric discharges leading to abnormal images
Solution Approach 1:
The guide structure is divided into two separate guides: a first guide and a second guide. The first guide has a leading end that extends in the lateral direction, while the second guide is disposed upstream and spaced away from the first guide. This segmentation allows each guide to perform specific functions in controlling the recording medium, preventing curling and electric discharges without requiring an overly complex single guide structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The two guides act as intermediary elements between the recording medium and the transfer section. By positioning the guides at specific locations upstream from the transfer section, they mediate the movement of the recording medium, ensuring smooth entry and preventing harmful effects like curling and electric discharges before the transfer process occurs.
2Area of stationary object
If the second guide is positioned close to the first guide, then the space required is reduced, but the recording medium cannot be smoothly guided causing vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The second guide is disposed upstream from the first guide and spaced away at a specific distance. This local positioning creates an optimal gap that allows the recording medium to be smoothly guided from the second guide to the first guide without excessive vibrations, while still maintaining a compact overall arrangement. The specific spacing creates the right local condition for stable medium control.
3Device complexity
If the leading end of the second guide is perpendicular to the delivery direction, then the structure is simple, but the recording medium experiences sudden movements causing electric discharges
Solution Approach 1:
The leading end of the second guide is inclined from one end to the other end in the lateral direction, rather than being perpendicular to the delivery direction. This inclined configuration creates a gradual, curved transition path for the recording medium, allowing it to move smoothly from the second guide to the first guide without sudden movements that would cause electric discharges and abnormal images.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an image bearer having an image bearing face to bear an image thereon; a transferer disposed opposing the image bearer, to transfer the image from the image bearing face onto a recording medium at a transfer section between the transferer and the image bearer; a first guide disposed upstream from the transfer section in a direction of delivery of the recording medium, to guide the recording medium to the transfer section; and a second guide upstream from the first guide and spaced away from the first guide, to guide the recording medium to the transfer section. Each of the first guide and the second guide extends in a lateral direction perpendicular to the direction of delivery. A leading end of the second guide in the direction of delivery is inclined from one end to the other end of the second guide in the lateral direction.