Dual Illumination for Jammed Sheet Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users often find it difficult to locate and remove jammed sheets in image forming apparatuses, even when covers are opened, due to inadequate lighting and visibility of the conveyance paths.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus incorporates a first illumination device that illuminates the door side of a second guide positioned in an open position, closer to the door than the conveyance center line, and a second illumination device that illuminates the space between the first and second guides, providing distinct lighting directions to guide the user to the jammed sheet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If covers are opened to access jammed sheets, then accessibility is improved, but visibility of the conveyance path remains insufficient due to inadequate lighting
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination devices are activated automatically when a cover is opened, providing lighting before the user needs to locate the jammed sheet. This preliminary lighting action ensures the conveyance path is visible as soon as access is gained, resolving the visibility issue without requiring separate manual lighting actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination devices act as an intermediary element between the opened cover and the jammed sheet, providing the necessary light to make the dark conveyance path visible. This intermediary lighting function bridges the gap between gaining physical access and being able to visually locate the problem area.
2Illumination intensity
If multiple illumination devices are added to improve visibility, then lighting coverage is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniformly illuminating the entire apparatus, the invention applies lighting locally at specific conveyance paths where jams are most likely to occur. Each illumination device is positioned to light a specific area, providing effective visibility while minimizing the total number of devices needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination devices serve multiple functions: they illuminate the conveyance path for visibility, guide users to jammed sheets, and can indicate the location of covers that are opened. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate systems.
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 configuration improves the visibility and accessibility of jammed sheets, making it easier for users to locate and remove them, thereby enhancing jam processability.
Implementation Method 1
a first illumination device configured to illuminate a door side of the second guide positioned in the second position
Implementation Method 2
a second illumination device configured to illuminate in a direction different from a direction in which the first illumination device illuminates
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, a door, a first guide, a second guide configured to move from a first position to a second position, a first illumination device, and a second illumination device. The first illumination device is configured to illuminate a door side of the second guide positioned in the second position, with the door side of the second guide being closer to the door than a conveyance center line of the conveyance path in a width direction orthogonal to a sheet conveyance direction of a sheet which is conveyed in the conveyance path. The second illumination device is configured to illuminate in a direction different from a direction in which the first illumination device illuminates, and the second illumination device is configured to illuminate a space between the first guide and the second guide positioned in the second position.