Duplex Sheet Conveyance via Common Roller and Pivotable Arm
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image recording apparatuses are bulky due to independent drive mechanisms for feeding and recording sheets, necessitating a space-saving solution that integrates these functions.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a common roller to transmit rotation force to both the first and second rollers, with a pivotable second-roller arm and guide members to efficiently convey sheets between the tray and recording unit, allowing for duplex image recording while reducing complexity and size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If independent drive mechanisms are used for feeding and recording sheets, then the reliability of sheet conveyance is improved, but the device complexity and apparatus size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the first drive mechanism to perform both feeding function (first roller) and recording function (second roller) by integrating multiple drive functions into a single mechanism, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable sheet conveyance through coordinated roller operations
2Ease of operation
If independent drive mechanisms are used for feeding and recording sheets, then the sheet conveyance control is improved, but the apparatus size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs guide members (first, second, and third guide members) that redirect sheets through spatial positioning and angular arrangement, enabling complex conveyance paths within a compact footprint by utilizing three-dimensional space efficiently
3Device complexity
If a common roller is used to transmit rotation force to both rollers, then the device complexity is reduced, but the conveyance force may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the drive system into a common roller that provides rotational force and individually controlled first and second rollers that apply conveyance force, allowing the common roller to reduce complexity while the distributed roller configuration maintains sufficient conveyance force through multiple contact points
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
An image recording apparatus (10) includes a recording unit (24) configured to record an image on a sheet, a tray (20) on which the sheet is placed, a first roller (25) configured to feed the sheet placed on the tray, a first guide member (18,19) configured to guide the sheet fed from the first roller to the recording unit, a second guide member (82,83,32,33) configured to guide the sheet passed through the recording unit, a second roller (68) configured to feed the sheet guided by the second guide member, a third guide member (70,43) configured to guide the sheet fed from the second roller to the recording unit, a common roller (28) configured to transmit a rotation force to the first roller and the second roller, and a second-roller arm (74) including the second roller at a distal end thereof and configured to be pivotable about an axis.