Cooling Fan in Reversing Path for Jam Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses face challenges in maintaining high-quality two-sided printing due to heat-induced blurring of toner images and complex jam restoration processes, especially when cooling mechanisms are inadequate.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a fan system within the second conveyance path, covered by a second cover, which supplies an air stream to cool the recording sheet and facilitates easy access for jam removal by exposing the reversing conveyance path through simple operation of the first and second covers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conveying unit with multiple slide guides is used to facilitate jam restoration, then ease of operation in jam restoration is improved, but the recording sheet cannot be sufficiently cooled during two-sided printing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the conveying unit into multiple independent slide guides (first, second, and third slide guides) positioned at different locations. This segmentation allows the conveying unit to be disassembled into smaller components, enabling easy access to the reversing conveyance path for jam removal while maintaining the cooling function through separate fan units that can operate independently within the segmented structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces fan units as intermediary components that generate air streams to cool the recording sheet in the reversing conveyance path. These fan units act as mediators between the hot recording sheet and the surrounding environment, providing active cooling without interfering with the slide guide mechanism or jam restoration operations.
2Ease of operation
If the conveying unit is constructed with open access for jam restoration, then ease of operation is improved, but image quality deteriorates due to heat-induced blurring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements cooling fan units that activate before the recording sheet enters the image forming unit during two-sided printing. This preliminary cooling action reduces the temperature of the hot recording sheet before it undergoes the image forming process, preventing heat-induced blurring and ensuring high image quality while maintaining easy access for jam restoration.
3Manufacturing precision
If cooling mechanisms are added to the reversing conveyance path, then image quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs fan units that are integrated into the existing conveying unit structure, allowing them to utilize the same power source and control systems already present in the image forming apparatus. This self-service approach enables the cooling function to be added without requiring separate complex control mechanisms, thereby improving image quality while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
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 ensures high-quality toner images by cooling the recording sheet during two-sided printing and enhances operability in jam restoration processes by allowing easy access to the reversing conveyance path for user intervention.
Implementation Method 1
a fan for supplying an air stream to the second conveyance path
Data Source
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AI summary
An image forming apparatus 1 includes a fixing unit 97 arranged in an apparatus main body 2 and adapted to perform a fixing process to fix an image to a recording sheet by heat, a first conveyance path 28, 961 for conveying the recording sheet via an image forming unit 93 and the fixing unit 97, a second conveyance path 29 for conveying the recording sheet having the fixing process performed thereon to an upstream side of the image forming unit 93 in the case of performing the image forming process on both sides of the recording sheet, a first cover 30 openably and closably attached to the apparatus main body 2, a second cover 50 for covering the second conveyance path 29, the second cover 50 being openably and closably attached to the apparatus main body 2 and openable and closable when the first cover 30 is in an open state, and fans 523 provided on the second cover 50 for supplying air streams to the second conveyance path 29.