Feed Roller Replacement via Detachable Holding Frame
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing image forming apparatuses face difficulties in replacing the feed roller due to the limited space between the feed roller and the recording sheet receiving plate, leading to reduced accuracy and complexity in the replacement process.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus is designed with a holding frame that provides a replacement opening, allowing the feed roller unit to be easily detached and reattached by sliding it into the roller receiving portion, which includes a bearing member and a roller shaft that can be engaged and disengaged through a specific mechanism, facilitating visual inspection and replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the feed roller is disposed in a main body such that the feed roller is exposed to the recording sheet receiving plate, then the feed roller can feed recording sheets, but it becomes hard to remove the feed roller for replacement because the space between the feed roller and the recording sheet receiving plate is small
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the feed roller assembly into separable components: the feed roller itself and the holding frame that supports it. The holding frame can be detached from the main body, which provides a convenient access path for removing and replacing the feed roller without requiring disassembly of the entire device. This segmentation creates operational space where none existed before.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding frame is extracted as a separate, detachable component from the main body. This extraction allows the feed roller to be accessed and replaced by first removing the holding frame, thereby taking out the obstruction that was preventing direct access to the feed roller for replacement.
2Productivity
If the feed roller is repeatedly used to feed recording sheets, then productivity is maintained, but the feed roller becomes worn resulting in reduction of feeding accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables easy replacement of the worn feed roller through the detachable holding frame mechanism. When the feed roller becomes worn and loses feeding accuracy, it can be quickly removed and replaced with a new one by detaching the holding frame, thereby recovering productivity without requiring complex disassembly procedures.
3Volume of moving object
If a compact design is used to reduce device size, then space is saved, but the complexity of removing and replacing the feed roller increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the feed roller support structure into a separate detachable holding frame, the patent simplifies the replacement process despite the compact overall design. The holding frame acts as an intermediary module that can be independently removed, reducing the complexity of accessing the feed roller in a compact configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding frame serves as an intermediary component between the main body and the feed roller. It provides a convenient access interface for replacement operations, mediating between the compact overall design and the need for easy feed roller replacement without increasing device complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a main body, a recording sheet receiving portion configured to receive a recording sheet, an image forming portion configured to form an image on the recording sheet, a particular feed roller configured to feed the recording sheet toward the image forming portion, and a holding frame configured to rotatably support the particular feed roller such that the particular feed roller is exposed toward the recording sheet receiving portion. The holding frame has a roller receiving portion configured to receive the particular feed roller therein and a replacement opening for exposing the particular feed roller toward an opposite side of the holding frame relative to the recording sheet receiving portion. The particular feed roller is configured to be attached to and removed from the holding frame via the replacement opening on the opposite side of the holding frame relative to the recording sheet receiving portion.