Print Medium Feed Roller Separation Structure for Easy Replacement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image formation apparatuses face challenges in easily replacing the feed roller due to abrasion, which affects the efficient feeding of print media.
Innovation Solution
A print medium feed unit with a first feed roller and support portions that allow for easy replacement, featuring a separable structure to facilitate the rotation and support of the roller, ensuring stable and efficient media feeding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If the feed roller is installed in a conventional fixed support structure, then the print medium can be fed stably, but the feed roller cannot be replaced easily when worn
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into a first support portion and a second support portion that can be separated from each other. The first support portion includes a first support member and the second support portion includes a second support member, allowing the feed roller to be accessed and replaced by separating these support portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure transitions from a fixed rigid configuration to a dynamic separable configuration. The first and second support portions can be moved relative to each other to separate and reassemble, enabling easy replacement of the feed roller while maintaining structural stability during operation.
2Ease of repair
If the support structure is made separable to enable easy replacement, then maintenance becomes simpler, but the structural stability during operation may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is segmented into separable first and second support portions that can be joined together during operation. This segmentation allows for easy disassembly and reassembly during maintenance while maintaining structural integrity when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The first support portion and second support portion are designed to be joined together to form a stable support structure during operation. The merging of these portions provides structural stability, while their separability enables easy replacement of the feed roller when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A print medium feed unit includes: a first feed roller including a first end portion and a second end portion and configured to pick up a print medium by rotating about a rotational axis extending in a first direction; a first support portion configured to rotationally support the first end portion; and a second support portion configured to rotationally support the second end portion. At least one of the first support portion and the second support portion includes a separation structure including a first portion and a second portion which are separable from each other in a radial direction of the first feed roller.