Feed Roller Spacer Design for High-Temperature Creep
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing image forming apparatuses face deformation issues when exposed to high-temperature environments due to creep deformation of resin-based frames and rollers, affecting the relative positional relationship and feeding capability of feed rollers.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of spacers between the feed rollers and frames to maintain a predetermined gap, preventing deformation by reducing the urging force applied to the second frame and rollers, and using metal rollers to minimize deformation under high-temperature conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the intermediate frame is formed from resin to reduce weight and cost, then manufacturing cost and weight are reduced, but the frame undergoes creep deformation under high-temperature conditions and pressing force
Solution Approach 1:
A support member is introduced as an intermediary component between the feed rollers and the intermediate frame. This support member bears the pressing force from the feed rollers, preventing direct transmission of the force to the resin intermediate frame, thereby avoiding creep deformation while allowing the frame to remain lightweight and cost-effective
2Manufacturing precision
If the feed rollers are pressed with high pressing force to regulate the leading end of the sheet, then sheet feeding precision is improved, but the feed rollers and intermediate frame deform under high-temperature conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The support member serves as a mediator that承受s the high pressing force from the feed rollers during sheet feeding operations. By introducing this intermediary structure, the system can maintain high pressing force for precise sheet regulation without causing deformation of the feed rollers or intermediate frame, even in high-temperature environments
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure is segmented into multiple support members positioned at different locations between the feed rollers and the intermediate frame. This segmentation distributes the pressing force across multiple points, preventing concentration of stress at any single location and thereby preventing deformation of the feed rollers and frame
3Device complexity
If the intermediate frame is made from resin to simplify structure and reduce weight, then device complexity and weight are reduced, but relative positional relationship between feed rollers changes during transport
Solution Approach 1:
The support member acts as a rigid intermediary that maintains the relative positional relationship between the feed rollers and the intermediate frame during transport. By providing this structural support, the system can use a simple resin frame without compromising the stability of component positioning
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 effectively prevents deformation of the frames and rollers during transportation and operation in high-temperature environments, ensuring consistent sheet feeding performance.
Implementation Method 1
preventing deformation by reducing the urging force applied to the second frame and rollers
Implementation Method 2
using metal rollers to minimize deformation under high-temperature conditions
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
An image forming apparatus is provided, which includes a main body including two first frames facing each other and a second frame bridging a gap between the first frames, an image forming unit disposed between the first frames, a feed roller unit including a first roller and a second roller supported by the second frame so as to contact the first roller in a position away from the first frame, an urging member providing an urging force to bring the first roller into contact with the second roller in a direction parallel to the first frames, and a spacer detachably attached between the main body and one of the first and second rollers near at least one of the first frames, so as to separate the first roller from the second roller or weaken a contact force between the first roller and the second roller against the urging force.