Flapper Mechanism for Sheet Jam Clearance in Inkjet Conveyers
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Solution Overview
Problem
In inkjet recording apparatuses with conveyer devices, the flapper used to block the conveyer path can interfere with operations to clear sheet jams, reducing operability and stabilizing the flapper's posture is challenging due to external forces from the operation handle.
Innovation Solution
A conveyer device with a flapper that is pivotable among three conditions, urged by a spring and movable by a member to separate from opposing path members, allowing easy handling of sheet jams while maintaining posture stability, includes a movable member that moves between positions to pivot the flapper from a blocking to a separated condition, enhancing jam clearance and path stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the flapper is kept engaged with the operation handle to maintain blocking posture, then the flapper posture stability is improved, but the ease of operation to clear sheet jams deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flapper is designed as a movable component that can dynamically switch between different positions (blocking position and detached position) based on operational needs. The movable member enables the flapper to transition from a fixed blocking state to a detached state for jam clearance, and back to blocking state after clearance, providing both stability during normal operation and ease of operation during maintenance
Solution Approach 2:
A movable member is introduced as an intermediary component between the operation handle and the flapper. This movable member transmits the operator's input force to pivot the flapper from the blocking position to the detached position, and also transmits the spring's urging force to return the flapper to the blocking position, thereby mediating between the conflicting requirements of stability and ease of operation
2Ease of operation
If the flapper is moved to the detached condition to clear sheet jams, then the ease of operation is improved, but the flapper posture stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flapper system is designed to be dynamic rather than static, allowing it to switch between blocking and detached states as needed. The movable member enables easy transition to the detached state for jam clearance, while the spring ensures automatic return to the stable blocking state, resolving the contradiction between operational ease and posture stability
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded mechanism provides self-service functionality where the flapper automatically returns to its blocking position after being moved to the detached position for jam clearance. This eliminates the need for manual intervention to restore the blocking posture, maintaining stability while enabling easy operation
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
The solution allows for easier handling and clearance of sheet jams in the conveyer path while maintaining flapper posture stability, ensuring smooth operation and reduced interference during jam resolution.
Implementation Method 1
an urging member configured to urge the flapper toward the first condition
Data Source
AI summary
A conveyer device, including a chassis defining a first conveyer path and a second conveyer path; a pair of path members opposing to each other to form a part of the first conveyer path; a flapper configured to be pivotable among a first condition, wherein the flapper blocks the first conveyer path, a second condition, wherein the flapper allows the sheet conveyed in the conveying direction to pass thereby, and a third condition, wherein the flapper is separated from an opposing member; an urging member to urge the flapper; and a movable member movable between a first position, wherein the flapper in the first condition is contactless from the movable member, and a second condition, wherein the movable member contacts the flapper, is provided. The movable member separates one of the pair of path members from the other when moving from the first position to the second position.