Flexible Plate Body for Sheet Conveyance Noise Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sheet conveying devices in image forming apparatuses experience collision noise due to the trailing end of sheets bouncing off conveyance passage defining bodies after passing through nip regions, which affects the operating sound and conveyance efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A sheet conveying device configuration where a flexible plate body with a support portion on the upstream side of the nip region and a free end on the downstream side is used to absorb collision energy, guiding the sheet and reducing contact with the conveyance passage defining body, thereby minimizing collision noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a rigid conveyance passage defining body is used to guide the sheet, then the sheet conveyance path is well-defined, but collision noise occurs when the trailing end of the sheet bounces off the conveyance passage defining body

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollision noiseVSAvoidconveyance passage structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies this principle by replacing the rigid conveyance passage defining body with a flexible plate member that has an elastically deformable portion. This flexible member can bend and absorb the impact when the sheet trailing end contacts it, thereby reducing collision noise while still guiding the sheet through the conveyance passage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies this principle by positioning the flexible plate member to protrude into the conveyance passage before the sheet trailing end reaches it. The flexible member acts as a cushion that deforms elastically upon contact, absorbing the impact energy and preventing the harsh collision that would occur with a rigid structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the flexible plate member is positioned downstream of the nip region, then it can absorb collision energy, but it interferes with the sheet conveyance and reduces conveyance efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollision noiseVSAvoidsheet conveyance efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies this principle by making only a specific portion of the plate member (the elastically deformable portion) flexible, while other portions can remain rigid. The flexible portion is strategically positioned to contact the sheet trailing end for noise reduction, while the rigid portions maintain proper sheet guidance and conveyance flow, thus balancing noise reduction with conveyance efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies this principle by designing the plate member with an elastically deformable portion that dynamically adapts its shape during sheet conveyance. The portion remains in its original position during normal operation but deforms when the sheet trailing end contacts it, allowing it to reduce collision noise without creating persistent interference with sheet flow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the support portion of the flexible plate member is attached downstream of the nip region, then the free end can absorb collision energy, but the plate member cannot effectively guide the sheet through the nip region

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollision noiseVSAvoidsheet conveyance stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies this principle by positioning the support portion of the flexible plate member upstream of the nip region, so that the plate member is already in place and properly positioned before the sheet reaches the nip region. This allows the plate member to effectively guide the sheet through the nip region while its free end extending downstream can still absorb collision energy from the sheet trailing end.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 flexible plate body effectively absorbs collision energy, reducing noise and maintaining conveyance efficiency by ensuring the sheet is guided smoothly through the nip region without affecting the apparatus's size or conveyability.

Implementation Method 1

a flexible plate body having a support portion to be attached to another body and having a downstream-side end portion as a free end

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11442390B2Sheet conveying device, image reading device incorporating the sheet conveying device, image forming apparatus incorporating the sheet conveying device, and image forming system incorporating the sheet conveying device

Publication Date: 2022.09.13 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

A sheet conveying device includes conveyance passage forming bodies to define a sheet conveyance passage, a nip forming body to form a conveying nip region in the sheet conveyance passage, and a flexible plate body having a support portion to be attached to another body and having a downstream-side end portion as a free end in a sheet conveying direction. The support portion of the flexible plate body is located on an upstream side in the sheet conveying direction with respect to the conveying nip region. The free end being located on a downstream side in the sheet conveying direction with respect to the conveying nip region.