Image Forming Apparatus Flexure Guide for Cutting Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, the movement of the cutting part during cutting can interfere with the transfer process at the transfer part, affecting the quality and stability of the medium being processed.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a flexure forming part that guides the medium to form a flexure between the cutting and transfer parts, and an opposing part that moves away from the guide part to absorb the movement of the cutting part, preventing interference with the transfer process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the cutting part moves during cutting to cut the medium, then the cutting function is achieved, but the movement of the cutting part interferes with the transfer process at the transfer part
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the medium path into separate sections: a cutting section where the cutting part operates, and a transfer section where the transfer part operates. By spatially segmenting the process, the movement of the cutting part during cutting does not interfere with the transfer process, as they occur in distinct zones along the medium path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the flexible guide part forming a flexure) between the cutting part and the transfer part. This intermediary absorbs and isolates the movement of the cutting part, preventing it from being transmitted to the transfer part, thus protecting the transfer process stability while allowing the cutting function to operate.
2Device complexity
If the guide part remains stationary during cutting, then the structure is simple, but the movement of the cutting part affects the transfer part
Solution Approach 1:
The guide part is designed to be flexible rather than rigid, allowing it to dynamically form a flexure during cutting. This dynamic behavior enables the guide part to adapt to the movement of the cutting part while maintaining isolation from the transfer part, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and transfer process stability.
3Reliability
If the guide part forms a flexure during cutting, then the cutting movement is isolated from the transfer part, but the guide part must move (retreat) which adds complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The guide part utilizes the flexibility of the medium itself to form the flexure, rather than requiring a complex mechanical retreat mechanism. The medium's own properties are leveraged to create the necessary flexure, allowing the guide part to maintain its position while the medium bends, thus isolating cutting movements without adding significant mechanical complexity.
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 flexure formed in the medium acts as a buffering mechanism, isolating the cutting part's movement from the transfer part, ensuring uninterrupted and stable transfer of images onto the medium.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible member that guides the medium and forms a flexure of the medium between the cutting part and the transfer part in the carrying direction
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a cutting part cutting a medium, a transfer part arranged on a downstream side of the cutting part in a carrying direction and transfers a developer image to the medium; a flexure forming part having a guide part and forms a flexure of the medium by bending the medium between the cutting part and the transfer part in the carrying direction; and an opposing part that is arranged opposing the flexure forming part via a carrying path through which the medium is carried, wherein the guide part performs a retreat movement either before or after the cutting part starts to cut the medium, wherein the retreat movement is a movement of the guide part in which the guide part moves in a direction away from the opposing part.