Folding Sheet Stopper for Jam Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sheet stoppers in image forming apparatuses often entangle sheets when trying to pull them out from the upstream side, causing difficulty and potential damage during sheet jam clearance.
Innovation Solution
A sheet stopper with a folding mechanism that transitions between positions to allow easy sheet extraction, including a proximal and distal portion connected by a foldable mechanism, allowing the distal portion to fold towards the upstream side when the sheet is drawn out, thus avoiding entanglement with the sheet guide.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the distal portion of the sheet stopper is structured to move under the outer surface of the sheet guide, then the sheet stopper can effectively block and guide sheets, but the sheet becomes entangled in a zigzag shape between the distal portion and the sheet guide when pulled out from the upstream side
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet stopper transitions from a static structure to a dynamic one by introducing a folding mechanism. The distal portion can now change its position and orientation relative to the proximal portion, allowing it to adapt between blocking mode (under the sheet guide) and extraction mode (folded back), thereby resolving the contradiction between effective sheet blocking and easy sheet extraction
Solution Approach 2:
The sheet stopper is divided into two separable parts: the proximal portion that remains relatively stationary and the distal portion that can fold independently. This segmentation allows the distal portion to move away from the sheet guide during extraction without affecting the overall blocking function when folded forward
2Device complexity
If the distal portion of the sheet stopper remains fixed in position, then the structure is simple and stable, but the sheet may be damaged by contact with the distal portion or a sheet piece may remain in the image forming apparatus when pulled out from the upstream side
Solution Approach 1:
By making the distal portion dynamic through the folding mechanism, it can retract away from the sheet guide during sheet extraction. This dynamic adjustment eliminates the harmful contact between the fixed distal portion and the sheet, preventing sheet damage and residual sheet pieces while maintaining structural simplicity through a single folding joint
Data Source
AI summary
A turnable sheet stopper blocks and passes a sheet conveyed on a sheet guide, and includes a proximal portion, a distal portion connected to the end of the proximal portion, and a folding mechanism that connects the distal portion to the proximal portion. The sheet stopper transitions between first and second positions. In the second position, the proximal and distal portions integrally turn to the downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction to allow the sheet to pass. The sheet stopper transitions from the second position to a third position when a user draws out the sheet from an upstream side. In the third position, the distal portion folds toward the upstream side to allow the sheet to be drawn out. During transition from the second position to the third position, the edge of the distal portion is located on or away from an outer surface of the sheet guide.