Follower Roller Holder Structure for Stable Small-Sheet Conveyance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet conveyance systems face instability in conveying small-size documents due to uneven application of conveyance force, leading to potential skewing and misalignment.
Innovation Solution
A sheet conveyance apparatus with a drawing roller pair configuration that includes a drive roller and a follower roller, where the follower roller is held by a holder member regulated by urging springs to ensure precise pressure contact with the drive roller, maintaining consistent nip pressure across multiple rotating members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a conveyance roller pair with multiple roller elements is used to convey normal-size documents, then the conveyance force is sufficient for normal documents, but the conveyance force becomes too small for small-size documents, leading to conveyance instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the central roller elements of both the drive roller and follower roller larger in diameter than the peripheral roller elements. This creates different contact characteristics at different locations along the roller axis, providing enhanced conveyance force specifically at the center where small-size documents make contact, while maintaining appropriate force distribution for normal-size documents.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameter (diameter) of the roller elements along the axial direction. By varying the diameter from the center toward the periphery, the system adjusts the contact area and friction characteristics to optimize conveyance force for small-size documents without compromising the performance for normal-size documents.
2Device complexity
If the follower roller is freely supported without position regulation, then the device complexity is reduced, but the pressure contact between roller elements becomes uneven, causing skewing and misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary component (the holder member with urging mechanism) between the follower roller support structure and the follower roller itself. This intermediary element actively regulates the position of the follower roller in the width direction and maintains uniform pressure contact between the roller elements, preventing skewing and misalignment while adding minimal structural 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
Stabilizes the conveyance of small-size sheets by reducing skewing and improving alignment, enhancing the reliability of document handling in image reading and forming processes.
Implementation Method 1
an urging spring configured to urge the holder member such that the plurality of second rotating members is brought into pressure contact with the plurality of first rotating members
Implementation Method 2
a drive roller disposed downstream of the separating portion in a sheet conveyance direction, the drive roller including a plurality of first rotating members arranged in a sheet width direction orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet conveyance apparatus includes a conveyance member, a separation member, a drive roller including a plurality of first rotating members, a motor, a follower roller including a plurality of second rotating members and a shaft member supporting the plurality of second rotating members, a holder member configured to regulate a position of a central second rotating member, and an urging spring configured to urge the holder member. The holder member includes (i) a first side surface portion provided with a first shaft-receiving portion and (ii) a second side surface portion provided with a second shaft-receiving portion. The holder member is configured to regulate the position of the central second rotating member by the first side surface portion and the second side surface portion and apply an urging force of the urging spring to the shaft member via the first shaft-receiving portion and the second shaft-receiving portion.