Image Forming Apparatus Guide Member for Jam Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, the visibility of the sheet path within the main body frame is poor, making it difficult to detect and process jams, especially due to the placement of the intermediate unit and fixing section, which hinders effective maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A guide member in the intermediate unit is designed to be opened and closed automatically based on the mounting state of the automatic duplex unit, improving visibility by switching between a guide position and an open position, facilitated by a spring force and contact with the automatic duplex unit's pressing body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the guide member is placed in the closed position to guide the sheet, then the sheet path is properly guided, but the visibility of the sheet path is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member is designed to be movable between a closed position (for guiding sheets) and an open position (for visibility). The movable nature allows the system to dynamically switch between guiding function and visibility based on operational needs, resolving the contradiction between sheet guidance and visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide member is positioned to be movable only in the vertical direction, allowing the upper surface to remain visible when in the open position while maintaining the guiding function when closed. This localized movement capability allows different parts of the system to serve different functions at different times.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If the guide member is kept in the open position for visibility, then the sheet path is visible, but the sheet guidance function is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member automatically transitions between open and closed positions based on the presence or absence of the automatic duplex unit, ensuring visibility when needed and proper guidance when the duplex unit is installed. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction by making the system adaptive to different operational states.
3Reliability
If the intermediate unit is fixed in the main body frame for safety, then safety is improved, but the guide member cannot be accessed for maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member's vertical movability allows it to be accessed from above when in the open position, facilitating maintenance and cleaning while keeping the intermediate unit fixed in the main body frame. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction between safety through fixed installation and ease of maintenance.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the automatic duplex unit is installed, then duplex printing function is enabled, but the guide member is pushed to the closed position blocking visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member automatically responds to the installation state of the automatic duplex unit by moving to the appropriate position. When the duplex unit is installed, the guide member moves to the closed position to enable proper sheet guidance, and when removed, it moves to the open position for visibility. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between function and visibility.
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
Enhances the visibility of the sheet path and facilitates jam processing by automatically adjusting the guide member's position, improving workability during maintenance and jam handling.
Implementation Method 1
said guide member always receives a spring force toward the open position
Implementation Method 2
moves, when the automatic duplex unit is mounted to the main body frame, the guide member to the guide position by contact with a pressing body of the automatic duplex unit side
Data Source
AI summary
In an image transferring apparatus of the invention, a relay unit, which is provided in a main body frame and includes a conveyance switching mechanism to eject a sheet on which an image is fixed by a fixing section to a sheet ejection section or to switch back the sheet in the middle of ejection, can be pulled out, and a automatic duplex unit to guide the switched back sheet to an image forming section is mounted to the main body frame to be capable of being detached. An intermediate unit to guide the sheet switched back by the relay unit, together with the fixing section, is fixed and placed in the main body frame. The intermediate unit is provided with a guide member to be capable of being opened and closed between a guide position for the switched back sheet and an open position opposite to the guide position. The guide member always receives a spring force toward the open position, and when the automatic duplex unit is mounted to the main body frame, the guide member is moved to the guide position by contact with a pressing body of the automatic duplex unit side, and when the automatic duplex unit is detached from the main body frame, the guide member is opened to the open position by the spring force.