Guide Member Stabilizes Sheet Re-conveyance in Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses face issues with sheet alignment during re-conveyance due to contact with stacked sheets on the discharge tray, leading to misalignment and potential damage from incorrect operation of exposed stack levers.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a guide member that extends downstream of the stack lever to stabilize the sheet re-conveyance path and a removable cover to protect the stack lever, preventing incorrect operation and maintaining sheet alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the upper side of the stack levers is left open to allow sheet passage, then the sheet can be conveyed through the re-conveyance path, but the sheet may be conveyed in an unintended direction and the stack lever may be incorrectly operated by the user
Solution Approach 1:
A guide member is introduced as an intermediary component between the re-conveyance path and the stack lever. This guide member has a downstream end portion that extends below the upstream face of the stack lever, creating a controlled passage that directs the sheet in the correct direction while preventing unintended conveyance paths and user misoperation
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful factor (open upper side allowing unintended sheet movement) is extracted by adding the guide member that selectively blocks incorrect paths while maintaining the necessary open passage for correct sheet flow
2Stability of the object's composition
If the sheet being conveyed along the re-conveyance path contacts the stacked sheets on the discharge tray, then the sheet can be supported, but the alignment of the stacked sheets becomes disarranged
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member acts as an intermediary structure that separates the re-conveyance path from the stacked sheets on the discharge tray. By extending below the stack lever's upstream face, it creates a physical barrier that prevents conveying sheets from contacting and disarranging the stacked sheets, while still allowing proper sheet support and alignment
3Ease of operation
If the stack lever is exposed to the outside of the apparatus, then the user can access it for operation, but the stack lever may be damaged due to excessive load from incorrect operation
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member serves as a protective intermediary that physically shields the stack lever from direct user contact. The downstream end portion extending below the stack lever's upstream face creates a barrier that prevents users from mistakenly applying excessive load to the stack lever, while maintaining normal operational functionality
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming engine, a re-conveyance path configured to guide a sheet, on which an image is formed by the image forming engine, to be switched back and re-conveyed toward the image forming engine. The apparatus also includes a discharge tray, and a discharge path configured to guide the sheet in a sheet discharge direction toward the discharge tray. A stack lever is configured to contact a top surface of the sheet on the discharge tray and press the sheet toward the discharge tray. A guide member is configured to form a part of the re-conveyance path, extend up to a position downstream of the stack lever in the sheet discharge direction above the stack lever, and guide the sheet being conveyed along the re-conveyance path, between the guide member and the stack lever.