Flexible Guide Plate Rib Structure for Thick Sheet Conveyance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transfer devices face issues with conveying thicker sheets, such as cardboard, as they can cause the guide plate to deflect or snag, leading to pre-transfer toner scattering and improper conveyance.
Innovation Solution
A transfer device with a flexible guide plate and support frame, featuring a rib structure that allows the guide plate to deflect without being blocked, ensuring smooth conveyance of thicker sheets while maintaining proper alignment with the photoconductor drum.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sponge is designed to be greater in height to prevent pre-transfer, then the sheet can be properly positioned, but the leading edge of thicker sheets will collide with and snag on the sponge, causing guide plate deflection
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is segmented into multiple ribs spaced apart from each other, allowing the guide plate to deflect between the ribs while thicker sheets pass through without snagging on a continuous high sponge structure
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from a vertical height-based prevention (high sponge) to a spatial arrangement-based prevention (rib spacing), allowing the guide plate to operate in a deflected state while maintaining sheet conveyance capability
2Ease of operation
If the sponge is arranged under the distal end of the guide plate to prevent collision with thicker sheets, then the guide plate can be blocked from deflection, but this blocks the guide plate from being deflected, making it impossible to properly convey thicker sheets
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into discrete ribs rather than a continuous block, allowing the guide plate to deflect in the gaps between ribs while the ribs themselves provide support to prevent excessive deflection and maintain conveyance capability
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure provides localized support at specific points (rib positions) rather than continuous support, allowing the guide plate to be flexible where needed while maintaining stability where required
Data Source
AI summary
In a transfer device, a first side of a flexible guide plate faces to a recording medium being conveyed along a medium conveyance path to guide the recording medium toward an image carrying member. A support frame supports an upstream end portion of the guide plate, and includes an opposite portion disposed from and opposite to a second side (reverse to the first side) of the guide plate and a rib configured to protrude from the opposite portion toward the medium conveyance path. The rib has a first edge which is positioned at an upstream side and beyond which the guide plate protrudes downstream. The rib has an inclined surface extending from the first edge in a direction obliquely downstream toward the image carrying member. The guide plate includes an indentation to allow the guide plate to be deflected without being blocked by the rib.