Image Forming Apparatus Holder Position for Chain Transition
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Image distortion occurs in image forming apparatuses due to the holder's position relative to the chain's movement, causing the recording medium to be pulled and misaligned during the transition from rotary to linear movement.
Innovation Solution
The holder's position is arranged downstream of the upstream roller of the most downstream link in the circulating direction, ensuring synchronized movement with the chain and preventing image distortion by maintaining proper alignment of the recording medium.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the holding position is arranged upstream of the upstream roller of the most downstream link, then the holder can engage the recording medium earlier, but image distortion occurs due to pulling the recording medium during movement transition
Solution Approach 1:
The holder engages the recording medium in advance during the rotary movement phase while positioned upstream, but the actual release and transfer to linear movement occurs after passing the upstream roller. This preliminary engagement allows the holder to secure the medium early while avoiding premature release that would cause distortion during the movement transition.
Solution Approach 2:
The holder's position relative to the chain links is dynamically optimized. By positioning the holding location downstream of the upstream roller of the most downstream link, the system ensures that the holder maintains synchronized movement with the chain during the critical transition phase, preventing relative motion that would cause image distortion while still allowing early engagement.
2Speed
If the holder shifts from rotary movement to linear movement upstream, then the chain can transition earlier, but the recording medium becomes misaligned relative to the rotating body
Solution Approach 1:
The chain is prepared for movement transition in advance by positioning the holder upstream during rotary movement, but the actual transition to linear movement occurs after the holder passes the upstream roller of the most downstream link. This preliminary preparation allows early positioning while ensuring the transition occurs at the optimal moment for maintaining alignment stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically coordinates the holder's position with the chain's movement phases. By ensuring the holding position is downstream of the upstream roller of the most downstream link, the system maintains synchronized motion between the holder and chain during the transition, preventing misalignment of the recording medium relative to the rotating body.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes: a rotating body having a recess in an outer peripheral surface thereof; a sprocket provided coaxially with the rotating body to rotate integrally with the rotating body; a chain having plural links, the chain being wound around the sprocket to circulate in a circulating direction so as to shift from a rotary movement in which the chain rotates in an arc shape conforming to an outer periphery of the sprocket along with the sprocket, to a linear movement; a holder fixed to at least one link of the links of the chain, the holder being configured to hold a leading end portion of a recording medium, the holder being configured to transport the recording medium by performing the rotary movement along with the rotating body and the chain in a state of (i) holding the leading end portion of the recording medium placed on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body and (ii) being located in the recess, and then shifting to the linear movement along with the chain; and an image forming unit configured to form an image on the recording medium placed on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body, in which a holding position where the holder holds the recording medium is arranged downstream of an upstream roller of rollers of a most downstream link in the circulating direction among the at least one link to which the holder is fixed.