Image Forming Apparatus Door Mechanism for Jam Access

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in balancing door accessibility and jam processing performance, as a wide opening angle compromises accessibility to the lever for opening and closing the door, while a small opening angle narrows the space for treating sheet jams, deteriorating jam processing performance.

Innovation Solution

A sheet conveyance apparatus with a door that pivots to two positions, featuring a pivot member and an urging spring to regulate the door's movement, ensuring easy accessibility and improved jam processing by maintaining the door at a first position without external force and urging it back when at a second position, thereby optimizing both accessibility and processing space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a wide opening angle is ensured for the second door, then accessibility to the lever for opening and closing the door is improved, but the space for treating sheet jam is narrowed, deteriorating jam processing performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility to leverVSAvoidspace for treating sheet jam

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The door system is segmented into two distinct doors: a first door for general access and a second door for jam processing. Each door can be opened independently to different angles, allowing the first door to provide accessibility while the second door creates space for jam treatment without compromising either function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The door system employs dynamic positioning with two distinct open positions (first position with smaller angle, second position with larger angle). The urging portion dynamically urges the door between these positions, allowing the system to adapt its configuration based on operational needs - either prioritizing accessibility or jam processing space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If a small opening angle is set for the second door, then accessibility to the lever is improved, but the space for treating sheet jam is narrowed, deteriorating jam processing performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility to leverVSAvoidjam processing performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The door system is segmented into two distinct doors: a first door for general access and a second door for jam processing. Each door can be opened independently to different angles, allowing the first door to provide accessibility while the second door creates space for jam treatment without compromising either function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The door system employs dynamic positioning with two distinct open positions (first position with smaller angle, second position with larger angle). The urging portion dynamically urges the door between these positions, allowing the system to adapt its configuration based on operational needs - either prioritizing accessibility or jam processing space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the door is retained at the first position without external force, then ease of operation is improved, but additional mechanisms are required to maintain position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic position retentionVSAvoidposition control mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The urging portion functions as a mechanical counterbalance system that applies continuous force to the door. By positioning the pivot point and urging force appropriately, the system creates natural equilibrium positions where the door is self-retained at the first position or self-urged to the second position, eliminating the need for motors, sensors, or complex control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The door system is designed to be self-regulating through the urging portion. The door automatically returns to the first position after being opened, and automatically opens to the second position when needed, without requiring external control systems, power sources, or complex mechanisms to maintain or change positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

The solution enhances user accessibility and improves jam processing performance by maintaining a wide processing space when the door is open, while ensuring easy operation and automatic return to a closed position, reducing the risk of damage and improving usability.

Implementation Method 1

an urging portion provided between the door and the pivot member, and configured to urge the door and the pivot member to approach each other

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS10647533B2Image forming system and image forming apparatus

Publication Date: 2020.05.12 CANON KK

AI summary

An image forming system includes an image forming apparatus and a sheet conveyance apparatus attached detachably to the image forming apparatus. A guide guides the sheet conveyance apparatus to be attached to the image forming apparatus, and an urging portion urges a door toward a first position that is opened with respect to an apparatus body of the image forming apparatus in a case where the door is positioned at a second position opened further than the first position. The sheet conveyance apparatus includes a pressing portion to press the door positioned at the first position toward a closed position when the sheet conveyance apparatus is guided to be attached to the image forming apparatus.