Image Forming Apparatus Dual Discharge Path

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional image forming apparatuses have unsatisfactory operability as sheets are discharged from the far side despite being inserted from the near side, leading to user inconvenience.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus includes a housing with a toner image forming portion, a foil transfer unit, and discharge portions that allow sheets to be discharged from the toner image forming portion and foil transfer unit in opposite directions, enabling sheet insertion and discharge from the same side, improving user operability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If sheets are discharged from the far side of the apparatus, then the sheet path passes through all processing units, but user operability deteriorates because insertion and discharge are from opposite sides

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser operabilityVSAvoiddischarge path configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The discharge system is segmented into multiple independent discharge portions (first discharge portion for foil transfer sheets and second discharge portion for non-foil transfer sheets). Each discharge portion can operate independently, allowing sheets to be discharged from the front side regardless of which processing path they took, thereby improving user operability without oversimplifying the internal complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of discharging sheets from the far side (conventional approach), the invention inverts the discharge direction by providing discharge portions at the front side of the apparatus. This allows users to insert and discharge sheets from the same side, dramatically improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If sheets are discharged from the far side, then the processing sequence is maintained, but sheet discharge timing becomes synchronized causing potential conflicts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing sequence integrityVSAvoidsheet discharge timing conflict

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The discharge function is segmented into separate discharge portions for different sheet types (foil transfer and non-foil transfer). This segmentation allows independent control of discharge timing for each path, preventing timing conflicts while maintaining processing sequence integrity for each respective path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The discharge system is made dynamic by allowing different discharge timings for different sheet paths. The first and second discharge portions can operate at different times based on which processing path is active, eliminating synchronization conflicts while preserving the integrity of each processing sequence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20240427277A1Image Forming Apparatus Capable of Inserting Sheet Tray in One Direction and Discharging Printed Sheet in Opposite Direction

Publication Date: 2024.12.26 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

An image forming apparatus includes a housing, a toner image forming portion, a foil transfer unit, a sheet tray, and a discharge portion. The toner image forming portion is provided in the housing and configured to form a toner image on a sheet. The foil transfer unit is configured to superpose a foil with a surface of the sheet. The sheet tray is installable in the housing in an inserting direction and configured to accommodate a sheet to be supplied to the toner image forming portion. The first discharge portion is configured to discharge the sheet from the foil transfer unit to the outside of the housing in a discharging direction opposite to the inserting direction. The second discharge portion is configured to discharge the sheet from the toner image forming portion to the outside of the housing without passing through the foil transfer unit in the discharge direction.