Image Forming Apparatus Intermediate Discharge Roller Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses face inefficiencies in paper discharge speed due to the need for long intervals between sheets, leading to increased operational noise, toner stress, and reduced component lifespan, as the reverse roller must rotate faster to prevent interference during discharge.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of an intermediate discharge roller unit with a swing roller and sensor system allows for simultaneous discharge of preceding and following printed media by reversing the moving direction of the printed medium and adjusting the path, reducing the interval between sheets and enhancing overall print speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the reverse roller rotates faster in the reverse direction to discharge papers successively, then the paper discharging speed increases, but the operational noise of the driving motor increases
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge path is segmented into multiple stages by introducing an intermediate discharge roller unit between the first discharge roller and the reverse roller. This divides the paper discharge process into: (1) paper feeding from the first discharge roller to the intermediate discharge roller unit, (2) paper discharge through the intermediate discharge roller unit, and (3) paper discharge from the reverse roller. This segmentation allows the reverse roller to rotate at normal speed while still achieving fast successive paper discharge through the coordinated action of multiple rollers.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate discharge roller unit acts as an intermediary between the first discharge roller and the reverse roller. It receives paper from the first discharge roller and feeds it to the reverse roller, enabling the reverse roller to operate at lower speed while maintaining high paper discharge speed through the intermediate unit's coordinated rotation.
2Speed
If the reverse roller rotates faster in the reverse direction to discharge papers successively, then the paper discharging speed increases, but the developing device idles for a long span causing toner stress and abrasion
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the discharge path with the intermediate discharge roller unit, the paper discharge process is divided into multiple stages that can operate simultaneously. This eliminates the idle waiting time of the developing device while maintaining high paper discharge speed, as paper is continuously processed through the intermediate unit without requiring the reverse roller to rotate at high speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate discharge roller unit enables continuous paper discharge without interruption or idle waiting. Paper is continuously fed from the first discharge roller through the intermediate discharge roller unit to the reverse roller, ensuring the developing device remains actively engaged in the printing process without long idle spans, thus reducing toner stress and extending component lifespan.
3Reliability
If a long interval between papers is maintained to prevent interference during discharge, then paper discharge is stable, but the overall print speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge path is divided into multiple segments by the intermediate discharge roller unit, allowing paper to be discharged through different stages simultaneously. This enables the system to maintain stable paper discharge by coordinating the rotation of multiple rollers rather than relying on long intervals between papers, thus improving overall print speed while maintaining discharge stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a spatial dimension to the paper discharge process by positioning the intermediate discharge roller unit between the first discharge roller and the reverse roller. This creates a multi-stage discharge path where paper can be moved through different spatial zones simultaneously, eliminating the need for long time intervals between papers while maintaining discharge stability.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus capable of increasing the speed of successively discharging printed printing media in order to increase the overall print speed and a control method thereof. The image forming apparatus includes a first discharge roller to feed printed printing medium rearward from a print unit disposed at an inner front portion of a main body, a reverse roller to reverse a moving direction of the printed printing medium fed from the first discharge roller from a rear to a front of the main body, a second discharge roller to discharge the printed printing medium whose moving direction is reversed outside, and an intermediate discharge roller unit which is provided between the first discharge roller and the reverse roller, the intermediate discharge roller unit including a main roller, a sub discharge roller and a sub supply roller which are in contact with the main roller. While a preceding printed printing medium fed from the reverse roller is discharged between the main roller and the sub discharge roller, a following printed printing medium fed from the first discharge roller is supplied between the main roller and the sub supply roller. Accordingly, since the interval between the preceding printed printing medium and the following printed printing medium becomes shorter than that of a conventional image forming apparatus, the speed of successively discharging printed printing media increases, and as a result the overall print speed increases.