Image Forming Apparatus Sheet Jam Handling Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses face challenges in preventing sheets from falling and going astray during jam handling processing, especially when the guide walls are opened, leading to reduced jam handling performance and increased manufacturing costs due to the need for additional mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a first conveyance path with a door that can be opened and closed, along with a second conveyance path and rollers that maintain sheet nipping even when the door is open, allowing the controller to redirect sheets to the second path, ensuring they are nipped by the second rollers, thus preventing falls without adding a special mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If one of the guide walls is opened to perform jam handling processing, then the sheet can be easily accessed for removal, but the sheet nipping is released and the sheet falls outside the apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The guide wall is divided into a fixed portion and a movable door portion. The movable door can be opened for jam handling while the fixed portion remains in place to maintain the nipping function through the roller pair disposed on it.
Solution Approach 2:
A roller pair is introduced as an intermediary element that maintains sheet nipping independently of the door's position. The roller pair acts as a mediator that ensures sheet retention whether the door is closed or open.
2Reliability
If a retaining member is added to prevent sheet falling when the guide wall is opened, then sheet retention is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The roller pair serves multiple functions: it conveys sheets during normal operation and maintains sheet nipping when the door is opened for jam handling. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate retaining members.
Solution Approach 2:
The roller pair automatically maintains sheet nipping through its own mechanical structure without requiring additional retaining mechanisms. The system uses existing components to solve the retention problem.
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
This solution effectively prevents sheet falls during jam handling without additional mechanisms, enhancing jam handling performance while keeping manufacturing costs low by utilizing existing rollers and paths.
Implementation Method 1
a first pair of rollers, which are disposed on the first conveyance path, configured to nip and convey a sheet
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus capable of preventing a sheet from falling during jam handling without adding a special mechanism. The apparatus has an openable door forming a guide wall of a first path in a closed state. A first pair of rollers are disposed on the first path for nipping and conveying a sheet in a door closed state, and separated from each other when the door is opened. A second path is connected to the first path, for conveying downstream a sheet from the first path. A second pair of rollers disposed on the second path can keep nipping a sheet even when the door is opened. If a jam occurs, a sheet remaining in the first path is conveyed into the second path using the first roller pair, and is nipped by the second roller pair.