Image Forming Apparatus Sheet Re-conveyance Height Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrophotographic image forming apparatuses with double-side printing functionality require a larger height due to the need for a re-conveying unit, which increases the vertical dimension and resource consumption.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a transferring unit, a fixing unit, a first sheet conveying path section, a re-conveying unit, and a charge-removing member, where the charge-removing member is integrated into the second sheet conveying path section below the first path, allowing for reduced vertical height while enabling double-side printing by re-conveying sheets and removing charges effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a re-conveying unit is added to enable double-side printing, then the printing functionality is improved, but the vertical height of the apparatus increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the re-conveying unit from a vertical arrangement to a horizontal arrangement beneath the first sheet conveying path. The second sheet conveying path is configured to extend horizontally below the first path, allowing sheets to be re-conveyed in a different spatial dimension without increasing vertical height.
Solution Approach 2:
The re-conveying unit is integrated within the existing apparatus structure, with the second sheet conveying path nested beneath the first sheet conveying path. The charge-removing member is also integrated into this nested structure, allowing multiple functions to coexist in a compact vertical arrangement.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional components are added for double-side printing, then the printing functionality is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The charge-removing member is merged with the re-conveying unit structure, serving dual purposes: removing residual charges from sheets and providing structural support for the second sheet conveying path. This integration reduces the total number of separate components while maintaining all necessary functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The re-conveying unit is designed to serve multiple functions: conveying sheets for double-side printing, providing structural support, and working in conjunction with the charge-removing member. The second sheet conveying path is configured to work with both the fixing unit and the charge-removing member, creating a multi-functional integrated system.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an image forming apparatus including a transferring unit, fixing unit, a first sheet conveying path section, a re-conveying unit and a charge-removing member. The transferring unit transfers developer onto a sheet. The fixing unit fixes the developer transferred to the sheet to form a visible image on the sheet. The first sheet conveying path section extends through the transfer unit and the fixing unit, the sheet being conveyed from the transfer unit to the fixing unit along the first sheet conveying path section. The re-conveying unit constitutes a second sheet conveying path section for re-conveying the sheet from the fixing unit to an inlet side of the transfer unit, the second sheet conveying path section being positioned below the first sheet conveying path section. The charge-removing member is disposed between the first sheet conveying path section and the second sheet conveying path section, the charge-removing member constituting a part of the second sheet conveying path section and removing charges from the sheet conveyed along the first sheet conveying path section.