Image Forming Apparatus Vertical Re-conveying Path Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses face challenges in downsizing due to the large horizontal width caused by sharing the sheet re-conveying path with the original conveying path, which affects space utilization efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a re-conveying path with a U-turn portion and strategically positions the image reading portion and discharge conveyance path to minimize the horizontal footprint, allowing for efficient downsizing while maintaining functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the image reading portion is arranged in the sheet re-conveying path, then the apparatus can be downsized, but the horizontal width increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vertical conveyance path where the sheet moves upward from the sheet conveyance path to the image reading portion, and then downward to the discharge conveyance path. This three-dimensional arrangement allows the image reading portion to be positioned above the sheet conveyance path rather than horizontally adjacent, thereby reducing horizontal width while maintaining compact footprint area.
Solution Approach 2:
The image reading portion is nested above the sheet conveyance path, with the discharge conveyance path positioned below the image reading portion. This vertical stacking arrangement allows multiple functional paths to occupy overlapping horizontal spaces at different vertical levels, effectively reducing the overall horizontal width of the apparatus.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the sheet re-conveying path is shared with the original conveying path, then space utilization improves, but the horizontal width increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a vertical branching structure where the original conveying path branches upward from the sheet re-conveying path to reach the image reading portion. This vertical separation allows both paths to share the same horizontal space while occupying different vertical levels, maintaining path sharing capability without increasing horizontal width.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveying path is segmented into distinct vertical sections: the sheet re-conveying path at the bottom, the original conveying path branching upward, and the image reading portion at the top. This segmentation allows each path to be optimized independently while sharing the same compact horizontal footprint.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
An image forming apparatus including: a sheet feeding portion configured to feed a sheet to a sheet conveying path; an image forming portion configured to form an image on the sheet; a sheet discharging portion configured to discharge the sheet; a sheet re-conveying path configured to guide the sheet on which the image has been formed to the sheet conveying path again; an original feeding portion configured to feed an original; an original feeding path configured to guide the original to the sheet re-conveying path; an image reading portion configured to read an image of the original; an original discharging path configured to guide the original guided along the sheet re-conveying path to an original discharging portion; and an original conveying portion configured to convey the original which has been guided along the original feeding path toward the original discharging path.