Image Recording Apparatus Flap Sheet Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image recording apparatuses capable of recording on both surfaces of a sheet, existing structures with a turnable flap often lead to image quality deterioration due to uneven sheet positioning, as the flap applies a downward force, causing the upstream portion of the sheet to rise off the platen.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a platen, a recording portion, a contacting member, a transporting roller, a flap that turns on a shaft, and a biasing member to sandwich and guide the sheet, ensuring it remains pressed against the platen, with the flap's position changing to allow for double-sided recording without reversing through the main transporting path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a turnable flap is disposed on the upper side of the transporting path to enable double-sided recording, then the sheet can be transported to the resupply transporting path, but the flap applies a downward force to the sheet causing the upstream portion to rise off the platen and deteriorating image quality
Solution Approach 1:
A pressing member is introduced as an intermediary component between the flap and the sheet. This pressing member applies a downward force to the sheet to keep it pressed against the platen, preventing the sheet from rising off the platen while allowing the flap to perform its path switching function. The pressing member acts as a mediator that resolves the conflict between the flap's downward force and the need to maintain sheet contact with the platen for quality image recording.
2Ease of operation
If the flap is pressed by the sheet to turn upward during transport, then the sheet can be guided along the transporting path, but the upstream portion of the sheet rises off the platen when the flap turns downward
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing member serves as a mediator that maintains sheet contact with the platen while the flap performs its guiding function. By continuously applying downward pressure to the sheet, the pressing member prevents the sheet from rising off the platen during flap movement, thereby maintaining position stability while allowing easy sheet guiding.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing member applies a preliminary downward force to the sheet to counteract the upward movement caused by the flap's motion. This preliminary anti-action prevents the sheet from rising off the platen before the flap can cause instability, thereby maintaining sheet position stability throughout the guiding process.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the discharge roller reversely rotates to transport the sheet to the resupply transporting path, then double-sided recording is enabled, but the sheet may rise off the platen due to the flap's downward force
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing member acts as a mediator that maintains sheet contact with the platen during the reverse transport process. By continuously applying downward pressure, the pressing member prevents the sheet from rising off the platen when the discharge roller reversely rotates, thereby enabling resupply transporting capability while maintaining image quality.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an image recording apparatus including: a platen provided on a lower side of a first transporting path; a recording portion facing the platen; a contacting member contacts on the sheet; a transporting roller; a flap having a first surface defining the first transporting path and a second surface defining a second transporting path; a sandwiching member; and a biasing member biasing the flap toward the sandwiching member. The flap is turnable to be in a first position capable of guiding the sheet in the first transporting path and in a second position blocking the first transporting path. A lower end of the sandwiching member is positioned higher than a lower end of the contacting member.