Inclined Sheet Conveyance Guide With Anti-Deformation Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, the deformation of conveyance guides due to opening or closing operations leads to paper jams and skewing, particularly in inclined and vertical conveyance paths, as the guides' weight causes downward deformation, affecting the alignment of rollers and increasing the risk of jams.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an inclined conveyance mechanism with a lower and upper conveyance guide, where the upper guide is openable and closable about a rotation shaft, utilizing a gas spring and tension spring to minimize deformation by balancing forces and maintaining guide alignment, preventing paper jams and skewing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the upper conveyance guide is made openable and closable to facilitate jam clearing, then the ease of operation is improved, but the guide deforms due to its own weight when opened, causing paper jams and skewing
Solution Approach 1:
A support portion extends from the rotation shaft toward the upper end of the upper conveyance guide, providing structural support that counteracts the weight-induced deformation when the guide is in the opened state, thereby maintaining alignment stability while allowing easy access for jam clearing
2Ease of repair
If the upper conveyance guide is made openable to allow wide opening for jam removal, then the ease of repair is improved, but the deformation due to gravity increases, affecting conveyance precision
Solution Approach 1:
The support portion structurally counterbalances the gravitational effect on the upper conveyance guide, enabling the guide to be opened wide for easy jam removal while preventing deformation that would compromise conveyance alignment precision
3Stability of the object's composition
If the upper conveyance guide is designed with sufficient rigidity to prevent deformation, then the stability is improved, but the weight increases, making opening and closing operations more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The upper conveyance guide is divided into a guide body portion and a separate support portion that extends from the rotation shaft. This segmentation allows the support portion to provide structural reinforcement for stability while the guide body remains sufficiently light for easy operation during opening and closing
4Ease of operation
If the rotation shaft is positioned at the upper end of the conveyance guide for easy opening, then the ease of operation is improved, but the guide deforms downward due to weight, causing paper jams
Solution Approach 1:
The support portion extending from the rotation shaft acts as a counterbalancing structure that prevents the upper conveyance guide from deforming downward under its own weight, maintaining conveyance reliability while preserving the ease of opening operation
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 deformation of conveyance guides during opening and closing operations, reducing the likelihood of paper jams and skewing, ensuring stable and efficient sheet material conveyance in image forming apparatuses.
Implementation Method 1
a portion of the upper conveyance guide away from the rotation shaft in the direction of the width of the inclined conveyance path is urged toward the rotation shaft by a first urging member
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a gas spring and tension spring to minimize deformation by balancing forces
Data Source
AI summary
A conveyance mechanism includes a lower conveyance guide below an inclined conveyance path having upward or downward inclinations with which a sheet material is to be conveyed, that guides a lower surface of the sheet material; an upper conveyance guide above the inclined conveyance path, that guides an upper surface of the sheet-shaped material, the upper conveyance guide being openable and closable about a rotation shaft, which is on a side of the inclined conveyance path in a direction of a width of the inclined conveyance path to extend along the inclined conveyance path; and a first urging member to urge a portion of the upper conveyance guide away from the rotation shaft in the direction of the width of the inclined conveyance path toward the rotation shaft, the portion of the upper conveyance guide being at an upper end of the upper conveyance guide in an inclined direction.