Inclined Reversing Roller for Duplex Sheet Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses face challenges in ensuring printing accuracy in the width direction due to increased frictional resistance and reduced conveyance distance, making it difficult for sheets to move sufficiently along reference guides during two-sided printing.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a duplex conveyance path with a guiding member, a reversing roller pair that rotates in both directions, and a conveyance roller pair, where at least one reversing roller is inclined to facilitate the sheet's movement closer to the reference guide, ensuring accurate positioning and increased movement along the guide.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the conveyance distance from discharge reversing roller to re-feed roller is shortened for downsizing, then the apparatus size is reduced, but the sheet cannot move sufficiently along the reference guide due to increased frictional resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The reversing roller is given an inclination angle relative to the sheet width direction, transforming a one-dimensional conveyance path into a two-dimensional path. This allows the sheet to move not only forward but also laterally along the reference guide, compensating for the shortened conveyance distance while maintaining printing accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The inclination angle of the reversing roller is used as a variable parameter to control the lateral movement amount of the sheet. By adjusting this angle, the system can compensate for frictional resistance and ensure sufficient sheet movement along the reference guide despite the shortened conveyance path.
2Volume of moving object
If the degree of curves of conveyance paths is increased for downsizing, then the apparatus is compact, but frictional resistance increases making sheet conveyance difficult
Solution Approach 1:
By introducing the inclination angle dimension to the reversing roller, the system creates an additional movement component that helps overcome frictional resistance without requiring longer conveyance paths or reduced curve degrees.
3Ease of operation
If the sheet movement along reference guide is insufficient, then conveyance is easier, but positional accuracy in width direction deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The inclined reversing roller introduces lateral movement in the width direction, ensuring the sheet adequately contacts the reference guide and achieves proper positioning without compromising conveyance ease.
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 configuration enhances the sheet's ability to contact reference guides, thereby ensuring precise positional accuracy in the width direction and enabling successful two-sided printing by increasing the amount of sheet movement along the guide.
Implementation Method 1
frictional resistance between a sheet and a conveyance guide also increases
Implementation Method 2
at least one of the reversing roller pair is inclined to the width direction so that, in the width direction, the side end of the sheet being conveyed by the reversing roller pair rotating in the reverse direction moves closer to the contact portion
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit configured to form an image on a sheet, a duplex conveyance path through which the sheet having the image formed by the image forming unit on a first side passes when an image is formed on a second side that is a back side of the first side, a guiding member provided along the duplex conveyance path, a reversing roller pair capable of rotating in a forward direction and in a reverse direction, h, and a conveyance roller pair provided on the duplex conveyance path, wherein at least one of the reversing roller pair is inclined to the width direction so that, in the width direction, the side end of the sheet being conveyed by the reversing roller pair rotating in the reverse direction moves closer to the contact portion.