Integrated Fixing and Reverse Roller Unit for Duplex Printing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, duplex printing productivity is hindered by the need for a significant sheet interval due to the independent installation of fixing and reverse roller units, leading to alignment issues and increased costs for precision components, which can result in skewed printing and jamming.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a reverse roller unit with the fixing unit, allowing for removability and precise alignment, enables the reverse roller to rotate in the same direction as the fixing nip, minimizing sheet interval and maintaining high printing precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the fixing unit and reverse roller unit are installed independently, then the reverse roller can be positioned downstream of the delivery roller, but the sheet interval becomes significant and alignment precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fixing unit and reverse roller unit into a single integrated assembly. The reverse roller is positioned upstream of the delivery roller within the same housing, eliminating the need for separate downstream positioning. This integration maintains precise alignment between the fixing nip and reverse roller while minimizing the sheet interval, thereby resolving the contradiction between productivity and manufacturing precision.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the reverse roller unit is installed independently downstream, then the structure is flexible, but the alignment between fixing nip and reverse roller becomes difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing unit and reverse roller unit are combined into a single integrated assembly with a common housing. This merger ensures that the reverse roller and fixing nip maintain precise relative alignment by design, eliminating the alignment difficulties that would arise from independent installation while preserving structural flexibility through the modular nature of the integrated unit.
3Ease of repair
If separate fixing and reverse roller units are used, then component replacement is easier, but the relative position precision between units deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing unit and reverse roller unit are integrated into a single assembly that can be replaced as one module. This approach maintains the ease of repair benefit by allowing simple modular replacement, while simultaneously ensuring that the relative position precision between the fixing nip and reverse roller is preserved through the integrated design. The entire assembly can be removed and replaced without worrying about alignment between separate units.
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 enhances productivity by minimizing sheet interval and maintaining precise alignment, preventing skew feeding and jamming, while reducing component complexity and costs by integrating the reverse roller unit with the fixing unit.
Implementation Method 1
a fixing unit for fixing the toner image on the recording material
Implementation Method 2
a reverse roller unit for including a reverse roller, and the reverse roller rotates backward to convey the recording material
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus has a main body; an image forming portion for forming a toner image on a recording material; a fixing unit; a reverse roller to convey the recording material which is passed through the fixing portion to the image forming portion again after conveying the recording material which has passed through the fixing portion, where a rear end of the recording material passes through the fixing portion and the recording material is conveyed toward the image forming portion by rotating the reverse roller backward. The apparatus has a first and second conveying path, the second conveying path provided outside the first conveying path, and the reverse roller unit is attached to an opening/closing portion which exposes the first convey path when opened.