Long-Sheet Support Roller Layout for Manual Image Feeding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Long sheets exceeding the length of manual sheet feed trays in image forming apparatuses are difficult to handle due to their weight and tendency to sag or get scratched, posing a burden on users, especially when handling multiple sheets.
Innovation Solution
An image forming system with a sheet supporting portion that includes a sheet supporting surface and a rotary member projecting upward to assist in supporting and guiding sheets during feeding, reducing user workload and the risk of creasing or scratching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If long sheets are placed on manual sheet feed trays, then image formation on sheets exceeding 30 inches is enabled, but the sheets exceed the tray length causing trailing edges to sag and risk creasing or scratching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the sheet supporting surface vertically beyond the front edge of the manual sheet feed tray, creating an overhanging supporting surface that provides additional support for the trailing edges of long sheets, preventing them from sagging and causing damage
Solution Approach 2:
The manually fed sheet supporting portion acts as an intermediary structure between the manual sheet feed tray and the sheet stacking portion, providing continuous support for long sheets and preventing direct contact between the trailing edges and the potentially damaging tray edge
2Quantity of substance
If multiple long sheets are stacked on manual sheet feed trays, then image formation on multiple long sheets is enabled, but the sheets become heavy and difficult to handle, imposing burden on users
Solution Approach 1:
By extending the supporting surface vertically, the patent distributes the weight of multiple long sheets across a larger support area, reducing the burden on users when handling and feeding sheets
Solution Approach 2:
The extended supporting surface preliminarily supports the trailing edges of sheets before they are fed into the image forming apparatus, preventing sagging and making the sheets easier to handle and position
3Speed
If trailing edges of sheets protrude from sheet supporting surfaces, then sheets can be fed through the apparatus, but the sheets may sag and cause creasing or scratching at corners
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a three-dimensional supporting structure that extends beyond the front edge of the tray, providing continuous support for the trailing edges and eliminating the harmful effects of sheet protrusion and sagging
Solution Approach 2:
The extended supporting surface provides beforehand support for the trailing edges of sheets, cushioning them against sagging and potential damage before the sheets enter the image forming process
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming system includes an image forming apparatus, a sheet stacking portion, a sheet feeding unit, and a sheet supporting portion disposed upstream of the sheet stacking portion in a sheet feeding direction and configured to support the sheet. The sheet supporting portion includes a sheet supporting surface disposed adjacent to a sheet stacking surface on which the sheet is stacked in the sheet stacking portion, the sheet supporting surface being configured to support the sheet in conjunction with the sheet stacking surface, and a rotary member disposed such that part of the rotary member projects upward from the sheet supporting surface and comes into contact with a lower surface of the sheet, the rotary member being configured to rotate in accordance with feeding of the sheet.