Loop Media Transport With Dynamic Attraction During Direction Changes
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transport units in image forming apparatuses face issues where recording media can become curved, leading to separation from loop members due to inconsistent attraction forces, resulting in transport failures.
Innovation Solution
A transport unit with a loop member and guide unit that adjusts the transport direction and attraction force, controlled by a controller to maintain media alignment and prevent separation, using fans to adjust attraction based on transport direction and media properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the guide unit changes the transport direction of the recording medium, then the recording medium can be guided in multiple directions, but the recording medium separates from the loop member due to weak attraction force
Solution Approach 1:
The attraction force is made dynamically adjustable based on the transport direction. The controller increases the attraction force when the guide unit changes the transport direction to prevent separation, and uses normal attraction force when no direction change occurs. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by adapting the attraction force to the specific operational conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The attraction force parameter is changed based on the transport direction requirements. When the guide unit guides the recording medium in a changed direction, the attraction force parameter is increased to maintain reliable attachment. This parameter change allows the system to handle direction changes reliably while maintaining normal operation efficiency.
2Reliability
If the attraction force is increased to prevent separation during direction changes, then the recording medium remains attached, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller uses feedback from the guide unit's operation to determine when to adjust the attraction force. When the guide unit changes the transport direction, the controller detects this and increases the attraction force accordingly. This feedback mechanism achieves reliable attachment without requiring a permanently complex control system, as the complexity is only activated when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The attraction force is increased in advance before the direction change is completed, ensuring the recording medium remains attached throughout the transition. This preliminary action prevents separation while maintaining a relatively simple control system that only needs to anticipate and respond to direction changes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the recording medium is curved by the guide unit, then the transport direction can be changed, but transport failure occurs due to separation from the loop member
Solution Approach 1:
The attraction force is dynamically adjusted during the curving process to maintain attachment reliability. When the guide unit curves the recording medium to change transport direction, the increased attraction force prevents separation, ensuring continuous and efficient transport without failures.
Solution Approach 2:
The attraction force parameter is changed in response to the curving operation. By increasing the attraction force when the guide unit curves the recording medium, the system maintains reliable attachment throughout the direction change process, preventing transport failures and maintaining high productivity.
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
Prevents transport failures by ensuring consistent media alignment and adherence to loop members, even when direction changes are necessary, enhancing operational reliability.
Implementation Method 1
the transport device transporting a recording medium with the recording medium attracted to a surface of the loop member
Implementation Method 2
a controller that controls the transport device, based on the transport direction that is changed by the guide unit such that attraction force of the transport device is changed
Data Source
AI summary
A transport unit includes a transport device including a loop member that turns and that has no ends, the transport device transporting a recording medium with the recording medium attracted to a surface of the loop member; a guide unit that changes a transport direction of the recording medium fed from the transport device and that guides the recording medium in one of multiple transport directions; and a controller that controls the transport device, based on the transport direction that is changed by the guide unit such that attraction force of the transport device is changed.