Universal Media Redrive System for Belt and Hot Roll Fusers
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing media redrive systems for imaging devices are inefficient and costly due to the need for separate systems to accommodate belt and hot roll fusers, which differ in leading edge conditions and exit angles of media sheets.
Innovation Solution
A media redrive system with a pivotally mounted access door and media deflector that can interface with either a hot roll or belt type fuser assembly, featuring upper and lower media guide members and a diverter gate to direct fused media sheets to either a media output area or a duplex path, ensuring smooth transition through offset ribs for compatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate media redrive systems are designed for belt and hot roll fusers, then each fuser type can be accommodated properly, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The media redrive system is designed with a universally adaptable interface that can accommodate both belt and hot roll fuser types through a common mounting structure. The access door assembly serves as a universal interface that receives both fuser types without requiring separate redrive systems, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining compatibility with different fuser configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The media redrive system is segmented into modular components including the access door, media deflector, and guide members. This segmentation allows the same modular redrive system to be configured for different fuser types by adjusting individual components rather than requiring entirely separate systems, thus reducing complexity while maintaining adaptability
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate media redrive systems are designed for belt and hot roll fusers, then each fuser type can be accommodated properly, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single universal media redrive system design is implemented that can serve both belt and hot roll fuser configurations. This universality eliminates the need to manufacture separate redrive systems for different fuser types, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining full compatibility with both fuser technologies through a common platform
3Reliability
If different paper path configurations are used for belt and hot roll fusers, then leading edge conditions can be optimized, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The media deflector is designed with movable and adjustable components that can dynamically adapt the paper path configuration based on the installed fuser type. The gate mechanism can be positioned to create different paper paths optimized for either belt or hot roll fusers, allowing the system to maintain reliable leading edge control without requiring permanently different configurations for each fuser type
Data Source
AI summary
A common media redrive system for use with either a hot roll fuser assembly and a belt roll fuser assembly installed an imaging device. The redrive systems includes an access door movable between a raised closed and a lowered open position. The access door has a media path channel and a deflector mounted over the channel. The deflector has a pivotable gate and includes upper and lower media guide members forming a media entrance and two exits for directing a media sheet from the fuser assembly exits to an output area and duplex path portion, respectively, via the gate and the first and second exits, respectively. A pair of media exit guide portions cantilever from the rear portion of the fuser assembly. The lower media guide members includes a pair of cutouts that receive the pair of media exit guide portions when the access door is in the closed position.