Movable Guide Member for Sheet Jam Removal in Image Formers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sheet conveying apparatuses in image forming devices face difficulties in removing jammed sheets and positioning the guide member correctly due to the guide member being either fixed to the main body or the cover, leading to interference with conveying rollers during cover rotation.
Innovation Solution
A sheet conveying apparatus with a movable guide member on the cover that moves from a first position near the nip of the conveying rollers to a second position farther away when the cover is opened, utilizing a movement mechanism to prevent interference with the rollers and facilitate easy jam removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the guide member is fixed to the main body, then the guide member remains stable during operation, but it is difficult to remove jammed sheets and the guide member cannot be repositioned
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member is made movable relative to the cover through a movement mechanism, allowing it to dynamically change position between a first position (near the nip) and a second position (farther from the nip). This enables the guide member to adapt to different operational states: positioned for optimal sheet guidance during normal operation, and repositioned to clear the path when the cover is opened for jam removal.
2Ease of operation
If the guide member is provided to the cover, then jammed sheets can be easily removed, but the guide member interferes with the conveying rollers when the cover is rotated
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member is coupled to the cover but can move independently relative to it. When the cover rotates during opening/closing operations, the movement mechanism allows the guide member to dynamically adjust its position, moving away from the conveying rollers to avoid interference, and then returning to its operational position near the nip when the cover is closed.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide member is separated from the cover structure through the movement mechanism, creating an independent movable component. This segmentation allows the guide member to have its own degree of freedom and movement capability, distinct from the cover's rotational motion, enabling it to avoid interference with the conveying rollers while remaining attached to the cover.
3Reliability
If the end portion of the guide member is positioned close to the nip, then sheet jam occurrence is suppressed, but the guide member contacts the conveying rollers when the cover is rotated
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member's position is made dynamic through the movement mechanism, allowing it to be positioned close to the nip (first position) during normal operation to suppress sheet jams, and automatically moved to a different position (second position) when the cover rotates to prevent contact with the conveying rollers. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction between maintaining optimal guidance position and avoiding interference during cover movement.
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet conveying apparatus installed in an image forming apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a first guide member provided to a rear cover and configured to guide a sheet along a conveying path, a second guide member provided to the rear cover and configured to be movable between a first position where the sheet is guided to a nip of intermediate discharging rollers and a second position farther from the nip in a sheet conveying direction than the first position, and a movement mechanism configured to move the second member. When the rear cover is moved from a closed position toward an opened position, the movement mechanism moves the second guide member from the first position to the second position.