Movable Lower Guide for Jammed Sheet Access in Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face difficulties in allowing users to easily access and remove jammed sheets of recording medium, particularly due to the configuration of the recording medium conveyance passage which makes it hard to access from both the top and bottom sides.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a casing with a process unit, an exposing unit, a cassette, and a feeding guide system where the exposing unit is positioned above the feeding rotatable member, and the cassette is below, allowing the lower guide to move into an accommodating portion when drawn out, facilitating access to the conveyance passage for jammed sheets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the exposing unit is disposed directly above the recording medium passage, then the apparatus height is reduced, but user accessibility to the conveyance passage for removing jammed sheets deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the lower guide movable rather than fixed. The lower guide can move between a first position (inserted in the conveyance passage) and a second position (retracted), allowing the system to adapt its structure based on operational needs. This resolves the contradiction by enabling compact configuration during operation while providing access during maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the guide structure into an upper guide (fixed) and a lower guide (movable). This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component - the upper guide maintains structural stability for height reduction, while the lower guide provides accessibility when needed. The movable lower guide can be removed or retracted to allow user access to the conveyance passage.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the lower guide is fixed in the conveyance passage, then structural stability is improved, but accessibility for removing jammed sheets from the bottom side deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lower guide is designed as a movable component that can dynamically change its position. During normal operation, it maintains a stable first position providing structural support. When jammed sheets need removal, it can be moved to a second position (retracted or removed) to provide bottom-side accessibility. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between stability and accessibility.
3Ease of operation
If the cassette is made detachable for easy access, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The feeding guide system is segmented into an upper guide (fixed to the apparatus) and a lower guide (movable with the cassette). This segmentation allows the cassette assembly to be detached as a unit with its associated lower guide, simplifying the detachment mechanism while maintaining conveyance functionality. The upper guide remains stationary to maintain structural stability.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a casing; a process unit for forming a developer image on a sheet; an image exposing unit; a sheet cassette detachably mounted to the casing; a feeding roller for single the sheet from the cassette; a feeding guide provided in the casing and configured to guide the sheet moving from the cassette to the process unit. The exposing unit is disposed right above the feeding roller. The process unit is at a position the same position as the exposing unit in the vertical direction and downstream of the exposing unit in a horizontal direction. The cassette is below the feeding roller. The guide is between the exposing unit and the cassette in the vertical direction. The guide includes upper and lower guides. When the cassette is drawn out of the casing, the lower guide moves to an accommodating portion in the cassette.