Movable Retransport Unit for Jammed Sheet Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face difficulties in efficiently removing sheets jammed in the retransport path, as the design does not allow for easy access or removal of jammed sheets.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus is designed with a retransport unit that is movable between a stored position and a pulled-out position, allowing users to easily remove jammed sheets by pulling out the unit, which defines a portion of the retransport path, facilitating the removal process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the retransport assembly is made fixed and integrated into the main body, then the structural integrity is maintained, but the ease of removing jammed sheets deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The retransport assembly is segmented into a movable retransport unit and a fixed connecting unit. The retransport unit can be pulled out from the main body along the retransport path, while the connecting unit remains fixed to maintain structural integrity. This segmentation allows users to easily access and remove jammed sheets from the retransport unit without compromising the overall structural stability of the apparatus.
Solution Approach 2:
The retransport unit is designed to be movable between a stored position (inside the main body) and a pulled-out position (extended outward). This dynamic design enables the retransport assembly to transition from a fixed state during normal operation to an accessible state when sheet removal is needed, resolving the contradiction between structural integrity and ease of maintenance.
2Ease of repair
If the retransport unit is made movable and pullable, then the ease of accessing jammed sheets is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retransport assembly is divided into a movable retransport unit and a fixed connecting unit. The retransport unit contains the components needed for sheet transport and can be independently pulled out, while the connecting unit provides a stable connection point. This segmentation simplifies the maintenance process by isolating the movable components that need to be accessed.
Solution Approach 2:
The retransport unit is extracted as a separate, pullable component from the main body. This extraction allows users to remove the retransport unit entirely when sheet jams occur, providing direct access to jammed sheets without disassembling the entire apparatus. The connecting unit remains in place to maintain the structural framework.
3Productivity
If the retransport path is made accessible by pulling out components, then the productivity during maintenance is improved, but the structural stability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The retransport assembly is segmented into a movable retransport unit and a fixed connecting unit attached to the main body. The connecting unit provides stable structural support while the retransport unit can be pulled out for maintenance. This segmentation allows rapid removal of the retransport unit when sheet jams occur, improving maintenance efficiency without compromising the overall structural stability of the apparatus.
Solution Approach 2:
The retransport unit transitions between a stored position (maintaining structural compactness) and a pulled-out position (enabling maintenance access). This dynamic design allows the apparatus to maintain structural stability during normal operation while enabling quick access for maintenance when needed, thus improving productivity during maintenance without permanently affecting structural stability.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a main body, an image forming unit, a sheet tray disposed below the image forming unit, and a retransport assembly configured to transport a sheet along a retransport path including first, second, and third retransport path portions in a transport direction. The retransport assembly includes a portion of the sheet tray defining the first retransport path portion, a connecting unit and a retransport unit, which are disposed below the sheet tray. The connecting unit defines the second retransport path portion connected to an upstream end of the third retransport path portion in the transport direction. The retransport unit is movable between a stored position and a pulled-out position. The retransport unit at the stored position defines the first retransport path portion connected to an upstream end of the second retransport path portion in the transport direction.