Movable Roller Support for Curl Correction and Jam Clearance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional curl correction apparatuses face difficulties in maintaining the distance between rollers for stable curl removal and jam clearance, leading to increased manufacturing costs and complexity due to the need for high strength and accuracy in components.
Innovation Solution
A curl correction apparatus featuring an elastic roller and a counter roller with a supporting unit that allows the nip between them to open, enabling easy jam removal without significant cost increases, using a moving unit to adjust the position of the supporting members between the rollers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pressing force regulating plates pinch both rotation shafts to maintain stable distance, then stable curl removal performance is achieved, but the nip cannot be opened for jam clearance
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is designed to be movable rather than fixed. The support unit can switch between a fixed state (where both shafts are pinned for stable distance maintenance) and a movable state (where the nip can open for jam clearance). This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt its structural properties based on operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure is divided into separate components: a support unit that can be selectively positioned, and a pressing force regulating plate. This segmentation allows the support unit to be moved independently to enable nip opening while the pressing force regulating plate maintains shaft distance stability when engaged.
2Ease of operation
If the conveyance guide is made with high strength to maintain shaft distance during opening/closing, then the nip can be opened for jam clearance, but the number of parts and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of creating a rigid, high-strength openable guide structure, the invention uses a dynamic support unit that moves to enable opening. This approach achieves the same functional result (nip opening) without requiring the conveyance guide itself to have increased strength or complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The support unit replicates the shaft positioning function temporarily during operation, allowing the nip to open without requiring the main conveyance guide structure to be redesigned with high strength and precision components.
3Manufacturing precision
If the component accuracy and positional accuracy of latch means are improved to maintain shaft distance, then stable roller positioning is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support unit is designed to move along a predetermined path rather than requiring high-precision latching at fixed positions. This dynamic movement capability allows for greater tolerance in component manufacturing while maintaining stable shaft distance during normal operation and enabling nip opening when needed.
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
The apparatus maintains stable roller distance for effective curl correction while allowing easy sheet removal during jam clearance, reducing the need for high-strength and accurate components, thus lowering manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic roller and a counter roller that face the elastic roller. A curl of a sheet is corrected by the sheet passing through a nip portion between the elastic roller and the counter roller
Data Source
AI summary
A curl correction apparatus includes a supporting member. The supporting member supports a shaft of an elastic roller and a shaft of a metal roller at a first position, and supports only one of the shaft of the elastic roller and the shaft of the metal roller at a second position. When the supporting member is located at the second position, the nip between the elastic roller and the metal roller can be opened by moving the other of the elastic roller and the metal roller.