Movable Sheet Conveyance Section for Image Forming Apparatus Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face difficulties in cleaning the sheet feeding path, especially when dealing with long sheets, due to limited exposure and space constraints, leading to complex and inefficient cleaning processes.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a movable sheet conveyance section with a first and second conveyance roller that can move along the sheet conveyance direction, allowing for easy mounting and dismounting of the sheet introduction and ejection units, facilitating cleaning without removing the long sheet, and ensuring components can be readily exposed for cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the exterior of the image forming apparatus is widely exposed to perform cleaning, then the sheet feeding path can be accessed, but the long sheet remains in the feeding path preventing complete cleaning of parts underneath
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet conveyance section is divided into multiple independent units (first conveyance unit, second conveyance unit, third conveyance unit) that can be separately pulled out. This segmentation allows each unit to be accessed and cleaned independently without removing the long sheet, resolving the contradiction between cleaning accessibility and operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyance units are designed to be movable along the sheet conveyance direction, transitioning from a fixed state during operation to a pulled-out state for cleaning. This dynamic design enables the units to be accessed for cleaning while the long sheet remains in place, eliminating the need to remove the sheet entirely.
2Ease of operation
If the sheet conveyance section is pulled out from the front door to perform cleaning, then components can be accessed, but the long sheet must be removed first preventing in-place cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet conveyance section is segmented into multiple independently pullable units. Each unit can be pulled out separately for cleaning without requiring removal of the long sheet, allowing cleaning operations to be performed in-place and reducing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyance units are designed with preliminary mobility capability, allowing them to be pulled out for cleaning before the cleaning operation begins. This preliminary action enables components to be accessed and cleaned without requiring sheet removal, eliminating time loss associated with sheet removal and resupply.
3Productivity
If cleaning is performed without removing the long sheet, then the sheet feeding path remains occupied, but space for cleaning operations is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet conveyance section is divided into multiple small, independently pullable units. This segmentation creates sufficient space for cleaning operations within each unit while the long sheet remains in place, maintaining continuous operation capability without requiring excessive cleaning space.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyance units are pulled out along the sheet conveyance direction (length dimension) rather than requiring lateral expansion. This dimensional approach allows cleaning operations to be performed in the pulled-out state without interfering with the long sheet's presence, maintaining productivity while providing adequate cleaning space.
4Ease of operation
If the apparatus structure is made more open for cleaning, then components can be exposed, but the internal structure becomes more complicated and workability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The internal structure is segmented into modular conveyance units that can be independently pulled out for cleaning. This segmentation provides cleaning accessibility without requiring a completely open internal structure, maintaining structural integrity while enabling easy maintenance operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyance units are designed with dynamic mobility, allowing them to be pulled out for cleaning without permanently altering the internal structure. This dynamic design provides cleaning accessibility while keeping the overall structure compact and simple, avoiding the complexity of permanently open structures.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes: a sheet conveyance section configured to convey a long sheet along a sheet feeding path; and an image forming section configured to form an image on the long sheet conveyed by the sheet conveyance section, the sheet conveyance section including a conveyance unit that includes a first conveyance roller and a second conveyance roller for conveying the long sheet in a sandwiching manner, and is movable along a sheet conveyance direction in a state where the long sheet is conveyed through the sheet feeding path.