Multi-feeding Prevention Member for Compact Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses face a challenge in reducing the height of the housing while maintaining efficient transportation of printing media, as increasing the diameter of the pick-up roller requires a corresponding increase in the body height, which is not feasible in compact designs.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a pick-up unit with a pick-up roller and a forward roller of smaller diameter, along with a guide portion and locking protrusions to prevent multiple media entry, and a multi-feeding prevention member with a friction pad to ensure efficient transportation within a C-shaped path, allowing for compact design without height increase.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the diameter of the pick-up roller is increased to transport printing medium over a sufficient distance, then the transportation distance is improved, but the height of the body must be increased accordingly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a C-shaped transportation path that utilizes horizontal and vertical spatial arrangement within the body, allowing the printing medium to be transported over a sufficient distance through a compact, multi-dimensional route rather than requiring a long linear path that would increase body height
Solution Approach 2:
The C-shaped transportation path is nested within the body structure, with the path configured to extend from the printing medium storage unit through the body to the discharge hole, efficiently utilizing the available internal space to achieve adequate transportation distance without increasing external dimensions
2Productivity
If multiple printing media are simultaneously entered to the gap between the forward roller and the guide portion, then the feeding speed is improved, but media jamming occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The locking protrusions are configured to preliminarily prevent multiple printing media from entering the gap between the forward roller and guide portion by engaging with the printing media stack, thereby preventing media jamming before it can occur while still allowing controlled single-media feeding
Solution Approach 2:
The locking protrusions act as an intermediary mechanism between the printing media stack and the forward roller, controlling the feeding process by selectively engaging with individual sheets and preventing simultaneous entry of multiple media, thus mediating between feeding speed and jamming prevention
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
This configuration enables effective transportation of printing media over a sufficient distance with smaller rollers, preventing media jamming and allowing for a reduced housing height, thus achieving a compact and efficient image forming apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a friction pad that is rotatably installed at the through-hole
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a pick-up unit configured to pick up a printing medium stored in a printing medium storage unit and transport the picked printing medium to a printing medium transportation path provided inside a body, the pick-up unit having a pick-up roller to pick up the printing medium in the printing medium storage unit and a forward roller to guide the picked-up printing medium, to the printing medium transportation path, and the body including a guide portion slantingly extending from a lower side of the forward roller toward one side of the forward roller to guide the picked-up printing medium, and a plurality of locking protrusions protruding from the guide portion to prevent a plurality of printing media from being simultaneously entered to a gap between the forward roller and the guide portion.