Nip Roller Positioning in Removable Recording Apparatus Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional recording apparatuses make it difficult for users to replace the nip roller, as it is not easily accessible when in the lower position after being removed from the casing.
Innovation Solution
A recording apparatus design featuring a removable member with a nip roller mounted via a shaft parallel to the feed roller, incorporating a force applying portion to push the nip roller toward the feed roller and a moving mechanism to move it away during mounting and removing operations, allowing for easy replacement by moving the nip roller to a distant position when the removable member is inserted or removed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the nip roller is located at the lower position when the removable member is removed from the casing, then the compact design is maintained, but it becomes difficult for users to replace the nip roller
Solution Approach 1:
The nip roller is designed to dynamically change its position based on the state of the removable member. When the removable member is mounted, the nip roller is at the lower position for compact design. When the removable member is removed, the moving mechanism automatically moves the nip roller to the upper position, making it accessible for replacement. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction between compact design and ease of replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The moving mechanism is triggered by the removal of the removable member, which preliminarily positions the nip roller at an accessible location before the user attempts to replace it. This preliminary action ensures that the nip roller is already in the correct position for replacement, eliminating the need for additional manual manipulation and improving ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If the nip roller is moved to a distant position during mounting and removing operations, then easy replacement is enabled, but the risk of friction damage and foreign material entry increases
Solution Approach 1:
The moving mechanism acts as an intermediary between the removable member's removal and the nip roller's repositioning. It controls the movement timing and path, ensuring the nip roller moves to the safe upper position only when the removable member is fully removed, thereby preventing friction damage during the transition while enabling easy replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the nip roller position based on the operational state. During mounting and removing operations, the nip roller is automatically positioned at a safe distance to prevent friction damage. When replacement is needed, the moving mechanism brings it to the accessible position. This dynamic control balances accessibility with protection against harmful factors.
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
Facilitates easy replacement of the nip roller, preventing friction damage and allowing users to replace it without interference, while maintaining a compact design that prevents foreign materials from entering the apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a spring (as a force applying portion) which presses the nip roller toward the sheet-feed roller
Implementation Method 2
when the sheet-supply unit is being removed from the copier main body, the guide moves the pressing portion in the sub-scanning direction
Data Source
AI summary
A recording apparatus including: a casing provided with a feed roller for feeding a recording medium; a removable member insertable into and removable from the casing by being moved relative to the casing in an axial direction of the feed roller wherein on the removable member is mounted a nip roller via a shaft thereof extending in parallel with the axial direction of the feed roller, the nip roller; a force applying portion which applies a force to the nip roller in a direction in which the nip roller is moved toward the feed roller; and a moving mechanism which moves the nip roller against the force in a mounting and removing operation in a direction in which the nip roller is moved away from the feed roller.