Offset Feed Roller Holder with Cutter for Tension Relief

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing continuous feed printing systems face damage to feed rollers due to abnormal tension when the actual conveyance speed of the continuous form differs from the programmed sheet feed speed, leading to excessive tension that affects not only the drive unit but also other conveying members like the feed roller.

Innovation Solution

A feed roller holder with a rotary axis offset from the feed roller's shaft, incorporating a cutter with a cutting blade that engages the continuous form when abnormal tension is detected to prevent damage by cutting the form and releasing tension.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the sheet feed device is activated to maintain programmed sheet feed speed, then the continuous form can be conveyed at the intended speed, but abnormal tension is generated when actual conveyance speed differs from programmed speed, causing damage to the feed roller and other conveying members

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet feed speedVSAvoidabnormal tension

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A cutter is disposed downstream from the holding member to cut the continuous form when abnormal tension is detected. This preliminary action of cutting the form prevents excessive tension from damaging the feed roller and other conveying members, addressing the contradiction between maintaining speed and preventing abnormal tension damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the harmful effect of abnormal tension into a useful signal that triggers the cutter to activate. By detecting the abnormal tension condition and using it to initiate the cutting action, the system transforms a potentially damaging situation into a protective mechanism that prevents damage to the feed roller.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Reliability

If the drive unit is suspended when abnormality is detected, then damage to the drive unit is prevented, but the feed roller and other contacting members are still subjected to abnormal tension and may be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrive unit protectionVSAvoidabnormal tension on feed roller

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the feed roller from the path of abnormal tension by cutting the continuous form downstream. When abnormal tension is detected, the cutter severs the form, effectively removing the source of tension from acting on the feed roller. This extraction principle prevents damage to the feed roller while the drive unit suspension protects the drive unit, addressing both reliability concerns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The cutter acts as an intermediary mechanism between the abnormal tension detection and the feed roller protection. Rather than directly protecting the feed roller from tension, the cutter intervenes by cutting the continuous form, which eliminates the tension source. This intermediary action resolves the contradiction by protecting both the drive unit and feed roller through a coordinated response.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If a cutter is disposed downstream from the holding member to cut the continuous form, then damage to the feed roller is minimized, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeed roller protectionVSAvoidholder structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cutter is merged with the holder structure, specifically disposed downstream from the holding member. By integrating the cutter into the existing holder assembly rather than adding a completely separate protection system, the invention minimizes the increase in device complexity while still achieving feed roller protection through the cutting action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2881349B1Feed roller holder for image forming apparatus and dryer unit for continuous form

Publication Date: 2018.05.30 RICOH CO LTD

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AI summary

A feed roller holder (250) for µm image forming apparatus includes a feed roller (240) to contact a continuous form (10) as a target for image formation, rotate from upstream to downstream in a conveyance direction of the continuous form (10), and provide the continuous form (10) with a conveyance path; a roller supporting member (256) that rotatably supports the feed roller (240); and a holding member (270) that rotatably holds the roller supporting member (256). In the holder (250) as configured above, the holding member (270) encompasses a rotary axis of the roller supporting member (256), and the rotary axis of the roller supporting member (256) is offset from but disposed substantially parallel to a rotary shaft (241) of the feed roller (240).