Paper Discharge Movable Press Pad Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, printed papers are often discharged prematurely, leading to the risk of being taken by users before the printing process is complete, as existing discharge mechanisms do not ensure that the paper is kept hidden until all processes are finished.
Innovation Solution
A paper discharging apparatus with a movable press pad mechanism that clamps and bends the paper to prevent exposure until printing is complete, using a control unit to coordinate the movement of rollers and the press pad to ensure the paper is discharged only after printing is finished, utilizing a pinch roller and feeding roller system with a press pad that can be lifted and lowered to control paper flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the paper is discharged through the conveyance path by the existing paper discharging function, then the paper can be taken by the user, but the paper is exposed to the outside before the print is completed and may be taken away by the user by mistake
Solution Approach 1:
The press pad is moved to the pressing position before the printing process completes, and maintains pressure on the paper throughout the printing process. This preliminary action ensures the paper remains clamped and cannot be prematurely removed, solving the reliability issue while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The press pad acts as an intermediary mechanism between the paper discharge function and the paper itself. It mediates the paper's state by clamping it during printing, preventing premature removal while still allowing smooth discharge after printing completes, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability.
2Reliability
If the press pad is moved to the pressing position to clamp the paper, then the paper is not exposed until printing is completed, but the paper conveyance path requires coordination with roller movement
Solution Approach 1:
The press pad movement is merged with the existing roller conveyance mechanism. The press pad moves to the pressing position in coordination with the pinch roller and feeding roller positions, combining multiple functions into a coordinated system that controls paper exposure while managing complexity through integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The press pad is designed as a movable mechanism that dynamically adjusts its position between pressing and retracted states based on the printing process stage. This dynamic behavior allows the system to maintain reliability by clamping during printing while simplifying operation during discharge, managing the complexity through controlled movement rather than static structure.
3Speed
If the pinch roller and feeding roller clamp the paper to convey it, then the paper can be moved along the conveyance path, but the paper may bend or deform during the clamping process
Solution Approach 1:
The press pad applies localized pressure at specific positions along the paper's path, rather than uniform clamping throughout. This local quality approach allows the paper to be conveyed at required speeds while minimizing deformation in critical areas, as the pressure is applied only where necessary to control exposure and movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The roller surfaces are designed with curved or cylindrical geometries that distribute clamping force more evenly across the paper surface. This curvature reduces concentrated stress points that would cause bending, allowing efficient paper conveyance while maintaining paper flatness and preventing deformation.
Data Source
AI summary
A paper discharging apparatus comprises: a first conveying unit; a second conveying unit which includes a pinch roller and a feeding roller that are arranged closer to the downstream side; a movable mechanism which moves a surface part between a first position that the surface part is not contacted with the pinch roller and a second position that the surface part is contacted with the pinch roller through the paper so as to push the pinch roller; a control unit which moves the surface part to the second position, clamps the paper by the pinch roller and the surface part, and conveys the paper, thereby bending the paper, and which moves the surface part to the first position and clamps the paper by the pinch roller and the feeding roller, and rotates the feeding roller, thereby discharging the paper from the conveyance path.