Paper Feed Roller Protruding Line Geometry for Abrasion Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing paper feed rollers with protruding lines for image forming apparatuses face issues with early generation of narrow thread-like abrasion powder due to rubber shavings and insufficient contact pressure, leading to defective paper carrying and image formation.
Innovation Solution
A paper feed roller with a cylindrical roller body made of elastic material featuring protruding lines with specific dimensions, including a radial height of 0.051 mm to 0.1 mm, an opening angle of 2° to 8°, and a curvature radius of 0.55 mm to 0.9 mm at the shoulder, formed from a crosslinked rubber composition with ethylene-propylene rubber and peroxide, which maintains contact pressure and friction coefficient.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the height of protruding lines is increased to maintain contact pressure and prevent defective paper carrying, then paper carrying performance is improved, but narrow thread-like abrasion powder is generated due to rubber shaving
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the height parameter of protruding lines to a specific range (0.051-0.1mm) that balances contact pressure requirements with abrasion prevention. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by finding the optimal value that satisfies both paper carrying performance and minimizes rubber shaving.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by using moderate protruding line heights rather than excessive heights. This partial approach provides sufficient contact pressure for reliable paper carrying while avoiding the excessive rubber deformation that causes narrow thread-like abrasion powder.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the height of protruding lines is decreased to prevent rubber shaving, then abrasion powder generation is reduced, but contact pressure to paper is lowered and paper carrying becomes defective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes a minimum height threshold (0.051mm) for protruding lines that ensures sufficient contact pressure is maintained. This parameter setting prevents the degradation of paper carrying performance while keeping the height low enough to minimize rubber shaving and abrasion powder generation.
3Reliability
If the opening angle of protruding lines is increased to improve paper contact, then contact area is increased, but the roller surface becomes less effective at removing paper powder and dirt
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the opening angle parameter to a specific range that balances two opposing requirements: sufficient angle for adequate paper contact area, and appropriate spacing for effective paper powder and dirt removal by trough portions.
4Reliability
If the curvature radius at the shoulder of crest portion is decreased to sharpen the protruding line edge, then friction coefficient is increased, but narrow thread-like abrasion powder is generated due to concentrated stress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies a minimum curvature radius (0.55mm) for the shoulder of the crest portion that prevents excessive stress concentration. This parameter setting maintains sufficient friction coefficient for paper gripping while avoiding the sharp edges that cause rubber shaving and narrow thread-like abrasion powder.
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
The solution effectively prevents the generation of narrow thread-like abrasion powder, ensuring excellent paper passing performance and preventing defective image formation by maintaining a stable contact pressure and friction coefficient over time.
Implementation Method 1
a roller body integrally formed of elastic material... formed from a crosslinked rubber composition with ethylene-propylene rubber and peroxide
Implementation Method 2
contact pressure to paper is increased and a coefficient of friction between paper and the roller is well maintained
Data Source
AI summary
A paper feed roller of the present invention comprises a roller body 2 integrally formed of elastic material in a cylindrical shape in which a plurality of protruding lines 6 are disposed on a peripheral surface 5 at even intervals, wherein the roller body 2 is formed so that crest portions 6a and trough portions 6b are continuously provided in a circumferential direction, an opening angle θ is equal to or more than 2° and is equal to or less than 8°, a radial height h of the protruding line is equal to or more than 0.051 mm and is equal to or less than 0.1 mm, and a curvature radius r1 at a shoulder is equal to or more than 0.55 mm.