Paper Transport Roller Guide Radial Protrusion Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional paper transporting devices in image forming apparatuses face challenges in efficiently guiding and discharging large-sized or thick recording papers, leading to potential paper jams and deterioration in paper discharging properties due to inadequate guiding mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
The paper transporting device incorporates a pair of guiding members, including a first guiding member on the driving roller side and a second guiding member on the driven roller side, with the second guiding member partially protruding inward in the radial direction of the driving roller, to ensure proper alignment and smooth transport of papers, preventing jams and enhancing discharging efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional guiding members are used without radial protrusion, then the device complexity is low, but large-sized or thick papers cannot be properly guided leading to paper jams
Solution Approach 1:
The second guiding member is designed with a localized radial protrusion at its downstream end, creating a non-uniform structure that specifically addresses the paper alignment problem at the critical contact portion with the driving roller, while the rest of the guiding member maintains its simple linear form
Solution Approach 2:
The guiding member extends from the planar configuration into the radial dimension by protruding inward toward the driving roller, creating a three-dimensional structure that actively engages with papers of varying sizes and thicknesses to prevent misalignment and jams
2Productivity
If the second guiding member protrudes inward radially, then paper alignment and transport efficiency improve, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Only the downstream end of the second guiding member protrudes radially inward, creating a localized functional zone that enhances paper alignment and transport efficiency at the critical contact area, while minimizing the overall structural complexity by keeping the rest of the guiding member simple
Solution Approach 2:
The radial protrusion extends beyond the outer peripheral surface of the driving roller at the downstream side, creating an excessive action that ensures papers are firmly guided and aligned even with large variations in paper size and thickness, thereby maximizing productivity
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 ensures reliable and efficient transport of papers, preventing rear ends from being stopped or misaligned, thereby improving paper discharging properties and reducing the risk of paper jams, even with large or thick papers.
Implementation Method 1
The driven roller member is rotated in contact with the driving roller member
Data Source
AI summary
A paper transporting device includes a driving roller member, a driven roller member, a first guiding member and a second guiding member. The driving roller member is rotated. The driven roller member is rotated in contact with the driving roller member. The first guiding member is disposed on a driving roller member side, and guides a paper to a contact portion in which the driving roller member and the driven roller member are in contact with each other. The second guiding member is disposed on a driven roller member side, and guides the paper to the contact portion. The second guiding member partially protrudes inward in a radial direction of the driving roller member from an outer peripheral surface of the driving roller member at a downstream side in a paper transporting direction of the contact portion.