Photoconductor Cartridge Chute Segmentation for Sheet Conveyance Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The stability of sheet conveyance in image forming apparatuses is compromised by improper positioning of chutes, leading to unstable conveyance of sheets between the photoconductor and the fixing unit.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a photoconductor cartridge and a chute that extends between the transfer and fixing units, featuring a comb-like portion at the downstream end to guide sheets stably towards the fixing unit, ensuring accurate positioning and smooth conveyance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a chute is provided to guide the sheet from the photoconductor toward the fixing unit, then the conveyance stability is improved, but the positioning accuracy of the chute becomes critical and difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The chute is divided into multiple segments: a first chute portion fixed to the housing, a second chute portion attached to the photoconductor cartridge, and a third chute portion attached to the fixing unit. This segmentation allows each portion to be positioned and adjusted independently, reducing the cumulative positioning error that would occur with a single long chute, thereby maintaining conveyance stability while easing manufacturing precision requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The photoconductor cartridge serves as an intermediary carrier that connects the first chute portion (fixed to housing) and the third chute portion (fixed to fixing unit). By attaching the second chute portion to this intermediary, the system achieves stable sheet guidance without requiring direct high-precision positioning between the housing and fixing unit, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and manufacturing precision.
2Ease of operation
If the photoconductor cartridge is made removable for easy maintenance, then the ease of operation is improved, but the positioning accuracy of the chute may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The chute system is segmented into fixed portions (first and third chute portions) and a movable portion (second chute portion attached to the removable photoconductor cartridge). This allows the cartridge to be easily removed for maintenance while the fixed portions maintain their precise positioning, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The first and third chute portions are pre-installed and precisely positioned in the housing and fixing unit respectively before the photoconductor cartridge is installed. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the cartridge (with the second chute portion) is installed, the overall chute alignment is maintained without requiring repositioning, thus preserving positioning accuracy while enabling easy cartridge removal.
Data Source
AI summary
In an image forming apparatus, a photoconductor cartridge including a photoconductor is removably installed in a housing, a transfer unit configured to transfer a developer image onto a sheet in a transfer position is disposed in contact with the photoconductor, a developer cartridge is removably installed in the housing, and a fixing unit is configured to fix a developer image on the sheet in a fixing position. The housing has a first opening provided behind the transfer unit opposite to the photoconductor, and a second opening provided separate from the first opening. The photoconductor cartridge can be removed from and installed into the housing through the to first opening. The developer cartridge can be removed from and installed into the housing through the second opening. The photoconductor cartridge includes a chute that extends between the transfer position and the fixing unit to guide the sheet toward the fixing unit.