Pivotable Guide Section for Jammed Sheet Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, existing conveying devices lack an efficient mechanism for maintaining and accessing the conveyance path, particularly for removing jammed sheets, which hinders maintenance and operational efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A conveying device with a first guide section, a pivotable second guide section, and an urging section that pivots between a guide position and a separation position, allowing for the formation and maintenance of a conveyance path, and enabling easy access for removing jammed sheets by pivoting the second guide section from the guide position to the separation position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If the second guide section is made pivotable to enable access for removing jammed sheets, then maintenance accessibility is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional pivoting mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The second guide section is designed to be pivotable about a guide center portion, transforming from a static component to a dynamic one. This allows the guide section to rotate between a guide position (during operation) and a separation position (for maintenance), enabling easy access to the conveyance path while maintaining structural integrity through the pivoting mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The conveying device is divided into distinct functional sections: a first guide section, a second guide section that can pivot, and an urging section. This segmentation allows the second guide section to be independently manipulated for maintenance purposes without affecting the entire device, improving accessibility while keeping the overall system manageable
2Reliability
If an urging section is added to maintain the second guide section in the guide position, then the reliability of conveyance path formation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The urging section automatically maintains the second guide section in the guide position during operation without requiring external intervention. The urging mechanism self-actuates to ensure proper positioning, providing reliable conveyance path formation while minimizing the need for additional control systems or manual adjustments
Solution Approach 2:
The urging section acts as an intermediary element between the second guide section and the frame. It provides the necessary force to maintain the guide section in position, mediating the interaction between the movable guide section and the fixed frame structure, thereby ensuring reliable positioning without direct mechanical coupling
3Ease of operation
If the second guide section pivots by a specific angle to the separation position, then the ease of operation for maintenance is improved, but the force required for pivoting may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The second guide section pivots by a specific angle to the separation position, which is sufficient to expose the conveyance path for maintenance without requiring a complete 180-degree rotation. This partial action achieves the necessary accessibility while minimizing the force and energy required compared to full rotation
Solution Approach 2:
The pivoting mechanism is designed to rotate smoothly about the guide center portion, with the urging section providing assistance during the pivoting motion. The dynamic design allows the guide section to be moved to the separation position with reduced force through the coordinated action of the pivot mechanism and urging section
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 design enhances maintenance accessibility and operational efficiency by allowing easy removal of jammed sheets and reducing the force required for pivoting, facilitating smooth operation and user-friendly maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
an urging section that urges the second guide section. When the second guide section is in the guide position, the urging section urges the second guide section in a first pivot direction
Data Source
AI summary
A conveying device includes a first guide section, a second guide section, and an urging section. The second guide section has a guide center portion and pivots about the guide center portion. The second guide section is pivotable between a guide position and a separation position. The guide position is a position in which the second guide section is located when a conveyance path of a sheet is formed between the second guide section and the first guide section. When the second guide section is in the guide position, the urging section urges the second guide section in a first pivot direction.