Pivotable Roller Holder Maintains Nip Pressure During Jam Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet conveyance devices in image forming apparatuses face challenges in maintaining consistent nip pressure during the conveyance and ejection of sheets, especially when the openable portion is opened for maintenance or removing jams, leading to potential sheet damage and difficulty in removing jammed sheets.
Innovation Solution
A sheet conveyance device with a pivotable roller holder that maintains the nip pressure between the conveyance relay roller and the driven roller even when the openable portion is opened, and a second driven roller with a weaker nip pressure for the reverse path to facilitate easy removal of jams, ensuring reliable sheet conveyance and preventing sheet damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the openable portion is opened for maintenance or removing jams, then access for maintenance is improved, but nip pressure between conveyance relay roller and driven roller is lost causing sheet damage
Solution Approach 1:
The roller holder is designed to be pivotable relative to the openable portion, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position. When the openable portion is closed, the roller holder maintains proper nip pressure. When the openable portion is opened, the roller holder pivots to a position that maintains nip pressure despite the open state, thus resolving the contradiction between maintenance access and pressure maintenance.
2Ease of repair
If the openable portion is opened, then removal of jammed sheets is facilitated, but sheet damage occurs due to loss of nip pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotable roller holder dynamically adapts to the openable portion's state. During normal operation with the openable portion closed, it maintains strong nip pressure for reliable conveyance. When the openable portion is opened to remove jams, the roller holder pivots to maintain nip pressure, preventing sheet damage while facilitating easy removal of jammed sheets.
3Reliability
If the nip pressure between conveyance relay roller and driven roller is strong, then sheet conveyance reliability is improved, but difficulty in removing jammed sheets increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotable roller holder enables the nip pressure to be dynamically adjusted based on operational needs. During normal conveyance operation, the roller holder positions itself to maintain strong nip pressure for reliable sheet handling. When jam removal is needed, the same roller holder pivots to a position that reduces nip pressure, making it easier to remove jammed sheets without damaging them.
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet conveyance device includes a conveyance roller to convey a sheet, an ejection roller to eject the sheet from the sheet conveyance device, a conveyance relay roller disposed between the conveyance roller and the ejection roller, a driven roller disposed in contact with the conveyance relay roller to form a nip, and an openable portion to open and close relative to a housing of the sheet conveyance device. A pivotable roller holder to pivot relative to openable portion is attached to the openable portion. The pivotable roller holder holds the conveyance relay roller and the driven roller to maintain a nip pressure between the conveyance relay roller and the driven roller when the openable portion is opened.