Pivotable Upper Cover with Cam-Actuated Pinch Roller for Jam Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming devices require users to bend over and exert cumbersome efforts to address paper jams, especially when the device is placed at a low location, as the discharge roller and pinch roller are covered and inaccessible without manual lowering of the upper cover.
Innovation Solution
An image forming device with a pivotably movable upper cover that exposes the discharge roller and pinch roller, allowing users to access and remove jammed sheets without bending, facilitated by a cam mechanism that enables manual separation of the pinch roller from the discharge roller, reducing the load and effort required for paper removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the discharge roller and pinch roller are covered by an upper wall in the protruding portion, then the structure is compact and protected, but users must bend over to access the rollers for paper jam removal
Solution Approach 1:
The upper cover is made pivotable relative to the main body, transforming the static covered structure into a dynamic one. When a paper jam occurs, the user can pivot the upper cover to expose the discharge roller and pinch roller, making them accessible for paper removal without bending over. This dynamic design resolves the contradiction by providing both protection during normal operation and accessibility during maintenance.
2Ease of operation
If the pinch roller is pressed against the discharge roller, then paper discharge function is maintained, but excessive force is required to remove jammed paper
Solution Approach 1:
The pinch roller is designed to be movable relative to the discharge roller, allowing it to be separated when needed. During normal operation, the pinch roller is pressed against the discharge roller to maintain paper discharge function. When paper jam removal is needed, the pinch roller can be moved away to reduce the gripping force, enabling easy paper extraction without excessive user effort.
Solution Approach 2:
A cam mechanism is introduced as an intermediary between the pinch roller and discharge roller. The cam mechanism controls the pressing force applied by the pinch roller onto the discharge roller. By manipulating the cam, the user can adjust the pressure to maintain reliable paper discharge during normal operation and reduce the pressure to facilitate easy paper removal when jams occur.
Data Source
AI summary
In order to facilitate removal of jammed sheets in an image forming device placed at a low place, there is provided an image forming device including a main body formed with an upper opening; an image forming unit that forms images on recording medium, and an upper cover pivotably movably supported to the main body for covering the upper opening. The main body accommodates the image forming unit. The upper cover includes a discharge roller and a pinch roller pressed against the discharge roller. The discharge roller discharges the recording medium conveyed from the image forming unit outside the main body of the image forming device in cooperation with the pinch roller.