Pivoting Air Blowing Unit for Drying Apparatus Maintenance Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses, such as industrial inkjet recording apparatuses, face challenges in efficiently conveying sheets between modules while ensuring high image quality and productivity, particularly due to the complexity of sheet handling and maintenance access.
Innovation Solution
A drying apparatus is designed with a conveyance apparatus and an air blowing unit that pivots to expose or cover the conveyance apparatus. The conveyance unit includes a belt and stretching rollers, and a pivoting mechanism allows it to move between positions, enabling efficient sheet conveyance and maintenance access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the air blowing unit is fixed in position to maintain stable drying performance, then drying reliability is improved, but maintenance accessibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The air blowing unit is designed to pivot between a first position (during drying) and a second position (during maintenance), transforming from a static to a dynamic configuration. This allows the unit to maintain stable drying performance when needed while enabling easy access to the conveyance apparatus for maintenance operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The air blowing unit moves in a vertical dimension (pivoting between upper and lower positions) rather than only horizontal movement. This vertical dimension provides an additional degree of freedom that resolves the conflict between maintaining stable drying performance and enabling maintenance access.
2Reliability
If the conveyance apparatus is enclosed to protect internal components, then device reliability is improved, but maintenance accessibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyance apparatus transitions from a permanently enclosed structure to a dynamic configuration where components can be accessed. The pivoting mechanism allows the air blowing unit to move between an enclosed position (protecting components) and an open position (enabling maintenance).
Solution Approach 2:
The drying apparatus is segmented into movable and fixed components, allowing the air blowing unit to be separated from the main enclosure during maintenance while remaining integrated during operation. This segmentation enables selective access to internal components without compromising overall device protection.
3Volume of moving object
If the drying apparatus is downsized to improve compactness, then device volume is reduced, but sheet conveyance efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pivoting mechanism utilizes vertical space rather than horizontal space to achieve movement. By moving the air blowing unit vertically between positions, the apparatus maintains compact horizontal footprint while preserving sufficient conveyance path length for efficient sheet processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic pivoting configuration allows the apparatus to optimize space utilization during different operational phases, maintaining compact size when stationary while enabling efficient conveyance paths during operation.
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 enhances the efficiency of sheet conveyance and drying processes, improves maintenance accessibility, and contributes to the downsizing of the image forming apparatus, thereby addressing the challenges of high image quality and productivity.
Implementation Method 1
an air blowing unit disposed above the conveyance apparatus in a vertical direction and configured to blow air onto the sheet
Data Source
AI summary
A drying apparatus includes a conveyance apparatus, and an air blowing unit disposed above the conveyance unit. The air blowing unit includes a first pivot shaft that extends in a conveyance direction of the sheet. The conveyance apparatus includes a conveyance unit including a belt, and a plurality of stretching rollers, and a pivoting mechanism configured to pivot the conveyance unit about the second pivot shaft between a first position and a second position that differs from the first position. In a state where the air blowing unit is at the open position and the conveyance unit is positioned at the second position, the conveyance unit is configured to be drawn out to a rotational axis direction of the stretching rollers.