Pressure Plate Noise Reduction in Sheet Conveyance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing image forming apparatuses and sheet conveyance devices experience noise issues due to the frequent up-down movement of the pressure plate during printing multiple sheets.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a mechanism where the pressure plate is maintained at a contact position while intermittently driving the supply roller, using a push-up cam and a controller to manage the pressure plate's position, and a transmission switching gear train to alternate between transmission and non-transmission states, thereby reducing noise generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pressure plate moves up and down each time a sheet is conveyed, then the sheet can be reliably picked up and conveyed, but noise is generated due to frequent pressure plate movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sheet conveyance process into distinct phases: the pressure plate moves up and down only for the first sheet pickup, then remains stationary while the supply roller intermittently drives subsequent sheets. This segmentation allows the system to maintain reliable sheet pickup while eliminating noise from continuous pressure plate movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure plate is moved to the contact position in advance before sheet conveyance begins, and then maintained at that position throughout the printing process. This preliminary action ensures reliable sheet pickup initially, and then the pressure plate remains stationary to prevent noise during subsequent operations.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the pressure plate is maintained at contact position while intermittently driving the supply roller, then noise is suppressed, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic transmission switching mechanism that can alternate between transmission and non-transmission states. This allows the supply roller to be intermittently driven while the pressure plate remains stationary, achieving noise suppression while maintaining operational flexibility through controlled mechanical dynamics.
Solution Approach 2:
The supply roller is driven intermittently in periodic cycles corresponding to sheet conveyance intervals, while the pressure plate remains stationary. This periodic action achieves noise suppression by eliminating continuous pressure plate movement, while the intermittent driving maintains necessary sheet feed functionality.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the transmission switching gear train alternates between transmission and non-transmission states, then noise is reduced during multiple sheet printing, but the control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission switching gear train incorporates feedback control that responds to the printing process state. The system alternates between transmission and non-transmission states based on whether sheet conveyance is active, providing noise reduction while maintaining appropriate control complexity only when necessary for operational coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission switching mechanism is designed to automatically alternate between transmission and non-transmission states based on the printing cycle, without requiring complex external control. The mechanism self-regulates to reduce noise during multiple sheet printing while maintaining necessary drive functionality.
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 solution effectively suppresses noise caused by the pressure plate's movement during multiple sheet printing by maintaining the pressure plate at a contact position and intermittently driving the supply roller, ensuring quiet operation.
Implementation Method 1
The push-up cam is configured to push up the pressure plate from the separated position to the contact position
Implementation Method 2
The spring is configured to urge the sector gear in a rotation direction of the sector gear
Implementation Method 3
The supply roller is configured to convey a sheet on the manual feed tray toward the print engine
Data Source
AI summary
A manual feed tray is located at a side surface of a main housing. A supply roller conveys a sheet on the manual feed tray toward a print engine. A pressure plate is movable between a contact position at which the sheet on the manual feed tray contacts the supply roller and a separated position at which the sheet on the manual feed tray is separated from the supply roller. A push-up cam pushes up the pressure plate from the separated position to the contact position. The push-up cam includes a contact portion configured to contact the pressure plate. A controller is configured to: when performing printing on a plurality of sheets, after moving the pressure plate from the separated position to the contact position, convey the plurality of sheets by intermittently driving the supply roller while maintaining the pressure plate at the contact position.