Print Roller Claw Mechanism for Fuser Jam Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
In conventional image forming apparatuses, the toner on print media tends to attach to the heating roller during the fusing process, causing the print media to stick and potentially jam, especially when the heating roller's surface layer is made of a resilient material like rubber, requiring careful separation without damaging the roller.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a print roller having a resilient surface layer, where push rollers elastically deform the circumferential contact area, and a claw member is used to release the print medium from the roller by protruding into the formed space, preventing sticking and damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the heating roller surface layer is made of a resilient material like rubber to improve toner fusion, then the print medium is more likely to stick to the roller, but this causes jamming and potential damage to the roller
Solution Approach 1:
The push roller is positioned to elastically deform the heating roller surface layer before the print medium exits the fusing area, proactively preventing the medium from adhering to the roller surface. This preliminary action occurs while the medium is still under controlled conditions, preventing the sticking problem before it manifests
Solution Approach 2:
The push roller acts as an intermediary element between the heating roller and the print medium. By pressing against the heating roller's elastic surface layer, it creates a controlled deformation that prevents direct adhesion between the toner-fused medium and the roller surface, thereby mediating the interaction to eliminate sticking
2Ease of operation
If the push roller presses the heating roller to elastically deform the surface layer, then the print medium can be released easily, but this increases the device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The push roller and print medium releasing member are combined into a single integrated component. The push roller performs both the function of elastically deforming the heating roller surface and the function of releasing the print medium, thereby simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining the desired functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The push roller is designed to perform multiple functions: it elastically deforms the heating roller surface layer to prevent sticking, and simultaneously acts as the print medium releasing member by protruding into the deformed space. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed in the fuser assembly
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
The solution effectively prevents the print medium from sticking to the heating roller, allowing for easy release without damaging the roller, reducing jamming issues and ensuring smooth operation of the image forming apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
one or more push rollers pressing the print roller to elastically deform the circumferential elastic contact part
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus having a print roller, in which a circumferential elastic contact part of the print roller contacts and presses a print medium to convey the print medium, the apparatus comprises a push roller pressing the print roller to elastically deform the circumferential elastic contact part; and a print media-releasing member including a claw member to be protruded into a space formed by the elastic deformation of the circumferential contact portion, the print medium being released from the print roller by means of the claw member.