Recording Sheet Guide Structure for Transfer Surface Contamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face contamination issues when conveying recording sheets of varying widths between the image carrier and transfer part, as the rib-shaped second protrusion part rubs against the transfer surface, especially with narrower sheets.
Innovation Solution
A recording sheet guide structure featuring a pair of first guide parts and a pair of second guide parts, where the second guide parts are positioned inwardly and downstream of the first guide parts, with ridgeline parts that slidably contact the transfer surface to guide narrower sheets and prevent contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a rib-shaped second protrusion part is used to guide narrower recording sheets, then the guidance function is improved, but the transfer surface contamination occurs due to rubbing contact
Solution Approach 1:
The guide structure is divided into multiple protrusion parts (first protrusion part and second protrusion part) with different functions. The first protrusion part handles wider sheets without contact, while the second protrusion part handles narrower sheets with minimal contact only when needed, segmenting the guidance function to prevent contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the guide structure have different properties: the first protrusion part has a larger distance from the transfer surface for non-contact guidance, while the second protrusion part has a smaller distance positioned downstream to provide localized guidance only for narrower sheets that actually need it, reducing unnecessary contact.
2Manufacturing precision
If the second protrusion part is positioned closer to the transfer surface, then the guidance precision for narrow sheets is improved, but the rubbing contact and contamination increase
Solution Approach 1:
The first protrusion part performs preliminary guidance for all sheets at a position upstream. The second protrusion part is positioned downstream and only becomes active for narrower sheets that require additional precision, providing preliminary guidance before the critical transfer zone to avoid last-minute contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution adds the conveyance direction dimension to the guidance structure by positioning protrusion parts at different locations along the conveyance path. This allows guidance precision to be achieved through strategic positioning in the conveyance direction rather than simply reducing distance to the transfer surface.
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
Enables the effective separation of recording sheets of both wide and narrow widths from the image carrier, preventing transfer surface contamination and ensuring smooth conveyance.
Implementation Method 1
first ridgeline parts which are configured to respectively slidingly contact with a transfer surface side of both end portions of a first recording sheet
Data Source
AI summary
A recording sheet guide structure configured to guide a recording sheet conveyed between an image carrier and a transfer part, including: a pair of first guide parts including first ridgeline parts which are configured to respectively slidingly contact with a transfer surface side of both end portions of a first recording sheet having a first width; and a pair of second guide parts including second ridgeline parts which are configured to respectively slidingly contact with a transfer surface side of both end portions of a second recording sheet having a second width narrower than the first width, wherein the pair of second guide parts is positioned at an inner side of the pair of first guide parts in a width direction and is arranged at a downstream side than the pair of first guide parts in a conveyance direction of the recording sheet.