Retracted Guide Portion for Sensor Dust Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The degradation of sensor detection performance in sheet conveyance and image forming apparatuses due to paper dust generated from sheet materials, which adheres to sensors and affects their accuracy.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a retracted portion in the guide structure of the sheet conveyance path, specifically designed to minimize contact with the sheet in regions where sensors are located, reducing paper dust generation and adherence to sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the guide is disposed to contact the sheet for conveyance guidance, then the sheet conveyance is stabilized, but paper dust is generated and adheres to sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The guide is divided into two distinct regions: a first region with a retracted portion that does not contact the sheet, and a second region that provides conveyance guidance. This segmentation allows the guide to fulfill both functions of stabilizing sheet conveyance and minimizing paper dust generation near the sensor.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the guide have different functional qualities: the first region (near the sensor) has a retracted configuration to minimize dust generation, while the second region (farther from sensor) has an extended configuration for effective sheet guidance. This local differentiation optimizes both conveyance stability and sensor protection.
2Measurement precision
If the guide is retracted to avoid paper dust generation, then sensor detection performance is maintained, but sheet conveyance guidance may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The guide structure is segmented into a retracted first region for sensor protection and an extended second region for conveyance guidance, ensuring both sensor detection precision and sheet conveyance reliability are maintained through spatial separation of functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide transitions from a uniformly extended structure to a segmented structure with varying extension levels along the sheet width direction, creating a three-dimensional configuration that simultaneously achieves dust reduction and conveyance guidance.
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet conveyance apparatus includes a sheet conveyor configured to convey a sheet, a guide configured to form a conveyance path through which the sheet is conveyed by the sheet conveyor, and a sensor disposed on a same side as the guide with respect to the conveyance path. The guide includes a retracted portion disposed over a first region in a sheet width direction perpendicular to a sheet conveyance direction, the retracted portion being retracted with respect to a second region of the guide in the sheet width direction so as not to come into contact with the sheet passing through the conveyance path, the first region including a detection region of the sensor in the sheet width direction, the second region being a sheet passing region of the sheet in the sheet width direction excluding the first region.