Reversible Roller Switching Assembly for Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing image forming apparatuses require frequent switching of motor directions to operate intermediate ejection rollers and ejection rollers, which reduces throughput and necessitates dedicated motors, increasing manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A common motor drives the intermediate ejection roller, ejection roller, and other devices using a switching assembly with a planetary differential gear and two-way clutches, allowing direction switching without reversing the motor, thus maintaining throughput and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the rotating directions of the motor are switched frequently to operate intermediate ejection roller and ejection roller, then the sheet can be ejected or inverted, but the throughput of the image forming apparatus is lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission system is segmented into multiple independent transmission paths through the differential gear mechanism. The sun gear, planetary gears, and ring gear create separate transmission channels that can operate independently, allowing one roller to change direction while another maintains its operation, thus preventing throughput reduction during direction switching.
Solution Approach 2:
The differential gear mechanism provides dynamic direction control where the transmission state can change continuously and smoothly. By adjusting the engagement state of the one-way clutch and the rotation of the differential gear, the system can transition between different transmission modes without stopping the motor, maintaining continuous sheet conveyance while changing roller directions.
2Productivity
If dedicated motors are provided for intermediate ejection roller and ejection roller to avoid frequent direction switching, then throughput is maintained, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single motor is designed to perform multiple functions by controlling the direction of different rollers through the differential gear mechanism. The same motor can drive both the intermediate ejection roller and the ejection roller in different directions simultaneously or independently, eliminating the need for separate dedicated motors and reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The differential gear mechanism acts as an intermediary device between the single motor and the multiple rollers. It translates the single motor's rotation into different directional outputs for different rollers, serving as a mechanical mediator that enables one motor to control multiple rollers independently without requiring additional motors.
3Ease of operation
If the motor direction is switched to drive intermediate ejection roller and ejection roller in different directions, then sheet conveyance is achieved, but the switching time reduces efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The differential gear mechanism is pre-configured with multiple transmission paths and engagement mechanisms. When direction switching is needed, the system can immediately engage the appropriate transmission path without waiting for motor direction changes, as the mechanical structure is already prepared to transmit power in different directions through different gear engagements.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor continues to rotate in the same direction continuously without stopping or reversing. The differential gear mechanism ensures that useful action is maintained in all transmission paths simultaneously, allowing the motor's continuous rotation to be converted into different directional movements of different rollers without any interruption or time loss for direction switching.
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 enables efficient switching of roller directions without lowering throughput and allows the common motor to drive multiple devices, reducing manufacturing costs by eliminating the need for dedicated motors.
Implementation Method 1
a planetary differential gear and two-way clutches
Implementation Method 2
a planetary differential gear and two-way clutches
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus, having an image forming device, a reversible roller rotatable in a first direction and a second direction, a motor, a switching assembly, is provided. The switching assembly has a planetary differential gear having an input gear, a first output gear, a second output gear, and a planetary gear; a first driving-force transmitter connecting the first output gear and the reversible roller; a second driving-force transmitter connecting the second output gear and the reversible roller; and a switcher. The switcher switches conditions of the switching assembly between a first condition, wherein the reversible roller is rotated in the first direction by the first output gear allowed to output the driving force to the first driving-force transmitter, and a second condition, wherein the reversible roller is rotated in the second direction by the second output gear allowed to output the driving force to the second driving-force transmitter.