Registration Roller Guide Opening for Easier Sheet Jam Clearing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in improving the workability of jam clearing processes, particularly when jams occur near the registration roller pair, due to limited access and interference from conveyance components.
Innovation Solution
A sheet conveyance apparatus with a conveyance guide that can move between positions, allowing the conveyance roller pair to operate in the same direction as during image formation to push a jammed sheet downstream, combined with a transfer guide that opens to enhance accessibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the conveyance guide is opened to improve accessibility for jam clearing, then the workability of jam clearing process is improved, but the structural complexity of the conveyance system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyance guide is designed to be movable between a first position (forming the conveyance path) and a second position (opened to the side), allowing the system to dynamically change its configuration based on operational needs. This enables easy access for jam clearing while maintaining the complete conveyance path during normal operation, resolving the contradiction between accessibility and structural integrity.
2Ease of operation
If the conveyance roller pair rotates in the same direction as during image formation, then the sheet is moved downstream smoothly, but the ability to release jammed sheets upstream is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the conveyance guide position based on the operational phase: during normal image formation, the guide is in the first position and the roller pair rotates in the forward direction; during jam clearing, the guide moves to the second position and the roller pair can rotate in reverse to release sheets upstream. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between smooth conveyance and jam release capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable conveyance guide acts as an intermediary that enables different operational modes. When opened to the second position, it allows the roller pair to perform reverse rotation for jam release without interfering with the main conveyance path, thus mediating between the conflicting requirements of forward conveyance and reverse release.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the conveyance guide remains closed during jam clearing, then the structural integrity is maintained, but the accessibility to jammed sheets is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyance guide transitions from a static closed structure to a dynamic movable structure. During normal operation, it remains closed to maintain structural integrity. During jam clearing operations, it can be opened to the second position to provide accessibility, thus resolving the contradiction between structural stability and operational accessibility through dynamic reconfiguration.
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet conveyance apparatus includes a conveyance roller pair that forms a nip portion and a conveyance guide that is movable between a first position and a second position. The conveyance roller pair conveys a sheet nipped at the nip portion in a sheet conveyance direction. At least a part of a sheet conveyance path is opened in a state where the conveyance guide is at the second position. In a case where conveyance of the sheet is stopped after the leading edge of the sheet passes through the nip portion and before the trailing edge of the sheet passes through the nip potion, and in a case where the conveyance guide is moved from the first position to the second position, a moving operation of moving the sheet downstream in the sheet conveyance direction is performed by the conveyance roller pair.