Roller Separating Unit for Fixing Unit Paper Jam Removal
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, paper jams between the heating and pressurizing rollers in the fixing unit are difficult to remove, as the pressurizing roller applies pressure, making it hard for users to dislodge the jammed paper without damaging the rollers.
Innovation Solution
A rollers separating unit is introduced, featuring an elastic support member, levers, and a side cover that allows the rollers to be separated by rotating the levers when the side cover is opened, reducing pressure and enabling easy removal of jammed paper.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pressurizing roller applies pressure to the heating roller for fixing images, then the image fixing quality is improved, but the difficulty of removing jammed paper increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressurizing roller is made movable through an elastic support member and lever mechanism, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position. During normal operation, the roller applies pressure for image fixing; during paper jam removal, the roller can be separated from the heating roller by operating the lever, transforming the static high-pressure state to a dynamic low-pressure or zero-pressure state, thus resolving the contradiction between fixing quality and ease of paper removal
Solution Approach 2:
An elastic support member is introduced as an intermediary between the pressurizing roller and its support structure. This elastic element allows the pressurizing roller to maintain contact pressure with the heating roller during normal operation while enabling easy separation when needed, mediating between the conflicting requirements of maintaining pressure for quality fixing and allowing separation for easy paper removal
2Reliability
If the pressurizing roller maintains constant pressure on the heating roller, then the fixing unit reliability is improved, but the complexity of the structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of a complex active control system with sensors and actuators to maintain constant pressure, the invention uses a passive elastic support member that automatically maintains pressure through its elastic properties. The system transitions from a static rigid support to a dynamic elastic support that self-regulates pressure, achieving reliability without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic support member provides self-service by automatically maintaining the pressurizing roller's contact pressure with the heating roller through its elastic recovery force. The system uses the elastic deformation and recovery of the support member to self-regulate pressure without requiring external control mechanisms, reducing structural complexity while maintaining fixing unit reliability
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 allows users to easily remove jammed paper by opening the side cover, which separates the rollers, facilitating paper removal without damaging the rollers, and allows for quick resumption of printing operations.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic support member rotatably hinge-coupled to one side of a housing of a fixing unit, to elastically support a roller installed at an outer portion of a main body between a pair of rollers so that the pair of rollers pressurize each other
Implementation Method 2
a first lever rotatably hinge-coupled to one end of the elastic support member, to rotate the elastic support member at a predetermined angle so that the pair of rollers are separated from each other
Implementation Method 3
a side cover rotatably hinge-coupled to one side of the main body, to increase a distance between the pair of rollers by operating the first lever
Data Source
AI summary
A rollers separating unit which controls a distance between a heating roller and a pressurizing roller of a fixing unit by an opening/closing of a side cover. The rollers separating unit includes an elastic support member rotatably hinge-coupled to one side of a housing of a fixing unit, to elastically support a roller installed at an outer portion of a main body between a pair of rollers so that the pair of rollers pressurize each other, a first lever rotatably hinge-coupled to one end of the elastic support member, to rotate the elastic support member at a first predetermined angle so that the pair of rollers are separated from each other, and a side cover rotatably hinge-coupled to one side of the main body, to increase a distance between the pair of rollers by operating the first lever.