Rotatable Guide for Curl Correction in Image Formers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing curl correction devices in image forming apparatuses face challenges in preventing corner bends in thin sheets and damage to thick sheets, as the guide placement affects the smooth conveyance and pinching mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A curl correction device with a correction unit comprising a first and second rotation member forming a curved nip, guided by a dual guide system where the first guide is rotatable about a fulcrum and restricted from rotating closer to the second guide, ensuring the sheet enters the nip smoothly without creating corner bends and minimizing damage to thick sheets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the guide is disposed close to the nip of the curl correction unit, then thin sheets can be guided smoothly without corner bends, but thick sheets are abutted hard against the guide causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The guide is made rotatable about a fulcrum point, transforming it from a fixed static component to a dynamic one. This allows the guide to rotate away from thick sheets during conveyance, reducing harmful contact and damage, while maintaining close positioning for thin sheets to ensure precise guidance without corner bends.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the guide is disposed distanced away from the nip of the curl correction unit, then thick sheets can be conveyed without damage, but corner bends are created in thin sheets
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable guide mechanism allows the guide to dynamically adjust its position. When thick sheets are conveyed, the guide rotates away to prevent damage. When thin sheets are conveyed, the guide maintains a closer position to the nip to ensure precise guidance and prevent corner bends, thus resolving the contradiction through dynamic adaptation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the guide is made rotatable about a fulcrum, then the guide can adapt to different sheet thicknesses, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide is simplified to rotate about a fixed fulcrum point rather than using complex adjustable mechanisms. This single-degree-of-freedom rotation provides adaptability to different sheet thicknesses while minimizing structural complexity, achieving a balance between versatility and simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The fulcrum acts as an intermediary pivot point that enables the guide to adapt to different sheet thicknesses through simple rotation. This intermediary element provides the necessary adaptability without requiring complex control systems or multiple adjustable components, thus reducing overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The curl correction device includes a first guide that guides a sheet to a nip portion between a first rotation member and a second rotation member, a support portion that rotatably supports the first guide about a fulcrum on the downstream side of the first guide, and a restriction portion that restricts a rotation of the first guide rotating about the fulcrum by being in contact with the first guide. The first guide is rotatable about the fulcrum so as to become separated from the restriction portion.