Rotatable Guide Member for Compact Sheet Transport

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in reducing size while preventing guide members from interfering with transport members during path opening, particularly when the guide member's rotation axis is positioned upstream.

Innovation Solution

A transport device with a guide member that is rotatable about its downstream end in the transport direction, allowing it to open the transport path without interfering with the transport member, and is positioned upstream from the transport member to guide recording sheets to the transport path.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the guide member's rotation axis is disposed on an upstream side in the transport direction, then the guide member can guide the recording medium to the transport member, but the guide member interferes with the transport member when rotated to open the transport path

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransport path openingVSAvoidinterference between guide member and transport member

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional design by positioning the rotation axis at the downstream end rather than the upstream end of the guide member. This inversion changes the rotation trajectory so that the guide member opens away from the transport member, eliminating interference while maintaining path opening functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the spatial dimension of the rotation axis position from upstream to downstream, fundamentally altering the rotation path geometry. This dimensional change allows the guide member to rotate in a trajectory that avoids collision with the transport member while still achieving transport path opening

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If the guide member is positioned upstream from the transport member to guide recording sheets, then sheet transport is enabled, but the device size increases when accommodating the guide member's rotation path

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet transportVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By inverting the rotation axis position to the downstream end, the patent reduces the required rotation radius and accommodates the guide member's movement in a more compact space, thereby reducing overall device volume while maintaining sheet transport capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the critical parameter of rotation axis position from upstream to downstream, which fundamentally alters the rotation path geometry and reduces the space required for guide member movement, enabling compact device design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11964843B2Transport device and image forming apparatus

Publication Date: 2024.04.23 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

A transport device includes a transport member that transports a recording medium while adjusting a leading end of the recording medium, and a guide member that is disposed upstream from the transport member in a transport direction of the transport member to guide the recording medium to the transport member along a transport path, the guide member being rotatable in a direction to open the transport path while having a downstream portion in the transport direction of the transport member serving as an axis.