Rotatable Junction Unit Guide for Compact Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses with internal discharge types face challenges in miniaturizing the junction unit, which is necessary for small internal discharge spaces and requires a compact design to accommodate post-processing units while maintaining sheet conveyance functionality and anti-jam measures.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a junction unit with a first and second guide member and a supporting member, where the supporting member is rotatably mounted on a facing surface, allowing the upper guide member to be opened for jam prevention and minimizing the unit's size by positioning the supporting elements within the maximum sheet conveyance area, thus enabling easier assembly in small spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional junction unit with a rotatable upper guide member is used, then the sheet conveyance path is openable for anti-jam measures, but the size of the junction unit becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting portion is repositioned from a lateral location to a location on the facing surface (vertical dimension), allowing the upper guide member to rotate in a different plane. This dimensional change enables the rotation supporting portion to be arranged within the maximum sheet conveyance area, minimizing the junction unit's overall size while preserving the openable conveyance path for jam removal.
2Volume of stationary object
If the internal discharge space is small, then the image forming apparatus occupies less space, but it becomes difficult to install a post-processing unit and maintain proper sheet conveyance
Solution Approach 1:
The upper guide member is designed to be rotatable rather than fixed, allowing the sheet conveyance path to dynamically open for jam removal. This dynamic capability enables the compact junction unit to maintain effective sheet conveyance in small internal discharge spaces while being compatible with subsequently attached post-processing units.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the junction unit is fixed to the apparatus main body by screws, then the sheet conveyance path is stable, but the user cannot easily detach the once assembled junction unit
Solution Approach 1:
The junction unit is segmented into detachable components (upper guide member, lower guide member, supporting member) that can be assembled and disassembled. The upper guide member can be detached by opening the conveyance path and removing fastening members, allowing users to easily access and remove jammed sheets without permanently fixing the entire junction unit to the apparatus main body.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus has a main body for performing an image forming process on a sheet. An internal discharge stores a sheet after the image forming process and a discharge opening discharges a sheet to the internal discharge. A post-processing unit can be attached to the apparatus main body to apply a specified post processing to a received sheet. A junction can be assembled into the internal discharge to convey a sheet from the discharge opening to a receiving opening of the post-processing unit. The junction includes a first guide having a first guide surface for guiding a sheet, a second guide having a second guide surface facing the first guide at a predetermined distance and a support for supporting the second guide by a rotatable supporting portion. The support has a facing surface facing the first guide surface and has the supporting portion arranged on the facing surface.