Compact S-Shaped Sheet Conveyer Path for Image Forming Apparatus
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing image forming apparatuses with S-shaped sheet conveyer paths and multipurpose trays require additional space due to the need for separate feeder systems, increasing the size of the device.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a housing with a feeder tray, a multipurpose tray, a feeder system including a feed roller and a separation roller, and a registration roller pair, with a process cartridge and transfer member, allowing for a compact S-shaped conveyer path configuration that supports both trays without increasing the device's size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a separate feeder system with feed roller and separation roller is added for the multipurpose tray, then the multipurpose tray can feed sheets separately one by one, but the device size increases in the aligning direction and height direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the feeder systems for the feeder tray and multipurpose tray into a shared configuration. The feed roller and separation roller are positioned to serve both trays, with the multipurpose tray's feeder components integrated alongside the feeder tray's feeder components. This merging eliminates the need for completely separate feeder systems, thereby reducing the device size while maintaining the capability to feed sheets from both trays separately one by one.
2Ease of operation
If the feed roller and separation roller for the multipurpose tray are arranged side by side along the sheet conveying direction, then the feeding function is achieved, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the feed roller and separation roller for the multipurpose tray in the vertical direction rather than arranging them side by side only in the horizontal aligning direction. The feed roller is positioned above the separation roller, utilizing the vertical space between the multipurpose tray and the feeder tray. This dimensional change allows the feeding function to be achieved while minimizing the device length in the aligning direction.
3Adaptability or versatility
If an S-shaped sheet conveyer path is implemented from feeder tray to ejection tray, then the image forming unit can be positioned along the path, but the device requires more space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an S-shaped conveyer path that efficiently utilizes the internal space of the housing. The conveyer path is routed to pass through multiple levels and sections of the device, with the image forming unit positioned along the curved path. The S-shape allows the sheet to travel through a compact three-dimensional space, nesting the conveyer path within the housing volume rather than requiring a larger linear space.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus, having feeder tray, a multipurpose tray arranged on a first side surface, a first conveyer path, a second conveyer path, a third conveyer path, and a fourth conveyer path, is provided. A nip position between paired registration rollers is located to be lower than a nip position between a separation roller and a separator member. A tangent that contacts circumferential surfaces of the paired registration rollers at the nip position between paired registration rollers inclines to be lower toward a second side surface opposite from the multipurpose tray. The second conveyer path inclines to be lower toward the second side surface in a range between a merging point merging with the fourth conveyer path and the nip position between the paired registration rollers.