Segmented Guide Member for Sheet Jam Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sheet transport apparatuses face operability issues due to large forces required to open guide members for jammed sheet removal, especially in large systems, which prolongs processing time and complicates skew feed correction.
Innovation Solution
The sheet transport apparatus divides the guide member constituting the upper surface of the sheet transport path into two portions that can be independently opened, allowing for easier and faster jam processing by reducing the operational force needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the guide member is made large enough to accommodate maximum size sheets, then sheet transport capability is improved, but the force required to open the guide member becomes large, degrading operability
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member is divided into a first guide portion and a second guide portion that can be opened independently. This segmentation allows each portion to be smaller and lighter, reducing the force needed to open them while still providing sufficient guide member area to accommodate maximum size sheets when both portions are in place.
2Reliability
If the entire skew feed correcting portion is pulled out to access a jammed sheet, then complete access is achieved, but the time required for jammed sheet processing is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member is segmented into two independently openable portions, allowing operators to open only the specific portion containing the jammed sheet rather than pulling out the entire skew feed correcting portion. This maintains complete access capability while significantly reducing processing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The ability to extract or open individual guide portions independently allows operators to access jammed sheets locally without moving the entire assembly, thereby reducing the time lost during jammed sheet processing.
3Area of stationary object
If the guide member is made large to cover the entire sheet width, then sheet guidance is improved, but the operational force required increases, making it difficult to open manually
Solution Approach 1:
Dividing the large guide member into two smaller portions reduces the area of each individual portion, which directly reduces the force required to open each portion. The combined area of both portions still covers the entire sheet width for proper guidance.
Data Source
AI summary
In a sheet transport apparatus in which a skew feed correcting portion is provided so as to be able to pull out from the apparatus, the skew feed correcting portion including a sheet transport path through which a sheet is transported, and a skew feed correcting device for correcting skew feed of the sheet passing through the sheet transport path, a guide constituting an upper surface of the sheet transport path is divided into two guide members in a width direction orthogonal to a sheet transport direction so that the two guide members can each be opened.