Shared-Drive Conveyance Guide for Compact Image-Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyance devices in image forming apparatuses often require separate driving units for guide units, leading to increased size and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A conveyance device with a guide unit that moves between different positions, utilizing a driving unit to restrict movement and block transmission of force when a predetermined load is exceeded, thereby preventing upsizing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a separate driving unit is provided for the guide unit, then the guide unit can be driven independently, but the size of the conveyance device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the driving unit for the guide unit with the existing driving unit for the conveyance unit. The driving unit is configured to drive both the conveyance unit and the guide unit through a single motor and transmission mechanism, eliminating the need for a separate driving unit and thereby reducing the overall size of the conveyance device.
Solution Approach 2:
The driving unit is designed with multi-functionality to perform multiple tasks: it drives the conveyance unit for material conveyance and also drives the guide unit for positioning and guiding. This universal driving unit reduces system complexity and component count, leading to a more compact overall design.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the guide unit is allowed to move freely, then the conveyance path can be adjusted, but excessive movement may cause instability or damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a restriction unit that prevents the guide unit from moving beyond predetermined positions. This restriction unit applies a counteracting force or mechanical constraint to stop excessive movement before it can cause instability or damage, thereby maintaining reliability while still allowing necessary adjustability within safe limits.
3Ease of operation
If the driving force is transmitted to the guide unit, then the guide unit can be positioned, but excessive force may cause damage or instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a blocking unit as an intermediary component between the driving unit and the guide unit. This blocking unit selectively blocks the transmission of driving force to the guide unit under certain conditions (such as when the guide unit is already at the correct position or when excessive force would cause damage), thereby protecting the system while still allowing necessary positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
A conveyance device includes: a conveyance unit that conveys a material to be conveyed; a guide unit that guides the material to be conveyed, the guide unit being movable between a first position at which a first conveyance path is formed and a second position at which a second conveyance path is formed; a driving unit that drives the conveyance unit and the guide unit; a restriction unit that comes into contact with the guide unit moving in a moving direction from the second position to the first position at the first position by a driving force of the driving unit to restrict the movement of the guide unit in the moving direction; and a blocking unit that blocks transmission of the driving force of the driving unit to the guide unit when a moving load greater than or equal to a predetermined load acts on the guide unit moving in the moving direction.