Sheet Aligning Mechanism With Extended Conveyance Belt
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet aligning mechanisms in image forming apparatuses often fail to properly convey thick sheets after alignment, due to insufficient conveyance force and increased resistance.
Innovation Solution
The mechanism employs a pair of conveyance mechanisms with adjustable inclination angles and extended conveyance belts to form a nip, allowing for effective alignment and improved conveyance of thick sheets by reducing friction and increasing contact length with the sheet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional sheet aligning mechanisms are used, then alignment function is provided, but conveyance of thick sheets fails due to insufficient conveyance force
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyance belt is configured with an extended region that is movable relative to the first and second rollers, allowing the belt to dynamically adapt its position. This dynamic configuration enables the extended region to contact and convey thick sheets effectively, providing sufficient conveyance force while maintaining alignment functionality.
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional aligning mechanisms are used, then alignment is achieved, but friction increases causing conveyance delays
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyance belt has different functional regions: a first region wrapped around rollers for alignment, and an extended region with specific contact properties for conveyance. The extended region is positioned to contact the sheet at an optimized location, providing local quality enhancement that reduces friction during conveyance while maintaining alignment precision in the nip region.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution ensures reliable alignment and enhanced conveyance capability for thick sheets, reducing the likelihood of conveyance defects and delays, even when the sheets are thick, by minimizing friction and increasing the conveyance force.
Implementation Method 1
reducing friction and increasing contact length with the sheet
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet aligning mechanism includes first and second conveyance mechanisms disposed on first and second sides of a sheet conveyance path, respectively. A nip is formed between the first and second conveyance mechanisms. The first conveyance mechanism includes a first roller, a second roller, and a first conveyance belt wound around the first and second rollers. The first and second rollers are configured to rotate in a first direction along a sheet conveying direction for sheet conveyance, and stop rotation or rotate in a second direction opposite to the first direction for sheet alignment. The first conveyance belt includes an extended region between the first and second rollers in an extending direction inclined with respect to the sheet conveying direction, such that a width of the sheet conveyance path becomes narrower towards the nip in the sheet conveying direction.