Sheet Alignment Roller Support for Edge Precision and Jam Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming systems face challenges in efficiently aligning the side edges of sheets during transport, particularly when paper jams occur, which complicates the removal process.
Innovation Solution
A sheet alignment device incorporating a roller, alignment member, and a mechanism with one-way clutches and torque limiters to pivot the roller support device, ensuring the sheet edge abuts against an alignment member, facilitating precise edge alignment and jam removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a roller is used to move the sheet in a direction orthogonal to the sheet transport direction for alignment, then the side edge alignment precision is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for additional roller support mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The roller support device is designed to reciprocally pivot about a shaft, transitioning between a first state where the roller contacts the sheet for alignment and a second state where the roller moves away from the sheet. This dynamic mechanism allows the alignment function to be activated only when needed, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining alignment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The roller support device utilizes the weight of the roller itself to automatically return to the second state (away from the sheet) after alignment is completed. The weight-driven return mechanism eliminates the need for additional motors or actuators to reset the roller position, simplifying the device while preserving alignment capability.
2Ease of operation
If the roller support device is designed to reciprocally pivot for contact and separation from the sheet, then the ease of operation for jam removal is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional pivoting mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The roller support device pivots between two states: contacting the sheet for alignment and separating for jam removal. This dynamic pivoting capability allows operators to easily access jammed sheets by simply moving the roller away, improving ease of operation without requiring complex manual intervention mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivoting mechanism is designed to automatically return to its initial position using the roller's own weight, eliminating the need for additional motors or complex control systems. This self-returning feature simplifies the overall mechanism while maintaining the ability to facilitate easy jam removal.
3Reliability
If one-way clutches and torque limiters are used to control roller support device movement, then the reliability of sheet alignment is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional control components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex motorized control systems with a mechanical pivoting mechanism driven by the roller's own weight. The one-way clutch and torque limiter work together with gravity to automatically control the pivoting motion, eliminating the need for electronic sensors, motors, or complex control circuits while maintaining reliable alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The control mechanism utilizes the roller's weight as the driving force for pivoting, with the one-way clutch and torque limiter serving as passive mechanical elements that automatically regulate motion. This self-powered control system improves reliability by eliminating electronic failures while keeping the device relatively simple.
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
The device effectively aligns sheet edges, simplifying jam removal and ensuring consistent sheet positioning, enhancing the efficiency and reliability of image forming processes.
Implementation Method 1
The roller rotates by being contacted by the sheet being transported along the sheet transport route, and makes the side edge of the sheet abut against the alignment member, by moving the sheet in a direction orthogonal to a sheet transport direction
Implementation Method 2
The first one-way clutch transmits a first rotative driving force for making the roller support device pivot upward with respect to the shaft of the roller support device, when the motor rotates in a predetermined first direction
Implementation Method 3
The second one-way clutch rotates with a second rotative driving force, generated by a self-weight of the roller support device when the motor is stopped, and making the roller support device pivot downward
Data Source
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AI summary
A sheet alignment device (11) includes a roller (55) that moves a sheet on a sheet transport route (50) so that a side edge of the sheet abuts against an alignment member (85A), a first one-way clutch (76) that transmits a first rotative driving force for making a roller support device (54) pivot upward with respect to the shaft (61) of the roller support device (54), when a motor (71) rotates in a first direction, a first torque limiter (72) that disconnects the transmission of the first rotative driving force, when a rotation control device (70) limits the rotation of the shaft (61), a second one-way clutch (80) that rotates with a second rotative driving force, and making the roller support device (54) pivot downward, when the motor (71) is stopped, and a second torque limiter (78) that stops the rotation of the shaft (61), by being subjected to a rotational torque of the second one-way clutch (80).