Sheet Conveyance Assist Plate for Dual Stacker Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sheet conveyance devices in image forming apparatuses face challenges in efficiently feeding sheets of various sizes and types from multiple stack sections, particularly when one stack section is removed, leading to potential feed failures and operational complexities.
Innovation Solution
A sheet conveyance device with a movable assist plate and an urging member that automatically adjusts positions to support sheet feeding from either stack section, ensuring continuous operation even when one stack section is not mounted, using a feed roller and lift mechanism to pinched sheets for reliable conveyance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a sheet conveyance device uses two sheet stack sections to feed various sheet types, then the versatility and sheet type coverage are improved, but the device complexity and operational reliability deteriorate when one stack section is removed
Solution Approach 1:
The assist plate is designed to be movable between a retracted position (when first sheet stack section is mounted) and an extended position (when it is removed). This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt its sheet support structure based on the presence or absence of the first sheet stack section, ensuring reliable sheet feeding from the second sheet stack section regardless of the first section's status
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the positional parameter of the assist plate based on whether the first sheet stack section is mounted. When the first sheet stack section is removed, the assist plate extends to provide proper sheet support at the sheet feed section, compensating for the missing stack section and maintaining feeding reliability
2Reliability
If an assist plate is added to support sheet feeding when one stack section is removed, then the feed reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The assist plate is equipped with an urging member that automatically urges the assist plate to the extended position when the first sheet stack section is removed. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex control systems or manual intervention, achieving reliable sheet feeding through automatic adaptation
Solution Approach 2:
The assist plate acts as an intermediary element between the second sheet stack section and the sheet feed section. When the first sheet stack section is absent, the assist plate provides the necessary sheet support and guidance, mediating the sheet transfer process to ensure reliable feeding without requiring complex modifications to the core feeding mechanism
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
Ensures reliable sheet feeding from both stack sections, maintaining operational efficiency and simplicity, reducing manufacturing costs and user complexity, while allowing hand-feed printing capabilities even with one stack section removed.
Implementation Method 1
an urging member that urges the assist plate from the second position toward the first position
Implementation Method 2
the lift portion presses the sheet against the feed roller via the opening so that, as the feed roller rotates, the sheet is fed
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet conveyance device includes a sheet passage, a first sheet stacker, a second sheet stacker, and a sheet feeder. The first sheet stacker has a bottom and a lift. The sheet feeder includes an opening and a feed roller. The sheet conveyance device includes an assist plate supported to be movable between a first and a second position and an urging member. With the first sheet stacker mounted in an apparatus body, the assist plate moves from the first to the second position against the urging force of the urging member to allow passage of a sheet from the first sheet stacker to the sheet feeder. With the first sheet stacker removed from the apparatus body, the assist plate is urged by the urging member to move from the second to the first position to support the sheet conveyed from the second sheet stacker to the sheet feeder.