Sheet Conveyance Device Branch Guide Escape Tray Jam Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
In sheet conveyance devices with long conveyance paths, frequent sheet jams lead to sheets remaining on the path, causing additional jams when operation resumes, and existing escape trays are not designed to handle large quantities, resulting in paper jams at the escape tray or its periphery.
Innovation Solution
A sheet conveyance device with a branch guide that redirects sheets to an escape conveyance path and an escape tray, where a second discharge part sequentially discharges remaining sheets, and a first sheet detection part inhibits new sheet reception until the last sheet is cleared, preventing excessive discharge and jams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a long sheet conveyance path is formed, then the conveyance capability is improved, but sheets remain on the path during interruptions, causing frequent jam treatment work
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyance path is segmented into a main conveyance path and a separate escape conveyance path. The escape path branches off at a branch part to collect sheets that remain on the main path during interruptions, effectively segmenting the sheet collection function from the main conveyance function.
Solution Approach 2:
The escape tray acts as an intermediary component between the conveyance path and the discharged sheets. It temporarily stores sheets that are discharged from the conveyance path, preventing them from causing immediate re-jams and reducing the frequency of operator intervention.
2Ease of operation
If an escape tray is provided to store remaining sheets, then the sheet management is improved, but the tray may overflow and cause paper jams at the tray or its periphery
Solution Approach 1:
A sheet detection part is installed to detect when sheets are accumulated on the escape tray. This feedback mechanism allows the control unit to monitor the sheet accumulation level and take appropriate actions to prevent overflow and subsequent paper jams.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by detecting sheet accumulation on the escape tray before it reaches a critical level that would cause paper jams. The control unit can then proactively manage the situation by controlling sheet discharge or notifying operators.
3Productivity
If sheets are discharged to the escape tray during device failure, then the remaining sheets are cleared, but excessive sheets may be discharged causing jams
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet detection part provides real-time feedback on the number of sheets on the escape tray. The control unit uses this feedback to determine when to stop discharging sheets, preventing over-discharge while ensuring complete clearance of remaining sheets during device failures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces purely mechanical sheet discharge control with an automated control system that uses detection parts and control units. This substitution allows for more precise control of the discharge process, preventing excessive sheets from being discharged while maintaining high clearance efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet conveyance device includes a sheet receiving part, a first discharge part, a sheet conveyance path, an escape conveyance path, a branch guide, an escape tray, a second discharge part, and a first sheet detection part. When a device failure occurs, the branch guide switches the conveyance direction such that the sheet remaining on the sheet conveyance path is discharged on the escape tray by the second discharge part, through the escape conveyance path sequentially. Then, the second discharge part stops a discharging of the sheet in a state where the sheet remains in the second discharge part when the sheet is a last sheet to be conveyed to the escape tray. Then, a receiving of a new sheet to the sheet receiving part from the image forming apparatus is inhibited while the first sheet detection part detects the last sheet.