Sheet Conveyance Apparatus Guide Member Pivoting Delay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sheet conveyance mechanisms in duplex recording systems face challenges in efficiently switching the conveyance path and maintaining productivity due to the simultaneous driving of guide members and conveyance rollers by a single drive source, leading to difficulties in shortening the distance between sheets and reducing productivity.
Innovation Solution
A sheet conveyance apparatus with a guide member that pivots between two positions, utilizing a first transmission mechanism to drive the guide member and a second transmission mechanism to drive a reverse rotary member, with an interlocking mechanism that delays the switching of the reverse rotary member's rotational direction, allowing for efficient switching of the conveyance path and maintaining current rotational direction during sheet conveyance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the guide member and conveyance rollers are driven by the same drive source, then the switch back conveyance mechanism can be configured to be simple and inexpensive, but the switching of the conveyance path cannot be started before guiding sheets to discharge and completing discharge, leading to longer inter-sheet intervals and reduced productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the drive system into two independent drive sources: one for the guide member and another for the conveyance rollers. This segmentation allows each component to be controlled independently, enabling the guide member to switch conveyance paths before the rollers complete their discharge cycle, thus reducing inter-sheet intervals and improving productivity while maintaining structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The guide member performs preliminary action by switching the conveyance path in advance before the conveyance rollers complete their discharge cycle. This allows the system to prepare for the next sheet's path switching while previous sheets are still being discharged, enabling overlapping operations that reduce idle time and improve overall productivity
2Weight of moving object
If the guide member and conveyance rollers are driven by the same drive source, then the mechanism can be small and light, but the inter-sheet distance cannot be shortened, reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the drive system into independent motors for the guide member and conveyance rollers, allowing each to be optimized separately. This enables the guide member to operate independently to shorten inter-sheet intervals without increasing the overall system weight significantly, as each motor can be sized appropriately for its specific function
Solution Approach 2:
The guide member performs path switching in advance while previous sheets are being discharged by the rollers. This preliminary action reduces the idle time between sheets, allowing the system to maintain lightweight construction while improving productivity through better timing coordination
3Use of energy by moving object
If the guide member and conveyance rollers are driven by the same drive source, then electricity consumption is saved, but the conveyance path switching cannot be optimized, reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the drive system into two independently controlled motors, allowing each to be optimized for its specific function. The guide member motor can be smaller and consume less energy since it only needs to pivot the guide member, while the roller motor handles the heavier task of moving sheets. This segmentation enables better energy management and optimized timing that improves productivity without excessive energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The independent drive sources enable the guide member to perform preliminary path switching while rollers complete discharge. This timing optimization allows the system to maintain efficient energy usage by each component while improving overall productivity through reduced inter-sheet intervals and better coordination
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet conveyance apparatus is configured to interlock a first transmission mechanism and a second transmission mechanism such that the second transmission mechanism switches a rotational driving direction of a reverse rotary member between a normal rotation direction and a reverse rotation direction with a delay with respect to the first transmission mechanism starting transmission of a rotational driving force such that a guide member pivots between a first pivot position and a second pivot position.