Sheet Conveyance Nip Pressure Uniformity via Segmented Pad Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet conveyance apparatuses face challenges in maintaining uniform nip pressure and efficient heat transfer across a wide nip region, leading to issues such as ink adhesion and peeling on the belts.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a first belt unit with a rotating endless first belt and stretching members, and a second belt unit with a rotating endless second belt, stretching members, a nip portion forming member, and supporting members to maintain the nip portion's shape and pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a wide nip region is used to convey sheets, then the heating area is increased, but the nip pressure becomes non-uniform causing ink adhesion and peeling issues
Solution Approach 1:
The pad is divided into multiple independent pad sections (first pad section, second pad section, third pad section) arranged along the conveyance direction. Each pad section can be independently supported and adjusted, allowing uniform pressure distribution across the wide nip region while maintaining heating effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
Different pad sections are positioned to provide localized pressure control. The supporting members are configured to maintain specific curvatures for each pad section, ensuring that each local region achieves optimal nip pressure uniformity tailored to its position in the wide nip region.
2Temperature
If the pad curvature is maintained to support belts effectively, then heat transfer is enhanced, but the structure becomes complex requiring multiple supporting members
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting structure is segmented into multiple supporting members (first supporting member, second supporting member, third supporting member), each responsible for maintaining the curvature of a specific pad section. This segmentation allows independent adjustment and simplifies the overall control of pad curvature while enhancing heat transfer through effective belt support.
Solution Approach 2:
The pad sections are designed with specific curvatures to match the belt geometry, optimizing contact and heat transfer. The supporting members are configured to maintain these curvatures, ensuring effective belt support and enhanced thermal coupling between the pad and belts across the wide nip region.
3Stability of the object's composition
If stretching members are added to both belt units to maintain tension, then belt stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each belt unit is equipped with multiple stretching members (first stretching members for the first belt, second stretching members for the second belt) positioned at different locations. This segmentation allows independent tension control for each belt, maintaining stability while distributing the structural complexity across modular components that can be independently adjusted and maintained.
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 configuration ensures stable and uniform nip pressure across a wide range, enhancing heat transfer and preventing ink adhesion and peeling, while maintaining the curvature of the pad to support the belts effectively.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of first stretching members configured to stretch the first belt... a plurality of second stretching members configured to stretch the second belt
Implementation Method 2
at least one nip portion forming member configured to form the nip portion between the first belt and the second belt by abutting on an inner peripheral surface of the second belt
Implementation Method 3
the at least three supporting members being in contact with surfaces of the nip portion forming member on a side opposite to the second belt at different positions in a width direction of the sheet
Implementation Method 4
a first belt unit including a rotating endless first belt, a second belt unit including a rotating endless second belt that forms a nip portion for nipping and conveying a sheet
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet conveyance apparatus includes a first belt unit including a first belt, a second belt unit including a second belt that forms a nip portion for nipping and conveying a sheet with the first belt. The second belt unit includes at least one nip portion forming member forming the nip portion between the first belt and the second belt by abutting on an inner peripheral surface of the second belt and supporting the second belt, at least three supporting members disposed along a conveyance direction of the sheet in the nip portion, the at least three supporting members being in contact with surfaces of the nip portion forming member on a side opposite to the second belt at different positions in a width direction to support the nip portion forming member, and at least one connecting member connecting the at least three supporting members.