Sheet Conveyance Nip Pressure Control via Load Changing Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet conveyance systems face challenges in efficiently adjusting nip pressure between spheres and a conveyor belt to accommodate various types of sheets, requiring manual adjustments that are time-consuming and labor-intensive.
Innovation Solution
An image forming system with a conveyor belt and rotary members that include a load changing unit controlled by a control unit, recognizing sheet information to adjust the nip pressure dynamically, allowing for automatic adaptation to different sheet types without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual adjustment of gap between spheres and conveyor belt is performed to change nip pressure, then appropriate conveyance force can be obtained for different sheet types, but time and effort are consumed by the user
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-adjustment of nip pressure by automatically detecting sheet thickness and controlling the position of spheres relative to the conveyor belt. The load changing unit modifies the load applied by spheres to the sheet based on detected sheet characteristics, eliminating the need for manual intervention and enabling the system to serve itself in adapting to different sheet types
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical adjustment of the gap between spheres and conveyor belt is replaced by an automated control system that uses sensors to detect sheet thickness and electronically controls the position of spheres through a load changing unit. This substitution of manual mechanical operation with automated sensing and control resolves the contradiction by maintaining adaptability while eliminating time-consuming manual adjustment
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual adjustment of gap between spheres and conveyor belt is performed every time sheet type changes, then appropriate conveyance force can be obtained, but user effort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects sheet characteristics and adjusts nip pressure without requiring user intervention. The load changing unit is controlled by a control unit that receives sheet information, enabling the system to self-adjust and eliminate the burden of manual operation while maintaining full adaptability to different sheet types
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates a feedback mechanism where sheet information is detected and fed back to the control unit, which then adjusts the load changing unit accordingly. This closed-loop feedback system automatically adapts to different sheet types without requiring user effort, as the system continuously monitors and adjusts based on actual sheet characteristics
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
Enables quick and appropriate conveyance force adjustment for various sheet types, improving efficiency and reducing user effort by automating the process of adjusting nip pressure, thus enhancing the handling of diverse sheet quantities and types.
Implementation Method 1
a sheet conveyance apparatus that conveys a sheet... a conveyor belt... and a plurality of rotary members... configured to rotate at least in the predetermined conveyance direction while nipping the sheet with the conveyance surface
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming system includes an endless conveyor belt, a plurality of rotary members, a regulation portion, a load changing unit, a sheet information recognition unit, and, a control unit. The conveyor belt and the plurality of rotary members allows the sheet to move in a direction intersecting a predetermined conveyance direction in a case where the regulation portion comes into contact with the side edge of the sheet in a state where the sheet is conveyed in the predetermined conveyance direction by the conveyor belt and the plurality of rotary members. The load changing unit changes a load applied from at least some of the plurality of rotary members to the sheet. The sheet information recognition unit recognizes information regarding the sheet to be conveyed. The control unit controls the load changing unit according to the information regarding the sheet recognized by the sheet information recognition unit.