Sheet Conveyance Roller Alignment Guide for Image Forming Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet conveyance apparatuses in image forming devices require complex and labor-intensive processes for attaching and detaching rollers, due to the need for precise alignment and elastic deformation of base members, which complicates the replacement of worn-out rollers.
Innovation Solution
A sheet conveyance apparatus with a guide member that assists in aligning and attaching the roller member to a shaft portion, where the guide member is positioned upstream of the shaft's end, allowing for easier alignment and attachment without the need for precise alignment of the roller's ends, and incorporating tapered portions to accommodate tolerance and reduce resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the feed roller is fitted to the base member by sandwiching both ends of the feed roller by side walls of the base member, then the feed roller can be securely held, but an operator is required to elastically deform the side walls of the base member which complicates the attaching operation
Solution Approach 1:
The base member is divided into a body portion and separate urging members (elastically deformable members). The urging members are positioned between the feed roller and the body portion to provide elastic holding force, while the body portion provides the guiding surface. This segmentation allows the holding function and guiding function to be separated, enabling easy attachment without deforming the main structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Urging members (elastically deformable members) are introduced as intermediary elements between the feed roller and the base member body. These urging members provide the necessary elastic holding force while allowing the operator to simply push the feed roller along the guiding surface without needing to deform the base member structure itself.
2Manufacturing precision
If precise alignment of the feed roller axis to the rotation shaft axis is required, then proper mounting is achieved, but the attaching work becomes complicated requiring multiple steps
Solution Approach 1:
The base member's guiding surface automatically guides the feed roller into the correct position during the pushing operation. The urging members automatically adjust to provide the holding force. This self-guiding and self-adjusting mechanism eliminates the need for manual alignment operations, reducing the attachment process to a simple push-in motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The guiding surface of the base member acts as an intermediary that automatically aligns the feed roller with the rotation shaft during attachment. By providing a physical guide path, the intermediary structure ensures proper axis alignment without requiring the operator to perform complex alignment operations.
3Ease of operation
If the guide member is positioned to guide the roller member early in the attaching direction, then automatic alignment is achieved, but the guide member must be positioned upstream of the shaft end
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding surface of the base member is positioned upstream (in the attaching direction) of the rotation shaft. This preliminary guiding action occurs before the feed roller reaches the shaft, ensuring that the roller is already aligned when it makes contact with the shaft. The urging members are also positioned to engage the roller in advance, providing preliminary holding force.
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet conveyance apparatus includes a shaft portion, a roller member, and a guide member. The roller member includes a hole portion with an opening through which the shaft portion is fitted with the hole portion. At least a part of the guide member is located upstream of an end of the shaft portion in an attaching direction of the roller member. A distance between rotation axes of the roller member and the shaft portion is smaller than a difference between a radius of the opening and a radius of the end of the shaft portion in a state where an outer circumferential surface of the roller member is in contact with the guide member at a position upstream of the end of the shaft portion in the attaching direction.