Sheet Conveyance Roller Vibration Control for Skew Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet conveyance apparatuses and image forming apparatuses face challenges in accurately correcting the positional deviation of sheets, including skew and lateral deviation, which affects the quality of printed images.
Innovation Solution
A sheet conveyance apparatus with a driving roller, follower roller, contact/separation mechanism, and detection portions to precisely correct sheet positional deviation by adjusting the inclination angle of the driving roller, detecting vibrations and deviations, and executing correction processes based on detection results.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the driving roller and follower roller are brought into contact to correct sheet positional deviation, then correction capability is improved, but vibration of the follower roller occurs which deteriorates correction precision
Solution Approach 1:
The control portion waits for vibration to settle before initiating the correction operation. The follower roller is brought into contact with the driving roller in advance, but the correction operation is delayed until vibration subsides to a predetermined level, ensuring precise correction without interference from contact-induced vibration.
Solution Approach 2:
The control portion continuously monitors vibration of the follower roller through the first detection portion and uses this feedback to determine when to start the correction operation. The correction operation is initiated only when vibration falls within a predetermined range, ensuring that vibration does not interfere with correction precision.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the follower roller is made pivotable to follow driving roller inclination, then adaptability to sheet deviation is improved, but vibration in pivot direction is generated which affects correction stability
Solution Approach 1:
The follower roller is configured to pivot and follow the driving roller's inclination angle to adapt to sheet deviation. However, the correction operation is delayed until the pivot motion settles and vibration diminishes, ensuring stable correction while maintaining the roller's adaptability through its pivot capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The first detection portion monitors vibration in the pivot direction of the follower roller, providing feedback to the control portion. The correction operation is initiated only when vibration falls within a predetermined range, ensuring that the pivot-induced vibration does not compromise correction stability.
3Manufacturing precision
If rough skew correction is performed first then fine adjustment is made, then correction coverage is improved, but total correction time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs rough skew correction in advance to handle large deviations, then transitions to fine adjustment for precision. By preparing the correction sequence in advance and waiting for vibration to settle before starting, the system efficiently covers both rough and fine correction without excessive time delay.
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
Enhances the precision of skew and lateral deviation correction, ensuring accurate sheet positioning for improved image quality in image forming apparatuses.
Implementation Method 1
a driving roller 109 configured to rotate by receiving a driving force
Implementation Method 2
a follower roller 120 configured to nip and convey a sheet S together with the driving roller 109
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet conveyance apparatus includes a driving roller, a steering portion configured to change an inclination angle of a rotational axis of the driving roller, a follower roller configured to nip and convey a sheet together with the driving roller and pivot about a pivot axis, a contact/separation mechanism, a first detection portion configured to detect vibration of the follower roller, a second detection portion configured to detect positional deviation of the sheet, and a control portion configured to execute a correction operation of correcting the positional deviation of the sheet and to execute a predetermined process for causing the correction operation to be started after the driving roller and the follower roller have been switched from the separation state to the contact state and after the vibration of the follower roller has settled down within a predetermined range.