Sheet Conveyance Apparatus Swingable Roller Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sheet conveyance apparatuses require excessive operational force to open or close the opening/closing member due to the repulsive force of elastic members, which decreases operability.
Innovation Solution
A sheet conveyance apparatus with a swingable member and an abut portion that reduces the force applied by an urging member when opening or closing, allowing the swingable member to move between two positions to separate or press the conveyance rollers, and an abut portion that assists in reducing the operational force by converting repulsive forces into swinging forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an elastic member is provided to press the driven roller against the driving roller, then the conveyance reliability is improved, but the operational force required to open or close the door increases
Solution Approach 1:
A swingable member is introduced as an intermediary between the elastic member and the door. This swingable member can rotate about a pivot point and includes a pressing portion that applies force to the movable guide plate. The elastic member acts on the swingable member rather than directly on the door, allowing the door operation to be separated from the pressing force application. When the door is opened or closed, the swingable member rotates to accommodate the motion without requiring the door itself to overcome the elastic force directly, thus reducing the operational force while maintaining conveyance reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The swingable member provides dynamic adaptation to the door's motion. As the door opens or closes, the swingable member rotates to different angular positions, allowing the pressing force to be applied at optimal angles throughout the motion range. This dynamic adjustment enables the elastic member to maintain effective pressing force on the roller while the door moves freely with reduced operational resistance. The system transitions from a static direct-connection arrangement to a dynamic articulated arrangement that accommodates motion more efficiently.
2Manufacturing precision
If the driven roller is positioned away from the opening/closing center of the door, then the sheet conveyance path definition is improved, but the door requires greater force to open due to repulsive force from the elastic member
Solution Approach 1:
The swingable member serves as a mediator that decouples the door's opening/closing motion from the pressing action on the roller. By positioning the swingable member's pivot point appropriately and allowing it to rotate, the system can maintain the driven roller at an optimal position for defining the sheet conveyance path while the swingable member absorbs and redirects the elastic repulsive force. The pressing portion of the swingable member applies force to the movable guide plate in a direction that maintains precise roller positioning without transmitting the full elastic force to the door.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution introduces rotational motion as an additional degree of freedom. Instead of the door directly translating the pressing force linearly, the swingable member converts part of this interaction into rotational motion about its pivot point. This dimensional change allows the system to maintain effective pressing force for precise conveyance path definition while the door experiences reduced linear resistance during opening and closing operations.
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
The solution significantly reduces the operational force required to open or close the door, enhancing the operability of the sheet conveyance apparatus by minimizing the repulsive force applied during these actions.
Implementation Method 1
a reduction portion configured to reduce a force applied to the openable member by the urging member when the openable member is opened or closed. The reduction portion includes a swingable member swingably supported by the openable member and movable to a first position and a second position
Implementation Method 2
an urging member configured to urge the holding member in the pressing direction... the openable member requires to be opened against the elastic force of the elastic member
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet conveyance apparatus includes first and second conveyance rollers, a holding member configured to rotatably hold the second conveyance roller, and an urging member to urge the holding member in a pressing direction. In addition, a reduction portion reduces a force applied to an openable member by the urging member when the openable member is opened or closed. The reduction portion includes a swingable member swingably supported by the openable member and movable to a first position, at which the swingable member causes the second conveyance roller to be pressed against the first conveyance roller, and a second position at which the swingable member causes the second conveyance roller to be separated from the first conveyance roller. The urging member is disposed between the swingable member and the holding member and urges the swingable member to swing toward an abut portion.