Sheet Conveying Device Flap and Inclined Surface Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet conveying devices in image recording apparatuses face challenges in reliably guiding sheets with recorded images to a return path without them intruding back into the main conveying path.
Innovation Solution
A sheet conveying device with a housing, path-defining members, and a flap that pivots between states to guide sheets from the main conveying path to a secondary path, utilizing an inclined surface and contact surfaces to prevent sheets from re-entering the main path, and incorporating rollers for efficient sheet movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a flap is used to guide sheets to a return path, then sheets can be directed to the return path, but sheets may intrude back into the main conveying path
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a third dimension (depth/distance from second path-defining member) to create a multi-level guiding structure. The contact surface is positioned farther from the second path-defining member than the guide surface, creating a stepped configuration that guides sheets through vertical displacement. This dimensional change prevents sheets from intruding back into the main conveying path by establishing a clear separation between the return path and main path in the depth dimension.
Solution Approach 2:
The first path-defining member is segmented into distinct functional surfaces: a guide surface for initial sheet guidance, a contact surface for flap interaction, and an inclined surface for directional transition. This segmentation allows each surface to perform its specific function optimally, ensuring reliable sheet guidance while preventing unauthorized path intrusion.
2Reliability
If the flap is positioned to contact the first path-defining member, then sheets are guided toward the second conveying path, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The first path-defining member serves multiple functions: it defines the boundary of the first conveying path, provides a guide surface for sheet alignment, offers a contact surface for flap interaction, and includes an inclined surface for directing sheets to the return path. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining reliable sheet guidance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the flap mechanism with the first path-defining member by positioning the contact surface on the same structural element. This integration eliminates the need for separate actuating mechanisms and reduces the number of independent components, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining effective sheet guidance to the second conveying path.
3Reliability
If an inclined surface is added to the first path-defining member, then sheets are prevented from re-entering the main path, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inclined surface changes the geometric parameters of the first path-defining member by introducing a specific angle relative to the conveying direction. This parameter change creates a natural barrier that guides sheets away from the main conveying path without requiring additional active control mechanisms. The inclined geometry can be achieved through standard manufacturing processes, balancing reliability improvement with manufacturing feasibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet conveying device includes a flap pivoting between a first state to contact a first path-defining member and a second state to be separated from a first path-defining member. The first path-defining member, which faces a second path-defining member in a facing direction, includes a guide surface for guiding a sheet conveyed along a first conveying path, a contact surface positioned farther from the second path-defining member in the facing direction than the guide surface and configured to contact the flap in the first state, and an inclined surface positioned downstream of the contact surface in a conveying direction and inclined such that an upstream end thereof in the conveying direction is closer to the second path-defining member in the facing direction than a downstream end thereof. The upstream end of the inclined surface is closer to the second path-defining member in the facing direction than the contact surface.