Sheet Conveying Guide Member Position Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sheet conveying systems in image forming apparatuses face issues with short sheet intervals, leading to potential jams and damage due to solenoid response delays, increased costs from larger motors, and image density unevenness caused by high sheet temperatures and contact with conveying ribs.
Innovation Solution
A sheet conveying apparatus with a diverging sheet conveying path, a movable guide member, and a holding mechanism that allows for precise control of the guide member's position between conveying paths, using a solenoid and spring-based mechanisms to ensure timely switching and minimize contact with the guide member, thereby reducing the risk of jams and maintaining image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the interval between sheets to be conveyed continuously is shortened to achieve speeding-up, then productivity is improved, but the risk of jam and sheet damage increases due to solenoid response delay
Solution Approach 1:
The solenoid is activated in advance before the trailing end of the preceding sheet passes through the switching member. This preliminary action ensures that the switching member is already in the correct position when the succeeding sheet arrives, eliminating the risk of jam even at short sheet intervals and high conveying speeds.
2Reliability
If the conveying force of the reverse roller is increased to prevent slip, then reliability is improved, but the size of the motor increases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
A conveying guide is introduced as an intermediary component between the switching member and the reverse roller. The conveying guide works in conjunction with the switching member to control and stabilize the sheet path, ensuring reliable conveying without requiring excessive force from the reverse roller, thus avoiding larger motors and higher costs.
3Ease of operation
If the sheet is interposed between the switching member and the conveying member, then the switching operation can be performed, but image density unevenness occurs due to contact with the conveying rib
Solution Approach 1:
The conveying guide serves as an intermediary that guides the sheet smoothly past the switching member without causing the sheet to contact the conveying rib. This intermediary structure enables the switching operation to proceed while preventing the sheet from being pressed against the conveying rib, thereby avoiding image density unevenness.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a configuration with three conveying paths is used to increase versatility, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The switching member is designed with multi-functionality to handle multiple conveying scenarios. By making the single switching member capable of performing various switching operations and accommodating different sheet paths through its flexible positioning, the system achieves versatility without requiring separate dedicated components for each conveying path, thus avoiding excessive complexity.
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 enables efficient and cost-effective sheet conveying with reduced risk of jams and improved image quality by ensuring precise timing and reduced contact between sheets and the guide member, even at short intervals, while maintaining a simple and inexpensive configuration.
Implementation Method 1
a solenoid (50) which switches the switching member to receive instruction from a controller within an image forming apparatus body
Implementation Method 2
a spring-based mechanisms to ensure timely switching
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a sheet conveying apparatus which conveys a sheet, includes: a sheet conveying path which diverges into a first conveying path and a second conveying path at a diverging point; a guide member which is movable between a first position where the guide member guides the sheet to the first conveying path and a second position where the guide member guides the sheet to the second conveying path; a driving portion which is configured to move the guide member to the second position from the first position; and a holding portion which, in a case that the guide member is driven by the driving portion to move to the second position from the first position, provides a load to the driving by the driving portion and holds the guide member at a third position between the first position and the second position.