Sheet Conveying Apparatus Hinge Clearance Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
In sheet conveying apparatuses and image forming apparatuses, the existing configurations with opening/closing members supported by multiple hinges face issues of poor positional accuracy between conveyance guides, leading to sheet skewing and jamming, while attempts to improve accuracy can degrade the appearance quality and make opening/closing operations difficult.
Innovation Solution
A sheet conveying apparatus with an opening/closing member supported by three pivotable portions, where the fitting clearances of the first and second support portions are larger than the third, allowing for refined positional accuracy and preventing lifting, thus maintaining appearance quality and facilitating easy operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the clearance of hinge portions is reduced to improve positional accuracy between conveyance guides, then manufacturing precision improves, but the opening/closing member becomes lifted and appearance quality degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different clearance values to different hinge portions based on their functional requirements. The first hinge portion (near the conveyance guide) has a smaller clearance (0.05-0.15mm) to ensure positional accuracy, while the second hinge portion (at the edge) has a larger clearance (0.2-0.5mm) to prevent lifting and maintain appearance quality. This localized differentiation resolves the contradiction by optimizing each hinge portion's clearance according to its specific role.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the opening/closing member is extended to cover more portions of the apparatus main body, then adaptability improves, but the edge portion becomes lifted and appearance quality degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the second hinge portion with larger clearance as a counterbalancing mechanism. The larger clearance at the second hinge portion compensates for the lifting tendency of the extended opening/closing member edge, allowing the member to maintain proper contact with the apparatus main body across its entire surface while still providing extended coverage.
3Shape
If three or more hinge portions are provided to suppress lifting and maintain appearance quality, then appearance quality improves, but deformation of the opening/closing member is facilitated and operation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent differentiates the functional roles of the two hinge portions: the first hinge portion serves as the primary rotation axis with smaller clearance for operational stability, while the second hinge portion serves as a support point with larger clearance to prevent lifting. This localized functional differentiation allows the use of multiple hinge portions without compromising operability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the hinge support system into two distinct segments with different clearance characteristics. The first hinge portion handles the primary rotation function, while the second hinge portion handles the support and anti-lifting function. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between maintaining shape and ensuring ease of operation.
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 effectively suppresses the degradation of appearance quality and maintains accurate sheet conveyance by ensuring precise alignment of conveyance guides, reducing the likelihood of sheet jamming and improving the operational ease of the opening/closing mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
an openable and closable door (201) pivotably supported by a first hinge portion (202) and a second hinge portion (203)
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet conveying apparatus to convey a sheet to an image forming unit includes a main body, an opening/closing member, and first, second, and third portions. The opening/closing member can be opened and closed with respect to the main body, and the first, second, and third portions pivotably support the opening/closing member. The second support portion is provided below the first support portion and above the third support portion. Each of the first, second, and third portions include a projecting portion and a hole portion. A difference between a greatest length of the third projecting portion and a diameter of the third hole portion is larger than a difference between a greatest length of the first projecting portion and a diameter of the first hole portion and is larger than a difference between a greatest length of the second projecting portion and a diameter of the second hole portion.