Sheet Conveying Lock Mechanism Prevents Roller Repulsion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses face issues with insufficient locking of the inside cover, leading to potential conveyance failures due to repulsive forces between conveying rollers and driven rollers, and inadequate detection of locking states by sensors.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a lock mechanism with an engaging projection and an elastic supporting portion ensures the inside cover is securely locked to the housing by allowing the engaging projection to displace between a retreat and projection position, ensuring contact between conveying rollers and driven rollers only after the engaging projection climbs over the locked projection, thus preventing repulsive forces from affecting the locking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the inside cover is locked using a conventional lock mechanism, then the locking reliability is insufficient due to repulsive forces between conveying rollers and driven rollers, but adding a complex lock mechanism increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The engaging projection is designed to engage with the engaged projection before the conveying rollers make contact, ensuring the lock is secured in advance. This preliminary engagement prevents the repulsive forces from affecting the locking reliability, as the lock mechanism is already in place before any potential interference occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The engaging projection acts as an intermediary element between the inside cover and the housing. It mediates the locking process by providing a dedicated engagement point that secures the inside cover to the housing, separating the locking function from the conveying roller contact area and eliminating the repulsive force interference.
2Measurement precision
If the engaging projection engages with the engaged projection before the conveying rollers contact, then the locking state can be accurately detected, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The lock mechanism is designed to be self-activating through the closing motion of the inside cover. As the inside cover closes, the engaging projection automatically engages with the engaged projection without requiring additional actuators or complex control systems. This self-service approach enables accurate locking state detection while maintaining relatively simple structure.
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
This configuration ensures reliable locking of the inside cover, preventing conveyance failures and allowing for accurate detection of the locking state, thereby ensuring smooth operation of the sheet conveying process.
Implementation Method 1
The elastic supporting portion is configured to support either the engaged projection or the engaging projection in such a manner that the engaged projection or the engaging projection can be displaced between a projection position and a predetermined retreat position in a projecting direction. The elastic supporting portion biases the engaged projection or the engaging projection toward the projection position by an elastic force thereof.
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet feed device of an image forming apparatus includes an inside cover and a lock mechanism for locking the inside cover to a housing. The lock mechanism includes a locking member and a locked member. When the inside cover is operated in a closing direction toward a closing position, the locking member abuts the locked member. At this time, a driven roller is in no contact with a conveying roller until a projection of the locking member climbs over an apex of the locked member. After the inside cover is further operated toward the closing position and the projection climbs over the apex, the driven roller contacts the conveying roller.