Sheet Conveying Locking Member Skew Correction Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sheet conveying apparatuses face limitations in throughput enhancement due to the time required for returning the locking member to its home position, especially at higher conveying speeds, which restricts the reduction of sheet-to-sheet distance and thus the overall throughput of image forming apparatuses.
Innovation Solution
A sheet conveying apparatus is designed with a locking member and a holding member that allows the locking member to be moved to a retracted position while the sheet passes, and then returned to a protruding position to correct skew feed, reducing the time between sheet passage and locking member return, thereby maintaining a shorter sheet-to-sheet distance even at higher speeds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the locking member is returned to the home position after the sheet passes through the nip, then the skew feed correction is completed, but the sheet-to-sheet distance increases and throughput is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member is divided into two independent functional parts: the holding member that rotates to guide the sheet through the nip, and the locking portion that protrudes to correct skew feed. This segmentation allows the holding member to complete its rotation and return while the locking portion remains positioned to maintain sheet alignment, enabling continuous operation without waiting for full return to home position.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking portion protrudes in advance before the sheet reaches the nip position to correct skew feed preemptively. By performing the skew correction action before the sheet enters the nip, the system eliminates the need to wait for the locking member to fully return to home position after sheet passage, thereby reducing the sheet-to-sheet distance and increasing throughput.
2Manufacturing precision
If the locking member remains in the protruding position to correct skew feed, then recording accuracy is improved, but the time required for locking member return increases
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the holding member (rotatable part) from the locking portion (protruding part), the system allows the holding member to rotate and return quickly while the locking portion maintains its skew-correcting position. This eliminates the time penalty associated with returning the entire locking member to home position, as only the holding member needs to return to its initial position.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking portion acts as an intermediary element that maintains the skew correction function independently of the holding member's rotational position. This intermediary structure allows the system to achieve both quick return (by rotating only the holding member) and continuous skew correction (maintained by the locking portion).
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 design enhances throughput by minimizing the sheet-to-sheet distance and reducing the time needed for locking member return, allowing for higher conveying speeds without increasing sheet-to-sheet distance, thus improving the efficiency of image forming processes.
Implementation Method 1
a first urging unit configured to urge the holding member to rotate to the initial position
Implementation Method 2
a second urging unit configured to urge the locking member to the protruding position
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet conveying apparatus including: a locking member having an abutment surface abutting a sheet to correct skew feed of the sheet; a holding member configured to hold the locking member to rotate from a waiting position when the locking member is pushed by the sheet; a roller pair configured to nip the sheet abutting the abutment surface; a first urging portion configured to urge the holding member to the waiting position; a movable support portion configured to support the locking member in a manner that the locking member is located a retracted position where the locking member contacts a surface of the sheet and allows the sheet to pass; and a second urging portion configured to urge the locking member to a position where the abutment surface abuts a succeeding sheet.