Sheet Conveying Device with Movable Guide for Rigid Media
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet conveying devices in image forming apparatuses face challenges in conveying highly rigid sheets, such as cardboard recording paper or envelopes, due to increased resistance and paper jams, especially when using curved paths with small curvature radii, which lead to conveyance failures and flipping noises.
Innovation Solution
A sheet conveying device with a belt-type sheet conveying unit is introduced, featuring a first and second sheet conveying path with curved sections and a hold and transfer unit, where the belt-type unit is positioned to increase conveying force and guide sheets smoothly, reducing resistance by bending the sheet at two positions with linear guide members and applying a conveying force via a conveyor belt.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a curved sheet conveying path with small curvature radius is used to reduce apparatus width, then the lateral dimension is reduced, but highly rigid sheets experience increased resistance and conveyance failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a movable guide member that can dynamically change the curvature radius of the sheet conveying path. When a highly rigid sheet is detected, the guide member moves to increase the curvature radius, reducing bending resistance. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by allowing the apparatus to maintain compact dimensions while adapting to different sheet types to ensure reliable conveyance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the conveying path (curvature radius) based on sheet rigidity. By detecting sheet properties and adjusting the guide member position, the system modifies the geometric parameter of the conveying path to match the requirements of different sheet types, thereby maintaining both compact size and conveyance reliability.
2Volume of moving object
If a small curvature radius is used in the sheet conveying path, then the apparatus size is reduced, but conveyance resistance increases causing paper jams
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member's ability to move and adjust the curvature radius dynamically allows the conveying unit to maintain a compact overall size while providing larger local curvature radii when needed. This resolves the contradiction between small apparatus size and low conveyance resistance by making the curvature radius adaptive rather than fixed.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable guide member acts as an intermediary element between the fixed conveying path and the sheet. It mediates the interaction by adjusting its position to optimize the curvature radius, thereby reducing conveyance resistance for highly rigid sheets while maintaining the compact structure of the conveying unit.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sheet conveying paths are provided for different sheet types, then sheet type versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal conveying path that can handle different sheet types through the movable guide member. Instead of providing separate dedicated paths for different sheet types, the single path with adjustable guide member serves multiple functions, resolving the contradiction by reducing structural complexity while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic adjustment capability of the guide member allows a single conveying path to adapt to different sheet types, replacing the need for multiple fixed paths. This dynamic adaptability resolves the contradiction between versatility and complexity by enabling one structure to perform multiple functions through movement rather than requiring multiple separate structures.
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet conveying device, that can be included in an image forming apparatus, includes a first sheet conveying path, a second sheet conveying path, a third conveying path, and a belt-type sheet conveying unit. The first sheet conveying path has a curved portion, and feeds and conveys a sheet therethrough. The second sheet conveying path has a curved portion and different from the first sheet conveying path, and feeds and conveys the sheet therethrough. The third sheet conveying path is provided from a confluence of the first sheet conveying path and the second sheet conveying path. The belt-type sheet conveying unit is disposed on one side of the third sheet conveying path corresponding to an outer side of the curved portion of the first sheet conveying path and an inner side of the curved portion of the second sheet conveying path.