Sheet Conveyance Coupling Rib to Prevent Leading-Edge Catching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet conveyance systems in image forming and reading apparatuses are prone to conveyance failures due to the leading edge of sheets catching on exposed couplings connecting drive shafts and roller shafts, which can disrupt the conveyance path.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a rib structure on the outer surface of the coupling, inclined relative to the sheet conveyance direction, such that it becomes more distant from the roller member in the sheet width direction as it extends downstream, reducing the likelihood of sheet entanglement and conveyance failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the coupling is exposed to the conveyance path to allow roller replacement, then ease of operation is improved, but conveyance reliability deteriorates due to sheet catching on the coupling
Solution Approach 1:
The rib structure acts as an intermediary element between the coupling and the sheet. It modifies the interaction by providing a guiding surface that directs the sheet away from the coupling, thereby maintaining the exposed coupling configuration for ease of roller replacement while preventing conveyance failures.
Solution Approach 2:
The rib is positioned at a specific location on the coupling where sheets interact with it during conveyance. By modifying only this local area with an inclined surface, the coupling maintains its overall exposed structure for operational access while locally preventing sheet catching through the rib's guiding geometry.
2Device complexity
If the coupling structure is simplified for easy assembly, then device complexity is reduced, but conveyance reliability worsens due to increased risk of sheet entanglement
Solution Approach 1:
The solution maintains the simplicity of the overall coupling structure by adding only a localized rib feature. This minimal modification does not significantly increase device complexity while effectively preventing sheet entanglement by providing a guiding surface that directs sheets away from the coupling area.
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet conveyance apparatus includes a support unit including a guide surface, a roller unit including a roller member and a roller shaft supporting the roller member, a drive shaft provided in the support unit, a coupling configured to connect the drive shaft and the roller shaft, and a motor configured to supply a drive force to the roller shaft via the drive shaft and the coupling. A rib is disposed on an outer surface of the coupling. When the coupling is viewed from the conveyance path, the rib is inclined with respect to the sheet conveyance direction such that the rib becomes more distant from the roller member in a sheet width direction perpendicular to the sheet conveyance direction as the rib extends downstream in the sheet conveyance direction.