Sheet Detecting Member Mounting via Attachment Restriction

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing sheet conveying devices in image forming apparatuses face difficulties in mounting the sheet detecting member and sheet guide member without causing collisions, which can lead to damage and make the assembly process challenging due to their parallel disposition.

Innovation Solution

The design includes a pair of conveyance rollers, a sheet detecting member with a main shaft, contact, and detected portions, a sheet guide member, and an attachment member that facilitates the assembly by restricting the rotation of the sheet detecting member during mounting, allowing for easier integration with the image forming apparatus without collisions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the sheet detecting member and sheet guide member are disposed in parallel, then the detection function and sheet guidance function are achieved, but the mounting process becomes difficult due to potential collisions between components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection functionVSAvoidmounting process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment member is designed to temporarily restrict the rotation of the sheet detecting member before mounting. This preliminary restriction prevents collisions during the mounting process, and the restriction is released after mounting is complete, allowing the detection function to operate normally

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the sheet detecting member is allowed to rotate freely, then the detection sensor can detect sheet stack height, but the member may swing and collide with other components during mounting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidcollisions during mounting

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment member applies a preliminary restraining action to the sheet detecting member by restricting its rotation through the flange portion fitting in the restriction slot. This counteracts the potential harmful swinging motion that would cause collisions during mounting

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the flange portion is always restricted by the restriction slot, then collisions are prevented, but the sheet detecting member cannot rotate to detect sheets

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollision preventionVSAvoidrotation for detection

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The restriction mechanism is designed to be dynamic rather than static. The flange portion can be restricted when needed (during mounting) and can be released when not needed (after mounting). The attachment member's movement transforms the restriction from a permanent constraint to a temporary one, enabling both collision prevention and detection operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10955787B2Sheet conveying device, image forming apparatus

Publication Date: 2021.03.23 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

A flange portion extending outward from a main shaft portion is disposed outside a side plate with respect to a position of an attachment member in a main direction when the attachment member is mounted to the side plate. A restriction slot is formed in the attachment member such that the flange portion can be fitted in and pass through the restriction slot. In the middle of the process where the attachment member is mounted to a second side plate in the main direction, the flange portion is fitted in the restriction slot, thereby the sheet detecting member is restricted from rotating, and one of a pair of projection portions of a sheet guide member is inserted in a hole of the attachment member.