Sheet End Position Regulating Device with Groove Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet end position regulating devices in image forming apparatuses face challenges in stabilizing the position of sheets during feeding, particularly when subjected to impacts or changes in sheet size, leading to potential misalignment and defects like paper jam or curling.
Innovation Solution
A sheet end position regulating device with a first contact body, a fixing body, and a second contact body that regulates the movement of the fixing body between fixing and releasing positions, utilizing a biasing body to apply force and a switching body to manage the biasing force's application and suspension, ensuring the sheet's proper alignment and feeding stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a biasing member such as a coil spring is used to apply a biasing force to fix the contact member to the sheet loader, then the sheet end position can be regulated, but the device becomes complex and may cause unintended movement when subjected to impacts or changes in sheet size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the biasing member (coil spring) from the system entirely. Instead of using a mechanical spring to apply continuous biasing force, the invention uses a purely mechanical locking mechanism where the fixing member engages with positioning grooves to secure the contact member at specific positions. This extraction of the biasing member simplifies the device structure while maintaining reliable sheet end position regulation through the engagement of the fixing member with the positioning grooves.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the continuous positioning space into discrete positions using multiple positioning grooves (first, second, third positioning grooves) along the guide groove. The fixing member can engage with any of these segmented positions, allowing the contact member to be positioned at different locations along the guide groove. This segmentation approach replaces the need for continuous biasing force while providing stable, predetermined positioning options.
2Ease of operation
If the fixing member is made movable between fixing and releasing positions to regulate sheet end position, then the sheet alignment can be adjusted, but the sheet position may become unstable when the fixing body moves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by providing multiple positioning grooves in advance along the guide groove. Before the fixing member moves to a new position, these predetermined grooves are already prepared to receive and secure the fixing member. When the fixing member is moved to a desired location, it can immediately engage with the next available positioning groove, ensuring stable fixation without intermediate unstable states. This preliminary preparation of multiple engagement points eliminates position instability during the fixing process.
3Manufacturing precision
If a contact member is disposed movable on the sheet loader to contact the end portion of the sheet, then the sheet end position can be regulated, but the device complexity increases with the fixing mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic fixing mechanism where the fixing member can move between a fixing position (engaged with a positioning groove) and a releasing position (disengaged from the groove). This dynamic capability allows the contact member to be easily adjusted to different positions along the guide groove by moving the fixing member, while maintaining manufacturing precision when engaged. The dynamic nature of the fixing mechanism provides both adjustability and secure fixation without excessive complexity.
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
The solution effectively stabilizes the sheet position on the loader, preventing unintended movement and misalignment, thus enhancing the reliability of sheet feeding and image formation by ensuring consistent sheet alignment and reducing defects like paper jam or curling.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing body configured to apply a biasing force and bias the first contact body, toward an end of the sheet
Implementation Method 2
a switching body configured to switch the biasing force applied by the biasing body between a force applying state in which the biasing force of the biasing body is applied to the end of the sheet via the first contact body and a force suspending state in which the biasing force of the biasing body is not applied to the end of the sheet via the first contact body
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet end position regulating device, which is included in an image forming apparatus, includes a first contact body disposed movable on a sheet loading portion on which a sheet is loaded and configured to contact an end portion of the sheet, a fixing body disposed movable between a fixing position at which a position of the first contact body to the sheet loading portion is fixed and a releasing position at which the position of the first contact body is released, and a second contact body disposed movable between a contact position at which the fixing body contacts a contact target portion to regulate movement of the fixing body form the fixing position to the releasing position and a non-contact position at which the fixing body does not contact the contact target portion.