Sheet Conveyance Guide Alignment for Jam-Clearance Reliability

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Solution Overview

Problem

In existing image reading apparatuses with rotatable open/close and conveyance guide members, the relative position between these components is unstable, leading to potential interference and breakage of the regulation member or sensor during the closing process.

Innovation Solution

A sheet conveyance apparatus with a protruding portion on one of the open/close member or conveyance guide member and a fitted portion on the other, ensuring the conveyance guide member's position is determined by fitting, stabilizing the relative position between the two.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the open/close member and conveyance guide member are both made rotatable to enable cleaning and jam clearance operations, then the accessibility and maintenance capability are improved, but the stability of the relative position between these members deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility for cleaning and jam clearanceVSAvoidrelative position stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The protruding portion and fitted portion are designed to engage beforehand to establish a stable relative position between the open/close member and conveyance guide member before the closing operation begins, preventing interference during the closing process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The protruding portion and fitted portion act as an intermediary positioning mechanism that mediates the relationship between the open/close member and conveyance guide member, ensuring proper alignment and preventing direct interference between the regulation member and sensor

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the regulation member is used as a flag member to reduce component number, then the device complexity is reduced, but the risk of interference and breakage between the regulation member and sensor increases due to unstable relative positioning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of componentsVSAvoidrisk of interference and breakage

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning mechanism (protruding portion and fitted portion) is designed to establish the correct relative position between the open/close member and conveyance guide member before the regulation member moves into the sensor detection area, preventing interference

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces a more complex positioning mechanism with a simple protruding portion and fitted portion structure that achieves the same function of stabilizing relative position, reducing complexity while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12492089B2Sheet conveyance apparatus, image reading apparatus including sheet conveyance apparatus, and image forming apparatus

Publication Date: 2025.12.09 CANON KK

AI summary

A sheet conveyance apparatus includes a base unit, a sheet stacking portion, a feeding portion, an open/close member, a conveyance guide member, a protruding portion, and a fitted portion. The feeding portion feeds a sheet stacking portion stacked sheet. The open/close member includes an upper guide facing an upper surface of the fed sheet. The conveyance guide member includes a lower guide facing a lower surface of the fed sheet and forms a sheet conveyance path with the upper guide. The protruding portion is provided on one of the open/close member and the conveyance guide member. The fitted portion is on the other of the open/close member and the conveyance guide member and is fitted with the protruding portion. In a state where the open/close member is closed, a position of the conveyance guide member in a width direction is determined by the protruding portion fitting into the fitted portion.