Sheet Transport Device for Image Formers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet transport devices in image forming apparatuses face challenges in efficiently handling sheets of varying lengths, leading to potential damage and skewing issues due to inadequate alignment and butting mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
The device incorporates a sheet rotating section that adjusts the orientation of short and long sheets, with the sheet butting section ensuring the side edge of short sheets buttts against a butting portion while allowing long sheets to pass without adjustment, thereby reducing skew and damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a sheet butting mechanism is provided to align sheets, then alignment precision is improved, but sheets of varying lengths cannot be properly aligned
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet butting section is configured to dynamically adjust its operation based on sheet length. For short sheets, the butting section actively moves to align the side edge against the butting portion. For long sheets, the butting section remains stationary and allows sheets to pass through without intervention. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the alignment mechanism conditionally active rather than fixed.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the transport path are assigned different functions based on sheet length. The sheet butting section provides active alignment only in the region where short sheets need correction, while long sheets bypass this region without interference. This local differentiation allows the system to maintain high alignment precision for short sheets while preserving versatility for long sheets.
2Manufacturing precision
If sheets are moved to align side edges, then alignment is improved, but sheets may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet butting section dynamically adjusts its movement based on sheet length detection. It only activates for short sheets that require alignment, keeping the side edge movement minimal and controlled. For long sheets, the butting section remains inactive, completely avoiding any potential damage. This conditional operation reduces harmful factors while maintaining alignment precision when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of sheet length before the sheet reaches the butting section. Based on this advance information, the sheet butting section prepares to either activate or remain inactive, preventing unnecessary contact and potential damage to long sheets while ensuring proper alignment for short sheets.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a sheet rotating section is added to handle both short and long sheets, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet rotating section is designed as a universal component that serves multiple functions: it rotates short sheets to align side edges, reduces inclination for long sheets, and can be integrated with the existing transport mechanism. By making this single section multi-functional, the patent achieves versatility in handling different sheet lengths without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sheet rotating section is merged with the sheet butting section and transport path into an integrated alignment system. The rotating section works in conjunction with the butting portion and transport rollers as a unified mechanism, reducing the need for separate independent components and thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving enhanced versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet transport device includes a transport path along which a sheet is transported in one direction; a sheet butting portion provided at one side of the transport path; a sheet rotating section; and a sheet butting section. When a short sheet is transported along the transport path, the sheet rotating section rotates the short sheet such that a leading end is directed to the other side of the transport path, and when a long sheet is transported, the sheet rotating section rotates the long sheet such that an angle of inclination with respect to the one direction is reduced. The sheet butting section moves the short sheet rotated by the sheet rotating section toward the one side to make the side edge of the short sheet butt against the sheet butting portion, while allowing the long sheet to pass therethrough without moving the long sheet toward the one side.