Swingable Discharge Tray for Jammed Sheet Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing conveyance devices face challenges in easily removing sheets that are jammed or remaining in the conveyance path, often requiring complex configurations that increase device size and reduce visibility during jam handling.

Innovation Solution

A conveyance device design featuring a tray unit with swingable upper rollers that can be opened to clear jams without needing additional space below the conveyance path, allowing for easy removal of sheets and improved visibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If additional purge destinations are provided on the upper surface of the conveyance device, then sheet discharge capability is improved, but device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet discharge capabilityVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the purge function with the discharge tray by making the discharge tray swingable to serve as a purge destination. Instead of providing separate purge destinations, the discharge tray is made multi-functional by enabling it to rotate and collect sheets from different conveyance paths, thereby reducing the need for additional dedicated purge structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The discharge tray is designed to be swingable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically change its position and orientation. This dynamic capability enables a single stationary structure to serve multiple purge destinations by rotating to different positions, eliminating the need for multiple fixed purge trays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If complex configurations are used to remove remaining sheets, then sheet removal capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet removal capabilityVSAvoidconfiguration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The discharge tray is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both a discharge destination for normally processed sheets and as a purge destination for jammed sheets. By making the tray swingable, a single structure achieves what would otherwise require multiple dedicated structures, simplifying the overall device configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If additional purge destinations are provided, then sheet collection capability is improved, but visibility during jam handling deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet collection capabilityVSAvoidvisibility during jam handling

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The swingable discharge tray allows the operator to rotate the tray into position for purging, bringing the collection area into better view. The dynamic positioning capability enables the operator to optimize the tray's position for both functional purposes (sheet collection) and operational purposes (visibility and access during jam handling).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3819242B1Conveyance device, and corresponding application device, printer and sheet conveyance apparatus

Publication Date: 2023.09.06 RICOH CO LTD

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AI summary

A conveyance device (200) includes a tray (251) on an upper surface of the conveyance device (200) and an upper guide (221a) below the tray (251). The tray (251) receives a sheet (P), and the upper guide (221a) defines a conveyance path (202a) in which the sheet (P) is conveyed. The upper guide (221a) is movable together with the tray (251) to open the conveyance path (202a).