Swivel Paper Transport Guide for Jam Removal
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming devices with duplex units face complex paper transport paths, leading to increased paper jams and cumbersome jam removal processes, requiring separate operation of the reverse transport unit and opening/closing cover.
Innovation Solution
An image forming device design where the paper transport path and reverse transport path are simultaneously opened by swiveling a pivotably supported paper transport guide member in response to the opening/closing member, allowing for easier jam removal without separate operation of the reverse transport unit and internal frame member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the reverse transport unit is swung away and the internal frame member is swung to open the reverse transport path, then the paper transport path can be opened for jam removal, but separate operation of multiple components is required which complicates manipulations
Solution Approach 1:
The opening/closing member is designed to simultaneously control both the paper transport path opening and the reverse transport path opening. When the opening/closing member is opened, it directly opens the paper transport path and also triggers the swiveling of the paper transport guide member which opens the reverse transport path, consolidating multiple opening actions into a single operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The opening/closing member serves multiple functions: it opens the paper transport path, it triggers the swiveling of the paper transport guide member, and it provides a unified interface for user operation. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate operations of the reverse transport unit and internal frame member.
2Ease of operation
If the internal frame is swung counterclockwise far away from the reverse transport unit, then a large opening angle is achieved for jam removal, but highly bothersome manipulations are required
Solution Approach 1:
The swiveling motion of the paper transport guide member is mechanically linked to the opening motion of the opening/closing member. As the opening/closing member opens, it automatically causes the paper transport guide member to swivel, combining two motions that would otherwise require separate operations into a single coordinated action.
Solution Approach 2:
The paper transport guide member is designed to swivel dynamically in response to the opening/closing member's motion. This dynamic coupling allows the system to automatically achieve the necessary opening angle without requiring the user to perform complex sequential manipulations of multiple components.
3Volume of moving object
If a compact constitution with reverse transport unit is used, then space is saved, but the paper transport path becomes complex increasing paper jam incidence
Solution Approach 1:
The paper transport guide member is designed as a separatable, swivelable component that can be independently opened from the main device body. This segmentation allows the complex paper transport path to be divided into accessible segments, maintaining compactness while enabling simplified jam removal without increasing jam incidence.
4Ease of manufacture
If separate operation of reverse transport unit and opening/closing cover is required, then each component can be optimized independently, but workability of paper removal is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The opening/closing member is designed to simultaneously control both the paper transport path opening and the reverse transport path opening through its linkage with the paper transport guide member. This merging of control functions maintains component optimization while dramatically improving paper removal workability by reducing the number of separate operations required.
Data Source
AI summary
To handle a paper jam, an opening/closing cover 21 is swiveled a predetermined angle around a pivoting shaft 16a, with the opening/closing cover 21 and a paper transport guide member 22a in an unlocked state, to open the opening/closing cover 21. The paper transport guide member 22a opens thereupon by swiveling around a pivoting shaft 16b in response to the opening movement of the opening/closing cover 21, thereby opening simultaneously a paper transport path 10 and a reverse transport path 15.