Tapered Chute and Driven Roller Guide for Sheet Collision Noise Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses experience collision noise due to sheet bouncing and collisions with conveyance path components, particularly at level differences and guide plate rollers, which existing solutions do not adequately address.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a tapered first chute and a driven roller positioned downstream, along with guide members that guide sheets smoothly into the conveyance path, eliminating level differences and reducing elastic forces that cause collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a feed tray is detachably attached to the main body with a level difference between the feed tray and conveyance path, then the conveyance path can be prevented from blocking the leading end of the sheet, but collision noise occurs when the sheet passes through the level difference portion
Solution Approach 1:
A guide plate is introduced as an intermediary component between the feed tray and conveyance path. The guide plate includes a guide portion with a tapered surface that gradually guides the sheet from the level of the feed tray to the level of the conveyance path, preventing sudden collisions and reducing noise while maintaining the detachable feed tray configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The guide portion of the guide plate features a tapered curved surface instead of a sharp edge or abrupt transition. This curved geometry allows the sheet to smoothly transition between levels by following the tapered surface, eliminating sudden impacts and the associated collision noise
2Productivity
If a roller is provided in the middle of the guide plate to convey the sheet, then the sheet can be guided through the turn portion, but collision noise occurs when the sheet passes through the level difference between the roller and guide plate
Solution Approach 1:
The guide portion is designed with a tapered curved surface that eliminates abrupt level differences. The sheet follows this curved path from the roller to the conveyance path, preventing sudden collisions and the associated noise while maintaining efficient sheet conveyance
Solution Approach 2:
The guide portion is positioned and configured to preliminarily guide the sheet before it reaches the conveyance path. The tapered surface prepares the sheet for smooth transition in advance, preventing last-minute collisions and noise generation
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a body including a conveyance path into which a sheet is conveyed and a feed tray. The feed tray includes a separation pad, which is provided at a widthwise center of the feed tray; and a holding member, which is provided downstream of the separation pad in a direction of conveyance of the sheet, the holding member comprising a driven roller, which is wider than the separation pad, and at least two guide members, one guide member arranged on each side of the driven roller.