Adjustable Tension Guide Rail for Continuous-Form Sheet Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses lack a mechanism to adjust the tension applied to continuous-form sheets, limiting the variety of materials and thicknesses that can be handled.
Innovation Solution
A tension applying device with a guide rail, slider, tension bar, and angle adjustment mechanism that allows for the adjustment of tension by varying the inclination angle of the guide rail, enabling the application of suitable tension based on the material and thickness of the continuous-form sheet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed tension applying device is used, then the device structure is simple, but the number of types of continuous-form sheets that can be handled is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The guide rail is made adjustable in its inclination angle, transforming a static tension applying device into a dynamic one. By changing the inclination angle of the guide rail, the tension applied to the continuous-form sheet can be varied, allowing the device to handle different types of sheets with different material properties and thicknesses.
Solution Approach 2:
The tension applying device utilizes changes in the inclination angle parameter of the guide rail to adjust the applied tension. This parameter change allows the same device to accommodate various sheet types by optimizing the tension for each specific material and thickness combination.
2Adaptability or versatility
If tension is applied through a fixed angle guide rail, then the device structure is simple, but the tension cannot be adjusted for different sheet materials and thicknesses
Solution Approach 1:
The guide rail inclination angle is made variable rather than fixed, enabling the tension applying device to adapt to different sheet materials and thicknesses. The angle adjustment mechanism allows operators to modify the guide rail angle to achieve optimal tension for each specific sheet type.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the inclination angle parameter of the guide rail, the device can adjust the tension force applied to the continuous-form sheet. This parameter adjustment capability enables the handling of diverse sheet materials and thicknesses with a single device configuration.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the handling of a wider range of continuous-form sheet types by allowing adjustable tension application, ensuring optimal tension for different materials and thicknesses without increasing the device's size.
Implementation Method 1
The tension bar is supported by the slider and brought into pressure contact with the continuous-form sheet by weight of the slider
Data Source
AI summary
A tension applying device (20) is attached to a sheet conveyance device that includes a feeding roller (12) for feeding a continuous-form sheet (P) and a winding roller (13) for winding the continuous-form sheet (P) fed from the feeding roller (12). The tension applying device (20) applies tension to the continuous-form sheet (P) between the feeding roller (12) and the winding roller (13). The tension applying device (20) includes a guide rail, a slider (24), a tension bar (25), and an angle adjustment mechanism (21, 22, 28, 29a, 29b). The guide rail (23) is inclined downward toward the continuous-form sheet (P). The slider (24) slides along the guide rail (23). The tension bar (25) is supported by the slider (24) and brought into pressure contact with the continuous-form sheet (P) by weight of the slider (24). The angle adjustment mechanism (21, 22, 28, 29a, 29b) adjusts an inclination angle of the guide rail (23) with respect to a horizontal direction.