Transport Device Nip State Adjustment for Varying Sheet Thickness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing transport devices in image forming apparatuses face challenges in adjusting the nip state between rollers to accommodate sheets of varying thicknesses, leading to potential paper jams and inefficient fixing operations.

Innovation Solution

A transport device with a first and second rotational member, a guide member, and an interposed member with multiple portions of different thicknesses, supported by a changing part, allowing the interposed member to be nipped at varying portions to adjust the nip state based on the movement of the second rotational member, thereby accommodating sheets of different thicknesses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the nip state between rollers is fixed, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate sheets of varying thicknesses leading to paper jams

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of varying sheet thicknessesVSAvoidstructure of transport device

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The interposed member is designed to move dynamically between different thickness portions based on the thickness of the sheet being transported. The changing part adjusts the position of the interposed member, allowing the nip state to adapt dynamically to varying sheet thicknesses while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The interposed member features multiple portions with different thicknesses (first portion, second portion, third portion) that can be selectively positioned in the nip. This local variation in thickness allows the device to accommodate different sheet thicknesses by selecting the appropriate portion of the interposed member, rather than requiring the entire structure to be complex and adjustable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If the interposed member has multiple portions with different thicknesses, then sheets of varying thicknesses can be accommodated, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustment of nip stateVSAvoidmanufacturing of interposed member

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The interposed member is segmented into distinct portions (first, second, and third portions) with different thicknesses. This segmentation allows each portion to be manufactured using standard processes, and the entire interposed member can be produced as a single integrated component or assembled from separate segments, simplifying the manufacturing process while achieving the required adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If the second rotational member moves to change nip state, then sheet thickness accommodation is improved, but the risk of paper jams during transition increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenip state adjustmentVSAvoidlikelihood of paper jams

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The guide member is positioned to leave a gap with respect to the first rotational member, creating a cushioning space before the medium enters the nip. This gap allows the medium to be guided smoothly during the transition when the interposed member is moving between different thickness portions, reducing the risk of paper jams while maintaining the ability to adjust the nip state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS20170357194A1Transport device, fixing device, and image forming apparatus

Publication Date: 2017.12.14 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

A transport device includes: a first rotational member; a second rotational member that forms a nip with the first rotational member; a guide member that guides the medium in a predetermined direction; a changing part that supports the second rotational member so as to be rotatable and that moves the second rotational member to change a nip state between the second rotational member and the first rotational member; and an interposed member supported by the changing part and nipped between the first rotational member and the guide member, the interposed member including, in an intersecting direction intersecting a direction in which the interposed member is nipped, multiple portions having different thicknesses, the interposed member being nipped at any one of the multiple portions, while being moved in the intersecting direction in accordance with the movement of the second rotational member.