Transport Device Separator Positioning and Lateral Displacement Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transport devices in image forming apparatuses face issues with positional deviation of separators relative to endless belts, leading to potential fixing failures and belt breakages due to unstable positioning and lack of effective lateral displacement correction.
Innovation Solution
A transport device comprising an endless first transporter, a second transporter, a movable support system, and a separator that is stably positioned to prevent positional deviation and correct lateral displacement of the belt, ensuring consistent separation and fixing pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the separator is not positioned relative to the transporter, then the structure is simple, but positional deviation occurs leading to fixing failures and belt breakages
Solution Approach 1:
A positioning member is introduced as an intermediary component between the separator and the transporter. This positioning member engages with a positioning groove on the separator and a positioning protrusion on the transporter, providing stable positional relationship without requiring complex integration. The intermediary component resolves the contradiction by enabling reliable positioning while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning function is segmented into separate components: the positioning member on the separator and the positioning groove/protrusion on the transporter. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component while achieving reliable positioning. The separator can be easily assembled and disassembled from the transporter through this segmented connection.
2Reliability
If the separator is positioned near the body of transport device, then structure is compact, but lateral displacement correction is ineffective
Solution Approach 1:
The support member is designed to be movable relative to the first support, allowing dynamic adjustment to correct lateral displacement of the separator. This dynamic capability enables the support structure to adapt to positioning variations and maintain effective lateral displacement correction without requiring an overly complex rigid structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable support structure provides feedback-based correction by detecting lateral displacement of the separator and automatically adjusting its position through the movable connection. This feedback mechanism ensures continuous lateral displacement correction while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.
3Force
If the separator is elastically pushed against the fixing roller, then separation force is sufficient, but positional deviation occurs during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning member acts as an intermediary that provides both separation force and positioning stability. By engaging with the positioning groove on the separator and positioning protrusion on the transporter, it maintains stable positioning while the elastic push provides sufficient separation force. The intermediary component resolves the contradiction between force application and positioning stability.
Data Source
AI summary
A transport device includes: an endless first transporter configured to transport a medium; a second transporter facing the first transporter, and configured to transport the medium while nipping the medium between the first transporter and the second transporter; a first support that supports the first transporter; a second support that supports the first support and is movable relative to the first support; and a separator supported by the second support, and configured to separate the medium from the first transporter.