Variable Blowing Hole Interval for Sheet Transport Flexing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In transport devices that blow air against a sheet-like material, the end portions tend to flex downward due to constant arrangement intervals of blowing holes, leading to potential contact with heated surfaces and image failure during image formation.
Innovation Solution
The arrangement interval of blowing holes is made smaller at the two end portions compared to the central portion, allowing for reduced flexing of the sheet's end portions and preventing contact with the opposing surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the arrangement interval of blowing holes is constant, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the end portions of the transport material flex downward causing image failure
Solution Approach 1:
The blowing holes are arranged with different intervals in different regions: a first interval in central regions and a second (smaller) interval in end portions. This local differentiation provides stronger air support at the ends to prevent downward flexing while maintaining adequate support in the center, thereby improving image quality without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The blowing surface is segmented into multiple regions (central regions and end portions) with distinct blowing hole arrangements. This segmentation allows targeted control of air flow to address the specific problem of end portion flexing while preserving the simplicity of constant spacing in less problematic areas.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the transport unit does not hold the one-end-side portion of the transport material, then the material can move freely for dual-sided imaging, but the unsupported end portion flexes downward and contacts the heated surface
Solution Approach 1:
Air is blown through multiple blowing holes toward the lower surface of the transport material to provide pneumatic support for the unsupported end portions. This prevents the ends from flexing downward and contacting the heated surface, thereby maintaining reliability for dual-sided image formation while preserving the freedom of material movement.
3Reliability
If air is blown against the lower surface through multiple blowing holes, then the downward flexing is suppressed, but the arrangement complexity increases when varying the interval
Solution Approach 1:
The blowing hole arrangement uses a simple two-interval pattern: a first interval for central regions and a second smaller interval for end portions. This localized variation provides effective suppression of downward flexing at the ends while keeping the overall arrangement pattern simple and easy to implement.
Solution Approach 2:
The arrangement interval parameter is changed from a constant value to a variable value with two distinct ranges. The first interval applies to central regions while the second (smaller) interval applies to end portions, optimizing the air support distribution to prevent flexing without creating excessive arrangement complexity.
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
This configuration suppresses downward flexing of the sheet's end portions, reducing the likelihood of image failure and maintaining image quality during dual-sided image formation.
Implementation Method 1
a blowing unit that blows air against a lower surface of the transport material that is transported by the transport unit via multiple blowing holes that open with respect to the lower surface
Data Source
AI summary
A transport device includes a transport unit that transports a sheet-like transport material without holding a one-end-side portion of the transport material in a transport direction; and a blowing unit that blows air against a lower surface of the transport material that is transported by the transport unit via multiple blowing holes that open with respect to the lower surface, an arrangement interval of the multiple blowing holes in a direction of intersection with respect to the transport direction being smaller at two end portions than at a central portion of the blowing unit.