Accommodating Device Rear-Mounted Expansion Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses require significant space for accommodating units with expanding and contracting members on both sides, which increases the overall size and complexity of the device.
Innovation Solution
The accommodating device incorporates an expanding and contracting member that is fixed to the inner side of the accommodating unit, allowing it to be pulled out and connected, reducing the space required compared to having members on both sides, with a slide rail system that guides the unit's movement and supports its operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If expanding and contracting members are attached on both sides of the accommodating unit, then the connecting strength and stability are improved, but the space required and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the expanding and contracting member from the conventional configuration where it is attached on both sides of the accommodating unit, and repositions it to be attached on only one side (the rear side). This extraction eliminates the unnecessary duplicate structure on the front side, reducing the space required while maintaining the essential connecting function through the single expanded member.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies asymmetry by creating an asymmetric configuration where the expanding and contracting member is attached only on the rear side of the accommodating unit rather than symmetrically on both sides. This asymmetric arrangement reduces the overall space requirement while the expansion mechanism on the single side provides sufficient connecting strength through geometric interlocking with the device body.
2Stability of the object's composition
If expanding and contracting members are attached on both sides of the accommodating unit, then the structural stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the redundant expanding and contracting member from the front side of the accommodating unit, eliminating unnecessary structural complexity. The single expanded member on the rear side, combined with the slide rail mechanism, provides sufficient structural stability for accommodating unit movement and medium transportation without requiring symmetric dual-side attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the single expanding and contracting member on the rear side multi-functional by integrating it with the slide rail system. This unified structure serves multiple functions: providing structural stability, enabling smooth movement of the accommodating unit, guiding medium transportation, and facilitating easy installation and removal, thereby eliminating the need for separate front and rear attachment structures.
3Reliability
If the accommodating unit is designed with expanding and contracting members on both sides, then the connection reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the expanding and contracting member from the front side of the accommodating unit, simplifying the operation of installation and removal. Users only need to interact with the single rear-side expanded member and slide rail mechanism, making the accommodating unit easier to install, remove, and adjust while the expanded structure on the rear side ensures reliable connection during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by attaching the expanding and contracting member on the rear side rather than the front side of the accommodating unit. This inversion allows users to easily access and operate the accommodating unit from the front while the rear-side expansion mechanism provides reliable connection, separating the user interface from the connection mechanism for improved ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
An accommodating device includes a device body, an accommodating unit that accommodates a medium in the device body, and an expanding and contracting member that expands and contracts to connect the accommodating unit to the device body so as to be pulled out and has a part fixed to the accommodating unit on an inner side with respect to a side surface of the accommodating unit in an intersecting direction with a pulling direction of the accommodating unit and on a lower side of the accommodating unit in a vertical direction.