Adjustable Paper Cassette with Sliding Movable Frames
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing paper cassettes for image forming apparatuses are bulky, leading to increased size and package dimensions, which compromises the cosmetic appearance and installation space of the devices, especially when handling paper sheets of varying sizes.
Innovation Solution
A paper cassette design featuring a base frame with movable frames that are adjustable via a sliding mechanism and a fixing unit with elastic coupling, allowing for customizable positioning to accommodate different paper sizes, thereby reducing the overall size of the image forming apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the paper cassette is made larger to accommodate various paper sizes, then the ability to receive paper of various sizes is improved, but the size of the image forming apparatus increases and the cosmetic appearance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The paper cassette is designed with movable frames that can slide along the base frame to adjust the internal width. This dynamic adjustment allows the cassette to adapt to different paper sizes (A6, A5, B5, A4, letter, legal) while maintaining a compact form factor when smaller papers are used, thus resolving the contradiction between versatility and device size.
Solution Approach 2:
The paper cassette is divided into a base frame and multiple movable frames that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows the internal dimensions to be adjusted by repositioning the movable frames, enabling the cassette to accommodate various paper sizes without permanently increasing the overall device footprint.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the paper cassette is made larger to store larger paper sheets, then the capacity to hold various paper sizes is improved, but the package size and installation space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The movable frames can be slid to minimize the external dimensions of the paper cassette when smaller papers are stored, reducing the package size and installation space requirements. When larger papers are needed, the frames can be extended to provide sufficient storage capacity, thus resolving the contradiction between versatility and installation space.
3Volume of moving object
If the paper cassette is made narrower to reduce the width of the image forming apparatus, then the cosmetic appearance is improved, but the ability to store paper of various sizes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The paper cassette employs movable frames that can slide within the base frame to dynamically adjust the internal storage width. This allows the cassette to maintain a narrow external profile for cosmetic purposes while providing sufficient internal space for larger papers when needed, thus resolving the contradiction between device width and paper storage versatility.
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
The adjustable paper cassette effectively supports various paper sizes without protruding excessively, reducing the size and package dimensions of the image forming apparatus while maintaining stable paper handling, thus enhancing both aesthetics and practicality.
Implementation Method 1
a knock-up spring urging the knock-up plate toward a pick-up roller for elastically pressing a leading end of the paper against an outer surface of the pick-up roller
Implementation Method 2
a hinge allowing the rotation of the knock-up plate
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable paper cassette is provided that may be expanded and contracted by sliding movable frames relative to a base frame and then coupling fixing protrusions to desired fixing holes. Therefore, paper sheets having various sizes may be loaded in the paper cassette, and the size of an image forming apparatus with the paper cassette and the packing size of the image forming apparatus may be reduced without limitation on the size of the paper cassette.