Arcuate Tray and Swingable Cover for Paper Ejection

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Solution Overview

Problem

In paper ejection apparatuses, ejected paper often returns to the upstream side and enters the gap between the storage space and the tray, leading to inefficiencies in paper stacking and storage.

Innovation Solution

A paper ejection apparatus with a tray formed in a downward arcuate shape and a swingable cover that moves to cover the gap between the storage space and the tray, preventing paper from entering and ensuring smooth operation and compact design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the tray is provided so as to be stored in a storage space of a housing, then the device can be compact when not in use, but ejected paper may return to the upstream side and enter the gap between the storage space and the tray

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidpaper entering gap

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A cover is introduced as an intermediary element between the storage space and the tray. The cover swingably connects to both the housing and the tray, creating a physical barrier that prevents ejected paper from entering the gap between the storage space and the tray while allowing the tray to be pulled out and stored.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The cover is designed to be swingable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position. When the tray is pulled out, the cover swings to cover the gap; when the tray is pushed in, the cover swings to allow access. This dynamic movement resolves the contradiction between maintaining a compact stored state and preventing paper from entering the gap during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the tray is pullable out from the storage space, then paper stacking is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the swingable cover mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepaper stacking efficiencyVSAvoidcover mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cover mechanism is merged with the tray assembly rather than being a separate independent component. The cover swingably connects to the tray, so that the cover and tray move together as a integrated unit during pull-out and storage operations. This merging reduces overall device complexity compared to having separate cover and tray mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The swingable cover serves multiple functions: it acts as a barrier to prevent paper from entering the gap, it guides the tray during pull-out and storage operations, and it maintains the compact configuration when the device is not in use. This multi-functionality justifies the added mechanism by providing multiple benefits from a single component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10493780B1Paper ejection apparatus including tray stored in a housing to be pullable out

Publication Date: 2019.12.03 PFU LTD

AI summary

The paper ejection apparatus includes a housing including an ejection slot for ejecting a paper and a storage space provided below the ejection slot, a tray, formed in an arcuate shape to extend downwards and stored in the storage space to be pullable out from the storage space, for stacking the paper ejected from the ejection slot when the tray is pulled out from the storage space, and a cover swingably provided on the housing between the ejection slot and an opening of the storage space. A swinging end of the cover moves downwards by working with an operation for pulling the tray out from the storage space.