Asymmetric Sheet Guide Member for Smooth Conveyance
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Solution Overview
Problem
In existing sheet conveyer devices, the guide member's movement is hindered when moving from the basal end towards the open end due to uneven force distribution, causing discomfort and difficulty in aligning sheets to standard sizes, as the size-indicative claw tends to get caught in grooves, leading to an uneven clicking impression.
Innovation Solution
A sheet conveyer device with a guide member featuring a first engageable part with a concave structure and a second engageable part with a convex structure, where the first plane in contact inclines at a moderate angle relative to the movable direction, allowing smooth movement and consistent clicking sensation regardless of direction, by forming the engagement sections with different angles to prevent catching and enhance usability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the size-indicative groove is formed in a symmetric shape, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the force distribution becomes uneven when the guide member moves in different directions, causing the claw to get caught in the groove
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by forming the size-indicative groove with an asymmetric cross-sectional shape where the first plane (on the movement side) has a smaller inclination angle than the second plane (on the opposite side). This asymmetric design ensures that the claw can smoothly enter and exit the groove in the movement direction while preventing the claw from getting caught, thus resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and operational ease.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If the first plane in the concave structure has a steep inclination angle, then the clicking sensation is more pronounced, but the guide member becomes difficult to move in the pointing direction due to increased resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the inclination angle of the first plane to be smaller than that of the second plane. This parameter adjustment creates a balance where the first plane is gentle enough to allow smooth movement and reduce resistance, while the second plane maintains a steeper angle to provide sufficient clicking sensation for position detection, thus resolving the contradiction between detectability and operational ease.
3Ease of manufacture
If the engagement section is formed with a uniform structure, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the fitting impression becomes uneven when moving in different directions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different structural characteristics in different parts of the engagement section. The first plane (on the movement side) is designed with a smaller inclination angle for smooth engagement, while the second plane (on the opposite side) has a larger inclination angle for secure locking and pronounced clicking sensation. This localized differentiation ensures consistent fitting impression in both movement directions while remaining manufacturable.
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet conveyer device including a sheet container tray and a guide member to restrict a position of edges of the sheets is provided. The sheet container tray includes a first engagement section. The guide member includes an arm part and a first engageable part being engageable with the first engagement section. One of the first engagement section and the first engageable part is formed to have a concave structure, and the other one of the first engagement section and the first engageable part is formed to have a convex structure. A first plane in the concave structure, which becomes slidably in contact with the convex structure when the guide member is moved in a pointing direction, is formed to incline in a more moderate angle than an angle of a second plane in the concave structure, which becomes separated from the convex structure.