Biasing Member Stabilizes Sheet Supply Cassette Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses face challenges in securely installing sheet supply cassettes due to insufficient user force, leading to instability during the installation process.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus incorporates a sheet supply cassette with an engagement member, a biasing member comprising a double torsion coil spring, and a guide restriction member, which ensures the cassette remains stabilized at the installation position by generating a bias force that assists in maintaining the cassette's position, even with minimal user force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a user pushes the sheet supply cassette to install it, then the cassette can be installed, but the user force is insufficient and the cassette cannot be installed securely
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing member (double torsion coil spring) is configured to automatically generate a bias force that assists the user in installing the sheet supply cassette. The spring engages with the engagement member on the cassette and provides continuous force in the installation direction, enabling the system to assist itself during the installation process without requiring additional user effort or complex positioning mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing member acts as an intermediary between the user's pushing force and the sheet supply cassette. By introducing this elastic component, the system transforms the user's limited force into effective installation force through the spring's bias force, which mediates the interaction and ensures secure installation even when user force is insufficient.
2Reliability
If additional positioning mechanisms are added to stabilize the cassette, then installation stability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the force needed to install the cassette, maintains the cassette in the installed position through continuous bias force, and assists in removing the cassette by reversing its action. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate positioning mechanisms, locking devices, or stabilization components, thereby maintaining installation stability while avoiding increased device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the biasing member to automatically perform the stabilization function without requiring additional positioning mechanisms. The spring's elastic properties enable it to self-regulate the cassette position through its bias force, making the system self-sufficient and avoiding the need for complex external positioning systems.
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 solution securely holds the sheet supply cassette in both horizontal and vertical directions without additional positioning mechanisms, facilitating easy installation and removal by assisting with the installation and removal processes through the bias force provided by the double torsion coil spring.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member configured with a first part, a second part and an elastic part formed of an elastic material
Implementation Method 2
a biasing member comprising a double torsion coil spring
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an engagement member provided on a sheet supply cassette, a biasing member with a first part, a second part and an elastic part formed of elastic material. The first and second parts are linked with the elastic part. The second part is supported to a apparatus main body with a swing shaft. The first part engaging with the engagement member so that the biasing member maintains a compressed state by the engagement member, and a guide restriction member provided on the apparatus main body restrict a movement of the first part.