Cartridge Tray Positioning Structure for Space-Saving Image Forming Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in improving the mountability of cartridges while conserving space, particularly in devices where cartridges are detachably mounted to a moving member that moves between the interior and exterior of the apparatus main body.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus incorporates a tray unit with metal side plates that support the cartridge, featuring positioning portions and pressing members to securely position and mount the cartridge, and includes guided grooves for smooth movement, allowing the tray unit to move between internal and external positions, enhancing mountability and space efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the tray unit is made movable to improve cartridge accessibility, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tray unit is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to transition between extended and retracted positions. This dynamic configuration enables the tray to provide easy cartridge accessibility when extended while maintaining a compact profile when retracted, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity through controlled mobility
2Reliability
If metal side plates with positioning portions are used to improve cartridge mountability, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The side plates are made of metal material with specific structural parameters including positioning portions and supporting portions. The metal material provides enhanced strength and precision for cartridge positioning, improving mountability and reliability. The design accepts the increased manufacturing complexity as a trade-off for achieving the required positioning precision and structural integrity
3Volume of moving object
If the first and second supporting portions are positioned between the outer side portions, then space conservation is improved, but cartridge positioning precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting portions are arranged in a specific spatial configuration between the outer side portions, utilizing the available three-dimensional space efficiently. This dimensional arrangement allows the tray unit to maintain a compact footprint while still providing adequate cartridge positioning through the coordinated geometry of multiple supporting surfaces
Data Source
AI summary
In an image forming apparatus, a tray unit to which a cartridge is detachably mounted, and that is configured to be capable of moving between an internal position situated within the apparatus main body and an external position situated outside, includes first and second side plates configured to support the cartridge, and they are each made of metal, and include a supporting portion and an outer side portion, the supporting portions includes positioning portions configured to come into contact with the cartridge to position the cartridge as to an image forming position. The apparatus main body includes first and second pressing members each capable of moving between pressing positions at which the cartridge is pressed, and separated positions separated from the cartridge. The first and second pressing members are disposed each intersecting with imaginary planes that is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction and intersect the positioning portions.