Color-Coded Tray Correspondence in Image Recording Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users find it difficult to grasp the correspondence between supply trays and discharge trays in image recording apparatuses, leading to potential jams and incorrect sheet discharges, especially when different types of sheets are supported by the trays.
Innovation Solution
The image recording apparatus includes a housing with distinctively positioned and colored marks or light emitting elements on the front surface to visually indicate the correspondence between supply and discharge trays, allowing users to easily recognize the correct tray configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If supply trays and discharge trays are positioned in a conventional arrangement, then the device structure is simple, but users find it difficult to grasp the correspondence between supply trays and discharge trays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color coding by providing marks with different colors on the supply trays and discharge trays. Specifically, first marks with a first color are provided on the first supply tray and first discharge tray, while second marks with a second color are provided on the second supply tray and second discharge tray. This color differentiation enables users to easily grasp the correspondence between supply trays and discharge trays, resolving the technical contradiction by improving ease of operation without significantly increasing device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple types of sheets are supported by trays, then the device versatility is improved, but users may mistakenly pull out the wrong supply tray leading to jams
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses color-coded marks to enhance tray selection accuracy when supporting multiple sheet types. The first marks with first color and second marks with second color provide visual differentiation that helps users identify the correct supply tray for each sheet type, preventing mistaken selections and resulting jams while maintaining the ability to support multiple sheet types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent provides visual feedback through color-coded marks that give users immediate information about tray correspondence and sheet type requirements. This feedback mechanism helps users make correct tray selections and prevents operational errors, thereby improving reliability when handling multiple sheet types.
3Device complexity
If the upper supply tray is positioned above the lower supply tray, then the device structure is compact, but the correspondence between supply trays and discharge trays becomes less obvious
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the visibility issue of tray correspondence in a compact vertical arrangement by using color-coded marks. The first marks with first color on the first supply tray and first discharge tray, along with second marks with second color on the second supply tray and second discharge tray, provide clear visual correspondence even when trays are stacked vertically, maintaining compact structure while improving ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
An upper supply tray is mounted at an upper mount position in a housing. A lower supply tray is mounted at a lower mount position lower than the upper mount position in the housing. A first print engine records an image on a sheet conveyed from the upper supply tray. A second print engine records an image on a sheet conveyed from the lower supply tray. A lower discharge tray supports the sheet on which the image is recorded by the first print engine. An upper discharge tray supports the sheet on which the image is recorded by the second print engine. The upper discharge tray is located at a higher position than the lower discharge tray. A first display displays at least: a first correspondence between the lower discharge tray and the upper supply tray; or a second correspondence between the upper discharge tray and the lower supply tray.