Convey Path Guide Pivoting for Automatic Jam Restoration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image recording devices require users to manually restore the convey path after handling a paper jam, which can be burdensome and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
An image recording device with a convey path defining member that pivots between a guiding position and an exposing position in response to the insertion and removal of the sheet cassette, allowing the convey path to be automatically restored to its original state when the cassette is reinserted.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the guide member is operated by the user to open the convey path for paper jam handling, then the user can eliminate the jammed sheet, but the user is required to operate the guide member to restore the convey path to the original state, making the jam handling burdensome
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member is designed to automatically restore itself to the guiding position when the sheet cassette is reinserted. The guide member pivots about a pivot shaft and is positioned by the sheet cassette during insertion, eliminating the need for user intervention to restore the convey path. This self-service mechanism resolves the contradiction by making the restoration process automatic rather than requiring additional user operations.
2Ease of operation
If a manual guide member operation is used for opening the convey path, then the user can access the convey path for jam removal, but the operation becomes complex and burdensome
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member automatically pivots between the guiding position and the exposed position based on the presence or absence of the sheet cassette. When the sheet cassette is removed, the guide member pivots to expose the convey path for jam removal. When the sheet cassette is reinserted, it automatically pushes the guide member back to the guiding position. This eliminates complex manual operations while maintaining easy access for jam handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide member is designed as a movable component that pivots about a pivot shaft between two positions: the guiding position for normal operation and the exposed position for jam removal. This dynamic design allows the guide member to automatically change position in response to sheet cassette insertion or removal, simplifying the user interface while maintaining functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
An image recording device comprises a housing, a sheet cassette, a recording unit, and a convey path defining member. The housing has an opening. The sheet cassette is configured to hold therein sheets and configured to be inserted into and removed from the housing through the opening. The recording unit is configured to record an image on a sheet conveyed from the sheet cassette along a convey path. The convey path defining member is configured to pivot, about a pivot shaft supported by the housing, between a guiding position for forming a guide surface that defines a part of the convey path, and an exposing position for exposing the part of the convey path to the opening. The convey path defining member is configured to pivot in response to insertion and removal of the sheet cassette.