Conveyance Unit Tray Interference Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image recording apparatuses face issues with the conveyance roller pair returning to a nip state due to user error, causing obstruction when trying to install or remove the feed tray, as the release member's position changes with the state of the roller pair, potentially leading to the tray hitting the lever and failing to reach its installation position.
Innovation Solution
A conveyance unit with a lever that pivots around a shaft, changing states to control the nip member's position in conjunction with the tray's installation and removal, ensuring the conveyance mechanism can switch between nip and release states without obstruction, using a mechanism where the lever contacts the tray in both states to prevent interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the conveyance roller pair automatically returns to the nip state when the feed tray is installed, then the conveyance mechanism is automatically restored to its operational state, but the release member's position change causes obstruction when installing or removing the tray
Solution Approach 1:
The release member is divided into a release lever and a release arm. The release lever pivots on a pivot shaft and contacts the tray during installation/removal, while the release arm extends to control the nip member. This segmentation allows the tray to interact with only the release lever (not the release arm), preventing obstruction while maintaining automatic restoration functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The release lever acts as an intermediary between the tray and the release arm. When the tray is installed or removed, it first interacts with the release lever, which then transmits the movement to the release arm to control the nip member. This intermediary mechanism prevents direct interference between the tray and the release arm.
2Reliability
If the release member's position changes with the state of the roller pair, then the nip state can be automatically controlled, but the tray may hit the lever and fail to reach the installation position
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the release member into a release lever and release arm, the design ensures that the tray only interacts with the release lever during installation/removal operations. The release arm, which controls the nip member, is positioned such that it does not interfere with the tray's movement path, preventing the tray from hitting the lever.
3Ease of operation
If the nip state is automatically released by pulling the feed tray out, then the user can easily remove jammed paper, but the conveyance roller pair may return to nip state due to erroneous operation
Solution Approach 1:
The release lever is designed to be dynamic, pivoting on a pivot shaft in response to tray movement. When the tray is pulled out, the release lever pivots to the second state, moving the release arm to open the nip state. This dynamic response ensures reliable state control while maintaining ease of operation for jam removal.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a conveyance unit including a conveyance roller; a nip member movable between a contact position and a separation position; a tray movable between an installation position and a pull-out position; and a lever. The lever is configured to have a first state, a second state and a third state. The lever in the first state can make contact with the tray moving between the installation position and the pull-out position. The lever pivots from the first state to the second state when the tray moves from the installation position to the pull-out position, and the lever pivots from the first state to the third state when the tray moves from the pull-out position to the installation position. The conveyance unit further includes an interlocking mechanism.