Cover Locking Mechanism for Compact Image Formers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses require significant force to open the cover, and the locking mechanism may fail due to user interaction or structural defects, leading to unintended opening or failure to open when needed.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus design featuring a housing with a pivotally movable cover, a depression button, a sliding link member, a locking mechanism, and a push member that allows the cover to be opened with minimal force by releasing the locking engagement and using a torsion coil spring for biasing, facilitating easy operation and reduced vertical size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking mechanism with spring biasing force is used to keep the cover closed, then the cover remains securely closed, but significant force is required to open the cover and the mechanism may fail to open when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is divided into two independent locking members (first locking member and second locking member) that can be selectively engaged or disengaged. This segmentation allows the system to maintain reliable locking when closed while enabling easy opening when needed, as each locking member can be independently controlled by the link mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking members are designed to be dynamically switchable between locked and unlocked states through the link mechanism. The link member can slide to selectively engage or disengage the locking members, allowing the cover to transition smoothly between securely locked and easily opened states based on operational needs.
2Ease of operation
If a spring-based locking mechanism is used, then the cover can be opened by biasing force, but the cover may open unintentionally when touched or the mechanism may contain inherent defects
Solution Approach 1:
The link mechanism is designed to maintain continuous engagement with the locking members, providing preemptive stabilization. When the cover is closed, the link member positions the locking members in a securely engaged state, cushioning against unintentional opening forces before they can cause failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The link member acts as an intermediary between the button and the locking members. It transmits and controls the force applied to the locking members, ensuring that opening forces are properly directed and controlled, preventing unintentional opening while maintaining reliable operation.
3Reliability
If the cover is designed to be securely locked, then the locking mechanism is reliable, but the vertical size of the apparatus increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking members are designed to extend in the vertical direction rather than requiring horizontal space. This dimensional orientation allows the locking mechanism to provide reliable vertical locking engagement while maintaining a compact horizontal footprint, effectively utilizing the vertical dimension to achieve both reliability and compactness.
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
Enables the cover to be opened with a small operating force, ensuring stable and reliable operation while maintaining a compact vertical size, and prevents unintended opening by transmitting the pressing force effectively through the link and push members.
Implementation Method 1
using a torsion coil spring for biasing
Data Source
AI summary
In an image forming apparatus, a cover has a pivot shaft and is pivotally movable between a closed position and an open position. The link member is slidingly movable in a direction parallel to the pivot shaft in response to depression of a button. The locking member provides locking engagement between the cover and a housing, and is pressed by the link member in accordance with the sliding movement of the link member to release the locking engagement. The push member is movable in a direction opposite to an opening direction of the cover to be pressed against the housing when the cover is at the closed position in accordance with the sliding movement of the link member. The depression of the button causes both unlocking and movement of the cover in the opening direction when the cover is at the closed position.