Cover Locking Mechanism for Partial Closure Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Image forming apparatuses face issues with partial closure, where the cover cannot be fully closed, leading to malfunctions and misdetected closed states.

Innovation Solution

A cover opening and closing device with a cover section, rotary shaft, and locking sections that pivot between a locked and unlocked position, allowing the cover to open if any locking section fails to engage, preventing partial closure and indicating incorrect closure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple locking claws are used to secure the cover, then the cover can be reliably fixed when closed, but partial closure cannot be resolved and may cause malfunctions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecover closing reliabilityVSAvoidpartial closure malfunction

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a dynamic detection mechanism that monitors the state of each locking claw individually. The detection means determines whether each locking claw has reached its locked position, and based on this real-time feedback, the control means can identify partial closure conditions and trigger appropriate warnings or corrections, transforming a static locking system into a dynamic, self-diagnosing system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback loop where the detection means continuously monitors the positions of multiple locking claws, reports their states to the control means, and enables the system to respond appropriately. This feedback mechanism allows the system to detect when not all locking claws are properly engaged and take corrective action, preventing partial closure malfunctions while maintaining reliable cover fixation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If the cover is designed to pivot freely for easy opening and closing, then ease of operation is improved, but detection of incorrect closure becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecover opening and closingVSAvoidclosure state detection

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical detection methods with an optical or electronic detection system. The detection means uses light sensors, position sensors, or other non-mechanical means to monitor the positions of locking claws and determine closure states, eliminating the need for complex mechanical linkages while improving detection accuracy and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11878538B2Cover opening and closing device and image forming apparatus

Publication Date: 2024.01.23 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

A cover opening and closing device (100) includes a cover section (110), a rotary shaft (X), and a plurality of locking sections (120). The cover section (110) covers an opening (23) of a main body section (2). The rotary shaft (X) connects the cover section (110) to the main body section (2) in a manner that the cover section (110) is pivotal between a first position and a second position. The locking sections (120) lock the cover section (110) in the first position. The first position is a position in which the cover section (110) covers the opening (23). The second position is a position in which the cover section (110) does not cover the opening (23). When at least one of the locking sections (120) is not locking the cover section (110), the cover section (110) pivots from the first position to the second position.