Cover Member Gap Closure for Sheet Loading Plate Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

In image forming apparatuses, when the loading plate is raised or lowered intermittently, a gap forms between the loading plate and the frame, allowing sheets to be inadvertently inserted, which can cause operational issues due to foreign matter interference.

Innovation Solution

A sheet loading device with a cover member that extends between the loading plate and the frame, ensuring the gap is covered when the loading plate is raised, preventing sheet insertion and maintaining proper loading alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the loading plate is raised toward the sheet feed mechanism during image formation, then the gap between the loading plate and frame is formed, but this gap allows sheets to be inadvertently inserted causing operational issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveloading plate operation reliabilityVSAvoidsheet insertion into gap

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A cover member is introduced as an intermediary element between the loading plate and the frame. This cover member closes the gap formed when the loading plate is raised, preventing sheets from being inadvertently inserted into the gap while allowing the loading plate to perform its sheet feeding function reliably

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the loading plate is raised intermittently during image formation, then the sheet feed mechanism can operate, but the gap formation causes sheets to be misplaced or jammed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage formation efficiencyVSAvoidsheet feeding stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cover member acts as a mediator that enables the loading plate to be raised intermittently for efficient image formation while simultaneously preventing sheet misplacement and jamming by closing the gap, thus maintaining both productivity and reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If a cover member is added to close the gap, then sheet insertion into the gap is prevented, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet loading accuracyVSAvoidloading plate structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A relatively simple cover member is introduced as an intermediary component to close the gap and prevent sheet insertion errors. While this does increase device complexity slightly, the cover member's simple structure minimizes the added complexity while effectively improving sheet loading accuracy and reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2650732B1Sheet loading device and image forming apparatus equipped with the same

Publication Date: 2022.04.27 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC

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AI summary

A sheet loading device (52) positioned in an image forming apparatus (1) includes a frame (55) and a loading plate (60) located on an upper surface portion (58) of the frame. The loading plate, in association with, the upper surface portion allows the sheet to be loaded on thereon. The loading plate includes a sheet loading member (601) that supports a downstream side of the sheet in a sheet feed direction, and can be raised and lowered with respect to a sheet transportation path, and a cover member (602) that is located between the sheet loading member and the upper surface portion. The cover member covers a gap formed between the sheet loading member and the upper surface portion when the sheet loading member is in a raised position.