Curved Top Wall Sheet Discharging Section for Printer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in allowing easy observation and retrieval of discharged sheets, particularly small-size sheets, due to obstructive sheet discharging section configurations, which also result in increased complexity and costs.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus features a sheet discharging section with a top wall that slopes upward from the inlet to the outlet, creating a wider gap at the outlet, allowing unobstructed visibility and easier access for users, while maintaining a compact and cost-effective design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the sheet discharging section is located at hip level with a parallel top wall, then the apparatus has a compact structure, but the discharged sheets cannot be easily observed by standing users and small sheets cannot be easily retrieved
Solution Approach 1:
The top wall of the sheet discharging section is designed with a specific curvature radius (R1) that creates a rounded, non-parallel surface. This curvature allows standing users to observe discharged sheets from above and easily retrieve them, particularly small sheets, while maintaining a compact apparatus structure without adding complex mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If made of transparent material, then observation of discharged sheets is improved, but the number of parts increases and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using transparent materials that would increase part count and cost, the patent employs a geometric solution by curving the top wall surface. This curvature naturally provides observation capability while maintaining structural simplicity and cost-effectiveness.
3Ease of operation
If the sheet discharging section projects from the main body, then discharged sheets are easily accessible, but the apparatus requires extra space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the spatial arrangement by configuring the sheet discharging section to extend in a direction that utilizes vertical and depth dimensions rather than projecting horizontally. This allows easy accessibility while minimizing the horizontal footprint and overall space requirement of the apparatus.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus including an image reading section; a sheet feeding section; an image forming section configured to form an image on the sheet of the receiving material fed from the sheet feeding section; and a sheet discharging section located below the image reading section and configured to discharge the sheet bearing the image fed from the image forming section, wherein the sheet discharging section includes an outlet from which the sheet bearing the image is drawn; an inlet which is located on an upstream side from the outlet relative to the sheet discharging direction and from which the sheet bearing the image is discharged by the image forming section; a sheet receiving portion which receives the sheet bearing the image discharged from the inlet; and a top wall, and wherein the top wall is slanting upward in the sheet discharging direction.