Discharge Tray Sensor Retraction for Finisher Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing discharge devices require detachment of detection members from the apparatus body when attaching or detaching post-processing devices or transport members, which is time-consuming and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A discharge device with a detection member that can move between a protruding and storage position, supported by a support member, allowing attachment of post-processing devices or transport members without detaching the detection member, using mechanical movement triggered by the discharge tray's attachment or detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the detection member is fixed to protrude from the body cover to detect recording medium on discharge tray, then detection functionality is ensured, but post-processing device or transport member cannot be attached to body cover without detaching detection member
Solution Approach 1:
The detection member is made movable between a protruding position (when discharge tray is attached) and a retracted position (when post-processing device or transport member is attached). The support member enables this dynamic repositioning, allowing the detection member to adapt its position based on the attached component, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining detection functionality and enabling easy attachment operations.
2Ease of operation
If detection member is made movable between protruding and storage positions, then post-processing device or transport member can be attached without detaching detection member, but additional support member and movement mechanism are required
Solution Approach 1:
The support member is designed to be automatically actuated by the attachment or detachment of the discharge tray, post-processing device, or transport member. When the discharge tray is attached, it automatically moves the detection member to the protruding position. When the post-processing device or transport member is attached, it automatically moves the detection member to the retracted position. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for additional motors, sensors, or control systems, thus minimizing the increase in device complexity while achieving the desired ease of operation.
3Extent of automation
If discharge tray automatically moves detection member to protruding position, then detection functionality is activated without manual intervention, but movement member and automatic actuation mechanism are required
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge tray itself serves as the actuating force for moving the detection member. When the discharge tray is attached to the body cover, its physical presence or positioning automatically triggers the support member to move the detection member to the protruding position. This self-service approach uses the existing attachment operation to drive the automation, eliminating the need for separate motors, sensors, or control systems, thus achieving high extent of automation with minimal increase in device complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A discharge device includes a body cover to which a discharge tray onto which a recording medium is discharged from an apparatus body, a post-processing device that post-processes the recording medium discharged from the apparatus body, or a transport member that transports the recording medium to the post-processing device is detachably attached, a detection member that detects the recording medium discharged onto the discharge tray at a protruding position where at least a part of the detection member protrudes from the body cover, and a support member that supports the detection member such that the detection member moves between the protruding position and a storage position where the detection member is stored inside the apparatus body.