Discharge Tray Stepped Design for Sheet Retrieval in Compact Printers
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Solution Overview
Problem
In-body sheet discharging type image forming apparatuses face challenges in sheet retrieval due to a non-visible discharge tray, making it difficult to remove printed sheets, especially in downsized models, where the sheet discharge opening is narrow, and there is a risk of sheets jumping out or collapsing when stacked unevenly.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a discharge tray with a wider downstream stacking surface and connecting surfaces that guide sheets, ensuring they are held securely and preventing jumping, while the contrasting color scheme enhances visibility of the discharge area for easier sheet retrieval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the discharge tray is disposed inside the apparatus body to achieve compact design, then the apparatus size is reduced, but the discharge tray becomes hardly visible and sheet retrieval becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge tray is designed with a stepped structure featuring a first tray surface at a first level and a second tray surface at a second level higher than the first level. This vertical dimensionality change creates a height difference that improves sheet visibility and accessibility while maintaining the compact in-body configuration, allowing users to easily see and retrieve sheets without requiring a larger horizontal footprint.
2Device complexity
If the discharge tray is disposed inside the apparatus body, then the apparatus structure is compact, but the opening for sheet removal becomes narrow
Solution Approach 1:
By introducing a vertical height difference between the first tray surface and the second tray surface, the invention effectively increases the sheet removal opening dimensions in the vertical direction while keeping the horizontal opening width compact. The second tray surface extends closer to the apparatus front surface, providing better sheet accessibility without increasing the overall apparatus width.
3Productivity
If sheets are discharged continuously, then productivity is improved, but sheets may jump out of the discharge tray due to pushing from succeeding sheets
Solution Approach 1:
The stepped structure with the first tray surface at a lower level and the second tray surface at a higher level creates a physical barrier that prevents sheets from jumping out. The height difference between the two tray surfaces acts as a retaining wall, counteracting the pushing force from continuously discharged sheets and maintaining sheet stability during continuous printing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting surface inclinedly connects the first tray surface and the second tray surface, creating a smooth transitional slope. This inclined surface guides sheets smoothly from the discharge position to the stacking position, preventing sheets from jumping or collapsing while maintaining stable stacking during continuous discharge operations.
4Quantity of substance
If multiple sheets are stacked in the discharge tray, then batch output is achieved, but the sheet bundle may collapse due to uneven stacking
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting surface provides a smooth inclined transition between the first and second tray surfaces, guiding sheets to stack evenly and align properly. This gradual slope prevents sheets from landing unevenly or at awkward angles, ensuring that multi-sheet bundles maintain their structural integrity and do not collapse during stacking operations.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus (1) includes an apparatus body (2) including an image forming part (5) implementing an image forming process on a recording material (S); and a discharge tray (7) disposed at an upper part of the apparatus body (2), the discharge tray including a stacking surface (22) receiving the recording material (S) discharged after the image forming process; an outer edge part (23) located above the stacking surface (22) and provided while surrounding a periphery of the stacking surface (22); and a connecting surface (24) provided between the stacking surface (22) and the outer edge part (23), wherein the stacking surface (22) being formed such that a width thereof in a direction orthogonal to a discharge direction downstream in the discharge direction is wider than the width thereof upstream in the discharge direction.