Document Holder Locking Mechanism for Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses face instability issues due to the document holder's inclination when opened, leading to potential backward falling of the apparatus body, especially with a document feed device mounted, as the locking mechanism fails to effectively prevent the document holder from opening relative to the document reading device.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a first locking device that includes a locking member, a hook member, and a lid member, where the locking member is inserted into an opening coplanar with the document placing surface, and the hook member engages with the locking member below the surface to prevent the document holder from opening, ensuring the apparatus body remains stable by locking the document holder in place when the document reading device is opened.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the document holder is made openable and closable relative to the document reading device, then the ease of operation is improved, but the stability of the apparatus body deteriorates due to center of gravity shift and potential backward falling
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member is positioned to engage with the hook member in advance before the document holder can open, creating a preliminary counter-action that prevents the harmful effect of center of gravity shift and apparatus body instability when the document reading device is opened
2Stability of the object's composition
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent document holder opening, then the stability of the apparatus body is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional locking components
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is segmented into distinct components: a locking member provided in the document holder and a hook member provided in the document reading device. This segmentation allows each component to have a simple, dedicated function while collectively achieving the stability goal without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having the document holder actively lock itself, the invention uses a passive hook member in the document reading device that automatically engages with the locking member when the document holder is in the closed position, reversing the traditional active locking approach and simplifying the mechanism
3Reliability
If the locking member is positioned below the document placing surface, then the reliability of the locking function is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to reduced accessibility for locking/unlocking
Solution Approach 1:
The lid member acts as an intermediary that covers the opening coplanar with the document placing surface. When the lid is closed, it provides a user-friendly interface for locking and unlocking operations at an accessible height, while the actual locking engagement occurs below the document placing surface through the locking member and hook member, thus mediating between reliability and ease of operation
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes: document reading device; document holder; and first locking device. Document reading device is provided so as to be openable and closable relative to apparatus body. Document holder is provided so as to be openable and closable relative to document reading device. First locking device locks document holder so as to prevent document holder from performing opening operation in the case of the document reading device performing opening operation. Document reading device includes an opening. First locking device includes: locking member, first hook member, and lid member. Locking member is inserted into the opening in a state where document holder is closed relative to document reading device. First hook member is engaged with locking member inserted in the opening, below document placing surface. Lid member is movable between closing position at which the opening is closed, and opening position at which the opening is opened.