Document Discharge Tray Extension for Long-Sheet Conveyability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing document feeding devices face challenges in maintaining conveyability of documents, especially when the documents are longer than the sheet feed tray, as the ends of such documents tend to hang down and get pulled in the opposite direction, disrupting the conveying process.
Innovation Solution
The document feeding device incorporates a restricting portion with a first and second extension portion that contacts the end of the document in the discharge direction, preventing it from hanging down and ensuring stable placement on the discharge tray, thereby maintaining conveyability regardless of document size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the sheet discharge tray is positioned below the sheet feed tray to enable document discharge, then the document can be conveyed and discharged efficiently, but documents longer than the tray may hang down and be pulled in the opposite direction, disrupting conveyability
Solution Approach 1:
The restricting portion extends in the document length direction (third direction) from the discharge tray, creating a three-dimensional structure that prevents documents from hanging down. This adds a spatial dimension to the discharge tray functionality, allowing it to both discharge documents efficiently and prevent excessive movement in the length direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The restricting portion acts as an intermediary element between the discharge tray and the document. It provides support to the document at the discharge location, preventing the document end from being pulled in the opposite direction while allowing smooth discharge onto the tray.
2Ease of operation
If the sheet discharge tray is designed to receive discharged documents, then document stacking is enabled, but documents longer than the tray length lack support and may bend or hang down
Solution Approach 1:
The restricting portion extends in the document length direction (third dimension) from the discharge tray, providing support for long documents. This three-dimensional extension ensures that documents are supported along their entire length on the tray, preventing bending and maintaining shape stability while enabling stacking.
Solution Approach 2:
The restricting portion provides localized support at specific positions along the document length. By positioning the restricting portion to extend from the discharge tray, it provides targeted support where needed (at the discharge location) while allowing the rest of the document to be stacked normally.
3Adaptability or versatility
If no restricting structure is provided for document ends, then the discharge tray can freely receive documents of any size, but documents longer than the tray will hang down and be pulled in the opposite direction
Solution Approach 1:
The restricting portion is designed to work with documents of various sizes while maintaining conveyability. It provides support for long documents to prevent hanging, while still allowing shorter documents to be discharged and stacked normally. The structure is universal in that it benefits all document sizes without requiring different configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The restricting portion extends in the third direction (document length direction) to provide support where needed, creating a multi-functional structure that both receives documents and prevents excessive movement. This dimensional extension allows the same structure to serve multiple purposes for different document types.
Data Source
AI summary
A document feeding device includes a sheet feed tray, a sheet discharge tray, and a restricting portion. The sheet feed tray feeds documents to be fed in a first direction. The sheet discharge tray, to which the fed document is discharged in a second direction opposite to the first direction, is arranged below the sheet feed tray. The restricting portion restricts movement in the second direction of the document discharged onto the sheet discharge tray. The restricting portion includes a first extension portion and a second extension portion. The first extension portion extends in the second direction from an end in the second direction of the sheet discharge tray. The second extension portion extends upward in an up direction from the first extension portion.