Document Tray Movable Member for Conveyance Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing document conveying apparatuses face instability in document conveyance when the number of documents is small, and they are prone to foreign matter entering the document tray, leading to potential member failure.

Innovation Solution

The document conveying apparatus includes a document tray with an upper tray member, a lower tray member, a movable tray member, first and second regulating members, a tray cover, and a driving portion. The movable tray member moves between a first position to support large-size documents and a second position to retract and improve visibility for small-size documents, while the tray cover and regulating members help prevent foreign matter entry.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a movable tray member is retracted into the document tray for small-size documents, then visibility of discharged documents is improved, but foreign matter can enter through the gap created in the document tray

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovevisibilityVSAvoidforeign matter entry

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A tray cover is introduced as an intermediary component between the movable tray member and the external environment. The tray cover moves integrally with the movable tray member in the width direction, maintaining coverage over the gap created when the tray member retracts, thereby preventing foreign matter entry while preserving visibility improvement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The tray cover acts as a flexible protective shell that can move with the movable tray member. This flexible coverage maintains protection against foreign matter while accommodating the retraction motion needed for visibility improvement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Adaptability or versatility

If the movable tray member is pulled out to support large-size documents, then document support capability is improved, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedocument support capabilityVSAvoidtray structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tray cover is merged with the movable tray member through integral movement in the width direction. This combination reduces the need for separate coverage mechanisms, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining adaptability for different document sizes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The movable tray member serves multiple functions: it provides support for large-size documents when pulled out, improves visibility when retracted, and maintains structural integrity through its integral connection with the tray cover. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the document tray is configured with movable parts for adaptability, then document handling versatility is improved, but reliability decreases due to potential member failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedocument handling versatilityVSAvoidmember failure risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The tray cover provides continuous protective coverage over the movable tray member, shielding it from foreign matter that could cause failure. This protection maintains reliability while allowing the movable parts to provide document handling versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The tray cover acts as a protective intermediary between foreign matter and the movable tray member, preventing contamination and failure while allowing the movable mechanism to maintain its versatility for different document sizes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12221305B2Document conveying apparatus, image reading apparatus and image forming apparatus

Publication Date: 2025.02.11 CANON KK

AI summary

A document conveying apparatus is provided with a document tray, a feeding member, and a discharge tray disposed below the document tray. The document tray includes an upper tray member, a lower tray member, a movable tray member movable in a width direction orthogonal to a feeding direction of a document, a tray cover disposed to cover an underside of the movable tray member, and a driving portion. The driving portion moves the upper tray member and the movable tray member integrally to a raised position and a lowered position. The movable tray member and the tray cover are configured to be moved integrally in the width direction between a first position in which the movable tray member supports the document together with the upper tray member and a second position in which the movable tray member is retracted from the first position into below the upper tray member.