Drawer Locking Mechanism With Push-Assisted Low-Force Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drawer units for image forming apparatuses require high drawing forces, making it difficult for users, especially powerless individuals, to insert and draw the units for maintenance or when a recording medium sheet jams.
Innovation Solution
A drawer unit with a locking member that rotates on a shaft intersecting the inserting direction, engaging with a locking wall and pushing wall to reduce the force needed for drawing by utilizing the resilience of the locking member and the housing's structure to assist in the drawing operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a drawer unit is designed with a locking mechanism for secure attachment, then the reliability of the drawer attachment is improved, but the drawing force required to remove the drawer increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member is rotated to the unlock position before the drawer is drawn out. This preliminary unlocking action releases the engagement between the locking member and locking wall, eliminating the locking force resistance during drawer removal. The pushing wall then assists in pushing the drawer outward during the unlocking rotation, further reducing the required drawing force.
Solution Approach 2:
The pushing wall acts as an intermediary element between the locking mechanism and the drawer. When the locking member rotates in the unlocking direction, it contacts the pushing wall, which converts the rotational motion into a pushing force in the drawing direction. This intermediary mechanism translates the unlocking action into assistance for drawer removal, reducing the overall drawing force required.
2Ease of operation
If a push-lock mechanism with spring is used to reduce drawing force, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring component traditionally used in push-lock mechanisms is completely removed from this design. Instead of using elastic resilience to assist drawer removal, the invention uses the geometric configuration of the pushing wall and the rotational motion of the locking member to generate the pushing force. This extraction of the spring element simplifies the overall mechanism while maintaining the ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking member's own rotational motion serves dual purposes: it disengages from the locking wall to unlock the drawer, and simultaneously contacts the pushing wall to generate the pushing force for drawer removal. The mechanism uses its own operational movement to provide the assistance needed for easy drawer extraction, without requiring separate spring components or additional energy storage elements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively reduces the drawing force required, making it easier for users to insert and draw the drawer unit, even when a recording medium sheet is jammed, thereby improving user convenience and reducing the risk of damage during maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a locking member (41b) which is mounted on the drawer (41), and a rotating shaft (415) on which the locking member (41b) is rotatable. The locking member (41b) extends in a direction intersecting the inserting direction (D1), and is rotatable on the rotating shaft (415) extending in the inserting direction (D1)
Implementation Method 2
When the locking member (41b) is rotated in the unlocking direction, the locking member (41b) is contacted with the pushing wall, and the pushing wall pushes the drawer (41) in the drawing direction (D2) as the locking member (41b) rotates in the unlocking direction
Data Source
AI summary
A drawer unit including a housing and a drawer inserted into the housing in inserting direction and drawn therefrom in drawing direction is provided. A locking member is mounted on the housing or the drawer to extend in direction intersecting the inserting direction, and is rotatable on a rotating shaft extending in the inserting direction such that when the drawer is inserted, the locking member rotates from unlock position to lock position in locking direction while rotating from the lock position to the unlock position in unlocking direction prior to drawing of the drawer. A locking wall and a pushing wall are mounted on the other of the housing and the drawer. The locking member in the lock position is engaged with the locking wall. When being rotated in the unlocking direction, the locking member is contacted with the pushing wall, which pushes the drawer in the drawing direction.